Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A survey of interconnection methods for reconfigurable parallel processing systems*

This is a survey of a variety of interconnection networks for reconfigurable parallel processing systems that have appeared in the literature. A system is reconfigurable if it may assume several architectural configurations, each of which is characterized by its own topology of activated interconnections between modules. 18 The systems whose networks will be examined include multiple-SIMD and MIMD systems, as well as both fixed and dynamic word size systems. This paper is restricted to networks for geographically-localized parallel processing systems using 12 or more processors in a reconfigurable manner. Related survey papers include References 1 , 3 , 10 , 19 , 20 , 45 - 47 .
The Impact of Buyouts on Swedish Portfolio Companies : A Quantitative Study on Performance 1998-2011

The private equity market has been a hot topic of debate since it first started to emerge. As it has become more frequently apparent in the Swedish economic and financial market, the debate regarding its impact in Sweden has also risen. The debate contains various opinions whether the private equity firms, through buyouts uses tax breaks or arbitrage opportuni-ties to "quick flip" the investments on the expense of workers and wages or if the PE firms create operational and economic value. Previous studies regarding this topic have mostly been conducted in the U.S, Canada or to some extent in the U.K. This paper aims to, through a quantitative method, investigate and present whether the buyouts have an impact on Swedish portfolio companies or not, and if they do, what kind of impact the buyouts have. This will be done through an event study, based on data collection from portfolio companies that have experienced a buyout made by a private equity firm. The data will then be compared with data from peer groups and ana-lyzed through statistical methods in SPSS. The main findings in this thesis suggest that buyouts do not have, neither a positive nor negative impact on the performance of portfolio companies in Sweden. The tests allow us to conclude that PE firms do not have market timing skills. Neither can we conclude that PE firms cause layoffs of workers or lowering of wages.
Analysis and minimization of input current and voltage ripples of five-phase PWM inverters

Analysis and minimization of input current and voltage ripples of five-phase PWM inverters are presented in this paper. The analytical expressions for the RMS value of input current and voltage ripples as a function of the PWM reference signal are derived. Different to three-phase PWM inverters, it is shown that pure sinusoidal is the optimum reference signal that produces minimum input voltage ripple. Input current ripple does not depend on the employed reference signal so the ripple canpsilat be minimized by changing reference signal. Simulation and experimental results verify the analysis.
Semiparametric Regression of Multidimensional Genetic Pathway Data: Least‐Squares Kernel Machines and Linear Mixed Models

Summary We consider a semiparametric regression model that relates a normal outcome to covariates and a genetic pathway, where the covariate effects are modeled parametrically and the pathway effect of multiple gene expressions is modeled parametrically or nonparametrically using least‐squares kernel machines (LSKMs). This unified framework allows a flexible function for the joint effect of multiple genes within a pathway by specifying a kernel function and allows for the possibility that each gene expression effect might be nonlinear and the genes within the same pathway are likely to interact with each other in a complicated way. This semiparametric model also makes it possible to test for the overall genetic pathway effect. We show that the LSKM semiparametric regression can be formulated using a linear mixed model. Estimation and inference hence can proceed within the linear mixed model framework using standard mixed model software. Both the regression coefficients of the covariate effects and the LSKM estimator of the genetic pathway effect can be obtained using the best linear unbiased predictor in the corresponding linear mixed model formulation. The smoothing parameter and the kernel parameter can be estimated as variance components using restricted maximum likelihood. A score test is developed to test for the genetic pathway effect. Model/variable selection within the LSKM framework is discussed. The methods are illustrated using a prostate cancer data set and evaluated using simulations.
Interaction Among Firm Strategy, Board Control Role, Information Attributes in Association with Firm Performance

This study develops and tests a theory that an interaction exists amongst the information attributes of strategic performance measurement systems (SPMS), the board control role and the organisation's strategy as measured by a composite index of firm performance(Muth & Donaldson, 1998). Research suggests that organisational control is accomplished through performance evaluation, which emphasises the information aspects of control (Eisenhardt, 1985). In addition it is argued that there is a parallel between the use of organisational control systems (financial control and strategic control) by boards and top management teams (TMTs) (Goold & Quin, 1993; Gupta, 1987; Hitt, Hoskisson, & Ireland, 1990). What is unclear is the role information aspects may play. A significant three-way interaction exists when performance is observed by the accounting return EBIT, but is, however, not significant when associated with shareholder returns as the performance measure. The findings contribute to board SPMS practices, information attributes, and the corporate governance literature.
Effect of Ultrasound-Assisted Blanching on Myrosinase Activity and Sulforaphane Content in Broccoli Florets

Sulforaphane (SFN) is a health-promoting compound occurring in broccoli. It is formed by action of myrosinase in a two-step reaction that also yields undesirable compounds such as nitriles and isothionitriles. Different techniques affecting enzyme activity and tissue integrity were proposed to increase SFN content in the edible parts and discards of broccoli. Ultrasound processing is an emerging technology that produces these effects in foods, but has been poorly explored in broccoli so far. The aim of this work was to study the effect of ultrasound-assisted blanching on myrosinase activity and SFN content in broccoli florets. Myrosinase showed first-order inactivation kinetics in blanching at different temperatures with and without ultrasound processing. The inactivation rate was faster using ultrasound, with kinetic constants two orders of magnitude higher than without ultrasound. The activation energy (Ea) in traditional blanching (57.3 kJ mol−1) was higher than in ultrasound-assisted blanching (15.8 kJ mol−1). Accordingly, ultrasound accelerates myrosinase inactivation. The blanching time and temperature significantly affected myrosinase activity and SFN content. At 60 °C and 4 min of ultrasound-assisted blanching, myrosinase activity was minimum and SFN content was the highest. These findings may help to design SFN enrichment processes and will contribute to the valorization of agro-industrial wastes.
Cytogenetic and PCR‐based identification of S. damnosum‘Nkusi J’ as the anthropophilic blackfly in the Uluguru onchocerciasis focus in Tanzania

A combined molecular and cytogenetic analysis was used to identify the local blackfly vectors of onchocerciasis in the Uluguru Mts. focus, Morogoro region, central Tanzania. Cytotaxonomic identification revealed the occurrence of three cytospecies of the Simulium damnosum complex, along altitudinal gradients. The cytoform ‘Nkusi’ was found breeding at low to mid‐altitudes (100–500 m), while S. kilibanum was found at mid‐ and high altitudes (300–1260 m), being sympatric with ‘Sebwe’ only in the highlands. The analyses further revealed the cytoform ‘Nkusi’ from the nearby Kilosa focus. Simulium kilibanum and ‘Nkusi’ are potential vectors of onchocerciasis, while the ‘Sebwe’ form is considered non‐anthropophilic and therefore not a vector. By means of molecular typing of wild‐caught females, ‘Nkusi’ was incriminated as the man‐biting fly at all catching sites, and consequently, is the assumed vector of onchocerciasis over the full altitude range. In the high altitude zones, however, S. neavei group species may act as secondary vectors at the edge of the forest reserve, if transmission actually occurs there at all. Our results also suggest that vector control could be feasible because of the vector species breeding in the foothills below 500 m in relatively accessible open country.
Efficient P-CSCF discovery through NASS-IMS

P-CSCF discovery is made prior to communication to the IMS core network and only performed before an initial registration. The approach introduced in this paper is to provide an efficiency mechanism to retrieve the proper P-CSCF for the SIP terminal through Network Attachment Subsystem of IMS. The proposed discovery procedure advanced a ‘nearest contact retrieval’ method based on improved quad-tree to obtain the P-CSCF in Connectivity Session Location and Repository Function of IMS and transmit the selected P-CSCF to SIP terminal by enhancing the communication interface in Network Attachment Subsystem of IMS and DHCP message. The presented discovery mechanism focused primarily on terminal moves between visited networks in IMS architecture, since it needs to communicate via its first outbound SIP proxy, fast proxy query processing is necessary. The method requires limited changes in function and almost no changes in interfaces. With this method, P-CSCF could be provided to terminal more intelligent, also the registration could be smoother.
THE EFFECT OF HYDROGEN ION CONCENTRATION ON FLUORESCENT LABELLED ANTIBODIES

3 - Aminotetramethylrhodamine, lissamine rhodamine B (sulforhodamine B, B. C. 12145 National Aniline Division, Buffalo, New York), 5-dimethylaminonaphthalene-1-sulfonyl chloride and amino fluorescein were employed for conjugation of horse antirabbit gamma globulin for the detection of rabbit antibodies to rat kidney glomeruli. For comparative purposes labelled antibodies having comparable number of residues/mole protein were employed. The possibility of selectively quenching fluorescent labelled antibodies with change of the hydrogen ion concentration was investigated. Quenching of the fluorescence for fluorescein could be accomplished by dropping the pH of the medium to 3; partial reactivation of fluorescence occurred when the medium was made alkaline. Fluorescein fluoresced well from pH 11 to 7; appreciable quenching occurred at pH 5 and 4. From pH 4 complete reactivation occurred when the medium was made alkaline. Tetramethylrhodamine fluoresced well from pH 11 to 4; some loss of fluorescence was seen at pH 3. Lissamine Rhodamine B fluoresced best at pH 7 and 6. 5-Dimethylaminonaphthalene-1-sulfonyl chloride was a poor label and did not give the intensity of the other dyes at all pH ranges. At pH 2 all showed irreversible quenching. Fluorescein- and tetramethylrhodamine-labelled antibodies used simultaneously on a single kidney section showed yellow fluorescence when both the orange of tetramethylrhodamine and green of fluorescein reacted at the same antigenic sites. Changes in the hydrogen ion concentration can be employed to selectively quench the fluorescence of fluorescein but not the tetramethylrhodamine-labelled antibodies.
THE ANALYSIS OF BIRD SONGS BY MEANS OF A VIBRALYZER

T 0 analyze a bird’ s song one needs to determine its loudness, rhythm, and frequencies. Since these characteristics cannot be accurately determined by the ear alone, most published accounts of bird songs are merely subjective descriptions and not accurate analyses. Attempts have been made (e.g., Arleton, 194<9, and Mathews, 1904) to represent bird songs with the musical scale, but these are often inadequate because they cannot accurately indicate the unusual intervals, slurs, or erratic rhythms in many songs, and they do not indicate the frequency composition of the individual notes. Saunders (1935 and 1951) has devised a graphic method of representing bird songs, showing time on the horizontal axis and pitch on the vertical axis, and while his graphs are useful for identification they do not always show the minute details of rhythm, and no attempt is made to show frequency composition except by an accompanying description indicating the quality and phonetics of the song. Brand (1935) introduced a new method of bird song analysisthe microscopic study of songs reproduced on sound film. This method makes possible the accurate determination of the minute details of rhythm and the frequencies of the fundamentals, but it does not give any information on the harmonics or other frequencies present. A few other means have been used (e.g., Metfessel, 1934, and Fish, 1953) to obtain graphic analyses of bird songs, and while some of these give an accurate picture of the rhythms they do not give frequency composition, a feature that determines the quality of a note. The determination of loudness in all these analyses has been entirely subjective. In this paper the authors wish to report briefly on a method of bird song graphing that has been little used (Bailey, 1950)) one which not only gives a picture of the minute details of rhythm but shows all the frequencies present and gives some data on loudness. Two types of graphs, or vibragrams, can be obtained with the Vibralyzer (manufactured by the Kay Electric Company, Pine Brook, New Jersey). One type shows frequencies along the vertical axis and time along the horizontal axis, and variations in intensity appear as corresponding variations in the darkness of the mark produced. A second type (a “section” vibragram) shows frequencies on the vertical axis and intensity on the horizontal axis, for any given point (actually integrated over 0.005 sec.) in time; this type gives more accurate data on intensities than the first type. Vibragrams are made on 5% by 12% inch facsimile paper; frequencies are portrayed over a vertical distance of about 4 inches and time over a horizontal distance of about 12W inches. This paper is fastened to a drum which rotates synchronously with a magnetic disc; the stylus is a 10 mil stainless steel wire. The marks on the paper are made electrically. A simplified diagram of the principal circuits of the Vibralyzer is shown in Fig. 1. The input signal (from a tape recordin g of the song) is recorded on a magnetic disc (with the switch S1 in the “record” position) by means of a record amplifier; once the
Feasibility of antiepileptic drug withdrawal following extratemporal resective epilepsy surgery

Objective: To identify the rate of successful antiepileptic drug (AED) withdrawal after resective surgery and the predictors of postwithdrawal seizure recurrence in patients with extratemporal epilepsy. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the postoperative AED profile of 106 consecutive patients who had completed 2 or more years after resections involving frontal, parietal, and occipital lobes for AED-resistant epilepsy. To identify the potential predictors of seizure recurrence, we compared the attributes of recurred and nonrecurred groups by univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: We attempted AED withdrawal in 94 (88.7%) patients. Forty-four (41.5%) patients had seizure recurrence while reducing AED, of which 14 (31.8%) did not become seizure-free subsequently. On multivariate analysis, an abnormal postoperative EEG and longer preoperative duration of epilepsy predicted seizure recurrence, while early postoperative seizures and presence of gliosis or dysplasia were additional predictors on univariate analysis. At mean follow-up duration of 4.6 years, 63 (59.4%) patients were seizure-free. The cumulative probability of achieving complete AED-free status was 20% at fourth year, 34% at sixth year, 40% at eighth year, and 52% at 10th year after surgery. Conclusions: Following resective extratemporal epilepsy surgery, AED can be successfully discontinued in only in a minority of patients. One-third of patients who recur fail to regain seizure control upon AED reintroduction. Longer duration of epilepsy prior to surgery, abnormal postoperative EEG, early postoperative seizures, and focal gliosis or dysplasia as substrate predispose to seizure recurrence. This information will be helpful in making rational decisions on AED withdrawal following extratemporal resective epilepsy surgery.
Participation in Development and Implementation - Updating An Old, Tired Concept for Today's IS Contexts

The participation of users in system development and its role in IS success have been core topics of IS research since the 1960s, yet critical analysis and recent changes in IS practice suggest the need to revisit the topic. The purpose of this paper is to revitalize participation as an important area of IS theorizing and research and to build the foundations for an updated theory that is robust enough to accommodate changing IS practice. In this paper, we critically analyze traditional IS participation theory and show that it contains partial and conflicting explanations for participation’s effects on system success. These explanations leave important conceptual issues unresolved, particularly when viewed in light of developments such as ERP system installations, outsourcing, and new software development approaches such as contextual design. To address these gaps, we outline the key elements of a new theoretical framework, including a redefined concept of system success, an elaborated conceptualization of participants and other actors, a fine-grained characterization of participation activities, and a restatement of hypothesized causal links among the concepts. We conclude with a brief discussion of research strategies for investigating the framework.
Correcting for rater bias in scores on a continuous scale, with application to breast density

Existing literature on inter‐rater reliability focuses on quantifying the disagreement between raters. In this paper, we introduce a method to correct for inter‐rater disagreement (or observer bias), where raters are assigning scores on a continuous scale. To do this, we propose a two‐stage approach. In the first stage, we standardise the distributions of rater scores to account for each rater's subjective interpretation of the continuous scale. In the second stage, we correct for case‐mix differences between raters by exploiting pairwise information where two raters have read the same entity on a case. We illustrate the use of our procedure on clinicians’ visual assessments of breast density (a risk factor for breast cancer). After applying our procedure, 229 out of 1398 women who were originally classified as high density were re‐classified as non‐high density, and 382 out of 12 348 women were re‐classified from non‐high to high density. A simulation study also demonstrates good performance of the proposed method over a range of scenarios. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of Donor Age and Cell Senescence on Kidney Allograft Survival

The biological processes responsible for somatic cell senescence contribute to organ aging and progression of chronic diseases, and this may contribute to kidney transplant outcomes. We examined the effect of pre‐existing donor aging on the performance of kidney transplants, comparing mouse kidney isografts and allografts from old versus young donors. Before transplantation, old kidneys were histologically normal, but displayed an increased expression of senescence marker p16INK4a. Old allografts at day 7 showed a more rapid emergence of epithelial changes and a further increase in the expression of p16INK4a. Similar but much milder changes occurred in old isografts. These changes were absent in young allografts at day 7, but emerged by day 21. The expression of p16INK4a remained low in young kidney allografts at day 7, but increased with severe rejection at day 21. Isografts from young donors showed no epithelial changes and no increase in p16INK4a. The measurements of the alloimmune response—infiltrate, cytology, expression of perforin, granzyme B, IFN‐γ and MHC—were not increased in old allografts. Thus, old donor kidneys display abnormal parenchymal susceptibility to transplant stresses and enhanced induction of senescence marker p16INK4a, but were not more immunogenic. These data are compatible with a key role of somatic cell senescence mechanisms in kidney transplant outcomes by contributing to donor aging, being accelerated by transplant stresses, and imposing limits on the capacity of the tissue to proliferate.
Induction of cartilage and bone by dentin demineralized in citric acid.

The capacity of a roll of dentin demineralized by either 0.6N HCl, pH 1 for 3 minutes or 3 hours, or by 3M (9N) citric acid, pH 1, for 3 minutes, to induce cartilage and bone when implanted in muscle, was investigated. Serial sections of specimens were examined 7, 10, 14. 17, and 21 days after implantation, and randomly selected sections analyzed histomorphometrically. Cartilage was induced on the internal aspect of the citric acid-demineralized dentin roll, but significantly less than that induced after demineralization with HCl. The quantity of bone deposited subsequently did not significantly exceed the amount of cartilage that preceded it in relation to any of the preparations used. The results suggest that citric acid-demineralized dentin induces chondrogenesis and osteogenesis when implanted in muscle, but does so less effectively than does HCl-demineralized dentin, and only within the confines of a microenvironment. It is therefore unlikely that citric acid demineralization of root surface results in induction of cementum by this mechanism.
Identification of Estrogen-responsive Genes Using a Genome-wide Analysis of Promoter Elements for Transcription Factor Binding Sites*

We developed a pipeline to identify novel genes regulated by the steroid hormone-dependent transcription factor, estrogen receptor, through a systematic analysis of upstream regions of all human and mouse genes. We built a data base of putative promoter regions for 23,077 human and 19,984 mouse transcripts from National Center for Biotechnology Information annotation and 8793 human and 6785 mouse promoters from the Data Base of Transcriptional Start Sites. We used this data base of putative promoters to identify potential targets of estrogen receptor by identifying estrogen response elements (EREs) in their promoters. Our program correctly identified EREs in genes known to be regulated by estrogen in addition to several new genes whose putative promoters contained EREs. We validated six genes (KIAA1243, NRIP1, MADH9, NME3, TPD52L, and ABCG2) to be estrogen-responsive in MCF7 cells using reverse transcription PCR. To allow for extensibility of our program in identifying targets of other transcription factors, we have built a Web interface to access our data base and programs. Our Web-based program for Promoter Analysis of Genome, PAGen@UIC, allows a user to identify putative target genes for vertebrate transcription factors through the analysis of their upstream sequences. The interface allows the user to search the human and mouse promoter data bases for potential target genes containing one or more listed transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) in their upstream elements, using either regular expression-based consensus or position weight matrices. The data base can also be searched for promoters harboring user-defined TFBSs given as a consensus or a position weight matrix. Furthermore, the user can retrieve putative promoter sequences for any given gene together with identified TFBSs located on its promoter. Orthologous promoters are also analyzed to determine conserved elements.