Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Topology aware mapping of logic functions onto nanowire-based crossbar architectures

Highly regular, nanodevice based architectures have been proposed to replace pure CMOS based architectures in the emerging post CMOS era. Since bottom-up self-assembly is used to build these architectures, regular nanowire crossbars are emerging as a promising candidate. While these regular structures resemble CMOS programmable logic arrays (PLAs), PLA logic synthesis methodologies fail to solve the associated problems since the length and connectivity constraints imposed by individual nanowires in these crossbars translate into challenges hitherto not considered. These strict topological constraints should be considered while mapping Boolean functions onto nanowire crossbars during logic synthesis. We develop a mathematical model for this problem, an algorithm to solve it and three heuristics to improve the algorithm runtime
Biomimetic Use of Genetic Algorithms

Genetic algorithms are considered as an original way to solve problems, probably because of their generality and of their "blind" nature. But GAs are also unusual since the features of many implementations (among all that could be thought of) are principally led by the biological metaphor, while efficiency measurements intervene only afterwards. We propose here to examine the relevance of these biomimetic aspects, by pointing out some fundamental similarities and divergences between GAs and the genome of living beings shaped by natural selection. One of the main differences comes from the fact that GAs rely principally on the so-called implicit parallelism, while giving to the mutation/selection mechanism the second role. Such differences could suggest new ways of employing GAs on complex problems, using complex codings and starting from nearly homogeneous populations.
Optimal placement of a two-link manipulator for door opening

This paper presents a study on the optimal base location and arm motion of a mobile manipulator for door opening task. Numerical simulation results show that the base location where the manipulability of the two-link arm is almost degenerated at the start and end points of door opening is optimal.We show by analysis that the location has an advantage in supplying kinetic energy to the door by using torques at the joints of arm. In order to represent properly the arm motion near a singular point of manipulability, the rotational motion of the door is parameterized by piecewise fifth order polynomials of time, and the parameters of polynomials are optimized to minimize the joint torques.
Pseudo test collections for learning web search ranking functions

Test collections are the primary drivers of progress in information retrieval. They provide yardsticks for assessing the effectiveness of ranking functions in an automatic, rapid, and repeatable fashion and serve as training data for learning to rank models. However, manual construction of test collections tends to be slow, labor-intensive, and expensive. This paper examines the feasibility of constructing web search test collections in a completely unsupervised manner given only a large web corpus as input. Within our proposed framework, anchor text extracted from the web graph is treated as a pseudo query log from which pseudo queries are sampled. For each pseudo query, a set of relevant and non-relevant documents are selected using a variety of web-specific features, including spam and aggregated anchor text weights. The automatically mined queries and judgments form a pseudo test collection that can be used for training ranking functions. Experiments carried out on TREC web track data show that learning to rank models trained using pseudo test collections outperform an unsupervised ranking function and are statistically indistinguishable from a model trained using manual judgments, demonstrating the usefulness of our approach in extracting reasonable quality training data "for free".
Probabilistic Electrical Power Generation Modeling Using Genetic Algorithm

system reliability assessment is an important task which can be performed using deterministic or probabilistic techniques. The probabilistic approaches have significant advantages over the deterministic methods. However, more complicated modeling is required by the probabilistic approaches. Power generation model is a basic requirement for this assessment. One form of the generation models is the well known capacity outage probability table (COPT). Different analytical techniques have been used to construct the COPT. These approaches require considerable mathematical modeling of the generating units. The units" models are combined to build the COPT which will add more burdens on the process of creating the COPT. This paper proposes the utilization of the Genetic Algorithm (GA) to sample the states of the COPT without engaging in analytical units modeling. The simple binary representation, "0" and "1" is used to model the states of generating units. The effect of the GA parameters is examined. The proposed technique is proven to be an effective approach to build the generation model. The proposed technique is applied to the RBTS.
Ultrastructural Contributions to Desensitization at Cerebellar Mossy Fiber to Granule Cell Synapses

Postsynaptic AMPA receptor desensitization leads to depression at some synapses. Here we examine whether desensitization occurs at mossy fiber to granule cell synapses and how synaptic architecture could contribute. We made whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings from granule cells in rat cerebellar slices at 34°C, and stimulated mossy fibers with paired pulses. The amplitude of the second EPSC was depressed by 60% at 10 msec and recovered with τ ∼30 msec. This fast component of recovery from depression was reduced by cyclothiazide and enhanced when release probability was increased, suggesting that it reflects postsynaptic receptor desensitization. We evaluated the importance of synaptic ultrastructure to spillover and desensitization by using serial electron microscopy to reconstruct mossy fiber glomeruli. We found that mossy fiber boutons had hundreds of release sites, that the average center-to-center distance between nearest release sites was 0.46 μm, and that these sites had an average of 7.1 neighbors within 1 μm. In addition, glia did not isolate release sites from each other. By contrast, desensitization plays no role in paired-pulse depression at the cerebellar climbing fiber, where glial ensheathment of synapses is nearly complete. This suggests that the architecture of the mossy fiber glomerulus can lead to desensitization and short-term depression. Modeling indicates that, as a consequence of the close spacing of release sites, glutamate released from a single site can desensitize AMPA receptors at neighboring sites, even when the probability of release (pr) is low. When pr is high, desensitization would be accentuated by such factors as glutamate pooling.
Cancellation of Scattering Mechanisms in PolInSAR: Application to Underlying Topography Estimation

This paper investigates the polarimetric dependence of the interferometric complex correlation and proposes a methodology for cancelling individual scattering mechanisms, in terms of the complex correlation coefficient phase, under the assumption of the random volume over ground model. This allows the estimation of the ground topography on forested and vegetated areas. The first part of the analysis considers the separation of the volume from the ground (including the double-bounce scattering mechanism). This process identifies the polarization states, without constraining them to be equal in both polarimetric acquisitions, which allow to cancel either the volume scattering contribution or the ground contribution. In order to have access to the interferometric phase of the remaining or isolated scattering mechanism, the polarimetric phase contribution of this scattering mechanism has to be removed in a second step. In the case of forested areas, the previous methodology is considered from two different point of views. For the estimation of the underlying ground topography, the cancellation of the volume scattering contribution makes possible to access the interferometric phase associated to the ground contribution. In addition, the interferometric information associated to the volume scattering contribution is estimated based on the cancellation of the ground contribution. The proposed techniques are analyzed on the basis of simulated and experimental polarimetric interferometric synthetic aperture radar data, demonstrating that the ground topography, as well as the height associated to the volume contribution, are asymptotically nonbiased and dependent on the shape of the particles of the random volume. In case of spheres (η = 0) , the ground-to-volume ratio presents large values favoring the accurate estimation of the topographic phase. For the case of dipole like particles (η = 0.5), the ground-to-volume ration decreases producing a coherence |ρ| in the order of 0.1, making necessary a large speckle filtering to obtain a reliable estimation of the topographic phase.
Understanding non rapid eye movement sleep through neuroimaging

Abstract Non rapid eye movement (nonREM) sleep has long been considered as a state of brain quiescence, partly because brain oxygen metabolism, cerebral blood flow and glucose metabolism were shown to be decreased during nonREM sleep compared with wakefulness and REM sleep. However, emission techniques used for these measurements are characterized by relatively low temporal and spatial resolutions, whereby brain activity is averaged over minutes (the time required to obtain a single acquisition). Event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) acquires images with relatively high spatial and temporal resolution. Simultaneous electroencephalography (EEG) and fMRI can detect transient increases in activity associated with slow waves and slow and fast spindles during nonREM sleep. EEG/fMRI data show regionally specific increases in activity in relation to slow waves (brainstem, cerebellum, ventral prefrontal cortex, and posterior cingulate cortex/precuneus, parahippocampus areas) and slow (thalamus, anterior cingulate, insula) and fast spindles (additional responses in cingulate motor areas and sensorimotor contrices); some of which are involved in memory processing. These data demonstrate that nonREM sleep is not a state of brain quiescence, but a highly active state during which brain activity is consistently synchronized to slow waves and spindles in specific brain regions. These neural activity patterns have possible implications for memory processing.
Osteoarthritis genetics: current status and future prospects

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common musculoskeletal disease in developed countries, and although OA presents a considerable global health burden, the most widely prescribed treatments such as analgesics and total joint replacements are at best palliative. Epidemiological studies have shown that OA is a complex, multifactorial disorder with a number of risk factors, including environmental and genetic components. Progress has been made in understanding the pathophysiology of the disease, but the molecular mechanisms underlying disease initiation and progression remain elusive. Genetic investigations into complex diseases like OA have proven successful in not only confirming the role of candidate genes in the disease process but also in identifying novel disease pathways that offer new avenues for therapeutic intervention. In this review, we discuss three of the most compelling OA susceptibility genes to date: secreted frizzled-related protein 3 (FRZB), asporin (ASPN), and growth/differentiation factor 5.
The regulation of iron transport

Iron is an essential nutrient, but its concentration and distribution in the body must be tightly controlled due to its inherent toxicity and insolubility in aqueous solution. Living systems have successfully overcome these potential limitations by evolving a range of iron binding proteins and transport systems that effectively maintain iron in a nontoxic and soluble form for much, if not all, of its time within the body. In the circulation, iron is transported to target organs bound to the serum iron binding protein transferrin. Individual cells modulate their uptake of transferrin‐bound iron depending on their iron requirements, using both transferrin receptor 1‐dependent and independent pathways. Once inside the cell, iron can be chaperoned to sites of need or, if in excess, stored within ferritin. Iron is released from cells by the iron export protein ferroportin1, which requires the ferroxidase activity of ceruloplasmin or hephestin to load iron safely onto transferrin. The regulation of iron export is controlled predominantly at the systemic level by the master regulator of iron homeostasis hepcidin. Hepcidin, in turn, responds to changes in body iron demand, making use of a range of regulatory mechanisms that center on the bone morphogenetic protein signaling pathway. This review provides an overview of recent advances in the field of iron metabolism and outlines the key components of the iron transport and regulation systems. © 2013 BioFactors, 40(2):206–214, 2014
Interleukin-6 and rs1800796 locus single nucleotide polymorphisms in response to hypoxia/reoxygenation in hepatocytes

Ischemia-reperfusion injury due to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) is one of the main causes of liver damage during liver surgery. Donor interleukin-6 (IL-6) rs1800796 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) affect the metabolism of tacrolimus following liver transplantation-related hepatic H/R. This study investigated the response of IL-6 and its promoter polymorphisms to hepatic H/R in liver parenchymal cells. The association between IL-6 rs1800796 SNPs and IL-6 expression was measured in 84 disease-free liver tissues using tissue microarrays and immunohistochemistry. Subsequently, LO2G, LO2C and NC-LO2 cells were successfully constructed via stable lentivirus-mediated transfection. The effects of IL-6 and its SNPs on the biological function of LO2 cells were examined using a cell model of H/R. Our results revealed that IL-6 was mainly expressed in hepatocytes. The intermediate IL-6 expression rate in genotype CC carriers was higher than that in genotype CG/GG carriers (P=0.006), which was subsequently verified at the IL-6 mRNA level (P=0.002). The concentrations of alanine aminotransferase in the LO2G cells were significantly higher than those in the LO2C cells following H/R for 6 h and H/R for 24 h (P<0.05). The viability of the LO2C cells was higher than that of the LO2G cells (P<0.05). Furthermore, the expression of IL-6 and its downstream molecules was significantly increased in the LO2C cells compared with the LO2G cells (P<0.05). Therefore, the sequence variants of rs1800796 SNPs (G→C) exhibit an increased IL-6 transcription efficiency in liver parenchymal cells. In addition, the increased expression of IL-6 protects the hepatocytes following hepatic H/R injury.
Undesired emission from coupled-resonant wireless power transfer antenna for fundamental and harmonics frequency

Far-field radiation from coupled-resonant wireless power transfer antenna is discussed. When using a switching power supply to improve power transmission efficiency, antenna input voltage includes many harmonics. Since coupled-resonant wireless power transfer antenna is an electrically small antenna for fundamental frequency, this antenna has high radiation efficiency for harmonics frequency. In this report, far-field radiation for fundamental and harmonics frequency is discussed.
Applying Psychological Theories to Promote Long-Term Maintenance of Health Behaviors

Behavioral health theory provides a framework for researchers to design, implement, and evaluate the effects of health promotion programs. However, limited research has examined theories used in interventions to promote long-term maintenance of health behaviors. The purpose of this review was to evaluate the available literature and identify prominent behavioral health theories used in intervention research to promote maintenance of health behaviors. We reviewed theories used in intervention research assessing long-term maintenance (≥6 months postintervention) of physical activity, weight loss, and smoking cessation. Five prominent behavioral theories were referenced by the 34 studies included in the review: self-determination theory, theory of planned behavior, social cognitive theory, transtheoretical model, and social ecological model. Descriptions and examples of applications of these theories are provided. Implications for future research are discussed.
Mitochondrial translation factors of Trypanosoma brucei: elongation factor‐Tu has a unique subdomain that is essential for its function

Mitochondrial translation in the parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma brucei relies on imported eukaryotic‐type tRNAs as well as on bacterial‐type ribosomes that have the shortest known rRNAs. Here we have identified the mitochondrial translation elongation factors EF‐Tu, EF‐Ts, EF‐G1 and release factor RF1 of trypanosomatids and show that their ablation impairs growth and oxidative phosphorylation. In vivo labelling experiments and a SILAC‐based analysis of the global proteomic changes induced by EF‐Tu RNAi directly link EF‐Tu to mitochondrial translation. Moreover, EF‐Tu RNAi reveals downregulation of many nuclear encoded subunits of cytochrome oxidase as well as of components of the bc1‐complex, whereas most cytosolic ribosomal proteins were upregulated. Interestingly, T. brucei EF‐Tu has a 30‐amino‐acid‐long, highly charged subdomain, which is unique to trypanosomatids. A combination of RNAi and complementation experiments shows that this subdomain is essential for EF‐Tu function, but that it can be replaced by a similar sequence found in eukaryotic EF‐1a, the cytosolic counterpart of EF‐Tu. A recent cryo‐electron microscopy study revealed that trypanosomatid mitochondrial ribosomes have a unique intersubunit space that likely harbours the EF‐Tu binding site. These findings suggest that the trypanosomatid‐specific EF‐Tu subdomain serves as an adaption for binding to these unusual mitochondrial ribosomes.
Physical illness in patients with severe mental disorders. II. Barriers to care, monitoring and treatment guidelines, plus recommendations at the system and individual level

Physical disorders are, compared to the general population, more prevalent in people with severe mental illness (SMI). Although this excess morbidity and mortality is largely due to modifiable lifestyle risk factors, the screening and assessment of physical health aspects remains poor, even in developed countries. Moreover, specific patient, provider, treatment and system factors act as barriers to the recognition and to the management of physical diseases in people with SMI. Psychiatrists can play a pivotal role in the improvement of the physical health of these patients by expanding their task from clinical psychiatric care to the monitoring and treatment of crucial physical parameters. At a system level, actions are not easy to realize, especially for developing countries. However, at an individual level, even simple and very basic monitoring and treatment actions, undertaken by the treating clinician, can already improve the problem of suboptimal medical care in this population. Adhering to monitoring and treatment guidelines will result in a substantial enhancement of physical health outcomes. Furthermore, psychiatrists can help educate and motivate people with SMI to address their suboptimal lifestyle, including smoking, unhealthy diet and lack of exercise. The adoption of the recommendations presented in this paper across health care systems throughout the world will contribute to a significant improvement in the medical and related psychiatric health outcomes of patients with SMI.
Endocardium is necessary for cardiomyocyte movement during heart tube assembly

Embryonic heart formation requires the union of bilateral populations of cardiomyocytes and their reorganization into a simple tube. Little is known about the morphogenetic mechanisms that coordinate assembly of the heart tube and determine its dimensions. Using time-lapse confocal microscopy to track individual cardiomyocyte movements in the zebrafish embryo, we identify two morphologically and genetically separable phases of cell movement that coordinate heart tube assembly. First, all cardiomyocytes undergo coherent medial movement. Next, peripherally located cardiomyocytes change their direction of movement, angling toward the endocardial precursors and thereby establishing the initial circumference of the nascent heart tube. These two phases of cardiomyocyte behavior are independently regulated. Furthermore, we find that myocardial-endocardial interactions influence the second phase by regulating the induction, direction and duration of cardiomyocyte movement. Thus, the endocardium plays a crucial early role in cardiac morphogenesis, organizing cardiomyocytes into a configuration appropriate for heart tube assembly. Together, our data reveal a dynamic cellular mechanism by which tissue interactions establish organ architecture.
RNA Interference in Caenorhabditis elegans

RNAi has become an essential tool in C. elegans research. This unit describes procedures for RNAi in C. elegans by microinjecting with dsRNA, feeding with bacteria expressing dsRNA, and soaking in dsRNA solution, as well as high‐throughput methods for RNAi‐based screens. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Individual MHCI-Restricted T-Cell Receptors are Characterized by a Unique Peptide Recognition Signature

Effective immunity requires that a limited TCR repertoire is able to recognize a vast number of foreign peptide-MHCI (peptide-major histocompatibility complex class I) molecules. This challenge is overcome by the ability of individual TCRs to recognize large numbers of peptides. Recently, it was demonstrated that MHCI-restricted TCRs can recognize up to 106 peptides of a defined length. Astonishingly, this remarkable level of promiscuity does not extend to peptides of different lengths, a fundamental observation that has broad implications for CD8+ T-cell immunity. In particular, the findings suggest that effective immunity can only be achieved by mobilization of “length-matched” CD8+ T-cell clonotypes. Overall, recent findings suggest that every TCR is specific for a unique set of peptides, which can be described as a unique “peptide recognition signature” (PRS) and consists of three components: (1) peptide length preference, (2) number of peptides recognized; and, (3) sequence identity (e.g., self versus pathogen derived). In future, the ability to de-convolute peptide recognition signatures across the normal and pathogenic repertoire will be essential for understanding the system requirements for effective CD8+ T-cell immunity and elucidating mechanisms which underlie CD8+ T-cell mediated disease.