Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A comparison of less flexibility first principles with simulated annealing

VLSI module packing problem has been well studied for many years. Most of the researches in this field focused on topological representations that could be evaluated under the well-known simulated annealing (SA) framework. In 2001, a novel approach called the less flexibility first algorithm was proposed and proved to be both effective and efficient. However, as technology advances, the floorplanning problem is becoming more complicated and both the SA-based and LFF-based approaches are facing new challenges. In this paper, by analyzing the properties of each algorithm and the gaps in experiment results, we show that LFF is capable of generating area optimal results in shorter time in outline-free floorplanning and getting higher success rate in fixed-outline floorplanning, while SA is capable of generating results with better wire length. We also believe that an integration of LFF with SA is feasible to further improve the solution quality
Influence of Fluid Shear and Microbubbles on Bacterial Detachment from a Surface

ABSTRACT Prevention of microbial adhesion and detachment of adhering microorganisms from surfaces is important in many environmental, industrial, and medical applications. Fluid shear is an obvious parameter for stimulating microbial detachment from surfaces, but recently it has been pointed out that a passing air-liquid interface also has potential in stimulating microbial detachment. In the present study, the ability of microbubbles to stimulate detachment of bacterial strains from a glass surface is compared with the effects of fluid flow. Adhesion and detachment of Actinomyces naeslundii T14V-J1, Streptococcus oralis J22, and their coadhering aggregates were studied on glass, mounted in a parallel plate flow chamber. High fluid wall shear rates (11,000 to 16,000 s−1) were established in a laminar flow regime in the absence and presence of microbubbles. Wall shear rates stimulated detachment ranging from 70% to 30% for S. oralis and A. naeslundii, respectively. Coadhering aggregates were detached up to 54%. The presence of microbubbles in the flow increased the detachment of A. naeslundii within 2 min of flow from 40% in the absence of microbubbles to 98%, while detachment of neither S. oralis nor coadhering aggregates was affected by the presence of microbubbles. In summary, extremely high fluid flows can be effective in stimulating microbial detachment, depending on the strain involved. The addition of microbubbles to the flow allows the detachment of tenaciously adhering bacteria not detached by flow alone, but not of adhering coaggregates.
Sick sinus syndrome: a family study

Abstract A case of related individuals affected by sick sinus syndrome is presented in this study. The clinical and electrocardiographic signs of sinus node dysfunction and the most common causes of this disease are presented. Subsequently, the article includes descriptions of sinus node disease in three related children as well as details of the disease in their relatives. A literature review of the genetics of familial sinus node dysfunction concludes the study.
A Study of the Effect of Online News Consumption on Political Polarization and Deliberative Democracy

This paper examines the effect that the Internet and online news consumption has had on American society. It looks first at the number and types of people who use the Web. These are the individuals liable to be impacted by online news consumption. The study then looks at the factors that control Internet users’ acquisition of information. These gatekeepers, as they are referred to here, play a role in determining the impact of online news consumption. At last, the study examines what exactly this effect is, showing that homophilous social networks and incivility online have limited the capacity for serious democratic deliberation and contributed to political polarization.
Ground Moving Target Indication in SAR Images by Symmetric Defocusing

A new algorithm is presented to indicate ground moving targets in synthetic aperture radar images. Two filters, which differ only in the signs of the phase responses, are used to defocus the complex image respectively. In the two defocused images, each stationary target is blurred to the same extent, but each moving target is blurred to different extents. Therefore, moving targets can be indicated by the patch-by-patch sharpness comparison of the two defocused images. The results of the simulated and real data show that this algorithm is effective and efficient.
On the formulation of the image reconstruction problem in magnetic particle imaging

Abstract In magnetic particle imaging (MPI), the spatial distribution of magnetic nanoparticles is determined by applying various static and dynamic magnetic fields. Due to the complex physical behavior of the nanoparticles, it is challenging to determine the MPI system matrix in practice. Since the first publication on MPI in 2005, different methods that rely on measurements or simulations for the determination of the MPI system matrix have been proposed. Some methods restrict the simulation to an idealized model to speed up data reconstruction by exploiting the structure of an idealized MPI system matrix. Recently, a method that processes the measurement data in x-space rather than frequency space has been proposed. In this work, we compare the different approaches for image reconstruction in MPI and show that the x-space and the frequency space reconstruction techniques are equivalent.
Informal and Formal Financial Resources and Small Business Resilience to Disasters

The following article examines the impact of Hurricane Katrina on small business success and adaptation. Small business success is characterized as increased revenues when compared to pre-disaster levels. Adaptation is characterized as post-Katrina changes to business infrastructure. A multivariate probit with sample selection allows the empirical analysis to account for the simultaneity of changes in revenue and adaptation and also sample selection bias introduced through business demise. The results suggest the importance of pre-disaster mitigation and adaptation activities as well as the effectiveness of formal financial resources in supporting adaptation. Informal financial resources are found to be largely ineffective.
The impact of referees on match outcomes in professional sports: Evidence from the German Football Bundesliga

Using data from German 1 st Bundesliga from season 1993/94 till season 2007/08 we examine whether referees in football have signicant individual inuence on match results or outcomes like goals, penalties, yellow and red cards. This study contributes research on referee bias in football. Here, we show that not only a
Retrieval of ammonia from ground-based FTIR solar spectra

We present a retrieval method for ammonia (NH3) total columns from ground-based Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) observations. Observations from Bremen (53.10 N, 8.85 E), Lauder (45.04 S, 169.68 E), Reunion (20.9 S, 55.50 E) and Jungfraujoch (46.55 N, 7.98 E) were used to illustrate the capabilities of the method. NH3 mean total columns ranging 3 orders of magnitude were ob- tained, with higher values at Bremen (mean of 13:47 10 15 molecules cm 2 ) and lower values at Jungfraujoch (mean of 0:18 10 15 molecules cm 2 /. In conditions with high surface concentrations of ammonia, as in Bremen, it is possible to retrieve information on the vertical gradient, as two layers can be distinguished. The retrieval there is most sensitive to ammonia in the planetary boundary layer, where the trace gas concentration is highest. For conditions with low concentrations, only the total column can be re- trieved. Combining the systematic and random errors we have a mean total error of 26 % for all spectra measured at Bremen (number of spectra (N)D 554), 30 % for all spec- tra from Lauder (ND 2412), 25 % for spectra from Reunion (ND 1262) and 34 % for spectra measured at Jungfraujoch (ND 2702). The error is dominated by the systematic uncer- tainties in the spectroscopy parameters. Station-specific sea- sonal cycles were found to be consistent with known seasonal cycles of the dominant ammonia sources in the station sur- roundings. The developed retrieval methodology from FTIR instruments provides a new way of obtaining highly time- resolved measurements of ammonia burdens. FTIR-NH3 ob- servations will be useful for understanding the dynamics of ammonia concentrations in the atmosphere and for satellite and model validation. It will also provide additional infor- mation to constrain the global ammonia budget.
Decompressive craniectomy and cranioplasty: experience and outcomes in deployed UK military personnel

Abstract Object: In recent conflicts, many UK personnel sustained head injuries requiring damage-control surgery and aeromedical transfer to the UK. This study aims to examine indications, complications and outcomes of UK military casualties undergoing craniectomy and cranioplasty from conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Methods: The UK military Joint Theatre Trauma Registry (JTTR) was searched for all UK survivors in Afghanistan and Iraq between 2004 and 2014 requiring craniectomy and cranioplasty resulting from trauma. Results: Fourteen decompressive craniectomies and cranioplasties were performed with blast and gunshot wounds equally responsible for head injury. Ten survivors (71%) had an Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 75, normally designated as ‘unsurvivable’. Most were operated on the day of injury. Seventy-one percent received a reverse question mark incision and 7% received a bicoronal incision. Seventy-nine percent had bone flaps discarded. Overall infection rate was 43%. Acinetobacter spp was the causative organism in 50% of cases. Median Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at final follow-up was 4. All casualties had a GOS score greater than 3. Conclusions: Timely neurosurgical intervention is imperative for military personnel given high survival rates in those sustaining what are designated ‘un-survivable’ injuries. Early decompression facilitates safe aeromedical evacuation of casualties. Excellent outcomes validate the UK military trauma system and the stepwise performance gains throughout recent conflicts however trauma registers most evolving to have specific relevance to military casualties. In high-energy trauma with contamination and soft-tissue destruction, surgery should be conducted with regard for future soft tissue reconstruction. Bone flaps should be discarded and cranioplasty performed according to local preference. Facilities receiving military casualties should have specialist microbiological input mindful of the difficulties treating unusual microbes.
Prospective study of risk factors for development of non-insulin dependent diabetes in middle aged British men

Abstract Objective: To determine the risk factors for non-insulin dependent diabetes in a cohort representative of middle aged British men. Design: Prospective study. Subjects and setting: 7735 men aged 40-59, drawn from one group practice in each of 24 towns in Britain. Known and probable cases of diabetes at screening (n=158) were excluded. Main outcome measures: Non-insulin dependent diabetes (doctor diagnosed) over a mean follow up period of 12.8 years. Results: There were 194 new cases of non-insulin dependent diabetes. Body mass index was the dominant risk factor for diabetes, with an age adjusted relative risk (upper fifth to lower fifth) of 11.6; 95% confidence interval 5.4 to 16.8. Men engaged in moderate levels of physical activity had a substantially reduced risk of diabetes, relative to the physically inactive men, after adjustment for age and body mass index (0.4; 0.2 to 0.7), an association which persisted in full multivariate analysis. A non-linear relation between alcohol intake and diabetes was observed, with the lowest risk among moderate drinkers (16-42 units/week) relative to the baseline group of occasional drinkers (0.6; 0.4 to 1.0). Additional significant predictors of diabetes in multivariate analysis included serum triglyceride concentration, high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration (inverse association), heart rate, uric acid concentration, and prevalent coronary heart disease. Conclusion: These findings emphasise the interrelations between risk factors for non-insulin dependent diabetes and coronary heart disease and the potential value of an integrated approach to the prevention of these conditions based on the prevention of obesity and the promotion of physical activity. Key messages Key messages This study shows a strong, graded association between body mass index and risk of diabetes in middle aged men, with no evidence of a threshold effect The risk of diabetes is reduced by more than 50% among men who take moderately vigorous exercise Cardiovascular disease risk factors that are linked with insulin resistance, such as hypertriglyceridaemia and hyperuricaemia, predict non-insulin dependent diabetes These findings support an integrated approach to the prevention of non-insulin dependent diabetes and cardiovascular disease based on the prevention of obesity and the promotion of physical activity
Reinventing the left? : the third way and New Zealand's fifth Labour governments

This thesis analyses the emergence of the 'third way' and the policy approaches implemented by the Labour-led Governments elected at the 1999 and 2002 New Zealand General Elections. Evaluating Anthony Giddens' claims that the third way is the 'renewal of social democracy' which is, therefore, 'unequivocally a politics of the left' is the first aim. Assessing whether New Zealand's fifth Labour Governments could make the same claims is the second objective. Thus the thesis contributes to debates about the contemporary meaning of 'social democracy' and 'the left'. It is contended that the definitive feature of 'the left' is a genuine commitment to the reduction of existing social inequality. Based on this criterion, it is explained that neither Giddens' third way, nor any other manifestation of 'the' third way, can be legitimately regarded as the 'renewal of social democracy'. Similarly, the thesis asserts that to regard the policy approaches of the fifth Labour Governments as an accurate reflection of a contemporary politics of 'the left' amounts to the excessive dilution of the aspirations of 'the left'.
Haploinsufficiency‐based large‐scale forward genetic analysis of filamentous growth in the diploid human fungal pathogen C.albicans

Candida albicans is the most prevalent human fungal pathogen. Here, we take advantage of haploinsufficiency and transposon mutagenesis to perform large‐scale loss‐of‐function genetic screen in this organism. We identified mutations in 146 genes that affect the switch between its single‐cell (yeast) form and filamentous forms of growth; this switch appears central to the virulence of C.albicans. The encoded proteins include those involved in nutrient sensing, signal transduction, transcriptional control, cytoskeletal organization and cell wall construction. Approxim ately one‐third of the genes identified in the screen lack homologs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and other model organisms and thus constitute candidate antifungal drug targets. These results illustrate the value of performing forward genetic studies in bona fide pathogens.
Local Hydrogel Release of Recombinant TIMP-3 Attenuates Adverse Left Ventricular Remodeling After Experimental Myocardial Infarction

Delivery of a hydrogel providing sustained release of recombinant TIMP-3 attenuated adverse ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction in pigs. Hydrogel-Inhibitor Combo Stops Heart Damage After a heart attack, or myocardial infarction (MI), the heart tries to repair itself. This natural process is well intentioned but results in infarct expansion, scar formation, and, in turn, reduced heart function. To prevent such adverse remodeling, Eckhouse and colleagues designed an injectable hydrogel that inhibits the activity of enzymes directly involved in tissue repair. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are enzymes that are activated in heart tissue after MI. The authors encapsulated TIMP-3 (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3) in hyaluronic acid hydrogels. The gel/TIMP-3 combo or a control gel without the inhibitor was injected into the hearts of pigs after a heart attack. Weeks later, heart function, inflammation, and remodeling were evaluated. Animals administered the hydrogel with TIMP-3 had improved heart function [as determined by the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)], improved LV geometry, and reduced infarct size. This local delivery mechanism could be used in the context of surgery, such as during coronary revascularization after a heart attack. Because it has been tested in pigs—which have similar heart anatomy to humans—and because other hydrogels, like alginate, have been tested in the human heart before, it is possible that this gel-inhibitor combination therapy could advance to clinical trials in the near future. An imbalance between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs) contributes to the left ventricle (LV) remodeling that occurs after myocardial infarction (MI). However, translation of these observations into a clinically relevant, therapeutic strategy remains to be established. The present study investigated targeted TIMP augmentation through regional injection of a degradable hyaluronic acid hydrogel containing recombinant TIMP-3 (rTIMP-3) in a large animal model. MI was induced in pigs by coronary ligation. Animals were then randomized to receive targeted hydrogel/rTIMP-3, hydrogel alone, or saline injection and followed for 14 days. Instrumented pigs with no MI induction served as referent controls. Multimodal imaging (fluoroscopy/echocardiography/magnetic resonance imaging) revealed that LV ejection fraction was improved, LV dilation was reduced, and MI expansion was attenuated in the animals treated with rTIMP-3 compared to all other controls. A marked reduction in proinflammatory cytokines and increased smooth muscle actin content indicative of myofibroblast proliferation occurred in the MI region with hydrogel/rTIMP-3 injections. These results provide the first proof of concept that regional sustained delivery of an MMP inhibitor can effectively interrupt adverse post-MI remodeling.
Search space pruning by evolving probabilistic strategies

A famous application of Genetic Algorithms (GA) is evolving strategies, pioneered by Axelrod's Prisoner's dilemma experiment. This paper aims to explore two new techniques for evolving playing strategies relative to that of Axelrod. The three techniques have been tested by a very challenging game: Rock-paper-scissors-lizard-spock. The proposed techniques evolve a probabilistic choice. In the first proposed technique the history is completely disregarded. The chromosome size is shortened by 99% relative to Axelrod's. The second proposed technique is a compromise between Axelrod's and the later probabilistic technique. Still the chromosome size is shortened by more than 95%. Results show that the hybrid strategy was the only one that could win all other strategies, the probabilistic technique comes next. Finally, processing requirements considering memory consumption and cpu utilization time are investigated.
The Burden of Excessive “Linking Social Capital”: Evidence from Four Vietnamese Provinces

This article analyses the relationship between vulnerable households and local authorities during floods using the concept of linking social capital. The analysis combines a narrow operationalisation that measures the stock of linking social capital in vulnerable communities, with a broader operationalisation that seeks to address the nature of linking social capital. The empirical data, collected across four provinces in Central and North Vietnam, suggests that while a substantial stock of social linking capital exists in the vulnerable communities concerned, the nature of the relationship between the communities and local authorities during floods is characterised by top-down linkages and limited community autonomy. These linkages appear to be susceptible to social inertia during times of stress. They also undermine the development and reproduction of strong bonding and bridging social capital.
Positioning with IEEE 802.11b wireless LAN

This paper presents the design and implementation of a local positioning prototype. The prototype implements received signal power level based positioning on IEEE 802.11b wireless LAN (WLAN) platform. In addition to a WLAN adapter, the prototype includes a host PC, which runs a positioning application. The application computes and displays position estimates on the basis of measurements performed by the WLAN adapter. A signal propagation model and an extended Kalman filter are used for enhancing the position estimates. With the used WLAN hardware, the mean absolute error of positioning was measured to be 2.6 m.
Regional Cerebral Distribution of [Tc‐99m] Hexylmethylpropylene Amineoxine in Patients With Progressive Aphasia

Progressive aphasia is a prominent clinical feature of several neurodegenerative disorders. This study used hexylmethylpropylene amineoxine (HMPAO) single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to estimate blood flow in areas of the brain that mediate language in patients with progressive aphasia and matched control subjects. The patient population consisted of four men and 12 women with a mean ± SD age of 69.1 ± 7.6. Of these, eight were classified as having a nonfluent form of aphasia, whereas the other eight had a fluent form. The patients were compared to 16 healthy volunteers who were studied with an identical protocol. The SPECT images of the brain were acquired with 740 MBq (20 mCi) of Tc‐99m‐labeled HMPAO on a triple‐headed γ camera equipped with fan beam collimators. The images were analyzed with a set of standardized templates. Mean counts per pixel in 33 regions of interest were compared to the mean counts in the whole supratentorial brain. A laterality index was determined for homotopic regions using the equation 100 x (R ‐ L)/(1/2 x (R ‐ L)). Patients with progressive aphasia had several regions of significantly decreased HMPAO uptake in the left cortex when compared to the homotopic regions on the right. The most prominent deficit in the nonfluent group, as determined by the laterality index, were found in the left dorsolateral prefrontal region (p < 0.05), whereas the most prominent deficits in the group with fluent aphasia were found in the left temporal and parietal language centers (p < 0.05). The left subcortical nuclei were differentially affected, particularly in patients with nonfluent aphasia. The HMPAO SPECT indicates that multiple regions of the left hemisphere are dysfunctional in patients with progressive aphasia. The pattern of perfusion deficits in patients with fluent aphasia appears to be distinct from the pattern in patients with nonfluent aphasia.