Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the Usage Models of System Memory Management Unit in Accelerator-attached Translation Units

Including hardware accelerators to improve the performance while reducing energy consumption is becoming ubiquitous in computing systems ranging from large System-on-Chips (SoCs) for data centers to small embedded IoT devices. In accelerator-enabled environments, accelerator units are able to deliver a substantial increase in performance through increased programming effort and co-scheduling applications across the heterogeneous system. These accelerators need to have frequent access to the application data through the memory subsystem and therefore the need for efficient memory management is crucial. The memory subsystem needs to maintain the model of memory consistency between context switching, where resources such as accelerators are reallocated between applications and their defined memory space. The consistency between the processor memory management and any System Memory Management Unit (SMMU) is either through the pinning of physical memory to specific virtual pages statically, or tracking page allocations dynamically and ensuring consistency at point of use of the memory between applications. Although the implication of these two methods has obvious consequences, the full implications on maintaining consistency of such translations have not been studied. In this paper, we carry out use case measurements and analysis of three of the main usage models focused specifically on SoC level translation. We analyze the generic structure on SoCs given the example of the Zynq Ultrascale+ FPGA board that incorporates the state-of-the-art and widely used Arm System Memory Management Unit. We share our analysis and present the advantages and disadvantages to provide guidance in optimizing the integration of accelerators in a system. We also propose a usage model to utilize the embedded SMMU in order to enable accelerator devices to directly access application memory, through exposing a reusable API specific to the Zynq Ultrascale+ hardware.
HF-NQO-100 model oxygen concentration cell

To manufacture qualified oxygen concentration cell, it is very important to produce reliable and consistent MgO- partially stabilized zirconia (MgO-PSZ) fine powder. This paper described an advanced coprecipitation method for preparation MgO-PSZ fine powder. Practices show that the characteristics of final products, such as chemical purity, particle size and shape were satisfactory. The performance of Cr/Cr2O3 reference electrode was discussed. The measures to overcome shrinkage of Cr/Cr2O3 reference electrode had been taken herein. In addition, the application of HF-NQO-100 oxygen concentration cell in BOF- steelmaking process was very successful.
RNA-seq Reveals the Increased Risk of Heart and Cardiovascular Disease by SARS-CoV-2 Infection

As of late 2020, much is still unknown about the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus, including what health risks could be present for current patients. We know that while being infected with the disease, patients are struck with many respiratory issues. However, little is known about the long-term effects COVID-19 survivors could be affected by. Using differential expression analysis, we identified several differentially expressed genes in COVID-19 positive patients that indicate an increase in the risk for heart disease in these patients - APOL3, KLF15, and CD163. These genes indicate an increase of risk for cardiovascular disease through increased apolipoprotein levels, decreased negative regulators for risk factors, and increased inflammation and infection.
The Diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease Based on Gait, Speech Analysis and Machine Learning Techniques

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a long-term degenerative disorder of the central nervous system. The common symptoms are tremor, rigidity, slowness of movement, and difficulty with walking at early stages. Currently, PD can't be cured. And there are not really effective methods to diagnose it. However, machine learning is a new way for the diagnosis of PD. It can build a model from PD patients' dataset, which can help classify PD and healthy people. In this review, the applications of machine learning for PD diagnosis by algorithms and data are analyzed. Several machine learning classifiers are briefly introduced, including artificial neural network (ANN), support vector machine (SVM), Naive Bayes (NB), K-Nearest Neighbor (k-NN). Next, the basis of gait analysis is introduced, including gait circle and gait data, and then, each step of the machine learning processing is focused on. Two ways are concentrated to analyze speech signals - support vector machine (SVM) and artificial neural network (ANN). This review presents that machine learning has good performances for the diagnosis of PD. However, it can only be a diagnosis tool to help doctors because of its limited generalization. In the future, people should explore more effective algorithms with better generalization.
Introduction to the Issue

This issue of the Journal of Wine Economics opens with “The Hedonic Approach to Vineyard Site Selection: Adaptation to Climate Change and Grape Growing in Emerging Markets” by Orley Ashenfelter (Ashenfelter, 2017). In this paper, Ashenfelter applies the hedonic approach to vineyard site selection. Generally, if the relation between weather and grape quality is known for each grape type in existing growing areas, it is possible to predict the quality of grapes in other locations, or in the same location with a changed climate. This permits the optimization of grape type selection for a given vineyard. The relation of grape quality to the weather is provided for several well-known viticultural areas, including Burgundy, Bordeaux, Rioja, and the Piedmont. An application of the method to vineyard areas in the Czech Republic and in Greece is used to demonstrate the method.
Additive Effects of Environmental Enrichment and Ketamine on Neuropathic Pain Relief by Reducing Glutamatergic Activation in Spinal Cord Injury in Rats

Spinal cord injury (SCI) impairs mobility and often results in complications like intractable neuropathic pain. A multi-approach management of this chronic pain condition has been encouraged, but little has been explored of the field. Here, we focus on the effect and underlying mechanism of environmental enrichment (EE), which promotes voluntary social and physical activities, combined with a clinical analgesic, ketamine, on SCI-induced neuropathic pain as well as motor dysfunction. We performed T13 spinal hemisection in rats, which induced unilateral motor impairment and neuropathic pain-like behaviors in the hindlimb. Treatment regimen started a week after SCI, which consists of ketamine administration (30 mg kg–1 day–1; intramuscular) for 10 days, or EE housing for 20 days, or their combination. Paw withdrawal response to mechanical and thermal stimuli, motor function, burrowing behaviors, and body weight was monitored. Spinal segments at T13 lesion and L4–L6 were collected for histopathological and protein analyses. The joint treatment of EE and ketamine provided greater relief of pain-like behaviors and locomotor recovery than did either paradigm alone. These improvements were associated with reduced cavitation area, astrogliosis, and perilesional phosphorylation of glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR). Concurrently, lumbar spinal analysis of NMDAR-linked excitatory markers in hypersensitization showed reduced activation of NMDAR, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family, nuclear factor (NF)-κB, interleukin (IL)-1β signaling, and restored excitatory amino acid transporter 2 level. Our data support a better therapeutic efficacy of the combination, EE, and ketamine, in the attenuation of neuropathic pain and motor recovery by reducing spinal glutamatergic activation, signifying a potential multifaceted neurorehabilitation strategy to improve SCI patient outcome.
Virus-Induced Changes of the Respiratory Tract Environment Promote Secondary Infections With Streptococcus pneumoniae

Secondary bacterial infections enhance the disease burden of influenza infections substantially. Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) plays a major role in the synergism between bacterial and viral pathogens, which is based on complex interactions between the pathogen and the host immune response. Here, we discuss mechanisms that drive the pathogenesis of a secondary pneumococcal infection after an influenza infection with a focus on how pneumococci senses and adapts to the influenza-modified environment. We briefly summarize what is known regarding secondary bacterial infection in relation to COVID-19 and highlight the need to improve our current strategies to prevent and treat viral bacterial coinfections.
Single Molecule Study of the Polymerization of RecA on dsDNA: The Dynamics of Individual Domains

In the Escherichia coli, RecA plays a central role in the recombination and repair of the DNA. For homologous recombination, RecA binds to ssDNA forming a nucleoprotein filament. The RecA-ssDNA filament searches for a homologous sequence on a dsDNA and, subsequently, RecA mediates strand exchange between the ssDNA and the dsDNA. In vitro, RecA binds to both ssDNA and dsDNA. Despite a wide range of studies of the polymerization of RecA on dsDNA, both at the single molecule level and by means of biochemical methods, important aspects of this process are still awaiting a better understanding. Specifically, a detailed, quantitative description of the nucleation and growth dynamics of the RecA-dsDNA filaments is still lacking. Here, we use Optical Tweezers together with a single molecule analysis approach to measure the dynamics of the individual RecA domains on dsDNA and the corresponding growth rates for each of their fronts. We focus on the regime where the nucleation and growth rate constants, k n and k g , are comparable, leading to a coverage of the dsDNA molecule that consists of a small number of RecA domains. For the case of essentially irreversible binding (using ATPγS instead of ATP), we find that domain growth is highly asymmetric with a ratio of about 10:1 between the fast and slow fronts growth rates.
Structural Characterization of Fatty Acid Films on Rain Water: a Scaling Approach Using Physical Attributes

A complete compositional or structural description of naturally-occurring surfactants on rain water is not currently feasible. A main limitation of previous work has been the lack of means for correlating force-area char - acteristics with the chemical makeup of the films. Instead of analyzing the chemical composition of rain water film-forming organics, it is postulated here to introduce the novel scaling procedures (2D virial equation of state and 2 d polymer film scaling theory) applied to the surface pressure-area (π-A) isotherms and surface pressure- temperature (π- ) isochors and resulting from generalized physical formalisms modified to a multicomponent surfactant film. A set of the introduced structural film state parameters (π, Г, A lim , E isoth , y, R, M w , β s ) could become sensitive indicators for surface-active source-specific organic matter pathway tracing, where the measurement of surfactant concentration and chemical analyses are avoided. The concept is quantified using the Langmuir trough film and disdrometer data on a set of rain water events observed in Gdansk, Poland in May 2002.
Assessment of 10-Year Left-Ventricular-Remodeling by CMR in Patients Following Aortic Valve Replacement

Aims: Aortic valve replacement (AVR) may result in reverse cardiac remodeling. We aimed to assess long-term changes in the myocardium following AVR by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CMR). Methods: We prospectively observed the long-term left ventricular (LV) function and structure of 27 patients with AVR [n = 19 with aortic stenosis (AS); n = 8 with aortic regurgitation (AR)] by CMR. Patients underwent CMR before, as well as 1, 5, and 10 years after AVR. We evaluated clinical parameters, LV volumes, mass, geometry, ejection fraction (EF), global myocardial longitudinal strain (MyoGLS), global myocardial circular strain (MyoGCS), hemodynamic forces (HemForces), and Late Gadolinium Enhancement (LGE). Results: The median of LVMI, EDVI, and ESVI decreased in both groups. Patients with AR had higher initial values of EDVI and ESVI and showed a more prominent initial reduction. In AS, MyoGLS improved already after 1 year and remained constant afterward, whereas, in AR no improvement of MyoGLS was found. MyoGCS remained unchanged in the AS group but deteriorated in the AR group over 10 years. Ejection fraction (EF) was higher in AS patients compared to AR 10 years post-AVR. Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) could be found more frequently in AS patients. Conclusion: CMR was well suited to investigate myocardial changes over a 10-year follow up period in patients with aortic valve disease. Regarding the long-term functional changes following AVR, patients with AR seemed to benefit less from AVR compared to AS patients. Fibrosis was more common in AS, but this did not reflect functional evolution in these patients. Close monitoring seems indispensable to avoid irreversible structural damage of the heart and to perform AVR at an appropriate stage.
Seizures, Edema, Thrombosis, and Hemorrhages: An Update Review on the Medical Management of Gliomas

Patients affected with gliomas develop a complex set of clinical manifestations that deeply impact on quality of life and overall survival. Brain tumor-related epilepsy is frequently the first manifestation of gliomas or may occur during the course of disease; the underlying mechanisms have not been fully explained and depend on both patient and tumor factors. Novel treatment options derive from the growing use of third-generation antiepileptic drugs. Vasogenic edema and elevated intracranial pressure cause a considerable burden of symptoms, especially in high-grade glioma, requiring an adequate use of corticosteroids. Patients with gliomas present with an elevated risk of tumor-associated venous thromboembolism whose prophylaxis and treatment are challenging, considering also the availability of new oral anticoagulant drugs. Moreover, intracerebral hemorrhages can complicate the course of the illness both due to tumor-specific characteristics, patient comorbidities, and side effects of antithrombotic and antitumoral therapies. This paper aims to review recent advances in these clinical issues, discussing the medical management of gliomas through an updated literature review.
Dangerous Duplicity: The Dual Functions of Casein Kinase 1 in Parasite Biology and Host Subversion

Casein Kinase 1 (CK1) family members are serine/threonine protein kinases that are involved in many biological processes and highly conserved in eukaryotes from protozoan to humans. Even though pathogens exploit host CK1 signaling pathways to survive, the role of CK1 in infectious diseases and host/pathogen interaction is less well characterized compared to other diseases, such as cancer or neurodegenerative diseases. Here we present the current knowledge on CK1 in protozoan parasites highlighting their essential role for parasite survival and their importance for host-pathogen interactions. We also discuss how the dual requirement of CK1 family members for parasite biological processes and host subversion could be exploited to identify novel antimicrobial interventions.
Disentangling Environmental Effects on the Tree Species Abundance Distribution and Richness in a Subtropical Forest

As a transitional vegetation type between evergreen broadleaved forest and deciduous broadleaved forest, evergreen-deciduous broadleaved mixed forest is composed of diverse plant species. This distinctive forest is generally distributed in mountainous areas with complex landforms and heterogeneous microenvironments. However, little is known about the roles of environmental conditions in driving the species diversity patterns of this forest. Here, based on a 15-ha plot in central China, we aimed to understand how and to what extent topographical characteristics and soil nutrients regulate the number and relative abundance of tree species in this forest. We measured environmental factors (terrain convexity, slope, soil total nitrogen, and phosphorus concentrations) and species diversity (species abundance distribution and species richness) in 20 m × 20 m subplots. Species abundance distribution was characterized by skewness, Berger–Parker index, and the proportion of singletons. The generalized additive model was used to examine the variations in diversity patterns caused by environmental factors. The structural equation model was used to assess whether and how topographical characteristics regulate species diversity via soil nutrients. We found that soil nutrients had significant negative effects on species richness and positive effects on all metrics of species abundance distribution. Convexity had significant positive effects on species richness and negative effects on all metrics of species abundance distribution, but these effects were mostly mediated by soil nutrients. Slope had significant negative effects on skewness and the Berger–Parker index, and these effects were almost independent of soil nutrients. Soil nutrients and topographical characteristics together accounted for 9.5–17.1% of variations in diversity patterns and, respectively, accounted for 8.9–13.9% and 3.3–10.7% of the variations. We concluded that soil nutrients were more important than topographical factors in regulating species diversity. Increased soil nutrient concentration led to decreased taxonomic diversity and increased species dominance and rarity. Convexity could be a better proxy for soil nutrients than slope. Moreover, these abiotic factors played limited roles in regulating diversity patterns, and it is possible that the observed patterns are also driven by some biotic and abiotic factors not considered here.
Foraging Small White Butterflies, Pieris rapae, Search Flowers Using Color Vision

We demonstrate that the small white butterfly, Pieris rapae, uses color vision when searching flowers for foraging. We first trained newly emerged butterflies in a series of indoor behavioral experiments to take sucrose solution on paper disks, colored either blue, green, yellow, or red. After confirming that the butterflies were trained to visit a certain colored disk, we presented all disks simultaneously. The butterflies selected the disk of trained color, even among an array of disks with different shades of gray. We performed the training using monochromatic lights and measured the action spectrum of the feeding behavior to determine the targets’ Pieris-subjective brightness. We used the subjective brightness information to evaluate the behavioral results and concluded that Pieris rapae butterflies discriminate visual stimuli based on the chromatic content independent of the intensity: they have true color vision. We also found that Pieris butterflies innately prefer blue and yellow disks, which appears to match with their flower preference in the field, at least in part.
Highly efficient UV-absorbing thin-film coatings for protection of organic materials against photodegradation

UV-protective coatings have been prepared by the sol–gel method, to reduce the destructive effects of UV radiation on easily photodegradable devices, i.e. those containing organic compounds, such as dyes and pigments or plastic materials to be used in outdoor applications. A benzophenone derivative (2,2-dihydroxy, 4-methoxybenzophenone), showing high photostability and strong absorption in the UV range, was embedded in an ormosil matrix. The usage of an organically modified silica matrix enhances the solubility of the UV absorber in the matrix allowing the preparation of highly loaded coatings. The protective coatings, prepared at room temperature, require no thermal treatment after deposition, allowing therefore their application on temperature sensitive materials. The resulting films have a strong absorption in the UV range with a thickness of only 1.0 µm. In addition, the UV-absorbing coatings are transparent, colourless, and exhibit high optical quality. The UV-protective coatings offer an easy method to prevent the photodegradation of organic materials without altering their optical properties in the visible region. Fluorescent rhodamine dye-doped thin ormosil films were coated with a UV-protective layer in order to study their effectiveness in the reduction of the photodegradation of the dye upon irradiation with UV light. The degradation of 20% of the molecules in coated samples was 14 times slower than that of the uncoated samples. The effective temperature range of the UV-protective coatings was established by measuring the photodegradation of the samples at different temperatures.
Multidimensional Intersection of Nicotine, Gene Expression, and Behavior

The cholinergic system plays a crucial role in nervous system function with important effects on developmental processes, cognition, attention, motivation, reward, learning, and memory. Nicotine, the reinforcing component of tobacco and e-cigarettes, directly acts on the cholinergic system by targeting nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the brain. Activation of nAChRs leads to a multitude of immediate and long-lasting effects in specific cellular populations, thereby affecting the addictive properties of the drug. In addition to the direct actions of nicotine in binding to and opening nAChRs, the subsequent activation of circuits and downstream signaling cascades leads to a wide range of changes in gene expression, which can subsequently alter further behavioral expression. In this review, we provide an overview of the actions of nicotine that lead to changes in gene expression and further highlight evidence supporting how these changes can often be bidirectional, thereby inducing subsequent changes in behaviors associated with further drug intake.