Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chip-planning, placement, and global routing of macro/custom cell integrated circuits using simulated annealing

The algorithms and the implementation of a novel macro/custom cell chip-planning, placement, and global routing package are presented. The simulated-annealing-based placement algorithm proceeds in two stages. In the first stage, the area around the individual cells is determined using novel interconnect area estimator. The second stage consists of: (1) a channel definition step, using a novel channel definition algorithm, (2) a global routing step, using a new global router algorithm, and (3) a placement refinement step. This strategy has produced placements which require very little placement modification during detailed routing. Total interconnect-length savings of 8 to 49% were achieved in experiments on nine industrial circuits. Furthermore, circuit-area reductions ranged from 4 to 56% versus a variety of other placement methods. <<ETX>>
Evaluating the efficacy of statistical simulation for design space exploration

Recent research has proposed statistical simulation as a technique for fast performance evaluation of superscalar microprocessors. The idea in statistical simulation is to measure a program's key performance characteristics, generate a synthetic trace with these characteristics, and simulate the synthetic trace. Due to the probabilistic nature of statistical simulation the performance estimate quickly converges to a solution, making it an attractive technique to efficiently cull a large microprocessor design space. In this paper, we evaluate the efficacy of statistical simulation in exploring the design space. Specifically, we characterize the following aspects of statistical simulation: (i) fidelity of performance bottlenecks, with respect to cycle-accurate simulation of the program, (ii) ability' to track design changes, and (Hi) trade-off between accuracy and complexity in statistical simulation models. In our characterization experiments, we use the Plackett & Burman (P&B) design to systematically stress statistical simulation by creating different performance bottlenecks. The key results from this paper are: (1) Synthetic traces stress at least the same 10 most significant processor performance bottlenecks as the original workload, (2) Statistical simulation can effectively track design changes to identify feasible design points in a large design space of aggressive microarchitectures, (3) Our evaluation of 4 statistical simulation models shows that although a very detailed model is needed to achieve a good absolute accuracy in performance estimation, a simple model is sufficient to achieve good relative accuracy, and (4) The P&B design technique can be used to quickly identify areas to focus on to improve the accuracy of the statistical simulation model.
Body size-independent safety margins for gas exchange across grasshopper species

Why is maximal insect body size relatively small compared to that of vertebrates? Possibly insect body size is limited by the capacity of the tracheal respiratory system to delivery oxygen down longer and longer tracheae to the tissues. If so, one possible outcome would be that larger insect species would have a smaller safety margin for oxygen delivery (higher critical PO2, Pc). We tested this idea by exposing inactive adult grasshoppers of a range of species and body sizes (0.07–6.4 g) to progressively lower oxygen atmospheres and measuring their ventilation frequency and their ability to maintain metabolic rate (indexed by CO2 emission rate). We analyzed effects of body size on these parameters by simple linear regressions, as well as methods to control for phylogenetic relatedness among species. We found interspecific variation in Pc, but Pc did not significantly correlate with body mass (average Pc across all species = 4 kPa). Maximal tracheal system conductance scaled approximately with mass0.7, and estimated ventilation in hypoxia (ventilatory frequency×tidal volume) scaled directly with mass, suggesting that convection is the major mechanism of gas exchange in all these species. These comparative data strengthen the growing body of evidence that body size does not affect the safety margin for oxygen delivery in insects.
Online feature selection for pixel classification

Online feature selection (OFS) provides an efficient way to sort through a large space of features, particularly in a scenario where the feature space is large and features take a significant amount of memory to store. Image processing operators, and especially combinations of image processing operators, provide a rich space of potential features for use in machine learning for image processing tasks but they are expensive to generate and store. In this paper we apply OFS to the problem of edge detection in grayscale imagery. We use a standard data set and compare our results to those obtained with traditional edge detectors, as well as with results obtained more recently using "statistical edge detection. " We compare several different OFS approaches, including hill climbing, best first search, and grafting.
Aging-aware hardware-software task partitioning for reliable reconfigurable multiprocessor systems

Homogeneous multiprocessor systems with reconfigurable area (also known as Reconfigurable Multiprocessor Systems) are emerging as a popular design choice in current and future technology nodes to meet the heterogeneous computing demand of a multitude of applications enabled on these platforms. Application specific mapping decisions on such a platform involve partitioning a given application into software tasks (executed on one or more of the general purpose processors, GPPs) and the hardware tasks (realized as dedicated hardware on the reconfigurable area) to optimize and/or satisfy design constraints such as reliability, performance and design cost. Improving the reliability considering transient faults by increasing the number of checkpoints negatively impacts the reliability considering permanent faults. This trade-off is ignored in all prior studies on task mapping and scheduling. This paper proposes an optimization technique to decide the optimal number of checkpoints for the software tasks which minimizes aging of the GPPs while maximizing the transient fault-tolerance of the overall platform (GPPs and the reconfigurable area) and satisfying design cost and performance. Experiments conducted with synthetic and real-life application task graphs (cyclic and acyclic) demonstrate that the proposed technique minimizes aging and improves the platform lifetime by an average 60% as compared to the existing transient fault-aware techniques. Further, a gradient-based heuristic is proposed to minimize the design space exploration time by upto 500× with less than 5% deviation from optimal solution.
Fat profile of jamaican ackees, oleic Acid content and possible health implications.

OBJECTIVE To re-investigate the composition of ackee oil and unequivocally determine its principal fatty acid components. METHODS Oil was extracted from the edible portion of ackees harvested in three different studies (I-III) by several analysts; studies I and II utilized composite samples from several trees while study III consisted of ackees from seven separate trees. The oils were either saponified and methylated or trans-methylated and the fatty acid methyl ester content analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Relative fatty acid composition was quantified based on chromatographic peak areas while fatty acids were identified by mass spectrometry. The degree of unsaturation of the ackee oils was characterized by determination of the iodine value. RESULTS Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry data from the three studies were assessed. Relative fatty acid composition for the ackee oils was consistent across the three studies. The major fatty acid components were oleic acid (55.44%), palmitic acid (25.57%) and stearic acid (12.59%); linoleic acid was present in minor to undetectable amounts. An iodine value of 49 was determined which is consistent with the high oleic acid content of the ackee oil. CONCLUSION The ackee samples analysed were rich in the monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) oleic acid. Consideration should be given to potential protective health effects of diets which include ackee.
Design, Synthesis, and Biological Activity of New Triazole and Nitro-Triazole Derivatives as Antifungal Agents

In this study two series of fluconazole derivatives bearing nitrotriazole (series A) or piperazine ethanol (series B) side chain were designed and synthesized and then docked in the active site of lanosterol 14α-demethylase enzyme (1EA1) using the Autodock 4.2 program (The scripps research institute, La Jolla, CA, USA). The structures of synthesized compound were confirmed by various methods including elemental and spectral (NMR, CHN, and Mass) analyses. Then antifungal activities of the synthesized compound were tested against several natural and clinical strains of fungi using a broth microdilution assay against several standard and clinical fungi. Nitrotriazole derivatives showed excellent and desirable antifungal activity against most of the tested fungi. Among the synthesized compounds, 5a–d and 5g, possessing nitrotriazole moiety, showed maximum antifungal activity, in particular against several fluconazole-resistant fungi.
Assembling an isomer grid: the isomorphous 4-, 3- and 2-fluoro-N'-(4-pyridyl)benzamides.

The three title isomers, 4-, (I), 3-, (II), and 2-fluoro-N'-(4-pyridyl)benzamide, (III), all C12H9FN2O, crystallize in the P2(1)/c space group (No. 14) with similar unit-cell parameters and are isomorphous and isostructural at the primary hydrogen-bonding level. An intramolecular C-H.O=C interaction is present in all three isomers [C.O = 2.8681 (17)-2.884 (2) A and C-H.O117-118 degrees ], with an additional N-H.F [N.F = 2.7544 (15) A] interaction in (III). Intermolecular amide-pyridine N-H.N hydrogen bonds link molecules into one-dimensional zigzag chains [graph set C(6)] along the [010] direction as the primary hydrogen bond [N.N = 3.022 (2), 3.049 (2) and 3.0213 (17) A]. These are augmented in (I) by C-H.pi(arene) and cyclic C-F.pi(arene) contacts about inversion centres, in (II) by C-F.F-C interactions [C.F = 3.037 (2) A] and weaker C-H.pi(arene)/C-H.F contacts, and in (III) by C-H.pi(arene) and C=O.O=C interactions, linking the alternating chains into two-dimensional sheets. Typical amide N-H.O=C hydrogen bonds [as C(4) chains] are not present [N.O = 3.438 (2) A in (I), 3.562 (2) A in (II) and 3.7854 (16) A in (III)]; the C=O group is effectively shielded and only participates in weaker interactions/contacts. This series is unusual as the three isomers are isomorphous (having similar unit-cell parameters, packing and alignment), but they differ in their interactions and contacts at the secondary level.
Phylogenetic characterization of enterovirus 68 strains in patients with respiratory syndromes in Italy

Enterovirus 68 (EV‐D68) was associated with mild to severe respiratory infections. In the last 4 years, circulation of different EV‐D68 strains has been documented worldwide. In this study, the phylogenetic characterization of nine EV‐D68 strains identified in patients in the 2010–2012 period and 12 additional EV‐D68 Italian strains previously identified in 2008 in Italy was described. From January 2010 to December 2012, a total of 889 respiratory specimens from 588 patients stayed or visited at the Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo were positive for HRV or HEV. Extracted nucleic acids were amplified by one‐step RT‐PCR with primer specific for VP1 region of EV‐D68 and purified positive PCR products were directly sequenced. Overall, 9/3736 (0.24%) patients were EV‐D68 positive. Of these, 7/9 (77.8%) were pediatric and two (22.2%) were adults. Five out of seven (71.4%) pediatric patients had lower respiratory tract infection with oxygen saturation <94%. Four cases were detected from August through October 2010, while five other cases from September through December 2012. The Italian EV‐D68 strains in 2008 belonged to clade A (n = 5) and clade C (n = 7). In 2010 all the Italian strains belonged to clade A (n = 4) and in 2012, four Italian strains belonged to clade B and one to clade A. In conclusion, we provide additional evidence supporting a role of EV‐D68 in severe respiratory infection in pediatric patients. In addition, all the three EV‐D68 clades circulating worldwide were identified in Italy in a 5‐year period of time. J. Med. Virol. 86:1590–1593, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Ancestral Logic of Politics

Over human evolutionary history, upper-body strength has been a major component of fighting ability. Evolutionary models of animal conflict predict that actors with greater fighting ability will more actively attempt to acquire or defend resources than less formidable contestants will. Here, we applied these models to political decision making about redistribution of income and wealth among modern humans. In studies conducted in Argentina, Denmark, and the United States, men with greater upper-body strength more strongly endorsed the self-beneficial position: Among men of lower socioeconomic status (SES), strength predicted increased support for redistribution; among men of higher SES, strength predicted increased opposition to redistribution. Because personal upper-body strength is irrelevant to payoffs from economic policies in modern mass democracies, the continuing role of strength suggests that modern political decision making is shaped by an evolved psychology designed for small-scale groups.
Quantification of Fouling during UHT Processing in an Indirect Tubular Heat Exchanger

ii Acknowledgments. iv Vita . v List of Tables . ix List of Figures . xi Chapter 1: Introduction . 1 Chapter 2: Literature Review . 5 2.1 Types of Fouling . 5 2.2 Stages of Fouling . 6 2.3 Mechanisms of the Fouling Stages . 10 2.3. 1 Induction period . 10 2.3. 2 Fouling period . 11
Comparing Cross-platform Development Approaches for Mobile Applications

While smartphones are rapidly gaining popularity, they do n ot (yet) rely on a standardized platform. At least five operating systems are considered important. Developin g mobile applications (apps) is thus challenging. Since native development for several platforms requires ex treme effort, we designed criteria to assess crossplatform development approaches. We applied our criteria t o Web apps, to apps developed with PhoneGap and Titanium Mobile, and – for comparison – to natively devel op d apps. Particularly the two frameworks are interesting from a Web developer’s perspective since th ey bridge the gap between Web development and mobile information systems. Our findings are presented as re ference tables. Furthermore, we generalize our results. Our criteria have proven to be viable for follow-up evaluations. With regard to the approaches, we specifically found PhoneGap viable if very close resemblanc e of a native look & feel can be neglected.
Vascular Endothelial Function and Leisure-Time Physical Activity in Adolescents

Background— Exercise training improves endothelial function in high-risk adolescents, but the influence of habitual leisure-time physical activity on endothelial function in healthy adolescents is unknown. Methods and Results— Brachial artery flow-mediated endothelial function and physical activity habits were assessed in 483 adolescents (13 years of age) participating in an atherosclerosis prevention study (Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project for Children [STRIP]). Endothelial function was examined with ultrasound; physical activity was assessed with self-administered questionnaires. A leisure-time physical activity index was calculated by multiplying mean weekly leisure-time exercise intensity, duration, and frequency [boys, 31.2±23.0 MET h/wk (mean±SD); girls, 24.0±20.9 MET h/wk; P for gender difference=0.0003]. Maximum flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and total FMD response (the area under the dilatation curve 40 to 180 seconds after hyperemia) were calculated. In boys, maximum FMD and area under the dilatation curve 40 to 180 seconds after hyperemia were directly associated with leisure-time physical activity index in regression analyses adjusted for brachial artery diameter (maximum FMD, P=0.020; area under the dilatation curve 40 to 180 seconds after hyperemia, P=0.0055). These associations remained significant after further adjustments for body mass index, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and systolic blood pressure. A difference of ≈50 MET h/wk corresponding to ≈10 hours of moderate intensity activity weekly between sedentary and active boys was associated with an ≈1% unit difference in maximum FMD. Conclusions— Leisure-time physical activity is directly associated with brachial artery FMD responses in 13-year-old boys, providing evidence that physical activity beneficially influences endothelial function in healthy male adolescents. Lack of association in girls may reflect their overall lower physical activity level.
Shifts in Dominance and Species Assemblages over Two Decades in Alternative Successions in Central Amazonia

Following perturbation, different assemblages that originate under the same abiotic conditions initiate successional pathways that may continue to diverge or converge toward an eventual climax. Forest regeneration in the Central Amazon begins with alternative successional pathways associated with prior land use. In a 12‐yr study of secondary forests, initially ranging between 2 and 19 yrs after abandonment, we compared species compositions through time along two pathways, abandoned clear‐cuts dominated by Cecropia and abandoned pastures dominated by Vismia; prior results at these sites have not directly evaluated species composition. At all ages, the Chao–Jaccard similarity index of species composition was highest comparing pasture transects to each other, lowest comparing pastures transects to clear‐cut transects, and intermediate comparing clear‐cut transects to each other. Through time, clear‐cut transects became less similar to each other, as did pasture transects. Changes in similarity reflected declining dominance along both pathways, but Cecropia dominance of clear‐cut transects declined more rapidly than Vismia dominance of pasture transects. A rich association of species replaced Cecropia in clear‐cut transects, resulting in decreased similarity among them. In pasture transects one genus, Bellucia, replaced the lost Vismia, so similarity of Vismia transects was maintained despite some turnover in dominance. Overall, even with turnover of individuals and decline of the dominant pioneers, the alternative pathways exhibited strikingly different species assemblies after two decades of succession, suggesting that the effect of land use persists well beyond initial floristic composition.
Enhanced Amphetamine Sensitivity and Increased Expression of Dopamine D2 Receptors in Postpubertal Rats after Neonatal Excitotoxic Lesions of the Medial Prefrontal Cortex

Functional and structural abnormalities in the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) and overactive dopamine (DA) neurotransmission are thought to be the key pathologies in schizophrenia. To understand the role of MPFC in the pre- and postpubertal development of the subcortical DA system, the effects of neonatal [postnatal day 7 (PD7)] MPFC excitotoxic lesions on locomotor behaviors and the expression of DA receptor subtypes and DA transporter were investigated in Sprague Dawley rats at PD35 and PD56, respectively. No significant differences in the novelty or d-amphetamine-induced locomotion were observed between sham-operated and ibotenic acid-lesioned rats at PD35. Postpubertally (at PD56), however, the locomotor activity of lesioned rats in the novel environment and afterd-amphetamine administration was enhanced significantly compared with controls. The expressions of DA D1, D2, D3, and D4 receptors and DA transporter were then estimated in MPFC-lesioned and sham-operated rats at PD39 and PD60. The levels of DA D2 receptors, measured using [3H]-YM-09151-2 binding, and its mRNA byin situ hybridization, were observed to be significantly increased at PD60 in striatal and limbic areas of lesioned rats. Levels of other DA receptor subtypes were not significantly affected at any time points. Lesioned rats at PD39 show a small increase in DA transporter level in the shell of nucleus accumbens; however, this effect seems to wear off at PD60. The data suggest that neonatal MPFC lesions may alter the functional development and maturation of mesolimbic/nigrostriatal DA systems in that neonatally lesioned rats grow into a behavioral/neurochemical deficit.
Why people reject or use virtual processes: Understanding the variance of users' resistance

The globalization and the continuing growth of internet-based processes and services makes it necessary to examine the emerging user resistance phenomenon from a new theoretical perspective. In order to verify the user resistance’s core claims, we designed a research model and subsequently developed measurement instruments to empirically analyze and test why people reject or use a process in a virtual environment. Therefore we investigated the “airport check-in” process as our process of interest and conducted a questionnaire-based survey with 183 participants in total. The survey was carried out at Frankfurt Airport as well as at Leipzig Airport in Germany. The results indicate that perceived process characteristics, service quality and net benefit play an important role in user resistance towards conducting a process virtually. We provide empirical evidence for the validity of user resistance, and demonstrate that our model is statistically significant and well constructed.
Continuous geomagnetic field models for the past 7 millennia: 2. CALS7K

We present two continuous global geomagnetic field models for recent millennia: CALS3K.2, covering the past 3000 years, and CALS7K.2, covering 7000 years from 5000 BC to 1950 AD. The models were determined by regularized least squares inversion of archeomagnetic and paleomagnetic data using spherical harmonics in space and cubic B splines in time. They are derived from a greatly increased number of paleomagnetic directional data, compared to previous efforts, and for the first time a significant amount of archeointensity data is used in this kind of global model, allowing the determination of evolution of geomagnetic dipole strength. While data accuracy and dating uncertainties remain a limitation, reliable low‐resolution global models can be obtained. The results agree well with previous results from virtual axial dipole moment (VADM) studies from archeomagnetic intensity data apart from a systematic offset in strength. A comparison of model predictions with the previous 3000 year model, CALS3K.1, gives general agreement but also some significant differences particularly for the early epochs. The new models suggest that the prominent two northern hemisphere flux lobes are more stationary than CALS3K.1 implied, extending considerably the time span of stationary flux lobes observed in historical models. Between 5000 BC and 2000 BC there are time intervals of weak dipole moment where dipole power is exceeded by low‐degree nondipole power at the core‐mantle boundary. Model coefficients and evaluation code can be obtained from the EarthRef Digital Archive (ERDA) together with animations and snapshots plots for every 100 years at http://www.earthref. org. Detailed URLs for the different material are listed in Appendix A .