Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Non-preemptive multiprocessor scheduling for periodic real-time tasks

Scheduling of a set of tasks in multiprocessor environment is a computationally intensive job. There are primarily two broad approaches for scheduling of tasks on multiprocessors. In one of the approaches tasks are allocated to processor in the beginning (partition based strategy) and the other approaches maintain a global scheduler. There exist a large volume of work in multiprocessor scheduling having different optimization objectives such as schedule length, response time, processor utilization, etc. However, most of these works focus only in preemptive scheduling. Very less attention has been given for scheduling of non-preemptive tasks. In this work, we present a methodology for scheduling of a set of non-preemptive real-time tasks using minimum number of processors. We consider that the tasks are allocated to the processors using bin-packing strategies such as firstfit or best-fit and non-preemptive Earliest Deadline First (npEDF) scheduling method is applied to each processor. We did extensive experiments by combining different partitioning strategies with the ordering of tasks (period, utilization, etc). We found that First-Fit Increasing Period, Best-Fit Increasing Period, First-Fit Decreasing Utilization and Best-Fit Decreasing Utilization give reasonably good results. The success ratio of decreasing utilization heuristics are 10%–30% more than increasing period heuristics. We observed that First-Fit Decreasing Utilization and BestFit Decreasing Utilization takes more time than First-Fit Increasing Period and Best-Fit Increasing Period. We also compared our results with the existing approach.
Urban Temperatures in Hong Kong: Thermal Environmental Safety and Implications for City Planning

Cutaneous thermal injury caused by direct contact with objects heated solely by sun exposure is rare. We undertook to investigate factors that may influence the temperature of sun-exposed objects at the ground level. Two clinical cases of burns caused by contact with sun-exposed objects are described. Surface temperatures on a citywide scale were determined from satellite thermal images. Ground level surface temperatures of a variety of objects were measured using an infrared thermometer. The satellite thermal image demonstrated local surface temperature differences (of more than 10.6°C variation) and the temperature at the places of study (8.5–9.5°C above background). Infrared thermometer readings demonstrated that the surface temperature of a sun-exposed black car could be as high as 75.0°C (range, 71–78°C) compared with 44.6°C (42.2–47.3°C) for a white car, and shading significantly reduced the surface temperatures of exposed objects (10.4–48.1%). The risk of injury is related to the effects of city planning on urban temperatures, of material color, composition, and shade on the ground level temperatures, and to the rise in global temperatures because of greenhouse-induced warming. The combined effect means that in a modern subtropical city such as Hong Kong, a substantial percentage of the urban area may have summertime surface temperatures that are high enough to constitute a health hazard. We recommend that this potential cause of harm to health be taken into account during urban planning.
How Framing Effect Impact on Decision Making on Internet Shopping

Framing effect is an understanding and assessment that individual implements different behaviors when facing to the multiple choice that expressing the same meaning. Previously, scholars went through numerous empirical studies regarding impact of the method as well as environment in making decision of online purchasing [1]-[4]. Also, scholars have proved that there are complex influences of psychological factors when consumers make decisions of shopping. Therefore, the article aims to analyze the impact of faming effect in e-commerce when consumers make decisions so as to summarize the shortage in academic and practical aspects.
A multicenter post‐marketing evaluation of the Elixir DESolve® Novolimus‐eluting bioresorbable coronary scaffold system: First results from the DESolve PMCF study

To date, experience with bioresorbable scaffolds (BRS) that elute agents other than everolimus is limited. Thus, a post‐marketing clinical follow‐up study was conducted to evaluate the continued safety and effectiveness of the DESolve® NOVOLIMUS™ Eluting BRS as treatment for patients with stable coronary artery disease.
Linking students' timing of engagement to learning design and academic performance

In recent years, the connection between Learning Design (LD) and Learning Analytics (LA) has been emphasized by many scholars as it could enhance our interpretation of LA findings and translate them to meaningful interventions. Together with numerous conceptual studies, a gradual accumulation of empirical evidence has indicated a strong connection between how instructors design for learning and student behaviour. Nonetheless, students' timing of engagement and its relation to LD and academic performance have received limited attention. Therefore, this study investigates to what extent students' timing of engagement aligned with instructor learning design, and how engagement varied across different levels of performance. The analysis was conducted over 28 weeks using trace data, on 387 students, and replicated over two semesters in 2015 and 2016. Our findings revealed a mismatch between how instructors designed for learning and how students studied in reality. In most weeks, students spent less time studying the assigned materials on the VLE compared to the number of hours recommended by instructors. The timing of engagement also varied, from in advance to catching up patterns. High-performing students spent more time studying in advance, while low-performing students spent a higher proportion of their time on catching-up activities. This study reinforced the importance of pedagogical context to transform analytics into actionable insights.
Afferent and efferent connections of the interpeduncular nucleus with special reference to circuits involving the habenula and raphe nuclei

The habenula is an epithalamic structure differentiated into two nuclear complexes, medial (MHb) and lateral habenula (LHb). Recently, MHb together with its primary target, the interpeduncular nucleus (IP), have been identified as major players in mediating the aversive effects of nicotine. However, structures downstream of the MHb‐IP axis, including the median (MnR) and caudal dorsal raphe nucleus (DRC), may contribute to the behavioral effects of nicotine. The afferent and efferent connections of the IP have hitherto not been systematically investigated with sensitive tracers. Thus, we placed injections of retrograde or anterograde tracers into different IP subdivisions or the MnR and additionally examined the transmitter phenotype of major IP and MnR afferents by combining retrograde tract tracing with immunofluorescence and in situ hybridization techniques. Besides receiving inputs from MHb and also LHb, we found that IP is reciprocally interconnected mainly with midline structures, including the MnR/DRC, nucleus incertus, supramammillary nucleus, septum, and laterodorsal tegmental nucleus. The bidirectional connections between IP and MnR proved to be primarily GABAergic. Regarding a possible topography of IP outputs, all IP subnuclei gave rise to descending projections, whereas major ascending projections, including focal projections to ventral hippocampus, ventrolateral septum, and LHb originated from the dorsocaudal IP. Our findings indicate that IP is closely associated to a distributed network of midline structures that modulate hippocampal theta activity and forms a node linking MHb and LHb with this network, and the hippocampus. Moreover, they support a cardinal role of GABAergic IP/MnR interconnections in the behavioral response to nicotine.
Topical Delivery of Immunosuppression to Prolong Xenogeneic and Allogeneic Split-Thickness Skin Graft Survival

Abstract Cadaveric skin allograft is the current standard of treatment for temporary coverage of large burn wounds. Porcine xenografts are viable alternatives but undergo α-1,3-galactose (Gal)–mediated hyperacute rejection and are lost by post-operative day (POD) 3 because of naturally occurring antibodies to Gal in primate recipients. Using baboons, we previously demonstrated that xenografts from GalT-KO swine (lacking Gal) provided wound coverage comparable with allografts with systemic immunosuppression. In this study, we investigate topical immunosuppression as an alternative to prolong xenograft survival. Full-thickness wounds in baboons were created and covered with xenogeneic and allogeneic split-thickness skin grafts (STSGs). Animals were treated with slow-release (TyroSphere-encapsulated) topical formulations (cyclosporine-A [CSA] or Tacrolimus) applied 1) directly to the STSGs only, or 2) additionally to the wound bed before STSG and 1). Topical CSA did not improve either xenograft or allograft survival (median: treated grafts = 12.5 days, control = 14 days; P = 0.27) with similar results when topical Tacrolimus was used. Pretreatment of wound beds resulted in a significant reduction of xenograft survival compared with controls (10 vs 14 days; P = 0.0002), with comparable results observed in allografts. This observation was associated with marked reduction of inflammation on histology with Tacrolimus and not CSA. Prolongation of allograft and xenograft survival after application to full-thickness wound beds was not achieved with the current formulation of topical immunosuppressants. Modulation of inflammation within the wound bed was effective with Tacrolimus pretreatment before STSG application and may serve as a treatment strategy in related fields.
Efficient power pad assignment for multi‐voltage SoC and its application in floorplanning

Multi‐voltage techniques are being developed to improve power savings by providing lower supply voltages for noncritical blocks under the performance constraint. However, the resulted lower voltage drop noise margin brings serious obstacles in power/ground (P/G) network design of the wire‐bonding package. For voltage drop optimization, both block and power pad positions are important factors that need to be considered. Traditional multi‐voltage floorplanning methods use rough estimation to evaluate the P/G network resource without considering the locations of power pads. To remedy this deficiency, in this paper, an efficient voltage drops aware power pad assignment (PPA) method is proposed, and it is further integrated into a floorplanning algorithm. We first present a fast PPA method for each power domain by the spring model. Then, to evaluate voltage drops during floorplanning iterations, the weighted distance from the blocks to the power pads is adopted as an optimization objective instead of time‐consuming matrix computation. Experimental results on Gigascale System Research Center (GSRC) benchmark circuits indicate that the proposed method generates an optimized placement of power pads and floorplanning of blocks with high efficiency. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of Paclitaxel on EGFR Endocytic Trafficking Revealed Using Quantum Dot Tracking in Single Cells

Paclitaxel (PTX), a chemotherapeutic drug, affects microtubule dynamics and influences endocytic trafficking. However, the mechanism and the dynamics of altered endocytic trafficking by paclitaxel treatment in single living cells still remain elusive. By labeling quantum dots (QDs) to the epidermal growth factor (EGF), we continuously tracked the endocytosis and post-endocytic trafficking of EGF receptors (EGFRs) in A549 cells for a long time interval. A single-cell analysis method was introduced to quantitatively study the dynamics of endocytic trafficking. Compared with the control cells, the velocity of directed motion was reduced by 30% due to the suppression of high speed movements of EGF-QDs along the microtubules in PTX-treated cells. The endocytic trafficking in PTX-treated cells was mainly via super-diffusive mode of motion, whereas in control cells, it was mostly via sub-diffusive mode of motion. Moreover, PTX shortened endosomal trafficking and prevented EGF-QDs from moving to the perinuclear area via the rapid delivery of EGF-QDs into the peripheral lysosomes. The present study may shed light on the mechanism of the effect of PTX on the treatment of lung cancer.
Multimodality imaging of structure and function

Historically, medical devices to image either anatomical structure or functional processes have developed along somewhat independent paths. The recognition that combining images from different modalities can nevertheless offer significant diagnostic advantages gave rise to sophisticated software techniques to coregister structure and function. Recently, alternatives to retrospective software-based fusion have become available through instrumentation that combines two imaging modalities within a single device, an approach that has since been termed hardware fusion. As a result, following their recent introduction into the clinic, combined PET/CT and SPECT/CT devices are now playing an increasingly important role in the diagnosis and staging of human disease. Recently, although limited to the brain, the first clinical MR scanner with a PET insert, a technically-challenging design, has been undergoing evaluation. This review will follow the development of multimodality instrumentation for clinical use from conception to present-day technology and assess the status and future potential for such devices.
Thermoplastic Elastomeric Blends of Nylon-6/Acrylate Rubber: Influence of Interaction on Mechanical and Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Properties

Abstract Nylon-6 and acrylate rubber (ACM) were melt blended in a Brabender Plasticorder at 220 °C and 40 rpm rotor speed. The reactive nature of the blend is reflected in the mixing torque behavior of the blends at different compositions. The solubility characteristics of the blends in formic acid solution gives an approximate idea of the amount of nylon-6 grafted onto ACM and vice-versa. A reaction mechanism is proposed based on the well known epoxy—amine and epoxy—acid reactions and is confirmed by infrared spectroscopic studies of the blends. The influence of interaction between the two polymers on the mechanical and the dynamic mechanical properties of the blends is analyzed in detail, and the results are interpreted on the basis of the formation of nylon—ACM graft copolymer at the interfaces. The dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) reveals a two phase morphological structure, indicating incompatibility of the blend components. The grafting reaction results in dramatic increase in both the sto.
Flies come through again, period

Jeffrey Hall, Michael Rosbash, and Michael Young have been awarded the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for elucidating the molecular mechanism of the circadian (~24-hour) clock. Starting with the cloning of the period (per) gene, these investigators proceeded to demonstrate how endogenous clocks are composed of transcriptiontranslation feedback loops (TTFLs) that drive rhythms in much of physiology. Beyond their fundamental significance for understanding normal physiology, the identification of clock mechanisms has led to a deeper appreciation of the health consequences of circadian disruption. Importantly, the Nobel prize–winning discoveries were made using a Drosophila melanogaster model, underscoring yet again the power of the fruit fly for biomedical research. Most physiological processes and behaviors display changes over a 24-hour period in synchrony with the day-night cycle. Sleep, body temperature, metabolic activity, and secretion of many hormones, such as cortisol and insulin, represent but a few of the processes that are different in the morning versus the evening. These rhythms are driven by endogenous clocks that have a periodicity of approximately 24 hours, hence the name “circadian” from “circa” (about) and “dies” (day). Circadian rhythms are clearly an integral part of physiology, and disruptions in them are associated with a myriad of disorders, making it important to understand the mechanisms that generate them. A genetic basis for circadian clocks Although daily [. ] Viewpoint
Electronic Clostridium difficile Infection Bundle Reduces Time to Initiation of Contact Precautions

The impact of computerized order-entry bundles on timing of contact precaution initiation for C. difficile infection (CDI) remains largely unexplored. Implementation of an electronic CDI prevention and management bundle that included an automatic isolation component significantly reduced time to initiation of contact precautions from 33.7 to 22.4 hours. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;242–244
Benchmarking Framework for Performance-Evaluation of Causal Inference Analysis

Causal inference analysis is the estimation of the effects of actions on outcomes. In the context of healthcare data this means estimating the outcome of counter-factual treatments (i.e. including treatments that were not observed) on a patient's outcome. Compared to classic machine learning methods, evaluation and validation of causal inference analysis is more challenging because ground truth data of counter-factual outcome can never be obtained in any real-world scenario. Here, we present a comprehensive framework for benchmarking algorithms that estimate causal effect. The framework includes unlabeled data for prediction, labeled data for validation, and code for automatic evaluation of algorithm predictions using both established and novel metrics. The data is based on real-world covariates, and the treatment assignments and outcomes are based on simulations, which provides the basis for validation. In this framework we address two questions: one of scaling, and the other of data-censoring. The framework is available as open source code at this https URL
Immunohistochemical expression of cereblon and MUM1 as potential predictive markers of response to lenalidomide in extranodal marginal zone B‐cell lymphoma of the mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma)

Lenalidomide is an active agent for the treatment of MALT lymphoma. Recently, high expression levels of cereblon (CRBN) and MUM1 have been associated with better response rates in multiple myeloma treated with lenalidomide. However, there are no data on CRBN and MUM1 expression in MALT lymphoma. In the current study, we have systematically investigated a potential correlation of CRBN/MUM1 immunohistochemical expression and response to lenalidomide‐based therapy in a series of 46 patients with MALT lymphoma treated at the Medical University Vienna 2009 to 2014. In total, 28% (13/46) of biopsy specimens derived from gastric tissues, while 72% (33/46) originated from extragastric MALT lymphoma. In terms of CRBN, 54% showed high expression (CRBN+, ≥50% positive cells); the remaining 46% were classified as low expression (CRBN−). In contrast to other reports, there was a non‐significant trend towards worse response rates in CRBN+ (68% versus 86%, P = 0.161). Relapse rates (P = 0.592) and PFS (P = 0.306) did not differ between CRBN+/CRBN−, but all 3 patients progressing on lenalidomide were CRBN+ and both patients completely lacking CRBN expression responded to treatment. Concerning MUM1, 62% were MUM1‐negative (MUM1−) and 38% positive (MUM1+). There was no difference in response to lenalidomide by MUM1‐status (MUM1+ 71% versus MUM1− 79%, P = 0.546) and also relapse rates (P = 0.828) and PFS (P = 0.681) did not differ. Interestingly, a subgroup analysis of gastric lymphoma revealed a significantly better PFS for CRBN− and MUM1− patients, respectively (both P < 0.05). To conclude, there was no significant difference in response to lenalidomide between patients with low or high expression of CRBN/MUM1 in a general population of MALT lymphoma, and immunohistochemical CRBN/MUM1 assessment cannot be recommended in the clinical routine.
NetGAN: Generating Graphs via Random Walks

We propose NetGAN - the first implicit generative model for graphs able to mimic real-world networks. We pose the problem of graph generation as learning the distribution of biased random walks over the input graph. The proposed model is based on a stochastic neural network that generates discrete output samples and is trained using the Wasserstein GAN objective. NetGAN is able to produce graphs that exhibit the well-known network patterns without explicitly specifying them in the model definition. At the same time, our model exhibits strong generalization properties, as highlighted by its competitive link prediction performance, despite not being trained specifically for this task. Being the first approach to combine both of these desirable properties, NetGAN opens exciting further avenues for research.
A Web-Based Cancer Atlas of Saudi Arabia

There is a distinct lack of online atlases to visualize and explore cancer incidence in Middle Eastern countries despite the clear benefit that such tools can deliver. This paper describes the development and implementation of a cancer Atlas of Saudi Arabia, which is a web-based client-server application with built-in analysis functions for analyzing patterns of cancer incidence. Built using ESRI’s ArcGIS Server API and ASP.NET, the atlas contains 45,532 incidences of cancer for the period from 1998 to 2004, which were provided by the Saudi Arabian National Cancer Registry. This tool is aimed at health care practitioners and researchers, who can use this tool for exploring cancer distribution and investigating trends, and as a decision support tool for service allocation. The tool allows users to map cancer incidence and undertake analyses at four spatial scales from city to national level.
Effect of coil turns in 4-coils system for mid-range wireless power transfer

Electronic devices rely on chargers and cables to power up batteries, and the battery drains faster with respect to the increase of usage. Wireless power transfer has now become the key solution to power up electronic devices using air as the transmission medium. This paper performs simulation result of 4-coils resonance structure which is applicable in mid-rage wireless power transfer. The number of turns of the transmitter and receiver coils are varied to observe the magnetic and electric field transmission. Result shows that at a higher number of coil turns, higher electric field, magnetic field and scattering parameter are transmitted from the source to the load coil.