Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Data Transfers Analysis in Computer Assisted Design Flow of FPGA Accelerators for Aerospace Systems

The integration of Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) in an aerospace system improves its efficiency and its flexibility thanks to their programmability, but increases the design complexity. The design flows indeed have to be composed of several steps to fill the gap between the starting solution, which is usually a reference sequential implementation, and the final heterogeneous solution which includes custom hardware accelerators. Among these steps, there are the analysis of the application to identify the functionalities that gain advantages in execution on hardware and the generation of their implementations by means of Hardware Description Languages. Generating these descriptions for a software developer can be a very difficult task because of the different programming paradigms of software programs and hardware descriptions. To facilitate the developer in this activity, High Level Synthesis techniques have been developed aiming at (semi-)automatically generating hardware implementations of specifications written in high level languages (e.g., C). With respect to other embedded systems scenarios, the aerospace systems introduce further constraints that have to be taken into account during the design of these heterogeneous systems. In this type of systems explicit data transfers to and from FPGAs are preferred to the adoption of a shared memory architecture. The first approach indeed potentially improves the predictability of the produced solutions, but the sizes of all the data transferred to and from any devices must be known at design time. Identifying the sizes in presence of complex C applications which use pointers can be a not so easy task. In this paper, a semi-automatic design flow based on the integration of an aerospace design flow, an application analysis technique, and High Level Synthesis methodologies is presented. The initial reference application is analyzed to identify which are the sizes of the data exchanged among the different components of the application. Next, starting from the high level specification and from the results of this analysis, High Level Synthesis techniques are applied to automatically produce the hardware accelerators.
Hydromagnetic Short Bearing

This article deals with the performance of a hydromagnetic short porous bearing. An electrically conducting lubricant in the presence of a transverse magnetic field has been taken into consideration while the plates are electrically conducting. The related Reynolds’ equation governing the fluid film pressure is solved under suitable boundary conditions to get the pressure distribution leading to the computation of load carrying capacity. The results presented in graphical form establish that the bearing system registers an improved performance due to hydromagnetization. Besides, the load carrying capacity increases considerably with respect to the conductivity. It is revealed that the negative effect of porosity and the ratio of breadth to height can be neutralized up to a considerable extent by the positive effect of hydromagnetization suitably choosing the plate conductivity and the aspect ratio. It is found that the hydromagnetization presents the friction at both the plates to be equal.
Altered peripheral amino acid profile indicate a systemic impact of active celiac disease and a possible role of amino acids in disease pathogenesis

Background We have previously performed a Genome Wide Association and linkage study that indicated a new disease triggering mechanism involving amino acid metabolism and nutrient sensing signaling pathways. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate if plasma amino acid levels differed among children with celiac disease compared with disease controls. Materials and methods Fasting plasma samples from 141 children with celiac disease and 129 non-celiac disease controls, were analyzed for amino acid levels by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS). A general linear model using age and experimental effects as covariates was used to compare amino acid levels between children with a diagnosis of celiac disease and controls. Results Seven out of twenty-three analyzed amino acids were elevated in children with celiac disease compared with controls (tryptophan, taurine, glutamic acid, proline, ornithine, alanine and methionine). The significance of the individual amino acids do not survive multiple correction, however, multivariate analyses of the amino acid profile showed significantly altered amino acid levels in children with celiac disease overall and after correction for age, sex and experimental effects (p = 8.4 × 10−8). Conclusion These findings support the idea that amino acids could influence systemic inflammation and play a possible role in disease pathogenesis.
Experimental Evaluation of a Novel Inertial Sensor Based Realtime Gait Phase De-tection Algorithm

Abstract – In this paper, a novel online gait phase detection algorithm is reviewed, extended and evaluated. A foot-mounted inertial measurement unit is employed, which allows barefoot application. Using only accelerometers and gyroscopes, the method can be used indoors and in the presence of magnetic disturbances. The algorithm is designed such that the sensor can be attached in an arbitrary orientation and that it will automatically adjust to the current pace. The algorithm is evaluated using an optical motion capture system as a reference. Data from more than 100 trials with healthy subjects walking barefoot and transfemoral amputees walking with shoes is analyzed. Mean recognition delays of approx. (0.1±0.05) s for the toe off and approx. (0.05± 0.07) s for the initial contact transition are obtained. The algorithm is found to be well suited for application in active neuroprostheses in everyday life scenarios.
Accuracy of Estimation of Graft Size for Living-Related Liver Transplantation: First Results of a Semi-Automated Interactive Software for CT-Volumetry

Objectives To evaluate accuracy of estimated graft size for living-related liver transplantation using a semi-automated interactive software for CT-volumetry. Materials and Methods Sixteen donors for living-related liver transplantation (11 male; mean age: 38.2±9.6 years) underwent contrast-enhanced CT prior to graft removal. CT-volumetry was performed using a semi-automated interactive software (P), and compared with a manual commercial software (TR). For P, liver volumes were provided either with or without vessels. For TR, liver volumes were provided always with vessels. Intraoperative weight served as reference standard. Major study goals included analyses of volumes using absolute numbers, linear regression analyses and inter-observer agreements. Minor study goals included the description of the software workflow: degree of manual correction, speed for completion, and overall intuitiveness using five-point Likert scales: 1–markedly lower/faster/higher for P compared with TR, 2–slightly lower/faster/higher for P compared with TR, 3–identical for P and TR, 4–slightly lower/faster/higher for TR compared with P, and 5–markedly lower/faster/higher for TR compared with P. Results Liver segments II/III, II–IV and V–VIII served in 6, 3, and 7 donors as transplanted liver segments. Volumes were 642.9±368.8 ml for TR with vessels, 623.8±349.1 ml for P with vessels, and 605.2±345.8 ml for P without vessels (P<0.01). Regression equations between intraoperative weights and volumes were y = 0.94x+30.1 (R2 = 0.92; P<0.001) for TR with vessels, y = 1.00x+12.0 (R2 = 0.92; P<0.001) for P with vessels, and y = 1.01x+28.0 (R2 = 0.92; P<0.001) for P without vessels. Inter-observer agreement showed a bias of 1.8 ml for TR with vessels, 5.4 ml for P with vessels, and 4.6 ml for P without vessels. For the degree of manual correction, speed for completion and overall intuitiveness, scale values were 2.6±0.8, 2.4±0.5 and 2. Conclusions CT-volumetry performed with P can predict accurately graft size for living-related liver transplantation while improving workflow compared with TR.
Detecting composite image manipulation based on deep neural networks

In this paper, we propose a composite manipulation detection method based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs). To our best knowledge, this is the first work applying deep learning for composite forgery detection. The proposed technique defines three types of attacks that occurred frequently during image forging and detects when they are concurrently applied to images. To do this, we learn the statistical change due to the manipulation through the proposed CNN architecture and classify the manipulated image. The proposed technique is effective since it learns integrated image of composite manipulation and extracts characteristic distinguished from original image. Since most attacks are applied in a composite way in real environment, the approach of the proposed technique has practical advantages compared to traditional forensics scheme. In addition, the experimental results demonstrate the reliability of the proposed method through results of high performance.
Osteogenic potential of icariin compared with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 in vitro: a preliminary study

Icariin, the primary active ingredient of Herba Epimedii which has been used for decades to treat bone related maladies in China, has the ability to support bone regeneration. In this study, we investigated icariin's potential to stimulate osteogenesis using an in vitro studies to compare icariin's ability as a function of time and dose to induce osteoblastogenesis in MC3T3-E1 cells with that of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP2). The optimal concentration of icariin in stimulating the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 was 10-5 M. There is no significant difference between icariin and rhBMP2 relative to cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and osteocalcin (OCN) expression. Icariin had better ALP activity after a 7 day culture and OCN expression after 4 and 10 day cultures compared with rhBMP2. Moreover, icariin produced more mineralized nodules of a larger area than rhBMP2. However, compared with rhBMP2, icariin only showed a significantly higher ALP gene expression on day 4, a 3 fold BMP2 expression on day 7, and Col 1 expression on day 4. In conclusion, compared with rhBMP2, the results indicate that icariin could be a good option for bone regeneration clinically, since it is an inexpensive and safe drug with an excellent osteogenesis potential.
Evaluation of channels for angiogenic cells ingrowth in collagen scaffolds in vitro and in vivo

Pre-cellularised scaffolds are limited in volume due to the const rai ts of the time delay required for angiogenic cells ingrowth forming a vascular ne twork and allowing for delivery of nutrients and waste exchange. Channels have the potentia l to improve the time taken for cellular penetration. The effectiveness of cha nnels in improving angiogenic cells penetration was assessed in vitro and in vivo in porous 3-D collagen scaffolds. Initial studies conducted in vitro demonstrated that the scaffolds supported angiogenic cells ingrowth in culture and the channels improved the depth of penetration of cells into the scaffold. The cells reside mainly a round the channels and migrate along the channels. In vivo, channels increased cell migration into the scaffolds and in particular angiogenic cells resulting in a c le r branched vascular network of micro vessels in the channelled samples which was not app arent in the non-channelled samples. This correlated well with macrophage invasion into scaffolds since angiogenesis in vivo is usually accompanied by infiltration of macrophages which participate in organization of angiogenesis, and in regulation of tissue regeneration. Thus, macrophage-mediated biodegradation of collagen scaff old in vitro was also assessed. Furthermore, pre-seeding channelled collage n sc ffolds with endothelial cells implantation has potential of speeding up vascularis ation of scaffolds compared to human bone marrow stromal cells.
Human Genome Epidemiology ( HuGE ) Review Meta-and Pooled Analysis of GSTP 1 Polymorphism and Lung Cancer : A HuGE-GSEC Review

Michele L. Cote, Wei Chen, Daryn W. Smith, Simone Benhamou, Christine Bouchardy, Dorota Butkiewicz, Kwun M. Fong, Manuel Gené, Ari Hirvonen, Chikako Kiyohara, Jill E. Larsen, Pinpin Lin, Ole Raaschou-Nielsen, Andrew C. Povey, Edyta Reszka, Angela Risch, Joachim Schneider, Ann G. Schwartz, Mette Sorensen, Jordi To-Figueras, Shinkan Tokudome, Yuepu Pu, Ping Yang, Angela S. Wenzlaff, Harriet Wikman, and Emanuela Taioli
Asynchronous haptic simulation of contacting deformable objects with variable stiffness

This paper presents a new asynchronous approach for haptic rendering of deformable objects. When stiff nonlinear deformations take place, they introduce important and rapid variations of the force sent to the user. This problem is similar to the stiff virtual wall for which a high refresh rate is required to obtain a stable haptic feedback. However, when dealing with several interacting deformable objects, it is usually impossible to simulate all objects at high rates. To address this problem we propose a quasi-static framework that allows for stable interactions of asynchronously computed deformable objects. In the proposed approach, a deformable object can be computed at high refresh rates, while the remaining deformable virtual objects remain computed at low refresh rates. Moreover, contacts and other constraints between the different objects of the virtual environment are accurately solved using a shared Linear Complementarity Problem (LCP). Finally, we demonstrate our method on two test cases: a snap-in example involving non-linear deformations and a virtual thread interacting with a deformable object.
Systematic review and meta‐analysis on the efficacy and tolerability of mirabegron for the treatment of storage lower urinary tract symptoms/overactive bladder: Comparison with placebo and tolterodine

A systematic review and meta‐analysis was carried out to evaluate the efficacy and safety of mirabegron 50 mg and 100 mg in the treatment of storage lower urinary tract symptoms/overactive bladder in comparison with a placebo and tolterodine 4 mg. A total of 491 articles were collected and eight randomized studies were identified as eligible for this meta‐analysis. Overall, eight trials were included in the meta‐analysis evaluating 10 248 patients. Mirabegron at both doses of 50 mg and 100 mg, and and tolterodine 4 mg were significantly associated with the reduction of incontinence episodes per 24 h, reduction of mean number of micturitions per 24 h, increase of voided volume and reduction of urgency episodes per 24 h, compared to a placebo. Both mirabegron 50 mg and mirabegron 100 mg were associated with a significant reduction of nocturia episodes when compared with a placebo. Conversely, tolterodine 4 mg did not prove to be more effective than a placebo in the reduction of nocturia episodes. Furthermore, mirabegron 50 mg showed a slightly, but significantly, better efficacy than tolterodine 4 mg in the improvement of nocturia episodes. Mirabegron 50 mg and mirabegron 100 mg shared the same risk of overall treatment‐emergent adverse events rate with the placebo. Otherwise, tolterodine 4 mg was associated with a significantly greater risk than the placebo. However, mirabegron 100 mg showed a slight trend toward an increased risk of hypertension (odds ratio 1.41; P = 0.08) and cardiac arrhythmia (odds ratio 2.18; P = 0.06). Mirabegron is an effective treatment for patients with storage lower urinary tract symptoms/overactive bladder, providing a reduction of incontinence, urgency and frequency; an improvement of voided volume with a slight, but statistically, significant improvement of nocturia; with a good safety profile. These findings should be considered for the treatment planning of patients with storage lower urinary tract symptoms/overactive bladder.
ALGORITHM 1 : Plane-Sweep based Interval

Interval joins find applications in several domains, including temporal and spatial databases, uncertain data management, streaming data processing. In this paper, we study the evaluation of an interval count semi-join (ICS J ) operation that can be used for selecting or ranking intervals based on the number of join pairs they appear in. We extend the state-of-the-art algorithm for interval joins to evaluate ICS J at the cost of only scanning the sorted interval endpoints.
Cerebellar Growth Impairment Characterizes School-Aged Children Born Preterm without Perinatal Brain Lesions

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Infants born preterm are commonly diagnosed with structural brain lesions known to affect long-term neurodevelopment negatively. Yet, the effects of preterm birth on brain development in the absence of intracranial lesions remain to be studied in detail. In this study, we aim to quantify long term consequences of preterm birth on brain development in this specific group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Neonatal cranial sonography and follow-up T1-weighted MR imaging and DTI were performed to evaluate whether the anatomic characteristics of the cerebrum and cerebellum in a cohort of school-aged children (6–12 years of age) were related to gestational age at birth in children free of brain lesions in the perinatal period. RESULTS: In the cohort consisting of 36 preterm (28–37 weeks' gestational age) and 66 term-born infants, T1-weighted MR imaging and DTI at 6–12 years revealed a reduction of cerebellar white matter volume (β = 0.387, P < .001), altered fractional anisotropy of cerebellar white matter (β = −0.236, P = .02), and a reduction of cerebellar gray and white matter surface area (β = 0.337, P < .001; β = 0.375, P < .001, respectively) in relation to birth age. Such relations were not observed for the cerebral cortex or white matter volume, surface area, or diffusion quantities. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study show that perinatal influences that are not primarily neurologic are still able to disturb long-term neurodevelopment, particularly of the developing cerebellum. Including the cerebellum in future neuroprotective strategies seems therefore essential.
Part of Speech Tagging and Lemmatisation for the Spoken Dutch Corpus

This paper describes the lemmatisation and tagging guidelines developed for the “Spoken Dutch Corpus”, and lays out the philosophy behind the high granularity tagset that was designed for the project. To bootstrap the annotation of large quantities of material (10 million words) with this new tagset we tested several existing taggers and tagger generators on initial samples of the corpus. The results show that the most effective method, when trained on the small samples, is a high quality implementation of a Hidden Markov Model tagger generator.
G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 promotes cardiac hypertrophy

The increase in protein activity and upregulation of G-protein coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) is a hallmark of cardiac stress and heart failure. Inhibition of GRK2 improved cardiac function and survival and diminished cardiac remodeling in various animal heart failure models. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of GRK2 on cardiac hypertrophy and dissect potential molecular mechanisms. In mice we observed increased GRK2 mRNA and protein levels following transverse aortic constriction (TAC). Conditional GRK2 knockout mice showed attenuated hypertrophic response with preserved ventricular geometry 6 weeks after TAC operation compared to wild-type animals. In isolated neonatal rat ventricular cardiac myocytes stimulation with angiotensin II and phenylephrine enhanced GRK2 expression leading to enhanced signaling via protein kinase B (PKB or Akt), consecutively inhibiting glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3β), such promoting nuclear accumulation and activation of nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT). Cardiac myocyte hypertrophy induced by in vitro GRK2 overexpression increased the cytosolic interaction of GRK2 and phosphoinositide 3-kinase γ (PI3Kγ). Moreover, inhibition of PI3Kγ as well as GRK2 knock down prevented Akt activation resulting in halted NFAT activity and reduced cardiac myocyte hypertrophy. Our data show that enhanced GRK2 expression triggers cardiac hypertrophy by GRK2-PI3Kγ mediated Akt phosphorylation and subsequent inactivation of GSK3β, resulting in enhanced NFAT activity.
Frequency Splitting of Solar Radio Bursts

As part of a new experimental and theoretical programme of solar radio research in Tasmania, a number of dynamic spectrographs are being built to obtain information of the amplitude, polarization and direction of arrival of radio bursts with high time and frequency resolution. The first two instruments, which have been in operation since early 1965, have the following specifications: (a) frequency range 8–230 Mc/s, bandwidth 200 kc/s sec−1, scan rate 200 sec−1; (b) frequency range 24–28 Mc/s, bandwidth 50 kc/s sec−1, scan rate 200 sec−1. Each uses a fixed log periodic antenna directed obliquely into a horizontal reflecting screen. In receiver (a), the first oscillator frequency is swept with a varactor over the range 440–662 Mc/s and there are three intermediate frequency amplifiers at 670 Mc/s, 50 Mc/s and 10 Mc/s respectively. Records of dynamic spectra are made on 35 mm film moving at 18 in. /h for 8 h each day and intermittently with a film speed of 6 in. /min during solar bursts. The operation of the faster cameras is initiated by the bursts.
Wood Preservation Trends in North America

This paper discusses recent trends in the wood preservation industry in North America. Particular emphasis is placed on the development of copper-rich second generation preservative systems, including problems (disposal, mold, copper leaching, and corrosion) and costs associated with the new systems. The effect of EPA restrictions on CCA is presented. Use and restrictions placed on current organic systems, especially creosote, are reviewed. Near and long term future directions for the wood preservation industry, including low level metallic systems, total organic preservative systems, combination systems, borates, the impact of substitute materials, and non-biocidal treatments such as polymer treatment, heat treatment, and chemical modification are covered. Finally, implications for new treatment processes and products such as engineered wood composites are presented.