Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Synthesis method for field programmable gate arrays

Logic synthesis algorithms and methods for field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) are reviewed. The three most popular types of FPGA architectures are considered, namely, those using logic blocks based on lookup-tables, multiplexers, and wide AND/OR arrays, respectively. The emphasis is on tools that attempt to minimize the area of the combinational logic part of a design, since little work has been done on optimizing performance or routability, or on synthesis of the sequential part of a design. The different tools surveyed are compared using a suite of benchmark designs. >
Social networking in academic libraries: the possibilities and the concerns

Purpose – The goal of this paper is to examine the use of the major social networking tools in academic libraries in the USA. As college students are heavy users of social networking, such efforts provide academic libraries with outreach possibilities to students who do not use the physical library. The paper also seeks to examine the concerns about their use both from students and within the academic library.Design/methodology/approach – The paper summarizes findings from articles published since 2006 found in the Library Literature and Information Full Text database. The first author also examined librarian blogs and library accounts in various social networking sites.Findings – Social networking can be an effective method of student outreach in academic libraries if libraries take care to respect student privacy and to provide equal coverage for all subject areas.Research limitations/implications – Most information about social networking is anecdotal with very little statistical analysis of its effect.
Primary Mucosal Malignant Melanoma: Two Case Reports

Primer mukozal malign melanomlar respiratuvar, gastrointestinal ve ürogenital traktta bulunan mukozal membranlardaki melanositlerden köken alır. Mukozal melanomlar oldukça nadirdir ve deri melanomuna göre daha agresif ve kötü prognozludur. Bölgesel veya uzak metastaz ve rekürrens olasılıkları ve mortaliteleri daha yüksektir. Mukozal melanomlar ile deri melanomları arasında epidemiyolojik ve etiyolojik pek çok fark bulunmakla birlikte mukozal melanomlar için net olarak tanımlanmış bir predispozan faktör bulunmamaktadır. Mukozal melanomlar tüm melanomların %1,3-1,4’ünü oluşturur ve bu olguların %25-50’si baş-boyun kaynaklı tümörlerdir. Semptomlar non-spesifik olup lezyonun yerleşim yerine göre değişmektedir. Mukozal melanomların tipik radyolojik görüntüleme özelliklerinin bilinmesi ve klinik değerlendirmede ayırıcı tanıda akla gelmesi, erken tanı şansını artıracak ve hasta sağ kalımını olumlu etkileyecektir.
Is adenosine deaminase level a predictive biochemical marker of type II diabetes mellitus in obese Indian subjects

Objective: To evaluate serum Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) levels in obese and non obese Type II Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and compare it with healthy controls (obese and non obese). Materials and Methods: Total 100 subjects were included in the study. Fasting blood sugar (FBS) and ADA activity along with other routine biochemical parameters were determined in their serum. Based on their BMI and FBS level study subjects were divided into four groups: Control, Obese, Non obese T2DM and Obese T2DM. Results: ADA activity was significantly increased (P Conclusion: In this study we observed an increased ADA activity in obesity and T2DM. A close relation may be present between insulin resistance produced in obese subjects and diabetics. Therefore ADA could therefore be used in routine lab investigations, especially in obese patients as a predictive marker for assessing the development of insulin resistance and hence diabetes. Keywords: Diabesity, ADA, Obesity, Insulin resistance, Fasting blood sugar.
ROMA - a system for model-based analysis of road markings

In order to really support a driver in actual traffic situations, it is necessary to have a sufficiently precise description of the spatial structure of the environment. In order to investigate several image sequence evaluation functions in a common framework, especially in more complex traffic situations such as urban traffic situations, the ROMA (Road Markings Analysis) system is being developed. It generates data-driven hypotheses in real-time for a model-based verification and parameter estimation of more complex intersection models.
A phase III randomized, open label, multicenter study comparing isatuximab, pomalidomide, and low-dose dexamethasone versus pomalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM).

8004 Background: The primary objective of this phase 3 trial was to demonstrate progression free survival (PFS) improvement of isatuximab (Isa), a novel anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, combined with pomalidomide (P)/dexamethasone (d) versus (vs) Pd. Methods: Patients (pts) with RRMM who received ≥2 prior lines, including lenalidomide (len) and a proteasome inhibitor (PI), refractory to last therapy were enrolled. IsaPd arm received Isa 10 mg/kg IV weekly for first 4 weeks (wks), then every 2 wks. Both arms received approved schedules of pom and dex (4mg PO days 1-21; 40mg [20mg if >75 yrs] PO or IV weekly) every 28 days until progression or unacceptable toxicity. Results: 307 pts (154 IsaPd, 153 Pd) were randomized and analyzed (ITT). Patient characteristics were well balanced across arms. Median age: 67 (36-86) yrs; median prior lines of therapy: 3 (2-11); estimated GFR: <60ml/min in 33.9% pts; 92.5% refractory to len, 75.9% to PI; and 19.5% pts had high-risk cytogenetics. At median follow-up of 11.6 months (mos), median PFS was 11.5 mos IsaPd vs 6.5 mos Pd; HR 0.596 (95% CI 0.44-0.81), P=0.001. PFS benefit was consistent across all major subgroups. ORR (≥PR) was 60.4% IsaPd vs 35.3% Pd, P<0.0001. VGPR rate or better was 31.8% IsaPd vs 8.5% Pd, and MRD negativity (NGS, 10-5) was seen in 5.2% IsaPd pts vs 0% Pd. At analysis date, overall survival (OS) was immature (99 events) but a trend to OS improvement in IsaPd (vs Pd) was observed (HR 0.687; 95% CI 0.461-1.023). Median treatment duration was 41 wks IsaPd vs 24 wks Pd; median Isa infusion (inf.) duration was 3.3h at 1st inf. and 2.8h at subsequent inf. Grade ≥3 AEs were observed in 86.8% IsaPd vs 70.5% Pd; 7.2% IsaPd and 12.8% Pd pts discontinued due to AEs; 7.9% IsaPd and 9.4% Pd pts died due to AEs. Inf. reactions were reported in 38.2% (2.6% grade 3-4) IsaPd. Grade ≥3 infections were seen in 42.8% IsaPd and 30.2% Pd, grade ≥3 neutropenia in 84.9% (febrile 11.8%) IsaPd and 70.1% (febrile 2.0%) Pd. Conclusions: IsaPd significantly improved PFS and ORR vs Pd, with a manageable safety profile. IsaPd is an important new treatment option for the management of RRMM. Clinical trial information: NCT02990338.
Pulmonary Type B Niemann-Pick Disease Successfully Treated with Lung Transplantation

Background Niemann-Pick Disease (NPD) type B is a rare autosomal recessive disease characterised by hepatosplenomegaly and pulmonary disease, highlighted by preserved volumes and diminished diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) on pulmonary function tests (PFTs). There is no current accepted treatment for the disease. We present a case of a successful bilateral lung transplant in a patient with a DLCO of 14%, and significant pulmonary changes attributable to NPD type B on computed tomography (CT) chest, and both microscopic and macroscopic assessment of the lung explant. To the author's knowledge this is only the third case of lung transplantation in a patient with NPD type B and is one of two current living patients post lung transplantation for NPD type B. Case Report A 64-year-old male patient underwent bilateral lung transplantation for NPD type B. Preoperative PFTs demonstrated preserved volumes with significantly decreased DLCO, with imaging showing a diffuse reticular interstitial pattern, typical of chronic fibrotic lung disease. The patient suffered from primary graft dysfunction type 3 in the postoperative period as well as rejection managed with methylprednisolone and intravenous immunoglobulin. The patient improved steadily and was discharged 80 days post-transplantation. Conclusions This case is only the third reported case of lung transplantation in a patient with NPD type B and the second case of a patient with NPD type B currently living post-transplantation, being at postoperative day (POD) 267 at the time of manuscript drafting. It demonstrates that lung transplantation, although hazardous, is a viable strategy for treatment in patients with NPD type B who have significant pulmonary involvement.
Towards an Intelligent Tutoring System for Propositional Proof Construction

This article reports on recent efforts to develop an intelligent tutoring system for proof construction in propositional logic. The report centers on data derived from an undergraduate, general education course in Deductive Logic taught at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Within this curriculum, students use instructional java applets to practice state-transition problem solving, truth functional analysis, proof construction, and other aspects of propositional logic. Two project goals are addressed here: 1) identifying at-risk students at an early stage in the semester, and 2) generating a visual representation of student proof efforts as a step toward understanding those efforts. Also discussed is the prospect for developing a Markov Decision Process approach to providing students with individualized help.
How Does Ontology Help User Query Processing for FAQ Services

This paper discusses how ontology helps user query processing to provide better FAQ services. We integrated several interesting techniques including user modeling, domain ontology, and template-based linguistic processing to effectively tackle the problems associated with traditional FAQ retrieval systems. Specifically, we address the following issues. First, how can an interface agent learn a user's specialty in order to build a proper user model for him/her? Second, how can domain ontology help in establishing user models, analyzing user query, and assisting and guiding interface usage? Finally, how can the intention and focus of a user be correctly extracted? Our work features an ontology-supported, template-based user modeling technique for developing interface agents; a nature language query mode, along with an improved keyword-based query mode; and an assistance and guidance for human-machine interaction. Our preliminary experimentation demonstrates that user intention and focus of up to eighty percent of the user queries can be correctly understood by the system, and accordingly provides the query solutions with higher user satisfaction.
Prevalence of sarcopenia in chronic obstructive patients hospitalized in pneumology at the CHU of Clermont-Ferrand

Background. COPD is characterized by a loss of skeletal muscle mass. Associated with a decrease in physical performance, it defines sarcopenia. The objective of this study is to describe the prevalence of sarcopenia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary insufficiency during hospitalization for acute exacerbation. The evolution of sarcopenia at six months and the survival at one year of these patients were also studied. Methods. We prospectively included hospitalized patients and measured their body composition, handgrip strength and respiratory function, including maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) representative of diaphragmatic function. The same measurements were performed at six months in consultation. Sarcopenia was defined by a low skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) measured by body impedance analysis, and a decreased handgrip strength (HGS), based on the criteria of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older Adults (EWGSOP). Survival data were collected eighteen months after hospitalization. Results. We analyzed data from fifty-four patients, aged 68 ± 9 years and BMI 26.9 ± 7.8 kg/m2, with an average FEV1 of 1.13 ± 0.49 L (45 ± 16%). Sarcopenia was observed in 48% of patients during hospitalization and in 30% of patients in consultation. At six months, the SMI improved more for men than women (+5% vs -3%, p = 0.01), it tends to improve more for patients taking oral nutritional supplements (+13% vs +1%, p = 0.05). HGS tends to increase more in physically active patients (+324% vs. +7%, p = 0.05). In multivariate analysis, SMI and MIP were linked (p = 0.03). The one-year survival rate was lower in sarcopenic patients (65% vs. 86%, p = 0.03). Conclusion. Sarcopenia in chronic obstructive pulmonary insufficiency is prevalent during exacerbation and in a stable state. It exposes to lower survival. A multimodal management reduces its prevalence.
Improvements towards Optimal Design of Reliable Subthreshold Digital CMOS with applications in Logic and Memory

This dissertation is organized as a collection of papers, where each paper represents original research contributions relating to the design and analysis of ultra low power CMOS, with a particular emphasis on ultra low voltage and subthreshold operation. The individual papers represent advancements particularily within methods and practices related to the design of both digital logic and memory circuits in the presence of severe process variation. At the device level it is demonstrated how the use of multiple minimum-width gates can exploit the inverse narrow-width subthreshold device effect to improve performance and power-delay products. Measurement results from a 90 nm prototype confirm the effect. Multi-objective optimization strategies are developed and applied to allow exploration of the Pareto optimal design space for reliable logic at 150mV. Targeting operation at 300mV, the design of a 9-transistor SRAM memory cell employing multi-Vt and virtual power techniques is presented. A multi-objective optimization strategy is developed and applied to achieve an optimal trade-off for an efficient and reliable sizing of the SRAM cell. Based on the 9-transistor cell, measured results from an ultra low voltage 64 × 32 SRAM module operating down to 273mV in a 65 nm technology indicate good yield and competitive performance metrics (17.8 fJ/access/bit at averages of 761 kHz @ 321mV supply). Finally, the behavior of subthreshold logic circuits under the influence of adverse fluctuations in the transistor threshold voltages is treated analytically, with specific emphasis on minimum-energy operation and yield constraints. The analysis can suggest optimal choices for supply voltage and device sizing, prior to simulation.
Individual Region- and Muscle-specific Hamstring Activity at Different Running Speeds.

INTRODUCTION Hamstring strain injuries typically occur in the proximal biceps femoris long head (BFlh) at high running speeds. Strain magnitude seems to be the primary determinant of strain injury, and may be regulated by muscle activation. In running, BFlh strain is largest in the proximal region, especially at high speeds. However, region-specific activity has not been examined. This study examined the proximal-distal and intermuscular activity of BFlh and semitendinosus (ST) as a function of increasing running speed. METHODS Thirteen participants ran at steady speeds of 4.1 (slow), 5.4 (moderate), and 6.8 m·s (fast) on a treadmill. Region- and muscle-specific EMG activity were recorded at each speed using high-density EMG, and were normalized to maximal voluntary isometric activity. Muscle-tendon unit lengths were calculated from kinematic recordings. Speed effects, regional, and intermuscular differences were tested with Statistical Parametric Mapping. RESULTS With increasing running speed, EMG activity increased in all regions of both muscles to a similar extent in the clinically relevant late swing phase. Increases in muscle-tendon unit lengths in late swing as a function of running speed were comparatively small. In fast running, EMG activity was highest in late swing in all regions, and reached 115% ± 20% (proximal region, mean ± 95% confidence limit), 106% ± 11% (middle), and 124% ± 16% (distal) relative to maximal voluntary isometric activity in BFlh. Regional and intermuscular EMG patterns were highly individual, but each individual maintained similar proximal-distal and intermuscular EMG activity patterns across running speeds. CONCLUSIONS Running is associated with highly individual hamstring activity patterns, but these patterns are similar across speeds. It may thus be crucial to implement running at submaximal speeds early after hamstring injury for restoration of normal neuromuscular function.
International workshop on Engineering of software services for pervasive environments: in conjunction with the 6th ESEC/FSE joint meeting

Two emerging trends in information and communication technologies will begin to converge over the next ten years. These are software services and pervasive environments. Software services represent a particular method to structure, deploy, assemble, and execute componentbased distributed systems. Various specifications have been put forth in an effort to standardize these processes. Certainly the best known is Web Services, which is applying the method in the context of webbased software systems. Pervasive environments represent a particular application domain for software systems, one that encompasses such characteristics as mobility (i.e., location dependence), ubiquity (software running in "all" things), and universal connectivity (software, and the things that use the software, always in communication, albeit at different qualities of service). Both software services and pervasive environments have received considerable individual attention from researchers, but the challenges of understanding the complexities of their interaction and integration have yet to be faced. The focus of the International Workshop on the Engineering of Software Services for Pervasive Environments (ESSPE) is specifically the software engineering issues underlying the convergence of software services and pervasive environments. The workshop begins to answer the following questions: • How do we design and develop services that can operate within a pervasive, ubiquitous, and highly dynamic computing environment, one that may involve activities spanning home, work, and nomadic movement? • How do we provide guarantees of correctness, robustness, resilience, trust, and security when the number of devices, contexts, and users grows to encompass large portions of society and life? • How do we maintain software systems whose component services may be developed by a variety of different organizations, and deployed and operated for many years? These are difficult questions, requiring expertise in many different domains. The community responded to the call with a very strong and diverse set of papers. I hope you will enjoy reading the papers in these proceedings and that they will inspire you to take up the challenge!
ess of Affinity- ultiproces sor Network essing (Extended Version)

Techniques for avoiding the high memory overheads found on many modern shared-memory multiprocessors are of increasing importance in the development of high-performance multiprocessor protocol implementations. One such technique is processor-cache affinity scheduling, which can significantly lower packet latency and substantially increase protocol processing throughput (30). In this paper, we evaluate several aspects of the effectiveness of affinity-based scheduling in multiprocessor network protocol processing, under packet-level and connection- level parallelization approaches. Specifically, we evaluate the performance of the scheduling technique 1) when a large number of streams are concurrently supported, 2) when processing in- cludes copying of uncached packet data, 3) as applied to send-side protocol processing, and 4) in the presence of stream burstiness and source locality, two well-known properties of network traffic. We find that affinity-based scheduling performs well under these conditions, emphasizing its robustness and general effectiveness in multiprocessor network processing. In addition, we explore a technique which improves the caching behavior and available packet-level concurrency under connection-level parallelism, and find performance improves dramatically.
ELR positive CXCL chemokines are highly expressed in an animal model of ulcerative colitis

Background: The presence of neutrophil-rich inflammation in colon tissues of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) is one of the most important histological characteristics of this disease. However, the expression of CXCL chemokines governing the infiltration of neutrophils in UC has not been well elucidated. Materials and methods: In this experimental study, the UC model was induced in Wistar rats by administration of 2 mL 4% acetic acid into the large colon through the rectum. Animals were anesthetized after 48 hrs; their colon tissue samples were isolated for macroscopic and histopathological examinations. The expression of CXCL family was assessed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) technique. Results: Heavy infiltration of neutrophils, coagulation necrosis, and ulcers were observed in H&E staining, which pathologically proved the UC model. qRT-PCR results showed that ELR+ CXC chemokines such as CXCL6 and CXCL3 had the highest expression in the UC group, which was 49 and 28 times higher than that of the control group, respectively. In addition, other chemokines of this group including CXCL1, CXCL2, and CXCL7 had a significant increase compared to the control group (P≤0.05). However, ELR− CXC chemokines such as CXCL4, CXCL13, and CXCL16 showed a smaller upregulation, while CXCL14 chemokine showed a significant decrease compared to the control group (P≤0.05). However, the expression of CXCL9-12 and CXCL17 did not change. Conclusion: The results showed that the ELR+ CXC chemokines, especially CXCL6 and CXCL3, many involved in the pathogenesis of UC; therefore, CXCL6 and CXCL3 chemokines can be used as therapeutic targets for UC, although more studies using human samples are required.
Is minimally invasive sacroiliac joint arthrodesis the treatment of choice for sacroiliac joint dysfunction?

Among causes of low back pain, sacroiliac joint pain has historically been neglected in terms of understanding, diagnosis, and available treatment options. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction is a significant source of disability and functional impairment in elderly, and research suggests that the impact on quality of life may be comparable to other surgically treated conditions, including lumbar spinal disease and hip osteoarthritis (1,2). Furthermore, several studies have determined that lumbar/lumbosacral fusion is associated with the development of sacroiliac joint dysfunction (3-5). Recent scientific and technical advances have increased our collective understanding of sacroiliac joint dysfunction and inspired new efforts to define optimal treatment approaches (6,7).