Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An On-Chip Multichannel Waveform Monitor for Diagnosis of Systems-on-a-Chip Integration

An on-chip multichannel waveform monitoring technique enhances built-in test and diagnostic capabilities of systems- on-a-chip (SoC) integration. The proposed multichannel monitor includes multiple probing front-end modules and a single shared waveform acquisition kernel that consists of an incremental variable step delay generator and an incremental reference voltage generator, featuring adaptive sample time generation for the operation of a target circuit and unidirectional waveform acquisition flow for area-efficient control. A 16-channel prototype in 0.18-mum CMOS technology demonstrated on-chip waveform acquisition at 40-ps and 200-muV resolutions. Combined on- and off-chip streamed-bit processing achieves background continuous waveform acquisition at 260 ms per single timing point for repetitive signals, while eliminating the integration of on-die high-capacity memory. A 700 mum times 600 mum area was occupied by a waveform acquisition kernel and an additional 60 mum times 100 mum area for each front-end module. The developed on-chip multichannel waveform monitoring technique is waveform accurate, area efficient, and suitable for diagnosis toward power supply and signal integrity in analog and digital circuits in mixed-signal SoC integration.
The Effect of Berry‐Based Food Interventions on Markers of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

SCOPE Epidemiological evidence, animal, and in vitro studies suggest that berry consumption may ameliorate markers of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate findings from berry-based randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to establish the effects of berry consumption on markers of cardiovascular and metabolic health. METHODS AND RESULTS PubMed and Web of Science are searched for RCTs investigating berry consumption on CVD risk outcomes in adults. A total of 23 studies (which includes 1168 participants) out of 1384 records meet the inclusion criteria. Of these 23 studies, 17 RCTs are of high quality, where 12 RCTs (71%) report beneficial effects of berry consumption on CVD risk markers. Overall, 4/11 RCTs that observe a reduction in systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure (BP); 3/7 RCTs report favorable effects on endothelial function, 2/3 RCTs report improvements in arterial stiffness, 7/17 studies observe benefits in blood lipids, and 3/6 studies report improvements in glycemic profile. CONCLUSION Our evaluation of the literature indicates that more than two-thirds of high-quality trials have reported beneficial effects of berry consumption on markers of CVD risk. This systematic review contributes moderate to strong evidence for the inclusion of berries as part of a cardioprotective diet.
Glucose and insulin co-regulate the glucose transport system in primary cultured adipocytes. A new mechanism of insulin resistance.

We have previously shown in primary cultured rat adipocytes that insulin acts at receptor and multiple postreceptor sites to decrease insulin's subsequent ability to stimulate glucose transport. To examine whether D-glucose can regulate glucose transport activity and whether it has a role in insulin-induced insulin resistance, we cultured cells for 24 h in the absence and presence of various glucose and insulin concentrations. After washing cells and allowing the glucose transport system to deactivate, we measured basal and maximally insulin-stimulated 2-deoxyglucose uptake rates (37 degrees C) and cell surface insulin binding (16 degrees C). Alone, incubation with D-glucose had no effect on basal or maximal glucose transport activity, and incubation with insulin, in the absence of glucose, decreased maximal (but not basal) glucose transport rates only 18% at the highest preincubation concentration (50 ng/ml). However, in combination, D-glucose (1-20 mM) markedly enhanced the long-term ability of insulin (1-50 ng/ml) to decrease glucose transport rates in a dose-responsive manner. For example, at 50 ng/ml preincubation insulin concentration, the maximal glucose transport rate fell from 18 to 63%, and the basal uptake rate fell by 89%, as the preincubation D-glucose level was increased from 0 to 20 mM. Moreover, D-glucose more effectively promoted decreases in basal glucose uptake (Ki = 2.2 +/- 0.4 mM) compared with maximal transport rates (Ki = 4.1 +/- 0.4 mM) at all preincubation insulin concentrations (1-50 ng/ml). Similar results were obtained when initial rates of 3-O-methylglucose uptake were used to measure glucose transport. D-glucose, in contrast, did not influence insulin-induced receptor loss. In other studies, D-mannose and D-glucosamine could substitute for D-glucose to promote the insulin-induced changes in glucose transport, but other substrates such as L-glucose, L-arabinase, D-fructose, pyruvate, and maltose were without effect. Also, non-metabolized substrates which competitively inhibit D-glucose uptake (3-O-methylglucose, cytochalasin B) blocked the D-glucose plus insulin effect. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The Impact of MRI White Matter Hyperintensities on Dementia in Parkinson's Disease in Relation to the Homocysteine Level and Other Vascular Risk Factors

Background: The role of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and homocysteine (Hcy) and other vascular risk factors in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD) dementia (PDD) remains unclear. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the impact of WMH, Hcy and other biochemical and vascular risk factors on PDD. Methods: A total of 192 patients with PD and 184 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included. A semistructured interview was used to assess demographic and clinical variables with respect to vascular risk factors (arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation, ischemic heart disease, obliterative atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia, smoking, alcohol intake). Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale score, Hoehn-Yahr staging and the Schwab-England activities of daily living scale were used to assess motor abilities and activities of daily living. A complex neuropsychological examination with a battery of tests was used to classify patients into a group with dementia (PDD) and a group without dementia (PD). Neuroradiological examination of MRI scans included visual rating scales for WMH (according to the Wahlund and Erkinjunntti rating scales) and the Scheltens scale for hippocampal atrophy. Blood samples for Hcy, folate, vitamin B12, fibrinogen, lipids, glucose, creatinine, transaminases and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were examined. Results: Among all patients, 57 (29.7%) fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for dementia. Significantly higher Hcy plasma levels were noted in PD and PDD groups compared to controls (p < 0.05) and in PDD when compared to PD (p < 0.05). According to multivariate regression analysis, WMH (Erkinjuntti scale), high Hcy, low vitamin B12 and folate plasma levels were independent risk factors for PDD. Vascular risk factors did not play any role in the pathogenesis of PDD and WMH. Conclusions: WMH along with Hcy, folate and vitamin B12 may impact cognition in PD. Therapy with vitamin B12, folate and catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitors may play a potential protective role against PDD.
Trading on local energy markets: A comparison of market designs and bidding strategies

Increasing renewable energy sources and innovative information and communication systems open up new challenges and opportunities to integrate distributed generation into the energy supply system. Formerly centralized energy systems need to be adapted to take full advantage of the immense potential of decentralized energy generation and smart, interconnected energy end users. We introduce a local electricity market on which prosumers and consumers of a community are able to trade electricity directly amongst each other. This local electricity market supports the local integration of renewable energy generation. It facilitates a local balance of energy supply and demand and hence reduces the need for extensive electricity transmission. We introduce, evaluate and compare two local market designs, a direct peer-to-peer market and a closed order book market, as well as two agent behaviors, zero-intelligence agents and intelligently bidding agents. We derive four scenarios by combining each market design with each agent behavior, respectively. All market scenarios offer similar economic advantages for the market participants. However, the peer-to-peer market with intelligent agents appears to be the most advantageous as it results in the lowest average overall electricity price.
Süßgetränke und Körpergewicht: Zusammenhänge und Interventionsmöglichkeiten

Zusammenfassung Süßgetränke erfahren eine große wissenschaftliche und politische Aufmerksamkeit. Ihr Konsum ist in vielen Ländern in den letzten Jahrzehnten stark angestiegen. In Deutschland hat sich der Absatz zwischen 1970 und 2010 mehr als verdoppelt. Es gibt gute Evidenz dafür, dass ein regelmäßiger Konsum von Süßgetränken eine Gewichtszunahme fördert, wofür physiologische und psychologische Faktoren verantwortlich gemacht werden. In Beobachtungsstudien wurde zudem eine Assoziation zwischen regelmäßigem Süßgetränkekonsum und dem Risiko für Diabetes mellitus Typ 2, kardiovaskuläre Erkrankungen und Karies festgestellt. Angesichts der nachweislich negativen gesundheitlichen Auswirkungen werden diverse Interventionsmöglichkeiten diskutiert. Hier sind insbesondere Steuern, Werbebeschränkungen und Veränderungen des Getränkeangebots in Schulen und Kindergärten zu nennen, welche in vielen Ländern bereits umgesetzt oder beschlossen wurden. In Deutschland konnten entsprechende Maßnahmen trotz des im internationalen Vergleich hohen Süßgetränkekonsums bislang noch nicht verwirklicht werden.
Inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes by Lactobacillus bavaricus MN in beef systems at refrigeration temperatures

The ability of Lactobacillus bavaricus, a meat isolate, to inhibit the growth of three Listeria monocytogenes strains was examined in three beef systems: beef cubes, beef cubes in gravy, and beef cubes in gravy containing glucose. The beef was minimally heat treated, inoculated with L. bavaricus at 10(5) or 10(3) CFU/g and L. monocytogenes at 10(2) CFU/g, vacuum sealed, and stored at 4 or 10 degrees C. The meat samples were monitored for microbial growth, pH, and bacteriocin production. The pathogen was inhibited by L. bavaricus MN. At 4 degrees C, L. monocytogenes was inhibited or killed depending on the initial inoculum level of L. bavaricus. At 10 degrees C, at least a 10-fold reduction of the pathogen occurred, except in the beef without gravy. This system showed a transient inhibition of the pathogen during the first week of storage followed by growth to control levels by the end of the incubation period. Bacteriocin was detected in the samples, and inhibition could not be attributed to acidification. Low refrigeration temperatures significantly (P < or = 0.05) enhanced L. monocytogenes inhibition. Moreover, the addition of glucose-containing gravy and the higher inoculum level of L. bavaricus were significantly (P < or = 0.05) more effective in reducing L. monocytogenes populations in most of the systems studied.
Labour productivity in M&As: industry sector vs. services sector

ABSTRACT Due to the high failure rate of the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) strategy, this study raises the questions of whether the pre-M&A performances of the acquirer and the target could predict improvement in labour productivity in the post-M&A period. The study also conducted sector analysis by comparison between three groups of the sample: the industry sector M&As, the services sector M&As and the all sectors M&As. The study uses a sample of 394 public firms from 13 countries that were involved in M&As. The study highlights the differences between the sectors. Buying a larger target in the services sector may not hinder the labour productivity in the post-M&A period, while in the industry sector, it may end in a negative influence on labour productivity. The study also shows that the labour productivity is higher in the services sector compared to the labour productivity in the industry sector, particularly during the integration stage.
REIT performance and the impact of interest rates and leverage

This study explores the sensitivity of REIT performance to changes in short and long term interest rates. Utilising data from the Australian market over a 20 year period spanning multiple cycles, highly leveraged funds were found to exhibit a greater sensitivity to adverse movements in long term interest rates compared to those with lower leverage. This suggests that gearing levels and by extension costs of debt, do play a significant role in the returns generating process. Conversely, highly leveraged funds performed better under rising short term interest rates compared to those with lower leverage, which may be a result of improved rental yields associated with periods of economic growth. Lastly fund performance was found to be adversely affected by one period ahead inflation suggesting that capital markets are forward looking in nature and actively incorporate future economic trends into current asset pricing.
Effects of Continuous Slope Gradient on the Dominance Characteristics of Plant Functional Groups and Plant Diversity in Alpine Meadows

Many studies reported the effect on plant functional groups and plant diversity under discontinuous slope gradient. However, studies on the effect of continuous slope gradient on plant functional groups and plant diversity in alpine meadows have rarely been conducted. We studied the effect of a continuous slope gradient on the dominance characteristics of plant functional groups and plant diversity of alpine meadows on the Tibetan plateau—in Hezuo area of Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Altogether, 84 samples of alpine meadows grass and 84 soil samples from seven slope gradients at sunlit slopes were collected. By using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson correlation coefficient, this study revealed: (1) Continuous slope gradient is an important factor affecting plant communities in alpine meadows, due to the physical and chemical characteristics of the soil and water content. The number of families, genera, and species increased first then decreased at the different slope gradient levels, respectively; (2) there is a close relationship between the soil and plant functional groups, and plant diversity. In other words, the slope determines the functional groups of plants and the soil nutrients; and (3) soil characteristics (pH value, Soil Total Nitrogen, Soil Water Content) are the determining factors of the plant community characteristics at each slope gradient level. To conclude, a continuous slope gradient is an important factor that affects plant communities in alpine meadows.
Acid sphingomyelinase involvement in tumor necrosis factor α-regulated vascular and steroid disruption during luteolysis in vivo

TNF is well known for its role in inflammation, including direct effects on the vasculature. TNF also is implicated in the regulation of reproduction by its actions to affect ovarian steroidogenic cells and to induce apoptosis of corpus luteum (CL)-derived endothelial cells in vitro. We hypothesized that the disruption of TNF signaling would postpone the regression of the highly vascularized CL in vivo, and this effect could be replicated in mutant mouse models lacking TNF receptor (TNFRI−/−) and/or a critical enzyme of TNF signaling, acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase−/−). In the current study, the treatment of pseudopregnant mice with the luteolytic mediator prostaglandin F2-α (PGF) significantly increased TNF in the ovaries when compared with saline-treated controls. Treatment with PGF also reduced serum progesterone (P4) concentrations and caused involution of the CL. However, pretreatment of pseudopregnant mice with Etanercept (ETA), a TNF-neutralizing antibody, inhibited the PGF-induced decrease in P4 and delayed luteal regression. A similar outcome was evident in pseudopregnant TNFRI−/− animals. Treatment of luteal microvascular endothelial cells (MVECs) with TNF provoked a significant increase in ASMase activity when compared with the corresponding controls. Furthermore, TNF-induced MVEC death was inhibited in the ASMase−/− mice. The ASMase−/− mice displayed no obvious evidence of luteal regression 24 h after treatment with PGF and were resistant to the PGF-induced decrease in P4. Together these data provide evidence that TNF plays an active role in luteolysis. Further studies are required to determine the deleterious effects of anti-inflammatory agents on basic ovarian processes.
Gene expression analysis of plant host–pathogen interactions by SuperSAGE

The type III restriction endonuclease EcoP15I was used in isolating fragments of 26 bp from defined positions of cDNAs. We call this substantially improved variant to the conventional serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) procedure “SuperSAGE. ” By applying SuperSAGE to Magnaporthe grisea (blast)-infected rice leaves, gene expression profiles of both the rice host and blast fungus were simultaneously monitored by making use of the fully sequenced genomes of both organisms, revealing that the hydrophobin gene is the most actively transcribed M. grisea gene in blast-infected rice leaves. Moreover, SuperSAGE was applied to study gene expression changes before the so-called hypersensitive response in INF1 elicitor-treated Nicotiana benthamiana, a “nonmodel” organism for which no DNA database is available. Again, SuperSAGE allowed rapid identification of genes up- or down-regulated by the elicitor. Surprisingly, many of the down-regulated genes coded for proteins involved in photosynthesis. SuperSAGE will be especially useful for transcriptome profiling of two or more interacting organisms like hosts and pathogens, and of organisms, for which no DNA database is available.
Essays on Residential Sorting, School Quality, Crime, and Income Mobility

This dissertation is composed of three chapters. The first chapter demonstrates that local improvements in school quality and crime are not always beneficial to the households that reside there, once equilibrium effects are taken into account. The model of residential location choice presented here takes into account the endogenous adjustments of neighborhood composition, housing prices, school quality and crime. The estimation uses data from the American Community Survey and detailed data on local school quality and crime in the greater San Francisco area for the years 2009-2013. Results show that household sorting reinforces exogenous improvements in school quality and crime and that the effects of these improvements can be detrimental to the residents. Lower-income, less educated households are particularly likely to be adversely affected. The second chapter provides estimates of the relationship between school quality and student body composition, taking into account the selection of students into different schools. The model of residential location choice presented in this chapter shows how characteristics of nearby locations can be used to control for household residential location decisions. The two-step estimation procedure uses data from the California Department of Education on the academic performance of California Schools for 2011 and the American Community Survey data on the characteristics of residential locations. The results show significant differences between the effects of student body composition on students of different races, and at worstand best-performing schools. ii The third chapter presents estimates of the distribution of intergenerational income mobility and local characteristics in the United States. The flexible characterization of the distribution takes into account potentially different effects of local characteristics at different locations in the distribution. The data cover most counties in the United States and include demographic, social and economic variables. Results show that while measures of segregation and inequality are highly correlated with income mobility, their effects become negligible when other variables are controlled for. In contrast, economic variables, such as the size of the middle class and the share of workers in manufacturing, have a stronger effect on income mobility, even after other location characteristics are taken into account. This dissertation was supervised by Robert Moffitt and Yuya Sasaki. iii Acknowledgements I want to acknowledge the people who made this work possible. First of all, my advisers Robert Moffitt and Yuya Sasaki, who guided me through this process. Richard Spady for all of his insights and feedback. My colleagues at Johns Hopkins for their help and my friends for their support. My family, who gave me this opportunity and never let me doubt that I could do this. And most of all, my wife and best friend Whitney. Thank you. iv Table of
Robust motion discrimination based on human forearm myoelectric potential by adaptive fuzzy inference considering muscle fatigue

This paper describes a robust motion discrimination method based on the myoelectric potential of human forearm by the adaptive fuzzy inference considering the muscle fatigue. In the conventional studies, a motion discrimination based on the myoelectric potential of human forearm realizes the high discrimination precision. However, the characteristic of the myoelectric potential gradually changes for muscle fatigue. Therefore the motion discrimination considering muscle fatigue is required. The purpose of this study is to correspond to the change in the myoelectric potential by the muscle fatigue and keep the high discrimination precision. This study proposes the redesign method of the fuzzy inference adapting to the dynamic change of the myoelectric potential by the muscle fatigue. Some experiments on the myoelectric hand simulator show the effectiveness of the proposed motion discrimination method.
An Outbreak Of Campylobacteriosis Amongst Directing Staff And Students At The Infantry Training Centre, Brecon, Wales, March 2004

A cohort study was undertaken to determine the source of an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness affecting a number of military personnel at ITC, Brecon during the period 19-30 March 2004. Of 105 soldiers on a field training exercise over the period 15-19 March 2004, 36 subsequently developed symptoms. Nine patients had Campylobacter sp identified in their stool. Water was provided from a single source. This water was used for washing, shaving, drinking and the preparation of rations. Although not statistically significant, epidemiological investigation suggests that the water may have been the vehicle of infection.