Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Logic-enhanced memory for 3D graphics tile-based rasterizers

An efficient logic-enhanced memory architecture to accelerate primitive traversal in 3D graphics tile-based rasterizers is presented. The memory contains the same number of bits as the number of pixels in the tile, and during rasterization time it is filled up in several clock cycles by a systolic primitive scan-conversion subsystem with the stencil of the primitive: ones are written for memory locations that represent tile pixels covered by primitive, otherwise zeros are stored. The logic-enhanced memory architecture presents the following benefits: it handles "ghost" primitives efficiently, hit positions are communicated in a spatial pattern that increases the hit ratio of texture caches in pull texture architectures, and hit positions can always be mapped to different memory banks in the Z-buffer or color-buffer breaking the "read-modify-write" dependency associated with depth test and color blending thus allowing efficient pipelining. Hardware implementation in a typical 0.18/spl mu/m process technology for a QVGA 3D graphics hardware accelerator with a tile size of 32/spl times/16 pixels has indicated that the memory can be clocked at 200 MHz and consumes an area of 120000 /spl mu/m/sup 2/.
A novel fabrication route for auxetic polyethylene, part 2: Mechanical properties

Auxetic ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) has been fabricated by omitting the extrusion stage usually required to form the characteristic nodule-fibril microstructure of this material. This new route consists of compaction followed by multiple sintering treatments, with the best results using two successive sintering treatments. This article examines the mechanical properties of cylindrical compacts subjected to between one and four successive sintering treatments. The indentation resistance of the double-sintered material was found to be 2.5 times that of conventionally processed UHMWPE and similar to that found in the extruded form of auxetic polyethylene. The flexural strength and strain to failure increase dramatically with the first sintering treatment and then remain almost constant. This processing route has potential for the production of more complex, useful shapes than can currently be produced since it removes the limitations imposed by the geometry of the barrel required for the extrusion stage. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Modeling and identification of a fractional-order discrete-time SISO Laguerre-Wiener system

This paper presents a new implementable strategy for modeling and identification of a fractional-order discrete-time nonlinear block-oriented SISO Wiener system. The concept of modeling of a linear dynamics by means of orthonormal basis functions (OBF) is employed to separate linear and nonlinear submodels, which enables a linear regression formulation of the parameter estimation problem. Finally, discrete-time Laguerre filters are uniquely embedded in modeling of the fractional-order dynamics, eliminating the disastrous bilinearity issue. Simulation experiments show a very good identification performance for a fractional-order Laguerre-based Wiener model, both in terms of low prediction errors and accurate reconstruction of the actual system characteristics.
47 6 v 1 2 6 O ct 1 99 9 THE STAR FORMATION HISTORY OF THE STARBURST REGION NGC 2363 AND ITS SURROUNDINGS

We present Hubble Space Telescope optical images and UV spectra, as well as ground-based near-infrared images of the high surface brightness giant H ii region NGC 2363 (NGC 2366-I) and its surroundings. The massive star content of the southern end of the dwarf irregular galaxy NGC 2366 is investigated, with an emphasis on Wolf-Rayet and red supergiant stars, and we attempt the reconstruction of the time sequence of the most recent episode of massive star formation at the southwestern tip of the galaxy. The ages of the clusters are respectively 10 Myr for NGC 2366-II, 2.5-5 Myr for NGC 2363-B and less than 1 Myr for NGC 2363-A. In particular, we show that the most massive super cluster A of NGC 2363 is still embedded in dust; from the photoevaporative erosion or " cleaning " time scale of the associated cloud, we infer its age to be ∼ 10 6 yr or less. We conclude that the star-forming complex NGC 2366-I and II is a good example of a multiple stage starburst with a characteristic age decreasing from 10 Myr to less than 1 Myr over a linear scale of 400 pc. The age sequence of the stars and the gas kinematics suggest that these powerful star formation episodes are being triggered by a small passing-by satellite.
Stiffness analysis of 3-d.o.f. overconstrained translational parallel manipulators

The paper presents a new stiffness modelling method for overconstrained parallel manipulators, which is applied to 3-d.o. f. translational mechanisms. It is based on a multidimensional lumped-parameter model that replaces the link flexibility by localized 6-d.o. f. virtual springs. In contrast to other works, the method includes a FEA-based link stiffness evaluation and employs a new solution strategy of the kinetostatic equations, which allows computing the stiffness matrix for the overconstrained architectures and for the singular manipulator postures. The advantages of the developed technique are confirmed by application examples, which deal with comparative stiffness analysis of two translational parallel manipulators.
High-temperature oxidation of pure Fe and the ferritic steel 2.25Cr1Mo

The global pressure for recycling and ecological energy production increases steadily in combination with the demand of cost-effective application of materials. However, some severe corrosion problems, associated with the high internal/intergranular corrosion rates in boiler components need to be avoid. Some commercial boiler materials contain a Cr content of 0.55 (wt. (%)) - 2.25 (wt. (%)). This Cr concentration in the alloys is not sufficient for the formation of a complete dense Cr2O3 scale. Hence, high oxidation kinetics may result. In this study, pure Fe and the steel 2.25Cr1Mo were oxidized in laboratory air at 550 °C using a thermobalance system. The surface as well as the cross section of oxidized specimens were analysed using scanning electron microscopy in order to quantify several factors (e.g. surface finishing, cold working and grain size) on the overall oxidation kinetics. For alloys with low Cr content, a decreasing in the grain size leads to an acceleration of the oxidation rate by facilitating the oxygen diffusion along alloy grain boundaries leading to an inward oxide layer formation. The study of effects of surface finish and cold working yielded results revealing that the oxidation process is complex and comparison of results from different laboratories is difficult and should be done.
Evaluation of the controlled release potential of

The suitability of A. digitata mucilage (ADM) as an excipient in the formulation of matrix tablets, the mechanism and kinetics of drug delivery were studied. Aminophyline was the prototype drug while these properties were compared to those of HPMC and Cp. ADM was used at concentration levels of 10, 15 and 30% of the tablet weight while HPMC and Cp were used at 30% concentration. The tablet friability, attrition and dissolution characteristics were evaluated. All the tablets formulated showed good physical properties. The ADM matrix tablets showed similar drug release and attrition pattern to those of Cp in both SIF and SGF. Generally the drug release retardation efficiency of the ADM tablets at equal polymer concentration was higher than those of Cp but less than that of HPMC in both SGF and SIF. The mechanism of release of aminophyline from ADM as in Cp and HPMC was by diffusion. Keywords : Adansonia digitata mucilage ; Carbopol; Hydroxymethylpropylcellulose; Matrix tablets JOPAT Vol. 12 2007: pp. 22-30
Adaptive MMSE multiuser detection (A-MMSE-MUD) in asynchronous cooperative CDMA networks

Asynchronous cooperative CDMA wireless network uplink transmission is examined in this paper, where users cooperate in a relaying mode while they exchange data and channel information with the base station to achieve diversity gains. MAI occurs at both the relays and destination due to asynchronous transmission and non orthogonality of spreading waveform. In order to deal MAI, A-MMSE-MUD is been used by bank of linear adaptive filters. Two protocols of cooperative communication wireless networks are used, (i) amplify and forward at relays and A-MMSE-MUD at destination, (ii) A-MMSE-MUD at the relays and destination in a decode and forward operation. We compared our result with other multiuser detection schemes under same conditions in a cooperative communication wireless network and found that the amplify and forward scheme in use of A-MMSE-MUD remove the MAI even amplification is been performed on the relays nodes. Where as decode and forward scheme outperform all other multiuser detection scheme. Simulation experiments shows both schemes amplify and forward and decode and forward with A-MMSE-MUD provide significant improvement in the bit error rate and capacity performance of the cooperative communication CDMA networks.
From MinX to MinC: semantics-driven decompilation of recursive datatypes

Reconstructing the meaning of a program from its binary executable is known as reverse engineering; it has a wide range of applications in software security, exposing piracy, legacy systems, etc. Since reversing is ultimately a search for meaning, there is much interest in inferring a type (a meaning) for the elements of a binary in a consistent way. Unfortunately existing approaches do not guarantee any semantic relevance for their reconstructed types. This paper presents a new and semantically-founded approach that provides strong guarantees for the reconstructed types. Key to our approach is the derivation of a witness program in a high-level language alongside the reconstructed types. This witness has the same semantics as the binary, is type correct by construction, and it induces a (justifiable) type assignment on the binary. Moreover, the approach effectively yields a type-directed decompiler. We formalise and implement the approach for reversing MinX, an abstraction of x86, to MinC, a type-safe dialect of C with recursive datatypes. Our evaluation compiles a range of textbook C algorithms to MinX and then recovers the original structures.
Materials for Flexible, Stretchable Electronics: Graphene and 2D Materials

Recently, 2D materials have been intensively studied as emerging materials for future electronics, including flexible electronics, photonics, and electrochemical energy storage devices. Among representative 2D materials (such as graphene, boron nitride, and transition metal dichalcogenides) that exhibit extraordinary properties, graphene stands out in the flexible electronics field due to its combination of high electron mobility, high thermal conductivity, high specific surface area, high optical transparency, excellent mechanical flexibility, and environmental stability. This review covers the synthesis, transfer, and characterization methods of graphene and 2D materials and graphene's application to flexible devices as well as comparison with other competing materials.
Constitutive androstane receptor regulates the intestinal mucosal response to injury

The pathogenesis of the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), comprising Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), involves aberrant interactions between a genetically susceptible individual, their microbiota and environmental factors. Alterations in xenobiotic receptor expression and function are associated with increased risk for IBD. Here, we have assessed the role of the constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), a xenobiotic receptor closely related to the pregnane X receptor, in the regulation of intestinal mucosal homeostasis.
Articular cartilage defects in 1,000 knee arthroscopies.

PURPOSE Focal chondral or osteochondral defects can be painful and disabling, have a poor capacity for repair, and may predispose patients for osteoarthritis. New surgical procedures that aim to reestablish hyaline cartilage have been introduced and the results seem promising. The purpose of this study is to provide reliable data on chondral and osteochondral defects in patients with symptomatic knees requiring arthroscopy and to calculate the prevalence of patients who might benefit from cartilage repair surgery. TYPE OF STUDY Prospective study. METHODS One thousand consecutive knee arthroscopies were included in this study. Immediately after each arthroscopy, the surgeon completed a questionnaire providing detailed information about the findings. Chondral and osteochondral lesions were classified in accordance with the system recommended by the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS). RESULTS Chondral or osteochondral lesions (of any type) were found in 61% of the patients. Focal chondral or osteochondral defects were found in 19% of the patients. In these patients, 61% related their current knee problem to a previous trauma, and a concomitant meniscal or anterior cruciate ligament injury was found in 42% (n = 81) and 26% (n = 50), respectively. The mean chondral or osteochondral total defect area was 2.1 cm(2) (range, 0.5 to 12; standard deviation [SD], 1.5). The main focal chondral or osteochondral defect was found on the medial femoral condyle in 58%, patella in 11%, lateral tibia in 11%, lateral femoral condyle in 9%, trochlea in 6%, and medial tibia in 5%. It has been suggested that cartilage repair surgery may be most suitable in patients younger than 40 to 50 years old. A single, well-defined ICRS grade III or IV defect with an area of at least 1 cm(2) in a patient younger than 40, 45, or 50 years accounted for 5.3%, 6.1%, and 7.1% of all arthroscopies, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our study supports the contention that articular cartilage defects are common. It has the advantages of a prospective design and use of a new classification system recommended by the ICRS. This modern system focuses on objectively measurable parameters of the lesion's extent and not its surface appearance.
Adaptive fuzzy control of MMA batch polymerization reactor based on fuzzy trajectory definition

In this research an adaptive fuzzy controller was applied to temperature control of a MMA batch polymerization reactor which use jacket temperature error in additional reactor temperature error. However, the desired jacket temperature is affected by noise and disturbance. Therefore there is uncertainty in desired value of this variable. Fuzzy numbers are applied to model this uncertainty and a fuzzy trajectory was achieved for jacket desired temperature. Then a special case of fuzzy controller called generalized Takagi-Sugeno-Kang fuzzy controller, and an adaptation mechanism was designed. Experimental results present the fine performance of this controller in temperature control of solution polymerization of methyl methacrylate.
Thinking and acting beyond the positive: the role of the cognitive and negative symptoms in schizophrenia

Since currently available antipsychotic medications predominantly treat hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thoughts and behavior, and related agitation/aggression, attention has traditionally been focused on managing positive symptoms. However, prominent negative symptoms and clinically relevant cognitive impairment affect approximately 40% and 80% of people with schizophrenia, respectively. Moreover, negative and cognitive symptoms are closely related to functional outcomes, and contribute substantially to the overall illness burden. Therefore, approaches to describe, measure, and manage these symptom domains are relevant. This article summarizes the phenomenology, prevalence, assessment, and treatment of negative and cognitive symptoms in patients with schizophrenia, including pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic management strategies that can be used in clinical care now, as well as pharmacologic approaches that are being tested. Currently, no approved treatments targeting negative or cognitive symptomatology in schizophrenia are available. It is hoped that progress in the understanding of the neurobiology of these important symptom domains of schizophrenia will help develop effective treatment strategies in the future. However, until this goal is achieved, clinicians should avoid therapeutic nihilism. Rather, the severity and impact of negative and cognitive symptoms should be determined, quantified, and monitored. Further, psychosocial treatments have shown therapeutic benefits. Thus, cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive remediation, social skills training, and computer-assisted training programs should be offered in conjunction with antipsychotic treatment. Several non-antipsychotic augmentation strategies can be tried off-label. Treatment plans that incorporate currently available management options for negative and cognitive symptomatology in patients with schizophrenia should be adapted over time and based on the individual’s needs, with the aim to enhance overall outcomes.
Friend Spleen Focus-Forming Virus Activates the Tyrosine Kinase sf-Stk and the Transcription Factor PU.1 to Cause a Multi-Stage Erythroleukemia in Mice

Hematological malignancies in humans typically involve two types of genetic changes: those that promote hematopoietic cell proliferation and survival (often the result of activation of tyrosine kinases) and those that impair hematopoietic cell differentiation (often the result of changes in transcription factors). The multi-stage erythroleukemia induced in mice by Friend spleen focus-forming virus (SFFV) is an excellent animal model for studying the molecular basis for both of these changes. Significant progress has been made in understanding the molecular basis for the multi-stage erythroleukemia induced by Friend SFFV. In the first stage of leukemia, the envelope protein encoded by SFFV interacts with and activates the erythropoietin (Epo) receptor and the receptor tyrosine kinase sf-Stk in erythroid cells, causing their Epo-independent proliferation, differentiation and survival. In the second stage, SFFV integration into the Sfpi1 locus activates the myeloid transcription factor PU.1, blocking erythroid cell differentiation, and in conjunction with the loss of p53 tumor suppressor activity, results in the outgrowth of malignant cells. In this review, we discuss the current level of understanding of how SFFV alters the growth and differentiation of erythroid cells and results in the development of erythroleukemia. Our knowledge of how SFFV causes erythroleukemia in mice may give us clues as to how the highly related human retrovirus XMRV causes malignancies in humans.
Cleft Care in International Adoption

Background: Standards of cleft care abroad differ from those in the United States, particularly in less developed countries, where international adoption rates are high. Children adopted from these countries present to plastic surgeons in the United States at various ages and states of repair. The operative and perioperative needs of these children are poorly understood. This study attempts to characterize the preadoption history, the postadoption course, and surgical outcomes of children adopted with cleft deformities. Methods: The authors performed a retrospective review of all adopted cleft lip–cleft palate patients presenting to an academic craniofacial referral center and compared outcomes among adopted children who were repaired abroad, adopted children who underwent repair performed by the two senior authors (C.R.D. and S.B.B.), and children born in the United States who underwent repair performed by one of the senior authors (S.B.B.) Results: Between May of 1993 and August of 2010, 83 adopted children with cleft deformities were evaluated in the authors’ craniofacial center. Average age at adoption was 30.5 months (range, 5.0 to 95.0 months). Comparing outcomes among adopted children repaired abroad, adopted children repaired by the senior authors, and children born in the United States who underwent repair in the United States, the authors found no statistically significant differences in lip revision rates, fistula rates, or velopharyngeal insufficiency. Conclusions: Adopted cleft patients constitute a complex and variable population with high rates of revision and delayed presentation. Internationally adopted children with orofacial clefts fared no better or worse after undergoing primary cleft repair abroad or in the United States. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, IV.
Fat-shattering and the learnability of real-valued functions

We consider the problem of learning real-valued functions from random examples when the function values are corrupted with noise. With mild conditions on independent observation noise, we provide characterizations of the learnability of a real-valued function class in terms of a generalization of the Vapnik-Chervonenkis dimension, the fat shattering function, introduced by Kearns and Schapire. We show that, given some restrictions on the noise, a function class is learnable in our model if and only if its fat-shattering function is finite. With different (also quite mild) restrictions, satisfied for example by gaussian noise, we show that a function class is learnable from polynomially many examples if and only if its fat-shattering function grows polynomially. We prove analogous results in an agnostic setting, where there is no assumption of an underlying function class.
Decentralized Data Fusion and Active Sensing with Mobile Sensors for Modeling and Predicting Spatiotemporal Traffic Phenomena

The problem of modeling and predicting spatiotemporal traffic phenomena over an urban road network is important to many traffic applications such as detecting and forecasting congestion hotspots. This paper presents a decentralized data fusion and active sensing (D2FAS) algorithm for mobile sensors to actively explore the road network to gather and assimilate the most informative data for predicting the traffic phenomenon. We analyze the time and communication complexity of D2FAS and demonstrate that it can scale well with a large number of observations and sensors. We provide a theoretical guarantee on its predictive performance to be equivalent to that of a sophisticated centralized sparse approximation for the Gaussian process (GP) model: The computation of such a sparse approximate GP model can thus be parallelized and distributed among the mobile sensors (in a Google-like MapReduce paradigm), thereby achieving efficient and scalable prediction. We also theoretically guarantee its active sensing performance that improves under various practical environmental conditions. Empirical evaluation on real-world urban road network data shows that our D2FAS algorithm is significantly more time-efficient and scalable than state-oftheart centralized algorithms while achieving comparable predictive performance.
The Preparation and Properties of Porous Scaffold Made of Nano-Hydroxyapatite/Polyamide66

In this study, we prepared porous nano-hydroxyapatite/ polyamide 66 (n-HA/ PA66) porous scaffolds by injection molding method. The morphology, macrostructure and mechanical strength of the scaffolds were characterized. Osteoblasts (OBs) derived from cranial bone of SD rats were cultured and seeded on n-HA/ PA66 scaffolds. The OB/scaffold constructs were cultured for up to 18 days and the adhesion, proliferation and osteogenic activity of OBs were observed by scanning electron microscope and detected by alkaline phosphatase activity. The results showed that the porous n-HA/PA66 porous scaffolds are biocompatible and have no negative effects on the OBs in vitro. The scaffolds fulfill the basic requirements of bone tissue engineering scaffold, and have the potential application in orthopedic, reconstructive and maxillofacial surgery areas.