Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modeling and Simulation of Low-Frequency Noise in Nano Devices: Stochastically Correct and Carefully Crafted Numerical Techniques

Defects or traps in semiconductors and nano devices that randomly capture and emit charge carriers result in low-frequency noise, such as burst and 1/f noise, which are important concerns in the design of both analog and digital circuits. The capture and emission rates of these traps are functions of the time-varying voltages across the device, resulting in nonstationary noise characteristics. Modeling of low-frequency, nonstationary noise in circuit simulators is a long-standing open problem. It has been realized that the low-frequency noise models in circuit simulators were the culprits that produced erroneous noise performance results for circuits under strongly time-varying bias conditions. In this paper, we present two fully nonstationary models for traps, a fine-grained Markov chain model and a coarse-grained Langevin model based on similar models for ion channels in neurons. The nonstationary trap models we present subsume and unify all of the work that has been done recently in the device modeling and circuit design literature on modeling nonstationary trap noise. We provide a detailed explication of these models with regard to their stochastic properties and develop carefully crafted circuit simulation techniques that are stochastically correct. We have implemented the proposed techniques in a MATLAB-based circuit simulator, by expanding the industry standard compact MOSFET model PSP to include a nonstationary description of oxide traps. We present results obtained by this extended model and the proposed simulation techniques for the low-frequency noise characterization of a common source amplifier and the phase jitter of a ring oscillator.
Ergodic and chaotic hypotheses: nonequilibrium ensembles in statistical mechanics and turbulence

The ergodic hypothesis outgrew from the ancient conception of motion as periodic or quasi periodic. It did cause a revision of our views of motion, particularly through Boltzmann and Poincar\'e: we discuss how Boltmann's conception of motion is still very modern and how it can provide ideas and methods to study the problem of nonequilibrium in mechanics and in fluids. This leads to the chaotic hypothesis, a recent interpretation of a very ambitious principle conceived by D. Ruelle: it is a possible extension of the ergodic hypothesis and it implies general parameterless relations. Together with further ideas, it appears to be consistent with some recent experiments as we discuss here.
Consumption and Asset Prices with Recursive Preferences

We analyze consumption and asset pricing with recursive preferences given by Kreps--Porteus stochastic differential utility (K--P SDU). We show that utility depends on two state variables: current consumption and a second variable (related to the wealth--consumption ratio) that captures all information about future opportunities. This representation of utility reduces the internal consistency condition for K--P SDU to a restriction on the second variable in terms of the dynamics of a forcing process (consumption, the state--price deflator, or the return on the market portfolio). Solving the model for (i) optimal consumption, (ii) the optimal portfolio, and (iii) asset prices in general equilibrium amounts to finding the process for the second variable that satisfies this restriction. We show that the wealth--consumption ratio is the value of an annuity when the numeraire is changed from units of the consumption good to units of the consumption process, and we characterize certain features of the solution in a non-Markovian setting. In a Markovian setting, we provide a solution method that is quite general and can be used to produce fast, accurate numerical solutions that converge to the Taylor expansion.
Analysis of time-out use in handball and its influence on the game performance

Coaches can use time-out (TTo) to influence performance and use this moment to give tactical instructions and make visible structural modifications (modifications of the game system and players’ substitutions). The aim of the present work is the analysis of the time-out usage and its influence on the game performance. 578 TTo were analyzed in three international handball competitions with two different regulations on the number of time-outs available. The variables were: competition, outcome, final difference, difference in the scoreboard during the time-out, difference five minutes before the time-out, defensive change, players’ substitution and finalization of the five attacks previous and later to TTo. The use of TTo is mostly done by teams losing or which have had a bad streak on the scoreboard, being the latest factor the most decisive one for its application. Although the percentage of positive actions generally increases after the application of TTo, if analyzed in relation to the visible structural changes, players’ substitutions are more effective than defensive system changes.
Global patterns in seed size

Aim To provide the first global quantification of the slope and shape of the latitudinal gradient in seed mass, and to determine whether global patterns in seed mass are best explained by growth form, vegetation type, seed dispersal syndrome, or net primary productivity (NPP). Location Global. Methods We collected seed mass data for 11,481 species × site combinations from around the world. We used regression to describe the latitudinal gradient in seed mass, then applied general linear models to quantify the relative explanatory power of each of the variables hypothesized to underlie the latitudinal gradient in seed size. Results There is a 320-fold decline in geometric mean seed mass between the equator and 60°. This decline is not linear. At the edge of the tropics, there is a sudden 7-fold drop in mean seed mass. The strongest correlates of the latitudinal gradient in seed mass are plant growth form, and vegetation type, followed by dispersal syndrome and NPP. A model including growth form, vegetation type, dispersal syndrome and NPP explains 51% of the variation in seed mass. Latitude explains just 0.2% of the residual variation from this model. Main conclusions This is the first demonstration of a major decrease in seed size at the edge of the tropics. This drop in seed mass is most closely correlated with changes in plant growth form and vegetation type. This suggests that the drop in seed mass might be part of a sudden change in plant strategy at the edge of the tropics.
Energy-efficient fault tolerance in chip multiprocessors using Critical Value Forwarding

Relentless CMOS scaling coupled with lower design tolerances is making ICs increasingly susceptible to wear-out related permanent faults and transient faults, necessitating on-chip fault tolerance in future chip microprocessors (CMPs). In this paper we introduce a new energy-efficient fault-tolerant CMP architecture known as Redundant Execution using Critical Value Forwarding (RECVF). RECVF is based on two observations: (i) forwarding critical instruction results from the leading to the trailing core enables the latter to execute faster, and (ii) this speedup can be exploited to reduce energy consumption by operating the trailing core at a lower voltage-frequency level. Our evaluation shows that RECVF consumes 37% less energy than conventional dual modular redundant (DMR) execution of a program. It consumes only 1.26 times the energy of a non-fault-tolerant baseline and has a performance overhead of just 1.2%.
Aided diagnosis of dementia type through computer-based analysis of spontaneous speech

This pilot study evaluates the ability of machined learned algorithms to assist with the differential diagnosis of dementia subtypes based on brief (< 10 min) spontaneous speech samples. We analyzed 1 recordings of a brief spontaneous speech sample from 48 participants from 5 different groups: 4 types of dementia plus healthy controls. Recordings were analyzed using a speech recognition system optimized for speakerindependent spontaneous speech. Lexical and acoustic features were automatically extracted. The resulting feature profiles were used as input to a machine learning system that was trained to identify the diagnosis assigned to each research participant. Between groups lexical and acoustic differences features were detected in accordance with expectations from prior research literature suggesting that classifications were based on features consistent with human-observed symptomatology. Machine learning algorithms were able to identify participants' diagnostic group with accuracy comparable to existing diagnostic methods in use today. Results suggest this clinical speech analytic approach offers promise as an additional, objective and easily obtained source of diagnostic information for clinicians.
From Cisplatin-Containing Sequential Radiochemotherapy towards Concurrent Treatment for Patients with Inoperable Locoregional Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Still Unanswered Questions

Radiotherapy has been the mainstay of the treatment of stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. In the early nineties, combined treatment with chemotherapy was introduced. In 1995, a meta-analysis showed improved treatment outcome of the sequential use of radiochemotherapy (RCT) compared to radiotherapy alone, provided cisplatin was part of the chemotherapy course. Concurrent RCT compared to radiotherapy only yielded the same improvements of 4% in the 2-year and 2% in the 5-year overall survival rates. Just recently, two meta-analyses demonstrated that concurrent RCT is definitely superior to sequential RCT in terms of local control and 2-, 3-, and 5-year survival. However, several unanswered questions remain concerning the optimal chemotherapy regimen and radiotherapy doses and techniques in terms of treatment outcome and toxicity profile. Arguments supporting a daily low-dose cisplatin scheme are presented because of comparable radiosensitizing characteristics and favourable side effects. Increasing radiotherapy doses applied according to up-to-date techniques and combinations with new biologicals might lead to further treatment improvements.
Industry certification and academic degrees: complementary, or poles apart?

University ICT degrees give students a well-rounded, broad base with which to move into industry. Graduates may however find that without specific product skills many employers may be reluctant to hire them [9]. One method of credentialing for specific products that has become predominant, described as a "parallel universe" [1], and that many advocate as being complementary to and may integrate with academic degrees, is industry-based certification. Some however, see industry certification as product-specific training, and academic degrees as education, with each being completely different markets. This discussion informs and advances that debate.
The Effectiveness of a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program in Reducing School Bullying among a Sample of Adolescents with Learning Disabilities

ABSTRACT The study investigates the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in reducing bullying among students with Learning Disabilities (LD). The research project utilizes the semi-experimental method, where sixty-eight students from seventh grade up to ninth grade participated in the study, from three intermediate schools; the final study sample included forty students. They were divided randomly into two groups: an experimental group (n = 21), and a control group (n=19). For the two groups, bullying was a common factor, as well as learning disabilities. The tools utilized in the study were: Stanford–Binet Intelligence Scales, Zayat Assessment battery for learning disabilities, and the School Bullying Scale (the researcher). Sessions of the Program were held; they consisted of a series of 17 sessions, where each session lasted for 40 minutes. Meanwhile, the control group did not receive the proposed program sessions. The effectiveness of the proposed program to reduce bullying among adolescents with LD has been confirmed.
Physiological, Ecological, and Phylogenetic Characterization of Stappia, a Marine CO-Oxidizing Bacterial Genus

ABSTRACT Bacteria play a major role in marine CO cycling, yet very little is known about the microbes involved. Thirteen CO-oxidizing Stappia isolates obtained from existing cultures, macroalgae, or surf samples representing geographically and ecologically diverse habitats were characterized using biochemical, physiological, and phylogenetic approaches. All isolates were aerobic chemoorganotrophs that oxidized CO at elevated (1,000 ppm) and ambient-to-subambient concentrations (<0.3 ppm). All contained the form I (OMP) coxL gene for aerobic CO dehydrogenase and also the form II (BMS) putative coxL gene. In addition, some strains possessed cbbL, the large subunit gene for ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase, suggesting the possibility of lithotrophic or mixotrophic metabolism. All isolates used a wide range of sugars, organic acids, amino acids, and aromatics for growth and grew at salinities from 5 to 45 ppt. All but one isolate denitrified or respired nitrate. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that several isolates could not be distinguished from Stappia aggregata and contributed to a widely distributed species complex. Four isolates (of strains GA15, HI, MIO, and M4) were phylogenetically distinct from validly described Stappia species and closely related genera (e.g., Ahrensia, Pannonibacter, Pseudovibrio, and Roseibium). Substrate utilization profiles, enzymatic activity, and membrane lipid composition further distinguished these isolates and supported their designations as new Stappia species. The observed metabolic versatility of Stappia likely accounts for its cosmopolitan distribution and its ability to contribute to CO cycling as well as other important biogeochemical cycles.
Recombinant human endostatin in combination with CHOP regimen for peripheral T cell lymphoma

Peripheral T cell lymphoma (PTCL) has a poor prognosis. Overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) might contribute to the poor prognosis of PTCL and could be the target of novel therapy. The efficacy and safety of recombinant human endostatin (Endostar) in combination with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (ECHOP) have been explored in 15 PTCL patients. The objective response rate was 80%, with 53.3% patients having achieved complete response (CR) rate. The CR rate was 100% (3/3) in angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma (AITL) patients compared to only 36.4% (4/11) in PTCL not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS) patients. With a median follow-up of 69 months, the 5-year progression-free survival and overall survival (OS) were 53% and 60%, respectively. The 5-year OS was 100% in AITL but was only 45% in PTCL-NOS. Seven out of 11 patients showed overexpression of VEGFR2 in their tumor vessels and had a better efficacy than those with low expression of VEGFR2. Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia is the most common toxicity observed. ECHOP was safe and might display potential benefit in AITL patients.
Emotional Experience and Awareness of Self: Functional MRI Studies of Depersonalization Disorder

This paper presents functional MRI work on emotional processing in depersonalization disorder (DPD). This relatively neglected disorder is hallmarked by a disturbing change in the quality of first-person experience, almost invariably encompassing a diminished sense of self and an alteration in emotional experience such that the sufferer feels less emotionally reactive, with emotions experienced as decreased or “damped down,” so that emotional life seems to lack spontaneity and subjective validity. Here we explored responses to emotive visual stimuli to examine the functional neuroanatomy of emotional processing in DPD before and after pharmacological treatment. We also employed concurrent skin conductance measurement as an index of autonomic arousal. In common with previous studies we demonstrated that in DPD, there is attenuated psychophysiological response to emotional material, reflected in altered patterns of (i) regional brain response, (ii) autonomic responses. By scanning participants before and after treatment we were able to build on previous findings by examining the changes in functional MRI response in patients whose symptoms had improved at time 2. The attenuation of emotional experience was associated with reduced activity of the insula, whereas clinical improvement in DPD symptoms was associated with increased insula activity. The insula is known to be implicated in interoceptive awareness and the generation of feeling states. In addition an area of right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex emerged as particularly implicated in what may be “top-down” inhibition of emotional responses. The relevance of these findings to the wider study of emotion, self-related processes, and interoception is discussed.
Point processes for interference modeling in CSMA/CA ad-hoc networks

As interference results from the summation of signals issued by concurrent transmitters, it directly depends on the transmitters location. The point process used to model concurrent transmitters location is thus fundamental in any multi-hop wireless network study. In this paper, we investigate original processes that comply with the CSMA/CA policies. We propose the use of the Simple Sequential Inhibition point process to model CSMA/CA networks where carrier detection depends on the strongest emitter only. We then extend this point process to a family of new point processes modeling a busy medium detection based on the strength of all concurrent signals. We study the impact of these different processes on the interference distribution and show that the results are very different with respect to the different point process. We finally show that the use of a Poisson process is generally inaccurate to model CSMA/CA networks.
Data clustering using particle swarm optimization

This paper proposes two new approaches to using PSO to cluster data. It is shown how PSO can be used to find the centroids of a user specified number of clusters. The algorithm is then extended to use K-means clustering to seed the initial swarm. This second algorithm basically uses PSO to refine the clusters formed by K-means. The new PSO algorithms are evaluated on six data sets, and compared to the performance of K-means clustering. Results show that both PSO clustering techniques have much potential.
Instrumental Goal Pursuit as an Individual-Difference Dimension in the Seeking of Happiness

The purpose of the present study was an attempt, by examining in more detail the use of the specific strategy of instrumental goal pursuit with the development of the Instrumental Goal Pursuit Scale (IGPS), to extend previous research on the self-selected strategies individuals employ in an attempt to seek happiness. The IGPS consists of five items characterized by happiness-enhancement strategies designed to meet personal goals (e.g., “Attempt to reach my full potential”). Although no gender difference was found, scores on the IGPS correlated significantly (p < .001) with measures of life satisfaction and positive affect. Compared to those with low scores, those in the High-IGPS group maintained personal beliefs reflective of being more satisfied with their current state of happiness, feeling more optimistic about the future, and expressing greater control over their happiness, as well as a greater (p < .001) frequency of use of the more constructive happiness-enhancement strategy categories of Purposeful Leisure, Social Affiliation, Mental Control, and Religious/Reflective. The overall pattern of results suggests initial support * Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Bernardo J. Carducci, Department of Psychology, Indiana University Southeast, New Albany, Indiana 47150. Electronic mail may be sent to bcarducc@ius.edu. This research was funded by a Faculty/Student Working Group for Research Summer Grant from the Office of Academic Affairs at Indiana University Southeast. The authors are grateful to Aqueelah S. Haleem and Rebecca S. Moody for their assistance with the research. The authors wish to thank an anonymous reviewer for providing many constructive comments. A portion of this paper was presented at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the Indiana Academy of Social Sciences, Indianapolis, Indiana, October 2010. Carducci and Traughber, Instrumental Goal Pursuit in the Seeking of Happiness 57 for the construct validity of the IGPS. Future research based on instrumental theories linking personality to subjective well-being should focus on individual differences in the underlying dynamics (e.g., goal construction/implementation) and practical implications (e.g., happiness interventions; goal-pursuit training) to examine more thoroughly the validity and utility of the IGPS.
Trade openness, trade costs and growth: Why sub-Saharan Africa performs poorly

The principal aim of this paper is to identify, in the context of the relationship between openness and growth, factors that can account for the poor growth performance of sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. Including inequality as a broad measure of policy distortions, attention focuses on policy and non-policy barriers to trade, indicators of openness and resource endowments. The empirical analysis uses cross-section and panel econometric techniques to investigate the links between growth, inequality and openness for a sample of 44 developing countries over 1970-95. There are four broad conclusions. First, within the sample, there is a low correlation between initial GDP and inequality. Second, inequality appears to have a robust negative effect on growth in the long run but not in the short run. Third, we find consistent evidence that openness is positively associated with growth, and some evidence that trade liberalisation tends to offset or dampen the negative effect of inequality on growth. Finally, Africa does appear to be different; the especially poor SSA growth performance can be explained by the combination of low levels of openness, high natural barriers to trade (especially highcosts of transport to distant dynamic markets) and export dependence on primary commodities.
Using citizen-science data to identify local hotspots of seabird occurrence

Seabirds have been identified and used as indicators of ecosystem processes such as climate change and human activity in nearshore ecosystems around the globe. Temporal and spatial trends have been documented at large spatial scales, but few studies have examined more localized patterns of spatiotemporal variation, by species or functional group. In this paper, we apply spatial occupancy models to assess the spatial patchiness and interannual trends of 18 seabird species in the Puget Sound region (Washington State, USA). Our dataset, the Puget Sound Seabird Survey of the Seattle Audubon Society, is unique in that it represents a seven-year study, collected with a focus on winter months (October–April). Despite historic declines of seabirds in the region over the last 50 years, results from our study are optimistic, suggesting increases in probabilities of occurrence for 14 of the 18 species included. We found support for declines in occurrence for white-winged scoters, brants, and 2 species of grebes. The decline of Western grebes in particular is troubling, but in agreement with other recent studies that have shown support for a range shift south in recent years, to the southern end of California Current.