Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Single-Stream Pipelined Instruction Decompression System for Embedded Microprocessors

For instruction decompression, techniques such as single buffering, double buffering and pipelining have been proposed. However, due to jumping penalty, these techniques incur more delays in pipeline or system has to be stopped to refill the cache buffers. A Pipeline with Back-up for Flushing (PBF) technique has been developed that incurs no delay and without stopping due to jumping. However, the first instruction of each basic block should not be compressed and be put in another ROM, and thus the compression ratio should be sacrificed. This paper improves the PBF technique such that a single program ROM needed only. The simulation results for several benchmarks show that the average compression ratio is decreased about 11%, and the hardware cost deceased about 8%.
Nuclear Envelope-Associated Chromosome Dynamics during Meiotic Prophase I

Chromosome dynamics during meiotic prophase I are associated with a series of major events such as chromosomal reorganization and condensation, pairing/synapsis and recombination of the homologs, and chromosome movements at the nuclear envelope (NE). The NE is the barrier separating the nucleus from the cytoplasm and thus plays a central role in NE-associated chromosomal movements during meiosis. Previous studies have shown in various species that NE-linked chromosome dynamics are actually driven by the cytoskeleton. The linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) complexes are important constituents of the NE that facilitate in the transfer of cytoskeletal forces across the NE to individual chromosomes. The LINCs consist of the inner and outer NE proteins Sad1/UNC-84 (SUN), and Klarsicht/Anc-1/Syne (KASH) domain proteins. Meiosis-specific adaptations of the LINC components and unique modifications of the NE are required during chromosomal movements. Nonetheless, the actual role of the NE in chromosomic dynamic movements in plants remains elusive. This review summarizes the findings of recent studies on meiosis-specific constituents and modifications of the NE and corresponding nucleoplasmic/cytoplasmic adaptors being involved in NE-associated movement of meiotic chromosomes, as well as describes the potential molecular network of transferring cytoplasm-derived forces into meiotic chromosomes in model organisms. It helps to gain a better understanding of the NE-associated meiotic chromosomal movements in plants.
Terminal complement blockade with pexelizumab during coronary artery bypass graft surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass: a randomized trial.

CONTEXT Inflammation and ischemia-reperfusion injury during coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass are associated with postoperative myocardial infarction (MI) and mortality. OBJECTIVE To determine the efficacy and safety of pexelizumab, a C5 complement inhibitor, in reducing perioperative MI and mortality in CABG surgery. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, including 3099 patients (> or = 18 years) undergoing CABG surgery with or without valve surgery at 205 hospitals in North America and Western Europe from January 2002 to February 2003. INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomly assigned to receive intravenous pexelizumab (2.0 mg/kg bolus plus 0.05 mg/kg per hour for 24 hours; n = 1553) or placebo (n = 1546) 10 minutes before undergoing the procedure. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary composite end point was the incidence of death or MI within 30 days of randomization in those undergoing CABG surgery only (n = 2746). Secondary analyses included the intent-to-treat analyses of death or MI composite at days 4 and 30 in all 3099 study patients. RESULTS After 30 days, 134 (9.8%) of 1373 of patients receiving pexelizumab vs 161 (11.8%) of 1359 of patients receiving placebo (relative risk, 0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.66-1.02; P =.07) died or experienced MI in the CABG surgery only population. In the intent-to-treat analyses, 178 (11.5%) of 1547 patients receiving pexelizumab vs 215 (14.0%) of 1535 receiving placebo died or experienced MI (relative risk, 0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.68-0.99; P =.03). The trial was not powered to detect a reduction in mortality alone. CONCLUSIONS Compared with placebo, pexelizumab was not associated with a significant reduction in the risk of the composite end point of death or MI in 2746 patients who had undergone CABG surgery only but was associated with a statistically significant risk reduction 30 days after the procedure among all 3099 patients undergoing CABG with or without valve surgery.
Patterns of Tobacco Use Across Rural, Urban, and Urban-Slum Populations in a North Indian Community

Background: Tobacco is the leading cause of mortality globally and in India. The magnitude and the pattern of tobacco consumption are likely to be influenced by the geographical setting and with rapid urbanization in India there is a need to study this differential pattern. Aim: The aim was to study the rural, urban, and urban-slum differences in patterns of tobacco use. Settings: The study was conducted in Ballabgarh block, Faridabad district, Haryana, and was a community-based cross-sectional study. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in years 2003-2004 using the WHO STEPS approach with 7891 participants, approximately equal number of males and females, selected using multistage sampling from urban, urban-slum, and rural strata. Statistical Analysis: The analysis was done using the SPSS 12.0 statistical package (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Direct standardization to the WHO world standard population was done to and chi-square and ANOVA tests were used for comparison across three study settings. Results: Self-reported tobacco use among males was as follows: urban 35.2%; urban-slums 48.3%; and rural 52.6% (P value <0.05). Self-reported tobacco use among females was as follows: Urban 3.5%; urban-slums 11.9%; and rural 17.7% (P value <0.05). More males reported daily bidi (tobacco wrapped in temburini leaf) smoking (urban 17.8%, urban-slums 36.7%, rural 44.6%) than cigarette use (urban 9.6%, urban-slums 6.3%, rural 2.9%). Females using smoked tobacco were almost exclusively using bidis (urban 1.7%, 7.9%, 11% in rural). Daily chewed tobacco use had urban, urban-slum, and rural gradients of 12%, 10.5%, and 6.8% in males respectively. Its use was low in females. Conclusion: The antitobacco policies of India need to focus on bidis in antitobacco campaigns. The program activities must find ways to reach the rural and urban-slum populations.
User performance gains by data offloading of LTE mobile traffic onto unlicensed IEEE 802.11 links

Today, one of the most engaging challenges for mobile operators is the question how to manage the data traffic in mobile networks which is increasing exponentially; mainly due to the growing popularity of applications for mobile devices. Mobile data offloading represents the idea of cost-efficient technology to release the overloaded parts of RAN in cellular networks. This emerging solution introduces the concept of offloading the mobile data from primary cellular communication technology to the IEEE 802.11 infrastructure with aim to gain extra capacity (higher throughput) and improve the overall network performance and user experience. The strategy what, when and for how long to offload data from one communication system to another is non-trivial and therefore already active research in this domain should continue to find the answers for open questions. This paper addresses two the most discussed solutions for offloading between the LTE cellular network and WiFi when the performance needs/requirements exceed the threshold for providing the services via LTE network under an agreed-upon QoS (Quality of Services). In detail, the implementation of SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio) threshold based handover and network throughput based handover solutions following the 3GPP standard for Access Network Discovery and Selection Function framework for WiFi offloading in simulation environment NS-3 is proposed. Our simulation results confirm that the concept when the SNR and throughput thresholds can be used to control the mobile data offloading process.
No hope without compassion: the importance of compassion in recovery-focused mental health services

Background Whilst current policy is replete with recovery language and references to the need for services to create a sense of hope and optimism, there is less understanding about how such hope may be engendered within services. We propose that an understanding of compassion is necessary to appreciate what actually stimulates hope-inspiring practices. Aims An examination of the continuing relevance of compassion to mental health care and an exploration of its place within modern mental health policy and practice. Methods A review of the compassion deficit in mental health care and a critical examination of whether the direction of current mental health policy in the UK is likely to facilitate compassionate care. Results Compassion needs to be viewed not merely as an individual expression or property but something which must be nurtured in context, through relationships, cultures and healing environments. However, current mental health policy and practice does not appear to prioritise the development of such contexts. Conclusion Attention to fostering compassion would help to shift the language of “recovery” (or “well-being”) beyond the twin dangers of rhetoric and/or imposing preconceived definitions, models or expectations of what recovery “should” be. Therefore, the development of compassionate contexts should have a stronger place in modern mental health practice and policy.
The views of physicians and politicians concerning age-related prioritisation in healthcare.

PURPOSE The aim of this study is to describe the view of age-related prioritisation in health care among physicians and healthcare politicians and to compare their views regarding gender and age. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH Swedish physicians (n=390) and politicians (n=310), mean age 52 years, answered an electronic questionnaire concerning age-related priority setting in healthcare. The questionnaire had fixed response alternatives with possibility of adding comments. FINDINGS A majority of the participants thought that age should not influence prioritisation, although more physicians than politicians thought that younger patients should be prioritised. There were also significant differences concerning their views on lifestyle-related diseases and on who should make decisions concerning both vertical and horizontal prioritisation. The comments indicated that the politicians referred to ethical principles as a basis for their standpoints while the physicians often referred to the importance of biological rather than chronological age. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS Web-based surveys as a method has its limitations as biased samples and biased returns could cause major problems, such as limited control over the drop-outs. The sample in this study was, however, judged to be representative. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS The results indicate that supplementary guiding principles concerning prioritisation in healthcare are needed in order to facilitate decision-making concerning resource allocation on a local level. ORIGINALITY/VALUE This paper adds important knowledge about decision makers' views on age-related priorities in healthcare, thus contributing to scientific base for prioritisation in healthcare and the ongoing debate in society.
Mechanisms of Antimicrobial Peptide Action and Resistance

Antimicrobial peptides have been isolated and characterized from tissues and organisms representing virtually every kingdom and phylum, ranging from prokaryotes to humans. Yet, recurrent structural and functional themes in mechanisms of action and resistance are observed among peptides of widely diverse source and composition. Biochemical distinctions among the peptides themselves, target versus host cells, and the microenvironments in which these counterparts convene, likely provide for varying degrees of selective toxicity among diverse antimicrobial peptide types. Moreover, many antimicrobial peptides employ sophisticated and dynamic mechanisms of action to effect rapid and potent activities consistent with their likely roles in antimicrobial host defense. In balance, successful microbial pathogens have evolved multifaceted and effective countermeasures to avoid exposure to and subvert mechanisms of antimicrobial peptides. A clearer recognition of these opposing themes will significantly advance our understanding of how antimicrobial peptides function in defense against infection. Furthermore, this understanding may provide new models and strategies for developing novel antimicrobial agents, that may also augment immunity, restore potency or amplify the mechanisms of conventional antibiotics, and minimize antimicrobial resistance mechanisms among pathogens. From these perspectives, the intention of this review is to illustrate the contemporary structural and functional themes among mechanisms of antimicrobial peptide action and resistance.
Multi-Agent Negotiation System Using Adaptive Fuzzy Logic in Resource Allocation

This paper addresses the multi-agent system (MAS) with negotiation capability using an artificial intelligent (AI) approach - adaptive fuzzy logic (AFL) - in learning the behavior of other agents when allocating resources. The learning continues during each reasoning process on the subsequent reaction of negotiants. We present the results of multi-agent negotiation with multi-issue (e.g. price, time, resource conditions) in three perspectives (accuracy, adaptability and reliability) with different AI and heuristic approaches. From our analysis, we found that the AFL gives an overall stable performance and outperform other methods in analyzing opponent tactics and strategies
Trimethyltin chloride induced chloride secretion across rat distal colon

TMT (trimethyltin chloride), an organotin, is ubiquitous in the environment. The consumption of contaminated food may cause exposure of the human diet to this toxic compound. The present study was to investigate the effects of TMT on the regulation of ion transport across the rat distal colon. The rat colonic mucosa was mounted in Ussing chambers. The effects of TMT were assessed using the Isc (short‐circuit current). Both apical and basolateral TMT induced, dose‐dependently, an increase in Isc, which was due to a stimulation of Cl− secretion as measured using ion substitution experiments and pharmacological manoeuvres. The secretion was also inhibited by several K+ channel blockers administrated at the basolateral side. When the apical side was permeabilized by nystatin, the TMT‐induced K+ conductance was effectively blocked by tetrapentylammonium, a Ca2+‐sensitive K+ channel blocker. The response of TMT was sensitive to the basolateral Ca2+ and the intracellular Ca2+ store, which could be disclosed by applying the inhibitors of ryanodine receptors and inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptors. In conclusion, TMT led to Cl− secretion, which was essentially regulated by basolateral Ca2+‐sensitive K+ channels. These results suggest the importance of K+ channels in the toxicity hazard of TMT.
Transcriptional Analysis of Prebiotic Uptake and Catabolism by Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM

The human gastrointestinal tract can be positively modulated by dietary supplementation of probiotic bacteria in combination with prebiotic carbohydrates. Here differential transcriptomics and functional genomics were used to identify genes in Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM involved in the uptake and catabolism of 11 potential prebiotic compounds consisting of α- and β- linked galactosides and glucosides. These oligosaccharides induced genes encoding phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent sugar phosphotransferase systems (PTS), galactoside pentose hexuronide (GPH) permease, and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. PTS systems were upregulated primarily by di- and tri-saccharides such as cellobiose, isomaltose, isomaltulose, panose and gentiobiose, while ABC transporters were upregulated by raffinose, Polydextrose, and stachyose. A single GPH transporter was induced by lactitol and galactooligosaccharides (GOS). The various transporters were associated with a number of glycoside hydrolases from families 1, 2, 4, 13, 32, 36, 42, and 65, involved in the catabolism of various α- and β-linked glucosides and galactosides. Further subfamily specialization was also observed for different PTS-associated GH1 6-phospho-β-glucosidases implicated in the catabolism of gentiobiose and cellobiose. These findings highlight the broad oligosaccharide metabolic repertoire of L. acidophilus NCFM and establish a platform for selection and screening of both probiotic bacteria and prebiotic compounds that may positively influence the gastrointestinal microbiota.
Exploiting Dynamic Scheduling for VM-Based Code Obfuscation

Code virtualization built upon virtual machine (VM) technologies is emerging as a viable method for implementing code obfuscation to protect programs against unauthorized analysis. State-of-the-art VM-based protection approaches use a fixed scheduling structure where the program follows a single, static execution path for the same input. Such approaches, however, are vulnerable to certain scenarios where the attacker can reuse knowledge extracted from previously seen software to crack applications using similar protection schemes. This paper presents DSVMP, a novel VM-based code obfuscation approach for software protection. DSVMP brings together two techniques to provide stronger code protection than prior VM-based schemes. Firstly, it uses a dynamic instruction scheduler to randomly direct the program to execute different paths without violating the correctness across different runs. By randomly choosing the program execution paths, the application exposes diverse behavior, making it much more difficult for an attacker to reuse the knowledge collected from previous runs or similar applications to perform attacks. Secondly, it employs multiple VMs to further obfuscate the relationship between VM bytecode and their interpreters, making code analysis even harder. We have implemented DSVMP in a prototype system and evaluated it using a set of widely used applications. Experimental results show that DSVMP provides stronger protection with comparable runtime overhead and code size when compared to two commercial VM-based code obfuscation tools.
Seasonal Pattern of the Acute Mortality Effects of Air Pollution

Abstract Evidence of seasonal variation of acute mortality effects of air pollution is inconsistent. The seasonal patterns of associations between daily mortality and daily mean concentrations of particulate matter 10 µm or less in aerodynamic diameter (PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were examined using 4 yr of data (2001–2004) in Wuhan, China. Four distinct seasons occur in Wuhan, where approximately 4.5 million residents live in the city core area of 201 km2. Air pollution levels are higher and pollution ranges are wider in Wuhan than in most cities. Quasi-likelihood estimation within the context of the generalized additive models (natural spline [NS] models in R) was used to model the natural logarithm of the expected daily death counts as a function of the predictor variables. The estimates of the interaction between seasons and pollution were obtained from the main effects and pollutant season interaction models. It was found that the interactions between three pollutants and cause-specific mortality were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The strongest effects occurred consistently in winter for all-natural, cardiovascular, stroke, and respiratory mortality. Every 10-µg/m3 increase in PM10 daily concentration at lag 0–1 days was associated with an increase in all-natural mortality of 0.69% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.44–0.94%) for winter, 0.34% (95% CI: 0.00–0.69%) for spring, 0.45% (95% CI: –0.13 to 1.04%) for summer, and –0.21% (95% CI: –0.54 to 0.12%) for fall. The results show a clear seasonal pattern of acute mortality effects of ambient air pollution and the strongest effects occurred during winter in the study city.
Direct suppressive effects of weak magnetic fields (50 Hz and 162/3 Hz) on melatonin synthesis in the pineal gland of Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus)

In many investigations performed thus far on rodents, a suppression of melatonin synthesis was observed when animals were exposed to weak magnetic fields. However, among the several issues not yet resolved is the question of whether the observed changes are caused by direct effects on the pineal gland or by indirect effects, e.g., at the level of the eyes. We, therefore, performed a series of experiments in which direct effects of weak magnetic fields were studied in isolated pineal glands of Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus). After sacrifice of animals during morning hours, pineal glands were removed and placed individually into glass chambers that were perfused with oxygenated buffer. Experiments (n=8) lasted for 8 hr. Magnetic fields (162/3 or 50 Hz at 86 μTesla) were generated by Helmholtz coils, and were present during the entire period. In each experiment, 12 exposed, and 12 sham‐exposed, pineal glands were placed individually in glass chambers, which were surrounded by identical coils. Because of the design of the coils (bifilament), and the experimental setup (black box), the experimentator was not aware which coil was activated until the results were obtained. After 3.25 hr of adaptation, melatonin production was stimulated by isoproterenol (10−7 M) for 30 min. Eluted fractions were collected, and melatonin concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. Maximum melatonin production was achieved after 5–7 hr. In all experiments, maximum melatonin concentrations were lower in the exposed groups compared with the sham‐exposed controls. Statistical analyses for each frequency showed significant suppressive effects at 162/3 Hz (P<0.01), and 50 Hz (P<0.001). It is concluded that the suppressive effects of magnetic fields on the synthesis of melatonin are a result of primary mechanisms at the level of the pineal gland.
Channel coding adoption versus increasing sensing time in secondary service to manage the effect of imperfect spectrum sensing in cognitive radio networks

In this paper we consider an overlay cognitive network in which to guarantee a Quality of Service (QoS) for the primary users, a maximum probability of collision is enforced to secondary service. When collision, caused by imperfect spectrum sensing, happens, it results in increasing error rate in both primary and secondary systems. While such degradation in primary service conforms with QoS requirements of that service, this may not be acceptable from secondary user perspective. Such degradation can be dealt with in secondary service either by employing channel coding techniques at the expense of effective rate reduction or increasing the sensing time to reduce the collision probability. This results in the reduction of the data transmission time which also results in the reduction of effective data rate for secondary users. In this paper, we compare these two cases and show that using rate-compatible Low-Density Parity-Check codes, the effective data rate for the coded case can be significantly more than that of the case without channel coding while exhibiting a considerably better performance.