Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Virtual private caches

Virtual Private Machines (VPM) provide a framework for Quality of Service (QoS) in CMP-based computer systems. VPMs incorporate microarchitecture mechanisms that allow shares of hardware resources to be allocated to executing threads, thus providing applications with an upper bound on execution time regardless of other thread activity. Virtual Private Caches (VPCs) are an important element of VPMs. VPC hardware consists of two major components: the VPC Arbiter, which manages shared cache bandwidth, and the VPC Capacity Manager, which manages the cache storage. Both the VPC Arbiter and VPC Capacity Manager provide minimum service guarantees that, when combined, achieve QoS for the cache subsystem. Simulation-based evaluation shows that conventional cache bandwidth management policies allow concurrently executing threads to affect each other significantly in an uncontrollable manner. The evaluation targets cache bandwidth because the effects of cache capacity sharing have been studied elsewhere. In contrast with the conventional policies, the VPC Arbiter meets its QoS performance objectives on all workloads studied and over a range of allocated bandwidth levels. The VPC Arbiter’s fairness policy, which distributes leftover bandwidth, mitigates the effects of cache preemption latencies, thus ensuring threads a high-degree of performance isolation. Furthermore, the VPC Arbiter eliminates negative bandwidth interference which can improve aggregate throughput and resource utilization.
Open Loop Search for General Video Game Playing

General Video Game Playing is a sub-field of Game Artificial Intelligence, where the goal is to find algorithms capable of playing many different real-time games, some of them unknown a priori. In this scenario, the presence of domain knowledge must be severely limited, or the algorithm will overfit to the training games and perform poorly on the unknown games of the test set. Research in this area has been of special interest in the last years, with emerging contests like the General Video Game AI (GVG-AI) Competition. This paper introduces three different open loop techniques for dealing with this problem. First, a simple directed depth first search algorithm is employed as a baseline. Then, a tree search algorithm with a multi-armed bandit based tree policy is presented, followed by a Rolling Horizon Evolutionary Algorithm (RHEA) approach. In order to test these techniques, the games from the GVG-AI Competition framework are used as a benchmark, evaluation on a training set of 29 games, and submitting to the 10 unknown games at the competition website. Results show how the general game-independent heuristic proposed works well across all algorithms and games, and how the RHEA becomes the best evolutionary technique in the rankings of the test set.
Robust Recursive Least-Squares Adaptive-Filtering Algorithm for Impulsive-Noise Environments

A new robust recursive least-squares (RLS) adaptive filtering algorithm that uses a priori error-dependent weights is proposed. Robustness against impulsive noise is achieved by choosing the weights on the basis of the L1 norms of the crosscorrelation vector and the input-signal autocorrelation matrix. The proposed algorithm also uses a variable forgetting factor that leads to fast tracking. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm offers improved robustness as well as better tracking compared to the conventional RLS and recursive least-M estimate adaptation algorithms.
Resonances for weak coupling of the unfolding of a saddle-node periodic orbit with an oscillator

For a family of continuous-time dynamical systems with two angle variables, a resonance is a set of parameter values such that some integer combination of the (lifted) angles remains bounded for some orbits. For weak coupling of an unfolding of a saddle-node periodic orbit with an oscillator, it is shown that the low order resonances have at least a certain amount of bifurcation structure. Furthermore, define a Chenciner bubble to be the complement of the set of parameters near a resonance for which there is an attractor–repellor pair consisting of two C1 invariant tori, or a C1 invariant torus attracting from one side and repelling from the other, or locally empty non-wandering set. The low order Chenciner bubbles are shown to have at least a certain structure. Chenciner's results for resonances in the unfolding of a degenerate Neimark–Sacker bifurcation can be seen as a special case of ours.
Circuits with Light at Nanoscales: Optical Nanocircuits Inspired by Metamaterials

A form of optical circuitry is overviewed in which a tapestry of subwavelength nanometer-scale metamaterial structures and nanoparticles may provide a mechanism for tailoring, patterning, and manipulating local optical electric fields and electric displacement vectors in a subwavelength domain, leading to the possibility of optical information processing at the nanometer scale. By exploiting the optical properties of metamaterials, these nanoparticles may play the role of “lumped” nanocircuit elements such as nanoinductors, nanocapacitors, and nanoresistors, analogous to microelectronics. I show that this concept of metamaterial-inspired nanoelectronics (“metactronics”) can bring the tools and mathematical machinery of the circuit theory into optics, may link the fields of optics, electronics, plasmonics, and metamaterials, and may provide road maps to future innovations in nanoscale optical devices, components, and more intricate nanoscale metamaterials.
Physiological responses to acute silver exposure in the freshwater crayfish (Cambarus diogenes diogenes)—a model invertebrate?

Adult crayfish (Cambarus diogenes diogenes) exposed to 8.41 ± 0.17 μg silver/L (19.4% as Ag+) in moderately hard freshwater under flow‐through conditions for 96 h exhibited ionoregulatory disturbance, elevated metabolic ammonia (Tamm) production and substantial silver accumulation in the gills, hemolymph, and hepatopancreas. The ionoregulatory disturbance included both a generally reduced unidirectional Na+ influx and an increased unidirectional Na+ efflux, leading to a substantial net loss of Na+ from the silver‐exposed crayfish. The Na+ uptake in silver‐exposed crayfish differed overall from controls, while the increased Na+ efflux recovered to control values 48 h into the 96 h of exposure. The general inhibition of Na+ uptake could be explained by a reduced sodium/potassium‐adenosine triphosphatase (Na/K‐ATPase) activity in terminally obtained gill samples from the silverexposed crayfish. The silver‐induced effect on Na+ uptake and loss translated to reduced hemolymph Na+ concentrations but not significantly reduced hemolymph Cl− concentrations. Hemolymph Tamm and Tamm efflux both increased in silver‐exposed crayfish, indicating an increased metabolic Tamm production. The present study demonstrates that the toxic mechanism of waterborne silver exposure in freshwater crayfish resembles that of freshwater teleost fish. The crayfish might therefore be a useful model system for extending current environmental regulatory strategies, currently based on teleost fish, to invertebrates.
From Hermite Polynomials to Multifractional Processes

We consider a class of multifractional processes related to Hermite polynomials. We show that these processes satisfy an invariance principle. To prove the main result of this paper, we use properties of the Hermite polynomials and the multiple Wiener integrals. Because of the multifractionality, we also need to deal with variations of the Hurst index by means of some uniform estimates.
Some Elementary Congruences for the Number of Weighted Integer Compositions

An integer composition of a nonnegative integer $n$ is a tuple $(\pi_1,\ldots,\pi_k)$ of nonnegative integers whose sum is $n$; the $\pi_i$'s are called the parts of the composition. For fixed number $k$ of parts, the number of $f$-weighted integer compositions (also called $f$-colored integer compositions in the literature), in which each part size $s$ may occur in $f(s)$ different colors, is given by the extended binomial coefficient $\binom{k}{n}_{f}$. We derive several congruence properties for $\binom{k}{n}_{f}$, most of which are analogous to those for ordinary binomial coefficients. Among them is the parity of $\binom{k}{n}_{f}$, Babbage's congruence, Lucas' theorem, etc. We also give congruences for $c_{f}(n)$, the number of $f$-weighted integer compositions with arbitrarily many parts, and for extended binomial coefficient sums. We close with an application of our results to prime criteria for weighted integer compositions.
The Effect of Nonsurgical Periodontal Therapy on Trichomonas Tenax and Entamoeba Gingivalis in Patients with Chronic Periodontitis

Statement of the Problem Trichomonas tenax and Entamoeba gingivalis are commensal protozoa which inhabit the human oral cavity. These parasites are found in patients with poor oral hygiene and might be a reason for progressive periodontal diseases. Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nonsurgical periodontal treatment on the frequency of these protozoa in saliva and plaque samples. Materials and Method In this clinical trial, samples of saliva and dental plaque were collected from 46 patients with moderate to severe chronic periodontitis before and after periodontal therapy. The samples were assessed for the frequency of parasites. Results The frequency of Entamoeba gingivalis was reduced in saliva (p= 0.007) and plaque (p= 0.027) three weeks after the treatment. Likewise, the frequency of Trichomonas tenax reduced in saliva (p= 0.030); however, the decrease was not significant in plaque (p= 0.913). Trichomonas tenax frequency in dental plaque directly related to the severity of periodontitis (r= 0.565, p≤ 0.000). In contrast, the number of Entamoeba gingivalis in both saliva (r= -0.405, p≤ 0.005) and plaque (r= -0.304, p= 0.040) was inversely related with the severity of the periodontal disease. Conclusion Nonsurgical periodontal treatment could reduce the number of Trichomonas Tenax and Entamoeba gingivalis in the oral environment of patients with chronic periodontitis.
Simple and fast synchronous reference frame current control for single-phase grid-connnected votage souce converters

Zero steady state error in the line current of a single-phase grid-connected voltage source converter is usually obtained in the synchronous reference frame with different orthogonal signal generation schemes, which may lead to slow dynamic response and stability problems. This paper analyzes a simple rotating reference frame current control of the single-phase converters using the desired steady state fictitious current as the orthogonal signal. Double line frequency components are present in the current error signals, which will be completely eliminated at the steady state condition. The control loops were tuned at the bandwidth greater than such oscillating frequency, which gave the dynamic performance even better than the ideal balance two-phase system. The generated orthogonal current was mathematically proved that no potential stability problem was found. Only two multiplications and one addition were required without stored memory for the calculation of the quadrature current. Simulation and experimental results of a 1.5-kVA PWM rectifier validated the proposed control scheme.
Flame retardancy of wood coated by ZnO nanorod arrays via a hydrothermal method

Abstract In the present paper, ZnO nanorod arrays (ZNAs) coating was covered onto wood surface via a hydrothermal method to improve wood flame retardancy. With the scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and energy disperses X-ray analysis characterisations, a wurtzite structured ZNAs with a length of ∼1·5 μm were densely coated onto the wood surface. Using the cone calorimetry technique, the significant difference in combustion parameters between the untreated and the ZNAs coated wood was observed. In comparison to the untreated wood, the time to ignition was increased about three times, and the burning time of ZNAs coated wood was extended by 55 s. Simultaneously, the heat release rate, total heat release, total smoke production and production of CO, CO2 (COP, CO2P) were significantly reduced. As a result, the thin ZNAs coating could be effectively acted as a protective layer for wood and convert wood from a flammable material into a non-flammable material.
Under the Cloud: A Novel Content Addressable Data Framework for Cloud Parallelization to Create and Virtualize New Breeds of Cloud Applications

Existing data management schemes in clouds are mainly based on Google File System (GFS) and MapReduce. Problems arise when data partitioning among numerous available nodes therein. This research paper explores new methods of partitioning and distributing data, that is, resource virtualization in cloud computing. Loosely-coupled associative computing techniques, which have so far not been considered for clouds, can provide the break through needed for their data management. Applications based on associative computing models can efficiently utilize the underlying hardware to scale up and down the system resources dynamically. In doing so, the main hurdle towards providing scalable partitioning and distribution of data in the clouds is removed, bringing forth a vastly superior solution for virtualizing data intensive applications and the system infrastructure to support pay on per-use basis.
A Space–Time Conditional Intensity Model for Evaluating a Wildfire Hazard Index

Numerical indices are commonly used as tools to aid wildfire management and hazard assessment. Although the use of such indices is widespread, assessment of these indices in their respective regions of application is rare. We evaluate the effectiveness of the burning index (BI) for predicting wildfire occurrences in Los Angeles County, California using space–time point-process models. These models are based on an additive decomposition of the conditional intensity, with separate terms used to describe spatial and seasonal variability as well as contributions from the BI. We fit the models to wildfire and BI data from the years 1976–2000 using a combination of nonparametric kernel-smoothing methods and parametric maximum likelihood. In addition to using the Akaike information criterion (AIC) to compare competing models, we use new multidimensional residual methods based on approximate random thinning and rescaling to detect departures from the models and to ascertain the precise contribution of the BI to predicting wildfire occurrence. We find that although the BI appears to have a positive impact on wildfire prediction, the contribution is relatively small after taking into account natural seasonal and spatial variation. In particular, the BI does not appear to take into account increased activity during the years 1979–1981 and can overpredict during the early months of the year.
Deregulation of Mitochondrial Membrane Potential by Mitochondrial Insertion of Granzyme B and Direct Hax-1 Cleavage*

The cytoplasm and the nucleus have been identified as activity sites for granzyme B (GrB) following its delivery from cytotoxic lymphocyte granules into target cells. Here we report on the ability of exogenous GrB to insert into and function within a proteinase K-resistant mitochondrial compartment. We identified Hax-1 (HS-1-associated protein X-1), a mitochondrial protein involved in the maintenance of mitochondrial membrane potential, as a GrB substrate within the mitochondrion. GrB cleaves Hax-1 into two major fragments: an N-terminal fragment that localizes to mitochondria and a C-terminal fragment that localizes to the cytosol after being released from GrB-treated mitochondria. The N-terminal Hax-1 fragment major cellular impact is on the regulation of mitochondrial polarization. Overexpression of wild-type Hax-1 or its uncleavable mutant form protects the mitochondria against GrB or valinomycin-mediated depolarization. The N-terminal Hax-1 fragment functions as a dominant negative form of Hax-1, mediating mitochondrial depolarization in a cyclophilin D-dependent manner. Thus, induced expression of the N-terminal Hax-1 fragment results in mitochondrial depolarization and subsequent lysosomal degradation of such altered mitochondria. This study is the first to demonstrate GrB activity within the mitochondrion and to identify Hax-1 cleavage as a novel mechanism for GrB-mediated mitochondrial depolarization.
The Impact of Bank and Non-Bank Financial Institutions on Local Economic Growth in China

This paper provides evidence on the relationship between finance and growth in a fast growing country, such as China. Employing data of 27 Chinese provinces over the period 1995–2003, we study whether the financial development of two different types of financial institutions — banks and non-banks — have a (significantly different) impact on local economic growth. Our findings indicate that banking development shows a statistically significant and economically more pronounced impact on local economic growth.
Vocal control region sizes of an adult female songbird change seasonally in the absence of detectable circulating testosterone concentrations.

Previous research established that in several species of seasonally breeding oscine birds, brain areas [vocal control regions (VCRs)] that control vocal behavior learning and expression exhibit seasonal plasticity, being larger during than outside the reproductive period. In adult males, this seasonal decrease correlates with circulating testosterone (T) concentrations. VCRs contain androgen receptors and T plays an important role in neural plasticity and in the control of singing behavior. In behaviorally dimorphic species, VCRs are larger in males than females and change seasonally also in females, but the dependency of these changes on circulating T levels in females has not been established. In free-living adult dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis), a species in which females do not normally sing, the sizes of three VCRs (high vocal center, robust nucleus of the archistriatum, and Area X) were larger in males than females and decreased between summer and fall in both sexes. In males, this decrease was associated with changes in circulating T concentrations. Females, however, had on average undetectable T levels throughout the breeding season. Seasonal changes in VCR volumes in adult females may depend on very low (below detection limit) circulating T concentrations, on nonandrogenic plasma steroids, on androgen (or androgen metabolites) produced in brain tissues, and/or on nonsteroidal factors such as photoperiod or social interactions with conspecific birds.
Effect of SBS compatibilizer on the interphase boundary of polymer blends of polystyrene and natural rubber

Abstract Microhardness (H) has been used to quantitatively characterize the quality of the interphase boundary of blends of atactic polystyrene (PS) with natural rubber (NR) and the compatibilizer styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) block copolymer. Qualitative conclusions are drawn for the same purpose from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations on surface indentation. Cast films of neat PS and the blends PS/NR, PS/SBS and PS/NR/SBS were prepared from a common solvent (toluene). While neat PS shows a constant H = 175 MPa, the PS/SBS blend exhibits a gradual decrease starting from H = 130 - 140 MPa at a distance of about 100 μm from the phase boundary up to the final value of 25 MPa. For the PS/NR blend this decrease starts at about 50 μm, reaching the same final value. Owing to the elastic recovery, no indentations on the NR or SBS particles surface can be detected as confirmed by SEM. The compatibilized blend PS/NR/SBS is characterized by the thinnest phase boundary (about 25 μm) and a final H value of 75 MPa which demonstrates that the compatibilizer SBS is distributed just on the phase boundary between PS and NR. Results confirm previous findings in incompatible blends of poly(methyl methacrylate)/NR, highlighting that microindentation is a sensitive tool for studying the breadth and quality of the interphase boundary in compatibilized or non-compatibilized polymer blends and other non-homogeneous materials. This technique allows, in addition, the localization of the compatibilizer in the polymer blends.
A hybrid TIM-NOMA scheme for the SISO Broadcast Channel

Future mobile communication networks will require enhanced network efficiency and reduced system overhead due to their user density and high data rate demanding applications of the mobile devices. Research on Blind Interference Alignment (BIA) and Topological Interference Management (TIM) has shown that optimal Degrees of Freedom (DoF) can be achieved, in the absence of Channel State Information (CSI) at the transmitters, reducing the network's overhead. Moreover, the recently emerged Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA) scheme suggests a different multiple access approach, compared to the current orthogonal methods employed in 4G networks, resulting in high capacity gains. Our contribution is a hybrid TIM-NOMA scheme in Single-Input-Single-Output (SISO) K- user cells, in which users are divided into T groups, and 1/T DoF is achieved for each user. By superimposing users in the power domain, we introduce a two-stage decoding process, managing “inter-group” interference based on the TIM principles, and “intra-group” interference based on Successful Interference Cancellation (SIC), as proposed by NOMA. We show that for high SNR values the hybrid scheme can improve the sum rate by at least 100% when compared to Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA).
Matrix Backpropagation for Deep Networks with Structured Layers

Deep neural network architectures have recently produced excellent results in a variety of areas in artificial intelligence and visual recognition, well surpassing traditional shallow architectures trained using hand-designed features. The power of deep networks stems both from their ability to perform local computations followed by pointwise non-linearities over increasingly larger receptive fields, and from the simplicity and scalability of the gradient-descent training procedure based on backpropagation. An open problem is the inclusion of layers that perform global, structured matrix computations like segmentation (e.g. normalized cuts) or higher-order pooling (e.g. log-tangent space metrics defined over the manifold of symmetric positive definite matrices) while preserving the validity and efficiency of an end-to-end deep training framework. In this paper we propose a sound mathematical apparatus to formally integrate global structured computation into deep computation architectures. At the heart of our methodology is the development of the theory and practice of backpropagation that generalizes to the calculus of adjoint matrix variations. We perform segmentation experiments using the BSDS and MSCOCO benchmarks and demonstrate that deep networks relying on second-order pooling and normalized cuts layers, trained end-to-end using matrix backpropagation, outperform counterparts that do not take advantage of such global layers.