Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A conflict-free memory mapping approach to design parallel hardware interleaver architectures with optimized network and controller

Recent communication standards and storage systems (e.g. wireless access, digital video broadcasting or magnetic storage in hard disk drives) uses error correcting codes such as LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) or Turbo-codes to reliably transfer data between source and destination. For high data rate applications, Turbo and LDPC codes are decoded on parallel architectures. However, parallel architectures suffer from memory access conflicts and efficient memory mapping algorithms are required to design parallel interleaver architectures which are one of the most critical parts of parallel decoders. In this paper, we present a method that finds a conflict-free memory mapping for any interleaving law and associated parallelism constraint. The proposed approach always complies with the interconnection network topology the designer wants to infer. Moreover, contrary to traditional methods, the resulting architecture is optimized by reducing the cost of network and controller (network and memory controller) architectures. Our approach is compared with state of the art techniques and its interest is shown through the design of parallel interleavers used in different industrial applications such as High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), Multi Band-Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing Ultra-WideBand (MB-OFDM UWB) and a WiMAX application.
Expression of Neuroserpin, an Inhibitor of Tissue Plasminogen Activator, in the Developing and Adult Nervous System of the Mouse

Neuroserpin is a serine protease inhibitor of the serpin family that has been identified as an axonally secreted glycoprotein in neuronal cultures of chicken dorsal root ganglia. To obtain an indication for possible functions of neuroserpin, we analyzed its expression in the developing and the adult CNS of the mouse. In the adult CNS, neuroserpin was most strongly expressed in the neocortex, the hippocampal formation, the olfactory bulb, and the amygdala. In contrast, most thalamic nuclei, the caudate putamen, and the cerebellar granule cells were devoid of neuroserpin mRNA. During embryonic development, neuroserpin mRNA was not detectable in neuroepithelia, but it was expressed in the differentiating fields of most CNS regions concurrent with their appearance. In the cerebellum, the granule cells and a subgroup of Purkinje cells were neuroserpin-positive during postnatal development. As a further step toward the elucidation of neuroserpin function, we performed a study to identify potential target proteases. In vitro, neuroserpin formed SDS-stable complexes and inhibited the amidolytic activity of tissue plasminogen activator, urokinase, and plasmin. In contrast, no complex formation with or inhibition of thrombin was found. Expression pattern and inhibitory specificity implicate neuroserpin as a candidate regulator of plasminogen activators, which have been suggested to participate in the modulation or reorganization of synaptic connections in the adult. During development, neuroserpin may attenuate extracellular proteolysis related to processes such as neuronal migration, axogenesis, or the formation of mature synaptic connections.
Sources of carbon monoxide and formaldehyde in North America determined from high-resolution atmospheric data

Abstract. We analyze the North American budget for carbon monoxide using data for CO and formaldehyde concentrations from tall towers and aircraft in a model-data assimilation framework. The Stochastic Time-Inverted Lagrangian Transport model for CO (STILT-CO) determines local to regional-scale CO contributions associated with production from fossil fuel combustion, biomass burning, and oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) using an ensemble of Lagrangian particles driven by high resolution assimilated meteorology. In many cases, the model demonstrates high fidelity simulations of hourly surface data from tall towers and point measurements from aircraft, with somewhat less satisfactory performance in coastal regions and when CO from large biomass fires in Alaska and the Yukon Territory influence the continental US. Inversions of STILT-CO simulations for CO and formaldehyde show that current inventories of CO emissions from fossil fuel combustion are significantly too high, by almost a factor of three in summer and a factor two in early spring, consistent with recent analyses of data from the INTEX-A aircraft program. Formaldehyde data help to show that sources of CO from oxidation of CH4 and other VOCs represent the dominant sources of CO over North America in summer.
Effect of chest compressions on the time taken to insert airway devices in a manikin.

BACKGROUND Resuscitation guidelines recommend that chest compressions should continue throughout attempts to place airway devices. Few data support the use of the tracheal tube over supraglottic airway devices (SADs) during cardiopulmonary arrest. This study was designed to evaluate the speed with which different airway devices could be placed with and without interrupting chest compressions. METHODS Forty volunteer doctors regularly involved in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) were timed inserting four different airway devices [tracheal tube (TT), LMA Classic (cLMA), LMA ProSeal (PLMA), and igel] into a manikin, with and without stopping chest compressions. RESULTS Chest compressions delayed the placement of the TT only (3.3 s, P<0.0001). Comparison of the speed of insertion of the different airway devices during CPR enabled ranking of the devices: igel (fastest), PLMA (second), and TT and cLMA (joint slowest). The igel was inserted approximately 50% faster than the other devices. Doctors who had previously inserted more than 50 tracheal tubes were significantly faster at intubating the trachea, but no faster at inserting SADs. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that continuing chest compressions has a minor effect on time for tracheal intubation and until clear human data are available the recommendation to intubate without interrupting CPR is therefore justified. The PLMA and igel (SADs with a gastric drain tube) were both faster to insert than the cLMA and offer additional benefits. They should be considered for use in CPR.
Single- and multiple-set resistance training improves skeletal and respiratory muscle strength in elderly women

Introduction Aging involves a progressive reduction of respiratory muscle strength as well as muscle strength. Purpose Compare the effects of resistance training volume on the maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), functional performance, and muscle strength in elderly women. Methods Thirty elderly women were randomly assigned to a group performing either single sets (1-SET) or three sets (3-SET) of exercises. The sit-to-stand test, MIP, MEP, and muscle strength were assessed before and after 24 training sessions. Progressive resistance training was performed two times per week for a total of 8–12 repetitions, using the main muscle groups of the upper and lower limbs. Results The main results showed that the participants significantly increased their MEP (P<0.05; 1-SET: 34.6%; 3-SET: 35.8%) and MIP (P<0.05; 1-SET: 13.7%; 3-SET: 11.2%). Both groups also improved in the sit-to-stand test (P<0.05; 1-SET: 10.6%; 3-SET: 17.1%). After 24 training sessions, muscle strength also significantly increased (P<0.0001; 40%–80%) in both groups. An intergroup comparison did not show any statistically significant differences between the groups in any of the parameters analyzed. Conclusion Single- and multiple-set resistance training programs increased MIP, MEP, muscle strength, and sit-to-stand test performance in elderly women after 24 sessions of training. In conclusion, our results suggested that elderly women who are not in the habit of physical activity may start with single-set resistance training programs as a short-term strategy for the maintenance of health.
On Codes, Matroids, and Secure Multiparty Computation From Linear Secret-Sharing Schemes

Error-correcting codes and matroids have been widely used in the study of ordinary secret sharing schemes. In this paper, the connections between codes, matroids, and a special class of secret sharing schemes, namely, multiplicative linear secret sharing schemes (LSSSs), are studied. Such schemes are known to enable multiparty computation protocols secure against general (nonthreshold) adversaries. Two open problems related to the complexity of multiplicative LSSSs are considered in this paper. The first one deals with strongly multiplicative LSSSs. As opposed to the case of multiplicative LSSSs, it is not known whether there is an efficient method to transform an LSSS into a strongly multiplicative LSSS for the same access structure with a polynomial increase of the complexity. A property of strongly multiplicative LSSSs that could be useful in solving this problem is proved. Namely, using a suitable generalization of the well-known Berlekamp-Welch decoder, it is shown that all strongly multiplicative LSSSs enable efficient reconstruction of a shared secret in the presence of malicious faults. The second one is to characterize the access structures of ideal multiplicative LSSSs. Specifically, the considered open problem is to determine whether all self-dual vector space access structures are in this situation. By the aforementioned connection, this in fact constitutes an open problem about matroid theory, since it can be restated in terms of representability of identically self-dual matroids by self-dual codes. A new concept is introduced, the flat-partition, that provides a useful classification of identically self-dual matroids. Uniform identically self-dual matroids, which are known to be representable by self-dual codes, form one of the classes. It is proved that this property also holds for the family of matroids that, in a natural way, is the next class in the above classification: the identically self-dual bipartite matroids.
Bidirectional Transfer Study of Polystyrene Nanoparticles across the Placental Barrier in an ex Vivo Human Placental Perfusion Model

Background Nanoparticle exposure in utero might not be a major concern yet, but it could become more important with the increasing application of nanomaterials in consumer and medical products. Several epidemiologic and in vitro studies have shown that nanoparticles can have potential toxic effects. However, nanoparticles also offer the opportunity to develop new therapeutic strategies to treat specifically either the pregnant mother or the fetus. Previous studies mainly addressed whether nanoparticles are able to cross the placental barrier. However, the transport mechanisms underlying nanoparticle translocation across the placenta are still unknown. Objectives In this study we examined which transport mechanisms underlie the placental transfer of nanoparticles. Methods We used the ex vivo human placental perfusion model to analyze the bidirectional transfer of plain and carboxylate modified polystyrene particles in a size range between 50 and 300 nm. Results We observed that the transport of polystyrene particles in the fetal to maternal direction was significantly higher than for the maternal to fetal direction. Regardless of their ability to cross the placental barrier and the direction of perfusion, all polystyrene particles accumulated in the syncytiotrophoblast of the placental tissue. Conclusions Our results indicate that the syncytiotrophoblast is the key player in regulating nanoparticle transport across the human placenta. The main mechanism underlying this translocation is not based on passive diffusion, but is likely to involve an active, energy-dependent transport pathway. These findings will be important for reproductive toxicology as well as for pharmaceutical engineering of new drug carriers. Citation Grafmueller S, Manser P, Diener L, Diener PA, Maeder-Althaus X, Maurizi L, Jochum W, Krug HF, Buerki-Thurnherr T, von Mandach U, Wick P. 2015. Bidirectional transfer study of polystyrene nanoparticles across the placental barrier in an ex vivo human placental perfusion model. Environ Health Perspect 123:1280–1286; http://dx.doi. org/10.1289/ehp.1409271
Pharmacological Interaction between 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (Ecstasy) and Paroxetine: Pharmacological Effects and Pharmacokinetics

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “ecstasy”) is increasingly used by young people for its euphoric and empathic effects. MDMA can be used in combination with other drugs such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. A clinical trial was designed where subjects pretreated with paroxetine, one of the most potent inhibitors of both 5-hydroxytryptamine reuptake and CYP2D6 activity, were challenged with a single dose of MDMA. The aim of the study was to evaluate the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic interaction between paroxetine and MDMA in humans. A randomized, double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in 12 healthy male subjects. Variables included physiological parameters, psychomotor performance, subjective effects, and pharmacokinetics. Subjects received 20 mg/day paroxetine (or placebo) orally for the 3 days before MDMA challenge (100 mg oral). MDMA alone produced the prototypical effects of the drug. Pretreatment with paroxetine was associated with marked decreases of both physiological and subjective effects of MDMA, despite a 30% increase in MDMA plasma concentrations. The decreases of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxymethamphetamine plasma concentrations suggest a metabolic interaction of paroxetine and MDMA. These data show that pretreatment with paroxetine significantly attenuates MDMA-related physiological and psychological effects. It seems that paroxetine could interact with MDMA at pharmacodynamic (serotonin transporter) and pharmacokinetic (CYP2D6 metabolism) levels. Marked decrease in the effects of MDMA could lead users to take higher doses of MDMA and to produce potential life-threatening toxic effects.
A multivariable nonlinear algebraic loop as a QP with applications to MPC

In this paper we consider an alternative approach to implementing Model Predictive Control (MPC). We show that solving a class of quadratic programming (QP) problems is equivalent to solving a class of well-posed nonlinear algebraic loops. These algebraic loops are closely related to that found in static anti-windup synthesis. It therefore follows that certain classes of MPC can be implemented in a form that is a direct generalisation of the standard anti-windup structure. Implementations for classes of MPC are then derived for both regulator and tracking problems. Several alternative iterative algorithms for solving the algebraic loop are then presented. Some simulation results are also provided, with an example computational comparison to active set and interior point based MPC.
The Combined Use of in Silico, in Vitro, and in Vivo Analyses to Assess Anti-cancerous Potential of a Bioactive Compound from Cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. MGL001

Escalating incidences of cancer, especially in developed and developing countries, demand evaluation of potential unexplored natural drug resources. Here, anticancer potential of 9-Ethyliminomethyl-12-(morpholin-4-ylmethoxy)-5,8,13,16-tetraaza -hexacene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid (EMTAHDCA) isolated from fresh water cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. MGL001 was screened through in silico, in vitro, and in vivo studies. For in silico analysis, EMTAHDCA was selected as ligand and 11 cancer related proteins (Protein Data Bank ID: 1BIX, 1NOW, 1TE6, 2RCW, 2UVL, 2VCJ, 3CRY, 3HQU, 3NMQ, 5P21, and 4B7P) which are common targets of various anticancer drugs were selected as receptors. The results obtained from in silico analysis showed that EMTAHDCA has strong binding affinity for all the 11 target protein receptors. The ability of EMTAHDCA to bind active sites of cancer protein targets indicated that it is functionally similar to commercially available anticancer drugs. For assessing cellular metabolic activities, in vitro studies were performed by using calorimetric assay viz. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT). Results showed that EMTAHDCA induced significant cytotoxic response against Dalton's lymphoma ascites (DLA) cells in a dose and time dependent manner with an inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 372.4 ng/mL after 24 h of incubation. However, in case of normal bone marrow cells, the EMTAHDCA did not induce cytotoxicity as the IC50 value was not obtained even with higher dose of 1,000 ng/mL EMTAHDCA. Further, in vivo studies revealed that the median life span/survival days of tumor bearing mice treated with EMTAHDCA increased significantly with a fold change of ~1.9 and 1.81 corresponding to doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg body weight (B.W.) of EMTAHDCA respectively, as compared to the DL group. Our results suggest that 5 mg/kg B.W. is effective since the dose of 10 mg/kg B.W. did not show any significant difference as compared to 5 mg/kg B.W. Taken together, our findings based on in silico, in vitro, and in vivo analyses suggest that EMTAHDCA has potential anticancer effects, and thus, can be considered for cancer treatment.
Perceptions of population cystic fibrosis prenatal and preconception carrier screening among individuals with cystic fibrosis and their family members.

AIM Our study aimed to quantitatively explore the perceptions of individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) and their family members toward population prenatal and preconception CF carrier screening, including perceived benefits, concerns, and the acceptability of offering screening. METHOD In November 2009, 258 members of the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Western Australia were invited via an e-mail newsletter to participate in a survey, with a link to an online survey tool. A further 246 members without e-mail access were mailed a paper copy of the survey. RESULTS Overall, we found the majority of individuals with CF (n=27) and their families (n=122) had positive views of population CF carrier screening. However, the small number of individuals with CF represented in the study limits the interpretation of these data. CONCLUSION From a public policy perspective, our findings overall suggest that in principle the views of family members are not a barrier to the introduction of population CF carrier screening. The views of individuals with CF warrant further investigation. Data such as ours should be used with other sources of information, such as economic evaluations and the perceptions of the general public, geneticists, and other medical practitioners to inform decisions regarding screening within the public health system.
Influence of diabetes mellitus on coronary collateral flow: an answer to an old controversy

Objectives: To determine the influence of diabetes mellitus on coronary collateral flow by accurate means of collateral flow measurement in a large population with variable degrees of coronary artery disease. Methods: 200 patients (mean (SD) age 64 (9) years; 100 diabetic and 100 non-diabetic) were enrolled in the study. Coronary collateral flow was assessed in 174 stenotic and in 26 angiographically normal vessels with a pressure guidewire (n = 131), Doppler guidewire (n = 36), or both (n = 33) to calculate pressure or flow velocity derived collateral flow index (CFI). Diabetic patients were perfectly matched with a non-diabetic control group for clinical, haemodynamic, and angiographic parameters. Results: CFI did not differ between the diabetic and the non-diabetic patients (0.21 (0.12) v 0.19 (0.13), not significant). Likewise, CFI did not differ when only angiographically normal vessels (0.20 (0.09) v 0.15 (0.08), not significant) or chronic total coronary occlusions (0.30 (0.14) v 0.30 (0.17), not significant) were compared. Fewer patients in the diabetic group tended to have angina pectoris during the one minute vessel occlusion (60 diabetic v 69 non-diabetic patients, p = 0.15). Conclusion: Quantitatively measured coronary CFI did not differ between diabetic and non-diabetic patients with stable coronary artery disease.
Connecting Antarctic sea ice to deep-ocean circulation in modern and glacial climate simulations: SEA ICE AND GLACIAL AMOC

Antarctic sea-ice formation plays a key role in shaping the abyssal overturning circulation and stratification in all ocean basins, by driving surface buoyancy loss through the associated brine rejection. Changes in Antarctic sea ice have therefore been suggested as drivers of major glacial-interglacial ocean circulation rearrangements. Here, the relationship between Antarctic sea ice, buoyancy loss, deep-ocean stratification, and overturning circulation is investigated in Last Glacial Maximum and preindustrial simulations from the Paleoclimate Modelling Intercomparison Project (PMIP). The simulations show substantial inter-model differences in their representation of the glacial deep-ocean state and circulation, which is often at odds with the geological evidence. We argue that these apparent inconsistencies can largely be attributed to differing (and likely insufficient) Antarctic sea-ice formation. Discrepancies can be further amplified by short integration times. Deep-ocean equilibration and sea-ice representation should, therefore, be carefully evaluated in the forthcoming PMIP4 simulations.
From examination of natural events a proposal for risk mitigation of 
lahars by a cellular automata methodology: a case study for Vascún 
valley, Ecuador

Abstract. Lahars are erosive floods, mixtures of water and pyroclastic deposits, they look the biggest environmental disaster as number of fatalities in the volcanic areas. Security measures have been recently adopted in the threatened territories, by constructing retaining dams and embankments in key positions. Such solutions could involve a strong environmental impact for the works and the continuous accumulation of volcanic deposits, such that equilibrium conditions could lack far, triggering more disastrous events. An improved version of the Cellular Automaton model LLUNPIY for lahars simulations is presented. The growing frequency of lahars, maybe for the climatic change, in the Vascún Valley of Tungurahua Volcano, Ecuador has recently produced smaller and less dangerous events, sometimes favoured by the collapse of temporary ponds, generated by small landslides. An investigation is here performed in order to reproduce such situations in controlled way by the use of LLUNPIY simulations. Using precise field data, points are individuated where dams by backfills, easy to collapse, can produce momentary ponds; LLUNPIY simulations permit to project triggering of small lahars by minor rainfall events or to project in the case of larger rainfalls the anticipation of lahar detachment, avoiding simultaneous and dangerous confluence with other lahars.