Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An introduction to asynchronous circuit design

The purpose of this monograph is to provide both an introduction to eld of asynchronous digital circuit design and an overview of the practical state of the art in 1997. In the early days of digital circuit design, little distinction was made between synchronous and asynchronous circuits. However, since the 1960's, the mainstream of the digital circuit design enterprise has been primarily concerned with synchronous circuits. Synchronous circuits may be simply de ned as circuits which are sequenced by one or more globally distributed periodic timing signals called clocks. Asynchronous circuits are an inherently larger class of circuits, since there are may sequencing options other than global periodic clock signals. Asynchronous circuits have been studied in one form or another since the early 1950's [92] when the focus was primarily on mechanical relay circuits. A number of theoretical issues were studied in detail by Muller and Bartky as early as 1956 [138]. Since then, the eld of asynchronous circuits has gone through a number of high-interest cycles. In recent years there has been an unprecedented level of interest in both academic and industrial settings [81]. Much of this recent research e ort has focused more on theory than practice. Nonetheless, the advance of practical asynchronous circuit design techniques also has an unusual level of interest. The focus of this document is on the aspects of the asynchronous circuit design discipline which are either likely, or have been an in uence on the practical design of asynchronous circuits. The attempt is to provide an introduction to the basic concepts which provide the foundation for today's design techniques and to summarize the current practice. The text contains an extensive set of bibliographical pointers to guide the more serious student of the eld.
Orbital periods of cataclysmic variables identified by the SDSS – II. Measurements for six objects, including two eclipsing systems

Continuing our work from Paper I we present medium-resolution spectroscopy and broad-band photometry of seven cataclysmic variables (CVs) discovered by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). For six of these objects we derive accurate orbital periods, all which are measured for the first time. For SDSS J013132.39-090122.2, which contains a non-radially pulsating white dwarf, we find an orbital period of 81.54 +/- 0.13 min and a low radial velocity variation amplitude indicative of an extreme mass ratio. For SDSS J205914.87-061220.4, we find a period of 107.52 +/- 0.14 min. This object is a dwarf nova and was fading from its first recorded outburst throughout our observations. Isaac Newton Telescope (INT) photometry of SDSS J155531.99-001055.0 shows that this system undergoes total eclipses which are 1.5 mag deep and occur on a period of 113.54 +/- 0.03 min. A Nordic Optical Telescope (NOT) light curve of SDSS J075443.01+500729.2 shows that this system is also eclipsing, on a period of 205.965 +/- 0.014 min, but here the eclipses are V shaped and only 0.5 mag deep. Its low emission-line strengths, orbital period and V-shaped eclipse unambiguously mark it as a nova-like object. William Herschel Telescope (WHT) photometry of SDSS J005050.88+000912.6 and SDSS J210449.94+010545.8 yields periods of 80.3 +/- 2.2 and 103.62 +/- 0.12 min, respectively. Photometry of the seventh and final system, SDSS J165658.12+212139.3, shows only flickering. Our results strengthen the conclusion that the faint magnitude limit of the SDSS spectroscopic data base implies that the sample of CVs contained in it has quite different characteristics to previously studied samples of these objects. Five of the six orbital periods measured here are shorter than the observed 2-3 h CV period gap. Two systems have periods very close to the minimum orbital period for hydrogen-rich CVs.
From Optimal Search Theory to Sequential Paging in Cellular Networks

We propose a novel paging strategy based on the theory of optimal search with discrete efforts. When compared to conventional paging methods, the proposed scheme increases the mobile station discovery rate while decreasing the average number of times that a mobile station has to be paged in a location area. The proposal is fully compatible with existing cellular structures, and requires minimal computational power in the mobile switching centers.
Preventive and Therapeutic Vaccines against Human Papillomaviruses Associated Cervical Cancers

Cervical cancer is, globally known to be, one of the most common cancers among women especially in developing countries. More than 90% of cervical cancers are associated with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) particularly HPV types 16 and 18. Two major strategies have been developed for prevention and treatment of cervical cancer and other HPV-associated malignancies; the first one is based on HPV virus-like particles (VLPs) containing HPV structural proteins. VLP based vaccines can induce genotype specific virus neutralizing antibodies for preventing HPV infections. The other strategy is based on HPV early genes especially E6 and E7 for eliminating the established HPV infections; therefore they are classified as HPV therapeutic vaccines. This article reviews the preventive and therapeutic vaccines against HPV infections and cervical cancer.
MRI Evidence of Endolymphatic Impermeability to the Gadolinium Molecule in the In Vivo Mouse Inner Ear at 9.4 Tesla

Objective: Previous in vivo experimental magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) investigations of the mammalian inner ear at 4.7 Tesla have indicated that intravenously injected gadolinium (Gd) penetrates the perilymphatic labyrinth, but not the endolymphatic membranous labyrinth. In the present study, high field MRI at 9.4T was used to visualize the in vivo mouse vestibulo-cochlea system, and to determine whether the endolymphatic system is permeable to a Gd complex. Methods: A 9.4 T Varian magnet equipped with a 12 cm inner diameter gradient system with maximum gradient strength of 600 mT/m, a millipede coil (Varian design) and a Gd contrast agent were used for image acquisition in the normal C57 BL-6 mouse. Results: High-resolution 2D and 3D images of the mouse cochlea were acquired within 80 minutes following intravenous injection of Gd. Gd initially permeated the perilymphatic scala tympani and scala vestibuli, and permitted visualization of both cochlear turns from base to apex. The superior, inferior and lateral semicircular canals were subsequently visualized in 3 planes. The membranous endolymphatic labyrinth was impermeable to intravenously injected Gd, and thus showed no apparent uptake of Gd at 9.4T. Conclusion: The 9.4T field strength MRI permitted acquisition of high resolution images of anatomical and physiological features of the normal, wild type mouse perilymphatic inner ear in vivo, and provided further evidence that the endolymphatic system is impermeable to intravenously injected Gd.
Selective Wireless Power Transmission Through High-$Q$ Flat Waveguide-Ring Resonator on 2-D Waveguide Sheet

2-D waveguide power transmission (2DWPT) can potentially provide a safe and wireless means of electricity transfer. Our goal is to develop a 2DWPT system in which the power is transferred only to special receiver devices and not to other objects. For this purpose, a new high-quality (high-Q) factor receiver coupler is designed, while the Q of other general objects are reduced by a thick insulator layer on the sheet. This contrast in Q enables selective power transmission to the receiver coupler. The coupler forms a flat waveguide-ring resonator together with the insulator layer. Full-wave simulations validate the difference of power extraction between the proposed coupler and flat conductor plate resonators as a standard reference of general objects. The performance of the fabricated coupler is also examined on a large open-edged sheet where a standing wave is generated, as well as on a narrow strip-shaped sheet where the standing wave is eliminated. In the case where eight 50-Ω loaded couplers operate on a 90 cm × 60 cm large waveguide sheet simultaneously, the total microwave transmission efficiency achieved 87.7%.
Lower baseline performance but greater plasticity of working memory for carriers of the val allele of the COMT Val¹⁵⁸Met polymorphism.

OBJECTIVE Little is known about genetic contributions to individual differences in cognitive plasticity. Given that the neurotransmitter dopamine is critical for cognition and associated with cognitive plasticity, we investigated the effects of 3 polymorphisms of dopamine-related genes (LMX1A, DRD2, COMT) on baseline performance and plasticity of working memory (WM), perceptual speed, and reasoning. METHOD One hundred one younger and 103 older adults underwent approximately 100 days of cognitive training, and extensive testing before and after training. We analyzed the baseline and posttest data using latent change score models. RESULTS For working memory, carriers of the val allele of the COMT polymorphism had lower baseline performance and larger performance gains from training than carriers of the met allele. There was no significant effect of the other genes or on other cognitive domains. CONCLUSIONS We relate this result to available evidence indicating that met carriers perform better than val carriers in WM tasks taxing maintenance, whereas val carriers perform better at updating tasks. We suggest that val carriers may show larger training gains because updating operations carry greater potential for plasticity than maintenance operations.
Clustering of mammalian Hox genes with other H3K27me3 targets within an active nuclear domain

Significance The development of an embryo from a single fertilized cell is orchestrated by a large set of key regulatory genes whose activities need to be precisely controlled. Proteins from the Polycomb group (PcG) family maintain the inactive state of these genes by modifying the surrounding histone H3 tails. Here we report that these inactive genes contact other PcG-rich regions within otherwise active environments in the cell nucleus, suggesting the presence of repressive microenvironments. PcG positive genes interact independently from neighboring genes, depending on their linear distance and more global chromosome folding characteristics, with only moderate changes during embryonic development. Embryogenesis requires the precise activation and repression of many transcriptional regulators. The Polycomb group proteins and the associated H3K27me3 histone mark are essential to maintain the inactive state of many of these genes. Mammalian Hox genes are targets of Polycomb proteins and form local 3D clusters centered on the H3K27me3 mark. More distal contacts have also been described, yet their selectivity, dynamics, and relation to other layers of chromatin organization remained elusive. We report that repressed Hox genes form mutual intra- and interchromosomal interactions with other genes located in strong domains labeled by H3K27me3. These interactions occur in a central and active nuclear environment that consists of the HiC compartment A, away from peripheral lamina-associated domains. Interactions are independent of nearby H3K27me3-marked loci and determined by chromosomal distance and cell-type–specific scaling factors, thus inducing a moderate reorganization during embryogenesis. These results provide a simplified view of nuclear organization whereby Polycomb proteins may have evolved to repress genes located in gene-dense regions whose position is restricted to central, active, nuclear environments.
Joy at Work: Initial Measurement and Validation in Indian Context

Joyful living is found to be a highly valued goal of our society. However, in organizational settings, the achievement of joy is a modest area of enquiry and there is an imperfect understanding of the phenomenon. We have conducted 2 separate studies to validate the construct of “joy at work” among managerial executives employed in Indian multinational corporations. Exploratory (Study 1) and confirmatory (Study 2) factor analysis have generated an 18-item Joy at Work Scale with 3 discrete dimensions: Meaning, Engagement, and Growth; Compassion, Sensitivity and Respect; and Trust, Support, and Flexibility. The findings of the 2 studies revealed high internal consistency among its 3 subscales whereas the composite framework emerged as a perfect model fit. The present study is one of the first few studies to confirm the importance of eudemonic aspects in behavioral science especially in workplace settings.
Diverse Perspectives on the Groupthink Theory – A Literary Review

This article provides a summary of research related to the groupthink theory. The review includes case studies, experimental studies, literature reviews, example applications, and proposed modifications to the groupthink theory. Groupthink has been applied to a broad spectrum of group settings and is seen as a major factor in many poor decisions. Despite close to 40 years of the existence of the groupthink theory, experimental studies are limited with only a few of the model‘s 24 variables adequately tested. Testing limitations, and their mixed experimental results, lead to a wide diversity of perspectives regarding the model. Some conclude groupthink is no better than a myth, while others believe it is a brilliant construct. One recommendation is to address the ambiguity of the model; implementing previously proposed modifications (identified in this article) would achieve this objective. A further recommendation is to increase focus on testing groupthink prevention steps.
Political constructions of a cross-community identity in a divided society: how politicians articulate Northern Irishness

ABSTRACT A shared identity has been shown to reduce prejudice between conflicting social groups. One such common national category is the ‘Northern Irish’ identity which can be inclusive of both Catholics and Protestants. This study analyses the plenary sessions of the Northern Ireland Assembly to show how the national category ‘Northern Irish’ is framed by politicians. Content analysis shows that it is used more often by centrist parties who tend to frame it positively and as part of their political viewpoint. There is also evidence of the instrumental use of this identity by unionists in line with the ingroup projection model.
Density currents as a desert dust mobilization mechanism

Abstract. The formation and propagation of density currents are well studied processes in fluid dynamics with many applications in other science fields. In the atmosphere, density currents are usually meso-β/γ phenomena and are often associated with storm downdrafts. These storms are responsible for the formation of severe dust episodes (haboobs) over desert areas. In the present study, the formation of a convective cool pool and the associated dust mobilization are examined for a representative event over the western part of Sahara desert. The physical processes involved in the mobilization of dust are described with the use of the integrated atmospheric-air quality RAMS/ICLAMS model. Dust is effectively produced due to the development of near surface vortices and increased turbulent mixing along the frontal line. Increased dust emissions and recirculation of the elevated particles inside the head of the density current result in the formation of a moving "dust wall". Transport of the dust particles in higher layers – outside of the density current – occurs mainly in three ways: (1) Uplifting of preexisting dust over the frontal line with the aid of the strong updraft (2) Entrainment at the upper part of the density current head due to turbulent mixing (3) Vertical mixing after the dilution of the system. The role of the dust in the associated convective cloud system was found to be limited. Proper representation of convective processes and dust mobilization requires the use of high resolution (cloud resolving) model configuration and online parameterization of dust production. Haboob-type dust storms are effective dust sources and should be treated accordingly in dust modeling applications.
Oxidative Stress in Myopia

Myopia affected approximately 1.6 billion people worldwide in 2000, and it is expected to increase to 2.5 billion by 2020. Although optical problems can be corrected by optics or surgical procedures, normal myopia and high myopia are still an unsolved medical problem. They frequently predispose people who have them to suffer from other eye pathologies: retinal detachment, glaucoma, macular hemorrhage, cataracts, and so on being one of the main causes of visual deterioration and blindness. Genetic and environmental factors have been associated with myopia. Nevertheless, lack of knowledge in the underlying physiopathological molecular mechanisms has not permitted an adequate diagnosis, prevention, or treatment to be found. Nowadays several pieces of evidence indicate that oxidative stress may help explain the altered regulatory pathways in myopia and the appearance of associated eye diseases. On the one hand, oxidative damage associated with hypoxia myopic can alter the neuromodulation that nitric oxide and dopamine have in eye growth. On the other hand, radical superoxide or peroxynitrite production damage retina, vitreous, lens, and so on contributing to the appearance of retinopathies, retinal detachment, cataracts and so on. The objective of this review is to suggest that oxidative stress is one of the key pieces that can help solve this complex eye problem.
Performance Analysis of LS and LMMSE Channel Estimation Techniques for LTE Downlink Systems

The main purpose of this paper is to study the performance of two linear channel estimators for LTE Downlink systems, the Least Square Error (LSE) and the Linear Minimum Mean Square Error (LMMSE). As LTE is a MIMO-OFDM based system, a cyclic prefix is inserted at the beginning of each transmitted OFDM symbol in order to completely suppress both inter-carrier interference (ICI) and inter-symbol interference (ISI). Usually, the cyclic prefix is equal to or longer than the channel length but in some cases and because of some unforeseen channel behaviour, the cyclic prefix can be shorter. Therefore, we propose to study the performance of the two linear estimators under the effect of the channel length. Computer simulations show that, in the case where the cyclic prefix is equal to or longer than the channel length,LMMSE performs better than LSE but at the cost of computational complexity.In the other case, LMMSE continue to improve its performance only for low SNR values but it degrades for high SNR values in which LS shows better performance for LTE Downlink systems. MATLAB Monte – Carlo simulations are used to evaluate the performance of the studied estimators in terms of Mean Square Error (MSE) and Bit Error Rate (BER) for 2�2 LTE Downlink systems.
Seroprevalence of IgG antibodies against Chlamydia pneumoniae in Chinese, Malays and Asian Indians in Singapore.

BACKGROUND Chlamydia pneumoniae, a bacterium that causes respiratory infections, is probably under-diagnosed. There is also interest in its possible role in the aetiology of coronary heart disease. This is the first population-based seroprevalence survey of C. pneumoniae infection in Singapore. METHODS A random sample of 1,068 people aged 18-69 years was selected from the participants of the Singapore National Health Survey conducted in 1998. Sera and data on certain clinical measurements and conditions had been collected. IgG antibodies for C. pneumoniae were detected using an indirect microimmunofluorescence test and positivity graded. Seropositivity was defined as IgG titre >/=1:16. RESULTS There were no statistically significant differences in the prevalence rates of seropositivity to C. pneumoniae for age group 18-69 years among the three ethnic groups, i.e. Chinese (males 76.7%, females 68.3%), Malays (males 75.4%, females 59.1%), and Asian Indians (males 74.6%, females 59.4%). The seropositivity rate for people aged 18-69 years in Singapore was 75.0% for males and 65.5% for females (difference of 9.5%, P < 0.001). In both genders combined, seropositivity increased from 46.5% in the age group 18-29 to reach a plateau of 78.9% in the age group 40-49, which remained stable to 60-69 years. There was no association of seropositivity with smoking, diabetes mellitus, hypertension or body mass index after adjustment for age and gender. CONCLUSION The high prevalence rates in our study population and the higher rate in males compared to females are consistent with studies from other parts of the world. No significant difference in prevalence rates was observed among Chinese, Malays and Indians. The pattern of rising and levelling off of seropositivity with age suggests that C. pneumoniae infection occurs early in life, and in older ages the high level of seropositivity is probably maintained by re-infections or chronic infections. Chlamydia pneumoniae infection was not found to be associated with the cardiovascular risk factors examined.
Optimality of multi-domain protocols

Protocols which include key-distribution and data exchange phases in an asynchronous, shared key, multidomain environment are examined. A model of a distributed system is presented and the goals of the multidomain protocols are formulated. The minimal number of messages for two variants of such protocols is proved. Two multi-domain protocols which contain the minimal number of messages are presented. The results are compared with previously published work.
On Optimal Risk/Return-Efficient Arbitrage Portfolio

Arbitrage portfolios arise extensively in the theory and practice of finance. However, compared to the standard portfolios, there are still somewhat little publications focusing on the analytics and empirical tests of the optimal arbitrage portfolios. Based on the comparison of the standard portfolio and the arbitrage portfolio, Fang (2006) introduces the strict definition of the arbitrage size, arbitrage portfolio and its return and then Fang (2007) and Fang (2008) respectively present mean-variance analyses for portfolios and arbitrage opportunities. However, it is very complicate to obtain the frontier arbitrage portfolio and there is no analytical formula for general frontier arbitrage portfolios since Fang's definition of the arbitrage portfolio includes a non-smooth condition. In this paper, compared with the Sharp ratio, the optimal risk/return-efficient arbitrage portfolio is introduced, which will be shown to be related to Korkie and Turtle's frontier arbitrage portfolio (Korkie and Turtle, 2002), and hence to be expressed by an analytical formula.