Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On-Demand Capacity Provisioning in Storage Clusters Through Workload Pattern Modeling

Internet of Things (IoT), which is the inter-networking of a wide variety of physical devices, is widely used in our daily life. The exponential increase in the number of diverse devices has resulted in a significant increase in the volume, variety, velocity, and veracity of data (i.e., big data). These data present a large requirement on modern storage systems both for capacity and scale, and energy cost has become a critical problem. For storage clusters, much research effort has been invested in alleviating this problem by providing suitable resource capacity (i.e., on-demand providing). However, it is challenging to match the offered resource capacity with the real system workloads, thus resulting in a violation of service level agreement. By considering a storage cluster as a queueing system, this paper proposes a QoS-oriented capacity provisioning mechanism. Based on workload features, the mechanism models the pattern of current workloads as a suitable queueing model. In accordance with the model, our mechanism can well forecast the actual resource capacity demand without violating the service level agreement, and then offer the required resource capacity in terms of the real workloads. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed mechanism significantly reduces the energy consumption of a typical storage cluster, while meeting the QoS requirements. It also significantly outperforms two classic and two state-of-the-art capacity provisioning mechanisms.
The evaluation and treatment of aggression maintained by attention and automatic reinforcement.

In the current investigation, we used direct and indirect methods to assess and treat several topographies of aggression that were hypothesized to have separate operant functions in a young boy with severe mental ratardation and pervasive developmental disorder. First, a functional analysis of aggression, using the methods described by Iwata, Dorsey, Slifer, Bauman, and Richman (1982/1994), was conducted and produced inconclusive results. Next, indirect methods were used to develop a second functional analysis, which showed that chin grinding (firmly pressing and grinding his chin against the skin and bones of others) persisted independent of social contingencies and that the other topographies of aggression (e.g., hitting, kicking) were maintained by social positive reinforcement (attention). A treatment designed to decrease aggression maintained by attention--functional communication training with extinction--reduced all forms of aggression except chin grinding. This latter topography of aggression, which we hypothesized was maintained by automatic reinforcement, was reduced when the response--reinforcer relation was interrupted through response blocking and the child was provided with an alternative form of chin stimulation.
A Comprehensive Analytical Model for Weighted Fair Queuing under Multi-Class Self-Similar Traffic

Weighted Fair Queueing (WFQ) is a practical scheduling discipline for supporting differentiated Quality-of-Service (QoS) in computer networks and communication systems. Analytical models are important tools for system performance evaluation and resource optimization. However, there is not any comprehensive model reported in the open literature for analytically investigating the performance behaviors of WFQ subject to multiple self-similar traffic flows. To fill this gap, this paper develops such a model and derives the upper bounds for the distributions of several important QoS performance metrics including queue length, packet delay and loss of traffic flows in the WFQ system. The comparison between analytical and simulation results using the traffic parameters obtained from real-world MPEG frame traces validates the accuracy of the developed model which can be used for investigating the performance behavior of WFQ systems with multi-class self-similar traffic under realistic working conditions.
TRANSPARENT TESTA GLABRA 1-Dependent Regulation of Flavonoid Biosynthesis

The flavonoid composition of various tissues throughout plant development is of biological relevance and particular interest for breeding. Arabidopsis thaliana TRANSPARENT TESTA GLABRA 1 (AtTTG1) is an essential regulator of late structural genes in flavonoid biosynthesis. Here, we provide a review of the regulation of the pathway’s core enzymes through AtTTG1-containing R2R3-MYELOBLASTOSIS-basic HELIX-LOOP-HELIX-WD40 repeat (MBW(AtTTG1)) complexes embedded in an evolutionary context. We present a comprehensive collection of A. thaliana ttg1 mutants and AtTTG1 orthologs. A plethora of MBW(AtTTG1) mechanisms in regulating the five major TTG1-dependent traits is highlighted.
Theoretical Foundations of Artificial General Intelligence

This book is a collection of writings by active researchers in the field of Artificial General Intelligence, on topics of central importance in the field. Each chapter focuses on one theoretical problem, proposes a novel solution, and is written in sufficiently non-technical language to be understandable by advanced undergraduates or scientists in allied fields. This book is the very first collection in the field of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) focusing on theoretical, conceptual, and philosophical issues in the creation of thinking machines. All the authors are researchers actively developing AGI projects, thus distinguishing the book from much of the theoretical cognitive science and AI literature, which is generally quite divorced from practical AGI system building issues. And the discussions are presented in a way that makes the problems and proposed solutions understandable to a wide readership of non-specialists, providing a distinction from the journal and conference-proceedings literature. The book will benefit AGI researchers and students by giving them a solid orientation in the conceptual foundations of the field (which is not currently available anywhere); and it would benefit researchers in allied fields by giving them a high-level view of the current state of thinking in the AGI field. Furthermore, by addressing key topics in the field in a coherent way, the collection as a whole may play an important role in guiding future research in both theoretical and practical AGI, and in linking AGI research with work in allied disciplines
DNA Methylation in Benign Breast Epithelium in Relation to Age and Breast Cancer Risk

Background: Many established breast cancer risk factors are related to the timing and duration of exposure to reproductive hormones, which are known to drive breast epithelial cell proliferation. The epigenetic molecular clock hypothesis suggests that CpG island methylation records the cell division history of benign epithelium. In proliferative epithelium, such as breast, this may provide an individualized cell-based measure of cancer risk. Methods: Methylation of cyclin D2, APC, HIN1, RASSF1A, and RAR-β2 was measured by quantitative multiplex methylation-specific PCR in 290 benign and malignant breast epithelial cell samples obtained by palpation-directed fine-needle aspiration biopsy from 164 women. Univariate, multivariate, and unsupervised cluster analysis was used to establish the relationship between TSG methylation and a personal history of breast cancer, predicted breast cancer risk, and specific breast cancer risk factors. Results: RASSF1A methylation was highly correlated with breast cancer risk [odds ratio (OR), 5.28; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.95-14.32; P = 0.001], atypical cytology (OR, 4.11; 95% CI, 1.30-12.98; P = 0.016), and benign breast disease requiring biopsy (OR, 6.12; 95% CI, 1.41-26.51; P = 0.016). RASSF1A methylation increased linearly between ages 32 and 55. Increasing parity was associated with decreased APC methylation. Conclusions: TSG methylation increases in benign breast epithelium with increasing age. Because it is independently related to a personal history of benign or malignant breast disease and to predicted breast cancer risk, it may have value for breast cancer risk stratification and as a surrogate endpoint marker in prevention trials. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(5):1051–9)
Induction of Neurite Extension and Survival in Pheochromocytoma Cells by the Rit GTPase*

The Rit, Rin, and Ric proteins comprise a distinct and evolutionarily conserved subfamily of the Ras-like small G-proteins. Although these proteins share the majority of core effector domain residues with Ras, recent studies suggest that Rit uses novel effector pathways to regulate NIH3T3 cell proliferation and transformation, while the functions of Rin and Ric remain largely unknown. Since we demonstrate that Rit is expressed in neurons, we investigated the role of Rit signaling in promoting the differentiation and survival of pheochromocytoma cells. In this study, we show that expression of constitutively active Rit (RitL79) in PC6 cells results in neuronal differentiation, characterized by the elaboration of an extensive network of neurite-like processes that are morphologically distinct from those mediated by the expression of oncogenic Ras. Although activated Rit fails to stimulate mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) signaling pathways in COS cells, RitL79 induced the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in PC6 cells. We also find that Rit-mediated effects on neurite outgrowth can be blocked by co-expression of dominant-negative mutants of C-Raf1 or mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MEK1). Moreover, expression of dominant-negative Rit is sufficient to inhibit NGF-induced neurite outgrowth. Expression of active Rit inhibits growth factor-withdrawal mediated apoptosis of PC6 cells, but does not induce phosphorylation of Akt/protein kinase B, suggesting that survival does not utilize the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. Instead, pharmacological inhibitors of MEK block Rit-stimulated cell survival. Taken together, these studies suggest that Rit represents a distinct regulatory protein, capable of mediating differentiation and cell survival in PC6 cells using a MEK-dependent signaling pathway to achieve its effects.
Efficacy and comfort of olopatadine 0.2% versus epinastine 0.05% ophthalmic solution for treating itching and redness induced by conjunctival allergen challenge*

ABSTRACT Background: Olopatadine 0.2% (Pataday, Alcon Laboratories Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, USA) and epinastine 0.05% (Elestat, Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Durham, NC, USA) are topical ocular anti-allergic agents. Both are H1 antihistamine/mast cell stabilizers indicated for the treatment of ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis. Objective: To compare the efficacy and comfort of olopatadine 0.2% with epinastine 0.05%, in the prevention of ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis following conjunctival allergen challenge (CAC). Research design and methods: This was a 7 week, four visit, double-masked, randomized, placebo-controlled CAC study. Visit 1 screened subjects for positive ocular allergic responses and Visit 2 confirmed those responses. At Visit 3, 92 subjects were randomized into one of four treatment groups to receive one drop of study medication in each eye: (1) olopatadine 0.2%/placebo, (2) epinastine 0.05%/placebo, (3) olopatadine 0.2%/epinastine 0.05%, (4) placebo/placebo. Subjects were challenged 12 h after drop instillation to evaluate duration of action. At Visit 4, subjects were challenged 5 min after drop instillation to evaluate onset of action. Drop comfort was assessed at Visit 4. Main outcome measures; results: This article focuses on the results of the onset-of-action challenge (Visit 4). At Visit 4, ocular itching was assessed at 3, 5, and 7 min and redness was assessed at 7, 15, and 20 min post-challenge. Drop comfort was assessed upon instillation, at 30 s, and at 1, 2, and 5 min post-instillation. Olopatadine 0.2%-treated eyes exhibited significantly lower mean ocular itching scores versus epinastine 0.05%-treated eyes at 5 ( p = 0.024) and 7 min ( p = 0.003) post-challenge. Olopatadine 0.2%-treated eyes exhibited significantly lower mean redness scores versus epinastine 0.05%-treated eyes at all time points post-challenge (ciliary: p ≤ 0.013, conjunctival: p ≤ 0.015, episcleral: p ≤ 0.006). Olopatadine 0.2% was rated as significantly more comfortable than epinastine 0.05% at 1 min post-drop instillation ( p = 0.003). All adverse events were non-serious and unrelated to study medication. Although the CAC model reproduces allergic responses that are not environmentally-induced, patients experience varying severities of responses as are seen in real-world situations. Conclusion: Olopatadine 0.2% was superior to epinastine 0.05% in preventing ocular itching and redness at onset when induced by the CAC model.
Decreasing iteration number of k-medoids algorithm with IFART

K-medoids is a well known and widely used algorithm in data clustering. Performance of the algorithm depends on the initialization of cluster centers as in other centered based clustering techniques. In this article we used an initialization method based on fuzzy art to initialize clusters. The algorithm has been applied to different datasets. The experiments show that our approach can achieve higher or comparable performance when it is compared with conventional k-medoids.
Development of a specialty medication prior-authorization service at an urban academic medical center.

PURPOSE The project in which a clinical pharmacist enlisted the help of pharmacy students to create a team responsible for prior-authorization (PA) paperwork associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection treatment is described. SUMMARY Many insurance companies require completion of a time-consuming PA process for approval of high-cost specialty medications, such as those used in the treatment of HCV infection. A clinical pharmacist at an urban academic medical center recruited pharmacy students to assist with and streamline the HCV medication PA process. After training, the students developed a protocol to increase the efficiency of completing PA requests, appealing denials, obtaining PA extensions, and documenting progress in the electronic medical record to ensure continuity of care. The PA team collaborated with clinicians to document proof of medical need and worked with insurers, pharmacies, and patients to achieve timely approval and receipt of medications. From June 2014 to March 2015, three students spent 240 hours developing the PA protocol and completing 88 PA requests, with an overall medication approval rate of 87.7%; 18 patients were also referred to medication assistance programs. The PA team's work allowed the clinical pharmacist to spend more time on clinical activities and scholarship, while the students increased their knowledge of HCV disease and HCV-targeted therapies and improved their skills in written and verbal communication with patients, providers, and insurance companies. CONCLUSION Pharmacy students successfully implemented a PA team to manage prescription approval for HCV medications with assistance from a clinical pharmacist.
Internationalization-at-Home: Grounded Practices to Promote Intercultural, International, and Global Learning.

This paper explores Internationalization-at-Home ( IaH) as a comprehensive model for preparing every student with the needed global competencies for today' s interconnected and diverse society. The authors show how the goal of IaH is to redefine classrooms and campuses into common spaces that intentionally promote intercultural, international, and global/earning. Practical models and analytical frameworks for pursuing IaH and curriculum internationalization are provided and anchored in multiple potential spaces for global/earning.
Demographically Extended & State Specific Optimal Commodity Taxes for India

This paper attempts to provide conclusive evidence of regional variations in demand be¬haviour in India using the Restricted Non Linear Preference System. Also the importance of household composition is brought out clearly via its influence on optimal commodity taxes for India. This is done by recognizing each of the chosen 16 Indian states separately and esti¬mating tax rates for them, while incorporating demographic variables. The results show con¬siderable variations in not only the estimated tax rates, but also in the demand behaviour as revealed by response of tax rates to changes in revenue requirements and changes in a social planner's aversion to inequality. In other words, the estimated tax rates are extremely sensi¬tive to the degree of aversion to inequality and the required revenue; the response of each state to these changing parameters is also non uniform. Our results reveal that indirect taxes are ineffective in redistributing income in the majority of the states under consideration.
The tiny eukaryote Ostreococcus provides genomic insights into the paradox of plankton speciation

The smallest known eukaryotes, at ≈1-μm diameter, are Ostreococcus tauri and related species of marine phytoplankton. The genome of Ostreococcus lucimarinus has been completed and compared with that of O. tauri. This comparison reveals surprising differences across orthologous chromosomes in the two species from highly syntenic chromosomes in most cases to chromosomes with almost no similarity. Species divergence in these phytoplankton is occurring through multiple mechanisms acting differently on different chromosomes and likely including acquisition of new genes through horizontal gene transfer. We speculate that this latter process may be involved in altering the cell-surface characteristics of each species. In addition, the genome of O. lucimarinus provides insights into the unique metal metabolism of these organisms, which are predicted to have a large number of selenocysteine-containing proteins. Selenoenzymes are more catalytically active than similar enzymes lacking selenium, and thus the cell may require less of that protein. As reported here, selenoenzymes, novel fusion proteins, and loss of some major protein families including ones associated with chromatin are likely important adaptations for achieving a small cell size.
How to assess motor impairment in writer's cramp

Writer's cramp is a task‐specific hand dystonia affecting handwriting. Clinical scores such as the Arm Dystonia Disability Scale (ADDS) or Writer's Cramp Rating Scale (WCRS) as well as kinematic analysis of handwriting movements have been used to assess functional impairment in affected patients. In 21 patients with writer's cramp and healthy controls, we analyzed the kinematics of writing and cyclic drawing movements. We rated the severity of dystonia using the ADDS and WCRS and correlated the clinical scores with movement kinematics. Mean stroke frequency was significantly reduced in dystonic patients. Drawing movements showed more frequently a decrease in stroke frequency than handwriting movements. During circle drawing, mean vertical peak velocity was more variable in patients relative to controls, indicating an impaired ability to reproduce the same kinematic pattern over time. An increase in vertical writing pressure was only observed during handwriting but not during circle drawing and may reflect a compensatory effort to stabilize the pencil. Kinematic measures and individual ADDS and WCRS scores did not correlate with each other. The lack of correlation is not surprising as ADDS, WCRS, and kinematic analysis probe different aspects of motor impairment. The ADDS characterizes how dystonia affects a set of fine manual tasks, whereas the WCRS scores the manifestation of dystonia during handwriting. Therefore, the clinical scores and kinematic analysis of handwriting provide complementary insights into motor impairment. Future studies need to address which combination of clinical scores and kinematic measures are most appropriate to quantify impairment in writer's cramp. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Patient and intensive care unit organizational factors associated with low tidal volume ventilation in acute lung injury*

Background:Barriers to evidence-based practice are not well understood. Within the intensive care unit (ICU) setting, low tidal volume ventilation (LTVV) in patients with acute lung injury (ALI) significantly decreases mortality. However, LTVV has not achieved widespread adoption. Objectives:To evaluate patient demographic and clinical factors, and ICU organizational factors associated with its use. Design, Setting and Patients:Prospective cohort study of 250 patients with ALI in 9 ICUs at 3 teaching hospitals in Baltimore, MD. Measurements:Use of LTVV the day after ALI onset and association of patients’ demographic and clinical factors and ICU organizational factors with LTVV using a multivariable logistic regression model adjusted for clustering of patients within ICUs. Results:On the day after ALI onset, 46% and 81% of patients received a tidal volume ≤6.5 and ≤8.5 mL/kg predicted body weight (PBW), respectively, with no significant changes at 3 and 5 days after ALI. Using a strict definition of LTVV (≤6.5 mL/kg PBW), no patient demographic factors were independently associated with LTVV; however, two patient clinical and ICU organizational factors (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval) were independently associated: serum HCO3 level (<22: .3, .1–.9, and >26: .6, .1–3.5, versus 22–26) and use of a written protocol for LTVV (6.0, 1.3 – 27.2). In a sensitivity analysis using tidal volume ≤8.5 mL/kg PBW, use of a written protocol remained significantly associated with LTVV. Conclusions:Patient demographic factors were not associated with LTVV. Given its strong association with LTVV, ICUs should use a written protocol for ventilation of ALI patients to help translate this evidence-based therapy into practice.
Development of Controller for Arm Exoskeleton

The use of robotics in rehabilitation of stroke patients has not been extensively researched yet. Many studies were performed on the rehabilitation of the upper extremities using arm exoskeleton; the results shown by these studies show a positive effect in the rehabilitation of patients. This project is concerned with performing a study on two different controllers for the arm in order to provide an optimized controller for use in an arm exoskeleton as well as to study the most effective control technique.
Structural and functional cardiac adaptations to a 10‐week school‐based football intervention for 9–10‐year‐old children

The present study investigated the cardiac effects of a 10‐week football training intervention for school children aged 9–10 years using comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography as a part of a larger ongoing study. A total of 97 pupils from four school classes were cluster‐randomized into a control group that maintained their usual activities (CON; two classes, n = 51, 21 boys and 30 girls) and a football training group that performed an additional 3 × 40 min of small‐sided football training per week (FT; two classes, n = 46, 23 boys and 23 girls). No baseline differences were observed in age, body composition, or echocardiographic variables between FT and CON. After the 10‐week intervention, left ventricular posterior wall diameter was increased in FT compared with CON [0.4 ± 0.7 vs −0.1 ± 0.6 (± SD) mm; P < 0.01] as was the interventricular septum thickness (0.2 ± 0.7 vs −0.2 ± 0.8 mm; P < 0.001). Global isovolumetric relaxation time increased more in FT than in CON (3.8 ± 10.4 vs −0.9 ± 6.6 ms, P < 0.05) while the change in ventricular systolic ejection fraction tended to be higher (1.4 ± 8.0 vs −1.1 ± 5.5%; P = 0.08). No changes were observed in resting heart rate or blood pressure. In conclusion, a short‐term, school‐based intervention comprising small‐sided football sessions resulted in significant structural and functional cardiac adaptations in pre‐adolescent children.