Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Memory bank customization and assignment in behavioral synthesis

With increasing design complexity and chip area, on-chip memory has become an important component whose integration needs to be addressed during system design. Modern embedded DRAM technology allows for large amounts of on-chip memory space. However, in order to utilize the available memory intelligently, the memory has to be appropriately customized for the specific application. We address the topic of incorporating the application-specific customization of memory bank configuration into behavioral synthesis. The strategy involves a partitioning of behavioral arrays into memory banks based on a cost function that estimates the performance implications. For a given candidate partition, we present a heuristic for determining the access sequence that minimizes page misses in a bank while respecting data dependences. The output of the exploration is a graph displaying the variation of delay and memory area with the bank configuration. Our experiments on several memory-intensive examples confirm that the exploration results can provide critical feedback to the designer about the optimal memory configuration for a given application.
P²SPA: Privacy Preservation Strategy With Pseudo-Addresses for Edge Computing Networks

In recent years, edge computing networks have been widely adopted to achieve low latency, save bandwidth, and improve flexibility. However, most of the current Edge Nodes (ENs) are in semi-trusted or untrusted environments, where interactions among users are unsafe. Therefore, providing cost-effective protection strategies for ENs under resource limitations remains a great challenge. To cope with this, we propose an edge computing model with “End-Edge-Cloud” collaborative services, and a Privacy Preservation Strategy with Pseudo-Addresses (P2SPA) is constructed to maximize the cost-effectiveness while protecting the location privacy of the ENs. We quantify the privacy protection preference of user information using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to select the optimal EN. Considering the dynamic change in the attack frequency, a pseudo-address selection and updating strategy is constructed based on the Stackelberg game theory; thus, the optimal pseudo-address update frequency is achieved. Numerical estimations are performed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed P2SPA strategy. Compared with the existing methods, P2SPA achieves a compromise service strategy with satisfactory performance on both the defense effect and defense cost.
RANKL subcellular trafficking and regulatory mechanisms in osteocytes

The receptor activator of the NF‐κB ligand (RANKL) is the central player in the regulation of osteoclastogenesis, and the quantity of RANKL presented to osteoclast precursors is an important factor determining the magnitude of osteoclast formation. Because osteoblastic cells are thought to be a major source of RANKL, the regulatory mechanisms of RANKL subcellular trafficking have been studied in osteoblastic cells. However, recent reports showed that osteocytes are a major source of RANKL presentation to osteoclast precursors, prompting a need to reinvestigate RANKL subcellular trafficking in osteocytes. Investigation of molecular mechanisms in detail needs well‐designed in vitro experimental systems. Thus, we developed a novel co‐culture system of osteoclast precursors and osteocytes embedded in collagen gel. Experiments using this model revealed that osteocytic RANKL is provided as a membrane‐bound form to osteoclast precursors through osteocyte dendritic processes and that the contribution of soluble RANKL to the osteoclastogenesis supported by osteocytes is minor. Moreover, the regulation of RANKL subcellular trafficking, such as OPG‐mediated transport of newly synthesized RANKL molecules to lysosomal storage compartments, and the release of RANKL to the cell surface upon stimulation with RANK are confirmed to be functional in osteocytes. These results provide a novel understanding of the regulation of osteoclastogenesis.
Lifting-Based Directional DCT-Like Transform for Image Coding

Traditional 2D DCT implemented by separable 1D transform in horizontal and vertical directions does not take image orientation features in a local window into account. To improve it, we propose to introduce directional primary operations to the lifting-based DCT and thereby derive a new directional DCT-like transform. A JPEG-wise image coding scheme is also proposed to evaluate the performance of the proposed directional DCT-like transform. In this scheme, each 8times8 block can be transformed along different direction in order to better adapt to local orientation properties of image. The experimental results show that the performance of the proposed directional DCT can dramatically outperform the conventional DCT up to 2 dB even without modifying entropy coding.
Use of Euphorbia sp. (Euphorbiaceae) as biofuel feedstock for semi-arid and arid lands

Abstract Plant-based biofuels are globally accepted renewable alternatives to fossil fuels. Both biodiesel and bioethanol can be derived from various plant-based feedstocks using conventional and advanced conversion technologies. However, the use of conventional first-generation plant feedstocks creates a ‘food versus fuel’ conflict through competition with agriculture for arable land and freshwater resources. In this regard, succulent, latex-yielding species of Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae) have advantages as feedstock for liquid biofuel production. These include high levels of primary productivity, a remarkable ability to grow on marginal lands under xeric conditions, and a relatively small bioenergy freshwater footprint. In addition, yields of Euphorbia-based biofuels are relatively high, and the fuel has chemical, physical, and combustive properties that are comparable to or exceed those of fossil fuels. In this review, we summarize the status of biofuel research using Euphorbia feedstock. Harvesting and drying of biomass, extraction, characterization and refinement of biocrude, blending with diesel, fuel properties, effects on engine performance and emissions, and use of spent residues for production of bioethanol and other valuable co-products are discussed. Major challenges and future opportunities associated with Euphorbia-based biofuel development are considered.
A P2P Delivery Method for Sensor Data Stream Based on Load Estimation from Collection Cycles

Due to the prevalence of sensors such as security cameras or environmental monitoring, sensor data stream delivery which means delivering the observed data continuously attracts great attention. For sensor data stream delivery, receivers collect data in various cycle by the use of them. We proposed a P2P-based method to distribute communication loads in the case of delivering the sensor data stream that have different data collection cycles. Although the existing method distributes communication loads by re-delivering the sensor data that have the same collection time, the load concentration to the longer cycle receivers is probable. Therefore, we propose a P2P delivery method to distribute communication loads by the estimation of each receiver's loads and re-delivering from the lowest load receiver. We evaluated the effectiveness of proposal in simulation. By the result of simulations, we confirmed the load distribution in the case of many receivers at same time.
Learning Expressive Models for Word Sense Disambiguation

We present a novel approach to the word sense disambiguation problem which makes use of corpus-based evidence combined with background knowledge. Employing an inductive logic programming algorithm, the approach generates expressive disambiguation rules which exploit several knowledge sources and can also model relations between them. The approach is evaluated in two tasks: identification of the correct translation for a set of highly ambiguous verbs in EnglishPortuguese translation and disambiguation of verbs from the Senseval-3 lexical sample task. The average accuracy obtained for the multilingual task outperforms the other machine learning techniques investigated. In the monolingual task, the approach performs as well as the state-of-the-art systems which reported results for the same set of verbs.
Agile Search: A tool for searching apps easily on mobile by gesture

Enabling fast access to apps is important to smartphone users especially when there are a large number of apps installed on their devices. Several gesture based search approaches have been proposed to increase the search efficiency and accuracy with improved convenience, but their gesture-app mapping mechanism still largely relies on the textual information of apps. This means such methods can become less effective when a user is trying to locate rarely used apps as they may not be able to recall any textual cues about the app. Since apps are appeared as icons with text descriptions on a device's screen, there may have other cues that can be used to inform gestures for shortcut access to apps to overcome current text based search/mapping limitations. An initial study involving 24 participants to understand the impact of app icon designs on creating gestures as app shortcuts has been conducted. The results show that users not only tend to use visual cues presented in app icons to create gestures, but also create them based on apps' usage frequency and different icon types.
Drug prescribing during the last year of life in very old people with diabetes

Abstract Objective to evaluate primary care drug utilisation during the last year of life, focusing on antidiabetic and cardiovascular drugs, in patients of advanced age with diabetes. Design population-based cohort study. Setting primary care database in the UK. Subjects patients with type 2 diabetes who died at over 80 years of age between 2011 and 13. Methods main outcome measures included proportions of patients prescribed different classes of drugs, comparing the first (Q1) and the fourth quarters (Q4) of the last year of life. Results the study included 5,324 patients, with the median age 86 years and 50% female. Three-fourths of the patients received five or more drugs, and the total number of drugs prescribed was almost stable at 6.2 ± 3.1 (mean ± SD) during the last year of life. Substantial proportions of patients were treated with antidiabetic drugs (78%), antihypertensive drugs (76%), statins (62%) and low-dose aspirin (46%) in Q1. Prescribing of these drugs slightly decreased by 3–8% in Q4. There were increases in prescribing of anti-infectives (35% in Q1 to 50% in Q4), drugs for nervous system (63% to 73%), drugs for respiratory system (24% to 33%) and systemic hormonal drugs (22% to 27%). Conclusion patients of advanced age with type 2 diabetes were often treated with antidiabetic and cardiovascular drugs even when approaching death. More research is needed to generate evidence to guide optimal drug utilisation for older people with a limited life expectancy.
Molecular identification of Oesophagostomum spp. from ‘village’ chimpanzees in Uganda and their phylogenetic relationship with those of other primates

Oesophagostomum spp. are parasitic nematodes of mammals, including humans and other primates. To identify species and determine phylogeny, we analysed DNA sequences of adult and larval Oesophagostomum from wild chimpanzees in Bulindi, Uganda, which inhabit degraded forest fragments amid villages. Oesophagostome larvae and/or eggs from baboons in Tanzania and South Africa and from a Japanese macaque were also sequenced. Based on the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) of nuclear ribosomal DNA and partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (Cox1) of mtDNA, O. stephanostomum and O. bifurcum were identified from chimpanzees. Bulindi is the second locality where molecular detection of O. bifurcum in wild chimpanzees has been made. While most O. stephanostomum had ITS2 genotypes recorded previously, three new genotypes were detected. Among four ITS2 genotypes of O. bifurcum from chimpanzees, one was identical to that from various monkey species in Kibale, Uganda, and baboons from Tanzania and South Africa; another was shared by a baboon from Tanzania. No genotype was identical with that of the cryptic species reported from humans and monkeys in Kibale. Phylogeny based on Cox1 sequences of O. stephanostomum showed locality-dependent clades, whereas those of O. bifurcum formed clades composed of worms from different hosts and localities.
SOUTHWESTERN WILLOW FLYCATCHERS (EMPIDONAX TRAILLII EXTIMUS) IN A GRAZED LANDSCAPE: FACTORS INFLUENCING BROOD PARASITISM

Abstract Brood parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater; hereafter “cowbirds”) is an important factor contributing to the endangered status of the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus, hereafter “flycatcher”). We report on factors that influence brood parasitism on the flycatcher using seven seasons of nest data (n = 491 nests) collected in riparian patches comprising cottonwood (Populus fremontii), willow (Salix spp.), and boxelder (Acer negundo) along the Gila River in southwest New Mexico. We quantified habitat and landscape characteristics that might be associated with higher levels of parasitism and assessed the correlation between those and the observed incidence of nest parasitism. Given that cowbirds associate with cattle, we were particularly interested to determine whether the distance to active summer grazing would influence the frequency of brood parasitism. We found an apparent negative trend between the distance to grazing and brood parasitism, but this trend was not statistically significant. Rather, brood parasitism was more strongly correlated with characteristics of the habitat. Specifically, nests in larger patches, and nests built near the patch edge adjacent to the river, were more susceptible to parasitism, which suggests that these areas are preferred nesting habitat for cowbirds because of a potentially greater abundance of hosts. Parasitism was significantly lower within the core of large patches, but the insulating effect was not evident in small and medium-sized patches. Higher nest height was strongly correlated with lower probability of parasitism, most notably for nests in boxelders. Nests in boxelders were less susceptible to parasitism, whereas nests in willows were more susceptible to parasitism. We discuss the results in the context of other studies. We recommend that management efforts to recover the flycatcher should focus on increasing quality habitat, and we suggest that cattle management should focus on eliminating the adverse effects of grazing on riparian health as a more feasible option than removing cattle far enough from riparian corridors so as to preclude parasitism. Empidonax traillii extimus en un Paisaje con Pastoreo: Factores que Influyen sobre el Parasitismo de la Nidada
The case for access control on XML relationships

With the emergence of XML as the de facto standard to exchange and disseminate information, the problem of regulating access to XML documents has attracted a considerable attention in recent years. Existing models attach authorizations to nodes of an XML document but disregard relationships between them. However, ancestor and sibling relationships may reveal information as sensitive as the one carried out by the nodes themselves (e.g., classification). This paper advocates the integration of relationships as first class citizen in the access control models for XML and makes the following contributions. First, it characterizes important relationship authorizations and identifies the mechanisms required to translate them accurately in an authorized view of a source document. Second, it introduces a rule-based formulation for expressing these classes of relationship authorizations and defines an associated conflict resolution strategy. Rather than being yet-another XML access control model, the proposed approach allows a seamless integration of relationship authorizations in existing XML access control model.
Puerarin attenuates remifentanil‑induced postoperative hyperalgesia via targeting PAX6 to regulate the transcription of TRPV1

Remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia (RIH) is characterized by the emergence of stimulation-induced pain, including phenomena such as allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia following remifentanil infusion. As a sequence-specific DNA binding transcription factor, PAX6 positively and negatively regulates transcription and is expressed in multiple cell types in the developing and adult central nervous system. It was hypothesized that puerarin could relieve RIH via targeting PAX6 to regulate transcription of transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V Member 1 (TRPV1). A total of 32 rats were randomly divided into five groups, namely control group, RI group, RI + 10 mg/kg puerarin group (RI + puerarin10), RI + 20 mg/kg puerarin group (RI + puerarin20), and RI + 40 mg/kg puerarin group (RI + puerarin40). Mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia were tested at −24, 2, 6, 24 and 48 h after remifentanil infusion. Following the sacrifice of rats after the last behavioral test, western blot was used to detect the expression levels of TRPV1 in the tissues; Immunofluorescence staining and western blotting were used to detect the expression of PAX6 in the spinal cord. PharmMapper and JASPAR were used to predict the binding sites of puerarin/PAX6/TRPV1. Chromatin immunoprecipitation-PCR and dual luciferase reporter assay were used to verify the targeting relationship between PAX6 and TRPV1. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression levels of TRPV1 and p-NR2B. The results revealed that puerarin (10, 20, 40 mg/kg) dose-dependently reduced thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia from 2 to 48 h after remifentanil infusion. Remifentanil infusion remarkably stimulated the expression of phosphorylated (p-)NR2B. Nevertheless, the increased amount of p-NR2B by RIH was dose-dependently suppressed by puerarin in rats. In conclusion, puerarin was revealed to attenuate postoperative RIH via targeting PAX6 to regulate the transcription of TRPV1.
Two-dimensional auditory p300 speller with predictive text system

P300-based Brain Computer Interfaces offer communication pathways which are independent of muscle activity. Mostly visual stimuli, e.g. blinking of different letters are used as a paradigm of interaction. Neural degenerative diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) also cause a decrease in sight, but the ability of hearing is usually unaffected. Therefore, the use of the auditory modality might be preferable. This work presents a multiclass BCI paradigm using two-dimensional auditory stimuli: cues are varying in pitch (high/medium/low) and location (left/middle/right). The resulting nine different classes are embedded in a predictive text system, enabling to spell a letter with a 9-class decision. Moreover, an unbalanced subtrial selection is investigated and compared to the well-established sequence-wise paradigm. Twelve healthy subjects participated in an online study to investigate these approaches.
The scaling limit of high-dimensional online independent component analysis

We analyze the dynamics of an online algorithm for independent component analysis in the high-dimensional scaling limit. As the ambient dimension tends to infinity, and with proper time scaling, we show that the time-varying joint empirical measure of the target feature vector and the estimates provided by the algorithm will converge weakly to a deterministic measured-valued process that can be characterized as the unique solution of a nonlinear PDE. Numerical solutions of this PDE, which involves two spatial variables and one time variable, can be efficiently obtained. These solutions provide detailed information about the performance of the ICA algorithm, as many practical performance metrics are functionals of the joint empirical measures. Numerical simulations show that our asymptotic analysis is accurate even for moderate dimensions. In addition to providing a tool for understanding the performance of the algorithm, our PDE analysis also provides useful insight. In particular, in the high-dimensional limit, the original coupled dynamics associated with the algorithm will be asymptotically ‘decoupled’, with each coordinate independently solving a 1D effective minimization problem via stochastic gradient descent. Exploiting this insight to design new algorithms for achieving optimal trade-offs between computational and statistical efficiency may prove an interesting line of future research.
Effects of hydropeaking on benthic invertebrate community composition in two central Norwegian rivers

Hydropower regulations can have dramatic impacts on river ecological communities. The operation of hydropower stations is related to power demands, but their releases in the receiving water body causes sudden changes in flow, which in turn affect the biota. The effects of such flow variations on benthic invertebrates is not fully understood. Here, we studied the effects of duration and intensity of hydropeaking on benthic invertebrates in two rivers over a 3.5‐year period. We used both quantitative (Surber) and semiquantitative (kick samples) sampling methods to compare the ramping zone with the permanently water covered zone downstream of the hydropower plant, and with corresponding unaffected upstream areas. The ramping zone had a different invertebrate community composition and lower benthic density than other areas, especially after hydropeaking. Mayflies and chironomids were most negatively affected by hydropeaking and oligochaetes largely unaffected. Chironomids and the mayfly Baetis rhodani were able to recolonize the ramping zone and almost reach densities similar to deeper areas within 48 days following hydropeaking. The relative abundance of filter feeders tended to increase and gatherers/collectors tended to decrease from the ramping zone towards the deep, permanently water covered areas. In corresponding areas upstream of the power plant, the relative abundance of different functional feeding groups was the same in the mid‐channel and shore sites. Our study shows that hydropeaking has clear impacts on the functional structure of benthic invertebrates below the power plants. The ecological impact of hydropeaking on invertebrate communities should thus be taken into account, for example, by reducing the amplitude and duration of flow fluctuations.
Process Oriented Power Management

Though modern operating systems are capable of controlling power consumption using the DVFS (dynamic voltage and frequency scaling) mechanism, power consumption is controlled for some duration according to the runtime statistics. Thus, some interactive processes suffer in response time when the system is slowed. This paper proposes the process-oriented power management mechanism (POPM), that controls the operating speed of each process separately, instead of some interval. When a process context switch occurs, POPM determines the most appropriate speed for the next process, and changes CPU frequency to the corresponding value. In order to determine the speed of each process, POPM analyzes the runtime information of each process: e.g., I/O or CPU usage. We develop a prototype of POPM on the Linux Kernel 2.6, and evaluate it on a Laptop PC. Our experimental results show that POPM reduces power consumption of the system without reminding users that the system is slowed down.
Trustworthy TCB for DNS Servers

A simple atomic relay function is proposed as a minimal trusted computing base (TCB) for a domain name system (DNS) server. This TCB, composed of a fixed sequence of logical and cryptographic hash operations, can be amplified to ensure that a DNS server cannot violate rules. The paper also outlines elements of a TCB-DNS protocol that amplifies the simple TCB to secure the domain name system. The paper includes an extensive comparison of the proposed approach with DNSSEC, the current standard for securing DNS. The proposed approach is shown to overcome many issues associated with DNSSEC. Specifically, TCB-DNS demands substantially lower overhead for DNS servers and resolvers, eliminates the issue of zone enumeration, and is less susceptible to replay attacks.