Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Monopolar Biphasic Stimulator With Discharge Function and Negative Level Shifter for Neuromodulation SoC Integration in Low-Voltage CMOS Process

A 16-channel monopolar biphasic stimulator chip with discharge function for biomedical applications is proposed and designed. To provide monopolar biphasic stimulus currents, the positive (6V) and the negative (-6V) voltage sources are supported to generate the desired current pulses of ±3 mA. The monopolar biphasic stimulator chip was fabricated in a 0.18-μm 1.8-V/3.3-V CMOS process with the common grounded p-type substrate. The overstress and reliability issues on the low-voltage transistors in the stimulator circuits were fully overcome by circuit design. The silicon area of each single channel only occupies 0.08 mm2 and the output level of stimulus current is up to ±3 mA. By applying the discharge function, safety concern of unbalanced charge in neuro-stimulation can be dealt properly. The residual average dc current is less than 3.42 nA after discharge is activated. Moreover, this chip has also been verified with both in-vitro imitation measurement and in-vivo animal test.
Genome sequencing in congenital cataracts improves diagnostic yield

Congenital cataracts are one of the major causes of childhood‐onset blindness around the world. Genetic diagnosis provides benefits through avoidance of unnecessary tests, surveillance of extraocular features, and genetic family information. In this study, we demonstrate the value of genome sequencing in improving diagnostic yield in congenital cataract patients and families. We applied genome sequencing to investigate 20 probands with congenital cataracts. We examined the added value of genome sequencing across a total cohort of 52 probands, including 14 unable to be diagnosed using previous microarray and exome or panel‐based approaches. Although exome or genome sequencing would have detected the variants in 35/52 (67%) of the cases, specific advantages of genome sequencing led to additional diagnoses in 10% (5/52) of the overall cohort, and we achieved an overall diagnostic rate of 77% (40/52). Specific benefits of genome sequencing were due to detection of small copy number variants (2), indels in repetitive regions (2) or single‐nucleotide variants (SNVs) in GC‐rich regions (1), not detectable on the previous microarray, exome sequencing, or panel‐based approaches. In other cases, SNVs were identified in cataract disease genes, including those newly identified since our previous study. This study highlights the additional yield of genome sequencing in congenital cataracts.
Radial and axial water movement in adult trees recorded by stable isotope tracing.

The capacity of trees to release water from storage compartments into the transpiration stream can mitigate damage to hydraulic functioning. However, the location of these 'transient' water sources, and also the pathways of water movement other than vertical through tree stems still remains poorly understood. We conducted an experiment on two tree species in a common garden in eastern Australia that naturally grow in regions of high (Eucalyptus tereticornis, 'Red Gum') and low (Eucalyptus sideroxylon, 'Ironbark') annual precipitation rates. Deuterium enriched water (1,350‰ label strength) was directly introduced into the transpiration stream of three trees per species for four consecutive days. Subsequently the trees were felled, woody tissue samples were collected from different heights and azimuthal positions of the stems, and stable isotope ratios were determined on the water extracted from all samples. The presence/absence of the tracer along the radial and vertical stem axes in combination with xylem hydraulic properties inferred from sapflow, leaf and stem water potentials, wood moisture contents and anatomical sapwood characteristics elucidated species-specific patterns of short-term stem water storage and movement. The distribution of water isotopes at natural abundance among woody tissues indicated systematic differences with highest values of sapwood water and lower values in inner bark and heartwood. Presence of tracer in water of the inner bark highlighted the importance of this tissue as capacitor. While injected at the northern side of stems, tracer was also discovered at the southern side, providing empirical evidence for circumferential flow in sapwood, particularly of Ironbark. Greater vertical water transport in Red Gum compared to more radial and circumferential water transport in Ironbark were associated with species-specific sapwood anatomy. Our study highlights the value of combining information from stable isotope tracers and wood anatomy to investigate patterns of water transport and storage of tall trees in situ.
Insomnia symptoms mediate the association between eveningness and suicidal ideation, defeat, entrapment, and psychological distress in students

ABSTRACT Chronotype describes a person’s general preference for mornings, evenings, or neither. It is typically conceptualized as a continuous unidimensional spectrum from morningness to eveningness. Eveningness is associated with poorer outcomes across a myriad of physical and mental health outcomes. This preference for later sleep and wake times is associated with increased risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation in both clinical and community samples. However, the mechanisms underlying the negative consequences of this preference for evenings are not fully understood. Previous research has found that sleep disturbances may act as a mediator of this relationship. The present study aimed to explore the associations between chronotype and affective outcomes in a sample of students. Additionally, it aimed to investigate the potential role of insomnia as a mediator within these relationships. Participants (n = 190) completed an anonymous self-report survey of validated measures online which assessed chronotype, insomnia symptoms, and a range of affective outcomes (defeat, entrapment, suicide risk, stress, and depressive and anxious symptomology). Eveningness was associated with more severe or frequent experiences of these outcomes, with participants that demonstrated a preference for eveningness more likely to report poorer affective functioning and increased psychological distress. Mediation analysis found the relationship between chronotype and these outcome measures was completely or partially mediated by insomnia symptom severity measured by the validated Sleep Condition Indicator insomnia scale. Taken together, these findings add further evidence for the negative consequences of increased eveningness. Additionally, our results show that chronotype and sleep disturbances should be considered when assessing mental well-being. Implementing appropriate sleep-related behavior change or schedule alterations can offer a tool for mitigation or prevention of psychological distress in students that report a preference for later sleep and wake times.
Ultrafast Laser Induced Magnetization Dynamics in High Magnetic Fields

In dit proefschrift combineer ik hoge magneetvelden tot 37.5 T met ultrakorte laser pulsen in een unieke opstelling, om de magnetische eigenschappen van nanometer-dunne lagen te onderzoeken. Ik laat zien, dat femtoseconde laser pulsen gebruikt kunnen worden om magnetisme in materialen voor de volgende generatie harde schijven te karakteriseren en manipuleren. Dit onderzoek is van belang voor de dataopslag industrie. Verder toon ik aan, dat de magnetische structuur van bepaalde amorfe ijzer-legeringen gemanipuleerd kan worden door laser pulsen en (hoge) magneetvelden. Deze veranderingen van de magnetische structuur leiden tot grote veranderingen in de magnetizatiedynamica op een ultrakorte tijdsschaal. Ultrasnelle magnetizatiedynamica van deze niet collineaire magnetische structuren is een fundamenteel onderwerp dat slechts beperkt is onderzocht. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In this thesis, I combine high magnetic fields up to 37.5 T with ultrashort laser pulses in a unique setup, that allows to investigate the magnetic properties of nanometer-thin magnetic layers on ultrashort timescales. I show that femtosecond laser pulses can be used to characterize and manipulate magnetism in granular materials used in prototypes of the next generation of hard disk drives. This research is of significant interest to the magnetic recording industry. Furthermore, I demonstrate that the magnetic structure of certain amorphous rare earth-iron alloys can be manipulated with laser pulses and (high) magnetic fields. These structural changes significantly influence the magnetic response of the sample on ultrafast timescales. Ultrafast magnetization dynamics of this so called non-collinear magnetism is a fundamentally interesting topic that has scarcely been investigated.
Melatonin improves the antioxidant capacity in cardiac tissue of Wistar rats after exhaustive exercise

Abstract We investigated the effects of melatonin on the onset and resolution of the oxidative stress in the cardiac muscle in melatonin-treated and nontreated rats subjected to an exhaustive exercise session. Forty male rats were divided into: melatonin-treated (20 mg/kg supplemented for 10 d) and control. On the 10th day, each group was subdivided according to euthanasia moments: control or melatonin-treated not exercised (C0h and M0h); immediately after the exercise (CIA and MIA); and 2 h after exercise (C2h and M2h). The heart of animals was removed and the levels of oxidative stress index (OSI) and the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), protein carbonyl, and the activities of aconitase, catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were evaluated. Total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and the protein expression of CAT, GPx, and SOD was also measured. Our data revealed significant differences on: (i) OSI (p=.029), CAT activity (p=.016), CAT content (p<.001), GPx content (p=.014), reduced glutathione levels (p<.001), and aconitase activity (p<.001) for interaction of melatonin; (ii) GPx activity (p=.005), reduced glutathione (p=.004), protein carbonyl (p=.035), and TBARS levels (p=.028) between groups, and (iii) TBARS levels (p=.016) for significance between moments. Although the exhaustive exercise protocol imposed mild oxidative stress on the cardiac tissue of rats, melatonin induced antioxidant responses that rebalanced the redox status of the cardiac tissue, especially after exhaustive exercise.
Resistance to Eating in People with Dementia Living in Long-term Care Facilities: Gaps between Common and Good Practices

ABSTRACT Objectives The present study aims to explore the perception of common and best practices for dealing with resistance to eating of persons with dementia living in long-term care facilities. Methods Forty-two staff members working in long-term care facilities were interviewed. They worked in four Spanish long-term care facilities; 21 were nursing assistants and 21 technical staff. Participants heard a vignette in which person with dementia showed resistance to eating. Participants were asked how a situation like that is commonly managed by their workmates, and how the situation should be managed. Responses were content-analyzed. Results Strategies mentioned by participants were quite diverse and did not converge on common ground that harmonizes their responses. Less than half of the participants considered person-centered strategies as a best practice. Those strategies were lower on assistant carers, compared to technical staff. Conclusions Resistance to eating is a common situation faced by professionals. Nonetheless, there is not a common procedure to deal with this situation. Resistance to eating was seen more as a problem to be eradicated than a behavior to be understood. Clinical implications Staff development initiatives are necessary in relation to mealtime situations. They should consider work position and competencies needed by assistant carers.
Regression of lumbar disc herniation with non-surgical treatment: a case report

To date, only a few reports have described the regression of lumbar disc herniation, which may be because of a failure to follow up patients treated conservatively. We report a case of a 25-year-old man who presented with a 2-month history of pain and soreness owing to lumbar disc herniation. He was managed conservatively, and his presenting symptoms and scoliosis gradually decreased over approximately 5 months. Two years later, he returned unexpectedly and was advised to undergo magnetic resonance imaging, which revealed regression of the disc herniation; the patient also confirmed that the pain had not recurred. After 8 months, he underwent repeat magnetic resonance imaging, and the findings pertaining to disc herniation were normal. Our findings suggest that previous cases should be retrospectively studied to establish a prediction model for the outcomes of conservative treatment in patients with lumbar disc herniation. We also emphasize the significance of selecting suitable patients for conservative treatment to obtain the best therapeutic outcomes. The CARE guidelines have been followed in the reporting of this case.
Clinical, Laboratory Features and Clinical Courses of Patients with Wiskott Aldrich Syndrome and X–linked Thrombocytopenia–A single center study

ABSTRACT Objective Wiskott Aldrich Syndrome is an X-linked primary immunodeficiency disorder characterized by microthrombocytopenia, severe immunodeficiency, and eczema. To define clinical-laboratory features, genetic defects (known/novel) of 23 patients of Wiskott Aldrich Syndrome/X-linked Thrombocytopenia (WAS/XLT) cohort, establish relationships between molecular defects and clinical features if present, evaluate patients who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and did not. Methods Qualitative analysis from patients’ hospital files and Sanger sequencing for molecular diagnosis was performed. Twenty-two WAS patients and one XLT patient were included in the study. Results The median age of diagnosis was 15 months (2.5–172 months). The most common symptom was otitis media and all patients had microthrombocytopenia. Autoimmune findings were detected in 34.7% (8 patients) of the patients; three patients (13%) had positive anti-nuclear antibody (ANA), three patients (13%) hemolytic anemia, one patient autoimmune neutropenia, two patients vasculitis, and one patient demyelinating polyneuropathy. Nine of the 23 (39,1%) patients had HSCT with nearly 90% success. We identified 13 different mutations in our cohort; seven were novel. Conclusions HSCT is the only curative treatment for WAS. The study confirms that early diagnosis is very important for the success of therapy, so we must increase awareness in society and physicians to keep an eye out for clues. Our study cohort and follow-up period are not sufficient to establish phenotype-genotype correlation, so a larger cohort from various centers with longer follow-up will be more decisive.
Exploring the causes and consequences of cooperative behaviour in wild animal populations using a social network approach

Understanding why individuals carry out behaviours that benefit others, especially genetically unrelated others, has been a major undertaking in many fields and particularly in biology. Here, we focus on the cooperation literature from natural populations and present the benefits of a social network approach in terms of how it can help to identify and understand factors that influence the maintenance and spread of cooperation, but are not easily captured when solely considering independent dyadic interactions. We describe how various routes to cooperation can be tested within the social network framework. Applying the social network approach to data from natural populations can help to uncover the evolutionary and ecological pressures that lead to differences in cooperation and other social processes.
Stapedotomy in Congenital Fixation with Cochlear Hypoplasia: A New Concept Among the Treatment Options for Cochlear Hypoplasia

Objectives: To introduce the concept of stapedotomy as a new treatment alternative in cochlear hypoplasia (CH) and propose a new guideline for its management. Methods: Forty-two primary cases out of 355 presented with congenital stapes fixation between January 2003 and September 2015 were included in the study. Computed tomography scans of all cases with congenital stapes fixation were reviewed, and cases with inner ear anomalies were taken into account. Eleven cases had various inner ear anomalies, and 9 cases had various types of CH. In the present paper, only the CH cases with stapes fixation, all of whom underwent stapedotomy, are reviewed regarding preoperative audiological and radiological characteristics as well as surgical findings and postoperative audiological results. Results: The patients were aged between 4 and 22. There were 2 males (3 ears) and 4 females (6 ears). Three cases had bilateral stapedotomy. The remaining 3 cases had unilateral surgery. The average preoperative air–bone gap (ABG) was 50.3 dB. Postoperative hearing: preoperative ABG was 50.3 dB. Postoperative ABG was calculated as 20.1 dB hearing. Conclusion: Hearing loss (HL) in hypoplastic cochlea demonstrates the full spectrum of HL types. CH is a unique inner ear anomaly that can be treated with all of the available rehabilitation modalities. As a result of current findings, a new treatment algorithm for CH is proposed. KEYWORDS : Congenital stapes fixation, cochlear hypoplasia, congenital hearing loss, inner ear malformations, stapedotomy
Evidence-based medical treatment of peripheral arterial disease: A rapid review.

INTRODUCTION Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) treatment guidelines recommend the use of statins and antiplatelets in all PAD patients to reduce adverse cardiovascular and limb-related outcomes. In addition, hypertension and diabetes should be treated to reach recommended targets. The aim of this rapid review was to evaluate the level of adherence to evidence-based medical therapy (EBMT) recommended by PAD treatment guidelines in the real-world setting. METHODS We searched PubMed and Embase using keywords, MeSH and Emtree terms related to the population, exposure and outcomes from their inception to 22 September 2020. We included randomised controlled trials, non-randomised studies, and observational studies reporting adherence to at least 1 of these 4 drug classes: (1) statins, (2) antiplatelets, (3) antihypertensives and (4) antidiabetic drugs. Non-English articles, abstracts, dissertations, animal studies and case reports or series were excluded. A narrative summary of the results was performed. RESULTS A total of 42 articles were included in the review. The adherence to lipid-lowering drugs/statins ranged from 23.5 to 92.0% and antiplatelets from 27.5 to 96.3%. Only 7 and 5 studies reported use of "any anti-hypertensive" and "any anti-diabetic" medications, respectively, and the proportion of the cohort treated were generally close to the proportion with hypertension and/or diabetes. Adherence in studies published in 2016-2020 ranged from 52.4-89.6% for lipid-lowering drugs and 66.2-96.3% for antiplatelets. CONCLUSION EBMT adherence in PAD patients was highly variable and a substantial proportion in many settings were undertreated. There was also a notable lack of studies in Asian populations.
Assessment of dietary intake of bioactive food compounds according to income level in the Brazilian population

Abstract There is an inverse association between bioactive compounds intake and disease risk. The knowledge of its consumption according to socio-economic strata is important, which allows identification of potential intervention targets. Thus, we aimed to investigate bioactive compounds intake according to income level in Brazilian population. Data were obtained from the Brazilian Household Budget Survey, a cross-sectional survey which included data on individual food intake of 34,003 subjects aged 10 years and over collected using two 24-h dietary records. Polyphenol and carotenoid content of foods was identified using published databases. Total polyphenol and carotenoid intake were determined according to per capita income, as well as main food sources. Total polyphenols and flavonoids intake increased with income level, and subjects with lower income showed higher phenolic acids intake than individuals in highest income (p = 0.0001). Total carotenoids and classes intake (with exception to β-cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin) were higher among subjects in highest income quartile, compared to the lowest quartile (p = 0.0001). Coffee was major source to total polyphenols and phenolic acids intake, and orange juice was main flavonoid provider in individuals from all income levels. In the upper income quartile, total carotenoid was supplied mainly by tomato and kale, and fruits had important contribution to carotenoid intake in the lowest income quartile. There is important influence of income level on diet quality regarding intake of foods with bioactive compounds, and individuals with lower income may experience lower quality diets due to less availability of foods with bioactive compounds.
Sampled-Data Asynchronous Control for Switched Nonlinear Systems With Relaxed Switching Rules

This article investigates the problem of quantized sampled-data control for continuous-time switched Takagi–Sugeno (T–S) fuzzy systems with the asynchronous phenomenon. First, considering that the system and controller modes could not be perfectly synchronized all the time, we study possible cases of mode mismatching by exploiting the average dwell time (ADT) switching strategy. Since the fact that a minimum dwell time of each subsystem is not required in the ADT switching rule, multiple system switching is allowed within one sampling interval, which overcomes the limitation of at most once switching during any sampling interval in existing works. Second, the asynchronous premise variables between the fuzzy system and fuzzy controller are taken into consideration in the quantized sampled-data control scheme. Then, by virtue of the Lyapunov function approach, we obtain sufficient conditions to guarantee that the asynchronously switched T–S fuzzy system is exponentially stable with quantized sampled-data input. Furthermore, the weighted $L_{2}$ -gain is discussed for the system under external disturbance, and an $H_{\infty }$ state feedback controller is correspondingly designed with prescribed disturbance attenuation. Finally, the validity and advantage of the proposed methods are illustrated by two examples.
Synthesising the shifting terminology of community health: A critiquing review of agent-based approaches

ABSTRACT The field of community health promotion encompasses a wide range of approaches, including bottom-up approaches that recognise and build on the agency and strengths of communities to define and pursue their health goals. Momentum towards agent-based approaches to community health promotion has grown in recent years, and several related but distinct conceptual and methodological bodies of work have developed largely in isolation from each other. The lack of a cohesive collection of research, practice, and policy has made it difficult to learn from the innovations, best practices, and shortcomings of these approaches, which is exacerbated by the imprecise and inconsistent use of related terms. This article provides a review of three agent-based approaches to promoting community health: asset-based approaches, capacity building, and capabilities approaches, noting the theoretical origins and fundamental concepts, applications and methodologies, and limitations and critiques of each. This article discusses their commonalities and differences in terms of how they conceptualise and approach the promotion of community health, including a critical consideration of their limitations and where they may prove to be counterproductive. This article argues that agent-based approaches to community health must be met with meaningful opportunities to disengage from the structures that constrain their health.