Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Shadow AICs: reaping the benefits of and-inverter cones with minimal architectural impact (abstract only)

Despite their many advantages, FPGAs are still inefficient. This inefficiency is mainly due to programmable routing networks; however, FPGA logic blocks also have their share of contribution. From the performance perspective, fewer hops in the routing network translates to a shorter critical path; and that requires large logic blocks capable of covering big portions of circuits. Recent work has shown that And-Inverter Cones (AICs) can considerably reduce the number of logic block levels compared to Look-Up Tables (LUTs). The best performance is achieved when both AICs and LUTs are used, but the AIC implementation requires radical changes in the FPGAs architecture. In this paper, we use AICs as shadow logic for LUTs in LUT-clusters, which requires minimal architectural changes while exploiting the benefits of both AICs and LUTs. The basic idea is to reuse the input crossbar of LUT-clusters for the shadow AICs while combining both LUTs and AICs in the same cluster. We also propose changes in the AIC architecture to enhance mapping on AICs. Our experimental results indicate that the new cluster architecture can reduce the average circuit delay by 12% with respect to standard FPGA clusters. However, this performance gain comes at a price of 43% area overhead in terms of number of logic clusters. Our results show that for a modest 6% increase in area, FPGA manufacturers can move towards next-generation FPGA logic elements. This transition would provide faster design options without major architectural changes.
Genealogical-based method for ontology self-extension in MeSH

During the last decade, the advent of Ontologies used for biomedical annotation has had a deep impact on life science. MeSH is a well-known Ontology for the purpose of indexing journal articles in PubMed, improving literature searching on multi-domain topics. Since the explosion of data growth in recent years, there are new terms, concepts that weed through the old and bring forth the new. Automatically extending sets of existing terms will enable bio-curators to systematically improve text-based ontologies level by level. However, most of the related techniques which apply symbolic patterns based on a literature corpus tend to focus on more general but not specific parts of the ontology. Therefore, in this work, we present a novel method for utilizing genealogical information from Ontology itself to find suitable siblings for ontology extension. Based on the breadth and depth dimensions, the sibling generation stage and pruning strategy are proposed in our approach. As a result, on the average, the precision of the genealogical-based method achieved 0.5, with the best 0.83 performance of category “Organisms”. We also achieve average precision 0.69 of 229 new terms in MeSH 2013 version.
Pre‐donation Assessment of Kidneys by Magnetic Resonance Angiography and Venography: Accuracy and Impact on Outcomes

Reports on the accuracy of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and magnetic resonance venography (MRV) in evaluating living donor renovasculature employ few patients or omit the consequences of inaccurate scans. We retrospectively compared intraoperative findings to MRA/MRV scans in 146 donor–recipient pairs. For detecting accessory arteries and early branching, MRA sensitivity was 57.6%, specificity 96.5%, false positive rate 3.5%, false negative rate 42.4%, positive predictive value 82.6%, negative predictive value 88.6% and overall accuracy 87.7%. By excluding clinically inconsequential accessory arteries, MRA sensitivity rose to 73.1%, specificity to 96.7% and overall accuracy to 92.5%. For MRVs, sensitivity was 56.2%, specificity 99%, false positive rate 1%, false negative rate 43.8%, positive predictive value 90%, negative predictive value 94.8% and accuracy 94.5%. Inaccurate scans were associated with prolonged donor and recipient operations and more frequently reconstructed arteries, but did not affect clinical outcomes. Because most missed accessory arteries are inconsequential, MRA is a useful, less invasive method for defining donor renovascular anatomy.
AGGREGATION WITH TWO-MEMBER HOUSEHOLDS AND HOME PRODUCTION

This note explores the problem of family labor supply decision in an economy with two-member households, joint home production, and fixed cost of joint labor supply. Even though the labor supply decisions are not indivisible per se, the presence of such fixed cost and partners with unequal labor productivity create non-convexities. The note shows how lotteries as in Rogerson (1988) can again be used to convexify consumption sets, and we perform aggregation over individual preferences. The main result demonstrated in the paper is that aggregate preferences of males do not differ from individual level ones. However, for females, the disutility of non-market work at the aggregate becomes separable from market work, but keeps its original (logarithmic) form, while the female labor elasticity of the market hours’ supply increases from unity to infinity.
Codon Optimization of the Tat Antigen of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Generates Strong Immune Responses in Mice following Genetic Immunization

ABSTRACT DNA vaccines have been successful in eliciting potent immune responses in mice. Their efficiency, however, is restricted in larger animals. One reason for the limited performance of the DNA vaccines is the lack of molecular strategies to enhance immune responses. Additionally, genes directly cloned from pathogenic organisms may not be efficiently translated in a heterologous host expression system as a consequence of codon bias. To evaluate the influence of codon optimization on the immune response, we elected to use the Tat antigens of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) (subtype C) and HIV-2, as these viral antigens are poorly immunogenic in natural infection and in experimental immunization and they are functionally important in viral infectivity and pathogenesis. Substituting codons that are optimally used in the mammalian system, we synthetically assembled Tat genes and compared them with the wild-type counterparts in two different mouse strains. Codon-optimized Tat genes induced qualitatively and quantitatively superior immune responses as measured in a T-cell proliferation assay, enzyme-linked immunospot assay, and chromium release assay. Importantly, while the wild-type genes promoted a mixed Th1-Th2-type cytokine profile, the codon-optimized genes induced a predominantly Th1 profile. Using a pepscan strategy, we mapped an immunodominant T-helper epitope to the core and basic domains of HIV-1 Tat. We also identified cross-clade immune responses between HIV-1 subtype B and C Tat proteins mapped to this T-helper epitope. Developing molecular strategies to optimize the immunogenicity of DNA vaccines is critical for inducing strong immune responses, especially to antigens like Tat. Our identification of a highly conserved T-helper epitope in the first exon of HIV-1 Tat of subtype C and the demonstration of a cross-clade immune response between subtypes B and C are important for a more rational design of an HIV vaccine.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE OFFSET MODEL FOR DETERMINATION OF ODOR-ANNOYANCE-FREE SETBACK DISTANCES FROM ANIMAL PRODUCTION SITES: PART I. REVIEW AND EXPERIMENT

The objective of the study was to develop a science-based model, OFFSET (Odor from Feedlot - Setback Estimation Tool), to establish setback distances from animal production sites based on the use of an air dispersion model (INPUFF-2) and the actual odor emission data from these sites. Extensive research was conducted to obtain representative odor emissions from various animal facilities and to evaluate the air dispersion model. Odor emissions were measured from 280 animal buildings and manure storage units on 85 farms in Minnesota during 1998 to 2001. The geometric means of the odor emission rates for each type of odor source were obtained to represent odor emissions of that source. The efficiencies of some odor control technologies were summarized. The air dispersion model was evaluated for short-distance (<0.5 km) odor dispersion prediction against the odor plumes measured by trained field assessors on 20 farms and also for long-distance (4.8 km) odor dispersion prediction against odor data recorded by trained resident observers living in the vicinity of livestock operations in a 4.8 × 4.8 km rural area. The relationship between odor detection threshold and intensity was obtained for swine and cattle odors in order to convert odor intensity to detection threshold. The results indicated that the INPUFF-2 model was capable of simulating odor dispersion downwind from animal production operations for low-intensity odors. Six stable or neutral weather conditions that favor odor transport were identified, and their historical occurrence frequencies in all 16 directions at six weather stations in Minnesota were obtained. The occurrence frequencies of these weather conditions were used to determine odor occurrence frequencies in the OFFSET model.
PENGARUH PARTISIPASI ANGGARAN, ASIMETRI INFORMASI, KAPASITAS INDIVIDU, DAN KEJELASAN SASARAN ANGGARAN TERHADAP POTENSI TERJADINYA BUDGETARY SLACK

This study aims to determine the effect of budget participation, information asymmetry, the capacity of individuals, and the clarity of the budget targets for potential budgetary slack. This research was conducted at the regional work units Bangli regency. The population in this study are all SKPD Bangli. The sample in this study using purposive sampling method with a sample of 108 respondents. This study uses data collection using questionnaires. The analysis technique used is multiple linear regression. Results of this analysis indicate budget participation and budget goal clarity negatively affect the potential budgetary slack. Instead the results of the analysis of asymmetry of information and the capacity of individuals showed a positive relationship to the potential budgetary slack.
Denaturing high‐performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) as a reliable high‐throughput prescreening method for aberrant promoter methylation in cancer

Aberrant promoter hypermethylation of CpG dinucleotides is a frequent and significant mechanism of tumor suppressor gene (TSG) silencing in cancer. As increasing numbers of downregulated putative TSGs are emerging from large‐scale expression profiling studies, high‐throughput techniques are needed to screen for hypermethylation. DHPLC has been established as a reliable, highly sensitive technique for mutation analysis. In this study, the use of DHPLC as a prescreening method for the identification of CpG methylation was developed by analyzing DNA samples with different, well‐characterized methylation patterns of the CDKN2A/p16 promoter. Bisulfite treatment of genomic DNA was followed by PCR‐amplification of unmethylated as well as methylated CDKN2A/p16 promoter sequences. PCR products were denatured and renatured, permitting the formation of heteroduplex DNA detectable by DHPLC. Methylation of all CpG‐sites results in a single peak (homoduplex) with a shift in retention time, whereas partial methylation can be recognized by additional signals representing diverse heteroduplex structures. After method development, 35 DNA samples from primary bladder and breast carcinomas were analyzed in a blinded fashion, revealing complete or partial methylation of the p16 promoter in eight cases and a heterozygous mutation in one case. In conclusion, DHPLC is a highly sensitive and convenient method for methylation screening. Hum Mutat 23:612–620, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The functions of acetylcholine in the rabbit retina

Rabbit retinas were incubated in vitro under conditions known to maintain their physiological function. The acetylcholine stores of the cholinergic amacrine cells were labelled by incubation in the presence of [3H]choline. The tissue was then mounted in a fast-flow superfusion chamber, and the release of [3H]acetylcholine under various conditions was measured by liquid cation exchange or high-voltage electrophoresis. When the retina was stimulated by flashing light, the rate of appearance of radioactive acetylcholine in the superfusate increased, with a latency shorter than the resolution of the system. The rate of release of acetylcholine remained elevated as long as the light was flashing, and returned rapidly to baseline when the light was extinguished. A one minute stimulation with steady light caused a burst of acetylcholine release following stimulus onset and a second, smaller, burst following stimulus cessation. In the presence of 2-amino-4-phosphonobutyrate (APB), an agent known to eliminate selectively the transmission of ON responses to the proximal retina, steady light caused acetylcholine release only at stimulus cessation. Other retinas were labelled with [3H]choline, then incubated for 10-80 min in the presence of flashing light (to promote acetylcholine release) and either control medium or medium containing 100 μm APB (to prevent release from cells activated by stimulus onset). These retinas were quick-frozen, freeze-dried and radioautographed on dry emulsion. In retinas incubated under control conditions [3H]acetylcholine was initially present within two bands within the inner plexiform layer. The two bands became fainter together as the tissue’s [3H]acetylcholine was released. APB selectively retarded the depletion of [3H]acetylcholine from the band nearest the ganglion cell layer. We conclude that the displaced cholinergic amacrine cells release acetylcholine at the transient when light appears, and the conventionally placed cholinergic amacrine cells release acetylcholine at the transient when light is extinguished. The retinal ganglion cells that receive a light-driven cholinergic input are distinguished from those that do not by a great sensitivity to slow stimulus motion. It is proposed that the dense plexus of cholinergic dendrites and the transient nature of acetylcholine release combine to create the local subunit that enables detection of motion within regions smaller than those ganglion cells’ receptive fields.
Pharmaceutical expenditure changes in Serbia and Greece during the global economic recession

Aim: Clarity on health expenditures is essential for the timely identification of risks that jeopardize the democratic provision of health services and the credibility of health insurance systems. Furthermore, observing health outcomes with geographical scope is essential for making multilateral associations. This study aimed at conveying information on the variability of important economic parameters of the health sector of Serbia and Greece from 2007 to 2012, when the most serious financial crisis in the post-war economic history hit the global economy. Methods: Exchange rates, purchase-power-parities (PPP) and price indices were used for the bilateral review of health and pharmaceutical expenditure dynamics during 2007-2012. Prescription and dispensing changes were also studied taking into account the anatomical therapeutic chemical (ATC) structure of drugs consumed. Results: Greece was forced to cut down its total health care and pharmaceutical expenditure and mainly its out-of-pocket payments were more seriously affected by the recession. Surprisingly, emerging market of Serbia, although severely damaged by global recession, succeeded to maintain 19% growth of its per capita health expenditure and even 25% increase of its per capita spending on pharmaceuticals. Innovative pharmaceuticals showed an upward trend in both countries. Conclusions: These two countries might serve as an example of two distinct pathways of mature and emerging health care markets during financial constraints caused by global recession. Our findings show that producing disease-based feedback, in the long run, may empower the assessment of the return on investment on medical technology and healthcare systems’ cost-effectiveness.
Household Market Participation Behavior in Small Ruminants in the Highlands of Ethiopia: The Role of Herd Size, Herd Structure and Institutional Services

Small ruminants, which account for more than half of the domesticated ruminants in the world, are an important component of the farming systems in most developing countries. Despite their economic and social importance, socio-economic and marketing research on small ruminants has so far been limited, a fact which also holds strongly true in Ethiopia. This study, based on survey data of 5004 Ethiopian smallholder households, uses analysis of descriptive information and econometric analysis to draw implications to promote market orientation. Econometric results are based on estimation of bivariate, ordinal, and multinomial probit models. We find that small ruminant herd size, large ruminant herd size, herd structure, access to livestock market, and involvement in the institutional services of extension and credit stand out as important factors affecting market participation behavior of households. We find optimal herd size of 41 heads of animals after which probability of participation as seller declines and an optimal herd size of 21 heads of animals after which probability of participation as buyer declines. Our results imply that an effective package of interventions to promote market oriented small ruminant production will need to include development of livestock market infrastructure and market institutions, improved access to extension and credit use, efficient animal reproduction and management, and proper animal health care.
Population genetic structure and larval dispersal strategy of portunid crab Charybdis bimaculata in Yellow sea and East China sea

Abstract Larval dispersal may have an important effect on genetic structure of benthic species. However, different species may choose different larval dispersal strategy. To examine the population genetic structure and larval dispersal strategy of portunid crab Charybdis bimaculata, a 658 base pair (bp) fragment of mtDNA COI gene was sequenced in this species. In total, 67 individuals were collected from 5 locations in Yellow Sea and East China, and 24 haplotypes were obtained. Mean haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity for the five populations ranged from 0.2000 ± 0.1541 (Zhoushan) to 0.8333 ± 0.1265 (Nanji island), and from 0.0003 ± 0.0005 (Zhoushan) to 0.0026 ± 0.0019 (Nanji island). Analysis of molecular variance and pairwise FST revealed no significant differentiation between the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea in C. bimaculata, supporting high larval dispersal ability in this species, rejecting larval retention. Mismatch distribution revealed that C. bimaculata had undergone population expansion. Larval drift in the ocean currents, and recent range expansion could be the reasons for little genetic structure in the studied area.
A comparative study of conventional and coreless axial flux permanent magnet synchronous motors for solar cars

Axial Flux Permanent Magnet (AFPM) motors are suitable options for solar powered vehicles due to their compact structure and high torque density. Furthermore, in NS-type APFM machines, the magnetic stator core may be eliminated, which simplifies the manufacturing and assembly. This paper examines two different machine designs for use in the solar powered vehicle of the challenger class — a single rotor, single stator conventional AFPM machine, and a coreless AFPM machine with multiple stator and rotor discs. The conventional AFPM machine is designed for a one-wheel drive application, while the coreless one is intended for use in a vehicle with two driving wheels. Response surface methodology (RSM) is utilized to select among several hundreds of candidates, in both cases, the designs with minimum losses and mass while meeting the torque requirement. The performance of the selected designs have been studied via 3D finite element analysis (FEA).
The auditory hallucination: a phenomenological survey

Synopsis A comprehensive semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 100 psychotic patients who had experienced auditory hallucinations. The aim was to extend the phenomenology of the hallucination into areas of both form and content and also to guide future theoretical development. All subjects heard ‘voices’ talking to or about them. The location of the voice, its characteristics and the nature of address were described. Precipitants and alleviating factors plus the effect of the hallucinations on the sufferer were identified. Other hallucinatory experiences, thought insertion and insight were examined for their inter-relationships. A pattern emerged of increasing complexity of the auditory–verbal hallucination over time by a process of accretion, with the addition of more voices and extended dialogues, and more intimacy between subject and voice. Such evolution seemed to relate to the lessening of distress and improved coping. These findings should inform both neurological and cognitive accounts of the pathogenesis of auditory hallucinations in psychotic disorders.
Quantification of myocardial blood flow and blood flow reserve in the presence of arterial dispersion: A simulation study

Myocardial blood flow (MBF) can be quantified using dynamic T1‐weighted MRI of diffusible tracers and a mathematical model of underlying vasculature. Quantification of MBF by means of T1‐ weighted MRI requires knowledge of the arterial input function (AIF). The AIF can be estimated from the left ventricular (LV) cavity. However, dispersion may occur between the LV and the tissue of interest because of the laminar blood flow profiles, branching of venules, and because of stenosis. To evaluate the influence of dispersion on the results of MBF quantification, a simulation study was performed. The dispersion was described as a convolution of the AIF with an exponential residue function. Synthetic tissue and AIF curves were analyzed and the derived parameters fit to the simulated parameters. The results show that an unaccounted dispersion may result in a systematic underestimation of MBF up to approximately 50%. Underestimation increases with increasing dispersion and with increasing MBF. Assuming equal dispersion at rest and during hyperemia, myocardial perfusion reserve (MPR) estimates are also susceptible to underestimation of approximately 20%. An unaccounted dispersion therefore can lead to systematic underestimation of both blood flow and perfusion reserve. Magn Reson Med 47:787–793, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.