Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hardware-Software Co-design to Mitigate DRAM Refresh Overheads: A Case for Refresh-Aware Process Scheduling

DRAM cells need periodic refresh to maintain data integrity. With high capacity DRAMs, DRAM refresh poses a significant performance bottleneck as the number of rows to be refreshed (and hence the refresh cycle time, tRFC) with each refresh command increases. Modern day DRAMs perform refresh at a rank-level, while LPDDRs used in mobile environments support refresh at a per-bank level. Rank-level refresh degrades the performance significantly since none of the banks in a rank can serve the on-demand requests. Per-bank refresh alleviates some of the performance bottlenecks as the other banks in a rank are available for on-demand requests. Typical DRAM retention time is in the order several of milliseconds, viz, 64msec for environments operating in temperatures below 85 deg C and 32msec for environments operating above 85 deg C. With systems moving towards increased consolidation (ex: virtualized environments), DRAM refresh becomes a significant bottleneck as it reduces the available overall DRAM bandwidth per task. In this work, we propose a hardware-software co-design to mitigate DRAM refresh overheads by exposing the hardware address mapping and DRAM refresh schedule to the Operating System. We propose a novel DRAM refresh-aware process scheduling algorithm in OS which schedules applications on cores such that none of the on-demand requests from the application are stalled by refreshes. Extensive evaluation of our proposed co-design on multi-programmed SPEC CPU2006 workloads show significant performance improvement compared to the previously proposed hardware only approaches.
The Status of Heligmosomoides americanus, Representative of an American Clade of Vole-Infecting Nematodes

Abstract: Heligmosomoides americanus is shown by molecular phylogenetic analysis of 3 nuclear (28S, ITS1, and ITS2) and 2 mitochondrial (cytochrome oxidase 1 and cytochrome b) loci to be a distinct species of heligmosomid nematode with a long-independent evolutionary history, and not a subspecies of Heligmosomoides polygyrus. Rather than being a recent arrival in North America, the species probably originated as a Beringian immigrant with the host vole Phenacomys, approximately 2 million years ago (MYA).
An Investigation of the Relationship between Serum Vitamin E Status and Coronary Risk Factors in Dyslipidaemic Patients

Objective Vitamin E is a major lipid-soluble antioxidant. It has been demonstrated that vitamin E supplementation has a beneficial effect against coronary heart disease (CHD). This study to investigate the effects of coronary risk factors on serum vitamin E status in patients with dyslipidaemia. Materials and Methods This tertiary care hospital; case - control study was comprised 237 dyslipidaemic patients and 135 healthy individuals recruited from university and hospital employees. Serum vitamin E concentration was measured using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results Compared to the healthy individuals, the dyslipidaemic patients had higher serum vitamin E (p 0.05). Serum vitamin E did not differ between subcategories of dyslipidaemic patients with and without coronary risk factors (p>0.05), but Serum vitamin E / total cholesterol ratio was higher in patients with established coronary heart disease (p<0.01), hypertriglyceridaemia (p<0.05) and metabolic syndrome (p<0.05). In the patients there was not a strong association between serum vitamin E or serum vitamin E / total cholesterol ratio and coronary risk factors except for the serum cholesterol. Conclusion Serum vitamin E or vitamin E / total cholesterol ratio is not associated with the risk of coronary heart disease. Therefore, higher serum vitamin E or vitamin E / total cholesterol ratio doesn't seem to have a preventive role against coronary heart disease.
Heterogeneous Managed Runtime Systems: A Computer Vision Case Study

Real-time 3D space understanding is becoming prevalent across a wide range of applications and hardware platforms. To meet the desired Quality of Service (QoS), computer vision applications tend to be heavily parallelized and exploit any available hardware accelerators. Current approaches to achieving real-time computer vision, evolve around programming languages typically associated with High Performance Computing along with binding extensions for OpenCL or CUDA execution. Such implementations, although high performing, lack portability across the wide range of diverse hardware resources and accelerators. In this paper, we showcase how a complex computer vision application can be implemented within a managed runtime system. We discuss the complexities of achieving high-performing and portable execution across embedded and desktop configurations. Furthermore, we demonstrate that it is possible to achieve the QoS target of over 30 frames per second (FPS) by exploiting FPGA and GPGPU acceleration transparently through the managed runtime system.
Antiepileptic Drug Monotherapy Designs in Clinical Trials

Evaluation of new antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in monotherapy used to be performed by comparative trials between new AEDs and classical AEDs. However, the majority of these studies showed no difference in outcome, which could result in conflicting interpretations. Therefore, novel designs that avoid this problem have been developed to evaluate new AEDs. Three approaches have been proposed, each with advantages and disadvantages. The attenuated active control design compares new AEDs to suboptimal doses of a control AED. However, this situation brings about ethical concerns and strict entry criteria must be applied. The presurgical design compares new AEDs to placebo treatment. Rapid dose escalation to the therapeutic level of the new AED must be undertaken to avoid seizures resulting from extended suboptimal doses of the AED, and ethical concerns about the use of placebo also apply. The concentration controlled design is based on the assumption that a stronger correlation exists between drug blood level and therapeutic response in comparison to correlation between dose and effect. In this design, patients are randomized to be treated with different blood concentrations of a new AED, and efficacy data at these different concentrations are compared. All of these designs allow a definitive demonstration of efficacy early in the development of a new AED.
IDF for Word N-grams

Inverse Document Frequency (IDF) is widely accepted term weighting scheme whose robustness is supported by many theoretical justifications. However, applying IDF to word N-grams (or simply N-grams) of any length without relying on heuristics has remained a challenging issue. This article describes a theoretical extension of IDF to handle N-grams. First, we elucidate the theoretical relationship between IDF and information distance, a universal metric defined by the Kolmogorov complexity. Based on our understanding of this relationship, we propose N-gram IDF, a new IDF family that gives fair weights to words and phrases of any length. Based only on the magnitude relation of N-gram IDF weights, dominant N-grams among overlapping N-grams can be determined. We also propose an efficient method to compute the N-gram IDF weights of all N-grams by leveraging the enhanced suffix array and wavelet tree. Because the exact computation of N-gram IDF provably requires significant computational cost, we modify it to a fast approximation method that can estimate weight errors analytically and maintain application-level performance. Empirical evaluations with unsupervised/supervised key term extraction and web search query segmentation with various experimental settings demonstrate the robustness and language-independent nature of the proposed N-gram IDF.
Effects of Fermented Red Ginseng Extracts on Hyperglycemia in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

Fermented red ginseng (FRG) was prepared by inoculating 0.1% Lactobacillus fermentum NUC-C1 and fermenting them at 40℃ for 12 hours. The ginsenoside contents of FRG were increased compared with those of red ginseng (RG). Moreover, the levels of the ginsenosides Rg2, Rg3, and Rh2 in FRG increased significantly. In an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), blood glucose levels were lower in animals fed with RG and FRG extracts than in normal controls. In particular, FRG extracts in OGTT were superior to RG extracts. The antidiabetic effects of FRG in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats were investigated. Rats were divided into four groups: normal control, diabetes mellitus (DM), FRG administered at 100 mg/kg, and FRG administered at 200 ㎎/㎏ groups. FRG extracts were orally administered to each treatment group for 3 weeks, and blood glucose, insulin, and lipid levels of each group were determined. Orally administered FRG extracts significantly reduced blood glucose levels and increased plasma insulin levels in diabetic rats. Additionally, the activities of disaccharidases, including sucrase, lactase, and maltase, were decreased significantly in the FRG groups. FRG groups also had reduced triglyceride and total cholesterol levels, compared with the DM group. These results suggest that FRG may have antidiabetic effects in STZ-induced diabetic rats.
Increase of Help at Activities of Daily Life Given to Frail Elderly With Chronic Heart Failure in a Nursing Home

It is unknown whether chronic heart failure (CHF) is associated with activities of daily life (ADL) functioning in nursing home residents; therefore, we studied that association. One hundred and three residents were screened on age, sex, comorbidity, and CHF. ADL dependence and ADL help were scored with the use of minimal data set (MDS) items of the Resident Assistant Instrument. Logistic multivariate regressions of ADL dependence and ADL help were performed with age, sex, CHF, and comorbidity as independent variables. Of the participants (age 78 ± 11 years), 24 (23%) had CHF. CHF was associated with ADL help (OR 4.68 and p = 0.015) after multivariable adjustment. CHF is associated with an increase of ADL help given to nursing home residents. CHF is of importance to both residents (loss of autonomy and life satisfaction) and organizations (workforce planning).
Nutritional Status of HIV-infected Adolescents Enrolled into an HIV-care Program in Urban and Rural Uganda: A Cross-sectional Study

Malnutrition is a major threat to the health of HIV infected individuals and is associated with increased risks of morbidity and mortality. We assessed the nutritional status of HIV-infected adolescents enrolled into HIV care program in Uganda. We carried out across-sectional study. Data were collected on 205 adolescents aged 10-19 years attending The AIDS Support Organization (TASO) HIV care services in Uganda. All adolescents attending an adolescent clinic day in the respective TASO centers were enrolled into the study. Nutritional status was assessed using BMI-for-Age (BAZ) and Height-for-age (HAZ) as measures of thinness and stunting respectively. Standard deviation (SD) scores (Z scores) were applied to determine the nutritional status. Adolescents whose BAZ and HAZ was ≤-3SD were considered severely undernourished; those ≤-2SD were considered malnourished while those > - 2SD were well-nourished. Statistical analysis was done using STATA statistical software package. The prevalence of stunting was 36.2% (72/199) with 11.1% (22/199) of adolescents being severely stunted. The risk factors for stunting included being male (AOR: 4.0; 95% CI: 1.81- 7.02) and residence in rural settings (AOR: 6.0; 95% CI 2.70-12.16). Eighteen percent of the adolescents (36/200) were thin, 8% (16/200) being severely thin. The prevalence of stunting and thinness was high among the HIV infected adolescents. Male adolescents and residing in rural settings are important risk factors of malnutrition among the HIV infected adolescents. There is need for development of comprehensive care and support systems including adequate nutritional care and support for HIV infected adolescents.
A NEW RHABDITOID NEMATODE SPECIES IN ASIAN SCIURIDS, DISTINCT FROM STRONGYLOIDES ROBUSTUS IN NORTH AMERICAN SCIURIDS

Strongyloides callosciureus n. sp. (Nematoda: Rhabditoidea), from Asian sciurids, is described based on morphology, morphometry, and the small and large subunit (SSU/LSU) ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA) sequences. This new species was collected from Pallas's squirrels (Callosciurus erythraeus) in the central part of mainland Japan (Honshu), which were originally introduced from Taiwan some decades ago, and plantain squirrels (Callosciurus notatus) imported from Malaysia as personal pets. For comparison, Strongyloides robustus Chandler, 1942 was collected from American red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) and southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans) imported from the United States as personal pets. The parasitic females found in North American and Asian sciurids shared some key morphological features such as the ovary running spirally around the gut, and the shapes of the stoma in the apical view and the tail. However, morphometric features of parasitic females in North American and Asian sciurids differed significantly from each other; the former was larger than the latter, and the relative position of the vulva to the whole body length from the mouth was different. The SSU/LSU rDNA sequences supported the division of sciurid Strongyloides isolates by geographical distribution of the host and morphological features, leading us to propose the erection of new species.
Unusual presentation of giant condylomata acuminata of the vulva: A case report and review of literature

The lesion of Condylomata Acuminata popularly known as venereal warts are lesions which are generally diagnosed based on their warty appearance. The mode of treatment range from application of podophyllin to surgical excision by cauterization. A case of unusual presentation of giant Condylomata in a 26 year old, single, nulliparous, retroviral disease positive woman is presented and the literature reviewed. She presented with 18 months history of rapidly progressive vulval swelling and associated itching, contact bleeding, malodorous vaginal discharge and difficulty in walking. She had previously been treated with podophyllin without success. The growth measured 40×30 cm and was successfully excised with no evidence of malignancy.
Quality of life data in older adults: self-assessment vs interview.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE There are obstacles for older people when reporting quality of life (QoL) in a survey format. The aim of this study was to explore the quality of data obtained on self-assessed QoL among older people with respect to modes of administration. METHOD AND RESULTS Approximately half of the QoL items showed significantly higher mean values in the mail sample than in the interview sample. Data suggest that there may be more vulnerability towards offering socially desirable answers. Problems with reduced energy and loss of memory affect both modes of administration. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that investigating the mode of questionnaire administration among older people can be a valuable means by which to detect possible threats to data quality when interpreting QoL scores.
Update on the use of new anticonvulsants as mood stabilisers

Summary Lamotrigine, gabapentin, topiramate and tiagabine are increasingly being used as mood stabilisers. Unfortunately, there are no controlled trials confirming efficacy. The current data are in the form of case reports and open-label trials, where there is the potential for false-positive results due to bias, placebo effects and random variability. Furthermore, patients were usually taking other medication and in some studies there is a high drop out rate. From the current evidence, the newer anticonvulsants cannot be recommended except in patients resistant to standard therapies. If controlled clinical trials confirm effectiveness, these agents may prove useful additional mood stabilisers.
Infection of Primary Canine Duodenal Epithelial Cell Cultures with Neospora caninum

Abstract According to current knowledge, sexual development of the apicomplexan parasite Neospora caninum takes place in the canine intestine. However, to date there is no information on the interaction between the parasite and the canine intestinal epithelium, and, next to the clinical and in vivo research tools, an in vitro model comprised of canine intestinal cells infected with N. caninum would be very helpful for investigations at the cellular level. Following the isolation of cells of neonatal canine duodenum and growth of cell cultures to monolayers for 5–6 days, canine intestinal epithelial cells were exposed to cell culture– derived N. caninum tachyzoites and bradyzoites. The host cells remained viable during in vitro culture for an average of 2 wk. During this time span, N. caninum was found to readily adhere to any surface area of these cells, but infection took mostly place at sites where microvilli-like structures were missing, e.g., at the cell periphery, with tachyzoites exhibiting at least 3–4 times increased invasive capacities compared to bradyzoites. Once intracellular, parasites resided within a parasitophorous vacuole, moved toward the vicinity of the nucleus and the more distal portion of the epithelial cells, and proliferated to form vacuoles of not more than 2–4 parasites, which were surrounded by numerous mitochondria. Immunofluorescence staining and TEM of infected cells showed that the expression of cytokeratins and the structural integrity of desmosomes and tight junctions were not notably altered during infection. Furthermore, no changes could be detected in the alkaline phosphatase activities in cell culture supernatants of infected and noninfected cells. Canine duodenal epithelial cell cultures represent a useful tool for future studies on the characteristics of the intestinal phases of N. caninum infection.
Degradation Study of Available Brands of Metformin in Karachi Using UV Spectrophotometer

There are several different brands available for metformin as it is the most prescribed oral antihyperglycemic agent that is used for Type-II Diabetes mellitus. The objective of this study develop the degradation studies of different brands of metformin HCL500 mg. Metformin was subjected to different stress conditions as per (ICH) International Conference on Harmonization guidelines. A UV spectroscopic method was developed for analysis of the drug in the presence of the degradation products. Methanol and distilled water were used as solvents. The amount of degraded drug was calculated by taking absorbance at 237 nm. According to the assay limit of USP specified that the content should not be less than 95% and not more than 105% of labelled amount. Brand A, C and E are degraded after heating. Brand A,B,C, and D are degraded by UV light exposure . On basic pH brand A, and C showed degradation after the addition of 0.1 N NaOH while other brands does not degraded as base has no impact on metformin concentration and the original pH of metformin HCL was 6.68 before addition of acid and base. On addition of 0.1 N HCL all brands showed heavy degradation. After 15 days the time affects and degrades the metformin concentration of all brands. The method was found to be simple and less time consuming and cost effective. Hence this method can be successfully used to study stress degradation behavior of metformin in small industry where high end instruments are not available.
Response to Comment on: Lachin et al. (2007) The Hemoglobin Glycation Index Is Not an Independent Predictor of the Risk of Microvascular Complications in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial: Diabetes 56:1913–1921, 2007

Chalew et al. (1) have commented on our reassessment (2) of their hemoglobin glycation index (HGI), in which we show that the HGI is largely a function of A1C and that it does not—and in fact cannot—contribute independently to the risk of complications. Although we readily acknowledge that A1C only explains a modest fraction of the risk of diabetes complications, we continue to question whether the HGI alone, or in combination with mean blood glucose (MBG), represents a biological process that merits consideration. The original premise underlying the derivation of the HGI is the putative existence of “substantial differences in the level of A1C …
The integration of BRCA testing into oncology clinics.

PURPOSE The PARP inhibitor, Olaparib, is approved for women with BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer. Therefore there is an urgent need to test patients and obtain results in time to influence treatment. Models of BRCA testing, such as the mainstreaming oncogenetic pathway, involving oncology health professionals are being used. The authors report on the establishment of the extended role of the clinical nurse specialist in consenting women for BRCA testing in routine gynaecology-oncology clinics using the mainstreaming model. METHODS Nurses undertook generic consent training and specific counselling training for BRCA testing in the form of a series of online videos, written materials and checklists before obtaining approval to consent patients for germline BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations. RESULTS Between July 2013 and December 2015, 108 women with ovarian cancer were counselled and consented by nurses in the medical oncology clinics at a single centre (The Royal Marsden, UK). This represented 36% of all ovarian cancer patients offered BRCA testing in the oncology clinics at the centre. Feedback from patients and nurses was encouraging with no significant issues raised in the counselling and consenting process. CONCLUSION The mainstreaming model allows for greater access to BRCA testing for ovarian cancer patients, many of whom may benefit from personalised therapy (PARP inhibitors). This is the first report of oncology nurses in the BRCA testing pathway. Specialist oncology nurses trained in BRCA testing have an important role within a multidisciplinary team counselling and consenting patients to undergo BRCA testing.
Alcohol Intake and Risk of Incident Melanoma

melanoma, tanning ability, lifetime number of severe sunburns, number of moles on forearms, hair color at age 18, and place of residence on the biennial mailed questionnaires. Quintiles of metabolic equivalents were calculated from questions about various types of physical activity. Body mass index was calculated as weight in kilograms divided by in meters and incidence of melanoma in situ in any cohort. These results for melanoma in situ are consistent with those for invasive melanoma. association between the consumption of white wine and increased risk of incident melanoma in situ in the pooled analysis (RR 1.17 per drink per day), as well as in the NHS (RR 1.23 per drink per day) and NHS II (RR 1.23 per drink per day), but not in the HPFS. None of the other beverage categories that we analyzed (red wine, beer, liquor) showed any association with either invasive melanoma or melanoma in situ in any cohort or pooled analysis.