Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Test vector reordering to reduce peak temperature during testing

With rapid progress in VLSI technology, temperature during testing has become a big issue. As increase in temperature during testing causes permanent or temporal damage of the chip, reduction in peak temperature of the chip becomes necessary. Temperature depends on both heat generation caused by power consumption and heat dissipation among neighboring blocks in the circuit under test (CUT). Heat generation can be reduced by reordering test vectors in a way such that transitions caused by them get reduced. However, heat dissipation depends on thermal gradient. To reduce the heat dissipation and also the peak temperature, the test vectors can be reordered to bring a reduction in the transitions of a block and its neighbors. In this paper we have proposed a particle swarm optimization (PSO) based technique which reorders test vectors in a way such that peak temperature is reduced. Experimental results of our proposed approach on ISCAS'89 benchmark circuits show an enriched reduction in peak temperature with nominal CPU time.
Prognostic relevance of ‘early‐onset’ graft‐versus‐host disease following non‐myeloablative haematopoietic cell transplantation

We retrospectively analysed outcomes among 395 patients with haematologic malignancies who underwent non‐myeloablative haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) from human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐matched related (n = 297) or unrelated donors (n = 98) in order to identify a possible correlation between the time of onset of graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) and survival. The non‐myeloablative regimen consisted of 2 Gy total body irradiation with or without fludarabine, followed by postgrafting immunosuppression with mycophenolate mofetil and cyclosporine. The cumulative incidences of grades II–IV acute GVHD and extensive chronic GVHD were 45% and 47%, respectively, with related donors, and 68% and 68%, respectively, with unrelated donors. High‐dose corticosteroid treatment for acute or chronic GVHD was started at a median of 79 (range, 8–799) days and 30 (range, 5–333) days after transplantation from related and unrelated donors respectively. With related donors, the cumulative incidence of non‐relapse mortality among patients with GVHD was 55% at 4 years when prednisone was started before day 50 (n = 72), compared with 29% when treatment was started after day 50 (n = 115) (P < 0·001). With unrelated donors, time to onset of treatment for GVHD was not associated with survival. Patients with early‐onset GVHD after non‐myeloablative HCT from HLA‐identical related donors might benefit from intensified primary immunosuppressive treatment.
Quantitative Determination of Estrogen Receptor, Progesterone Receptor, and HER2 mRNA in Formalin-fixed Paraffin-embedded Tissue—A New Option for Predictive Biomarker Assessment in Breast Cancer

The development of optimized therapy strategies against malignant tumors is critically dependent on the assessment of tissue-based biomarkers in routine diagnostic tissue samples. We investigated a novel, fully automated, and xylene-free method for RNA isolation and biomarker determination using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue. The aim was to show that this approach is feasible and gives results that are comparable to the current gold standards. Expression of the breast cancer biomarkers ESR1, PGR, and HER2 was measured in a total of 501 FFPE tissue samples from 167 breast carcinomas, which had been stored for up to 21 years. Total RNA was extracted from tissue sections and biomarker expression was measured by kinetic RT-PCR (RT-kPCR). The results of the new method were compared with immunohistochemistry as the current gold standard. RNA was successfully isolated from all samples, with a mean yield of 1.4 &mgr;g/sample and fragment lengths of at least 150 bp in 99% of samples. RT-kPCR analysis of ESR1, PGR, and HER2 was possible in all samples. Comparing RT-kPCR results with standard IHC, we found a good concordance for ESR1 (agreement: 98.4%), PGR (84.4%), and HER2 (89.8%). We observed a low section-to-section variability of kPCR results for all 3 biomarkers (root of mean squared errors: 0.2 to 0.5 Ct values). The new approach is a reliable high-throughput instrument for standardized testing of biomarkers in clinical routine and for research studies on archived FFPE material up to 21 years old. For the assessment of ESR1, PGR, and HER2 the results are comparable to the current gold-standard.
The Directionality of Verbal Probability Expressions: Effects on Decisions, Predictions, and Probabilistic Reasoning.

Verbal phrases denoting uncertainty are of two kinds: positive, suggesting the occurrence of a target outcome, and negative, drawing attention to its nonoccurrence (Teigen & Brun, 1995). This directionality is correlated with, but not identical to, high and low p values. Choice of phrase will in turn influence predictions and decisions. A treatment described as having "some possibility" of success will be recommended, as opposed to when it is described as "quite uncertain," even if the probability of cure referred to by these two expressions is judged to be the same (Experiment 1). Individuals who formulate their chances of achieving a successful outcome in positive terms are supposed to make different decisions than individuals who use equivalent, but negatively formulated, phrases (Experiments 2 and 3). Finally, negative phrases lead to fewer conjunction errors in probabilistic reasoning than do positive phrases (Experiment 4). For instance, a combination of 2 "uncertain" outcomes is readily seen to be "very uncertain. " But positive phrases lead to fewer disjunction errors than do negative phrases. Thus verbal probabilistic phrases differ from numerical probabilities not primarily by being more "vague," but by suggesting more clearly the kind of inferences that should be drawn. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.
Game theoretic Lyapunov fuzzy control for Inverted Pendulum

In this paper we propose a game theoretic Lyapunov fuzzy controller which is both safe and stable. We attempt to optimize a reinforcement learning based controller using Markov games, simultaneously hybridizing it with a Lyapunov theory based control, to impart stability. Our proposed technique results in an RL based game theoretic, adaptive, self learning, optimal fuzzy controller, which is robust and has guaranteed stability for non linear systems. Proposed controller is an “annealed” hybrid of Fuzzy Markov games and Lyapunov theory based control approaches. We have used fuzzy systems as function approximator for a continuous state action space implementation. We test the controller on the standard Inverted Pendulum Control (IPC) problem. Simulation results bring out supremacy of the designed control strategy over baseline Fuzzy Markov game based controller.
High Frequency Characteristics of Water-Tree Degraded XLPE Insulation in Power Cables

The high frequency characteristics, the complex permittivity in particular, of water- tree degraded XLPE insulation in power cables are determined using a two port measurement method. The insulation samples are obtained from both laboratory made samples and those from ex-service cables. The electrical measurements are related to the water tree content of the samples which is estimated by an optical method. An effective materials model is derived to help understand the observed characteristics. From the model it is possible to estimate the water content of the water tree and the conductivity of the water. There is a considerable difference in the water tree characteristics between laboratory and service aged cables. The conductivity of the water in the water trees of service aged cables is much higher than that found in laboratory aged samples.
Ultraviolet Absorption Spectroscopy in Optically Dense Fireballs Using Broadband Second-Harmonic Generation of a Pulsed Modeless Dye Laser

Broadband frequency doubling of a modeless dye laser pulse is used to enable single-shot absorption spectroscopy in the ultraviolet for optically dense, energetic-materials fireball applications. Band widths of approximately 1–3 nm are generated in the 226 and 268 nm regions using a doubling crystal. Strong focusing of the fundamental beam onto the crystal is found to be sufficient to achieve 1–5% conversion efficiency with a pulse intensity sufficient to saturate the array detector even after 75% attenuation through the fireball. The technique is demonstrated with nitric oxide (NO) absorption in a gas cell and is then used to perform the first detection and temperature fitting of aluminum monofluoride (AlF) and magnesium monofluoride (MgF) in a fireball environment.
Macromolecular mechanisms of sputum inhibition of tobramycin activity

Tobramycin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic, is used in the treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in cystic fibrosis patients. Tobramycin bioactivity, however, is antagonized by sputum. Glycoproteins (mucins) and high-molecular-weight DNA make up 2 to 3% (P. L. Masson and J. F. Heremans, p. 412-475, In M. J. Dulfano, ed., Sputum: Fundamentals and Clinical Pathology, 1973) and 3 to 10% (W. S. Chernick and G. J. Barbero, Pediatrics 24:739-745, 1959, and R. Picot, I. Das, and L. Reid, Thorax 33:235-242, 1978) of the dry weight of sputum, respectively. tobramycin binds to both mucins and DNA obtained from sputum (R. Ramphal, M. Lhermitte, M. Filliat, and P. Roussel, J. Antimicrob. Chemother. 22:483-490, 1988). In vitro, recombinant human DNase (rhDNase) hydrolyzes high-molecular-weight DNA of > 50 kb within sputum to fragments of 2 to 4 kb. Studying dialyzable tobramycin, we examined drug binding to whole sputum and to "mock sputum," which consisted of porcine gastric mucin and calf thymus DNA. We also studied the effects of rhDNase treatments of sputum, mock sputum, and calf thymus DNA on tobramycin binding. We found that treatments of sputum, mock sputum, and calf thymus DNA with rhDNase did not significantly increase the tobramycin bioactivity within the dialysates; surprisingly, sputum binding of tobramycin was increased by rhDNase. We conclude that rhDNase does not increase the bioactivity of tobramycin in sputum.
An optimized mathematical-physical approach to financial market via hierarchy and dynamical systems analysis

Abstract By assuming the price fluctuations can be studied into the context of stochastic dynamical systems and by considering the relevance of high frequency volatility modeling, here we present the study of the correlation among different financial instruments, considered at the same time in terms of P-adic analysis. In addition, for the most interesting financial instruments coming from P-adic analysis, we perform a study of dynamical properties in terms of high frequency volatility and volatility variation to determine the common properties of reverse points or continuation points of trends. Then, we consider a case study, represented directly into the interface of Denver algorithm, which was implemented to show the power of the methods described into the work.
Efficient Molecular Imaging Techniques Using Optically Active Molecules

Efficient imaging techniques aimed at the increasing of the image contrast of a structure, surrounded by a scattering medium, using optically active and high index of refraction molecules as molecular contrast agents, are presented. Specifically, an enhanced degree of linear polarization (DOLP) target detection and imaging is obtained by doping the surrounding medium with molecular contrast agents consisting of aqueous glucose, aqueous alcohol, and salt molecules, in conjunction with advanced polarimetric imaging techniques. The outcome of this paper opens new horizons in the areas of imaging, with emphasis on medical arena, industry, and detection technology.
Effects of hybrid peptide analogs to receptor recognition domains on alpha- and gamma-chains of human fibrinogen on fibrinogen binding to platelets.

We synthesized a series of hybrid peptides that correspond to the gamma-chain dodecapeptide (400-411), variable numbers of glycine residues, and the RGDS peptide [Y-HHLGGAKQAGDV(G)nRGDS] to investigate the relationship of these receptor recognition domains of fibrinogen to platelet membrane glycoprotein IIb/IIIa. The tetrapeptide RGDS, the GRGDSPA peptide and the dodecapeptide inhibited binding of fibrinogen to GPIIb/IIIa by 50% (IC50) at concentrations of 17 +/- 1.6 microM, 15 +/- 2.1 microM, and 87 +/- 6.8 microM, respectively. The inhibitory effect of hybrid peptides increased as the number of glycine residues increased, plateauing with 9-11 glycine residues in hybrid peptide analogs, which had an IC50 of 0.68 +/- 0.14 microM. These hybrid peptides completely inhibited the binding of fibrinogen to activated platelets when used in sufficient concentrations. The peptide Y-HHLGGAKQAGDV(G)9RGDS blocked ADP-induced aggregation in citrated platelet-rich plasma with IC50 of 3.5 +/- 0.6 microM. When the peptide Y-HHLGGAKQAGDV(G)9RGDS was labeled with 125I to quantify its binding to platelets, maximal binding was observed within 30 min. The binding sites of the hybrid peptide were 43,600 molecules/platelet (Kd = 3.1 +/- 0.5 x 10(-7) M) to stimulated platelets and 12,500 molecules/platelet (Kd = 1.4 +/- 0.2 x 10(-7) M) to nonstimulated platelets. The hybrid peptides had the same binding affinity to platelets as fibrinogen and inhibited platelet function. Moreover, anti-GPIIb/IIIa antibody inhibited the binding of the labeled hybrid peptide to stimulated platelets. These results indicate that in the native fibrinogen molecule the presence of both RGD sequence or gamma-chain domain at optimal distances increased the binding affinity to GPIIb/IIIa. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
System for monitoring the quasi-stationary technological processes based on image-cluster model

The existing methods for monitoring of technological processes are analyzed by means of software and hardware. Theoretical foundations of the proposed method of control over the parameters of quasi-stationary technological process are substantiated. Software interaction between the operator and intellectual sensor information system with a deep level of parallelization of computational processes is developed. Application of the developed technique of construction of the information and image-cluster models in information measuring and monitoring systems allows increasing the speed of response of operators in case of emergency and decreasing the likelihood of pre-emergency and emergency conditions in environmentally hazardous industrial facilities with high risk of explosion and fire.
Asymptotic stabilization of nonlinear systems using passivity indices

This work presents a new controller design technique for asymptotic stabilization of nonlinear systems using passivity indices. The aforementioned indices measure the level of passivity of a system and we address the question of how to use this information to design a dynamic output feedback controller that stabilizes the closed-loop at a given equilibrium. As full state information is not always available for feedback, a measurable output has to be used. The main contribution of this paper consists of a systematic way of determining a stabilizing controller based on the passivity indices of the plant and on sum of squares (SOS) relaxations. A new method for determining the passivity indices of a nonlinear system in a domain of its state is presented as well. An example is provided in order to demonstrate the applicability of our strategy. Polynomial input-affine systems are considered.
Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)-β1 Stimulates Pulmonary Fibrosis and Inflammation via a Bax-dependent, Bid-activated Pathway That Involves Matrix Metalloproteinase-12*

Fibrosis, apoptosis, and the exaggerated production of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 are juxtaposed in a variety of pulmonary diseases including the interstitial lung diseases and asthma. In these disorders, the relationships between these responses are not well defined. In addition, the apoptosis pathways that contribute to these responses and the mechanism(s) of their contribution have not been described. We hypothesized that BH3 domain-only protein-induced apoptosis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of TGF-β1-induced pulmonary responses. To test this hypothesis, we characterized the effects of transgenic TGF-β1 in mice with wild type (WT) and null Bax loci. To investigate the mechanisms of Bax activation and its effector functions, we also compared the effects of TGF-β1 in mice with WT and null Bid and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-12 loci, respectively. These studies demonstrate that TGF-β1 is a potent stimulator of Bax, Bid, and MMP-12. The studies also demonstrate that Bax and Bid play key roles in the pathogenesis of TGF-β1-induced inflammation, fibrosis, and apoptosis; that TGF-β1 stimulates MMP-12, TIMP-1, and cathepsins and inhibits MMP-9 and p21 via Bax- and Bid-dependent mechanisms; and that TGF-β1-stimulated pulmonary fibrosis is ameliorated in MMP-12-deficient animals. Finally, they demonstrate that Bax, Bid, and MMP-12 play similar roles in bleomycin-induced fibrosis, thereby highlighting the importance of this Bid-activated, Bax-mediated pathway and downstream MMP-12 in a variety of fibrogenic settings.
The contribution of Asian scientists to global research in andrology.

AIM To present a personal account of the involvement of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the collaborative development in Asia of those areas of andrology concerned with male contraception and reproductive health. METHODS The andrology training through workshops and institution support undertaken by the WHO Human Reproduction Programme (HRP) and how they contributed to the strengthening of andrology research in Asia are summarised. RESULTS The author' s experience and the Asian scientific contributions to the global research in the following areas are reviewed: the safety of vasectomy and the development of new methods of vas occlusion; gossypol and its failure to become a safe, reversible male antifertility drug; Tripterygium and whether its pure extracts will pass through the appropriate toxicology and phased clinical studies to become acceptable contraceptive drugs; hormonal methods of contraception for men. CONCLUSION The WHO policy of research capacity building through training and institution strengthening, together with the collaboration of Asian andrologists, has created strong National institutions now able to direct their own programmes of research in clinical and scientific andrology.
Regulator of G‐protein signaling 4 (RGS4) gene is associated with schizophrenia in Irish high density families

The regulator of the G‐protein signaling 4 (RGS4) gene was shown to have a different expression pattern in schizophrenia patients in a microarray study. A family‐based study subsequently implicated the association of this gene with schizophrenia. We replicated the study with our sample from the Irish Study of High Density Schizophrenia Families (ISHDSF). Single marker transmission disequilibrium tests (TDT) for the four core SNPs showed modest association for SNP 18 (using a narrow diagnostic approach with FBAT P = 0.044; with PDT P = 0.0073) and a trend for SNP 4 (with FBAT P = 0.1098; with PDT P = 0.0249). For SNP 1 and 7, alleles overtransmitted to affected subjects were the same as previously reported. Haplotype analyses suggested that haplotype G‐G‐G for SNP1–4–18, which is the most abundant haplotype (42.3%) in the Irish families, was associated with the disease (narrow diagnosis, FBAT P = 0.0061, PDT P = 0.0498). This was the same haplotype implicated in the original study. While P values were not corrected for multiple testing because of the clear prior hypothesis, these results could be interpreted as supporting evidence for the association between RGS4 and schizophrenia. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization of Pathology in Transgenic Mice Over-Expressing Human Genomic and cDNA Tau Transgenes

To examine the normal cellular function of tau and its role in pathogenesis, we have created transgenic mice that overexpress a tau transgene derived from a human PAC that contains the coding sequence, intronic regions, and regulatory regions of the human gene. All six isoforms of human tau are represented in the transgenic mouse brain at the mRNA and protein level and the human tau is distributed in neurites and at synapses, but is absent from cell bodies. A comparison between the genomic tau mice and mice that overexpress a tau cDNA transgene shows that overall, the distribution of tau is similar in the two lines, but human tau is located in the somatodendritic compartment of many neurons in the cDNA mice. Tau-immunoreactive axonal swellings were found in the spinal cords of the cDNA mice, which correlated with a hind-limb abnormality, whereas neuropathology was essentially normal in the genomic mice up to 8 months of age.
Innerfraktionelle Geschlossenheit im Spiegel der Politikwissenschaft. Stand der Forschung und notwendige Weiterführungen

Wenn in Parlamenten knappe Abstimmungen zu kontroversen politischen Inhalten anstehen, ist dies überall auf der Welt ein Th ema für jene, die – wie meist die Medien – nicht nur an allen sachlichen Belangen eff ektiven Regierens interessiert sind, sondern eben auch am zuspitzenden, bisweilen dramatischen Charakter von Politik Gefallen fi nden. Es fragen sich interessierte Beobachter, das politische Geschehen vermittelnde Berichterstatter und Politikwissenschaftler gleichermaßen: Was verursacht die Geschlossenheit von Parlamentsfraktionen? Was veranlasst frei gewählte Abgeordnete, mit einer politischen Gruppe zu stimmen? Welche Bedingungen führen zur sichtbarsten Manifestation des durch Gruppen geprägten politischen Wettbewerbs? Und woran scheitert dies manchmal? Das politikwissenschaftliche Interesse an diesem Phänomen geht allerdings über diesen – ohnehin nur gelegentlich vorhandenen – Nachrichtenwert weit hinaus. Für das parlamentarische Regierungssystem ist unbestritten, dass die Geschlossenheit eine Grundvoraussetzung für sein Funktionieren darstellt: Sowohl die Stabilität der Regierung als auch die klare Trennung der regierenden von der opponierenden Rolle ist vom Vorliegen weitgehend geschlossener Fraktionen abhängig. Im präsidentiellen Regierungssystem sind die Fraktionen dagegen von der Bürde stabilen Regierens weitgehend entlastet. Doch hier haben unterschiedliche Geschlossenheitsniveaus durchaus ganz verschiedene Konsequenzen: Durch geschlossene Parlamentsfraktionen können einerseits in Phasen des divided government Systemblockaden hervorgerufen werden. Andererseits können allzu wenig geschlossen agierende Parlamentsfraktionen die Transaktionskosten der Mehrheitsfi ndung erhöhen und politische Verantwortlichkeiten verwischen. Zudem kann die horizontale Gewaltenteilung (checks and balances) durch extrem geschlossene und gegebenenfalls vom Präsidenten kontrollierte Parteien leicht ausgehebelt werden. Es ist daher gar nicht einfach, das wünschenswerte Geschlossenheitsniveau für das präsidentielle System anzugeben1, nicht zuletzt hin-