Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Speeding Up FPGA Placement: Parallel Algorithms and Methods

Placement of a large FPGA design now commonly requires several hours, significantly hindering designer productivity. Furthermore, FPGA capacity is growing faster than CPU speed, which will further increase placement time unless new approaches are found. Multi-core processors are now ubiquitous, however, and some recent processors also have hardware support for transactional memory (TM), making parallelism an increasingly attractive approach for speeding up placement. We investigate methods to parallelize the simulated annealing placement algorithm in VPR, which is widely used in FPGA research. We explore both algorithmic changes and the use of different parallel programming paradigms and hardware, including TM, thread-level speculation (TLS) and lock-free techniques. We find that hardware TM enables large speedups (8.1x on average), but compromises “move fairness” and leads to an unacceptable quality loss. TLS scales poorly, with a maximum 2.2x speedup, but preserves quality. A new dependency checking parallel strategy achieves the best balance: the deterministic version achieves 5.9x speedup and no quality loss, while the non-deterministic, lock-free version can scale to a 34x speedup.
Study and design of multi-robots pursuing based on improved ant colony labor division method

Swarm Intelligence is applied to multi-agent system collaboration in order to improve the flexibility and adaptability of multi-agent system. According to the similarities between multi-robots pursuing and ants foraging, ant colony task allocation model is applied to multi-robots collaborative pursuing. Artificial potential method is introduced to ant colony task allocation model, and defined adaptive task allocation model. Experiment results show that it is consistent between the experiments and the actual situation expectations, and the whole experiments in our work can fulfill the demand of coordination in multi-robots pursuing. The extended task allocation model can farther be applied into other multi-agents application, and it has a broader foreground.
A novel protocol of whole mount electro-immunofluorescence staining

Purpose To develop a new method of whole mount immunostaining that improves the penetration of staining reagents into the cornea and decreases non-specific binding and background. Methods Adult mouse corneas were fixed overnight in 4% paraformaldehyde or a mixture of 4% paraformaldehyde and 0.2% glutaraldehyde in 0.1 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, at 4 °C. After washing with 0.1% Triton X-100, corneas were embedded in 1% solidified agarose in a plastic column and fluorescent staining reagents, e.g., FITC-IgG (Fluorescein isothiocyanate- immunoglobulinG) conjugates in 0.5% solidified agarose was overlaid onto the specimens. The column was directionally immersed in a submarine gel electrophoresis apparatus filled with Tris-glycine buffer (TGB, pH=7.4) and electrophoresed at 4–10 mA for 10–24 h. For comparison, conventional protocols of immune fluorescent staining were also employed. The outcomes were evaluated by confocal microscopy. Results Antibody conjugates recognizing extracellular matrix (ECM) components, integral membrane protein, and intracellular structural proteins were used in whole mount corneas. The images of confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) displayed a uniform distribution pattern of keratocan in corneal stroma, which is similar to that of section-staining. Anti-β-tubulin antibodies bound to microtubes that are distributed within the whole cell body of superficial corneal epithelium cells and stromal keratocytes, but it was found perinuclear of corneal epithelial wing layers and endothelium; integral membrane protein, FAK (focal adhesion kinase), specifically labeled stromal cells of keratectomy corneas that healed for three weeks. In comparison, conventional protocols of immune fluorescent staining using the same antibody conjugates were also employed but did not yield satisfactory results. It was found that IgG conjugates examined did not readily penetrate into stroma and/or intact corneal epithelium. Phalloidin is a small molecule that can readily penetrate into deep tissue and preferentially binds to F-actin. After the whole mount electrofluorescent staining of phalloidin-rhodamine in the mouse cornea, the results were the same as conventional whole mount staining during the healing of epithelial debridement. The cytoplasmic protrusion formed by lamellipodia and filopodia can be clearly demonstrated. Conclusions These results indicate that the whole mount electro-immunofluorescent staining allows the detection of antigens in all layers of cornea, i.e., epithelium, stroma, and endothelium.
Exploring the Effect of Presence in an AR-based Learning Environment

The purpose of this study is to explore whether presence under different augmented reality (AR) displays differs and how presence may affect student learning. AR allows users to manipulate 3-D objects and the real world at the same time. An AR-based environment also enables users to interact with 3-D objects intuitively with their body movement. The AR learning material, Protein Magic Book, used in this study was developed at the Human Interface Technology Laboratory (HIT Lab) at the University of Washington and the Scripp Laboratory at La Jolla, which introduces the concept of protein structure. The experimental design contained two conditions: head-mounted display and webcam display. Fifty eight students were randomly assigned into these two settings evenly. The results found that different interfaces did not produce different presence. Further, presence was not the predictor of the learning performance, neither of the total cognitive load. However, presence statistical significantly affected the AR cognitive load. Students who had higher level of presence would possess lower cognitive load when they were interacting with AR. In addition, the level of involvement was a predictor of the level of presence. It is expected that the results could provide a glance of the effectiveness of AR on learning regarding different interfaces and how students perceive AR as an educational tool.
Phospholipids in Milk Fat: Composition, Biological and Technological Significance, and Analytical Strategies

Glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids are quantitatively the most important phospholipids (PLs) in milk. They are located on the milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) and in other membranous material of the skim milk phase. They include principally phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylserine, while sphingomyelin is the dominant species of sphingolipids There is considerable evidence that PLs have beneficial health effects, such as regulation of the inflammatory reactions, chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activity on some types of cancer, and inhibition of the cholesterol absorption. PLs show good emulsifying properties and can be used as a delivery system for liposoluble constituents. Due to the amphiphilic characteristics of these molecules, their extraction, separation and detection are critical points in the analytical approach. The extraction by using chloroform and methanol, followed by the determination by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), coupled with evaporative light scattering (ELSD) or mass detector (MS), are the most applied procedures for the PL evaluation. More recently, nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry (NMR) was also used, but despite it demonstrating high sensitivity, it requires more studies to obtain accurate results. This review is focused on milk fat phospholipids; their composition, biological activity, technological properties, and significance in the structure of milk fat. Different analytical methodologies are also discussed.
Artificial adhesion mechanisms inspired by octopus suckers

We present the design and development of novel suction cups inspired by the octopus suckers. Octopuses use suckers for remarkable tasks and they are capable to obtain a good reversible wet adhesion on different substrates. We investigated the suckers morphology that allow octopus to attach them to different wet surfaces to obtain the benchmarks for new suction cups showing similar performances. The investigation was performed by using non-invasive techniques (i.e. ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging). We acquired images of contiguous sections of octopus suckers, which were used to make a 3D reconstruction aimed to obtain a CAD model perfectly equivalent to the octopus sucker in terms of sizes and anatomical proportion. The 3D information was used to develop the first passive prototypes of the artificial suction cups made in silicone. Then, in accordance with Kier and Smith's octopus adhesion model, we put in tension the water volume in the interior chamber of the artificial suction cup to obtain suction. The characterization of the passive sucker was addressed by measuring both the differential pressure between external and internal water volume of suction cup (~ 105) and the pull-off force applied to detach the substrates from the suction cup (~ 8N).
microRNA expression patterns across seven cancers are highly correlated and dominated by evolutionarily ancient families

microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in almost all normal and pathogenic eukaryotic cell processes. One area in which the influence of miRNAs is most prominent is cancer. Numerous expression surveys and more focused studies have revealed miRNA involvement in carcinogenesis, cellular pathology, cell behavior and prognosis. Large-scale comparisons of miRNA expression in varioius types of cancer have not been previously possible. However, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), an extensive multi-centered effort to characterize the genomes of hundreds of types of cancer, has enabled such comparisons. In the present study, the expression patterns of hundreds of miRNAs in thousands of tumors covering seven types of cancer: uterine corpus adenocarcinoma, ovarian serous adenocarcinoma, breast adenocarcinoma, prostate adenocarcinoma, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, colorectal adenocarcinoma, and lung adenocarcinoma were analyzed. The results showed that miRNA expression patterns among these cancer types are highly correlated (0.874>ρ>0.974) and that miRNA expression in all seven cancer types is dominated by miRNAs belonging to the most evolutionarily ancient miRNA families. This raises the possibility that more ancient miRNAs are involved in the fundamental cell processes that are central to tumor evolution.
Group Strategy-Proofness in Private Good Economies Without Money: Matching, Division and House Allocation

We observe that three salient solutions to matching, division and house allocation problems are not only (partially) strategy-proof, but (partially) group strategy-proof as well, in appropriate domains of definition. That is the case for the Gale-Shapley mechanism, the uniform rule and the top trading cycle solution, respectively. We embed these three types of problems into a general framework. We then notice that the three rules, as well as many others, do share a common set of properties, which together imply their (partial) group strategy-proofness. This proves that the equivalence between individual and group strategy-proofness in all these cases is not a fortuitous event, but results from the structure of the functions under consideration.
A 300–800 MHz Tunable Filter and Linearized LNA Applied in a Low-Noise Harmonic-Rejection RF-Sampling Receiver

A multiband flexible RF-sampling receiver aimed at software-defined radio is presented. The wideband RF sampling function is enabled by a recently proposed discrete-time mixing downconverter. This work exploits a voltage-sensing LNA preceded by a tunable LC pre-filter with one external coil to demonstrate an RF-sampling receiver with low noise figure (NF) and high harmonic rejection (HR). The second-order LC filter provides voltage pre-gain and attenuates the source noise aliasing, and it also improves the HR ratio of the sampling downconverter. The LNA consists of a simple amplifier topology built from inverters and resistors to improve the third-order nonlinearity via an enhanced voltage mirror technique. The RF-sampling receiver employs 8 times oversampling covering 300 to 800 MHz in two RF sub-bands. The chip is realized in 65 nm CMOS and the measured gain across the band is between 22 and 28 dB, while achieving a NF between 0.8 to 4.3 dB. The IIP2 varies between +38 and +49 dBm and the IIP3 between -14 dBm and -9 dBm, and the third and fifth order HR ratios are more than 60 dB. The LNA and downconverter consumes 6 mW, and the clock generator takes 12 mW at 800 MHz RF.
Novel Word Learning of Children with Hearing Impairment and Children with Typical Hearing

NOVEL WORD LEARNING OF CHILDREN WITH HEARING IMPAIRMENT AND CHILDREN WITH TYPICAL HEARING By Matthew R. Clark Children with hearing impairment may be at risk for reading difficulty due, in part, to delayed vocabulary development. However, advances in amplification technology, most notably cochlear implant technology, make it possible for children with profound hearing loss to acquire oral language. This study asked if novel word learning differed between children with typical hearing and those with severe to profound hearing loss who either wore hearing aids or had cochlear implants. Children learned nonsense words as names for Beanie Babies during a play scenario and were later asked to identify and name each Beanie Baby using its correct nonsense word name. Results showed no significant difference in novel word learning between children with hearing impairment and those with typical hearing. Additionally, novel word learning strongly correlated to phonological working memory, spontaneous vocabulary measures, age of implantation, and length of speech and language therapy in children with hearing impairment. Fast Mapping and Hearing Impairment iii DEDICATION I am dedicating my work to my family. I want to thank my family for the support they have given me in every decision I have made for my future. Their profound support for my endeavors provided the encouragement to pursue my education and have great expectations of myself in everything I do. Fast Mapping and Hearing Impairment iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS There are many people I wish to acknowledge for completion of this project. First I would like to thank my family for the encouragement and support along the path of completing this project. Their interest in my work has given me added motivation in many endeavors. Second, I want to thank Dr. Mary Reynolds for her guidance and assistance throughout the duration of this project. Her dedication to helping me succeed in the field of Communication Disorders has been profound and has encouraged me to set no limits to my abilities as a researcher and clinician. I thank her for all the support I have received since I met her. Third, I would like to thank the members of my committee: Lisa Thomas, Susan Frank, and Karen McNealy for their advice and encouragement in pursuing this project. Fourth, I would like to thank all members of the Marshall University Communication Disorders – Community of Research Practitioners (MUCD-CORP) for their positive spirit and appreciation of student and professional research throughout the past year. Fifth, I would like to thank my fellow students for all the advice I have been given in completion of this project. You have made me feel welcome among not only Marshall University’s Communication Disorders program, but the field of speech-language pathology as a whole. Fast Mapping and Hearing Impairment v TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ii DEDICATION iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS iv TABLE OF CONTENTS v LIST OF TABLES vii LIST OF FIGURES ix CHAPTER I
Influenza Vaccination is Associated with Lower Risk of Acute Coronary Syndrome in Elderly Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Abstract Elderly patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at a higher risk of hospitalization for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Previous studies have showed that influenza vaccination could reduce the risk of recurrent major cardiovascular events in patients with CVD. However, the effects of influenza vaccination on the reduction of first hospitalizations for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in elderly patients with CKD remain unknown. We conducted a cohort study using data from the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 1997 to 2008. This cohort study comprised elderly patients (ages ≥55 years) with a recorded diagnosis of CKD (n = 4406) between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2007. Each patient was followed up until the end of 2008. To minimize the selection bias of vaccine therapy, a propensity score adjustment was applied. The hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the association between the influenza vaccination and the occurrence of first hospitalization for ACS was evaluated by Cox proportional hazards regression. We further categorized the patients into 4 groups according to their vaccination status (unvaccinated, and total number of vaccinations: 1, 2–3, and ≥4). We found that elderly CKD patients without prior CVD history receiving influenza vaccination exhibited a lower risk of hospitalization for ACS (adjusted HR = 0.35, 95% CI 0.30–0.42; P < 0.001). We observed consistent protective effects regardless of age groups (55–64, 65–74, and ≥75), gender, and seasonality of influenza. When the patients were stratified according to the total number of vaccinations, the adjusted HRs for first ACS hospitalization were 0.62 (95% CI 0.52–0.81), 0.35 (95% CI 0.28–0.45), and 0.13 (95% CI 0.09–0.19) for patients who received 1, 2 to 3, and ≥4 vaccinations. There was a significant trend of decreasing risk of ACS hospitalization with an increasing number of vaccinations. The results of our observational study could strengthen the annual vaccination policy and physicians should be aware of missed opportunities to vaccinate elderly patients with CKD against influenza. The potential public health impact of influenza vaccination, particularly in the elderly CKD patients without a history of CVD, who are at risk for ACS, should be further explored.
Tumor Cells in Human Ovarian Cancer Multiple Actions of the Chemokine CXCL 12 on Epithelial Updated

Of 14 chemokine receptors investigated, only CXCR4 was expressed on ovarian cancer cells [C. J. Scotton et al., Cancer Res., 61: 4961–4965, 2001]. To further understand the role of this chemokine receptor in ovarian tumor biology, we studied the action of its ligand, CXCL12 (stromal cell-derived factor 1), on the CXCR4-expressing ovarian cancer cell lines IGROV. Ligand stimulation of the CXCR4 receptor resulted in sustained activation of Akt/protein kinase B and biphasic phosphorylation of p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase in IGROV. When IGROV cells were cultured under suboptimal conditions, CXCL12 stimulated their in vitro growth, an effect that was abrogated by neutralizing antibodies to CXCR4. This increase in cell number was attributable to stimulation of DNA synthesis, not protection from apoptosis. CXCL12 treatment of IGROV cells also induced mRNA and protein for tumor necrosis factor , a cytokine that is expressed by tumor cells in ovarian cancer biopsies. IGROV cells invaded through Matrigel toward a CXCL12 gradient. Invasion was abrogated by the broad spectrum matrix metalloproteinase and TNF converting enzyme inhibitor Marimastat and was partially inhibited by neutralizing antitumor necrosis factor antibodies. These effects were not limited to the IGROV cell line. They could also be demonstrated in the CAOV-3 ovarian cancer cell line and primary ovarian tumor cells isolated from ovarian ascites. These biological effects of CXCL12 on IGROV cells were also inhibited by the small molecular weight CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100. Finally, we found abundant intracellular CXCL12 protein in tumor cells in 15 of 18 ovarian cancer biopsies but not in epithelial cells from normal ovary or borderline disease. The chemokine CXCL12 may have multiple biological effects in ovarian cancer, stimulating cell migration and invasion through extracellular matrix, as well as DNA synthesis and establishment of a cytokine network in situations that are suboptimal for tumor cell growth.
The Value-Relevance of Stock-Based Employee Compensation Disclosures

This study employs pro-forma company footnote disclosures to assess the value-relevance of employee stock option compensation expense using the fair value method as stipulated by Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123. The study is motivated by the controversy surrounding the issue of accounting for employee stock options and the countervailing effects of issuing stock options on firm value. Although accounting regulators and the business community agree that employee stock options have value and therefore, are a form of compensation, critics of the FASB's proposed fair value method of accounting for employee stock options argue that measuring the compensation expense using contemporary models will result in unreliable and meaningless measures. Moreover, the expected future benefits from granting stock options suggest that this form of employee compensation is not a typical expense. We find a significant association between the disclosed compensation expense using the fair value method and firm value that is in the opposite direction from other income statement expenses. This result implies that the disclosed employee stock option expense is a value-relevant measure and the incentives derived from employee stock option plans provide value-increasing benefits to the firm. In addition, we find the positive association between the employee stock option expense and firm value is greater for firms with more growth opportunities.
A Sensitive Tg Assay or rhTSH Stimulated Tg: What's the Best in the Long-Term Follow-Up of Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma?

Sensitivity of thyroglobulin (Tg) measurement in the follow-up of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) can be optimized by using a sensitive Tg assay and rhTSH stimulation. We evaluated the diagnostic yield of a sensitive Tg assay and rhTSH stimulated Tg in the detection of recurrences in the follow-up of DTC. Additionally the value of imaging techniques for the localization of recurrences was evaluated. We included 121 disease free patients in long-term follow-up for DTC (median 10 years, range 1–34). Tg during thyroid hormone suppression therapy (Tg-on) and rhTSH stimulated Tg were measured with a sensitive Tg assay. Patients with rhTSH stimulated Tg ≥1.0 ng/ml underwent imaging with neck ultrasound, FDG-PET and post therapy 131I WBS. Sensitive Tg measurement resulted in 3 patients with Tg-on ≥1.0 ng/ml, recurrence could be localized in 2 of them. RhTSH stimulation resulted in Tg ≥1.0 ng/ml in another 17 of 118 patients. Recurrence could be localized in only 1 additional patient (1 out of 118 patients). Recurrence was localized by neck ultrasound in 1 of 3, by FDG-PET in 2 of 3 and by post therapy 131I WBS in 2 of 3 patients. In the detection of recurrences in DTC, rhTSH stimulation had very limited additional value in comparison to Tg-on measurement with a sensitive Tg assay. We consider this too low to justify rhTSH stimulation in all patients during long-term follow up. Neck ultrasound, FDG-PET and post therapy 131I WBS showed complementary value in localization of disease, but were only positive in a small fracture of all procedures.