Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design of a Multicore Sparse Cholesky Factorization Using DAGs

The rapid emergence of multicore machines has led to the need to design new algorithms that are efficient on these architectures. Here, we consider the solution of sparse symmetric positive-definite linear systems by Cholesky factorization. We were motivated by the successful division of the computation in the dense case into tasks on blocks and use of a task manager to exploit all the parallelism that is available between these tasks, whose dependencies may be represented by a directed acyclic graph (DAG). Our sparse algorithm is built on the assembly tree and subdivides the work at each node into tasks on blocks of the Cholesky factor. The dependencies between these tasks may again be represented by a DAG. To limit memory requirements, blocks are updated directly rather than through generated-element matrices. Our algorithm is implemented within a new efficient and portable solver HSL_MA87. It is written in Fortran 95 plus OpenMP and is available as part of the software library HSL. Using problems arising from a range of applications, we present experimental results that support our design choices and demonstrate that HSL_MA87 obtains good serial and parallel times on our 8-core test machines. Comparisons are made with existing modern solvers and show that HSL_MA87 performs well, particularly in the case of very large problems.
Bullying in the Same-Sex Friendships of Young Adolescent Girls: A Qualitative Study

This qualitative, narrative study explored the bullying experiences of young adolescent girls within their same-sex dyadic and group friendships. The participants were 5 female students, ages 11 and 12 years old, from 1 private, religious school in . southern Ontario. Each girl participated in an audiotaped, 30-minute, personal interview based on an unstructured interview protocol. Interview transcripts were analyzed for bullying behaviors using Marini and Dane's (2008) subtypes of bullying, including the form, function, and involvement in bullying. Interview transcripts were also analyzed for common and emerging themes using aspects ofL. M. , Brown and Gilligan's (1992) "Listener's Guide. " The findings ofthis study suggested that within their same-sex friendships girls assume the roles of all participants in bullying, including bullies, victims, bystanders, and bully-victims. The findings also suggested that bullying behaviors within young adolescent girls' same-sex friendships are mainly indirect in their mode of attack and that they ~e both proactive and reactive. The' bully behaviors identified in this study were used to inform the major themes or salient features within the dynamics of girls' same-sex friendships also identified: These themes included acceptance, intimacy, negotiation, inclusion/exclusion, moral character judgements, and power. The findings of this study will be used to inform current theory, personal and professional practice, as well as future research.
Development of meloxicam in situ implant formulation by quality by design principle

Abstract Objective: The focus of this study was to develop and optimize in situ implant formulation of meloxicam by quality by design (QbD) principle for long-term management of musculoskeletal inflammatory disorders. Methods: The formulation was optimized by Box–Behnken design with polylactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) level (X1), N-methyl pyrrolidone level (X2) and PLGA intrinsic viscosity (X3) as the independent variables and initial burst release of drug (Y1), cumulative release (Y2), and dissolution efficiency (Y3) as the dependent variables. The formulation was physicochemically characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). Pharmacokinetic studies of the optimized formulation were performed on Sprague--Dawley rats. Results: Y1 was significantly affected by X2 and X3. Y2 was affected by X1 and X3 while Y3 was affected by all three independent variables employed in the formulations. Responses for the optimized formulation were in close agreement with the values predicted by the model. SEM photomicrographs indicated uniform gel formulation. No chemical interaction between the components of formulation was observed by FT-IR and meloxicam was found to be present in the amorphous form in the gel matrix as revealed by PXRD. The maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), time to achieve Cmax and area under plasma concentration curve were significantly different from those of the solution formulation used as the control. Plasma concentration of meloxicam was maintained above its IC50 concentration required for COX-2 inhibition for 23 days. Conclusion: Meloxicam in situ implant may provide long-term management of inflammatory conditions with improved patient compliance and better therapeutic index.
AppBooster: Boosting the Performance of Interactive Mobile Applications with Computation Offloading and Parameter Tuning

Interactive mobile applications attract lots of attentions recently. They utilize complex algorithms (e.g., machine learning) to provide advanced functions (e.g., object recognition), thus lead to long response time while running on mobile devices. To reduce the response time, researchers propose offloading some compute-intensive parts of mobile applications onto cloud. Existing works aim to optimize general performance (e.g., response time), but ignore the enhancement of application quality (e.g., recognition accuracy), which is also critical to user experience. In this paper, we develop AppBooster, a mobile cloud platform which boosts both general performance and application quality for interactive mobile applications. AppBooster jointly leverages the quality adaptation, computation offloading and parallel speedup to boost the comprehensive performance, which is defined by developers based on the metrics of application quality and general performance. Through combining history-based platform-learned knowledge, developer-provided information and the platform-monitored environment conditions (e.g., workload, network), AppBooster manages applications with optimal computation partitioning scheme and tunable parameter setting thus obtain high comprehensive performance. We evaluate AppBooster with an object recognition application in various network conditions and show AppBooster can significantly boost application performance and obtain 1.3 to 3.5 times better performance than existing strategies.
Infinite-dimensional integration on weighted Hilbert spaces

We study the numerical integration problem for functions with infinitely many variables. The functions we want to integrate are from a reproducing kernel Hilbert space which is endowed with a weighted norm. We study the worst case e-complexity which is defined as the minimal cost among all algorithms whose worst case error over the Hilbert space unit ball is at most e. Here we assume that the cost of evaluating a function depends polynomially on the number of active variables. The infinite-dimensional integration problem is (polynomially) tractable if the e-complexity is bounded by a constant times a power of 1/e. The smallest such power is called the exponent of tractability. First we study finite-order weights. We provide improved lower bounds for the exponent of tractability for general finite-order weights and improved upper bounds for three newly defined classes of finite-order weights. The constructive upper bounds are obtained by multilevel algorithms that use for each level quasiMonte Carlo integration points whose projections onto specific sets of coordinates exhibit a small discrepancy. The newly defined finite-intersection weights model the situation where each group of variables interacts with at most ρ other groups of variables, where ρ is some fixed number. For these weights we obtain a sharp upper bound. This is the first class of weights for which the exact exponent of tractability is known for any possible decay of the weights and for any polynomial degree of the cost function. For the other two classes of finite-order weights our upper bounds are sharp if, e.g., the decay of the weights is fast or slow enough. We extend our analysis to the case of arbitrary weights. In particular, from our results for finite-order weights, we conclude a lower bound on the exponent of tractability for arbitrary weights and a constructive upper bound for product weights.
2-Amino-3-(hydroxymethyl)pyridinium 2-benzoylbenzoate monohydrate

In the title hydrated salt, C6H9N2O+·C14H9O3 −·H2O, the dihedral angle between the benzene rings of the 2-benzoylbenzoate anion is 82.04 (14)°, while the angles between the aromatic ring of the pyridinium cation and each of the benzene rings of the anion are 4.42 (14) and 82.04 (14)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked by N—H⋯O and O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, generating a three-dimensional network with R 2 2(8), R 6 6(16) and R 4 4(6) motifs. The crystal packing is further stabilized by two π–π interactions, one between pyridinium rings, and another between the benzene benzoate and pyridinium rings of neighbouring molecules, with centroid-to-centroid distances of 3.559 (2) and 3.606 (2) Å, respectively.
Internal control in PCR for Mycobacterium tuberculosis: usefulness and improvement of the diagnosis

ABSTRACT The aim of this work was to construct and test a plasmidial Internal Control (IC) to detect the inhibition in the PCR test for M. tuberculosis and also its contribution for a Public Health Laboratory routine. The IC was a 600-bp of DNA linked to a plasmid with the same primer sites, allowing the amplification with the 245-bp diagnostic fragment. The amplification of the positive samples rendered the IC and the diagnostic fragment; instead negative samples only showed the IC. A total of 149 tuberculosis samples were studied and introduced the IC to monitor. Results showed 3.3% of the samples without amplification of the IC, suggesting the inhibition. These samples showed results in accordance with the clinical results. The objective of the IC was to identify the false negative results. Key words: Polymerase Chain Reaction, tuberculosis, internal control, nucleic acid amplification, uracyl DNA glycosilase * Author for corres po ndence INTRODUCTION The need of the sensitivity, high speed and the hope of shortening the time for the detection and identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis prompted several investigators to develop the molecular assays for the diagnosis of the tuberculosis (TB) (Eisenach et al., 1990; Noordhoek et al., 1994; Folgueira et al., 1996; Jatana et al., 2000; Portillo-Gomez et al., 2000; Patnaik et al., 2001; Singh and Seth, 2002). Although the commercial kits, based on the PCR (Beavis et al., 1995; Kunakorn et al., 1999) or other nucleic acid amplification (NAA) detection are now available, their use has been limited mainly to the developed countries, because of high costs and lack of the laboratory infrastructure to perform them. Despite its high sensitivity, the PCR presents some problems in the amplification procedure, mainly due to inhibitors that could give mostly false negative results. The presence of such substances seems to be abundant in the clinical specimens, especially in the pleural fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, peripheral blood and sputum, which often require prompt diagnosis in the public health laboratories (Brisson-Noel et al., 1989; Victor et al., 1992; Kolk et al., 1994; Wilson, 1997). Several methods have been adopted in order to monitor the presence of such inhibitors in the PCR
Reality Filtering: A Visual Time Machine in Augmented Reality

We present Reality Filtering, an application that makes it possible to visualize original content like drawings or paintings of buildings and frescos seamlessly superimposed on reality by using filtered augmented reality. This enables simple and inexpensive applications in the cultural heritage and architecture area. The main idea is that the video stream showing the reality is filtered on the fly to acquire the same presentation style as the virtual objects. This allows for a better integration of original historic content and creates the impression of a virtual time journey. The registration of the virtual objects in the video images is provided by a robust 6DOF tracking framework based on two technologies that work in tandem: an initialization step based on Randomized Trees and a frame-to-frame tracking phase based on KLT. For the initialization, we present the novel concept of temporally distributed computational load (TDCL), which is able to automatically detect and register multiple objects while maintaining a constant video frame rate of 20 frames / sec. For mid- to long-range augmentation a pure 2- dimensional tracking with 3DOF is applicable and leads to significant performance gain. The entire application runs in real time on Ultra Mobile PCs.
Female hormones affect symptom severity in obsessive–compulsive disorder

There is circumstantial evidence that reproductive events can influence symptom severity of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). We sent self-report questionnaires to 350 female outpatients with OCD to examine the relationship between the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, menopause, hormonal contraceptives, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and symptom severity of OCD. Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale scores were used at three serial time points during the menstrual cycle to assess symptom severity. One hundred and one out of 350 questionnaires (29%) were returned and completed. Forty-nine patients reported an exacerbation of OCD symptoms during the premenstrual period, nine during the menopause and 17 patients during pregnancy, whereas 11 patients mentioned improvement of OCD symptoms during pregnancy. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder could only partly explain a premenstrual exacerbation of OCD symptoms. Exacerbation of OCD could be related to reproductive events in a considerable number of patients, especially the premenstruum. Because reproductive cycle events influence the symptom severity of OCD, the menstrual cycle should be taken into account when assessing the severity of OCD symptoms during pharmacological studies.
The Meaning of Failed Replications: A Review and Proposal

Economists are increasingly using publicly shared data and code to check each other’s work, an exercise often called ‘replication’ testing. But this much-needed trend has not been accompanied by a consensus about what ‘replication’ means. If a follow-up study does not ‘replicate’ an original result, according to current usage of the term, this can mean anything from an unremarkable disagreement over methods to scientific incompetence or misconduct. This paper proposes an unambiguous definition of replication. Many social scientists already use the term in the way suggested here, but many more do not. The paper contrasts this definition with decades of unsuccessful attempts to standardize terminology, and argues that many prominent results described as replication tests should not be described as such. It argues that professional associations should formally adopt this definition, thereby improving incentives for researchers to conduct more and better replication tests.
Field Prototype of the ENEA Neutron Active Interrogation Device for the Detection of Dirty Bombs

The Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy, and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) Neutron Active Interrogation (NAI) device is a tool designed to improve CBRNE defense. It is designed to uncover radioactive and nuclear threats including those in the form of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), the so-called “dirty bombs”. The NAI device, at its current development stage, allows to detect 6 g of 235 U hidden in a package. It is easily transportable, light in weight, and with a real-time response. Its working principle is based on two stages: (1) an “active” stage in which neutrons are emitted by a neutron generator to interact with the item under inspection, and (2) a “passive” stage in which secondary neutrons are detected originating a signal that, once processed, allows recognition of the offence. In particular, a clear indication of the potential threat is obtained by a dedicated software based on the Differential Die-Away Time Analysis method.
On finding large empty convex bodies in 3 D scenes of polygonal models

This paper presents a method for finding large empty convex bodies within a 3D scene of polygonal models. The convex bodies we pack are discrete orientation polytopes (k-dops) with a small number of facets. The algorithm searches for a large empty k-dop within the scene, using a combination of random sampling and physical simulation, allowing the body to grow and interact (via rotation, translation, and scaling) with the environment when collisions are detected. We pack multiple empty k-dops in a 3D scene using a greedy incremental approach, attempting to maximize the volume of each new body found. We demonstrate the practicality of our method experimentally, showing that it is fast and that it does an effective job of packing on a variety of models.
Dependency-based Reordering Model for Constituent Pairs in Hierarchical SMT

We propose a novel dependency-based reordering model for hierarchical SMT that predicts the translation order of two types of pairs of constituents of the source tree: head-dependent and dependent-dependent. Our model uses the dependency structure of the source sentence to capture the mediumand long-distance reorderings between these pairs of constituents. We describe our reordering model in detail and then apply it to a language pair in which the languages involved follow different word order patterns, English (SVO) and Farsi (free word order being SOV the most frequent pattern). Our model outperforms a baseline (standard hierarchical SMT) by 0.78 BLEU points absolute, statistically significant at p = 0.01.
Effects of pipeline complexity on SMT/CMP power-performance efficiency

We consider processor core complexity and its implications for the power-performance efficiency of SMT and CMP architectures, exploring fundamental trade-offs between the efficiency of multi-core architectures and the complexity of their cores from a power-performance perspective. Taking pipeline depth and width as proxies for core complexity, we conduct power-performance simulations of several SMT and CMP architectures employing cores of varying complexity. Our analyses identify efficient pipeline dimensions and outline the implications of using a powerperformance efficiency metric for core complexity. Collectively, our results suggest SMT architectures enable efficient increases in pipeline dimensions and core complexity. Furthermore, reducing pipeline dimensions in CMP cores is inefficient, assuming ideal power-performance scaling from voltage/frequency scaling and circuit re-tuning. Given these conclusions, we formulate guidelines for complexity effective design.
IL-6-accelerated calcification by induction of ROR2 in human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells is STAT3 dependent.

OBJECTIVE The mechanisms of ectopic calcification in inflammatory diseases are poorly understood. We investigated the effects of inflammatory cytokines on the mechanisms of calcification in human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSCs). METHODS The effects of inflammatory cytokines were evaluated using hADSCs cultured in osteoblast induction medium. mRNA expression was measured by real-time PCR and protein levels were measured by western blotting. Cell mineralization was evaluated by Alizarin Red S staining. RESULTS In hADSCs, administration of IL-6/soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R), TNF or IL-1β accelerated calcification through enhanced expression of an osteoblast differentiation marker, runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2). IL-6/sIL-6R had the greatest effect. The transcription of mRNA for receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 2 (ROR2), involved in the non-canonical wingless-type (WNT) MMTV integration site pathway, was increased, while β-catenin expression, an essential factor in the canonical WNT signalling pathway for osteoblast differentiation, did not change. Suppression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), but not STAT1, by small interfering RNA (siRNA) exerted a strong inhibitory effect on RUNX2 and ROR2 expression, and inhibited accelerated calcification. CONCLUSION IL-6/sIL-6R stimulation accelerated the ROR2/WNT5A pathway in hADSCs in a STAT3-dependent manner, resulting in augmented calcification. These results suggest that the mechanisms of ectopic calcification accelerated by IL-6 in hADSCs may be involved in chronic inflammatory tissues and that IL-6 inhibitors may be beneficial in the treatment of ectopic calcification in inflammatory diseases.
Enumerative Encoding with Non-Uniform Modulation Constraints

A reverse concatenation scheme based on an efficient modulation encoder satisfying non-uniform constraints, a systematic Reed-Solomon encoder and a partial symbol interleaver is presented. This architecture achieves very tight modulation constraints and minimizes error propagation and rate loss. The modulation constraints considered are of the same type as the constraints that have been used in generalized partial-response maximum-likelihood (PRML) detection systems. A class of codes that is based on serial concatenation of a prefix-constrained code and two interleaved enumerative codes with non-uniform constraints is proposed. Specific rate-199/200 PRML(G, I) codes are constructed.
Jealousy and Partner's Perceived Motives for Attraction to a Rival

Partners in 150 romantic couples (predominantly white college students) rated the importance to partner of four motives that might lead to partner's romantic involvement with a third person. The strength of motives (Sexual Variety, Rival Attractions, Dissatisfaction, Commitment) perceived in partner varied as a function of gender and relative involvement in the relationship. For both sexes, perception of dissatisfaction and sexual variety as motives predicted to indicators of romantic jealousy, while perception of rival's attractions as a motive predicted to female jealousy. The perception of partner's greater desire for commitment as a motive was not related to jealousy. The data are discussed in relation to sex roles and the types of threats that trigger romantic jealousy.
The role of reasoning for RDF validation

For data practitioners embracing the world of RDF and Linked Data, the openness and flexibility is a mixed blessing. For them, data validation according to predefined constraints is a much sought-after feature, particularly as this is taken for granted in the XML world. Based on our work in the DCMI RDF Application Profiles Task Group and in cooperation with the W3C Data Shapes Working Group, we published by today 81 types of constraints that are required by various stakeholders for data applications. These constraint types form the basis to investigate the role that reasoning and different semantics play in practical data validation, why reasoning is beneficial for RDF validation, and how to overcome the major shortcomings when validating RDF data by performing reasoning prior to validation. For each constraint type, we examine (1) if reasoning may improve data quality, (2) how efficient in terms of runtime validation is performed with and without reasoning, and (3) if validation results depend on underlying semantics which differs between reasoning and validation. Using these findings, we determine for the most common constraint languages which constraint types they enable to express and give directions for the further development of constraint languages.