Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Virtual channel multiplexing in networks of workstations with irregular topology

Networks of workstations are becoming a cost-effective alternative for small-scale parallel computing. Although they may not provide the closely coupled environment of multicomputers and multiprocessors, they meet the needs of a great variety of parallel computing problems at a lower cost. However in order to achieve a high efficiency, the interconnects used to build the network of workstations must provide a very high bandwidth and low latencies, making their design a critical issue. Recently, a very efficient flow control protocol for networks of workstations has been proposed by the authors. This protocol multiplexes physical channels between several virtual channels and minimizes the use of control flits by transmitting several data flits each time a virtual channel gets the link. In this protocol, a virtual channel sends data flits until the message blocks or is completely transmitted. However it can reduce network throughput, by increasing short message latency, due to long messages monopolizing channels and hindering the progress of short messages. In this paper, we analyze the impact of limiting the number of flits (block size) that a virtual channel can send once it gets the link. We propose a new version of the previous flow control protocol that is easily, implementable on hardware. Simulation results show that limiting the maximum block size is not a good design decision, because the overall network performance decreases. Only when short message latency is crucial is it is acceptable to limit the block size.
The role of a lifetime history of oppositional defiant and conduct disorders in adults with ADHD: implications for clinical practice

Introduction Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and conduct disorder (CD) are frequently co-occurring disorders in children and adolescents. However, their clinical status among adults is still under discussion. This study analyzes how the current clinical presentation of adult ADHD might be influenced by a lifetime history of CD and ODD. Methods We compared three groups of patients: ADHD without history of CD/ODD (n = 178), ADHD + history of ODD (n = 184), and ADHD + history of CD (n = 96). Results A history of CD (and to a lower extent ODD) is associated with a more severe and externalizing profile. Conclusion Past CD and ODD entail a significant negative mental health impact on persistent ADHD, reinforcing the importance of actively assessing the developmental history of adult ADHD patients.
Target Costing: The Next Frontier in Strategic Cost Management

Target costing is an innovative technique that enables companies to deliver a customer-defined product at the lowest possible cost. Without proper planning, however, target costing can be difficult to implement effectively. Target Costing presents a framework for managers to understand how target costing works and how to plan and implement an effective system. Key topics include: How target costing relates to business strategy and profit planning; A process model that links target costing with the product development cycle; the linkages between customer requirements and costing; tools, information systems and measurement systems required to support target costing.
Trade and Informality in the Presence of Labor Market Frictions and Regulations

We build an equilibrium model of a small open economy with labor market frictions and imperfectly enforced regulations. Heterogeneous firms sort into the formal or informal sector. We estimate the model using data from Brazil, and use counterfactual simulations to understand how trade affects economic outcomes in the presence of informality. We show that: (1) Trade openness unambiguously decreases informality in the tradable sector, but has ambiguous effects on aggregate informality. (2) The productivity gains from trade are understated when the informal sector is omitted. (3) Trade openness results in large welfare gains even when informality is repressed. (4) Repressing informality increases productivity, but at the expense of employment and welfare. (5) The effects of trade on wage inequality are reversed when the informal sector is incorporated in the analysis. (6) The informal sector works as an "unemployment," but not a "welfare buffer" in the event of negative economic shocks. Institutional subscribers to the NBER working paper series, and residents of developing countries may download this paper without additional charge at www.nber. org.
Food consumption and cancer of the colon and rectum in north‐eastern Italy

The relation between dietary factors and the risk of colorectal cancer was investigated in a case‐control study conducted in Pordenone province, North‐eastern Italy, on 123 cases of colon cancer, 125 of rectal cancer and 699 controls admitted to hospital for acute, non‐neoplastic or digestive disorders. Consistent positive associations were observed with more frequent consumption of bread (odds ratio, OR = 2.1 for colon and 2.2 for rectum for highest vs. lowest tertile), polenta (OR = 2.1 for colon, 1.9 for rectum), cheese (OR = 1.7 for colon, 1.8 for rectum) and eggs (2.5 for colon, 1.9 for rectum), whereas reduced ORs were observed in subjects reporting more frequent consumption of tomatoes (OR = 0.5 for colon and 0.4 for rectum). High consumption of margarine exerted a significant protection against cancer of the colon whereas high consumption of carrots, spinach, whole‐grain bread and pasta (favorably) and red meat (unfavorably) affected rectal cancer risk in particular. Thus the present study gives support for a protective effect associated with a fiber‐rich or vegetable‐rich diet, while it indicates that frequent consumption of refined starchy foods, eggs and fat‐rich foods such as cheese and red meat is a risk factpr for colo‐rectal cancer.
CYP17 gene polymorphism and its association in north Indian prostate cancer patients.

BACKGROUND The CYP17 gene codes for the cytochrome P450c17a enzyme, which mediates two key steps in sex steroid synthesis In this study, the association between CYP17 polymorphism and the risk of prostate cancer in comparison to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in a north Indian population was investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS This study included 157 prostate cancer patients and 170 BPH patients as controls. A 451-bp fragment encompassing the polymorphic site was amplified by PCR and treated with the restriction enzyme MspA1. The undigested allele was recognized as A1 and the MspA1-digested variant allele was designated as the A2 allele. RESULTS Men with the A2/A2 CYP17 genotype had an increased risk of prostate cancer (OR=3.56; 95% CI=1.49-8.53; p=0.004) compared with those with the A1/A1 genotype. A significantly increased risk of prostate cancer was also found in smokers as well as non-vegetarians by four-fold as compared to their counterparts. There was a significant association between the CYP17 genotype and the tumour status (stage) of prostate cancer. The A2 allele showed a 1.90- (95% CI=1.09-3.32; p=0.02) and a 1.51- (95% CI=1.08-2.13; p=0.017) fold increased risk of prostate cancer in localized and metastatic prostate cancer cases respectively. CONCLUSION The A2 allele of the CYP17 polymorphism is associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer and has a role in the development of prostate cancer in smokers and non-vegetarians.
Study of the partition coefficients Kp/f of seven model migrants from LDPE polymer in contact with food simulants

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the influence of parameters such as temperature and type of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film on the log Kp/f values of seven model migrants in food simulants. Two different types of LDPE films contaminated by extrusion and immersion were placed in contact with three food simulants including 20% ethanol, 50% ethanol and olive oil under several time–temperature conditions. Results suggest that most log Kp/f values are little affected by these parameters in this study. In addition, the relation between log Kp/f and log Po/w was established for each food simulant and regression lines, as well as correlation coefficients, were calculated. Correlations were compared with data from real foodstuffs. Data presented in this study could be valuable in assigning certain foods to particular food simulants as well as predicting the mass transfer of potential migrants into different types of food or food simulants, avoiding tedious and expensive laboratory analysis. The results could be especially useful for regulatory agencies as well as for the food industry.
Myelin‐Deficient Rat: Analysis of Myelin Proteins

Abstract: Myelin basic protein (BP), proteolipid protein (PLP), myelin‐associated glycoprotein (MAG), and 2′,3′‐cyclic nucleotide 3′‐phosphodiesterase (CNPase) activity were quantitated in the brains and spinal cords of normal and myelin‐deficient (md) rats at 8, 12, 18, and 25 days of age. The levels of BP, MAG, and CNP in 25‐day‐old md brain were 1.1, 1.8, and 11% of those in controls, respectively. In spinal cord, the levels were higher, at 9, 15, and 12% of control values, respectively. Although BP content in the mutant rats was a lower percentage of the control level than MAG and CNPase contents at all ages, the absolute level of BP increased steadily between 8 and 25 days of age in both brain and spinal cord, whereas there was little change in the amounts of MAG and CNPase during this period. Immunoblotting analysis did not reveal an increased apparent Mr for MAG, as has been observed in quaking and trembler mice. There was little difference in the relative distributions of the 14K, 17K, 18.5K, and 21.5K forms of BP between control and md rat spinal cord homogenates at the ages examined. PLP content was reduced more than that of the other proteins in the md mutants, because it could not be detected by a technique capable of detecting 0.2% of the control brain level and 0.1% of control spinal cord level. This suggests that the expression of PLP may be preferentially affected in the md mutation.
Preventing Markets from Self-Destruction: The Quality of Government Factor

Four interrelated arguments are presented to form a theory about the relation between the logic of markets, social efficiency and the quality of government. The first is that competitive markets with a certain set of characteristics are the most efficient organizational form for creating a utilitarian based economic efficiency for the production of most goods and services. The second argument is that in order to reach this utilitarian based social efficiency, markets need large and complicated set of institutions, formal as well as informal. Since such institutions will in the long run make all market agents better off, they are labelled efficient institutions. The third argument is that it is unlikely that such institutions will be created endogenously by market agents. Moreover, if such institutions have been created, we should expect market agents to try to destroy them. Based on insights from various approaches (institutional economics and research on neo-corporatism, clientilism, and corruption) there is no reason to expect that efficient institutions will evolve by any selection mechanism that is generated from the sum of agency that exists in markets. The conclusion reached is that if left to themselves, markets are inherently selfdestructive. The fourth argument is that markets can only reach social efficiency if the agents that reproduce the necessary efficient type of institutions act according to a logic that is different from the logic that market agents use when operating in the market. This operational logic is the ethical dimensions of what should count as quality of government.
Phosphorylation of Ser2078 Modulates the Notch2 Function in 32D Cell Differentiation*

Notch signaling is involved in the regulation of many cell fate determination events in both embryonic development and adult tissue homeostasis. We previously demonstrated that Notch1 and Notch2 molecules inhibit myeloid differentiation in a cytokine-specific manner and that the Notch cytokine response domain is necessary for this functional specificity. We have now investigated the putative role of phosphorylation in the activity of Notch in response to cytokine signals. Our results show that the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) stimulation of 32D cells expressing the intracellular Notch2 protein induces phosphorylation at specific sites of this molecule, rendering the molecule inactive and permitting differentiation of these cells. In contrast, when cells are stimulated with granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), intracellular notch2 is not phosphorylated at these residues and differentiation is inhibited. We also show that deletion of the Ser/Thr-rich region between amino acids 2067 and 2099 abrogates G-CSF-induced phosphorylation and results in a molecule that inhibits differentiation in response to either G-CSF or GM-CSF. Our results further indicate that Ser2078 is a critical residue for phosphorylation and modulation of Notch2 activity in the context of G-CSF-induced differentiation of 32D cells.
Candida albicans adapts to host copper during infection by swapping metal cofactors for superoxide dismutase

Significance During infection, the host is known to elevate Cu to attack invading microbes with Cu toxicity. Because Cu is also a micronutrient, pathogens must capture Cu while defending against its toxicity. Here we describe an innovative method by which the fungal pathogen Candida albicans adapts to extremes in Cu. Specifically, C. albicans maintains its antioxidant defense over a spectrum of Cu conditions by expressing either Cu-dependent or Cu-independent forms of superoxide dismutase (SOD). This switching of fungal SODs becomes prevalent during a mouse model for disseminated candidiasis, where serum Cu rises and kidney Cu declines. The host both elevates and restricts Cu for invading pathogens and C. albicans adapts by modulating Cu uptake and metal cofactor selection for SODs. Copper is both an essential nutrient and potentially toxic metal, and during infection the host can exploit Cu in the control of pathogen growth. Here we describe a clever adaptation to Cu taken by the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans. In laboratory cultures with abundant Cu, C. albicans expresses a Cu-requiring form of superoxide dismutase (Sod1) in the cytosol; but when Cu levels decline, cells switch to an alternative Mn-requiring Sod3. This toggling between Cu- and Mn-SODs is controlled by the Cu-sensing regulator Mac1 and ensures that C. albicans maintains constant SOD activity for cytosolic antioxidant protection despite fluctuating Cu. This response to Cu is initiated during C. albicans invasion of the host where the yeast is exposed to wide variations in Cu. In a murine model of disseminated candidiasis, serum Cu was seen to progressively rise over the course of infection, but this heightened Cu response was not mirrored in host tissue. The kidney that serves as the major site of fungal infection showed an initial rise in Cu, followed by a decline in the metal. C. albicans adjusted its cytosolic SODs accordingly and expressed Cu-Sod1 at early stages of infection, followed by induction of Mn-Sod3 and increases in expression of CTR1 for Cu uptake. Together, these studies demonstrate that fungal infection triggers marked fluctuations in host Cu and C. albicans readily adapts by modulating Cu uptake and by exchanging metal cofactors for antioxidant SODs.
VARIETIES OF TRANSPERSONAL EXPERIENCES: OBSERVATIONS FROM LSD PSYCHOTHERAPy

Until recently the theoretical structures of psychiatry and psychology were based on the observations of a rather limited range of mental phenomena and human experiences. Very little systematic and serious attention was given to a variety of phenomena that have been described over centuries within the framework of the world's great religions, as well as temple mysteries, mystery religions, initiation rites, and various mystical schools. There has been a tendency in contemporary science to label such experiences simply as psychotic and to consider them manifestations of mental illness,because similar or identical experiencescan frequently be observed in schizophrenicpatients. Such classificationhas in the past almost precluded unbiased scientificstudy of these phenomena and acceptance of their possible relevance for the understanding of human personality and the nature of man. When such study was attempted, it focused frequently on peripheral aspects, and inadequate and often superficial explanatory hypotheses were offered by the investigators. This can be best illustrated by Freud's attempts to explain religious phenomena; obviously underestimating the paramount role of firsthand visionary experience for the development of religions, he equated religion with symbolic rituals and tried to explain it in terms of unresolved conflictsof the child's psyche and in terms of infantile sexuality (Freud, 1952).
The in X uence of experimentally created extrapersonal associations on the Implicit Association Test

We examined the inXuence of extrapersonal associations (Olson & Fazio, 2004)—associations that neither form the basis of the attitude nor become activated automatically in response to the object—on the Implicit Association Test (Greenwald, McGhee, & Schwartz, 1998) by experimentally creating both attitudes and extrapersonal associations. The results revealed that participants who were given extrapersonal information that was inconsistent with their own attitudes were aVected by this information when they later performed an IAT. They exhibited signiWcantly reduced IAT scores compared to participants who were provided attitude–consistent extrapersonal information. This attenuation of the IAT eVect occurred despite the fact that participants rated the source of the attitude–inconsistent extrapersonal information as irrational and foolish. On the other hand, the extrapersonal associations did not inXuence a subliminal priming measure in Experiment 1, nor a personalized version of the IAT (Olson & Fazio, 2004) in Experiment 2. These measures proved sensitive to the attitude, regardless of the congruency of the extrapersonal information. © 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Bering Glacier surge 2011: analysis of laser altimeter data

Abstract The Bering Glacier–Bagley Icefield system in Alaska is currently surging (2011). Large-scale elevation changes and small-scale elevation-change characteristics are investigated to understand surge progression, especially mass transport from the pre-surge reservoir area to the receiving area and propagation of the kinematic surge wave as manifested in heavy crevassing characteristic of rapid, brittle deformation. This analysis is based on airborne laser altimeter data collected over Bering Glacier in September 2011. Results include the following: (1) Maximal crevasse depth is 60 m, reached in a rift that separates two deformation domains, indicative of two different flow regimes. Otherwise surge crevasse depth reaches 20–30 m. (2) Characteristic parameters of structural provinces are derived by application of geostatistical classification. Parameters include significance and spacing of crevasses, surface roughness and crevasse-edge curvature (indicative of crevasse age). A classification based on these parameters serves to objectively discriminate structural provinces, indicative of surge progression down-glacier and up-glacier. (3) Elevation changes from 2011 and 2010 altimetry show 40–70 m surface lowering in the reservoir area in lower central Bering Glacier and 20–40m thickening near the front in Tashalich arm. Combining elevation changes with results of crevasse profilometry and pattern analysis, the rapid progression of the surge can be mathematically–physically reconstructed.
Building an agricultural extension services system supported by ICTs in Tanzania: Progress made, Challenges remain

The conventional agricultural extension service in Tanzania is mainly provided by extension officers visiting farmers to provide agricultural advisory service. This system of extension service provision faces a number of challanges including the few number of extension officers and limited resources. This article assessess the effectiveness of an impact-driven, radio-based extension service delivery system that has been introduced in some rural areas of Tanzania. The system aims to enable extension officers to reach many farmers with minimum efforts. However little is known about the effectiveness of this new extension service delivery system. Structured questionnaire, focus group discussion, interviews and participant observation were used to collect data from 55 small holder farmers who who had been receiving an impact-driven, radiobased extension services through Farmer Voice Radio project. Additional data were collected from interviewing extension officers and from archives of participating community radio stations. The results indicate that in some rural areas, farmers have started sharing agricultural information and best practices. Some farmers have also started to change their farming practices. This brings a new finding that farmers can adopt and practice easily what is aired by their fellow farmers in the community radio stations.
Convertible arbitrage: risk, return and performance

This study explores the risk and return characteristics of convertible arbitrage, a dynamic trading strategy employed by hedge funds. To circumvent biases in reported hedge fund data, a simulated convertible bond arbitrage portfolio is constructed. The returns from this portfolio are highly correlated with convertible arbitrage hedge fund indices and the portfolio serves as a benchmark o f fund performance. Default and term structure risk factors are defined and estimated which are highly significant in explaining the returns of the hedge fund indices and the returns of the simulated portfolio, and when specified with a convertible bond arbitrage risk factor in a linear factor model, these factors explain a large proportion of the risk in convertible arbitrage hedge fund indices. The residuals of the hedge fund indices estimated from this model are serially correlated, and a lag of the hedge fund index return is specified correcting fo r the serial correlation and the coefficient o f this term is also interpretable as a measure o f illiq u id ity risk. A linear multi-factor model, incorporating several lags o f the risk factors is specified to estimate individual fund performance. Estimates o f abnormal performance from this model provide evidence that convertible arbitrageurs generate abnormal returns between 2.4% and 4.2% per annum. The convertible arbitrage hedge fund indices and individual hedge fund returns used to evaluate performance generally exhibit negative skewness and excess kurtosis. Residual Augmented Least Squares (RALS), an estimation technique which explicitly incorporates higher moments is used to robustly estimate multi-factor models o f convertible arbitrage hedge fund index returns. Functions o f the hedge fund index residuals are specified as common skewness and kurtosis risk factors in a multifactor analysis of individual fund performance. Results from this analysis provide evidence that failing to specify third and fourth moment risk factors w ill bias upward estimates o f convertible arbitrage individual hedge fund performance by 0.60% per annum. Theoretical non-linearity in the relationship between convertible arbitrage hedge fund index returns and default and term structure risk factor is then modelled using Logistic Smooth Transition Autoregressive (LSTAR) models.