Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bear: A Framework for Understanding Application Sensitivity to OS (Mis) Behavior

Applications are generally written assuming a predictable and well-behaved OS. In practice, they experience unpredictable misbehavior at the OS level and across OSes: different OSes can handle network events differently, APIs can behave differently across OSes, and OSes may be compromised or buggy. This unpredictability is challenging because its sources typically manifest during deployment and are hard to reproduce. This paper introduces Bear, a framework for statistical analysis of application sensitivity to OS unpredictability that can help developers build more resilient software, discover challenging bugs and identify the scenarios that most need validation. Bear analyzes a program with a set of perturbation strategies on a set of commonly used system calls in order to discover the most sensitive system calls for each application, the most impactful strategies, and how they predict abnormal program outcome. We evaluated Bear with 113 CPU and IO-bound programs, and our results show that null memory dereferencing and erroneous buffer operations are the most impactful strategies for predicting abnormal program execution and that their impacts increase ten-fold with workload increase (e.g. number of network requests from 10 to 1000). Generic system calls are more sensitive than specialized system calls-for example, write and sendto can both be used to send data through a socket, but the sensitivity of write is twice that of sendto. System calls with an array parameter (e.g. read) are more sensitive to perturbations than those having a struct parameter with a buffer (e.g readv). Moreover, the fewer parameters a system call has, the more sensitive it is.
Analysis of Solar Energy Generation Capacity Using Hesitant Fuzzy Cognitive Maps

Solar energy is an important and reliable source of energy. Better understanding the concepts and relationships of the factors that affect solar energy generation capacity can enhance the usage of solar energy. This understanding can lead investors and governors in their solar power investments. However, solar power generation process is complicated, and the relations among the factors are vague and hesitant. In this paper, a hesitant fuzzy cognitive map for solar energy generation is developed and used for modeling and analyzing the ambiguous relations. The concepts and the relationships among them are defined by using experts’ opinions. Different scenarios are formed and evaluated with the proposed model.
Hybrid physics-based elastic image registration using approximating splines

We introduce a new hybrid physics-based approach for elastic image registration using approximating splines. As underlying deformation model we employ Gaussian elastic body splines (GEBS), which are an analytic solution of the Navier equation under Gaussian forces and are represented by matrix-valued basis functions. Our approach is formulated as an energy-minimizing functional that incorporates both landmark and intensity information as well as a regularization based on GEBS. We also include landmark localization uncertainties represented by weight matrices. Since the approach is based on a physical deformation model, cross-effects in elastic deformations can be handled. We demonstrate the applicability of our scheme based on MR images of the human brain. It turns out that the new scheme is superior to a pure landmark-based as well as a pure intensity-based scheme.
Theoretical and practical limits of dynamic voltage scaling

Dynamic voltage scaling (DVS) is a popular approach for energy reduction of integrated circuits. Current processors that use DVS typically have an operating voltage range from full to half of the maximum Vdd. However, it is possible to construct designs that operate over a much larger voltage range: from full Vdd to subthreshold voltages. This possibility raises the question of whether a larger voltage range improves the energy efficiency of DVS. First, from a theoretical point of view, we show that for subthreshold supply voltages leakage energy becomes dominant, making "just in time completion" energy inefficient. We derive an analytical model for the minimum energy optimal voltage and study its trends with technology scaling. Second, we use the proposed model to study the workload activity of an actual processor and analyze the energy efficiency as a function of the lower limit of voltage scaling. Based on this study, we show that extending the voltage range below 1/2 Vdd will improve the energy efficiency for most processor designs, while extending this range to subthreshold operation is beneficial only for very specific applications. Finally, we show that operation deep in the subthreshold voltage range is never energy-efficient.
A saturation based interpolation method for fuzzy systems

Abstract This paper presents an alternative inference-defuzzification algorithm for Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy systems that preserves local-model interpretation and convexity properties. The linear model in the rule consequent is saturated outside the core set of the antecedent membership functions. This allows the interpretation of the consequents of fuzzy rules as a local linearization of the model restricted to the subset where it is valid. The setting has readability advantages over Takagi-Sugeno frameworks, and it is simpler that other interpolation proposals. Some examples illustrate the approach.
Multi-dimensional analysis of HRTF using tensor singular value decomposition

Researches on virtual three-dimensional sound have been implemented actively to boost a sense of reality to the listener for various multimedia contents. Head-related transfer function (HRTF), an acoustic transfer function between pressure of sound source and listener's ear drum, plays an important role in virtual sound technology. HRTFs of a random subject should be measured with different angles and distances of sound sources to produce virtual sound at any desired position for the listener. However, it is hard to measure all points of three-dimensional sound sources, so many HRTF personalization or customization techniques based on HRTF database have been developed. Previous researches mainly focused on median or horizontal plane only which is two dimensional analysis. In this paper, we analyze HRTF in multi-dimensional point of view using tensor singular value decomposition method because this method can handle many dimensions. Time (or frequency), azimuth, elevation, and subject dimension were adopted as control ling axes. CIPIC database was used and analyzed results were compared with ordinary analyzing method such as principal component analysis.
Outcomes of Depression International Network (ODIN)

Background ODIN aims (a) to provide data on the prevalence, risk factors and outcome of depressive disorders in rural and urban settings within the European Union (EU) based on an epidemiological sampling frame; and (b) to assess the impact of two psychological interventions on the outcome of depression and on service utilisation and costs. Method Five centres across the EU are participating in ODIN. The centres are linked electronically and members meet regularly for training and strategic reviews. Urban and rural areas have been identified in each centre. The sampling frame is of adults aged 18–64, identified via primary care databases or electoral registers. Potential cases of depressive disorders are identified using the Beck Depression Inventory. SCAN II and other validated measures are used to assign caseness against DSM–IV and ICD–10 criteria; assess comorbidity, disability, genetic/familial susceptibility, psychosocial stressors, personality traits and cognitive factors; and utilisation of local health care services. A randomised controlled trial of individual problem-solving treatment and a group educational programme is undertaken for respondents identified as cases of depressive disorder. Individuals are followed-up at six and 12 months. Results and Conclusions ODIN has already stimulated the development of an effective international research partnership.
User performance analysis of different image-based navigation systems for needle placement procedures

We present a user performance analysis of four navigation systems based on different visualization schemes (2D, 3D, stereoscopy on a monitor, and a stereo head mounted display (HMD)). We developed a well-defined user workflow, which starts with the selection of a safe and efficient needle path, followed by the placement, insertion and removal of the needle. We performed the needle procedure on a foam-based phantom, targeting a virtual lesion while avoiding virtual critical structures. The phantom and needle’s position and orientation were optically tracked in real-time. 28 users performed each a total of 20 needle placements, on five phantom configurations using the four visualization schemes. Based on digital measurements, and on qualitative user surveys, we computed the following parameters: accuracy and duration of the procedure, user progress, efficiency, confidence, and judgment. The results show that all systems are about equivalent when it comes to reaching the center of the target. However the HMD- and 2D- based systems performed better in avoiding the surrounding structures. The needle procedures were performed in a shorter amount of time using the HMD- and 3D- based systems. With appropriate user training, procedure time for the 2D- based system decreased significantly.
ChIP‐exo Method for Identifying Genomic Location of DNA‐Binding Proteins with Near‐Single‐Nucleotide Accuracy

This unit describes the ChIP‐exo methodology, which combines chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) with lambda exonuclease digestion followed by high‐throughput sequencing. ChIP‐exo allows identification of a nearly complete set of the binding locations of DNA‐binding proteins at near‐single‐nucleotide resolution with almost no background. The process is initiated by cross‐linking DNA and associated proteins. Chromatin is then isolated from nuclei and subjected to sonication. Subsequently, an antibody against the desired protein is used to immunoprecipitate specific DNA‐protein complexes. ChIP DNA is purified, sequencing adaptors are ligated, and the adaptor‐ligated DNA is then digested by lambda exonuclease, generating 25‐ to 50‐nucleotide fragments for high‐throughput sequencing. The sequences of the fragments are mapped back to the reference genome to determine the binding locations. The 5′ ends of DNA fragments on the forward and reverse strands indicate the left and right boundaries of the DNA‐protein binding regions, respectively. Curr. Protoc. Mol. Biol. 100:21.24. 1‐21.24. 14. © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Weakly Supervised Learning for Target Detection in Remote Sensing Images

In this letter, we develop a novel framework of leveraging weakly supervised learning techniques to efficiently detect targets from remote sensing images, which enables us to reduce the tedious manual annotation for collecting training data while maintaining the detection accuracy to large extent. The proposed framework consists of a weakly supervised training procedure to yield the detectors and an effective scheme to detect targets from testing images. Comprehensive evaluations on three benchmarks which have different spatial resolutions and contain different types of targets as well as the comparisons with traditional supervised learning schemes demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed framework.
APTAMER-FUNTIONALIZED MICROTUBUE FOR CONTINEOUS AND 1 SELECTIVE CAPTURING AND FILTERING USING A NANOPOROUS 2 HYDROGEL MEMBRANE 3

HYDROGEL MEMBRANE 3 Minseok Kim and Taesung Kim 4 Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Republic of Korea 5 6 ABSTRACT 7 We present a novel biomolecule sensing mechanism that allows sensitive detection and selective extraction of a target 8 biomolecule by utilizing microtubules as molecular carriers and a nanoporous hydrogel membrane (NHM) as a size-based 9 filter on a microfluidic chip. The aptamer-functionalized microtubules (AFMT) that selectively capture target analytes are 10 continuously delivered by electrophoresis (EP) and then the NHM sieves the targets from complex analytes. Most non11 target biomolecules penetrate through the NHM owing to the smaller characteristic length than the nanopores in an NHM 12 (approximately 100 nm). Therefore, the microfluidic platform enables the continuous accumulation and selective 13 separation in a simultaneous manner at a run. 14 15
Estimating Population Distribution with Landsat Imagery and Volunteered Geographic Information

Knowing where people live is crucial to provide timely and effective relief in humanitarian crises. To date, the population distribution in vulnerable parts of the developing world is insufficiently mapped, particularly in low population density areas. Based on work in the Missing Maps project, we propose a method to obtain cheap estimates of the population that combines automated processing of satellite imagery and a crowdsourced, manual classification collected through the MapSwipe app. The method produces granular estimates of rural population and is illustrated on a case study in a vulnerable border region in Sierra Leone.
Theoretical optimization of GaInP/GaAs dual‐junction solar cell: Toward a 36% efficiency at 1000 suns

A theoretical conversion efficiency of 36.4% at 1000 suns concentration has been determined by means of realistic models and an improved optimization routine. The starting point device was the recent world‐record monolithic GaInP/GaAs dual‐junction solar cell that was grown lattice matched on a GaAs substrate by MOVPE, which has an efficiency of 32.6% at 1000 suns. Using previously calibrated models developed at our institution, IES‐UPM, together with Silvaco ATLAS TCAD software, we reproduced the characteristics of the world‐record solar cell, and then determined a cell configuration that would yield greater efficiency by using an optimization routine to hone the doping concentration and the thickness of each layer.
Design of distributed space time trellis codes with DF relaying in slow Rayleigh fading channels

In this paper, a design criterion for distributed space time trellis codes (DSTTCs) with decode-and-forward (DF) relaying in slow Rayleigh fading channels for the case of one relay is derived. The results show that the DF relay-based DSTTCs derived by the new criterion provide a performance gain over the single relay case of conventional space time trellis codes (STTCs).
Efficacy of the Circle of Security Intervention: A Meta-Analysis

ABSTRACT The Circle of Security (COS) intervention aims to teach caregivers to become more responsive to their children’s needs. The present study is a meta-analysis that examined the efficacy of the COS intervention in relation to child attachment patterns, quality of caregiving, caregiver self-efficacy, and caregiver depression. Studies were eligible if they carried out a version of the COS intervention and provided quantitative data amenable to meta-analysis. A total of 10 studies were determined eligible for this meta-analysis. A random effects model was used and Hedge’s g was calculated for the overall effect sizes. Results indicated a medium effect size for the efficacy of the intervention for child attachment security (g = 0.65, p = .003, k = 4), quality of caregiving (g = 0.60, p = .012, k = 4) and reduction of caregiver depression (g = 0.53, p < .001, k = 3). There was a significant large effect for improved caregiver self-efficacy (g = 0.98, p < .001, k = 2). Results suggest that while the efficacy of the COS intervention demonstrates promising results, more research is needed.
Scheduling Page Table Walks for Irregular GPU Applications

Recent studies on commercial hardware demonstrated that irregular GPU applications can bottleneck on virtual-to-physical address translations. In this work, we explore ways to reduce address translation overheads for such applications. We discover that the order of servicing GPU's address translation requests (specifically, page table walks) plays a key role in determining the amount of translation overhead experienced by an application. We find that different SIMD instructions executed by an application require vastly different amounts of work to service their address translation needs, primarily depending upon the number of distinct pages they access. We show that better forward progress is achieved by prioritizing translation requests from the instructions that require less work to service their address translation needs. Further, in the GPU's Single-Instruction-Multiple-Thread (SIMT) execution paradigm, all threads that execute in lockstep (wavefront) need to finish operating on their respective data elements (and thus, finish their address translations) before the execution moves ahead. Thus, batching walk requests originating from the same SIMD instruction could reduce unnecessary stalls. We demonstrate that the reordering of translation requests based on the above principles improves the performance of several irregular GPU applications by 30% on average.
Improved Computer-Generated Crowd Simulation Using Motion Capture Data

Improved Computer-Generated Crowd Simulation Using Motion Capture Data Seth A. Brunner Department of Computer Science, BYU Master of Science Ever since the first use of crowds in films and videogames there has been an interest in larger, more efficient and more realistic simulations of crowds. Most crowd simulation algorithms are able to satisfy the viewer from a distance but when inspected from close up the flaws in the individual agent’s movements become noticeable. One of the bigger challenges faced in crowd simulation is finding a solution that models the actual movement of an individual in a crowd. This paper simulates a more realistic crowd by using individual motion capture data as well as traditional crowd control techniques to reach an agent’s desired goal. By augmenting traditional crowd control algorithms with the use of motion capture data for individual agents, we can simulate crowds that mimic more realistic crowd motion, while maintaining real-time simulation speed.
Competition for DNA Binding Sites between the Short and Long Forms of E2 Dimers Underlies Repression in Bovine Papillomavirus Type 1 DNA Replication Control

ABSTRACT Papillomaviruses establish a long-term latency in vivo by maintaining their genomes as nuclear plasmids in proliferating cells. Bovine papillomavirus type 1 encodes two proteins required for viral DNA replication: the helicase E1 and the positive regulator E2. The homodimeric E2 is known to cooperatively bind to DNA with E1 to form a preinitiation complex at the origin of DNA replication. The virus also codes for two short forms of E2 that can repress viral functions when overexpressed, and at least one copy of the repressor is required for stable plasmid maintenance in transformed cells. Employing a tetracycline-regulated system to control E1 and E2 production from integrated loci, we show that the short form of E2 negatively regulates DNA replication. We also found that the short form could repress replication in a cell-free replication system and that the repression requires the DNA binding domain of the protein. In contrast, heterodimers of the short and long forms were activators and, by footprint analysis, were shown to be as potent as homodimeric E2 in loading E1 to its cognate site. DNA binding studies show that when E1 levels are low and are dependent upon E2 for occupancy of the origin site, the repressor can block E1-DNA interactions. We conclude that DNA replication modulation results from competition between the different forms of E2 for DNA binding. Given that heterodimers are active and that the repressor form of E2 shows little cooperativity with E1 for DNA binding, this protein is a weak repressor.
Integral approach for modelling offshore bubble curtains

The construction of offshore wind turbine foundations in the North Sea with an impulsive hammer is related to high noise emission. For the protection of the maritime environment, the German government constituted limits of 160 dB in 750 m distance to the pile. To meet the regulations noise mitigation systems are used, especially the bubble curtain. Besides the intensive utilization of the bubble curtain, the main effect of the noise reduction has not been understood. A model of the bubble curtain has been developed which takes the local variation of the physical properties and the impact of the upper soil layers into account. Comparisons with offshore measurements are presented.
Phenology and temperature‐dependent development of Ceutorhynchus assimilis, a potential biological control agent for Lepidium draba

Lepidium draba (Brassicaceae) is a major concern for agriculture and biodiversity in the western United States. As current control methods do not provide long‐term, sustainable solutions, research has been conducted to find biological control agents. Ceutorhynchus assimilis is one of the currently investigated candidates. Known as oligophagous in the literature, a specialist clade of this root‐galling weevil exists in southern Europe. This raised the question of its ability to survive in colder climates in the target range. We investigated the phenology of C. assimilis in the field in southern France (specialist clade) and Romania (generalist clade) and measured various temperature‐dependent parameters in the laboratory. In both ranges, weevils were univoltine. Oviposition in autumn started later in France compared to Romania, while mature larvae exited galls (to pupate in the soil) earlier the following year. On average, 25% and 32% of galls from France and Romania were completely below the soil surface, respectively, and this appeared to depend on soil substrate. Weevils transported from France to Romania were able to develop, but at a much lower rate than Romanian weevils. Mortality of overwintering larvae of both clades increased with decreasing temperature and exposure time. At −5°C, lethal times Lt50 and Lt95 were 15 and 42 days for the specialist clade and 26 and 72 days for the generalist clade. A higher proportion of third instar larvae compared to first and second instar larvae survived. Pupation time at different temperatures did not differ between weevils from France or Romania. A climate match model (comparing winter temperatures) indicated that the specialist clade of C. assimilis from France has the potential to establish in some parts of the target range (e.g. Washington, Oregon, California). However, temperature extremes and winters without snow cover will likely limit its establishment unless rapid adaptive evolution takes place.
Catching Events in the Twitter Stream: A Showcase of Student Projects

A group of bachelor students in information science at the University of Groningen applied off-the-shelf tools to the detection of events on Twitter, focusing on Dutch. Systems were built in four socially relevant areas: sports, emergencies, local life, and news. We show that (i) real time event detection is a feasible and suitable way for students to learn and employ data mining and analysis techniques, while building end-to-end potentially useful applications; and (ii) even just using off-the-shelf resources for such applications can yield very