Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of a Score-Based Approach with Risk-Based Ranking of In-Use Agricultural Pesticides in Canada to Aquatic Receptors

ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper is to present a new risk-based approach developed by Environment Canada for ranking pesticides and their potential risk to aquatic life. These rankings are compared to those generated using a more traditional score-based approach. Two hundred and twelve active ingredients registered in Canada for use in agricultural field crops were included in this assessment. For each major aquatic taxon assessed (fish, insects, crustaceans, algae, and macrophytes), risk was calculated by dividing the 96-h estimated environmental concentration (modeled using parameters such as the application rate and method as well as physicochemical properties) by HC5 values (obtained through calculations of species sensitivity distribution–based toxicity endpoints). The traditional approach assigned scores based on toxicity endpoints in standard test species as well as physicochemical properties associated with the potential for aquatic contamination. A number of similarities were observed between the rankings but also notable differences. Only 22 active ingredients were common to the top 50 ranking positions from both approaches. The main reasons that accounted for the discrepancies between both rankings were the choice of toxicity endpoints, whether based on single or multiple species; the taxonomic breadth of retained data; the use of scores versus risk quotients; and the choices made in situations where multiple data points were available. We conclude that a risk-based approach that considers a broad representation of species toxicity data and estimates of runoff and drift concentration in receiving aquatic systems (even from generic application scenarios) is a more realistic representation of potential toxicological effects and a superior method of ranking products for the risk they pose to the aquatic environment.
Design and Analysis of 8T Full Adder Cell Using Double Gate MOSFET

This paper presents a design of a 8 transistor one- bit full adder cell with Double Gate MOSFET. This design has been compared with existing 8 transistor one-bit full adder cell using Single Gate MOSFET at 45nm technology in sub threshold region. In this paper, the designed circuits are observed keeping the power consumption and Power Delay Product as parameters. Simulations are performed on SPICE tool and they have verified the correct operation of the full adder cell using Double Gate MOSFET for a variety of inputs at different supply voltages, temperatures and frequencies. Results indicated that the full adder with Double Gate MOSFET is capable of significant improvement in power consumption and Power Delay Product. Keywords—DG MOSFET, full adder, low power, PDP, subthreshold.
Functional, physical, and psychosocial impact of degenerative Temporomandibular joint disease.

OBJECTIVES This study evaluated the functional, physical, and psychosocial impacts of TMJ degenerative joint disease (DJD). The bearing of TMJ osteoarthrosis/osteoarthritis and early/late TMJ DJD on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) were also compared. METHODS Participants were enrolled from a TMD/orofacial pain centre. Those diagnosed with intra-articular conditions based on the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular disorders (DC/TMD) were subjected to CBCT assessment and categorized into four discrete groups: NN - no TMJ DJD and no arthralgia; NA - no TMJ DJD with arthralgia; TO - TMJ osteoarthrosis; and TR - TMJ osteoarthritis. The TO/TR groups were subdivided into early/late TMJ osteoarthrosis (EO/LO) and osteoarthritis (ER/LR). OHRQoL was examined using the OHIP-TMD and data was appraised with the Kruskal Wallis/Mann-Whitney U tests (α=0.05). RESULTS The study participant (n = 358) had a mean age of 31.85 ± 12.39 years (85.6% women). Frequencies of the TMD groups were: NN - 23.2%; NA - 27.1%; TO - 19.0%; and TR - 30.7%. Participants with TR/NA had significantly worse OHRQoL than those with TO/NN. Additionally, participants with ER/LR reported significantly poorer OHRQoL than their counterparts with EO/LO. For all TMD groups and TMJ DJD subgroups, the psychological discomfort domain was generally the most impaired. Differences in global OHIP scores were significant between participants with and without arthralgia (i.e. NA-NN, ER-EO, and LR-LO). CONCLUSIONS The presence of TMJ pain appeared to impair OHRQoL more than the severity of TMJ DJD. As psychological domains were most impacted, psychosocial care should be incorporated when managing patients with painful TMJ DJD.
Diabetes and treatment of chronic heart failure in a large real‐world heart failure population

Although diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common co‐morbidity in chronic heart failure (HF) patients, European data on concurrent HF and DM treatment are lacking. Therefore, we have studied the HF treatment of patients with and without DM. Additionally, with the recent breakthrough of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in the field of HF, we studied the potential impact of this new drug in a large cohort of HF patients.
Modeling statistical dopant fluctuations in MOS transistors

The impact of statistical dopant fluctuations on the threshold voltage V/sub T/ and device performance of silicon MOSFET's is investigated by means of analytical and numerical modeling. A new analytical model describing dopant fluctuations in the active device area enables the derivation of the standard deviation, /spl sigma/V/sub T/, of the threshold voltage distribution for arbitrary channel doping profiles. Using the MINIMOS device simulator to extend the analytical approach, it is found that /spl sigma/V/sub T/, can be properly derived from two-dimensional (2-D) or three-dimensional (3-D) simulations using a relatively coarse simulation grid. Evaluating the threshold voltage shift arising from dopant fluctuations, on the other hand, calls for full 3-D simulations with a numerical grid that is sufficiently refined to represent the discrete nature of the dopant distribution. The average V/sub T/-shift is found to be positive for long, narrow devices, and negative for short, wide devices. The fast 2-D MINIMOS modeling of dopant fluctuations enables an extensive statistical analysis of the intrinsic spreading in a large set of compact model parameters for state-of-the-art CMOS technology. It is predicted that V/sub T/-variations due to dopant fluctuations become unacceptably large in CMOS generations of 0.18 /spl mu/m and beyond when the present scaling scenarios are pursued. Parameter variations can be drastically reduced by using alternative device designs with ground-plane channel profiles.
Ultra wideband bandpass filter using stub‐loaded quintuple‐mode resonator

In this article, a compact ultra wideband (UWB) bandpass filter (BPF) with sharp rejection skirt is realized using quintuple‐mode stub‐loaded resonator.The resonator can generate three odd‐modes and two even‐modes in the desired band. By simply adjusting the lengths of open stubs in shunt and short‐circuited stubs, the first five resonant modes of the resonator can be roughly allocated within the 3.1–10.6 GHz UWB band meanwhile the sixth resonant mode in the upper‐stopband can be suppressed. The pair of short stubs can generate two transmission zeros near the lower and upper cut‐off frequencies, leading to a sharp rejection skirt. Finally, a quintuple‐mode UWB BPF is designed and fabricated and the measured results demonstrate the feasibility of the design process. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52:2579–2580, 2010; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.25520
Entrepreneurship Development in Botswana Lessons for Other Developing Countries

The paper analyzes the narrative in the annual reports of the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA), the main institution charged with development of entrepreneurial capacity in Botswana to illuminate its performance and draw possible lessons for other developing countries in the region and beyond. Further insights are derived from face-to-face interviews with a senior CEDA official. The study finds that CEDA faces many challenges including inadequate resources and the failure to repay loans by promoters which leads to many foreclosures. As a consequence, CEDA is unable to achieve some of its stated objectives and to sustain itself from loan revenues without government support. The findings further indicate that while the entrepreneurship development model in Botswana is robust, it is more geared towards enhancing the production side of business in the process neglecting the marketing side. These findings suggest that there is need to improve the marketing skills of promoters so that they can deal effectively with demand related challenges. Similarly, there is need to ensure that institutions charged with entrepreneurship development are well resourced. The findings also suggest that although financial assistance is important in promoting entrepreneurship it is not a sufficient condition. Beyond this, a more comprehensive environment must be facilitated. Keywords: Botswana, Entrepreneurship Development, Training, Foreclosure, Business, Linkages Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:. 0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
Soy isoflavones supplementation improves reproductive performance and serum antioxidant status of sows and the growth performance of their offspring.

A total of 60 sows (Landrace × Yorkshire, average parity was 1.39) were used to evaluate the effects of soy isoflavones (ISO) supplementation on reproductive performance, serum antioxidant enzyme parameters, and milk compositions of sows, and the growth performance of offspring. Sows were randomly assigned to 4 groups based on the parity. There were 15 replicates per treatment. Dietary treatments were based on a corn-soybean meal-based basal diet and supplemented with 0, 10, 20, or 40 mg/kg ISO. With the increase of the ISO dosage, average daily feed intake of sows increased linearly; oestrus interval decreased linearly and quadratically. In addition, on day 10 of lactation, linear increases in serum superoxide dismutase levels, linear and quadratic increases in serum total antioxidant capacity, and linear decreases in serum malondialdehyde levels were observed in increasing ISO dosage in the diet of sows. The body weight on day 10 and 21 and the average daily gain during days 3-10 and 3-21 of offspring increased linearly at graduated doses of ISO increased. Therefore, feeding sows with graded levels of ISO containing diet during late-gestation and lactation periods improved the reproductive performance of sows and the growth performance of their offspring in a dose-dependent manner.
Scalable Scheduling of Semiconductor Packaging Facilities Using Deep Reinforcement Learning

Reinforcement learning (RL) has emerged as a promising approach for scheduling semiconductor operations. Yet, it is still challenging to solve large-scale scheduling problems based on an RL method since learning complexity grows fast as the size of shop floor increases. This challenge becomes more apparent when solving the scheduling problems with a diverse number of job types, which leads to the difficulties in exploration and function approximation in RL. This article presents a scheduling method for semiconductor packaging facilities using deep RL in which an agent allocates a job to one of machines in a centralized manner. Specifically, a novel state representation is introduced to effectively accommodate the variations in the number of available machines and the production requirements. Furthermore, we propose a continuous representation of an action to maintain the size of the action space even when the numbers of jobs, machines, and operation types are subject to change. Extensive experiments on large-scale datasets demonstrate that the proposed method mostly outperforms the metaheuristics and rule-based methods, as well as the other RL approaches considered in terms of makespan while requiring much less computation time than the metaheuristics.
Lysine Demethylase 6B Regulates Prostate Cancer Cell Proliferation by Controlling c-MYC Expression

Elevated expression of lysine demethylase 6A (KDM6A) and lysine demethylase 6B (KDM6B) has been reported in prostate cancer (PCa). However, the mechanism underlying the specific role of KDM6A/B in PCa is still fragmentary. Here, we report novel KDM6A/B downstream targets involved in controlling PCa cell proliferation. KDM6A and KDM6B mRNAs were higher in prostate adenocarcinoma, lymph node metastatic site (LNCaP) but not in prostate adenocarcinoma, bone metastatic site (PC3) and prostate adenocarcinoma, brain metastatic site (DU145) cells. Higher KDM6A mRNA was confirmed at the protein level. A metastasis associated gene focused oligonucleotide array was performed to identify KDM6A/B dependent genes in LNCaP cells treated with a KDM6 family selective inhibitor, ethyl-3-(6-(4,5-dihydro-1H-benzo[d]azepin-3(2H)-yl)-2-(pyridin-2-yl)pyrimidin-4-ylamino)propanoate (GSK-J4). This identified five genes [V-myc myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog (avian) (c-MYC), neurofibromin 2 (merlin) (NF2), C-terminal binding protein 1 (CTBP1), EPH receptor B2 (EPHB2), and plasminogen activator urokinase receptor (PLAUR)] that were decreased more than 50% by GSK-J4, and c-MYC was the most downregulated gene. Array data were validated by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), which detected a reduction in c-MYC steady state mRNA and prespliced mRNA, indicative of transcriptional repression of c-MYC gene expression. Furthermore, c-MYC protein was also decreased by GSK-J4. Importantly, GSK-J4 reduced mRNA and protein levels of c-MYC target gene, cyclinD1 (CCND1). Silencing of KDM6A/B with small interfering RNA (siRNA) confirmed that expression of both c-MYC and CCND1 are dependent on KDM6B. Phosphorylated retinoblastoma (pRb), a marker of G1 to S-phase transition, was decreased by GSK-J4 and KDM6B silencing. GSK-J4 treatment resulted in a decrease in cell proliferation and cell number, detected by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, inner salt (MTS) assay and conventional cell counting, respectively. Consequently, we conclude that KDM6B controlling c-MYC, CCND1, and pRb contribute regulation of PCa cell proliferation, which represents KDM6B as a promising epigenetic target for the treatment of advanced PCa. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Lysine demethylase 6A (KDM6A) and 6B (KDM6B) were upregulated in prostate cancer (PCa). We reported novel KDM6A/B downstream targets controlling proliferation. Amongst 84 metastasis associated genes, V-myc myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog (avian) (c-MYC) was the most inhibited gene by KDM6 inhibitor, ethyl-3-(6-(4,5-dihydro-1H-benzo[d]azepin-3(2H)-yl)-2-(pyridin-2-yl)pyrimidin-4-ylamino)propanoate (GSK-J4). This was accompanied by decreased c-MYC targets, cyclinD1 (CCND1) and phosphorylated retinoblastoma (pRb), which were KDM6B dependent. GSK-J4 decreased proliferation and cell counting. We conclude that KDM6B controlling c-MYC, CCND1, and pRb contribute regulation of PCa proliferation.
Falciform ligament tubular graft for mesenteric‐portal vein reconstruction during pancreaticoduodenectomy 

Portal vein resection and reconstruction in locally advanced pancreatic cancer represents a potentially curative treatment in selected patients without increasing surgical mortality. However, vascular reconstruction after segmental venous resection is challenging. The parietal peritoneum has emerged as a venous substitute but few reports include its use as a tubular graft. We report a retrospective series of portal vein reconstruction using a falciform ligament tubular graft during pancreaticoduodenectomy.
Frequency chirping in external modulators

A general formula is given that expresses frequency chirping in some types of external intensity modulators, such as the loss modulator, directional-coupler-type modulator, Mach-Zehnder interferometry-type modulator, and total-internal-reflection-type modulator. The chirping phenomenon treated is caused by the phase modulation due to an accompanied refractive index change. It is uniquely expressed in terms of an alpha -parameter that contributes to frequency chirping in the same manner as in the direct modulation of a semiconductor laser. In addition, the transmission bandwidth of a single-mode fiber system using an external modulator is discussed and compared with the results obtained utilizing direct laser modulation. >
Seamless and drastic internet optimization for wireless ad-hoc and satellite links

The use of Internet Protocol (IP) suite over satellite and space platforms is limited by the large propagation delays to reach their earth-distant position and the wireless nature of channel errors. Before they can provide an effective and commerciable service, IP protocols require proper augmentation and correction precisely due to long feedback loops, large number of in-transit packets, transmission errors, possibly asymmetric links and intermittent connectivity. By a careful collective look to current research literature, we identify that all IP problems in long delay wireless networks either stem from network measurement inefficiency or can be better overcome if accurate measurements were available. In this paper, we introduce a flexible middle-box IP performance enhancement solution that deals with the satellite WAN optimization problem without changes to senders and receivers. It accomplished an IP steady state improvement factor that corresponds to approximately optimal channel utilization by effectively changing TCP/IP parameters according to innovative, accurate passive network measurements, suitable for the high bandwidth and delay wireless environment. We believe that our approach can optimize not only protocols but also improve currently proposed optimizations as those suggested in the SCPS transport. While this study is focusing on TCP, our concept can take on a wide number of transport, security, multimedia, real-time and QoS performance enhancements tasks.
Reply to “Investigating the Immunopathogenic Mechanisms Underlying MOGAD”

Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA Center MS and Autoimmune Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA Marcia Applebaum Professor of Neurosciences; Chair, Department of Neurology; Dean for Clinical and Translational Science, Mayo Clinic, College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
Drug-Induced Hyperglycemia as a Potential Contributor to Translational Failure of Uncompetitive NMDA Receptor Antagonists

Abstract Hyperglycemia is a comorbidity in 60–80% of stroke patients; nevertheless, neuroprotective drugs like NMDA receptor (NMDAR) antagonists are typically assessed in normoglycemic animals at the preclinical stage before they are approved to enter clinical trials. Interestingly, as a possible explanation for the translational failure of NMDAR antagonists, it was recently reported that stroke occurring during nighttime causes smaller infarctions in rodents and therefore has a smaller window for neuroprotection. To investigate why stroke occurring during different circadian phases confers a difference in severity, we reanalyzed the published source data and found that some mice that were used in the daytime have higher blood glucose than mice that were used in the nighttime. We then repeated the experiments but found no difference in blood glucose concentration or infarct volume regardless of the circadian phase during which stroke occurs. On the other hand, induction of hyperglycemia by glucose injection reproducibly increased stroke severity. Moreover, although hyperglycemia increases infarction volume, which presumably would provide a larger window for neuroprotection, uncompetitive NMDAR antagonists were unexpectedly found to exacerbate stroke outcome by worsening hyperglycemia. Taken together, our new data and reanalysis of the published source data suggested that blood glucose during stroke, rather than the circadian phase during which stroke occurs, affects the size of the ischemic infarction; moreover, we have revealed drug-induced hyperglycemia as a potential reason for the translational failure of uncompetitive NMDAR antagonists. Future trials for this class of neuroprotective drugs should monitor patients’ blood glucose at enrollment and exclude hyperglycemic patients.
Evidence for ecological processes driving speciation among endemic lizards of Madagascar

Although genetic patterns produced by population isolation during speciation are well documented, the biogeographic and ecological processes that trigger speciation remain poorly understood. Alternative hypotheses for the biogeography and ecology of speciation include geographic isolation combined with niche conservation (soft allopatry) or parapatric distribution on an environmental gradient with niche divergence (ecological speciation). Here, we use species’ distributions, environmental data, and two null models (the Random Translation and Rotation and the Background Similarity Test) to test these alternative hypotheses among 28 sister pairs of microendemic lizards in Madagascar. Our results demonstrate strong bimodal peaks along a niche divergence‐conservation spectrum, with at least 25 out of 28 sister pairs exhibiting either niche conservation or divergence, and the remaining pairs showing weak ecological signals. Yet despite these significant results, we do not find strong associations of niche conservation with allopatric distributions or niche divergence with parapatric distributions. Our findings thus provide strong evidence of a role for ecological processes driving speciation, rather than the classic expectation of speciation through geographic isolation, but demonstrate that the link between ecological speciation and parapatry is complex and requires further analysis of a broader taxonomic sample to fully resolve.
Time is of the essence: the molecular mechanisms of primary microcephaly

In this review, Phan et al. discuss the different models that have been proposed to explain how centrosome dysfunction impairs cortical development, and review the evidence supporting a unified model in which centrosome defects reduce cell proliferation in the developing cortex by prolonging mitosis and activating a mitotic surveillance pathway. Last, they also extend their discussion to centrosome-independent microcephaly mutations, such as those involved in DNA replication and repair