Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Run-time power and performance scaling with CPU-FPGA hybrids

This paper investigates how a wide dynamic range of performance and power levels can be obtained in commercially available state-of-the-art hybrid FPGAs that include ARM embedded processors and independent power domains. Adaptive voltage and frequency scaling obtained with embedded in-situ detectors in a closed loop configuration is employed to scale performance and power in the FPGA fabric under processor control. The initial results are based on a high-performance motion estimation processor mapped to the FPGA fabric and show that it is possible to obtain energy savings higher than 60% or alternatively double performance at nominal energy. The available voltage and frequency margins in the device create a large number of performance and energy states with scaling possible at run-time with low overheads.
Technology-enhanced pre-instructional peer assessment: Exploring students’ perceptions in a Statistical Methods course

There has been strong interest among higher education institution in implementing technology-enhanced peer assessment as a tool for enhancing students’ learning. However, little is known on how to use the peer assessment system in pre-instructional activities. This study aims to explore how technology-enhanced peer assessment can be embedded into pre-instructional activities to enhance students’ learning. Therefore, the present study was an explorative descriptive study that used the qualitative approach to attain the research aim. This study used a questionnaire, students’ reflections, and interview in collecting student’s perceptions toward the interventions. The results suggest that the technology-enhanced pre-instructional peer assessment helps students to prepare the new content acquisition and become a source of students’ motivation in improving their learning performance for the following main body of the lesson. A set of practical suggestions is also proposed for designing and implementing technology-enhanced pre-instructional peer assessment.
Development in Vivo CXCR4 in Fetal and Adult T Cell Growth Stimulating Factor and Its Receptor 12/Stromal Cell-Derived Factor-1/Pre-B Cell A Role of CXC Chemokine Ligand

The functions of a chemokine CXC chemokine ligand (CXCL) 12/stromal cell-derived factor-1/pre-B cell growth stimulating factor and its physiologic receptor CXCR4 in T cell development are controversial. In this study, we have genetically further characterized their roles in fetal and adult T cell development using mutant and chimeric mice. In CXCL12 (cid:1) / (cid:1) or CXCR4 (cid:1) / (cid:1) embryos on a C57BL/6 background, accumulation of T cell progenitors in the outer mesenchymal layer of the thymus anlage during initial colonization of the fetal thymus was comparable with that seen in wild-type embryos. However, the expansion of CD3 (cid:1) CD4 (cid:1) CD8 (cid:1) triple-negative T cell precursors at the CD44 (cid:1) CD25 (cid:2) and CD44 (cid:1) CD25 (cid:1) stages, and CD4 (cid:2) CD8 (cid:2) double-positive thymocytes was affected during embryogenesis in these mutants. In radiation chimeras competitively repopulated with CXCR4 (cid:1) / (cid:1) fetal liver cells, the reduction in donor-derived thymocytes compared with wild-type chimeras was much more severe than the reduction in donor-derived myeloid lineage cells in bone marrow. Triple negative CD44 (cid:2) CD25 (cid:2) T cell precursors exhibited survival response to CXCL12 in the presence of stem cell factor as well as migratory response to CXCL12. Thus, it may be that CXCL12 and CXCR4 are involved in the expansion of T cell precursors in both fetal and adult thymus in vivo. Finally, enforced expression of bcl-2 did not rescue impaired T cell development in CXCR4 (cid:1) / (cid:1) embryos or impaired reconstitution of CXCR4 (cid:1) / (cid:1) thymocytes in competitively repopulated mice, suggesting that defects in T cell development caused by CXCR4 mutation are not caused by reduced expression of bcl-2. The Journal of Immunology, 2003, 170: 4649–4655.
N-acetyl galactosamine-conjugated antisense drug to APOC3 mRNA, triglycerides and atherogenic lipoprotein levels

Abstract Aims Elevated apolipoprotein C-III (apoC-III) levels are associated with hypertriglyceridaemia and coronary heart disease. AKCEA-APOCIII-LRx is an N-acetyl galactosamine-conjugated antisense oligonucleotide targeted to the liver that selectively inhibits apoC-III protein synthesis. Methods and results The safety, tolerability, and efficacy of AKCEA-APOCIII-LRx was assessed in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation Phase 1/2a study in healthy volunteers (ages 18–65) with triglyceride levels ≥90 or ≥200 mg/dL. Single-dose cohorts were treated with 10, 30, 60, 90, and 120 mg subcutaneously (sc) and multiple-dose cohorts were treated with 15 and 30 mg weekly sc for 6 weeks or 60 mg every 4 weeks sc for 3 months. In the single-dose cohorts treated with 10, 30, 60, 90, or 120 mg of AKCEA-APOCIII-LRx, median reductions of 0, −42%, −73%, −81%, and −92% in apoC-III, and −12%, −7%, −42%, −73%, and −77% in triglycerides were observed 14 days after dosing. In multiple-dose cohorts of 15 and 30 mg weekly and 60 mg every 4 weeks, median reductions of −66%, −84%, and −89% in apoC-III, and −59%, −73%, and −66% in triglycerides were observed 1 week after the last dose. Significant reductions in total cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and increases in HDL-C were also observed. AKCEA-APOCIII-LRx was well tolerated with one injection site reaction of mild erythema, and no flu-like reactions, platelet count reductions, liver, or renal safety signals. Conclusion Treatment of hypertriglyceridaemic subjects with AKCEA-APOCIII-LRx results in a broad improvement in the atherogenic lipid profile with a favourable safety and tolerability profile. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02900027.
The Computational Hardness of Estimating Edit Distance

We prove the first nontrivial communication complexity lower bound for the problem of estimating the edit distance (aka Levenshtein distance) between two strings. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first computational setting in which the complexity of estimating the edit distance is provably larger than that of Hamming distance. Our lower bound exhibits a trade-off between approximation and communication, asserting, for example, that protocols with $O(1)$ bits of communication can obtain only approximation $\alpha\geq\Omega(\log d/\log\log d)$, where $d$ is the length of the input strings. This case of $O(1)$ communication is of particular importance since it captures constant-size sketches as well as embeddings into spaces like $l_1$ and squared-$l_2$, two prevailing algorithmic approaches for dealing with edit distance. Indeed, the known nontrivial communication upper bounds are all derived from embeddings into $l_1$. By excluding low-communication protocols for edit distance, we rule out a strictly richer class of algorithms than previous results. Furthermore, our lower bound holds not only for strings over a binary alphabet but also for strings that are permutations (aka the Ulam metric). For this case, our bound nearly matches an upper bound known via embedding the Ulam metric into $l_1$. Our proof uses a new technique that relies on Fourier analysis in a rather elementary way.
Acute Exercise Improves Insulin Clearance and Increases the Expression of Insulin-Degrading Enzyme in the Liver and Skeletal Muscle of Swiss Mice

The effects of exercise on insulin clearance and IDE expression are not yet fully elucidated. Here, we have explored the effect of acute exercise on insulin clearance and IDE expression in lean mice. Male Swiss mice were subjected to a single bout of exercise on a speed/angle controlled treadmill for 3-h at approximately 60–70% of maximum oxygen consumption. As expected, acute exercise reduced glycemia and insulinemia, and increased insulin tolerance. The activity of AMPK-ACC, but not of IR-Akt, pathway was increased in the liver and skeletal muscle of trained mice. In an apparent contrast to the reduced insulinemia, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was increased in isolated islets of these mice. However, insulin clearance was increased after acute exercise and was accompanied by increased expression of the insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE), in the liver and skeletal muscle. Finally, C2C12, but not HEPG2 cells, incubated at different concentrations of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-d-ribofuranoside (AICAR) for 3-h, showed increased expression of IDE. In conclusion, acute exercise increases insulin clearance, probably due to an augmentation of IDE expression in the liver and skeletal muscle. The elevated IDE expression, in the skeletal muscle, seems to be mediated by activation of AMPK-ACC pathway, in response to exercise. We believe that the increase in the IDE expression, comprise a safety measure to maintain glycemia at or close to physiological levels, turning physical exercise more effective and safe.
Corrective feedback and learner uptake in selected Iranian EFL classrooms

Considering the well-proven benefits of participation in communicative interactions and the incorporation of focus on form instruction into communicative classes, this study investigates how frequently reactive focus on form is employed in communicatively oriented English as Foreign Language classes (EFL). Despite the extensive number of empirical studies on the type, rate, and effectiveness of planned reactive focus on form, incidental focus on form in general has not enjoyed this much attention in EFL contexts, and an investigation of their frequency and effectiveness is almost missing from the literature on focus on form studies. In this concern, the present study expands current accounts of focus on form instruction by investigating the role of reactive Focus on Form Episodes (FFEs) in raising students’ awareness and noticing of linguistic items in EFL settings. This study investigates the connection between teachers’ incidental focus on form: namely, reactive focus on form and learners’ uptake and immediate repair of errors in communicative EFL classrooms for adults. Moreover, the study examines the linguistic focus of FFEs, i.e., vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. The data is drawn from transcripts of oral corrective feedback moves of 10 audio and video-recorded classrooms at intermediate level totaling 60 hours. Ten teachers, experienced and less-experienced,participated in this study. This study is a descriptive type which employs qualitative data collection procedures methods, quantitative data are also collected to complement the qualitative one. The results reveal a significant difference in the ratio of uptake following certain corrective feedback types. In addition, some new types of incidental focus on form have been discovered in EFL classrooms which are named as: integrated feedback and ancillary feedback by the researcher. There is also a meaningful difference of experienced and less-experienced teachers’ beliefs in using different types of corrective feedback in their classes. The results show that experienced teachers use incidental focus on form techniques more frequently than their counterparts. Furthermore,teachers’ beliefs and their self-reported practices were explored through a questionnaire. This study supports the notion that conducting activities which can integrate a focus on form into L2 communicative activities can contribute to learning a foreign language in terms of both accuracy and fluency. Possible reasons are discussed from different aspects of learners’ age, their motivation, and instructional settings. This study finally aims to focus on the EFL teachers’ awareness to make accurate decisions on integrating different types of incidental focus on form practices with communicative methodology.
Body Mass Index, Weight Change, and Risk of Prostate Cancer in the Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort

Background: Obesity has been associated with aggressive prostate cancer. The extent of this association, which varies by stage and grade, remains unclear. The role of recent weight change had not been previously examined. Methods: We examined body mass index (BMI) and weight change in relation to incident prostate cancer by disease stage and grade at diagnosis among 69,991 men in the Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort. Participants provided information on height and weight in 1982, and again at enrollment in 1992. During follow-up through June 30, 2003 (excluding the first 2 years of follow-up), we documented 5,252 incident prostate cancers. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate rate ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results: The association between BMI in 1992 and risk of prostate cancer differed by stage and grade at diagnosis. BMI was inversely associated with risk of nonmetastatic low-grade prostate cancer (RR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.66-1.06), but BMI was positively associated with risk of nonmetastatic high-grade prostate cancer (RR, 1.22; 95% CI, 0.96-1.55) and risk of metastatic or fatal prostate cancer (RR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.06-2.23). Compared with weight maintenance, men who lost >11 pounds between 1982 and 1992 were at a decreased risk of nonmetastatic high-grade prostate cancer (RR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.42-0.79). Conclusion: Obesity increases the risk of more aggressive prostate cancer and may decrease either the occurrence or the likelihood of diagnosis of less-aggressive tumors. Men who lose weight may reduce their risk of prostate cancer. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(1):63–9)
When antecedent becomes consequent: An examination of the temporal order of job dissatisfaction and verbal aggression exposure in a longitudinal study

ABSTRACT Past research has traditionally examined stressors as predictors and strains as outcomes. However, some recent research has found evidence of reverse causality between various stressors and strains, demonstrating that the relationship between these types of variables may extend beyond the traditional stressor-strain framework. The current study builds upon this past research by examining the temporal direction of the relationship between verbal aggression exposure and job satisfaction. Specifically, through the lens of emotional contagion theory, we suggest that low levels of job satisfaction in employees are detectable by others, which in turn leads them to engage in verbal aggression directed toward those employees. To test this postulation, 309 emergency medical professionals completed surveys that assessed verbal aggression exposure and job satisfaction across three time points. Results of cross-lagged structural equation model tests showed a significant job satisfaction to verbal aggression path over time, but a nonsignificant verbal aggression to job satisfaction path over time. Additionally, results support the postulation that job satisfaction leads to physical strain outcomes through verbal aggression exposure. Overall, results suggest that job satisfaction may serve as a predictor of verbal aggression exposure rather than a result within high stakes environments such as the emergency medical services.
Microscopic modelling of the non-linear gap junction channels

The usual way to model the propagation of the action potential through the cardiac tissue is to assume passive diffusive intracellular and extracellular domains, and ion channel dynamics on the cells' membrane. Gap junctions (GJ) are localised clusters of gap junction channels (GJCs) that connects electrically adjacent cells. The importance of GJCs and their modifications in the signal propagation has been demonstrated in the experimental studies (e.g. Beauchamp et al 2012). But, in the current mathematical models the behaviour of the GJCs is either neglected or assumed to be passive, i.e the conductance of GJCs is taken as a steady constant. On the other hand, the experimental results, obtained by the dual-voltage clamp technique, show that GJCs are time and voltage dependent. Here we focus on describing ventricular GJCs made of connexin Cx43 and Cx45. We use the Hodgkin-Huxley formalism to describe GJC conductance via one gating variable. We incorporate the non-linear GJC voltage dependence into the microscopic model of the tissue as a new boundary condition on specific parts of the cells' membranes.
Developing the Use of Quality Indicators in Sterilization Practices

Background: Health-care-associated infections are a major threat to the safety of patient care. Control of such problem is a major criterion for hospital accreditation. This study was aimed to determine the developing use of chemical (class 6 products) and biological indicators in Tabriz district hospitals since 1997 to 2011. Methods: We conducted this time-trend interventional study with all of the public and private hospitals, which counted to 21 in Tabriz district as a sample. The situations of indicator use were presented for each time in the base of indicator groups. Furthermore, the results were showed in the base of hospital groups. Results: All of district hospital (n=21) with 74 autoclave machine and 22 central sterilization room were studied. The result of second time study in 2008 showed a markedly improvement in the control of sterilization processes. Furthermore, we continued our intervention results 6 month later in 2009 and 2 years later in 2011. The most striking result were use of chemical indicator in 100% of hospitals. However, there are defects in the use of biological indicators (63.65%). Conclusion: The most obvious finding was significant improvement in sterilization control especially in development the use of chemical indicators. The finding of this study has a number of important implications for hospital managers and infection control practitioners such as continuous practical training of CSSD personnel in hospitals and mandating of indicator using in all sterilization process with controlling of this subject in evaluation and accreditation of hospital programs.
Targeting of the MYCN Protein with Small Molecule c-MYC Inhibitors

Members of the MYC family are the most frequently deregulated oncogenes in human cancer and are often correlated with aggressive disease and/or poorly differentiated tumors. Since patients with MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma have a poor prognosis, targeting MYCN using small molecule inhibitors could represent a promising therapeutic approach. We have previously demonstrated that the small molecule 10058-F4, known to bind to the c-MYC bHLHZip dimerization domain and inhibiting the c-MYC/MAX interaction, also interferes with the MYCN/MAX dimerization in vitro and imparts anti-tumorigenic effects in neuroblastoma tumor models with MYCN overexpression. Our previous work also revealed that MYCN-inhibition leads to mitochondrial dysfunction resulting in accumulation of lipid droplets in neuroblastoma cells. To expand our understanding of how small molecules interfere with MYCN, we have now analyzed the direct binding of 10058-F4, as well as three of its analogs; #474, #764 and 10058-F4(7RH), one metabolite C-m/z 232, and a structurally unrelated c-MYC inhibitor 10074-G5, to the bHLHZip domain of MYCN. We also assessed their ability to induce apoptosis, neurite outgrowth and lipid accumulation in neuroblastoma cells. Interestingly, all c-MYC binding molecules tested also bind MYCN as assayed by surface plasmon resonance. Using a proximity ligation assay, we found reduced interaction between MYCN and MAX after treatment with all molecules except for the 10058-F4 metabolite C-m/z 232 and the non-binder 10058-F4(7RH). Importantly, 10074-G5 and 10058-F4 were the most efficient in inducing neuronal differentiation and lipid accumulation in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cells. Together our data demonstrate MYCN-binding properties for a selection of small molecules, and provide functional information that could be of importance for future development of targeted therapies against MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma.
A TinyOS-Based Wireless Neural Sensing, Archiving, and Hosting System

We have designed and tested a comprehensive wireless neural recording system. The system amplifies, digitally encodes, transmits, archives, hosts, and displays multiple channels of neural recordings from any number of un-tethered test subjects. The neural transmitter and receiver are modified TinyOS-based MICAz wireless sensor nodes that can sample, transmit, and receive neural data real-time at a rate of 44.8 kbps while consuming less than 100 mW of power. This data rate can be divided for recording on up to eight channels, with a resolution of up to 10 bits per sample. An archive server records the neural signals received by the Ethernet-based gateway receivers, and hosts them to browser-based clients over the Internet. This work demonstrates the viability of the TinyOS-based sensor technology as a foundation for chronic remote biological monitoring applications, and demonstrated a system architecture that can actively leverage advancements in distributed sensing, networking, and communications technologies
Molecular Modeling and Imaging of Initial Stages of Cellulose Fibril Assembly: Evidence for a Disordered Intermediate Stage

The remarkable mechanical strength of cellulose reflects the arrangement of multiple β-1,4-linked glucan chains in a para-crystalline fibril. During plant cellulose biosynthesis, a multimeric cellulose synthesis complex (CSC) moves within the plane of the plasma membrane as many glucan chains are synthesized from the same end and in close proximity. Many questions remain about the mechanism of cellulose fibril assembly, for example must multiple catalytic subunits within one CSC polymerize cellulose at the same rate? How does the cellulose fibril bend to align horizontally with the cell wall? Here we used mathematical modeling to investigate the interactions between glucan chains immediately after extrusion on the plasma membrane surface. Molecular dynamics simulations on groups of six glucans, each originating from a position approximating its extrusion site, revealed initial formation of an uncrystallized aggregate of chains from which a protofibril arose spontaneously through a ratchet mechanism involving hydrogen bonds and van der Waals interactions between glucose monomers. Consistent with the predictions from the model, freeze-fracture transmission electron microscopy using improved methods revealed a hemispherical accumulation of material at points of origination of apparent cellulose fibrils on the external surface of the plasma membrane where rosette-type CSCs were also observed. Together the data support the possibility that a zone of uncrystallized chains on the plasma membrane surface buffers the predicted variable rates of cellulose polymerization from multiple catalytic subunits within the CSC and acts as a flexible hinge allowing the horizontal alignment of the crystalline cellulose fibrils relative to the cell wall.
Electrochemical deposition of metals onto silicon

The general concepts governing the electrochemical deposition of metal films onto semiconductors are discussed. Deposition onto semiconductor surfaces is complicated due to the band structure of the semiconductor, which affects both the thermodynamics and the kinetics of metal deposition processes. The influence of the potential distribution at the semiconductor/solution interface on the charge transfer mechanisms involved in deposition of metals is discussed. Models for electrochemical nucleation and growth are described and the influence of the unique physical properties of semiconductors is analysed. Finally, we present recent results for electrochemical deposition of gold, copper and platinum onto n-type silicon.