Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Towards Online Application Cache Behaviors Identification in CMPs

On chip multiprocessors (CMPs) platforms, multiple co-scheduled applications can severely degrade performance and quality of service (QoS) when they contend for last-level cache (LLC) resources. Whether an application will impose destructive interference on co-scheduled applications is largely dependent on its own inherent cache access behavior characteristics. In this work, we first present case studies that show how inter-application interferences result in undesirable performance in both shared and private cache based LLC designs. We then propose a new online approach for application cache behavior identification on the basis of detailed simulation and analysis with SPEC CPU2006 benchmarks. We demonstrate that our approach can more concisely identify application cache behaviors. Moreover, the proposed approach can be implemented directly in hardware to dynamically identify the application cache behaviors at runtime. Finally, we show with two case studies that how the proposed approach can be adopted by both shared and private based cache sharing mechanisms, i.e. cache partitioning algorithms (CPAs) and cache spilling techniques, for more concise cache resource management.
Linearly Tunable CMOS OTA With Constant Dynamic Range Using Source-Degenerated Current Mirrors

This brief introduces a new operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) that maintains the input voltage-swing constant during gm adjustments, enabled by employing current mirrors with source degeneration. The OTA presents a wide gm tuning range, which is linearly accomplished through a variable current source. The key design steps are illustrated through an example, and simulation results are included to validate the theory
Blood Cadmium and Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate in Korean Adults

Background: Cadmium is a nephrotoxicant at high exposure levels. Few studies have evaluated the role of cadmium in kidney function at low-exposure levels. Objective: We evaluated the association of blood cadmium with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in the Korean adult population. Methods: We evaluated 1,909 adults ≥ 20 years of age who participated in the 2005 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and had blood cadmium determinations. eGFR was calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation. Results: Blood cadmium geometric means were 1.57 μg/L for men and 1.49 μg/L for women. The difference in eGFR levels that compared participants in the highest versus lowest cadmium tertiles, after multivariable adjustment, was –1.85 [95% confidence interval (CI): –3.55, –0.16] mL/min per 1.73 m2 in women and 0.67 (–1.16, 2.50) mL/min per 1.73 m2 in men. Among men, the association between blood cadmium and eGFR was modified by blood lead levels (p-value for interaction = 0.048). The fully adjusted differences in eGFR levels for a 2-fold increase in blood cadmium levels were –1.14 (–3.35, 1.07) and 1.84 (0.54, 3.14) mL/min per 1.73 m2 in men with blood lead levels below and above the median (2.75 μg/dL), respectively. Conclusion: Elevated blood cadmium levels were associated with lower eGFR in women, which supports the role of cadmium as a risk factor for chronic kidney disease. In men, there was no overall association, although elevated blood cadmium levels were associated with higher eGFR levels in men with high blood lead levels and nonstatistically associated with lower eGFR levels in men with low blood lead levels.
Convexity of optimal control over networks with delays and arbitrary topology

We consider the design of optimal controllers for a networked system (or a spatio-temporal system), where the dynamics of each subsystem may affect those of other subsystems with some propagation delays, and the controllers may communicate with each other with some transmission delays. We show that if a simple condition holds, then the optimal control problem may be recast as a convex optimisation problem. This is shown to unify and broadly generalise the class of such systems amenable to convex synthesis. When we consider the special case of spatially invariant systems, this again broadly generalises the known class of tractable problems.
AN EXTENSION OF DAMAGE THEORY TO COUPLED CHEMO-MECHANICAL PROCESSES

A model for the coupled analysis of chemo-mechanical deterioration of concrete is developed within the theory of mixtures. The application of this theoretical framework results in a consistent formulation of chemical, mechanical and coupled chemo-mechanical deterioration of general porous materials. As a particular example for corrosive mecha- nisms, the material degradation due to coupled calcium leaching and damage processes is investigated in this paper. The coupling of the calcium dissolution-diffusion process and the elasto-damage is based on the definition of the total porosity as the sum of the initial porosity, the porosity caused by calcium dissolution and the apparent porosity due to me- chanical damage . The evolution of the mechanically and chemically induced porosities is controlled by internal parameters. This enables the modeling of cyclic loading and allows a consistent thermodynamic formulation of both connected field problems. The weak form of the governing equations, the implicit time integration and the linearization procedures are described. The suitability of the model is investigated by means of parametric studies on the material point level.
Double burden of nutritional disorders in young Iranian children: findings of a nationwide screening survey

Abstract Objective To assess the national prevalence of short stature, underweight, overweight and obesity in 6-year-old Iranian children before school entry. Design Cross-sectional nationwide survey. Setting Mandatory national screening programme before entrance to elementary school in 2008 in Iran. Subjects All Iranian children entering public and private elementary schools. Results The study population comprised 862 433 children (48·4 % girls, 77·2 % urban resident). Overall, 6·5 % of children had short stature, 19·1 % were underweight, 12·8 % were overweight and 3·4 % were obese. There was no significant difference in terms of gender, but considerably larger differences were documented among various provinces. Conclusions The double burden of nutritional disorders among young children warrants a multi-faceted national policy with evidence-based local programmes. Such planning needs a comprehensive surveillance system and centralized data registry for children’s growth.
Individual contributions to territory defence in a cooperative breeder: weighing up the benefits and costs

While investment in territory defence is expected to be influenced by its benefits, the additional role that costs may play is rarely considered. Here, we quantify both benefits and costs of repelling prospecting males in cooperative meerkats, and demonstrate that both are required to explain the substantial variation in individual contributions to the defence observed. Males benefit more from repelling prospectors than females, as males may lose dominance and be expelled during intrusions. Accordingly, males invest the most in repelling prospectors. We also show that males experience an associated cost in the form of reduced weight gain and, as such, heavier males contribute more to chasing prospectors. Finally, we show evidence of a cost not restricted to individuals engaged in chasing: both males and females reduce their contributions to feeding dependent pups when prospectors are present, resulting in a reduction in pup weight gain in this context. Males appear to adjust their contributions to chasing in light of this cost, chasing at lower rates when their group contains dependent young. Our findings support the view that investment in cooperative behaviours can be attributed to benefits and costs, and highlight the additional importance of considering trade-offs in investment between cooperative behaviours.
A predictive torque control for the synchronous reluctance machine taking into account the magnetic cross saturation

A predictive torque and flux control algorithm for the synchronous reluctance machine is presented in this paper. The algorithm realizes a voltage space phasor pre-selection, followed by the computation of the switching instants for the optimum switching space phasors, with the advantages of inherently constant switching frequency and time equidistant implementation on a DSP based system. The criteria how to choose the appropriate voltage space phasor depend on the state of the machine and the deviations of torque and flux at the end of the cycle. In order to obtain an appropriate model of the machine, it has been developed on a d-q frame of coordinates attached to the rotor and takes into account the magnetic saturation in both d-q axes and the cross saturation between both axes. Therefore, the torque dynamic is improved and its ripple is reduced. Simulated and experimental results using a DSP and a commercially available machine show the validity of the proposed control scheme.
Electrochemically polymerised acrylics as adhesion promoting layers at a metal/polymer interface

vi LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS viii CHAPTER 1 LITERATURE REVIEW 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 ADHESION 5 1.1.1 Adhesion of Protective Coatings on Metals 5 1.1.2 Adhesion Fundamentals 6 1.1.2.1 Interfacial Contact 6 1.1.2.2 Adhesive Mechanisms 8 1.1.2.2. a Adsorption Theory 10 7.7. 2.2. 6 Mechanical Interlocking 11 1.1.2.2. c Electrostatic Attraction 11 1.1.2.2. d Diffusion Theory 12 1.1.2.3 Weak Boundary Layers 12 1.2 PRETREATMENTS 14 1.3 ADHESION PROMOTING LAYERS 15 1.3.1 Chromium Conversion Coatings 16 1.3. 2 Phosphate Conversion Coatings 17 1.3. 3 Anodising 17 1.3. 4 Adhesive Bonding of Aluminium and it's Alloys 18 1.3. 5 Limitations of these Pretreatments 18 1.4 ALTERNATIVE PRETREATMENTS 19 1.4.1 Non-Toxic Conversion Coatings 19 1.4.2 Coupling Agents 20 1.4.3 Electrochemical Polymerisation (ECP) 21 22 1.5 ELECTROCHEMICAL POLYMERISATION (ECP) 22 1.5. 1 Development of ECP 22 1.5. 2 Adhesion Promotion Through ECP Tie Layers 26 1.5. 3 Vinyl Electrochemical Polymerisation Mechanisms 29 1.5. 3.1 Methods of Clarifying ECP Mechanisms 31 1.5. 4 ECP Experimental Considerations 33 1.5. 4.1 Electrode Potential 33 1.5. 4.2 Divided Cells 33 1.5. 4.3 Solution Resistance 34 1.5. 4.4 Solvents and Solubility 34 1.5. 4.5 Initiator Concentration 35
Feedback stabilization of uncertain systems in the presence of a direct link

We study the stabilizability of uncertain stochastic systems in the presence of finite capacity feedback. Motivated by the structure of communication networks, we consider a variable rate digital link. Such link is used to transmit state measurements between the plant and the controller. We derive necessary and sufficient conditions for internal and external stabilizability of the feedback loop. In accordance with previous publications, stabilizability of unstable plants is possible if and only if the link's average transmission rate is above a positive critical value. In addition, stability in the presence of uncertainty in the plant is analyzed using a small-gain argument. We also show that robustness can be increased at the expense of a higher transmission rate.
High lumbar noninstrumented fusion rates using lamina autograft and Nanoss/bone marrow aspirate

Background: Patients with marked osteoporosis and/or obesity/morbid obesity and severe multilevel lumbar stenosis and other pathology often undergo multilevel laminectomies with non instrumented posterolateral fusions (PLF). The other pathology may include combinations of degenerative spondylolisthesis/lysis, foraminal/far lateral discs, and/or synovial cysts requiring more extensive facet resections. Presently, spine surgeons often use bone graft expanders to supplement the lamina autograft harvested in the course of laminectomy/decompressions for the PLF mass. Methods: In 59 patients, we prospectively analyzed the fusion rates following multilevel laminectomies/noninstrumented fusions using lamina autograft and the bone graft expander Nanoss (RTI Surgical Alachua, FL, and USA) with autogenous bone marrow aspirate (BMA). Patients averaged 66.1 years of age; many exhibited marked osteoporosis (48 patients) and obesity (13 of 27 morbidly obese). Magnetic resonance (MR) and computed tomography (CT) studies documented stenosis/ossified yellow ligament (OYL) and degenerative spondylolisthesis (51 patients)/lysis (2 patients), synovial cysts (32 patients), and disc herniations (10 of 21 far lateral). Patients were followed remove up for an average of 3.12 years. Results: Average 4.0 level laminectomies/1.2 level noninstrumented fusions utilized lamina autograft and Nanoss/BMA. Both X-ray/CT studies performed an average of 4.9 months postoperatively documented a 97% fusion rate (57 of 59 patients). Two patients with severe osteoporosis, morbid obesity, and smoking histories exhibited pseudarthroses; neither was sufficiently symptomatic to require secondary surgery. Conclusions: Fifty-nine patients with multilevel lumbar stenosis/OYL and other pathology underwent multilevel lumbar laminectomies/noninstrumented fusions using lamina autograft and Nanoss/BMA. Both dynamic X-ray/CT studies confirmed a 97% fusion rate an average of 4.9 months postoperatively. Nanoss/BMA contributed to a high posterolateral lumbar non instrumented fusion rate without complciations.
Alcohol Induced Alterations to the Human Fecal VOC Metabolome

Studies have shown that excessive alcohol consumption impacts the intestinal microbiota composition, causing disruption of homeostasis (dysbiosis). However, this observed change is not indicative of the dysbiotic intestinal microbiota function that could result in the production of injurious and toxic products. Thus, knowledge of the effects of alcohol on the intestinal microbiota function and their metabolites is warranted, in order to better understand the role of the intestinal microbiota in alcohol associated organ failure. Here, we report the results of a differential metabolomic analysis comparing volatile organic compounds (VOC) detected in the stool of alcoholics and non-alcoholic healthy controls. We performed the analysis with fecal samples collected after passage as well as with samples collected directly from the sigmoid lumen. Regardless of the approach to fecal collection, we found a stool VOC metabolomic signature in alcoholics that is different from healthy controls. The most notable metabolite alterations in the alcoholic samples include: (1) an elevation in the oxidative stress biomarker tetradecane; (2) a decrease in five fatty alcohols with anti-oxidant property; (3) a decrease in the short chain fatty acids propionate and isobutyrate, important in maintaining intestinal epithelial cell health and barrier integrity; (4) a decrease in alcohol consumption natural suppressant caryophyllene; (5) a decrease in natural product and hepatic steatosis attenuator camphene; and (6) decreased dimethyl disulfide and dimethyl trisulfide, microbial products of decomposition. Our results showed that intestinal microbiota function is altered in alcoholics which might promote alcohol associated pathologies.
Convergence of ethernet PON and IEEE 802.16 broadband access networks and its QoS-aware dynamic bandwidth allocation scheme

IEEE 802.16 and Ethernet Passive Optical Network (EPON) are two promising broadband access technologies for high-capacity wireless access networks and wired access networks, respectively. They each can be deployed to facilitate connection between the end users and the Internet but each of them suffers from some drawbacks if operating separately. To combine the bandwidth advantage of optical networks with the mobility feature of wireless communications, we propose a convergence of EPON and 802.16 networks in this paper. First, this paper starts with presenting the converged network architecture and especially the concept of virtual ONU-BS (VOB). Then, it identifies some unique research issues in this converged network. Second, the paper investigates a dynamic bandwidth allocation (DBA) scheme and its closely associated research issues. This DBA scheme takes into consideration the specific features of the converged network to enable a smooth data transmission across optical and wireless networks, and an end-to-end differentiated service to user traffics of diverse QoS (Quality of Service) requirements. This QoS-aware DBA scheme supports bandwidth fairness at the VOB level and class-of-service fairness at the 802.16 subscriber station level. The simulation results show that the proposed DBA scheme operates effectively and efficiently in terms of network throughput, average/maximum delay, resource utilization, service differentiation, etc.
An Analysis of Question Processing of English and Chinese for the NTCIR 5 Cross-Language Question Answering Task

An important element in question answering systems is the analysis and interpretation of questions. Using the NTCIR 5 Cross-Language Question Answering (CLQA) question test set we demonstrate that the accuracy of deep question analysis is dependent on the quantity and suitability of the available linguistic resources. We further demonstrate that applying question analysis tools developed on monolingual training materials to questions translated Chinese-English and English-Chinese using machine translation produces much reduced effectiveness in interpretation of the question. This latter result indicates that question analysis for CLQA should primarily be conducted in the question language prior to translation.
Streaming codes for channels with burst and isolated erasures

We study low-delay error correction codes for streaming recovery over a class of packet-erasure channels that introduce both burst-erasures and isolated erasures. We propose a simple, yet effective class of codes whose parameters can be tuned to obtain a tradeoff between the capability to correct burst and isolated erasures. Our construction generalizes previously proposed low-delay codes which are effective only against burst erasures. We establish an information theoretic upper bound on the capability of any code to simultaneously correct burst and isolated erasures and show that our proposed constructions meet the upper bound in some special cases. We discuss the operational significance of column-distance and column-span metrics and establish that the rate 1/2 codes discovered by Martinian and Sundberg [IT Trans. 2004] through a computer search indeed attain the optimal column-distance and column-span tradeoff. Numerical simulations over a Gilbert-Elliott channel model and a Fritchman model show significant performance gains over previously proposed low-delay codes and random linear codes for certain range of channel parameters.
Trends in Cognitive Sciences , Vol . 9 No . 1 January 2005 16 Change blindness : Past , present , and future

Change blindness is the striking failure to see large changes that normally would be noticed easily. Over the past decade this phenomenon has greatly contributed to our understanding of attention, perception, and even consciousness. The surprising extent of change blindness explains its broad appeal, but its counterintuitive nature has also engendered confusions about the kinds of inferences that legitimately follow from it. Here we discuss the legitimate and the erroneous inferences that have been drawn, and offer a set of requirements to help separate them. In doing so, we clarify the genuine contributions of change blindness research to our understanding of visual perception and awareness, and provide a glimpse of some ways in which change blindness might shape future research.
Breast conservation in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS): what defines optimal margins?

The introduction of mammographic screening has resulted in a rise in the detection rate of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), currently accounting for one‐fifth of screen‐detected breast cancers. Although 60–70% of DCIS are treated with breast‐conserving surgery (BCS) with or without radiotherapy, the frequency of subsequent surgery to re‐excise positive margins in order to reduce the probability of recurrences remains high. DCIS recurrence is associated not only with financial, health and psychological implications; approximately half these recurrences are invasive disease. An appropriate margin width for patients undergoing BCS for invasive breast cancer has been largely agreed. Although there is a perception that such recommendations may be applicable to DCIS, major differences exist which may affect this application. Importantly, DCIS patients often do not receive systemic adjuvant (endocrine) therapy and not all receive radiotherapy in routine practice. There is evidence that wide margins (i.e. >10 mm) confer better protection against recurrence than positive (i.e. 0 mm) margins; however, there remains a debate concerning the optimum margin width between 0 and 10 mm. Previous studies have demonstrated that radiation therapy may not compensate for lack of re‐excision in those patients with positive or close margins, while wide margins will inevitably compromise cosmesis and patients’ body image perception. This review aims to address the clinical question of the minimal margin width in DCIS treated with BCS that is associated with the lowest recurrence rate and when, therefore, further surgical intervention for re‐excision can be safely avoided. A range of clinical circumstances that might affect this are considered.
Neutrophil migration across monolayers of cytokine-prestimulated endothelial cells: a role for platelet-activating factor and IL-8

In a previous study we observed that neutrophils respond with a rapid rise in [Ca2+]i during adherence to cytokine-activated endothelial cells (EC), caused by EC membrane-associated platelet-activating factor (PAF). In the present study, we investigated whether this form of PAF was important in neutrophil adherence and migration across monolayers of rIL-1 beta- or rTNF alpha-prestimulated EC. PAF receptor antagonists prevented neutrophil migration across cytokine-pretreated EC by approximately 60% (P less than 0.005) without interfering with the process of adherence. The antagonists WEB 2086 and L-652,731 had no effect on neutrophil migration across resting EC induced by formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP). A murine anti-IL-8 antiserum was found to also partially inhibit the neutrophil transmigration across cytokine-activated EC. When the anti-IL-8 antiserum was used in combination with a PAF receptor antagonist, neutrophil migration across cytokine-pretreated monolayers of EC was completely prevented. During transmigration, LAM-1 and CD44 on the neutrophils were down-modulated; both WEB 2086 and anti-IL-8 antiserum partially prevented this down-modulation caused by cytokine- prestimulated EC. Our results indicate that human neutrophils are activated and guided by EC-associated PAF and EC-derived IL-8 during the in vitro diapedesis in between cytokine-stimulated EC.
CpG DNA as a vaccine adjuvant

Synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides containing unmethylated CpG motifs act as immune adjuvants, accelerating and boosting antigen-specific antibody responses by up to 500-fold. CpG motifs promote the production of T-helper 1 and pro-inflammatory cytokines and induce the maturation/activation of professional antigen-presenting cells (including macrophages and dendritic cells). These effects are optimized by maintaining close physical contact between the CpG DNA and the immunogen. Coadministering CpG DNA with a variety of vaccines has improved protective immunity in animal challenge models. Ongoing clinical studies indicate that CpG oligodeoxynucleotides are safe and well-tolerated when administered as adjuvants to humans and in some cases increase vaccine-induced immune responses.