Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clumsy Flow Control for High-Throughput Bufferless On-Chip Networks

Bufferless on-chip networks are an alternative type of on-chip network organization that can improve the cost-efficiency of an on-chip network by removing router input buffers. However, bufferless on-chip network performance degrades at high load because of the increased network contention and large number of deflected packets. The energy benefit of bufferless network is also reduced because of the increased deflection. In this work, we propose a novel flow control for bufferless on-chip networks in high-throughput manycore accelerator architectures to reduce the impact of deflection routing. By using a clumsy flow control (CFC), instead of the per-hop flow control that is commonly used in buffered on-chip networks, we are able to reduce the amount of deflection by up to 92% on high-throughput workloads. As a result, on average, CFC can approximately match the performance of a baseline buffered router while reducing the energy consumption by approximately 39%.
Cholesterol Loading Reprograms the MicroRNA-143/145–Myocardin Axis to Convert Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells to a Dysfunctional Macrophage-Like Phenotype

Objective— We previously showed that cholesterol loading in vitro converts mouse aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) from a contractile state to one resembling macrophages. In human and mouse atherosclerotic plaques, it has become appreciated that ≈40% of cells classified as macrophages by histological markers may be of VSMC origin. Therefore, we sought to gain insight into the molecular regulation of this clinically relevant process. Approach and Results— VSMC of mouse (or human) origin were incubated with cyclodextrin–cholesterol complexes for 72 hours, at which time the expression at the protein and mRNA levels of contractile-related proteins was reduced and of macrophage markers increased. Concurrent was downregulation of miR-143/145, which positively regulate the master VSMC differentiation transcription factor myocardin. Mechanisms were further probed in mouse VSMC. Maintaining the expression of myocardin or miR-143/145 prevented and reversed phenotypic changes caused by cholesterol loading. Reversal was also seen when cholesterol efflux was stimulated after loading. Notably, despite expression of macrophage markers, bioinformatic analyses showed that cholesterol-loaded cells remained closer to the VSMC state, consistent with impairment in classical macrophage functions of phagocytosis and efferocytosis. In apoE-deficient atherosclerotic plaques, cells positive for VSMC and macrophage markers were found lining the cholesterol-rich necrotic core. Conclusions— Cholesterol loading of VSMC converts them to a macrophage-appearing state by downregulating the miR-143/145–myocardin axis. Although these cells would be classified by immunohistochemistry as macrophages in human and mouse plaques, their transcriptome and functional properties imply that their contributions to atherogenesis would not be those of classical macrophages.
What about False Insights? Deconstructing the Aha! Experience along Its Multiple Dimensions for Correct and Incorrect Solutions Separately

The subjective Aha! experience that problem solvers often report when they find a solution has been taken as a marker for insight. If Aha! is closely linked to insightful solution processes, then theoretically, an Aha! should only be experienced when the correct solution is found. However, little work has explored whether the Aha! experience can also accompany incorrect solutions (“false insights”). Similarly, although the Aha! experience is not a unitary construct, little work has explored the different dimensions that have been proposed as its constituents. To address these gaps in the literature, 70 participants were presented with a set of difficult problems (37 magic tricks), and rated each of their solutions for Aha! as well as with regard to Suddenness in the emergence of the solution, Certainty of being correct, Surprise, Pleasure, Relief, and Drive. Solution times were also used as predictors for the Aha! experience. This study reports three main findings: First, false insights exist. Second, the Aha! experience is multidimensional and consists of the key components Pleasure, Suddenness and Certainty. Third, although Aha! experiences for correct and incorrect solutions share these three common dimensions, they are also experienced differently with regard to magnitude and quality, with correct solutions emerging faster, leading to stronger Aha! experiences, and higher ratings of Pleasure, Suddenness, and Certainty. Solution correctness proffered a slightly different emotional coloring to the Aha! experience, with the additional perception of Relief for correct solutions, and Surprise for incorrect ones. These results cast some doubt on the assumption that the occurrence of an Aha! experience can serve as a definitive signal that a true insight has taken place. On the other hand, the quantitative and qualitative differences in the experience of correct and incorrect solutions demonstrate that the Aha! experience is not a mere epiphenomenon. Strong Aha! experiences are clearly, but not exclusively linked to correct solutions.
Machine Learning Methods for Spamdexing Detection

In this paper, we present recent contributions for the battle against one of the main problems faced by search engines: the spamdexing or web spamming. They are malicious techniques used in web pages with the purpose of circumvent the search engines in order to achieve good visibility in search results. To better understand the problem and finding the best setup and methods to avoid such virtual plague, in this paper we present a comprehensive performance evaluation of several established machine learning techniques. In our experiments, we employed two real, public and large datasets: the WEBSPAM-UK2006 and the WEBSPAM-UK2007 collections. The samples are represented by content-based, link-based, transformed link-based features and their combinations. The found results indicate that bagging of decision trees, multilayer perceptron neural networks, random forest and adaptive boosting of decision trees are promising in the task of web spam classification.
Long-term trial of deferiprone in 51 transfusion-dependent iron overloaded patients.

Fifty-one transfusion-dependent iron-loaded adult patients (38 with thalassemia major) were treated with the orally active iron chelator deferiprone (1,2 dimethyl-3-hydroxypyrid-4-one, L1) at a dose of 75 mg/kg/d (range, 50 to 79). Twenty patients discontinued the drug and five died after a mean of 18.7 months (range, 4 to 35). Of the 20, 5 had arthropathy, 5 had gastrointestinal symptoms, 4 had a rising serum ferritin, 3 had agranulocytosis or neutropenia, 1 had tachycardia, 1 had renal failure, and 1 went abroad. Twenty-six patients continued deferiprone for a mean of 39.4 months (range, 12 to 49). Among these patients, there was no overall significant change in serum ferritin (initial mean, 2,937 microg/L; range, 980 to 5,970; final mean, 2,323 microg/L; range, 825 to 5,970) or in urine iron excretion (initial mean, 31.2 mg/24 h; range, 16.3 to 58. 2; final mean, 32.1 mg/24 h; range, 9.4 to 75.8), implying no overall change in iron stores. When the patients who had received deferiprone for longer than 3 years were considered separately, there was also no significant change in serum ferritin or urinary iron excretion. The initial serum ferritin levels in the 26 patients who continued deferiprone treatment were significantly lower than in those who discontinued the drug (P < .01). The liver iron content in 17 patients who had received deferiprone for 24 to 48 months ranged from 5.9 to 41.2 mg/g dry weight, 50% having levels above 15.0 mg, a level associated with a high risk of cardiac disease due to iron overload. In this study the drug caused fewer side effects and was more effective at maintaining iron status among patients previously well chelated and with lower initial serum ferritin levels.
Discrete Rate Interfering Cognitive Link Adaptation Design with Primary Link Spectral Efficiency Provisioning

We consider a primary and a cognitive user transmitting over a wireless fading interference channel. A discrete rate link adaptation scheme is proposed to maximize the average spectral efficiency of the cognitive radio, while a minimum average spectral efficiency for the primary user is provisioned. The discrete rate scheme for interfering transmission is devised based on two sets of modulation and coding pairs for the primary and cognitive links. The primary transmitter adapts its rate (modulation and coding) solely based on signal to interference plus noise ratio of its link; however, the cognitive transmitter influences the primary link rate by imposing a proper SINR. The adaptive modulation and coding mode selection and power control at the cognitive transmitter are optimized based on SINR of both links. The problem is then cast as a nonlinear discrete optimization problem for which a fast and efficient suboptimum solution is presented. We also present a scheme with rate adaptive and constant power cognitive radio. An important characteristic of the proposed schemes is that no computation overhead is imposed on primary radio due to cognitive radio activity. Numerical results and comparison with the interweave approach to cognitive radio demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed solutions.
C-Peptide Effects on Renal Physiology and Diabetes

The C-peptide of proinsulin is important for the biosynthesis of insulin and has for a long time been considered to be biologically inert. Animal studies have shown that some of the renal effects of the C-peptide may in part be explained by its ability to stimulate the Na,K-ATPase activity. Precisely, the C-peptide reduces diabetes-induced glomerular hyperfiltration both in animals and humans, therefore, resulting in regression of fibrosis. The tubular function is also concerned as diabetic animals supplemented with C-peptide exhibit better renal function resulting in reduced urinary sodium waste and protein excretion together with the reduction of the diabetes-induced glomerular hyperfiltration. The tubular effectors of C-peptide were considered to be tubule transporters, but recent studies have shown that biochemical pathways involving cellular kinases and inflammatory pathways may also be important. The matter theory concerning the C-peptide effects is a metabolic one involving the effects of the C-peptide on lipidic metabolic status.This review concentrates on the most convincing data which indicate that the C-peptide is a biologically active hormone for renal physiology.
Community Perceptions of Wildland Fire Risk and Fire Hazard Reduction Strategies at the Wildland ? Urban Interface in the Northeastern United States

This paper summarizes the results of a research project on community perceptions of wildland fire risk and fire hazard reduction strategies at the wildland-urban interface in the northeastern United States. The research consisted of the completion of a survey of residents and landowners within the Plymouth Pine Barrens of southeastern Massachusetts. The study area is characterized by the presence of inflammable pitch pine-scrub oak vegetation that is capable of supporting intense wildland fires on a frequent basis. The results indicate that residents have a low perception of the risk from wildland fire, but do support the use of fire hazard reduction strategies. The specific strategies include the use of prescribed fire, mechanical removal of trees and brush, and the construction of firebreaks. Respondents believe that the public should be involved in the development of fire hazard reduction plans. A major factor identified as influencing respondents’ perception of risk from wildland fire is past experience with the occurrence of wildland fire. Those who reported having experienced fires in the past felt they were at higher risk than those who did not experience fires. Level of knowledge about the use of fire hazard reduction strategies appears to be an important factor in determining level of support for the use of fire hazard reduction strategies. Respondents who reported high levels of knowledge about the use of a specific fire hazard reduction strategy indicated a higher level of support for the use of that strategy than did those who reported a low level of knowledge. Overall, respondents believe that actions should be taken to reduce fire hazard within the study area and would like to be involved in the development of fire hazard reduction plans.
Extending the use of PROMs in the NHS—using the Oxford Knee Score in patients undergoing non-operative management for knee osteoarthritis: a validation study

Objectives To assess the validity of the Oxford Knee Score (OKS) for use in patients undergoing non-operative management for their knee osteoarthritis (OA) within the National Health Service (NHS). Design Observational cohort study. Setting Single orthopaedic centre in England. Participants 134 patients undergoing non-operative management for knee OA. Main outcome measures OKS, the Intermittent and Constant Osteoarthritis Pain (ICOAP), the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Score-Physical Function Short Form (KOOS-PS), at baseline and 3-month follow-up, transition item of change at 3 months. Results The OKS summary scale and its pain and functional component subscales demonstrated good test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.93, 0.91 and 0.92, respectively) and measurement precision which, allows its use with groups of patients with knee OA (research/audit) and with individuals (clinical practice). The results in this study were consistent with a priori set hypotheses about the relationship of OKS with other validated measures (KOOS-PS, ICOAP and short form 12 (SF-12)), which provided evidence of its construct validity and responsiveness. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the structural validity of OKS. However, there was a lack of satisfactory evidence of structural validity for ICOAP and KOOS. The minimum detectable change (MDC90) was ±6 for OKS (±16 for the Pain Component Score (OKS-PCS) and ±15 for the Functional Component Score (OKS-FCS)). Minimal important changes were ≈7 for OKS (≈17 for OKS-PCS and ≈11 for OKS-FCS) and minimal important differences were ≈6 for OKS (≈14 for OKS-PCS and ≈10 for OKS-FCS). These values were also calculated for ICOAP and KOOS-PS. Conclusions The OKS summary scale, together with its pain and functional component subscales, has excellent measurement properties when used with patients with knee OA undergoing non-operative treatment and is superior to ICOAP and KOOS-PS for this purpose. This evidence provides support for the validity of the use of OKS when used across the spectrum of knee OA disease severity, both in research and clinical practice.
Elevated Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 Abundance Contributes to Increased Angiogenesis in Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1–Deficient Mice

Background— Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGFR-1/Flt-1) is a potential therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases, but its role in angiogenesis remains controversial. Whereas germline Vegfr-1−/− embryos die of abnormal vascular development in association with excessive endothelial differentiation, mice lacking only the kinase domain appear healthy. Methods and Results— We performed Cre-loxP–mediated knockout to abrogate the expression of all known VEGFR-1 functional domains in neonatal and adult mice and analyzed developmental, pathophysiological, and molecular consequences. VEGFR-1 deficiency promoted tip cell formation and endothelial cell proliferation and facilitated angiogenesis of blood vessels that matured and perfused properly. Vascular permeability was normal at the basal level but elevated in response to high doses of exogenous VEGF-A. In the postinfarct ischemic cardiomyopathy model, VEGFR-1 deficiency supported robust angiogenesis and protected against myocardial infarction. VEGFR-1 knockout led to abundant accumulation of VEGFR-2 at the protein level, increased VEGFR-2 tyrosine phosphorylation transiently, and enhanced serine phosphorylation of Akt and ERK. Interestingly, increased angiogenesis, tip cell formation, vascular permeability, VEGFR-2 accumulation, and Akt phosphorylation could be partially rescued or suppressed by one or more of the following manipulations, including injection of the VEGFR-2 selective inhibitor SU1498, anti-VEGF-A, or introduction of Vegfr-2+/− heterozygosity into Vegfr-1 somatic knockout mice. Conclusions— Upregulation of VEGFR-2 abundance at the protein level contributes in part to increased angiogenesis in VEGFR-1–deficient mice.
A laboratory evaluation framework for pedestrian navigation devices

The design of personal mobile navigation devices needs to take into account the context of use, including different types of input in order to react to changing cognitive as well as to haptic constraints. In this work we propose a laboratory evaluation framework for pedestrian navigation devices that aims to maximize the significance of results obtained in a virtual environment for later field usage. In order to increase the degree of physical motion of test users, we have designed a Virtual Environment (VE) with a treadmill-based walking interface. In order to validate our approach we present preliminary results from a study comparing over-ground walking with treadmill walking, which shows the applicability of the treadmill VE. With this work we would like to combine methodologies coming from cognitive psychology with field-study methods often used in user-interface design.
Effects of internal rheology and surface cooling on the emplacement of lava flows

[1] The emplacement dynamics of lava flows is modeled using a combination of laboratory experiments and theoretical scaling analyses for the case where a fixed volume of lava is rapidly released and spreads as a horizontal, two-dimensional flow. We focus on the processes that determine the final runout length of the lava, including the growth of a crust due to surface cooling and the presence of an internal yield strength. We show that solidifying flows with no internal yield strength first spread in slumping and viscous flow regimes, before a final regime where the yield strength of the growing crust stops the flow. We then demonstrate that solidifying flows with an internal yield strength can be stopped by either the internal yield strength or the growing crust. We also find that the yield strength of the solidified crust systematically increases with increasing internal yield strength. We illustrate our results by predicting the flow regimes of two typical lavas: a Hawaiian lava with no interior yield strength and a Mount Etna lava with an interior yield strength. In particular, we find that the crust strength stops small volume breakouts of the Mount Etna lava, while large volume breakouts are stopped by the interior yield strength.
Regulation of IgG memory responses by helper and suppressor T cells activated by the type 2 antigen, polyvinylpyrrolidone

T cells from CAF1 mice immunized with various amounts of the type 2 antigen polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were assessed for their ability to provide help to PVP-specific memory B cells for the production of IgG. Low doses (0.0025 micrograms) of PVP consistently activated helper T cells (Th), which were required for the production of IgG by primed B cells. In contrast, T cells from mice primed with higher amounts (0.25 or 25 micrograms) of PVP did not provide significant help to the same B cells for IgG production. Moreover, when mixed with B cells and low- dose PVP-primed Th, T cells from mice primed with 0.25 or 25 micrograms PVP suppressed PVP-specific IgG, but not IgM antibody responses. The suppressor cells induced by higher amounts of PVP were eliminated either by injecting cyclophosphamide (CY) before priming with PVP, or by treating the primed T cells with anti-Lyt-2.2 and C before transfer. Pretreatment of suppressor T cell (Ts) donors with CY or removal of Lyt- 2+ T cells not only eliminated Ts activity, but also unmasked significant Th activity in the T cells from high-dose PVP-primed mice. Thus, both low and high amounts of PVP can activate Th, although high amounts of PVP also induce Ts, the activity of which predominates in a normal unfractionated T cell population. The amount of PVP (0.0025 micrograms) that induces dominant help for IgG memory responses was only marginally immunogenic for induction of primary PVP-specific IgM responses, while 0.25 and 25 micrograms PVP, which induce dominant suppression for IgG memory responses, are optimally immunogenic for primary IgM responses. These results are discussed in the context of the inability of most type 2 antigens to elicit primary IgG responses or to prime memory B cells for production of IgG, responses which are dependent on the function of antigen-specific Th.
Oxidative stress and inflammation in pregnancy

Pregnancy is a period when increased oxidative stress can be expected. We have focused especially on oxidative stress and inflammation in the period of pregnancy, when prenatal screening is usually performed. We determined advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs), C‐reactive protein (CRP) and anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) IgG and IgM levels in the serum of 86 pregnant women in the 1st trimester and 102 pregnant women in the 2nd trimester. AOPP levels in the maternal serum of pregnant women were significantly higher in the 1st and 2nd trimesters than they were in that of non‐pregnant women (p<0.0001, p<0.001, respectively). Maternal serum CRP levels, too, were increased compared with those in non‐pregnant women (1st and 2nd trimester versus non‐pregnant women p<0.05, p<0.005, respectively). Just as with AOPPs and CRP, the ACA IgG levels in pregnant women were significantly higher in both trimesters than they were in non‐pregnant women (1st and 2nd trimesters versus non‐pregnant women p<0.05, p<0.001, respectively). Maternal serum CRP levels correlated positively with AOPPs in the 2nd trimester (r = 0.504, p<0.05). The increased levels of AOPPs, CRP and ACA IgG in the 1st and 2nd trimesters may reflect a maternal response to inflammatory and oxidative stress in pregnant women.
Population-Based Study of Epilepsy in Cambodia Associated Factors, Measures of Impact, Stigma, Quality of Life, Knowledge-Attitude-Practice, and Treatment Gap

Purpose Identify epilepsy-associated factors and calculate measures of impact, stigma, quality of life (QOL), knowledge-attitude-practice (KAP) and treatment gap in Prey Veng, Cambodia. Methods This first Cambodian population-based case-control study had 96 epileptologist-confirmed epilepsy cases and 192 randomly selected matched healthy controls. Standard questionnaires, which have been used in similar settings, were used for collecting data on various parameters. Univariate and multivariate regression was done to determine odds ratios. Jacoby stigma, 31-item QOL, KAP etc were determined and so were the factors associated with them using STATA software. Treatment gap was measured using direct method. Key findings Multivariate analyses yielded family history of epilepsy, difficult or long delivery, other problems beside seizures (mainly mental retardation, hyperthermia), and eventful pregnancy of the subject's mother as factors associated with epilepsy. There was high frequency of seizure precipitants esp. those related to sleep. Population attributable risk (%) was: family history (15.0), eventful pregnancy of subject's mother (14.5), long/difficult birth (6.5), and other problem beside seizures (20.0). Mean stigma (1.9±1.1, on a scale of 3) was mainly related to treatment efficacy. Mean QOL (5.0±1.4 on a scale of 10) was mainly related to treatment regularity. Cause or risk factor could be determined in 56% of cases. Treatment gap was 65.8%. Significance Factors in pre- and perinatal period were found to be most crucial for epilepsy risk in Cambodia which inturn provides major prevention opportunities. A global action plan for treatment, stigma reduction and improvement of QOL should be set-up in this country.