Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A VLSI robotics vector processor for real-time control

A VLSI robotics vector processor (RVP) for real-time control is described. Hardware parallelism and pipelining is used to exploit potential concurrency in the low-level matrix/vector operations characteristic of the kinematics and dynamics computations required for control. Three floating point processors (FPP), each with a adder, multiplier, and register file, all operating in parallel in an SIMD (single-instruction, multiple data stream) fashion are incorporated. Data exchange between the FPPs is facilitated by a dual shift-broadcast network. High-speed dual I/O channels are provided so that input/output bottlenecks are avoided. The RVP uses a RISC (reduced-instruction-set-computer) architecture with seven basic instructions. Composite vector operations such as matrix-vector multiply and vector cross product may be readily programmed using the basic instruction set to given considerable overlap. The RVP can be implemented on a single VLSI chip using 1.2- mu m CMOS. <<ETX>>
Eddies:Continuous Query Optimization

In large federated and shared-nothing databases, resources can exhibit widely fluctuating characteristics. Assumptions made at the time a query is submitted will rarely hold throughout the duration of query processing. As a result, traditional static query optimization and execution techniques are ineffective in these environments. In this paper we introduce a query processing mechanism called an eddy, which continuously reorders operators in a query plan as it runs. We characterize the moments of symmetry during which pipelined joins can be easily reordered, and the synchronization barriers that require inputs from different sources to be coordinated. By combining eddies with join algorithms appropriate to large-scale environments, we merge the optimization and execution phases of query processing, allowing each tuple to have a flexible ordering of the query operators. This flexibility is controlled by a combination of fluid dynamics and a simple learning algorithm. Our initial implementation demonstrates promising results, with eddies performing nearly as well as a static optimizer/executor in static scenarios, and adapting to run-time changes in the execution environment.
Comparison between two different full-wave methods for the computation of nonlinear ultrasound fields in inhomogeneous and attenuating tissue

Nonlinear propagation is important in many diagnostic and therapeutic applications of medical ultrasound. The design of equipment and protocols for nonlinear modalities is facilitated by the simulation of the nonlinear ultrasound field. However, many existing simulation tools have difficulties of dealing with realistic features like tissue inhomogeneity, power law losses, or steered beams. Recently, two full-wave simulation methods for nonlinear ultrasound have been developed that are able to deal with these features. Those methods are known as the Iterative Nonlinear Contrast Source method (INCS; an integral equation method) and k-Wave (a pseudospectral time domain method). This paper assesses the accuracy of both methods by comparing their spatial and spectral results for two test configurations. In both configurations, a square piston excites a three-cycle Gaussian-modulated tone burst with a center frequency of 1 MHz and a source pressure of 750 kPa. The medium in the first configuration is homogeneous and has a speed of sound, density of mass and parameter of nonlinearity equal to that of water, and a power law attenuation with an exponent 1.5 and a magnitude of 0.75 dB/cm at 1 MHz. In the second configuration, the medium has been made inhomogeneous by putting a hollow cylinder (speed of sound equal to 1540 m/s) and a solid sphere (parameter of nonlinearity equal to 1) in the course of the radiated beam. In both cases, the results obtained with INCS and k-Wave are in excellent agreement, with maximum local differences in the order of 0.5-0.6 dB in the significant parts of the field. Because both methods are computationally quite different, it is improbable that these both suffer from the same systematic error. Hence it is established that both methods are correct and highly accurate, and are suitable tools for performing precise simulations and generating accuracy benchmarks.
IS1R-Mediated Plasticity of IncL/M Plasmids Leads to the Insertion of blaOXA-48 into the Escherichia coli Chromosome

ABSTRACT The OXA-48 carbapenemase is mainly encoded by ∼62-kb IncL/M plasmids. However, chromosome-mediated genes have been observed in Escherichia coli isolates. In this work, we investigated the genetic environment of OXA-48 in members of the family Enterobacteriaceae (n = 22) to understand how the OXA-48-encoding gene is transferred into the E. coli chromosome. The OXA-48-encoding gene was located within intact Tn1999.2 transposons in the ∼62-kb plasmids or within a truncated variant of Tn1999.2 for the OXA-48-encoding genes located in the chromosomes of E. coli bacteria. The analysis of the Tn1999.2 genetic environment revealed an inverted orientation of the transposon in five ∼62-kb plasmids (5/14 [35%]) and in all chromosome inserts (n = 8). The sequencing of pRA35 plasmid showed that this orientation of Tn1999.2 and the acquisition of an IS1R insertion sequence generated a 21.9-kb IS1R-based composite transposon encoding OXA-48 and designated Tn6237. The sequencing of a chromosomal insert encoding OXA-48 also revealed this new transposon in the E. coli chromosome. PCR mapping showed the presence of this element in all strains harboring an OXA-48-encoding chromosomal insert. However, different insertion sites of this transposon were observed in the E. coli chromosome. Overall, these findings indicate a plasticity of the OXA-48 genetic environment mediated by IS1R insertion sequences. The insertion sequences can induce the transfer of the OXA-encoding gene into E. coli chromosomes and thereby promote its persistence and expression at low levels.
Partial Reconstitution of the CD4+-T-Cell Compartment in CD4 Gene Knockout Mice Restores Responses to Tuberculosis DNA Vaccines

ABSTRACT Reactivation tuberculosis (TB) is a serious problem in immunocompromised individuals, especially those with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection. The adaptive immune response mediated by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells is known to confer protection against TB. Hence, vaccines against TB are designed to activate these two components of the immune system. Anti-TB DNA vaccines encoding the immunodominant proteins Ag85A, Ag85B, and PstS-3 from Mycobacterium tuberculosis are ineffective in mice lacking CD4+ T cells (CD4−/− mice). In this study, we demonstrate that reconstitution of the T-cell compartment in CD4−/− mice restores vaccine-specific antibody and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) responses to these DNA vaccines. The magnitude of the immune responses correlated with the extent of reconstitution of the CD4+-T-cell compartment. Reconstituted mice vaccinated with DNA encoding PstS-3, known to encode a dominant Db-restricted CD8+-T-cell epitope, displayed CD8+-T-cell responses not observed in CD4−/− mice. M. tuberculosis challenge in reconstituted mice led to the extravasation of IFN-γ-producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells into lungs, the primary site of bacterial replication. Importantly, a reconstitution of 12 to 15% of the CD4+-T-cell compartment resulted in Ag85B plasmid DNA-mediated protection against a challenge M. tuberculosis infection. Our findings provide evidence that anti-TB DNA vaccines could be effective in immunodeficient individuals after CD4+-T-lymphocyte reconstitution, as may occur following antiretroviral therapy in HIV+ patients.
Long-term results of complete and partial ligation of congenital portosystemic shunts in dogs.

The medical records of 65 dogs that underwent complete or partial ligation of a single congenital portosystemic shunt (CPSS) were reviewed to determine the long-term clinical clinical results. Information retrieved from the records included age at surgery, preligation (baseline) portal pressure, postligation portal pressure, change in portal pressure from baseline, complete or partial occlusion of the shunting vessel and fasting, and 2-hour postprandial bile acids from the preoperative, early postoperative (PO), and greater than 1 year PO time periods. A clinical rating score derived from a follow-up examination greater than 1 year PO was assigned to each dog. Of the 56 dogs that survived the perioperative period, 29 (52%) had complete and 27 (48%) had partial ligations. Age at surgery, pre- and postligation portal pressure, change in portal pressure from baseline and serum bile acid concentrations were not related to long-term clinical outcome. Clinical rating scores were significantly greater for dogs with partial CPSS ligations compared with dogs with complete ligations, indicating a less favorable clinical outcome for partial ligations. Fasting and 2-hour postprandial bile acid values at both PO time intervals were significantly greater in partial versus complete ligation groups. Follow-up information for more than 1 year was available on 18 of 29 dogs (62%) with complete ligations. All were clinically normal. Of 27 dogs with partial ligations, 11 dogs (41%) developed recurrence of clinical signs resulting in presentation to the university or referring veterinarian for additional surgery, medical management, or euthanasia. Only three dogs with partial CPSS ligation (11%) were clinically normal. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Round Window Application of D-Methionine, Sodium Thiosulfate, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, and Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 in Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity

Hypothesis In this study we tested the effect of local administration of D-methionine, sodium thiosulfate, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and fibroblast growth factor-2 on cisplatin ototoxicity in guinea pigs to the round window membrane. Background Cisplatin is an important antineoplastic agent in the therapy of many malignancies. Its clinical utility is limited by severe side effects, including ototoxicity. Recent studies have shown protection against cisplatin ototoxicity in animal experiments by the systemic administration of D-methionine and sodium thiosulfate. Growth factors such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor and fibroblast growth factor-2 also have shown otoprotective effects in in vitro studies. Methods Osmotic pumps (Alzet) were implanted unilaterally in 30 guinea pigs. Five groups of six animals received either D-methionine, sodium thiosulfate, fibroblast growth factor-2, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or saline 0.9%. Cisplatin was administered intraperitoneally for 5 consecutive days. Distortion product otoacoustic emissions were recorded every day. The animals were killed on day 6, and their cochleae were removed and analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. Results Compared with control animals, guinea pigs treated with D-methionine showed better otoacoustic emissions on days 3 and 4 (Mann-Whitney test, p < 0.05). The differences were not evident on days 5 and 6. Sodium thiosulfate, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and fibroblast growth factor-2 showed no significant protective effect. Conclusion Local application to the round window membrane can be used as an effective treatment in the prevention of cisplatin toxicity. Local application may avoid systemic side effects and reduce the antineoplastic effects of cisplatin.
Is clomiphene citrate stair‐step protocol a good alternative to gonadotrophins in clomiphene‐resistant PCO patients? Prospective study

To compare the efficacy and safety of the clomiphene citrate (CC) stair‐step protocol with standard gonadotrophin (follicle‐stimulating hormone) treatment in clomiphene‐resistant polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients. The study was a prospective cohort study in a tertiary infertility center in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Induction of motor neuron apoptosis by free 3‐nitro‐l‐tyrosine

Peroxynitrite‐dependent tyrosine nitration has been postulated to be involved in motor neuron degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Evidence supporting this supposition includes the appearance of both free and protein‐linked 3‐nitro‐l‐tyrosine (nitrotyrosine) in both sporadic and familial ALS, as well as of increased free nitrotyrosine levels in the spinal cord of transgenic mice expressing ALS‐linked superoxide dismutase mutants at symptom onset. Here we demonstrate that incubation with clinically relevant concentrations of nitrotyrosine induced apoptosis in motor neurons cultured with trophic factors. Nitrotyrosine was bound to proteins, but it was not incorporated into α‐tubulin, as previously demonstrated for other cell types. Neither inhibition of nitric oxide production nor scavenging of superoxide and peroxynitrite prevented increases in cell nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity or motor neuron death, suggesting that these effects are not due to the endogenous formation of reactive nitrogen species. In contrast, some populations of astrocytes incorporated nitrotyrosine into α‐tubulin, but free nitrotyrosine had no effect on the viability and phenotype of astrocytes in culture, as evaluated by glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity, cell growth and morphology. Co‐culture of motor neurons on astrocyte monolayers delayed, but did not prevent, nitrotyrosine‐induced motor neuron death. These results suggest that free nitrotyrosine may play a role in the induction of motor neuron apoptosis in ALS.
Profiling Bortezomib Resistance Identifies Secondary Therapies in a Mouse Myeloma Model

Multiple myeloma is a hematologic malignancy characterized by the proliferation of neoplastic plasma cells in the bone marrow. Although the first-to-market proteasome inhibitor bortezomib (Velcade) has been successfully used to treat patients with myeloma, drug resistance remains an emerging problem. In this study, we identify signatures of bortezomib sensitivity and resistance by gene expression profiling (GEP) using pairs of bortezomib-sensitive (BzS) and bortezomib-resistant (BzR) cell lines created from the Bcl-XL/Myc double-transgenic mouse model of multiple myeloma. Notably, these BzR cell lines show cross-resistance to the next-generation proteasome inhibitors, MLN2238 and carfilzomib (Kyprolis) but not to other antimyeloma drugs. We further characterized the response to bortezomib using the Connectivity Map database, revealing a differential response between these cell lines to histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors. Furthermore, in vivo experiments using the HDAC inhibitor panobinostat confirmed that the predicted responder showed increased sensitivity to HDAC inhibitors in the BzR line. These findings show that GEP may be used to document bortezomib resistance in myeloma cells and predict individual sensitivity to other drug classes. Finally, these data reveal complex heterogeneity within multiple myeloma and suggest that resistance to one drug class reprograms resistant clones for increased sensitivity to a distinct class of drugs. This study represents an important next step in translating pharmacogenomic profiling and may be useful for understanding personalized pharmacotherapy for patients with multiple myeloma. Mol Cancer Ther; 12(6); 1140–50. ©2013 AACR.
Precise Oculomotor Correlates of Visuospatial Mental Rotation and Circular Motion Imagery

Visual imagery is a basic form of cognition central to activities such as problem solving or creative thinking. Phenomena such as mental rotation, in which mental images undergo spatial transformations, and motion imagery, in which we imagine objects in motion, are very elusive. For example, although several aspects of visual imagery and mental rotation have been reconstructed through mental chronometry, their instantaneous evolution has never been directly observed. We paired mental chronometry to eye movement recording in subjects performing a visuospatial mental rotation task and an instructed circular motion imagery task. In both tasks, sequences of spontaneous saccades formed curved trajectories with a regular spatio-temporal evolution. In the visuospatial mental rotation task, saccadic amplitude decreased progressively within each sequence, resulting in an average gaze rotation with a bell-shaped asymmetrical angular velocity profile whose peak and mean increased with the amount of the to-be-performed rotation, as in reaching movements. In the second task, the average gaze rotation reproduced faithfully the to-be-imagined constant-velocity circular motion, thus excluding important distortions in the oculomotor performance. These findings show for the first time the instantaneous spatio-temporal evolution of mental rotation and motion imagery. Moreover, the fact that visuospatial mental rotation is modeled as a reaching act suggests that reaching pertains to the realm of visuospatial thinking, rather than being restricted to the motor domain. This approach based on eye movement recording can be profitably coupled to methods such as event-related potentials, transcranial magnetic stimulation, or functional magnetic resonance to study the precise neuronal dynamics associated with an ongoing mental activity.
Oral health impacts and quality of life in an urban homeless population.

BACKGROUND Homeless people experience a much higher burden of general health conditions and have much poorer oral health than the rest of the population. The aim of this study was to determine the oral health impacts and general quality of life of an urban homeless population. METHODS A convenience sample of 58 adults (dentate n = 56) experiencing homelessness were assessed using a survey which included the 14-item Oral Health Impact Profile and the 26-item World Health Organization's Quality of Life - short version. A subset (n = 34) also underwent a dental examination. RESULTS The study participants were younger, more likely to be Indigenous, smoked daily and avoided dental care because of cost than the rest of the population. Dentate homeless adults reported significantly greater oral health impacts when compared with the Australian dentate population. General quality of life was significantly poorer than for the rest of the population. Treatment need was associated with greater oral health impacts. CONCLUSIONS Poor oral health is prevalent and adversely impacts quality of life for homeless people, but it is only one of a range of complex social and health challenges being faced by these individuals. Dental care should be better integrated within homeless support services.
Economic Outcomes and Voting Behavior: Evidence from Greece

We examine to what extent the main predictions of the punishment-sanctioning model, i.e. that the incumbent parties are supported by voters in good economic times whereas voters deprecate them during bad times, apply in the case of Greece. Using data from 13 peripheries during 2000-2012, we document that bad economic outcomes and rapid fiscal-adjustment measures can be linked to the formation of political agendas through national elections. In particular, we find evidence suggesting that low growth, high unemployment and tight fiscal policy make the electorate move to the opposing parties and reduce support for the incumbent parties. In addition, two Greek parties with completely different rhetoric and political ideology, the left-wing Syriza and the neo-fascist Golden Dawn, seem to get the benefit out of hard economic decisions taken by incumbent parties throughout this period.
A study of the evolutionary game of two manufacturer's reverse supply chain

Reverse supply chain begins to get more and more social concern since it plays an increasingly important part in preventing environmental pollution and resource waste,and in promoting the performance of enterprises.The article,through the approach of evolutionary game,attempts to study the universal application of reverse supply chain in the supply chains of enterprises.The findings show that under the market mechanism,RSC is acceptable to the market provided that manufacturers could get extra profit from implementing RSC;otherwise,they would take an inactive attitude towards RSC.Therefore it requires the necessary measures of intervention by the government: to establish a punishing mechanism for those manufacturers with production of externally negative effect so as to guarantee the acceptance of RSC,and to provide those manufacturers with production of externally positive effect with financial subsidies as a motivation for the implementation of RSC.Finally,the paper proves the legitimacy of the research findings by numerical analysis.
The Prevalence and Incidence of Helicobacter pylori Infections Among Young Recruits During Service in the Hungarian Army

Background. A vast number of data indicate that the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infections is positively correlated with age and is different in various countries. Although our knowledge of transmission of H. pylori is very limited, it is reasonable to assume that it could be much more contagious in closed communities, for example in garrisons, than in normal populations.
A critical analysis of higher education accreditation policy processes in the emerging CARICOM Single Market and Economy Territories.

This thesis addresses the question: `How do Higher Education Accreditation Policy Processes Compare Among Emerging CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSMF? ) Territories? ' I investigate the perspectives of accreditation policy experts, namely researchers, analysts, text writers and implementers, through written materials and interviews, to be able to answer the research question. I begin by discussing the new regionalism as a theoretical backdrop to the study and explain how the philosophy and approaches to new regionalism relate to the development of Caribbean higher education accreditation policy framework, as articulated by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). In this discussion, I refer to Jules' (2008) postulate of harmonization of regional education policies within CARICOM. His study was analyzed as a suitable frame of reference for my study. In this study, I used a critical policy analysis to assess the policy production processes in five countries in the Caribbean region as they relate to regional accreditation. These policies are measured against the draft model legislation for accreditation proposed by the CARICOM. In addition to this, I focused attention on three policies -Barbados, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago- to understand the mechanism of harmonization. The study focuses on the new development on regional sustainability called the CSME, the central aim of the policy within the CSME and corresponding processes by which higher education accreditation policies were being formulated and enacted. I applied theoretical thematic analysis to analyze data from documentary sources and experts' perceptions to interpret how accreditation policy production processes were applied in three stages in policy analysis; `defining policy', `researching policy' and `negotiating policy'. These stages were examined in relation to globalization contexts, nation state policy making within a federal context and the roles of politics, empirical policy research and stakeholder participation. Data analysis revealed that accreditation policy production and implementation showed a tendency to exhibit what Jules referred to as `harmonization' at the CARICOM level, whereas `policy borrowing and dissemination' seemed to have occurred at the national level due to contextualization pressures. The political negotiation process was al voured approach during policy production. Conversely, inadequate emphasis was placed on empirical policy research. Although stakeholders were consulted, their views were considered much less than the state's role in policy production. Following from this analysis, the thesis argues for the need to emphasize an empirical approach to the study of accreditation policy and practice that utilizes culturally appropriate education policy frameworks as tools for education policy making in the Caribbean region.