Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Is It Possible to Disregard Obsolete Requirements? An Initial Experiment on a Potentially New Bias in Software Effort Estimation

Effort estimation is a complex area in decision-making, and is influenced by a diversity of factors that could increase the estimation error. The effects on effort estimation accuracy of having obsolete requirements in specifications have not yet been studied. This study aims at filling that gap. A total of 150 students were asked to provide effort estimates for different amounts of requirements, and one group was explicitly told to disregard some of the given requirements. The results show that even the extra text instructing participants to exclude requirements in the estimation task, had the subjects give higher estimates. The effect of having obsolete requirements in requirements specifications and backlogs in software effort estimation is not taken into account enough today, and this study provides empirical evidence that it possibly should. We also suggest different psychological explanations to the found effect.
Hybrid performance modelling of opportunistic networks

We demonstrate the modelling of opportunistic networks using the process algebra stochastic HYPE. Network traffic is modelled as continuous flows, contact between nodes in the network is modelled stochastically, and instantaneous decisions are modelled as discrete events. Our model describes a network of stationary video sensors with a mobile ferry which collects data from the sensors and delivers it to the base station. We consider different mobility models and different buffer sizes for the ferries. This case study illustrates the flexibility and expressive power of stochastic HYPE. We also discuss the software that enables us to describe stochastic HYPE models and simulate them.
Cost exploration of data sharings in the cloud

Enabling data sharing among mobile apps hosted in the same cloud infrastructure can provide a competitive advantage to the mobile apps by giving them access to rich information as well as increasing the revenue for the cloud provider. We introduce a costing tool that allows application owners (i.e., consumers) and the cloud service provider to assess the cost of a desired data sharing. The costing tool enables the consumers to effectively explore the cost space by choosing between alternative configurations of varying data qualities, specified by the staleness and the accuracy of the data sharing. In other words, staleness and accuracy requirements on the data sharing are used as levers for controlling costs. These capabilities are implemented in a What-if analysis tool, which has been integrated with a large data-sharing platform. We conducted extensive experiments on the integrated platform with a sharing ecosystem created around Twitter data and show the effectiveness of the results produced by the What-if tool.
A literature survey of low‐rank tensor approximation techniques

During the last years, low‐rank tensor approximation has been established as a new tool in scientific computing to address large‐scale linear and multilinear algebra problems, which would be intractable by classical techniques. This survey attempts to give a literature overview of current developments in this area, with an emphasis on function‐related tensors. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A respiratory‐gated micro‐CT comparison of respiratory patterns in free‐breathing and mechanically ventilated rats

In this study, we aim to quantify the differences in lung metrics measured in free‐breathing and mechanically ventilated rodents using respiratory‐gated micro‐computed tomography. Healthy male Sprague‐Dawley rats were anesthetized with ketamine/xylazine and scanned with a retrospective respiratory gating protocol on a GE Locus Ultra micro‐CT scanner. Each animal was scanned while free‐breathing, then intubated and mechanically ventilated (MV) and rescanned with a standard ventilation protocol (56 bpm, 8 mL/kg and PEEP of 5 cm H2O) and again with a ventilation protocol that approximates the free‐breathing parameters (88 bpm, 2.14 mL/kg and PEEP of 2.5 cm H2O). Images were reconstructed representing inspiration and end expiration with 0.15 mm voxel spacing. Image‐based measurements of the lung lengths, airway diameters, lung volume, and air content were compared and used to calculate the functional residual capacity (FRC) and tidal volume. Images acquired during MV appeared darker in the airspaces and the airways appeared larger. Image‐based measurements showed an increase in lung volume and air content during standard MV, for both respiratory phases, compared with matched MV and free‐breathing. Comparisons of the functional metrics showed an increase in FRC for mechanically ventilated rats, but only the standard MV exhibited a significantly higher tidal volume than free‐breathing or matched MV. Although standard mechanical ventilation protocols may be useful in promoting consistent respiratory patterns, the amount of air in the lungs is higher than in free‐breathing animals. Matching the respiratory patterns with the free‐breathing case allowed similar lung morphology and physiology measurements while reducing the variability in the measurements.
Intrinsic need satisfaction and the job attitudes of volunteers versus employees working in a charitable volunteer organization

This research examines how intrinsic need satisfaction during volunteer work relates to the job attitudes of volunteers (Deci & Ryan, 2000; Ryan & Deci, 2000). We distinguish between autonomy, competence, and relatedness needs, and predict these to have distinct effects on volunteers’ job satisfaction and intent to remain with the volunteer organization. We then compare volunteer workers to a matched sample of paid employees (performing identical tasks within the same organization) in the way in which they derive their job satisfaction and intent to remain from satisfaction of these three types of needs. As predicted, path analysis (N ¼ 105) shows that satisfaction of autonomy needs and relatedness needs are positively related to the intent to remain a volunteer with the volunteer organization, and this relation is mediated by satisfaction with the volunteer job. The matched samples comparison further reveals that whereas the job satisfaction and intent to remain of paid employees is most clearly predicted by satisfaction of autonomy needs, satisfaction of relatedness needs is the primary predictor of job satisfaction and intent to remain among volunteers. Theoretical and practical implications, as well as avenues for further research, are discussed.
Coordinated linear beamforming in downlink multi-cell wireless networks

We consider a multi-cell wireless network with universal frequency reuse and treat the problem of co-channel interference mitigation in the downlink channel. Assuming that each base station serves multiple single-antenna mobiles via space-division multiple-access, we jointly optimize the linear beam-vectors across a set of coordinated cells and resource slots: the objective function to be maximized is the instantaneous weighted sum-rate subject to per-base-station power constraints. After deriving the general structure of the optimal beam-vectors, a novel iterative algorithm is presented which attempts to solve the Karush-Kuhn-Tucker conditions of the non-convex problem at hand. The proposed algorithm admits a distributed implementation which we illustrate. Also, various approaches to choose the initial beam-vectors are considered, one of which maximizes the signal-to-leakage-plus-noise ratio. Finally, simulation results are provided to assess the performance of the proposed algorithm.
Ballast for a discharge lamp and method for operating a discharge lamp

Ballast a high pressure discharge lamp, comprising: - a DC converter (20) which is designed such that it receives an input DC voltage from a DC voltage source (10), wherein the DC-DC converter includes a switching element (24) which is driven so that it switches the input DC voltage repeated to a variable DC output to provide, applied for driving the discharge lamp; - a control device (70) which monitors the DC output and a closed-loop control will provide varying the duty ratio of the switching element on the basis of the monitored DC output, to regulate the DC output such that the DC-DC converter, a starting voltage for initiating a discharge the discharge lamp and an operating voltage to maintain operation of the discharge lamp supplies; - wherein the control device provides an open-loop control is available, which interrupts the closed-loop control in order to provide a starting assistance period (P1) is available, in which the switching element (24) is controlled so that there is a according to a predetermined pattern - on and off .
Fire Simulation Model Based on Particle System and Its Application in Virtual Reality

The occurrence and spread of the fire is a complicated and stochastic process. The paper introduces a fire simulation model based on the particle system and discussed the rule of occurrence and spread in the fire hazard. The fire particle system is implemented by VRML. In order to monitor the spread of the fire, a Java applet is developed to show the fire data by external authoring interface. This model is adopted by the firefighting virtual reality system that used to help people find out the rule of the fire and defend the fire hazard
A case for heterogeneous on-chip interconnects for CMPs

Network-on-chip (NoC) has become a critical shared resource in the emerging Chip Multiprocessor (CMP) era. Most prior NoC designs have used the same type of router across the entire network. While this homogeneous network design eases the burden on a network designer, partitioning the resources equally among all routers across the network does not lead to optimal resource usage, and hence, affects the performance-power envelope. In this work, we propose to apportion the resources in an NoC to leverage the non-uniformity in network resource demand. Our proposal includes partitioning the network resources, specifically buffers and links, in an optimal manner. This approach results in redistributing resources such that routers that require more resources are allocated more buffers and wider links compared to routers demanding fewer resources. This results in a novel heterogeneous network, called HeteroNoC, which is composed of two types of routers - small power efficient routers, and big high performance routers. We evaluate a number of heterogeneous network configurations, composed of big and small routers, and show that giving more resources to routers along the diagonals in a mesh network provides maximum benefits in terms of performance and power. We also show the potential benefits of the HeteroNoC design by co-evaluating it with memory-controllers and configuring it with an asymmetric CMP consisting of heterogeneous cores.
Trends in carbohydrate, fat, and protein intakes and association with energy intake in normal-weight, overweight, and obese individuals: 1971-2006.

BACKGROUND The prevalence of obesity in the United States has increased dramatically. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine trends in carbohydrate, fat, and protein intakes in adults and their association with energy intake by using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)-a representative sample of the US population. DESIGN Data on adults aged 20-74 y from the first NHANES (NHANES I, 1971-1975; n = 13,106) were compared with data from NHANES 2005-2006 (n = 4381). Normal weight was defined as a body mass index (BMI; in kg/m(2)) of 19 to <25, overweight as a BMI of 25 to <30, and obese as a BMI of ≥30. Carbohydrate, fat, and protein intakes were obtained by dietary recall. Regression analyses were adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS The prevalence of obesity increased from 11.9% to 33.4% in men and from 16.6% to 36.5% in women. The percentage of energy from carbohydrates increased from 44.0% to 48.7%, the percentage of energy from fat decreased from 36.6% to 33.7%, and the percentage of energy from protein decreased from 16.5% to 15.7%. Trends were identical across normal-weight, overweight, and obese groups. Energy intake increased substantially in all 3 BMI groups. In NHANES 2005-2006, a 1% increase in the percentage of energy from protein was associated with a decrease in energy intake of 32 kcal (substituted for carbohydrates) or 51 kcal (substituted for fat). Similar findings were seen across all BMI categories, in men and women, and in NHANES I. CONCLUSIONS Energy intake and the prevalence of obesity have increased dramatically. Dietary interventions should focus on decreasing energy intake and potentially by substituting protein for fat or carbohydrates.
Caring dialogue: a step toward realising the dream of online learning communities

Online educators dream of facilitating interpersonal interactions equivalent to those in face-to-face classrooms as an important factor for promoting learning in online classes. Many current university students are comfortable with online networks as social spaces where they interact with family and friends, but they need help in making them effective as places of learning. A design research study found that the caring dimension of Lipman's (2003) community of inquiry was fundamental to supporting the critical and creative dialogues necessary for development of higher order thinking. It developed and refined an interactive website that may support online educators in realizing the dream of building relationships that more effectively support learning.
An Accelerated Dual Gradient-Projection Algorithm for Embedded Linear Model Predictive Control

This paper proposes a dual fast gradient-projection method for solving quadratic programming problems that arise in model predictive control of linear systems subject to general polyhedral constraints on inputs and states. The proposed algorithm is well suited for embedded control applications in that: 1) it is extremely simple and easy to code; 2) the number of iterations to reach a given accuracy in terms of optimality and feasibility of the primal solution can be tightly estimated; and 3) the computational cost per iteration increases only linearly with the prediction horizon.
Simulated Learners in Peers Assessment for Introductory Programming Courses

Programming is one of the basic competences in computer science, despite its importance, it is easy to find students with difficulties to understand the concepts required to use this skill. Several researchers report that the impossibility to achieve a quick and effective feedback, is one of the motivators for the problematic scenario. The professor, even when helped by the TAs, is not able to perform the reviews quickly, for this activity requires a huge amount of time. Fast feedback is extremely important to enable the learning of any concept. Some researches suggest the use of peer assessment as a means of providing feedback. However, it is quite common that the feedback provided by peers is not adequate. In this paper, we propose the use of simulated learners in a peer assessment approach as part of the teaching and learning processes of programming. Currently a software tool is being developed to include the proposal described in this paper.
Pregnancy intention and contraceptive use at six months postpartum among women with recent preterm delivery.

OBJECTIVE To describe pregnancy intention and contraceptive use among women with a recent delivery that occurred at 35 weeks gestation or fewer and who were enrolled in a large-scale randomized control trial. DESIGN In this descriptive study we used data from assessments conducted at 6 months postpartum as part of a randomized controlled clinical trial, the Philadelphia Collaborative Preterm Prevention Project (PCPPP). PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING Participants were recruited following a preterm birth (PTB) in one of the 12 urban birth hospitals. All women enrolled in PCPPP, who completed their 6-month postpartum assessment, and who were sexually active at the time of that assessment (n = 566), were included in the analysis. METHODS Data were collected during face-to-face interviews. Study questionnaires included questions about participants' plans for the timing of subsequent pregnancies, contraceptive behaviors, and other health variables. RESULTS Nearly all of the participants (90.1%, n = 509) reported they did not want to get pregnant within one year of the index PTB. However, more than one half of these women (54.6%) reported contraceptive practices of low or moderate effectiveness. Most predictive of intending another pregnancy within the year was the death of the index PTB infant (odds ratio [OR]= 18.2,95% confidence interval [CI] [8.9, 37.0]). CONCLUSIONS Discordant pregnancy intention and contraceptive use were reported among this group of mothers of PTB infants who are at particularly high risk for a poor outcome of any subsequent pregnancy. The findings highlight the need for further investigation of the causes, correlates, and consequences of discordant pregnancy intentions and contraceptive practices.
The ratio of the irredundance number and the domination number for block-cactus graphs

Let γ(G) and ir(G) denote the domination number and the irredundance number of a graph G, respectively. Allan and Laskar [Proc. 9th Southeast Conf. on Combin. , Graph Theory & Comp. (1978) 4356] and Bollobas and Cockayne [J. Graph Theory (1979) 241249] proved independently that γ(G) < 2ir(G) for any graph G. For a tree T, Damaschke [Discrete Math. (1991) 101104] obtained the sharper estimation 2g(T) < 3ir(T). Extending Damaschke's result, Volkmann [Discrete Math. (1998) 221228] proved that 2γ(G) ≤ 3ir(G) for any block graph G and for any graph G with cyclomatic number μ(G) ≤ 2. Volkmann also conjectured that 5γ(G) < 8ir(G) for any cactus graph. In this article we show that if G is a block-cactus graph having π(G) induced cycles of length 2 (mod 4), then γ(G)(5π(G) + 4) ≤ ir(G)(8π(G) + 6). This result implies the inequality 5γ(G) < 8ir(G) for a block-cactus graph G, thus proving the above conjecture. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Graph Theory 29: 139149, 1998
Reconfigurable X-Band 4×4 Butler array in 32nm CMOS SOI for angle-reject arrays

Introducing reconfigurable spatial filtering prior to ADC in digital beamforming (DBF) receiver (RX) arrays can improve the RX tolerance for in-band out-of-beam jammers. Such spatial filtering can be achieved using a Butler matrix that provides multibeam outputs. In this paper, an integrated 4×4 reconfigurable X-Band Butler matrix is designed in SOI CMOS to provide multibeam outputs with frequency tunability. The hybrid couplers that constitute the Butler matrix can also be configured to have <;-15dB coupling ratio to create a thru-mode for the matrix. A prototype 4×4 Butler matrix using compact couplers is implemented in 32nm SOI with measured 9GHz to 13GHz frequency tuning range and ~-2.5dB loss per coupler (die occupies 0.64 mm2). Measurements also demonstrate desired multibeam formation and spatial filtering.
Interval Estimation for a Binomial Proportion

We revisit the problem of interval estimation of a binomial proportion. The erratic behavior of the coverage probability of the stan- d ardWaldconfid ence interval has previously been remarkedon in the literature (Blyth andStill, Agresti andCoull, Santner andothers). We begin by showing that the chaotic coverage properties of the Waldinter- val are far more persistent than is appreciated. Furthermore, common textbook prescriptions regarding its safety are misleading and defective in several respects andcannot be trusted . This leads us to consideration of alternative intervals. A number of natural alternatives are presented, each with its motivation and con- text. Each interval is examinedfor its coverage probability andits length. Basedon this analysis, we recommendthe Wilson interval or the equal- tailedJeffreys prior interval for small n andthe interval suggestedin Agresti andCoull for larger n. We also provide an additional frequentist justification for use of the Jeffreys interval.
Maintaining privacy on derived objects

Protecting privacy means to ensure users that access to their personal data complies with their preferences. However, information can be manipulated in order to derive new objects that may disclose part of the original information. Therefore, control of information flow is necessary for guaranteeing privacy protection since users should know and control not only who access their personal data, but also who access information derived from their data. Actually, current approaches for access control do not provide support for managing propagation of information and for representing user preferences.This paper proposes to extend the Flexible Authorization Framework (FAF) in order to automatically verify whether a subject is entitled to process personal data and derive the authorizations associated with the outcome of data processing. In order to control information flow, users may specify the range of authorizations that can be associated with objects derived from their data. The framework guarantees that every "valid" derived object does not disclose more information than users want and preserves the permissions that users want to maintain. To make the discussion more concrete, we illustrate the proposal with a bank case study.
An Epitaxy Transfer Process for Heterogeneous Integration of Submillimeter-Wave GaAs Schottky Diodes on Silicon Using SU-8

This letter describes a new approach for fabricating quasi-vertical submillimeter-wave GaAs Schottky diodes heterogeneously integrated to high-resistivity silicon substrates. The new method is robust and eliminates previous processing steps that were prone to result in wafer fracture and delamination. Diodes fabricated with the new process and measured in the 325–500 GHz range using on-wafer RF probes exhibits low parasitic capacitance and series resistance, achieving device characteristics comparable to the prior state-of-the-art submillimeter-wave diodes.
Movement disorder emergencies

Movement disorders may present acutely, and failure to recognize and exclude important differential diagnoses can result in significant morbidity or mortality. Unfortunately, much of the literature pertaining to this topic is scattered and not easily accessible. This review aims to address this deficit. Movement disorder emergencies are discussed according to their most likely mode of presentation. Diagnostic considerations and early management principles are reviewed, along with appropriate pathophysiology where relevant. © 2004 Movement Disorder Society
Learning automata-based bus arbitration for shared-medium ATM switches

Although new high-bandwidth network technologies are being introduced and widely deployed, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) is still considered one of the most important network technologies currently in use. A number of ATM switch architectures have been proposed in the literature. However, industry has shown that is better to use the well-known shared-medium technique in the design of these ATM switches. In this paper, four variations of a new distributed scheme are proposed for the arbitration of a shared bus of an ATM switch. These schemes are based on learning automata. By taking advantage of the bursty nature of ATM traffic, the new arbitration scheme demonstrates superb performance compared to the time division multiple access (TDMA) scheme.