Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Thread Level Speculation in BlueGene/Q

Thread Level Speculation(TLS) is a hardware/software technique that guarantees correct parallel execution of loops even in the presence of dependence and has potential to lead to performance gains through the parallelization of loops that cannot be proven to be free of dependencies at compile time. However, given the overhead of TLS execution, the selection of loops to be speculated is important to avoid performance degradation. Data-dependence profiling is often used to find out if the may dependencies reported by the static analysis of a compiler materialize at runtime. A cost analysis may conclude that some loops with a lower probability of dependence should be speculatively parallelized. This report addressed the question as to whether a loops’ dependence behaviour changes when the input to the program changes — a study of 57 different benchmarks indicates that it usually does not change. Then the report describes SpecEval, a new automatic speculative parallelization framework that uses single-input data-dependence profiles to find speculation candidates in the SPEC2006 and PolyBench/C benchmarks. This report also presents the first performance evaluation of TLS implementation in IBM’s BlueGene/Q supercomputer and shows that the performance of TLS is affected by several factors, including: number and coverage of speculated loops, missspeculation overhead due to function calls in a speculated loop, L1 cache miss rate and dynamic instruction path length affects.
Co-infections and Pathogenesis of KSHV-Associated Malignancies

Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), also known as human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8) is one of the several carcinogenic viruses that infect humans. KSHV infection has been implicated in the development of Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS), primary effusion lymphoma, and multicentric Castleman’s Disease. While KSHV infection is necessary for the development of KSHV associated malignancies, it is not sufficient to induce tumorigenesis. Evidently, other co-factors are essential for the progression of KSHV induced malignancies. One of the most important co-factors, necessary for the progression of KSHV induced tumors, is immune suppression that frequently arises during co-infection with HIV and also by other immune suppressants. In this mini-review, we discuss the roles of co-infection with HIV and other pathogens on KSHV infection and pathogenesis.
Coordination of supply chain inventory systems with private information

Coordination of Supply Chain Inventory Systems with Private Information. (December 2006) Chi-Leung Chu, B.B.A., The Chinese University of Hong Kong; M.B.A., University of New Mexico; M.S., Case Western Reserve University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. V. Jorge Leon This dissertation considers the problems of coordinating different supply chain inventory systems with private information under deterministic settings. These systems studied are characterized by the following properties: (a) each facility in the system has self decision-making authority, (b) cost parameters of each facility are regarded as private information that no other facilities in the system have access to, and (c) partial information is shared among the facilities. Because of the above properties, the existing approaches for systems with global information may not be applicable. Thus, new approaches for coordinating supply chain inventory systems with private information are needed. This dissertation first studies two two-echelon distribution inventory systems. Heuristics for finding the replenishment policy of each facility are developed under global information environment. In turn, the heuristics are modified to solve the problems with private information. An important characteristic of the heuristics developed for the private information environment is that they provide the same solutions as their global information counterpart. Then, more complex multi-echelon serial and assembly supply chain inventory systems with private information are studied. The solution approach decomposes the problem into separate subproblems such that the private information is divided as required. Global optimality is sought with an iterative procedure in which the subproblems negotiate the material flows between facilities. At the core of the solution
Autonomy and Relatedness in Cultural Context

Autonomy and agency are used extensively and often interchangeably; there is a debate regarding their intersections with relatedness and separateness. This scholarship occurs within mainly a Euro-American cultural context that provides an ideological background of individualism, shedding light on psychological thinking. The article attempts to provide a broad overview of the issues involved. Two distinct dimensions, agency and interpersonal distance, are seen to underlie the self constructs involving autonomy and relatedness that are developed in different spheres of psychological inquiry. Autonomy and relatedness are viewed as basic human needs, and though apparently conflicting, are proposed to be compatible. Problems of conceptualization and operationalization are noted that have prevented the recognition of this compatibility. A model is put forward that involves a fourfold combination of the two dimensions, leading to different types of self and the societal and familial contexts in which they develop. Recent research provides credibility to the model proposed.
Apigenin Acts on the Tumor Cell Invasion Process and Regulates Protease Production

Apigenin is a widely distributed plant flavonoid and was proposed as an antitumor agent. In this study, we investigated the apigenin effects on the protease-mediated invasiveness in an estrogen-insensitive breast tumor cell line MDA-MB231. The results show that apigenin at 22.8-45.5 μM (2.5-10 μg/ml) strongly inhibited, in a dose-dependent manner, tumor cell invasion through Matrigel, cell migration, and cell proliferation. We show that apigenin treatment from 22.8 μM (2.5 μg/ml) led to a partial decrease in urokinase-plasminogen activator expression and to a total inhibition of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-induced matrix metalloproteinase-9 secretion. We also demonstrate in the apigenin-treated cells a defective adhesion to Matrigel and a G2-M cell cycle arrest. Taken together, our results demonstrate that apigenin is a pleiotropic effector affecting protease-dependent invasiveness and associated processes and proliferation of tumor cells.
Sensitivity and specificity of auditory steady‐state response testing

INTRODUCTION: The ASSR test is an electrophysiological test that evaluates, among other aspects, neural synchrony, based on the frequency or amplitude modulation of tones. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of auditory steady‐state response testing in detecting lesions and dysfunctions of the central auditory nervous system. METHODS: Seventy volunteers were divided into three groups: those with normal hearing; those with mesial temporal sclerosis; and those with central auditory processing disorder. All subjects underwent auditory steady‐state response testing of both ears at 500 Hz and 2000 Hz (frequency modulation, 46 Hz). The difference between auditory steady‐state response‐estimated thresholds and behavioral thresholds (audiometric evaluation) was calculated. RESULTS: Estimated thresholds were significantly higher in the mesial temporal sclerosis group than in the normal and central auditory processing disorder groups. In addition, the difference between auditory steady‐state response‐estimated and behavioral thresholds was greatest in the mesial temporal sclerosis group when compared to the normal group than in the central auditory processing disorder group compared to the normal group. DISCUSSION: Research focusing on central auditory nervous system (CANS) lesions has shown that individuals with CANS lesions present a greater difference between ASSR‐estimated thresholds and actual behavioral thresholds; ASSR‐estimated thresholds being significantly worse than behavioral thresholds in subjects with CANS insults. This is most likely because the disorder prevents the transmission of the sound stimulus from being in phase with the received stimulus, resulting in asynchronous transmitter release. Another possible cause of the greater difference between the ASSR‐estimated thresholds and the behavioral thresholds is impaired temporal resolution. CONCLUSIONS: The overall sensitivity of auditory steady‐state response testing was lower than its overall specificity. Although the overall specificity was high, it was lower in the central auditory processing disorder group than in the mesial temporal sclerosis group. Overall sensitivity was also lower in the central auditory processing disorder group than in the mesial temporal sclerosis group.
Near-perfect load balancing by randomized rounding

We consider and analyze a new algorithm for balancing indivisible loads on a distributed network with n processors. The aim is minimizing the discrepancy between the maximum and minimum load. In every time-step paired processors balance their load as evenly as possible. The direction of the excess token is chosen according to a randomized rounding of the participating loads. We prove that in comparison to the corresponding model of Rabani, Sinclair, and Wanka (1998) with arbitrary roundings, the randomization yields an improvement of roughly a square root of the achieved discrepancy in the same number of time-steps on all graphs. For the important case of expanders we can even achieve a constant discrepancy in O(log n (log log n)3) rounds. This is optimal up to loglog-factors while the best previous algorithms in this setting either require ©(log2 n) time or can only achieve a logarithmic discrepancy. Our new result also demonstrates that with randomized rounding the difference between discrete and continuous load balancing vanishes almost completely.
Behavioral / Systems / Cognitive Hippocampal Gamma Oscillations Increase with Memory Load

Although the hippocampus plays a crucial role in encoding and retrieval of contextually mediated episodic memories, considerable controversy surrounds the role of the hippocampus in short-term or working memory. To examine both hippocampal and neocortical contributions to working memory function, we recorded electrocorticographic activity from widespread cortical and subcortical sites as 20 neurosurgical patients performed working memory tasks. These recordings revealed significant increases in 48 –90 Hz gamma oscillatory power with memory load for two classes of stimuli: letters and faces. Sites exhibiting gamma increases with memory load appeared primarily in the hippocampus and medial temporal lobe. These findings implicate gamma oscillatory activity in the maintenance of both letters and faces in working memory and provide the first direct evidence for modulation of hippocampal gamma oscillations as humans perform a working memory task.
Functional Equivalence of Retroviral MA Domains in Facilitating Psi RNA Binding Specificity by Gag

Retroviruses specifically package full-length, dimeric genomic RNA (gRNA) even in the presence of a vast excess of cellular RNA. The “psi” (Ψ) element within the 5′-untranslated region (5′UTR) of gRNA is critical for packaging through interaction with the nucleocapsid (NC) domain of Gag. However, in vitro Gag binding affinity for Ψ versus non-Ψ RNAs is not significantly different. Previous salt-titration binding assays revealed that human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Gag bound to Ψ RNA with high specificity and relatively few charge interactions, whereas binding to non-Ψ RNA was less specific and involved more electrostatic interactions. The NC domain was critical for specific Ψ binding, but surprisingly, a Gag mutant lacking the matrix (MA) domain was less effective at discriminating Ψ from non-Ψ RNA. We now find that Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) Gag also effectively discriminates RSV Ψ from non-Ψ RNA in a MA-dependent manner. Interestingly, Gag chimeras, wherein the HIV-1 and RSV MA domains were swapped, maintained high binding specificity to cognate Ψ RNAs. Using Ψ RNA mutant constructs, determinants responsible for promoting high Gag binding specificity were identified in both systems. Taken together, these studies reveal the functional equivalence of HIV-1 and RSV MA domains in facilitating Ψ RNA selectivity by Gag, as well as Ψ elements that promote this selectivity.
Time representation in reinforcement learning models of the basal ganglia

Reinforcement learning (RL) models have been influential in understanding many aspects of basal ganglia function, from reward prediction to action selection. Time plays an important role in these models, but there is still no theoretical consensus about what kind of time representation is used by the basal ganglia. We review several theoretical accounts and their supporting evidence. We then discuss the relationship between RL models and the timing mechanisms that have been attributed to the basal ganglia. We hypothesize that a single computational system may underlie both RL and interval timing—the perception of duration in the range of seconds to hours. This hypothesis, which extends earlier models by incorporating a time-sensitive action selection mechanism, may have important implications for understanding disorders like Parkinson's disease in which both decision making and timing are impaired.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and the risk for chronic renal disease.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the risk for chronic renal disease associated with regular use of nonaspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). DESIGN Multicenter case-control study. PATIENTS Patients were 554 North Carolina residents (age range, 30 to 79 years) hospitalized between 1980 and 1982 with a discharge diagnosis indicating newly diagnosed chronic renal dysfunction and a serum creatinine level consistently at or above 130 mumol/L (1.5 mg/dL). Controls were 516 persons chosen randomly by telephone screening (if younger than 65 years of age) and from listings of Medicare recipients (if 65 years of age or older), frequency-matched to patients by age, race, sex, and proximity to study hospitals. MEASUREMENTS Data on use of prescription NSAIDs and other analgesics before 1980, other risk factors, and potential confounders were obtained by telephone interviews. Patients were classified by frequency and duration of use; daily users were those who took an NSAID for at least 360 consecutive days. MAIN RESULTS A twofold risk for chronic renal disease was associated with previous daily use of NSAIDs (adjusted odds ratio, 2.1; 95% Cl, 1.1 to 4.1). Increased risk was predominantly limited to men older than 65 years, for whom the odds ratio for daily use was 10.0 (Cl, 1.2 to 82.7) after adjusting for use of other analgesics. In other age-sex groups, the risk associated with NSAID use tended to be increased among those with heart disease or other factors that might indicate compromised renal circulation. These findings did not result from confounding by known renal disease risk factors and were not readily explained by potential biases. CONCLUSIONS Regular use of NSAIDs may increase the risk for chronic kidney disease in some high-risk groups. With the recent over-the-counter availability and increasing popularity of NSAIDs, the possibility of an increased risk for chronic renal disease associated with their use may warrant further scrutiny.
The Incidence of Double Hypoglossal Canal in Japanese: Evaluation with Multislice Computed Tomography

Background and Purpose Double hypoglossal canal, namely a hypoglossal canal bridging, is a normal variation of the hypoglossal canal. Racial differences in the prevalence of double hypoglossal canal have been reported. We evaluated the prevalence of double hypoglossal canal in a Japanese population with multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). Materials and Methods We reviewed five hundred and ninety consecutive patients (mean age, 61 years: range, 15–94 years: 254 men, 336 women) who underwent computed tomographic angiography (CTA) of the brain for a variety of CNS abnormalities. Two radiologists achieved consensus on the canal being single or double, and measured the sizes of single canals on CT images. Kappa statistics was used to test the reliability between the 2 investigators. A logistic regression was used to evaluate the prevalence of double hypoglossal canal and the following factors: sex, age, and laterality. Student’s t-test was used to evaluate the asymmetry of single hypoglossal canal diameters. Statistical significance was accepted at P < 0.05. Results Double hypoglossal canal was identified in 16.9% of the patients, and was bilateral in 2.2%. Double hypoglossal canal was significantly more frequent on the left side than right (P = 0.004, odds ratio = 1.79) and in males than females (P = 0.011, odds ratio = 1.67). A larger left or right-sided canal was found in 31.6% and 12.2% of the patients, respectively, following the same side preference as that of double hypoglossal canal. Almost perfect agreement was achieved between the two readers (k = 0.975). Conclusions In this Japanese population, the prevalence of a double hypoglossal canal was 16.9%, of which 2.2% were bilateral. Double hypoglossal canal was more frequent in males than females, and on the left side than right.
The expectations of volunteers prior to the XVII Commonwealth Games, 2002: a qualitative study.

The XVII Commonwealth Games in Manchester, from July 25 to August 4, 2002, was the largest Commonwealth Games (the Games) and multisporting event ever held in the UK and required the recruitment and training of the largest volunteer workforce in the UK in recent decades. While much has been written about volunteering within different contextual backgrounds, and in relation to large-scale events, little research has addressed the issue of expectations of volunteers and their attitude towards functional management during the run up to a major international event. Using a qualitative research approach with focus groups this study addresses these issues. In terms of expectations, a number of key factors were identified in relation to the recruitment, training, and other management dimensions of the Games that have implications for volunteer motivation, responses to the psychological contract, and the long-term impact of a major event.
Diagnostics for Gaussian Process Emulators

Mathematical models, usually implemented in computer programs known as simulators, are widely used in all areas of science and technology to represent complex real-world phenomena. Simulators are often so complex that they take appreciable amounts of computer time or other resources to run. In this context, a methodology has been developed based on building a statistical representation of the simulator, known as an emulator. The principal approach to building emulators uses Gaussian processes. This work presents some diagnostics to validate and assess the adequacy of a Gaussian process emulator as surrogate for the simulator. These diagnostics are based on comparisons between simulator outputs and Gaussian process emulator outputs for some test data, known as validation data, defined by a sample of simulator runs not used to build the emulator. Our diagnostics take care to account for correlation between the validation data. To illustrate a validation procedure, we apply these diagnostics to two different data sets.
Comparison of Pancreatic and Steroid Diabetes in Respect to Tumor Growth and Glycosuria

Sexually mature male rats were made severely diabetic by either pancreatectomy or daily injection of large doses of cortisone acetate. One half of the animals were then made host to Walker Carcinoma 256. The tumor suppressed the glycosuria in all of the animals, but the effect was greater in steroid diabetes than in pancreatic diabetes. Diabetogenic doses of cortisone inhibited the growth of tumor to a greater extent than did pancreatic diabetes. The depancreatized tumor host is partially resistant to the diabetogenic action of cortisone.
Anticonvulsants for Nerve Agent-Induced Seizures: The Influence of the Therapeutic Dose of Atropine

Two guinea pig models were used to study the anticonvulsant potency of diazepam, midazolam, and scopolamine against seizures induced by the nerve agents tabun, sarin, soman, cyclosarin, O-ethyl S-(2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl)methylphosphonothioate (VX), and O-isobutyl S-(2-diethylamino)ethyl)-methyl phosphonothioate (VR). Animals instrumented for electroencephalogram recording were pretreated with pyridostigmine bromide (0.026 mg/kg i.m.) 30 min before challenge with 2 × LD50 (s.c.) of a nerve agent. In model A, atropine sulfate (2.0 mg/kg i.m.) and pyridine-2-aldoxime methylchloride (2-PAM; 25.0 mg/kg i.m.) were given 1 min after nerve agent challenge, and the tested anticonvulsant was given (i.m.) 5 min after seizure onset. In model B, a lower dose of atropine sulfate (0.1 mg/kg i.m.) was given along with 2-PAM 1 min after nerve agent challenge, and the anticonvulsant was given at seizure onset. With the lower dose of atropine, seizure occurrence increased to virtually 100% for all agents; the time to seizure onset decreased for sarin, cyclosarin, and VX; the signs of nerve agent intoxication were more severe; and coma resulted frequently with cyclosarin. The anticonvulsant ED50 doses for scopolamine or diazepam were, in general, not different between the two models, whereas the anticonvulsant ED50 values of midazolam increased 3- to 17-fold with the lower atropine dose. Seizure termination times were not systematically effected by the different doses of atropine. The order of anticonvulsant effectiveness within each model was scopolamine ≥ midazolam > diazepam. The findings indicate that the dose of atropine given as antidotal therapy can significantly influence measures of nerve agent toxicity and responsiveness to anticonvulsant therapy.
Architecting a chunk-based memory race recorder in Modern CMPs

Prior work on HW support for memory race recording piggybacks time stamps on coherence messages and logs the outcome of memory races using point-to-point or chunk-based approaches. These memory race recorder (MRR) techniques are effective, but they require modifications to the cache coherence protocol that can hurt performance. In addition, prior work has mostly focused on directory coherence and considered only CMP systems with single-level cache hierarchies. Most modern CMP systems shipped today, however, implement snoop coherence and feature multilevel cache hierarchies. To be practical, a MRR must target CMPs with multilevel caches, mitigate the coherence overhead due to piggybacking, and emphasize on replay speed to broaden applicability of deterministic replay. This paper contributes three new solutions for making chunk-based MRR practical for modern CMPs. We show that MRR interactions with a cache hierarchy can degrade performance and present a novel mechanism that mitigates this degradation. We propose new mechanisms for snoop-based caches that eliminate coherence traffic overhead due to piggybacking. We finally propose new techniques for improving replay speed and introduce a novel framework for evaluating the replay speed potential of MRR designs.