Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploiting Variable Cycle Transmission for Energy-Efficient On-Chip Interconnect Design

As on-chip interconnect in deep-submicron designs contribute to the system-wide power consumption, minimization of interconnect power consumption has become one of the important design issues in deep-submicron technologies. As transition activity mainly determines the interconnect power consumption, several bus encoding techniques have been proposed to minimize the activity. Unlike the existing low-power or energy-efficient bus encoding techniques, in this paper, we propose a scheme which exploits both dynamic voltage scaling and variable cycle transmission mechanisms for minimizing on-chip interconnect energy consumption. We transmit data using variable cycle transmission method and, based on the delay savings achieved through variable cycle transmission method at regular intervals, scale the voltage and frequency to obtain significant energy savings. Using our technique for a 5 mm interconnect wire we achieved energy savings of 30% and 45% over the base case in the address bus and data bus, respectively. Our technique also reduces the energy-delay-product by 34% and 52% for address bus and data bus, respectively.
Genetic variation and the lipid response to dietary intervention: a systematic review 1–3

There is wide interindividual variation in the lipid and lipoprotein responses to dietary change, and the existence of consistent hypo-and hyperresponders supports the hypothesis that responsiveness is related to genetic variation. Many studies have investigated the possibility that the heterogeneity in responsiveness to changes in dietary fat, cholesterol, and fiber intake is explained by variation in genes whose products affect lipoprotein metabolism, eg, apolipoproteins, enzymes, and receptors. A systematic review of the literature was carried out to investigate the effect of genetic variation on the lipid response to dietary intervention. A search strategy for the MEDLINE database retrieved 2540 articles from 1966 to February 2002. This strategy was adapted and performed on the EMBASE database, which retrieved 2473 articles from 1980 to week 9, 2002. Reference lists from relevant journal articles were also checked. This is the first systematic review of the literature, and it summarizes results available from 74 relevant articles. There is evidence to suggest that variation in the genes for apolipoprotein (apo) A-I, apo A-IV, apo B, and apo E contributes to the heterogeneity in the lipid response to dietary intervention. However, the effects of genetic variation are not consistently seen and are sometimes conflicting. Future studies need to have much larger sample sizes based on power calculations and carefully controlled dietary interventions and should investigate the effects of polymorphisms in multiple genes instead of the effects of polymorphisms in single genes. Am 2003;77:1098–111.
Insights from Integrative Systematics Reveal Cryptic Diversity in Pristimantis Frogs (Anura: Craugastoridae) from the Upper Amazon Basin

Pluralistic approaches to taxonomy facilitate a more complete appraisal of biodiversity, especially the diversification of cryptic species. Although species delimitation has traditionally been based primarily on morphological differences, the integration of new methods allows diverse lines of evidence to solve the problem. Robber frogs (Pristimantis) are exemplary, as many of the species show high morphological variation within populations, but few traits that are diagnostic of species. We used a combination of DNA sequences from three mitochondrial genes, morphometric data, and comparisons of ecological niche models (ENMs) to infer a phylogenetic hypothesis for the Pristimantis acuminatus complex. Molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed a close relationship between three new species—Pristimantis enigmaticus sp. nov., P. limoncochensis sp. nov. and P. omeviridis sp. nov.—originally confused with Pristimantis acuminatus. In combination with morphometric data and geographic distributions, several morphological characters such as degree of tympanum exposure, skin texture, ulnar/tarsal tubercles and sexual secondary characters (vocal slits and nuptial pads in males) were found to be useful for diagnosing species in the complex. Multivariate discriminant analyses provided a successful classification rate for 83–100% of specimens. Discriminant analysis of localities in environmental niche space showed a successful classification rate of 75–98%. Identity tests of ENMs rejected hypotheses of niche equivalency, although not strongly because the high values on niche overlap. Pristimantis acuminatus and P. enigmaticus sp. nov. are distributed along the lowlands of central–southern Ecuador and northern Peru, in contrast with P. limoncochensis sp. nov. and P. omeviridis sp. nov., which are found in northern Ecuador and southern Colombia, up to 1200 m in the upper Amazon Basin. The methods used herein provide an integrated framework for inventorying the greatly underestimated biodiversity in Amazonia.
The association of drinking water source and chlorination by-products with cancer incidence among postmenopausal women in Iowa: a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES This study assessed the association of drinking water source and chlorination by-product exposure with cancer incidence. METHODS A cohort of 28,237 Iowa women reported their drinking water source. Exposure to chlorination by-products was determined from statewide water quality data. RESULTS In comparison with women who used municipal ground-water sources, women with municipal surface water sources were at an increased risk of colon cancer and all cancers combined. A clear dose-response relation was observed between four categories of increasing chloroform levels in finished drinking water and the risk of colon cancer and all cancers combined. The relative risks were 1.00, 1.06, 1.39, and 1.68 for colon cancer and 1.00, 1.04, 1.24, and 1.25 for total cancers. No consistent association with either water source or chloroform concentration was observed for other cancer sites. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that exposure to chlorination by-products in drinking water is associated with increased risk of colon cancer.
Comparison of Campylobacter jejuni Lipooligosaccharide Biosynthesis Loci from a Variety of Sources

ABSTRACT Campylobacter jejuni strains exhibit significant variation in the genetic content of the lipooligosaccharide (LOS) biosynthesis loci with concomitant differences in LOS structure. The C. jejuni LOS loci have been grouped into six classes based on gene content and organization. Utilizing PCR amplifications of genes from these loci, we were able to classify a majority (80%) of the LOS biosynthesis loci from 123 strains of C. jejuni that included 39 of the Penner serotype reference strains. We found that a particular LOS class was not always associated with a specific Penner serotype, and 14 of 16 Guillain-Barré syndrome-associated isolates tested in this study shared the same LOS class. The remaining isolates that could not be classified were often distinguishable from each other based on the results of gene-specific PCR and the lengths of their LOS biosynthesis loci as determined by long (XL) PCR. Sequence analysis of two of these unique XL PCR products demonstrated two new LOS classes. These results support the hypothesis that the LOS locus is a hot spot for genetic exchange and rearrangements. Analysis of the LOS biosynthesis genes by PCR assays can be used for typing C. jejuni and offers the advantage of inferring potential LOS structures.
A beacon navigation method for autonomous vehicles

A method for navigating autonomous vehicles is presented. Based on the three-point problem from land surveying, this navigational technique makes use of angular measurements between fixed beacon pairs. Extremely accurate position information can be obtained over a large area with simple trigonometric or analytic geometry calculations. Typical worst-case errors are of the order of 10 cm throughout a 2500 m/sup 2/ workspace. An experimental position-measuring system has been built and tested, and it demonstrated the ability of this technique to function as a key element in a navigation system for autonomous vehicles. >
Black Students in U.S. Graduate and Professional Schools in the 1980s: A National and Institutional Assessment

While educational attainment is not upheld as a single sufficient condition for Black occupational attainment and upward mobility, the perspective of this paper is that educational investment is mandatory for Blacks, given the historical and persistent disadvantage of race in this society. With this perspective as its premise, the article documents the recent higher-education enrollment and degree-attainment status of Black Americans. What is concluded from the presentation of the available data is that: (1) Black students are not advancing and, in some cases, are losing ground relative to the momentum in higher education they achieved in the 1970s; (2) Black students remain underrepresented in graduate and professional degree attainment, particularly in the natural and technical sciences; (3) only a limited proportion of U.S. colleges and universities have contributed to the small pool of Black degree recipients in the natural and technical sciences. Further, the author suggests that a combination of ind.
Liver X receptor activation downregulates organic anion transporter 1 ( OAT 1 ) in the renal proximal tubule

Kittayaruksakul S, Soodvilai S, Asavapanumas N, Muanprasat C, Chatsudthipong V. Liver X receptor activation downregulates organic anion transporter 1 (OAT1) in the renal proximal tubule. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 302: F552–F560, 2012. First published December 14, 2011; doi:10.1152/ajprenal.00341. 2011. —Liver X receptors (LXRs) play an important role in the regulation of cholesterol by regulating several transporters. In this study, we investigated the role of LXRs in the regulation of human organic anion transporter 1 (hOAT1), a major transporter localized in the basolateral membrane of the renal proximal tubule. Exposure of renal S2 cells expressing hOAT1 to LXR agonists (TO901317 and GW3965) and their endogenous ligand [22(R)-hydroxycholesterol] led to the inhibition of hOAT1-mediated [C]PAH uptake. This inhibition was abolished by coincubation of the above agonists with 22(S)-hydroxycholesterol, an LXR antagonist. Moreover, it was found that the effect of LXR agonists was not mediated by changes in intracellular cholesterol levels. Interestingly, the inhibitory effect of LXRs was enhanced in the presence of 9-cis retinoic acid, a retinoic X receptor agonist. Kinetic analysis revealed that LXR activation decreased the maximum rate of PAH transport (Jmax) but had no effect on the affinity of the transporter (Kt). This result correlated well with data from Western blot analysis, which showed the decrease in hOAT1 expression following LXR activation. Similarly, TO901317 inhibited [C]PAH uptake by the renal cortical slices as well as decreasing mOAT1 protein expression in mouse kidney. Our findings indicated for the first time that hOAT1 was downregulated by LXR activation in the renal proximal tubule.
Autologous bone marrow stem cell neurotransplantation in stroke patients. An open study.

PURPOSE Bone marrow stem cells (BMSC) were transplanted into the perilesional area in five patients bearing sequels of stroke, to evaluate the safety of the procedure and tolerance to the transplanted cells. METHODS Cells were obtained from bone marrow samples taken from the same patient and stereotactically implanted into the targets, determined using a combination of images, and trans-operative recording of multiunit activity. The cells were implanted in several points along tracts in the perilesional region. RESULTS No important adverse events derived from surgery or transplant were observed during the one year follow-up period, or detected using a combination of tests and functional measurements applied pre- and post-surgically. In contrast, some improvements were observed regarding the neurological condition of the patients, but the small number of patients in the study does not allow any conclusive statement. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that BMSC can be safely transplanted into the brain of patients, with excellent tolerance and without complications, using the methods described here.
An Analysis of Segmental Ischemic Dysfunction Utilizing the Pressure‐Length Loop

Left ventricular (LV) pressure and myocardial segment length, determined by an epicardial mercury-in-silastic length gauge, were plotted simultaneously to obtain a pressure-length loop before and after left anterior descending artery (LAD) occlusion in 11 dogs. Previous studies have indicated that the area within this loop is a sensitive and reproducible means of quantitating regional myocardial performance. Immediately following ligation, systolic performance deteriorated as indicated by progressive reduction in the pressure-length loop area. Within approximately 30 sec a zero area for the pressure-length loop was observed, indicating no effective work was being performed by the ischemic segment. During the ensuing 3-5 min the pressure-length loop moved into a clockwise orientation which indicated work was being done on rather than by the segment. The magnitude was approximately 50% of that amount previously generated by the segment. In addition, during this latter period of repetitive passive stretch, the end-diastolic pressure-length relationship shifted to the right indicating increased diastolic compliance. Restoration of perfusion after 30 min produced variable results. Substantial return of function was observed in two animals, but recovery in the majority of animals was limited to the elimination of paradoxical expansion without restoration of active contraction. Therefore, the pressure-length loop method allows quantitation of regional myocardial performance, and indicates that a predictable pattern of significant changes in both systole and diastole accompanies acute myocardial ischemia.
Some like it hot: The beach as a cultural dimension

This work is based on extensive research. It involves a synthesis of material that distils a diverse variety of socio-cultural principles into a succinct argument. In doing so, it challenges the traditional view that Australia is a place dominated by a culture of the bush. It presents a series of papers that suggest that Australia is now a country that has embraced a beach culture.
Shootin1 interacts with actin retrograde flow and L1-CAM to promote axon outgrowth

Actin polymerizes near the leading edge of nerve growth cones, and actin filaments show retrograde movement in filopodia and lamellipodia. Linkage between actin filament retrograde flow and cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) in growth cones is thought to be one of the mechanisms for axon outgrowth and guidance. However, the molecular basis for this linkage remains elusive. Here, we show that shootin1 interacts with both actin filament retrograde flow and L1-CAM in axonal growth cones of cultured rat hippocampal neurons, thereby mediating the linkage between them. Impairing this linkage, either by shootin1 RNA interference or disturbing the interaction between shootin1 and actin filament flow, inhibited L1-dependent axon outgrowth, whereas enhancing the linkage by shootin1 overexpression promoted neurite outgrowth. These results strengthen the actin flow–CAM linkage model (“clutch” model) for axon outgrowth and suggest that shootin1 is a key molecule involved in this mechanism.
Ellipse detection based on principal component analysis

A method of ellipse detection and location based on principal components analysis is proposed. According to the fact that major axis of an ellipse is the direction of principal components, the data points are projected on the coordinate frame of principal axis using the principal components analysis. A new evaluation method for elliptical profile error is proposed, and the ellipse objects are recognized according to the elliptical profile error of the data points after transform. The ellipse center coordinates are optimized by Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm, and the ones of the ellipse before transform can be obtained by the anti-transform. The method simplifies the process of ellipse detection by transforming arbitrary ellipse to standard one, and the location precision is less than 0.05 pixels when the noise variance is 0.05.
Characterizing the rheological behavior of oil-based liquids: microacoustic sensors versus rotational viscometers

Compared to conventional viscometers, microacoustic viscosity sensors operate with small vibration amplitudes but at very high oscillation frequencies. Hence, the liquid under investigation is being probed in a fundamentally different manner: Whereas classical viscometers tend to uncover nonlinear behavior of the liquid, the microacoustic method primarily detects the onset of viscoelastic (frequency-dependent) behavior. Both effects, representing deviations from the idealized, linear, and instantaneous rheological behavior of liquids, are generally classified as "non-Newtonian. " In this paper, we investigate the rheological behavior of different groups of oil-based liquids, which are important in a number of industrial applications, where we utilize both the conventional and the microacoustic method. It is shown that electrical insulation oils feature Newtonian behavior for both measurement approaches. On the contrary, engine, silicone, and vegetable oils, which are more complex in their chemical composition, all exhibit non-Newtonian behavior in terms of nonlinear as well as viscoelastic behavior.
The Genome of the Fungal-Interactive Soil Bacterium Burkholderia terrae BS001—A Plethora of Outstanding Interactive Capabilities Unveiled

Burkholderia terrae strain BS001, obtained as an inhabitant of the mycosphere of Laccaria proxima (a close relative of Lyophyllum sp. strain Karsten), actively interacts with Lyophyllum sp. strain Karsten. We here summarize the remarkable ecological behavior of B. terrae BS001 in the mycosphere and add key data to this. Moreover, we extensively analyze the approximately 11.5-Mb five-replicon genome of B. terrae BS001 and highlight its remarkable features. Seventy-nine regions of genomic plasticity (RGP), that is, 16.48% of the total genome size, were found. One 70.42-kb RGP, RGP76, revealed a typical conjugal element structure, including a full type 4 secretion system. Comparative analyses across 24 related Burkholderia genomes revealed that 95.66% of the total BS001 genome belongs to the variable part, whereas the remaining 4.34% constitutes the core genome. Genes for biofilm formation and several secretion systems, under which a type 3 secretion system (T3SS), were found, which is consistent with the hypothesis that T3SSs play a role in the interaction with Lyophyllum sp. strain Karsten. The high number of predicted metabolic pathways and membrane transporters suggested that strain BS001 can take up and utilize a range of sugars, amino acids and organic acids. In particular, a unique glycerol uptake system was found. The BS001 genome further contains genetic systems for the degradation of complex organic compounds. Moreover, gene clusters encoding nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPS) and hybrid polyketide synthases/NRPS were found, highlighting the potential role of secondary metabolites in the ecology of strain BS001. The patchwork of genetic features observed in the genome is consistent with the notion that 1) horizontal gene transfer is a main driver of B. terrae BS001 adaptation and 2) the organism is very flexible in its ecological behavior in soil.
Prehospital transportation decisions for patients sustaining major trauma in road traffic crashes in Sweden

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the proportion and characteristics of patients sustaining major trauma in road traffic crashes (RTCs) who could benefit from direct transportation to a trauma center (TC). Methods: Currently, there is no national classification of TC in Sweden. In this study, 7 university hospitals (UHs) in Sweden were selected to represent a TC level I or level II. These UHs have similar capabilities as the definition for level I and level II TC in the United States. Major trauma was defined as Injury Severity Score (ISS) > 15. A total of 117,730 patients who were transported by road or air ambulance were selected from the Swedish TRaffic Accident Data Acquisition (STRADA) database between 2007 to 2014. An analysis of the patient characteristics sustaining major trauma in comparison with patients sustaining minor trauma (ISS < 15) was conducted. Major trauma patients transported to a TC versus non-TC were further analysed with respect to injured body region and road user type. Results: Approximately 3% (n = 3, 411) of patients sustained major trauma. Thirty-eight percent of major trauma patients were transported to a TC, and 62% were transported to a non-TC. This results in large proportions of patients with Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) 3+ injuries being transported to a non-TC. The number of AIS 3+ head injuries for major trauma patients transported to a TC versus non-TC were similar, whereas a larger number of AIS 3+ thorax injuries were present in the non-TC group. The non-TC major trauma patients had a higher probability of traveling in a car, truck, or bus and to be involved in a crash in a rural location. Conclusions: Our results show that the majority of RTC major trauma patients are transported to a non-TC. This may cause unnecessary morbidity and mortality. These findings can guide the development of improved prehospital treatment guidelines, protocols and decision support systems.
In vivo mutations in human blood cells: biomarkers for molecular epidemiology.

Mutations arising in vivo in recorder genes of human blood cells provide biomarkers for molecular epidemiology by serving as surrogates for cancer-causing genetic changes. Current markers include mutations of the glycophorin-A (GPA) or hemoglobin (Hb) genes, measured in red blood cells, or mutations of the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (hprt) or HLA genes, measured in T-lymphocytes. Mean mutant frequencies (variant frequencies) for normal young adults are approximately: Hb (4 x 10(-8)) < hprt (5 x 10(-6)) = GPA (10 x 10(-6)) < HLA (30 x 10(-6)). Mutagen-exposed individuals show decided elevations. Molecular mutational spectra are also being defined. For the hprt marker system, about 15% of background mutations are gross structural alterations of the hprt gene (e.g., deletions); the remainder are point mutations (e.g., base substitutions or frameshifts). Ionizing radiations result in dose-related increases in total gene deletions. Large deletions may encompass several megabases as shown by co-deletions of linked markers. Possible hprt spectra for defining radiation and chemical exposures are being sought. In addition to their responsiveness to environmental mutagens/carcinogens, three additional findings suggest that the in vivo recorder mutations are relevant in vivo surrogates for cancer mutations. First, a large fraction of GPA and HLA mutations show exchanges due to homologous recombination, an important mutational event in cancer. Second, hprt mutations arise preferentially in dividing T-cells, which can accumulate additional mutations in the same clone, reminiscent of the multiple hits required in the evolution of malignancy. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)