Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Eliminating Cell Broadband EngineTM DMA Buffer Overflows

This paper presents effective and efficient implementation techniques for DMA buffer overflow elimination on the Cell Broadband EngineTM (Cell/B.E.) processor. In the Cell/B.E. programming model, application developers manually issue DMA commands to transfer data from the system memory to the local memories of the Cell/B.E. cores. Although this allows us to eliminate cache misses or cache invalidation overhead, it requires careful management of the buffer arrays for DMA in the application programs to prevent DMA buffer overflows. To guard against DMA buffer overflows, we introduced safe DMA handling functions for the applications to use. To improve and minimize the performance overhead of buffer overflow prevention, we used three different optimization techniques that take advantage of SIMD operations: branch-hint-based optimizations, jump-table-based optimizations and self-modifying-based optimizations. Our optimized implementation prevents all DMA buffer overflows with minimal performance overhead, only 2.93% average slowdown in comparison to code without the buffer overflow protection. key words: DMA buffer overflow, DMA buffer overrun, Cell Broadband EngineTM
Quantitative Estimation of 7,12-Dimethylbenz(α) Anthracene in Rat Mammary Tissue by Gas Liquid Chromatography.∗

Summary A combination of thin-layer and gas-liquid chromatography was used to determine the concentration of 7,12-dimethylbenz(α)anthracene in mammary tissue of female rats at various intervals after its intragastric administration. Peak concentration was reached after 6 hours and measurable amounts were still present after 5 days. The method is as sensitive as spectrofluorometry, offers greater specificity and is applicable to the determination of other polynuclear hydrocarbons.
Nuclear Relocation of Normal Huntingtin

In Huntington's Disease (HD), the huntingtin protein (Htt) includes an expanded polyglutamine domain. Since mutant Htt concentrates in the nucleus of affected neurons, we have inquired whether normal Htt (Q16−23) is also able to access the nucleus. We observe that a major pool of normal full‐length Htt of HeLa cells is anchored to endosomes and also detect RNase‐sensitive nuclear foci which include a 70‐kDa N‐terminal Htt fragment. Agents which damage DNA trigger caspase‐3‐dependent cleavage of Htt and dramatically relocate the 70 kDa fragment to the nucleoplasm. Considering that polyglutamine tracts stimulate caspase activation, mutant Htt is therefore poised to enter the nucleus. These considerations help rationalize the nuclear accumulation of Htt which is characteristic of HD and provide a first example of involvement of caspase cleavage in release of membrane‐bound proteins which subsequently enter the nucleus.
Multi-culture Facial Attractiveness Enhancement Based on Double Knowledge Transferring

This paper presents a novel double knowledge transferring method to solve the multi-culture facial attractiveness enhancement problem. The existing enhancement of facial attractiveness methods just focus on one particular culture and assume the beautification model learned in one culture could be used in other cultures without adaptation. However, for the people in different cultures who do not share the same characteristics, existing models do not perform well. To address this problem, we employ the double knowledge transferring method to reduce data diversity. First, to reduce the aesthetic differences among cultures, we apply regressive manifold regularization to train a rating transferring function; second, to reduce the facial geometry feature differences, we use latent MLT (Multi-Task Learning) algorithm to find appropriate feature mappings. Treat Chinese as source culture, we apply the proposed algorithm to Malay people and demonstrate its effectiveness. Keyword: Facial attractiveness, transfer learning, manifold regularization.
cGAS-mediated stabilization of IFI16 promotes innate signaling during herpes simplex virus infection

Significance Interferon γ-inducible protein 16 (IFI16) and cGMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) have both been proposed to directly detect herpesviral DNA in herpes simplex virus (HSV)-infected cells and initiate interferon regulatory factor-3 signaling, but it has been unclear how two DNA sensors could both be required. Both are required in human fibroblasts for detection of HSV and transfected DNAs. We found evidence that IFI16 plays a direct role in HSV DNA sensing, whereas cGAS produces low amounts of cGAMP and promotes the stability of IFI16. Our results demonstrate a new function for cGAS in the maintenance of normal levels of IFI16 and provide an explanation for the multiple proposed DNA sensors. Interferon γ-inducible protein 16 (IFI16) and cGMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) have both been proposed to detect herpesviral DNA directly in herpes simplex virus (HSV)-infected cells and initiate interferon regulatory factor-3 signaling, but it has been unclear how two DNA sensors could both be required for this response. We therefore investigated their relative roles in human foreskin fibroblasts (HFFs) infected with HSV or transfected with plasmid DNA. siRNA depletion studies showed that both are required for the production of IFN in infected HFFs. We found that cGAS shows low production of cGMP-AMP in infected cells, but instead cGAS is partially nuclear in normal human fibroblasts and keratinocytes, interacts with IFI16 in fibroblasts, and promotes the stability of IFI16. IFI16 is associated with viral DNA and targets to viral genome complexes, consistent with it interacting directly with viral DNA. Our results demonstrate that IFI16 and cGAS cooperate in a novel way to sense nuclear herpesviral DNA and initiate innate signaling.
Single cell stiffness measurement at various humidity conditions by nanomanipulation of a nano-needle

This paper presents a method for single cell stiffness measurement based on a nano-needle and nanomanipulation. The nano-needle with a buffering beam was fabricated from an atomic force microscope cantilever by the focused ion beam etching technique. Wild type yeast cells (W303) were prepared and placed on the sample stage inside an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) chamber. The nanomanipulator actuated the nano-needle to press against a single yeast cell. As a result, the deformation of the cell and nano-needle was observed by the ESEM system in real-time. Finally, the stiffness of the single cell was determined based on this deformation information. To reveal the relationship between the cell stiffness and the environmental humidity conditions, the cell stiffness was measured at three different humidity conditions, i.e. 40, 70 and 100%, respectively. The results show that the stiffness of a single cell is reduced with increasing humidity.
[Relationship between fruit and vegetable gardening and health-related factors: male community gardeners aged 50-74 years living in a suburban area of Japan].

Objectives The aims of the study were as follows: 1) to investigate the relationship between community fruit and vegetable (FV) gardening and perceived changes in health-related factors by utilizing community gardens and 2) to determine the relationship of community FV gardening and other types of gardening on health-related factors among men aged 50-74 years living in a suburban area of Japan.Methods In this cross-sectional study, we targeted men aged 50-74 years living in a city in Gunma Prefecture. A survey solicited demographic characteristics, FV gardening information, and health-related factors [BMI, self-rated health status, FV intake, physical activity (PA), and perceived neighborhood social cohesion (PNSC)]. The participants were divided into three groups: community gardeners, other types of gardeners, and non-gardeners. Items related to community gardening and perceived changes in health-related factors were presented only to community gardeners. The relationship between community gardening and perceived changes in health-related factors were analyzed by computing correlation coefficients. The relationships between FV gardening and specific health-related factors were analyzed by logistic regression modeling.Results Significant positive correlations were observed between community FV gardening (the frequency of community gardening, the product of community gardening time and frequency of community gardening) and perceived changes in health-related factors (frequency of FV intake, amount of FV intake, and PA). The logistic regression models showed that 1) the number of participants with ≥23 METs h/week of PA was significantly greater among community gardeners than among non-gardeners; 2) the number of participants whose frequency of total vegetable intake, total vegetable intake (excluding juice), and total FV intake (excluding juice) was ≥5 times/day was significantly greater among other types of gardeners than non-gardeners; 3) participants with scores ≥ the median of PNSC were significantly greater among other types of gardeners than non-gardeners; and 4) participants who spent ≥4 hours/day sitting were significantly fewer among other types of gardeners than non-gardeners.Conclusion Higher frequency of community gardening appears to induce greater perceived positive changes on FV intake and PA. It was indicated that FV gardening in community gardens contributes to increased PA, whereas other types of FV gardening contribute to increased FV intake frequency and decreased sitting time. In the future, higher-quality studies-for example, intervention studies using more rigorous measurements-will be necessary.
Attitudes toward Extrarelational Sex as a Function of Participant's and Third Party's Gender

An experiment was conducted to examine whether attitudes toward extrarelational sex, i.e., “swinging,” differed as a function of participant's gender and gender of the third party, i.e., the “swinging” partner. Participants were asked to imagine that their current romantic partner had expressed an interest in “swinging” with another individual (male or female, randomly assigned). Analysis yielded several significant differences by participants' gender. Specifically, men expressed greater interest than did women in joining a swinger's club, reported a higher likelihood than did women of actually joining such a club, and believed more than women that their sex life with their partner would improve after joining a swinger's club. Participants also preferred a female more than a male swinging partner, although this comparison was not statistically significant.
Pregnancy: Trophoblasts circulating in maternal blood as candidates for prenatal genetic evaluation

Trophoblasts have been detected in uterine venous blood, lung parenchyma and maternal blood in the first trimester. Their dilution within maternal leukocytes has been recently estimated to be 1:10(-6). The objectives of this study were to enrich peripheral maternal blood preparations for trophoblast cells, to isolate trophoblasts from the enriched preparation by highly specific markers and to assess fetal cell total number of chromosomal copies by fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH). Negative and positive selections for trophoblasts were performed. To assess the efficacy of the enrichment methods, a model mimicking the in-vivo conditions was established. Purified first trimester trophoblasts were prepared from first trimester placentas and were mixed with leukocytes from non-pregnant women in various concentrations. Magnetic beads coupled with antibodies to the common leukocyte antigen (CD45) or to antitrophoblast specific antigens (Trop1, Trop2 and GB25), were attached to peripheral maternal blood cells or to the prepared mixed cell populations. The expression of alpha human chorionic gonadotrophin (alpha HCG) or of human placental lactogen (HPL) by the remaining cells was examined by two means: (i) immunocytochemistry, using monoclonal antibodies against HPL and alpha HCG to stain fetal cells; (ii) reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), using specific primers for exons of the HPL or alpha HCG mRNAs. Results revealed that HPL- and alpha HCG-expressing cells could be identified in maternal blood only in very rare instances. On the other hand, expression of alpha HCG and HPL by only 100 purified first trimester trophoblasts artificially mixed with peripheral leukocytes at a ratio of 1:10(-5) could be identified by both immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Human liver cell spheroids in extended perfusion bioreactor culture for repeated‐dose drug testing

Primary cultures of human hepatocyte spheroids are a promising in vitro model for long‐term studies of hepatic metabolism and cytotoxicity. The lack of robust methodologies to culture cell spheroids, as well as a poor characterization of human hepatocyte spheroid architecture and liver‐specific functionality, have hampered a widespread adoption of this three‐dimensional culture format. In this work, an automated perfusion bioreactor was used to obtain and maintain human hepatocyte spheroids. These spheroids were cultured for 3‐4 weeks in serum‐free conditions, sustaining their phase I enzyme expression and permitting repeated induction during long culture times; rate of albumin and urea synthesis, as well as phase I and II drug‐metabolizing enzyme gene expression and activity of spheroid hepatocyte cultures, presented reproducible profiles, despite basal interdonor variability (n = 3 donors). Immunofluorescence microscopy of human hepatocyte spheroids after 3‐4 weeks of long‐term culture confirmed the presence of the liver‐specific markers, hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α, albumin, cytokeratin 18, and cytochrome P450 3A. Moreover, immunostaining of the atypical protein kinase C apical marker, as well as the excretion of a fluorescent dye, evidenced that these spheroids spontaneously assemble a functional bile canaliculi network, extending from the surface to the interior of the spheroids, after 3‐4 weeks of culture. Conclusion: Perfusion bioreactor cultures of primary human hepatocyte spheroids maintain a liver‐specific activity and architecture and are thus suitable for drug testing in a long‐term, repeated‐dose format. (HEPATOLOGY 2012)
Turbulent length–time scales distributions in hydraulic jumps

Air–water flow measurements were performed in hydraulic jump flows for a range of inflow Froude numbers. The experiments were conducted in a large-sized facility using phase-detection intrusive probes. The void fraction measurements showed the presence of an advective diffusion shear layer where the air concentration vertical distributions were successfully compared with an analytical solution of the advective diffusion equation for air bubbles. In the air–water shear layer, a new empirical relationship between the maximum air concentration decay as a function of both the distance from the jump toe and the inflow Froude number was derived. Air–water turbulent time and length scales were deduced from auto- and cross-correlation analyses based on the method of Chanson (2007). The result provided some characteristic transverse time and length scales of the eddy structures advecting the air bubbles in the developing shear layer. The turbulence time scale data showed an increase with the relative elevation above the bed, as well as some decrease with increasing distance from the toe. The dimensionless integral turbulent length scale Lxz/d1 was closely related to the inflow depth.
Transporter Protein-Coupled DPCPX Nanoconjugates Induce Diaphragmatic Recovery after SCI by Blocking Adenosine A1 Receptors

Respiratory complications in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) are common and have a negative impact on the quality of patients' lives. Systemic administration of drugs that improve respiratory function often cause deleterious side effects. The present study examines the applicability of a novel nanotechnology-based drug delivery system, which induces recovery of diaphragm function after SCI in the adult rat model. We developed a protein-coupled nanoconjugate to selectively deliver by transsynaptic transport small therapeutic amounts of an A1 adenosine receptor antagonist to the respiratory centers. A single administration of the nanoconjugate restored 75% of the respiratory drive at 0.1% of the systemic therapeutic drug dose. The reduction of the systemic dose may obviate the side effects. The recovery lasted for 4 weeks (the longest period studied). These findings have translational implications for patients with respiratory dysfunction after SCI. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The leading causes of death in humans following SCI are respiratory complications secondary to paralysis of respiratory muscles. Systemic administration of methylxantines improves respiratory function but also leads to the development of deleterious side effects due to actions of the drug on nonrespiratory sites. The importance of the present study lies in the novel drug delivery approach that uses nanotechnology to selectively deliver recovery-inducing drugs to the respiratory centers exclusively. This strategy allows for a reduction in the therapeutic drug dose, which may reduce harmful side effects and markedly improve the quality of life for SCI patients.
Understanding aesthetics in photography using deep convolutional neural networks

Evaluating aesthetic value of digital photographs is a challenging task, mainly due to numerous factors that need to be taken into account and subjective manner of this process. In this paper, we propose to approach this problem using deep convolutional neural networks. Using a dataset of over 1.7 million photos collected from Flickr, we train and evaluate a deep learning model whose goal is to classify input images by analysing their aesthetic value. The result of this work is a publicly available Web-based application that can be used in several real-life applications, e.g. to improve the workflow of professional photographers by pre-selecting the best photos.
PHACE without Face? Infantile Hemangiomas of the Upper Body Region with Minimal or Absent Facial Hemangiomas and Associated Structural Malformations

Abstract: Infantile hemangiomas can be associated with congenital anomalies such as PHACE syndrome with facial hemangiomas and genitourinary and spinal anomalies in the setting of lower body hemangiomas. We describe five infants in whom segmental hemangiomas involving the upper torso and extremities with absent or small facial hemangiomas were associated with structural anomalies similar to those reported with PHACE syndrome, including three with structural arterial anomalies of the subclavian arteries, three with aortic arch anomalies (right sided or narrowed arch), two with congenital heart disease (atrial septal defect and ventricular septal defect; tetralogy of Fallot), one with a retinal scar, and one with a sternal defect (scar). Two of five had small facial hemangiomas of the lower lip, but none had large segmental hemangiomas of the face. Three of five would have met diagnostic criteria for PHACE but lacked a facial hemangioma of 5 cm in diameter or greater. Patients with segmental arm and thorax hemangiomas may have associated structural abnormalities with overlapping features of PHACE, suggesting that a similar syndrome can occur in this clinical setting.
Cigarette smoking, blood pressure and serum lipids in Japanese men aged 20-39 years.

Adverse effects of cigarette smoking on serum or plasma lipids have been reported in a metaanalysis (Craig et al., 1989). The relationship between cigarette smoking and blood pressure (BP) has also been reported by Green et al. (1986) who examined the results of 15 published studies and pointed out that negative associations between cigarette smoking and BP were consistently noted across several cross-sectional epidemiological studies. However, many of the published data are based on middle-aged individuals. Only few data exists for young subjects. The smoking rate in Japan is the highest in young men (60.9%) aged 20 to 29 years and declines with increasing age (The Ministry of Health and Welfare, 1998). In a previous study from our laboratory (Imamura et al., 1996), we have reported that there was a dosedependent negative relationship between cigarette smoking and diastolic BP (DBP) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in middle-aged men, independent of drinking habit. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between cigarette smoking and BP and serum lipids in Japanese men aged 20 to 39 years, taking into account several potential confounding factors such as age, body mass index (BMI) , alcohol intake and physical activity habits.
Apoptosis and Related Proteins in Placenta of Intrauterine Fetal Death in Prostaglandin F Receptor-Deficient Mice1

Abstract The present study investigated whether the increase of apoptosis in the placenta is associated with intrauterine fetal death in prostaglandin F receptor-deficient mice. Apoptosis was demonstrated within placental and decidual tissue by the TUNEL method. The majority of apoptosis was found in syncytiotrophoblast tissues. Enhanced TUNEL-positive staining in the syncytiotrophoblast layer was scattered in the placental tissues in clusters of apoptotic cells in the death group. Marked TUNEL-positive cells were identified in decidua of both groups. The rate of apoptosis in the placenta and decidua in the death group was higher than that in the survival group (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the level of active caspase-3 protein expression in the placenta in the death group was much higher than that in the survival group. The level of Bcl-2 protein expression in the placenta in the death group was much lower than that in the survival group. Western blot analysis demonstrated that increased expression of the active form of caspase-3 was detected in the placenta and decidua in the death group compared with that in the survival group. In contrast, a decrease in the expression of Bcl-2 was detected in the placenta and decidua in the death group compared with that in the survival group. Enhanced expression of Bax:Bcl-2 ratio was detected in placenta and decidua in the death group compared with that in the survival group. Thus, significantly increased apoptosis in the mouse placenta and decidua might be involved in the pathophysiologic mechanism of intrauterine fetal death.