Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design and Implementation of a Simple Cache Simulator in Java to Investigate MESI and MOESI Coherency Protocols

ABSTRACT To improve the efficiency of a processor to work with data, cache memories are used to compensate the latency delay to access data from the main memory. But because of the installation of different caches in different processors in a shared memory architecture, makes it very difficult to maintain consistency between the cache memories of different processors. For that reason, having a cache coherency protocol is really essential in those kinds of system. There are different coherency protocols for caches to maintain consistency between different caches in a shared memory system. Few of the famous cache coherency protocols are MSI, MESI, MOSI, MOESI, MERSI, etc. In this paper, the primary focus were to study the working protocols of MESI (Modified-Exclusive-Shared-Invalid) and MOESI (Modified-Owned-Exclusive-Shared-Invalid) cache coherency protocols by designing a simple cache simulator in java, and publish the results and research findings. The main purpose of this paper is to provide new researchers and computer science students the idea regarding how to build and implement a simulator in order to understand the novel cache coherency protocols.
Sex- and age-dependent accumulation of heavy metals (Cd, Pb and Zn) in liver, kidney and muscle of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) from NW Spain

In the present study, bioaccumulation of lead, cadmium and zinc in liver, kidney and muscle of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) from Galicia (NW Spain) was quantified. Metal analysis was performed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). In general the quantified concentrations were associated with background environmental levels, except for Pb, where some markedly elevated concentrations were obtained, but with no toxicological relevance. The effect of sex on Cd, Pb and Zn levels was considered, females showing a general trend to accumulate higher concentrations of these metals, with the exception of the hepatic content of Cd (which was significantly higher in males, P < 0.05) and Pb levels, which did not differ according to sex. The effect of age was analysed only in male animals and was clearly observed for Pb levels, with concentrations significantly higher in adult animals (liver: P < 0.01, kidney: P < 0.05 and muscle: P < 0.001) and for Cd levels in kidney samples (P < 0.001). This study provides the first data on heavy metal content in roe deer from the area of study and suggests that this species could be a good bioindicator of metal pollution, even though both factors, sex and age, could represent an important source of variation in the bioaccumulation of these metals in wild populations.
Green Taxes , and the Environmental Poverty Trap

We compare pollution permits and green taxes in a unified overlapping generations model with endogenous longevity. The model identifies pollution permits as a potential source of multiple equilibria. One nontrivial equilibrium is an environmental poverty trap (EPT) with low capital and a high stock of pollution. An economy operating around the equilibrium will gravitate toward this equilibrium in the long run. The other nontrivial equilibrium is a desirable one with high capital and a low stock of pollution. A saddle path leads to this desirable equilibrium. Alternatively, green taxes produce a unique stable equilibrium that avoids the EPT. Our conclusion is that developing countries can continue to consider pollution permits as an efficient mechanism to improve environmental conditions but proceed with caution given the possibility of being drawn into an EPT. JEL Classification: C61; O44; Q58
Association Between Participating in Noncompetitive or Competitive Sports and Mental Health among Adolescents – a Norwegian Population-based Cross-sectional Study

Abstract Background Mental health problems in adolescents have become a major public health challenge in many western countries. Many adolescents participate in noncompetitive or competitive sports for leisure. The aim of this study was to examine the association between participation in noncompetitive or competitive sports and mental health problems among Norwegian adolescents. Method Data from a cross-sectional survey conducted among Norwegian junior high (N=9414) and high school students (N=10,571) aged 13 to 22 years were examined. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used for measuring mental health problems, in the form of total symptom scores and impact on daily life. Participation in sports was categorized as follows: 1) not participating; 2) participating in noncompetitive sports; and 3) participating in competitive sports. Sports were divided into individual and team sports. Weekly exercise, healthy diet, and number of friends were investigated as mediating factors, and age, gender, and perceived economic status were controlled for in the analysis. Results Adolescents participating in either noncompetitive or competitive sports had fewer total symptoms and less impact of problems on their daily life compared with those not participating in sports. In particular, participation in team sports as opposed to participation in individual sports seemed to be associated with fewer mental health problems. Weekly exercise, healthy diet, and number of friends were found to be partially mediating factors, explaining some, but not all, of the association between participation in either sports group. Participation in competitive sports, especially, was associated with fewer mental health problems. Conclusions Participation in sports, either noncompetitive or competitive, is associated with fewer mental health problems in adolescents. This negative association is strongest for those participating in competitive sports. Further research is needed to explore the mechanisms underlying this relationship.
Spatial distribution and geomorphic condition of fish habitat in streams: an analysis using hydraulic modelling and geostatistics

Reach‐scale physical habitat assessment scores are increasingly used to make decisions about management. We characterized the spatial distribution of hydraulic habitat characteristics at the reach and sub‐reach scales for four fish species using detailed two‐dimensional hydraulic models and spatial analysis techniques (semi‐variogram analyses). We next explored whether these hydraulic characteristics were correlated with commonly used reach‐scale geomorphic assessment (RGA) scores, rapid habitat assessment (RHA) scores, or indices of fish biodiversity and abundance. River2D was used to calculate weighted usable areas (WUAs) at median flows, Q50, for six Vermont streams using modelled velocity, depth estimates, channel bed data and habitat suitability curves for blacknose dace (Rhinichthys atratulus), brown trout (Salmo trutta), common shiner (Notropis cornutus) and white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) at both the adult and spawn stages. All stream reaches exhibited different spatial distributions of WUA ranging from uniform distribution of patches of high WUA to irregular distribution of more isolated patches. Streams with discontinuous, distinct patches of high score WUA had lower fish biotic integrity measured with the State of Vermont's Mixed Water Index of Biotic Integrity (MWIBI) than streams with a more uniform distribution of high WUA. In fact, the distribution of usable habitats may be a determining factor for fish communities. A relationship between predicted WUAs averaged at the reach scale and RGA or RHA scores was not found. Future research is needed to identify the appropriate spatial scales to capture the connections between usable patches of stream channel habitat. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Release of toxic microvesicles by Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans

Oral isolates of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (strain Y4) release spherical microvesicles in large numbers during normal growth. The biological activities of these products were studied, and it was estimated that approximately 1/10 of their dry weight was made up of heat- and proteolysis-resistant endotoxin. The chicken embryo lethality and bone-resorbing activity of the microvesicles were heat stable but proteolysis sensitive. Other laboratories have reported the presence of a heat- and proteolysis-sensitive leukotoxin in similar preparations. Accordingly, the microvesicles released by strain Y4 may contain, in addition to endotoxin, several potent substances which are highly toxic and active in bone resorption, and these may be significant factors in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases.
Bootstrapping Bilingual Data using Consensus Translation for a Multilingual Instant Messaging System

One of the primary issues in training statistical translation models is the paucity of bilingual data. In this paper, we propose techniques to alleviate the bilingual data bottleneck by creating a consensus from translations of monolingual data provided by several off-the-shelf translation engines. We compute the consensus alignment using a multi-sequence alignment algorithm used for DNA sequence alignment. We present an application of this technique to bootstrap bilingual data for the general domain of instant messaging. We train hierarchical statistical translation models on the bootstrapped bilingual data and show that the resulting statistical translation model outperforms each individual off-the-shelf translation system.
Designing Clinical Space for the Delivery of Integrated Behavioral Health and Primary Care

Purpose: This study sought to describe features of the physical space in which practices integrating primary care and behavioral health care work and to identify the arrangements that enable integration of care. Methods: We conducted an observational study of 19 diverse practices located across the United States. Practice-level data included field notes from 2–4-day site visits, transcripts from semistructured interviews with clinicians and clinical staff, online implementation diary posts, and facility photographs. A multidisciplinary team used a 4-stage, systematic approach to analyze data and identify how physical layout enabled the work of integrated care teams. Results: Two dominant spatial layouts emerged across practices: type-1 layouts were characterized by having primary care clinicians (PCCs) and behavioral health clinicians (BHCs) located in separate work areas, and type-2 layouts had BHCs and PCCs sharing work space. We describe these layouts and the influence they have on situational awareness, interprofessional “bumpability,” and opportunities for on-the-fly communication. We observed BHCs and PCCs engaging in more face-to-face methods for coordinating integrated care for patients in type 2 layouts (41.5% of observed encounters vs 11.7%; P < .05). We show that practices needed to strike a balance between professional proximity and private work areas to accomplish job tasks. Private workspace was needed for focused work, to see patients, and for consults between clinicians and clinical staff. We describe the ways practices modified and built new space and provide 2 recommended layouts for practices integrating care based on study findings. Conclusion: Physical layout and positioning of professionals' workspace is an important consideration in practices implementing integrated care. Clinicians, researchers, and health-care administrators are encouraged to consider the role of professional proximity and private working space when creating new facilities or redesigning existing space to foster delivery of integrated behavioral health and primary care.
Intracardiac thrombus formation induced by carbon monoxide poisoning

Introduction: Carbon monoxide (CO) is one of the leading causes of poisoning; it inhibits oxygen delivery, subsequently causing ischemic changes and ultimately death by multiorgan failure. Furthermore, thromboembolic episodes due to CO poisoning have been reported. However, intracardiac thrombus formation following exposure to CO has been very rarely described. Here, a case of right atrial large thrombus formation after CO poisoning is presented. Case presentation: A previously healthy 24-year-old woman was referred for CO poisoning. She has attempted suicide, and her initial mental status was drowsy with focal memory loss. Her initial CO fraction was 16%, and initial laboratory data showed creatinine kinase-myocardial bound of 90.6 ng/mL (upper limit 5 ng/mL) and troponin I of 1.899 ng/mL (upper limit 1.5 ng/mL). A transthoracic echocardiography was performed 24 h after the accident, revealing a 30 × 15 mm nodular echogenic mass in the right atrium. Anticoagulation with low-molecular-weight heparin was started along with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. After 7 days of heparinization, the large thrombus in right atrium had resolved. Conclusion: This report describes an intracardiac thrombus formation induced by CO poisoning. Because intracardiac thrombus can result in pulmonary embolism and cerebral embolic infarction, its consideration following CO poisoning is important.
Changes in Cardiorespiratory Responses and Kinematics With Hippotherapy in Youth With and Without Cerebral Palsy

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to characterize pelvic displacement and cardiorespiratory responses to simulated horseback riding and walking in youth with cerebral palsy and to compare responses to youth without cerebral palsy before and after 8 weeks of hippotherapy. Method: Eight youth with cerebral palsy (Mage = 10 ± 4 years; Mheight = 137 ± 24 cm; Mweight = 32 ± 16 kg) and 8 youth without cerebral palsy (Mage = 11 ± 2 years; Mheight = 149 ± 14 cm; Mweight = 48 ± 15 kg) underwent a hippotherapy intervention. Participants completed simulated horseback riding at an intensity approximating a fast walk (0.65 Hz) and walked on a treadmill (1 mph, 0% grade) before and after hippotherapy. Pelvic displacement along the anterior-posterior, vertical, and medial-lateral axes, heart rate, oxygen consumption, ventilation, and blood pressure were measured at rest and during steady-state exercise in both exercise modes. Results: Kinematics and cardiorespiratory responses were similar between the 2 groups during simulated horseback riding (p > .05 for all) before the intervention. Significantly greater cardiorespiratory responses were observed in the youth with cerebral palsy compared with the group without cerebral palsy while walking before and after the intervention (p < .05, effect sizes 26% to 237% greater). Eight weeks of hippotherapy did not alter responses, but anecdotal improvements in gait, balance, posture, and range of motion were observed in those with cerebral palsy. Conclusion: These results contribute to our understanding regarding the efficacy of hippotherapy as an intervention to improve functional abilities in those with cerebral palsy.
Pilot Design for Phase Noise Mitigation in Millimeter Wave MIMO-OFDM Systems

This paper is concerned with the phase noise mitigation in millimeter wave (mmW) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. We first develop a model for phase noise in the mmW MIMO-OFDM system with hybrid precoding. A pilot-assisted estimation and compensation (PEC) scheme is then proposed by jointly estimating the channel response and effective phase noise. Numerical results show that, compared with the available alternative, the PEC scheme can achieve significant performance gain.
Stock returns and aggregate mutual fund flows: a system approach

To investigate if the mutual fund flows have been a driving factor in the US stock market at the macro level, we combine information from the stock market with information from bond and money markets in a system method. The empirical evidence from Seemingly Unrelated Regression Error Correction Model (SURECM) and Granger and Sims causality tests in a system indicates that the fund flows are weakly exogenous and stock performance causes fund flows, implying that investors move their money to the securities that yield higher returns to rebalance their investment portfolios in the US market.
One year survival of HIV-infected veterans with CD4 < 100 cells/mm3: data from a veteran cohort

Abstract Survival among HIV-infected patients markedly improved with the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Easier to take and more effective HAART options have improved the one-year virologic success rate among naïve patients. Numerous studies have shown that initiating HAART and restoration of CD4 cells positively impact survival. There are only a few evaluations that have been carried out on the changes in survival among patients who are severely immunosuppressed. We evaluated survival among a cohort of veterans with CD4<100 cells/mm3 (CD4 < 100) in three time periods reflecting early, mid, and recent HAART. Using the HIV clinic database, all patients with CD4 < 100 seen between 1996 and 2004 were identified (n=394). Patients entered Cohorts 1 (n=219), 2 (n=72), and 3 (n=103) in 1996–1998, 1999–2001, and 2002–2004, respectively. Data on demographics, AIDS-defining illnesses, co-morbidities, treatment, CD4, and viral load (VL) were abstracted. Survival analysis controlling for the above variables was performed and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Rate of virologic suppression was higher for Cohort 2 when compared to Cohort 1 (63% vs. 46%, p<0.05), but lower for Cohort 3 when compared to Cohort 2 (49%, p<0.05). Survival at one year was high for Cohorts 1 and 2 (92–95%), but significantly lower in Cohort 3 (80%). On logistic regression analysis and for the whole cohort, HAART use, achieving a CD4 > 200 and VL<400 were independent predictors of survival. Older age at cohort entry and having a diagnosis of lymphoma, Mycobacterium avium complex infection, coronary artery disease, or renal insufficiency were negative predictors. In the most recent HAART period 2002–2004, one year survival after CD4 < 100 significantly decreased in spite of availability of specialized HIV clinical and support services and antiretrovirals. Our results suggest that more than better drugs are needed for improving survival among certain patient populations with advanced immunosuppression.
An Empirical Analysis of Synthesizing the Effects of Festival Quality, Emotion, Festival Image and Festival Satisfaction on Festival Loyalty: A Case Study of Macau Food Festival

This study aims to examine the interrelationships among the festival quality dimensions, festival quality, emotion, festival image, festival satisfaction and festival loyalty. Analysis of data from 454 attendees in the 12 th Macau Food Festival indicates that the proposed model fits the data. The result of this study will assist festival management in developing and implementing market-orientated service strategies to increase quality and image, and enhance the emotion and satisfaction of attendees in order to attain their loyalty toward food festivals. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Received 12 August 2013; Revised 22 April 2014; Accepted 20 May 2014
The Fraction of Cortical GABAergic Neurons Is Constant from Near the Start of Cortical Neurogenesis to Adulthood

Approximately one in five neurons is GABAergic in many neocortical areas and species, forming a critical balance between inhibition and excitation in adult circuits. During development, cortical GABAergic neurons are generated in ventral telencephalon and migrate up to developing cortex where the excitatory glutamatergic neurons are born. We ask here: when during development is the adult GABAergic/glutamatergic neuron ratio first established? To answer this question, we have determined the fraction of all neocortical GABAergic neurons that will become inhibitory (GAD67+) in mice from embryonic day 10.5 (E10.5) to postnatal day 28 (P28). We find that this fraction is close to 1/5, the adult value, starting from early in corticogenesis (E14.5, when GAD67+ neurons are still migrating tangentially to the cortex) and continuing at the same 1/5 value throughout the remainder of brain development. Thus our data indicate the one-in-five fraction of GABAergic neurons is already established during their neuronal migration and well before significant synapse formation.
A 36 V Programmable Instrumentation Amplifier With Sub-20 $\mu$V Offset and a CMRR in Excess of 120 dB at All Gain Settings

A 36 V capable programmable gain instrumentation amplifier (PGA) is presented with sub-20 muV offset, sub-0.2 muV/degC offset drift and a common-mode rejection (CMRR) that exceeds 120 dB at all gain settings without any trimming. It is the first 36 V capable precision PGA implemented in a high-voltage CMOS process, which, in addition, incorporates several additional functions, such as the detection of input and output fault conditions, provisions for improving system-level settling time and an input switch network. All op-amps used in the PGA employ chopper stabilization with a notch filter that removes chopping glitches, leading to low offset and drift and no 1/f noise. The PGA has a total of 22 gain steps (binary steps between 1/8 to 128, each with an optional multiplying factor of 1 or 1.375) with better than 0.1% gain accuracy, < 0.001% nonlinearity and sub-2 ppm/C gain drift. The input switch network, in addition to acting as a 2-channel multiplexer, also enables various system-level diagnostic features. The PGA is implemented in a 0.35 mum CMOS process with a 36 V extension, has a 3.6 times 2.4 mm chip area and consumes a total quiescent current of 3 mA.
Iran ambitious for regional supremacy: the great powers, geopolitics and energy resources

Iran's geographical location makes the country strategically vital. From the south, the Persian Gulf with its close proximity to the Indian Ocean Region and to the north, Central Asia. This means that Iran forms a geographic ‘corridor’ between Europe, Africa, South Asia and South East Asia. Combined oil and gas reserves of the Persian Gulf and the Caspian Sea total over 60% of the global oil and gas reserves and much of this is transported via the Indian Ocean. Global energy consumption is expected to increase by 49% from 2007 to 2035 as demand increases from China and India. Iran has the fifth largest oil reserves and the second largest gas reserves in the world. In addition to these resources, Iran has a population of 70 million, 65% of whom are under 30 years-old and are comparatively highly educated. These combined elements give the country the potential to be a major player in both the security and development of the region. Since 1979, Iran has taken an ‘Eastward’ orientated political stance, cutting its diplomatic ties with the United States. Historically, Iran has had significant linguistic and cultural links with most of the countries in Central Asia and has maintained close relationships, both economically and politically, with other countries in the region. These relationships have taken a new shape since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, creating closer linkages with the East in order for Iran to establish itself as a regional power. Hence, on a domestic, regional and global level, Iran's approach to the Indian Ocean Region is crucial. Following the end of the Cold War (1947–1992), as the United States became the only great power in the world and India and China emerged as major economic forces, the focus on the importance of the region has deepened. Indeed, the current Islamic Republic leaders’ intention to turn Iran into a regional player by acquiring nuclear energy is a reflection of their ambitious vision for the country, within the region and beyond.