Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Study on column wise design compaction for reconfigurable systems

Some of currently available field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) can be reconfigured partially, which makes it possible to build up dynamic systems that can be adapted to changing demands during runtime. One basic aspect of such a system is the way the dynamic hardware modules are placed on the FPGA. As most FPGAs offer partial reconfiguration in a column wise manner, a 1D placement of column wise implemented modules seems to be promising. Within This work we present a design study that determines the effects of a column wise module implementation on the resulting frequency and power consumption.
A Single-Sensor Control Strategy for Semi-Active Suspensions

The topic of this brief is the design and analysis of a control strategy for semi-active suspensions in road vehicles. Currently used closed-loop control strategies (like the Sky-Hook damping) require two sensors for each suspension. Typically, two accelerometers or an accelerometer combined with a stroke sensor are used. In this brief, a simple but innovative algorithm is proposed that is capable of providing quasi-optimal performance using a single accelerometer. The starting point of this work is the Mix-SH-ADD control algorithm, which has been recently developed and proposed. Starting from that idea, the single-sensor algorithm is derived. This algorithm pays a small price in terms of performance with respect to the mix SH-ADD algorithm, while guaranteeing cost reduction and augmented reliability.
THE DEPOSITION OF CALCIUM PHOSPHATE AND CALCIUM CARBONATE IN BONE AND IN AREAS OF CALCIFICATION

In adult bony tissues the matrix in which the bone cells are embedded appears as a clear homogeneous mass, giving no visible indication of the large amounts of calcium carbonate and phosphate which are contained in it, although these salts form two thirds of its mass. The only visible evidence of the presence of these salts is to be found in newly forming, very rapidly growing bone in the fetus, where discrete particles, or separate granules, have been recognized. Adult bony tissues show only homogeneous fused masses. The organic basis of the matrix consists of fibers formed by the bone cells, similar to those of white fibrous tissue. In bones preformed in cartilage, the cartilage is destroyed at the advancing edge of the bony growth and replaced by these fibers, which, immediately on their formation, begin to show a deposition of calcium salts in the form of very fine, minute
Neandertal and Denisovan DNA from Pleistocene sediments

Tracing our ancestors in cave sediments Analysis of DNA from archaic hominids has illuminated human evolution. However, sites where thousand-year-old bones and other remains can be found are relatively rare. Slon et al. wanted to exploit any trace remains that our ancestors left behind. They looked for ancient DNA of hominids and other mammals in cave sediments, even those lacking skeletal remains. They identified mitochondrial DNA from Neandertal and Denisovan individuals in cave sediments at multiple sites. Science, this issue p. 605 DNA from archaic humans can be retrieved from Pleistocene sediments, even in the absence of their skeletal remains. Although a rich record of Pleistocene human-associated archaeological assemblages exists, the scarcity of hominin fossils often impedes the understanding of which hominins occupied a site. Using targeted enrichment of mitochondrial DNA, we show that cave sediments represent a rich source of ancient mammalian DNA that often includes traces of hominin DNA, even at sites and in layers where no hominin remains have been discovered. By automation-assisted screening of numerous sediment samples, we detected Neandertal DNA in eight archaeological layers from four caves in Eurasia. In Denisova Cave, we retrieved Denisovan DNA in a Middle Pleistocene layer near the bottom of the stratigraphy. Our work opens the possibility of detecting the presence of hominin groups at sites and in areas where no skeletal remains are found.
Optimal Control of a Fractional-Order HIV-Immune System With Memory

The fact that fractional-order models possess memory leads to modeling a fractional-order HIV-immune system. We discuss the necessary conditions for the optimality of a general fractional optimal control problem whose fractional derivative is described in the Caputo sense. Using an objective function that minimizes the infectious viral load and count of infected T cells, the optimal control problem is solved for the fractional-order optimality system with minimal dosage of anti-HIV drugs and the effects of mathematically optimal therapy are demonstrated. Simulation results show that the fractional-order optimal control scheme can achieve improved quality of the treatment.
Macrophage, a long-distance middleman

An immune cell organizes pigment cells during zebrafish stripe development Macrophages were first identified in transparent starfish larvae (Astropecten pentacanthus) more than a century ago, so it is fitting that a new function for macrophages would again be discovered in transparent marine larvae, this time from zebra fish (Danio rerio). On page 1317 of this issue, Eom and Parichy (1) reveal a wholly unexpected tissue-specific function of macrophages—their cardinal role in long-distance communication between nonimmune cells. In doing so, macrophages choreograph the patterning of pigment cells that eventually form the stripes on zebrafish.
Cholinergic Mechanisms in the Cerebral Cortex

Functional overviews of cholinergic mechanisms in the cerebral cortex have traditionally focused on the release of acetylcholine with modulator and transmitter effects. Recently, however, data have emerged that extend the role of acetylcholine and cholinergic innervations to a range of housekeeping and metabolic functions. These include regulation of amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing with production of amyloid β (Aβ) and other APP fragments and control of the phosphorylation of microtubule-associated protein (MAP) tau. Evidence has been also presented for receptor-ligand like interactions of cholinergic receptors with soluble Aβ peptide and MAP tau, with modulator and signaling effects. Moreover, high-affinity binding of Aβ to the neurotrophin receptor p75 (p75NTR) enriched in basalo-cortical cholinergic projections has been implicated in clearance of Aβ and nucleation of amyloid plaques. Here, we critically evaluate these unorthodox cholinergic mechanisms and discuss their role in neuronal physiology and the biology of Alzheimer’s disease.
A Place at the Table

Resolving how our brains encode information requires an understanding of the cellular processes taking place during memory formation. Since the 1970s, considerable effort has focused on determining the properties and mechanisms underlying long-term potentiation (LTP) at glutamatergic synapses and how these processes influence initiation of new memories. However, accumulating evidence suggests that long-term depression (LTD) of synaptic strength, particularly at glutamatergic synapses, is a bona fide learning and memory mechanism in the mammalian brain. The known range of mechanisms capable of inducing LTD has been extended to those including NMDAR-independent forms, neuromodulator-dependent LTD, synaptic depression following stress, and non-synaptically induced forms. The examples of LTD observed at the hippocampal CA1 synapse to date demonstrate features consistent with LTP, including homo- and heterosynaptic expression, extended duration beyond induction (several hours to weeks), and association with encoding of distinct types of memories. Canonical mechanisms through which synapses undergo LTD include activation of phosphatases, initiation of protein synthesis, and dynamic regulation of presynaptic glutamate release and/or postsynaptic glutamate receptor endocytosis. Here, we will discuss the pre- and postsynaptic changes underlying LTD, recent advances in the identification and characterization of novel mechanisms underlying LTD, and how engagement of these processes constitutes a cellular analog for the genesis of specific types of memories.
Plants transfer lipids to sustain colonization by mutualistic mycorrhizal and parasitic fungi

Lipid transfer provides symbiotic fungi associated with plant roots with a source of carbon. Food for fungi A wide variety of plants form symbiotic relationships in their roots with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. The fungi channel inorganic and micronutrients from soil to the plant, and the plant supplies the fungi with organic nutrients. Jiang et al. and Luginbuehl et al. found that as part of this exchange, the plant supplies lipids to its symbiotic fungi, thus providing the fungi with a robust source of carbon for their metabolic needs. Science, this issue p. 1172; p. 1175 Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi facilitate plant uptake of mineral nutrients and draw organic nutrients from the plant. Organic nutrients are thought to be supplied primarily in the form of sugars. Here we show that the AM fungus Rhizophagus irregularis is a fatty acid auxotroph and that fatty acids synthesized in the host plants are transferred to the fungus to sustain mycorrhizal colonization. The transfer is dependent on RAM2 (REQUIRED FOR ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZATION 2) and the ATP binding cassette transporter–mediated plant lipid export pathway. We further show that plant fatty acids can be transferred to the pathogenic fungus Golovinomyces cichoracerum and are required for colonization by pathogens. We suggest that the mutualistic mycorrhizal and pathogenic fungi similarly recruit the fatty acid biosynthesis program to facilitate host invasion.
The artificial landmark design for mobile robots localization and mapping

Nowadays the big challenge in simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) of mobile robots is the creation of efficient and robust algorithms. Big amount of SLAM methods use computer vision for extraction of unique environment features from camera images (feature-based approach). In some cases, artificial landmarks are being used to simplify environment markup (landmark-based approach). In this paper we introduce a new QR-like color artificial landmark design and algorithm for fast detecting and tracking them in arbitrary images.
Extracting the contents of living cells

Alumina “nanostraws” enable longitudinal intracellular monitoring of live cells Being able to monitor cells at different times is key to tracking fundamental cellular processes such as differentiation and cellular senescence, as well as disease progression and the effectiveness of drugs. However, most approaches are destructive and involve lysing the cells. Different time points can be studied by using parallel cell cultures, but the inferred changes could also be the result of cell heterogeneity (1, 2). Techniques for extracting small quantities of the cytosol for long-term tracking of a single cell's response must manipulate picoliter-scale volumes, maintain high cell viability, and give an accurate reflection of the cell's multiple biological components, as well as avoid influencing the ongoing development of the cell (see the figure) (1, 3). Cao et al. approached this problem by culturing cells on top of a random arrangement of hollow cylinders, which they call nanostraws (2). These 150-nm-diameter alumina tubes can sample 5 to 10% of proteins, messenger RNA (mRNA), and small molecules from the cells but only reduce cell viability by ∼5%. Their approach allows intracellular sampling and characterization at multiple time points from the same cells to track changes.
Pretreatment With High-Dose Statin, But Not Low-Dose Statin, Ezetimibe, or the Combination of Low-Dose Statin and Ezetimibe, Limits Infarct Size in the Rat

Statins reduce infarct size by upregulating nitric oxide synthases and PGI2 production. In this article, the infarct size-limiting effect of low-dose simvastatin + ezetimibe, ezetimibe, and high-dose statins were compared. Rats received 3-day water, atorvastatin (10 mg/kg/d), simvastatin (10 mg/kg/d), simvastatin (2 mg/kg/d), simvastatin (2 mg/kg/d) + ezetimibe (1 mg/kg/d), or ezetimibe. Rats underwent 30-minute coronary artery occlusion and 4-hour reperfusion. Atorvastatin and simvastatin 10 reduced infarct size, whereas simvastatin 2, ezetimibe, and simvastatin 2 + ezetimibe had no effect. Atorvastatin and simvastatin 10 increased nitric oxide synthases activity, whereas simvastatin-2, ezetimibe, and simvastatin-2 + ezetimibe had only a small effect. Atorvastatin and simvastatin 10 significantly increased myocardial 6-ketoprostaglandin F1α levels, whereas simvastatin 2, ezetimibe, and simvastatin 2 + ezetimibe had no effect. High-dose statin is required to decrease infarct size, upregulate myocardial nitric oxide synthases activities, and increase 6-keto prostaglandin F1α levels. Combination of ezetimibe and low-dose statin is ineffective in modulating myocardial biochemical changes associated with cardioprotection.
Clinical experience with open-label topiramate use in epileptic children with CNS anomalies

Purpose: To investigate the effectiveness and tolerability of topiramate (TPM) in treating children with CNS anomalies and intractable epilepsy.Methods: We retrospectively searched the patient database in National Taiwan University Hospital for candidate children (younger than 18 years of age) with epilepsy and CNS anomalies from December 2002 to February 2004. The effectiveness and possible side effects of TPM were evaluated by questionnaire.Results: Twenty-two children (9 males, 13 females) aged from five months to fourteen years were enrolled in the present study. Underlying CNS anomalies were proliferation disorders (n=10), migration/organization disorders (n=10), and neurocutaneous syndromes (n=2). Types of epilepsy at TPM add-on were symptomatic partial epilepsy (n=11), infantile spasms (n=7), and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (n=4). During the follow-up periods of six to 30 months, eight patients (36%) had more than 50% reduction of seizures and four patients (18%) were seizure-free. The average dosages of TPM ranged from 2.5 to 25 mg⁄kg⁄day. Patients with proliferation disorders or infantile spasms responded better to TPM therapy. The most common side effect was oligohidrosis (n=9, 41%). Conclusion: TPM is a safe and promising add-on anticonvulsant for epileptic children with CNS anomalies. Hypohidrosis is one of the major side effects of TPM treatment.
Review Article: The New Concept of Interventional Heart Failure Therapy—Part 1: Electrical Therapy, Treatment of CAD, Fluid Removal, and Ventricular Support

Congestive heart failure is a chronic and debilitating disease responsible for high cardiac morbidity and mortality in the world and is associated with more than 290 000 deaths in the United States each year. Recent advances in heart failure therapy target many of the mechanical and structural aspects of heart failure that are not addressed by drug-based therapies; these include abnormalities in electrical conduction, coronary artery or valvular architecture, and in ventricular size and shape. To target these abnormalities, newer therapies have largely been mechanical and device-based in nature and can be collectively described as interventional therapy. Interventional therapy includes the use of interventional medical therapy, electrical-based devices to augment ventricular function, catheterization-based devices for the treatment of underlying coronary artery disease and valvular disease, machines for the removal of excess fluid, mechanical pumps to assist the ventricles, surgical techniques aimed at reshaping the ventricles, the use of tissue therapies such as stem cell transplantation or complete heart transplant, palliative care, and self-care. This article is the first in a 2-part series that will review interventional heart failure therapy and present the most recent data supporting its use.
TNF inhibitor therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (Review)

Immunotherapy has markedly improved treatment outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α antagonists, such as infliximab (IFX), etanercept (ETN), adalimumab (ADA), golimumab (GOLI) and certolizumab pegol (CZP) have been widely used for the treatment of RA. IFX provides significant, clinically relevant improvement in physical function and the quality of life, inhibits progressive joint damage and sustains improvement in the signs and symptoms of patients with RA. ETN is effective and safe for patients with RA. Combination therapy with ETN plus methotrexate (MTX) reduces disease activity, decreases total joint score progression, slows the pace of joint destruction and improves function more effectively compared to any of the monotherapies. ADA with or without MTX also relieves the signs and symptoms of RA. CZP and GOLI expand the therapeutic schedule for patients with RA. The TNF-α inhibitors have similar efficacy, but distinct clinical pharmacokinetic and -dynamic properties. The common adverse events of these TNF-α antagonists include adverse reactions, infections and injection-site reaction. Additionally, these adverse events are mostly mild or moderate and their incidence is low. Certain patients exhibit a lack of response to anti-TNF-α therapies. Some patients may discontinue the initial drug and switch to a second anti-TNF-α agent. The shortage of clinical response to one agent may not predict deficiency of response to another. This review mainly addresses the latest developments of these biological agents in the treatment of RA.
Iodide management in formamidinium-lead-halide–based perovskite layers for efficient solar cells

Healing defects with triiodide ions Deep-level defects in organic-inorganic perovskites decrease the performance of solar cells through unproductive recombination of charge carriers. Yang et al. show that introducing additional triiodide ions during the formation of layers of formamidinium lead iodide, which also contain small amounts of methylammonium lead bromide, suppresses the formation of deep-level defects. This process boosts the certified efficiency of 1-cm2 solar cells to almost 20%. Science, this issue p. 1376 Deep-level defect states in formamidinium lead perovskite layers can be minimized by the addition of triiodide ions. The formation of a dense and uniform thin layer on the substrates is crucial for the fabrication of high-performance perovskite solar cells (PSCs) containing formamidinium with multiple cations and mixed halide anions. The concentration of defect states, which reduce a cell’s performance by decreasing the open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current density, needs to be as low as possible. We show that the introduction of additional iodide ions into the organic cation solution, which are used to form the perovskite layers through an intramolecular exchanging process, decreases the concentration of deep-level defects. The defect-engineered thin perovskite layers enable the fabrication of PSCs with a certified power conversion efficiency of 22.1% in small cells and 19.7% in 1-square-centimeter cells.
Global mRNA polarization regulates translation efficiency in the intestinal epithelium

Location, location, location The distribution of RNA in cells is important for efficient translation into proteins. Asymmetric RNA localization is known in several cell types but is poorly understood in gut epithelial cells. Moor et al. found that transcripts in intestinal enterocytes tend to distribute to the cells' apical or basal cell sides (see the Perspective by Gáspár and Ephrussi). mRNA localization does not generally overlap protein localization; instead, ribosomes are apically biased, which allows more efficient translation. On refeeding of fasted mice, gut cell mRNAs encoding ribosomal proteins exhibit a basal-to-apical shift in localization and a boost in translation. Thus, dynamic polarization of mRNA and polarized translation modulate translational efficiency in the intestinal epithelium. Science, this issue p. 1299; see also p. 1235 The position of ribosomes within cells modulates translational efficiency in the intestinal epithelium. Asymmetric messenger RNA (mRNA) localization facilitates efficient translation in cells such as neurons and fibroblasts. However, the extent and importance of mRNA polarization in epithelial tissues are unclear. Here, we used single-molecule transcript imaging and subcellular transcriptomics to uncover global apical-basal intracellular polarization of mRNA in the mouse intestinal epithelium. The localization of mRNAs did not generally overlap protein localization. Instead, ribosomes were more abundant on the apical sides, and apical transcripts were consequently more efficiently translated. Refeeding of fasted mice elicited a basal-to-apical shift in polarization of mRNAs encoding ribosomal proteins, which was associated with a specific boost in their translation. This led to increased protein production, required for efficient nutrient absorption. These findings reveal a posttranscriptional regulatory mechanism involving dynamic polarization of mRNA and polarized translation.
The Road to H: Narcotics, Delinquency, and Social Policy

Four behavioral scientists here report on heroin use among New York males aged 16-20. The discussion confirms facts previously believed, advances new ideas, and advocates changes in policy. There is a thorough treatment of the study's methodology; the psychological and social factors correlated with addiction are fully presented. The distinction between occasional use of heroin and addiction is considered basic; heroin has no universal addictive impact—it acts only on susceptible personalities. The authors state that the harmfulness of heroin has been grossly overemphasized; the worst consequences of its use are a direct result of its illegality. The authors suggest that addicts cannot be "cured" by forced psychotherapy within institutions and that we must seriously consider the establishment of comprehensive clinics which will supply the addict with his opiate, analagous to the diabetic's insulin supply. Two questionable assertions come to mind: first, the statement that heroin addicts derive no "positive pleasures"
The most perfect thing, explained

The requirements of flight best explain the evolution of different egg shapes Every bird egg serves the same function: to protect and nourish the offspring within while it grows from two cells to a fully formed chick. Yet this identical function is served by a striking diversity of egg shapes. Explanations for both the origin and function of this diversity have remained little more than anecdotal (1). On page 1249 of this issue, Stoddard et al. (2) marry biophysics and ecology to provide a general theory that explains how and why diverse egg shapes arose. Based on a mathematical model, the authors predict that simple changes in the forces experienced by the shell membrane as the egg develops in the female's oviduct are sufficient to generate the observed egg-shape diversity across all birds. The selection pressure that best explains its evolution comes from the characteristic we most associate with birds: flight.