Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spin-Transfer Torque Devices for Logic and Memory: Prospects and Perspectives

As CMOS technology begins to face significant scaling challenges, considerable research efforts are being directed to investigate alternative device technologies that can serve as a replacement for CMOS. Spintronic devices, which utilize the spin of electrons as the state variable for computation, have recently emerged as one of the leading candidates for post-CMOS technology. Recent experiments have shown that a nano-magnet can be switched by a spin-polarized current and this has led to a number of novel device proposals over the past few years. In this paper, we provide a review of different mechanisms that manipulate the state of a nano-magnet using current-induced spin-transfer torque and demonstrate how such mechanisms have been engineered to develop device structures for energy-efficient on-chip memory and logic.
BIOINFORMATICS ORIGINAL PAPER

Motivation: The high redundancy of and high degree of cross-talk between biological pathways hint that a sub-pathway may respond more effectively or sensitively than the whole pathway. However, few current pathway enrichment analysis methods account for the sub-pathways or structures of the tested pathways. We present a sub-pathway-based enrichment approach for identifying a drug response principal network, which takes into consideration the quantitative structures of the pathways. Result: We validated this new approach on a microarray experiment that captures the transcriptional proﬁle of dexamethasone (DEX)- treated human prostate cancer PC3 cells. Compared with GeneTrail and DAVID, our approach is more sensitive to the DEX response pathways. Speciﬁcally, not only pathways but also the principal components of sub-pathways and networks related to prostate cancer and DEX response could be identiﬁed and veriﬁed by literature retrieval.
A randomized controlled trial of telephone-mentoring with home-based walking preceding rehabilitation in COPD

Purpose With the limited reach of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) and low levels of daily physical activity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a need exists to increase daily exercise. This study evaluated telephone health-mentoring targeting home-based walking (tele-rehab) compared to usual waiting time (usual care) followed by group PR. Patients and methods People with COPD were randomized to tele-rehab (intervention) or usual care (controls). Tele-rehab delivered by trained nurse health-mentors supported participants’ home-based walking over 8–12 weeks. PR, delivered to both groups simultaneously, included 8 weeks of once-weekly education and self-management skills, with separate supervised exercise. Data were collected at three time-points: baseline (TP1), before (TP2), and after (TP3) PR. The primary outcome was change in physical capacity measured by 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) with two tests performed at each time-point. Secondary outcomes included changes in self-reported home-based walking, health-related quality of life, and health behaviors. Results Of 65 recruits, 25 withdrew before completing PR. Forty attended a median of 6 (4) education sessions. Seventeen attended supervised exercise (5±2 sessions). Between TP1 and TP2, there was a statistically significant increase in the median 6MWD of 12 (39.1) m in controls, but no change in the tele-rehab group. There were no significant changes in 6MWD between other time-points or groups, or significant change in any secondary outcomes. Participants attending supervised exercise showed a nonsignificant improvement in 6MWD, 12.3 (71) m, while others showed no change, 0 (33) m. The mean 6MWD was significantly greater, but not clinically meaningful, for the second test compared to the first at all time-points. Conclusion Telephone-mentoring for home-based walking demonstrated no benefit to exercise capacity. Two 6-minute walking tests at each time-point may not be necessary. Supervised exercise seems essential in PR. The challenge of incorporating exercise into daily life in COPD is substantial.
Exploring the Synergy of Emerging Workloads and Silicon Reliability Trends

Technology constraints and application characteristics are radically changing as we scale to the end of silicon technology. Devices are becoming increasingly brittle, highly varying in their properties, and error-prone, leading to a fundamentally unpredictable hardware substrate. Applications are also changing, and emerging new classes of applications are increasingly relying on probabilistic methods. They have an inherent tolerance for uncertaintyand can tolerate hardware errors. This paper explores this synergy between application error tolerance and hardware uncertainity. Our key insight is to expose device-level errors up the system stack instead of masking them. Using a compiler instrumentation-based fault-injection methodology, we study the behavior of a set of PARSEC benchmarks under different error rates. Our methodology allows us to run programs to completion, and we quantitatively measure quality degradation in the programs’ output using application-specific quality metrics. Our results show that many applications have a high tolerance to errors. Injecting errors into individual static instructions at rates of 1% and higher, we find that between 70% to 95% of those instructions cause only minimal degradation in the quality of the program’s output. Based on a detailed analysis of these programs, we propose light-weight application-agnostic mechanisms in hardware to mitigate the impact of errors.
A Combined Hardware-Software Approach for Low-Power SoCs: Applying Adaptive Voltage Scaling and Intelligent Energy Management Software

Increased functionality and performance demands are challenging System-on-Chip (SoC) designers to seek better methods for optimizing available battery power in portable applications. Key areas of exploration include dynamic voltage scaling and improved software algorithms for the control of power modes. Dynamic voltage scaling can be improved by adaptively monitoring hardware performance to minimize the applied supply voltage for any given clock frequency. While adaptive voltage scaling optimizes power use based on temporal environmental conditions, Intelligent Energy Management (IEM) algorithms optimize power consumption based on the dynamic workload of the processor. IEM software and hardware monitor the execution and communication characteristics of workloads and predictively set the performance of the processor to the level that minimizes energy use, while still meeting application deadlines. The combined use of adaptive voltage scaling and IEM provides the optimum trade-off between performance and battery life for portable devices.
Exaggerated acquisition and resistance to extinction of avoidance behavior in treated heroin-dependent males

Objective— Addiction is often conceptualized as a behavioral strategy for avoiding negative experiences. In rodents, opioid intake has been associated with abnormal acquisition and extinction of avoidance behavior. Here, we tested the hypothesis that these findings would generalize to human opioid-dependent subjects. Method— Adults meeting DSM-IV criteria for heroin-dependence and treated with opioid medication (n=27), and healthy controls (n=26), were recruited between March–October 2013 and given a computer-based task to assess avoidance behavior. On this task, subjects controlled a spaceship and could either gain points by shooting an enemy spaceship, or hide in safe areas to avoid on-screen aversive events. Results— While groups did not differ on escape responding (hiding) during the aversive event, heroin-dependent males (but not females) made more avoidance responses during a warning signal that predicted the aversive event (ANOVA, sex × group interaction, p=0.007). This group was also slower to extinguish the avoidance response when the aversive event no longer followed the warning signal (p=0.011). This behavioral pattern resulted in reduced opportunity to obtain reward without reducing risk of punishment. Results suggest that differences in avoidance behavior cannot be easily explained by impaired task performance or by exaggerated motor activity in male patients. Conclusion— This study provides evidence for abnormal acquisition and extinction of avoidance behavior in opioid-dependent patients. Interestingly, data suggest abnormal avoidance is demonstrated only by male patients. Findings shed light on cognitive and behavioral manifestations of opioid addiction, and may facilitate development of therapeutic approaches to help affected individuals. differential
Factors Affecting Unmet Need for Family Planning in Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region, Ethiopia

Background High fertility and low contraceptive prevalence characterize Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region. In such populations, unmet needs for contraception have a tendency to be high, mainly due to the effect of socio-economic and demographic variables. However, there has not been any study examining the relationship between these variables and unmet need in the region. This study, therefore, identifies the key socio- demographic determinants of unmet need for family planning in the region. Methods The study used data from the 2000 and 2005 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Surveys. A total of 2,133 currently married women age 15–49 from the 2000 survey and 1,988 from the 2005 survey were included in the study. Unmet need for spacing, unmet need for limiting and total unmet need were used as dependent variables. Socio- demographic variables (respondent's age, age at marriage, number of living children, sex composition of living children, child mortality experience, place of residence, respondent's and partner's education, religion and work status) were treated as explanatory variables and their relative importance was examined on each of the dependent variables using multinomial and binary logistic regression models. Results Unmet need for contraception increased from 35.1% in 2000 to 37.4% in 2005. Unmet need for spacing remained constant at about 25%, while unmet need for limiting increased by 20% between 2000 and 2005. Age, age at marriage, number of living children, place of residence, respondent's education, knowledge of family planning, respondent's work status, being visited by a family planning worker and survey year emerged as significant factors affecting unmet need. On the other hand, number of living children, education, age and age at marriage were the only explanatory variables affecting unmet need for limiting. Number of living children, place of residence, age and age at marriage were also identified as factors affecting total unmet need for contraception. Conclusion unmet need for spacing is more prevalent than unmet need for limiting. Women with unmet need for both spacing and limiting are more likely to be living in rural areas, have lower level of education, lower level of knowledge about family planning methods, have no work other than household chores, and have never been visited by a family planning worker. In order to address unmet need for family planning in the region, policy should set mechanisms to enforce the law on minimum age for marriage, improve child survival and increase educational access to females. In addition, the policy should promote awareness creation about family planning in rural areas.
Altered Expression of Genes Encoding Neurotransmitter Receptors in GnRH Neurons of Proestrous Mice

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons play a key role in the central regulation of reproduction. In proestrous female mice, estradiol triggers the pre-ovulatory GnRH surge, however, its impact on the expression of neurotransmitter receptor genes in GnRH neurons has not been explored yet. We hypothesized that proestrus is accompanied by substantial changes in the expression profile of genes coding for neurotransmitter receptors in GnRH neurons. We compared the transcriptome of GnRH neurons obtained from intact, proestrous, and metestrous female GnRH-GFP transgenic mice, respectively. About 1500 individual GnRH neurons were sampled from both groups and their transcriptome was analyzed using microarray hybridization and real-time PCR. In this study, changes in mRNA expression of genes involved in neurotransmitter signaling were investigated. Differential gene expression was most apparent in GABA-ergic (Gabbr1, Gabra3, Gabrb3, Gabrb2, Gabrg2), glutamatergic (Gria1, Gria2, Grin1, Grin3a, Grm1, Slc17a6), cholinergic (Chrnb2, Chrm4) and dopaminergic (Drd3, Drd4), adrenergic (Adra1b, Adra2a, Adra2c), adenosinergic (Adora2a, Adora2b), glycinergic (Glra), purinergic (P2rx7), and serotonergic (Htr1b) receptors. In concert with these events, expression of genes in the signaling pathways downstream to the receptors, i.e., G-proteins (Gnai1, Gnai2, Gnas), adenylate-cyclases (Adcy3, Adcy5), protein kinase A (Prkaca, Prkacb) protein kinase C (Prkca) and certain transporters (Slc1a4, Slc17a6, Slc6a17) were also changed. The marked differences found in the expression of genes involved in neurotransmitter signaling of GnRH neurons at pro- and metestrous stages of the ovarian cycle indicate the differential contribution of these neurotransmitter systems to the induction of the pre-ovulatory GnRH surge, the known prerequisite of the subsequent hormonal cascade inducing ovulation.
Rings in the Extreme: PCNA Interactions and Adaptations in the Archaea

Biochemical and structural analysis of archaeal proteins has enabled us to gain great insight into many eukaryotic processes, simultaneously offering fascinating glimpses into the adaptation and evolution of proteins at the extremes of life. The archaeal PCNAs, central to DNA replication and repair, are no exception. Characterisation of the proteins alone, and in complex with both peptides and protein binding partners, has demonstrated the diversity and subtlety in the regulatory role of these sliding clamps. Equally, studies have provided valuable detailed insight into the adaptation of protein interactions and mechanisms that are necessary for life in extreme environments.
Performance Analysis of Selective Relaying in Cooperative Free-Space Optical Systems

In this paper, we evaluate the performance of a selective-relaying (SR) protocol that is suitable for cooperative free-space optical (FSO) communications with any number of relays. The SR strategy is based on transmitting all information symbols either along the direct link between the source and the destination or along one of the indirect links via the relays. We derive closed-form expressions of upper-bounds on the average error probability that can be achieved over Rayleigh and lognormal fading channels. We also provide an asymptotic analysis for quantifying the diversity gain and reduction in fading variance that can be realized by the cooperative scheme. The performance analysis shows the superiority of the SR scheme over the strategy that corresponds to activating all available links.
Challenges in the characterization of neutrophil extracellular traps: The truth is in the details

Neutrophil extracellular traps play a key role in defense against extracellular pathogens. The release of these chromatin structures, that contain a combination of cytoplasmic and granule proteins, is known as NETosis, a regulated cell death modality typical of neutrophils. NETosis is induced by pathogens as well as other stimuli such as activated platelets. Our understanding of the molecular events underlying this phenomenon remains incomplete. The currently used experimental approaches to study NETs are semi‐quantitative, subjective in nature, and low throughput, rendering it difficult to compare results between laboratories. This is highlighted in two articles published in this issue of the European Journal of Immunology which present what appear to be contradicting results on NET formation. Considering the extensive research on NETosis and the importance of this phenomenon in the immune response, we find it timely to briefly review the lacunae in the most commonly used methods to investigate NETosis. The impact these technical difficulties have on the advancement of our knowledge in this field as well as potential solutions are also discussed.
Detection in Escherichia coli of the Genes Encoding the Major Virulence Factors, the Genes Defining the O157:H7 Serotype, and Components of the Type 2 Shiga Toxin Family by Multiplex PCR

ABSTRACT Strains of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) have been associated with outbreaks of diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis, and hemolytic-uremic syndrome in humans. Most clinical signs of disease arise as a consequence of the production of Shiga toxin 1 (Stx1), Stx2 or combinations of these toxins. Other major virulence factors include enterohemorrhagic E. coli hemolysin (EHEC hlyA), and intimin, the product of the eaeA gene that is involved in the attaching and effacing adherence phenotype. In this study, a series of multiplex-PCR assays were developed to detect the eight most-important E. coli genes associated with virulence, two that define the serotype and therefore the identity of the organism, and a built-in gene detection control. Those genes detected were stx1, stx2, stx2c, stx2d, stx2e, stx2f, EHEC hlyA, and eaeA, as well as rfbE, which encodes the E. coli O157 serotype; fliC, which encodes the E. coli flagellum H7 serotype; and the E. coli 16S rRNA, which was included as an internal control. A total of 129 E. coli strains, including 81 that were O157:H7, 10 that were O157:non-H7, and 38 that were non-O157 isolates, were investigated. Among the 129 samples, 101 (78.3%) were stx positive, while 28 (21.7%) were lacked stx. Of these 129 isolates, 92 (71.3%) were EHEC hlyA positive and 96 (74.4%) were eaeA positive. All STEC strains were identified by this procedure. In addition, all Stx2 subtypes, which had been initially identified by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism, were identified by this method. A particular strength of the assay was the identification of these 11 genes without the need to use restriction enzyme digestion. The proposed method is a simple, reliable, and rapid procedure that can detect the major virulence factors of E. coli while differentiating O157:H7 from non-O157 isolates.
Psychometric properties of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and other physician-rated psychiatric scales for the assessment of depression in ESRD patients undergoing hemodialysis in Turkey

Abstract This study aimed to examine the reliability and validity of clinician-rated psychiatric scales for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) treatment in Turkey. For this, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS), Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) Scale, Clinical Global Impression (CGI) Scale, and Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE) were administered to 45 ESRD outpatients undergoing HD treatment. Regarding the reliability of HDRS and HARS, internal consistency and split-half reliability analyses revealed acceptable coefficients. The test – retest reliability coefficients were also examined for all measures after a period of a month, and despite this relatively long time interval, test – retest reliability coefficients were above . 60 for all measures. Concerning the validity studies, all these scales revealed suitable convergent, discriminant, and criterion validity outcomes. A cut-off point of 10 for HDRS is suggested for the identification of depression in this population. In general, the findings of this study indicate that HDRS, HARS, CGI, GAF, and MMSE are reliable and valid instruments that can be used among ESRD patients undergoing HD.
A Computationally Sound , Symbolic Abstraction for Malleable Zero-knowledge Proofs

Zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs have become a central building block for a variety of modern security protocols. Modern ZK constructions, such as the Groth-Sahai proof system, offer novel types of cryptographic flexibility: a participant is able to re-randomize existing ZK proofs, e.g., to achieve unlinkability in anonymity protocols; she can hide public parts of a ZK proof statement to meet her privacy requirements; and she can logically compose ZK proofs in order to construct new proof statements. ZK proof systems that permit these transformations are called malleable. However, since these transformations are accessible to an adversary as well, analyzing the security of these protocols requires one to cope with a much more comprehensive adversary – a challenge that automated protocol analysis thus far has not been capable of dealing with. In this work, we present a computationally sound, symbolic abstraction of malleable ZK proofs that is accessible to existing tools for automated verification of security protocols. In particular, we develop an equational theory that captures the semantics of malleable ZK proofs. We prove the computational soundness of our abstraction with respect to trace
Analysis and Modeling of the LTE Broadband Channel for Train-Ground Communications on High-Speed Railway

The increasing interest that has been drawn to LTE system used in High-Speed Railway therefore requires measurement and analysis of broadband mobile channel for train-ground communications. By the approval of the Ministry of Railways of China, extensive and practical measurements are performed on Harbin-Dalian passenger dedicated line with the maximum running speed of 370 km/h. Based on the hierarchical two-hop network structure, this paper first presents comprehensive analyzed results of channel characteristics in viaduct scenario, including both the large-scale and small-scale fading parameters. The proposed path loss model benefits LTE system link budget and feasible transceiver-range determination. In particular, channel impulse response, power delay profile, the delay spread, the number of paths and delay-Doppler spectrum are extracted, evaluated and reported. All these informative results promote the evaluation and verification of broadband communication system on High-Speed Railway.
A New Science of Life: The Hypothesis of Morphic Resonance

Why do many phenonmena defy the explanations of conventional biology and physics? For instance, when laboratory rats in one place have learned how to navigate a new maze, why do rats elsewhere seem to learn it more easily? Rupert Sheldrake describes this process as morphic resonance: the past forms and behaviors of organisms, he argues, influence organisms in the present through direct connections across time and space. Calling into question many of our fundamental concepts about life and consciousness, Sheldrake reinterprets the regularities of nature as being more like habits than immutable laws.The first edition of A New Science of Life created a furor when it appeared, provoking the outrage of the old-guard scientific community and the approbation of the new. The British journal Nature called it "the best candidate for burning there has been for many years. " A lively debate ensued, as researchers devised experiments testing Sheldrake's hypothesis, including some involving millions of people through the medium of television. These developments are recorded in this revised and expanded edition.
Object-Oriented Implementation for the Dual Surface Minimisation Algorithm

The automatic surface extraction from volumetric images is important for the medical image analysis. The delineation task is challenging especially with functional imaging where images are noisy and the content of image depends on the study. We have earlier developed a new dual surface minimisation (DSM) algorithm for the optimisation of deformable surfaces and applied it successfully to fully automatic surface extraction from positron emission tomography images. We present a fast object-oriented implementation for the DSM algorithm with a conventional command line interface. The DSM software is a freely available tool for the Internet community at http://www.cs. uta.fi/research/software/. The implementation of the DSM algorithm provides new opportunities to extend experiments, to develop and to study new applications with noisy volumetric images emerging from medical or other applications.