Logic circuit exhibits optimum performance

Performance of circuits are compared to determine the optimum circuit configuration for implementation into microelectronic functions. Comparison is made in terms of power drain, propagation time, and component variations with temperature and load

Multiple imputation for continuous variables using a Bayesian principal component analysis

We propose a multiple imputation method based on principal component analysis (PCA) to deal with incomplete continuous data. To reflect the uncertainty of the parameters from one imputation to the next, we use a Bayesian treatment of the PCA model. Using a simulation study and real data sets, the method is compared to two classical approaches: multiple imputation based on joint modelling and on fully conditional modelling. Contrary to the others, the proposed method can be easily used on data sets where the number of individuals is less than the number of variables and when the variables are highly correlated. In addition, it provides unbiased point estimates of quantities of interest, such as an expectation, a regression coefficient or a correlation coefficient, with a smaller mean squared error. Furthermore, the widths of the confidence intervals built for the quantities of interest are often smaller whilst ensuring a valid coverage.Comment: 16 page

Participatory on-farm research and use of indigenous knowledge in the plain of reeds, Mekong Delta, Viet Nam

The ISA/FOS project conducts applied research with farmers to improve land reclamation techniques on highly acid sulfate soils in the Plain of Reeds, a dynamic pioneer zone in the Mekong delta in VietNam : Research topics and program were openly discussed and trials were implemented jointly. A team of young motivated researchers lived with the farmers and thus gained their trust and benefited from their experience. The results of this cooperation greatly encouraged bothfarmers and researchers. They will serve to initiate rapid and harmonious development in the Plain of Reeds. (Résumé d'auteur

Neurones glycinergiques et transmission inhibitrice dans les noyaux cérébelleux

The cerebellum is composed of a three-layered cortex and of nuclei and is responsible for the learned fine control of posture and movements. I combined a genetic approach (based on the use of transgenic mouse lines) with anatomical tracings, immunohistochemical stainings, electrophysiological recordings and optogenetic stimulations to establish the distinctive characteristics of the inhibitory neurons of the cerebellar nuclei and to detail their connectivity and their role in the cerebellar circuitry.We showed that the glycinergic inhibitory neurons of the cerebellar nuclei constitute a distinct neuronal population and are characterized by their mixed inhibitory GABAergic/glycinergic phenotype. Those inhibitory neurons are also distinguished by their axonal plexus which includes a local arborization with the cerebellar nuclei where they contact principal output neurons and a projection to the granular layer of the cerebellar cortex where they end onto Golgi cells dendrites. Finally, the inhibitory neurons of the cerebellar nuclei receive inhibitory afferents from Purkinje cells and may be contacted by mossy fibers or climbing fibers.We provided the first evidence of functional mixed transmission in the cerebellar nuclei and the first demonstration of a mixed inhibitory nucleo-cortical projection. Overall, our data establish the inhibitory neurons as the third cellular component of the cerebellar nuclei. Their importance in the modular organization of the cerebellum and their impact on sensory-motor integration need to be confirmed by optogenetic experiments in vivo.Le cervelet, composé d'un cortex et de noyaux, est responsable du contrôle moteur fin des mouvements et de la posture. En combinant une approche génétique (basée sur l'utilisation de lignées de souris transgéniques) avec des traçages anatomiques, des marquages immunohistochimiques et des expériences d'électrophysiologie et d'optogénétique, nous établissons les caractères distinctifs des neurones inhibiteurs des noyaux cérébelleux et en détaillons la connectivité ainsi que les fonctions dans le circuit cérébelleux. Les neurones inhibiteurs glycinergiques des noyaux profonds constituent une population de neurones distincts des autres types cellulaires identifiables par leur phénotype inhibiteur mixte GABAergique/glycinergique. Ces neurones se distinguent également par leur plexus axonal qui comporte une arborisation locale dans les noyaux cérébelleux où ils contactent les neurones principaux et une projection vers le cortex cérébelleux où ils contactent les cellules de Golgi. Ces neurones inhibiteurs reçoivent également des afférences inhibitrices des cellules de Purkinje et pourraient être contactés par les fibres moussues ou les fibres grimpantes.Nous apportons ainsi la première étude d'une transmission mixte fonctionnelle par les neurones inhibiteurs des noyaux cérébelleux, projetant à la fois dans les noyaux et le cortex cérébelleux. L'ensemble de nos données établissent les neurones inhibiteurs mixtes des noyaux cérébelleux comme la troisième composante cellulaire des noyaux profonds. Leur importance dans l'organisation modulaire du cervelet, ainsi que leur impact sur l'intégration sensori-motrice, devront être confirmés par des études optogénétiques in vivo

Evaluating Dental Surgery Post-operative Pain in Children Following Treatment Under General Anesthesia

Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study was to determine if there is a difference in post-operative pain experience for children following dental restorations and/or extractions under general anesthesia (GA), with and without local anesthetic (LA). The alternative hypothesis is that children will experience less post-operative discomfort and soft tissue trauma when using intra-ligamental local anesthetic during the intra-operative time period. Methods: Patients were recruited for this single blind, randomized, prospective cohort study with the following inclusion criteria, children age 2-6 years requiring general anesthesia for dental treatment. Patients were randomized into categories of either receiving a standardized local anesthetic or no local anesthetic for the dental procedure. A Wong-Baker Faces Pain Scale (Figure 1) was utilized to evaluate pre-operative and post-operative pain. Data were compared using a pooled t-test and two way mixed model ANOVA controlling for sex, ethnicity, and intra-op meds given. Results: Currently, 33 patients have been enrolled in the study. No difference was found in the LA versus the no LA groups, and significantly more pain was reported in the extraction versus non-extraction groups. With the limited sample size, current trends indicate that pain scores do depend on whether or not treatment included the extraction of a tooth. Conclusion: When adequately powered (n=100), this study could assist clinicians providing dental surgeries under general anesthesia care by providing evidence based criteria for the provision of local anesthetic during general anesthesia to reduce need for intra-operative pain medication to relieve post-operative pain

Educación Física y Escuela : El deporte como contenido y su enseñanza

La presente exposición tiene como objetivo dar a conocer los resultados preliminares de uno de los sub grupos del proyecto de investigación 'Educación Física y Escuela: el deporte como contenido y su enseñanza'. En su generalidad este proyecto iniciado en el año 2011 se propone ingresar a la escuela en pos de indagar acerca de las formas en que se manifiestan y significan la enseñanza del deporte en la infancia y la juventud, procurando a partir de este proceso establecer las conceptualizaciones que los docentes del área tienen de este saber y verificar las posibles relaciones que en el ámbito escolar se establecen entre los deportes y las actividades lúdicas y los ejercicios con las sistematizaciones que ellos requieren. Para ello este proyecto se centrará en el desarrollo de tres direcciones de investigación que se denominarán provisoriamente como 'saber deportivo', 'saber institucional' y 'saber enseñar', del cual este sub-grupo del proyecto pretende desarrollar a partir del análisis de las planificaciones y libros de temas de profesores de Educación Física, de la observación de clases en escuelas primarias y secundarias de gestión pública y privada en diferentes distritos de la provincia de Buenos Aires, de la información obtenida en los 'Grupos de Discusión' establecidos en el marco del proyecto y del relevamiento de los Documentos Curriculares vigentes en la Provincia de Buenos AiresFil: Husson, Marcelo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación. Instituto de Investigaciones en Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales (UNLP-CONICET); Argentina