Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Refresh-free dynamic standard-cell based memories: Application to a QC-LDPC decoder

The area and power consumption of low-density parity check (LDPC) decoders are typically dominated by embedded memories. To alleviate such high memory costs, this paper exploits the fact that all internal memories of a LDPC decoder are frequently updated with new data. These unique memory access statistics are taken advantage of by replacing all static standard-cell based memories (SCMs) of a prior-art LDPC decoder implementation by dynamic SCMs (D-SCMs), which are designed to retain data just long enough to guarantee reliable operation. The use of D-SCMs leads to a 44% reduction in silicon area of the LDPC decoder compared to the use of static SCMs. The low-power LDPC decoder architecture with refresh-free D-SCMs was implemented in a 90nm CMOS process, and silicon measurements show full functionality and an information bit throughput of up to 600 Mbps (as required by the IEEE 802.11n standard).
A genetic algorithm for facility layout design in flexible manufacturing systems

The flexible manufacturing system (FMS) facility layout problem (FLP) involves the positioning of cells within a given area so as to minimize the material flow costs between cells. The FLP design includes specifying the spatial coordinates of each cell, the orientation of each cell in either a horizontal or vertical position, and the position of each cell's pickup and dropoff points. The layout design problem is both tactically and strategically important since the layout plays a large role in determining the efficiency and flexibility of the system. The FMS layout problem differs from traditional layout problems in that there are additional constraints on a cell's shape and orientation and the location of the pickup/ dropoff points must be determined. A mixed integer programming formulation for the FLP developed by Das (1993) is adapted and heuristically solved in this paper. Because of the NP-hard nature of the solution space, a genetic algorithm based decomposition strategy is proposed and computationa.
Asymmetric unwrapping of nucleosomal DNA propagates asymmetric opening and dissociation of the histone core

Significance Nucleosomes are fundamental protein–DNA structures through which eukaryotes package and organize DNA inside the nucleus. Nucleosomes are disassembled to gain access to the critical information stored in DNA. Here, we describe a new experimental approach that characterizes the kinetics of nucleosome disassembly and the synergy between DNA conformation and protein components. Using NaCl to disrupt electrostatic interactions, we identify kinetic pathways and transient intermediates that reveal how DNA unwrapping and protein dissociation are linked in this macromolecular complex. These dynamic structures may provide new insight into the regulation of DNA access during transcription, replication, and repair. The nucleosome core particle (NCP) is the basic structural unit for genome packaging in eukaryotic cells and consists of DNA wound around a core of eight histone proteins. DNA access is modulated through dynamic processes of NCP disassembly. Partly disassembled structures, such as the hexasome (containing six histones) and the tetrasome (four histones), are important for transcription regulation in vivo. However, the pathways for their formation have been difficult to characterize. We combine time-resolved (TR) small-angle X-ray scattering and TR-FRET to correlate changes in the DNA conformations with composition of the histone core during salt-induced disassembly of canonical NCPs. We find that H2A–H2B histone dimers are released sequentially, with the first dimer being released after the DNA has formed an asymmetrically unwrapped, teardrop-shape DNA structure. This finding suggests that the octasome-to-hexasome transition is guided by the asymmetric unwrapping of the DNA. The link between DNA structure and histone composition suggests a potential mechanism for the action of proteins that alter nucleosome configurations such as histone chaperones and chromatin remodeling complexes.
Analysis of moisture content, acidity and contamination by yeast and molds in Apis mellifera L. honey from central Brazil

The development of mold of environmental origin in honey affects its quality and leads to its deterioration, so yeasts and molds counts have been used as an important indicator of hygiene levels during its processing, transportation and storage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of yeasts and molds contamination and their correlation with moisture and acidity levels in Apis mellifera L. honey from central Brazil. In 20% of the samples, the yeasts and molds counts exceeded the limit established by legislation for the marketing of honey in the MERCOSUR, while 42.8% and 5.7% presented above-standard acidity and moisture levels, respectively. Although samples showed yeasts and molds counts over 1.0 × 102 UFC.g−1, there was no correlation between moisture content and the number of microorganisms, since, in part of the samples with above-standard counts, the moisture level was below 20%. In some samples the acidity level was higher than that established by legislation, but only one sample presented a yeasts and molds count above the limit established by MERCOSUR, which would suggest the influence of the floral source on this parameter. In general, of the 35 samples analyzed, the quality was considered inadequate in 45.7% of cases.
What you see is (almost) what you hear: design principles for user interfaces for accessing speech archives

Despite the recent growth and potential utility of speech archives, we currently lack tools for effective archival access. Previous research on search of textual archives has assumed that the system goal should be to retrieve sets of relevant documents, leaving users to visually scan through those documents to identify relevant information. However, in previous work we show that in accessing real speech archives, it is insufficient to only retrieve “document” sets [9,10]. Users experience huge problems of local navigation in attempting to extract relevant information from within speech “documents”. These studies also show that users address these problems by taking handwritten notes. These notes detail both the content of the speech and serve as indices to help access relevant regions of the archive. From these studies we derive a new principle for the design of speech access systems: What You See Is (Almost) What You Hear. We present a new user interface to a broadcast news archive, designed on that principle.
Assessing the Legacy of the GBG Model

A critique of the article by Bryden, McManus, and Bulman-Fleming ("Evaluating the empirical support for the Geschwind-Behan-Galaburda model of cerebral lateralization") is presented. Bryden et al. expose some of the principal weaknesses of the cerebral lateralization model put forth by Geschwind and colleagues and contribute an important meta-analysis of findings concerning the model's predicted relationship between immune disorders and handedness. Nonetheless, the theory put forth by Geschwind and colleagues retains an important legacy despite a multitude of faulty assumptions and predictive failures. Also offered is a brief synopsis of a new model that explains the many positive relationships found among various neurodevelopmental disorders and medical conditions, as well as why abnormal handedness distributions occur in some but not other neurodevelopmental disorders.
A qualitative study of GPs' attitudes to self-management of chronic disease.

BACKGROUND Improving the quality of care for patients living with a chronic illness is a key policy goal. Alongside systems to ensure care is delivered according to evidence-based guidelines, an essential component of these new models of care is the facilitation of self-management. However, changes to the way professionals deliver care is complex, and it is important to understand the key drivers and barriers that may operate in the primary care setting. AIM To explore GPs' perspectives on their involvement in the facilitation of chronic disease self-management. DESIGN OF STUDY Qualitative study. SETTING General practices located in two primary care trusts in northern England. METHOD Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of GPs. During analysis, categories of response were organised into themes that relate to Howie's theoretical model for understanding general practice consultations: content, values, context. RESULTS The GPs' responses highlighted tensions and trade-offs regarding their role in facilitating self-management. Although GPs valued increased patient involvement in their health care, this was in conflict with other values concerning professional responsibility. Furthermore, contextual factors also limited the degree to which they could assist in encouraging self-management. CONCLUSIONS Providing GPs with training in consultation skills is required in order to encourage the delivery of effective self-management. In addition, the context in which GPs work also needs to be modified for this to be achieved.
Alternative splicing generates a novel isoform of the rat metabotropic GABABR1 receptor

Here we present a novel isoform of the metabotropic G‐protein‐coupled receptor for γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA). The isoform, termed GABABR1c (R1c), differs from the recently identified R1a and R1b receptors by an in‐frame insertion of 31 amino acids between the second extracellular loop and the fifth transmembrane region. Analysis of the rat GABABR1 gene demonstrates that the insertion is the result of an alternative splicing event within a 567‐bp intron between exons 16 and 17. In situ hybridization in the rat brain shows a wide distribution of R1c transcripts and an overlap with the R1a and R1b transcripts. The highest mRNA levels are found in cerebellar Purkinje cells, cerebral cortex, thalamus and hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions. Western blots and immunodetection of recombinant epitope‐tagged receptors as well as [125I]CGP71872 photoaffinity labelling of cell membranes demonstrate that R1c is correctly expressed, although at a lower level than the previously identified isoforms. When coexpressed with the newly characterized GABABR2, R1c functionally couples to G‐protein‐activated Kir3.1/3.2 channels in Xenopus oocytes and to PLC‐activating chimeric Gαqo subunits in HEK‐293 cells with a similar EC50 for agonists. These data suggest that the R1c isoform represents a functional GABABR in the rat brain.
Accumulation of Foxp3+ T Regulatory Cells in Draining Lymph Nodes Correlates with Disease Progression and Immune Suppression in Colorectal Cancer Patients

Purpose: To assess the relation of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) in tumor draining lymph nodes (TDLNs) with tumor progression and immune suppression in colorectal cancer (CRC). Experimental Design: Flow cytometry was used to analyze the densities of Tregs in lymphocytes of TDLNs, peripheral blood, and tumors from 34 patients with CRC. The frequency of Tregs was compared and evaluated for the association with disease stage. The effect of Tregs on the function of CD8+ T cells was investigated by IFN-γ production. Results: The density of Foxp3+ Tregs in TDLNs was dramatically higher than that in peripheral blood lymphocytes, but significantly lower than that in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. Importantly, the frequency of Foxp3+ Tregs in TDLNs, rather than that in tumors and peripheral blood, was positively correlated with disease stage. In addition, the functions of CD8+ T cells were impaired in TDLNs compared with peripheral blood lymphocytes and were restored after Treg depletion. Conclusions: Foxp3+ Tregs in TDLNs are more correlated with disease progression and potentially influence CD8+ T-cell functions. This study suggests that the frequency of Tregs in TDLNs may provide a valuable prognostic tool in the treatment of CRC. Clin Cancer Res; 16(16); 4105–12. ©2010 AACR.
Coping or Escaping?

A quasiexperiment tested competing hypotheses regarding escapist media use and alternative coping motivations in media selection behavior. For 287 participants, personal satisfaction levels for five life domains were assessed. In an ostensibly unrelated study, the participants browsed through online content in which some section topics corresponded to the life domains. Selective exposure was unobtrusively logged by software. Lower satisfaction with college and career situation and with personal financial situation was associated with longer exposure to information about college and career issues. Among respondents in a romantic relationship, higher satisfaction with personal romantic situation led to longer reading times for articles about romance issues, whereas among single respondents, lower satisfaction with one's romantic situation was connected to longer reading of such content. Satisfaction with own health and exposure to health information showed a curvilinear pattern, as low and high satisfaction produced lower exposure than moderate satisfaction.
Tympanoplasty with Island Cartilage or Temporalis Fascia: A Comparative Study

Purpose: To compare clinical and audiological outcomes of the type 1 tympanoplasties where conchal cartilage (island graft) and temporalis fascia were used as the graft material. Procedures: In this retrospective study, the results of type 1 tympanoplasty operations (n = 50) in which cartilage and temporalis fascia were used for graft material were compared. Results: Pre- and postoperative otoscopic findings of both groups were similar (p > 0.05). Preoperatively, the pure tone averages (PTAs) and hearing thresholds of the fascia and cartilage groups were similar (p > 0.05). However, postoperatively, the PTAs and air-bone gap closure were better with temporalis fascia compared to cartilage grafting (p < 0.05). On frequency-specific comparisons, the pure tone thresholds at the frequencies of 0.5, 1 and 2 kHz recovered better with temporalis fascia compared to cartilage (p < 0.05). Although the pure tone recovery was better at 4 kHz with temporalis fascia, the difference between the groups were not significantly different (p > 0.05). Conclusion and Message: In conclusion, in contrast to many reports in the literature, temporalis fascia grafting seems better in our study than grafting with conchal cartilage.
Liver transplantation for non–hepatocellular carcinoma malignancy: Indications, limitations, and analysis of the current literature

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is currently incorporated into the treatment regimens for specific nonhepatocellular malignancies. For patients suffering from early‐stage, unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), OLT preceded by neoadjuvant radiotherapy has the potential to readily achieve a tumor‐free margin, accomplish a radical resection, and treat underlying primary sclerosing cholangitis when present. In highly selected stage I and II patients with CCA, the 5‐year survival rate is 80%. As additional data are accrued, OLT with neoadjuvant chemoradiation may become a viable alternative to resection for patients with localized, node‐negative hilar CCA. Hepatic involvement from neuroendocrine tumors can be treated with OLT when metastases are unresectable or for palliation of medically uncontrollable symptoms. Five‐year survival rates as high as 90% have been reported, and the Ki67 labeling index can be used to predict outcomes after OLT. Hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma is a rare tumor of vascular origin. The data from single‐institution series are limited, but compiled reviews have reported 1‐ and 10‐year survival rates of 96% and 72%, respectively. Hepatoblastoma is the most common primary hepatic malignancy in children. There exist subtle differences in the timing of chemotherapy between US and European centers; however, the long‐term survival rate after transplantation ranges from 66% to 77%. Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma is a distinct liver malignancy best treated by surgical resection. However, there is an increasing amount of data supporting OLT when resection is contraindicated. In the treatment of either primary or metastatic hepatic sarcomas, unacceptable survival and recurrence rates currently prohibit the use of OLT. Liver Transpl 16:930‐942, 2010. © 2010 AASLD.
Effect of Ultrasonic Treatment on Physical Properties of Tapioca Starch

A new processing method for the production of modified starch, high power ultrasonic treatment (400 W), was applied to native tapioca starch. The effect of processing parameters such as ultrasound amplitude (50 and 100%) and sonication time (10, 20 and 30 minutes) on the properties of the modified starches was investigated. Starch granule morphology observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), swelling power, solubility and powder x-ray diffractometry (PXRD) of the obtained ultrasonically treated tapioca starch were determined and compared with native as well as heat-treated tapioca starches. The results from SEM and PXRD showed that the ultrasonic treatment of tapioca starch distorted the crystalline region in starch granules, especially at higher amplitude or sonication time. The swelling power of the tapioca starch increased after treatment with both heat and ultrasound, in which the swelling power of ultrasonically treated starch was higher than that of heat-treated starch. It was found that tapioca starch treated by ultrasound for a certain period of time has an increase in solubility. The increase in the swelling power is associated with water absorption capacity and starch granules solubility.
A new higher-order shear and normal deformation theory for functionally graded sandwich beams

A new refined hyperbolic shear and normal deformation beam theory is developed to study the free vibration and buckling of functionally graded (FG) sandwich beams under various boundary conditions. The effects of transverse shear strains as well as the transverse normal strain are taken into account. Material properties of the sandwich beam faces are assumed to be graded in the thickness direction according to a simple power-law distribution in terms of the volume fractions of the constituents. The core layer is still homogeneous and made of an isotropic material. Equations of motion are derived from Hamilton's principle. Analytical solutions for the bending, free vibration and buckling analyses are obtained for simply supported sandwich beams. Illustrative examples are given to show the effects of varying gradients, thickness stretching, boundary conditions, and thickness to length ratios on the bending, free vibration and buckling of functionally graded sandwich beams.
On the evaluation of JavaSymphony for cluster applications

In the past few years, increasing interest has been shown in using Java as a language for performance-oriented distributed and parallel computing. Most Java-based systems that support portable parallel and distributed computing either require the programmer to deal with intricate low level details of Java which can be a tedious, time-consuming and error-prone task, or prevent the programmer from controlling locality of data. In contrast to most existing systems, JavaSymphony - a class library written entirely in Java - allows to control parallelism, load balancing and locality at a high level. Objects can be explicitly distributed and migrated based on virtual architectures which impose a virtual hierarchy on a distributed/parallel system of physical computing nodes. The concept of blocking/nonblocking remote method invocation is used to exchange data among distributed objects and to process work by remote objects. We evaluate the JavaSymphony programming API for a variety of distributed/parallel algorithms which comprises backtracking, N-body, encryption/decryption algorithms and asynchronous nested optimization algorithms. Performance results are presented for both homogeneous and heterogeneous cluster architectures. Moreover, we compare JavaSymphony with an alternative well-known semi-automatic system.
Assessment of the effects of subthalamic stimulation in Parkinson disease patients by artificial neural network

This study aims at using a probabilistic neural network (PNN) for discriminating between normal and Parkinson disease (PD) subjects using as input the principal components (PCs) derived from vertical component of the ground reaction force (vGRF). The trained PNN was further used for evaluating the effects of deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN DBS) on PD, with and without medication. A sample of 45 subjects (30 normal and 15 PD subjects who underwent STN DBS) was evaluated by gait analysis. PD subjects were assessed under four test conditions: without treatment (mof-sof), only with stimulation (mof-son) or medication (mon-sof), and with combined treatments (mon-son). PC analysis was applied on vGRF, where six PC scores were chosen by the broken stick test. Using a bootstrap approach for the PNN model, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) as performance measurement, the first three and fifth PCs were selected as input variables. The PNN presented AUC = 3D 0.995 for classifying controls and PD subjects in the mof-sof condition. When applied to classify the PD subjects under treatment, the PNN indicated that STN DBS alone is more effective than medication, and further vGRF enhancement is obtained with combined therapies.
A Survey of Severity and Distribution of Musculoskeletal Pain in Multiple Sclerosis Patients; a Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Pain, a common phenomenon in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, is associated with many symptoms and problems. Aim: To investigation severity and distribution of musculoskeletal pain in MS patients. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 115 members of the Mazandaran MS Association with confirmed MS were randomly selected to participate in the study. The patients were asked to fill out Numerical Rating Score and Nodric questionnaires, respectively. The data was analyzed by SPSS ver. 16 software. Results: The mean age of the participants was 30.43±5.86 years and 88 cases (76.5%) were female. The mean disease duration was 26.34±24.32 months and 87.8% of the cases were experiencing pain at the time of study. The mean pain severity was 3.75±2.25 and worst pain experienced was 5.73±2.12. The most common pain sites were: the knees (55.7%), wrist (43.5%), and neck (41.7%). Women experience higher prevalence of shoulder, upper back, and ankle pain (P<0.05). In 62 cases (53.91%) MS interfered with daily functioning at least for a time. The prevalence of upper back and neck pain was higher in cases with a shorter disease duration (P<0.05). Conclusions: Pain was very common in patients with MS and not relevant to sex or age. In the majority of the cases more than 1 limb was involved and the prevalence of pain in the lower limbs was higher, especially in the knees. In females, the prevalence of pain in the shoulders, upper back, and ankle was higher compared to males. Also, neck and upper-back pain were found in the early stages of the disease.