Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploiting program cyclic behavior to reduce memory latency in embedded processors

In this work we modify the conventional row buffer allocation mechanism used in DDR2 SDRAM banks to improve average memory latency and overall processor performance. Our method assigns row buffers to different banks dynamically and by taking into account program cyclic behavior and bank row buffer demand. As we show in this work, memory requests go through several phases. In each phase, programs tend to access a single bank most of the time. We exploit this repetitive behavior and improve the concurrency level for memory read and write operations. We do so by assigning idle row buffers to more demanding banks during specific program phases. This improves average memory latency and processor performance by 12.7% and 7.6% respectively.
Leaky Transcription of Variant Surface Glycoprotein Gene Expression Sites in Bloodstream African Trypanosomes*

Trypanosoma brucei undergoes antigenic variation by periodically switching the expression of its variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) genes (vsg) among an estimated 20–40 telomere-linked expression sites (ES), only one of which is fully active at a given time. We found that in bloodstream trypanosomes one ES is transcribed at a high level and other ESs are expressed at low levels, resulting in organisms containing one abundant VSG mRNA and several rare VSG RNAs. Some of the rare VSG mRNAs come from monocistronic ESs in which the promoters are situated about 2 kilobases upstream of the vsg, in contrast to the polycistronic ESs in which the promoters are located 45–60 kilobases upstream of the vsg. The monocistronic ES containing the MVAT4 vsg does not include the ES-associated genes (esag) that occur between the promoter and thevsg in polycistronic ESs. However, bloodstream MVAT4 trypanosomes contain the mRNAs for many different ESAGs 6 and 7 (transferrin receptors), suggesting that polycistronic ESs are partially active in this clone. To explain these findings, we propose a model in which both mono- and polycistronic ESs are controlled by a similar mechanism throughout the parasite’s life cycle. Certain VSGs are preferentially expressed in metacyclic versusbloodstream stages as a result of differences in ESAG expression and the proximity of the promoters to the vsg and telomere.
CD177+ neutrophils as functionally activated neutrophils negatively regulate IBD

Background Neutrophils are accumulated in inflamed mucosa of IBD and play an important role in the pathogenesis. CD177 is expressed in neutrophils specifically and upregulated during inflammation. However, the role of CD177+ neutrophils in pathogenesis of IBD remains elusive. Materials and methods Expression of CD177 was analysed in peripheral blood and intestinal mucosa from patients with IBD using quantitative RT-PCR, flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. CD177+ and CD177− neutrophils were isolated to determine gene differences by RNA sequencing. Colitis was established in CD177−/− and wild-type mice in response to dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) insults to determine the role of CD177+ neutrophils in IBD. Results CD177+ neutrophils were markedly increased in peripheral blood and inflamed mucosa from patients with active IBD compared with healthy controls. RNA sequencing revealed that differential gene expression between CD177+ and CD177− neutrophils from patients with IBD was associated with response to bacterial defence, hydrogen peroxide and reactive oxygen species (ROS). CD177+ neutrophils produced lower levels of proinflammatory cytokines (ie, interferon-γ, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17A), but higher levels of IL-22 and transforming growth factor-β, and exhibited increased bactericidal activities (ie, ROS, antimicrobial peptides, neutrophil extracellular trap) compared with CD177− subset. CD177−/− mice developed more severe colitis on DSS insults compared with wild-type mice. Moreover, CD177 deficiency led to compromised intestinal barrier and impaired antibacterial immunity through decreased production of IL-22 by CD177− neutrophils. Conclusions CD177+ neutrophils represent functionally activated population and play a protective role in IBD through increased bactericidal activity and IL-22 production. Targeting CD177+ neutrophils may be beneficial for treatment of IBD.
Construct Validity of a Self-Report Measure of Teacher Beliefs Related to Constructivist and Traditional Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The development and validation of the Teacher Beliefs Survey (TBS) is described. The TBS, an instrument for assessing the beliefs of teachers related to constructivist and traditional approaches to teaching and learning, contains 21 items in three hypothetical constructs. Elementary teachers, preservice (n = 61) and in-service (n = 137), participated in the development of the TBS. Analysis of this pilot data suggested a four-factor structure: Traditional Management, Traditional Teaching, Constructivist Teaching, and Constructivist Parent. A validation study included preservice teachers (n = 896). The results did not confirm the four-factor structure; further analysis suggested a three-factor structure, eliminating the Constructivist Parent factor. Future plans include development of a Constructivist Management factor and a larger pool of items for existing factors.
A Mostly Digital VCO-Based CT-SDM With Third-Order Noise Shaping

This paper presents the architectural concept and implementation of a mostly digital voltage-controlled oscillator-analog-to-digital converter (VCO-ADC) with third-order quantization noise shaping. The system is based on the combination of a VCO and a digital counter. It is shown how this combination can function as a continuous-time integrator to form a high-order continuous-time sigma–delta modulator (CT-SDM). The counter consists only of digital building blocks, and the VCOs are implemented using ring oscillators, which are also digital-friendly. No traditional analog blocks, such as opamps, OTAs, or comparators, are used. As a proof of concept, we have implemented a third-order VCO-based CT-SDM for a 10-MHz bandwidth in the low-power version of a 65-nm CMOS technology. This prototype shows a measured performance of 71/66.2/62.5-dB DR/SNR/SNDR at a 10-MHz bandwidth while consuming 1.8 mW from a 1.0-V analog and 1.9 mW from a 1.2-V digital supply. With digital calibration, the nonlinearity could be pushed below the noise level, leading to an improved peak SNDR of 66 dB.
Predicting Social Trust with Binary Logistic Regression.

This study used binary logistic regression to predict social trust with five demographic variables from a national sample of adult individuals who participated in The General Social Survey (GSS) in 2012. The five predictor variables were respondents’ highest degree earned, race, sex, general happiness and the importance of personally assisting people in trouble. The objective of the data analysis was to assess the impact of the predictors on the likelihood that respondents would report that they have low social trust. The results of binary logistic regression analysis of the data showed that the full logistic regression model containing all the five predictors was statistically significant. The strongest predictor of low social trust was education or degree earned. It recorded an odds ratio of 12.7 indicating that when holding all the other predictors constant, a person who left or dropped out of high school is 12.7 times more likely to have low social trust than a person with a graduate degree. In summary, females are less trustful than males, African Americans are less trustful than Whites, less educated individuals are less trustful than educated individuals and less happy people are less trustful than happy people.
C57BL/6J mice as a polygenic developmental model of diet‐induced obesity

Susceptibility to obesity changes during the course of life. We utilized the C57BL/6J (B6) and 129S mouse as a genetic model for variation in diet‐induced obesity to define the adiposity phenotypes from birth to maturity at 8 weeks‐of‐age. From birth to 8 weeks‐of‐age, both male and female 129S mice had significantly higher fat mass and adiposity index than B6 mice, although they were not obese. After 8 weeks‐of‐age, B6 had greater adiposity/obesity than 129S mice in response to a high fat (HF). We sought to determine the mechanism activating the fat accumulation in B6 mice at 8‐weeks‐of‐age. We used microarray analysis of gene expression during development of inguinal fat to show that molecular networks of lipogenesis were maximally expressed at 8 weeks‐of‐age. In addition, the DNA methylation analysis of the Sfrp5 promoter and binding of acetylated histones to Sfrp5 and Acly promoter regions showed that major differences in the expression of genes of lipogenesis and chromatin structure occur during development. Differences in lipogenesis networks could account for the strain‐dependent differences in adiposity up to 8 weeks‐of‐age; however, changes in the expression of genes in these networks were not associated with the susceptibility to DIO in B6 male mice beyond 8 weeks‐of‐age.
Fear of falling and fall-related efficacy in relationship to functioning among community-living elders.

BACKGROUND The relationships of fear of falling and fall-related efficacy with measures of basic and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL-IADL) and physical and social functioning were evaluated in a cohort of community-living elderly persons. METHODS Sociodemographic, medical, psychological, and physical performance (e.g., gait speed, timed hand function) measures were administered, during an in-home assessment, to a probability sample of 1,103 residents of New Haven, Connecticut, who were > or = 72 years of age. Falls and injuries in the past year, fear of falling, and responses to the Falls Efficacy Scale were also ascertained. The three dependent variables included a 10-item ADL-IADL scale, an 8-item social activity scale, and a scale of relative physical activity level. RESULTS Among cohort members, 57% denied fear of falling whereas 24% acknowledged fear but denied effect on activity; 19% acknowledged avoiding activities because of fear of falling. Twenty-four percent of recent fallers vs 15% of nonfallers acknowledged this activity restriction (chi 2 = 13.1; p < .001). Mean fall-related efficacy score among the cohort was 84.9 (SD 20.5), 79.8 (SD 23.4), and 88.1 (SD 17.9) among fallers and nonfallers, respectively (p < or = .0001). Fall-related efficacy proved a potent independent correlate of ADL-IADL (partial correlation = .265, p < .001); physical (partial correlation = .234, p < .001); and social (partial correlation = .088, p < .01), functioning in multiple regression models after adjusting for sociodemographic, medical, psychological, and physical performance covariates as well as history of recent falls and injuries. Fear of falling was only marginally related (p = .05) with ADL-IADL functioning and was not associated with higher level physical or social functioning. CONCLUSIONS The strong independent association between self-efficacy and function found in this study suggests that clinical programs in areas such as prevention, geriatric evaluation and management, and rehabilitation should attempt simultaneously to improve physical skills and confidence. Available knowledge of the factors influencing efficacy should guide the development of these efficacy-building programs.
Tumor Microenvironment, a Paradigm in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression and Therapy

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among the most lethal and prevalent cancers in the human population. Different etiological factors such as hepatitis B and C virus, alcohol and diabetes cause liver injury followed by inflammation, necrosis and hepatocytes proliferation. Continuous cycles of this destructive–regenerative process culminates in liver cirrhosis which is characterized by regenerating nodules that progress to dysplastic nodules and ultimately HCC. Despite its significance, there is only an elemental understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms, and there are only limited therapeutic options. Therefore, the study of the involved molecular mechanisms can open a new insight to define more effective treatment strategies. A variety of alterations have been reported in HCC patients, particularly the cancer-associated microenvironment components including immune cells, fibroblast cells, endothelial cells and extracellular matrix can support the neoplastic cells to proliferate, growth and invade. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge and highlights the principal challenges that are relevant to controlling this milieu.
On long baroclinic Rossby waves in the tropical North Atlantic observed from profiling floats

[1] Argo float data (subsurface tracks and temperature profiles collected from March 2004 through May 2005) are used to detect signatures of long Rossby waves in the velocity of the currents at 1000-m depth and temperature, between the ocean surface and 950 m, in the zonal band of 4°N–24°N in the tropical North Atlantic. Different types of long Rossby waves (with the characteristic scales between 1000 and 2500 km) are identified in the western [west of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR)] and eastern [east of the MAR] subbasins. Along-shore wind fluctuations and an equatorially forced coastal Kelvin wave were found to be responsible for the excitation of annual- and semiannual-propagating Rossby waves in the eastern subbasin. These waves are transmitted along a waveguide formed by the African shelf and the MAR. The speed of their propagation varies in magnitude and direction because of bottom topography and irregularity of the coastline. Unstable standing Rossby waves with annual and semiannual periods are shown in both the subbasins. All unstable waves, decaying, radiate shorter free Rossby waves propagating both westward and northwestward, with speeds of up to 10 cm/s. The standing Rossby waves are probably excited by the wind-driven Ekman pumping alone or in combination with linear and nonlinear resonance mechanisms. The additional analysis of subsurface float tracks from May 2005 through May 2006 supports the obtained results.
Two Sides to the Same Coin? The Positive and Negative Consequences of Severe Life Regrets in Younger versus Older Adulthood.

As we aim to accomplish desirable goals, challenges, and hurdles are omnipresent. These point to a discrepancy between current and hoped-for states, produce negative emotions and are aversive. Regret relates to one such discrepancy. Developmental theories postulate that opportunity to overcome these effects is plentiful in young adulthood. The main aim of this dissertation was to ascertain the emotional and motivational processes inherent in the regret experience across time in young adults. An additional focus lay in understanding the benefits of continued engagement in overcoming regret, despite pessimism in one’s odds. Finally, these analyses were replicated in an older adult sample to assess their specificity to young adulthood. Study 1 assessed the associations between intense negative emotions, regret engagement, implementation intentions, progress, and well-being measures over time among 121 young adults. Results indicated that regret intensity predicted increases in well-being and reduced intensity over time, through increases in regret-related progress. Additionally, increased engagement at onset and increased in implementation intentions over time mediated the increases in regret progress. This illustrates that emotional intensity can positively affect regret-related progress, and thereby well-being and distress over time, through its motivational effects. Study 2 followed 121 pessimistic young adults to assess the benefits of continued regret engagement, despite reservations. Results showed that pessimistic participants who continued engaging in their regret displayed well-being improvements, which were mediated by improvements in their outcome expectancies over time. This points to the importance of continued pursuit in overcoming regret on well-being in pessimistic young adults. Study 3 replicated these analyses in an older adult sample of 136 community dwelling recent retirees. Results showed that the experience of regret intensity was linked with increased intensity over time, but not with other variables. Additionally, pessimistic older adults who continued to engage in overcoming their regrets did not display expectancy or well-being improvements over time. This suggests that regret-related benefits are specific to young adulthood. This research contributes to the literature on adaptive development across the lifespan. Findings on differing adaptive responses to the regret experience are explained with the use of developmental and motivational theories.
Schemas and Memory Consolidation

electrophilic alkylation of the double bond in IPP by the allylic cations generated from DMAPP or GPP (23). By analogy, for biosynthesis of irregular monoterpenes, we suggest that a related dissociative electrophilic alkylation of the double bond in DMAPP by the dimethylallyl cation results in a protonated cyclopropane intermediate. This species can be deprotonated to give CPP or rearrange to a tertiary cation, which can in turn be deprotonated to give LPP. Alternatively, the tertiary cation can cyclize to give a cyclobutylcarbinyl cation that can then be deprotonated to give MPP or LPP. Formation of any specific product would be controlled by the ability of the enzyme to stabilize a specific intermediate along the reaction coordinate through dipolar and electrostatic interactions and to facilitate the selective removal of protons. The stereochemistries of the products result from the conformations of the two bound substrate molecules before the reaction. Only minor changes in the relative positions of the substrates are required to accommodate the formation of the different products. This scenario provides an attractive mechanism for the evolution of the isoprenoid pathway through gene duplication and random mutagenesis of the duplicate genes to give new proteins, one of which is constrained to retain its original function, whereas the other is free to acquire a new activity. The isoprenoid fold first seen in the E-selective chain-elongation enzyme avian FPPase (12) has also been found in the cyclopropanation enzyme squalene synthase (13) (sterol biosynthesis) and several different terpenoid cyclases (14) along with aspartate-rich motifs involved in binding allylic diphosphate substrates, indicating that the enzymes evolved from a common ancestor. Phylogenetic correlations suggest that the cyclopropanation enzyme phytoene synthase (carotenoid biosynthesis) also has an isoprenoid fold. Our discovery that chi-meric enzymes from FPPase and CPPase cata-lyze branching and cyclobutanation reactions suggests that WT enzymes with these activities also share this common ancestor. Memory encoding occurs rapidly, but the consolidation of memory in the neocortex has long been held to be a more gradual process. We now report, however, that systems consolidation can occur extremely quickly if an associative " schema " into which new information is incorporated has previously been created. In experiments using a hippocampal-dependent paired-associate task for rats, the memory of flavor-place associations became persistent over time as a putative neocortical schema gradually developed. New traces, trained for only one trial, then became assimilated and rapidly hippocampal-independent. Schemas also played a causal role …
Prolate-spheroidal UWB pulse shapers with highly orthogonal impulse responses

Ultra-wideband (UWB) impulse radio uses very short pulses that meet spectral mask released by Federal Communications Commission (FCC). In addition, to eliminate inter-symbol interference in the multiple-access applications, these pulses should be orthogonal. One technique to generate these pulses is shaping. The shaping is realized with bandpass filters called pulse shapers. The most popular FCC-compliant orthogonal pulses utilize prolate spheroidal wave functions. In this paper, we propose analog pulse shapers whose impulse responses approximate the prolate spheroidal pulses in the least squares sense. Furthermore, we provide their FCC-compliant transfer functions that yield highly orthogonal impulse responses.
Modeling of Quantization Effects in Digitally Controlled DC–DC Converters

In digitally controlled dc-dc converters with a single voltage feedback loop, the two quantizers, namely the analog-to-digital (A/D) converter and the digital pulse-width modulator (DPWM), can cause undesirable limit-cycle oscillations. In this paper, static and dynamic models that include the quantization effects are derived and used to explain the origins of limit-cycle oscillations. In the static model, existence of dc solution, which is a necessary no-limit-cycle condition, is examined using a graphical method. Based on the generalized describing function method, the amplitude and offset-dependent gain model of a quantizer is applied to derive the dynamic system model. From the static and dynamic models, no-limit-cycle conditions associated with A/D, DPWM and compensator design criteria are derived. The conclusions are illustrated by simulation and experimental examples
The Measurement of Values in Youth Sport: Development of the Youth Sport Values Questionnaire

Values are criteria by which people select and evaluate behavior. They have been widely addressed in mainstream psychology but not in sport psychology. The purpose of this research was to develop the Youth Sports Values Questionnaire (YSVQ) and identify the value systems that guide the behavior of adolescent athletes in sport. Qualitative and quantitative methods were combined to produce a 20-item questionnaire that was used to identify value priorities among 500 male and female participants aged between 12 and 16 years. Most important were enjoyment and personal achievement; least important was winning. Value rankings were consistent across subgroups based on gender, age, sport type, and level of performance. Limitations of structure and content are discussed, together with recommendations for future development.
Enhanced perceptual, emotional, and motor processing in response to dynamic facial expressions of emotion1

: Dynamic facial expressions of emotion constitute natural and powerful media compared with static ones. However, little is known about the processing of dynamic facial expressions of emotion. In this paper, we describe the results of our recent neuroimaging and psychological studies on this issue. A neuroimaging study was conducted to investigate brain activity while viewing dynamic facial expressions. The results revealed that the broad region of visual cortices, the amygdala, and the right inferior frontal gyrus were more activated in response to dynamic facial expressions than control stimuli, such as static facial expressions and dynamic mosaics. In corresponding with the characteristics of these brain activities, the results of three psychological studies indicated that the dynamic presentation: (a) intensified the perceptual image of the facial expression (perceptual enhancement); (b) enhanced the emotional feeling; and (c) elicited spontaneous and rapid facial mimicry. These results revealed that the dynamic property facilitates the perceptual, emotional, and motor processing of facial expressions of emotion.