Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
GPU-Accelerated Visualization of Scattered Point Data

As data sets continue to grow in size, visualization has become a vitally important tool for extracting meaningful knowledge. Scattered point data, which are unordered sets of point coordinates with associated measured values, arise in many contexts, such as scientific experiments, sensor networks, and numerical simulations. In this paper, we present a method for visualizing such scattered point data sets. Our method is based on volume ray casting, and distinguishes itself by operating directly on the unstructured samples, rather than resampling them to form voxels. We estimate the intensity of the volume at points along the rays by interpolation using nearby samples, taking advantage of an octree to facilitate efficient range search. The method has been implemented on multi-core CPUs, GPUs as well as multi-GPU systems.1 To test our method, actual X-ray diffraction data sets have been used, consisting of up to 240 million data points. We are able to generate images of good quality and achieve interactive frame rates in favorable cases. The GPU implementation (Nvidia Tesla K20) achieves speedups of 8-14 compared with our parallelized CPU version (4-core, hyperthreaded Intel i7 3770K).
Nuclear import of adenovirus DNA involves direct interaction of hexon with an N-1 terminal domain of the nucleoporin Nup 214 2 Running title : Direct binding of hexon with Nup 214 N-terminal domain

211+ 148words Text: 5597 words 23 JVI Accepts, published online ahead of print on 19 November 2014 J. Virol. doi:10.1128/JVI.02639-14 Copyright © 2014, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved. on July 8, 2017 by gest http/jvi.asm . rg/ D ow nladed fom
NI + router microarchitecture for NoC-based communication systems

Modern communication systems are characterized by intensive computation signal processing algorithms. System-on-Chip implementations of these systems are generally based on Networks-on-Chip (NoC). The router and Network Interface (NI) are the main elements of the NoC, but the router is the architecture most discussed in the literature. Here, a NI + router microarchitecture is presented. Our router implementation outperforms the previous work in operational frequency by a 20%. The NI usually is assumed as a simple wrapper, although results in this work show that the NI can consume almost twice resources than the router. This indicates that further discussions must be carried out for the design of NoC-based communication systems.
Aligning Predicates across Monolingual Comparable Texts using Graph-based Clustering

Generating coherent discourse is an important aspect in natural language generation. Our aim is to learn factors that constitute coherent discourse from data, with a focus on how to realize predicate-argument structures in a model that exceeds the sentence level. We present an important subtask for this overall goal, in which we align predicates across comparable texts, admitting partial argument structure correspondence. The contribution of this work is two-fold: We first construct a large corpus resource of comparable texts, including an evaluation set with manual predicate alignments. Secondly, we present a novel approach for aligning predicates across comparable texts using graph-based clustering with Mincuts. Our method significantly outperforms other alignment techniques when applied to this novel alignment task, by a margin of at least 6.5 percentage points in F1-score.
A Bayesian method for inferring transmission chains in a partially observed epidemic.

We present a Bayesian approach for estimating transmission chains and rates in the Abakaliki smallpox epidemic of 1967. The epidemic affected 30 individuals in a community of 74; only the dates of appearance of symptoms were recorded. Our model assumes stochastic transmission of the infections over a social network. Distinct binomial random graphs model intra- and inter-compound social connections, while disease transmission over each link is treated as a Poisson process. Link probabilities and rate parameters are objects of inference. Dates of infection and recovery comprise the remaining unknowns. Distributions for smallpox incubation and recovery periods are obtained from historical data. Using Markov chain Monte Carlo, we explore the joint posterior distribution of the scalar parameters and provide an expected connectivity pattern for the social graph and infection pathway.
Balanced Linear Precoding in Decode-and-Forward Based MIMO Relay Communications

This paper proposes a linear precoding technique for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) decode-and-forward (DF) based relay communications. The proposed precoder is constructed by linearly combining two independently designed precoders that maximize data rates at relay and destination, respectively. Contrary to conventional precoding in DF relay communications, the proposed precoding balances direct and relay links and maximize the achievable rate of the overall system. We also propose a distributed precoder design method using limited information. The proposed algorithms are shown to significantly reduce computation complexity of precoder design. The numerical results show that the proposed precoders with full information and limited information achieve significantly higher data rates than conventional precoding neglecting a direct link and comparable data rate to the optimal precoding even when the coefficients for linear combining are restricted to real numbers.
Substitution effect on the geometry and electronic structure of the ferrocene

The substitution effects on the geometry and the electronic structure of the ferrocene are systematically and comparatively studied using the density functional theory. It is found that NH2 and OH substituents exert different influence on the geometry from CH3, SiH3, PH2, and SH substituents. The topological analysis shows that all the CC bonds in a–g are typical opened‐shell interactions while the FeC bonds are typical closed‐shell interactions. NBO analysis indicates that the cooperated interaction of d → π* and feedback π → d + 4s enhances the Fe‐ligand interaction. The energy partitioning analysis demonstrates that the substituents with the second row elements lead to stronger iron‐ligand interactions than those with the third row elements. The molecular electrostatic potential predicts that the electrophiles are expected to attack preferably the N, O, P, or S atoms in FerNH2, FerOH, FerPH2, and FerSH, and attack the ring C atoms in FerSiH3 and FerCH3. In turn, the nucleophiles are supposed to interact predominantly by attacking the hydrogen atoms. The simulated theoretical excitation spectra show that the maximum absorption peaks are red‐shifted when the substituents going from second row elements to the third row elements. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2007
Is Now A Good Time?: An Empirical Study of Vehicle-Driver Communication Timing

Advances in automotive sensing systems and speech interfaces provide new opportunities for smarter driving assistants or infotainment systems. For both safety and consumer satisfaction reasons, any new system which interacts with drivers must do so at appropriate times. We asked 63 drivers, ''Is now a good time? '' to receive non-driving information during a 50-minute drive. We analyzed 2,734 responses and synchronized automotive and video data, and show that while the chances of choosing a good time can be determined with better success using easily accessible automotive data, certain nuances in the problem require a richer understanding of the driver and environment states in order to achieve higher performance. We illustrate several of these nuances with quantitative and qualitative analyses to contribute to the understanding of how to design a system that might simultaneously minimize the risk of interacting at a bad time while maximizing the window of allowable interruption.
A Fast Technique of Voltage Stability Analysis and Optimization in the Grid Network

The relative positions of the bus voltage phasors in the voltage space of a system depend on the characteristics of and the power flow in, the transmission network. When the voltage space of the system is examined with respect to the "centroid" of the system voltage space, it is possible to identify the loadability of buses and rank them accordingly. A technique based on concepts applied to equilibrium analysis of rigid bodies is developed to determine the centroid voltage of the system voltage space and centroid voltage of the generator voltage space. The relative positions of the bus voltage phasors with respect to the centroid voltage of the system voltage space and centroid voltage of the generator voltage space are used to identify and compute a voltage stability index for the load buses in the system. The developed index [C2] is optimized using particle swarm optimization (PSO) and differential evolution algorithm (DE). The algorithm minimizes the voltage stability index of all the load buses to improve the static voltage stability margin.
Qualitative methodologies in health research: interpretive referential of Patricia Benner.

OBJECTIVE this article reports on the experience of using the interpretive phenomenological framework of Patricia Benner in a Brazilian context. Benner's interpretive phenomenology, based on existential and interpretative philosophy, aims to understand human experiences in the particular worlds of research participants. Data were collected through interviews with nine nurses in November and December 2014. RESULTS data analysis process according to Benner's framework consisted of: transcription, coding, thematic analysis, and search for paradigmatic cases and examples. Therefore, the prior knowledge of the researcher is an important part of the study, consisting in manners of the research conduction. CONCLUSION The use of this methodological framework entailed a great challenge for the researcher, however, it also enabled a unique opportunity to illuminate important existential phenomena related to the daily lives of research participants.
Acceptance of Game-Based Learning and Intrinsic Motivation as Predictors for Learning Success and Flow Experience

There is accumulating evidence that engagement with digital math games can improve students’ learning. However, in what way individual variables critical to game-based learning influence students' learning success still needs to be explored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the influence of students’ acceptance of game-based learning (e.g., perceived usefulness of a game as a learning tool, perceived ease of use), as well as their intrinsic motivation for math (e.g., their math interest, self-efficacy) and quality of playing experience on learning success in a game-based rational number training. Additionally, we investigated the influence of the former variables on quality of playing experience (operationalized as perceived flow). Results indicated that the game-based training was effective. Moreover, students’ learning success and their quality of playing experience were predicted by measures of acceptance of game-based learning and intrinsic motivation for math. These findings indicated that learning success in game-based learning approaches are driven by students’ acceptance of the game as a learning tool and content-specific intrinsic motivation. Therefore, the present work is of particular interest to researchers, developers, and practitioners working with game-based learning environments.
Radio Resource Management in Heterogeneous Cellular Networks

The evolution of cellular networks from one generation to another has led to the deployment of multiple radio access technologies (such as 2G/2.5G/3G/4G) in the same geographical area. This scenario is termed heterogeneous cellular networks. In heterogeneous cellular networks, radio resources can be jointly or independently managed. When radio resources are jointly managed, joint call admission control algorithms are needed for making radio access technology selection decisions. This chapter gives an overview of joint call admission control in heterogeneous cellular networks. It then presents a model of load-based joint call admission control algorithm. Four different scenarios of call admission control in heterogeneous cellular networks are analyzed and compared. Simulations results are given to show the effectiveness of call admission control in the different scenarios. The coexistence of different cellular networks in the same geographical area necessitates joint radio resource management (JRRM) for enhanced QoS provisioning and efficient radio resource utilization. The concept of JRRM arises in order to efficiently manage the common pool of radio resources that are available in each of the existing radio access technologies (RATs) (Perez-Romero et al, 2005). In heterogeneous cellular networks, the radio resource pool consists of resources that are available in a set of cells, typically under the control of a radio network controller or a base station controller. There are a number of motivations for heterogeneous wireless networks. These motivations are (1) limitation of a single radio access technology (RAT), (2) users’ demand for advanced services and complementary features of different RATs, and (3) evolution of wireless technology. Every RAT is limited in one or more of the following: data rate, coverage, security-level, type of services, and quality of service it can provide, etc. (Vidales et al, 2005). A motivation for heterogeneous cellular networks arises from the fact that no single RAT can provide ubiquitous coverage and continuous high QoS levels across multiple smart spaces, e.g. home, office, public smart spaces, etc. Moreover, increasing users’ demand for advanced services that consume a lot of network resources has made network researchers developed more and more spectrally efficient multiple access and modulation schemes to support these services. Consequently, wireless networks have evolved from one generation to another. However, due to huge investment in existing RATs, operators do not readily discard their existing RATs when they acquire new ones. This situation has led to coexistence of multiple RATs in the same geographical area.
A Study of Segmentation Methods for Detection of Tumor in Brain MRI

Segmentation is a vital role in medical image processing, where clustering technique widely used in medical application particularly for brain tumor detection in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We use MRI because of it’s provide accurate visualize of anatomical structure of tissues. In this paper various clustering methods that have been used for segmentation in MRI are reviewed.
Enhanced Caenorhabditis elegans Locomotion in a Structured Microfluidic Environment

Background Behavioral studies of Caenorhabditis elegans traditionally are done on the smooth surface of agar plates, but the natural habitat of C. elegans and other nematodes is the soil, a complex and structured environment. In order to investigate how worms move in such environments, we have developed a technique to study C. elegans locomotion in microstructures fabricated from agar. Methodology/Principal Findings When placed in open, liquid-filled, microfluidic chambers containing a square array of posts, we discovered that worms are capable of a novel mode of locomotion, which combines the fast gait of swimming with the more efficient movements of crawling. When the wavelength of the worms matched the periodicity of the post array, the microstructure directed the swimming and increased the speed of C. elegans ten-fold. We found that mutants defective in mechanosensation (mec-4, mec-10) or mutants with abnormal waveforms (unc-29) did not perform this enhanced locomotion and moved much more slowly than wild-type worms in the microstructure. Conclusion/Significance These results show that the microstructure can be used as a behavioral screen for mechanosensory and uncoordinated mutants. It is likely that worms use mechanosensation in the movement and navigation through heterogeneous environments.
Influence of Process Parameters on HVOF Coating Quality: A Review

The application as well as study of HVOF (High-Velocity Oxy-Fuel) coating has been grown recently by many researchers. There have been several researchers approaching the HVOF parameters such as, temperature, oxygen and fuel flow, oxygen and fuel ratio, powder flow rate etc. The more researchers found the relationship between the process parameters to the quality response such as porosity, adhesive strength and oxide content. The understanding of the process parameter to quality improves the qualification process in the more efficient way and lead to the opportunity to explore the dynamic control design during the coating process. While the qualification process that involving the more robust process parameter references improve the quality assurance of the process. This paper summarises the earlier finding in order to identify the relationship of the process parameters to the output quality. It describes the important of maintaining the process parameters as part of the quality assurance. The author are now assisting the qualification process of HVOF coating and the study of the process parameters is aimed to improve the qualification process in the sense of effectively and efficiently.
Light matters: testing the “Light Environment Hypothesis” under intra‐ and interspecific contexts

Abstract The “Light Environment Hypothesis” (LEH) proposes that evolution of interspecific variation in plumage color is driven by variation in light environments across habitats. If ambient light has the potential to drive interspecific variation, a similar influence should be expected for intraspecific recognition, as color signals are an adaptive response to the change in ambient light levels in different habitats. Using spectrometry, avian‐appropriate models of vision, and phylogenetic comparative methods, I quantified dichromatism and tested the LEH in both intra‐ and interspecific contexts in 33 Amazonian species from the infraorder Furnariides living in environments with different light levels. Although these birds are sexually monochromatic to humans, 81.8% of the species had at least one dichromatic patch in their plumage, mostly from dorsal areas, which provides evidence for a role for dichromatism in sex recognition. Furthermore, birds from habitats with high levels of ambient light had higher dichromatism levels, as well as brighter, more saturated, and more diverse plumages, suggesting that visual communication is less constrained in these habitats. Overall, my results provide support for the LEH and suggest that ambient light plays a major role in the evolution of color signals in this group of birds in both intra‐ and interspecific contexts. Additionally, plumage variation across light environments for these drab birds highlights the importance of considering ambient light and avian‐appropriate models of vision when studying the evolution of color signals in birds.
A directed approach for the identification of transcripts harbouring the spliced leader sequence and the effect of trans-splicing knockdown in Schistosoma mansoni

Schistosomiasis is a major neglected tropical disease caused by trematodes from the genus Schistosoma. Because schistosomes exhibit a complex life cycle and numerous mechanisms for regulating gene expression, it is believed that spliced leader (SL) trans-splicing could play an important role in the biology of these parasites. The purpose of this study was to investigate the function of trans-splicing in Schistosoma mansoni through analysis of genes that may be regulated by this mechanism and via silencing SL-containing transcripts through RNA interference. Here, we report our analysis of SL transcript-enriched cDNA libraries from different S. mansoni life stages. Our results show that the trans-splicing mechanism is apparently not associated with specific genes, subcellular localisations or life stages. In cross-species comparisons, even though the sets of genes that are subject to SL trans-splicing regulation appear to differ between organisms, several commonly shared orthologues were observed. Knockdown of trans-spliced transcripts in sporocysts resulted in a systemic reduction of the expression levels of all tested trans-spliced transcripts; however, the only phenotypic effect observed was diminished larval size. Further studies involving the findings from this work will provide new insights into the role of trans-splicing in the biology of S. mansoni and other organisms. All Expressed Sequence Tags generated in this study were submitted to dbEST as five different libraries. The accessions for each library and for the individual sequences are as follows: (i) adult worms of mixed sexes (LIBEST_027999: JZ139310 - JZ139779), (ii) female adult worms (LIBEST_028000: JZ139780 - JZ140379), (iii) male adult worms (LIBEST_028001: JZ140380 - JZ141002), (iv) eggs (LIBEST_028002: JZ141003 - JZ141497) and (v) schistosomula (LIBEST_028003: JZ141498 - JZ141974).
An efficient software shared virtual memory for the single-chip cloud computer

The Single-chip Cloud Computer (SCC) is an experimental processor created by Intel Labs. The SCC is based on a message passing architecture and does not provide any hardware cache coherence mechanism. Software or programmers should take care of coherence and consistency of a shared region between different cores. In this paper, we propose an efficient software shared virtual memory (SVM) for the SCC as an alternative to the cache coherence mechanism and report some preliminary results. Our software SVM is based on the commit-reconcile and fence (CRF) memory model and does not require a complicated SVM protocol between cores. We evaluate the effectiveness of our approach by comparing the software SVM with a cache-coherent NUMA machine using three synthetic micro-benchmark applications and five applications from SPLASH-2. Evaluation result indicates that our approach is promising.
Large-scale integrated model is useful for understanding heart mechanisms and developments of medical therapy

In this paper, we discuss the need for a large-scale integrated computer heart model to understand cardiac pathophysiology and to assist in the development of novel treatments through our experiences with the “UT-heart” simulator. The UT-heart simulator is a multi-scale, multi-physics heart simulator that integrates and visualizes our knowledge of cardiac function in various aspects and scales. To demonstrate the usefulness of this model, we focus especially on two problems in cardiac anatomy and physiology. In the first application, the mechanistic implication of complex fiber and laminar structures is analyzed with respect to optimality of pumping performance. In the second application, the coronary circulation is analyzed, to identify factors that determine the behavior of the microcirculatory system. These two examples indicate not only the importance of the integration technique, but also the need to resolve structural complexities of the heart in the modeling. This leads naturally to incorporating high performance computing in medical therapy.