Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Load Balancing of Unbalanced Computations Using Message Passing

This paper examines MPI's ability to support continuous, dynamic load balancing for unbalanced parallel applications. We use an unbalanced tree search benchmark (UTS) to compare two approaches, 1) work sharing using a centralized work queue, and 2) work stealing using explicit polling to handle steal requests. Experiments indicate that in addition to a parameter defining the granularity of load balancing, message-passing paradigms require additional parameters such as polling intervals to manage runtime overhead. Using these additional parameters, we observed an improvement of up to 2times in parallel performance. Overall we found that while work sharing may achieve better peak performance on certain workloads, work stealing achieves comparable if not better performance across a wider range of chunk sizes and workloads.
A Memory-Based Approach for Semantic Role Labeling

This paper presents a system for Semantic Role Labeling (SRL) for the CoNLL 2004 shared task (Carreras and Màrquez, 2004). The task is divided into two sub-tasks, recognition and labeling. These are performed independently with different feature representations. Both modules are based on the principle of memory-based learning. For the first module, we use the IOB2 format to determine whether a chunk belongs to an argument or not. Furthermore, we test two different strategies for extracting arguments from the classifier output. The second module labels the extracted arguments with one of the 30 semantic roles.
Identification of nonlinear systems using generalized kernel models

Nonlinear system identification is considered using a generalized kernel regression model. Unlike the standard kernel model, which employs a fixed common variance for all the kernel regressors, each kernel regressor in the generalized kernel model has an individually tuned diagonal covariance matrix that is determined by maximizing the correlation between the training data and the regressor using a repeated guided random search based on boosting optimization. An efficient construction algorithm based on orthogonal forward regression with leave-one-out (LOO) test statistic and local regularization (LR) is then used to select a parsimonious generalized kernel regression model from the resulting full regression matrix. The proposed modeling algorithm is fully automatic and the user is not required to specify any criterion to terminate the construction procedure. Experimental results involving two real data sets demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed nonlinear system identification approach.
Occurrence and fate of Fusarium mycotoxins during commercial processing of oats in the UK

The commercial processing of oats is different from that of other cereals, such as wheat and maize. In northwest Europe, oats also appear to be more susceptible to contamination with HT-2 and T-2 toxins than other cereals. Mycotoxins, such as deoxynivanol and zearalenone, in cereals are already controlled by EU legislation. With regard to additional, impending legislation, this study examined HT-2 and T-2 toxins together with zearalenone, deoxynivalenol and other related toxins in a commercial oat mill and how the concentrations varied from raw oats to the final prepared oat flakes. Concentrations of each Fusarium mycotoxin fell by 90–95% during the process, with the major loss being a physical distribution occurring at the de-hulling stage. Initial studies of losses occurring at other stages, such as kilning or de-branning of prepared oat groats, suggest these to be small. The use of colour sorting after kilning showed higher concentrations of each mycotoxin in the discoloured groats. The feasibility of developing a predictive tool for the oat industry is examined.
Continuing to Confront COPD International Surveys: comparison of patient and physician perceptions about COPD risk and management

Purpose Using data from the Continuing to Confront COPD International Physician and Patient Surveys, this paper describes physicians’ attitudes and beliefs regarding chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) prognosis, and compares physician and patient perceptions with respect to COPD. Methods In 12 countries worldwide, 4,343 patients with COPD were identified through systematic screening of population samples, and 1,307 physicians who regularly saw patients with COPD were sampled from in-country professional databases. Both patients and physicians completed surveys about their COPD knowledge, beliefs, and perceptions; physicians answered further questions about diagnostic methods and treatment choices for COPD. Results Most physicians (79%) responded that the long-term health outlook for patients with COPD has improved over the past decade, largely attributed to the introduction of better medications. However, patient access to medication remains an issue in many countries, and some physicians (39%) and patients (46%) agreed/strongly agreed with the statement “there are no truly effective treatments for COPD”. There was strong concordance between physicians and patients regarding COPD management practices, including the use of spirometry (86% of physicians and 76% of patients reporting they used/had undergone a spirometry test) and smoking cessation counseling (76% of physicians reported they counseled their smoking patients at every clinic visit, and 71% of smoking patients stated that they had received counseling in the past year). However, the groups differed in their perception about the role of smoking in COPD, with 78% of physicians versus 38% of patients strongly agreeing with the statement “smoking is the cause of most cases of COPD”. Conclusion The Continuing to Confront COPD International Surveys demonstrate that while physicians and patients largely agreed about COPD management practices and the need for more effective treatments for COPD, a gap exists about the causal role of smoking in COPD.
Geosynchronous ESD environment characterization via in situ measurements on host spacecraft

Controlling and mitigating spacecraft charging effects requires prudent design, test, and verification measures to related to material surface properties when exposed to a variety of operational and environmental conditions. In this paper we use two targeted sensors to characterize the surface charging environment and threat of surface / differential charging for June to October 2010. Surface potential measurements and ~4 keV to ~40 keV electron flux measurements are utilized to investigate the timescale of charging events, study complementary results amongst sensors on nearby spacecraft, and develop a process for near-real time charging threat assessment aboard host spacecraft. Findings are relevant for assessments of space system impacts resulting from surface discharges and ESD, simulations of surface charging, and laboratory testing of flight systems designs.
The Differential Value Implications of the Profitability and Investment Components of Earnings

Firms may grow earnings either by improving the profitability of existing capital or by investing additional capital. This paper shows that, in the long run, earnings growth obtained through improvements in profitability is associated with a substantially larger price change than that due to additional investments. The valuation coefficients of the profitability and investment components of earnings differ by a factor of three, and this difference is observed consistently across industries. In the short run, however, investors overreact to earnings growth resulting from incremental capital investments and underreact to earnings growth due to improved profitability.
Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Inhibition Stimulates Bone Formation and Mitigates Bone Loss Caused by Ovariectomy in Skeletally Mature Mice*

Perturbations in skeletal development and bone degeneration may result in reduced bone mass and quality, leading to greater fracture risk. Bone loss is mitigated by bone protective therapies, but there is a clinical need for new bone-anabolic agents. Previous work has demonstrated that Ezh2 (enhancer of zeste homolog 2), a histone 3 lysine 27 (H3K27) methyltransferase, suppressed differentiation of osteogenic progenitors. Here, we investigated whether inhibition of Ezh2 can be leveraged for bone stimulatory applications. Pharmacologic inhibition and siRNA knockdown of Ezh2 enhanced osteogenic commitment of MC3T3 preosteoblasts. Next generation RNA sequencing of mRNAs and real time quantitative PCR profiling established that Ezh2 inactivation promotes expression of bone-related gene regulators and extracellular matrix proteins. Mechanistically, enhanced gene expression was linked to decreased H3K27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) near transcriptional start sites in genome-wide sequencing of chromatin immunoprecipitations assays. Administration of an Ezh2 inhibitor modestly increases bone density parameters of adult mice. Furthermore, Ezh2 inhibition also alleviated bone loss in an estrogen-deficient mammalian model for osteoporosis. Ezh2 inhibition enhanced expression of Wnt10b and Pth1r and increased the BMP-dependent phosphorylation of Smad1/5. Thus, these data suggest that inhibition of Ezh2 promotes paracrine signaling in osteoblasts and has bone-anabolic and osteoprotective potential in adults.
On the Access Pricing Issues of Wireless Mesh Networks

This paper studies the use of pricing as an incentive mechanism to encourage private, self-interested nodes to participate in a public wireless mesh network and cooperate in the packet forwarding service. Our focus is on the "economic behavior" of the network nodes the pricing and purchasing strategies of the access point, wireless relaying nodes, and clients. We use a "game theoretic approach" to analyze their interactions from one-hop to multihop network and when the network has an unlimited or limited channel capacity. We show that the access point and relaying wireless nodes will adopt a simple, yet optimal, fixed-rate pricing strategy in a multi-hop network with an unlimited capacity. Yet, the fixed-rate pricing strategy fails to be optimal in the limited capacity case. To this end, we focus on the access point adopting a more practical "fixedrate, non-interrupted service" model and propose an algorithm based on the Markovian decision theory to devise the optimal pricing strategy.
Integration of light and metabolic signals for stem cell activation at the shoot apical meristem

A major feature of embryogenesis is the specification of stem cell systems, but in contrast to the situation in most animals, plant stem cells remain quiescent until the postembryonic phase of development. Here, we dissect how light and metabolic signals are integrated to overcome stem cell dormancy at the shoot apical meristem. We show on the one hand that light is able to activate expression of the stem cell inducer WUSCHEL independently of photosynthesis and that this likely involves inter-regional cytokinin signaling. Metabolic signals, on the other hand, are transduced to the meristem through activation of the TARGET OF RAPAMYCIN (TOR) kinase. Surprisingly, TOR is also required for light signal dependent stem cell activation. Thus, the TOR kinase acts as a central integrator of light and metabolic signals and a key regulator of stem cell activation at the shoot apex. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.17023. 001
Hypothalamic Control of Bone Formation: Distinct Actions of Leptin and Y2 Receptor Pathways

Leptin and Y2 receptors on hypothalamic NPY neurons mediate leptin effects on energy homeostasis; however, their interaction in modulating osteoblast activity is not established. Here, direct testing of this possibility indicates distinct mechanisms of action for leptin anti‐osteogenic and Y2−/− anabolic pathways in modulating bone formation.
Characteristics of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Patients Related Liver Cirrhosis in a Tertiary Care Referral Hospital, Duhok, Iraqi Kurdistan

Background: Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) related to liver cirrhosis is an advanced liver fibrosis that is usually progressive, irreversible, and the only option for the treatment is liver transplantation in selected patients Objectives: to examine the demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of patients with the chronic HBV related to cirrhosis. Methods: The viral hepatitis clinic in Azadi Teaching Hospital is dealing with all viral hepatitis cases. All patients with liver cirrhosis caused by chronic HBV infection were studied. Demographic, clinical and laboratory information of the patients were retrieved by interviewing and from the case notes of September in 2014 until December in 2016. Child–Turcotte–Pugh (CTP) classification was used to evaluate the prognosis of liver cirrhosis. The results obtained were analyzed by entering the data into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. A value of less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.
Climate and endemic dental fluorosis.

INVESTIGATIONS demonstratinig the relationship between trace amounts of fluoride in conmmunity water supplies, the prevalence of mottled enamel, and a reduction in dental caries experience have been extensive during the last half century. By 1931 it had been determined that mottled enamel was associated with the presence of fluoride in drinking water (1, 2). Subsequent studies revealed the direct quantitative relationship between fluoride and nmottled enamel (3-6) and demonstrated the inverse relationship between fluoride and dental caries experience (7). Based upon these data, using the commuunity fluorosis index to measure the extent of mottled enamel (8), and the decayed, missing? filled (DMF) index as a measurement of ctries experience (9), an optimum fluoride concentration was derived for use in the supplementation of fluoride-deficient community water supplies. The range of fluoride concentration most effective in preventing dental caries was established at approximately 1.0 to 1.5 ppm, well below the critical point in the causation of mottled enamel. A review of the literature reveals that the recommended fluoride levels have been determined from observations made within a fairly limited geographic area, principally in the Midwest (10) where miiean annual temperatures are approximately 500 F. Temperatures in the conitinen-tal United
Role of Intestinal Bacteria in the Pathogenesis of Pouchitis

Abstract:Pouchitis is a common complication seen in patients with ulcerative colitis who undergo total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch anal anastomosis. Bacteria seem to play an important role in the development of pouchitis, although this role is not well defined. Because technology has advanced, we are able to apply molecular techniques to describe the structure and function of the pouch microbial community. In recent years, several studies have been performed comparing the pouch microbiota in patients with ulcerative colitis with healthy pouches and pouchitis. Many of these studies have suggested that pouchitis is characterized by dysbiosis and/or decreased microbial diversity. There has not been a clear pattern identifying a pathogenic organism or a group of organisms responsible for pouchitis. This review summarizes recent studies exploring the pouch microbiota in health and disease, the relationship of bacterial metabolites and pouchitis, and the role of antibiotics and probiotics for the treatment and prevention of pouchitis.
Antibacterial Activity of Free Fatty Acids from Hydrolyzed Virgin Coconut Oil Using Lipase from Candida rugosa

Free fatty acids (FFAs) were obtained from hydrolyzed virgin coconut oil (VCO) by Candida rugosa lipase (CRL). Four factors' influence on hydrolysis degree (HD) was examined. The best hydrolysis conditions in order to get the highest HD value were determined at VCO to buffer ratio 1 : 5 (w/w), CRL concentration 1.5% (w/w oil), pH 7, and temperature 40°C. After 16 hours' reaction, the HD value achieved 79.64%. FFAs and residual hydrolyzed virgin coconut oil (HVCO) were isolated from the hydrolysis products. They were tested for their antibacterial activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, which can be found in contaminated food and cause food poisoning. FFAs showed their inhibition against Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 11774), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Salmonella enteritidis (ATCC 13076), and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) at minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 50%, 60%, 20%, and 40%, respectively. However, VCO and HVCO did not show their antibacterial activity against these tested bacteria.
Electronic games: Can they create value for the moderate drinking brand?

Purpose – This paper aims to understand how experiential value can generate awareness, image, perceived quality and loyalty to the moderate drinking brand. Electronic games are increasingly used by social marketers in an attempt to support target audiences uptake of social behaviours. However, little is known of the value this creates for target audiences and its impact on the uptake of a social behaviour brand. Design/methodology/approach – A survey of male adolescents (n = 137) was conducted to test proposed relationships between experiential value and consumer-based brand equity dimensions. The research tested the game “Don’t Turn a Night Out into a Nightmare” that was developed by the Australian Federal Government as part of a social marketing campaign. Data were analysed using linear regression and MANCOVA. Findings – The findings indicate that there are significant relationships between consumer-based brand equity dimensions for the social behaviour brand of moderate drinking, indicating relevance o.
Impact of therapy and disease‐related symptoms on health‐related quality of life in patients with follicular lymphoma: results of the population‐based PHAROS‐registry

The increasing number of longer living patients with follicular lymphoma (FL) and serious side effects of treatment urged us to study the health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) and persistent (treatment‐related) symptoms in unselected patients after different treatment modalities and compare HRQoL of patients with a normative population.
Amyloid nephropathy

Amyloidosis is an uncommon disease that is characterized by abnormal extracellular deposition of misfolded protein fibrils leading to organ dysfunction. The deposited proteins display common chemical and histologic properties but can vary dramatically in their origin. Kidney disease is a common manifestation in patients with systemic amyloidosis with a number of amyloidogenic proteins discovered in kidney biopsy specimens. The emergence of mass spectrometry-based proteomics has added to the diagnostic accuracy and overall understanding of amyloidosis. This in-depth review discusses the general histopathologic features of renal amyloidosis and includes an in-depth discussion of specific forms of amyloid affecting the kidney.
Anthropometric Study of Patients Treated for Clubfoot

The anthropometric characteristics of patients treated for clubfoot were used to investigate whether the dimensions of the foot were affected by the method of treatment. A total of 68 patients followed up for an average of 9 years were divided into three groups: group 1, conservatively treated; group 2, surgically treated; group 3, conservatively treated on one side and surgically treated on the other. The following average discrepancies in foot length were obtained: group 1, 0.91 cm; group 2, 1.5 cm; group 3, 1.09 cm. Toe lengths were shorter to the same extent as the other dimensions of the foot. These discrepancies were statistically significant. The following average discrepancies in foot width were obtained: group 1, 0.05 cm; group 2, 0.37 cm; group 3, 0.054 cm; these were insignificant. The authors believe that the degree of discrepancy may depend not solely on the method, but on the severity of the deformity as well.
"It Was Like a Book Buffet!" Parents and Children Selecting African American Children's Literature Together

Abstract:This study examines how African American children—in grades kindergarten through 2—and their parents selected books within the context of a unique family literacy program entitled, I Never Knew There Were So Many Books About Us! : Parents and Children Reading African American Children's Literature Together. This study is informed by research related to the benefits of reading aloud and children's literature, children's book preferences, and the ways that they select titles. The findings indicated that parents and children negotiated the process of selecting books together in various ways; both the title and cover were used as a means by which to choose children's literature; and multiple factors such as gender and personal interests played key roles in the book selection process. The article ends with pedagogical implications and conclusions.
Caregiver unresolved loss and abuse and child behavior problems: Intergenerational effects in a high-risk sample

Abstract This study examines the intergenerational effects of caregivers' unresolved loss and abuse on children's behavior problems from middle childhood to early adolescence in an economically disadvantaged sample. One hundred twenty-four caregivers completed the Adult Attachment Interbiew (AAI) and a lifetime trauma interview during the age 13 wave of the study. Child behavior problems were assessed at four time points (ages 6, 8, 10, and 13) with teacher-reported Child Behavior Checklist total problem scales. The children of insecure caregivers with unresolved loss showed a consistent pattern of increased behavior problems from middle childhood to early adolescence. Caregivers' AAI status accounted for more variance in child behavior problems than did an alternative model of caregiver psychopathology (depression and dissociation). The results extend the literature on the effects of caregiver unresolved states of mind beyond infancy to older children and adolescents.
Host Restriction of Salmonella enterica Serotype Typhi Is Not Caused by Functional Alteration of SipA, SopB, or SopD

ABSTRACT Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi is a strictly human adapted pathogen that does not cause disease in nonprimate vertebrate hosts, while Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium is a broad-host-range pathogen. Serotype Typhi lacks some of the proteins (effectors) exported by the invasion-associated type III secretion system that are required by serotype Typhimurium for eliciting fluid secretion and inflammation in bovine ligated ileal loops. We investigated whether the remaining serotype Typhi effectors implicated in enteropathogenicity (SipA, SopB, and SopD) are functionally exchangeable with their serotype Typhimurium homologues. Serotype Typhi elicited fluid accumulation in bovine ligated ileal loops at levels similar to those elicited by a noninvasive serotype Typhimurium strain (the sipA sopABDE2 mutant) or by sterile culture medium. However, introduction of the cloned serotype Typhi sipA, sopB, and sopD genes complemented the ability of a serotype Typhimurium sipA sopABDE2 mutant to elicit fluid secretion in bovine ligated ileal loops. Introduction of the cloned serotype Typhi sipA, sopB, and sopD genes increased the invasiveness of a serotype Typhimurium sipA sopABDE2 mutant for human colon carcinoma epithelial (HT-29 and T84) cells and bovine kidney (MDBK) cells. Translational fusions between the mature TEM-1 β-lactamase reporter and SipA or SopD demonstrated that serotype Typhi translocates these effectors into host cells. We conclude that the inability of serotype Typhi to cause fluid accumulation in bovine ligated ileal loops is not caused by a functional alteration of its SipA, SopB, and SopD effector proteins with respect to their serotype Typhimurium homologues.