Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New materials for post-Si computing

It is now widely recognized that continued performance gains in electronic computing will require new materials, both in the short and long term. In the short term, the silicon channel in transistors will be replaced by materials with higher mobility that are easier to “scale” (make thinner). In data storage, the goal is to have fast, non-volatile memory with a smaller cell size. In the long term, new architectures and new types of logic devices will be needed in order to further reduce power consumption. New materials cannot only boost performance, but can also add new functionalities, such as on-chip photonics, which can vastly improve interchip interconnects. The need for new materials is a big opportunity for materials research, but also a challenge. Replacement technologies must outperform conventional silicon technology, but also be compatible with the vast infrastructure of silicon manufacturing. Examples of some of the materials advances in the areas of computation, memory, and communication are given in this issue of MRS Bulletin .
Design and optimisation of the photoacoustic cell for nondestructive photoacoustic spectroscopy

This paper describes the design and optimisation of the photoacoustic (PA) cell for nondestructive PA spectroscopy. The results of numerical calculations of the acoustic properties of the PA cell are compared with experimental measurements with respect to the frequency response and the quality factor of the cell. The method of designing and optimising of the PA cell is presented. Advantages and disadvantages of this study are discussed.
Three dimensional multi-cell spheroids assembly using thermoresponsive Gel probe

In this paper, we achieved three dimensional (3D) assemblies of multi-cell spheroids towards 3D in vitro cell structures. The 3D assembly of cells in vitro is one of the important techniques to reveal cell growth, differentiation and hystogenesis. The techniques can be used for applications in tissue engineering, drug screening, and cell characterization. The multi-cell spheroids were used as building blocks for 3D structure, and thermoresponsive gel was used for spheroids assembly. The mouse myoblast cells C2C12 and mouse fibroblast cells NIH 3T3 were cultured in an ultra-low atachment surface flask. The cells were naturally aggregated in the flask and cell spheroids were prepared in self-assembly process. The rat liver cell RLC-18 was also cultured to prepare spheroids. The thermoresponsive Gel probe (GeT probe) we proposed was employed for assembly of the prepared spheroids in 3D. The handled spheroids by GeT probe were cultured inside the thermoresponsive gel and the cell viability was confirmed. The cultured structure was handled by the GeT probe for further assembly. The results validate that the GeT probe can manipulate spheroids with keeping live condition of cells and achieve 3D cell assembly inside the thermoresponsive gel with arbitrary and precise patterning.
Obtaining in-context measurements of cellular network performance

Network service providers, and other parties, require an accurate understanding of the performance cellular networks deliver to users. In particular, they often seek a measure of the network performance users experience solely when they are interacting with their device---a measure we call in-context. Acquiring such measures is challenging due to the many factors, including time and physical context, that influence cellular network performance. This paper makes two contributions. First, we conduct a large scale measurement study, based on data collected from a large cellular provider and from hundreds of controlled experiments, to shed light on the issues underlying in-context measurements. Our novel observations show that measurements must be conducted on devices which (i) recently used the network as a result of user interaction with the device, (ii) remain in the same macro-environment (e.g., indoors and stationary), and in some cases the same micro-environment (e.g., in the user's hand), during the period between normal usage and a subsequent measurement, and (iii) are currently sending/ receiving little or no user-generated traffic. Second, we design and deploy a prototype active measurement service for Android phones based on these key insights. Our analysis of 1650 measurements gathered from 12 volunteer devices shows that the system is able to obtain average throughput measurements that accurately quantify the performance experienced during times of active device and network usage.
An adaptive Predicted Mean Vote (aPMV) model in office

An adaptive Predicted Mean Vote model of thermal comfort based on “Black Box” theory is proposed, which takes into account factors such as culture, indoor climate, social, physiological, psychological and behavioral adaptations, which have an impact on the senses used to detect thermal comfort. By applying the cybernetics concept, the aPMV model shows that the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) is greater than actual thermal comfort in free running buildings, which has been revealed by many researchers in field studies. An adaptive coefficient λ representing the adaptive factors that affect the sense of thermal comfort is proposed. The relation to environmental data and the thermal comfort is analyzed, the empirical coefficients in warm and cold conditions for the Beijing area in China are acquired based on Genetic Algorithm, which can supply theory evidence for building indoor thermal comfort model.
When Does Choice of Accuracy Measure Alter Imputation Accuracy Assessments?

Imputation, the process of inferring genotypes for untyped variants, is used to identify and refine genetic association findings. Inaccuracies in imputed data can distort the observed association between variants and a disease. Many statistics are used to assess accuracy; some compare imputed to genotyped data and others are calculated without reference to true genotypes. Prior work has shown that the Imputation Quality Score (IQS), which is based on Cohen’s kappa statistic and compares imputed genotype probabilities to true genotypes, appropriately adjusts for chance agreement; however, it is not commonly used. To identify differences in accuracy assessment, we compared IQS with concordance rate, squared correlation, and accuracy measures built into imputation programs. Genotypes from the 1000 Genomes reference populations (AFR N = 246 and EUR N = 379) were masked to match the typed single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) coverage of several SNP arrays and were imputed with BEAGLE 3.3. 2 and IMPUTE2 in regions associated with smoking behaviors. Additional masking and imputation was conducted for sequenced subjects from the Collaborative Genetic Study of Nicotine Dependence and the Genetic Study of Nicotine Dependence in African Americans (N = 1,481 African Americans and N = 1,480 European Americans). Our results offer further evidence that concordance rate inflates accuracy estimates, particularly for rare and low frequency variants. For common variants, squared correlation, BEAGLE R2, IMPUTE2 INFO, and IQS produce similar assessments of imputation accuracy. However, for rare and low frequency variants, compared to IQS, the other statistics tend to be more liberal in their assessment of accuracy. IQS is important to consider when evaluating imputation accuracy, particularly for rare and low frequency variants.
Comparison of telavancin and vancomycin lock solutions in eradication of biofilm-producing staphylococci and enterococci from central venous catheters.

PURPOSE Results of a study of the activity of antibiotic lock solutions of vancomycin and telavancin against biofilm-forming strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, and Staphylococcus aureus are reported. METHODS An established in vitro central venous catheter model was used to evaluate lock solutions containing vancomycin (5 mg/mL) or telavancin (5 mg/mL), with and without preservative-containing heparin sodium (with 0.45% benzyl alcohol) 2500 units/mL, heparin, and 0.9% sodium chloride solution. Lock solutions were introduced after 24-hour bacterial growth in catheters incubated at 35 °C. After 72 hours of exposure to the lock solutions, catheters were drained, flushed, and cut into segments for quantification of colony-forming units. RESULTS Against S. epidermidis, vancomycin and telavancin (with or without heparin) had similar activity. Against E. faecalis, vancomycin alone was more active than telavancin alone (p < 0.01). Against S. aureus, vancomycin plus heparin had activity similar to that of vancomycin alone; both lock agents had greater activity than telavancin (p < 0.02). The addition of heparin was associated with reduced activity of the vancomycin lock solution against S. epidermidis and E. faecalis (p < 0.01). Telavancin activity was not significantly changed with the addition of heparin. CONCLUSION In a central venous catheter model, vancomycin and telavancin activity was similar in reducing biofilm-producing S. epidermidis. However, vancomycin was more active than telavancin against E. faecalis and S. aureus. None of the tested agents eradicated biofilm-forming strains. The addition of preservative-containing heparin sodium 2500 units/mL to vancomycin was associated with reduced activity against S. epidermidis and E. faecalis.
Quelques aspects algorithmiques sur les systèmes de fermeture. (Some algoritmic aspects on closure systems)

Nous presentons dans cette these les definitions et notations liees aux systemes de fermeture et montrons leur relation avec les theories de Horn. Nous nous interessons ensuite a trois operations sur les systemes de fermeture : la borne superieure, la borne inferieure et la difference. Nous proposons une caracterisation de ces differentes operations selon la representation des systemes de fermeture que nous considerons. On s'interesse ensuite au probleme de generation d'une base d'implications mixtes d'un contexte formel. Nous etudions ce probleme lorsque la donnee prise en consideration est constitue��e des bases d'implications generiques positives et negatives de ce contexte. Trois resultats majeurs sont presentes : l'apport de proprietes et de regles d'inference pour deduire des implications mixtes, l'impossibilite de generer une base d'implications mixtes juste et complete a partir de ces donnees dans le cas general, et la faisabilite dans le cas ou le contexte est considere reduit
Unifying Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality User Interfaces

This paper presents a unified user interface technology, using 3D interaction techniques, constructive solid geometry, and a glove based menuing system, known as Tinmith-Hand, to support mobile outdoor augmented reality applications and indoor virtual reality applications. Tinmith-Hand uses similar concepts for both domains so that AR and VR applications are consistent to use. The future goal of this user interface is to allow collaboration between outdoor AR and indoor VR systems. We use current AR and VR technology as a foundation for the user interface, and explain several new techniques that we have devised that allow us to develop applications that allow users to construct complex 3D models of objects in both indoor and outdoor settings. We demonstrate our user interface with the capture of a large house at a distance outdoors, and the creation of a simple building with street furniture at arms reach indoors.
Importance sampling Monte Carlo simulations for accurate estimation of SRAM yield

Variability is an important aspect of SRAM cell design. Failure probabilities of Pfailles10-10 have to be estimated through statistical simulations. Accurate statistical techniques such as Importance Sampling Monte Carlo simulations are essential to accurately and efficiently estimate such low failure probabilities. This paper shows that a simple form of Importance Sampling is sufficient for simulating Pfailles10-10 for the SRAM parameters Static Noise Margin, Write Margin and Read Current. For the SNM, a new simple technique is proposed that allows extrapolating the SNM distribution based on a limited number of trials. For SRAM total leakage currents, it suffices to take the averages into account for designing SRAM cells and modules. A guideline is proposed to ensure bitline leakage currents do not compromise SRAM functionality.
Performance Analysis and Architecture Design for Parallel EBCOT Encoder of JPEG2000

The algorithm of embedded block coding with optimization truncation (EBCOT) is one of the key techniques in JPEG2000 standard. The high-speed/performance hardware designs for EBCOT are critical to various high-resolution applications, such as digital cameras, digital video recorders, and HDTV, etc. This paper presents a detailed performance analysis for EBCOT Tier-1 and its bit plane parallel architecture design. By analyzing the bit plane parallel context modeling, we conclude that the difference between the output rate of context modeling module and that of arithmetic coding module degrades the performance of whole EBCOT parallel encoding. We propose two improved methods, referred to as data-pairs ordering (DPO) and flexible MQ (FMQ) coder. It solves the configuration problem between the parallel context modeling module and the sequent arithmetic coding module, takes full advantage of the bit plane parallel encoding technique, and improves the coding speed and efficiency of the EBCOT encoder significantly. The design of parallel EBCOT encoder is tested on the field-programmable gate array (FPGA) platform of Altera Company. The simulation results show that it can on average encode 54 million samples at 55-MHz working frequency. It is equivalent to encoding a 90006000 image per second or encoding 720 p (1280times720, 4:2:2) HDTV picture sequence nearly 30 frames per second. Compared with the conventional bit plane parallel architecture design, the proposed one can reduce execution time by 24%.
Micro-Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication and its Relationship with Running-in

The paper determines the conditions under which sinusoidal asperities with a circumferential lay become elastically deformed by hydrodynamic pressure ripples within an elastohydrodynamic conjunction. The information is presented on a non-dimensional plot and it is found that such micro-elastohydrodynamic lubrication (micro-EHL) occurs at relatively low loads and/or with thin macroelastohydrodynamic films. Consideration is given to the way in which the plot may be extended to deal with real surfaces. Its use is demonstrated by the presentation of the lubrication histories of two scuffing tests, one of which ‘ran-in’ prior to failure. It is shown that the test which ‘ran-in’ operated throughout under micro-EHL conditions; in contrast, the second test, which started at a high load and with a thick EHL film, failed practically as soon as there was nominal contact between the surfaces. It is suggested that micro-EHL is a necessary prerequisite for ‘running-in’ and a mechanism is outlined.
Welfare maximization and the supermodular degree

Given a set of items and a collection of players, each with a nonnegative monotone valuation set function over the items, the welfare maximization problem requires that every item be allocated to exactly one player, and one wishes to maximize the sum of values obtained by the players, as computed by applying the respective valuation function to the bundle of items allocated to the player. This problem in its full generality is NP-hard, and moreover, at least as hard to approximate as set-packing. Better approximation guarantees are known for restricted classes of valuation functions. In this work we introduce a new parameter, the supermodular degree of a valuation function, which is a measure for the extent to which the function exhibits supermodular behavior. We design an approximation algorithm for the welfare maximization problem whose approximation guarantee is linear in the supermodular degree of the underlying valuation functions.
Exact evaluation of memory size for multi-dimensional signal processing systems

Memory cost is typically responsible for up to 80% of the chip and/or board area of most video and image processing system realizations. We present a novel technique - founded on data-flow analysis - which allows us to address the problem of background memory size evolution for a given nonprocedural algorithm specification. Usually, the number of signal instances is huge, so a new data-flow model grouping scalar signals in so-called basic sets is proposed. The method also incorporates a way to trade-off memory size with computational and controller complexity.
Review of Formulations for Processes Affecting the Subsurface Transport of Explosives.

Abstract : Numerous Department of Defense (DOD) installations are tasked with the cleanup of soils and groundwaters contaminated with explosives, propellants, and energetics compounds, as well as a variety of organic solvents, petroleum hydrocarbons, and heavy metals (DOD 1992, Hadala et al. 1993). The focus here is on the migration of explosives in soils, the vadose zone, and aquifers, under varying management and treatment strategies. The soil environment is the one most commonly affected by explosives wastes, primarily because: (1) spill sites and disposal areas (e.g., burn pits) at packing and production facilities are predominantly in upland areas, and (2) most explosive compounds are solids with low aqueous solubility. Extensive groundwater contamination is associated primarily with wastewater lagoons and leach pits at production and packing facilities. jg p.12
Drosophila Symplekin localizes dynamically to the histone locus body and tricellular junctions

The scaffolding protein Symplekin is part of multiple complexes involved in generating and modifying the 3' end of mRNAs, including cleavage-polyadenylation, histone pre-mRNA processing and cytoplasmic polyadenylation. To study these functions in vivo, we examined the localization of Symplekin during development and generated mutations of the Drosophila Symplekin gene. Mutations in Symplekin that reduce Symplekin protein levels alter the efficiency of both poly A+ and histone mRNA 3' end formation resulting in lethality or sterility. Histone mRNA synthesis takes place at the histone locus body (HLB) and requires a complex composed of Symplekin and several polyadenylation factors that associates with the U7 snRNP. Symplekin is present in the HLB in the early embryo when Cyclin E/Cdk2 is active and histone genes are expressed and is absent from the HLB in cells that have exited the cell cycle. During oogenesis, Symplekin is preferentially localized to HLBs during S-phase in endoreduplicating follicle cells when histone mRNA is synthesized. After the completion of endoreplication, Symplekin accumulates in the cytoplasm, in addition to the nucleoplasm, and localizes to tricellular junctions of the follicle cell epithelium. This localization depends on the RNA binding protein ypsilon schachtel. CPSF-73 and a number of mRNAs are localized at this same site, suggesting that Symplekin participates in cytoplasmic polyadenylation at tricellular junctions.
There You Go! - Estimating Pointing Gestures In Monocular Images For Mobile Robot Instruction

In this paper, we present a neural architecture that is capable of estimating a target point from a pointing gesture, thus enabling a user to command a mobile robot to a specific position in his local surroundings by means of pointing. In this context, we were especially interested to determine whether it is possible to implement a target point estimator using only monocular images of low-cost Webcams. The feature extraction is also quite straightforward: We use a gabor jet to extract the feature vector from the normalized camera images; and a cascade of multi layer perceptron (MLP) classifiers as estimator. The system was implemented and tested on our mobile robotic assistant HOROS. The results indicate that it is in fact possible to realize a pointing estimator using monocular image data, but further efforts are necessary to improve the accuracy and robustness of our approach
Subjective sleep measures for adolescents: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND Sleep disturbances in adolescents have received significant attention because of their high prevalence and the negative health outcomes. Relative to objective measures, subjective sleep instruments have been the most practical tools used to identify sleep problems and assess responses to interventions in research and clinical settings. This systematic review aims to examine the psychometric properties of subjective measures that are used to assess sleep quality and disturbances among adolescents, identify the strength and limitation of each measurement and inform recommendations for practice. METHODS PubMed, Embase and PsycInfo were searched from 2000 through May 2016. The reference lists of important articles were included if they met the inclusion criteria. The available measures were evaluated and classified as positive, intermediate or poor according to the quality criteria for health status questionnaires. RESULTS Thirteen self-reported or parent-reported sleep measures met the inclusion criteria. Of the measurements reviewed, six were generic instruments assessing overall sleep quality and disturbances; five were dimension-specific instruments measuring daytime sleepiness, sleep insufficiency and sleep hygiene; and two were condition-specific instruments for insomnia. None of the subjective sleep measures for adolescents has a psychometric profile with all essential measurement properties. Specifically, the generic sleep measurements capture multiple dimensions but face issues of participant burden and compatibility. Among the domain-specific tools, the Cleveland Adolescent Sleepiness Questionnaire and the Chronic Sleep Reduction Questionnaire have achieved good psychometric merits but need further evaluation for responsiveness. Likewise, essential measurement properties of condition-specific tools for insomnia have yet to be established. CONCLUSIONS Because of the limited evidence, no definite recommendations can be made at this point. However, each available measurement has its own uniqueness and strength despite the limitations. Future research on measurement development and evaluation for adolescent sleep is needed to ensure the relevance and suitability to different stages of adolescence and social contexts.