Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improvement of Read Margin and Its Distribution by $V_{\rm TH}$ Mismatch Self-Repair in 6T-SRAM With Asymmetric Pass Gate Transistor Formed by Post-Process Local Electron Injection

A VTH mismatch self-repair scheme in 6T-SRAM with asymmetric pass gate transistor by post-process local electron injection is proposed. Local electron injection is automatically and simultaneously achieved to either pass gate transistor that most increases the read margin for each cell without investigating its characteristics. The proposed asymmetric VTH shift is twice as large as the conventional scheme without process and cell area penalty. Measurement results show 20% increase in SNM without write degradation by the asymmetric PG transistor. The proposed scheme also enhances the minimum read margin by 70% while reducing read margin distribution by 20%, thanks to the self-repair function.
SNR-invariant PLDA modeling for robust speaker verification

In spite of the great success of the i-vector/PLDA framework, speaker verification in noisy environments remains a challenge. To compensate for the variability of i-vectors caused by different levels of background noise, this paper proposes a new framework, namely SNR-invariant PLDA, for robust speaker verification. By assuming that i-vectors extracted from utterances falling within a narrow SNR range share similar SNRspecific information, the paper introduces an SNR factor to the conventional PLDA model. Then, the SNR-related variability and the speaker-related variability embedded in the i-vectors are modeled by the SNR factor and the speaker factor, respectively. Accordingly, an i-vector is represented by a linear combination of three components: speaker, SNR, and channel. During verification, the variability due to SNR and channels are marginalized out when computing the marginal likelihood ratio. Experiments based on NIST 2012 SRE show that SNR-invariant PLDA achieves superior performance when compared with the conventional PLDA and SNR-dependent mixture of PLDA.
Inferotemporal‐frontal Disconnection: The Uncinate Fascicle and Visual Associative Learning in Monkeys

We report a series of six experiments in which we examined the behavioural effects of disconnecting the inferior temporal cortex from the prefrontal cortex in cynomolgus monkeys by sectioning the direct cortico‐cortical pathway between them, the uncinate fascicle. In experiment 1, monkeys with bilateral section of the uncinate fascicle showed a marked deficit in learning visuomotor conditional problems. Experiments 2 and 3 demonstrated that this deficit was not the result of a mild motor impairment, nor of a visual discrimination impairment. However, experiment 4 showed that the impairment extended to visual – visual conditional learning. In contrast, following bilateral section of the uncinate fascicle monkeys were unimpaired at two other tasks of visual associative learning: a reward – visual associative task (experiment 5), in which the presence or absence of a food reward served as a cue to the correct choice between two visual stimuli, and a time – visual associative task (experiment 6), in which the cue to the correct choice was the length of the intertrial interval. Thus, animals with uncinate fascicle section showed no impairment in learning to choose between visual stimuli based on their differential association with food reward or other non‐visual cues, but were unable to learn to choose between visual stimuli based on their differential association with another visual stimulus. They were equally unable to choose between two motor responses on the basis of the visual cue.
Clinical features and survival in senile systemic amyloidosis: comparison to familial transthyretin cardiomyopathy

Senile systemic amyloidosis (SSA) features cardiomyopathy resulting from amyloid deposits of wild-type transthyretin (TTR). From 1994 to 2009, 82 patients with SSA were diagnosed at our center; 79 were men (96%) and median age at diagnosis was 73.8 years (range, 59.1–86.0). Most patients (77/78) presented with abnormal echocardiography; median values for interventricular septal thickness and left ventricular ejection fraction were 16 mm (range, 9–24) and 50% (range, 20–70), respectively. Fat aspirates were positive for amyloid in 27% of patients. Mean levels of brain natriuretic peptide (n = 41) and troponin I (n = 19) were 422 ± 279 pg/ml and 0.151 ± 0.107 pg/ml. Median survival was 4.3 years (95% CI, 3.7–5.0). SSA and familial TTR cardiomyopathy were compared; survival distribution was significantly different across groups (log-rank test = 11.97, p-value = 0.0075). We conclude that patients with SSA are primarily men who present with dominant cardiac involvement at an older age than patients with familial TTR cardiomyopathy.
High or low risk coronary patients – who gets the highest priority?

Coronary revascularisation is more often used in patients at small risk and with little to gain than in patients at high risk and much to gain. This is against current guide-lines and is wasteful. The problem if aggravated by socioeconomic bias. A redesigned reimbursement system, based on measured improved quality of life and survival, would encourage a more efficient use of resources.
PMU Interoperability, Steady-State and Dynamic Performance Tests

To ensure the performance of a synchronized phasor measurement system (SPMS) to be deployed for the Brazilian interconnected national transmission network compliant to the specific SPMS requirements, Operador Nacional do Sistema Elétrico (ONS) of Brazil has completed a phasor measurement unit (PMU) certification test as the first step of its PMU certification process for the SPMS. PMUs from eight vendors were selected and tested in this project according to a comprehensive test program specifically developed for this certification project, which is based primarily on the IEEE C37.118-2005 standard as well as the specific requirements of SPMS and its applications. This paper presents and discusses the general background information, the developed test program, the test unit selection and the testing processes, and the overall test results of this project.
Post unilateral lesion response biases modulate memory: Crossed double dissociation of hemispheric specialisations

We propose that what appears to be hemispheric specialisation in the memory domain, as indexed by effects of unilateral brain lesions, is to a great extent explainable as response bias: left hemisphere lesions result in an omissive response bias or error pattern whereas right hemisphere lesions result in a commissive response bias or error pattern. To test this prediction a group of 40 non-confabulatory cases with a verbal and non-verbal retention deficit (hypomnesia), subsequent to a unilateral lesion, was assembled from the literature. A group of non-amnesic cases with confabulation, paramnesia, false memories or memory-laden hallucination (dysfunctional hypermnesia), due to a unilateral lesion, was also assembled from the literature (N=72). Most of the hypomnesic patients had left hemisphere lesions (73%, p<.005, two tailed) while most of the hypermnesic patients had right hemisphere lesions (78%, p<.0005, two tailed). This crossed double dissociation held good despite statistical control of the lesion's locus within the hemisphere, its size or its aetiology, presence of aphasic symptoms, psychiatric comorbidity, the patient's age, gender, or hand preference, and several other potentially confounding variables.
DNA Barcoding of Nyssaceae (Cornales) and Taxonomic Issues

DNA barcoding, as a tool for species discrimination, has been efficiently used in animals. However, there are still debates on which DNA region (s) can be adopted as the standard barcode (s) for land plants. In the present study, we evaluated the four proposed barcoding loci (matK, rbcL, trnH-psbA and ITS) on nine species of Nyssaceae. The results showed that ITS was the best performing single locus, although matK + rbcL might be used as the core barcodes for land plants. The chloroplast regions have low resolution compared with ITS. The low efficiency of these candidate barcodes in Nyssaceae might be caused by a poor taxonomy, especially within the genus Nyssa. The results also indicated that species status of N. shangszeensis, N. sinensis, N. shweliensis and N. wenshanensis requires to be reevaluated based on more morphological characters combined with rapidly evolving loci.
New Ways to Get Accurate Reliability Measures

Two techniques that analyze prediction accuracy and enhance predictive power of a software reliability model are presented. The u-plot technique detects systematic differences between predicted and observed failure behavior, allowing the recalibration of a software reliability model to obtain more accurate predictions. The perpetual likelihood ratio (PLR) technique compares two models' abilities to predict a particular data source so that the one that has been most accurate over a sequence of predictions can be selected. The application of these techniques is illustrated using three sets of real failure data. >
Healthy‐side dominance of cortical neuromagnetic responses in sudden hearing loss

Previous brain imaging and mapping studies have reported findings indicating functional reorganization in the central auditory pathways of patients with profound unilateral hearing loss. This study reports for the first time to our knowledge, using a whole‐head neuromagnetometer with monaural stimulation of both intact and affected ears, a pattern of healthy‐side dominance for cortical neuromagnetic responses in adult patients in the early stage of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss, and a pattern of contralateral dominance is verified in controls. Ann Neurol 2003;53:810–815
Vitamin B12 Deficiency in the Elderly

To the Editor:-It is with interest that I read the position paper of the American College of Physicians with regard to long-term care of the elderly. I must admit that I found the statement that “certification in internal medicine reflects expertise in geriatric medicine” hard to accept. While I never trained in the United States, I believe internal medicine training in Canada is fairly equivalent. From my own experience in both internal medicine and geriatric medicine, I feel the training in internal medicine does not in itself give “expertise” in geriatric care. In the internal medicine training programs that I have been associated with in Canada, there has been no emphasis on geriatrics. Dr. W. B. Dalziel reviewed the geriatric content in major Canadian examinations for the Canadian Society of Geriatric Medicine. He found that in the Royal College speciality examinations for internal medicine between the years 1979 and 1983 (inclusive), questions pertaining to health care of the elderly made up between 2.4 and 4.6 per cent of the multiple choice questions. This examination is to be a comprehensive evaluation of the knowledge base of individuals sitting the examination. If the relative importance of a topic is related to the number of questions asked, then geriatric care, at least in the Canadian internal medicine examinations, has relatively little importance.
Involuntary Experiencing and the Performance of Hypnotic Test Suggestions

Abstract This experimental study examined 2 questions: (a) Does the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form A (HGSHS:A) tap the “classic suggestion effect” and (b) does the wording of postexperimental questions bias subjective reports of hypnotic subjects? Results indicated that a significant minority of individuals who “passed” test suggestions by objective behavioral criteria reported performance as occurring voluntarily, and participants who “failed” test suggestions reported performance of behaviors as occurring involuntarily. Participants' reports of the involuntariness of their experience during performance of hypnotic test suggestions were not significantly influenced by the wording of questions. Implications of these findings for experimental research and clinical practice are discussed.
DMSO enhanced conformational switch of an interfacial enzyme

Interfacial proteins function in unique heterogeneous solvent environments, such as water–oil interfaces. One important example is microbial lipase, which is activated in an oil‐water emulsion phase and has many important enzymatic functions. A unique aprotic dipolar organic solvent, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), has been shown to increase the activity of lipases, but the mechanism behind this enhancement is still unknown. Here, all‐atom molecular dynamics simulations of lipase in a binary solution were performed to examine the effects of DMSO on the dynamics of the gating mechanism. The amphiphilic α5 region of the lipase was a focal point for the analysis, since the structural ordering of α5 has been shown to be important for gating under other perturbations. Compared to the closed‐gorge ensemble in an aqueous environment, the conformational ensemble shifts towards open‐gorge structures in the presence of DMSO solvents. Increased width of the access channel is particularly prevalent in 45% and 60% DMSO concentrations (w/w). As the amount of DMSO increases, the α5 region of the lipase becomes more α‐helical, as we previously observed in studies that address water–oil interfacial and high pressure activation. We believe that the structural ordering of α5 plays an essential role on gating and lipase activity.
Treatment of advanced stage T cell lymphoblastic lymphoma: results of the United Kingdom Children's Cancer Study Group (UKCCSG) protocol 8503

Summary. Ninety‐five unselected patients with stage III and IV T cell lymphoblastic lymphoma were treated according to the United Kingdom Childrens Cancer Study Group protocol 8503. This was a continuous, intensive leukaemia type regimen including cranial irradiation (18 Gy in 10 fractions) and continuing chemotherapy for 2 years identical to the concurrent Medical Research Council ALL protocol. Four‐year event‐free survival was 65% (95% CI 5040%) with no significant difference between stage I11 and stage IV cases. 4.2% of patients died of infection or non‐tumour related events. Following relapse salvage was unlikely without high dose chemotherapy and bone marrow rescue. These results show an improvement over previous U.K. studies but we need to continue to search for subsets of patients with resistant disease for whom even more intensive therapy possibly combined with bone marrow rescue is required.
Dermatan Sulphate for the Prevention of Postoperative Venous Thromboembolism in Patients with Cancer

Summary Background: Patients undergoing surgery for cancer are at high risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE). Agents that selectively inhibit thrombin, such as dermatan sulphate, have potential for a favourable benefit-risk ratio in the prevention of this complication. Methods: Patients scheduled for elective abdominal, thoracic, gynecologic or urologic surgery for cancer resection, were randomised to dermatan sulphate (600 mg intramuscularly on the second day before surgery, then 300 mg once daily), or calcium heparin (5,000 IU subcutaneously t.i.d., starting 2 hours before operation). Both treatments were continued until postoperative day 7 or until adequate mobilisation was achieved. Bilateral venography was scheduled at the end of treatment. Venograms were centrally assessed in blind conditions. The study outcomes were VTE (venographically proven deep vein thrombosis [DVT] or symptomatic, objectively confirmed pulmonary embolism) and bleeding complications. Results: At 27 centres, 842 patients were randomised and underwent surgery (418 dermatan sulphate, 424 heparin). Efficacy was assessed in 521 patients with adequate venography and/or confirmed pulmonary embolism. DVT was observed in a total of 96 patients; symptomatic non-fatal pulmonary embolism developed in 2 patients (one per group), who also had DVT at venography. Postoperative VTE occurred in 40 of 267 patients on dermatan sulphate, 15.0%, versus 56 of 254 patients on heparin, 22.0% (p = 0.033). Relative risk reduction was 32.7% (95% confidence interval, 3.1 to 53.2%). The rate of bleeding complications in all operated patients was 6.9% with dermatan sulphate and 7.5% with heparin (confidence interval for the absolute risk difference, -4.1 to 2.9%). The inhospital mortality rate was 1.2% and 1.4%, respectively. Conclusions: In oncologic surgery, dermatan sulphate prevents VTE more effectively than heparin without increasing bleeding complications.
List equivalency and test-retest reliability of the Speech in Noise test.

The Speech in Noise (SIN) test consists of a series of Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers sentences presented in a background of four-talker babble at two presentation levels (83 and 53 dB SPL) and four signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) (15, 10, 5, and 0 dB). In this study, the nine lists were tested for equivalency and the test-retest reliability was determined. Twenty listeners with normal hearing and 20 listeners with sloping sensorineural hearing losses served as subjects. Five sentences were presented at each SNR at each level, and five key words in each sentence were scored (100 key words per presentation level). Each key word was scored as correct or incorrect, with errors of plurality scored as half-correct words. For percent-correct scores, Lists 1, 2, and 9 and Lists 3, 4, and 5 were found to be equivalent for listeners with normal hearing. For both groups of listeners, the test-retest correlations were high, and the critical differences appropriate for sentence material were 10 to 16% at a . 95 level of confidence. Because of floor and ceiling effects across the different lists, many subjects with normal hearing did not score as low as the 50% level, and many subjects with hearing loss did not score as high as 50%. Suggestions are offered for alternate scoring in order to obtain a SNR for 50% performance. Future versions of this test should be designed with improved list equivalency and 50% performance capability.
Cytochalasin B: Inhibition of D-2-Deoxyglucose Transport into Leukocytes and Fibroblasts

Cytochalasin B inhibits transport of D-2-deoxyglucose and of glucosamine into kukocytes, but does not impair uptake of kucine by these cells. This inhibitory action is rapid and reversible, and results in suppression of glycolysis. Cytochalasin B also blocks transport of D-2-deoxyglucose, but not of leucine, into mouse L strain fibroblasts.
Risperidone versus zuclopenthixol in the treatment of acute schizophrenic episodes: a double‐blind parallel‐group trial

A double‐blind, randomized, multi‐center, parallel‐group study was conducted in Finland to compare the efficacy and safety of risperidone with zuclopenthixol in patients with acute exacerbations of schizophrenia or schizophreniform disorder. Ninety‐eight patients were randomly assigned to treatment with risperidone (n= 48) or zuclopenthixol (n= 50), in variable doses, for 6 weeks. The mean daily doses of risperidone and zuclopenthixol at the end of the trial were 8 mg and 38 mg respectively. Efficacy was assessed throughout by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for schizophrenia and Clinical Global Impression. Safety assessments included the Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale, UKU Side‐Effect Rating Scale, vital signs, body weight and laboratory screening. The results indicate that risperidone is at least as effective as zuclopenthixol for the treatment of acute schizophrenic episodes, with a trend towards greater improvement in the overall severity of symptoms. The onset of action was significantly shorter with risperidone than with zuclopenthixol. Although the general tolerability of the two drugs was comparable, fewer patients experienced extrapyramidal symptoms with risperidone, so that significantly fewer risperidone‐treated patients required antiparkinsonian medication.
Laser‐Mediated Microlesions in Mouse Neocortex to Investigate Neuronal Degeneration and Regeneration

In vivo two‐photon (2P) imaging enables neural circuitry to be repeatedly visualized in both normal conditions and following trauma. This protocol describes how laser‐mediated neuronal microlesions can be created in the cerebral cortex using an ultrafast laser without causing a significant inflammatory reaction or compromising the blood‐brain barrier. Furthermore, directives are provided for the acute and chronic in vivo imaging of the lesion site, as well as for post‐hoc analysis of the lesion site in fixed tissue, which can be correlated with the live imaging phase. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Real time contact angle measurement by quartz crystal microbalance for EWOD studies

We present real-time measurements of sessile contact angle variations by EWOD (electrowetting-on-dielectric) using QCM (quartz crystal microbalance). Different from the conventional contact angle goniometry, the QCM measurement abandons optical components involving in the system and hence has potential to prevent possible optical difficulties, such as blurred images caused by insufficient depth of focus of the video camera lenses and/or refractive index match of the droplet and the surrounding liquid. Here EWOD is conducted on a modified QCM by depositing proper dielectric and hydrophobic layers. The contact angle variation by EWOD is analyzed through both optical goniometry and QCM. The maximum contact angle difference between the methods was 6°. The volume limitation of the droplet and the resolution of the contact angle variation is studied and discussed.
Celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease in pregnancy

An adverse influence on reproductive life and obstetric complications are known to occur in women with celiac disease (clinical and subclinical disease) or inflammatory bowel diseases. Treatment can improve the pregnancy outcome; therefore, it is advisable that a clinical evaluation is performed by a joint team of obstetricians, internists and surgeons. The preconception clinical evaluation of the affected women is useful to focus on the different clinical aspects of the disease and to indicate specific therapeutic strategies. In this study a review of the literature regard to celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease in pregnancy is presented