Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Energy-Aware Data Management on NUMA Architectures

The ever-increasing need for more computing and data processing power demands for a continuous and rapid growth of power-hungry data center capacities all over the world. As a first study in 2008 revealed, energy consumption of such data centers is becoming a critical problem, since their power consumption is about to double every 5 years. However, a recently (2016) released follow-up study points out that this threatening trend was dramatically throttled within the past years, due to the increased energy efficiency actions taken by data center operators. Furthermore, the authors of the study emphasize that making and keeping data centers energy-efficient is a continuous task, because more and more computing power is demanded from the same or an even lower energy budget, and that this threatening energy consumption trend will resume as soon as energy efficiency research efforts and its market adoption are reduced. An important class of applications running in data centers are data management systems, which are a fundamental component of nearly every application stack. While those systems were traditionally designed as disk-based databases that are optimized for keeping disk accesses as low a possible, modern state-of-the-art database systems are main memory-centric and store the entire data pool in the main memory, which replaces the disk as main bottleneck. To scale up such in-memory database systems, non-uniform memory access (NUMA) hardware architectures are employed that face a decreased bandwidth and an increased latency when accessing remote memory compared to the local memory. In this thesis, we investigate energy awareness aspects of large scale-up NUMA systems in the context of in-memory data management systems. To do so, we pick up the idea of a fine-grained data-oriented architecture and improve the concept in a way that it keeps pace with increased absolute performance numbers of a pure in-memory DBMS and scales up on NUMA systems in the large scale. To achieve this goal, we design and build ERIS, the first scale-up in-memory data management system that is designed from scratch to implement a data-oriented architecture. With the help of the ERIS platform, we explore our novel core concept for energy awareness, which is Energy Awareness by Adaptivity. The concept describes that software and especially database systems have to quickly respond to environmental changes (i.e., workload changes) by adapting themselves to enter a state of low energy consumption. We present the hierarchically organized Energy-Control Loop (ECL), which is a reactive control loop and provides two concrete implementations of our Energy Awareness by Adaptivity concept, namely the hardware-centric Resource Adaptivity and the software-centric Storage Adaptivity. Finally, we will give an exhaustive evaluation regarding the scalability of ERIS as well as our adaptivity facilities.
Gain characteristics of an Er/sup 3+/-doped multicomponent glass single-mode optical fiber

Experimental results on gain characteristics of an Er/sup 3+/-doped multicomponent glass single-mode optical-fiber amplifier are reported. This amplifier shows a gain spectrum with twin gain peaks of 1.535 and 1.543 mu m, providing a broadened gain bandwidth. The apparent 6-dB gain bandwidth is 12 nm. Furthermore, the signal gain of 17 dB and 15-mW pump power is realized at a signal wavelength of 1.536 mu m, and a signal gain coefficient of 1.4 dB/mW is achieved. <<ETX>>
New approach to use ethidium bromide monoazide as an analytical tool

Aims: Ethidium bromide monoazide (EMA) has been determined to cause delay in DNA amplification from dead bacteria at real‐time PCR. However, there is concern that the increasing EMA concentration to suppress amplification from high number of dead bacteria also affects live bacteria. The aim is to disclose a novel application of EMA for food hygienic test.
Enhanced Phase-Based Displacement Estimation - An Application to Facial Feature Extraction and Tracking

In this work, we develop a multi-scale approach for automatic facial feature detection and tracking. The method is based on a coarse to fine paradigm to characterize a set of facial fiducial points using a bank of Gabor filters that have interesting properties such as directionality, scalability and hierarchy. When the first face image is captured, a trained grid is used on the coarsest level to estimate a rough position for each facial feature. Afterward, a refinement stage is performed from the coarsest to the finest (original) image level to get accurate positions. These are then tracked over the subsequent frames using a modification of a fast phase– based technique. This includes a redefinition of the confidence measure and introduces a conditional disparity estimation procedure. Experimental results show that facial features can be localized with high accuracy and that their tracking can be kept during long periods of free head motion.
Adaptive Regulation of Manipulators Using Only Position Measurements

This article considers the motion-control problem for uncertain robot manipulators in the case where only joint-position mea surements are available, and proposes an adaptive controller as a solution to this problem. The proposed control strategy is general and computationally effrcient, requires very little infor mation regarding the manipulator model or the payload, and ensures that the position-regulation error possesses desirable convergence properties: semiglobal asymptotic convergence if no external disturbances are present, and semiglobal con vergence to an arbitrarily small neighborhood of zero in the presence of bounded disturbances. It is shown that the adaptive controller can be modified to provide accurate trajectory track ing control through the introduction of feedforrvard elements in the control law. The adaptive regulation and tracking schemes have been implemented in laboratory experiments with an IMI Zebra Zero manipulator. These experiments demonstrate that accurate and robust motion control can be achieved by using the proposed approach.
A Study of Gear Root Strains in a Multi-Stage Planetary Wind Turbine Gear Train Using a Three Dimensional Finite Element/Contact Mechanics Model and Experiments

Wind energy has received a great deal of attention in recent years in part due to its minimal environmental impact and improving efficiency. Increasingly complex wind turbine gear train designs, well-known failures in gear train rolling element bearings, and the constant push to manufacture more reliable, longer lasting systems generate the need for more advanced analysis techniques. The objectives of this paper are to examine the mechanical design of an Orbital2 flexible pin multi-stage planetary wind turbine gear train using a three dimensional finite element/contact mechanics model and to compare to full system experiments. Root strain is calculated at multiple locations across the facewidth of ring gears from the computational model and compared to experimental data. Gear misalignment and carrier eccentricity are also considered. Design recommendations for improving load distribution across gear facewidths are also discussed.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
The Valuation of Technology Strategies: Examining the short and long-term financial returns of licensing

This paper empirically evaluates the short-term and long-term implications of inward licensing, patenting activity and a combined strategy on firm performance. The short-term effects relate to abnormal stock market returns and long-term effects relate to continuous changes in market share. Drawing on a dataset of 104 companies that belong to the energy, materials and consumer staples sectors from the Standard & Poors 500 index, we conduct our empirical analysis using an event study and a fixed effects model for the period 2006-2012. Results show that, in the short-term, companies capitalize on both developing and acquiring technologies. However, companies capture higher cumulative abnormal returns when purchasing intellectual property than when developing and protecting technologies per se. The announcement of licensing agreements in the consumer staples and energy sector yields the highest returns, while the impact is not significant in the materials sector. In the long-term, we find that patenting influences negatively the growth of a company? s market share and this effect is stronger when patenting and in-licensing are performed simultaneously.
Banks’ Credit Rating Changes and the Stock Prices – The Impact of Political Divisions and Economy Development

The basic goal of the article is to analyse the impact of credit ratings changes on the rates of return of banks’ shares taking into account the level of economy development and the political divisions. There are put the following hypothesis: The banks’ share prices react stronger on the credit rating changes in developed economies. The strongest impact of the banks’ credit rating changes is observed for downgrade both in developed and developing economies. The analysis has been prepared on Thomson Reuters Database. As a dependent variable are taken into consideration daily differences between the logaritmized rates of return of banks’ shares. As an independent variables are threaten long term issuer credit rating changes proposed by small and big recognizable credit rating agencies. The analysis has been prepared for data from 1980 to 2015 period of time for 25 countries by using event study methods.
A study critically analysing the CSR activities of UK Supermarkets and how they compare when evaluated using a framework based on ISO 26000

This thesis examines the corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities of UK supermarkets and measures how they compare amongst each other when evaluated using a framework based on ISO 26000, incorporating the seven core principles of ISO 26000. UK supermarkets first started to grow in popularity throughout British high streets circa the 1950s, since then the sector has experienced rapid growth levels over many years with UK supermarkets of recent times becoming powerful retail giants. This study addresses a gap in knowledge regarding the use of environmental standards within the UK supermarket sector; through providing a deeper understanding of the involvement of CSR within complex differentiation strategies, with relevant theories critiqued throughout. Secondary analysis is utilised through the examination of CSR reports published by UK supermarkets, providing a mixture of qualitative and quantitative data to be scrutinised. Each supermarket is then scored based on CSR activity levels, the results show the discount supermarket gaining the highest score with some of the UK supermarket ‘giants’ awarded the lowest scores based on the evidence provided, representing the overhaul that has occurred within the UK supermarket sector over recent years as discount stores are quickly gaining market share. These conclusions suggest that those supermarkets best implementing ISO 26000 are gaining a competitive advantage over competitors, however potential limitations of ISO 26000 become apparent during this study such that the applicability and usability of ISO 26000 for SMEs must come into question when implementing theory into practice, with issues such as a lack of power across the value chain and financial constraints coming into effect. Recommendations are made regarding ways in which supermarkets can improve CSR and sustainable development practices, the need for a standardised method of CSR reporting and potential future research on an international scale.
Increasing local levels of neuregulin (glial growth factor‐2) by direct infusion into areas of demyelination does not alter remyelination in the rat CNS

Glial growth factor‐2 (GGF‐2) is a neuronally derived isoform of neuregulin shown in vitro to promote proliferation and survival of oligodendrocytes, the myelinating cells of the CNS. Enhanced remyelination has been demonstrated in vivo following systemic delivery of human recombinant GGF‐2 (rhGGF‐2) in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). However, it is uncertain whether this is the result of direct effects of rhGGF‐2 on cells of the oligodendrocyte lineage or due to modulation of the immune or inflammatory response. If this enhanced remyelination was due to direct effects of rhGGF‐2 on cells of the oligodendrocyte lineage then one would expect rhGGF‐2 to induce a similar proremyelinating response in nonimmune, gliotoxin models of demyelination. Using a gliotoxin model of demyelination we were therefore able to ascertain the in vivo effect of rhGGF‐2 following local CNS delivery in a model that is not confounded by the concurrent presence of an immune‐mediated process. No significant alteration in the rate or character of remyelination was evident following local delivery as compared to controls, and indeed nor following systemic delivery in the gliotoxin model. The results of this study therefore indicate that both direct infusion and systemic delivery of rhGGF‐2 do not alter remyelination in a nonimmune, gliotoxin model of demyelination. This suggests that the proremyelinating effects of systemically delivered rhGGF‐2 in EAE are unlikely to be due to direct effects on the oligodendrocyte lineage, but may be mediated by rhGGF‐2 inducing an environment more favourable to remyelination, possibly through modulation of the immune response.
Hollow sphere: a flexible multimode gravitational wave antenna

Hollow spheres have the same theoretical capabilities as the usual solid ones, since they share identical symmetries. The hollow sphere is, however, more flexible, as thickness is an additional parameter one can vary to approach given specifications. I will briefly discuss the more relevant properties of the hollow sphere as a GW detector (frequencies, cross-sections), and suggest some scenarios where it can generate significant astrophysical information.
A Nationwide Assessment of the Biodiversity Value of Uganda's Important Bird Areas Network

Abstract: BirdLife International's Important Bird Areas (IBA) program is the most developed global system for identifying sites of conservation priority. There have been few assessments, however, of the conservation value of IBAs for nonavian taxa. We combined past data with extensive new survey results for Uganda's IBAs in the most comprehensive assessment to date of the wider biodiversity value of a tropical country's IBA network. The combined data set included more than 35,000 site × species records for birds, butterflies, and woody plants at 86 Ugandan sites (23,400 km2), including 29 of the country's 30 IBAs, with data on additional taxa for many sites. Uganda's IBAs contained at least 70% of the country's butterfly and woody plant species, 86% of its dragonflies and 97% of its birds. They also included 21 of Uganda's 22 major vegetation types. For butterflies, dragonflies, and some families of plants assessed, species of high conservation concern were well represented (less so for the latter). The IBAs successfully represented wider biodiversity largely because many have distinctive avifaunas and, as shown by high cross‐taxon congruence in complementarity, such sites tended to be distinctive for other groups too. Cross‐taxon congruence in overall species richness was weaker and mainly associated with differences in site size. When compared with alternative sets of sites selected using complementarity‐based, area‐based, or random site‐selection algorithms, the IBA network was efficient in terms of the number of sites required to represent species but inefficient in terms of total area. This was mainly because IBA selection considers factors other than area, however, which probably improves both the cost‐effectiveness of the network and the persistence of represented species.
Four modalities of single implant treatment in the anterior maxilla: a clinical, radiographic, and aesthetic evaluation.

PURPOSE To document the outcome of single implants in the anterior maxilla following four routine treatment modalities when performed by experienced clinicians in daily practice using the same implant system and biomaterials. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective study in patients who had been treated by two periodontists and two prosthodontists in 2006 and 2007 was conducted. The four treatment modalities practically covered every clinical situation and included standard implant treatment (SIT), immediate implant treatment (IIT), implant treatment in conjunction with guided bone regeneration (GBR), and implant treatment in grafted bone (BGR) harvested from the chin. All implants were installed via flap surgery. Patients were clinically and radiographically examined. Complications were registered and the aesthetic outcome (pink esthetic score [PES] and white esthetic score [WES]) was rated. A blinded clinician who had not been involved in the treatment performed all evaluations. Patient's aesthetic satisfaction was also registered. RESULTS One hundred four out of 115 eligible patients (44 SIT, 28 IIT, 18 GBR, and 14 BGR) received at least one single NobelReplace tapered TiUnite® (Nobel Biocare, Göteborg, Sweden) implant in the anterior maxilla and were available for evaluation. Clinical parameters (implant survival: 93%, mean plaque level: 24%, mean bleeding on probing: 33%, and mean probing depth: 3.2 mm) and mean bone level (1.19 mm) did not differ significantly between treatment modalities. Postoperative complications were more common following GBR/BGR (>61%) when compared with SIT/IIT (<18%) (p < .001). BGR was in 4/14 patients associated with permanent sensory complications at the donor site. Technical complications occurred in 9/104 patients. SIT and IIT showed similar soft tissue aesthetics (PES: 10.07 and 10.88, respectively), however major alveolar process deficiency was common (>15%). PES was 9.65 for GBR. BGR showed inferior soft tissue aesthetics (PES: 9.00; p = .045) and shorter distal papillae were found following GBR/BGR (p = .009). Periodontal disease (odds ratio [OR]: 13.0, p < .001), GBR/BGR (OR: 4.3, p = .004), and a thin-scalloped gingival biotype (OR: 3.7, p = .011) increased the risk for incomplete distal papillae. WES was 7.98 for all patients considered. Poor agreement was found between objective and subjective aesthetic ratings. CONCLUSIONS All treatment modalities were predictable from a clinical and radiographic point of view. However, advanced reconstructive surgery, especially BGR, increased the risk for complications and compromised aesthetics. Research is required on the prevention and minimally invasive treatment of buccal bone defects at the time of tooth loss to avoid complex therapy.
Psychiatric Illness in Relation to Frailty in Community-Dwelling Elderly People without Dementia: A Report from the Canadian Study of Health and Aging*

ABSTRACT We investigated whether frailty, defined as the accumulation of multiple, interacting illnesses, impairments and disabilities, is associated with psychiatric illness in older adults. Five-thousand-six-hundred-and-seventy-six community dwellers without dementia were identified within the Canadian Study of Health and Aging, and self-reported psychiatric illness was compared by levels of frailty (defined by an index of deficits that excluded mental illnesses). People with psychiatric illness (12.6% of those surveyed, who chiefly reported depression) had a higher mean frailty index value than those who did not. Older age was not associated with higher odds of psychiatric illness. Taking sex, frailty, and education into account, the odds of psychiatric illness decreased with each increasing year of age (OR 0.95; 95% CI, 0.94–0.97). Frailty was associated with psychiatric illness; for each additional deficit-defining frailty, odds of psychiatric illness increased (OR 1.23; 95% CI, 1.19–1.26). Similarly, psychiatric illness was associated with much higher odds of being among the most frail. These findings lend support to a multidimensional conceptualization of frailty. Our data also suggest that health care professionals who work with older adults with psychiatric illness should expect frailty to be common, and that those working with frail seniors should consider the possible co-existence of depression and psychiatric illness. RÉSUMÉ Le but de notre enquête était de déterminer si la fragilité (défini comme l'accumulation de maladies, infirmités, et troubles multiples) est associée avec la morbidité psychiatrique chez les adultes âgés vivants à leur propre domicile. On a identifié 5676 personnes âgées sans démence dans L'Étude sur la santé et le vieillissement au Canada, et la relation entre la morbidité psychiatrique auto-signalée et la fragilité (défini comme un index de déficits à l'exclusion de la morbidité psychiatrique) a été examinée. Les sujets avec la morbidité psychiatrique (dont 12,6 % de l'échantillon, la grande majorité ayant la dépression), avaient une valeur moyenne de fragilité selon l'index supérieure à celle des sujets sans une morbidité psychiatrique. Il y avait une association importante entre la fragilité et la morbidité psychiatrique : avec chaque déficit comprenant l'index, la probabilité d'avoir une morbidité psychiatrique s'est augmenté (OR 1,23; 95 % CI, 1,19-1,26). Ceux qui avaient la morbidité psychiatrique avaient également une probabilité beaucoup plus haute de se trouver parmi les plus fragiles. Nos résultats appuyent une conceptualisation multidimensionnelle de la fragilité, et suggèrent que les professionnels dans le domaine de la santé travaillant avec les adultes âgés ayant morbidité psychiatrique doivent s'attendre à ce que la fragilité soit répandue.
The Effect of an Integrated Virtual Community on the Evaluation of an Online Store: Findings From an Internet Experiment

: We examined the impact of three characteristics of a virtual community within an online store on consumer evaluations of that store. In particular, we focused on the exertion of retailer influence, the quality of the virtual community and the degree of sociability. An Internet experiment with 477 participants using a professionally designed shopping Web site was conducted, confirming the influence of all three characteristics.