Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Temporal characterization of SPEC CPU2006 workloads: Analysis and synthesis

SPEC CPU2006 benchmark suite has been extensively studied, with efforts focusing on the requirement understanding of memory workloads from the SPEC CPU2006 suite. However, characterizing SPEC CPU2006 workloads from a time dependence perspective has attracted little attention. This paper studies the auto-correlation functions of the arrival intervals of memory accesses in all SPEC CPU2006 traces, and concludes that correlations in memory inter-access times are inconsistent, either with evident correlations or with little and no correlation. Different with the studies focused on the prior suites, we present that self-similarity exists only in a small number of SPEC2006 workloads. In addition, we implement a memory access series generator in which the inputs are the measured properties of the available trace data. Experimental results show that this model can more accurately emulate the complex access arrival behaviors of real memory systems than the conventional self-similar and independent identically distributed methods, particularly the heavy-tail characteristics under both Gaussian and non-Gaussian workloads.
Exploring the Reliability of Behavior Coding Data

Behavior coding examines interviewer and respondent interactions, often with the intent of evaluating the quality of survey questions. In practice, several coders listen to these interactions and code prescribed behaviors. Often, the coders are asked to code the same cases to be used as a measure of reliability of the coding. If the reliability is poor, then the results of the coding may be less meaningful. The kappa statistic, a conservative measure of reliability that corrects for chance agreement, is often used. This paper explores different ways of measuring reliability using the kappa statistic and what can be learned by examining reliability of the codes in different ways. For example, we will examine reliability scores by speaker (e.g., interviewer, respondent), by question (e.g., age, race), by code (e.g., exact question reading, request for clarification) and by type of question (e.g., select one, multiple choice). Examining reliability in these ways will allow us to recommend a strategy for reporting reliability in behavior coding studies as well as learn more about the behavior coding method itself and characteristics of questions that can cause problems.
Non esterified fatty acids (NEFA) in dairy cattle. A review

Summary The objective of this report is to review the literature on elevated blood concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) before and after parturition in high‐yielding dairy cows. It highlights the factors that influence serum NEFA production and their circulation before and after parturition, such as adaptation for nutrient partitioning for fetal needs, onset of lactogenesis, stress of calving and numerous changes in physiological, metabolic, and endocrine status to accommodate parturition and lactogenesis. The role of NEFA in the liver and peripheral tissues and its toxic effects when in excess are discussed. The cow's adaptive physiologic mechanisms to prevent or decrease excessive values of serum NEFA and preventive and therapeutic interventions to enhance these mechanisms are categorized as natural and artificial antidotes respectively. Feeding systems during the dry period and daily exercise or walking activity which may burn excessive NEFA through β‐oxidation in the muscles are considered as more useful antidotes to managing the NEFA metabolism. This will minimize accumulation of lipids in the liver during early lactation and alleviate the negative effects of plasma NEFA leading to more optimal metabolic health and productivity of dairy cows.
Hypolipidemic Effect of Ginger in 1,2-Dimethyl Hydrazine-Induced Experimental Colon Carcinogenesis

Colorectal cancer is increasingly common nowadays in Asian countries and still remains the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. In our laboratory, we studied the chemopreventive and hypolipidemic effect of ginger, a dietary spice, in 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colon cancer. Rats were given a weekly subcutaneous injection of DMH (20 mg/kg body weight), a known colon carcinogen, in the groin for 15 weeks. Ginger (50 mg/kg body weight P.O.) was given at the initiation and also at the postinitiation stages of carcinogenesis. The animals were sacrificed at the end of the experimental period of 30 weeks. The fecal bile acids, neutral sterols, and tissue lipid profile were evaluated using various biochemical estimations. The levels of fecal bile acids, neutral sterols, cholesterol, HMG CoA reductase, free fatty acids, triglycerides, phospholipase A, and phospholipase C were significantly increased, whereas the levels of tissue phospholipids was decreased in DMH-treated rats as compared to control rats. On administering ginger at the initiation and also at the postinitiation stages of colon carcinogenesis, the levels of fecal bile acids, neutral sterols, tissue cholesterol, HMG CoA reductase, free fatty acids, triglycerides, phospholipase A, and phospholipase C were significantly decreased, whereas the levels of phospholipids were increased as compared to unsupplemented DMH treated rats. Thus, ginger supplementation was found to reduce the risk of colon cancer markedly by virtue of its hypolipidemic and antioxidative effects.
Skin barrier structure and function and their relationship to pruritus in end-stage renal disease.

BACKGROUND The relationship between dry skin and uraemic pruritus remains controversial. In addition, there is a lack of published data describing the structure and function of the stratum corneum (SC) in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The purpose of the present study was to assess the function and structure of the skin barrier in patients with ESRD and to correlate any abnormalities with uraemic pruritus. METHODS Thirty-eight subjects participated in the study; 20 with ESRD and 18 healthy controls. Subjects underwent evaluation of SC integrity and permeability barrier recovery, SC surface pH, pruritus and dry skin. The content of glycerol, an important endogenous humectant, was assessed in D-squame tape strips from seven patients with ESRD. Skin biopsies from six of these patients were examined by electron microscopy using ruthenium tetroxide (Ru04)-post-fixation. RESULTS Although SC integrity was impaired in ESRD patients (P = 0.001), there were no significant differences in permeability barrier recovery rates between ESRD subjects and controls. However, there was a high significant negative correlation between SC glycerol content and dry skin in the arms of ESRD subjects (r = -0.866, P = 0.01). Yet, there was no consistent correlation between pruritus and either dry skin, SC integrity, glycerol content or surface pH. Electron microscopy revealed no significant ultra-structural abnormalities, with particular reference to the lipid bi-layer. CONCLUSIONS SC integrity, but not permeability barrier recovery, is impaired in dialysis patients. Although dry skin in ESRD is associated with reduced SC glycerol levels, the ultra-structure appears to be unaffected.
Feasibility of automated detection of HONcode conformity for health-related websites

In this paper, authors evaluate machine learning algorithms to detect the trustworthiness of a website according to HONcode criteria of conduct (detailed in paper). To derive a baseline, we evaluated a Naive Bayes algorithm, using single words as features. We compared the baseline algorithm’s performance to that of the same algorithm employing different feature types, and to the SVM algorithm. The results demonstrate that the most basic configuration (Naive Bayes, single word) could produce a 0.94 precision for “easy” HON criteria such as “Date”. Conversely, for more difficult HON criteria “Justifiability”, we obtained precision of 0.68 by adjusting the system parameters such as algorithm (SVM) and feature types (W2).
Self adaptive system for flexible robot assembly operation

In this paper a flexible robot system for assembly operations in a semi structured environment is proposed. The system uses a moveable robot equipped with an arbitrarily mounted 3D camera and a 2D camera on the robot gripper for accurate object detection. The system is developed based on the Robot Operating System (ROS) and uses the state of the art trajectory planner MoveIt for collision free robot motion planning. The object recognition for the system is performed using a combination of the two camera's and robot end effector and the deviation of objects in the robot workspace is found to be in the range of 2.2 mm along X and Y axes. Furthermore, an implementation procedure of the proposed system for assembly task is explained.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Department of Economics Working Paper Series Slow Moving Debt Crises Slow Moving Debt Crises *

What circumstances or policies leave sovereign borrowers at the mercy of self-fulfilling increases in interest rates? To answer this question, we study the dynamics of debt and interest rates in a model where default is driven by insolvency. Fiscal deficits and surpluses are subject to shocks but influenced by a fiscal policy rule. Whenever possible the government issues debt to meet its current obligations and defaults otherwise. We show that low and high interest rate equilibria may coexist. Higher interest rates, prompted by fears of default, lead to faster debt accumulation, validating default fears. We call such an equilibrium a slow moving crisis, in contrast to rollover crises where investor runs precipitate immediate default. We investigate how the existence of multiple equilibria is affected by the fiscal policy rule, the maturity of debt, and the level of debt.
GOP size influence in high resolution video streaming over wireless mesh network

Video transmission over IP networks requires appropriate conditions of quality of service, in order to ensure the integrity of the image, which still represents a challenge to be overcome in wireless mesh networks due to traffic capacity limitations inherent to its architecture. In this work we evaluate the performance of high-resolution video over multi-hop mesh networks and we propose a suitable GOP size for encoding video to be streamed, based on traffic conditions to minimize the loss of quality. Experiments were carried out in a wireless mesh network planned for real testing within a 1500m2 area of the main UFAM campus, using the IEEE 802.11a and 802.11n network standards.
Instantaneous Relaying: Optimal Strategies and Interference Neutralization

In a multi-user wireless network equipped with multiple relay nodes, some relays are more intelligent than other relay nodes. The intelligent relays are able to gather channel state information, perform linear processing and forward signals whereas the dumb relays are only able to serve as amplifiers. As the dumb relays are oblivious to the source and destination nodes, the wireless network can be modeled as a relay network with smart instantaneous relay only: the signals of the source-destination link arrive at the same time as the source-relay-destination link. Recently, instantaneous relaying is shown to improve the degrees-of-freedom of the network as compared to the classical cut-set bound. In this paper, we study an achievable rate region and its boundary of the instantaneous interference relay channel in the scenario of (a) uninformed non-cooperative source-destination nodes (source and destination nodes are not aware of the existence of the relay and are non-cooperative) and (b) informed and cooperative source-destination nodes. Further, we examine the performance of interference neutralization: a relay strategy which is able to cancel interference signals at each destination node in the air. We observe that interference neutralization, although promised to achieve desired degrees-of-freedom, may not be feasible if the relay has limited power. Simulation results show that the optimal relay strategies improve the achievable rate region and provide better user-fairness in both uninformed non-cooperative and informed cooperative scenarios.
Optimum Resource Allocation in Multipath Ad Hoc Networks

Optimum Resource Allocation in Multipath Ad Hoc Networks Petar Djukic Master of Applied Science Graduate Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Toronto 2003 We devise a mechanism for reliable packet transmission in Wireless Ad Hoc Networks. The implementation is based on Path Diversification, which uses multipath diversity in the network and erasure codes to provide guaranteed reliability. We show that when no information is available about the status of the network, distributing the load over all the available paths can increase network reliability significantly over single path transmissions. We show how to collect information about the status of network paths and energy consumption in the network. When the information about the network is available, we identify and solve four QoS optimization problems specific to path diversification in ad hoc networks. We show how to allocate network resources for maximized reliability, maximized efficiency, minimized energy use, and maximized network lifetime. For the first two, we give exact polynomial time algorithms, we approximate the second two as linear programs.
BRIEF REPORT Atimia: A Novel Group-Based Paradigm for Manipulating Ostracism and Group Members' Performance

Ostracism, being excluded and ignored, is a socially painful experience that can lead to distressing consequences, including thwarted basic needs satisfaction and worsened mood (Williams & Nida, 2011). Ostracism researchers have relied heavily on a single paradigm: Cyberball (Williams, Cheung, & Choi, 2000), and although Cyberball has been conducted successfully with over 5,000 participants, there are few alternative paradigms to replicate ostracism’s effects. Specifically, no alternative paradigms utilize a group-based interaction in which players continuously interact to achieve a goal. Additionally, researchers have not incorporated a key characteristic of the group that influences satisfaction: the efficacy of a group to accomplish a task (i.e., burdensomeness). To address these issues, we designed Atimia, a group-based game in which players take turns completing word-association items. We manipulated computer-controlled agents to either ostracize or include participants and to be burdensome (i.e., perform poorly) or nonburdensome. We found participants felt worse when they were ostracized, compared with when they were included, and when playing with a burdensome versus nonburdensome group. Ostracism effect sizes were comparable with Cyberball and other alternative ostracism paradigms. Similar to previous ostracism research, a group characteristic (burdensomeness) did not buffer the effects of ostracism. Examining beyond the immediate ostracism effects, participants were more interested in continuing with a nonburdensome group that included them compared with a burdensome, but inclusive, group or a group that ostracized (regardless of group burdensomeness). Initial results suggest Atimia is a means to replicate ostracism’s effects and is a new tool for researchers studying groups.
Assessing the temperature risk to longan in South China based on ecological suitability theory

Being an important subtropical fruit, longan temperature risk is very sensitive to climate change. Based on previous researches, selecting observed daily temperature data from 60 stations of South China from 1960 to 2005, the article established the longan temperature suitability model and the temperature risk dynamic assessment model to calculate the temperature suitability and risk of longan, to evaluate the temporal and spatial differences and also to predict the temperature suitability and risk of longan. Firstly, the article analyzes the temperature suitability of longan at different growth stages, and the result shows that temperature changes has a great impact on the temperature suitability of dormancy stage, physiologic differentiation of flower bud stage and morphologic differentiation of flower bud stage. All these have low suitability and high variability, while the other three stages have high suitability and low variability. In addition, the inter-annual change of temperature suitability at different growth stages is analyzed, and the result shows all the growth stages except for fruit growth and maturity stage and treetop growth stage have a decreasing trend in the future. This is caused by the temperature differences between growth stages. Further study indicates that it is hot damage in winter and spring rather than cold damage that plays an important role in longan production in South China. Secondly, based on probability distributions of the longan temperature suitability degree of different reduction rates of yield, the article divided South China into three regions: the low risk region, the medium risk region and the high risk. At the same time, a comparative analysis was done on the longan temperature risk among different periods in South China. The result shows that there is difference in the changing trend of longan temperature risk: in the aspect of spatial distribution, the temperature risk degree decreases with increasing latitude in South China; in the aspect of temporal distribution, the temperature risk of longan has a gradual increasing trend with the elapse of time. Finally, the responses of longan growth stages to climate warming in South China were analyzed.
Metaphorical Language and the Nature of Hope among Mothers of Children who deal with Mental Illness

A qualitative study of mothers " experiences raising a child who dealt with mental illness is presented. Twelve (n=12) mothers participated in this grounded theory study. Metaphorical analysis was used to understand how mothers conceptualized mental illness and hope. Mothers described mental illness in both static and dynamic terms, meaning that for some mental illness was primarily a fixed entity, or a " fact of life, " whereas for others, mental illness was an active entity that maneuvered to change their children " s and their own lives. Mothers described hope in terms of striving for presence, " normality " and productivity. Emotional experiences of mental illness, grief and loss, and stigma were also discussed. Recommendations for further research are made.
Boudicca, a Retrovirus-Like Long Terminal Repeat Retrotransposon from the Genome of the Human Blood Fluke Schistosoma mansoni

ABSTRACT The genome of Schistosoma mansoni contains a proviral form of a retrovirus-like long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposon, designated Boudicca. Sequence and structural characterization of the new mobile genetic element, which was found in bacterial artificial chromosomes prepared from S. mansoni genomic DNA, revealed the presence of three putative open reading frames (ORFs) bounded by direct LTRs of 328 bp in length. ORF1 encoded a retrovirus-like major homology region and a Cys/His box motif, also present in Gag polyproteins of related retrotransposons and retroviruses. ORF2 encoded enzymatic domains and motifs characteristic of a retrovirus-like polyprotein, including aspartic protease, reverse transcriptase, RNase H, and integrase, in that order, a domain order similar to that of the gypsy/Ty3 retrotransposons. An additional ORF at the 3′ end of the retrotransposon may encode an envelope protein. Phylogenetic comparison based on the reverse transcriptase domain of ORF2 confirmed that Boudicca was a gypsy-like retrotransposon and showed that it was most closely related to CsRn1 from the Oriental liver fluke Clonorchis sinensis and to kabuki from Bombyx mori. Bioinformatics approaches together with Southern hybridization analysis of genomic DNA of S. mansoni and the screening of a bacterial artificial chromosome library representing ≈8-fold coverage of the S. mansoni genome revealed that numerous copies of Boudicca were interspersed throughout the schistosome genome. By reverse transcription-PCR, mRNA transcripts were detected in the sporocyst, cercaria, and adult developmental stages of S. mansoni, indicating that Boudicca is actively transcribed in this trematode.
A 3.12 pJ/bit, 19–27 Gbps receiver with 2 Tap-DFE embedded clock and data recovery

A 19-27-Gb/s receiver comprising of a continuous time linear equalizer (CTLE) followed by a 2 tap decision feedback equalizer embedded clock and data recovery circuit is implemented. The hybrid CDR is operated at half rate, which is incorporated into a broad band PLL to facilitate ISI and jitter suppression over wide band operation. A quadrature relaxation type oscillator is proposed to provide the sampling phases without bulky inductors. Fabricated in a 40 nm CMOS technology, the whole receiver manifests a high energy efficiency of 3.12pJ/bit at 27 Gbps operation to compensate 20 dB channel loss at Nyquist frequency. The core area is 0.09 mm2 only.
Spatial-based adaptive iterative learning control of nonlinear rotary systems with spatially periodic parametric variation

Motion control systems have found their application in various industry products. Common issues encountered when designing this type of systems are nonlinearities and uncertainties (e.g., unknown parameters, unmodeled dynamics, and disturbances). In this paper, we study controller design for a class of motion systems with rotary components. The systems are assumed to have unknown parameters which are periodic with respect to the angular displacement (or spatially periodic). The proposed design integrates the spatial-based versions of two control paradigms, i.e., adaptive control and iterative learning control. In addition, we propose a spatial-based periodic parametric adaptation law to minimize the tracking error of the system, i.e., the difference between the output angular velocity and a desired reference signal. Convergence and stability properties of the overall system are analyzed and discussed. Feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed scheme is verified using a design example with simulation.
Tumor and Stem Cell Biology PAD 2 Overexpression in Transgenic Mice Promotes Spontaneous Skin Neoplasia

Peptidylarginine deiminase 2 (PAD2/PADI2) has been implicated in various inflammatory diseases and, more recently, cancer. The goal of this study was to test the hypothesis that PAD2 promotes oncogenesis using a transgenic mouse model. We found that about 37% of transgenic mice overexpressing human FLAG-PAD2 downstream of the MMTV-LTR promoter develop spontaneous neoplastic skin lesions. Molecular and histopathologic analyses of the resulting lesions find that they contain increased levels of markers for invasion, inflammation, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and that a subset of the lesions progress to invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). We then stably overexpressed FLAG-PAD2 in the human SCC cell line, A431, and found that the PAD2-overexpressing cells were more tumorigenic in vitro and also contained elevated levels of markers for inflammation and EMT. Collectively, these studies provide the first genetic evidence that PAD2 functions as an oncogene and suggest that PAD2 may promote tumor progression by enhancing inflammation within the tumor microenvironment. Cancer Res; 74(21); 1–12. 2014 AACR.