Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Parameterizing Simulated Annealing for Distributing Task Graphs on Multiprocessor SoCs

Mapping an application on multiprocessor system-on-chip (MPSoC) is a crucial step in architecture exploration. The problem is to minimize optimization effort and application execution time. Simulated annealing is a versatile algorithm for hard optimization problems, such as task distribution on MPSoCs. We propose a new method of automatically selecting parameters for a modified simulated annealing algorithm to save optimization effort. The method determines a proper annealing schedule and transition probabilities for simulated annealing, which makes the algorithm scalable with respect to application and platform size. Applications are modeled as static acyclic task graphs which are mapped to an MPSoC. The parameter selection method is validated by extensive simulations with 50 and 300 node graphs from the standard graph set
Vertical Vibrations of 3 D Structure Caused by Moving Load

This paper presents a numerical study of the dynamic response of 3D structure subjected to a vertical moving load using substructure approach in the frequency domain. The dynamic system consists of two substructures, the unbounded soil region and the 3D structure. The soil is considered as an elastic, homogeneous and isotropic half-space. The impedance functions of the soil, as well as the dynamic response of the half-space to a moving vehicle are determined using the Integral Transform Method (ITM). The vertical vibrations of the structure are calculated using the Spectral Element Method. Based on this theoretical consideration, the numerical analysis is carried out and the obtained results are presented.
Comparison of the Performances of Five Primer Sets for the Detection and Quantification of Plasmodium in Anopheline Vectors by Real-Time PCR

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qrtPCR) has made a significant improvement for the detection of Plasmodium in anopheline vectors. A wide variety of primers has been used in different assays, mostly adapted from molecular diagnosis of malaria in human. However, such an adaptation can impact the sensitivity of the PCR. Therefore we compared the sensitivity of five primer sets with different molecular targets on blood stages, sporozoites and oocysts standards of Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) and P. vivax (Pv). Dilution series of standard DNA were used to discriminate between methods at low concentrations of parasite and to generate standard curves suitable for the absolute quantification of Plasmodium sporozoites. Our results showed that the best primers to detect blood stages were not necessarily the best ones to detect sporozoites. Absolute detection threshold of our qrtPCR assay varied between 3.6 and 360 Pv sporozoites and between 6 and 600 Pf sporozoites per mosquito according to the primer set used in the reaction mix. In this paper, we discuss the general performance of each primer set and highlight the need to use efficient detection methods for transmission studies.
Retaining Urban Teachers: The Impact of Mentoring.

This study explores urban teachers' perception of their mentoring experience in an alternative urban teacher education program. Fifteen teachers who had been teaching in urban schools for at least three years participated in focus groups. The findings support the need for continuing the development of new teachers through utilizing mentors in the induction years. The mentoring relationship is of primary importance in developing self-confidence, competence, and collegiality during the first year.
Segment-Wise Timing and Power Measurement in Software Emulation

Evaluation boards are popular as prototyping platforms in embedded software development. They often are preferred over simulation to avoid modeling effort and simulation times as well as over complete hardware prototypes to reduce development cost. A particular problem arises when trying to verify the running time bounds of embedded software. The paper presents the use of a commercial evaluation board for timed trace acquisition for program segments with instruction cycle accurate power measurement on commercial evaluation kits.
RNAi Experiments in D. melanogaster: Solutions to the Overlooked Problem of Off-Targets Shared by Independent dsRNAs

Background RNAi technology is widely used to downregulate specific gene products. Investigating the phenotype induced by downregulation of gene products provides essential information about the function of the specific gene of interest. When RNAi is applied in Drosophila melanogaster or Caenorhabditis elegans, often large dsRNAs are used. One of the drawbacks of RNAi technology is that unwanted gene products with sequence similarity to the gene of interest can be down regulated too. To verify the outcome of an RNAi experiment and to avoid these unwanted off-target effects, an additional non-overlapping dsRNA can be used to down-regulate the same gene. However it has never been tested whether this approach is sufficient to reduce the risk of off-targets. Methodology We created a novel tool to analyse the occurance of off-target effects in Drosophila and we analyzed 99 randomly chosen genes. Principal Findings Here we show that nearly all genes contain non-overlapping internal sequences that do show overlap in a common off-target gene. Conclusion Based on our in silico findings, off-target effects should not be ignored and our presented on-line tool enables the identification of two RNA interference constructs, free of overlapping off-targets, from any gene of interest.
Energy Aware Scheduling of Aperiodic Real-Time Tasks on Multiprocessor Systems

Multicore and multiprocessor systems with dynamic voltage scaling architectures are being used as one of the solutions to satisfy the growing needs of high performance applications with low power constraints. An important aspect that has propelled this solution is effective task/application scheduling and mapping algorithms for multiprocessor systems. This work proposes an energy aware, offline, probability-based unified scheduling and mapping algorithm for multiprocessor systems, to minimize the number of processors used, maximize the utilization of the processors, and optimize the energy consumption of the multiprocessor system. The proposed algorithm is implemented, simulated and evaluated with synthetic task graphs, and compared with classical scheduling algorithms for the number of processors required, utilization of processors, and energy consumed by the processors for execution of the application task graphs. Category: Smart and intelligent computing
A Medical Imaging Demonstrator of Computed Tomography and Bone Mineral Densitometry

A demonstrator of two different medical imaging techniques employed in clinical practise has been designed and built for educational purposes. The set-up demonstrates Computed Tomography and Bone Mineral Density measurement using the Dual Photon Absorption method. The system is based on a solid state CdZnTe detector and a standard PC. The mechanics of the system is controlled and data is acquired by programs written in LabView. Computed Tomography images are reconstructed using MATLAB programs.
Risk Management Performance of Alternative Distribution Functions January 2002

This paper compares the risk management performance of alternative distribution functions. The results indicate that the extreme value and skewed fat-tailed distributions, such as the skewed generalized t (SGT) and inverse hyperbolic sine (IHS) distributions, improve the standard VaR models that assume normality. This is because the SGT and IHS distributions put more emphasis on the tail areas of observed frequency distributions, and hence provide good predictions of catastrophic market risks during extraordinary periods. The empirical findings lead to a firm rejection of the hypothesis that one is obliged to use the distribution of extremes only (instead of the distribution of all returns) to obtain precise VaR measures. The results based on the actual and estimated VaR thresholds as well as the likelihood ratio tests point out that the maximum likely loss of financial institutions can be more accurately estimated using the generalized extreme value and skewed fat-tailed distributions. They perform surprisingly well in capturing both the rate of occurrence and the size of extreme observations in financial markets. In addition, this article proposes a conditional VaR approach that takes into account time-varying volatility, considers the non-normality of returns, and deals with extreme events. The results indicate that the actual VaR thresholds are time-varying to a degree not captured by the conditional normal density, but precisely estimated by the conditional SGT, IHS, and extreme value distributions.
Evidence for Multiple Alleles at the DGAT1 Locus Better Explains a Quantitative Trait Locus With Major Effect on Milk Fat Content in Cattle

A quantitative trait locus (QTL) for milk fat percentage has been mapped consistently to the centromeric region of bovine chromosome 14 (BTA14). Two independent studies have identified the nonconservative mutation K232A in the acylCoA-diacylglycerol-acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) gene as likely to be causal for the observed variation. Here we provide evidence for additional genetic variability at the same QTL that is associated with milk fat percentage variation within the German Holstein population. Namely, we show that alleles of the DGAT1 promoter derived from the variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism are associated with milk fat content in animals homozygous for the allele 232A at DGAT1. Our results present another example for more than two trait-associated alleles being involved in a major gene effect on a quantitative trait. The segregation of multiple alleles affecting milk production traits at the QTL on BTA14 has to be considered whenever marker-assisted selection programs are implemented in dairy cattle. Due to the presence of a potential transcription factor binding site in the 18mer element of the VNTR, the variation in the number of tandem repeats of the 18mer element might be causal for the variability in the transcription level of the DGAT1 gene.
Opus: University of Bath Online Publication Store Characterising the Inventive Appropriation of Emoji as Relationally Meaningful in Mediated Close Personal Relationships

(2015) Characterising the inventive appropriation of emoji as relationally meaningful in mediated close personal relationships. This version is made available in accordance with publisher policies. Please cite only the published version using the reference above. Abstract. Emoji are two-dimensional pictographs that were originally designed to convey emotion between participants in text-based conversation. This workshop paper draws on interview data to describe ways in which emoji have been appropriated in pursuit of other relationally meaningful behaviours in contemporary messaging applications. We speculate that the presence of appropriable tools like emoji might influence the selection of a communication channel for particular types of mediated conversation.
Short-Term Plasticity in Auditory Cortical Circuit Evoked by Monetary Incentive Delay Task

To choose optimally, people must consider both the potential value and the probability of a desired outcome. This idea is reflected in the expected value theory, which considers both the potential value of different courses of action and the probability that each action will lead to a desired outcome. Accordingly, during decision-making people choose an alternative with the highest expected value. The dominant neurobiological models of decision-making assume that the sensory inputs to the decision-making neural networks are stationary. However, many cognitive studies have demonstrated experience-induced plasticity in the primary sensory cortex, suggesting that repeated decisions could modulate the sensory processing. We investigated experience-induced plastic changes in the neural representation of the acoustic cues coding different expected values using a repeated monetary incentive delay task (MID-task; Knutson et al., 2005). Subjects participated in two extensive sessions of an audio-version of the MID-task. Next, we investigated electrophysiological correlates of the experience-induced plasticity of the primary auditory cortex by comparing the mismatch negativity (MMN) component before and after the MID-task sessions. We found that after extensive MID-task training, the stimuli with largest expected value evoked larger MMN responses (as compared to the baseline oddball session) that probably reflects a more fine-grained stimulus discrimination of highly valued stimuli. After extensive MID-task training acoustic cues coding intermediate expected values evoked larger P3a component (as compared to the baseline oddball session), that can indicate a stronger involuntary attention switching toward moderately valued stimuli. Overall, our results show that continuing valuation during the MID-task evokes a short-term plastic changes in the auditory cortices associated with the improved stimulus discrimination and the involuntary attention towards auditory cues with the high expected value
Transitions in the Perpetual Beta of the NGSS: One Science Teacher’s Beliefs and Attempts for Instructional Change

ABSTRACT The current study, a uniquely challenging failed partnership, describes via an exploratory case study design the endeavors of a single middle school science teacher as he translated the reform messages of the Next Generation Science Standards into actual classroom practice. Data collected from both within and outside of the classroom revealed the pathways of change pursued and resisted as multiple data sources were charted within the teacher of interest’s interconnected model of professional growth. Findings reveal how multiple drivers impacted subsequent teacher beliefs as a personalized form of video-based reflective coaching was facilitated via a video annotation tool. By qualitatively portraying the complex relationship between a single teacher’s beliefs and his classroom practice the study’s findings signal the need for studies that explore nuanced ways of supporting a transitioning teacher’s self-efficacy. With the field striving to uncover supports that impact subsequent teacher actions in the classroom, the study also provides suggestions for helping teachers contend with the challenges that arise while instituting the difficult-to-adapt teaching strategies that accompany the Next Generation Science Standards.
Feature extraction using randomwalks

In this paper, a novel idea, which utilizes the metric on a graph, is proposed to extract prominent features for pattern recognition. This proposed model, called “Graphical Metrics Guided Transformation” (GMGT), aims to find projections that can preserve the original metric on the graphic domain in a new Euclidean subspace. With the functional analysis, we present the definition of the metric in the graphical domain and prove that the commute time of random walk is a metric on graphs with the help of real physical model. Furthermore, a new feature extraction algorithm based on GMGT and the commute time is proposed, and is applied to face recognition.
Ecological Interface Design in Aviation Domains: Work Domain Analysis of Automated Collision Detection and Avoidance

This paper describes Work Domain Analysis (WDA) applied to the domain of automated midair collision detection and avoidance as a first step in the design of improved ecological interfaces for automated traffic alerting displays. Three abstraction hierarchies (AH) modelling the aircraft, collision environment, and a traffic alerting system are presented, and the challenges of adapting the AH to enhanced displays will be examined. It will be shown that WDA is a feasible framework for establishing information requirements of flight and automated collision dynamics. Ecological Interface Design (EID) can then be applied to develop displays that invoke a greater trust in the automation.
Constrained Optimal Control of Linear and Hybrid Systems

Multiparametric Programming. - Multiparametric Programming: a Geometric Approach. - Optimal Control of Linear Systems. - Constrained Finite Time Optimal Control. - Constrained Infinite Time Optimal Control. - Receding Horizon Control. - Constrained Robust Optimal Control. - Reducing On-line Complexity. - Optimal Control of Hybrid Systems. - Hybrid Systems. - Constrained Optimal Control for Hybrid Systems. - Applications. - Ball and Plate. - Traction Control.
MyOps: A Monitoring and Management Framework for PlanetLab Deployments

PlanetLab is a global deployment of more than 1000 registered machines for developing and evaluating distributed, network services under real-world conditions[4], [5]. The PlanetLab platform is based on MyPLC1: an open-source, software distribution available for other organizations to download, modify and run private instances of the platform. A growing number of groups are using MyPLC as a starting point for their own deployment such as Google MLab2, VINI3, and PlanetLab Europe4. And, because PlanetLab has operated since 2003, the MyPLC code base includes accumulated experience that, in part or in whole, could contribute to many other nascent projects. For example, school server deployments for projects like OLPC and Intel Classmate are considering the techniques that proved useful to PlanetLab. While the abstract architecture of a distributed deployment may be simple, implementing and operating it is difficult. A distributed deployment is often implemented using imperfect hardware and software, hosted in non-data center environments where connectivity is dependent upon third-party administered networks. Even minor problems with the hardware, software, or network make managing any distributed deployment a challenge. From our experience operating the worldwide, PlanetLab deployment, the three primary challenges we faced were: 1) timely observation of problems, 2) efficiently acting to resolve these problems when possible, and 3) coordinating with remote contacts to address problems that cannot be resolved remotely. Due to the scale of the deployment, manual, operator actions often missed early identification of problems, they were time consuming and repetitive to address when identified, and required inefficient initiation of correspondence with remote contacts. For this reason, we developed a framework to capture the management cycle of a distributed deployment over time by continually collecting information about the system state, comparing this information with the expected state, taking automatic actions to resolve discrepancies, and simplifying the task of engaging remote contacts. This paper introduces MyOps, which is a collection of
DOES UNCERTAINTY IN MONETARY GROWTH AFFECT THE EQUITY MARKET: THE CASE OF THAILAND

Banyak kajian tentang hubungan pertumbuhan jumlah uang beredar dan harga surat berharga, namun hanya sedikit yang memperhatikan dampak dari ketidakpastian pada pertumbuhan uang terhadap harga surat berharga. Elemen dari tidakpastian pada pertumbuhan uang menurut para pakar adalah meningkatnya kehati-hatian dari asset finansial yang beresiko dan ini berdampak kepada harga surat berharga. Dengan menggunakan teknik ekonometrik, kajian ini dibuat untuk mengetahui hubungan antara kedua variable di negara yang memiliki pasar modal yang sedang berkembang, yaitu Thailand. Berbeda dengan hipotesis, adanya ketidakpastian pada pertumbuhan uang tidak memberikan dampak terhadap harga surat berharga. Namun ketidakpastian tersebut memberikan dampak hubungan dinamis yang signifikan dalam jangka panjang.
The role of acetaldehyde in mediating effects of alcohol on expression of endogenous opioid system genes in a neuroblastoma cell line

Ethanol (EtOH) alters neural activity through interaction with various neurotransmitters and neuromodulators. The endogenous opioid system seems to play a key role in the activities of EtOH, since the opioid antagonist naltrexone (ReVia®) attenuates craving. We have investigated the transcriptional regulation of opioid system genes in response to EtOH exposure for up to 96 h in human neuroblastoma SH‐SY5Y cells using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. We observed a significant decrease in the expression of opioid peptide precursors (proopio‐melanocortin, proenkephalin, and prodynorphin) and of the kappa opioid receptor after 48 and 72 h of EtOH exposure (10 and 40 mM). These alterations were not present when the EtOH metabolism was blocked by 4‐methylpyrazole. To evaluate whether the effects evoked by EtOH were possibly due to the first product of EtOH metabolism, cells were exposed to 0.4 mM acetaldehyde. We observed the same pattern of changes for prodynorphin, proenkephalin, and the kappa opioid receptor as after 72 h exposure to EtOH. These results contribute to our understanding of EtOH action at a cellular level and provide evidence of the role of acetaldehyde in mediating some of the EtOH‐induced effects. —D'Addario, C. , Ming, Y. , Ogren, S‐O. , Terenius, L. The role of acetaldehyde in mediating effects of alcohol on expression of endogenous opioid system genes in a neuroblastoma cell line. FASEB J. 22, 662–670 (2008)
SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS FOR QUANTITATIVE DECISION MAKING METHODS : TOPSIS AND SAW

Abstract The quantitative multiple criteria decision making methods are practical to use in decision support systems. In this paper we analyses the quantitative multiple criteria decision making methods and sensitivity analysis methods usage in decision support systems. Both species of these methods are strongly mathematically based. We take notice of sensitivity of these methods to initial data. Monte Carlo method is applied for the generation initial data. It is submitted analysis sensitivity of methods TOPSIS and SAW.
Theoretical Biology and Medical Modelling

Background: The Phenomenological Universalities approach has been developed by P.P. Delsanto and collaborators during the past 2–3 years. It represents a new tool for the analysis of experimental datasets and cross-fertilization among different fields, from physics/engineering to medicine and social sciences. In fact, it allows similarities to be detected among datasets in totally different fields and acts upon them as a magnifying glass, enabling all the available information to be extracted in a simple way. In nonlinear problems it allows the nonscaling invariance to be retrieved by means of suitable redefined fractal-dimensioned variables. Results: The main goal of the present contribution is to extend the applicability of the new approach to the study of problems of growth with cyclicity, which are of particular relevance in the fields of biology and medicine. Conclusion: As an example of its implementation, the method is applied to the analysis of human growth curves. The excellent quality of the results ( R 2 = 0.988) demonstrates the usefulness and reliability of the approach.
The Steiner tree packing problem

In this paper we describe several versions of the routing problem arising in VLSI design and indicate how the Steiner tree packing problem can be used to model these problems mathematically. We focus on switchbox routing problems and provide integer programming formulations for routing in the knock-knee and in the Manhattan model. We give a brief sketch of cutting plane algorithms that we developed and implemented for these two models. We report on computational experiments using standard test instances. Our codes are able to determine optimum solutions in most cases, and in particular, we can show that some of the instances have no feasible solution if Manhattan routing is used instead of knock-knee routing. © 1997 The Mathematical Programming Society, Inc. Published by Elsevier Science B.V.