Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Service Characterization for Virtual Routers

In the past decade the virtualization paradigm has been remarkably successful in the server domain, and significant benefits are expected from the virtualization of network resources. However, to date the virtualization capabilities of proprietary systems remain limited while the impact of executing open software routers within system virtualization platforms has not been fully investigated. In this talk we present approaches for router performance evaluation and measurement results comparing the capabilities of various hardware and software routing platforms. Our findings show, that the use of virtualized software forwarding planes is problematic. Aiming to eliminate this bottleneck, we outline a framework for router virtualization which employs open source software components for the control plane and hardware supporting the emerging OpenFlow protocol as a forwarding plane.
The Migrant Crypt: Cultural Translation Across the Balkans

The influx of hundreds of thousands of refugees from the Middle East into Europe has challenged the existing notion of national boundaries and demonstrated an increased need for a public policy that takes into account problems arising from the forced movement of populations on such a large scale. Media reporting of the crisis focuses on the plight of miserable migrants who are using Macedonia, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, and Hungary as transition points to reach the wealthier countries in Europe. Needless to say, countries comprising the European Union have had vastly differing responses to the issue of national boundaries and their permeability in the ongoing migration crisis. This essay uses the innovative methodology of cultural translation to analyze this phenomenon by calling for a new understanding of trauma, space, and identity in the Balkans in particular and Europe in general. Translation is understood here not only as a practice that transfers meaning in the narrow linguistic sense of the word, but also as the process by which broader social and political formations are carried over from one culture to another. As the eminent Spanish language translator Gregory Rabassa said: “Every act of communication is an act of translation. ” As global subjectivity becomes increasingly dominated by communication across languages and cultures, as well as between geographical and virtual spaces, the universe emerging among the interacting economies is characterized by processes of translation that alter the simplified imaginary perceptions of “others” that are currently built into the cultural unconscious of particular national imaginaries.
Temperature gradients in XMM-Newton observed REFLEX-DXL galaxy clusters at z - 0.3

We present XMM-Newton results on the temperature profiles of a volume-limited sample of galaxy clusters at redshifts z ∼ 0.3, selected from the REFLEX survey (REFLEX-DXL sample). In the spectral analysis, where only the energies above I keV were considered, we obtained consistent results for the temperature derived from the pn, MOS1 and MOS2 data. Useful temperature measurements could be performed out to radii with overdensity 500 (r 5 0 0 ) for all nine clusters. We discovered a diversity in the temperature gradients at the outer cluster radii with examples of both flat and strongly decreasing profiles. Using the total mass and the gas mass profiles for the cluster RXCJ0307.0-2840 we demonstrate that the errors on the mass estimates for the REFLEX-DXL clusters are within 25% up to r 5 0 0 .
Implied Mortgage Refinancing Thresholds

The optimal prepayment model asserts that rational homeowners would refinance if they can reduce the current value of their liabilities by an amount greater than the refinancing threshold, defined as the cost of carrying the transaction plus the time value of the embedded call option. To compute the notional value of the refinancing threshold, researchs have traditionally relied on a discrete option-pricing model. Using a unique loan level dataset that links homeowner attributes with property and loan characteristics, this study proposes an alternative approach of estimating the implied value of the refinancing threshold. This empirical method enables us to measure the minimum interest rate differential needed to justify refinancing conditional on the borrower's creditworthiness, remaining maturity, and other observable characteristics.
Identification of risk factors for developmental stuttering

Previous studies on risk factors for developmental stuttering have looked at the correlation between stuttering and a wide variety of factors. External factors such as socio-economic status, cultural factors, and expectations placed on children have all been considered. Internal factors such as mood and temperament have also been examined. Past studies have provided mixed or contradictory results. More research is needed to determine factors that increase the risk for developmental stuttering. The purpose of the current study is to establish the rationale for the creation and distribution of a short questionnaire to further explore risk factors for developmental stuttering. A short questionnaire will be distributed to the parents of a group of 1000 children available through the Edmonton cohort of the Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development (CHILD) Study. The CHILD Study is a Canadian longitudinal birth cohort study interested in the effects of environmental and genetic factors on development. The questionnaire will ask parents if their child has ever showed repetitions, lengthening or hesitations in their speech, indicating that the child is currently or has previously experienced developmental stuttering. Results will be compared to existing data in the Edmonton cohort of the CHILD study to examine any possible predictors of developmental stuttering. The Edmonton cohort of the CHILD study provides a unique and expansive database to use in analyses. We anticipate the richness of the information in the CHILD database will allow for an in-depth analysis on possible predictive factors for developmental stuttering. In addition, we hope that the results of the questionnaire will add to the prevalence literature on developmental stuttering.
Somatic sex determination in Caenorhabditis elegans is modulated by SUP-26 repression of tra-2 translation

Translational repression mediated by RNA-binding proteins or micro RNAs has emerged as a major regulatory mechanism for fine-tuning important biological processes. In Caenorhabditis elegans, translational repression of the key sex-determination gene tra-2 (tra, transformer) is controlled by a 28-nucleotide repeat element, the TRA-2/GLI element (TGE), located in its 3′ untranslated region (UTR). Mutations that disrupt TGE or the germline-specific TGE-binding factor GLD-1 increase TRA-2 protein expression and inhibit sperm production in hermaphrodites. Here we report the characterization of the sup-26 gene, which regulates sex determination in the soma and encodes an RNA recognition motif (RRM)-containing protein. We show that SUP-26 regulates the level of the TRA-2 protein through TGE in vivo and binds directly to TGE in vitro through its RRM domain. Interestingly, SUP-26 associates with poly(A)-binding protein 1 (PAB-1) in vivo and may repress tra-2 expression by inhibiting the translation-stimulating activity of PAB-1. Taken together, our results provide further insight into how mRNA-binding factors repress translation and modulate sexual development in different tissues of C. elegans.
On the epoxy moulding compound aging effect on package reliability

Most semi-conductor devices are encapsulated by epoxy moulding compound (EMC) material. Even after curing at the prescribed temperature and time in accordance with the supplier's curing specifications often the product is not yet 100% fully cured. As a consequence, the curing process of a product continues much longer, leading to curing effects of the EMC during the lifetime of the package. In this paper, the effect of EMC curing during lifetime on package reliability is investigated. The mechanical properties of one EMC material are measured as a function of aging time and used in FE calculations. Aging effects on critical semi-conductor failure modes such as die cracking, compound cracking, wedge break, and delamination are addressed. Die and compound crack risks are predicted by common stress analysis. The risk of wedge break occurrence is investigated by detailed 3D modeling of the actual wires in the package using a global-local approach. Conclusions on delamination risks are made based on a parameter sensitivity analysis using a 3D cohesive zones approach to predict transient delamination. The package reliability study shows that the effect of EMC aging affects relevant failure modes in different ways.
Communication Skills Training for Surgical Inpatient Advanced Practice Providers in an Academic Health-Care System

Background: Good communication skills enhance the patient experience, clinical outcomes, and patient satisfaction. Objective: A course was developed by an interdisciplinary team (surgeon, nurse practitioner, and nurse MBA) for advanced practice providers (APPs) working for the department of surgery—a mix of practice and hospital-employed professionals—to enhance communications skills in an inpatient setting. Methods: Current concepts on provider–patient communication were discussed. Participants also asked to view and critique a video “provider–patient communication gone wrong” scenario. Lastly, participants were provided with techniques for improving provider–patient communication. The participants assessed the course. Provider communication scores were tracked from quarter 1, Fiscal Year 2014 to quarter 4 Fiscal Year 2017. Results: Of 110 eligible APPs, 95 (86%) attended the course. The anonymous survey response rate was 90% (86/95). Participants expressed satisfaction with the course content confirmed by Likert score weighted averages of >4.6/5 in all 8 domains. Communication scores increased with time. Conclusion: An interdisciplinary course aimed at enhancing provider–patient communication skills was well-received by the APP participants. The course was part of ongoing system-wide efforts to improve patient experiences, satisfaction, and outcomes. Continuing education in communication continues to play a key role in improving clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction.
Gacyclidine improves the survival and reduces motor deficits in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder typified by a massive loss of motor neurons with few therapeutic options. The exact cause of neuronal degeneration is unknown but it is now admitted that ALS is a multifactorial disease with several mechanisms involved including glutamate excitotoxicity. More specifically, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-mediated cell death and impairment of the glutamate-transport has been suggested to play a key role in ALS pathophysiology. Thus, evaluating NMDAR antagonists is of high therapeutic interest. Gacyclidine, also named GK11, is a high affinity non-competitive NMDAR antagonist that may protect against motor neuron death in an ALS context. Moreover, GK11 presents a low intrinsic neurotoxicity and has already been used in two clinical trials for CNS lesions. In the present study, we investigated the influence of chronic administration of two doses of GK11 (0.1 and 1 mg/kg) on the survival and the functional motor activity of hSOD1G93A mice, an animal model of ALS. Treatment started at early symptomatic age (60 days) and was applied bi-weekly until the end stage of the disease. We first confirmed that functional alteration of locomotor activity was evident in the hSOD1G93A transgenic female mice by 60 days of age. A low dose of GK11 improved the survival of the mice by 4.3% and partially preserved body weight. Improved life span was associated with a delay in locomotor function impairment. Conversely, the high dose treatment worsened motor functions. These findings suggest that chronic administration of GK11 beginning at early symptomatic stage may be beneficial for patients with ALS.
A convergent iterative restricted complexity control design scheme

In this contribution we propose an optimization approach to the design of a restricted complexity controller. The design criterion is of LQG type containing two terms. The first term is the quadratic norm of the error between the output of the true closed loop and a desired response. The second term is the quadratic norm of the input signal. It is shown that the minimization of this criterion does not require a model of the system. Closed loop experimental data can be used instead. The result is an iterative scheme of closed loop experiments and controller updates which converges to a local minimum of the design criterion under the condition of bounded signals. <<ETX>>
TNF Blocking Therapies and Immunomonitoring in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Since their appearance in the armamentarium for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) more than a decade ago, antitumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors have demonstrated beneficial activity in induction and maintenance of clinical remission, mucosal healing, improvement in quality of life, and reduction in surgeries and hospitalizations. However, more than one-third of patients present primary resistance, and another one-third become resistant over time. One of the main factors associated with loss of response is the immunogenicity of anti-TNF biologics leading to the production of antidrug antibodies (ADAbs) accelerating their clearance. In this review we present the current state of the literature on the place of TNF and its blockage in the treatment of patients with IBD and discuss the usefulness of serum trough levels and ADAb monitoring in the optimization of anti-TNF therapies.
Design and implementation of sub-GHz wireless light switch with integrated Wi-Fi

This paper presents the development of wireless light switch system with primary signal carrier band in Sub- GHz. In contrast to conventional wired lighting system, wireless concept delivers much more efficient application in material budget, distance, simplicity and performance. At the other side, application may be better performed with Wi-Fi network of 2.4GHz in terms of worldwide popularity, however, 2.4GHz has more complicated protocol stack and limitation of power consumption as well as high traffic congestion. With the application of Sub-GHz band, these difficulties can be completely avoided, especially for the application of light switch system. Therefore this project implements the upsides of both frequency bands and protocols by integrating both of them in impressive way to achieve the excellence in product efficiency and performance.
Three-body encounters in the Galactic Centre: the origin of the hypervelocity star SDSS J090745.0+024507

In the late 1980s Hills predicted that runaway stars could be accelerated to velocities greater than 1000kms-1 by dynamical encounters with the supermassive black hole (SMBH) in the Galactic Centre. The recently discovered hypervelocity star SDSS J090745.0+024507 (hereafter the HVS) is escaping the Galaxy at high speed and could be the first object in this class. With the measured radial velocity and the estimated distance to the HVS, we trace back its trajectory in the Galactic potential. Assuming it was ejected from the Centre, we find that a ~2masyr-1 proper motion is necessary for the star to have come within a few parsecs of the SMBH. We perform three-body scattering experiments to constrain the progenitor encounter that accelerated the HVS. As proposed recently by Yu & Tremaine, we consider the tidal disruption of binary systems by the SMBH and the encounter between a star and a binary black hole, as well as an alternative scenario involving intermediate-mass black holes. We find that the tidal disruption of a stellar binary ejects stars with a larger velocity compared to the encounter between a single star and a binary black hole, but has a somewhat smaller ejection rate due to the greater availability of single stars.
Typologies of communicators in Europe

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of a quantitative investigation into the major working fields of European communication professionals.Design/methodology/approach – The paper build upon previous work done in roles research, but follow a grounded approach in using an explorative cluster analysis on a sample of 1,410 communicators from 30 different European countries.Findings – The paper identifies five typologies into which the working fields of European communication practitioners can be categorized: negotiators, brand officers, policy advisors, internal communicators, and press agents. These clusters are distinctively different in terms of education, salary, and career, as well as job satisfaction.Research limitations/implications – This paper is focused on the typologies of the European communication profession, whereas differences regarding the cultural or national context of the communication profession as well as the particularities of the respective media systems are no.
Molecular Microdomains in a Sensory Terminal, the Vestibular Calyx Ending

Many primary vestibular afferents form large cup-shaped postsynaptic terminals (calyces) that envelope the basolateral surfaces of type I hair cells. The calyceal terminals both respond to glutamate released from ribbon synapses in the type I cells and initiate spikes that propagate to the afferent's central terminals in the brainstem. The combination of synaptic and spike initiation functions in these unique sensory endings distinguishes them from the axonal nodes of central neurons and peripheral nerves, such as the sciatic nerve, which have provided most of our information about nodal specializations. We show that rat vestibular calyces express an unusual mix of voltage-gated Na and K channels and scaffolding, cell adhesion, and extracellular matrix proteins, which may hold the ion channels in place. Protein expression patterns form several microdomains within the calyx membrane: a synaptic domain facing the hair cell, the heminode abutting the first myelinated internode, and one or two intermediate domains. Differences in the expression and localization of proteins between afferent types and zones may contribute to known variations in afferent physiology.
EVILCOHORT: Detecting Communities of Malicious Accounts on Online Services

Cybercriminals misuse accounts on online services (e.g., webmails and online social networks) to perform malicious activity, such as spreading malicious content or stealing sensitive information. In this paper, we show that accounts that are accessed by botnets are a popular choice by cybercriminals. Since botnets are composed of a finite number of infected computers, we observe that cybercriminals tend to have their bots connect to multiple online accounts to perform malicious activity. We present EVILCOHORT, a system that detects online accounts that are accessed by a common set of infected machines. EVILCOHORT only needs the mapping between an online account and an IP address to operate, and can therefore detect malicious accounts on any online service (webmail services, online social networks, storage services) regardless of the type of malicious activity that these accounts perform. Unlike previous work, our system can identify malicious accounts that are controlled by botnets but do not post any malicious content (e.g., spam) on the service. We evaluated EVILCOHORT on multiple online services of different types (a webmail service and four online social networks), and show that it accurately identifies malicious accounts.
Experimental mappings and validation of the dependence on the language of objective speech quality scores in actual GSM network conditions

The measure of quality of service (QoS) is a priority for telecommunication companies, particularly the measure of speech quality. This measure is generally realized by objective quality rating models in GSM networks. In this paper, we address the dependence of such objective quality assessment algorithms on the language of the speech under test, especially the Perceptual Evaluation of Speech Quality (PESQ) model, standardized by the ITU-T Rec. P.862, and another commercial rating model. We then point out the dependence of the objective scores on the used evaluation model. The presented study is based on the analysis of an important measurement database, carried out in actual GSM network conditions. Since this work and the presented and discussed results were carried out in collaboration with a Tunisian mobile communication operator, Orascom Telecom Tunisie (Tunisiana), particular attention is paid to the adequacy of such objective quality rating models to the Arabic language.
Software Modelling, Simulation, and Optimization Convergence Assessment of the Calibration Algorithm for the State Variable Model of the Software Test Process

This paper reports an evaluation of the calibration algorithm for the state variable model of the software test process. The data to evaluate the convergence of the estimation of the parameters of the model is generated using simulation. The analysis exposes that even under the assumption of an initial over/under estimation of the parameter, the algorithm presents a fast convergence. The results show that in almost 90% of the cases the algorithm uses data from a short period of time to obtain an accuracy of, at least, 15% in the prediction of the time to reach a desired level in the error reduction. These outcomes show the efficiency of the calibration algorithm and further demonstrate the applicability of the state variable model.
Interactive images

Images are static and lack important depth information about the underlying 3D scenes. We introduce interactive images in the context of man-made environments wherein objects are simple and regular, share various non-local relations (e.g., coplanarity, parallelism, etc.), and are often repeated. Our interactive framework creates partial scene reconstructions based on cuboid-proxies with minimal user interaction. It subsequently allows a range of intuitive image edits mimicking real-world behavior, which are otherwise difficult to achieve. Effectively, the user simply provides high-level semantic hints, while our system ensures plausible operations by conforming to the extracted non-local relations. We demonstrate our system on a range of real-world images and validate the plausibility of the results using a user study.
Evaluation of dried macrophytes as an alternative diet for the rearing of the sea urchin
 Paracentrotus lividus
 (Lamarck, 1816)

The aim of this work was to assess the potential use of different dried macroalgae as food in the rearing of Paracentrotus lividus. Growth, consumption and food conversions were compared in adult sea urchins fed with fresh or dried thalli of four macroalgae species. Six experimental diets were tested: (a) fresh Palmaria palmata; (b) fresh Saccharina latissima; (c) dry P. palmata; (d) dry S. latissima; (e) dry Laminaria digitata and (f) dry Grateloupia turuturu. Linear growth rates were similar for all treatments. Specific growth rate was higher in sea urchins fed with fresh P. palmata, but no difference was found between animals fed with fresh S. latissima and those fed with dried diets. Regarding daily food consumption (DFC), sea urchins consumed the same amount of dried macroalgae as fresh but exhibited a higher food conversion efficiency (FCE) when fed with fresh P. palmata. However, this FCE was only significantly higher when compared to sea urchins fed with dry L. digitata. Dried G. turuturu is not a suitable diet due to its rapid degradation after rehydration. The results suggest that P. lividus adults can be reared on dried macroalgae thalli without detriment to their somatic growth, especially over short periods. The low cost of feeding sea urchins with this diet could help small shellfish farmers to diversify their production into echinoculture.