Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Variation-Driven Device Sizing for Minimum Energy Sub-threshold Circuits

Sub-threshold operation is a compelling approach for energy-constrained applications, but increased sensitivity to variation must be mitigated. We explore variability metrics and the variation sensitivity of stacked device topologies. We show that upsizing is necessary to achieve robustness at reduced voltages and propose a design methodology to meet yield constraints. The need for upsizing imposes an energy-overhead, influencing the optimal supply voltage to minimize energy. Finally, we characterize performance variability by summing delay distributions of each stage in an arbitrary critical path and achieve results accurate to within 10% of Monte Carlo simulation
Text-mining-assisted biocuration workflows in Argo

Biocuration activities have been broadly categorized into the selection of relevant documents, the annotation of biological concepts of interest and identification of interactions between the concepts. Text mining has been shown to have a potential to significantly reduce the effort of biocurators in all the three activities, and various semi-automatic methodologies have been integrated into curation pipelines to support them. We investigate the suitability of Argo, a workbench for building text-mining solutions with the use of a rich graphical user interface, for the process of biocuration. Central to Argo are customizable workflows that users compose by arranging available elementary analytics to form task-specific processing units. A built-in manual annotation editor is the single most used biocuration tool of the workbench, as it allows users to create annotations directly in text, as well as modify or delete annotations created by automatic processing components. Apart from syntactic and semantic analytics, the ever-growing library of components includes several data readers and consumers that support well-established as well as emerging data interchange formats such as XMI, RDF and BioC, which facilitate the interoperability of Argo with other platforms or resources. To validate the suitability of Argo for curation activities, we participated in the BioCreative IV challenge whose purpose was to evaluate Web-based systems addressing user-defined biocuration tasks. Argo proved to have the edge over other systems in terms of flexibility of defining biocuration tasks. As expected, the versatility of the workbench inevitably lengthened the time the curators spent on learning the system before taking on the task, which may have affected the usability of Argo. The participation in the challenge gave us an opportunity to gather valuable feedback and identify areas of improvement, some of which have already been introduced. Database URL: http://argo.nactem. ac.uk
Cell–matrix interactions in muscle disease

The extracellular matrix (ECM) provides a solid scaffold and signals to cells through ECM receptors. The cell–matrix interactions are crucial for normal biological processes and when disrupted they may lead to pathological processes. In particular, the biological importance of ECM–cell membrane–cytoskeleton interactions in skeletal muscle is accentuated by the number of inherited muscle diseases caused by mutations in proteins conferring these interactions. In this review we introduce laminins, collagens, dystroglycan, integrins, dystrophin and sarcoglycans. Mutations in corresponding genes cause various forms of muscular dystrophy. The muscle disorders are presented as well as advances toward the development of treatment. Copyright © 2011 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Search Space Design in Enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel for LTE-Advanced

In Long Term Evolution- Advanced (LTE-A) Release 11, an enhanced physical downlink control channel (ePDCCH)was introduced to increase the capacity of the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), in order to support Multiple User-Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) and interference mitigation in heterogeneous networks. Design of the search space, in which control information is mapped, for the ePDCCH is an essential issue. Conventional search space designs suffer from low resource utilization efficiency and a high blocking probability. This paper presents a novel search space design. The proposed design introduces proper resource division in conjunction with a search space split. Simulation results show that the proposed design effectively improves the resource utilization efficiency and reduces the blocking probability.
A Quixotic journey with a fairy tale ending? A brief history of hyperthermia.

Hyperthermia (HT) as a therapeutic option is mentioned in early medical texts from India. However, it is in the early eighties of the last century that the first wave of technology backed HT, which was tested in clinics. There is a vast body of laboratory data as an evidence for the utility of heat in treating cancer. The ability to sterilize hypoxic cells, induce apoptosis, inhibit DNA repair, influence temperature dependent intracellular processes, immune stimulation induction for changes and many other biological rationale, formed a formidable rationale for combining HT with radiation and later with chemotherapy. The late seventy’s and the eighty’s saw a surfeit of papers with mixed results. Interest started waning as clinicians who had hoped for a quantum leap, but witness a modest change. Biology was on the side of scientists but adequate technology was not with clinicians. The modality of HT got restricted to silos in a few countries of Europe and Japan. It was nearly a decade later that HT got approved by insurance agencies in USA. However, remuneration was not attractive to enthuse radiation oncologists. Hence, HT never was popular.
Coverage-driven Functional Test Generation for Processor Validation using Formal Methods

Functional validation is one of the major bottlenecks in processor design: up to 70% of the design development time and resources are spent on functional verification. Simulation is the most widely used form of microprocessor validation. A major challenge in simulation-based validation is how to reduce the overall validation time and resources. Traditionally, billions of random tests are used during simulation and the lack of a comprehensive functional coverage metric makes it difficult to measure the verification progress. Directed test generation is a promising approach in terms of the volume of test set but poses several challenges. One of the major challenges is how to generate directed tests for complex processor designs for efficient functional validation. This paper presents functional coverage-driven test generation techniques using formal methods. We present fault models based on the functionality of pipelined processors. These fault models are used to define the functional coverage metric to measure the verification progress. We have developed automatic test generation techniques using model checking and SAT solving methods. The experiments using MIPS processor demonstrate the feasibility and usefulness of the proposed functional validation methodology.
Encapsulated Search for Higher-order Concurrent Constraint Programming

The paper presents an extension of the concurrent constraint model providing for higher-order programming, deep guards, and encapsulated search. The paper focuses on a higher-order combinator providing for encapsulated search. The search combinator spawns a local computation space and resolves remaining choices by returning the alternatives as rst-class citizens. The search combinator allows to program diierent search strategies, including depth-rst, indeterministic one solution, demand-driven multiple solution, all solutions, and best solution (branch and bound) search. The described computation model is realized in Oz, a programming language and system under development at DFKI.
Further Immunohistochemical Evidence for Impaired NO Signaling in the Hypothalamus of Depressed Patients

Abstract: The cellular expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) was studied in neurons of the Nuc. suprachiasmaticus (SCN) of depressed patients and matched controls. The number of NOS‐immunoreactive SCN neurons was significantly reduced in depression. We conclude that affective disorders are accompanied by impaired hypothalamic NO signaling.
A 0.5V 300µW 50MS/s 180nm 6bit Flash ADC using inverter based comparators

This paper presents a 0.5 V, 50 MS/s, 6 bit Flash ADC designed using 180 nm CMOS technology. To reduce the silicon area and power requirement, an inverter based comparator is used in the design. Low threshold MOSFETs are used for the ultra low voltage operation. A simple clock delaying technique and back to back inverters in the comparator have been used to increase the power efficiency and speed of operation. A fat tree encoder design is used for digitizing comparator outputs. The measured SNDR at input frequency of 5.1 MHz is 31 dB. The measured maximum INL and DNL for a ramp input are 0.375 LSB and 0.025 LSB, respectively. The design consumes a very low power of 300 μW.
Minimal-Change Nephrotic Syndrome and Acute Renal Failure in a Patient with Aged Onset Insulin-Dependent Diabetes mellitus and Autoimmune Thyroiditis

A 61-year-old woman with a 2-year history of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) developed nephrotic syndrome. Renal biopsy showed minimal-change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS), and no evidence of diabetic glomerulosclerosis. Although steroid therapy was initiated, plasma urea and creatinine rose and hemodialysis was required. After 4 weeks, she responded to steroids and her renal function returned to normal. MCNS, which is not associated with diabetic glomerulosclerosis, has rarely been seen in IDDM patients with nephrotic syndrome. Her human leukocyte antigen typing was A24, BW52, BW61, DR2 and DR9. This typing has been reported to be associated with both IDDM and renal disease.
The Economics of “Fake News”

False information has economic, political, and social consequences. The authors analyze the real and perceived costs and benefits to those that engage in the creation and platform support of false information. Special consideration is given here to digital advertising ecosystems that provide a supportive environment for “fake news” creation. Fake news is one type of false information. The authors discuss the context of fake-news consumption, and suggest that fake-news creators, consumers, and various arbiters can reinforce each other and form a vicious circle. The article proposes mechanisms to break the circle and alter the cost-benefit structure of engaging in this activity.
Integrative methods for analyzing big data in precision medicine

We provide an overview of recent developments in big data analyses in the context of precision medicine and health informatics. With the advance in technologies capturing molecular and medical data, we entered the area of “Big Data” in biology and medicine. These data offer many opportunities to advance precision medicine. We outline key challenges in precision medicine and present recent advances in data integration‐based methods to uncover personalized information from big data produced by various omics studies. We survey recent integrative methods for disease subtyping, biomarkers discovery, and drug repurposing, and list the tools that are available to domain scientists. Given the ever‐growing nature of these big data, we highlight key issues that big data integration methods will face.
Gutenberg School of Management and Economics Discussion Paper Series Existence, Uniqueness and Stability of Invariant Distributions in Continuous-time Stochastic Models Discussion Paper Number 1111 Existence, Uniqueness and Stability of Invariant Distributions in Continuous-time Stochastic Models

We study a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model in continuous time. Related work has proven that optimal consumption in this model is a smooth function of state variables. This allows us to describe the evolution of optimal state variables (wealth and labour market status) by stochastic di¤erential equations. We derive conditions under which an invariant distribution for state variables exists and is unique. We also provide conditions such that initial distributions converge to the long-run distribution.
Association of estrogen receptor α polymorphisms with breast cancer risk in older Caucasian women

Estrogens exert their effect on the breast through the estrogen receptor. We prospectively investigated breast cancer risk associated with 2 polymorphic sites in the estrogen receptor alpha gene (ESR1). A total of 4,248 Caucasian women from the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures were genotyped for the −401 T/C and −354 A/G polymorphisms in ESR1. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the associations between genotypes and breast cancer. During a mean follow‐up of 12.4 years, 252 (5.9%) women developed breast cancer. The HR (95% CI) for breast cancer were 0.928 (0.708, 1.22) and 0.834 (0.538, 1.29) for the −354 A/G and A/A genotypes, respectively. Interactions with −354 variant were observed for smoking (HR = 1.52 and 1.56 for A/G and A/A smokers, respectively; HR = 0.74 and 0.60 for A/G and A/A non‐smokers, respectively; interaction p = 0.03) and walking (HR = 0.75 and 1.15 for A/G and A/A walkers, respectively; HR = 0.18 and 0.49 for A/G and A/A non‐walkers, respectively; interaction p = 0.01). There were no differences in the HR for the −401 T/C genotypes. An interaction between parity and carriage of the T allele was found (HR = 0.60 vs. 1.12 for nulliparous vs. parous women; interaction p = 0.03). ESR1 polymorphisms in combination with lifestyle factors may be associated with breast cancer risk in older Caucasian women. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Simple design formula for parallel plate mode suppression by ground via-holes

In a multi-layered RF circuit, it is important to avoid unexpected coupling caused by a parallel plate mode excited between different ground layers. Ground via-holes that short-circuit different ground layers are used for suppressing this mode. Quantitative evaluation of relations between suppression effect and ground via-hole disposition is required for optimal design. In this paper, a simple design formula that describes the suppression ratio is derived by mode-matching technique. The results of comparison with an FEM simulation validate our proposing formula. It is shown that the technique is indispensable for designing optimal disposition of via-holes to minimize the area of the ground via-holes for desired performance.
Modifying Wear Life of All-Cotton Fabrics

Abrasion 'characteristics were investigated for all-cotton broadcldth that had re ceived liquid ammonia treatment as a final finish and as a pretreatment to durable press finish. Abrasive damage in Stoll flex abraded specimens (dry and wet condi tions) and repeatedly laundered specimens was evaluated from their stress-strain behavior and fracture characteristics as viewed in a scanning electron microscope. Stoll flex abrasion in the wet condition and repeated laundering exhibited similarities in abrasion behavior in that fiber breaks tended to result from extensive fibrillation and thinning of the fiber, with long breaks almost parallel to the fiber axis. Flex abrasion in the dry condition, on the other hand, resulted in mashing. bruising, extensive peeling, some fibrillation, spiral cracks, and ultimately spiral fiber breaks. Liquid ammonia as a final finish and pretreatment for durable press finish, as well as durable press finish by itself, exhibited modifying effects on abrasion resistance and fracture patterns in cotton.
Cooperativity and modularity in protein folding

A simple statistical mechanical model proposed by Wako and Saitô has explained the aspects of protein folding surprisingly well. This model was systematically applied to multiple proteins by Muñoz and Eaton and has since been referred to as the Wako-Saitô-Muñoz-Eaton (WSME) model. The success of the WSME model in explaining the folding of many proteins has verified the hypothesis that the folding is dominated by native interactions, which makes the energy landscape globally biased toward native conformation. Using the WSME and other related models, Saitô emphasized the importance of the hierarchical pathway in protein folding; folding starts with the creation of contiguous segments having a native-like configuration and proceeds as growth and coalescence of these segments. The ϕ-values calculated for barnase with the WSME model suggested that segments contributing to the folding nucleus are similar to the structural modules defined by the pattern of native atomic contacts. The WSME model was extended to explain folding of multi-domain proteins having a complex topology, which opened the way to comprehensively understanding the folding process of multi-domain proteins. The WSME model was also extended to describe allosteric transitions, indicating that the allosteric structural movement does not occur as a deterministic sequential change between two conformations but as a stochastic diffusive motion over the dynamically changing energy landscape. Statistical mechanical viewpoint on folding, as highlighted by the WSME model, has been renovated in the context of modern methods and ideas, and will continue to provide insights on equilibrium and dynamical features of proteins.
Edinburgh Research Explorer Identification of priorities for improvement of medication safety in primary care

Background: Medication error is a frequent, harmful and costly patient safety incident. Research to date has mostly focused on medication errors in hospitals. In this study, we aimed to identify the main causes of, and solutions to, medication error in primary care. Methods: We used a novel priority-setting method for identifying and ranking patient safety problems and solutions called PRIORITIZE. We invited 500 North West London primary care clinicians to complete an open-ended questionnaire to identify three main problems and solutions relating to medication error in primary care. 113 clinicians submitted responses, which we thematically synthesized into a composite list of 48 distinct problems and 45 solutions. A group of 57 clinicians randomly selected from the initial cohort scored these and an overall ranking was derived. The agreement between the clinicians ’ scores was presented using the average expert agreement (AEA). The study was conducted between September 2013 and November 2014. Results: The top three problems were incomplete reconciliation of medication during patient ‘ hand-overs ’ , inadequate patient education about their medication use and poor discharge summaries. The highest ranked solutions included development of a standardized discharge summary template, reduction of unnecessary prescribing, and minimisation of polypharmacy. Overall, better communication between the healthcare provider and patient, quality assurance approaches during medication prescribing and monitoring, and patient education on how to use their medication were considered the top priorities. The highest ranked suggestions received the strongest agreement among the clinicians, i.e. the highest AEA score. Conclusions: Clinicians identified a range of suggestions for better medication management, quality assurance procedures and patient education. According to clinicians, medication errors can be largely prevented with feasible and affordable interventions. PRIORITIZE is a new, convenient, systematic, and replicable method, and merits further exploration with a view to becoming a part of a routine preventative patient safety monitoring mechanism.
Reproducibility Indices Applied to Cervical Pressure Pain Threshold Measurements in Healthy Subjects

Objectives:To apply various statistical indices for reproducibility analysis of pressure pain threshold measurements and to derive a preferred pressure pain threshold measurement protocol based on these indices. Methods:The pressure pain threshold of 3 pairs of right and left homologous cervical region sites were measured in 20 healthy subjects (10 women, 10 men) using a hand-held pressure algometer. Measurements took place on 2 occasions (test 1 and test 2) separated by a mean interval of 1 week. On each testing session, the site-related pressure pain thresholds were measured 3 times each according to 2 different protocols. Protocol A consisted of a repetitive order, namely 3 consecutive measurements at each site before proceeding to the next, whereas protocol B consisted of an alternate order in which 3 consecutive rounds of all individually tested sites took place. For test 1, protocol A was followed by protocol B with an hour interval. For test 2, the reverse order took place. Results:The findings revealed no significant differences between the two protocols and indicated a significant rise (P < 0.0001) in the absolute scores from test 1 to test 2 in both protocols. Absolute values (mean ±SD) derived from the entire sample of pressure pain threshold sites ranged from 140 ± 60 to 198.7 ± 95 kPa (1.60 ± 0.6 to 1.99 ± 0.95 kg/cm2, respectively). No significant gender or side differences were noted. Pearson r as well as the intraclass correlation coefficient revealed good to excellent reproducibility for both protocols and for all sites measured: r = 0.79–0.94 and intraclass correlation coefficient(3,3) = 0.85–0.96, respectively. To define site-specific cutoff values indicating change at the 95% confidence level, 1.96*SEM was calculated, and its values ranged from 31.6 to 58.2 kPa, which correspond to 16.8% to 32.8% of the absolute mean values. In addition, the limits of agreement, which depict the individual test-retest differences relative to their mean, indicated a heteroscedastic trend. Discussion:The two protocols yielded very similar results. However, on the grounds of patient’s comfort and compliance as well as facility of application, protocol B stands out as the more preferred between the two.
Early exploration for platform architecture instantiation with multi-mode application partitioning

We present a systematic methodology for exploring application partitioning and assignment together with platform architecture instantiation. Streaming applications with multiple runtime modes are considered. The platform architecture is based on a domain specific MPSoC architecture template. We show results using complete inner modem physical layer processing of wireless applications, WLAN and LTE. We show that the proposed methodology obtains up to 30% energy improvement in energy with negligible area overheads as compared to straight-forward mapping to one processor, while meeting performance constraints, for a multi-mode WLAN 11n system and single-mode LTE system.
An efficient implementation of the 1D DCT using FPGA technology

This paper describes and represents different algorithms and efficient implementation of one-dimensional 8 point discrete cosine transform on field programmable gate arrays. One of the main objectives is to minimize the complexity of operations as much as possible while maintaining low delays and high-speed throughput. Distributed arithmetic is a powerful technique that has been used for fast and efficient implementation of 1D DCT on FPGA.