Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A hardware unit for fast SAH-optimised BVH construction

Ray-tracing algorithms are known for producing highly realistic images, but at a significant computational cost. For this reason, a large body of research exists on various techniques for accelerating these costly algorithms. One approach to achieving superior performance which has received comparatively little attention is the design of specialised ray-tracing hardware. The research that does exist on this topic has consistently demonstrated that significant performance and efficiency gains can be achieved with dedicated microarchitectures. However, previous work on hardware ray-tracing has focused almost entirely on the traversal and intersection aspects of the pipeline. As a result, the critical aspect of the management and construction of acceleration data-structures remains largely absent from the hardware literature. We propose that a specialised microarchitecture for this purpose could achieve considerable performance and efficiency improvements over programmable platforms. To this end, we have developed the first dedicated microarchitecture for the construction of binned SAH BVHs. Cycle-accurate simulations show that our design achieves significant improvements in raw performance and in the bandwidth required for construction, as well as large efficiency gains in terms of performance per clock and die area compared to manycore implementations. We conclude that such a design would be useful in the context of a heterogeneous graphics processor, and may help future graphics processor designs to reduce predicted technology-imposed utilisation limits.
SUMS OF THE EVEN INTEGRAL POWERS OF THE COSECANT AND SECANT

Special finite sums of the even powers of the cosecant and of the secant are studied, ∑ k csc (kπ/N) and ∑ k sec (kπ/N), with positive integers N ≥ 3,m and 1 ≤ k < N/2 . The main result of this article is that these power sums are even polynomials in N , of order 2m, whose coefficients are rational. The approach is based on new differential identities for the functions cscz and secz. The Mittag-Leffler expansions for these functions are invoked and the corresponding infinite series are summed to give closed form expressions for the desired sums. Specific polynomial coefficients are obtained, for 1 ≤ m ≤ 6 and for all N ≥ 3, to illustrate the method. Similar sums involving the cotangent and the tangent are also examined.
Supporting Struggling Writers With Class-Wide Teacher Implementation of a Computer-Based Graphic Organizer

ABSTRACT Following professional development, 4 teachers implemented instructional lessons designed to improve the written expression of 6th- and 7th-grade struggling writers in inclusive, self-contained, and co-taught classrooms. A multiple-baseline study investigated the effects of a computer-based graphic organizer (CBGO) with embedded self-regulated learning strategies on the quantity and quality of persuasive essays by students struggling with writing. We collected data on the numbers of words, sentences, and transition words and on writing quality scores across baseline (writing without the CBGO), CBGO use (writing with the CBGO), and maintenance (writing on the computer without the CBGO) phases. Visual analysis of group average performance revealed that all students improved the quality of their writing, and the majority of students also increased the quantity of their writing. Despite teacher adherence to intervention fidelity, we discuss the quality of teacher implementation to inform future educational practice. We also discuss the relationship between student learning outcomes, classroom context, and teachers’ professional development.
Methodologies for Teaching English to Adult Students in Spanish Vocational Education Programs.

This paper explores strategies used by teach- ers of English in Spain to compensate for learning limitations associated with student age. As part of a qualitative study of multiple cases, twenty teachers from different voca- tional programs volunteered to participate in semi-structured interviews. The interviews revealed the difficulties that older Spanish adult students experience in learning Eng- lish in age-diverse classrooms. The findings specifically indicate that older adult learners face numerous obstacles in oral compre- hension and language production because of the translation and grammatical method- ologies with which they were educated. A further obstacle is their younger classmates’ linguistic superiority. Special attention is paid to the methodologies used by teachers of age-diverse groups, including material speci- ficity, real-life practice, repetition and system- atization, skill-oriented tasks, and collabora- tive or cooperative learning.
EXPLORING DIALECTICS IN GRANDPARENT GRIEF: COMMUNICATION WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF A GRANDCHILD by Ashley Duchow-Moore

The following individuals read and discussed the thesis submitted by student Ashley Duchow-Moore, and they evaluated her presentation and response to questions during the final oral examination. They found that the student passed the final oral examination. v DEDICATION I dedicate this journey to my parents and family who have always supported me in my educational pursuits. From a very young age, my parents instilled in me the value of education and hard work. This culminating piece is simply a reflection of their unbounded love and encouragement through the years. I love and honor you both. To my participants, I thank you so much for your candor in sharing such an intimate and sorrowful part of your life. I am honored at your willingness to share your stories with me. vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I extend a special thanks to Dr. Laurel Traynowicz who was been an invaluable mentor, educator, and ally throughout this process. Thank you to Dr. Heidi Reeder who over the years has encouraged my ardor for communication, through the passion she exudes in her teaching. To Dr. Denice Goodrich Liley; my gratitude for your willingness to take part in this thesis, thank you for sharing your wisdom, perspective, and positive attitude. And to Dr. Natalie Nelson-Marsh, thank you for pushing me and making my brain hurt in a good way; much of the reason for the genesis of this thesis was due to your support. Thank you to all the Communication Department faculty and staff who have been so positive and helpful in this experience. To my close and dear friends who have supported me and kept me grounded in this process, I couldn " t have done it without you all. Thank you. vii ABSTRACT A relational dialectics perspective was adopted for this study in order to better understand the tensions and contradictions bereaved grandparents experience following the death of a grandchild. The interviews of eleven grandmothers and five grandfathers were analyzed using a qualitative/interpretive method, leading to implications regarding the nature of grandparent grief. Grandparents experienced tensions in their own grief and in their multiple roles within the family structure after a grandchild died. Grandparents expressed contradictions in their role as a stable supporter versus griever, as well as balancing the need for protection and privacy. Grandparents negotiated these tensions through conscious communicative choices such as monitoring self disclosure or grieving privately. The opportunity for grandparents …
The Impact of Closed-mindedness on the Assessment of Threat: An Empirical Study

In the past decade official reports into intelligence failures have asserted that analysts are subject to the effects of everyday cognitive limitations. The present study examined the influence of an individual's inclination toward closed- mindedness on a computer administered simulated intelligence analysis task. Results indicate that several components of closed-mindedness as measured by the need for cognitive closure scale (NFC) significantly predicted the assessed level of threat posed to and general attitude toward a visiting government delegation by a foreign nation's population. Most sig- nificantly higher scores on the NFC subscale 'need for predictability' were associated with higher scores on the initial as- sessed threat level. This effect remained after controlling for the amount of information accessed. The implications of these findings for the conduct of intelligence analysis are discussed.
Hepatic Angiomyolipoma: Diagnostic Findings and Management

Angiomyolipoma (AML) is a benign mesenchymal tumor that is frequently found in the kidney and, rarely, in the liver. The natural history of hepatic AML has not been clarified, and, because of the similar patterns in imaging studies, such as ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, some of these tumors have been overdiagnosed as hepatocellular carcinoma in the past. With an increase in the number of case reports showing detailed imaging studies and immunohistochemical staining of the tumor with human melanoma black-45, the diagnostic accuracy is also increasing. In this paper, we focused on the role of noninvasive imaging studies and histological diagnosis showing distinctive characteristics of this tumor. In addition, because several reports have described tumor progression in terms of size, recurrence after surgical resection, metastasis to other organs, and portal thrombosis, we summarized these cases for the management and discussed the indications for the surgical treatment of this tumor.
Degradation of ginsenosides in humans after oral administration.

Even though the degradation of ginsenosides has been thoroughly studied in animals and in vitro using acids, enzymes, and intestinal bacteria, knowledge concerning the systemic availability of ginsenosides and their degradation products in humans is generally lacking. Therefore, the attention in this article is focused on the identification of ginsenosides and their hydrolysis products reaching the systemic circulation in man. This is of great importance in understanding clinical effects, preventing herb-drug interactions, and optimizing the biopharmaceutical properties of ginseng preparations. Using a sensitive mass spectrometric method, which is specific for the identification of ginsenosides in complex biological matrices, the degradation pathway of ginsenosides in the gastrointestinal tract of humans could be elucidated following the oral administration of ginseng. Within the frame of a pilot study, human plasma and urine samples of two subjects were screened for ginsenosides and their possible degradation products. In general, the urine data coincided well with the plasma data. In both volunteers the same hydrolysis products, which are not originally present in the Ginsana extract (Pharmaton S.A., Lugano, Switzerland) ingested, were identified in plasma and urine. It was shown that two hydrolysis products of the protopanaxatriol ginsenosides, namely G-Rh1 and G-F1 may reach the systemic circulation. In addition, compound-K, the main intestinal bacterial metabolite of the protopanaxadiol ginsenosides, was detected in plasma and urine. These products are probably responsible for the action of ginseng in humans. In opposition to previous reports, G-Rb1 was identified in plasma and urine of one subject.
Cognitive Biases in Performance Appraisal: Experimental Evidence on Anchoring and Halo Effects With Public Sector Managers and Employees

A systematic literature review of performance appraisal in a selection of public administration journals revealed a lack of investigations on the cognitive biases that affect raters’ evaluation of ratees’ performance. To address this gap, we conducted two artefactual field experiments on a sample of 600 public sector managers and employees. Results show that anchoring and halo effects systematically biased performance ratings. For the former, average scores were higher when subjects were exposed to a high rather than a low anchor. For the latter, higher ability on one performance dimension led participants to provide a higher average score on another performance dimension. Halo effect was moderated by rater’s gender. We conclude by discussing the study limitations and providing suggestions for future work in this area.
Evaluation of oxidative stress via total antioxidant status, sialic acid, malondialdehyde and RT-PCR findings in sheep affected with bluetongue

Introduction Bluetongue (BT) is a non-contagious infectious disease of ruminants. The disease agent bluetongue virus (BTV) is classified in the Reoviridae family Orbivirus. Aims and objectives The aim of this study was to determine serum malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidative stres (TAS), total sialic acid (TSA), ceruloplasmin, triglyceride, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), cholesterol, creatinine, albumin, and total protein levels in sheep with and without bluetongue (BT). Materials and Methods The study included 13 Sakiz crossbreed sheep, aged 1–4 years and usually in the last stage of pregnancy, as the BT group and a control group consisting of 10 healthy sheep. All sheep were clinically examined before collecting blood samples. Serum ALT, AST, cholesterol, triglyceride, albumin, GGT, total protein, creatinine and TAS levels were measured using commercially available kits as per manufacturer's recommendations using a Biochemistry Auto Analyzer (Sinnowa D280, China). Serum lipid peroxidation was estimated through a previously described method in which MDA reacts with thiobarbituric acid (TBA) to form a coloured complex at a maximum absorbance of 535 nm. The TSA value was measured at 549 nm using the method described by Warren (1959): sialic acid was oxidised to formyl-pyruvic acid, which reacts with TBA to form a pink product. The ceruloplasmin concentration was measured according to Sunderman and Nomoto (1970): ceruloplasmin and p-phenylenediamine formed a coloured oxidation product that was proportional to the concentration of serum ceruloplasmin. Real time RT-PCR and conventional RT-PCR were performed as described by Shaw and others (2007). Results Biochemistry analysis of serum showed that in the BT group, TSA, MDA, triglyceride and ALT and AST were higher and that ceruloplasmin and TAS were lower than in the control group. Serum albumin, cholesterol, creatinine, total protein and GGT did not differ significantly between the two groups. Conclusions Serum triglyceride, ceruloplasmin, TSA, MDA and TAS concentrations may prove beneficial to the diagnosis, prognosis and biochemical analysis of BT.
Refractive outcomes following bevacizumab monotherapy compared with conventional laser treatment: a randomized clinical trial.

IMPORTANCE Children born prematurely who develop retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) often develop myopia, and those who require laser treatment may develop very high myopia, which has considerable clinical consequences. OBJECTIVE To report refractive outcomes in preterm infants who developed ROP in zone I or zone II posterior as stage 3+ ROP or aggressive posterior ROP (APROP). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS All infants received intravitreal bevacizumab or laser therapy in a prospective, stratified, randomized, controlled, masked, multicenter clinical trial, Bevacizumab Eliminates the Angiogenic Threat for ROP (BEAT-ROP). Children who received intravitreal bevacizumab or laser in the BEAT-ROP clinical trial, with treatment randomized by infant, underwent cycloplegic retinoscopic refraction at a mean age of 2½ years. Fifteen centers with both pediatric and vitreoretinal ophthalmologists participating in level 3 neonatal intensive care units in academic centers with institutional review board approval were included in the trial. Of the originally enrolled 150 infants (300 eyes) in the BEAT-ROP clinical trial, 13 infants (26 eyes) died (6 received intravitreal bevacizumab; 7 received laser) and 19 eyes had intraocular surgery (6 infants bilaterally). Thus, 45 eyes (19 infants bilaterally) were excluded, leaving 131 infants (255 eyes, including 21 eyes that received a successful second treatment for recurrence). INTERVENTIONS Follow-up of the BEAT-ROP cohort. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Spherical equivalent refractive outcomes and their distribution by ROP zone and treatment. RESULTS Refractions were available for 109 of 131 eligible infants (83.2%) and 211 of 255 eyes (82.7%). Mean (SD) spherical equivalent refractions were as follows: zone I, -1.51 (3.42) diopters (D) in 52 eyes that received intravitreal bevacizumab and -8.44 (7.57) D in 35 eyes that received laser treatment (P < .001); and zone II posterior, -0.58 (2.53) D in 58 eyes that received intravitreal bevacizumab and -5.83 (5.87) D in 66 eyes that received laser treatment (P < .001). Very high myopia (≥-8.00 D) occurred in zone I in 2 of 52 (3.8%) eyes that received intravitreal bevacizumab and in 18 of 35 (51.4%) eyes that received laser treatment (P < .001). Very high myopia occurred in zone II posterior in 1 of 58 (1.7%) eyes that received intravitreal bevacizumab and in 24 of 66 (36.4%) eyes that received laser treatment (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE More very high myopia was found in eyes that received laser treatment than in eyes that received intravitreal bevacizumab. This difference is possibly related to anterior segment development that is present with intravitreal bevacizumab but minimal or absent following laser treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00622726.
Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Mediates ICAM-1-Dependent Monocyte Adhesion through p38 MAPK and p42/p44 MAPK-Dependent Akt Activation

Up-regulation of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is frequently implicated in lung inflammation. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) has been shown to play a key role in inflammation via adhesion molecules induction, and then causes lung injury. However, the mechanisms underlying S1P-induced ICAM-1 expression in human pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells (HPAEpiCs) remain unclear. The effect of S1P on ICAM-1 expression was determined by Western blot and real-time PCR. The involvement of signaling pathways in these responses was investigated by using the selective pharmacological inhibitors and transfection with siRNAs. S1P markedly induced ICAM-1 expression and monocyte adhesion which were attenuated by pretreatment with the inhibitor of S1PR1 (W123), S1PR3 (CAY10444), c-Src (PP1), EGFR (AG1478), PDGFR (AG1296), MEK1/2 (U0126), p38 MAPK (SB202190), JNK1/2 (SP600125), PI3K (LY294002), or AP-1 (Tanshinone IIA) and transfection with siRNA of S1PR1, S1PR3, c-Src, EGFR, PDGFR, p38, p42, JNK1, c-Jun, or c-Fos. We observed that S1P-stimulated p42/p44 MAPK and p38 MAPK activation was mediated via a c-Src/EGFR and PDGFR-dependent pathway. S1P caused the c-Src/EGFR/PDGFR complex formation. On the other hand, we demonstrated that S1P induced p42/p44 MAPK and p38 MAPK-dependent Akt activation. In addition, S1P-stimulated JNK1/2 phosphorylation was attenuated by SP600125 or PP1. Finally, S1P enhanced c-Fos mRNA levels and c-Jun phosphorylation. S1P-induced c-Jun activation was reduced by PP1, AG1478, AG1296, U0126, SP600125, SB202190, or LY294002. These results demonstrated that S1P-induced ICAM-1 expression and monocyte adhesion were mediated through S1PR1/3/c-Src/EGFR, PDGFR/p38 MAPK, p42/p44 MAPK/Akt-dependent AP-1 activation.
The Relationship Between Flower and Fruit Abscission and Alternate Bearing of 'Hass' Avocado

Despite profuse flowering, 'Hass' avocado (Persea americana Mill.) yields are low because of excessive flower and fruit abscission. Whether the dynamics of flower and fruit abscission are influenced by or contribute to alternate bearing, the production of a heavy on-crop followed by a light off-crop that is characteristic of many avocado cultivars, remains unresolved. The objective of this research was to determine whether abscission of reproductive structures from 'Hass' avocado trees during specific developmental stages, including flowering, fruit development, and fruit maturity, was influenced by crop status of the current or preceding year. Abscised reproductive structures were collected from commercially bearing trees during two complete crop years. Flower abscission began at about the same time but peaked 1 month later in the off-crop year compared with the on-crop year. Peak abscission rates were lower during the off-crop year than the on-crop year (compare 1836 ± 403 to 5378 ± 856 flowers per day and 50 ± 18 to 280 ± 23 immature fruit per day, respectively). The off- or on-crop status of the tree did not influence the percentage fruit set, average fruit diameter, or biomass of individual fruit that abscised at similar phenological stages. Furthermore, flower and fruit abscission were not influenced by the number of mature fruit from the previous year's crop. In both years of the research, as immature fruit abscission declined, abscission of the preceding year's crop increased, indicating that the processes were controlled independently. During the study, neither weather conditions nor tree nutrient status were associated with key abscission events. Taken together, these results provide evidence that the previous year's yield does not influence flower or fruit abscission and the seasonal abscission of reproductive structures is an independent process that does not contribute to alternate bearing of 'Hass' avocado.
Practices and Awareness regarding Biosafety Measures among Laboratory Technicians Working in Clinical Laboratories in Karachi, Pakistan

The aim of this study was to find out the level of awareness and biosafety measures taken by hospital-based laboratory technicians during their routine work in clinical laboratories in Karachi, Pakistan. Public- and private-sector hospital-based laboratory technicians (253) were recruited from all 18 towns in Karachi. After securing informed consent documents, the laboratory technicians were interviewed and a questionnaire was completed by the interviewer. A total of 200 males and 53 females participated in this study, with about 61.7% having more than 5 years of work experience. Results showed that 46.2% of the laboratory technicians did not use any kind of personal protective equipment, and almost 39.5% of the respondents recapped used syringes regularly while 10.7% recapped occasionally. To avoid the reuse of syringes, Pakistani authorities recommend that they be cut before discarding; however, only about 36% of the respondents do this prior to discarding used syringes directly into municipal dustbins. In addition, about 65.2% of the respondents declare that there is no separate discarder for sharps so they throw these too into municipal dustbins. Although mouth pipetting is considered obsolete, 38% of the technicians continue to do so for various purposes. Additionally, standard operating procedures were not available in 73.9% of the labs, and accident records were not maintained in 83.4%. No formal biosafety training had been provided to 85% of the respondents. Results of this survey confirm a lack of awareness regarding good lab practices and biosafety measures among lab technicians in Karachi, Pakistan, as well as a need for organizing basic training programs to increase awareness of good laboratory techniques and self-hygienic principles.