Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reliability analysis of an on-chip watchdog for embedded systems exposed to radiation and EMI

Due to stringent constraints such as battery-powered, high-speed, low-voltage power supply and noise-exposed operation, safety-critical real-time embedded systems are often subject to transient faults originated from a large spectrum of noisy sources; among them, conducted and radiated Electromagnetic Interference (EMI). As the major consequence, the system's reliability degrades. In this paper, we present the most recent results involving the reliability analysis of a hardware-based intellectual property (IP) core, namely Real-Time Operating System - Guardian (RTOS-G). This is an on-chip watchdog that monitors the RTOS' activity in order to detect faults that corrupt tasks' execution flow in embedded systems running preemptive RTOS. Experimental results based on the Plasma processor IP core running different test programs that exploit several RTOS resources have been developed. During test execution, the proposed system was aged by means of total ionizing dose (TID) radiation and then, exposed to radiated EMI according to the international standard IEC 62.132-2 (TEM Cell Test Method). The obtained results demonstrate the proposed approach provides higher fault coverage and reduced fault latency when compared to the native (software) fault detection mechanisms embedded in the kernel of the RTOS.
Gray Matter Hypoxia in the Brain of the Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Model of Multiple Sclerosis

Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) has a significant inflammatory component and may have significant gray matter (GM) pathophysiology. Brain oxygenation is a sensitive measurement of the balance between metabolic need and oxygen delivery. There is evidence that inflammation and hypoxia are interdependent. In this paper, we applied novel, implanted PO2 sensors to measure hypoxia in cortical and cerebellar GM, in an inflammation-induced mouse model of MS. Objective Quantify oxygenation in cortical and cerebellar GM in the awake, unrestrained experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model and to relate the results to symptom level and disease time-course. Methods C57BL/6 mice were implanted with a fiber-optic sensor in the cerebellum (n = 13) and cortex (n = 24). Animals were induced with stimulation of the immune response and sensitization to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG). Controls did not have MOG. We measured PO2 in awake, unrestrained animals from pre-induction (baseline) up to 36 days post-induction for EAE and controls. Results There were more days with hypoxia than hyperoxia (cerebellum: 34/67 vs. 18/67 days; cortex: 85/112 vs. 22/112) compared to time-matched controls. The average decline in PO2 on days that were significantly lower than time-matched controls was -8.8±6.0 mmHg (mean ± SD) for the cerebellum and -8.0±4.6 for the cortex. Conversely, the average increase in PO2 on days that were significantly hyperoxic was +3.2±2.8 mmHg (mean ± SD) for the cerebellum and +0.8±2.1 for the cortex. Cortical hypoxia related to increased behavioral deficits. Evidence for hypoxia occurred before measurable behavioral deficits. Conclusions A highly inflammatory condition primed to a white matter (WM) autoimmune response correlates with significant hypoxia and increased variation in oxygenation in GM of both cerebellum and cortex in the mouse EAE model of MS.
LTS and FS Inhibitory Interneurons, Short-Term Synaptic Plasticity, and Cortical Circuit Dynamics

Somatostatin-expressing, low threshold-spiking (LTS) cells and fast-spiking (FS) cells are two common subtypes of inhibitory neocortical interneuron. Excitatory synapses from regular-spiking (RS) pyramidal neurons to LTS cells strongly facilitate when activated repetitively, whereas RS-to-FS synapses depress. This suggests that LTS neurons may be especially relevant at high rate regimes and protect cortical circuits against over-excitation and seizures. However, the inhibitory synapses from LTS cells usually depress, which may reduce their effectiveness at high rates. We ask: by which mechanisms and at what firing rates do LTS neurons control the activity of cortical circuits responding to thalamic input, and how is control by LTS neurons different from that of FS neurons? We study rate models of circuits that include RS cells and LTS and FS inhibitory cells with short-term synaptic plasticity. LTS neurons shift the RS firing-rate vs. current curve to the right at high rates and reduce its slope at low rates; the LTS effect is delayed and prolonged. FS neurons always shift the curve to the right and affect RS firing transiently. In an RS-LTS-FS network, FS neurons reach a quiescent state if they receive weak input, LTS neurons are quiescent if RS neurons receive weak input, and both FS and RS populations are active if they both receive large inputs. In general, FS neurons tend to follow the spiking of RS neurons much more closely than LTS neurons. A novel type of facilitation-induced slow oscillations is observed above the LTS firing threshold with a frequency determined by the time scale of recovery from facilitation. To conclude, contrary to earlier proposals, LTS neurons affect the transient and steady state responses of cortical circuits over a range of firing rates, not only during the high rate regime; LTS neurons protect against over-activation about as well as FS neurons.
Does More Money Make You Fat? The Effects of Quasi-Experimental Income Transfers on Adolescent and Young Adult Obesity

This paper examines how exogenous income transfers during adolescence affect contemporaneous body mass index (BMI) measures and young adult obesity rates using evidence from the Great Smoky Mountains Study of Youth. The effects of extra income differ depending on the households’ initial socio-economic status, tracing out an inverted U-shaped relationship between initial income and BMI. Youths who resided in families that had high pre-treatment annual incomes experience no change in young adult obesity rates as a result of the income transfers, while the BMI of poorer children increases. Part of this effect is due to differential increases in height, as well as weight. An exogenous annual transfer of $4,000 per adult family member results in an almost 4 cm gain in height-for-age. Adolescents coming from worse-off households experience an increase in weight only, without the corresponding change in height. The cumulative effects of the increase in household income persist for several years into young adulthood.
At what time is the cocktail party? A late locus of selective attention to natural speech

Distinguishing between speakers and focusing attention on one speaker in multi‐speaker environments is extremely important in everyday life. Exactly how the brain accomplishes this feat and, in particular, the precise temporal dynamics of this attentional deployment are as yet unknown. A long history of behavioral research using dichotic listening paradigms has debated whether selective attention to speech operates at an early stage of processing based on the physical characteristics of the stimulus or at a later stage during semantic processing. With its poor temporal resolution fMRI has contributed little to the debate, while EEG–ERP paradigms have been hampered by the need to average the EEG in response to discrete stimuli which are superimposed onto ongoing speech. This presents a number of problems, foremost among which is that early attention effects in the form of endogenously generated potentials can be so temporally broad as to mask later attention effects based on the higher level processing of the speech stream. Here we overcome this issue by utilizing the AESPA (auditory evoked spread spectrum analysis) method which allows us to extract temporally detailed responses to two concurrently presented speech streams in natural cocktail‐party‐like attentional conditions without the need for superimposed probes. We show attentional effects on exogenous stimulus processing in the 200–220 ms range in the left hemisphere. We discuss these effects within the context of research on auditory scene analysis and in terms of a flexible locus of attention that can be deployed at a particular processing stage depending on the task.
How to Distinguish Dementia with Lewy Bodies from Alzheimer Disease

Dementia with Lewy (DLB) bodies is the most common type of degenerative dementia after Alzheimer Disease (AD). Although an accurate diagnosis of DLB is important for adequate prognosis and therapy, its differentiation from other dementias and, especially, from AD may be extremely challenging for clinicians, as highlighted by the high variability in reported sensitivity (0.22 - 0.83) and specificity (0.79 - 1.00) rates for a diagnosis of probable DLB applying current clinical criteria. Various kinds of imaging procedures, including conventional MRI and brain perfusion SPECT, have been proposed for improving diagnostic accuracy, especially for most controversial cases. Among such techiques, those using radioactive tracers measuring the striatal binding at pre-synaptic dopamine transporter sites or myocardial uptake in post-ganglionic sympathetic fibers have emerged as the most useful for diagnostic purposes.
Development of precipitation retrievals at millimeter and sub‐millimeter wavelengths for geostationary satellites

Received 19 March 2007; revised 19 September 2007; accepted 14 December 2007; published 23 April 2008. [1] We study the potential of millimeter and sub-millimeter wavelengths for precipitation retrieval from geostationary sensors based on mesoscale cloud modeling and radiative transfer computation. Hydrometeor profiles simulated with the Meso-NH cloud resolving model for five European midlatitude situations are used to compute the brightness temperatures at frequencies from 23.8 to 875 GHz with the Atmospheric Transmission at Microwaves (ATM). Performances of both rain detection and rain rate retrieval are analyzed for different frequency sets, over ocean and land separately, and compared to the user requirements. The performances of a frequency set such as that already planned for geostationary satellites (with channels in the O2 lines at 50, 118, and 424 GHz, and in the H2O lines at 183, 325, 380 GHz) satisfy the requirements for Numerical Weather Prediction and NoWCasting in terms of rain detection as well as for rain rate retrieval above 1 mm/h. Suppressing the 50 GHz O2 channels does not seriously degrade the performances, except for rain rate below 1 mm/h, and, in addition, limits the spatial resolution problem from a geostationary orbit. Adding the thermal infrared observations has a limited impact. The retrieval of other hydrometeor quantities (cloud, ice) is also tested as well as the possibility to retrieve rain and the other hydrometeor profiles. These theoretical results are evaluated at close-to-millimeter wavelengths with coincident AMSU-B and radar observations (BALTEX and CAMRa). The results are degraded with respect to the theory, as expected, but are consistent with the observations.
Unexpected Interaction with Dispersed Crude Oil Droplets Drives Severe Toxicity in Atlantic Haddock Embryos

The toxicity resulting from exposure to oil droplets in marine fish embryos and larvae is still subject for debate. The most detailed studies have investigated the effects of water-dissolved components of crude oil in water accommodated fractions (WAFs) that lack bulk oil droplets. Although exposure to dissolved petroleum compounds alone is sufficient to cause the characteristic developmental toxicity of crude oil, few studies have addressed whether physical interaction with oil micro-droplets are a relevant exposure pathway for open water marine speices. Here we used controlled delivery of mechanically dispersed crude oil to expose pelagic embryos and larvae of a marine teleost, the Atlantic haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus). Haddock embryos were exposed continuously to two different concentrations of dispersed crude oil, high and low, or in pulses. By 24 hours of exposure, micro-droplets of oil were observed adhering and accumulating on the chorion, accompanied by highly elevated levels of cyp1a, a biomarker for exposure to aromatic hydrocarbons. Embryos from all treatment groups showed abnormalities representative of crude oil cardiotoxicity at hatch (5 days of exposure), such as pericardial and yolk sac edema. Compared to other species, the frequency and severity of toxic effects was higher than expected for the waterborne PAH concentrations (e.g., 100% of larvae had edema at the low treatment). These findings suggest an enhanced tissue uptake of PAHs and/or other petroleum compounds from attached oil droplets. These studies highlight a novel property of haddock embryos that leads to greater than expected impact from dispersed crude oil. Given the very limited number of marine species tested in similar exposures, the likelihood of other species with similar properties could be high. This unanticipated result therefore has implications for assessing the ecological impacts of oil spills and the use of methods for dispersing oil in the open sea.
Real‐time fur simulation and rendering

Real‐time simulation of fur is a key element in many virtual reality applications. However, it is still difficult to simulate effects of fur animation in real‐time. In this paper, we propose an interactive fur simulation method, to calculate effects of external forces, such as wind and gravity, and direct manipulation for real‐time interactive animation. The proposed method consists of two layered textures for rendering. The first texture represents volumes of fur, and the second texture covers and laps the edge of the first texture. Our approach unifies these two structures using a shared vertex array to enhance rendering performance. We modify the shared vertex array with external force simulations and render it into the graphics pipeline. The proposed method is applied to virtual fashion design and 3D story telling as an example. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of Transformational Leadership on Follower Development and Performance: A Field Experiment

In a longitudinal, randomized field experiment, we tested the impact of transformational leadership, enhanced by training, on follower development and performance. Experimental group leaders received transformational leadership training, and control group leaders, eclectic leadership training. The sample included 54 military leaders, their 90 direct followers, and 724 indirect followers. Results indicated the leaders in the experimental group had a more positive impact on direct followers' development and on indirect followers' performance than did the leaders in the control group.
A parabolic flow of pluriclosed metrics

We define a parabolic flow of pluriclosed metrics. This flow is of the same family introduced by the authors in \cite{ST}. We study the relationship of the existence of the flow and associated static metrics topological information on the underlying complex manifold. Solutions to the static equation are automatically Hermitian-symplectic, a condition we define herein. These static metrics are classified on K3 surfaces, complex toroidal surfaces, nonminimal Hopf surfaces, surfaces of general type, and Class $\seven^+$ surfaces. To finish we discuss how the flow may potentially be used to study the topology of Class $\seven^+$ surfaces.
Adult education philosophies and teaching styles of faculty at Ricks College

Adult educators are attempting to meet learner needs in a multitude of educational settings. One of these unique environments is the college or university. Within this climate, many teachers are not particularly aware of their educational philosophies or teaching styles let alone actively trying to bring a consistency between the two. Yet, it is awareness of beliefs and practices that can move educators toward improvement. The Philosophy of Adult Education Inventory (PAEI) and the Principles of Adult Learning Scale (PALS) were used in this study to determine the educational philosophy orientations and teaching styles of Ricks College faculty members. Ricks College, located in Rexburg, Idaho, is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon). Preferences of faculty were examined in relation to demographic variables of age, gender, and formal training in educational methodologies. Favored philosophical orientations and teaching styles were analyzed to find a possible correlation to the college’s academic divisions. A relationship and interaction between teaching style and educational philosophy was investigated. One hundred sixty-seven teachers completed the surveys between. The respondents on the PAEI showed a preference for the Progressive philosophy followed closely by the Behaviorist. Scores on PALS showed a strong preference for a teacher-centered style of instruction. In several areas there were significant differences found when analyzing demographic variables in the college's divisions. Discriminant analysis revealed a significant relationship of style to philosophy was found as well as a significant difference between the philosophical schools in relationship to teaching style. The determining factor was shown to be teacher directedness. This study concluded that faculty at Ricks College have a learner-centered educational philosophy preference which is consistent with the college’s stated mission; however, overall teaching style indicates they prefer teacher-centered modes of instruction which shows there is an inconsistency between teachers’ educational beliefs and classroom actions. It was also concluded that teachers with formal training in educational methodologies tend to be less teacher centered than those educators with little or no such formal classes. Further, teachers in the areas of the natural sciences were found to be the least likely to accommodate individual students and their unique needs and learning styles. Recommendations were made to administration and faculty which include establishing an instructional development and incentive program to enrich fulfillment of the Ricks College Mission Statement.
Who Pays for Performance?

Using Norwegian establishment surveys from 1997 and 2003, we show that performance-related pay is more prevalent in firms where workers of the main occupation have a high degree of autonomy in how to organize their work. This observation supports an interpretation of incentive pay as motivated by agency problems. Performance-related pay is also more widespread in large firms. Traditionally, wage setting in the Norwegian labor market has been dominated by negotiations between trade unions and employer associations at the central and local levels, with a fixed hourly wage as a predominant element of the wage scheme. Our results show that performance-related pay is less common in highly unionized firms and in firms where wages are determined through centralized bargaining. Nevertheless, the evidence presented in this paper reveals that performance pay is on the rise in Norway, even after accounting for changes in industry structure, bargaining regime, and union density. Finally, we find that the incidence of performance-related pay relates positively to product-market competition and foreign ownership.
Linear low-density polyethylene/silica micro- and nanocomposites: dynamic rheological measurements and modelling

Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) based composites were prepared by melt compounding with 1, 2, 3 and 4 vol% of various kinds of amorphous silicon dioxide (SiO2) micro- and nanoparticles. Dynamic rheological tests in parallel plate configuration were conducted in order to detect the role of the filler morphology on the rheological behaviour of the resulting micro- and nanocomposites. A strong dependence of the rheological parameters from the filler surface area was highlighted, with a remarkable enhancement of the storage shear modulus (G') and of the viscosity (η) in fumed silica nanocomposites and in precipitated silica microcomposites, while glass microbeads only marginally affected the rheologi- cal properties of the LLDPE matrix. This result was explained considering the formation of a network structure arising from particle-particle interactions due to hydrogen bonding between silanol groups. A detailed analysis of the solid like behav- iour for the filled samples at low frequencies was conducted by fitting viscosity data with a new model, based on a modifi- cation of the original De Kee-Turcotte expression performed in order to reach a better modelling of the high-frequency region.
Climate Change: Where is the Hockey Stick? Evidence from Millennial-Scale Reconstructed and Updated Temperature Time Series.

The goal of this paper is to test on a millennial scale the magnitude of the recent warmth period, known as the “hockey-stick”, and the relevance of the causative anthropogenic climate change hypothesis advanced by several academics and worldwide institutions. A select batch of ten long-term climate proxies, included in the NOAA 92 PCN dataset all of which running well into the nineties, is updated to the year 2011 by means of a Time-Varying Parameter Kalman Filter SISO model for state prediction. This procedure is applied by appropriately selecting as observable one out of the HADSST2 and of the HADCRUT3 series of instrumental temperature anomalies available since the year 1850. The updated proxy series are thereafter individually tested for the values and time location of their four maximum non-neighboring attained temperatures. The results are at best inconclusive, since three of the updated series, including Michael Mann’s celebrated and controversial tree-ring reconstructions, do not refute the hypothesis, while the others quite significantly point to different dates of maximum temperature achievements into the past centuries, in particular those associated to the Medieval Warm Period.
Cold-hearted or cool-headed: physical coldness promotes utilitarian moral judgment

In the current study, we examine the effect of physical coldness on personal moral dilemma judgment. Previous studies have indicated that utilitarian moral judgment—sacrificing a few people to achieve the greater good for others—was facilitated when: (1) participants suppressed an initial emotional response and deliberately thought about the utility of outcomes; (2) participants had a high-level construal mindset and focused on abstract goals (e.g., save many); or (3) there was a decreasing emotional response to sacrificing a few. In two experiments, we exposed participants to extreme cold or typical room temperature and then asked them to make personal moral dilemma judgments. The results of Experiment 1 indicated that coldness prompted utilitarian judgment, but the effect of coldness was independent from deliberate thought or abstract high-level construal mindset. As Experiment 2 revealed, coldness facilitated utilitarian judgment via reduced empathic feelings. Therefore, physical coldness did not affect the “cool-headed” deliberate process or the abstract high-level construal mindset. Rather, coldness biased people toward being “cold-hearted,” reduced empathetic concern, and facilitated utilitarian moral judgments.