PeF: Poisson's Equation Based Large-Scale Fixed-Outline Floorplanning

Floorplanning is the first stage of VLSI physical design. An effective floorplanning engine definitely has positive impact on chip design speed, quality and performance. In this paper, we present a novel mathematical model to characterize non-overlapping of modules, and propose a flat fixed-outline floorplanning algorithm based on the VLSI global placement approach using Poisson's equation. The algorithm consists of global floorplanning and legalization phases. In global floorplanning, we redefine the potential energy of each module based on the novel mathematical model for characterizing non-overlapping of modules and an analytical solution of Poisson's equation. In this scheme, the widths of soft modules appear as variables in the energy function and can be optimized. Moreover, we design a fast approximate computation scheme for partial derivatives of the potential energy. In legalization, based on the defined horizontal and vertical constraint graphs, we eliminate overlaps between modules remained after global floorplanning, by modifying relative positions of modules. Experiments on the MCNC, GSRC, HB+ and ami49\_x benchmarks show that, our algorithm improves the average wirelength by at least 2\% and 5\% on small and large scale benchmarks with certain whitespace, respectively, compared to state-of-the-art floorplanners

Protein degradation of black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) muscle during cold storage

This study investigated the effects of cold storage at different temperatures (4, -0.5, -3, and -20 degrees C) on protein degradation and its relationship to structural changes of black carp muscle. At -0.5 and 4 degrees C, major structural changes occurred, including the formation of gaps between myofibers and myofibrils, breakage of myofibrils and myofibers, and degradation of sarcoplasmic reticulum. Gel-based proteomic analysis showed that these structural changes were accompanied by degradation of a series of myofibrillar proteins, including titin, nebulin, troponin, myosin, myomesin, myosin-binding protein, and a-actinin. Loss of extractable gelatinolytic and caseinolytic protease activities was also observed. At -3 and -20 degrees C, formation of ice crystals was the most noticeable change. The major proteins were degraded at different locations in the black carp muscle, and gelatinolytic and caseinolytic proteases appear to contribute to the degradation of those proteins.Peer reviewe

Tenofovir alafenamide versus entecavir for treating hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure: real-world study

Background and aimsReal-world data regarding hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) patients receiving tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) as an antiviral drug are limited. Hence, we evaluated the efficacy and kidney safety of TAF among this population.MethodsA total of 272 HBV-related ACLF patients hospitalized at Xiangya Hospital of Central South University were enrolled in this retrospective research. All patients received antiviral therapy with TAF (n = 100) or ETV (n = 172) and comprehensive medical treatments.ResultsThrough 1:1 propensity score matching, 100 patients were finally included in each group. At week 48, the survival rates without transplantation of the TAF group and ETV group were 76.00 and 58.00%, separately (P = 0.007). After 4 weeks of treatment, the TAF treatment group exhibited a significantly decline in HBV DNA viral load (P = 0.029). The mean estimated glomerular filtration rate was apparently improved in the TAF group compared with the ETV group (TAF 5.98 ± 14.46 vs. ETV 1.18 ± 18.07 ml/min/1.73 m2) (P < 0.05). There were 6 patients in TAF group and 21 patients in ETV group with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage progression ≥ 1. By contrast, the ETV treatment group has a greater risk of renal function progression in CKD 1 stage patients (P < 0.05).ConclusionThis real-world clinical study showed that TAF is more effective than ETV in reducing viral load and improving survival rate in HBV-ACLF patients and the risk of renal function decline is lower.Clinical trial registrationhttps://ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT05453448

Evaluation of an identification method for the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant based on the amplification-refractory mutation system

The Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 dominated the COVID-19 pandemic due to its high viral replication capacity and immune evasion, causing massive outbreaks of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. Currently, variant identification is performed mainly by sequencing. However, the high requirements for equipment and operators as well as its high cost have limited its application in underdeveloped regions. To achieve an economical and rapid method of variant identification suitable for undeveloped areas, we applied an amplification-refractory mutation system (ARMS) based on PCR for the detection of novel coronavirus variants. The results showed that this method could be finished in 90 min and detect as few as 500 copies/mL and not react with SARS-Coronavirus, influenza A H1N1(2009), and other cross-pathogens or be influenced by fresh human blood, α- interferon, and other interfering substances. In a set of double-blind trials, tests of 262 samples obtained from patients confirmed with Delta variant infection revealed that our method was able to accurately identify the Delta variant with high sensitivity and specificity. In conclusion, the ARMS-PCR method applied in Delta variant identification is rapid, sensitive, specific, economical, and suitable for undeveloped areas. In our future study, ARMS-PCR will be further applied in the identification of other variants, such as Omicron

A First Generation Microsatellite- and SNP-Based Linkage Map of Jatropha

Jatropha curcas is a potential plant species for biodiesel production. However, its seed yield is too low for profitable production of biodiesel. To improve the productivity, genetic improvement through breeding is essential. A linkage map is an important component in molecular breeding. We established a first-generation linkage map using a mapping panel containing two backcross populations with 93 progeny. We mapped 506 markers (216 microsatellites and 290 SNPs from ESTs) onto 11 linkage groups. The total length of the map was 1440.9 cM with an average marker space of 2.8 cM. Blasting of 222 Jatropha ESTs containing polymorphic SSR or SNP markers against EST-databases revealed that 91.0%, 86.5% and 79.2% of Jatropha ESTs were homologous to counterparts in castor bean, poplar and Arabidopsis respectively. Mapping 192 orthologous markers to the assembled whole genome sequence of Arabidopsis thaliana identified 38 syntenic blocks and revealed that small linkage blocks were well conserved, but often shuffled. The first generation linkage map and the data of comparative mapping could lay a solid foundation for QTL mapping of agronomic traits, marker-assisted breeding and cloning genes responsible for phenotypic variation

Analysis of domestic and foreign research status of agricultural pollution control based on VOSviewer

Visual analysis of the field of agricultural pollution prevention and control will help researchers to fully understand the research status at home and abroad, and better fit the current situation for further research. Mothod: Web of Science database was used to retrieve 2,214 literatures related to agricultural pollution prevention and control from 2000 to 2018 as data sources, and VOSviewer software was used for visual analysis. The results showed that the research heat of agricultural pollution control showed a good upward trend; Since 2010, China’s rapid growth in the volume of publications has ranked first, while the United States has remained stable for a long time, ranking second; Chinese institutions hold eight of the top 10 spots, with the Chinese academy of sciences at the absolute center of the field; In the research hotspot, it is divided into three clusters.1# In the field of agricultural pollution prevention and control, we have the ability to effectively control nitrogen, quality and phosphorus; China has made in-depth research on sediments, heavy metals and agricultural soils.3# Indian researchers have paid considerable attention to the prevention and control of surface water, drainage basins and groundwater pollution, and carried out in-depth research work for this purpose

FedInv: Byzantine-Robust Federated Learning by Inversing Local Model Updates

Federated learning (FL) is a privacy-preserving distributed machine learning paradigm that enables multiple clients to collaboratively train statistical models without disclosing raw training data. However, the inaccessible local training data and uninspectable local training process make FL susceptible to various Byzantine attacks (e.g., data poisoning and model poisoning attacks), aiming to manipulate the FL model training process and degrade the model performance. Most of the existing Byzantine-robust FL schemes cannot effectively defend against stealthy poisoning attacks that craft poisoned models statistically similar to benign models. Things worsen when many clients are compromised or data among clients are highly non-independent and identically distributed (non-IID). In this work, to address these issues, we propose FedInv, a novel Byzantine-robust FL framework by inversing local model updates. Specifically, in each round of local model aggregation in FedInv, the parameter server first inverses the local model updates submitted by each client to generate a corresponding dummy dataset. Then, the server identifies those dummy datasets with exceptional Wasserstein distances from others and excludes the related local model updates from model aggregation. We conduct an exhaustive experimental evaluation of FedInv. The results demonstrate that FedInv significantly outperforms the existing robust FL schemes in defending against stealthy poisoning attacks under highly non-IID data partitions

Kinetics and mechanism of manganese reductive leaching from electrolytic manganese anode slag with elemental sulfur in sulfuric acid solution

Recycling EMAS in an eco-friendly manner is crucial to alleviate the demand for manganese resource and reduce environmental pollution. Hydrometallurgical reductive leaching of EMAS with elemental sulfur is proposed, but sulfur is chemically inert. To improve the rate and degree of reductive dissolution of EMAS using elemental sulfur. Reductive leaching kinetics of EMAS by elemental sulfur with the aid of H2SO4 at atmospheric pressure have been conducted. A shrinking core model was used to explain the leaching data obtained, and the apparent activation energy was determined to be 63.8 kJ mol−1, indicating the leaching was controlled by chemical reation. The reaction order with respect to sulfuric acid concentration and mass ratio of sulfur to EMAS were 2.6 and 0.9, respectively. The leaching rate equation was established based on the shrinking core model, and good agreement between experimental data and predicted rate curves was obtained. Mechanism of reductive leaching was reasonably speculated with the assistance of X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope, revealing that the manganese reduction and sulfur oxidation progressed step by step, following the order Mn4+→Mn3+→Mn2+ and S0→S1+→S2+→ S4+→S6+. The ring opening reaction of [S8]•+ was identified as the rate-determining step. The results of this research provide a theoretical guidance for improving the speed and degree of manganese reduction leaching

Petroleum charge history in the Lunnan Low Uplift, Tarim Basin, China : revealed from fluid inclusion investigation

The Lunnan Low Uplift area in the Tarim Basin has undergone several phases of hydrocarbon generation, accumulation and migration. Despite much work, oil source and charge history remain quite controversial. We attempt to understand the charge history through geochemical analyses on four palaeo-oils trapped in fluid inclusions (FI) and five production oils from the Ordovician and Triassic reservoirs. Both FI and production oils contain abundant n-alkanes with low to medium carbon numbers, consistent with results from Quantitative Grain Fluorescence (QGF) and Total Scanning Fluorescence (TSF). However, the biomarker signatures of the Ordovician FI oils are significantly different from Triassic FI oils with higher abundances of C19 tricyclic and C24 tetracyclic terpanes, the C27 hopane Ts, C29Ts and the tetracyclic polyprenoids Ta and Tb, and lesser amounts of 1,2,3,4- tetramethylbenzene, and 2,3,6 methyl-substituted arylisoprenoids. Aromatic and aliphatic parameters indicate an early to mid oil window thermal maturity level for all FI oils. The source-specific signature of the production oils indicates a higher maturity than the FI oils and appears to more closely resemble the Triassic FI oils than to the Ordovician FI oils. Production oils from Triassic reservoirs are slightly more mature than Ordovician oils. The presence of C29 25- norhopane is largely restricted to the production oils and to Triassic FI oils, indicating that a phase of biodegradation post-dated the trapping of FI oils in Ordovician reservoirs. The production oils in the Ordovician and Triassic reservoirs are probably a mixture of biodegraded oils from an early charging episode, and more mature oils from later charging episodes