Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Systolic architecture for the VLSI implementation of high-speed staged decoders/quantizers

We describe the systolic-array implementation of a block-oriented algorithm known as staged decoding, applicable to a class of signal-space codes and lattices obtained through “generalized concatenation”. By exploiting the trellis representation of block codes and the algebraic formulation of Viterbi Algorithm, we derive a very efficient symbol-level pipelined architecture of the staged processor. In order to show the range of applicability of our architecture, we consider the implementation of a staged decoder for the 8-PSK block-coded modulation (BCM) scheme with block length 8 and rate 1 bit/dimension. We obtain a decoding rate of more than 700 Mbit/s with an associated hardware complexity of less than 30 Kgates with 1μ CMOS technology.
In Vitro and In Vivo Transfer of bcl‐2 Gene into Keratinocytes Suppresses UVB‐induced Apoptosis ¶

Bcl‐2 is a member of the large Bcl‐2 family and protects cells from apoptosis. Ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation induces apoptosis of keratinocytes that is known as “sunburn cells. ” Previously we reported that UVB irradiation induces apoptosis accompanied by sequential activation of caspase 8, 3 and 1 in keratinocytes, and that the process is inhibited by various caspase inhibitors. Using bcl‐2–expressing adenovirus vector we investigated the effect of Bcl‐2 on UVB‐induced apoptosis. Adenovirus vector efficiently introduced bcl‐2 gene in cultured normal mouse keratinocytes (NMK cells); almost all NMK cells (1 × 106) were transfected at 1 × 108 plaque‐forming unit (PFU)/mL. Bcl‐2–transfected NMK cells were significantly resistant to UVB‐induced apoptosis with the suppressive effect dependent on the Bcl‐2 expression level. Following UVB irradiation caspase 8, 3 and 9 activities were stimulated in NMK cells, whereas in bcl‐2–transfected cells only caspase 8, but not caspase 3 or 9, activity was stimulated. In order to investigate the effect of Bcl‐2 in vivo topical application of Ad‐bcl‐2 on tape‐stripped mouse skin was performed. Following the application Bcl‐2 was efficiently overexpressed in almost all viable keratinocytes. The expression was transient with the maximal expression of Bcl‐2 on the first day following the application of 1 × 109 PFU in 200 μL. The introduced Bcl‐2 remained at least for 6 days. UVB irradiation (1250 J/m2) induced apoptosis within 12 h and the maximal effect was observed at 24 h in control mouse skin. Both bcl‐2–transfected and topical caspase 3 inhibitor‐treated mice skin were resistant to UVB‐induced apoptosis. The suppressive effect of Bcl‐2 was more potent than that of caspase 3 inhibitor application. Topical application of empty adenovirus vector alone had no effect on Bcl‐2 expression or UVB‐induced apoptosis. These results indicate that adenovirus vector is an efficient gene delivery system into keratinocytes and that Bcl‐2 is a potent inhibitor of UVB‐induced apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo.
Thioredoxin genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Map positions of TRX1 and TRX2

The two genes encoding thioredoxims in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, TRX1 and TRX2, map to chromosome XII and VII, respectively. From the DNA sequence of the intragenic region TRX1 is 500 bp downstream of PDC1. Tetrad analysis places TRX21·1 cM from ADE3, while a physical map of this region positions TRX2 4·5 kb downstreams of ADE3. The mapping of TRX1 adjacent to PDC1 clarifies previous results (Muller, E. G. D. J. Biol. Chem. 266, 9194–9202, 1991) that suggested a third thioredoxims gene.
Estimating multiple health parameters using PSoC controller

In the minds of people health has been a very important parameter, so a monitoring system is required to keep them alert about their health. Monitoring systems are also required in Intensive Care Unit of various hospitals. Hospital staff faces difficulty in handling devices due to their bulkiness and huge number of wires while giving medication to the patient. Monitoring system requirement is of very small size and low power operation. A small size, wearable device is presented in this paper, which consists of PSoC 4, photo interrupter and a very small size Bluetooth module. The system is totally wireless due to the use of Bluetooth module. Different sensors used are attached on the wrist for experimentation. Photo interrupter is used to read the data in the form of analog signal which is further amplified and converted to digital signal by ADC present in PSoC controller. PSoC is used mainly to reduce the system size, as both analog and digital peripherals are available inside a single chip. Due to this the discrete analog components such as OpAmp, ADC and Filter are reduced. Analog signal obtained from sensor is processed by the controller and the values of Heart Rate (Pulse wave) and Temperature are calculated. Temperature is obtained using the LM35 sensor. Total system is mounted on a PCB and sensors are taken out with the help of wires. The PCB design is embedded in a black box. System operates on 3.3V and current requirement is less that 50mA, as the deep sleep mode has been used in both PSoC and Bluetooth. The system is powered by a Lithium Ion battery. A wireless wearable system is built which gives two different parameters of health i.e. heart rate and body temperature. The problem faced by doctors and nurses can be reduced by using this small size and wireless device.
Serum and synovial fluid chemokine ligand 2/monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 concentrations correlates with symptomatic severity in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Objective Serum and synovial fluid (SF) chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2)/monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) concentrations have been identified to be increased in osteoarthritis (OA) patients. The scope of this study was to examine CCL2 concentrations in serum and SF of knee OA patients and to explore their association with patient-reported symptomatic severity. Method One hundred and sixty-one knee OA patients and 138 healthy controls were enrolled into the study from our hospital. We collected Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) scores from OA patients and measured CCL2 concentrations in serum and SF using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method, and correlation between WOMAC scores and CCL2 concentrations were analysed. Results CCL2 concentrations in SF instead of serum were independently and positively associated with self-reported greater pain (r = 0.460, P < 0.001) and physical disability (r = 0.561, P < 0.001) in OA patients. Conclusion CCL2 in SF might serve as a novel and reliable biomarker for assessing symptomatic severity of OA.
Enabling Isolation on Modern Computing Platforms

The emergence of cloud computing and the Internet of Things (IoT) has resulted in the design and development of a variety of computing platforms. Today, these platforms range from large-scale servers with virtualisation support used in clouds to resource-constrained mixed-criticality systems used in IoT deployments. Isolation is a key security requirement both in clouds and IoT platforms. These platforms have to protect the code, data and timing properties of individual software components against attacks from the rest of the system. For example, cloud systems have to prevent the software from different users that share a platform from interfering with each other. Similarly, mixed-criticality systems have to isolate safety-critical applications against other compromised system components. In this dissertation, we address the problem of isolation in the context of cloud computing and mixed-criticality systems from both a defensive and offensive perspective. We first design and implement architectures that can enforce a variety of isolation policies. We then study the practical isolation limitations that are inherent to computing platforms today. The first part of this dissertation focuses on the problem of isolating multiple operating systems. We show that on emerging many-core processors, multiple operating systems running on the same platform can be isolated by enforcing address-space isolation in the Network-on-Chip (NoC). We build a cloud architecture that leverages NoC-based isolation to run each operating system in a dedicated resource partition. Our approach enables the use of a simplified hypervisor to manage the cloud platform’s resources. It also obviates the need for complex processor cores and eliminates the performance overhead of virtualisation. Second, we present the design and implementation of a novel architecture for concurrent Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs) to isolate applications in clouds. Our solution consists of a trusted hypervisor, virtualised Trusted Platform Module and extensions to Intel Trusted Execution Technology that currently supports the execution of only one TEE at a time. Unlike other contemporary solutions, our architecture does not require run-time hypervisor support for TEE management. Next, we address the problem of enforcing temporal isolation in mixedcriticality systems. Temporal isolation protects the timing properties of a safety-critical application. We refer to temporal isolation in the context of partial hardware and software compromise as trusted scheduling. We first identify the architectural requirements for a system to achieve trusted
Three stages Interactive System for Solving Children Communication Disorder

The great advance in information technology during the last two decades contributes significantly in solving special needed people problems. This paper describes the second phase of an ongoing project to help those children suffering from speech disorder problems. The current application is a multi-levels interactive game using speech recognition technology; kid can interact with an interactive animated picture using his/her voice. There are three levels for improving the speaking skills of children at different stages. Firstly, by encouraging child just to produce sounds then by improving his/her pronunciation skills by pronouncing short vocal (one syllable words)Arabic words and finally improving his/her skill by pronouncing long vocal (for example two syllable words). This application solves speech disorder problems such as difficulty producing speech, dysfluency, shuttering and voice disorders. The current work is pioneer in developing an Arabic language application and targeted to children aged from two years to seven years. General Terms Human-computer Interaction, Speech disorder therapy.
Arsenic, lead, and other trace elements in soils contaminated with pesticide residues at the Hanford site (USA)

The primary purpose of this study was to characterize arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) concentrations in former orchard soils contaminated with lead arsenate pesticides at the Hanford site in Washington state (USA). Surface samples (n = 31) were collected from former orchard soils (in cultivation during the pre‐Hanford period) at five locations at the 100 Areas and at one location at the Old Hanford Townsite (OHT). Another set of samples (n = 17) was collected over a soil depth interval of 10–50 cm at the four locations with the highest As and Pb surface concentrations. All samples were analyzed for 22 trace elements (including As and Pb) with inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectrometry (ICP–AES). The mean, standard deviation, and range for As in the surface soils were 30, 61, and 2.9–270 mg/kg dry wt, respectively. The corresponding statistics for Pb were 220, 460, and 6.5–1900 mg/kg dry wt, respectively. As and Pb concentrations in the surface soils were positively and significantly correlated (r = 0.91, Bonferroni p < 0.05). Descriptive statistics and bivariate correlations were also computed for other trace elements. As and Pb mean concentrations in the surface soils each differed significantly (p < 0.05) among Hanford locations, with the highest concentrations at the 100‐H and 100‐F Areas. Although both As and Pb mean concentrations decreased with soil depth, regression and correlation coefficients only, for Pb significantly differed from zero (b = −0.0372, r = −0.805, Bonferroni p < 0.05). Compared with data in the literature As and Pb concentrations found in this study exceeded background levels but were typical of orchard soils. Furthermore, mean As and Pb soil concentrations were in the range of various toxicological benchmarks derived for protection of human and ecological receptors. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 18: 104–114, 2003
Permutation tests for multiple changes

Approximations to the critical values for tests for multiple changes in location models are obtained through permutation tests principle. Theoretical results say that the approximations based on the limit distribution and the permutation distribution of the test statistics behave in the same way in the limit. However, the results of simulation study show that the permutation tests behave considerably better than the corresponding tests based on the asymptotic critical value.
Refining Learning Outcomes in Multicultural ICT Classrooms: The Development of a Structured Framework

A change in the dynamics of a classroom environment, created from internationalisation of student cohorts, has caused educators to reconsider their learning methods that they use. This paper presents a structured framework for improving learning outcomes in multicultural classroom settings in the ICT discipline through the use of a student-centred learning approach. It is based on a review of the literature describing best practices in teaching in multicultural classrooms. The paper begins with a discussion of the evolving nature of higher education in Australia, and addresses the increasing number of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) students as a result of changes in government policies. A discussion of the benefits and challenges of CALD classroom settings and the methods for increasing student engagement and learning outcomes in such settings, is also presented.
Neuroanatomical distribution of the orphan GPR50 receptor in adult sheep and rodent brains

GPR50, formerly known as melatonin‐related receptor, is one of three subtypes of the melatonin receptor subfamily, together with the MT1 and MT2 receptors. By contrast to these two high‐affinity receptor subtypes and despite its high identity with the melatonin receptor family, GPR50 does not bind melatonin or any other known ligand. Specific and reliable immunological tools are therefore needed to be able to elucidate the physiological functions of this orphan receptor that are still largely unknown. We have generated and validated a new specific GPR50 antibody against the ovine GPR50 and used it to analyse the neuroanatomical distribution of the GPR50 in sheep, rat and mouse whole brain. We demonstrated that GPR50‐positive cells are widely distributed in various regions, including the hypothalamus and the pars tuberalis of the pituitary, in all the three species studied. GPR50 expressing cells are abundant in the dorsomedial nucleus of the hypothalamus, the periventricular nucleus and the median eminence. In rodents, immunohistochemical studies revealed a broader distribution pattern for the GPR50 protein. GPR50 immunoreactivity is found in the medial preoptic area (MPA), the lateral septum, the lateral hypothalamic area, the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, the vascular organ of the laminae terminalis and several regions of the amygdala, including the medial nuclei of amygdala. Additionally, in the rat brain, GPR50 protein was localised in the CA1 pyramidal cell layer of the dorsal hippocampus. In mice, moderate to high numbers of GPR50‐positive cells were also found in the subfornical organ. Taken together, these results provide an enlarged distribution of GPR50 protein, give further insight into the organisation of the melatoninergic system, and may lay the framework for future studies on the role of the GPR50 in the brain.
Western Media Influence on Emiratis Women National Identity

In the last few years the expansion of modernism and globalization impact on different cultures has gained an importance among researchers. As borders have become increasingly porous as images; information and people are being exported with ease and speed across and beyond territorial boundaries. Thus as national boundaries have become increasingly permeable, susceptible to the outside influences of global information networks; this no doubt has an impact upon identities and communities sustained across space. This study examines the influence of the western media namely Oprah Winfrey show on Emirati working class women living in Abu Dhabi. This study explores the kind of Western programs consumed by these women, how these women perceive their national identity and to what extent their national identity is influenced by the media especially Oprah Winfrey show. The method adopted in this study is the multi-method approach using qualitative and quantitative methods in collecting data. The results showed that the Western talk shows are the most preferred programs among Abu Dhabi working women. A distinguishing attitude of belonging was expressed by all the participants asserting that they are proud to belong to the United Arab Emirates and proud to be Emirati. A concern and the feeling of a real danger was expressed by some participants regarding the modernization occurred in the country accompanied with the increase of expatriates number effecting the sense of nationalism among the locals. The study concluded that to some extent Oprah Winfrey has an impact on social and cultural thoughts among Abou Dhabi working class women, but did not succeed to have a significant influence on their national identity. DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2014. v4n4p92
A novel approach to tag and identify geranylgeranylated proteins

A recently developed proteomic strategy, the “GG‐azide”‐labeling approach, is described for the detection and proteomic analysis of geranylgeranylated proteins. This approach involves metabolic incorporation of a synthetic azido‐geranylgeranyl analog and chemoselective derivatization of azido‐geranylgeranyl‐modified proteins by the “click” chemistry, using a tetramethylrhodamine‐alkyne. The resulting conjugated proteins can be separated by 1‐D or 2‐D and pH fractionation, and detected by fluorescence imaging. This method is compatible with downstream LC‐MS/MS analysis. Proteomic analysis of conjugated proteins by this approach identified several known geranylgeranylated proteins as well as Rap2c, a novel member of the Ras family. Furthermore, prenylation of progerin in mouse embryonic fibroblast cells was examined using this approach, demonstrating that this strategy can be used to study prenylation of specific proteins. The “GG‐azide”‐labeling approach provides a new tool for the detection and proteomic analysis of geranylgeranylated proteins, and it can readily be extended to other post‐translational modifications.
Day–Night Differences in Membrane‐Bound Pyroglutamyl‐2‐Naphthylamide‐Hydrolyzing Activity in Rat Hypothalamus, Pituitary, and Retina

Membrane‐bound pyroglutamyl‐2‐naphthylamide‐hydrolyzing enzyme activity was analyzed fluorometrically in the anterior hypothalamus, pituitary, and retina of adult male rats to investigate day–night differences. Six groups (n=6 per group) were assessed—three during the light span and three during the dark span—under a standard 12 h–12 h light–dark cycle (light on from 07:00 to 19:00 h) and controlled temperature environment, with food and water available ad libitum. In the hypothalamus, enzyme activity levels were higher for time points of the dark than the light period. In contrast, the pituitary and retina exhibited the highest levels at the time points of the light period. The pituitary and retina also exhibited significant differences between the clock‐hour means of the light period. Day–night differences in membrane‐bound pyroglutamyl‐2‐naphthylamide‐hydrolyzing activity may reflect differences in its susceptible endogenous substrates.
Roles of CmpR, a LysR family transcriptional regulator, in acclimation of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7942 to low‐CO2 and high‐light conditions

The cmp operon of Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7942, encoding a high‐affinity bicarbonate transporter, is induced under low CO2 conditions by a LysR family protein CmpR. CmpR was found to be required also for induction of the operon by transfer of the cells from low‐light to high‐light conditions, indicating involvement of a common mechanism in the high‐light‐ and low‐CO2‐responsive regulation. Expression of the high‐light inducible genes psbAII and psbAIII, on the other hand, was found to be induced also by low‐CO2 conditions. A single promoter was responsible for the high‐light and low‐CO2 induction of each of psbAII and psbAIII, suggesting involvement of a common regulatory mechanism in the light and CO2 responses of the psbA genes. CmpR was, however, not required for the induction of psbAII and psbAIII, indicating the presence of multiple mechanisms for induction of genes under high‐light and low‐CO2 conditions. The CmpR‐deficient mutant nevertheless showed lower levels of the psbAII and psbAIII transcripts than the wild‐type strain under all the light and CO2 conditions examined. Gel shift assays showed that CmpR binds to the enhancer elements of psbAII and psbAIII, through specific interaction with a sequence signature conforming to the binding motif of similar LysR family proteins. These findings showed that CmpR acts as a trans‐acting factor that enhances transcription of the photosystem II genes involved in acclimation to high light, revealing a complex network of gene regulation in the cyanobacterium.
U SAGE OF M ULTI-CPU S , M ULTI-CORE AND M ANY-CORE S YSTEMS : THE MMP I MAGE E NCODER C ASE S TUDY

This paper studies the performance and energy consumption of several multi-core, multi-CPUs and manycore hardware platforms and software stacks for parallel programming. It uses the Multimedia Multiscale Parser (MMP), a computationally demanding image encoder application, which was ported to several hardware and software parallel environments as a benchmark. Hardware-wise, the study assesses NVIDIA's Jetson TK1 development board, the Raspberry Pi 2, and a dual Intel Xeon E5-2620/v2 server, as well as NVIDIA's discrete GPUs GTX 680, Titan Black Edition and GTX 750 Ti. The assessed parallel programming paradigms are OpenMP, Pthreads and CUDA, and a single-thread sequential version, all running in a Linux environment. While the CUDA-based implementation delivered the fastest execution, the Jetson TK1 proved to be the most energy efficient platform, regardless of the used parallel software stack. Although it has the lowest power demand, the Raspberry Pi 2 energy efficiency is hindered by its lengthy execution times, effectively consuming more energy than the Jetson TK1. Surprisingly, OpenMP delivered twice the performance of the Pthreads-based implementation, proving the maturity of the tools and libraries supporting OpenMP.