Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Behavioral Synthesis Methodology for HDL-Based Specification and Validation

This paper describes a HDL synthesis based design methodology that supports user adoption of behavioral-level synthesis into normal design practices. The use of these techniques increases understanding of the HDL descriptions before synthesis, and makes the comparison of pre- and post-synthesis design behavior through simulation much more direct. This increases user confidence that the specification does what the user wants, i.e. that the synthesized design matches the specification in the ways that are important to the user. At the same time, the methodology gives the user a powerful set of tools to specify complex interface timing, while preserving a user's ability to delegate decision-making authority to software in those cases where the user does not wish to restrict the options available to the synthesis algorithms.
Bioconversion of Biomass-Derived Phenols Catalyzed by Myceliophthora thermophila Laccase

Biomass-derived phenols have recently arisen as an attractive alternative for building blocks to be used in synthetic applications, due to their widespread availability as an abundant renewable resource. In the present paper, commercial laccase from the thermophilic fungus Myceliophthora thermophila was used to bioconvert phenol monomers, namely catechol, pyrogallol and gallic acid in water. The resulting products from catechol and gallic acid were polymers that were partially characterized in respect to their optical and thermal properties, and their average molecular weight was estimated via solution viscosity measurements and GPC. FT-IR and 1H-NMR data suggest that phenol monomers are connected with ether or C–C bonds depending on the starting monomer, while the achieved molecular weight of polycatechol is found higher than the corresponding poly(gallic acid). On the other hand, under the same condition, pyrogallol was dimerized in a pure red crystalline compound and its structure was confirmed by 1H-NMR as purpurogallin. The herein studied green synthesis of enzymatically synthesized phenol polymers or biological active compounds could be exploited as an alternative synthetic route targeting a variety of applications.
Species Composition and WNV Screening of Mosquitoes from Lagoons in a Wetland Area of the Algarve, Portugal

The aim of this study was to evaluate mosquito abundance, species diversity, larval and adult population dynamics in seven lagoons integrated in the wetland coastal system of the Algarve, Portugal, in the summer of 2007, as well as the screening of these for West Nile virus (WNV). WNV has been isolated from mosquitoes in this region, in the summer of 2004, next to the putative area of infection of two linked human WN cases. Adult mosquitoes were collected with CDC traps baited with CO2, and potential breeding sites were surveyed for immature stages. Morphological identification of 1,432 adult mosquitoes and 85 larvae revealed the presence of 10 species: Anopheles atroparvus, Anopheles algeriensis, Coquillettidia richiardii, Culex modestus, Culex pipiens, Culex theileri, Culex univittatus, Culiseta longiareolata, Aedes caspius, and Aedes detritus. Adult mosquito peak densities were recorded in July, contrasting with null larval breeding in the same month in the surveyed biotopes. Most abundant species were C. pipiens (52%), C. theileri (29%), and A. caspius (11%). Lagoon Salgados and Quinta das Salinas, exhibited the highest similarity of culicid fauna, despite being most distant from each other, Female mosquitoes (1,249 specimens) screened by RT-PCR, did not reveal WNV products. However, previous detection of WNV activity in this area, susceptible to re-introductions, demands for continued vigilance.
Oceanic crustal velocities from laboratory and logging measurements of Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Hole 1256D

Drilling and logging of Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Hole 1256D have provided a unique opportunity for systematically studying a fundamental problem in marine geophysics: What influences the seismic structure of oceanic crust, porosity or composition? Compressional wave velocities (Vp) logged in open hole or from regional refraction measurements integrate both the host rock and cracks in the crust. To determine the influence of cracks on Vp at several scales, we first need an accurate ground truth in the form of laboratory Vp on crack‐free, or nearly crack‐free samples. We measured Vp on 46 water‐saturated samples at in situ pressures to determine the baseline velocities of the host rock. These new results match or exceed Vp logs throughout most of the hole, especially in the lower dikes and gabbros, where porosities are low. In contrast, samples measured at sea under ambient laboratory conditions, had consistently lower Vp than the Vp logs, even after correction to in situ pressures. Crack‐free Vp calculated from simple models of logging and laboratory porosity data for different lithologies and facies suggest that crustal velocities in the lavas and upper dikes are controlled by porosity. In particular, the models demonstrate significant large‐scale porosity in the lavas, especially in the sections identified as fractured flows and breccias. However, crustal velocities in the lower dikes and gabbros are increasingly controlled by petrology as the layer 2‐3 boundary is approached.
Determinants of Job Satisfaction and its Impact on Employee Performance and Turnover Intentions

Job satisfaction - or lack of it - hinges on a productive, accomplishing relationship between staff and management; indeed, the success of any organization depends on staff members who enjoy their jobs and feel rewarded by their efforts. Ultimately, of all the people in the marketplace may suffer the most when this vital success factor is lacking. In earlier ages, many researchers have been directed on job satisfaction but this still remains an issue for many organizations. The ambition of this research paper is to examine the satisfaction level of the employees and helps organizations to know about the elements that influence job satisfaction. Precisely, we acquired employee empowerment and workplace environment as the antecedents to understand their effect on job satisfaction, and further the impact of job satisfaction on job loyalty, job performance and turnover intention. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection from several organizations. Convenient sampling technique was used and 200 questionnaires were circulated out of which 150 were nominated for further analysis. SPSS is used for data analysis statistically. The results showed significant positive association of employee empowerment, workplace environment, job loyalty and job performance with job satisfaction. Furthermore, there is a significant negative relationship between job satisfaction and turnover intention. The findings also demonstrate that there is no significant relation of turnover intention with employee empowerment and job performance.
Heart Rate Recovery and Risk of Cardiovascular Events and All‐Cause Mortality: A Meta‐Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies

Background Heart rate recovery (HRR) is a noninvasive assessment of autonomic dysfunction and has been implicated with risk of cardiovascular events and all‐cause mortality. However, evidence has not been systematically assessed. We performed a meta‐analysis of prospective cohort studies to quantify these associations in the general population. Methods and Results A literature search using 3 databases up to August 2016 was conducted for studies that reported hazard ratios with 95% CIs for the association between baseline HRR and outcomes of interest. The overall hazard ratios were calculated using a random‐effects model. There were 9 eligible studies in total, with 5 for cardiovascular events enrolling 1061 cases from 34 267 participants, and 9 for all‐cause mortality enrolling 2082 cases from 41 600 participants. The pooled hazard ratios associated with attenuated HRR versus fast HRR that served as the referent were 1.69 (95% CI 1.05–2.71) for cardiovascular events and 1.68 (95% CI 1.51–1.88) for all‐cause mortality. For every 10 beats per minute decrements in HRR, the hazard ratios were 1.13 (95% CI 1.05–1.21) and 1.09 (95% CI 1.01–1.19), respectively. Further analyses suggested that the associations observed between attenuated HRR and risk of fatal cardiovascular events and all‐cause mortality were independent of traditional metabolic factors for cardiovascular disease (all P<0.05). Conclusions Attenuated HRR is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events and all‐cause mortality, which supports the recommendation of recording HRR for risk assessment in clinical practice as a routine.
Efavirenz‐Associated Gynecomastia: Report of Five Cases and Review of the Literature

Abstract: The prognosis of HIV infection has improved dramatically since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). However, numerous adverse effects and limitations regarding tolerability remain a concern. Lipomastia (pseudogynecomastia), a breast enlargement due to central adiposity, may occur as part of a fat redistribution syndrome which has been associated with HAART regimens and several pathogenic mechanisms have been advocated in its development. Here we report an observational longitudinal study of five patients diagnosed of gynecomastia associated with efavirenz‐based HAART regimens. All cases reached successful inmunologic and virologic responses to HAART. The delay of appearance of gynecomastia from the beginning of HAART ranged between 4 to 15 months. In all five cases, gynecomastia regressed after efavirenz withdrawal (mean period of 5 months). In summary, we think that HAART induced gynecomastia should be suspected in HIV patients receiving efavirenz‐containing regimens. Although pathogenesis is unclear, this study and a review of the English literature implicates two possible mechanisms: (a) immune restoration processes and (b) efavirenz mediated estradiol‐like effects.
A mixed-signal RAM decision-feedback equalizer for disk drives

A mixed-signal RAM decision-feedback equalizer (DFE) that operates at 90 Mb/s is described. The DFE cancels intersymbol interference caused by the past 4 decisions. The RAM contents are adapted using digital circuits. In steady-state operation, power dissipation is 260 mW. The active area is 4.5 mm/sup 2/ in a 1-/spl mu/m CMOS process.
Utility of biomarkers in prediction of response to ablative therapy in Barrett's esophagus.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been shown to be effective in the treatment of high-grade dysplasia (HGD)/mucosal carcinoma in Barrett's esophagus (BE). Substantial proportions of patients do not respond to PDT or progress to carcinoma despite PDT. The role of biomarkers in predicting response to PDT is unknown. We aimed to determine if biomarkers known to be associated with neoplasia in BE can predict loss of dysplasia in patients treated with ablative therapy for HGD/intramucosal cancer. METHODS Patients with BE and HGD/intramucosal cancer were studied prospectively from 2002 to 2006. Biomarkers were assessed using fluorescence in situ hybridization performed on cytology specimens, for region-specific and centromeric probes. Patients were treated with PDT using cylindric diffusing fibers (wavelength, 630 nm; energy, 200 J/cm fiber). Univariate and multiple variable logistic regression was performed to determine predictors of response to PDT. RESULTS A total of 126 consecutive patients (71 who underwent PDT and 55 patients who did not undergo PDT and were under surveillance, to adjust for the natural history of HGD), were included in this study. Fifty (40%) patients were responders (no dysplasia or carcinoma) at 3 months after PDT. On multiple variable analysis, P16 allelic loss (odds ratio [OR], 0.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.10-0.96) predicted decreased response to PDT. BE segment length (OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.59-0.85), and performance of PDT (OR, 7.17; 95% CI, 2.50-20.53) were other independent predictors of loss of dysplasia. CONCLUSIONS p16 loss detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization can help predict loss of dysplasia in patients with BE and HGD/mucosal cancer. Biomarkers may help in the selection of appropriate therapy for patients and improve treatment outcomes.
A New Approach to Scheduling Parallel Programs Using Task Duplication

In this paper, we explore the problem of scheduling parallel programs using task duplication for message-passing multicomputers. Task duplication means scheduling a parallel program by redundantly executing some of the tasks on which other tasks of the program critically depend. This can reduce the start times of tasks waiting for messages from tasks residing in other processors. There have been a few scheduling algorithms using task duplication. We discuss two such previously reported algorithms and describe their differences, limitations and suitability for different environments. A new algorithm is proposed which outperforms both of these algorithms, and is more efficient for low as well as high values of communication-to-computation ratios. The algorithm takes into account arbitrary computation and communication costs. All three algorithms are tested by scheduling some of the commonly encountered graph structures.
Cancer of the larynx associated with bilateral external laryngocoele

THE association between laryngocoele and carcinoma of the larynx, although relatively uncommon has been reported by various authors, mostly on the Continent. Marschik in 1927 would appear to be the first to report such an association. Later, however, reports have been published by Leroux Robert and Rogeon (1957), and Leborgne (1943a), Zollner (1932), Cova (1941), Torchiana (1942), Schall (1944), Lund (i960), Meda (1951 and 1952), Bonandini (1946), Casadesus and Capella (1951), Jackson (1947), Guenzi, Pagano (1954), Blavier (1957), Gignoux and Moindrot (1957), Carimati (1956), Mattioli (1955), Calciceti (1951), and more recently P. G. Gerlings (1963). This study was undertaken to present a further unusual case of carcinoma of the larynx in association with bilateral mixed laryngocoeles and to study the literature to date, first of all to review the history of this interesting condition, then to see if anything new could be learned concerning the aetiology and pathology of carcinoma of the larynx in association with laryngocoele. Although the ventricle of the larynx was recognized by Galen in A.D. 300 as a slit between the true and false cords, it remained for Morgagni in 1741 to describe the ventricle anatomically and it has been named after him. Connecting with this ventricular space and arising from the anterior end of it is a blind pyramidal shaped extension known as the laryngeal saccule. Its size is variable and it may extend as far as the base of the epiglottis. In man it is usually small, but other species, such as the tree-climbing apes, have huge sacs extending down to the pectoral muscles. The comparative anatomy of these air sacs has been extensively studied by Negus (1929). In 1837 Hilton studied the anatomical relationships of the saccule in detail. In 1829, Larrey, a surgeon in Napoleon's Army of occupation in Egypt, noticed that many of the blind men engaged to cry out verses of the Koran to the faithful from the tops of the minarets, had developed cystic, air filled, neck swellings and so he was the first to describe clinically, what later became known as laryngocoeles. These men known as criers, often had to wear stiff neck collars for support, and many of them had to change their occupation because of this complication. Von Hippel (1910), criticized Larrey's observations 80 years later and said that many
The nature and function of song diversity in southern house wrens (Troglodytes aedon chilensis)

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC); University of Lethbridge; CONICET (PIP 2011-11220100100039); FONCYT (PICT-2010-1033); CNPq, Brazil (National Counsel of Technological and Scientific Development).
Evidence for para dechlorination of polychlorobiphenyls by methanogenic bacteria

When microorganisms eluted from upper Hudson River sediment were cultured without any substrate except polychlorobiphenyl (PCB)-free Hudson River sediment, methane formation was the terminal step of the anaerobic food chain. In sediments containing Aroclor 1242, addition of eubacterium-inhibiting antibiotics, which should have directly inhibited fermentative bacteria and thereby should have indirectly inhibited methanogens, resulted in no dechlorination activity or methane production. However, when substrates for methanogenic bacteria were provided along with the antibiotics (to free the methanogens from dependence on eubacteria), concomitant methane production and dechlorination of PCBs were observed. The dechlorination of Aroclor 1242 was from the para positions, a pattern distinctly different from, and more limited than, the pattern observed with untreated or pasteurized inocula. Both methane production and dechlorination in cultures amended with antibiotics plus methanogenic substrates were inhibited by 2-bromoethanesulfonic acid. These results suggest that the methanogenic bacteria are among the physiological groups capable of anaerobic dechlorination of PCBs, but that the dechlorination observed with methanogenic bacteria is less extensive than the dechlorination observed with more complex anaerobic consortia.
The use of amniotic membrane in trabeculectomy for the treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma: a prospective study

Background To investigate the effectiveness of amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) on improving the outcomes of trabeculectomy in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Methods Fifty-nine eyes affected by primary open-angle glaucoma were enrolled in this prospective randomized study. Thirty-two eyes underwent amnion-shielded trabeculectomy (study group) and 27 eyes underwent trabeculectomy without any antimetabolites (control group). Success was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) <21 mmHg without any medications at 24 months follow-up. The two groups were compared in terms of IOP, bleb morphology, bleb survival and risk of failure, glaucoma medications, and complications. Results There was no statistically significant difference in terms of postoperative IOP between the two groups and at 24 months median IOP was 15.5 mmHg for the AMT group and 16 mmHg for the control group. IOP postoperative reduction was 8 mmHg for the AMT group versus 6 mmHg for the non AMT group (P = 0.276). Two patients from the study group developed IOP >21 mmHg in contrast to seven patients from the classic trabeculectomy group. The study group had 61.0% less risk of developing IOP >21 mmHg (P = 0.203). No major complications in the AMT group were observed. AMT blebs were diffuse with mild vascularization. Conclusion In patients with POAG, AMT showed favorable effects on bleb survival, however data failed to provide firm evidence that AMT could be used as a routine procedure in trabeculectomy.
The effect of hospital financial characteristics on quality of care.

OBJECTIVE To assess the relationship among hospital financial characteristics, patient payer mix, and the incidence of negligent medical injuries. DESIGN Retrospective medical record review linked to hospital financial reports. SETTING Acute care hospitals in New York State in 1984. POPULATION Stratified, random sample of 30,195 medical records from 51 acute care hospitals. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Hospital rates of medical injury and substandard care were developed from reviews of 30,195 medical records at 51 acute care hospitals in New York in 1984. Hospital-level variables representing financial status, hospital staffing, and the proportion of self-pay and Medicaid hospital discharges were compiled from a variety of secondary sources. RESULTS The likelihood of negligent medical injury was highest in those hospitals with the lowest inpatient operating costs per hospital discharge (odds ratio, 2.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.5 to 5.5). The effect of low inpatient operating costs was marked among hospitals in financial distress, many of which served indigent populations. CONCLUSIONS Patients admitted to hospitals that are unable to expend sufficient resources on patient care may be at higher risk of substandard care. Further study of the effect of hospital financial status on quality of care appears to be warranted.
Microcoded Architectures for Ion-Tap Quantum Computers

In this paper we present the first ever systematic design space exploration of microcoded software fault tolerant ion-trap quantum computers. This exploration reveals the critical importance of a well-tuned microcode for providing high performance and ensuring system reliability. In addition, we find that, despite recent advances in the reliability of quantum memory, the impact of errors due to stored quantum data is now, and will continue to be, a major source of systemic error. Finally, our exploration reveals a single design which out performs all others we considered in run time, fidelity and area. For completeness our design space exploration includes designs from prior work [13] and we find a novel design that is 1/2 the size, 3 times as fast, and an order of magnitude more reliable.
Crossing the phantom divide

We consider fluid perturbations close to the ``phantom divide'' characterized by $p=\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\rho}$ and discuss the conditions under which divergencies in the perturbations can be avoided. We find that the behavior of the perturbations depends crucially on the prescription for the pressure perturbation $\ensuremath{\delta}p$. The pressure perturbation is usually defined using the dark energy rest-frame, but we show that this frame becomes unphysical at the divide. If the pressure perturbation is kept finite in any other frame, then the phantom divide can be crossed. Our findings are important for generalized fluid dark energy used in data analysis (since current cosmological data sets indicate that the dark energy is characterized by $p\ensuremath{\approx}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\rho}$ so that $pl\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\rho}$ cannot be excluded) as well as for any models crossing the phantom divide, like some modified gravity, coupled dark energy, and braneworld models. We also illustrate the results by an explicit calculation for the ``Quintom'' case with two scalar fields.