Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Parallel algorithms for scheduling data-graph computations

A data-graph computation — popularized by such programming systems as Pregel, GraphLab, Galois, Ligra, PowerGraph, and GraphChi — is an algorithm that iteratively performs local updates on the vertices of a graph. During each round of a data-graph computation, a user-supplied update function atomically modifies the data associated with a vertex as a function of the vertex’s prior data and that of adjacent vertices. A dynamic data-graph computation updates only an active subset of the vertices during a round, and those updates determine the set of active vertices for the next round. In this thesis, I explore two ways of scheduling deterministic parallel data-graph computations that provide performance guarantees culminating in theoretical contributions to graph theory and practical, high-performance systems. In particular, I describe a system called Prism which processes dynamic and static data-graph computations on arbitrary graphs using a technique called chromatic scheduling. Using a vertex-coloring to identify independent sets of vertices, which may be safely processed in parallel, Prism serializes through the colors and processes the independent sets in parallel, thus executing data-graph computations deterministically and without the use of costly atomic instructions (e.g., Compare-And-Swap). Prism supports dynamic data-graph computations deterministically and work-efficiently through the introduction of multibag and multivector data structures. Prism requires a vertex-coloring, and since graphs are generally not supplied with one, it is necessary to find one as a preprocessing step. Furthermore, the runtime of Prism is linear in the number of colors and thus motivates a study in this thesis of fast parallel coloring algorithms that provide vertex-colorings with few colors in practice. At the core of the analysis of these coloring algorithms lies a new result about the maximum depth of a random priority dag, the dag that results from randomly ordering vertices and directing edges from lower to higher numbered vertices in the order. In particular, when the largest degree ∆ in the graph G = (V,E) is less than ln |V |, I show a tight bound on the longest path: Θ (lnV/ ln (e lnV/∆)) with high probability. When ∆ is greater than ln |V |, the longest path in the dag is simply Θ ( min {∆, √ E} ) , also with high probability. I also present a system called Laika which processes data-graph computations for the special, but important, case of graphs representing physical simulations. Such graphs typically have vertices with coordinates in 3D space and are connected to other “nearby” vertices. We take advantage of these two properties to execute physical simulations, cast as data-graph computations, that make efficient use of cache resources. I analyze a contrived graph construction — a random cube graph — as a proxy for the mesh graphs that arise in physical simulations: n vertices are uniformly randomly assigned positions in the unit cube and have
Evolution and Diversity of the Microviridae Viral Family through a Collection of 81 New Complete Genomes Assembled from Virome Reads

Recent studies suggest that members of the Microviridae (a family of ssDNA bacteriophages) might play an important role in a broad spectrum of environments, as they were found in great number among the viral fraction from seawater and human gut samples. 24 completely sequenced Microviridae have been described so far, divided into three distinct groups named Microvirus, Gokushovirinae and Alpavirinae, this last group being only composed of prophages. In this study, we present the analysis of 81 new complete Microviridae genomes, assembled from viral metagenomes originating from various ecosystems. The phylogenetic analysis of the core genes highlights the existence of four groups, confirming the three sub-families described so far and exhibiting a new group, named Pichovirinae. The genomic organizations of these viruses are strikingly coherent with their phylogeny, the Pichovirinae being the only group of this family with a different organization of the three core genes. Analysis of the structure of the major capsid protein reveals the presence of mushroom-like insertions conserved within all the groups except for the microviruses. In addition, a peptidase gene was found in 10 Microviridae and its analysis indicates a horizontal gene transfer that occurred several times between these viruses and their bacterial hosts. This is the first report of such gene transfer in Microviridae. Finally, searches against viral metagenomes revealed the presence of highly similar sequences in a variety of biomes indicating that Microviridae probably have both an important role in these ecosystems and an ancient origin.
Mood Congruent Effects Inconsistent Mood Congruent Effects in Lexical Decision Experiments

During a lexical decision task, the mood congruent effect occurs when a participant responds more quickly and accurately to word items that are congruent with their current mood. The present study investigates the inconsistencies found for mood congruent effects in the lexical decision task literature. Previous studies that have successfully produced the mood congruent effect used a pseudohomophone nonword context while studies that have not successfully produced the effect used a scrambled nonword context. The purpose of this study was to assess if manipulating the nonword context would interact with the mood congruent effect in a similar manner as other semantic effects. A significant effect for nonword context was found. However, a significant mood congruent effect was not found.
Conformal windows of SP(2N) and SO(N) gauge theories from topological excitations on ℝ3 × S1

We derive an estimate of the lower boundary of the conformal window of SP(2N) and SO(N) gauge theories with fermionic matter in several different representations. We calculate the index of topological excitations for these groups on the manifold 3 × S1, from which we deduce the scale of the generation of the mass gap of the theory. This is then used to approximate the critical value of the number of species nf* for the onset of conformality on 4. We also provide a detailed comparison with other estimates of the conformal window.
Development of the Student Expectations of Online Learning Survey (SEOLS): A Pilot Study

The problem of attrition in online learning has drawn attention from distance education administrators and chief academic officers of higher education institutions. Many studies have addressed factors related to student attrition, persistence and retention in online courses. However, few studies have examined how student expectations influence student retention and persistence in online learning. There is a need for a systematic method of addressing the relationship between student expectations and persistence in online education. This study investigated the reliability of the Student Expectations of Online Learning Survey (SEOLS) as a tool for assessing student expectations for elements of online courses. The 44 items on the survey are distributed among 7 scales. The pilot study consisted of 17 students enrolled in online courses of a master’s level counseling program at a mid-sized Midwestern University in the United States. Results revealed good to excellent reliability indices for the scales that ranged from α = . 64 to α = . 95. Data from the pilot study indicated that the SEOLS is an instrument that can be used to reliably assess student expectations of the online learning environment. The authors present a discussion for use of the instrument and implications for future research.
Temperature Gradient Effect on Gas Discrimination Power of a Metal-Oxide Thin-Film Sensor Microarray

The paper presents results concerning the effect of spatial inhomogeneous operating temperature on the gas discrimination power of a gas-sensor microarray, with the latter based on a thin SnO2 film employed in the KAMINA electronic nose. Three different temperature distributions over the substrate are discussed: a nearly homogeneous one and two temperature gradients, equal to approx. 3.3 °C/mm and 6.7 °C/mm, applied across the sensor elements (segments) of the array. The gas discrimination power of the microarray is judged by using the Mahalanobis distance in the LDA (Linear Discrimination Analysis) coordinate system between the data clusters obtained by the response of the microarray to four target vapors: ethanol, acetone, propanol and ammonia. It is shown that the application of a temperature gradient increases the gas discrimination power of the microarray by up to 35 %.
A 0.48mm2 5μW-10mW indoor/outdoor PV energy-harvesting management unit in a 65nm SoC based on a single bidirectional multi-gain/multi-mode switched-cap converter with supercap storage

We propose an energy-harvesting management unit to interface a PV harvester with a storage supercapacitor while generating a 1V regulated supply VREG. Direct connection between stacked PV cells and VREG allows virtual 100% conversion efficiency between the harvester and the supplied circuits, while the use of a single bidirectional switched-capacitor DC/DC converter between VREG and the supercap allows 0.48mm2 area in a 65nm IoT vision SoC with a single external filtering capacitor. To cope with the 0-3V charge-dependent supercap voltage range and the wide 5μW-10mW harvester/load power range, the converter features adaptive selection between multiple voltage gains and power modes.
Seasonal population dynamics of Neoechinorhynchus qinghaiensis in the carp, Gymnocypris przewalskii przewalskii, from Qinghai Lake, China

Studies on the seasonal population dynamics of Neoechinorhynchus qinghaiensis (Acanthocephala: Neoechinorhynchidae) in its fish host Gymnocypris przewalskii przewalskii in the Qinghai Lake, China, were carried out with samples taken in May 1991, August 1992, November 1992 and February 1993. Prevalences were higher than 44% in all seasons. The mean intensity of infection was above 124 worms per fish. The maximum intensity of worms recovered from a single fish was 1402 in the autumn of 1992. Differences in the mean abundance, mean intensity and prevalence are not statistically significant relative to season and this is likely to be related to the stable temperatures recorded at the bottom of Qinghai Lake. Over-dispersed distributions of N. qinghaiensis in the host population, due to heterogeneity and feeding habits, were observed in all seasons. The size composition of both sexes of N. qinghaiensis showed males to be less than 3.5 mm and females between 0.5 and 4.25 mm, with the main recruitment phase in the worm populations occurring in the autumn, extending through winter and spring with the lowest recruitment occurring in the summer. The maturation and copulation of worms were mainly focused in the summer season. The sex ratio of female to male was both high in winter (1.51:1) and spring (1.48:1). The higher proportion of females and the change in the worm sex ratio in winter can be attributed to the reduced longevity of male worms. As immature male worms exhibit a higher proportion of the worm population than females in all seasons, further studies are needed to determine if such a situation compensates for the shorter life span of males.
The Effect of the Number of Sets on Power Output for Different Loads

Abstract There is much debate concerning the optimal load (OL) for power training. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the number of sets performed for a given load on mean power output (Pmean). Fourteen physically active men performed 3 sets of 3 bench-press repetitions with 30, 40 and 50 kg. The highest mean power value (Pmax) across all loads and Pmean were compared when data were taken from the first set at each absolute load vs. from the best of three sets performed. Pmean increased from the first to the third set (from 5.99 ± 0.81 to 6.16 ± 0.96 W·kg−1, p = 0.017), resulting in a main effect of the set number (p < 0.05). At the 30 kg load Pmean increased from the first to the third set (from 6.01 ± 0.75 to 6.35 ± 0.85 W·kg−1; p < 0.01). No significant effect was observed at 40 and 50 kg loads (p > 0.05). Pmax and velocity were significantly affected by the method employed to determine Pmean at each load (p < 0.05). These results show a positive effect of the number of sets per load on Pmean, affecting Pmax, OL and potentially power training prescription.
Splitting-Shooting Methods for Nonlinear Transformations of Digitized Patterns

New splitting-shooting methods are presented for nonlinear transformations T: ( xi , eta ) to (x,y) where x=x( xi , eta ), y=y( xi , eta ). These transformations are important in computer vision, image processing, pattern recognition, and shape transformations in computer graphics. The methods can eliminate superfluous holes or blanks, leading to better images while requiring only modest computer storage and CPU time. The implementation of the proposed algorithms is simple and straightforward. Moreover, these methods can be extended to images with gray levels, to color images, and to three dimensions. They can also be implemented on parallel computers or VLSI circuits. A theoretical analysis proving the convergence of the algorithms and providing error bounds for the resulting images is presented. The complexity of the algorithms is linear. Graphical and numerical experiments are presented to verify the analytical results and to demonstrate the effectiveness of the methods. >
Characterization of recycled rubber media for hydrogen sulphide (H2S) control

Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) adsorption capacities on recycled rubber media, tyre-derived rubber particle (TDRP™), and other rubber material (ORM™) have been evaluated. As part of the research, densities, moisture contents, and surface properties of TDRP™ and ORM™ have been determined. The research team findings show that TDRP™ and ORM™ are more particulate in nature and not highly porous-like activated carbon. The characteristics of surface area, pore size, and moisture content support chemisorption on the macrosurface rather than physical adsorption in micropores. For example, moisture content is essential for H2S adsorption on ORM™, and an increase in moisture content results in an increase in adsorption capacity.
Revision Workshops: An Alternative to Peer Editing Groups.

Many teachers have optimistically experimented with peer editing because of its proven value as a revision technique; but after its enthusiastic introduction, many teachers have abandoned it because of serious limitations. I attempted to find a practical alternative and have come up with Revision Workshop, a technique incorporating the positive elements of peer editing but avoiding its limitations.
Creativity in Science and Science Education: A Response to Ghassib

Ghassib's (2010) paper is an interesting historical and philosophical discussion on the topic of knowledge production and a productivist industrial model in science. As I see it from the point of view of education, a weakness of the paper relates to the lack of discussion of the notion of creativity in science. The title includes the word 'creativity' and yet he does not explicitly address the nature of creativity in science, its relevance to science education or the teaching of gifted and talented children. To have done so may have made his account more relevant to this journal's readers.
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: An Overlooked Etiology of Midfacial Destructive Lesions

Background Midline destructive lesions of the face (MDL) have a wide range of etiologies. Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is rarely reported as a possible cause. Methods Fifteen patients with solitary nasal lesions caused by CL were studied. The clinical data, biopsies/scrapings and PCR were collected/performed. Ridley’s Pattern (RP) and Parasitic Index (PI) were documented. Results Patients’ age ranged from 1 to 60 years including 7 males and 8 females. The duration of the observed lesions ranged from 1 to 18 months. Clinically, the lesions showed 6 patterns varying from dermal erythematous papulonodular with no epidermal changes to destructive erythematous plaque with massive central hemorrhagic crust. The clinical impression ranged from neoplastic to inflammatory processes. RP varied among the cases [RP 3 (n = 6), RP 4 (n = 3), RP 5 (n = 6)]. All cases show low PI [PI 0 (n = 7), PI 1 (n = 6), PI 2 (n = 1), and PI 3 (n = 1)]. Higher PI was noted in the pediatric group [average age 24 years for PI 0–1 vs. 6.5 years for PI 2–3]. Molecular speciation showed Leishmania tropica (n = 13) and Leishmania major (n = 2). All the patients received Meglumine Antimoniate (Glucantine) injections and had initial cure defined as complete scarring and disappearance of inflammatory signs within 3 months. Conclusion Leishmaniasis may cause MDL especially in endemic areas. PCR is instrumental in confirming the diagnosis. MDL caused by CL showed wide spectrum of clinical and microscopic presentation.
Adaptive extremum seeking control of a tubular reactor with limited actuation

In this paper, we optimize the productivity of a chemical reaction taking place in a tubular reactor governed by a set of hyperbolic partial differential equations with unknown kinetics. We use only the temperature information along the reactor to estimate the unmeasured concentration at the reactor exit. Using adaptive extremum seeking, we derive a feedback algorithm that steers the system to its optimum using a non-distributed jacket temperature actuation.
The Effects of Time-limited Pressure and Perceived Value on Consumers' Intention to Purchase: A Study of Travel Fairs

In this paper we establish a consolidated framework to verify the association of consumers' purchase intention under the time-limited situation, by employing the linear structure equation model for data test. The questionnaire sample collected from consumers visiting two annual International Travel Fairs in Taiwan, 2007. The empirical results indicate that time-limited pressure has positive significant influence on perceived value and purchase intention. In addition, perceived value is served as a mediating factor between the relationship of time-limited pressure and purchase intention. The results would provide tourism businesses with a beneficial reference for planning a marketing strategy.
A Container-Based Edge Cloud PaaS Architecture Based on Raspberry Pi Clusters

Cloud technology is moving towards multi-cloud environments with the inclusion of various devices. Cloud and IoT integration resulting in so-called edge cloud and fog computing has started. This requires the combination of data centre technologies with much more constrained devices, but still using virtualised solutions to deal with scalability, flexibility and multi-tenancy concerns. Lightweight virtualisation solutions do exist for this architectural setting with smaller, but still virtualised devices to provide application and platform technology as services. Containerisation is a solution component for lightweight virtualisation solution. Containers are furthermore relevant for cloud platform concerns dealt with by Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) clouds like application packaging and orchestration. We demonstrate an architecture for edge cloud PaaS. For edge clouds, application and service orchestration can help to manage and orchestrate applications through containers. In this way, computation can be brought to the edge of the cloud, rather than data from the Internet-of-Things (IoT) to the cloud. We show that edge cloud requirements such as cost-efficiency, low power consumption, and robustness can be met by implementing container and cluster technology on small single-board devices like Raspberry Pis. This architecture can facilitate applications through distributed multi-cloud platforms built from a range of nodes from data centres to small devices, which we refer to as edge cloud. We illustrate key concepts of an edge cloud PaaS and refer to experimental and conceptual work to make that case.
A Wireless Hybrid Chemical Sensor for Detection of Environmental Volatile Organic Compounds

A hybrid sensor for monitoring volatile organic compounds in air is developed. The device combines two orthogonal sensing principles, selective molecular binding with a microfabricated quartz tuning fork detector and separation of analytes with a column. The tuning fork detector is functionalized with molecular imprinted polymers for selective binding to benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX), and the separation column provides further discrimination of the analytes for real world complex sample analysis. The device is wireless, portable, battery-powered, and cell-phone operated, and it allows reliable detection in parts per billion by volume-levels of BTEX in the presence of complex interferents. The hybrid device is suitable for occupational, environmental health, and epidemiological applications.
Evidence for Merging or Disruption of Red Galaxies from the Evolution of Their Clustering

The formation and evolution of massive red galaxies form a crucial test of theories of galaxy formation based on hierarchical assembly. In this Letter we use observations of the clustering of luminous red galaxies from the Boötes field and N-body simulations to argue that about of the most luminous satellite galaxies appear to undergo merging or disruption within massive halos between z ≃ 0.9 and 0.5.
Heart rate variability as a biomarker for epilepsy seizure prediction.

OBJECTIVE Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes seizures of many different types. Recent research has shown that epileptic seizures can be predicted by using the electrocardiogrami instead of the electroencephalogram. In this study, we used the heart rate variability that is generated by the fluctuating balance of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems to predict epileptic seizures. METHODS We studied 11 epilepsy patients to predict the seizure interval. With regar tos the fact that HRV signals are nonstationary, our analysis focused on linear features in the time and frequency domain of HRV signal such as RR Interval (RRI), mean heart rate (HR), high-frequency (HF) (0.15-0.40 Hz) and low-frequency (LF) (0.04-0.15 Hz), as well as LF/HF. Also, quantitative analyses of Poincaré plot features (SD1, SD2, and SD1/SD2 ratio) were performed. HRV signal was divided into intervals of 5 minutes. In each segment linear and nonlinear features were extracted and then the amount of each segment compared to the previous segment using a threshold. Finally, we evaluated the performance of our method using specificity and sensitivity. RESULTS During seizures, mean HR, LF/HF, and SD2/SD1 ratio significantly increased while RRI significantly decreased. Significant differences between two groups were identified for several HRV features. Therefore, these parameters can be used as a useful feature to discriminate a seizure from a non-seizure The seizure prediction algorithm proposed based on HRV achieved 88.3% sensitivity and 86.2 % specificity. CONCLUSION These results indicate that the HRV signal contains valuable information and can be a predictor for epilepsy seizure. Although our results in comparison with EEG ares a little bit weaker, the recording of ECG is much easier and faster than EEG. Also, our finding showed the results of this study are considerably better than recent research based on ECG (Tab. 1, Fig. 10, Ref. 17).