Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous statistical delay and slew optimization for interconnect pipelines

Process variation has become a major concern in the design of many nanometer circuits, including interconnect pipelines. This paper develops closed-form models to predict the delay distribution of an interconnect pipeline stage and the slew distributions of all the nets in the circuit. Also, a buffer sizing and replacement algorithm is presented to minimize the area of interconnect pipelines while meeting the delay and slew constraints. Experiments show that ignoring location dependent variation can cause a timing yield loss of 8.8% in a delay limited circuit, and the area can be improved by over 10% when the location dependent variation and residual random variation are understood and separated. Furthermore, under equivalent area, an interconnect pipeline optimized with only sizing changes may violate the slew constraint on over 50% of the nets, so location change is needed to best optimize these circuits
Stackless KD‐Tree Traversal for High Performance GPU Ray Tracing

Significant advances have been achieved for realtime ray tracing recently, but realtime performance for complex scenes still requires large computational resources not yet available from the CPUs in standard PCs. Incidentally, most of these PCs also contain modern GPUs that do offer much larger raw compute power. However, limitations in the programming and memory model have so far kept the performance of GPU ray tracers well below that of their CPU counterparts.
Are Web User Comments Useful for Search?

the potential impact of comments on search accuracy in social Web sites. We characterize YouTube comments, showing that they have the potential to distinguish videos. Furthermore, we show how they could be incorporated into the index, yielding up to a 15% increase in search accu racy. a video returned the corresponding video. If content is poorly described by the title/descrip tion/keywords, however, comment information may supplement or replace traditional forms of search. The title/description /keywords of a Westminster Kennel Show video, for example, may fail to mention "dog" (not to mention particular dog breeds ), and thus not turn up in the results for "dog show. " Searchin g through comment information will almost certainly solve thi s problem. In this paper, we explore the "nature" of user comm ents and how they may aid in search. Specifically, we analyze t he term distributions of user comments and attempt to apply this information to improve search accuracy. The hazard associated with the use of comments to i mprove search accuracy is that they may contain noisy term s that hurt performance as well as significantly increase the s ize of the index. Our experimental results, however, suggest that whi le some queries are negatively affected by comments, overal l, they can improve query accuracy by nearly 15%. Furthermore, we apply techniques that can reduce the cost of using commen ts by up to 70%.
Theoretical investigation on MgV2O6: ab-initio study

Abstract DFT-based ab-initio calculations have been performed to study the mechanical, structural, electronic, optical and thermodynamic properties of Mg-based vanadium oxide MgV2O6. The evaluated unit cell parameters exhibit satisfactory agreement with the available experimental data. The second-order elastic constants and the other relevant quantities such as the shear modulus, Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio, compressibility, anisotropy factor, sound velocity and the Debye temperature have been calculated. After analysing the calculated elastic constants, it is shown that the compound under study is mechanically stable. The analysis of the electronic band structure shows that this compound reveals semiconducting nature with band gap 2.195 eV. Most of the contribution predominantly comes from O-2s states. Furthermore, in order to get deep insight into the optical transitions of MgV2O6, the refractive index, complex dielectric function, reflectivity, loss function, absorption coefficient and the photoconductivity are computed and discussed in details. Also we have computed the Debye temperature , using our calculated elastic constants data.
Detection and Combining Techniques for Asynchronous Random Access with Time Diversity

Asynchronous random access (RA) protocols are particularly attractive for their simplicity and avoidance of tight synchronization requirements. Recent enhancements have shown that the use of successive interference cancellation (SIC) can largely boost the performance of these schemes. A further step forward in the performance can be attained when diversity combining techniques are applied. In order to enable combining, the detection and association of the packets to their transmitters has to be done prior to decoding. We present a solution to this problem, that articulates into two phases. Non-coherent soft-correlation as well as interference-aware soft-correlation are used for packet detection. We evaluate the detection capabilities of both solutions via numerical simulations. We also evaluate numerically the spectral efficiency achieved by the proposed approach, highlighting its benefits.
Ibuprofen Removal from a Pharmaceutical Wastewater using Electro-Fenton Process: An Efficient Technique (RESEARCH NOTE)

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effective parameters such as pH, current density (mA/cm2), H2O2/Fe2+ molar ratio, volume ratio of H2O2 to pharmaceutical wastewater (PhW) (ml/l) and reaction time (min) on the electro-Fenton process for the ibuprofen (as a pharmaceutical waste in water) removal. Since a synthetic wastewater with the same concentration of ibuprofen in a real pharmaceutical wastewater (400 ppm) was chosen in this research, the sample was tested in terms of the chemical oxygen demand (COD). The parameters were statistically optimized under response surface mythology (RSM). The software was also applied to minimize the number of runs. The optimum conditions for 98.290% COD removal were at pH of 2.43, current density of 23.08 mA/cm2, H2O2/Fe2+ molar ratio of 2.69, volume ratio of H2O2/PhW of 1.84 ml/l and reaction time of 28.08 min.
Efficient high-order image subsampling using FANNs

We propose a method for high-order image subsampling using feedforward artificial neural networks (FANNs). Our method employs a tridiagonally symmetrical FANN, which is obtained by applying the design algorithm proposed by Dumitraa and Kossentini (see IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing, vol.48, no.5, p.1446-55, 2000), and a small, fully connected FANN. We show that our subsampling method provides excellent speed-performance tradeoffs as compared to those of the method based exclusively on fully connected FANNs.
A Quantitative Glycogen Assay to Verify Use of Self-Administered Vaginal Swabs

Background Self-administered swabs are used to sample vaginal contents for a variety of clinical purposes including detection of sexually transmitted infections, condom breakage, and vaginal product use. The goal of this study was to determine whether a quantitative glycogen assay can be used to assess whether a swab has been exposed to the vagina to assure study compliance. Study Design Buccal, skin, or vaginal samples were tested to determine whether a commercial quantitative glycogen assay can differentiate vaginal specimens. In addition, archived remnant de-identified vaginal swabs from clinical trials were tested. Periodic acid–Schiff stain was used to identify glycogen-positive cells as a confirmation test. Results Glycogen concentrations in eluates of vaginal swabs from reproductive-aged women were significantly higher than those from unused swabs (mean ± SE, 964 ± 135 &mgr;g/mL vs. 14.7 ± 2.5 &mgr;g/mL, P < 0.001) and swabs exposed to buccal and finger/hand epithelia (40.3 ± 4.8 and 18.5 ± 5.4 &mgr;g/mL, P < 0.001). Glycogen concentrations were lower and more variable in vaginal swabs from older perimenopausal/menopausal women (mean ± SE, 235 ± 123, P < 0.01). Semen and sample storage longer than 1 year did not affect glycogen detection. Using a cutoff of 100 &mgr;g/mL of glycogen, 30 of 30 vaginal swabs from reproductive-aged women versus 0 of 28 control swabs were positive, for an assay sensitivity of 1 (95% confidence interval, 0.86–1) and specificity of 1 (95% confidence interval, 0.85–1). Periodic acid–Schiff stain correlated with soluble glycogen results but was less specific. Conclusions The quantitative glycogen assay provides a simple and inexpensive method to validate the use of self-administered swabs for sampling vaginal contents in clinical studies.
Statistical analysis of monitoring data aids in prediction of stream temperature

Declines in cold-water habitat and fisheries have generated stream-temperature monitoring efforts across Northern California and the western United States. We demonstrate a statistical analysis approach to facilitate the interpretation and application of these data sets to achieve monitoring objectives. Specifically, we used data collected from the Willow and Lassen creek watersheds in Modoc County to demonstrate a method for identifying and quantifying potential relationships between stream temperature and factors such as stream flow, canopy cover and air temperature. Our monitoring data clearly indicated that a combination of management practices to increase both in-stream flow and canopy cover can be expected to reduce stream temperature on the watersheds studied.
Semi-Supervised Classification Based on Classification from Positive and Unlabeled Data

Most of the semi-supervised classification methods developed so far use unlabeled data for regularization purposes under particular distributional assumptions such as the cluster assumption. In contrast, recently developed methods of classification from positive and unlabeled data (PU classification) use unlabeled data for risk evaluation, i.e., label information is directly extracted from unlabeled data. In this paper, we extend PU classification to also incorporate negative data and propose a novel semi-supervised classification approach. We establish generalization error bounds for our novel methods and show that the bounds decrease with respect to the number of unlabeled data without the distributional assumptions that are required in existing semi-supervised classification methods. Through experiments, we demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed methods.
Simple, economical heat-shock devices for zebrafish housing racks.

One reason for the popularity of the zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model vertebrate is the ability to manipulate gene expression in this organism. A common method is to induce gene expression transiently under control of a heat-shock promoter (e.g., hsp70l). By making simple mechanical adjustments to small aquarium heaters (25-50W), we were able to produce consistent and reliable heat-shock conditions within a conventional zebrafish housing system. Up to two heat-shock intervals per day (>37°C) could be maintained under conditions of continuous flow (5-25 mL/min). Temperature logging every 30 s indicated rapid warm up times, consistent heat-shock lengths, and accurate and precise peak water temperatures (mean±SD=38°C±0.2°C). The biological effects of these heat-shock treatments were confirmed by observing inducible expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and inhibition of caudal fin regeneration in a transgenic fish line expressing a dominant negative fibroblast growth factor receptor (Tg(hsp70l:dnfgfr1-EGFP)(pd1)). These devices are inexpensive, easily modified, and can be calibrated to accommodate a variety of experimental designs. After setup on a programmable timer, the heaters require no intervention to produce consistent daily heat shocks, and all other standard care protocols can be followed in the fish facility. The simplicity and stability of these devices make them suitable for long-term heat shocks at any stage of the zebrafish lifecycle (>7 days postfertilization), and useful for both laboratory and classroom experiments on transgenic zebrafish.
On‐line kinetic model discrimination for optimized surface plasmon resonance experiments

In order to improve the throughput of surface plasmon resonance‐based biosensors, an on‐line iterative optimization algorithm has been presented aiming at reducing experimental time and material consumption without any loss of confidence on kinetic parameters [De Crescenzo (2008) J. Mol Recognit. , 21, 256‐66. ]. This algorithm was based on a simple Langmuirian model to compute the confidence and predict optimal injections. However, this kinetic model is not suitable for all interactions, as it does not include mass transfer limitation that may occur for fast interaction kinetics. If a simple model was to be used when this phenomenon influenced the interactions, kinetic parameters would be biased. On the other hand, we show in this paper that data analysis with a kinetic model including a mass transfer limitation step would lead to longer experiments and poorer confidence if the interactions were simple. So, in this manuscript, we present an on‐line model discrimination and optimization approach to increase the throughput of surface plasmon resonance biosensors. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Application of support vector regression for optimization of vibration flow field of high-density polyethylene melts characterized by small angle light scattering

In this paper, the vibration flow field parameters of polymer melts in a visual slit die are optimized by using intelligent algorithm. Experimental small angle light scattering (SALS) patterns are shown to characterize the processing process. In order to capture the scattered light, a polarizer and an analyzer are placed before and after the polymer melts. The results reported in this study are obtained using high-density polyethylene (HDPE) with rotation speed at 28 rpm. In addition, support vector regression (SVR) analytical method is introduced for optimization the parameters of vibration flow field. This work establishes the general applicability of SVR for predicting the optimal parameters of vibration flow field.
DUEL - A Very High-Level Debugging Language

Most source-level debuggers accept expressions in the source language, e.g., C, and can print sourcelanguage values. This approach is usually justied on grounds that programmers need to know only one language. But the evaluation of source-language expressions or even statemetns is poorly suited for making non-trivial queries about the program state, e.g., \which elements of array x[100] are positive? " Duel departs from the conventional wisdom: It is a very high-level language designed specically for sourcelevel debugging of C programs. Duel expressions are a superset of C’s and include \generators," which are expressions that can produce zero or more values and are inspired by Icon, APL, and LISP. For example, x[. 100] >? 0 displays the positive elements of x and their indices. Duel is implemented on top of gdb and adds one new command to evaluate Duel expressions and display their results. This paper describes Duel’s semantics and syntax, gives examples of its use, and outlines its implementation. Duel is freely available, and it could be interfaced to other debuggers.
Risk factors of type-2 diabetes mellitus in rural Wardha: A community based study

CONTEXT: The rise in diabetes mellitus (DM) portends a disaster of major proportion worldwide. AIM: To study the determinants of type-2 DM in people who are ≥45 years of age by selective screening methodology in rural area of Wardha district. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A cross-sectional study in a rural area of Wardha district. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted among those who are at risk of developing DM, as per the WHO guidelines on Laboratory Diagnosis and monitoring of Diabetes Mellitus 2002. Blood glucose estimation was done using a blood glucose meter. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Multiple Logistic Regression. RESULTS: Eight point four nine percent of the 306 persons above the age of 45 years were diabetic. This study also revealed that the proportion of people diagnosed with DM increases with increasing age groups. Mean fasting and post meal blood glucose level (in mg%) among the study participants (nondiabetics) were 83.6 ± 1.6 and 129.9 ± 1.9 and mean fasting and post meal blood glucose level among diabetics were 138.8 ± 2.1 and 220.7 ± 1.9, respectively. The difference between the post meal blood glucose level among the diabetics and nondiabetics was statistically significant. The proportion of diabetics was more among those who had family history of diabetes (8.6%), BMI more than 25 (24.1%) and those with sedentary lifestyle (10.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of preventive measures to reduce the burden of diabetes is needed. Identification of the environmental factors adversely related to glucose intolerance helps evolve preventive strategies.
Emergent situations in interactive storytelling

Interactive storytelling can either be based on explicit plot representations or on the autonomous behaviour of artificial characters. In such a character-based approach, the dynamic interaction between characters generates the actual plot from a generic storyline. Characters' behaviours are implemented through real-time search-based planning techniques. However, the top-down planning systems that control artificial actors need to be complemented with appropriate mechanisms dealing with emerging ("bottom-up") situations of narrative relevance. After discussing the determinants of plot variability and the mechanisms that account for the emergence of narrative situations, we introduce additional mechanisms for coping with these situations. These comprise situated reasoning and action repair: we most specifically illustrate the latter through a detailed example.
Bio-inspired rigid-soft coexisting robotic fish

Soft active materials have been widely studied due to their unique attributes of high compliance, various functions and multi physics coupling effects. As a typical soft active material, dielectric elastomer (DE) is promising in various applications, possessing the advantages of large voltage-induced actuation, fast response, lightweight, low cost and high biocompatibility. Utilizing the good performance of large actuation and high compliance, dielectric elastomer is an idea material to drive bio-inspired robot as the artificial muscle. This paper has designed a Manta Ray inspired robotic fish. Utilizing the large actuation of DE membrane, the robot achieves the coupling propulsion of flapping and undulatory motions. The electronics of power and control have been co-fabricated in the body of the robot. The robot achieves good mobility and high environmental adaptability based on its fully soft and transparent structure. The experimental results and design principle of this paper may guide the future design and application of “soft-rigid” co-existed robots and bio-inspired robots.
A novel TCD grading system for residual flow in stroke patients.

To the Editor: We read with great interest the article of Demchuk and colleagues1 regarding the clinical significance of transcranial Doppler flow grades for stroke patients. However, there appeared to be a few discrepancies in the manuscript that require clarification. In the first paragraph of the Results section on page 91, the authors indicate that data from 94 patients were analyzed. However, in the summary table, the total patient number is 92. The authors should clarify why 2 patients …
Using quantum chemistry muscle to flex massive systems: How to respond to something perturbing

The analytic gradient for the Coulomb, polarization, exchange-repulsion, and dispersion terms of the fully integrated effective fragment molecular orbital (EFMO) method is derived and the implementation is discussed. The derivation of the EFMO analytic gradient is more complicated than that for the effective fragment potential (EFP) gradient, because the geometry of each EFP fragment is flexible (not rigid) in the EFMO approach. The accuracy of the gradient is demonstrated by comparing the EFMO analytic gradient with the numeric gradient for several systems, and by assessing the energy conservation during an EFMO NVE ensemble molecular dynamics simulation of water molecules. In addition to facilitating accurate EFMO geometry optimizations, this allows calculations with flexible EFP fragments to be performed. Introduction Many interesting chemical systems involve large molecules (such as proteinligand complexes and enzyme catalysis) or many molecules (such as chemical reactions in solution). However, it is computationally expensive to perform ab initio calculations on large systems. Several methods have been developed to make such calculations feasible. These include using parameterized classical force fields to model interactions
Replicating Web applications on-demand

Many Web-based commercial services deliver their content using Web applications that generate pages dynamically based on user profiles, request parameters etc. The workload of these applications are often characterized by a large number of unique requests and a significant fraction of data updates. Hosting these applications drives the need for systems that replicates both the application code and its underlying data. We propose the design of such a system that is based on on-demand replication, where data units are replicated only to servers that access them often. This reduces the consistency overhead as updates are sent to a reduced number of servers. The proposed system allows complete replication transparency to the application, thereby allowing developers to build applications unaware of the underlying data replication. We show that the proposed techniques can reduce the client response time by a factor of 5 in comparison to existing techniques for a real-world e-commerce application used in the TPC-W benchmark. Furthermore, we evaluate our strategies for a wide range of workloads and show that on-demand replication performs better than centralized and fully replicated systems by reducing the average latency of read/write data accesses as well as the amount of bandwidth utilized to maintain data consistency.
Two different methods for appendiceal stump closure: metal clip and Hem-o-lok clip.

INTRODUCTION Closure of the appendiceal stump (CAS) is the most crucial part of appendectomy procedures because most of the complications occur by a leak of the stump. The aim of this retrospective clinical study is to emphasize two different methods (metal clip and Hem-o-lok(®) [Teleflex Medical, Research Triangle Park, NC] clip) for CAS. MATERIALS AND METHODS The cases were divided into two subgroups according to the type of CAS. Subgroups were compared with each other according to age, intraabdominal abscess formation, operation duration, and complication rate. RESULTS No intraoperative complications were seen in either subgroup. There were 22 postoperative complications in the metal clip subgroup (13 intraabdominal abscesses, 9 wound infections) and 8 postoperative complications in the Hem-o-lok clip subgroup (five intraabdominal abscesses, three wound infections). The cost of the closure was $7 for the metal clip group and $50 for the Hem-o-lok clip group. CONCLUSIONS The use of Hem-o-lok clips and metal clip for CAS in laparoscopic appendectomy is a feasible, safe, and cost-effective procedure in patients with a mild to moderately inflamed appendix base of less than 10 mm in diameter.