Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamic parallel reconfiguration for self-adaptive hardware architectures

Adaptive Hardware Systems can rely on software or hardware adaptation. Software adaptation can be globally assimilated to mode switching, either at a technological or hardware level (DVFS, Idle processor mode .), or at the application level (bandwidth adaptation in telecommunication, multispectral cameras, .). Hardware adaptation corresponds to a deeper change in the internal organization of the computing architecture of an embedded system. It enables more powerful adaptation but is currently limited by the reconfiguration (tool and architecture) of today's FPGA devices. We present in this paper a multi-FPGA platform designed to exhibit unique computing capabilities. The joint design of the electronic board and the internal architecture of each reconfigurable device permits dynamic parallel (and not partial) reconfiguration of several parts of the system while maintaining global routing and local computation in the rest of the system. Dynamic parallel reconfiguration and technological independence are enabled by considering reconfiguration at coarse grain. We describe in the paper the hardware elements composing the platform. The specific design of the global system allowed us to reach a fully operational platform. We present statistical experiments to evaluate the inter-chip network capacity which show that our platform supports up to 18 parallel reconfigurations per second.
Categories of Perception for Vibrato, Flange, and Stereo Chorus

Vibrato, Flange, and Stereo Chorus are perhaps the three most often used digital audio effects that are created by smoothly modulating the duration of a delay line at typically sub-audio rates. Common practice is to use a periodic or quasi-periodic modulation control signal with frequency roughly between 2 and 9 Hz, and both the rate and depth of delay modulation are typically adjusted according to the aesthetic criteria of a performer or by an audio production engineer. In order to establish norms for the musically useful range of modulation rate and depth for such delay-based effects, 25 listeners were asked to make categorical judgments regarding their perception of vibrato, flange, and stereo chorus effects. The results map out for these two modulation parameters three perceptual regions for these three related effects: the region in which modulation is too subtle for effective use, the parameter ranges that seem most musically useful, and the region in which it is too extreme for most musical applications. Of particular interest is the observed commonality between these perceptual regions for vibrato, flange, and stereo chorus effects.
Performance Evaluation of Spatial Domain Error Concealment for Image Recovery

Many spatial domain error concealment techniques, which are used in decoder to improve visual quality of damaged images, have been proposed in the past years. Each algorithm is based on different assumptions and has different performance under different conditions. However, there is no extensive comparative evaluation available in literature. Performance evaluation helps us to understand the state-of-art of techniques and indicates further research directions. In this paper, evaluation results of spatial domain error concealment for image recovery are presented. Many algorithms are realized and evaluated, such as pixel domain interpolation (PDI), multi-directional interpolation (MDI), projection onto convex sets (POCS) and maximally smooth recovery (MSR), etc. Different alg orithms have different performances on different type of regions, e.g. smooth region, region with edge or texture region, etc. In addition to natural images, several artificial images, in which we can control the size, location and relative ratio of differ ent types of regions, are used to test some specified aspects of each algorithm. Our experiments show all algorithms perform well on smooth regions. However, fine texture image is still a challenge. MDI performs well on regions with edges. Maximally smoothness recovery approach has relatively good performance, and low computation complexity. Based on the above observation, we proposed an adaptive version of MSR, using different smoothness measures for different regions. Experiments show, our improvement can get better results than MSR.
Hellos and How Are Yous: Predictors and Correlates of Communication Between Staff and Families During Morning Drop-Off in Child Care Centers

Research Findings: The amount and quality of communication between staff and guardians in child care centers was examined using extensive naturalistic observations. Interactions between staff and more than 1,000 guardians who dropped their child off at their child care center were captured through a series of 20-s time-sampled observations. Structural quality indicators (ratios, staff education, etc.) were used to predict communication. Associations between staff–guardian communication and other aspects of quality were also examined. Results: Guardians spent an average of 63 s in their child's classroom during morning drop-off. Communication between staff and parents was limited, with staff providing child-related information to or soliciting it from approximately 15% of guardians. Out of several structural quality indicators, only greater professional development hours among staff in a classroom increased the likelihood of staff providing guardians with information about the program. Drop-off communication between staff and guardians and between staff and children was somewhat related to other measures of process quality. Practice or Policy: Results are discussed in terms of the importance of connecting families and centers, implications for rating center quality, and the accuracy of the drop-off period as parents’ lens into the quality of their child's classroom.
Proteoglycan Expression Is Influenced by Mechanical Load in TMJ Discs

The expression and assembly of the extracellular matrix are profoundly associated with adaptive and pathological responses of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). To better understand the adaptive responses of the TMJ disc to mechanical loading, we examined the expression of 2 modular proteoglycans and 10 small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRPs) at the mRNA and protein levels and determined the contents of proteoglycan-related glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in rat TMJ discs in response to altered mechanical loading caused by an incisal bite plane. One hundred thirty 7-week-old male Wistar rats were assigned to control and bite plane groups. TMJ disc thickness and the intensity of toluidine blue staining of metachromasia increased in the posterior band after 2 weeks of wearing the bite plane. GAG content increased significantly in the bite plane group after 2 weeks. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) analysis indicated that biglycan and chondroadherin mRNA levels increased after 2 weeks and that the level of decorin mRNA increased at 4 weeks. Versican mRNA levels increased after 3 weeks, particularly for the V0 and V1 versican isoforms, which carry more GAG attachment sites than do the V2 and V3 isoforms. Western analysis demonstrated a corresponding increase in the levels of versican, biglycan, and decorin core proteins at 4 weeks in the bite plane group. These results indicate that mechanical loading differentially influences proteoglycan mRNA expression and protein accumulation in the TMJ disc. The change in proteoglycan mRNA and protein levels may lead to the modulation of matrix–matrix and cell–matrix interactions and has important biological significance for adaptation to complicated biomechanical requirements and for tissue maintenance in the TMJ disc.
Fast Decoding Algorithm for LDPC over GF(2q)

In this paper, we present a modification of Belief Propagation that enable us to decode LDPC codes defined on high order Galois fields with a complexity that scales as ploga(p), p being the field order. With this low complexity algorithm, we are able to decode GF(2q) LDPC codes up to a field order value of 256. We show by simulation that ultra-sparse regular LDPC codes in GF(64) and GF(256) exhibit very good performance.
A Memetic Algorithm for VLSI Floorplanning

Floorplanning is an important problem in very large scale integrated-circuit (VLSI) design automation as it determines the performance, size, yield, and reliability of VLSI chips. From the computational point of view, VLSI floorplanning is an NP-hard problem. In this paper, a memetic algorithm (MA) for a nonslicing and hard-module VLSI floorplanning problem is presented. This MA is a hybrid genetic algorithm that uses an effective genetic search method to explore the search space and an efficient local search method to exploit information in the search region. The exploration and exploitation are balanced by a novel bias search strategy. The MA has been implemented and tested on popular benchmark problems. Experimental results show that the MA can quickly produce optimal or nearly optimal solutions for all the tested benchmark problems
Direct positive regulation of PTEN by the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase

The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway is deregulated in many human diseases including cancer, diabetes, obesity, and autoimmunity. PI3K consists of a p110 catalytic protein and a p85α regulatory protein, required for the stabilization and localization of p110-PI3K activity. The p110-PI3K enzyme generates the key signaling lipid phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate, which is dephosphorylated by the PI3-phosphatase PTEN. Here we show another function for the p85α regulatory protein: it binds directly to and enhances PTEN lipid phosphatase activity. We demonstrate that ectopically expressed FLAG-tagged p85 coimmunoprecipitates endogenous PTEN in an epidermal growth factor dependent manner. We also show epidermal growth factor dependent coimmunoprecipitation of endogenous p85 and PTEN proteins in HeLa cells. Thus p85 regulates both p110-PI3K and PTEN-phosphatase enzymes through direct interaction. This finding underscores the need for caution in analyzing PI3K activity because anti-p85 immunoprecipitations may contain both p85:p110-PI3K and p85:PTEN-phosphatase enzymes and thus measure net PI3K activity. We identify the N-terminal SH3-BH region of p85α, absent in the smaller p55α and p50α isoforms, as the region that mediates PTEN binding and regulation. Cellular expression of p85ΔSH3-BH results in substantially increased magnitude and duration of pAkt levels in response to growth factor stimulation. The ability of p85 to bind and directly regulate both p110-PI3K and PTEN-PI3-phosphatase allows us to explain the paradoxical insulin signaling phenotypes observed in mice with reduced PI3K or PTEN proteins. This discovery will impact ongoing studies using therapeutics targeting the PI3K/PTEN/Akt pathway.
Theorising Accountability for NGO Advocacy

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a staged theoretical argument regarding whether non-governmental organisations (NGOs) can be considered responsible and accountable for the direct and indirect consequences, on a wide range of stakeholders, flowing from their advocacy activities. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is primarily theoretical and conceptual, developing a structured, conditional and staged model illustrated with empirical examples.Findings – The paper finds depending upon the theoretical arguments accepted at each stage of the model, the advocacy activities of an NGO may be considered to cause a widespread and often unintended negative impact upon the lives of many stakeholders who are either close to, or remote from, the NGO. Also, that depending upon the theoretical position taken regarding the scope of accountability, all entities – including NGOs – may be regarded as responsible and accountable for the impacts which their activities directly and indirectly cause to a broad range of stakeholders. Research limitations/implications – The model is primarily theoretical, so it can benefit from empirical studies to assess its applicability in practice. It also has the scope to be applied in assessing the responsibility and accountability of a range of other entities for their advocacy – such as businesses, religious bodies, political parties, and academics.Practical implications – The paper presents a contribution to the growing debate on NGO accountability. Originality/value – The paper uses the synthesis of various philosophical positions to develop a conditional, staged model which may be used to establish whether NGOs (and other organisations) can be regarded as having responsibilities and accountabilities for the direct and indirect impacts of their advocacy activities on a broad range of stakeholders.
On evaluation of a multiscale-based CT image analysis and visualisation algorithm

Development of computed tomography (CT) protocols that minimise radiation dose for specific clinical treatments continues to be a major research focus. Building on the success of an earlier collaborative case study concerning prostate cancer diagnosis with pelvis CT images, this paper presents our evaluation results of a multi-scale texture analytic procedure developed to aid detection of specific anatomical features (abnormality, lesions, etc) in such images. This is a critical step in realising an intelligent and integrated image visualisation platform which will facilitate the construction of highly customised and personalised treatment plans. The ultimate aim is to provide in a single framework optimal software techniques for treatment planning, CT image-guided positioning and treatment delivery.
Anion Permeation in Ca2+-Activated Cl− Channels

Ca2+-activated Cl channels (ClCaCs) are an important class of anion channels that are opened by increases in cytosolic [Ca2+]. Here, we examine the mechanisms of anion permeation through ClCaCs from Xenopus oocytes in excised inside-out and outside-out patches. ClCaCs exhibited moderate selectivity for Cl over Na: PNa/PCl = 0.1. The apparent affinity of ClCaCs for Cl was low: K d = 73 mM. The channel had an estimated pore diameter >0.6 nm. The relative permeabilities measured under bi-ionic conditions by changes in Erev were as follows: C(CN)3 > SCN > N(CN)2 > ClO4 > I > N3 > Br > Cl > formate > HCO3 > acetate = F > gluconate. The conductance sequence was as follows: N3 > Br > Cl > N(CN)2 > I > SCN > COOH > ClO4 > acetate > HCO3 = C(CN)3 > gluconate. Permeant anions block in a voltage-dependent manner with the following affinities: C(CN)3 > SCN = ClO4 > N(CN)2 > I > N3 > Br > HCO3 > Cl > gluconate > formate > acetate. Although these data suggest that anionic selectivity is determined by ionic hydration energy, other factors contribute, because the energy barrier for permeation is exponentially related to anion hydration energy. ClCaCs exhibit weak anomalous mole fraction behavior, implying that the channel may be a multi-ion pore, but that ions interact weakly in the pore. The affinity of the channel for Ca2+ depended on the permeant anion at low [Ca2+] (100–500 nM). Apparently, occupancy of the pore by a permeant anion increased the affinity of the channel for Ca2+. The current was strongly dependent on pH. Increasing pH on the cytoplasmic side decreased the inward current, whereas increasing pH on the external side decreased the outward current. In both cases, the apparent pKa was voltage-dependent with apparent pKa at 0 mV = ∼9.2. The channel may be blocked by OH− ions, or protons may titrate a site in the pore necessary for ion permeation. These data demonstrate that the permeation properties of ClCaCs are different from those of CFTR or ClC-1, and provide insights into the nature of the ClCaC pore.
Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the adult Drosophila melanogaster proteome

Drosophila melanogaster is one of the most widely used model organisms in life sciences. Mapping its proteome is of great significance for understanding the biological characteristics and tissue functions of this species. However, the comprehensive coverage of its proteome remains a challenge. Here, we describe a high‐coverage analysis of whole fly through a 1D gel electrophoresis and LC‐MS/MS approach. By combining the datasets of two types of SDS‐PAGE and two kinds of tagmata, the high‐coverage analysis resulted in the identification of 5262 genes, which correspond to 38.23% of the entire coding genes. Moreover, we found that the fly head and body have different molecular weight distributions of their proteomes when the proteins were resolved with SDS‐PAGE and image analysis of the stained gel. This phenomenon was further confirmed by both label‐free and isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation‐based quantitative approaches. The consistent results of the two different quantitation methods also demonstrated the stability and accuracy of the LC‐MS/MS platform. The MS proteomics data have been deposited to the ProteomeXchange with identifiers PXD000454 and PXD000455 (http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD000454; (http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD000455).
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Comparison of the inertial properties and forces required to initiate movement for three gait trainers

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inertial properties and forces required to initiate movement on two different surfaces in a sample of three commonly prescribed gait trainers. Tests were conducted in a laboratory setting to compare the Prime Engineering KidWalk, Rifton Pacer, and Snug Seat Mustang with and without a weighted anthropometric test dummy configured to the weight and proportions of a 4-year-old child. The Pacer was the lightest and the KidWalk the heaviest while footprints of the three gait trainers were similar. Weight was borne fairly evenly on the four casters of the Pacer and Mustang while 85% of the weight was borne on the large wheels of the mid-wheel drive KidWalk. These differences in frame style, wheel, and caster style and overall mass impact inertial properties and forces required to initiate movement. Test results suggest that initiation forces on tile were equivalent for the Pacer and KidWalk while the Mustang had the highest initiation force. Initiation forces on carpet were lowest for the KidWalk and highest for the Mustang. This initial study of inertia and movement initiation forces may provide added information for clinicians to consider when selecting a gait trainer for their clients.
Dynamic voltage scaling of periodic and aperiodic tasks in priority-driven systems

We describe dynamic voltage scaling (DVS) algorithms for real-time systems with both periodic and aperiodic tasks. Although many DVS algorithms have been developed for real-time systems with periodic tasks, none of them can he used for the system with both periodic and aperiodic tasks because of arbitrary temporal hehaviors of aperiodic tasks. We propose an off-line DVS algorithm and on-line DVS algorithms that are based on existing DVS algorithms. The proposed algorithms utilize the execution behaviors of scheduling server for aperiodic tasks. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithms reduce the energy consumption by 12% and 32% under the RM scheduling policy and the EDF scheduling policy, respectively.
APC gene mutations and colorectal adenomatosis in familial adenomatous polyposis

Correlations between germline APC mutation sites and colorectal pathophenotypes, as evaluated by the direct count of adenomas at colectomy, were investigated analysing colectomy specimens from 29 FAP patients carrying one mis-sense (codon 208) and 14 frame-shift or non-sense APC mutations (codons 232, 367, 437, 623, 876, 995, 1061, 1068, 1075, 1112, 1114, 1309, 1324, 1556). The mis-sense mutation at codon 208 was associated with a relatively mild colorectal pathophenotype. The mutation at codon 367, subject to alternative splicing, was associated with attenuated FAP. The mutation at codon 1309 was associated with the profuse colorectal adenomatosis. For 13 mutations, predicted to result in null alleles or truncated APC proteins, we correlated density and distribution of colorectal adenomas with the predicted functional effects of the mutation. The most severe colorectal pathophenotype was significantly associated with the truncating mutation at codon 1309, which is located downstream to the I β-catenin binding domain but upstream II β-catenin-binding domain. Mutations between codons 867 and 1114, which affect the I β-catenin binding domain, as well as mutations occurring in exons 6 and 9, predicted to result in null alleles, were associated with a less severe colorectal pathophenotype. Overall, the highest number of adenomas was detected in the right colon, followed by the left colon, transverse colon sigma and rectum. However, the highest density of adenomas was observed in the left colon, followed by the right colon, sigma, transverse colon and rectum. Colorectal carcinomas, observed in only five patients, were all in the left colon. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaign
High-Quality Draft Genome Sequence of Aneurinibacillus migulanus ATCC 9999T (DSM 2895), a Gramicidin S-Producing Bacterium Isolated from Garden Soil

ABSTRACT Aneurinibacillus migulanus ATCC 9999T (DSM 2895) is a Gram-positive, round-spore-forming, and gramicidin S-producing bacterium. Here, we report the 6.35-Mb high-quality draft genome sequence of A. migulanus ATCC 9999T, which will provide useful information for the genomic taxonomy and phylogenomics of Bacillus-like bacteria.
Psychophysiological Perspective on Presence: The Implications of Mediated Environments on Relationships, Behavioral Health and Social Construction

As technologies are increasingly being used to deliver educational curricula and health care services, presence becomes an essential construct for psychologists to assimilate. Presence, or the sense of “being there” in a mediated environment, has implications for the development of new behavioral health interventions; improved approaches for performance and education; and, for the promotion of new strategies for healthier lifestyles. Understanding the essential components of presence may allow us new insights into interpersonal relationships, improved communications, more effective conflict resolution strategies, and in determining how to better teach compassion, empathy, and prosocial behavior. This article discusses the general construct of presence, defines psychophysiological determinants of presence, addresses the quantification of presence, describes “optimal” presence, and presents future directions for research and clinical applications.