Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Architectural Support for Long Integer Modulo Arithmetic on Risc-Based Smart Cards

Various algorithms for public-key cryptography, such as the Rivest-Shamir-Adleman or Diffie-Hellman algorithms, are based on long integer arithmetic operations, most notably modulo multiplication. To be adequate for long-term security, the modulus should have a length of at least 1024 bits. Long integer arithmetic is difficult to implement efficiently in software, particularly on smart cards due to their constrained resources and relatively slow clock frequency. In this paper we investigate the potential of application-specific instruction set extensions for cryptographic workloads such as long integer arithmetic. We define two special instructions that carry out computations of the form a ×b + c + d, whereby a,b,c,d are single-precision words (unsigned integers). These additional instructions can be executed on an optimized multiply/accumulate unit and therefore they are simple to incorporate into common RISC architectures such as the MIPS32. The proposed extensions cause almost no speed or area penalty since no extra functional units are required. Experimental results indicate that the inner-loop operation of a multiple-precision multiplication can be accelerated by a factor of almost 2. We also estimate the execution time of a 1024-bit modulo exponentiation assuming that these special instructions were made available. The presented concept is an alternative solution to a crypto co-processor, especially for multi-application smart cards (e.g. Java cards) with an embedded 32-bit RISC core.
Kinematical & Chemical Characteristics of the Thin and Thick Disks

Abstract I discuss how the chemical abundance distributions, kinematics and age distributions of stars in the thin and thick disks of the Galaxy can be used to decipher the merger history of the Milky Way, a typical large galaxy. The observational evidence points to a rather quiescent past merging history, unusual in the context of the ‘consensus’ cold-dark-matter cosmology favoured from observations of structure on scales larger than individual galaxies.
Effect of Duration of Packed Red Blood Cell Storage on Morbidity and Mortality in Dogs After Transfusion: 3,095 cases (2001–2010)

Background Accumulating evidence suggests that transfusion of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) stored for >14 days is associated with increased rates of sepsis, multiple organ dysfunction, and mortality in human patients. Objective To determine if duration of PRBC storage has an effect on morbidity and mortality in dogs after transfusion. Animals Dogs admitted to the Matthew J Ryan Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Methods A retrospective case review of dogs identified through blood bank logbooks that received PRBC transfusions (minimum, 5 mL/kg) between 2001 and 2010. Dogs were categorized according to major cause of anemia (eg, hemorrhage, hemolysis, ineffective erythropoiesis) for analysis. Results A total of 3,095 dogs received 5,412 PRBC units. Longer duration of PRBC storage was associated with development of new or progressive coagulation failure (P = .001) and thromboembolic disease (P = .005). There was no association between duration of PRBC storage and survival for all dogs overall. However, a logistic regression model indicated that for dogs with hemolysis, 90% of which had immune‐mediated hemolytic anemia, longer duration of PRBC storage was a negative risk factor for survival. For every 7 day increase in storage, there was a 0.79 lesser odds of 30 day survival (95% CI, 0.64–0.97; P = .024). Conclusions and Clinical Importance Duration of PRBC storage does not appear to be a major contributing factor to mortality in the overall canine population. However, longer duration of PRBC storage may negatively impact outcome in dogs with immune‐mediated hemolytic anemia, thus warranting further investigation with prospective studies.
Ketamine infusions for treatment resistant depression: a series of 28 patients treated weekly or twice weekly in an ECT clinic

Background: Ketamine has a rapid antidepressant effect in treatment-resistant depression (TRD). The effects on cognitive function of multiple ketamine infusions and of concurrent antidepressant medication on response rate and duration are not known. Method: Twenty-eight patients with uni- or bipolar TRD were treated over three weeks with either three or six ketamine infusions (0.5 mg/kg over 40 minutes) in the recovery room of a routine ECT clinic. Post-treatment memory assessments were conducted on day 21 (4–7 days after the final infusion). Patients were followed up for six months where possible, with severity of depression and side effects monitored throughout. Results: Eight (29%) patients responded of whom four remitted. Only three (11%) patients had responded within six hours after a single infusion, but in all responders, the response had developed before the third infusion. The duration of response from the final infusion was variable (median 70, range 25–168 days). Discontinuations included two (7%) because of acute adverse reactions during the infusion and five (18%) because of failure to benefit and increasing anxiety. Ketamine was not associated with memory impairment. The ECT clinic was rated suitable by patients and offered appropriate levels of monitoring. Conclusion: This small, open label naturalistic study shows that up to six low dose ketamine infusions can safely be given within an existing NHS clinical structure to patients who continue their antidepressants. The response rate was comparable to that found in RCTs of single doses of ketamine in antidepressant-free patients but took slightly longer to develop.
Delusions as exploitative deception

Non-bizarre delusions are hypothesized to be psychological adaptations which evolved to mitigate the dangerous consequences of social failure. When humans lived in small, kin-based groups, delusions would have functioned to combat social failure by closely mimicking conditions, such as possession of important information, external threats, or illness, where fellow group members were likely to cooperate and provide assistance. If delusions are adaptations to social failure, then they should onset when an individual faces a serious social threat, they should function (in ancestral type environments) to elicit social benefits—at least in the short term—and they should cease when the social threat ceases, an hypothesis which is examined in the context of numerous published studies of Delusional Disorder (DD). Studies of the relationship between DD and life events, immigrant status, prison psychoses, and discrimination all indicate that social deficits play a significant etiological role. Cross-cultural data collected in traditional societies show that delusions can elicit social benefits. Finally, studies show that positive social variables are the most important predictors of remission of DD. A case can therefore be made that delusions are an effective adaptation to social failure.
Exercise training as a preventive tool for age-related disorders: a brief review

Aging populations are a worldwide phenomenon affecting both developed and developing countries. This issue raises serious concerns for both governments and the general population. Regular participation in physical activity and/or exercise training programs can minimize the physiological alterations that occur during aging and may contribute to improvements in health and well-being. The present review will discuss the role of regular exercise training in preventing age-related physiological decline and, consequently, associated chronic diseases. Compelling evidence that regular exercise and/or physical activity can improve quality of life, prevent or control the development of chronic disease and increase life expectancy is shown. In summary, regular exercise training and/or physical activity has an important influence on aging and may help to prevent age-related disorders.
Network models with a 'soft hierarchy': a random graph construction with loglog scalability

Power law random graphs with infinite variance degree distribution are shown to possess a fascinating architecture with a softly hierarchical core network. The core provides loglog-scalable connectivity properties for the whole giant component of the graph. The core is also shown to be robust against attacks to the very heart of the architecture, the top layers of the hierarchy. The structure's similarities and dissimilarities with the Internet's autonomous system graph are discussed. The main significance of a soft hierarchy is seen, however, in the context of structural aspects of large future networks.
Bone status in cystic fibrosis

AIM To investigate bone mineral status of children with cystic fibrosis (CF). METHODS In 29 children with CF and 49 matched controls, bone mineral content (BMC), projected bone area (BA), and areal bone mineral density (BMD) of the whole body, total hip, and lumbar spine (L1–L4) were measured using dual energyx ray absorptiometry. The BMC values at each site were adjusted for BA, height, and weight. At the lumbar spine, the bone mineral apparent density (BMAD) was calculated by dividing the BMC by the estimated volume, derived from BA. Vertebral (T12–L3) trabecular bone mineral density (vTBMD) was measured using quantitative computed tomography in children with CF. Calcaneal broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) was measured in CF patients and controls using quantitative ultrasound. The disease severity of CF children was evaluated by the Shwachman–Kulczycki (SK) score. RESULTS The mean BUA, whole body and regional BA, adjusted BMC, and areal BMD of children with CF were not different from those of controls. The mean BMAD of the lumbar spine was reduced in CF patients compared with controls, whereas the mean vTBMD standard deviation scores were significantly higher in CF patients. The median SK score of the CF group was 81 (range 42–100), indicating that as a group our CF patient population had relatively mild disease. CONCLUSION The normal vertebral BMC, decreased BMAD, and higher vTBMD suggests that the vertebral cortical thickness or density might be reduced in CF subjects. The overall bone mineral status of CF children with relatively mild disease was not different from size matched controls.
[Synthetic sentence identification (SSI) and contralateral acoustic stapedius reflex].

BACKGROUND The study of the relationship of the contralateral acoustic reflex with the auditory skill of closure. AIM To analyze the identification of a speech signal in the presence of competitive sounds in subjects with absence of contralateral acoustic reflex. METHOD Application of the synthetic sentence identification (SSI) test under the conditions of competitive contralateral message (SSI-CCM), with the signal-to-noise ratio of 0 and -40dB, and ipsilateral competitive message (SSI-ICM), with the signal-to-noise ratio of 0, -10, -15 and -20dB, in 43 young adults (group A = 21 subjects with contralateral acoustic reflex present in all of the investigated frequencies, and group B = 22 subjects with contralateral reflex absent at the frequency of 500Hz, or in all of the investigated frequencies, or still in some of the investigated frequencies necessarily including 500Hz), of both gender, with no hearing, otologic or learning disabilities. RESULTS The acoustic reflex threshold was above 100dB NA in 59% of the individuals in group B and in 14% of the individuals in group A. All subjects performed according to the normal pattern suggested in the specialized literature for the SSI test. The performance of group B in the SSI-ICM test was inferior to that of group A for all the signal-to-noise ratios used, although the difference was not statistically significant. Group B, which presented an acoustic reflex threshold higher than 100dB NA or the absence of the acoustic reflex, was also the group that presented the worse performance in the SSI test. CONCLUSION The absence of the contralateral acoustic reflex seems to interfere in the identification of the speech signal in the presence of competitive noises.
Comparative profiling of highly enriched 22L and Chandler mouse scrapie prion protein preparations

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) or prion diseases are characterized by the accumulation of an aggregated isoform of the prion protein (PrP). This pathological isoform, termed PrPSc, appears to be the primary component of the TSE infectious agent or prion. However, it is not clear to what extent other protein cofactors may be involved in TSE pathogenesis or whether there are PrPSc‐associated proteins which help to determine TSE strain‐specific disease phenotypes. We enriched PrPSc from the brains of mice infected with either 22L or Chandler TSE strains and examined the protein content of these samples using nanospray LC‐MS/MS. These samples were compared with “mock” PrPSc preparations from uninfected brains. PrP was the major component of the infected samples and ferritin was the most abundant impurity. Mock enrichments contained no detectable PrP but did contain a significant amount of ferritin. Of the total proteins identified, 32% were found in both mock and infected samples. The similarities between PrPSc samples from 22L and Chandler TSE strains suggest that the non‐PrPSc protein components found in standard enrichment protocols are not strain specific.
Evidence for an unidentified non-photochemical ground-level source of formaldehyde in the Po Valley with potential implications for ozone production

Abstract. Ozone concentrations in the Po Valley of northern Italy often exceed international regulations. As both a source of radicals and an intermediate in the oxidation of most volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde (HCHO) is a useful tracer for the oxidative processing of hydrocarbons that leads to ozone production. We investigate the sources of HCHO in the Po Valley using vertical profile measurements acquired from the airship Zeppelin NT over an agricultural region during the PEGASOS 2012 campaign. Using a 1-D model, the total VOC oxidation rate is examined and discussed in the context of formaldehyde and ozone production in the early morning. While model and measurement discrepancies in OH reactivity are small (on average 3.4 ± 13%), HCHO concentrations are underestimated by as much as 1.5 ppb (45%) in the convective mixed layer. A similar underestimate in HCHO was seen in the 2002–2003 FORMAT Po Valley measurements, though the additional source of HCHO was not identified. Oxidation of unmeasured VOC precursors cannot explain the missing HCHO source, as measured OH reactivity is explained by measured VOCs and their calculated oxidation products. We conclude that local direct emissions from agricultural land are the most likely source of missing HCHO. Model calculations demonstrate that radicals from degradation of this non-photochemical HCHO source increase model ozone production rates by as much as 0.6 ppb h−1 (12%) before noon.
Value, Participation and Quality of Electronic Health Records in the Netherlands

Growing cost of health care, the gradual reorganization of health care on a free-market basis and patients evolving into health care consumers all prompt hospitals to gain competitive advantage by improving efficiency, quality of care, and customer friendliness. An electronic health record system (EHR) is one of the tools to achieve these goals. Hospitals are nevertheless lagging behind industry in implementing IT systems to support their core business processes. Eighteen case studies were conducted among Dutch hospitals to examine the EHR system implementation. Through seventy three interviews with key stakeholders, the relation between perceived value of the EHR, the degree of participation in the implementation process, and the resulting quality of EHR systems was investigated. The value that end users expect is not achieved within Dutch hospitals. It was found that no hospital had so far reached third generation EHR functionality, even though several hospitals are actively pursuing it. Innovation with respect to EHR systems in hospitals is limited because of a lack of capabilities, not because of a lack of participation. Extensive and ill-targeted end user involvement tends to delay decision making and exacerbates the mismatch between implementation goals and results. Quality issues focus on information quality in terms of completeness and system quality in terms of reliability. This study contributes in combining participation models with the technology acceptance model and the IS success models. Electronic Health Records can be evaluated with this combination and a prescriptive analysis has lead to practical advice to the Dutch Ministry of Health.
3CAPS – a structural AP–site analogue as a tool to investigate DNA base excision repair

Abasic sites (AP-sites) are frequent DNA lesions, arising by spontaneous base hydrolysis or as intermediates of base excision repair (BER). The hemiacetal at the anomeric centre renders them chemically reactive, which presents a challenge to biochemical and structural investigation. Chemically more stable AP-site analogues have been used to avoid spontaneous decay, but these do not fully recapitulate the features of natural AP–sites. With its 3′–phosphate replaced by methylene, the abasic site analogue 3CAPS was suggested to circumvent some of these limitations. Here, we evaluated the properties of 3CAPS in biochemical BER assays with mammalian proteins. 3CAPS-containing DNA substrates were processed by APE1, albeit with comparably poor efficiency. APE1-cleaved 3CAPS can be extended by DNA polymerase β but repaired only by strand displacement as the 5′–deoxyribophosphate (dRP) cannot be removed. DNA glycosylases physically and functionally interact with 3CAPS substrates, underlining its structural integrity and biochemical reactivity. The AP lyase activity of bifunctional DNA glycosylases (NTH1, NEIL1, FPG), however, was fully inhibited. Notably, 3CAPS-containing DNA also effectively inhibited the activity of bifunctional glycosylases on authentic substrates. Hence, the chemically stable 3CAPS with its preserved hemiacetal functionality is a potent tool for BER research and a potential inhibitor of bifunctional DNA glycosylases.
Current Directions in Psychological Science

44 VOLUME 1, NUMBER 2, APRIL 1992 other highly mobile, disadvantaged children without added resources. Researchers have an important role to play in providing information to guide policy and evaluate programs. Although a number of studies have been conducted and more are under way, there are major gaps in the knowledge base. Little is known about the processes leading to or out of homelessness or the factors that ameliorate risk and facilitate better outcomes for children and their families. Most studies include heterogeneous samples of homeless families that differ markedly in background and current status on many dimensions that may be crucial for understanding causes and outcomes and for developing strategies to reduce the risks of becoming homeless or ameliorate its effects on parents and children. There is also a great need for information on the welfare of unaccompanied minors and how homeless runaways and abandoned children differ from or resemble homeless adolescents who stay with their families. In addition, there is a profound shortage of normative data on the development of ethnic minority children and of appropriately standardized measures for use with lowincome or minority children. Normative data on the development of ethnically and socioeconomically diverse populations of children would provide the context for understanding developmental problems among homeless and other high-risk populations. Finally, it is clear that isolated efforts, whether in the domain of research, policy, or intervention, limited to one place, one discipline, or one perspective, are inadequate to meaningfully address the complex problem of homeless children. Coordinated, multifaceted efforts are required at each level in each domain of inquiry and action. Helping homeless children and preventing homelessness may also depend on national acceptance of the idea that poor children belong to all of us. Certainly, their development will affect all of our futures.
Synthesis and characterisation of gold nanoparticles using Mentha piperita leaf extract: a green, non-toxic and rapid method

Eco-friendly synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using Mentha piperita leaf extract was addressed in this work. Different extract concentrations (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% w/v) were used for the synthesis of AuNPs. Reaction rate increased with temperature and leaf extract concentration; however, prolonged heating might affect negatively the AuNPs synthesis. AuNPs in colloid state were synthesised in acid pH (between 2.5 and 3.1), with potentials for charged surface between –21.8 and –24.1 mV, these colloids were highly stable for a storage time of four weeks. Bioreduction has generated AuNPs with spherical and triangular shape and size range between 3–26 nm for all concentrations of leaf extract, indicating a weak dependence of the nanoparticle size on extract concentrations. The present work, thus, offers a simple, rapid and non-toxic process for the synthesis of AuNPs that would potentially be used in different areas such as foods, cosmetic, medicine, electronics and polymer science.
Measuring premorbid IQ in traumatic brain injury: An examination of the validity of the Wechsler Test of Adult Reading (WTAR)

Estimation of premorbid IQ in traumatic brain injury (TBI) is clinically and scientifically valuable because it permits the quantification of the cognitive impact of injury. This is achieved by comparing performances on tests of current ability to estimates of premorbid IQ, thereby enabling current capacity to be interpreted in light of preinjury ability. However, the validity of premorbid IQ tests that are commonly used for TBI has been questioned. In the present study, we examined the psychometric properties of a recently developed test, the Wechsler Test of Adult Reading (WTAR), which has yet to be examined for TBI. The cognitive performance of a group of 24 patients recovering from TBI (with a mean Glasgow Coma Scale score in the severely impaired range) was measured at 2 and 5 months postinjury. On both occasions, patients were administered three tests that have been used to measure premorbid IQ (the WTAR and the Vocabulary and Matrix Reasoning subtests of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale 3rd Edition, WAIS-III) and three tests of current ability (Symbol Digit Modalities Test–Oral and Similarities and Block Design subtests of the WAIS-III). We found that performance significantly improved on tests of current cognitive ability, confirming recovery. In contrast, stable performance was observed on the WTAR from Assessment 1 (M = 34.25/50) to Assessment 2 (M = 34.21/50; r = .970, p < .001). Mean improvement across assessments was negligible (t = −0.086, p = .47; Cohen's d = −0.005), and minimal individual participant change was observed (modal scaled score change = 0). WTAR scores were also highly similar to scores on a demographic estimate of premorbid IQ. Thus, converging evidence—high stability during recovery from TBI and similar IQ estimates to those of a demographic equation—suggests that the WTAR is a valid measure of premorbid IQ for TBI. Where word pronunciation tests are indicated (i.e., in patients for whom English is spoken and read fluently), these results endorse the use of the WTAR for patients with TBI.