LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Memory controllers for high-performance and real-time MPSoCs requirements, architectures, and future trends

Designing memory controllers for complex real-time and high-performance multi-processor systems-on-chip is challenging, since sufficient capacity and (real-time) performance must be provided in a reliable manner at low cost and with low power consumption. This special session contains four presentations that describe these challenges and proposed solutions for DRAM and flash memory controllers, respectively.
 The first presentation discusses performance and reliability issues in flash memories, while the second identifies challenges in providing DRAM access to memory clients with mixed time-criticality. The third presentation proposes an integrated approach to optimize cost and performance of the DRAM subsystem, and the last one describes how wide DRAM interfaces enabled by 3D technology improve DRAM performance and reduces power.
p-53 gene mutations as a predictive marker in a population of advanced breast cancer patients randomly treated with doxorubicin or docetaxel in the context of a phase III clinical trial.

BACKGROUND
Preclinical data indicate that p-53 gene mutations predict resistance to doxorubicin (A) but not to docetaxel (Taxotere) (T). In the TAX 303 trial, A and T have been compared with advanced breast cancer patients.


PATIENTS AND METHODS
Primary tumor samples from patients participating in the TAX 303 trial were collected. p-53 gene mutations were evaluated by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) and confirmed by sequencing. Topoisomerase II alpha (topo II alpha) protein levels were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Clinical and biological data were correlated.


RESULTS
Tumor samples for DHPLC analysis were available for 108 of 326 patients from the clinical trial. p-53 gene mutations were observed in 20% of patients. In patients with a mutated p-53 gene, a trend for a lower percentage of responders was observed in the A arm (17%) compared with the T arm (50%). In the wild-type p-53 cohort, response rates to A and T were 27% and 36%, respectively. Of the 16 patients carrying wild-type p-53- and topo II protein-positive tumors, seven (44%) responded to anthracyclines, while response rate to the same drug was 13% in the remaining cohorts [odds ratio 5.06 (95% confidence interval 1.19-21.41), P = 0.03]. The combination of the two markers had no predictive value in patients treated with docetaxel.


CONCLUSIONS
(i) p-53 gene analysis indicates that gene mutations may compromise the efficacy of A while they do not interfere with the antitumor activity of T; and (ii) the evaluation of multiple molecular markers including p-53 and proliferation markers as topo II protein levels looks more promising in predicting response to anthracyclines.
Children's Literature in the Elementary Schools: Which Books Are Being Chosen for Literacy Instruction?

CHILDREN’S LITERATURE IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS: WHICH BOOKS ARE BEING CHOSEN FOR LITERACY INSTRUCTION? Shauna R. Raby Department of Teacher Education Master of Arts Research has shown the value of using children’s literature for reading instruction. As teachers incorporate more children’s literature into their programs, questions arise as to the choices they are making about which books to use for literacy instruction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of children’s literature in two literacy activities, teacher read aloud and literature circles, in grade four through six classrooms in Central School District. Teachers from this group were asked to complete a survey for each children’s literature book they used for teacher read aloud and literature circles during one school year. A descriptive analysis summarizing the characteristics of the information collected in the surveys was conducted. Results indicated there was variability in the number and titles of books the sample teachers used in their classrooms, some books were read in more than one classroom, fiction and chapter books were chosen more often than informational or picture books. The sample teachers selected books for a variety of reasons, with the greatest consideration being what they thought the students would like. Teachers selected books for literature circles from the schools’ guided reading libraries most often, and teachers chose books for teacher read aloud based on their own likes and according to other teachers recommendations. The teacher’s responses to the research questions reflected heavy reliance on the contents of the school guided reading library to support literature circle reading groups. While the development of the guided reading library in each of the sample schools has created a resource for teachers, the contents may limit the genres of children’s literature that teachers use for literacy instruction. If, indeed, teachers depend upon the guided reading library for the majority of the books they use in literature circles, the quality and quantity of the books in the guided reading library may warrant further study.
A quantitative evaluation of vulnerability scanning

Design/methodology/approach: Both qualitative comparisons of functionality and quantitative comparisons of false positives and false negatives are made for seven different scanners. The quantitative assessment includes data from both authenticated and unauthenticated scans. Experiments were conducted on a computer network of 28 hosts with various operating systems, services and vulnerabilities. This network was set up by a team of security researchers and professionals.
The effect of atmosphere on the structure and properties of a selective laser melted Al-12Si alloy

Abstract Al–12Si components were manufactured by Selective Laser Melting (SLM) using three different atmospheres: argon; nitrogen and helium. The atmosphere type did not affect the part's density or hardness and all components reached near full relative density (>97%). The mechanical properties of the components produced in Ar and N 2 were superior to those in He, especially the ductility, which has been attributed to the formation of pore clusters in the microstructure. The mechanical properties in SLM-produced components are superior to those produced using conventional method.
The Mediating Effect of Gaming Motivation Between Psychiatric Symptoms and Problematic Online Gaming: An Online Survey

BACKGROUND
The rapid expansion of online video gaming as a leisure time activity has led to the appearance of problematic online gaming (POG). According to the literature, POG is associated with different psychiatric symptoms (eg, depression, anxiety) and with specific gaming motives (ie, escape, achievement). Based on studies of alcohol use that suggest a mediator role of drinking motives between distal influences (eg, trauma symptoms) and drinking problems, this study examined the assumption that there is an indirect link between psychiatric distress and POG via the mediation of gaming motives. Furthermore, it was also assumed that there was a moderator effect of gender and game type preference based on the important role gender plays in POG and the structural differences between different game types.


OBJECTIVE
This study had two aims. The first aim was to test the mediating role of online gaming motives between psychiatric symptoms and problematic use of online games. The second aim was to test the moderator effect of gender and game type preference in this mediation model.


METHODS
An online survey was conducted on a sample of online gamers (N=3186; age: mean 21.1, SD 5.9 years; male: 2859/3186, 89.74%). The Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), the Motives for Online Gaming Questionnaire (MOGQ), and the Problematic Online Gaming Questionnaire (POGQ) were administered to assess general psychiatric distress, online gaming motives, and problematic online game use, respectively. Structural regression analyses within structural equation modeling were used to test the proposed mediation models and multigroup analyses were used to test gender and game type differences to determine possible moderating effects.


RESULTS
The mediation models fitted the data adequately. The Global Severity Index (GSI) of the BSI indicated that the level of psychiatric distress had a significant positive direct effect (standardized effect=.35, P<.001) and a significant indirect (mediating) effect on POG (standardized effect=.194, P<.001) via 2 gaming motives: escape (standardized effect=.139, P<.001) and competition (standardized effect=.046, P<.001). The comparison of the 2 main gamer types showed no significant differences in the model. However, when comparing male and female players it was found that women had (1) slightly higher escape scores (on a 5-point Likert scale: mean 2.28, SD 1.14) than men (mean 1.87, SD 0.97) and (2) a stronger association between the escape motive and problematic online gaming (standardized effect size=.64, P<.001) than men (standardized effect size=.20, P=.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that psychiatric distress is both directly and indirectly (via escape and competition motives) negatively associated with POG. Therefore, the exploration of psychiatric symptoms and gaming motives of POG can be helpful in the preparation of prevention and treatment programs.
IDF diabetes atlas: global estimates of the prevalence of diabetes for 2011 and 2030.

INTRODUCTION
Diabetes is an increasingly important condition globally and robust estimates of its prevalence are required for allocating resources.


METHODS
Data sources from 1980 to April 2011 were sought and characterised. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to select the most appropriate study or studies for each country, and estimates for countries without data were modelled. A logistic regression model was used to generate smoothed age-specific estimates which were applied to UN population estimates for 2011.


RESULTS
A total of 565 data sources were reviewed, of which 170 sources from 110 countries were selected. In 2011 there are 366 million people with diabetes, and this is expected to rise to 552 million by 2030. Most people with diabetes live in low- and middle-income countries, and these countries will also see the greatest increase over the next 19 years.


DISCUSSION
This paper builds on previous IDF estimates and shows that the global diabetes epidemic continues to grow. Recent studies show that previous estimates have been very conservative. The new IDF estimates use a simple and transparent approach and are consistent with recent estimates from the Global Burden of Disease study. IDF estimates will be updated annually.
Determinants of urban-rural differences in cardiovascular risk factors in middle-aged women in India: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the most important cause of death amongst middle-aged Indian women. To determine prevalence of CVD risk factors and their determinants we performed a nationwide study.


METHODS
Population based studies amongst women 35-70 years were performed in four urban and five rural locations in India. Location based stratified sampling was performed and we enrolled 4624 (rural 2616, urban 2008) of eligible 8000 women (58%). Demographic details, medical history, diet, physical activity and anthropometry were recorded using standardised techniques. Blood haemoglobin, glucose and total cholesterol were determined. Risk factors were diagnosed using current guidelines. Descriptive statistics are reported. Stepwise multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify determinants of urban-rural differences.


RESULTS
In urban women mean body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-hip ratio (WHR), systolic BP, haemoglobin, fasting glucose and cholesterol were significantly greater (p<0.01). Age-adjusted prevalence of risk factors (%) in urban vs rural was of obesity BMI ≥ 25 kg/m(2) (45.6 vs 22.5), truncal obesity WHR>0.9 (44.3 vs 13.0), hypertension (37.5 vs 29.3), hypercholesterolemia ≥ 200 mg/dl (27.7 vs 13.5), and diabetes (15.1 vs 4.3) greater whilst any tobacco use (19.6 vs 41.6) or smoking lower. Significant determinants of urban-rural differences were greater income and literacy, dietary fats, low physical activity, obesity and truncal obesity (p<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Greater prevalence of CVD risk factors in urban middle-aged women is explained by greater income and literacy, dietary fat, low physical activity and obesity.
bioprinting for engineering complex tissues

Article history: Received 5 August 2015 Received in revised form 10 December 2015 Accepted 22 December 2015 Available online xxxx Bioprinting is a 3D fabrication technology used to precisely dispense cell-laden biomaterials for the construction of complex 3D functional living tissues or artificial organs. While still in its early stages, bioprinting strategies have demonstrated their potential use in regenerative medicine to generate a variety of transplantable tissues, including skin, cartilage, and bone. However, current bioprinting approaches still have technical challenges in terms of high-resolution cell deposition, controlled cell distributions, vascularization, and innervation within complex 3D tissues. While no one-size-fits-all approach to bioprinting has emerged, it remains an on-demand, versatile fabrication technique that may address the growing organ shortage as well as provide a highthroughput method for cell patterning at the micrometer scale for broad biomedical engineering applications. In this review, we introduce the basic principles, materials, integration strategies and applications of bioprinting. We also discuss the recent developments, current challenges and future prospects of 3Dbioprinting for engineering complex tissues. Combinedwith recent advances in human pluripotent stem cell technologies, 3D-bioprinted tissue models could serve as an enabling platform for high-throughput predictive drug screening and more effective regenerative therapies. © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Design and characterization of a novel high-compliance spring for robots with soft joints

Low stiffness elements have a number of applications in Soft Robotics, from Series Elastic Actuators (SEA) to torque sensors for compliant systems.
Determinants of Capital Structure across Selected Manufacturing Sectors of Pakistan

The present study examines the industry specific attributes of firms in Automobile, Engineering, and Cable and Electrical Goods Sectors affecting the determinants of capital structure and validates the results with Booth et. al. (2001) and Rajan and Zingales (1995) .The study uses pooled data regression model on the sample of 22 Automobile, 7 Cable and Electrical Goods and 8 Engineering Firms to identify the determinants of capital structure. The debt to total assets ratio is used as a proxy for leverage and the impact of size, profitability, tangibility of assets, cost of debt, taxes, liquidity and non debt tax shield is analyzed on leverage. It is pertinent to report that the study uses liquidity, tax and cost of debt variables which were not used in the earlier studies conducted in Pakistan on industry specific attribute of capital structure and have significant influence on debt financing decisions. The empirical results reflects that firms of these three sectors with good liquidity position and large depreciation allowances use retained earnings, followed by debt financing for growth and smooth operations and equity financing is considered as a last resort. The results supported the Static Tradeoff Theory and Pecking Order Theory.
Multi-Site Clinical Evaluation of DW-MRI as a Treatment Response Metric for Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

PURPOSE
To evaluate diffusion weighted MRI (DW-MR) as a response metric for assessment of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in patients with primary breast cancer using prospective multi-center trials which provided MR scans along with clinical outcome information.


MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 39 patients with locally advanced breast cancer accrued from three different prospective clinical trials underwent DW-MR examination prior to and at 3-7 days (Hull University), 8-11 days (University of Michigan) and 35 days (NeoCOMICE) post-treatment initiation. Thirteen patients, 12 of which participated in treatment response study, from UM underwent short interval (<1hr) MRI examinations, referred to as "test-retest" for examination of repeatability. To further evaluate stability in ADC measurements, a thermally controlled diffusion phantom was used to assess repeatability of diffusion measurements. MRI sequences included contrast-enhanced T1-weighted, when appropriate, and DW images acquired at b-values of 0 and 800 s/mm2. Histogram analysis and a voxel-based analytical technique, the Parametric Response Map (PRM), were used to derive diffusion response metrics for assessment of treatment response prediction.


RESULTS
Mean tumor apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values generated from patient test-retest examinations were found to be very reproducible (|ΔADC|<0.1x10-3mm2/s). This data was used to calculate the 95% CI from the linear fit of tumor voxel ADC pairs of co-registered examinations (±0.45x10-3mm2/s) for PRM analysis of treatment response. Receiver operating characteristic analysis identified the PRM metric to be predictive of outcome at the 8-11 (AUC = 0.964, p = 0.01) and 35 day (AUC = 0.770, p = 0.05) time points (p<.05) while whole-tumor ADC changes where significant at the later 35 day time interval (AUC = 0.825, p = 0.02).


CONCLUSION
This study demonstrates the feasibility of performing a prospective analysis of DW-MRI as a predictive biomarker of NAC in breast cancer patients. In addition, we provide experimental evidence supporting the use of sensitive analytical tools, such as PRM, for evaluating ADC measurements.
Satellite Image Resolution Enhancement Using Complex Wavelet Transform

In this letter, a satellite image resolution enhancement technique based on interpolation of the high-frequency subband images obtained by dual-tree complex wavelet transform (DT-CWT) is proposed. DT-CWT is used to decompose an input low-resolution satellite image into different subbands. Then, the high-frequency subband images and the input image are interpolated, followed by combining all these images to generate a new high-resolution image by using inverse DT-CWT. The resolution enhancement is achieved by using directional selectivity provided by the CWT, where the high-frequency subbands in six different directions contribute to the sharpness of the high-frequency details such as edges. The quantitative peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and visual results show the superiority of the proposed technique over the conventional bicubic interpolation, wavelet zero padding, and Irani and Peleg based image resolution enhancement techniques.
Clinical outcomes according to QRS duration and morphology in the Eplerenone in Mild Patients: Hospitalization and SurvIval Study in Heart Failure (EMPHASIS-HF).

AIMS
We examined the relationship between different degrees of QRS prolongation and different QRS morphologies and clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure, reduced ejection fraction (HF-REF), and mild symptoms in the Eplerenone in Mild Patients Hospitalization and SurvIval Study in Heart Failure trial (EMPHASIS-HF). We also evaluated the effect of eplerenone in these patients according to QRS duration/morphology.


METHODS AND RESULTS
Patients were categorized as: QRS duration (ms) (i) <120 (n = 1375); (ii) 120-149 (n = 517); and (iii) ≥150 (n = 383), and QRS morphology (i) normal (n = 1252); (ii) left bundle branch block (BBB) (n = 608); and (iii) right BBB/intraventricular conduction defect (IVCD) (n = 415). The outcomes examined were the composite of cardiovascular death or heart failure hospitalization and all-cause mortality. Both abnormal QRS duration and QRS morphology were associated with higher risk, e.g. the rates of the composite outcome were: 10.2, 17.6, and 15.5 per 100 patient-years in the <120, 120-149, and ≥150 ms groups, respectively. Eplerenone reduced the risk of the primary outcome and mortality, compared with placebo, consistently across the QRS duration/morphology subgroups.


CONCLUSION
We found that even moderate prolongation of QRS duration and right BBB/IVCD were associated with a high risk of adverse outcomes in HF-REF. Eplerenone was similarly effective, irrespective of QRS duration/morphology.
RF Chipset for Impulse UWB Radar Using 0.13-$\mu{\hbox {m}}$ InP-HEMT Technology

A novel ultra-wideband impulse radar architecture for 24-GHz-band short-range radar was developed using 0.13-mum InP high electron-mobility technology. The transmitter part generates an extremely wideband impulse from a pulse generator and then filters it through a bandpass filter. The obtained impulse had a full width at half maximum of 9 ps. Its frequency spectrum spread from dc to over 40 GHz and achieved sufficient flatness in the target band. The power amplifier (PA) for the transmitter had a gain of 15 plusmn0.1 dB, and the low-noise amplifier (LNA) for the receiver had a gain of 40 plusmn1 dB and a minimum noise figure of 1.9 dB. The achieved flatness of integration gain including the PA, LNA, and RF switch was less than plusmn1.2 dB. These RF circuits with gain flatness make a simple matched filter configuration possible without the use of a conventional correlator composed of a local oscillator. An ultra high-speed sample and hold circuit having an ultra-long hold time of more than 3 ns was also developed to detect the output pulses from the matched filter
Sinonasal characteristics and quality of life by SNOT-22 in adult patients with cystic fibrosis

The prevalence of chronic sinus disease in cystic fibrosis (CF) has gradually increased. Sinonasal involvement may have influence on pulmonary exacerbations and can have a negative impact on the quality of life. To evaluate nasal characteristics and quality of life in adult patients with CF; to establish an association and determine the predictors in SNOT-22 questionnaire. Cross- sectional study with prospective data collection was performed to evaluate adult CF patients. Patients underwent clinical evaluation, lung function tests, nasal endoscopy, and paranasal sinuses CT scan. All the patients answered the SNOT-22 questionnaire. Results: A total of 91 patients were allocated, of which, 45.1% were male. Patients were divided into three groups by SNOT-22. A high average age, late age of diagnosis, rhinitis symptoms, and clinical criteria for rhinosinusitis were observed more frequently in patients with high SNOT-22 scores (p < 0.05). Overall, 84.6% patients had abnormal CT findings, with aplasia/hypoplasia of the sphenoid sinus being the most common finding. In multiple regression model, age, female gender, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the sputum were associated with high SNOT-22 scores in the nasal domain. Hyposmia and lack of medial bulging of lateral nasal wall were variables associated with high SNOT-22 scores in the quality of life domain. In total score, there was a positive association with age and the presence of P. aeruginosa in sputum. Despite high prevalence of abnormal tomographic findings, patients reported mild intensity of sinonasal symptoms. Advanced age and the presence of P. aeruginosa were associated with higher SNOT-22 scores.
A Study on the Improvement of the Field Survey for the Scientific Investigation Analysis

The frequency and intensity of disaster are increasing and the establishment of disaster management policy and its application are important. Disaster field survey is one of the important disaster management but field survey has resulted in the incorrect disaster cause analysis because of nonstandard method. In this study, disaster finds survey find problems and suggests improvement methods and roadmaps. The results of this study are expected to utilize establishing scientific disaster investigation system.