Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Self-compensating design for focus variation

Process variations have become a bottleneck for predictable and high-yielding IC design and fabrication. Linewidth variation (/spl Delta/L) due to defocus in a chip is largely systematic after the layout is completed, i.e., dense lines "smile" through focus while isolated (iso) lines "frown". In this paper, we propose a design flow that allows explicit compensation of focus variation, either within a cell (self-compensated cells) or across cells in a critical path (self-compensated design). Assuming that iso and dense variants are available for each library cell, we achieve designs that are more robust to focus variation. Design with a self-compensated cell library incurs /spl sim/11-12% area penalty while compensating for focus variation. Across-cell optimization with a mix of dense and iso cell variants incurs /spl sim/6-8% area overhead compared to the original cell library, while meeting timing constraints across a large range of focus variation (from 0 to 0.4/spl mu/m). A combination of original and iso cells provides an even better self-compensating design option, with only 1% area overhead. Circuit delay distributions are tighter with self-compensated cells and self-compensated design than with a conventional design methodology.
Nutritional rehabilitation of mitochondrial aberrations in aplastic anaemia

Aplastic anaemia (AA) is a disease characterised by bone marrow hypocellularity and peripheral blood pancytopenia. AA is also associated with mitochondrial aberrations. The present study was undertaken primarily to test the hypothesis that a nutrient mixture could affect the nutritional rehabilitation of mitochondrial aberrations in AA mice. BALB/c AA mice were induced by a combination of hypodermic injections of acetylphenylhydrazine (100 mg/kg), X-rays (2·0 Gy) and intraperitoneal injections of cyclophosphamide (80 mg/kg). We treated these mice with nutrient mixture-supplemented diets in a dose-dependent manner (1445·55, 963·7, 674·59 mg/kg per d), and the effects of the nutrient mixture for mitochondrial rehabilitation were analysed in AA mice. Transmission electron microscopy showed that mitochondrial ultrastructural abnormalities in bone marrow cells, splenocytes and hepatocytes of the nutrient mixture groups were restored markedly, compared with the AA group. Mitochondrial membrane potentials of the nutrient mixture groups were increased remarkably. Western blot analysis also revealed that the nutrient mixture significantly inhibited cytochrome c release of mitochondria in the AA group. Furthermore, the mitochondrial DNA content of the nutrient mixture groups was also increased. Our data suggest that the nutrient mixture may promote the rehabilitation of mitochondrial aberrations, and consequently protects against mitochondrial dysfunction in AA mice.
RBRIEF: a robust descriptor based on random binary comparisons

The authors propose a robust descriptor based on BRIEF, called RBRIEF. Unlike the original BRIEF, the proposed descriptor is also robust to scale and in-plane rotation transformations. Furthermore, the authors use first derivative as sample function to do binary comparisons which has proven to be better compared against the function of intensity used in BRIEF. In the feature matching stage, the authors use Hamming distance to evaluate the descriptor similarity. As a result, the performance of the proposed descriptor outperforms SURF, BRIEF and ORB using standard benchmarks. In particular, the experiments demonstrate the proposed descriptor's superior performance in the presence of image blur, JPEG compression and light changes. Furthermore, the descriptor exhibits robust performance using only relatively few bits compared to other descriptors.
Direct Binding and Regulation of RhoA Protein by Cyclic GMP-dependent Protein Kinase Iα*

Background: Regulation of vascular smooth muscle tone by cGMP-dependent protein kinase Iα (PKGIα) through RhoA inhibition is not understood. Results: PKGIα binds RhoA, through cGMP-induced binding, and inhibition of RhoA requires PKGIα activity. Conclusion: RhoA-PKGIα co-interaction regulates RhoA function. Significance: Understanding RhoA regulation by PKGIα is important for understanding the regulation of vascular tone in vivo and in human diseases such as hypertension. Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) tone is regulated by the state of myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation, which is in turn regulated by the balance between MLC kinase and MLC phosphatase (MLCP) activities. RhoA activates Rho kinase, which phosphorylates the regulatory subunit of MLC phosphatase, thereby inhibiting MLC phosphatase activity and increasing contraction and vascular tone. Nitric oxide is an important mediator of VSMC relaxation and vasodilation, which acts by increasing cyclic GMP (cGMP) levels in VSMC, thereby activating cGMP-dependent protein kinase Iα (PKGIα). PKGI is known to phosphorylate Rho kinase, preventing Rho-mediated inhibition of MLC phosphatase, promoting vasorelaxation, although the molecular mechanisms that mediate this are unclear. Here we identify RhoA as a target of activated PKGIα and show further that PKGIα binds directly to RhoA, inhibiting its activation and translocation. In protein pulldown and immunoprecipitation experiments, binding of RhoA and PKGIα was demonstrated via a direct interaction between the amino terminus of RhoA (residues 1–44), containing the switch I domain of RhoA, and the amino terminus of PKGIα (residues 1–59), which includes a leucine zipper heptad repeat motif. Affinity assays using cGMP-immobilized agarose showed that only activated PKGIα binds RhoA, and a leucine zipper mutant PKGIα was unable to bind RhoA even if activated. Furthermore, a catalytically inactive mutant of PKGIα bound RhoA but did not prevent RhoA activation and translocation. Collectively, these results support that RhoA is a PKGIα target and that direct binding of activated PKGIα to RhoA is central to cGMP-mediated inhibition of the VSMC Rho kinase contractile pathway.
Phase transition in the globalization of trade

Globalization processes interweave economic structures at a worldwide scale, trade playing a central role as one of the elemental channels of interaction among countries. Despite the significance of such phenomena, measuring economic globalization still remains an open problem. More quantitative treatments could improve the understanding of globalization at the same time that help a formal basis for comparative economic history. In this letter, we investigate the time evolution of the statistical properties of bilateral trade imbalances between countries in the trade system. We measure their cumulative probability distribution at different moments in time to discover a sudden transition circa 1960 from a regime where the distribution was always represented by a steady characteristic function to a new state where the distribution dilates as time goes on. This suggests that the rule that was governing the statistical behavior of bilateral trade imbalances until the 60's abruptly changed to a new form persistent in the last decades. In the new regime, the figures for the different years collapse into a universal master curve when rescaled by the corresponding global gross domestic product value. This coupling points to an increased interdependence of world economies and its onset corresponds in time with the starting of the last globalization wave.
dbPTM: an information repository of protein post-translational modification

dbPTM is a database that compiles information on protein post-translational modifications (PTMs), such as the catalytic sites, solvent accessibility of amino acid residues, protein secondary and tertiary structures, protein domains and protein variations. The database includes all of the experimentally validated PTM sites from Swiss-Prot, PhosphoELM and O-GLYCBASE. Only a small fraction of Swiss-Prot proteins are annotated with experimentally verified PTM. Although the Swiss-Prot provides rich information about the PTM, other structural properties and functional information of proteins are also essential for elucidating protein mechanisms. The dbPTM systematically identifies three major types of protein PTM (phosphorylation, glycosylation and sulfation) sites against Swiss-Prot proteins by refining our previously developed prediction tool, KinasePhos (). Solvent accessibility and secondary structure of residues are also computationally predicted and are mapped to the PTM sites. The resource is now freely available at .
An electronically controlled current-mode triangular/square wave generator employing MO-CCCCTAs

A new current-mode triangular/square wave generator based on MO-CCCCTAs (Multiple output current controlled current conveyor transconductance amplifiers) is presented in this paper. The circuit description is very simple, its construction consists of 2 MO-CCCCTAs and 1 grounded capacitor without any external resistor. The output frequency and amplitude can be electronically/independently tuned via corresponding input bias currents. With mentioned features, it is very suitable to realize in a monolithic chip. The PSpice simulation results are depicted, and agree well with the theoretical anticipation. The maximum power consumption is approximately 1.62mW at ±1.5V power supply.
Validity of methods of body composition assessment in young and older men and women.

We examined the validity of percent body fat (%Fat) estimation by two-compartment (2-Comp) hydrostatic weighing (Siri 2-Comp), 3-Comp dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA 3-Comp), 3-Comp hydrostatic weighing corrected for the total body water (Siri 3-Comp), and anthropometric methods in young and older individuals (n = 78). A 4-Comp model of body composition served as the criterion measure of %Fat (Heymsfield 4-Comp; S. B. Heymsfield, S. Lichtman, R. N. Baumgartner, J. Wang, Y. Kamen, A. Aliprantis, and R. N. Pierson Jr., Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 52: 52-58, 1990.). Comparison of the Siri 3-Comp with the Heymsfield 4-Comp model revealed mean differences of </=0.4 %Fat, r values >/= r = 0.997, total error values </= 0.85 %Fat, and 95% confidence intervals (Bland-Altman analysis) of </=1.7 %Fat. Comparison of Siri 2-Comp, DEXA, and anthropometric models with the Heymsfield 4-Comp revealed that total error scores ranged from +/-4. 0 to +/-10.7 %Fat, and 95% confidence intervals associated with the Bland-Altman analysis ranged from +/-5.1 to +/-15.0 %Fat. We conclude that the Siri 3-Comp model provides valid and accurate body composition data when compared with a 4-Comp criterion model. However, the individual variability associated with the Siri 2-Comp, DEXA 3-Comp, and anthropometric models may limit their use in research settings. The use of anthropometric estimation methods resulted in large mean differences and a considerable amount of interindividual variability. These data suggest that the use of these techniques should be viewed with caution.
Exact expression for the BER of rectangular QAM with arbitrary constellation mapping

The exact closed-form expression for the bit-error rate (BER) of rectangular quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) is given. The presented formula is independent of the bit mapping and it is thus particularly useful in the design and analysis of modulation schemes employing non-Gray mapping. Compared with the so-called expurgated bound and the union bound, our expression is shown to accurately predict the BER in the low signal-to-noise ratio range where the bounding techniques fail.
Human Herpesvirus 8 Infects and Replicates in Primary Cultures of Activated B Lymphocytes through DC-SIGN

ABSTRACT Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is the etiological agent of Kaposi's sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma, and some forms of multicentric Castleman's disease. Although latent HHV-8 DNA can be detected in B cells from persons with these cancers, there is little information on the replication of HHV-8 in B cells. Indeed, B cells are relatively resistant to HHV-8 infection in vitro. We have recently shown that DC-SIGN, a C-type lectin first identified on dendritic cells (DC), is an entry receptor for HHV-8 on DC and macrophages. We have also demonstrated previously that B lymphocytes from peripheral blood and tonsils express DC-SIGN and that this expression increases after B-cell activation. Here we show that activated blood and tonsillar B cells can be productively infected with HHV-8, as measured by an increase in viral DNA, the expression of viral lytic and latency proteins, and the production of infectious virus. The infection of B cells with HHV-8 was blocked by the pretreatment of the cells with antibody specific for DC-SIGN or with mannan but not antibody specific for xCT, a cystine/glutamate exchange transporter that has been implicated in HHV-8 fusion to cells. The infection of B cells with HHV-8 resulted in increased expression of DC-SIGN and a decrease in the expression of CD20 and major histocompatibility complex class I. HHV-8 could also infect and replicate in B-cell lines transduced to express full-length DC-SIGN but not in B-cell lines transduced to express DC-SIGN lacking the transmembrane domain, demonstrating that the entry of HHV-8 into B cells is related to DC-SIGN-mediated endocytosis. The role of endocytosis in viral entry into activated B cells was confirmed by blocking HHV-8 infection with endocytic pathway inhibitors. Thus, the expression of DC-SIGN is essential for productive HHV-8 infection of and replication in B cells.
PEDESTRIAN WALKING SPEEDS AND CONFLICTS AT URBAN MEDIAN LOCATIONS

Results are presented of an analysis of pedestrian walking speeds and conflicts for a project sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration. The project included analysis of urban and suburban medians located on unlimited-access arterials. Pedestrian walking times were measured in Atlanta, Phoenix, and Los Angeles-Pasadena on three types of arterial cross sections: raised median, two-way left turn (TWLT), and undivided. Pedestrian speeds were computed for three age categories of pedestrians. Statistical tests were applied to determine the effect on walking speeds of median type, crossing location (midblock versus signalized intersection), and pedestrian age. Pedestrian-vehicle conflict data and accident data were collected and conflict rates were calculated. Statistical tests were applied to determine the effect of crossing location, median type, and accident rate on conflict type. The results indicate that pedestrian walking speeds are a function of age and crossing location. The type of median did not affect pedestrian-vehicle conflicts. It was found that through and right-turn conflicts were related to the accident data.
Evaluation of Semantic Web Technologies for Storing Computable Definitions of Electronic Health Records Phenotyping Algorithms

Electronic Health Records are electronic data generated during or as a byproduct of routine patient care. Structured, semi-structured and unstructured EHR offer researchers unprecedented phenotypic breadth and depth and have the potential to accelerate the development of precision medicine approaches at scale. A main EHR use-case is defining phenotyping algorithms that identify disease status, onset and severity. Phenotyping algorithms utilize diagnoses, prescriptions, laboratory tests, symptoms and other elements in order to identify patients with or without a specific trait. No common standardized, structured, computable format exists for storing phenotyping algorithms. The majority of algorithms are stored as human-readable descriptive text documents making their translation to code challenging due to their inherent complexity and hinders their sharing and re-use across the community. In this paper, we evaluate the two key Semantic Web Technologies, the Web Ontology Language and the Resource Description Framework, for enabling computable representations of EHR-driven phenotyping algorithms.
Sexuality : new perspectives

This volume brings together a variety of views of and approaches to some of the central issues currently under scrutiny in the area of human sexuality. These articles by clinicians and academicians focus on topics such as gender identity, sexual orientation, AIDs, sleep psychology, and ethics. The collection is divided into four sections, covering female sexual issues; gender identity and psychotherapy; medical and psychological aspects of sexual behavior; and attitudes, values, and ethics.
The self and society in aging processes

This volume focuses on the experience of growing old as it is linked to societal factors. Ryff and Marshall construct this "macro" view of aging in society by bridging disciplines and brining together contributors from all the social sciences. The book is organized into three sections: theoretical perspectives, socioeconomic structures, and contexts of self and society. Leading psychologists, anthropologists, gerontologists, and sociologists present theoretical and empirical advances that forge links between the individual and the social aspects of aging. It is must reading for researchers in all gerontologic specialties, and a valuable text for graduate courses in human development, psychology of aging, and other social aspects of aging.
On the Security of Picture Gesture Authentication

Computing devices with touch-screens have experienced unprecedented growth in recent years. Such an evolutionary advance has been facilitated by various applications that are heavily relying on multi-touch gestures. In addition, picture gesture authentication has been recently introduced as an alternative login experience to text-based password on such devices. In particular, the new Microsoft Windows 8™ operating system adopts such an alternative authentication to complement traditional text-based authentication. In this paper, we present an empirical analysis of picture gesture authentication on more than 10,000 picture passwords collected from over 800 subjects through online user studies. Based on the findings of our user studies, we also propose a novel attack framework that is capable of cracking passwords on previously unseen pictures in a picture gesture authentication system. Our approach is based on the concept of selection function that models users' password selection processes. Our evaluation results show the proposed approach could crack a considerable portion of collected picture passwords under different settings.
ADOPTIVE TRANSFER OF IMMUNITY: A NEW STRATEGY TO INTERFERE WITH SEVERE HEPATITIS VIRUS REINFECTION AFTER WOODCHUCK LIVER TRANSPLANTATION

Background. The effective transfer of humoral immunity to hepatitis B virus was first demonstrated after clinical and experimental bone marrow transplantation. This strategy is now evaluated in the woodchuck transplantation model, in which protection from reinfection can be tested. Methods. Animals negative for woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) (n = 3) were vaccinated using plasmids expressing woodchuck hepatitis virus surface (WHs), woodchuck hepatitis virus core (WHc), and woodchuck interferon-γ in combination with a protein vaccine (WHs antigen [Ag]) three times before liver donation. Control animals (n= 4) received the liver from non-immunized donors. Chronic WHV carriers served as recipients. The viral load in serum and liver tissue was monitored pretransplant and posttransplant for up to 11 weeks by dot blot, Northern blot, Southern blot, and immunohistochemistry for WHc and WhsAg. Results. Donor vaccination was effective, as indicated by the development of anti-WHc and anti-WHs antibodies. Transplanting the livers of these donors resulted in a reduction of viral load in two of three animals. No viral DNA was detected in repeated serum samples by dot-blot hybridization technique. However, polymerase chain reaction for viral DNA extracted from serum was always positive. WHV replication intermediates and WHV RNA were absent in repeated liver biopsies. Only few hepatocytes stained weakly positive for WHc protein and frequency, and the intensity of WHsAg positive hepatocytes was low. The third animal developed severe reinfection within 3 weeks, similar to the woodchucks in the control group. Conclusions. Liver transplantation from immunized donors to chronic carriers seems to be a promising strategy to reduce and delay severe reinfection, which may be applicable in clinical liver transplantation.
Outer Membrane Vesicle-Mediated Export of Processed PrtV Protease from Vibrio cholerae

Background Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are known to release from almost all Gram-negative bacteria during normal growth. OMVs carry different biologically active toxins and enzymes into the surrounding environment. We suggest that OMVs may therefore be able to transport bacterial proteases into the target host cells. We present here an analysis of the Vibrio cholerae OMV-associated protease PrtV. Methodology/Principal Findings In this study, we demonstrated that PrtV was secreted from the wild type V. cholerae strain C6706 via the type II secretion system in association with OMVs. By immunoblotting and electron microscopic analysis using immunogold labeling, the association of PrtV with OMVs was examined. We demonstrated that OMV-associated PrtV was biologically active by showing altered morphology and detachment of cells when the human ileocecum carcinoma (HCT8) cells were treated with OMVs from the wild type V. cholerae strain C6706 whereas cells treated with OMVs from the prtV isogenic mutant showed no morphological changes. Furthermore, OMV-associated PrtV protease showed a contribution to bacterial resistance towards the antimicrobial peptide LL-37. Conclusion/Significance Our findings suggest that OMVs released from V. cholerae can deliver a processed, biologically active form of PrtV that contributes to bacterial interactions with target host cells.
Computer‐based performance assessment in an undergraduate clinical clerkship

demonstrate culturally sensitive communication skills. The steps for learning the skill include: a 1-hour discussion session on culturally sensitive communication; a role-play demonstration by two faculty members during which each student can refer to a checklist of performance steps, and a subsequent opportunity for students to practise communication skills in pairs. Groups of 15 Year 1 students accompanied by two faculty members also attend a field site once a week for 7–8 weeks, from which they carry out household visits. These visits provide opportunities for students to use their skills and for instructors to observe and evaluate students using the performance checklist. Evaluation of results and impact To date, the new CHN curriculum has been implemented for students in Years 1 and 4. The curriculum for Years 2 and 3 will be added this year (2009). Data collected in focus groups with faculty members (n = 3) show that the learning and assessment tools are helpful, but that the new curriculum has increased faculty workload and challenges faculty to ascertain that each student is given the opportunity to perform skills in the field on real clients. Data from student focus groups (n = 20) show that students feel confident in conducting household visits and interviews with families because they are clear about the important steps. Whether this increased comfort, knowledge and skills level will fulfil the ultimate goal of increasing the number of competent nurses who choose to enter communitybased nursing will be determined in the next few years.