Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Micro-Power Two-Step Incremental Analog-to-Digital Converter

Integrated sensor interface circuits require energy-efficient high-resolution data converters. This paper proposes a two-step incremental A/D converter (IADC) which extends the performance of an Nth-order IADC close to that of a (2N-1)th-order IADC. The implemented device uses the circuitry of a second-order IADC (IADC2) to achieve close to third-order SNR performance. The proposed circuit does not require very high opamp DC gain; the gain can be as low as 60 dB for 100 dB SNR data conversion. The implemented IADC achieves a measured dynamic range of 99.8 dB, and an SNDR of 91 dB for a maximum input 2.2 VPP and a bandwidth of 250 Hz. Fabricated in 65 nm CMOS, the IADC's core area is 0.2 mm2, and it consumes only 10.7 μW. The measured FoMs are 0.76 pJ/conversion and 173.5 dB, both among the best reported results for IADCs. The measured results verify that the proposed two-step IADC is a more energy-efficient data conversion scheme than conventional high-order IADCs.
Constrained multiple sequence alignment tool development and its application to RNase family alignment

In this paper, we design an algorithm of computing a constrained multiple sequence alignment (CMSA) for guaranteeing that the generated alignment satisfies the user-specified constraints that some particular residues should be aligned together If the number of residues needed to be aligned together is a constant a, then the time-complexity of our CMSA algorithm for aligning K sequences is /spl Oscr/(/spl alpha/Kn/sup 4/), where n is the maximum of the lengths of sequences. In addition, we have build up such a CMSA software system and made several experiments on the RNase sequences, which mainly function in catalyzing the degradation of RNA molecules. The resulting alignments illustrate the practicability of our method.
Botulinum Toxin Occipital Nerve Block for the Treatment of Severe Occipital Neuralgia: A Case Series

▪ Abstract: Persistent occipital neuralgia can produce severe headaches that are difficult to control by conservative or surgical approaches. We retrospectively describe a series of six patients with severe occipital neuralgia who received conservative and interventional therapies, including oral antidepressants, membrane stabilizers, opioids, and traditional occipital nerve blocks without significant relief. This group then underwent occipital nerve blocks using the botulinum toxin type A (BoNT‐A) BOTOX® Type A (Allergan, Inc., Irvine, CA, U.S.A.) 50 U for each block (100 U if bilateral). Significant decreases in pain Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores and improvement in Pain Disability Index (PDI) were observed at four weeks follow‐up in five out of six patients following BoNT‐A occipital nerve block. The mean VAS score changed from 8 ± 1.8 (median score of 8.5) to 2 ± 2.7 (median score of 1), while PDI improved from 51.5 ± 17.6 (median 56) to 19.5 ± 21 (median 17.5) and the duration of the pain relief increased to an average of 16.3 ± 3.2 weeks (median 16) from an average of 1.9 ± 0.5 weeks (median 2) compared to diagnostic 0.5% bupivacaine block. Following block resolution, the average pain scores and PDI returned to similar levels as before BoNT‐A block. In conclusion, BoNT‐A occipital nerve blocks provided a much longer duration of analgesia than diagnostic local anesthetics. The functional capacity improvement measured by PDI was profound enough in the majority of the patients to allow patients to resume their regular daily activities for a period of time. ▪
8: Assessing and Reinvigorating a Teaching Assistant Support Program: The Intersections of Institutional, Regional, and National Needs for Preparing Future Faculty

This chapter discusses an assessment ofan l I-yearoldteaching assistant (TA) supportprogram at a Research I institution. The TA support program was developedonthepremise thatproftssionalpreparation ofteachers includesfundamental teaching competencies or skills that can be identified, developed, and eualuated (Simpson 0-Smith. 1993; Smith &Simpson. 1995). Tbe purpose ofthis longitudinalstudy was toidmtih andenhance theinstitutionalmablingfactors thathelp graduate teaching and laboratory assistants in performing their duties and in using their graduate experimce topreparefor careers at a variety ofacademic institutions.
Loneliness in Professional Caring Relationships, Health, and Recovery

This study investigated patients’ experiences of loneliness in professional caring relationships and their associations with perceived recovery, health, psychological distress, and general loneliness in life. The sample consisted of 406 patients who had undergone breast cancer or heart surgery 6 months earlier. The data were collected in May 2014-March 2015 using a postal survey including the Caring Loneliness Scale (CARLOS), questions concerning perceived health and recovery, 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), and a question concerning perceived general loneliness in life. Data analysis was done using Mann–Whitney U test and Kruskal–Wallis test. The variables showing a statistically significant association with professional caring loneliness were perceived health, recovery, psychological distress, and general loneliness in life. It is necessary for health care professionals to identify the phenomenon of this dimension of loneliness because it is bound to affect patients’ experiences. Further studies with different patient groups are required.
Beyond mobility: planning cities for people and places

connection to bicycle, public transit, and automobile modes, even in low-density areas. Walking also presents theoretical frameworks that will resonate well with an academic audience. These include a taxonomy of walking by purpose and intensity, categories of walkability benefits and costs, a conceptual model of sustainable walking interventions, and a social-ecological model of factors that support dog walking. The most prominent theme permeatingWalking is the response to transportation and urban development changes associated with twentieth century motorisation. Health interventions described in several chapters are a reaction to sedentary lifestyles that involve travelling by automobile to most daily activities. Transportation and land use strategies recommended in other chapters include better sidewalks, safer crossings, slower streets, improved connections to public transit, and more compact, mixed-use urban development. These strategies are a reaction to the expansion of wide, high-speed roadways and suburban development that created more dependence on automobile travel. With the exception of case studies from Bogota and Curitiba,Walking includes few examples from countries currently undergoing rapid motorisation. Insights about how pedestrian activity is viewed and accommodated in lower-income and rapidly-motorizing countries would be a valuable addition to this book. However, this lack of coverage may reflect that motorisation is still the dominant transportation narrative in many parts of the world, and movements to reemphasize walking have not yet coalesced. Walking comes at a critical time for the transportation and health professions. This book reminds us that our fundamental form of human movement is walking. Many communities are reversing twentieth century policies that prioritised development and roadway design almost exclusively around automobile mobility andmade walking dangerous and inconvenient for daily travel and physical activity. As technology changes, lessons from this book can help communities support walking and become healthier, more socially just, and more environmentally sustainable.
Major Depression Symptoms in Primary Care and Psychiatric Care Settings: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

PURPOSE We undertook a study to confirm and extend preliminary findings that participants with major depressive disorder (MDD) in primary care and specialty care settings have with equivalent degrees of depression severity and an indistinguishable constellation of symptoms. METHODS Baseline data were collected for a distinct validation cohort of 2,541 participants (42% primary care) from 14 US regional centers comprised of 41 clinic sites (18 primary care, 23 specialty care). Participants met broadly inclusive eligibility criteria requiring a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, diagnosis of MDD and a minimum depressive symptom score on the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. The main outcome measures were the 30-item Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology – Clinician Rated and the Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire. RESULTS Primary care and specialty care participants had identical levels of moderately severe depression and identical distributions of depressive severity scores. Both primary care and specialty care participants showed considerable suicide risk, with specialty care participants even more likely to report prior suicide attempts. Core depressive symptoms or concurrent psychiatric disorders were not substantially different between settings. One half of participants in each setting had an anxiety disorder (48.6% primary care vs 51.6% specialty care, P = .143), with social phobia being the most common (25.3% primary care vs 32.1% specialty care, P = .002). CONCLUSIONS For outpatients with nonpsychotic MDD, depressive symptoms and severity vary little between primary care and specialty care settings. In this large, broadly inclusive US sample, the risk factors for chronic and recurrent depressive illness were frequently present, highlighting a clear risk for treatment resistance and the need for aggressive management strategies in both settings.
Development and Initial Psychometric Evaluation of the Participation Measure for Post-Acute Care (PM-PAC)

Gandek B, Sinclair SJ, Jette AM, Ware JE Jr: Development and initial psychometric evaluation of the Participation Measure for Post-Acute Care (PM-PAC). Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2007;86:57–71. Objective:To evaluate a patient-reported participation measure constructed within the framework of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health. Design:The Participation Measure for Post-Acute Care (PM-PAC) contains 51 items that assess participation in nine domains: mobility; role functioning; community, social, and civic life; domestic life/self-care; economic life; interpersonal relationships; communication; work; and education. Self-reported data were collected by interview with 395 noninstitutionalized rehabilitation patients. Psychometric analyses were conducted to test assumptions underlying the scaling and scoring of PM-PAC scales and to evaluate reliability and validity. Results:In general, analyses supported assignment of items to hypothesized scales. However, the community, social, and civic life, interpersonal relationships, and communication domains were highly correlated. Item response theory models indicated that items were directed primarily at people with worse than average limitations in participation than the average patient in this rehabilitation sample. Test and retest scale scores did not differ significantly (intraclass correlation coefficient range, 0.61–0.86). Groups with more severe conditions scored worse on PM-PAC scales, as hypothesized. Conclusions:PM-PAC is a promising new measure of patient-reported participation as defined by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health. Information about PM-PAC items from this study will be useful in developing a computerized, adaptive measure of participation.
Fully inorganic cesium lead halide perovskites with improved stability for tandem solar cells

A semiconductor that can be processed on a large scale with a bandgap around 1.8 eV could enable the manufacture of highly-efficient low cost double-junction solar cells. Solution-processable organic-inorganic halide perovskites have recently generated considerable excitement as absorbers in single-junction solar cells, and while it is possible to tune the bandgap of (CH3NH3)Pb(BrxI1-x)3 between 2.3 and 1.6 eV by controlling the halide concentration, optical instability due to photo-induced phase segregation limits the voltage that can be extracted from compositions with appropriate bandgaps for tandem applications. Moreover, these materials have been shown to suffer from thermal degradation at temperatures within the processing and operational window. By replacing the volatile methylammonium cation with cesium, it is possible to synthesize a mixed halide absorber material with improved optical and thermal stability, a stabilized photoconversion efficiency of 6.5%, and a bandgap of 1.9 eV.
Local influence diagnostics for hierarchical count data models with overdispersion and excess zeros

We consider models for hierarchical count data, subject to overdispersion and/or excess zeros. Molenberghs et al. ( ) and Molenberghs et al. ( ) extend the Poisson‐normal generalized linear‐mixed model by including gamma random effects to accommodate overdispersion. Excess zeros are handled using either a zero‐inflation or a hurdle component. These models were studied by Kassahun et al. ( ). While flexible, they are quite elaborate in parametric specification and therefore model assessment is imperative. We derive local influence measures to detect and examine influential subjects, that is subjects who have undue influence on either the fit of the model as a whole, or on specific important sub‐vectors of the parameter vector. The latter include the fixed effects for the Poisson and for the excess‐zeros components, the variance components for the normal random effects, and the parameters describing gamma random effects, included to accommodate overdispersion. Interpretable influence components are derived. The method is applied to data from a longitudinal clinical trial involving patients with epileptic seizures. Even though the data were extensively analyzed in earlier work, the insight gained from the proposed diagnostics, statistically and clinically, is considerable. Possibly, a small but important subgroup of patients has been identified.
Antisperm protein targets in azoospermia men

BACKGROUND: The number of couples that meet the definition of infertility at reproductive ages is increasing worldwide. One of the most known conditions of infertility in males is azoospermia, defined as complete absence of spermatozoa in the semen. Azoospermia manifests in two forms, namely obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermia. Although the presence of antisperm antibody (ASA) has been reported in 88% of the patients with obstructive azoospermia (OA), interestingly, there is no data regarding ASA targets in OA individuals. AIM: The present study aimed to identify sperm antibody targets in a group of OA men. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The present study was carried out on 27 OA infertile men and 27 healthy fertile age-matched males as cases and controls, respectively. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The sperm proteome was separated using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis technique, transferred onto the polyvinylidene fluoride membrane, and blotted with the sera of a group of OA men. Then, it was compared with the membranes blotted with the sera of a group of healthy fertile men. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight/time-of-flight (MALDI TOF/TOF) mass spectrometry was used to identify the different blotted spots and finally the results of the mass analysis were confirmed using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction method. RESULTS: The results indicated that OA patients might produce antibody against two sperm proteins, Tektin-2 and triose phosphate isomerase. Moreover, the expressions of the two targeted proteins were confirmed at RNA level. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present study revealed two functionally important sperm proteins as antibody targets in azoospermic men.
A Facebook Project for Pre-Service Language Teachers.

This report is based on an action research study conducted in an English language course with a group of low-residency students of a teacher education master's program: Multilingual Technologies of Early Childhood Education, at Kazan Federal University. A Social Networking Site (SNS), Facebook, was used as a platform for practising and developing the students’ teaching skills. The purpose of the study was to show the students the potential educational value of Facebook in teaching English to preschool children. The data sources include preand postproject questionnaires, interviews with students, field notes, and the reflective diary of the instructor-researcher. The results show that while designing an educational page on Facebook, the students changed their attitude towards the educational value of SNSs and acquired knowledge and skills necessary for implementing SNSs into their teaching practices. The research findings will be of interest to English language educators, especially foreign language teachers involved in early childhood education, and to Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) practitioners.
Neuroprotection of ginsenoside Re in cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury in rats

In the present study, we have investigated the neuroprotective potential of ginsenoside Re (Re) in the middle cerebral artery occlusion model in Sprague–Dawley rats. Adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were treated with Re (5, 10 or 20 mg kg− 1, P.O. for 7 days, once a day) prior to occlusion. There was a significant increase in the neurological symptoms in ischemic animals as compared with the sham group animals. These effects were attenuated by 10 and 20 mg kg− 1 Re, P.O. There was a significant increase in the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in ischemic animals indicating oxidative stress. An elevated level of MDA in ischemic animals was reduced by 10 and 20 mg kg− 1 Re, P.O. , respectively. It was observed that Re significantly decreased mitochondrial swelling, thereby preventing the reduction of H+-ATPase activity. This study demonstrates the neuroprotective potential of Re in cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury in rats.
Mercury Exposure of Mothers and Newborns in Surinam: A Pilot Study

Aim: To study mercury levels in hair from mothers and newborns in Surinam. Methods: Hair and urine was collected from thirty-nine mothers of different ethnicity and hair from their newborns. The women delivered in a large hospital in the capital. Mercury analysis was performed. Results: Fourteen (36%) of the mothers had elevated Hg concentrations in the hair as compared with a reference US population. Thirty-one newborns (80%) presented with a higher mercury level in hair than their mothers. A positive correlation existed between the hair levels of the mothers and their newborns. Urine Hg concentrations were not elevated. Conclusion: Mercury accumulates during pregnancy in the unborn. Further study is needed to elucidate the background and consequences of this finding.
Displacement of flowering phenologies among plant species by competition for generalist pollinators

We model the evolution of allochronic isolation between sympatric animal‐pollinated plant species via displacement of their flowering times. The plant species share generalist pollinators and either produce inviable hybrid seeds or do not hybridize at all. Displacement of flowering times between reproductively isolated species reduces competition for pollinators and the formation of inviable hybrid seeds. Under strong pollen limitation, competition for pollinators causes rapid evolution of allochronic isolation both for hybridizing and nonhybridizing species. Under weak pollen limitation, allochronic isolation evolves rapidly for hybridizing species but more slowly for nonhybridizing species. Positive density‐dependent pollinator visitation rate at low flower densities facilitates allochronic isolation under weak pollen limitation. Allochronic isolation among sympatric species sharing generalist pollinators could be common under any intensity of pollen limitation if the flowering season is sufficiently long.
The Tangled Web: Gene Genealogies and the Origin of Eukaryotes

Accessing data from the genomes of organisms (individual genes) and analyzing these data using sophisticated alignment and phylogenetic methods led to the expectation that we would be able to paint a clear picture of the evolution of eukaryotes. Previous analyses based on morphology and ultrastructure failed to pinpoint both the sister taxon to eukaryotes and the branching order of eukaryotic lineages. However, the expectation that molecular data would provide resolution has not been met since a growing number of gene genealogies present conflicting hypotheses for the origin and diversification of eukaryotes. Instead of reconstructing a simple bifurcating tree of life, these gene genealogies have generated a complex picture of eukaryotic genomes whereby ancient lateral transfers (of individual genes or perhaps even entire genomes) has tangled the evolutionary history of eukaryotes. Resolution of these conflicting genealogies comes in recognizing that eukaryotes are chimeric, containing genetic information from multiple ancestral lineages.
Analysis on the Influence of Bilateral Exchange Rate on the Trade between Shandong Province of China and Japan

This study explores the impact of bilateral exchange rate on the export and import between Shandong province of China and Japan under supply chains and vertical integration cooperative pattern from regional view. Based on the data over 1998–2017 periods, ADF test, Engle-Granger (EG) test and Granger Causality Test are employed. The results indicate that bilateral exchange rate (RMB/100Yen) is positive to the export trade from Shandong province to Japan, but there is no evidence bilateral exchange rate has effect on the import of Shandong province from Japan. The supply chains and vertical integration cooperative pattern are used to explain the result.
Effects of acute vs. chronic phorbol ester exposure on transepithelial permeability and epithelial morphology

In previous experiments we have shown that acute (30 minutes) exposure to phorbol esters or other protein kinase C activators causes increased transepithelial permeability, specifically by the increased paracellular permeability through tight junctions. However, the role of protein kinase C activators in carcinogenesis is predicted upon a chronic exposure of an effective dose at frequent intervals for a prolonged period of time. We therefore sought to determine the effect of chronic phorbol ester exposure on transepithelial permeability by exposing cells of the polar renal epithelial cell line, LLC‐PK1, to phorbol esters for time periods as long as 16 weeks. The following changes ensued: (1) after the initial drop in transepithelial resistance due to phorbol ester exposure, i.e., an increase in transepithelial permeability (in the acute phase of exposure), an adaptive response occurs as transepithelial resistances in chronically exposed cultures recover to approximately 50% of control values, (2) the cell sheets in chronically exposed cultures lose their acute responsiveness of transepithelial permeability to phorbol ester exposure, (3) cell sheet architecture changes as cells occasionally multilayer and actual polyp‐like cell masses appear at high frequency, and (4) cytosolic protein kinase C activity decreases to 50% of control level with acute exposure and then is further decreased to less than 1% of control level in chronically treated cells; membrane‐associated PKC activity is not as sharply decreased. The possible role of transepithelial permeability in carcinogenesis and the value of chronically treated epithelial cell cultures as a model for two‐stage carcinogenesis are discussed. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.