Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluating Phase Change Memory for Enterprise Storage Systems: A Study of Caching and Tiering Approaches

Storage systems based on Phase Change Memory (PCM) devices are beginning to generate considerable attention in both industry and academic communities. But whether the technology in its current state will be a commercially and technically viable alternative to entrenched technologies such as flash-based SSDs remains undecided. To address this, it is important to consider PCM SSD devices not just from a device standpoint, but also from a holistic perspective. This article presents the results of our performance study of a recent all-PCM SSD prototype. The average latency for a 4KiB random read is 6. 7μs, which is about 16× faster than a comparable eMLC flash SSD. The distribution of I/O response times is also much narrower than flash SSD for both reads and writes. Based on the performance measurements and real-world workload traces, we explore two typical storage use cases: tiering and caching. We report that the IOPS/$ of a tiered storage system can be improved by 12--66% and the aggregate elapsed time of a server-side caching solution can be improved by up to 35% by adding PCM. Our results show that (even at current price points) PCM storage devices show promising performance as a new component in enterprise storage systems.
Motor learning guided treatment for acquired apraxia of speech

ABSTRACT Purpose: The purpose of this study was to expand the evidence on the effectiveness of motor learning guided approach for the treatment of acquired apraxia of speech. This study investigated the influence of practice frequency and number of targets per practice set on transfer of speech motor learning. Method: This is a multiple baseline single-case study across two treatment cycles involving two individuals with chronic acquired apraxia of speech. Treatment Cycle 1 investigated the influence of self-controlled practice on speech motor learning through two conditions of practice. Treatment Cycle 2 investigated the influence of number of targets on transfer of learning. Results: There was a treatment effect for both participants in both treatment cycles. In Treatment Cycle 1, both participants demonstrated speech motor learning on treated stimuli in all practice conditions and no transfer of learning to untrained phrases. In Treatment Cycle 2, the number of targets was reduced. A change in speech motor learning was demonstrated by both participants on the trained phrases as well as a transfer of learning as measured by performance on untrained set of phrases. Conclusion: The outcomes of this study contribute to the growing evidence supporting the effectiveness of motor learning guided treatment for acquired apraxia of speech.
Automated Essay Marking – for both Style and Content

This paper covers the automated assessment of essays. Such marking requires the assessment of style, and where appropriate the assessment of content. The first part of this paper describes the assessment of style; while the second part proceeds to describe the assessment of content. Style The methodology used to assess style is based on a set of ‘common’ metrics, and requires some initial calibration. After briefly outlining the method of assessing style, this part concludes by posing these questions on some varied aspects on the use of a common metric set, namely: How valid is the computer marking of style? Could there be a standard metric set for common use? What constitutes a standard or an optimal metric set to use? What is the effect of the size of the calibration sample used? Content After the terms “usage” and “coverage” are defined one particular essay set is examined in detail. Detail in terms of usage and coverage will all be discussed. The schema for content does not require extensive development before the commencement of the assessment of content. No calibration is required for the methodology used to mark content, although the usual practise of taking a sample to verify the method would be recommended. Conclusion At the current stage of this development the methodology provides an expandable, flexible method for the marking of the essay content; and also provides a method for the marking of the essay style; both markings being produced by the computer. The essay set, that was used as a demonstration vehicle, will be used further to indicate the potential throughput that computer based marking may achieve.
HBSC 2013. Gezondheid, welzijn en opvoeding van jongeren in Nederland [Health, well-being, and upbringing of adolescents in the Netherlands].

Dit rapport bevat de nieuwste gegevens uit het Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) onderzoek. Dit is een landelijk representatief onderzoek naar de gezondheid en het welzijn van de schoolgaande jeugd van 11 tot en met 16 jaar. In 2013 werd dit onderzoek voor de vierde keer uitgevoerd in Nederland. Ook de ouders van scholieren zijn betrokken bij het onderzoek.
No Influence of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Exercise-Induced Pain and 5-Km Cycling Time-Trial Performance

Introduction: Afferent information from exercising muscle contributes to the sensation of exercise-induced muscle pain. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) delivers low–voltage electrical currents to the skin, inhibiting nociceptive afferent information. The use of TENS in reducing perceptions of exercise-induced pain has not yet been fully explored. This study aimed to investigate the effect of TENS on exercise-induced muscle pain, pacing strategy, and performance during a 5-km cycling time trial (TT). Methods: On three separate occasions, in a single-blind, randomized, and cross-over design, 13 recreationally active participants underwent a 30-min TENS protocol, before performing a 5-km cycling TT. TENS was applied to the quadriceps prior to exercise under the following conditions; control (CONT), placebo with sham TENS application (PLAC), and an experimental condition with TENS application (TENS). Quadriceps fatigue was assessed with magnetic femoral nerve stimulation assessing changes in potentiated quadriceps twitch force at baseline, pre and post exercise. Subjective scores of exertion, affect and pain were taken every 1-km. Results: During TTs, application of TENS did not influence pain perceptions (P = 0.68, ηp2 = 0.03). There was no significant change in mean power (P = 0.16, ηp2 = 0.16) or TT duration (P = 0.17, ηp2 = 0.14), although effect sizes were large for these two variables. Changes in power output were not significant but showed moderate effect sizes at 500-m (ηp2 = 0.10) and 750-m (ηp2 = 0.10). Muscle recruitment as inferred by electromyography data was not significant, but showed large effect sizes at 250-m (ηp2 = 0.16), 500-m (ηp2 = 0.15), and 750-m (ηp2 = 0.14). This indicates a possible effect for TENS influencing performance up to 1-km. Discussion: These findings do not support the use of TENS to improve 5-km TT performance.
Redefining Social Comparisons: Self-Other Overlap and Social Comparisons of Close Others

For more than 60 years, researchers have assumed that social comparisons (i.e., comparisons that occur between the self and another person) must involve the self directly. The self, however, can also include close others. In the present research, I examine whether individuals respond to comparisons involving close others as they would to comparisons involving the self. Four studies (N = 2210) using recalled (Studies 1-3) and actual (Study 4) comparisons about attractiveness (Study 1) and relationship skills (Studies 2-4) demonstrated that individuals high in self-other overlap decrease domain relevance following upward (i.e., the close other is outperformed by another person) but not downward comparisons (i.e., the close other outperforms another person) to protect their positive partner perceptions. This strategy was absent among those low in selfother overlap. Study 2 demonstrated that this effect extends to best friends, but not casual friends, due to the degree of self-other overlap. Furthermore, when reminded of their partner’s inferiority in a domain, high overlap participants maintained positive global partner perceptions, whereas low overlap participants’ global perceptions were negatively affected (Study 3). Studies 5-8 (N = 884) examined whether this effect extends to children and parents, who are also included in the self (Study 5), using recalled comparisons about parents (Study 6) and children
Volumetric Stereo with Silhouette and Feature Constraints

This paper presents a novel volumetric reconstruction technique that combines shape-from-silhouette with stereo photo-consistency in a global optimisation that enforces feature constraints across multiple views. Human shape reconstruction is considered where extended regions of uniform appearance, complex self-occlusions and sparse feature cues represent a challenging problem for conventional reconstruction techniques. A unified approach is introduced to first reconstruct the occluding contours and left-right consistent edge contours in a scene and then incorporate these contour constraints in a global surface optimisation using graph-cuts. The proposed technique maximises photo-consistency on the surface, while satisfying silhouette constraints to provide shape in the presence of uniform surface appearance and edge feature constraints to align key image features across views.
Computation of WCET using Program Slicing and Real-Time Model-Checking

Computing accurate WCET on modern complex architectures is a challenging task. This problem has been devoted a lot of attention in the last decade but there are still some open issues. First, the control flow graph (CFG) of a binary program is needed to compute the WCET and this CFG is built using some internal knowledge of the compiler that generated the binary code; moreover once constructed the CFG has to be manually annotated with loop bounds. Second, the algorithms to compute the WCET (combining Abstract Interpretation and Integer Linear Programming) are tailored for specific architectures: changing the architecture (e.g. replacing an ARM7 by an ARM9) requires the design of a new ad hoc algorithm. Third, the tightness of the computed results (obtained using the available tools) are not compared to actual execution times measured on the real hardware. In this paper we address the above mentioned problems. We first describe a fully automatic method to compute a CFG based solely on the binary program to analyse. Second, we describe the model of the hardware as a product of timed automata, and this model is independent from the program description. The model of a program running on a hardware is obtained by synchronizing (the automaton of) the program with the (timed automata) model of the hardware. Computing the WCET is reduced to a reachability problem on the synchronised model and solved using the model-checker UPPAAL. Finally, we present a rigorous methodology that enables us to compare our computed results to actual execution times measured on a real platform, the ARM920T.
Drops bouncing on a vibrating bath

Abstract We present the results of a combined experimental and theoretical investigation of millimetric droplets bouncing on a vertically vibrating fluid bath. We first characterize the system experimentally, deducing the dependence of the droplet dynamics on the system parameters, specifically the drop size, driving acceleration and driving frequency. As the driving acceleration is increased, depending on drop size, we observe the transition from coalescing to vibrating or bouncing states, then period-doubling events that may culminate in either walking drops or chaotic bouncing states. The drop’s vertical dynamics depends critically on the ratio of the forcing frequency to the drop’s natural oscillation frequency. For example, when the data describing the coalescence–bouncing threshold and period-doubling thresholds are described in terms of this ratio, they collapse onto a single curve. We observe and rationalize the coexistence of two non-coalescing states, bouncing and vibrating, for identical system parameters. In the former state, the contact time is prescribed by the drop dynamics; in the latter, by the driving frequency. The bouncing states are described by theoretical models of increasing complexity whose predictions are tested against experimental data. We first model the drop–bath interaction in terms of a linear spring, then develop a logarithmic spring model that better captures the drop dynamics over a wider range of parameter space. While the linear spring model provides a faster, less accurate option, the logarithmic spring model is found to be more accurate and consistent with all existing data.
Bayesian Analysis of Nonlinear Exchange Rate Dynamics and the Purchasing Power Parity Persistence Puzzle

We investigate the persistence of real exchange rates using Bayesian methods. First, an algorithm for Bayesian estimation of nonlinear threshold models is developed. Unlike standard grid-based estimation, the Bayesian approach fully captures joint parameter uncertainty and uncertainty about complicated functions of the parameters, such as the half-life measure of persistence based on generalized impulse response functions. Second, model comparison is conducted via marginal likelihoods, which reflect the relative abilities of models to predict the data given prior beliefs about model parameters. This comparison is conducted for a range of linear and nonlinear models and provides a direct evaluation of the importance of nonlinear dynamics in modeling exchange rates. The marginal likelihoods also imply weights for a model-averaged measure of persistence. The empirical results for real exchange rate data from the G7 countries suggest general support for nonlinearity, with the strength of the evidence depending on which country pair is being considered. However, the model-averaged estimates of half-lives are almost always as small or smaller than for the linear models alone, suggesting that the purchasing power parity persistence puzzle is less of a puzzle than previously thought.
Dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced perfusion and conventional MR imaging findings for adult patients with cerebral primitive neuroectodermal tumors.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Preoperative differentiation of primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) from other tumors is important for presurgical staging, intraoperative management, and postoperative treatment. Dynamic, susceptibility-weighted, contrast-enhanced MR imaging can provide in vivo assessment of the microvasculature in intracranial mass lesions. The purpose of this study was to determine the perfusion characteristics of adult cerebral PNETs and to compare those values with low and high grade gliomas. METHODS Conventional MR images of 12 adult patients with pathologically proved cerebral PNETs were analyzed and provided a preoperative diagnosis. Relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) measurements and estimates of the vascular permeability transfer constant, K(trans), derived by a pharmacokinetic modeling algorithm, were also obtained. These results were compared with rCBV and K(trans) values obtained in a group of low grade gliomas (n = 30) and a group of high grade gliomas (n = 55) by using a Student t test. RESULTS On conventional MR images, PNETs were generally well-defined contrast-enhancing masses with solid and cystic components, little or no surrounding edema, and occasional regions of susceptibility. The rCBV of cerebral PNETs was 4.76 +/- 1.99 SD, and the K(trans) was 0.0033 +/- 0.0035. A comparative group of patients with low grade gliomas (n = 30) had significantly lower rCBV (P <.0005) and lower K(trans) (P <.05). Comparison with a group of high grade gliomas showed no statistical significance in the rCBV and K(trans) (P =.53 and.19, respectively). CONCLUSION Dynamic, susceptibility-weighted, contrast-enhanced MR imaging shows areas of increased cerebral blood volume and vascular permeability in PNETs. These results may be helpful in the diagnosis and preoperative differentiation between PNETs and other intracranial mass lesions (such as low grade gliomas), which have decreased perfusion but may sometimes have a similar conventional MR imaging appearance.
Chromatic Dispersion Properties of A Decagonal Photonic Crystal Fiber

This paper presents dispersion characteristics of a decagonal photonic crystal fiber (D-PCF) for the first time. The finite difference method (FDM) with an anisotropic perfectly matched boundary layer (PML) is used to investigate the chromatic dispersion characteristics. It is shown through numerical simulation results that D-PCFs can be used as a dispersion compensating fiber for their high negative dispersion slope characteristic. The dependency of chromatic dispersion with pitch, wavelength and air-hole diameters are also presented. Moreover, dispersion properties of D-PCF have been compared with that of the octagonal PCF (O-PCF) and hexagonal PCF (H-PCF), respectively.
Online adjustment of phonetic expectation of lexical tones to accommodate speaker variation: a combined behavioural and ERP study

ABSTRACT An unresolved question in speech perception is how speech signals with speaker variation are mapped onto their perceptual representations. In this study, this issue was examined using a written-word/spoken-word matching paradigm, where listeners could adjust phonetic expectations of spoken words carrying lexical tones according to speaker-specific F0 cues contained in a preceding speech context, to analyse the tone of the incoming spoken word. Behavioural results showed that Cantonese listeners perceived spoken words differently, in a way compatible with the adjustment of F0 expectations of lexical tones to accommodate between- and within-speaker variation in F0. Electrophysiologically, effects of F0 expectation adjustment were found in the phonological mapping negativity (PMN) time-window (250–310 ms after spoken word onset). These results suggest that phonetic representations of lexical tones are adjustable in a speaker- and context-specific manner, with the adjustment occurring no later than pre-lexical phonemic processing. These findings are consistent with exemplar theory.
A Bayesian Graphical Model to Discover Latent Events from Twitter

Online social networks like Twitter and Facebook produce an overwhelming amount of information every day. However, research suggests that much of this content focuses on a reasonably sized set of ongoing events or topics that are both temporally and geographically situated. These patterns are especially observable when the data that is generated contains geospatial information, usually generated by a location enabled device such as a smartphone. In this paper, we consider a data set of 1.4 million geo-tagged tweets from a country during a large social movement, where social events and demonstrations occurred frequently. We use a probabilistic graphical model to discover these events within the data in a way that informs us of their spatial, temporal and topical focus. Quantitative analysis suggests that the streaming algorithm proposed in the paper uncovers both well-known events and lesser-known but important events that occurred within the timeframe of the dataset. In addition, the model can be used to predict the location and time of texts that do not have these pieces of information, which accounts for the much of the data on the web.
The map kinase ERK regulates renal activity of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 in experimental glomerulonephritis.

BACKGROUND In vitro, the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) is an intracellular convergence point of multiple stimuli, which affect the cell cycle. However, the role of ERK in cell cycle regulation in vivo is unknown. METHODS To address this issue, ERK activity was blocked both in vitro in mesangial cells (MC) and in vivo in experimental glomerulonephritis (GN) by a pharmacological inhibitor (U0126) of the ERK-activating kinase. RESULTS In stimulated MC, inhibition of ERK reduced cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) phosphorylation, CDK2 activity and cyclin E/A expression, whereas downregulation of CDK inhibitor p27(Kip1) expression was inhibited. In vivo, U0126 was given to rats in the acute phase of anti-Thy 1.1 GN. We previously showed that glomerular cell proliferation was reduced by 67% upon treatment with the inhibitor compared to nephritic controls. Now, we detected a significant increase in renal CDK2-activity/phosphorylation in the nephritic controls, that was significantly and dose-dependently reduced by ERK inhibition. CDK2 activation was accompanied by an increase in renal expression of cyclins E/A and the enhanced binding of these cyclins to CDK2 in the nephritic controls. These changes were blunted by U0126 treatment. Finally, we noted an increased expression and CDK2-binding of p27(KIP1) protein in the nephritic controls which was decreased in U0126 treated rats. CONCLUSIONS Our observations provide the first evidence that ERK is an intracellular regulator of renal CDK2 activity in vivo in a glomerulonephritis model.
Pattern-Based Survey and Categorization of Network Covert Channel Techniques

Network covert channels are used to hide communication inside network protocols. Various techniques for covert channels have arisen in the past few decades. We surveyed and analyzed 109 techniques developed between 1987 and 2013 and show that these techniques can be reduced to only 11 different patterns. Moreover, the majority (69.7%) of techniques can be categorized into only four different patterns (i.e., most techniques we surveyed are similar). We represent the patterns in a hierarchical catalog using a pattern language. Our pattern catalog will serve as a base for future covert channel novelty evaluation. Furthermore, we apply the concept of pattern variations to network covert channels. With pattern variations, the context of a pattern can change. For example, a channel developed for IPv4 can automatically be adapted to other network protocols. We also propose the pattern-based covert channel optimizations pattern hopping and pattern combination. Finally, we lay the foundation for pattern-based countermeasures: whereas many current countermeasures were developed for specific channels, a pattern-oriented approach allows application of one countermeasure to multiple channels. Hence, future countermeasure development can focus on patterns, and the development of real-world protection against covert channels is greatly simplified.
A 1-parameter approach to links in a solid torus

To an oriented link in a solid torus we associate a trace graph in a thickened torus in such a way that links are isotopic if and only if their trace graphs can be related by moves of finitely many standard types. The key ingredient is a study of codimension 2 singularities of link diagrams. For closed braids with a fixed number of strands, trace graphs can be recognized up to equivalence excluding one type of moves in polynomial time with respect to the braid length.