Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Workload Change Point Detection for Runtime Thermal Management of Embedded Systems

Applications executed on multicore embedded systems interact with system software [such as the operating system (OS)] and hardware, leading to widely varying thermal profiles which accelerate some aging mechanisms, reducing the lifetime reliability. Effectively managing the temperature therefore requires: 1) autonomous detection of changes in application workload and 2) appropriate selection of control levers to manage thermal profiles of these workloads. In this paper, we propose a technique for workload change detection using density ratio-based statistical divergence between overlapping sliding windows of CPU performance statistics. This is integrated in a runtime approach for thermal management, which uses reinforcement learning to select workload-specific thermal control levers by sampling on-board thermal sensors. Identified control levers override the OSs native thread allocation decision and scale hardware voltage-frequency to improve average temperature, peak temperature, and thermal cycling. The proposed approach is validated through its implementation as a hierarchical runtime manager for Linux, with heuristic-based thread affinity selected from the upper hierarchy to reduce thermal cycling and learningbased voltage-frequency selected from the lower hierarchy to reduce average and peak temperatures. Experiments conducted with mobile, embedded, and high performance applications on ARM-based embedded systems demonstrate that the proposed approach increases workload change detection accuracy by an average 3.4×, reducing the average temperature by 4 °C-25 °C, peak temperature by 6 °C-24 °C, and thermal cycling by 7%-35% over state-of-the-art approaches.
Interaction between information systems and work in the Brazilian banking sector

Este articulo presenta los resultados de una investigacion con el objetivo de entender en que condiciones se da la interaccion entre el trabajo y tres sistemas de informacion (SIs) especificos usados en el sector bancario brasileno. Buscamos comprender como los sistemas son redisenados en las practicas del trabajo y como el trabajo es modificado por la insercion de los nuevos sistemas. La recoleccion de datos se baso en 46 entrevistas semiestructuradas y en el analisis de documentos referentes a los sistemas. Buscamos identificar lo que subyace en las practicas que modifican los sistemas y en el trabajo. El analisis de los datos revelo una estructura de arreglo operacional: una combinacion de diferentes practicas, que asegura la interaccion entre los agentes y el sistema. Encontramos una estructura de conversion reciproca, generada por la tecnicizacion de los agentes y por la humanizacion de los sistemas. En este ajuste continuado entre el trabajo y los sistemas, la tecnologia se adecua al contexto y las personas se preparan mejor para lidiar con la tecnologia.
Cross-layer scheduling with infrequent channel and queue measurements

The downlink scheduling problem in multi-queue multi-server systems under channel uncertainty is considered. Two policies that make allocations based on predicted channel states are proposed. The first is an extension of the well-known dynamic backpressure policy to the uncertain channel case. The second is a variant that improves delay performance under light loads. The stability region of the system is characterised and the first policy is argued to be throughput optimal. A recently proposed policy of Kar et al has lesser complexity, but is shown to be throughput suboptimal. Further, simulations demonstrate better delay and backlog properties for both our policies at light loads.
Immersive Mixed Reality for Manufacturing Training

In the complex manufacturing sector a considerable amount of resources is focused on training workers and developing new skills. Increasing the effectiveness of those processes and reducing the investment required is an outstanding issue. In this paper, we present an experiment (n=20) that shows how modern metaphors such as collaborative Mixed Reality can be used to transmit procedural knowledge and could eventually replace other forms of face-to-face training. We implemented a Mixed Reality setup with see-through cameras attached to a Head Mounted Display. The setup allowed for real-time collaborative interactions and could simulate conventional forms of training. We tested the system implementing a manufacturing procedure of an aircraft maintenance door. The obtained results indicate that performance levels in the Immersive Mixed Reality training were not significantly different than in the conventional face-to-face training condition. These results and their implications for future training and the use of Virtual Reality, Mixed Reality and Augmented Reality paradigms in this context are discussed in this paper.
Robust auditory-based speech processing using the average localized synchrony detection

A new auditory-based speech processing system based on the biologically rooted property of the average localized synchrony detection (ALSD) is proposed. The system detects periodicity in the speech signal at Bark-scaled frequencies while reducing the response's spurious peaks and sensitivity to implementation mismatches, and hence presents a consistent and robust representation of the formants. The system is evaluated for its formant extraction ability while reducing spurious peaks. It is compared with other auditory-based and traditional systems in the tasks of vowel and consonant recognition on clean speech from the TIMIT database and in the presence of noise. The results illustrate the advantage of the ALSD system in extracting the formants and reducing the spurious peaks. They also indicate the superiority of the synchrony measures over the mean-rate in the presence of noise.
Single‐shock LTD by local dendritic spikes in pyramidal neurons of mouse visual cortex

Mammalian dendrites are active structures, capable of regenerative electrical activity. Dendritic spikes can mediate synaptic plasticity and could enrich the computational properties of neurons. Besides sodium‐based action potentials, which can propagate throughout the dendritic tree, neocortical pyramidal neurons also sustain dendritic spikes that are spatially restricted. The function of these ‘local’ dendritic spikes is unknown. We show that local spikes, which require activation of N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptors (NMDARs), induce long‐term synaptic depression (LTD) in layer 5 pyramidal neurons. This depression does not require somatic spiking and is input specific. Moreover, a single synaptic stimulus can evoke a dendritic spike and a brief local dendritic calcium transient, and is sufficient for the full induction of LTD.
A policy-based management system with automatic policy selection and creation capabilities by using a singular value decomposition technique

On demand and autonomic computing will benefit from policy-based management systems which are responsive to new and ambiguous situations and learn from them. In a typical data center, there are thousands of different events reporting system faults, status, and performance information. Their occurrences are unpredictable. In addition, new events and conditions can occur as operating environment changes. Traditional approaches of authoring policies and techniques of implementing policy-based management systems, such as relying entirely on static authoring of simple "if [condition] then [actions]" rules, become insufficient. Hence, new approaches, such as goal policy, utility function etc., to the design and implementation of policy-based management systems have emerged. However, none of these approaches provides a systematic way to enable policies in a policy-based management system to be responsive to new and ambiguous situations. In this paper, we describe a novel method by which policies can be selected or created automatically based on events observed and knowledge learned. This new approach treats the observed event-policy relationship represented by an event-policy matrix as a statistical problem. Using singular value decomposition (SVD) technique, implicit higher order correlations among policies and their associated events are used to estimate the selection or creation of recommended policies based on events found in the observed event set. Initial results have indicated that this approach to policy-based management system is very promising
Measurement of total vitamin B12 and holotranscobalamin, singly and in combination, in screening for metabolic vitamin B12 deficiency.

BACKGROUND The standard screening test for vitamin B12 deficiency, measurement of total plasma vitamin B12, has limitations of sensitivity and specificity. Plasma vitamin B12 bound to transcobalamin (holoTC) is the fraction of total vitamin B12 available for tissue uptake and therefore has been proposed as a potentially useful alternative indicator of vitamin B12 status. METHODS We compared the diagnostic accuracy of total vitamin B12, holoTC, and a combination of both measures to screen for metabolic vitamin B12 deficiency in an elderly cohort (age > or = 60 years). Plasma methylmalonic acid and homocysteine were used as indicators of vitamin B12 deficiency. RESULTS Low total vitamin B12 (< 148 pmol/L) and low holoTC (< 35 pmol/L) were observed in 6.5% and 8.0%, and increased methylmalonic acid (> 350 nmol/L) and homocysteine (> 13 micromol/L) were observed in 12.1% and 17.0% of the study participants. In multiple regression models, holoTC explained 5%-6% more of the observed variance in methylmalonic acid and homocysteine than did total vitamin B12 (P < or = 0.004). ROC curve analysis indicated that total vitamin B12 and holoTC were essentially equivalent in their ability to discriminate persons with and without vitamin B12 deficiency. Individuals with low concentrations of both total vitamin B12 and holoTC had significantly higher concentrations of methylmalonic acid and homocysteine than did individuals with total vitamin B12 and/or holoTC within the reference intervals (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS HoloTC and total vitamin B12 have equal diagnostic accuracy in screening for metabolic vitamin B12 deficiency. Measurement of both holoTC and total vitamin B12 provides a better screen for vitamin B12 deficiency than either assay alone.
NAC-MYB-based transcriptional regulation of secondary cell wall biosynthesis in land plants

Plant cells biosynthesize primary cell walls (PCW) in all cells and produce secondary cell walls (SCWs) in specific cell types that conduct water and/or provide mechanical support, such as xylem vessels and fibers. The characteristic mechanical stiffness, chemical recalcitrance, and hydrophobic nature of SCWs result from the organization of SCW-specific biopolymers, i.e., highly ordered cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Synthesis of these SCW-specific biopolymers requires SCW-specific enzymes that are regulated by SCW-specific transcription factors. In this review, we summarize our current knowledge of the transcriptional regulation of SCW formation in plant cells. Advances in research on SCW biosynthesis during the past decade have expanded our understanding of the transcriptional regulation of SCW formation, particularly the functions of the NAC and MYB transcription factors. Focusing on the NAC-MYB-based transcriptional network, we discuss the regulatory systems that evolved in land plants to modify the cell wall to serve as a key component of structures that conduct water and provide mechanical support.
Extending the Role of Similarity Attraction in Friendship and Advice Networks in Angel Groups

Although similarity attraction theory is often utilized to explain why people form relationships with similar others, we utilize diversity research to look beyond surface–level demographic characteristics similarity to explain situations when angels form interpersonal relations with angels with dissimilar deep–level personal characteristics due to a strong desire to receive information and cognitive benefits. We use data collected from a chapter of one of the largest angel organizations in the United States. Our results show that although individuals often form relations with similar others, conditions exist when angels exert the extra effort required to form relations with dissimilar others.
Fingerprinting time series: Dynamic patterns in self-report and performance measures uncovered by a graphical non-linear method.

Two simple non-linear techniques are shown to be useful for understanding the dynamics of affect, symptoms, social interaction experience and cognitive performance. The techniques are justified by arguments derived from chaos theory, and demonstrated using data from an intensive time sampling study in which 30 subjects completed a set of self-ratings and a memory task on a hand-held computer every two hours during waking hours for 14 days. The data were pooled and two types of Poincari plot were constructed for each variable. The first was a plot of each value against its predecessor, and the second was a plot of each change in value from one interval to the next against the previous change. These plots are particularly suitable for uncovering asymmetric state-dependent changes in control between time points. The plots showed a number of distinctive ‘finge: rints’ for the different variables. Altogether, the results suggest that the plots are a novel and useful method for understanding psychological variables in terms of their dynamic control. Do feelings and behaviours fluctuate in ways that are deterministic but not linear and not rhythmic? For example, the size of a fluctuation in mood intensity or a change in response time could depend on the actual intensity of recent mood or on absolute response time rather than being uniform across all mood states and response times. In this paper we examine potential fluctuations of this type by adopting a graphical non-linear approach to time series in self-report and performance measures. Over the last decade an increasing number of studies have investigated the processes by which the thoughts, feelings and behaviours of individuals unfold over time (Tennen, Suls & Affleck, 1991). What these studies have in common is that they use intensive repeated measures of individuals to detect consistent patterns of
Kanthaka: Big Data Caller Detail Record (CDR) Analyzer for Near Real Time Telecom Promotions

With the competitiveness that is growing in the telecom industry, the operators seek for ways to attract and keep the subscribers in their network. Giving away attractive promotions to their subscribers is a powerful and commonly used approach in that context. With the technical limitations and the scales of the rising subscriber base, these promotions have been limited to a very narrow pattern. In order to gain a competitive advantage, the operators need new technologies and methodologies to support more attractive newer patterns of promotions, despite the challenges involved in complex analyzing procedures. In this research study, we have come up with a system to select eligible users for a particular predefined promotion, analyzing the Caller Detail Records, while being scalable for a rapidly escalating subscriber base.
Exploring the impact of top management support of enterprise systems implementations outcomes: Two cases

Purpose – Despite the general consensus regarding the critical role of top management in the information systems (IS) implementation process, the literature reveals a lack of understanding of top managers' supportive actions. There are also conflicting findings, which, based on the review, are the result of unexamined perspectives (deterministic, contingent, and dynamic perspective) of the impact of top management support (TMS). The purpose of the study is to compare the applicability of the three perspectives to enrich the understanding of TMS under the context of enterprise systems (ES) implementation.Design/methodology/approach – Case studies were conducted in two Canadian universities which have implemented a large‐scale ES to examine the applicability of the three perspectives. About 19 interviews were conducted with top managers, department managers, project managers, users and trainer.Findings – Results reveal that the deterministic and contingent perspective may be a simplified version of a comple.
Perceptual Content-Aware Image Reducing Based on Visual Perception

In this paper, we propose a perceptual content-aware image reducing method based on visual perception. First the Regions Of Interest (ROI) are extracted by visual perception. Then we construct the self-adaptive energy function to denote the importance of pixels. At last, the pixel seams which have lowest energy are deleted to protect image content and provide excellent visual effect. Selecting seams may deduce to an optimal problem, in our algorithm, which is transferred to a Shortest-Path problem and solved by dynamic programming. Experiment results show that the proposed algorithm can preserve the important areas and produce excellent vision effects. The reducing results are more desirable compared to all the state-of-the-art algorithms since we pay especially attentions to the biological structure of human beings.
The Role of manager’s Locus of Control between perceived guanxi and leadership behavior in family business

The special and historical relationship network in Chinese societies is based on blood ties or family emotional connection, in which family business appears the best representative. With the specialty of corporate structure, power and leadership between superiors and subordinates are the critical issues for research, where managers’ personality is particularly emphasized. We combine guanxi in Chinese societies, power, influence tactics, and locus of control in the research model, 147 family business in Taiwan are proceeded the questionnaire survey, and 332 valid copies are retrieved. With hierarchical regression analysis, the findings show the close relations between managers’ power, perceived guanxi and leadership behavior, in which managers’ locus of control play a critical role. It is therefore suggested that the assignation of managers in such type of enterprises should be more cautious; in addition to the communication with the subordinates, the fitness with personality and competence should be concerned in order to maintain the favorable work efficiency and the relations between superiors and subordinates.
The capacity and energy efficiency of wireless ad hoc networks with multi-packet reception

We address the cost incurred in increasing the transport capacity of wireless ad hoc networks over what can be attained when sources and destinations communicate over multi-hop paths and nodes can transmit or receive at most one packet at a time. We define the energy efficiency ·(n) as the bit-meters of information transferred in the network for each unit energy. We compute the energy efficiency of many different techniques aimed at increasing the capacity of wireless networks and show that, in order to achieve higher transport capacity, a lower energy efficiency must be attained. Using the physical model, we compute the throughput capacity of random wireless ad hoc networks in which nodes are endowed with multi-packet reception (MPR) capabilities. We show that λ(n)= Θ (<i>R</i>(<i>n</i>))<sup>(1-2/α)</sup> / <i>n</i><sup>1/α</sup>) bits per second constitutes a tight upper and lower bound for the throughput of random wireless ad hoc networks, where α>2 is the path loss parameter in the physical model, <i>n</i> is the total number of nodes in the network, and <i>R</i>(<i>n</i>) is the MPR receiver range. In doing so, we close the gap between the lower and upper bounds for the throughput capacity of wireless networks in the physical model. Compared to the original result derived for plain routing by Gupta and Kumar, MPR achieves a capacity gain of at least Θ((log <i>n</i>)α-2/2α) when R<i>R</i>(<i>n</i>)= Θ(√log <i>n</i>/<i>n</i>).
Usability and Acceptance in Small-Screen Information Systems

The small screen sizes of mobile phones can create problems for users. There is a need for acceptable user interfaces that enable a better, more maximised use of the limited screen size while still providing high levels of usability. One method of maximising a limited display area is translucency. To examine the effect of translucency on interface usability we created a fully functioning simulation of a third generation mobile phone user interface, containing a translucent menu system. In this study translucency was implemented at 50% alpha, and two menu levels deep. Objective and subjective aspects of usability and acceptance were gathered. Within the focus of the research the study yielded interesting findings positively relating translucency to perceived usability and measures of acceptance of small screen information systems. This paper presents the results of this study, and presents avenues for continuing research arising from the findings.
Metastatic extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma treated with trabectedin: A case report

The Ewing's sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT) comprises a number of rare malignant tumors. Standard first-line treatment for patients with these tumors includes chemotherapy with a five-drug regimen of vincristine, doxorubicin (Adriamycin®) and cyclophosphamide, alternating with ifosfamide and etoposide (VAC/IE). In cases of inadequate response, there are a number of second-line regimens available. However, further treatment options are required for those patients with disease unresponsive to standard treatment. Trabectedin is a novel treatment option for patients with ESFT. The present study reports the case of a Caucasian 69-year-old female patient who presented with a soft tissue mass on the chest wall that had developed 7 months earlier. A computed tomography scan revealed a 9×8×7-cm mass on the anterior chest wall above the pectoral muscle. Histopathological evaluations and molecular analysis indicated that it was consistent with a metastatic extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma. The patient was treated with an alternating VAC/IE regimen; however, an inadequate response was observed. The patient received second-line treatment with a gemcitabine and dacarbazine combination regimen, but the disease progressed. Subsequently, treatment with trabectedin (1.5 mg/m2 as a 24-h continuous infusion every 3 weeks) was initiated. Trabectedin treatment resulted in long-lasting (18 months) progression-free survival. It is vital that novel drugs continue to being developed for patients with ESFT following progression subsequent to standard chemotherapy. The current report presents a case of a patient with metastatic, pre-treated Ewing's sarcoma achieving disease stabilization with trabectedin. Based on these results and the observed tolerability profile, trabectedin represents an alternative treatment for patients with ESFT. Further studies are required in order to determine the efficacy of trabectedin as monotherapy or in combination with other drugs. It is also important to identify which tumor subtypes, specific translocations and patient profiles will benefit the most from treatment with trabectedin.