Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pitfalls in delay fault testing

In this paper, we examine delay models used in very large scale integration (VLSI) circuit testing. Our study is based on electrical-level simulation experiments. We present a comprehensive analysis of phenomena which significantly affect the actual delays but are not taken into account by the existing models used in testing. Because of these phenomena, for a given path in a circuit, tests commonly considered equivalent may result in different pass/fail decisions. Moreover, contrary to a common assumption, robust tests may fail to detect faults detectable by nonrobust tests. This may happen even in circuits in which all paths are robust testable. Our analysis questions the test quality offered by delay test procedures used so far.
Fluorescence microscopy—A historical and technical perspective

For a little more than a century, fluorescence microscopy has been an essential source of major discoveries in cell biology. Recent developments improved both visualization and quantification by fluorescence microscopy imaging and established a methodology of fluorescence microscopy. By outlining basic principles and their historical development, I seek to provide insight into and understanding of the ever‐growing tools of fluorescence microscopy. Thereby, this synopsis may help the interested researcher to choose a fluorescence microscopic method capable of addressing a specific scientific question. © 2013 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Cost-effectiveness of vaccination against pneumococcal bacteremia among elderly people.

CONTEXT Clinical, epidemiologic, and policy considerations support updating the cost-effectiveness of pneumococcal vaccination for elderly people and targeting the evaluation only to prevention of pneumococcal bacteremia. OBJECTIVE To assess the implications for medical costs and health effects of vaccination against pneumococcal bacteremia in elderly people. DESIGN Cost-effectiveness analysis of pneumococcal vaccination compared with no vaccination, from a societal perspective. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS The elderly population aged 65 years and older in the United States in 3 geographic areas: metropolitan Atlanta, Ga; Franklin County, Ohio; and Monroe County, New York. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Incremental medical costs and health effects, expressed in quality-adjusted life-years per person vaccinated. RESULTS Vaccination was cost saving, ie, it both reduced medical expenses and improved health, for all age groups and geographic areas analyzed in the base case. For people aged 65 years and older, vaccination saved $8.27 and gained 1.21 quality-adjusted days of life per person vaccinated. Vaccination of the 23 million elderly people unvaccinated in 1993 would have gained about 78000 years of healthy life and saved $194 million. In univariate sensitivity analysis, the results remained cost saving except for doubling vaccination costs, including future medical costs of survivors, and lowering vaccination effectiveness. With assumptions most unfavorable to vaccination, cost per quality-adjusted life-year ranged from $35 822 for ages 65 to 74 years to $598 487 for ages 85 years and older. In probabilistic sensitivity analysis, probability intervals were more narrow, with less than 5% probability that the ratio for ages 85 years and older would exceed $100000. CONCLUSIONS Pneumococcal vaccination saves costs in the prevention of bacteremia alone and is greatly underused among the elderly population, on both health and economic grounds. These results support recent recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and public and private efforts under way to improve vaccination rates.
Ladungsträgerdynamik von III-V-Halbleiter-Nanostrukturen für lichtemittierende und photovoltaische Applikationen

Fur lichtemittierende und photovoltaische Applikationen fuhren III-V-Halbleiter-Nanostrukturen zu hochsten Effizienzen. Dabei besitzen Nanodrahtstrukturen gegenuber Schichtstrukturen aufgrund der Geometrie einige Vorteile. So ist die Ein- oder Auskopplung von Licht deutlich verbessert und Heterostrukturen konnen sowohl axial als auch radial gewachsen werden. Axial konnen diverse Halbleiter mit hohem Freiheitsgrad kombiniert und auf ein gewunschtes Absorptions- oder Emissionsspektrum angepasst werden. Radiale III-N-Nanodrahtstrukturen sind im Gegensatz zu Schichtstrukturen unpolar, so dass geringere Ladungstragerdichten aufgrund der kurzen Ladungstragerlebensdauern eine Steigerung der Effizienz ermoglichen. Im Niederinjektionsbereich werden Verluste uber Defekte jedoch dominanter, wahrend bei Nanodrahten potentielle Verluste uber Oberflachen zusatzlich die Effizienz limitieren konnen. Ein Verstandnis der auftretenden Verlustmechanismen ist daher die Voraussetzung zur Realisierung hoher Effizienzen. Mittels zeitaufgeloster optischer und photoelektrischer Untersuchungsmethoden sind blaue III-N-Schicht-LEDs und -Nanodraht-LEDs sowie axial dotierte GaAs-Nanodrahte und radiale GaAs/GaInP-Strukturen charakterisiert und mit Fokus auf optische Verlustmechanismen untersucht worden. Verluste im Niederinjektionsbereich einer Schicht-LED sind dabei auf einen defektbeteiligten Tunnelprozess durch die Barrieren im aktiven Bereich zuruckgefuhrt worden. Weiterhin werden anhand optischer Analysen partielle Abschirmungseffekte der polaren piezoelektrischen Felder im aktiven Bereich in Abhangigkeit zur Diffusionsspannung diskutiert. Kurze Ladungstragerlebensdauern fur III-N-Nanodraht-LED-Strukturen werden auf Basis der Untersuchungen auf die unpolare Kristallrichtung zuruckgefuhrt. Auch die Emission einer elektrisch betriebenen und schnell modulierbaren Nanodraht-LED ist im Rahmen der Arbeit untersucht worden. Eine effiziente Photostromerzeugung konnte fur axial dotierte GaAs-Nanodrahte bei ortsaufgeloster Belichtung am pn-Ubergang auch mit sehr hoher Leistungsdichte gemessen werden. Nach den durchgefuhrten Analysen werden die Ladungstragerdynamik und Verluste fur diese Strukturen durch die Oberflachen dominiert. Die zeitaufgeloste optische Untersuchung einer radialen GaAs/GaInP-Nanodrahtstruktur hat schlieslich eine deutliche Reduzierung nichtstrahlender Verluste durch die Passivierung der GaAs-Oberflachen nachgewiesen.
Activation Loop Ser744 and Ser748 in Protein Kinase D Are Transphosphorylated in Vivo *

The importance of activation loop phosphorylation in the regulation of protein kinase D (PKD/protein kinase C (PKC) μ) activity has become controversial. In order to clarify the mechanism(s) of PKD activation, we developed a novel phosphospecific antibody recognizing phosphorylated Ser748 in PKD (pS748). Western blot analysis with the pS748 antibody, carried out with a variety of PKD forms and in a variety of cell types including full-length PKD transfected in COS-7 and HEK 293 cells, a green fluorescent protein-PKD fusion protein transfected in either Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts or Madin-Darby canine kidney epithelial cells, and endogenous PKD expressed in A20 lymphocytes and Rat-1 fibroblasts, indicated that Ser748 phosphorylation was absent from unstimulated cells. In contrast, dramatic increases in Ser748 phosphorylation were induced by phorbol esters, bombesin, or cross-linking of B lymphocyte antigen receptors or by cotransfection with active PKCε or PKCη. Western analysis using a second phosphospecific antibody, which primarily recognizes PKD phosphorylated at Ser744, revealed that Ser744phosphorylation accompanies Ser748 phosphorylation during PKD activation in vivo. Ser744/Ser748 phosphorylation requires PKC but not PKD activity, indicative of transphosphorylation. Our results provide new experimental evidence indicating that activation loop phosphorylation at Ser744 and Ser748 occurs during PKD activation in vivo and support the notion of a PKC-PKD phosphorylation cascade.
Clinical quiz: Helicobacter pylori gastroduodenitis.

A two-and-a-half-month-old girl was admitted for a history of recurrent vomiting. The baby had been bottle fed with a standard formula since the third week of life. Vomiting had begun at the age of one-and-a-half-months and had been progressively worsening with a slight decrease in the growth rate. Treatment with domperidone and ranitidine had been started after 2 weeks on suspicion of gastroesophageal reflux with no benefit. A casein hydrolysate formula was started 2 weeks before admission and also resulted in no benefit. At admission the baby was in good condition, with a normal physical examination. A blood gas analysis showed a moderate metabolic alkalosis and urine culture was negative. An ultrasound scan of the pylorus failed to show significant hypertrophy and therefore a barium upper gastrointestinal radiograph was performed (Fig. 1). This showed a narrowing of the pylorus with delayed gastric emptying and the baby underwent a surgical procedure. During the procedure the surgeon found no real hypertrophy, but the pylorus had rather a dysplastic appearance. An extra mucosal pylorotomy was performed. In the 2 weeks after the surgical procedure the child’s vomiting decreased although a few daily episodes persisted. Eventually vomiting progressively worsened again with a significant delay in the growth rate. The child was reevaluated in the clinic and because of eosinophilia (650 cells/mm), an allergy to the hydrolysate was suspected. Therefore an elemental diet was started without benefit in the next 2 weeks. At that point she was admitted again to the hospital. She had lost weight, vomiting episodes were recurrent and intractable and feeding through a nasogastric tube was started. Continuous enteral feeding was partially tolerated but significant repeated daily vomiting persisted, allowing only moderate intake of milk. The blood gas analysis showed a significant metabolic alkalosis. Extensive metabolic investigations ruled out Bartter or pseudo-Bartter syndrome. Ultrasound and computed tomographic scans of the head ruled out intracranial hypertension. Continuous esophageal pH monitoring failed to demonstrate gastroesophageal reflux. A barium swallow was repeated on suspicion that there might be a re-stenosis of the pylorus. The radiographs did not show images compatible with the hypothesis, and therefore the option of a second surgical procedure was not considered. At that point we had no strong hypothesis but we wereworried about the possibility of an undefined gastroduodenitis or of a primary or secondary motility disorder. At upper intestinal endoscopy the esophagus and pylorus appeared normal. There was dramatic hyperemia of the duodenum that was macroscopically enflamed and moderately swollen. A biopsy specimen is showed in Figure 3. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Iterative reconstruction algorithm for abdominal multidetector CT at different tube voltages: assessment of diagnostic accuracy, image quality, and radiation dose in a phantom study.

PURPOSE To assess the diagnostic accuracy, image quality, and radiation dose of an iterative reconstruction algorithm compared with a filtered back projection (FBP) algorithm for abdominal computed tomography (CT) at different tube voltages. MATERIALS AND METHODS A custom liver phantom with 45 simulated hypovascular liver tumors (diameters of 5, 10, and 15 mm; tumor-to-liver contrast of 10, 25, and 50 HU) was placed in a cylindrical water container that mimicked an intermediate-sized patient. The phantom was scanned at 120, 100, and 80 kVp. The CT data sets were reconstructed with FBP and iterative reconstruction. The image noise was measured, and the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the tumors was calculated. The radiation dose was assessed with the volume CT dose index. Tumor detection was independently performed by three radiologists. Statistical analysis included analysis of variance. RESULTS Compared with the FBP data set at 120 kVp, the iterative reconstruction data set collected at 100 kVp demonstrated significantly lower mean image noise (20.9 and 16.7 HU, respectively; P < .001) and greater mean CNRs for the simulated tumors (P < .001). The iterative reconstruction data set collected at 120 kVp yielded the highest sensitivity for tumor detection, while the FBP data set at 80 kVp yielded the lowest. The sensitivity for the iterative reconstruction data set at 100 kVp was comparable with that for the FBP data set at 120 kVp (79.3% and 74.9%, respectively; P > .99). The volume CT dose index decreased by 39.8% between the 120-kVp protocol and the 100-kVp protocol and by 70.3% between the 120-kVp protocol and the 80-kVp protocol. CONCLUSION Results of this phantom study suggest that a 100-kVp abdominal CT protocol with an iterative reconstruction algorithm for simulated intermediate-sized patients increases the image quality and maintains the diagnostic accuracy at a reduced radiation dose when compared with a 120-kVp protocol with an FBP algorithm.
Symmetric arrangement of mitochondria:plasma membrane contacts between adjacent photoreceptor cells regulated by Opa1

Significance Mitochondria play an essential role in the homeostasis of the highly energy-demanding photoreceptors and enable normal vision. We used 3D electron microscopy to show that the mitochondria in the photoreceptor inner segment are tethered to the plasma membrane in a highly specialized arrangement. This includes mitochondria running alongside each other in neighboring inner segments, with evidence of alignment of the cristae openings. The cristae structure was not greatly affected in photoreceptors of a heterozygous Opa1 knockout mouse model, but the mitochondria were enlarged and had reduced alignment to neighboring inner-segment mitochondria. This leads us to propose that mitochondria are arranged to share metabolites and assist in maintaining homeostasis across the photoreceptor cell layer. Mitochondria are known to play an essential role in photoreceptor function and survival that enables normal vision. Within photoreceptors, mitochondria are elongated and extend most of the inner-segment length, where they supply energy for protein synthesis and the phototransduction machinery in the outer segment, as well as acting as a calcium store. Here, we examined the arrangement of the mitochondria within the inner segment in detail using three-dimensional (3D) electron microscopy techniques and show they are tethered to the plasma membrane in a highly specialized arrangement. Remarkably, mitochondria and their cristae openings align with those of neighboring inner segments. The pathway by which photoreceptors meet their high energy demands is not fully understood. We propose this to be a mechanism to share metabolites and assist in maintaining homeostasis across the photoreceptor cell layer. In the extracellular space between photoreceptors, Müller glial processes were identified. Due to the often close proximity to the inner-segment mitochondria, they may, too, play a role in the inner-segment mitochondrial arrangement as well as metabolite shuttling. OPA1 is an important factor in mitochondrial homeostasis, including cristae remodeling; therefore, we examined the photoreceptors of a heterozygous Opa1 knockout mouse model. The cristae structure in the Opa1+/− photoreceptors was not greatly affected, but the mitochondria were enlarged and had reduced alignment to neighboring inner-segment mitochondria. This indicates the importance of key regulators in maintaining this specialized photoreceptor mitochondrial arrangement.
HYPOCHONDRIA AND DEPRESSION

1) Fears about an existing illness or injury. 2) Fears of inheriting a disease, particularly epilepsy, insanity, cancer and tuberculosis. 3) Fears of acquiring diseases, particularly those due to wellknown types of infection. 4) Fears connected with a non-existent disease which a patient nevertheless imagines or suspects (usually on the basis of some subjective symptom) that he has already acquired. 5) Fears of death or dying considered as the final malignity of illness.
Characterising the microstructure of random media using ultrasound.

This paper describes a technique of forming images of the average size and scattering strength of scatterers in a random medium using ultrasound. Quantitative ultrasound images provide a more direct interpretation of the underlying structure of the medium, e.g. size, shape, number and elastic properties of scatterers, and increased detectability for regions of varying structure. A signal-to-noise analysis was used to show quantitatively how properties of the imaging system influence low-contrast detectability in quantitative ultrasound images. In one experiment, signal-to-noise measurements using phantoms were compared with B-mode imaging for several transducer bandwidths to observe variations in image contrast and speckle noise. The findings are being used to optimise the design of quantitative imaging systems for specific diagnostic tasks.
The Dynamic Character of Disguise Behavior for Text‐based, Mixed, and Stylized Signatures

Abstract: The aims of this study were to determine if dynamic parameters (duration, size, velocity, jerk, and pen pressure) differed for signing style (text‐based, stylized, and mixed) and if signing style influences handwriting dynamics equally across three signature conditions (genuine, disguised, and auto‐simulation). Ninety writers provided 10 genuine signatures, five disguised signatures, and five auto‐simulated signatures. All 1800 signatures were collected using a digitizing tablet resulting in a database of each signature’s dynamic characteristics. With genuine signatures, there were significant differences between styles for size, velocity, and pen pressure, and there were significant differences between genuine signatures and at least one of the un‐natural signature conditions for all parameters. For velocity and size, these changes with condition were dependent on style. Changes with condition for the other parameters were similar for the three styles. This study shows that there are differences among natural signature styles and disguise behaviors that may be relevant in forensic signature examinations.
Lung parenchyma and type II cell morphometrics: effect of surfactant treatment on preterm ventilated lamb lungs.

The effect of exogenous surfactant treatment on lung and type II cell structure of ventilated lambs of 137-138 days gestational age was studied. Thirty-four lambs were delivered and randomized to control or 100 mg/kg of natural sheep surfactant treatment groups. Lungs from one group of lambs not treated with surfactant were fixed before ventilation, and the other animals were ventilated to maintain normal blood gas values for 3, 24, or 48 h. Morphometric assessment of the inflation-fixed lung parenchyma of ventilated lungs was compared with the architectural appearance of alveoli and alveolar ducts in the unventilated lungs. Mechanical ventilation resulted in distension of alveolar ducts accompanied by the shallowing and loss of well-defined alveoli and areas of atelectasis at 3 h. These abnormalities increased in severity after 24 and 48 h of ventilation. Surfactant treatment before ventilation significantly reduced the extent and degree of dilatation and concomitant atelectasis. The fraction of normal parenchyma was 38 +/- 7% in untreated lambs vs. 64 +/- 6% in treated lambs after 24 h of ventilation. After 48 h of ventilation, significant differences between control (39 +/- 6%) and surfactant-treated (55 +/- 6%) lambs were still evident. Alveolar type II cells contained approximately 15% lamellar bodies by volume. Neither surfactant treatment nor time of ventilation altered the volume density of lamellar bodies or other organelles, except for a decrease in glycogen from 8% in nonventilated lungs to 2.5% in lungs ventilated for 24 h. These findings indicate that a surfactant treatment at birth results in the maintenance of more normal parenchyma with less atelectasis during prolonged ventilation of the immature lung. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Pure Acceleration Is the Primary Determinant of Speed to First-Base in Major-League Baseball Game Situations

Abstract Coleman, AE and Amonette, WE. Pure acceleration is the primary determinant of speed to first-base in major-league baseball game situations. J Strength Cond Res 26(6): 1455–1460, 2012—The purposes of this research were to (a) quantify interval sprint times between Home-Plate and the Foul-Line and the Foul-Line and First-Base, (b) determine if differences exist in interval velocities and acceleration between left- and right-handed batters or between-position groupings, and (c) to quantify determinants of time to First-Base in Major-League Baseball players during actual games. A total of 1,896 sprint times to the Foul-Line (13.7 m) and First-Base (27.4 m) were recorded in 302 baseball players by a single coach, positioned in the dugout with a hand-held stopwatch. Interval velocities and accelerations were computed between Home-Plate and the Foul-Line and the Foul-Line and First-Base; average velocity and acceleration were also determined over the entire 27.4 m. Velocity and acceleration for left-handed batters were greater than for right-handed batters from Home-Plate to the Foul-Line and from Home-Plate to First-Base; however, there were no differences in velocity or acceleration from the Foul-Line to First-Base. Interval velocity was significantly greater for outfielders and infielders compared with that for catchers from Home-Plate to the Foul-Line and from the Home-Plate to First-Base. Outfielders were faster than catchers from the Foul-Line to First-Base; no other between-group differences were evident. Accelerations from Home-Plate to the Foul-Line and from Home-Plate to First-Base were greater for outfielders compared with infielders and catchers. Infielders accelerated at greater rates than did catchers between these intervals. There were no between-position differences in acceleration from the Foul-Line to First-Base. These data indicate that time to First-Base is most affected by acceleration from Home-Plate to the Foul-Line. Coaches should implement strategies that encourage players to sprint maximally over the first 13.7 m to maximize chances of successfully reaching First-Base.