Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluación psico-social y económica de la oncocercosis. Una revisión bibliográfica

Resumen Antecedentes:La oncocercosis o ceguera de los rios es una enfermedad parasitaria causada por el nematodo filarico Onchocerca volvulus. Ocurre en 38 paises del mundo, incluyendo Africa, Latinoamerica y la Peninsula Arabiga. La infeccion cursa predominantemente con afectacion cutanea y oftalmologica, pudiendo causar ceguera. Objetivos: El objetivo de este proyecto es hacer una revision bibliografica de las consecuencias psico-sociales y economicas de la oncocercosis en las areas endemicas. Tambien se llevo a cabo una revision de estudios de evaluacion economica y los programas de control de la enfermedad. Metodos: Se realizaron busquedas en PUBMED y en Google. Ademas se registraron los sitios web de la Cochrane Library y de la OMS. Se estudiaron diferentes tipos de analisis economico con el fin de cuantificar la relacion entre los costos de los programas y sus impactos. Resultados: Se identificaron ochenta articulos de diferentes fuentes (la mayoria de los cuales son estudios cuantitativos o revisiones bibliograficas y solo dos son ensayos clinicos). La oncocercosis tiene consecuencias socio-economicas y psicologicas graves. El estigma asociado a la enfermedad puede reducir las posibilidades de matrimonio de los individuos afectados, afectar sus relaciones sociales y ocasionar la perdida de la confianza en si mismos. Ademas, entre los trabajadores agricolas, la oncocercosis ha estado asociada a un mayor absentismo laboral y a un descenso en la productividad, lo cual se asocia a salarios reducidos. Discusion: La mayoria de los articulos analizados fueron estudios transversales en los que la recoleccion de datos fue realizada por medio de cuestionarios. A pesar de que existe un numero creciente de articulos publicados sobre la importancia de las perspectivas psico-sociales y economicas de la oncocercosis, una mayor investigacion para cuantificar y controlar sus consecuencias es aun necesaria. Conclusion: La oncocercosis todavia es un problema serio en paises pobres. Las personas infectadas enfrentan discapacidad fisica y estigma social, lo que puede reducir dramaticamente su calidad de vida y la productividad de las tierras. Los programas de control (aunque costosos) han sido muy exitosos y rentables. Debe darse prioridad al desarrollo de nuevas herramientas para apoyar los programas de control y para posibilitar la erradicacion de la enfermedad. Palabras clave: oncocercosis, oncocercosis y consecuencias psico-sociales, oncocercosis y evaluacion economica, oncocercosis y analisis de costo-rendimiento, oncocercosis y analisis de costo-beneficio.
Étude de la polarisation et de la division asymétrique de l’ovocyte de souris

La meiose ovocytaire comprend une succession de deux divisions cellulaires, sans phase intermediaire de replication de l'ADN, permettant l'haploidisation du gamete femelle en vue de la fusion des genomes parentaux lors de la fecondation. Le caractere fortement asymetrique de ces divisions permet l'expulsion du materiel genetique surnumeraire, dans de petits globules polaires, tout en conservant l'essentiel des ressources cytoplasmiques qui seront necessaires au developpement precoce de l'embryon. De nombreuses etudes realisees sur l'ovocyte de souris ont mis en evidence les capacites intrinseques du gamete a rompre sa symetrie en positionnant son fuseau de maniere excentree a proximite du cortex. En se positionnant de la sorte le fuseau induit, via un gradient de Ran-GTP porte par les chromosomes, une polarisation du cortex ovocytaire qui permettra de restreindre le site d'emission des futurs globules polaires. Cette polarisation se caracterise notamment par une forte accumulation de filaments d'actines dependante du facteur de nucleation Arp2/3. Nos travaux nous ont permis de mettre en evidence le role de Cdc42-GTP, via l'activation de N-WASP, comme intermediaire entre le gradient de Ran-GTP et la polymerisation polarisee des filaments d'actine. Nous nous sommes egalement interesses a la localisation des proteines ERM (Ezrin Radixin Moesin), connues pour favoriser la formation des microvillosites membranaires. Dans l'ovocyte, les microvillosites et les ERM sont toutes deux exclues du cortex polarise et nous avons pu demontrer le role de Ran-GTP dans ce processus. Enfin, nous avons etudie la localisation du reseau d'acto-myosine cortical lors de la deuxieme division meiotique qui necessite la rotation du fuseau de l'ovocyte de souris. Nos resultats revelent l'existence de deux sous-populations de myosine 2 corticale, l'une dependante de la chromatine (Ran-GTP/Cdc42-GTP) et l'autre dependante du fuseau central (Ect2/RhoA).
Design and Characterization of a Multilevel DRAM

Multilevel DRAM (MLDRAM) increases the storage density of DRAMs by using more than two signal levels in the data storage cells. Our MLDRAM uses reference and data cell signals that are generated in the cell array using charge sharing. The single-step sensing method uses multiple reference signals in parallel. We describe an operational 19200-cell MLDRAM test chip in 1.8-V, 180-nm mixed-signal CMOS that allows 1, 1.5, 2, 2.25, and 2.5 bits-per-cell operation using 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 data signal levels, respectively. Characterization features include a partitioned memory array with four different data cell sizes, two sense amplifier sizes, and selective bitline shielding. New tests were developed using an MLDRAM fault model covering basic functionality, retention time, multilevel march, inter-bitline coupling and cell plate voltage bump tests. We show that, with short bitlines, MLDRAM's noise margins can be similar to DRAM's to more reliably store two bits in a 1T1C cell.
Abstracting the core subnet of weighted networks based on link strengths

Most measures of networks are based on the nodes, although links are also elementary units in networks and represent interesting social or physical connections. In this work we suggest an option for exploring networks, called the h‐strength, with explicit focus on links and their strengths. The h‐strength and its extensions can naturally simplify a complex network to a small and concise subnetwork (h‐subnet) but retains the most important links with its core structure. Its applications in 2 typical information networks, the paper cocitation network of a topic (the h‐index) and 5 scientific collaboration networks in the field of “water resources,” suggest that h‐strength and its extensions could be a useful choice for abstracting, simplifying, and visualizing a complex network. Moreover, we observe that the 2 informetric models, the Glänzel‐Schubert model and the Hirsch model, roughly hold in the context of the h‐strength for the collaboration networks.
Synapses on GABAergic neurons in the basolateral nucleus of the rat amygdala: Double‐labeling immunoelectron microscopy

Although the basolateral nucleus (BL) of the amygdala is known to contain an abundance of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neurons that regulate the amygdaloid projection neurons and influence storage and consolidation of memory, it remains to be determined what type of neuronal input controls GABAergic neurons in the BL. We examined the synapses that GABAergic neurons form with GABAergic and noradrenergic neurons and terminals with unknown transmitters by double‐labeling immunoelectron microscopy using anti‐GABA and dopamine‐β‐hydroxylase (DBH) antisera. The medium and small dendrites of the GABAergic neurons were shown to receive symmetric, inhibitory‐type synapses from GABAergic axon terminals and asymmetric, excitatory‐type synapses from noradrenergic axon terminals. Each segment of the GABAergic neurons from perikarya to dendritic spines received both symmetric and asymmetric synapses from unlabeled axon terminals of various forms and sizes. The incidence rates of the two types of synapses were almost identical. Our results suggest that GABAergic neurons in the BL of the rat amygdala might be affected by the excitatory influence of the noradrenergic system and the inhibitory influence of the GABAergic system. Furthermore, these neurons are also strongly influenced by both excitatory and inhibitory‐type synapses from neuronal systems other than the GABAergic and noradrenergic systems. Synapse 43:42–50, 2002. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Multi-scale hippocampal parcellation improves atlas-based segmentation accuracy

Known for its distinct role in memory, the hippocampus is one of the most studied regions of the brain. Recent advances in magnetic resonance imaging have allowed for high-contrast, reproducible imaging of the hippocampus. Typically, a trained rater takes 45 minutes to manually trace the hippocampus and delineate the anterior from the posterior segment at millimeter resolution. As a result, there has been a significant desire for automated and robust segmentation of the hippocampus. In this work we use a population of 195 atlases based on T1-weighted MR images with the left and right hippocampus delineated into the head and body. We initialize the multi-atlas segmentation to a region directly around each lateralized hippocampus to both speed up and improve the accuracy of registration. This initialization allows for incorporation of nearly 200 atlases, an accomplishment which would typically involve hundreds of hours of computation per target image. The proposed segmentation results in a Dice similiarity coefficient over 0.9 for the full hippocampus. This result outperforms a multi-atlas segmentation using the BrainCOLOR atlases (Dice 0.85) and FreeSurfer (Dice 0.75). Furthermore, the head and body delineation resulted in a Dice coefficient over 0.87 for both structures. The head and body volume measurements also show high reproducibility on the Kirby 21 reproducibility population (R2 greater than 0.95, p < 0.05 for all structures). This work signifies the first result in an ongoing work to develop a robust tool for measurement of the hippocampus and other temporal lobe structures.
Parallel simulation of mesh routing algorithms

Performance of a network depends primarily on the network topology, switching mechanism, flow control protocol and the underlying routing algorithm. While many routing algorithms have been proposed recently for direct networks, there is no time efficient technique to evaluate and compare all of them. A conventional routing algorithm simulation of a network on a uniprocessor takes unacceptably large computing time. The simulation can be made very time efficient by parallelizing it and running on a parallel test bed. This research is focussed on designing a parallel routing algorithm simulator for n-dimensional mesh connected networks with wormhole switching and virtual channel flow control. The research addresses partitioning mapping, synchronization issues, and implementation of various routing algorithms for 2-D and 3-D mesh architectures. Experimental results show that the parallel simulator can provide significant speedup compared do a uniprocessor environment.
Gels Obtained by Colloidal Self-Assembly of Amphiphilic Molecules

Gelation in water-based systems can be achieved in many different ways. This review focusses on ways that are based on self-assembly, i.e., a bottom-up approach. Self-assembly naturally requires amphiphilic molecules and accordingly the systems described here are based on surfactants and to some extent also on amphiphilic copolymers. In this review we are interested in cases of low and moderate concentrations of amphiphilic material employed to form hydrogels. Self-assembly allows for various approaches to achieve gelation. One of them is via increasing the effective volume fraction by encapsulating solvent, as in vesicles. Vesicles can be constructed in various morphologies and the different cases are discussed here. However, also the formation of very elongated worm-like micelles can lead to gelation, provided the structural relaxation times of these systems is long enough. Alternatively, one may employ amphiphilic copolymers of hydrophobically modified water soluble polymers that allow for network formation in solution by self-assembly due to having several hydrophobic modifications per polymer. Finally, one may combine such polymers with surfactant self-assemblies and thereby produce interconnected hybrid network systems with corresponding gel-like properties. As seen here there is a number of conceptually different approaches to achieve gelation by self-assembly and they may even become combined for further variation of the properties. These different approaches are described in this review to yield a comprehensive overview regarding the options for achieving gel formation by self-assembly.
On the (In)Stability of Nonlinear Feedback Solutions in a Dynamic Duopoly with Renewable Resource Exploitation

We revisit Fujiwara’s (2008) linear–quadratic differential duopoly game to show that the degenerate nonlinear feedback identified by the tangency point with the stationary state line is indeed unstable, given the dynamics of the natural resource exploited by firms. To do so, we fully characterise the continuum of nonlinear feedback solution via Rowat’s (2007) method, thereby identifying the infinitely many stable nonlinear feedback equilibria. This entails that Rowat’s method can be used in games where each player’s instantaneous payoff depends quadratically on all players’ controls.
Boosting Local Spectro-Temporal Features for Speech Analysis

We introduce the problem of phone classification in the context of speech recognition, and explore several sets of local spectro-temporal features that can be used for phone classification. In particular, we present some preliminary results for phone classification using two sets of features that are commonly used for object detection: Haar features and SVM-classified Histograms of Gradients (HoG).
A Novel Two-Component Signaling System That Activates Transcription of an Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli Effector Involved in Remodeling of Host Actin

ABSTRACT Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 is responsible for worldwide outbreaks of bloody diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis, and life-threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome. After colonizing the large intestine, EHEC forms attaching and effacing (AE) lesions on intestinal epithelial cells. These lesions cause destruction of the microvilli and elicit actin rearrangement to form pedestals that cup each bacterium individually. EHEC responds to a signal produced by the intestinal microbial flora, autoinducer-3 (AI-3), and the host hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine to activate transcription of the genes involved in AE lesion formation. These three signals, involved in interkingdom communication, are sensed by bacterial sensor kinases. Here we describe a novel two-component system, QseEF (quorum-sensing E. coli regulators E and F), which is part of the AI-3/epinephrine/norepinephrine signaling system. QseE is the sensor kinase and QseF the response regulator. The qseEF genes are cotranscribed, and transcription of qseEF is activated by epinephrine through the QseC sensor. A qseF mutant does not form AE lesions. QseF activates transcription of the gene encoding EspFu, an effector protein translocated to the host cell by the EHEC, which mimics a eukaryotic SH2/SH3 adapter protein to engender actin polymerization during pedestal formation. Expression of the espFu gene from a plasmid restored AE lesion formation to the qseF mutant, suggesting that lack of espFu expression in this mutant was responsible for the loss of pedestal formation. These findings suggest the QseEF is a two-component system involved in the regulation of AE lesion formation by EHEC.
A 100 MHz synchronized OEIC photoreceiver in n-well, CMOS technology

We analyze and demonstrate a synchronized CMOS photoreceiver for the conversion of optical inputs of pulse-light to electronic digital signals. Small-signal and photonic analysis of the proposed circuit are detailed. The photoreceiver was operated at 100 MHz with only 13.3 fJ/pulse of 830-nm input light. Its effective area is 100/spl times/60 /spl mu/m/sup 2/ which makes this monolithic photoreceiver extremely important for use in data storage and optical interconnection applications.
Adrenal Pheochromocytoma Producing Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide and Masking Hypertension

Aim: To report a case of a pheochromocytoma secreting vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). Methods: We studied a 77-year-old woman who had suffered from persistent diarrhea and episodes of sweating and palpitations. Results: She had neither previous or current anamnesis of hypertension nor any known familial dispositions to endocrine diseases. Initially gastrointestinal investigations were carried out based on longstanding diarrhea with hypopotassemia, but radiological imaging revealed a unilateral adrenal mass. Biochemical testing showed increased levels of catecholamine and VIP, and 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy confirmed the adrenal origin as well as the diagnosis of a VIP-producing pheochromocytoma. The patient underwent surgical removal of the tumor which led to relief of symptoms and normalized laboratory values. Conclusion: This case report focuses on the protean mode of presentation seen in pheochromocytomas as well as their capacity to produce several neuropeptides, ultimately intensifying the need for early examination for this condition despite unrelated symptoms.
Colorectal neoplasm: magnetic resonance colonography with fat enema-initial clinical experience.

AIM To assess Magnetic resonance colonography with fat enema as a method for detection of colorectal neoplasm. METHODS Consecutive twenty-two patients underwent MR colonography with fat enema before colonoscopy. T1-weighted three-dimensional fast spoiled gradient-echo with inversion recovery sequence was acquired with the patient in the supine position before and 75 s after Gadopentetate Dimelumine administration. Where by, pre and post MR coronal images were obtained with a single breath hold for about 20 s to cover the entire colon. The quality of MR colonographs and patients' tolerance to fat contrast medium was investigated. Colorectal neoplasms identified by MR colonography were compared with those identified on colonoscopy and sensitivity of detecting the lesions was calculated accordingly. RESULTS MR colonography with fat enema was well tolerated without sedation and analgesia. 120 out of 132 (90.9%) colonic segments were well distended and only 1 (0.8%) colonic segment was poor distension. After contrast enhancement scan, mean contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) value between the normal colonic wall and lumen was 18.5 +/- 2.9 while mean CNR value between colorectal neoplasm and lumen was 20.2 +/- 3.1. By Magnetic resonance colonography, 26 of 35 neoplasms (sensitivity 74.3%) were detected. However, sensitivity of MRC was 95.5% (21 of 22) for neoplasm larger than 10 mm and 55.6% (5 of 9) for 5-10 mm neoplasm. CONCLUSION MR colonography with fat enema and T1-weighted three-dimensional fast spoiled gradient-echo with inversion recovery sequence is feasible in detecting colorectal neoplasm larger than 10 mm.
The Family Affluence Scale as an Indicator for Socioeconomic Status: Validation on Regional Income Differences in the Czech Republic

The Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children study (HBSC) uses the Family Affluence Scale (FAS) as a tool to identify the socioeconomic status of children and adolescents. Even though it is now widely applied in research studies, the external criterion validation of FAS has not been verified in terms of objective economic indicators in Central Europe. The aim of this study is to validate FAS in terms of disposable income per capita in 14 Czech administrative regions. Regional differences in the FAS score were analyzed using Pearson correlation and linear regression to measure the dependency of the aggregated mean of the FAS index at the regional level on data from the Czech HSBC survey carried out from April to June 2014 (n = 10,361). The data analysis has shown an overall positive correlation between the FAS index and regional disposable income (R = 0.77, p < 0.01). The regional disposable income per person could explain 59.7% of the variance in the FAS index (p < 0.01). By validating individual items, the authors identified three items with a significant correlation (p < 0.01): number of computers, dishwasher at home, and number of holidays. FAS seems to be a valid instrument to measure adolescents’ socioeconomic status.
Proportion of cystic fibrosis gene mutations not detected by routine testing in men with obstructive azoospermia.

CONTEXT Infertile men with obstructive azoospermia may have mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, many of which are rare in classic cystic fibrosis and not evaluated in most routine mutation screening. OBJECTIVE To assess how often CFTR mutations or sequence alterations undetected by routine screening are detected with more extensive screening in obstructive azoospermia. DESIGN Routine screening for the 31 most common CFTR mutations associated with the CF phenotype in white populations, testing for the 5-thymidine variant of the polythymidine tract of intron 8 (IVS8-5T) by allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridization, and screening of all exons through multiplex heteroduplex shift analysis followed by direct DNA sequencing. SETTING Male infertility clinic of a Canadian university-affiliated hospital. SUBJECTS Of 198 men with obstructive (n = 149) or nonobstructive (n = 49; control group) azoospermia, 64 had congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD), 10 had congenital unilateral absence of the vas deferens (CUAVD), and 75 had epididymal obstruction (56/75 were idiopathic). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Frequency of mutations found by routine and nonroutine tests in men with obstructive vs nonobstructive azoospermia. RESULTS Frequency of mutations and the IVS8-5T variant in the nonobstructive azoospermia group (controls) (2% and 5.1% allele frequency, respectively) did not differ significantly from that in the general population (2% and 5.2%, respectively). In the CBAVD group, 72 mutations were found by DNA sequencing and IVS8-5T testing (47 and 25, respectively; P<.001 and P = .002 vs controls) vs 39 by the routine panel (P<.001 vs controls). In the idiopathic epididymal obstruction group, 24 mutations were found by DNA sequencing and IVS8-5T testing (12 each; P=.01 and P=.14 vs controls) vs 5 by the routine panel (P=.33 vs controls). In the CUAVD group, 2 mutations were found by routine testing (P=.07 vs controls) vs 4 (2 each, respectively; P=.07 and P=.40 vs controls) by DNA sequencing and IVS8-5T testing. The routine panel did not identify 33 (46%) of 72, 2 (50%) of 4, and 19 (79%) of 24 detectable CFTR mutations and IVS8-5T in the CBAVD, CUAVD, and idiopathic epididymal obstruction groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Routine testing for CFTR mutations may miss mild or rare gene alterations. The barrier to conception for men with obstructive infertility has been overcome by assisted reproductive technologies, thus raising the concern of iatrogenically transmitting pathogenic CFTR mutations to the progeny.
Performance analysis and optimization of permanent magnet synchronous motor based on deep learning

In this paper, a method of deep learning is built to reduce the needed time on performance analyze and optimization of permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM). The analysis of the electromagnetic speed, torque and efficiency of PMSM is carried on with Finite Element Method (FEM), which is 8 pole-pairs, 48 stator slots and 195mm of stator external diameter. FEM model of PMSM is established, and the finite element analysis is carried out to obtain the structural parameters which have great influence on the maximum efficiency of permanent magnet synchronous motor. Then, the training samples of deep learning about efficiency are generated by FEM. We build a multiple regression model with 3 hidden layers, two inputs, and one output, which is trained and optimized by using the deep learning neural network algorithm. The accuracy of the model is verified by the comparison of the finite element calculation and the multiple regression prediction model fitting results.