Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relocation and Automatic Floor-planning of FPGA Partial Configuration Bit-Streams

An extensible processor provides a standard data-path and one or more regions for use as application-specific reconfigurable logic. In this paper we address two problems that arise in the practical use of extensible processors. Using multiple extensible regions can lead to avoidable time and space inefficiencies, and the physical placement of the interconnection points strongly affects the overall design timings. Standard tool-flows from FPGA manufacturers require the creation of separate configuration images for each region. The space and time complexities that this entails are undesirable, especially in an embedded system setting where storage is at premium. In this paper we introduce a run-time algorithm that allows the relocation of one configuration image to any number of compatible regions, in linear time. The application loader running on the data-path can perform the relocation along with the loading of the application code. We have implemented the algorithm on the eMIPS soft processor using two extensible regions, and on the MicroBlaze soft processor using four regions, in both cases targeting a Virtex-4 FPGA. There are two main advantages from image relocation. We save time at compilation because only one region needs to be synthesized. We save space at execution time by storing only one configuration in FLASH memory. The reconfigurable regions themselves are interfaced with the standard data-path using “bus macros”, connection points that are placed at fixed locations. The placement of the bus macros around a region has a noticeable impact on the timing of the design inside the region, and on the timings of the standard data-path outside the region. We have found that manual placement of the bus macros is not only tedious, but leads to sub-optimal timings even when following best design practices. We present a tool that uses design-space exploration to obtain automatic, near-optimal placement of the bus macros for the relocatable regions. Results show the worst solution found had a total timing score of 581,146 ps while the best solution was only 22,964 ps and the average over the design space was 175,682 ps. The score for the manual placement was 97,714 ps.
Semantic Entity Retrieval Toolkit

Unsupervised learning of low-dimensional, semantic representations of words and entities has recently gained attention. In this paper we describe the Semantic Entity Retrieval Toolkit (SERT) that provides implementations of our previously published entity representation models. The toolkit provides a unified interface to different representation learning algorithms, fine-grained parsing configuration and can be used transparently with GPUs. In addition, users can easily modify existing models or implement their own models in the framework. After model training, SERT can be used to rank entities according to a textual query and extract the learned entity/word representation for use in downstream algorithms, such as clustering or recommendation.
EL aprendizaje relacional como herramienta para crear ventajas competitivas

espanolEl cliente fiel es aquel que mantiene relaciones de colaboracion basadas en el compromiso y la confianza mutua con una organizacion, renunciando a la comparacion y concentrando su tiempo y otros recursos en la relacion establecida. Mediante la fidelizacion de los clientes la organizacion se asegurara la repeticion de las compras y recupera la inversion que ha realizado en captar y mantener los clientes. Factores como la continua aparicion de productos y servicios sustitutivos, la mayor informacion o la busqueda de ventajas tangibles en la relacion por parte de los clientes, explican que, a pesar de las mejoras evidentes en la calidad de los bienes manufacturados, los aumentos despreciables de precios y la retorica incesante sobre la necesidad de tratar bien al cliente, siete de cada diez clientes cambien de una organizacion a un competidor por deficiencias en los servicios. Sin embargo, las organizaciones dedican la mayor parte de su tiempo a la caza indiscriminada de clientes en lugar de a aprender de sus clientes mas rentables. Los objetivos de este trabajo son: en primer lugar introducir un marco teorico, que nos sirva de punto de referencia del aprendizaje relacional; y en segundo lugar, determinar el papel desempenado por la direccion en el proceso de aprendizaje relacional, para capturar los conocimientos de los clientes. EnglishA loyal customer is who maintains collaboration relations based on compromise and a mutual trust an organization, renouncing the comparation and concentrating his or her time and other resources in the relation established. Through loyalty of customers, organizations will sure a purchase repetition and recover the investment that has been done to get and maintain customers. Facts such as the coming of new products and substitutive services, the most information and looking for tangible advantages in the relation by customers, explain why, in spite of evident improving in quality of manufactured goods, prices depreciable increase and rhetoric about the need of treating customers well, seven out of ten clients move from one organization to its competitors. However, organizations are dedicated their time in indiscriminate hunting of customers instead of learning from their profitable clients. The aims of this research are; firstly to introduce a theoretical argument of relational learning; secondly to determine the role of direction on the relational learning process in order to capture customers knowledge.
Indirect Kalman Filtering Based Attitude Estimation for Low-Cost Attitude and Heading Reference Systems

In this paper, a computational efficient attitude estimation method is proposed for the low-cost attitude and heading reference systems. In the proposed method, the velocity and position provided by the Global Positioning System and inertial sensors outputs are first used to construct the vector observations. With the constructed vector observations, an error equations based filtering model is established using the Euler angles as the attitude parameterization. If the attitude has been well initialized, the established model can reduce to a linear state-space model, which enables the application of standard Kalman filtering. For the established attitude estimation model, an indirect Kalman filter is detailedly designed. Car-mounted filed test results demonstrate that the proposed method possesses superiority over the existing methods with consideration of both accuracy and efficiency.
Molecular and Phenotypic Evaluation of Lichtheimia corymbifera (Formerly Absidia corymbifera) Complex Isolates Associated with Human Mucormycosis: Rehabilitation of L. ramosa

ABSTRACT Thirty-eight isolates (including 28 isolates from patients) morphologically identified as Lichtheimia corymbifera (formerly Absidia corymbifera) were studied by sequence analysis (analysis of the internal transcribed spacer [ITS] region of the ribosomal DNA, the D1-D2 region of 28S, and a portion of the elongation factor 1α [EF-1α] gene). Phenotypic characteristics, including morphology, antifungal susceptibility, and carbohydrate assimilation, were also determined. Analysis of the three loci uncovered two well-delimited clades. The maximum sequence similarity values between isolates from both clades were 66, 95, and 93% for the ITS, 28S, and EF-1α loci, respectively, with differences in the lengths of the ITS sequences being detected (763 to 770 bp for isolates of clade 1 versus 841 to 865 bp for isolates of clade 2). Morphologically, the shapes and the sizes of the sporangiospores were significantly different among the isolates from both clades. On the basis of the molecular and morphological data, we considered isolates of clade 2 to belong to a different species named Lichtheimia ramosa because reference strains CBS 269.65 and CBS 270.65 (which initially belonged to Absidia ramosa) clustered within this clade. As neotype A. corymbifera strain CBS 429.75 belongs to clade 1, the name L. corymbifera was conserved for clade 1 isolates. Of note, the amphotericin B MICs were significantly lower for L. ramosa than for L. corymbifera (P < 0.005) but were always ≤0.5 μg/ml for both species. Among the isolates tested, the assimilation of melezitose was positive for 67% of the L. ramosa isolates and negative for all L. corymbifera isolates. In conclusion, this study reveals that two Lichtheimia species are commonly associated with mucormycosis in humans.
The effect of personalities in optimizing the use of market intelligence a case of New Zealand middle managers

The process of intelligence utilization within firms has come to be viewed as an increasingly important area for research in light of its implications for organisational effectiveness. The relationship between the big five of personality and the use of market intelligence was investigated in a questionnaire study with a sample of 127 white-collar workers who were employed on a full time basis in managerial positions at the New Zealand Global companies. Hypotheses were tested and found that conscientiousness, agreeableness, and openness were positively related whilst neuroticism negatively related to scores on the use of market intelligence. Overall, the findings suggest the existence of a (albeit not strong or intensive) relationship between the four (of the big five) of personality and the use of market intelligence.
Homozygosity for the transthyretin‐met30‐gene in two Swedish sibs with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy

Familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) is an autosomal dominant inherited disorder. Recent biochemical studies have revealed that amyloid protein in FAP of Japanese, Swedish and Portuguese origin mainly consists of a variant transthyretin (TTR) (formerly called prealbumin) with one amino acid substitution of methionine for valine at position 30. In a 56‐year‐old man with typical polyneuropathy, gastrointestinal problems and vitreous amyloid, we diagnosed homozygosity for the TTR‐met30‐gene using RFLP analysis. In a family study, a sister presented the same homozygous RFLP pattern; however, in a careful clinical investigation we were not able to demonstrate any of the typical symptoms of FAP, nor could we demonstrate amyloid deposits in a biopsy skin specimen. This is the first report of homozygosity for the TTR‐met30‐gene, and it shows that the mutation of the protein involved in amyloid formation may be necessary but is clearly not sufficient for the clinical symptoms.
Impact of Prior Reviews on the Subsequent Review Process in Reputation Systems

Reputation systems have been recognized as successful online review communities and word-of-mouth channels. Our study draws upon the elaboration likelihood model to analyze the extent that the characteristics of reviewers and their early reviews reduce or worsen the bias of subsequent online reviews. Investigating the sources of this bias and ways to mitigate it is of considerable importance given the previously established significant impact of online reviews on consumers' purchasing decisions and on businesses' profitability. Based on a panel data set of 744 individual consumers collected from Yelp, we used the Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation method to develop and empirically test a system of simultaneous models of consumer review behavior. Our results reveal that male reviewers or those who lack experience, geographic mobility, or social connectedness are more prone to being influenced by prior reviews. We also found that longer and more frequent reviews can reduce online reviews' biases. This paper is among the first to examine the moderating effects of reviewer and review characteristics on the relationship between prior reviews and subsequent reviews. Practically, this study offers businesses effective customer relationship management strategies to improve their reputations and expand their clientele.
MRSA Variant in Companion Animals

Methicillin-resistant Staphylocoocus aureus (MRSA) harboring mecALGA251 has been isolated from humans and ruminants. Database screening identified this MRSA variant in cats, dogs, and a guinea pig in Germany during 2008–2011. The novel MRSA variant is not restricted to ruminants or humans, and contact with companion animals might pose a zoonotic risk.
Prevalence of Bovine Tuberculosis in Egyptian Cattle and the Standardization of the Interferon-gamma Assay as an Ancillary Test.

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) caused primarily by Mycobacterium bovis continues to cause significant losses in the cattle industry and is a major public health problem. Despite its worldwide application, the IFN-γ assay has not been applied in Egypt. The aim of this study was to determine the appropriate cut-off value of IFN-γ assay to complement the skin test screening in Egypt. The relative sensitivity (Ser ) of PPD and antigen cocktail-based IFN-γ assays (IFN-γ-BA and IFN-γ-EC) was analysed retrospectively, relative to bTB confirmatory tests (culture and PCR), using single cervical tuberculin (SCT) test reactors during 2011-2013. The absolute specificity (Sp) was studied using blood samples collected from cattle from one bTB-free herd. Analysis of the bTB database-generated sheets indicates the infection rate had decreased from 2009 to 2012 and then increased in 2013. The disease is concentrated in the Egyptian Nile Delta and Valley relative to elsewhere in the country. The cut-offs for IFN-γ-EC assay could be optimized to provide higher sensitivity, comparable to cut-offs for IFN-γ-BA assay. Data analysis suggests (PPDbOD > 0.1, PPDbOD - NILOD > 0.05 and PPDbOD > PPDaOD ) and (ECOD - NILOD ≥ 0.1) cut-off strategies to get optimal IFN-γ-BA and IFN-γ-EC assays results respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the prevalence of bTB in cattle in Egypt and pointing out the appropriate cut-off criteria to optimize IFN-γ assay as a routine ancillary test for diagnosis of bTB in Egypt.
Computational design and automated fabrication of kirchhoff-plateau surfaces

We propose a computational tool for designing Kirchhoff-Plateau Surfaces---planar rod networks embedded in pre-stretched fabric that deploy into complex, three-dimensional shapes. While Kirchhoff-Plateau Surfaces offer an intriguing and expressive design space, navigating this space is made difficult by the highly nonlinear nature of the underlying mechanical problem. In order to tackle this challenge, we propose a user-guided but computer-assisted approach that combines an efficient forward simulation model with a dedicated optimization algorithm in order to implement a powerful set of design tools. We demonstrate our method by designing a diverse set of complex-shaped Kirchhoff-Plateau Surfaces, each validated through physically-fabricated prototypes.
ACE2 and Diabetes: ACE of ACEs?

The mechanisms involved in the development of diabetes and its complications are complex, with a long list of potential derangements on different pathways (1,2). In this commentary, we discuss angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as a potential participant in the development of both islet β-cell insufficiency early on and in the development of nephropathy later. ACE has long been recognized as the key enzyme within the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) mainly by cleaving angiotensin (Ang) I to form Ang II, which is the main active peptide within the system. ACE2, a homologue of ACE, is a monocarboxypeptidase that preferentially removes carboxy-terminal amino acids from various substrates, including Ang II, Ang I, and apelin (3–6). ACE2 cleaves Ang II to form Ang-(1-7) with a high catalytic efficiency, suggesting an important role in preventing Ang II accumulation, while enhancing Ang-(1-7) formation (7) (Fig. 1). Other mammalian homologues of ACE, such as collectrin and, more recently, ACE3, have also been described (8). ACE2, however, is the only known homologue of ACE with enzymatic activity (3–5). FIG. 1. Potential therapeutic role of ACE2 amplification in diabetes, both at the level of the pancreatic islets and at that of the kidney. ACE2 amplification leads to reduced Ang II overactivity and increased Ang-(1–7) activity. Please note that the actions of ACE2 on angiotensin peptides are just the opposite of those of ACE, which promotes Ang II formation while increasing Ang-(1–7) degradation. In general, the effects of Ang-(1–7) (blue) are less well documented (as reflected by the question marks) than those of Ang II (red). It is possible that the benefits of ACE2 amplification result largely from reduced ACE2 overactivity and not so much from increased Ang-(1–7) activity, but that needs to be further studied. There are also potential effects of Ang-(1–7) on …
Freud's Project and its diagram: anticipating the Hebbian synapse

One of the great concepts in contemporary neuroscience, the Hebbian synapse has been described as ‘The hypothesis that memory is associated with use-dependent synaptic modification’1 and ‘the seat of plasticity and change’, where ‘relating specific neural events to the specific processes of learning and memory…’ takes place.2 While theories of learning have their origins in 17th century philosophy,3 during the 19th century a more neuroscientific approach developed, and by 1890 the famous American psychologist William James had clearly envisaged the idea of neural learning when he wrote: “When two elementary brain-processes have been active together or in immediate succession, one of them, on re-occurring, tends to propagate its excitement into the other” 4 (James's emphasis). However, the more specific concept that use results in changes in nerve connections, and that these changes in turn form the basis for learning and memory, was first proposed by Tanzi in Italy in 1893, then by Cajal in Spain 2 years later and by Kappers et al after a further 30 years (for reviews see Jacobson3 and Grossman5). But, aside from these writers, it was another illustrious American psychologist, Donald Hebb, who is considered to have made ‘the first explicit statement of the physiological learning rule for synaptic modification that has since become known as the Hebb synapse’. 6 In 1949, in his influential book The Organization of Behavior , Hebb summarised his ‘neurophysiological postulate’: “ When an axon of cell A is near enough to excite a cell B and repeatedly or persistently takes part in firing it, some growth process or metabolic change takes place in one or both cells such that A 's efficiency, as one of the cells firing B, is increased ”7 (Hebb's emphasis). Later he went on to develop this theory …
Fog in Comparison to Cloud: A Survey

Fog computing is new buzz word in computing world after cloud computing. This new computing paradigm could be seen as an extension to cloud computing. Main aim of fog computing is to reduce the burden on cloud by gathering workloads, services, applications and huge data to near network edge. In this survey paper, we will discuss main characteristics of the Fog that are; 1.Mobility, 2.Location awareness, 3.Low latency, 4.Huge number of nodes, 5. Extensive geographical distribution, 6.Various real time applications and we explore the advantages and motivation of Fog computing, and analyze its applications for IOT.
A weighted combination of pseudo‐likelihood estimators for longitudinal binary data subject to non‐ignorable non‐monotone missingness

For longitudinal binary data with non‐monotone non‐ignorably missing outcomes over time, a full likelihood approach is complicated algebraically, and with many follow‐up times, maximum likelihood estimation can be computationally prohibitive. As alternatives, two pseudo‐likelihood approaches have been proposed that use minimal parametric assumptions. One formulation requires specification of the marginal distributions of the outcome and missing data mechanism at each time point, but uses an ‘independence working assumption,’ i.e. an assumption that observations are independent over time. Another method avoids having to estimate the missing data mechanism by formulating a ‘protective estimator. ’ In simulations, these two estimators can be very inefficient, both for estimating time trends in the first case and for estimating both time‐varying and time‐stationary effects in the second. In this paper, we propose the use of the optimal weighted combination of these two estimators, and in simulations we show that the optimal weighted combination can be much more efficient than either estimator alone. Finally, the proposed method is used to analyze data from two longitudinal clinical trials of HIV‐infected patients. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Activation and Habituation of Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Phosphorylation in Zebra Finch Auditory Forebrain during Song Presentation

The sound of tape-recorded birdsong triggers a set of behavioral and physiological responses in zebra finches, including transcriptional activation of the zenk gene in the auditory forebrain. Song repetition leads to the stimulus-specific habituation of these responses. To gain insight into the mechanisms that couple auditory experience to gene regulation, we monitored the phosphorylation of the zebra finch extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) protein by immunoblotting. Initial presentations of novel song (but not tones or noise) resulted in a rapid increase in ERK phosphorylation, followed by a return to basal levels within 5 min. This response was localized to the auditory forebrain where the zenk gene is activated. Sustained repetition of one song caused a selective habituation of the ERK response: a different song triggered another cycle of ERK phosphorylation without altering the habituated response to the first. To test directly for a role of ERK in experience-dependent zenk gene regulation, we infused an inhibitor of mitogen-activated and extracellular-regulated protein kinase kinase (MEK-1; the enzyme responsible for ERK activation) unilaterally into one auditory lobule just before song stimulation. The song-induced increase in zenk mRNA was blocked on the side of the injection, but not on the contralateral (uninfused) side. These results show that ERK phosphorylation is necessary for the initiation of the zenk gene response to novel song and identify ERK as a plausible site of signal integration underlying the selective habituation of genomic responses to a repeated song.
Genetic causes of microcephaly and lessons for neuronal development

The study of human developmental microcephaly is providing important insights into brain development. It has become clear that developmental microcephalies are associated with abnormalities in cellular production, and that the pathophysiology of microcephaly provides remarkable insights into how the brain generates the proper number of neurons that determine brain size. Most of the genetic causes of ‘primary’ developmental microcephaly (i.e., not associated with other syndromic features) are associated with centrosomal abnormalities. In addition to other functions, centrosomal proteins control the mitotic spindle, which is essential for normal cell proliferation during mitosis. However, the brain is often uniquely affected when microcephaly genes are mutated implying special centrosomal‐related functions in neuronal production. Although models explaining how this could occur have some compelling data, they are not without controversy. Interestingly, some of the microcephaly genes show evidence that they were targets of evolutionary selection in primates and human ancestors, suggesting potential evolutionary roles in controlling neuronal number and brain volume across species. Mutations in DNA repair pathway genes also lead to microcephaly. Double‐stranded DNA breaks appear to be a prominent type of damage that needs to be repaired during brain development, yet why defects in DNA repair affect the brain preferentially and if DNA repair relates to centrosome function, are not clearly understood. WIREs Dev Biol 2012, 2:461–478. doi: 10.1002/wdev.89