Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ant Colony Optimization-Based Adaptive Network-on-Chip Routing Framework Using Network Information Region

The network-on-chip (NoC) system can provide more scalable and flexible on-chip interconnection compared with system bus. The performance of on-chip adaptive routing algorithms greatly relies on the adopted network information. To the best our knowledge, previous routing algorithms utilize either spatial or temporal network information to improve performance. However, few works have established a framework on analyzing the network information nor showed how to integrate the spatial and temporal network information. In this paper, we define the network information region (NIR) framework for NoC systems. The NIR can indicate arbitrary combinations of network information and corresponding routing algorithms. We demonstrate how to apply NIR on analyzing the adaptive routing algorithms. To further demonstrate how NIR can help to integrate the spatial or temporal network information, we propose the ACO-based pheromone diffusion (ACO-PhD) adaptive routing framework based on the NIR. By diffusing the pheromone outward, spatial and temporal network information can be exchanged among adjacent routers. The range (i.e., size and shape) of the NIR is controllable by setting the parameters in the ACO-PhD algorithm. We show that we can reconfigure the ACO-PhD algorithm to each routing algorithm in its NIR subsets by adjusting the parameter settings. Finally, we implement and analyze the hardware design of corresponding router architecture. The results show an improvement of 4.86-16.93 percent on network performance and the highest area efficiency is achieved by the proposed algorithm.
Feasibility of a Lateral Flow Test for Neurocysticercosis Using Novel Up-Converting Nanomaterials and a Lightweight Strip Analyzer

Neurocysticercosis is a frequent parasitic infection of the human brain, occurring in most of the world, and requires imaging of the brain to diagnose. To determine the burden of disease and to simplify diagnosis, a field-friendly rapid lateral flow (LF) based antibody screening test was developed. The assay utilizes novel nano-sized up-converting phosphor (UCP) reporter particles in combination with a portable lightweight analyzer and detects antibodies in serum samples reactive with bacterial-expressed recombinant (r) T24H, a marker for detecting neurocysticercosis cases. Three sequential flow steps allow enrichment of antibodies on the Test (T) line and consecutive binding of protein-A coated UCP reporter particles. Antibody binding was determined by measuring 550 nm emission after excitation of the UCP label with a 980 nm infrared (IR) diode. Clinical sensitivity and specificity of the assay to detect cases of human neurocysticercosis with 2 or more viable brain cysts were 96% and 98%, respectively, using a sample set comprised of sera from 63 confirmed cases and 170 healthy parasite-naïve non-endemic controls. In conclusion: Proof-of-principle, of a rapid UCP-LF screening assay for neurocysticercosis was demonstrated. The assay utilized bacterial-expressed rT24H as a potential alternative for baculovirus-expressed rT24H. Performance of the UCP-LF assay was excellent, although further studies need to confirm that bacterial expressed antigen can entirely replace previously used baculovirus antigen. In addition, the increasing availability of commercial sources for UCP reporter materials as well as the accessibility of affordable semi-handheld scanners may allow UCP-based bioanalytical systems for point-of-care to evolve at an even faster pace.
Psychotherapeutische Behandlung von Opfern eines sexuellen Missbrauchs

Opfer eines sexuellen Missbrauchs kön− nen ein breites Spektrum an Störungen aufweisen. Häufig wird dieses von einer Posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung dominiert. Der vorliegende Beitrag be− schreibt auf der Grundlage des aktuellen Forschungstandes zentrale psychothera− peutische Strategien in der Behandlung von Opfern eines sexuellen Missbrauchs. Ein Schwerpunkt der Darstellung liegt in der Bedeutung des traumaassoziierten Gedächtnisnetzwerks für die Entstehung, Aufrechterhaltung und Behandlung der Folgen eines sexuellen Missbrauchs. Be− sonderheiten des Traumas des sexuellen Missbrauchs werden dabei spezifisch be− rücksichtigt. Aus den Ursachen für eine isolierte Abspeicherung von Traumaerin− nerungen und dessen Konsequenzen für die Symptomatik wird gemäß des aktu− ellen Forschungsstandes das Erfolg ver− sprechendste psychotherapeutische Kon− zept abgeleitet, das sich im Wesentlichen auf die Strategien der Konfrontation und der kognitiven Umstrukturierung grün− det. Zudem wird auf Besonderheiten der therapeutischen Beziehung in der Behandlung von sexuellen Missbrauch− opfern eingegangen.
Doctoral supervision, workplace research and changing pedagogic practices

The pressures of new agendas, new students and new degrees are challenging traditional pedagogical frameworks in doctoral education. This article draws on an ethnographic study that examined the changing nature of doctoral supervision and the pedagogic practices that support the doctoral endeavour in programs that explicitly link research with workplace practice. While supervisors and students struggled with uncertainty and confusion, partly due to disjunction in expectations, the creative tensions of doctoral research and the relatively new research territory of the programs, the study found that more flexible processes were emerging in doctoral education. This article examines the increasing move, through the use of research seminars, to more collective models of supervision and collaborative knowledge sharing environments. It is argued that this powerful pedagogic practice, which is often overlooked in the focus on the dyadic relationship of supervision, developed the research capacity of students and .
Extensive sequence homology between IgA receptor and M proteins in Streptococcus pyogenes

Many strains of Streptococcus pyogenes are known to express a receptor for IgA. The complete nucleotide sequence of the gene for such a receptor, protein Arp4, has been determined. The deduced amino acid sequence of 386 residues includes a signal sequence of 41 amino acids and a putative membrane anchor region, both of which are homologous to similar regions in other streptococcal surface proteins. The processed form of the IgA receptor has a length of 345 amino acids and a calculated molecular weight of 39544. The N‐terninal sequence of the processed form is different from that previously found for a similar IgA receptor isolated from a S. pyogenes strain of type M60. The sequence of protein Arp4 shows extensive homology to the C‐terminal half of streptococcal M proteins, but not to the streptococcal IgG receptor protein G or staphlyococcal protein A. Apart from the membrane anchor, this homology includes a sequence of 119 amino acid residues containing three repeated units and a 54‐residue sequence without repeats. The protein expressed in Escherichia coli is found in the periplasmic space, in which it constitutes the major protein. Protein Arp4 is the first example of a surface protein that has both immunoglobulin‐binding capacity and structural features characteristic of M proteins. And structural features characteristic of MJ proteins.
A Log-Polar Interpolation Applied to Image Scaling

This paper proposes a bio-inspired interpolation algorithm suitable for image scaling. A log-polar neighbor model is adopted, utilizing the feature of applying larger weights to pixels at the center of the interpolation region and logarithmically decreasing weights to pixels away from the center. The interpolation is performed in the Cartesian plane without requiring the full transformation of the image to the log-polar plane. Experiments show that in both visual comparisons and quantitative analysis, the results extracted by the proposed log-polar neighbor model are better than those extracted from pixel repetition, bilinear and bicubic interpolation.
Friendship Matters: Communication, Dialectics, and the Life Course

In this volume, William K. Rawlins traces and investigates the varieties, tensions, and functions of friendship for males and females throughout the life course: how they are managed communicatively, and how they infl uence and refl ect their participants' continually evolving senses of self, relationships, and community. He argues that friendship inherently involves certain dialectical tensions within the larger culture, between friends, and within and across the stages of the life cycle. He also examines notions and meanings of friendship: ethical, civic, romantic, utilitarian, and mundane.
The Benefit of Ambiguity in Understanding Goals in Requirements Modelling

This paper examines the benefit of ambiguity in describing goals in requirements modelling for the design of socio-technical systems using concepts from Agent-Oriented Software Engineering (AOSE) and ethnographic and cultural probe methods from Human Computer Interaction (HCI). The authors’ aim of their research is to create technologies that support more flexible and meaningful social interactions, by combining best practice in software engineering with ethnographic techniques to model complex social interactions from their socially oriented life for the purposes of building rich socio-technological systems. Currently social needs are modelled as coordinative and collaborative goals; however the domestic space surfaces a range of purely communicative activities, which are not calculated to serve any external productive purpose (i.e., it is communication often for the sake of pleasure). The authors use a holistic approach to eliciting, analyzing, and modelling socially-oriented requirements by combining a particular form of ethnographic technique, cultural probes, with Agent Oriented Software Engineering notations to model these requirements. This paper focuses on examining the value of maintaining ambiguity in the process of elicitation and analysis through the use of empirically informed quality goals attached to functional goals. The authors demonstrate the benefit of articulating a quality goal without turning it into a functional goal. Their study shows that quality goals kept at a high level of abstraction, ambiguous and open for conversations through the modelling process add richness to goal models, and communicate quality attributes of the interaction being modelled to the design phase, where this ambiguity is regarded as a resource for design.
Distributed signal processing for sensor networks

A sensor network is a spatia-temporal sampling device with a wireless communications infrastructure. In this talk, after a short overview of the Center on Mobile Information and Communication Systems (http://www.mics.org), we will address the following questions: I . The spatio-temporal structure of distributed signals, with an emphasis on the physics behind the signals, and results on sampling 2. The interaction of distributed source compression and transmission, with a particular focus on joint source-channel coding 3. Some applications in environmental monitoring, like for example tomographic measurements This is joint work with T.Ajdler, B.Beferull-Lozano,, H.Dubois-Ferriere, R.Konsbruck (EPFL), RCristescu (Caltech), P.L. Dragotti (Imperial) and M.Gastpar (UC Berkeley). The work is sponsored by the Center on Mobile Information and Communication Systems (www.mics.org), funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation.
Inadvertent subdural injection: a complication of an epidural block

Twenty-one hundred eighty two consecutive lumbar epidural injections were studied to determine the incidence of inadvertent subdural block retrospectively. A subdural block is defined as an extensive neural block in the absence of subarachnoid puncture, that is out of proportion to theamount of local anesthetic injected. Subdural injection is a complicationof epidural block that probably occurs more frequently than previously recognized. An earlier report has estimated the incidence of subdural blockto be 0.1%. This study, however, reports an incidence of 0.82% from a sample size of 2182 patients. Cadaveric dissection was also performed, further clarifying the presence and anatomic position of the subdural space.
Versatile ultra low noise low power analog signal conditioning chip with integrated drivers

An ultra low-noise, low-power and miniature area analog signal conditioning chip in 180nm UMC Mixed-Mode CMOS process with 1.8V supply is presented. The design targets applications like sensors, biomedical and energy-efficient handheld devices. The test chip features Instrumentation Amplifier (INA) with chopper modulation at the first stage. The 2nd stage is a novel area efficient Spike Removal Filter (SRF). On-chip clock generators with frequency of 4kHz (non-overlapping) and 8kHz for SRF stage is implemented. The last stage is a differential active RC filter to adjust gain and bandwidth of the forward channel. The chip features a reconfigurable Driven-Right-Leg Circuit (DRLC) and Shield Drive Amplifier (SDA) in the feedback path specifically for Bio-medical applications. The DRLC is re-configurable with Operational amplifier (Op-Amp) and Operational Transconductance Amplifier (OTA). The measurement results show that INA achieves input-referred noise density of 28nV/√Hz and DC current of 5. 9μA maintaining minimum CMRR of 109dB at 1.91kHz. Moreover, 34dB of 50Hz interference reduction is achieved with DRLC. Wide range of specifications along with reconfigurable modules and interconnections enables the chip for broad range of signal conditioning applications.
Perfis cognitivos de crianças e adolescentes com dislexia na WISC-III

A avaliacao cognitiva na Dislexia do Desenvolvimento faz parte do processo diagnostico e auxilia no planejamento de intervencoes eficazes, permitindo identificar o perfil de dificuldades e facilidades em funcao do desempenho em tarefas especificas. O estudo investigou o perfil na WISC-III de 123 participantes com Dislexia do Desenvolvimento. A idade variou de 8 a 14 anos, sendo 83 (67,5%) meninos e 40 (32,5%) meninas, de escolas privadas (52,8%) e publicas (47,2%). A analise de conglomerados revelou tres perfis diferentes, em funcao do desempenho na WISC-III. A analise de variância (ANOVA) revelou diferencas entre os subgrupos nas medidas gerais e entre os escores dos subtestes na maioria dos grupos. Nao houve diferenca de serie e idade entre os grupos. O grupo com maior dificuldade nos subtestes da WISC-III tinha maior concentracao de participantes de escola publica. Os resultados indicam heterogeneidade no perfil cognitivo de criancas e adolescentes dislexicos.
A Finite Element Method for the Electromagnetic Characterization of Quasi-Magnetostatic Problems Found in UXO Detection and Discrimination

Abstract : A Finite Element Method (FEM) is presented to solve for the scattered magnetic vector potential from arbitrarily polarized targets typical of those encountered in Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) detection. Most previously developed numerical methods only solved problems in which axial symmetry could be exploited. This, of course, severely limits the capabilities and utility of such methods. The method presented in this paper however seeks to overcome these limitations by allowing not only arbitrarily polarized targets but also allowing the size and shape of the target to be arbitrary as well. We show also the capabilities of the method for extending work in measurement technique and discrimination algorithm development.
Silicon/Silica-Hybrid-Integrated Delay Line Interferometer for Demodulation of PSK Formats

We propose a 1-bit delay line interferometer (DLI) with a hybrid Mach–Zehnder structure for demodulation of phase-shift-keying (PSK) signals. Each arm contains silicon (Si)/Si-rich silica waveguides and spot size converters to generate optical delay using both of physical length and refractive index changes. This report covers the numerical analysis and experimental investigations, ranging from basic characterization to application. We employed a DLI with a free spectral range of 10.2 GHz in a demodulation experiment of 10.0-Gb/s NRZ-DPSK signals. As a result, very clear eye patterns and error-free operation are obtained from the C- to L-telecommunications bands with a device size per channel of 1.6 $\hbox{mm}^{2}$. The novel and effective design provides a demodulator in simple and high-density device integration.
Gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms and the risks of oesophageal cancer: are the effects modified by smoking, NSAIDs or acid suppressants?

Objective: To measure the extent to which risks of oesophageal cancers associated with gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) are modified by common factors including smoking, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acid suppressant medications. Design and setting: Population-based case–control study. Participants: Cases were patients with oesophageal (OAC; n = 365) or gastro-oesophageal junction (GOJAC; n = 426) adenocarcinomas, or squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC; n = 303). Controls were sampled from a population register (n = 1580). Main outcome measure: Odds ratio and 95% confidence interval. Results: Frequent (at least weekly) symptoms of GOR were associated with significant 6.4-fold, 4.6-fold and 2.2-fold increased risks of OAC, GOJAC and OSCC, respectively. Under models examining effects of combined exposure, patients with frequent GOR symptoms who were also heavy smokers had markedly higher OAC risks (OR = 12.3, 95% CI 6.3 to 24.0) than those with frequent GOR who did not smoke (OR = 6.8, 95% CI 3.6 to 12.9). Similar patterns were observed for GOJAC and OSCC. Among people with frequent GOR symptoms, regular use of aspirin/NSAIDs was associated with almost two-thirds lower OAC risks (OR = 4.8, 95% CI 2.5 to 9.2) than non-users (13.9, 95% CI 6.5 to 30.0). In contrast, among those with frequent GOR symptoms, users of acid suppressants had similar OAC risks (OR 7.8, 95% CI 5.2 to 11.8) to non-users (OR 5.3, 95% CI 3.2 to 9.0). Conclusions: People experiencing frequent GOR symptoms have markedly increased risks of OAC and GOJAC, and this effect may be greater amongst smokers. Use of aspirin and NSAIDs, but not acid suppressants, significantly reduced the risks of oesophageal cancers associated with GOR.
Neuronal Adaptation Translates Stimulus Gaps into a Population Code

Neurons in sensory pathways exhibit a vast multitude of adaptation behaviors, which are assumed to aid the encoding of temporal stimulus features and provide the basis for a population code in higher brain areas. Here we study the transition to a population code for auditory gap stimuli both in neurophysiological recordings and in a computational network model. Independent component analysis (ICA) of experimental data from the inferior colliculus of Mongolian gerbils reveals that the network encodes different gap sizes primarily with its population firing rate within 30 ms after the presentation of the gap, where longer gap size evokes higher network activity. We then developed a computational model to investigate possible mechanisms of how to generate the population code for gaps. Phenomenological (ICA) and functional (discrimination performance) analyses of our simulated networks show that the experimentally observed patterns may result from heterogeneous adaptation, where adaptation provides gap detection at the single neuron level and neuronal heterogeneity ensures discriminable population codes for the whole range of gap sizes in the input. Furthermore, our work suggests that network recurrence additionally enhances the network's ability to provide discriminable population patterns.
Facing Up to the Centre: The Emergence of Regional Elite Associations in Angola's Political Transition Process

This article compares two regional elite associations in Angola's southern Huila province — the Associacao dos Naturais e Amigos de Kuvango, Jamba e Chipindo (Anakujachi — Association of Natives and Friends of Kuvango, Jamba and Chipindo) and the Associacao Solidariedade Nyaneka-Humbi (SNH — Nyaneka-Humbi Solidarity Association). It demonstrates how these associations have gained increasing political significance through their representation of local interests. This is facilitated by deeply felt social and political exclusion resulting from war and a centralized state that hardly reaches the periphery where these associations are based. Until now, the central Angolan state has refused to grant the regions more autonomy despite an official gradualismo decentralization policy which introduces elected bodies at district level. In response, the strategy of these associations has been to ensure that their representatives obtain positions within the state, both nationally and locally, so that they could represent the interests of their specific region. Using the example of these regional elite associations, the article retraces the struggle over resources and citizenship, which is embedded in contemporary urban–rural interactions that mark political change in Huila province.
Pre-radiotherapy PSA level as a predictor.

The recent publication on “pre‐radiotherapy PSA level as a predictor” is very interesting. Tsan et al., concluded that “in patients with increasing PSA levels following RP, local RT should be administered prior to biochemi‐ cal failure (PSA ≥ 0.2) to ensure good bPFS. ” It seems that the PSA level determination can be useful in predict‐ ing and planning for the management of prostate cancer. Nevertheless, there are many concerns on this work. First, although PSA seems to be a good cancer biomarker for prostate cancer, increased level can be seen in other pros‐ tatic disorders such as chronic prostatitis. In case there are concurrent disorders, the PSA level might be altered and is not reliable. Second, ensuring the quality control of PSA measurement is very important. Errors in laboratory investigation can be expected, and this can be a problem in actual clinical practice. In a certified laboratory, high rate of pre‐analytic error is still being reported. Biases of presently used PSA test are reported, and this must be kept in mind by all practitioners.
A Bayesian Framework for Community Detection Integrating Content and Link

This paper addresses the problem of community detection in networked data that combines link and content analysis. Most existing work combines link and content information by a generative model. There are two major shortcomings with the existing approaches. First, they assume that the probability of creating a link between two nodes is determined only by the community memberships of the nodes; however other factors (e.g. popularity) could also affect the link pattern. Second, they use generative models to model the content of individual nodes, whereas these generative models are vulnerable to the content attributes that are irrelevant to communities. We propose a Bayesian framework for combining link and content information for community detection that explicitly addresses these shortcomings. A new link model is presented that introduces a random variable to capture the node popularity when deciding the link between two nodes; a discriminative model is used to determine the community membership of a node by its content. An approximate inference algorithm is presented for efficient Bayesian inference. Our empirical study shows that the proposed framework outperforms several state-of-theart approaches in combining link and content information for community detection.