Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
K-Mer Counting Using Bloom Filters with an FPGA-Attached HMC

As FPGAs are integrated into to the cloud, they become useful in a number of areas where they were not traditionally considered, such as processing genomics data. For many genomics applications, such as K-mer counting, the off-chip DRAM (and sometimes SRAM) memory subsystems provided by most FPGA boards for high capacity storage are not efficient. Recently new styles of memory have been developed, though their role in reconfigurable computing systems can be unclear. One of the challenges these memory systems present to FPGA designers is identifying how they can be used in current systems, and what new applications become possible. In this paper we describe how and why K-mer counting is one such use for an FPGA-attached Hybrid Memory Cube (HMC). The HMC's high random-access rate is ideal for large Bloom filters, an efficient structure for checking membership in a set, or even counting occurrences. Our HMC based counting Bloom filter, useful in a bioinformatics context, achieves a speedup of 13x over traditional FPGA-attached DRAM and 9.31x to 17.6x over multi-core, multi-threaded software on our host system.
Market Structure and Fiscal Policy Effectiveness

In a monopolistic competition macromodel with endogenous market structure, the fiscal multiplier is shown to consist of two components. The first depicts the response of output to a fiscal expansion through the conventional channels that disregard the role of market imperfections. The second component captures the effects of firms' market power as well as the policy-induced change in market structure. The latter effect--which has not been taken into account in existing studies--is shown to be quite significant in raising the fiscal multiplier (even above unity) and in improving consumers' welfare when the labour market is competitive. Copyright 2001 by The editors of the Scandinavian Journal of Economics.
Widespread neuronal and glial hyperphosphorylated tau deposition in ALS with cognitive impairment

Abstract Although the biological basis of frontotemporal syndromes associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is considered to be altered metabolism of TDP-43, in ALS with cognitive impairment (ALSci) the metabolism of tau protein is also altered. This includes neuronal hyperphosphorylation (pThr175). Using novel polyclonal phospho-tau antibodies (pSer208, 210, pThr217 and pThr175) and antibodies directed against PHF tau (pSer202), TDP-43 or ubiquitin, we characterized tau deposition in ALS and ALSci. In ALS, we observed pThr175 tau immunoreactive intraneuronal and neuritic aggregates throughout the amygdala and entorhinal cortex. In ALSci, this extended to the anterior cingulate gyrus, superior frontal cortex and substantia nigra. The pThr217 antibody detected widespread astrocytic tau deposition, including punctuate or fibrillary aggregates, or intensely immunoreactive tufted astrocytes in the superior frontal cortex, anterior cingulate gyrus, entorhinal cortex, amygdala and basal ganglia of ALS. In ALSci, a similar but more widely distributed pThr217 pathology was observed. There was no correlation between the extent of pathological tau deposition and TDP-43 pathology, although nuclear TDP-43 immunoreactivity was absent in neurons with tau pathology. In conclusion, ALSci is unique in possessing both tau and TDP-43 pathology. The presence of widespread astrocytic tau pathology suggests that ALSci may initially be characterized by astrocytic pathology.
Electoral Systems and Party Formation in Russia

This article draws on a comprehensive data set from the 1993-1999 Russian regional legislative elections to estimate the consequences of different plurality or majority rules, as well as their combinations with proportional representation (PR), for party formation in the country. The results of multiple regression analysis indicate that the system of single-member plurality does not support party formation. Mixed electoral systems involve PR support parties in two ways: first, mechanically, by excluding independents from party list competition, and second, as a result of contamination effects across these systems' components. Counterintuitively, the analysis reveals that the systems of multimember plurality and two-round majority tend to be relatively supportive of party formation. The article explains this phenomenon by developing a model that incorporates these systems' ability to set lower effective thresholds and to enhance the information value of party labels, thus facilitating the entry of party candidates and their electoral success.
Trading Volume, Volatility, and GARCH Effects in the South Korean Won/US Dollar Exchange Market: Evidence from Conditional Quantile Estimation

Under the MDH, this paper investigates the asymmetry in the positive relationship between unexpected volume and volatility, and whether the unexpected volume series as a proxy for the rate of information arrival absorbs the GARCH effects. This is achieved by applying a quantile regression approach to the won/dollar exchange market with reliable data on trading volumes. Interestingly, the results show that in a freely floating exchange rate system, the positive relationship increases as exchange rate returns are higher. Contrary to previous studies, despite a significantly positive relationship, the inclusion of volumes alone does not reduce volatility persistence at medium or high levels of returns. In addition, the reform of the South Korean exchange rate system had an impact on the relationship, which occurred in response to a financial crisis.
Linking Life-Styles and Energy Use: A Matter of Time?

In this paper, the authors explore the links between life-styles and energy use. While they focus on the United States, they illustrate some points using examples from other countries, particularly where these countries differ significantly from the United States. They focus on changes in an individual's or household's activities that are not motivated per se by a desire to save energy. They study observed behavior. To understand the relationship between life-styles and energy use, they review the structure of energy use by end-use sector. They propose a scheme for measuring consumer activities, which leads to a new description of consumers' energy use. The authors review demographic and social factors that may constrain activity choices, then return to the activity-based description of energy use to speculate on how changes in consumer activities could cause important changes in sectoral demand in the future.
Financing Higher Education.

The financing of institutions of higher learning is one of the many problems involved in the development of our higher-education system. The socialist government sets aside billions of rubles every year for higher education. New buildings are constructed, equipped with the most advanced laboratory technology, lecture halls, and offices; and the living conditions of the teaching staff and students are improved. The financial resources set aside for higher education to a certain extent predetermine the scope of operations. The volume of capital investments, admissions totals, the size of the faculty, etc. — all these depend on the funds set aside to maintain institutions of higher education. Consequently, finances are a very important factor in the training of specialists.
EFNS guidelines on management of neurological problems in liver transplantation

M. Guarino, J. Benito-Leon, J. Decruyenaere, E. Schmutzhard, K. Weissenborn and A. Stracciari Neurology Unit, S. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy; Department of Neurology, Móstoles General Hospital, Móstoles, Madrid, Spain; Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Neurology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria; and Department of Neurology, Hannover University Hospital, Hannover, Germany
Computed Tomography Perfusion Imaging of Renal Cell Carcinoma: Systematic Comparison With Histopathological Angiogenic and Prognostic Markers

PurposeThe aim of this study was to systematically analyze the correlation between computed tomography (CT) perfusion and histopathological angiogenic and prognostic markers in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Material and MethodsFifteen patients (12 men; mean age, 64.5 ± 9.4 years) with RCC underwent contrast-enhanced CT perfusion imaging (scan range, 10 cm; scan time, 40 seconds; dual-source 128-section CT) 1 day before surgery. The procedure for surgical specimen processing was modified to obtain an exact match with CT images. Microvessel density (MVD) was quantified by CD34 staining, and lymphatic vessel density (LVD) was stained with D2-40 antibodies. The CT perfusion values blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV), and flow extraction product (KTrans) were calculated using the maximum-slope and a delay-corrected modified Patlak approach and were correlated to MVD and LVD. The relationship between CT perfusion and the prognostic markers pT stage, Fuhrman grade, and tumor necrosis was evaluated. ResultsHistopathology revealed varying high MVD but low or absent intratumoral LVD. The BF and BV of RCC, both including and excluding necrotic regions, showed significant correlations with MVD (r = 0.600–0.829, P < 0.05 each). Significant correlations between MVD and KTrans were found only in small tumor areas exhibiting no necrosis (r = 0.550, P < 0.05). No significant correlation was found between BF, BV, and KTrans with intratumoral LVD (P = 0.35–0.82). With higher pT stage and Fuhrman grade, BF, BV, and KTrans were lower, similar to the MVD, but without reaching statistical significance. Blood flow, BV, and KTrans were significantly higher in RCCs with less than 50% necrosis than in those with 50% or grater necrosis (P < 0.05 each). ConclusionOur study indicates that BF and BV from CT perfusion reflect blood vessels of RCC. Computed tompgraphic perfusion parameters differ significantly depending upon the degree of tumor necrosis.
Lessons for public pensions from Utah's move to pension choice*

Abstract We explore what happened when the state of Utah moved away from its traditional defined benefit pension. In its place, it offered new hires a choice between a conventional defined contribution plan and a hybrid plan option, where the latter has both a guaranteed benefit component and a defined contribution plan where employees bear investment risk. We show that around 60% of new hires failed to make any active choice and, as a result, were automatically defaulted into the hybrid plan. Slightly more than half of those who made an active choice elected the hybrid plan. Post-reform, employees who failed to actively elect a primary retirement plan were also far less likely to enroll in a supplemental retirement account, compared with new hires who actively selected a plan. We also find that employees hired following the reform were more likely to leave public employment, resulting in higher separation rates. This could reflect a reduction in the desirability of public employment under the new pension design and an improving economic climate in the state. Our results imply that public pension reformers must consider employee responses in addition to potential cost savings, when developing and enacting major pension plan changes.
DNA Methylation of Helper Virus Increases Genetic Instability of Retroviral Vector Producer Cells

ABSTRACT Retroviral vector producer cells (VPC) have been considered genetically stable. A clonal cell population exhibiting a uniform vector integration pattern is used for sustained vector production. Here, we observed that the vector copy number is increased and varied in a population of established LTKOSN.2 VPC. Among five subclones of LTKOSN.2 VPC, the vector copy number ranged from 1 to approximately 29 copies per cell. A vector superinfection experiment and Northern blot analysis demonstrated that suppression of helper virus gene expression decreased Env-receptor interference and allowed increased superinfection. The titer production was tightly associated with helper virus gene expression and varied between 0 and 2.2 × 105 CFU/ml in these subclones. In one analyzed subclone, the number of integrated vectors increased from one copy per cell to nine copies per cell during a 31-day period. Vector titer was reduced from 1.5 × 105 CFU to an undetectable level. To understand the mechanism involved, helper virus and vectors were examined for DNA methylation status by methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme digestion. We demonstrated that DNA methylation of helper virus 5′ long terminal repeat occurred in approximately 2% of the VPC population per day and correlated closely with inactivation of helper virus gene expression. In contrast, retroviral vectors did not exhibit significant methylation and maintained consistent transcription activity. Treatment with 5-azacytidine, a methylation inhibitor, partially reversed the helper virus DNA methylation and restored a portion of vector production. The preference for methylation of helper virus sequences over vector sequences may have important implications for host-virus interaction. Designing a helper virus to overcome cellular DNA methylation may therefore improve vector production. The maintenance of increased viral envelope-receptor interference might also prevent replication-competent retrovirus formation.
The publishing of recent economics Ph.D. recipients

We present publication data for recent graduates of 50 economics Ph.D. programs. The data show that publishing output is highly concentrated among graduates of the top programs; the top three programs, for example, generate more than 25% of aggregate publishing output in our sample. We use the data to construct a set of program rankings based on both per capita and aggregate graduate publication and a comparison of faculty performance to graduate performance. The graduate/faculty comparison reveals that programs may be identical in the output of their faculties but starkly different in the output of their graduates. Copyright 2000 by Oxford University Press.
The impact of having a mentor on earnings and promotion: evidence from a panel study of lawyers

Based on our analysis of longitudinal data from the American Bar Association's National Survey of Career Satisfaction/Dissatisfaction, we report on the economic consequences of having a mentor. Specifically, we find that individuals who reported having a mentor in 1984 were more likely (in 1990) to have achieved partner status. However, we find no evidence of any statistically significant link between protegeship in 1984 and earnings in 1990.
Onyx embolization of intracranial arteriovenous malformations in pediatric patients.

OBJECT The authors undertook this study to assess the safety and efficacy of Onyx embolization in the treatment of intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in pediatric patients. METHODS All pediatric Onyx embolization of intracranial AVM cases performed consecutively at a single children's hospital over a 5-year period were collected and evaluated. RESULTS Twenty-five patients (mean age 10.5 years) underwent a total of 38 procedures. An aggregate of 56 pedicles were embolized (mean 1.47 per session). The Spetzler-Martin grade was determined in all cases. Onyx embolization resulted in complete obliteration of the AVM in 3 cases (12%) and partial obliteration in 22 cases (88%). A total of 23 patients underwent surgical treatment. The mean preoperative AVM devascularization in these cases was 72%. One patient was treated with radiosurgery following Onyx embolization. Overall, 10 complications occurred in a total of 38 procedures (26.3%). None of the complications resulted in permanent neurological morbidity. The rate of transient neurological complications was 10.5% (4 of 38 procedures) and the rate of transient nonneurological complications was 5.3% (2 of 38 procedures). The remaining 4 complications were clinically silent (rate of 10.5%). There were no procedure-related deaths in this study population. There was no significant difference in patients with and without complications in terms of demographic characteristics, AVM grade, or embolization features (p ≥ 0.2). Deep venous drainage was associated with higher complication rates (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS Onyx utilization is feasible for preoperative or primary embolization in the treatment of pediatric intracranial AVMs; however, the spectrum of complications encountered is broad, and attention must be paid to the technical nuances of and indications for its use to avoid many potential dangerous effects. Although the overall complication rates were higher than expected, all were either clinically silent or had only transient clinical effects. Thus, this experience suggests that Onyx embolization can be performed safely with a low rate of permanent morbidity in pediatric patients harboring these difficult lesions.
Association analysis of the monoamine oxidase A gene in bipolar affective disorder by using family-based internal controls.

It is well accepted that association studies are a major tool in investigating the contribution of single genes to the development of diseases that do not follow simple Mendelian inheritance pattern (so-called complex traits). Such major psychiatric diseases as bipolar affective disorder and schizophrenia clearly fall into this category of diseases. 7 refs., 1 tab.
Speed estimation algorithm of induction motors based on disturbance observer

This paper presents a decoupled current control based on disturbance observer applied to sensorless induction machine drives. The algorithm for rotor speed estimation is obtained from the observed disturbances used in the current control loop. An adaptation law for the estimated rotor speed derived from the disturbance observer is proposed to feedback the rotor speed control loop. The stability analysis of the disturbance observer and the proposed rotor speed estimation technique is presented based on a Lyapunov approach. Experimental results are presented to validate the proposed technique.
N‐Methyl‐d‐Aspartate‐ and Non‐N‐Methyl‐d‐Aspartate‐Evoked Adenosine Release from Rat Cortical Slices: Distinct Purinergic Sources and Mechanisms of Release

Abstract: Excitatory amino acids, acting at both Nmethyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) and non‐NMDA receptors, release the inhibitory neuromodulator adenosine from superfused rat cortical slices. This study was initiated to investigate the possible purinergic sources and mechanisms of release for the adenosine release evoked by NMDA and non‐NMDA receptor activation. Inhibition of the bidirectional nucleo‐side transporter with dipyridamole greatly enhanced adenosine release evoked by glutamate, NMDA, kainate, and (RS‐α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA). Inhibition of ecto‐5′‐nucleotidase with α,β‐methylene ADP and GMP had no effect on either kainateor AMPA‐evoked adenosine release, but it decreased glutamate‐ and NMDA‐evoked adenosine release by 23 and 68%, respectively. A similar inhibition of NMDA‐evoked adenosine release was observed with α,β‐methylene ADP alone, indicating that the inhibitory effect was not due to the reported competitive inhibition of NMDA receptors by GMP. Finally, NMDA‐evoked adenosine release, but not kainate‐ or AMPA‐evoked release, was Ca2+ dependent. These results indicate that activation of non‐NMDA receptors releases adenosine per se in a Ca2+‐independent manner. In contrast, NMDA receptor activation releases primarily a nucleotide that is subsequently converted extracellularly to adenosine; in this case, release is Ca2+ dependent. Although neither NMDA‐ nor non‐NMDA‐evoked adenosine release occurs via the nucleoside transporter, this transporter does appear to be a major route for removal of adenosine from the extracellular space.
The diffusion of environmental sustainability innovations in North American hotels and ski resorts

This study examines the diffusion of environmental sustainability innovations in North American hotels and ski resorts. It seeks to understand what sustainability innovations are being adopted and the variables affecting the rate of adoption. An electronic survey was distributed to 49 medium/large hotels and ski resorts. Rogers’ diffusion of innovations theory was utilized to hypothesize that a hotel/resort manager's perceptions of sustainability would correlate with the adoption of the innovations. Over 4000 published studies have used diffusion of innovations theory to examine the innovation in mass media, public health, sociology, communication and agriculture. Results from this study revealed that the perceived simplicity of sustainability innovations and high levels of opinion leadership of hotels/resorts were most strongly associated with the adoption of sustainability innovations. The perceived relative advantage of sustainability innovations and the general innovativeness of the hotels/resorts also correlated to some extent with the adoption of innovations leading to increased sustainability. Sustainability communication must emphasize simplicity and ease of adopting sustainability innovations to increase the rate of adoption. The findings provide useful theoretical knowledge and advice for change agents, opinion leaders and suppliers in the resort industry on how to further diffuse sustainability in the sector.
Pricing Guaranteed Life Insurance Participating Policies with Annual Premiums and Surrender Option

Abstract This paper analyzes a life insurance endowment policy, paid by annual premiums, in which the benefit is annually adjusted according to the performance of a special investment portfolio and a minimum return is guaranteed to the policyholder. In particular, the author considers both the case in which the annual premium is constant and the case in which the premium also is adjusted according to the performance of the reference portfolio. Moreover, the policy under scrutiny is characterized by the presence of a surrender option, that is, of an American-style put option that enables the policyholder to give up the contract and receive the surrender value. The aim of the paper is to give sufficient conditions under which there exists a (unique) fair premium. This premium is implicitly defined by an equation (or, alternatively, can be viewed as a fixed point of a suitable function) based on a recursive binomial tree àla Cox, Ross, and Rubinstein (1979). An iterative algorithm is then implemented in order to compute it.
Performance of low complexity multiuser detection in MIMO-OFDM systems

Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) and orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) techniques are combined to attain high capacity or good performance over frequency selective channels. This paper considers an in-depth analysis of various MIMO detectors and their performance in terms of Mean Square Error (MSE) and Bit Error Rate (BER). Also a low complexity solution is applied and the complexity is reduced by 50 %. Two MIMO detectors can be combined to improve the performance. Here Zero Forcing (ZF) and Successive Interference Cancelletion (SIC) are combined and found that the performance is better than ZF. The proposed technique has features of both ZF and SIC detections. BER results for ZF is compared with ZF-SIC detection to demonstrate the viability of the chosen solutions and their benefits over the existing MIMO detections. From simulation results, around 2.2dB of improvement for BER of 10-3 is obtained by using this combined ZF and SIC method. The simulations are executed in Rayleigh multipath fading channels.