Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficient On-line Hardware/Software Task Scheduling for Dynamic Run-time Reconfigurable Systems

Modern reconfigurable devices such as FPGAs can be reconfigured at run time. Some of them can be dynamically partially reconfigured, which means part of the FPGA is changed without interrupting other parts. This feature adds tremendous flexibility to the Reconfigurable Computing (RC) Field but also introduces challenges. Reconfigurable Operating Systems tend to ease applications development and most importantly applications verifications and maintenance. In this paper we propose novel scheduling algorithms for reconfigurable computing that can handle both hardware and software tasks. The algorithms proposed reuse hardware tasks to reduce reconfiguration overhead, migrate tasks between software/hardware, and give priority to hardware tasks. Results obtained indicate that adding a software processor element not only adds flexibility, but also increases system performance. Two on-line schedulers were designed and implemented. RCSched-I is a simple based implementation that nominates the first available free Partial Reconfigurable Region (PRR) for new tasks. RCSched-II on the other hand nominates any free PRR. Both schedulers check the nominated PRR(s) against the ready task for a match, then decide if there is a need for reconfiguration or not. RCSched-II reconfigures the least recently configured PRR, which increases hardware tasks reuse and decreases total processing time.
Social Support Modulates Neural Responses to Unfairness in the Ultimatum Game

The current functional MRI study aimed to investigate how responders’ fairness considerations and related decision-making processes were affected by social support in the ultimatum game (UG). During scanning, responders either played the standard UG with proposers (control condition) or played the modified UG in which three unknown observers showed social support for responders by acknowledging proposers’ norm violation. Results revealed that participants reported higher unfairness feelings and rejection rates of unfair offers in the social support condition relative to the control condition. At the neural level, compared to the control condition, perception of social support from others induced greater activations of anterior cingulate gyrus and right anterior insula when receiving unfair (vs. fair) offers. The medial prefrontal cortex and right anterior insula were more active when the unfair offers were rejected (vs. accepted) in the social support condition than the control condition. These results highlighted the modulation effect of social support on responders’ fairness considerations and related decision-making processes.
Tanning and Skin Cancer

Abstract: Skin cancer is a large and growing problem in the United States. Sun and other ultraviolet (UV) light exposures play a key role in the development of skin cancer. Pediatricians can play an important role in counseling patients and are in a position to help educate children and their families about skin cancer. The purpose of this review is to familiarize pediatricians with the magnitude of the skin cancer problem and the evidence that ultraviolet light exposure, particularly indoor tanning, contributes to this problem. We reviewed the literature on ultraviolet light and skin cancer (based on a MEDLINE search of articles using the headings “ultraviolet light” and “skin cancer”) and found that skin cancer is the most rapidly growing cause of cancer deaths in the United State. There is strong epidemiologic evidence for the relationship between UV exposure and nonmelanoma skin cancer and growing evidence for the relationship between indoor tanning and melanoma. We recommend that pediatricians counsel children and their parents about UV protection. Measures such as use of sunscreen and hats for outdoor play, both at home and in school, should be encouraged.
Single Molecule Bioelectronics and Their Application to Amplification-Free Measurement of DNA Lengths

As biosensing devices shrink smaller and smaller, they approach a scale in which single molecule electronic sensing becomes possible. Here, we review the operation of single-enzyme transistors made using single-walled carbon nanotubes. These novel hybrid devices transduce the motions and catalytic activity of a single protein into an electronic signal for real-time monitoring of the protein’s activity. Analysis of these electronic signals reveals new insights into enzyme function and proves the electronic technique to be complementary to other single-molecule methods based on fluorescence. As one example of the nanocircuit technique, we have studied the Klenow Fragment (KF) of DNA polymerase I as it catalytically processes single-stranded DNA templates. The fidelity of DNA polymerases makes them a key component in many DNA sequencing techniques, and here we demonstrate that KF nanocircuits readily resolve DNA polymerization with single-base sensitivity. Consequently, template lengths can be directly counted from electronic recordings of KF’s base-by-base activity. After measuring as few as 20 copies, the template length can be determined with <1 base pair resolution, and different template lengths can be identified and enumerated in solutions containing template mixtures.
Correlations between brachial endothelial function and cardiovascular risk factors: a survey of 2,511 Chinese subjects.

OBJECTIVE We examined the relationship of several cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) to brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) in Chinese subjects. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study. In 2,511 Chinese adults (age 46.86±9.52 years, 1,891 men and 620 women) recruited from people who underwent health screening at The Third Xiangya Hospital, patients' CVRF [age, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), blood pressure (BP), cholesterol parameters, creatinine (Cr), uric acid (UA), glucose level and smoking] and prevalence of present disease (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease and hyperlipidemia) were investigated. RESULTS Multivariate analysis revealed that FMD negative correlated with age (β=-0.29, P<0.001), gender (β=-0.12, P<0.001), BMI (β=-0.12, P=0.001), WC (β=-0.10, P=0.011), systolic BP (SBP) (β=-0.12, P<0.001), fasting glucose (β=-0.04, P=0.009), total cholesterol (TC) (β=-0.04, P=0.014), smoking (β=-0.05, P=0.003), and baseline brachial artery diameter (β=-0.35, P<0.001). FMD decreased with increasing age in both genders. In women, FMD was higher than men and age-related decline in FMD was steepest after age 40; FMD was similar in men above 55 years old. CONCLUSIONS In Chinese subjects, FMD may be a usefully marker of CVRF. Age, gender, BMI, WC, SBP, fasting glucose, TC, smoking, and baseline brachial artery diameter were independent variables related to the impairment of FMD. The influence of CVRF on endothelial function is more in women than men.
The Importance of Data Compression for Energy Efficiency in Sensor Networks

First, we demonstrate that not only does data compression help reduce the communication latency in a sensor network (as one would expect) but that it can also be used to gain energy efficiency since data compression reduces the energy spent transmitting data - which is one of the most energy- hungry tasks in a sensor network. Through simula- tions we show that data compression can bring more energy efficiency to a network than does recently proposed combinations of routing and data aggrega- tion. Second, we propose a new viewpoint for data compression in sensor networks that measures dis- tortion based on the compression scheme's impact on statistical inference tasks (e.g., detection, estima- tion, recognition, etc.) and makes trades in a Rate- Energy-Accuracy design space. The usefulness of this idea is demonstrated through a particular sen- sor network application: object location in sensor- gathered images.
Simulating Runoff Under Changing Climatic Conditions: A Framework for Model Improvement

Rainfall‐runoff models are often deficient under changing climatic conditions, yet almost no recent studies propose new or improved model structures, instead focusing on model intercomparison, input sensitivity, and/or quantification of uncertainty. This paucity of progress in model development is (in part) due to the difficulty of distinguishing which cases of model failure are truly caused by structural inadequacy. Here we propose a new framework to diagnose the salient cause of poor model performance in changing climate conditions, be it structural inadequacy, poor parameterization, or data errors. The framework can be applied to a single catchment, although larger samples of catchments are helpful to generalize and/or cross‐check results. To generate a diagnosis, multiple historic periods with contrasting climate are defined, and the limits of model robustness and flexibility are explored over each period separately and for all periods together. Numerous data‐based checks also supplement the results. Using a case study catchment from Australia, improved inference of structural failure and clearer evaluation of model structural improvements are demonstrated. This framework enables future studies to (i) identify cases where poor simulations are due to poor calibration methods or data errors, remediating these cases without recourse to structural changes; and (ii) use the remaining cases to gain greater clarity into what structural changes are needed to improve model performance in changing climate.
Testing slope effect on flow resistance equation for mobile bed rills

In this paper, a recently theoretically deduced rill flow resistance equation, based on a power‐velocity profile, is tested experimentally on plots of varying slopes in which mobile bed rills are incised. Initially, measurements of flow velocity, water depth, cross‐sectional area, wetted perimeter and bed slope conducted in 106 reaches of rills incised on an experimental plot having a slope of 14% were used to calibrate the flow resistance equation. Then, the relationship between the velocity profile parameter Γ, the channel slope, and the flow Froude number, which was calibrated using the 106 rill reach data, was tested using measurements carried out in plots having slopes of 22% and 9%. The measurements carried out in the latter slope conditions confirmed that (a) the Darcy–Weisbach friction factor can be accurately estimated using the proposed theoretical approach, and (b) the data were supportive of the slope independence hypothesis of rill velocity stated by Govers.
The effects of RecO deficiency in Lactococcus lactis NZ9000 on resistance to multiple environmental stresses.

BACKGROUND Multiple stresses could cause damage to DNA and other macromolecules. RecO, belonging to the family of DNA repair proteins, plays an important part in homologous recombination and replication repair. In order to explore the role of RecO in overcoming multiple stresses, a mutant of recO deletion is constructed in Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris NZ9000. RESULTS Compared with the mutant strain, the original strain L. lactis NZ9000 shows better performance in growth under multiple stresses. The survival rates of the original strain under acid, osmotic and chill stresses are 13.49-, 2.78- and 60.89-fold higher. In our deeper research on fermentation capability under osmotic stress, lactate dehydrogenase activity after 8 h fermentation, maximum lactate acid production, lactate yield and maximum lactate productivity of L. lactis NZ9000 are 1.63-, 1.28-, 1.28- and 1.5-fold higher, respectively. CONCLUSION Results indicate that RecO has positively improved the survival of L. lactis NZ9000, protected its key enzymes and enhanced its fermentation efficiencies. Our research confirms the role of RecO in enhancing tolerances to multiple stresses of L. lactis NZ9000, and puts forward the suggestion that RecO could be used in other industrial microorganisms as a new anti-stress component to improve their resistance to various stresses.
Family and home influences on children’s after-school and weekend physical activity

Background: Family- and home-related factors have been shown to be associated with children’s physical activity (PA), but may be time-dependent. Here we investigate whether family- and home-related correlates of children’s PA are different for the after-school period on weekdays than for the weekend. Methods: Data on 21 family- and home-related variables and objectively measured PA (Actigraph GT1M) were available from 1608 Year 5 children (9–10 years old) from 92 schools in Norfolk participating in the SPEEDY (Sport, Physical activity and Eating behaviour: Environmental Determinants in Young people) study. Multi-level multiple linear regression was used to quantify cross-sectional associations between the family/home variables and average min per day of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA, ≥2000 counts/min) after school on weekdays and at the weekend. Models were additionally adjusted for age, sex, BMI z-score and registered accelerometer wear time. Results: After-school MVPA was associated with parent education (ß: −1.1; 95% CI −2.0 to −0.2), being allowed to play out in the neighbourhood (ß: 1.3; 0.7–1.8), restrictions on walking/cycling to friends’ houses (ß: −1.1; −1.6 to −0.7), restrictions on sedentary behaviour (ß: −0.3; −0.5 to −0.02) and family social support (ß: 1.0; 0.7–1.3). Weekend MVPA was associated with number of siblings (ß: 2.6; 0.5–4.8), family encouragement (ß: 1.1; 0.2–2.0) and family social support (ß: 1.5; 0.5–2.5). Conclusion: Family social support is positively associated with children’s out-of-school PA both at weekdays and in weekends. However, rules and restrictions appear to be important only on weekdays. The results of this study merit consideration when identifying appropriate timing of PA-promotion strategies.
Indoor and ambient air concentrations of respirable particles between two hospitals in Kashan (2014-2015)

Background: The hospital environment requires special attention to provide healthful indoor air quality for protecting patients and healthcare workers against the occupational diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of respirable particles indoor and ambient air of two hospitals in Kashan. Materials and Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted during 3 months (Marth 2014 to May 2015). Indoor and outdoor PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations were measured four times a week in the operating room, pediatric and ICU2 (Intensive Care Unit) wards using a real time dust monitor at two hospitals. A total number of 480 samples (80 samples indoors and 40 outdoors) from wards were collected. Results: The highest mean PM2.5 and PM10 for indoors were determined 57.61± 68.57 µg m-3 and 212.36±295.49 µg m-3, respectively. The results showed a significant relationship between PM2.5 and PM10 in the indoor and ambient air of two hospitals (P<0.05). PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations were different in all of the selected wards (P<0.05). Conclusion: The respirable particle concentrations in the indoor and ambient air in both hospitals were higher than the 24-hours WHO and US-EPA standards. Thence, utilizing sufficient and efficient air conditioning systems in hospitals can be useful in improving indoor air quality and reducing the respirable particle concentrations.
Allele frequencies for 15 autosomal STR loci on U.S. Caucasian, African American, and Hispanic populations.

were purchased from Interstate Blood Bank (Memphis, TN) and Millennium Biotech, Inc. (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) and extracted using a modified salt out procedure (1). The extracted DNA was then quantified using UV spectrophotometry at 260 nm and a PicoGreen assay (2). A 150L aliquot of the extracted DNA solution was directly quantified in a Cary 100 double-beam spectrophotometer (Varian Analytical Instruments, Walnut Creek, CA). Low volume micro-cuvettes allowed for accurate absorbance measurements (A 0.2 to 0.6) without prior dilution of the stock extracted DNA. Sample concentrations were adjusted to 1 ng/ L for typing purposes using the PicoGreen assay values. Fifteen autosomal STR markers (the 13 CODIS core loci and D19S433 and D2S1338) were typed along with amelogenin using the Applied Biosystems AmpF STR IdentifilerTM kit (3). PCR amplification was carried out on a GeneAmp 9700 (Applied Biosystems) using 1 ng of DNA according to kit protocols (3) with the exception of reduced volume reactions (5 L instead of 25 L) and reduced cycles (26 instead of 28). Amplification products were diluted 1:15 in HiDiTM formamide and GS500-LIZ internal size standard (Applied Biosystems) and analyzed on the 16-capillary ABI Prism 3100 Genetic Analyzer without prior denaturation of samples. POPTM-6 (Applied Biosystems) rather than POPTM-4 was utilized for higher resolution separations on a 36 cm array. Samples were injected electrokinetically for either 10 s at 3 kV (default value) or 5 s at 2 kV. Allele calls were made in Genotype 3.7 by comparison with kit allelic ladders using the Kazaam macro (20% filter). A total of 700 unique STR profiles were evaluated: 302 Caucasian, 258 African American, and 140 Hispanic. There were 660 males and 40 females. The resultant data were evaluated using the DNATYPE program (4). The allele frequencies with observed and expected heterozygosity values from Hardy-Weinberg tests in the three U.S. populations are listed in Tables 1–3. The complete dataset is available at http://www.cstl. nist.gov/biotech/strbase.
FDTD Modeling of LEMP Propagation in the Earth‐Ionosphere Waveguide With Emphasis on Realistic Representation of Lightning Source

The finite difference time domain (FDTD) method in the 2‐D cylindrical coordinate system was used to compute the nearly full‐frequency‐bandwidth vertical electric field and azimuthal magnetic field waveforms produced on the ground surface by lightning return strokes. The lightning source was represented by the modified transmission‐line model with linear current decay with height, which was implemented in the FDTD computations as an appropriate vertical phased‐current‐source array. The conductivity of atmosphere was assumed to increase exponentially with height, with different conductivity profiles being used for daytime and nighttime conditions. The fields were computed at distances ranging from 50 to 500 km. Sky waves (reflections from the ionosphere) were identified in computed waveforms and used for estimation of apparent ionospheric reflection heights. It was found that our model reproduces reasonably well the daytime electric field waveforms measured at different distances and simulated (using a more sophisticated propagation model) by Qin et al. (2017). Sensitivity of model predictions to changes in the parameters of atmospheric conductivity profile, as well as influences of the lightning source characteristics (current waveshape parameters, return‐stroke speed, and channel length) and ground conductivity were examined.
The human telomerase RNA component, hTR, activates the DNA-dependent protein kinase to phosphorylate heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1

Telomere integrity in human cells is maintained by the dynamic interplay between telomerase, telomere associated proteins, and DNA repair proteins. These interactions are vital to suppress DNA damage responses and unfavorable changes in chromosome dynamics. The DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) is critical for this process. Cells deficient for functional DNA-PKcs show increased rates of telomere loss, accompanied by chromosomal fusions and translocations. Treatment of cells with specific DNA-PK kinase inhibitors leads to similar phenotypes. These observations indicate that the kinase activity of DNA-PK is required for its function at telomeres possibly through phosphorylation of essential proteins needed for telomere length maintenance. Here we show that the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNP A1) is a direct substrate for DNA-PK in vitro. Phosphorylation of hnRNP A1 is stimulated not only by the presence of DNA but also by the telomerase RNA component, hTR. Furthermore, we show that hnRNP A1 is phosphorylated in vivo in a DNA-PK-dependent manner and that this phosphorylation is greatly reduced in cell lines which lack hTR. These data are the first to report that hTR stimulates the kinase activity of DNA-PK toward a known telomere-associated protein, and may provide further insights into the function of DNA-PK at telomeres.
Combining Encryption and Proof of Knowledge in the Random Oracle Model

This paper proposes a generic construction that yields encryption schemes that are secure against adaptive chosen ciphertext attacks. In particular, we focus on combining weak encryption schemes with proofs of knowledge made non-interactive through the use of a hash function. This type of conversion yields encryption schemes that allow anybody to verify the integrity of the ciphertexts. A typical example is a combination of ElGamal encryption with the Schnorr proof of knowledge, but a straightforward combination requires a stronger assumption than the random oracle assumption to prove the security. We first generalize a class of encryption schemes and proofs of knowledge to key-encapsulation schemes and signature schemes, and then present a secure way of combining them so that the security of the resulting scheme can be proven solely in the random oracle model.
Phase transition and equation of state of dense hydrous silica up to 63 GPa

Although it has previously been considered to be essentially anhydrous, Al‐free stishovite can contain up to ∼1.3 wt % of H2O, perhaps through the direct substitution ( Si4+→4H+ ), according to recent studies. Yet the stability of such substitution and its impact on the properties of silica and rutile‐structured hydrous phases (such as δ‐AlOOH and phase H) are unknown at the conditions of the deeper mantle. We have synthesized hydrous and anhydrous Al‐free stishovite samples at 723 K and 9 GPa, and 1473 K and 10 GPa, respectively. Synchrotron X‐ray diffraction patterns show that the unit cell volume of hydrous stishovite is 1.3% greater than that of anhydrous stishovite at 1 bar, suggesting significant incorporation of OH in the crystal structure (3.2 ± 0.5 wt % H2O). At 300 K, we found a lower and broader transition pressure from rutile type to CaCl2 type (28–42 GPa) in hydrous dense silica. We also found that hydrous silica polymorphs are more compressible than their anhydrous counterparts. After the phase transition, the unit cell volume of hydrous silica becomes the same as that of anhydrous silica, showing that the proton incorporation through a direct substitution can be further stabilized at high pressure. The lower pressure transition and the pressure stabilization of the proton incorporation in silica would provide ways to transport and store water in the lower mantle in silica‐rich heterogeneities, such as subducted oceanic crust.