Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design of Optimizing Adders for Low Power Digital Signal Processing

– Low power is the important requirement for portable devices and multimedia devices. Which use several signal processing algorithms and architectures. Previous research uses the error resiliency primarily through voltage over scaling, then using algorithmic and architectural techniques to reduce the resulting errors. In this paper propose logic complexity reduction at the transistor level. This is used as the alternative approach to take advantage of the relaxation of numerical accuracy. We implement this concept by proposing several imprecise or approximate full adder cells with reduced complexity at the transistor level, and these approximate adders are used to design approximate multi-bit adders. In addition to an inherent reduction in switched capacitance as the number of transistor reduces, and which also result in shorter critical paths it also produce voltage scaling
An investigation into the use of tactile instructions in snowboarding

In many sports, athletes are spatially separated from their coach while practicing an exercise. This spatial separation makes learning new skills arduous because the coach cannot give instructions or feedback on performance. We present the findings of an in the wild study that demonstrate the potential for teaching sport skills with realtime tactile instructions. We focused on snowboard training. Ten amateurs learned a riding technique with a wearable system that automatically provided tactile instructions during descents. These instructions were in sync with the movements of the snowboard and signaled how to move the body. We found that tactile instructions could help snowboarders to improve their skills. We report insights into the snowboarders' opinion and give recommendations for teaching sport skills with tactile instructions. Our findings help to identify the conditions under which tactile instructions can support athletes in sports training.
ETHBMC: A Bounded Model Checker for Smart Contracts

The introduction of smart contracts has significantly advanced the state-of-the-art in cryptocurrencies. Smart contracts are programs who live on the blockchain, governing the flow of money. However, the promise of monetary gain has attracted miscreants, resulting in spectacular hacks which resulted in the loss of millions worth of currency. In response, several powerful static analysis tools were developed to address these problems. We surveyed eight recently proposed static analyzers for Ethereum smart contracts and found that none of them captures all relevant features of the Ethereum ecosystem. For example, we discovered that a precise memory model is missing and inter-contract analysis is only partially supported. Based on these insights, we present the design and implementation of ETHBMC, a bounded model checker based on symbolic execution which provides a precise model of the Ethereum network. We demonstrate its capabilities in a series of experiments. First, we compare against the eight aforementioned tools, showing that even relatively simple toy examples can obstruct other analyzers. Further proving that precise modeling is indispensable, we leverage ETHBMC capabilities for automatic vulnerability scanning.We perform a large-scale analysis of roughly 2.2 million accounts currently active on the blockchain and automatically generate 5,905 valid inputs which trigger a vulnerability. From these, 1,989 can destroy a contract at will (so called suicidal contracts) and the rest can be used by an adversary to arbitrarily extract money. Finally, we compare our large-scale analysis against two previous analysis runs, finding significantly more inputs (22.8%) than previous approaches.
Expression of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and Transforming Growth Factor-β1 in Acute Liver Injury

AbstractTumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) have a number of in vitro functions that could be important in vivo in acute liver injury and repair. Therefore, we investigated these two cytokines in acute liver damage. Northern blots of RNA isolated from rats sacrificed at various time intervals after a single oral dose of CCl4 revealed that TNF-α mRNA levels were elevated within 6 hr of CCl4 administration and returned to control values by 24–32 hr. In contrast, TGF-β1 mRNA levels started to rise significantly at 24 hr, peaked at 48 hr, and approached baseline levels by 72 hr. Identical changes in TNF-α and TGF-β1 mRNA levels were also seen with D-galactosamine-induced hepatotoxicity. Immunohistochemical analysis using a TGF-β1 antibody demonstrated increased hepatic staining in CCl4-treated rats, at times corresponding to the increases in TGF-β1 gene expression. Therefore, there is a differential expression of these cytokines in acute CCl4 and galactosamine hepatotoxi.
Value of Peak Nasal İnspiratory Flow in Aegean School Children

Objective: In order to evaluate nasal airway flow with peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) in children with conditions, such as allergic rhinitis causing nasal airway obstruction, normal values are needed. In this study we aimed to establish percentiles of PNIF for age and weight of healthy Turkish children by measuring PNIF of healthy school age children. Materials and Methods: A total of 5572 children aged 6-15 years who were attending elementary school in the provinces of Izmir, Manisa, Usak, Kutahya, Afyon, Denizli, Mugla and Aydin were randomly assigned to the study group. From the study group, 5554 children had their measurements. Age, sex, weight and height of the children were recorded, and using a In-check flow meter (Clement-Clarke, Harlow, UK), PNIF measured and recorded. Results: Of the 5554 children who were the members of study population 50.7% were boys and 49.3% were girls, and mean age was 10.8 ± 2.9 years. Mean PNIF value was 71.34 ± 32.63 L/minute with minimum of 10 and a maximum of 270. Boys had a significantly higher PNIF for age when compared to girls (p< 0.01). PNIF values were correlated with age, height and weight for both girls and boys. Conclusion: We hope that our study, which is the first study dealing with the normal PNIF values in our country, would contribute to the objective evaluation of the children with nasal airway obstruction.
Vascular Contributions to Neurocognitive Impairment among Older Persons with HIV

Author(s): Montoya, Jessica Lynette | Advisor(s): Grant, Igor | Abstract: HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment (NCI) is highly prevalent in the modern era of combination antiretroviral therapy, and older persons (50 years and older) are particularly vulnerable to the burden of HIV-associated NCI. In addition, cardiovascular disease is increasingly observed in HIV. Three studies were conducted to investigate the association between markers of vascular risk and NC function among persons living with HIV/AIDS.For all three studies, participants completed standardized neurobehavioral and neuromedical assessments. NC function was evaluated using a well-validated comprehensive battery. The first study evaluated the relationships among markers of vascular remodeling, arterial stiffness (measured by pulse pressure, PP), and NC function among older HIV-seropositive (HIV+; n = 72) and HIV-seronegative (n = 36) adults. A biomarker of vascular remodeling was associated with greater PP and worse NC function. PP had a quadratic relationship with NC function, such that lower and higher PP values, relative to the entire sample mean, were associated with worse NC function. These findings indicate that vascular remodeling may contribute to arterial stiffening and changes in PP, which, in turn, deleteriously affect NC function. The second study assessed the impact of disturbances in coagulation on NC function in the same cohort of older HIV+ and HIV-seronegative adults. Coagulation moderated the effect of HIV on NC function, such that greater coagulation imbalance was associated with poorer NC function among HIV+ participants. The moderating effect of coagulation on neurocognition was driven by procoagulant but not anticoagulant or fibrinolytic biomarkers. These findings indicate that procoagulation may exert a detrimental effect on NC function among older HIV+ adults. Lastly, the third study aimed to examine the association between visit-to-visit variability in blood pressure (BPV) and NC change in a well-characterized HIV+ cohort (N = 533). BPV was not significantly associated with rate of NC change; however, baseline PP was a significant predictor of rate of NC change. These findings suggest that arterial stiffness might be a crucial factor impacting NC function over time among HIV+ adults. The findings of these studies indicate that vascular remodeling, arterial stiffening, and procoagulation may contribute to poorer NC outcomes among HIV+ persons. Biomarkers of vascular processes may provide valuable information regarding the prognosis and risk stratification of HIV+ adults for NCI.
Influence of bedrock topography on the kinematics of two clayey landslides in the Trièves (French Alps)

The two large adjacent landslides of Avignonet and Harmalière, affecting thick clayey quaternary deposits, are located in the Trièves area (French Alps). Remote-sensing techniques (Lidar) and GPS measurements were used to characterize the two landslides. Results show major differences between the kinematics of the two landslides, both in displacement rate magnitudes and motion directions. Seismic noise measurements (H/V technique) were performed to map the clay layer thickness. The surface of the seismic substratum, made of compact alluvial layers and Mesozoic bedrock, was obtained by subtracting the clay thickness from the Lidar derived DEM. The difference in kinematics between the two landslides is likely to result from the presence of a ridge of compact formations at the Avignonet landslide toe, preventing an eastward deep active sliding to develop and explaining the observed shallow slip surfaces. To the South, this buttress disappears at the Harmalière toe, favoring sliding in a Southeastern direction with a fast regression of the headscarp. This earthslide evolves into a mudslide at its base
Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cell Conditioned Medium Enhances the Yield of RPE Cells Differentiated from Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Geographic atrophy (GA) in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is characterized by the loss of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells in the macular region. Human embryonic stem cells (hESC)-derived RPE have shown promise in cellular therapy for these diseases. However, the differentiation from hESC is a very lengthy process with an initially low RPE yield. The purpose of this study was to determine whether polarized hESC-RPE conditioned medium (CM) could improve the yield of RPE differentiated from hESC and to identify the mechanism of this effect. Two hESC lines, hES3 and H9, were differentiated into RPE by culturing in CM or regular medium for up to 8 weeks. We found substantially more pigmented cells in CM based on surface area quantification, and Q-RT PCR showed significantly higher expression of RPE-specific genes in the H9 and hES3 cells cultured in CM. The results indicated that CM increased the yield of RPE cells differentiated from H9 and hES3 lines via increased RPE colony formation and proliferation. These findings may be beneficial to the manufacturing process for future clinical studies. *Corresponding author: David R Hinton MD, FARVO, Professor of Pathology and Ophthalmology, 2011 Zonal Ave, HMR209, Los Angeles CA 90089, USA, Tel: 323-4426617; Fax: 323-442-6688; E-mail: dhinton@usc.edu Received January 22, 2015; Accepted January 27, 2015; Published March 04, 2015 Citation: Hsiung J, Zhu D, Rodriguez A, Hinton DR (2015) Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cell Conditioned Medium Enhances the Yield of RPE Cells Differentiated from Human Embryonic Stem Cells. J Clin Exp Pathol 5: 216. doi:10.4172/21610681.1000216 Copyright: © 2015 Hsiung J, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Dynamic Analysis of a Window-Based Malware Using Automated sandboxing

: Malwares are one of the most dangerous security threats in today’s world of fast growing technology. Now, it is not impossible to remotely lock down a system’s files for ransoms even when it is located overseas. This threat was accelerated when the world was introduced to cryptocurrency (for e.g., Bitcoins). It allowed the attackers to hide their tracks more efficiently. From a simple idea of testing the efficiency of a computer system to the most critical and sophisticated cyber-attack, malwares has evolved over the years and appeared time to time. Even with the smartest technologies today where we are trying to include Machine learning and Deep learning to every field of our life, the attackers are already developing more sophisticated malwares using the same Machine learning and Deep learning techniques. This raises the question on the security of the cyber-world and how we are able to protect it. In this work, we are presenting an analysis on a recent and most critical Windows malware called “LockerGoga”. Both static and dynamic analyses are performed on the malware to understand the behavior and characteristics of the malware.
Characterization of murine and human thymic epithelial progenitor cells

textabstractThe mammalian immune system contains many features in terms of different cell subsets with their individual function. All these different cell subsets work together as a system to prevent and combat infections caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites. One major subset of the immune system, the hematopoietic system, can be subdivided in many branches. The hematopoietic system can be regarded as a hierarchical system in terms of stem cells and differentiated mature cells, once mature cells become less in number, stem cells will be activated and start to divide to replenish the mature cells. The mature pool of hematopoietic cells can roughly be divided in macrophages, dendritic cells, granulocytes, basophils, mast cells, megakaryocytes, erythrocytes, neutrophils, eosinophil, natural killer cells and B and T cells. All mature hematopoietic cells develop in the bone marrow, except for T cells. T cells use a specialized epithelial organ, the thymus, where they can differentiate from early thymic progenitors (ETPs) towards mature functional T cells. In this thesis we will summarize literature of thymus biology, underline the problems that occur once the thymic function becomes impaired and explore strategies that have been undertaken to repair or rejuvenate the thymic function.
Cellular and molecular-large scale features of fetal perirenal and intermuscular adipose tissues in bovine

In ruminants, adequate fetal and post-natal development of adipose tissues (AT) is a major challenge to promote metabolic adaptation both at birth for neonate survival (especially in sheep), and in adult life for productive efficiency during the pregnancy-lactation cycle of dairy females or for carcass yield and quality of meat animals. The factors that determine AT mass in adult mammals are not fully understood. Both epidemiological and fetal programming studies in ruminants suggest that fetal growth of ATs impacts their postnatal growth and therefore the body fat mass or adiposity (Bonnet et al., 2010). A prerequisite to understand the mechanisms of fetal programming of AT growth is to improve our knowledge on the mechanisms underlying the AT growth in fetus, which are still very poorly known whatever the species. In this context, our objective was to identify the cellular and molecular mechanisms that sustain the fetal AT growth in bovine and to study its variability.
Hyperbaric Oxygenation in Treatment of Alcohol Withdrawal

The duration and severity of alcohol withdrawal is a great concern while treating alcohol dependent patients. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been used in few centers world over, for faster recovery of withdrawal symptoms. The present study aimed to undertake a preliminary study exploring this possibility. Thirty alcohol dependent patients were recruited in this study. They were divided into A: HBOT group (received hyperbaric oxygen therapy for 90 minutes) and B: non-HBOT group (received normobaric oxygen therapy for 90 minutes) using simple randomization technique. Withdrawal symptoms were assessed daily, using the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment scale (CIWA-Ar). The data collected from the two groups were compared. Statistical analysis used was Independent two sample t test. When the two groups were compared, it was found that the mean period (in days) required for the control of withdrawal symptoms for the HBOT group was 3.72 and for the non-HBOT group was 9.03 and the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.0001). A better outcome among the HBOT group indicates that the effect of HBOT as an adjunct to the current detoxification regime, in the treatment of alcohol dependent patients is definitely worth consideration and stronger evidence can be brought out in a larger multicenter trial.
Effets anti-inflammatoires des stilbènes sur des cultures cellulaires de microglies et mécanismes d'action

Les processus neuro-inflammatoires sont observes dans de nombreux troubles neurodegeneratifs. Les cellules microgliales etant les principales cellules immunitaires du systeme nerveux central, plusieurs recherches ont ete menees afin de determiner des molecules possedant des proprietes anti-inflammatoires au niveau de ces cellules. Une famille de polyphenols, les stilbenes (des derives du resveratrol), presentent des activites anti-inflammatoires au niveau peripherique et central. Dans notre etude, nous avons premierement evalue les proprietes anti-inflammatoires de 25 stilbenes en determinant leur capacite a inhiber la liberation de NO dans un modele de cellules microgliales BV-2 activees par le LPS. Dix stilbenes inhibent significativement cette production avec des IC50 comprises entre 3,9 ± 0,7 et 23,4 ±1,0 µM. Parmi ces composes, 1 monomere (moracine M) et 2 tetrameres du resveratrol (vitisines A et B) diminuent la synthese d’iNOS, enzyme responsable a la liberation de NO, au niveau transcriptionnel et traductionnel. Nous avons ensuite mis en evidence que la moracine M inhibe la phosphorylation d’ERK1/2 et JNK (deux MAPK) et d’Akt (la voie PI3K/Akt) dans des cellules BV-2 activees. Ces enzymes etant impliquees dans la signalisation de la reponse inflammatoire, elles induisent la production de plusieurs mediateurs inflammatoires. La moracine M inhibe significativement la production de certains d'entre eux (NO, TNF-α, IL-1β et PGE2). Ce stilbene attenue egalement la synthese de la proteine de mPGEs-1 (enzyme impliquee a la production de PGE2). Ainsi, la moracine M pourrait etre un candidat potentiel pour prevenir l’inflammation impliquee dans les maladies neurodegeneratives.
Tolpyralate + Atrazine Applied Preemergence Provides Residual GR Canada Fleabane [Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronq.] Control Similar to Current Industry Standards

Tolpyralate is a benzoylpyrazole, 4-hydroxyphenyl-pyruvate dioxygenase inhibitor, and a herbicide registered for use in corn. The efficacy of tolpyralate plus atrazine to provide full-season residual control of glyphosate-resistant (GR) Canada fleabane in corn is not known under Ontario environmental conditions. Five field trials were completed over a two-year period (2018-19) in south-western Ontario on farms with confirmed GR Canada fleabane [Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronq. ] populations to determine if tolpyralate + atrazine provides full-season residual control of GR Canada fleabane in corn. Corn injury was less than 10% with all treatments. At 4 weeks after application (WAA), tolpyralate (30 g·ai·ha−1), tolpyralate (40 g·ai·ha−1), and atrazine (560 g·ai·ha−1) controlled GR Canada fleabane 64, 78 and 72%, respectively. A tank mix of tolpyralate + atrazine at both rates improved GR Canada fleabane control to 94%. Saflufenacil/dimethenamid-p, mesotrione + atrazine, and dicamba/atrazine controlled GR Canada fleabane 99, 95 and 92%, respectively. At 8 WAA, tolpyralate (30 g·ai·ha−1), tolpyralate (40 g·ai·ha−1) and atrazine (560 g·ai·ha−1) controlled GR Canada fleabane 83, 88, and 83%, respectively (Table 2). The tank mixes of tolpyralate (30 g·ai·ha−1) + atrazine (560 g·ai·ha−1) and tolpyralate (40 g·ai·ha−1) + atrazine (560 g·ai·ha−1) controlled GR Canada fleabane 94, and 97%, respectively, 8 WAA which was similar to saflufenacil/dimethenamid-p, mesotrione + atrazine and dicamba/atrazine. There was no treatment difference for corn yield. Based on these results, tolpyralate (40 g·ha−1), tolpyralate (30 g·ha−1) + atrazine and tolpyralate (40 g·ha−1) + atrazine, applied PRE, provided similar control of GR Canada fleabane as current industry standards at 8 WAA.
Ecological Succession in the Pleistocene in Glacier National Park, Montana, in Relation to Current Successional Stages in the Western Mountains of the U.S.

GLACIER National Park, Montana, and the surrounding areas exhibit a fascination and excitement to the observant visitor due to a concentration of significant ecological and geological structures and artifacts. As the various structures are viewed over an extended period of time, the biologist begins to wonder if the current succession of flora differs significantly from the successional data accumulated by scientists studying the geological record of earlier changes in the geographic area. For biologists in many parts of the United States there is very little opportunity to study glacial geology locally. Much of their experience comes from prior study in their earlier collegiate days and has remained largely theoretical. For others, such as biologists living in the northeastern portions of the United States, the glacial evidences are indirect: glacial striae on exposed rock, lateral and terminal moraines, acid bogs and other such structures. Glacier National Park offers them the opportunity to view such evidences in a direct manner and allows them to observe the resultant ecological structures and successions in a dramatic fashion.
Local Fairing of Curves and Surfaces - Algorithms for Curvature Optimization

After reviewing different approaches, a new algorithm is presented for fairing B-spline curves and surfaces. It is based on a novel fairness measure, which is derived from a notion called "target curvature". The target curvature is computed from the not-yet-faired curve or surface automatically, but with optional user-interaction to make it flexible. The method itself is parameter invariant and local. We introduce two implementations, a slower, iterative method emphasizing locality and a faster algorithm involving discrete integration and fitting. The results are illustrated by a few examples.
Indonesia Palm Oil as Issue Insight of Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations

This paper is one of response towards the growing of recognition influence of non-governmental organization in world politics, especially in environmental issue. European Union policy to ban Indonesia oil palm is one of example the advocacy power of environmental non-government organizations. This paper would examine the nature of environmental non-governmental organizations in Indonesia. Particularly, this paper focus on the issue of Indonesia palm oil. Most studies focus on environmental impacts or economic benefits derived from the growing of palm oil plantations. Some studies also show that the economic benefits generated are not comparable to environmental impacts. In addition, several studies found that the environmental damage that occurred not only harm the local community. To close the gaps, several studies on palm oil governance were carried out. However, several studies mention the role of non-governmental organizations on the Indonesian palm oil issue. Some studies only explain how the role of nongovernmental organizations in certain political phenomena. Narratives of nongovernmental organizations are only considered part of the tools for advocacy.