Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Distributed NUCA Architecture Using an Efficient NoC Multicasting Support

Exploiting at best every bit of memory on chip is a must for finding the best trade-off between cost and performance when designing Many-Core MPSoCs. In this paper, we propose a new memory hierarchy organization that maximizes the usage of the available memory at each cache level while avoiding data redundancy. We also aim to reduce data access time by avoiding data migration. Our scheme is based on Non-Uniform Cache Architectures (NUCA), and makes use of a novel NoC multicast messaging support. It requires to logically partition the network into imagined layers in which each layer is bound to one of the cache levels. We assess the efficiency of our proposal by evaluating performance metrics, using the Gem5 simulator and the Splash2 benchmark suite. Our results show an improvement of 24% in L2 miss rate over baseline S_NUCA organization and more than 25% in average network latency. We report a maximum improvement of 40% in execution time. Also, we show that our approach outperforms R_NUCA.
Electrochemical sensors based on multi-walled carbon nanotube-Nafion/spl trade/ nanocomposite film for determination of heavy metals and hydrogen peroxide

A nanocomposite film of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) with Nafion/spl trade/ is prepared by cast deposition on glassy carbon electrodes (GCE). The morphologies of the MWNTs and MWNTs/Nafion/spl trade/ modified electrode are characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The MWNTs are cylindrically shaped and uniform with a diameter in the range of 40 - 60 nm. The MWNTs/Nafion/spl trade/ composite film is cast homogeneously onto GCE. Well-defined voltammetric responses are observed for the Fe(CN)/sub 6//sup 4-//Fe(CN)/sub 6//sup 3-/ redox system in aqueous 0.1 M KCl on the MWNTs/Nafion/spl trade/ modified electrode. The anodic stripping response for Cd metal from a solution of 1 to 4 /spl mu/M in aqueous 0.1 M acetate buffer solution is demonstrated. The amounts of hydrogen peroxide and the heights of amperometric response of this sensor vary proportionately. The results indicate that the electroanalytical nanocomposite film composed of MWNTs and Nafion/spl trade/ is highly sensitive and suitable for potential electrochemical sensor applications.
The subendothelial extracellular matrix modulates NF-κB activation by flow

Atherosclerotic plaque forms in regions of the vasculature exposed to disturbed flow. NF-κB activation by fluid flow, leading to expression of target genes such as E-selectin, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1, may regulate early monocyte recruitment and fatty streak formation. Flow-induced NF-κB activation is downstream of conformational activation of integrins, resulting in new integrin binding to the subendothelial extracellular matrix and signaling. Therefore, we examined the involvement of the extracellular matrix in this process. Whereas endothelial cells plated on fibronectin or fibrinogen activate NF-κB in response to flow, cells on collagen or laminin do not. In vivo, fibronectin and fibrinogen are deposited at atherosclerosis-prone sites before other signs of atherosclerosis. Ligation of integrin α2β1 on collagen prevents flow-induced NF-κB activation through a p38-dependent pathway that is activated locally at adhesion sites. Furthermore, altering the extracellular matrix to promote p38 activation in cells on fibronectin suppresses NF-κB activation, suggesting a novel therapeutic strategy for treating atherosclerosis.
Review of Open Superstring Field Theory

I review the construction of an action for open superstring field theory which does not suffer from the contact term problems of other approaches. This action resembles a Wess-Zumino-Witten action and can be constructed in a manifestly D=4 super-Poincar\'e covariant manner. This review is based on lectures given at the ICTP Latin-American String School in Mexico City and the Komaba 2000 Workshop in Tokyo.
Temporally and Spatially Resolved Plasma Spectroscopy in Pulsed Laser Deposition of Ultra-Thin Boron Nitride Films

Physical vapor deposition (PVD) has recently been investigated as a viable, alternative growth technique for two-dimensional materials with multiple benefits over other vapor deposition synthesis methods. The high kinetic energies and chemical reactivities of the condensing species formed from PVD processes can facilitate growth over large areas and at reduced substrate temperatures. In this study, chemistry, kinetic energies, time of flight data, and spatial distributions within a PVD plasma plume ablated from a boron nitride (BN) target by a KrF laser at different pressures of nitrogen gas were investigated. Time resolved spectroscopy and wavelength specific imaging were used to identify and track atomic neutral and ionized species including B+, B*, N+, N*, and molecular species including N2*, N2+, and BN. Formation and decay of these species formed both from ablation of the target and from interactions with the background gas were investigated and provided insights into fundamental growth mechanisms of.
Is the Error-related Negativity Amplitude Related to Error Detectability? Evidence from Effects of Different Error Types

The present study tested error detection theories of the error-related negativity (ERN) by investigating the relation between ERN amplitude and error detectability. To this end, ERN amplitudes were compared with a behavioral measure of error detectability across two different error types in a four-choice flanker task. If an erroneous response was associated with the flankers, it was considered a flanker error, otherwise it was considered a nonflanker error. Two experiments revealed that, whereas detectability was better for nonflanker errors than for flanker errors, ERN amplitudes were larger for flanker errors than for nonflanker errors. Moreover, undetected errors led to strongly reduced ERN amplitudes relative to detected errors. These results suggest that, although error detection is necessary for an ERN to occur, the ERN amplitude is not related to error detectability but rather to error significance.
Functional Brain Connectivity as a New Feature for P300 Speller

The brain is a large-scale complex network often referred to as the “connectome”. Cognitive functions and information processing are mainly based on the interactions between distant brain regions. However, most of the ‘feature extraction’ methods used in the context of Brain Computer Interface (BCI) ignored the possible functional relationships between different signals recorded from distinct brain areas. In this paper, the functional connectivity quantified by the phase locking value (PLV) was introduced to characterize the evoked responses (ERPs) obtained in the case of target and non-targets visual stimuli. We also tested the possibility of using the functional connectivity in the context of ‘P300 speller’. The proposed approach was compared to the well-known methods proposed in the state of the art of “P300 Speller”, mainly the peak picking, the area, time/frequency based features, the xDAWN spatial filtering and the stepwise linear discriminant analysis (SWLDA). The electroencephalographic (EEG) signals recorded from ten subjects were analyzed offline. The results indicated that phase synchrony offers relevant information for the classification in a P300 speller. High synchronization between the brain regions was clearly observed during target trials, although no significant synchronization was detected for a non-target trial. The results showed also that phase synchrony provides higher performance than some existing methods for letter classification in a P300 speller principally when large number of trials is available. Finally, we tested the possible combination of both approaches (classical features and phase synchrony). Our findings showed an overall improvement of the performance of the P300-speller when using Peak picking, the area and frequency based features. Similar performances were obtained compared to xDAWN and SWLDA when using large number of trials.
Partitioning and matrix‐specific toxicity of bifenthrin among sediments and leaf‐sourced organic matter

Synthetic pyrethroids readily partition from the aqueous to the solid phase in aquatic systems. Previous work has focused on pyrethroid partitioning to sediment matrices. Within many aquatic systems, however, other carbon‐containing materials are present and can be critically important to certain invertebrate species and ecosystem functioning. For example, some invertebrates readily process leaf material, and these processes may represent an additional route of contaminant exposure. To our knowledge, estimates for partitioning of pyrethroids to these nondissolved organic matter matrices and associated toxicity have not been examined. The objectives of the present study were to examine variation in organic carbon (OC)–based partition coefficient (KOC) among three size fractions of particulate organic matter from sugar maple (Acer saccharum) leaf litter and sediments for the pyrethroid insecticide bifenthrin and to examine variation in toxicity to Hyalella azteca among bifenthrin‐bound organic matter matrices and sediment. Log KOC of [14C]bifenthrin was greatest within sediment (6.63 ± 0.23; mean ± standard deviation throughout) and lowest in coarse particulate leaf material (4.86 ± 0.03). The H. azteca median lethal concentration was 0.07, 0.11, and 0.15 μg/g OC for leaf material, sediment, and a 50% mix of leaf and sediment, respectively. Nonoverlapping 95% confidence intervals occurred between the leaf treatment and the leaf–sediment treatment. This pattern was supported in an additional experiment, and at 0.22 μg/g OC, H. azteca survival was greater in the leaf–sediment mixture than in sediment or in leaf material alone (F = 29.5, p < 0.0001). In systems that contain sediment and leaf material, both greater partitioning of bifenthrin to the sediment fraction and preferential use of leaf substrates may drive H. azteca survival.
Sea-level rise and its possible impacts given a ‘beyond 4°C world’ in the twenty-first century

The range of future climate-induced sea-level rise remains highly uncertain with continued concern that large increases in the twenty-first century cannot be ruled out. The biggest source of uncertainty is the response of the large ice sheets of Greenland and west Antarctica. Based on our analysis, a pragmatic estimate of sea-level rise by 2100, for a temperature rise of 4°C or more over the same time frame, is between 0.5 m and 2 m—the probability of rises at the high end is judged to be very low, but of unquantifiable probability. However, if realized, an indicative analysis shows that the impact potential is severe, with the real risk of the forced displacement of up to 187 million people over the century (up to 2.4% of global population). This is potentially avoidable by widespread upgrade of protection, albeit rather costly with up to 0.02 per cent of global domestic product needed, and much higher in certain nations. The likelihood of protection being successfully implemented varies between regions, and is lowest in small islands, Africa and parts of Asia, and hence these regions are the most likely to see coastal abandonment. To respond to these challenges, a multi-track approach is required, which would also be appropriate if a temperature rise of less than 4°C was expected. Firstly, we should monitor sea level to detect any significant accelerations in the rate of rise in a timely manner. Secondly, we need to improve our understanding of the climate-induced processes that could contribute to rapid sea-level rise, especially the role of the two major ice sheets, to produce better models that quantify the likely future rise more precisely. Finally, responses need to be carefully considered via a combination of climate mitigation to reduce the rise and adaptation for the residual rise in sea level. In particular, long-term strategic adaptation plans for the full range of possible sea-level rise (and other change) need to be widely developed.
Treatment sequencing in metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer

Six different treatments have demonstrated improved survival in phase III trials targeted to patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Front-line therapeutic options for mCRPC include docetaxel, sipuleucel-T, abiraterone and radium-223. Post-docetaxel options include cabazitaxel, abiraterone, enzalutamide and radium-223. Despite much progress in recent years, much is yet unknown and debates occur over optimal treatment choices and sequences. None of the new agents have been compared to one another, thus physicians in practice today must make choices based on non-randomized comparisons, toxicity considerations and various assumptions. Abiraterone is now moving into the front line mCRPC space given recent regulatory approvals and enzalutamide will follow soon. Both of the hormonal agents have less toxicity when compared to chemotherapeutic options and both of these hormonal agents are expected to be used in a considerable number of mCRPC patients in the years ahead. Little data are available for the post-abiraterone or post-enzalutamide setting. In this review the currently available sequencing data are summarized and interpreted. It is now clear that cross resistance is a potential issue between various treatments, especially those agents that target the androgen axis. This review highlights the need for additional studies to optimize the current treatments for these patients.
Gadd45a deficiency accelerates BCR-ABL driven chronic myelogenous leukemia

The Gadd45a stress sensor gene is a member in the Gadd45 family of genes that includes Gadd45b & Gadd45g. To investigate the effect of GADD45A in the development of CML, syngeneic wild type lethally irradiated mice were reconstituted with either wild type or Gadd45a null myeloid progenitors transduced with a retroviral vector expressing the 210-kD BCR-ABL fusion oncoprotein. Loss of Gadd45a was observed to accelerate BCR-ABL driven CML resulting in the development of a more aggressive disease, a significantly shortened median mice survival time, and increased BCR-ABL expressing leukemic stem/progenitor cells (GFP+Lin- cKit+Sca+). GADD45A deficient progenitors expressing BCR-ABL exhibited increased proliferation and decreased apoptosis relative to WT counterparts, which was associated with enhanced PI3K-AKT-mTOR-4E-BP1 signaling, upregulation of p30C/EBPa expression, and hyper-activation of p38 and Stat5. Furthermore, Gadd45a expression in samples obtained from CML patients was upregulated in more indolent chronic phase CML samples and down regulated in aggressive accelerated phase CML and blast crisis CML. These results provide novel evidence that Gadd45a functions as a suppressor of BCR/ABL driven leukemia and may provide a unique prognostic marker of CML progression.
A self-growing Bayesian network classifier for online learning of human motion patterns

This paper proposes a new self-growing Bayesian network classifier for online learning of human motion patterns (HMPs) in dynamically changing environments. The proposed classifier is designed to represent HMP classes based on a set of historical trajectories labeled by unsupervised clustering. It then assigns HMP class labels to current trajectories. Parameters of the proposed classifier are recalculated based on the augmented dataset of labeled trajectories and all HMP classes are accordingly updated. As such, the proposed classifier allows current trajectories to form new HMP classes when they are sufficiently different from existing HMP classes. The performance of the proposed classifier is evaluated by a set of real-world data. The results show that the proposed classifier effectively learns new HMP classes from current trajectories in an online manner.
Circulating Platelet Aggregates Indicative of in Vivo Platelet Activation in Pulmonary Hypertension

The authors investigated the existence of circulating cellular aggregates in 12 patients with moderate to severe pulmonary hypertension, using scanning elec tron microscopy. Peripheral venous blood was collected in the presence of 11.5 mM buffered ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, in order to disperse freshly formed disaggregable aggregates. Irreversible aggregates represented by plate let clusters and/or platelet attachment to either leukocytes or red cells were identified in 7 patients with pulmonary hypertension. Endogenous platelet acti vation was further confirmed by a significant increase in plasma levels of beta- thromboglobulin in comparison with controls (33.8 ± 14.1 vs 22.7 ± 11.5 ng/mL respectively, p < 0.025). The presence of irreversible aggregates in the blood stream strongly suggests that cell-cell interactions actually occur in vivo in these patients. If so, therapeutic measures aimed at preventing in situ thrombosis and its consequences may be beneficial in this disorder.
Evaluation of fibrinolytic medical therapy for patients with acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND Fibrinolytic therapy is the standard therapeutic method for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study endeavored to assess the delay in arrival to the emergency department and door to needle time for thrombolytic therapy. METHODS This study was conducted on 80 patients with AMI whom referred to our clinic from January 2009 to January 2010. We measured time of arrival, needle time and door to needle time for all patients. Moreover, the relations of these times to some variables such as age, gender and the referred shift of emergency department personnel were calculated. RESULTS A total of 80 patients, 62 (77.5%) male and 18 (22.5%) female were evaluated for thrombolytic therapy. The arrival time of overnight shifts was 14.59 ± 1.23 minutes shorter than other shifts. The median door to needle time was 46.56 minutes and the mean time of the onset of chest pain to arrival at the emergency department was 19.44 minutes. Seventy-two patients (90%) received fibrinolytic therapy within the first 30 minutes of arrival. The needle time was significantly longer in the night shift (P < 0.05) (between 8 to 14 minutes), while the time of receiving Streptokinase therapy in the other shifts was not meaningfully different. Finally there was a statistically significant difference between the referred shifts and needle time (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Despite our good results for door to needle time, to improve and attain the gold standard’s limits in administering fibrinolytic therapy, improvement of policies like training the personnel to shorten this time is recommend.
Combining Piecewise Linear Regression and a Granular Computing Framework for Financial Time Series Classification

Finance is a very broad field where the uncertainty plays a central role and every financial operator have to deal with it. In this paper we propose a new method for a trend prediction on financial time series combining a Linear Piecewise Regression with a granular computing framework. A set of parameters control the behavior of the whole system, thus making their fine tuning a critical optimization task. To this aim in this paper we employ an evolutionary optimization algorithm to tackle this crucial phase. We tested our system on both synthetic benchmarking data and on real financial time series. Our tests show very good classification results on benchmarking data. Results on real data, although not completely satisfactory, are encouraging, suggesting further developments.
Introduction of p130cas signaling complex formation upon integrin-mediated cell adhesion: a role for Src family kinases

Integrin-mediated cell adhesion triggers intracellular signaling cascades, including tyrosine phosphorylation of intracellular proteins. Among these are the focal adhesion proteins p130cas (Cas) and focal adhesion kinase (FAK). Here we identify the kinase(s) mediating integrin-induced Cas phosphorylation and characterize protein-protein interactions mediated by phosphorylated Cas. We found that expression of a constitutively active FAK in fibroblasts results in a consecutive tyrosine phosphorylation of Cas. This effect required the autophosphorylation site of FAK, which is a binding site for Src family kinases. Integrin-mediated phosphorylation of Cas was not, however, compromised in fibroblasts lacking FAK. In contrast, adhesion-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of Cas was reduced in cells lacking Src, whereas enhanced phosphorylation of Cas was observed Csk- cells, in which Src kinases are activated. These results suggest that Src kinases are responsible for the integrin-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of Cas. FAK seems not to be necessary for phosphorylation of Cas, but when autophosphorylated, FAK may recruit Src family kinases to phosphorylate Cas. Cas was found to form complexes with Src homology 2 (SH2) domain-containing signaling molecules, such as the SH2/SH3 adapter protein Crk, following integrin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation. Guanine nucleotide exchange factors C3G and Sos were found in the Cas-Crk complex upon integrin ligand binding. These observations suggest that Cas serves as a docking protein and may transduce signals to downstream signaling pathways following integrin-mediated cell adhesion.
The Seeds of Weak Power: an Extension of Network Exchange Theory

We extend network exchange theory (Markovsky, Willer, and Patton 1988) to accommodate a new class of power phenomena. Previous theory and research have shown that structural configurations in some networks promote or inhibit exchange opportunities, leading to robust power and resource differentials. The extension identifies a structural basis for subtler forms of differentiation. Using computer simulations and laboratory experiments, we show that the degree to which this "weak power" is manifested in resource accumulations is conditioned by local and global network patterns, and by the experience and strategies of actors in the network. Experimental tests corroborate the predicted weak power effects and the consequences of variations in actors' negotiating experiences.