Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A 33-GHz LNA for 5G Wireless Systems in 28-nm Bulk CMOS

This brief presents a design procedure of a compact 33-GHz low-noise amplifier (LNA) for fifth generation (5G) applications realized in 28-nm LP CMOS. Based on the unique set of challenges presented by advanced nanoscale CMOS, the emphasis is put here on the optimization of design and layout techniques for active and passive components in the presence of rigorous metal density rules and other back-end-of-the-line challenges. All passive components are designed and optimized with full-wave electromagnetic simulations for a high quality factor. In addition, layout techniques help to miniaturize the total area as the suggested 5G frequency band of 33 GHz is not high enough to provide a sufficiently compact chip size. The resulting increase in the concentration of required metal fills furthermore makes this optimization more challenging. The fabricated LNA consists of two cascode stages with a total core area of $0.68{\times }0.34$ mm2. It exhibits 4.9-dB noise figure and 18.6-dB gain at 33 GHz while consuming only 9.7 mW from a 1.2-V power supply.
Morphological Characterization of Emerging Cercariae among Lymnaeid Snails from Barangay Cawongan, Padre Garcia, Batangas, Philippines

Background and Objectives Lymnaeid snails are the known intermediate hosts of the liver fluke Fasciola spp. and therefore play an important role in the parasite's life cycle. The study is conducted to determine specificity of snail host-parasite interaction and to determine the snail-trematode infection rate by cercarial emergence, characterizing the emerging larvae using standardized key. Materials and Methods A total of 750 snails were collected from a rice field in Barangay Cawongan, Padre Garcia, Batangas, from November 2016 to March 2017 (n=150/month). Preliminary snail identification was based on morphological features of the shell. Each snail was acclimatized for 24 hours in a 50-ml capacity container before being exposed to strong artificial light. The 150 snails collected per month were grouped into 5 batches (n=30/batch) with each batch receiving different number of light exposures. Emerging cercariae were described and characterized using photo-referencing and standardized keys. All statistical tests were performed at p<0.05 level of significance using SPSS ver. 20. Results The total cercarial shedding rate of the snails studied, as a measure of the infected snails, was found to be 35.6% and was positively associated with the length of the snail shell [OR = 1.809; 95% CI: 1.471–2.225; p<0.001], but not with the weight [OR = 0.003; 95% CI: 0.00–0.275; p=0.012] and width of the shell [OR = 0.937; 95% CI: 0.672–1.305]. The rates varied from 29.3% to 38.0% based on the frequency of 6-hour light exposure. Appearance of encysted forms increased with increasing number of light exposures [OR = 10.27, 95% CI: 3.04–34.76, p<0.001]. Three distinct cercariae were identified, namely, echinostome, longifurcate-pharyngeate distome cercariae (Strigea cercariae), and the virgulate xiphidiocercaria, with 26.4%, 2.27%, and 0.67% infection monitored by cercarial emergence, respectively. Conclusion Local lymnaeid snails were infected with a single type of trematode larvae and coinfection with multiple larvae was rare but was encountered.
Folic acid increases levels of GHS in brain of rats with oxidative stress induced with 3-nitropropionic acid

Abstract Aim: This study tested the hypothesis that folic acid (FA) modulates biogenic amines and protects the brain against oxidative stress induced by 3-nitropropionic acid (3NPA). Methods: Male Wistar rats received (groups of six) for 5 d: FA (50 mg/kg); 3NPA (10 mg/kg); or FA +3NPA. At last day, rats were sacrificed, and their brain was obtained to measure the levels of dopamine, 5-hydroxiindol acetic acid (5-HIAA). Reduced glutathione (GSH), total ATPase, H2O2 and lipid peroxidation were measured. Results: GSH increased significantly in cortex of rats treated with FA. ATPase increased significantly in cerebellum/medulla oblongata and decreased in cortex of animal treated with 3NPA. 5-HIAA increased in striatum of rats that received 3NPA alone or combined with FA. Conclusion: 3NPA generates free radicals such effect can be counteracted with FA administration since this folate increases antioxidant capacity and modulates biogenic amines.
Chemical constituents from the deep sea-derived Streptomyces xiamenensis MCCC 1A01570 and their effects on RXRα transcriptional regulation

Abstract From the deep sea-derived Streptomyces xiamenensis MCCC 1A01570, eight cyclic dipeptides (1–8) and five phenolics (9–13) were obtained. Cyclo-(I-Pro-D-Leu) (4) could moderately promote the gene transcriptional function of nuclear receptor RXRα, while 2, 3, and 13 showed weak reduction in RXRα gene transcriptional activities induced by 9-cis-retinoid acid (RA). These compounds might have beneficial effects against intractable diseases with relation to RXRα, such as cancer and metabolic diseases, due to their potential activities on regulating the transcriptional activation function of RXRα. In addition, 1–6, 8, 10, and 12 (20 μM) showed mild in vitro cytotoxicity against three cancer cell lines of ECA-109, Hela-S3 and PANC-1 with the inhibition rates arranging from 50% to 65%. Graphical Abstract
Leaves of Indoor Ornamentals Are Biodiversity and Functional Hotspots for Fungi

Leaf-inhabiting fungi are an important, but often overlooked component of molecular biodiversity studies. To understand their diversity and function in relation to plant species and climate, the phyllospheres of 14 phylogenetically diverse ornamental plant species were analyzed under different controlled greenhouse conditions. We found unexpectedly high fungal diversity (H′ = 2.8–6.5), OTU numbers (449–1050) and abundances (103–106 CFU cm-2 leaf surface) associated with all plants studied indoors. Despite experimental limitations, the composition of fungal communities were inclined toward a plant species-dependent pattern compared to the ambient climatic variables. Most detected fungi were patho- and saprotrophs showing a yeast-like growth morphology and were associated to the groups of endophytes and potential plant pathogens in a plant species-specific manner. A representative strain collection showed that 1/3 of the tested fungi (mainly Penicillium, Cladosporium, and Cryptococcus spp.) were able to inhibit mycelial growth and 2/3 inhibit sporulation of the plant pathogen Botrytis cinerea by the production of antifungal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) completely. This study indicates that plant leaves harbor a stable phyllosphere fungal diversity in diverse microclimates and enrich distinctive functional guilds.
Perception and Attitude toward Mental Illness in Antenatal Mothers in Rural Population of Southern India: A Cross-Sectional Study

ABSTRACT Background: Mental health disorders globally are on a rise due to various reasons. Gender differences have been one of the reasons. Pregnancy is a stressful event in mothers and it can either exacerbate preexisting mental illness or can give rise to other mental health disorders. Studies have shown that women residing in rural areas are at higher risk of developing mental health problems. Mental health problems have detrimental effects in post-partum period. Most of the complications can be prevented if psychiatric symptoms are detected in early part of pregnancy and if women are aware of these symptoms. Aim: To find the awareness, attitude and perception towards mental illness in antenatal mothers residing in rural area of India. Setting and Design: It's a descriptive cross sectional study conducted at primary health care centers. Methods and Materials: Total of 300 antenatal mothers attending primary health care centers were recruited into the study after a written informed consent was obtained. Statistical Analysis: Basic socio demographic data were collected and a semi structured questionnaire was designed. The participants were interviewed according to the questionnaire. Data collected was analyzed using SPSS software. Results and Conclusion: The mean age of the study participants was 24+5. Of the 300 study participants more than 90% were unaware that mental illness can occur during pregnancy and only around 07% could agree say that it can occur in pregnancy. There is poor awareness of mental health problems amongst pregnant women residing in rural part of southern India. The reasons for the same are lack of awareness, low levels of education, lower socio economic status, cultural beliefs and practices, lack of mental health services and stigma associated with mental illness. There is no routine screening for mental health problems during antenatal visits. If done otherwise could bring down adverse maternal outcome.
Percutaneous vertebroplasty is safe and effective for cancer-related vertebral compression fractures.

INTRODUCTION In cancer patients with painful vertebral fractures due to spinal metastasis, traditional pain-relieving therapies include analgesics, bed rest, steroids, radio-ther-apy, etc. These treatment modalities are often ineffective. Traditional spinal surgery in general anaesthesia is usually not an option in patients with advanced cancer and in a poor general condition. Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) has been reported as a minimally invasive treatment option with apparent rapid pain relief compared with other conventional treatment options. The objective of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of PVP in patients with malignant spinal lesions. METHODS From the National Danish Surgical Spine Database, DaneSpine, 30 consecutive cancer patients with vertebral fractures who underwent PVP from 2013 to 2017 were identified. From DaneSpine, the European Quality of Life - 5 Dimensions Questionnaire (EQ-5D) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores were collected pre- and post-operatively. Data on the incidence of complications and poly-methyl methacrylate leaks were obtained by review of medical records and plain post-operative X-rays. RESULTS The mean improvement in EQ-5D scores from baseline was 0.30 (p < 0.01) after three months, and 0.25 (p = 0.01) after one year. The ODI improved from 44.1 to 23.3 (p < 0.01). Despite a cement leakage rate of 14.8%, no patients presented with any clinically significant symptoms. CONCLUSIONS PVP is a safe procedure providing a statistically significant and clinically relevant improvement in quality of life and function of patients with cancer-related vertebral compression fractures. Our findings may provide useful information to healthcare professionals who are treating cancer. FUNDING none. TRIAL REGISTRATION not relevant.
Implementing an interprofessional information literacy course: impact on student abilities and attitudes

Objectives The authors investigated the impact of an interprofessional, freshman-level, information literacy course on nursing, pharmacy, and allied health professions students by examining whether students successfully met learning objectives in the course related to interprofessional attitudes, identification of research study types, and ability to relate evidence-based practice questions to their disciplines. Methods Student posters (n=20) completed in a team project were evaluated to determine whether students were able to accurately identify the type of evidence, population, intervention, and primary outcome of studies (n=192). Additionally, posters (n=78) were evaluated to assess whether students could identify a relevant foreground question and link it to their disciplines. Students also completed the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS) before (n=413) and after (n=352) the course to determine whether their attitudes toward interprofessional learning changed. Results Students performed well on learning outcomes in the course, with most teams identifying relevant evidence-based practice questions (83.8%) and effectively connecting questions with their disciplines (65.4%). Students correctly identified the type of evidence, population, intervention, and primary outcome for 70.0%, 81.8%, 76.0%, and 74.0% of cited studies, respectively. Student attitudes after the course did not significantly change. Conclusion Interprofessional information literacy education can generate positive learning experiences for freshman health care professions students to increase their beginning-level understanding of research in the health care professions and to prepare them for participation in future interprofessional courses and health care teams.
CNNs Fusion for Building Detection in Aerial Images for the Building Detection Challenge

This paper presents our contribution to the DeepGlobe Building Detection Challenge. We enhanced the SpaceNet Challenge winning solution by proposing a new fusion strategy based on a deep combiner using segmentation both results of different CNN and input data to segment. Segmentation results for all cities have been significantly improved (between 1% improvement over the baseline for the smallest one to more than 7% for the biggest one). The separation of adjacent buildings should be the next enhancement made to the solution.
Ileal digestibility of intrinsically labeled hen's egg and meat protein determined with the dual stable isotope tracer method in Indian adults

ABSTRACT Background Protein quality assessment through the Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score requires accurate measurements of true ileal protein and amino acid digestibility, for which a dual isotope technique was recently developed. However, the ileal digestibility of indispensable amino acids (IAA) in humans from high-quality proteins is not well known. Objective The aim of this study was to intrinsically label hen's egg and meat protein by the use of uniformly 2H-labeled amino acids, and to measure their true ileal indispensable amino acid (IAA) digestibility via the dual isotope method in humans. Design 2H-labeled lyophilized boiled egg white protein, whole boiled egg, and cooked meat were obtained from layer hens (BV-300) administered a uniformly 2H-labeled amino acid mix orally for 35 d with their daily feed. The ileal IAA digestibility of these proteins was determined with reference to digestibility of previously characterized [U-13C]spirulina in a dual tracer method in healthy Indian subjects whose intestinal health was measured by the plasma kynurenine-to-tryptophan (KT) ratio. Results All subjects had normal KT ratios. The mean ± SD true ileal IAA digestibility of 2H-labeled egg white protein, whole boiled egg, and cooked meat was 86.3% ± 4.6%, 89.4% ± 4.5%, and 92.0% ± 2.8%, respectively. Leucine digestibility correlated with the KT ratio (r = −0.772; P = 0.009). Conclusions Uniformly 2H-labeled hen's egg and meat protein can be used to measure ileal IAA digestibility by the dual isotope tracer approach in humans. The mean IAA digestibility values for these high-quality proteins in the healthy Indians studied were similar to values obtained in earlier human and animal experiments. Leucine digestibility in these meal matrices correlated with the KT ratio, but this aspect needs further evaluation. This trial was registered at the Clinical Trials Registry of India (http://ctri.nic.in) as CTRI/2018/03/012265.
Low Molecular Weight Adiponectin Increases the Mortality Risk in Very Old Patients

Despite its beneficial role on insulin resistance and atherosclerosis, adiponectin has been frequently reported as an independent positive predictor of cardiovascular mortality. Very few information is available regarding adiponectin isoforms and mortality, in particular in advanced aging. Baseline serum levels of Total Adiponectin and its circulating isoforms (HMW-, MMW-, LMW-Adiponectin) were measured in 97 old patients (mean age: 79 years). Patients were followed up for all-cause mortality (study end-point) for an average of 76.4 ± 37.3 months. A positive association was observed for LMW-Ad and all-cause mortality (HR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.05-1,22, p: 0.002). After multivariate adjustment for age, sex and a previous history of myocardial infarction, higher levels of LMW-Ad were significantly associated with all-cause mortality (HR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.02-1.21; p: 0.017). Interestingly neither total adiponectin neither the other two circulating isoforms (MMW- and HMW-Ad) showed any significant association with the study end-point. Our data suggest that the association between high serum adiponectin levels and increased mortality rate in elderly is contingent to an unbalanced circulating levels of adiponectin isoforms. The present results support the hypothesis that high levels of Low Molecular Weight adiponectin are a biomarker for mortality risk in very old patients.
Mobility and Biomechanical Functions in the Aging Male: Testosterone and the Locomotive Syndrome

Abstract In the current aging society, the occurrence of the locomotive syndrome, a condition in which the locomotive organs are impaired, is increasing. The locomotive system includes support (bones), mobility and impact absorption (joints and intervertebral disks), drive and control (muscles, nerves), and network (blood vessels). The impairment of any of those systems can lead to a major decrease in quality of life. In recent years, several studies on methods to improve and prevent conditions impairing the locomotive syndrome have been conducted. Almost in parallel with the structure supporting mobility and body functions, testosterone levels decrease with age. Testosterone is a hormone-regulating several pathways affecting each aspect of the locomotive syndrome. Testosterone is regulated by the pituitary gland triggering several processes in the body through genomic and non-genomic pathways, affecting muscles, bones, nerves, joints, intervertebral discs, and blood vessels. The purpose of this review is to investigate the role of testosterone in each of the systems involved in the locomotive syndrome.
Effective reserve: a latent variable to improve outcome prediction in stroke

Background Prediction of functional outcome after stroke based on initial presentation remains an open challenge, suggesting that an important aspect is missing from these prediction models. There exists the notion of a protective mechanism called brain reserve, which may be utilized to understand variations in disease outcome. In this work we expand the concept of brain reserve (effective reserve) to improve prediction models of functional outcome after acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Methods Consecutive AIS patients with acute brain MRI (<48 hours) were eligible for this study. White matter hyperintensity and acute infarct volume were determined on T2 fluid attenuated inversion recovery and diffusion weighted images, respectively. Modified Rankin Scale scores (mRS) were obtained at 90 days post-stroke. Effective reserve (eR) was defined as a latent variable using structural equation modeling by including age, systolic blood pressure, and intracranial volume measurements. Results Of 453 AIS patients (mean age 66.6±14.7 years), 36% were male and 311 hypertensive. There was inverse association between eR and 90-day mRS (path coefficient -0.18±0.01, p<0.01). As compared to a model without eR, correlation between predicted mRS and observed mRS improved in the eR-based model (Spearman’s ρ 0.29±0.18 versus 0.15±0.17, p<0.001). Furthermore, hypertensive patients exhibited lower eR (p<10−6). Conclusion Using eR in prediction models of stroke outcome is feasible and leads to better model performance. Furthermore, higher eR is associated with more favorable functional post-stoke outcome and might correspond to an overall better vascular health.
Contributions to nonstationary community theory

ABSTRACT The study of the role of environmental variation in community dynamics has traditionally assumed that the environment is a stationary stochastic process or a periodic deterministic process. However, the physical environment in nature is nonstationary. Moreover, anthropogenically driven climate change provides a new challenge emphasizing a persistent but frequently ignored problem: how to make predictions about the dynamics of communities when the nonstationarity of the physical environment is recognized. Recent work is providing a path to conclusions with none of the traditional assumptions of environmental stationarity or periodicity. Traditional assumptions about convergence of long-term averages of functions of environmental states can be replaced by assumptions about temporal sums, allowing convergence and persistence of population processes to be demonstrated in general nonstationary environments. These tools are further developed and illustrated here with some simple models of nonstationary community dynamics, including the Beverton-Holt model, the threshold exponential and the lottery model.
Treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis patients with vitamin D: a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study

Abstract Background: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is defined by liver inflammation and consecutive fibrotic damage caused by a deposition of fat in the liver. No licensed medical treatments exist and lifestyle modification is difficult to incorporate into everyday life. We investigated the efficacy and safety of a 48-week treatment with vitamin D3 in NASH patients. Methods: Histologically determined NASH patients with elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and decreased 25-OH vitamin D level at baseline received vitamin D3 or placebo orally over a 48-week period. The primary endpoint of this study was the change in ALT from baseline to the end-of-treatment. Steatohepatitis was categorized according to the Steatosis, Activity and Fibrosis Score and disease activity was assessed using the NAFLD activity score. Results: Serum 25-OH vitamin D levels significantly increased only in the vitamin D3 group over the 48-week treatment phase indicating compliance. In contrast to placebo, patients in the vitamin D group had markedly decreased ALT levels after the end-of-treatment phase. A significant decrease during treatment with vitamin D was also observed for cytokeratin-18 fragments compared with placebo. The study was not powered to detect changes in histological score, hence only descriptive results for histopathological characteristics are available. Conclusions: Treatment with 2100 IE vitamin D q.d. over 48 weeks was well tolerated and led to a significant improvement of serum ALT levels in patients with hypovitaminosis D and histology-proven NASH as the primary endpoint together with a trend toward reduction of hepatic steatosis, which was not significant due to a small number of available biopsy specimens.
Household Price Elasticity of Demand as a Tool for Tariff System Design Leading to Increase of Electricity use for Space Heating Purposes

This article presents the issue of electricity consumption for space heating purposes. High share of fossil fuels used for space heating leads to high pollution emission. A solution for this problem may be encouraging customers to use electricity as an energy carrier for space heating, by proposing appropriate tariffs. Diverse electricity tariffs for households are described, differing in energy prices and distribution rates in certain periods of a day. Demand price elasticity is calculated by comparing energy increases in zones using standard load profiles of customers settled according to the flat tariff and the time of use tariff. The values of demand price elasticity are then used to create customers' load profiles based on price changes within newly proposed tariffs. A forecast of the consumption rise resulting from the new implemented anti-smog tariff motivating consumers to use electricity during the low load period in the Polish power system is presented.