Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lightweight Locking for Main Memory Database Systems

Locking is widely used as a concurrency control mechanism in database systems. As more OLTP databases are stored mostly or entirely in memory, transactional throughput is less and less limited by disk IO, and lock managers increasingly become performance bottlenecks. In this paper, we introduce very lightweight locking (VLL), an alternative approach to pessimistic concurrency control for main-memory database systems that avoids almost all overhead associated with traditional lock manager operations. We also propose a protocol called selective contention analysis (SCA), which enables systems implementing VLL to achieve high transactional throughput under high contention workloads. We implement these protocols both in a traditional single-machine multi-core database server setting and in a distributed database where data is partitioned across many commodity machines in a shared-nothing cluster. Our experiments show that VLL dramatically reduces locking overhead and thereby increases transactional throughput in both settings.
Consensus expert recommendations for identification and management of asparaginase hypersensitivity and silent inactivation

L-asparaginase is an integral component of therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. However, asparaginase-related complications, including the development of hypersensitivity reactions, can limit its use in individual patients. Of considerable concern in the setting of clinical allergy is the development of neutralizing antibodies and associated asparaginase inactivity. Also problematic in the use of asparaginase is the potential for the development of silent inactivation, with the formation of neutralizing antibodies and reduced asparaginase activity in the absence of a clinically evident allergic reaction. Here we present guidelines for the identification and management of clinical hypersensitivity and silent inactivation with Escherichia coli- and Erwinia chrysanthemi- derived asparaginase preparations. These guidelines were developed by a consensus panel of experts following a review of the available published data. We provide a consensus of expert opinions on the role of serum asparaginase level assessment, indications for switching asparaginase preparation, and monitoring after change in asparaginase preparation.
Energy Detection Based Spectrum Sensing Over $\kappa{-}\mu$ and $\kappa{-}\mu$ Extreme Fading Channels

Energy detection (ED) is a simple and popular method of spectrum sensing in cognitive radio systems. It is also widely known that the performance of sensing techniques is largely affected when users experience fading effects. This paper investigates the performance of an energy detector over generalized κ-μ and κ- μ extreme fading channels, which have been shown to provide remarkably accurate fading characterization. Novel analytic expressions are firstly derived for the corresponding average probability of detection for the case of single-user detection. These results are subsequently extended to the case of square-law selection (SLS) diversity and for collaborative detection scenarios. As expected, the performance of the detector is highly dependent upon the severity of fading since even small variations of the fading conditions affect significantly the value of the average probability of detection. Furthermore, the performance of the detector improves substantially as the number of branches or collaborating users increase in both severe and moderate fading conditions, whereas it is shown that the κ- μ extreme model is capable of accounting for fading variations even at low signal-to-noise values. The offered results are particularly useful in assessing the effect of fading in ED-based cognitive radio communication systems; therefore, they can be used in quantifying the associated tradeoffs between sensing performance and energy efficiency in cognitive radio networks.
An Architecture to Support the Design and Evaluation of Software Platforms for Partially Virtual Communities

Several researchers have identified the design of collaborative systems as a particularly challenging task, because it has to consider services that are not easily identifiable by software designers. The systems that support the activities of partially virtual communities (PVC) are not an exception. Typically, designers of PVC supporting systems are able to identify services that have a visual representation on the user interface, but they usually overlook those that run in the system back-end. In an attempt to help designers to consider these two types of services, this article proposes a software architecture that can be used for both, designing new PVC supporting systems and evaluating existing ones. The architecture was used in three case studies as a design guideline during the development of PVC supporting platforms, and also as an instrument to evaluate three commercial systems. Although the obtained results are still preliminary, they indicate that the architecture is able to accomplish both roles.
Retarding electromigration on the Sn-Ag-Cu solder joints by micro-sized metal-particle reinforcement

Electromigration (EM) has become one of the reliability concerns to the fine pitch solder joint due to its increasing capacity to bear the high current density The EM effects on microstructure evolution of Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu+XNi (X=0, 0.05, 0.45, 2.0wt. %) solder joint was investigated. Findings of this study indicated that an appropriate addition of Ni element and moderate ambient temperature can alleviate EM damages in solder joint. The intermetallic compound layer which held a planar type and appropriate thickness improved the resistance of EM effects by suppressing the polarity effect. Ag3Sn and the bulk IMCs also retard the effects from current stressing for the solder joint.
Terahertz Time-Domain and Low-Frequency Raman Spectroscopy of Organic Materials

With the ongoing proliferation of terahertz time-domain instrumentation from semiconductor physics into applied spectroscopy over the past decade, measurements at terahertz frequencies (1 THz ≡ 1012 Hz ≡ 33 cm–1) have attracted a sustained growing interest, in particular the investigation of hydrogen-bonding interactions in organic materials. More recently, the availability of Raman spectrometers that are readily able to measure in the equivalent spectral region very close to the elastic scattering background has also grown significantly. This development has led to renewed efforts in performing spectroscopy at the interface between dielectric relaxation phenomena and vibrational spectroscopy. In this review, we briefly outline the underlying technology, the physical phenomena governing the light–matter interaction at terahertz frequencies, recent examples of spectroscopic studies, and the current state of the art in assigning spectral features to vibrational modes based on computational techniques.
Ion implanted boron emitter N-silicon solar cells with wet oxide passivation

An ion implanted boron emitter silicon solar cell is demonstrated. By using appropriate annealing condition, the implanted dopants and damage introduced by the implantation can be activated and repaired, respectively. Both the rapid thermal annealing (RTA) and furnace annealing were investigated within this work. For the surface passivation and the antireflection coating, the wet oxide (SiO2) was grown during the furnace annealing step. Since the wet oxidation process has about one order of magnitude faster than the dry oxidation process, it could be a suitable technology for industrial silicon solar cell processing. The rapid thermal annealing with various temperatures and annealing time were also investigated. The open-circuit voltage increased with increasing the temperature and time of the RTA process. The planar p+nn+ solar cell with wet oxide passivaiton achieves the Voc of 0.631 V and the efficiency of 15.43%.
Network Formulations of Mixed-Integer Programs

We consider mixed-integer sets described by system of linear inequalities in which the constraint matrix A is totally unimodular; the right-hand side is arbitrary vector; and a subset of the variables is required to be integer. We show that the problem of checking nonemptiness of a set of this type is NP-complete, even in the case in which the linear system describes mixed-integer network flows with half-integral requirement on the nodes. This is in contrast to the case in which A is totally unimodular and contains at most two nonzeros per row. In this case, we provide an extended formulation for the convex hull of solutions whose constraint matrix is a dual-network matrix with an integral right-hand-side vector. The size of this formulation depends on the number of distinct fractional parts taken by the continuous variables in the extreme points of the convex hull of the given set. When this number is polynomial in the dimension of A, the extended formulation is of polynomial size. If, in addition, the corresponding list of fractional parts can be computed efficiently, then our result provides a polynomial algorithm for the optimization problem over these sets. We show that there are instances for which this list is of exponential size, and we also give conditions under which it is short and can be efficiently computed. Finally, we show that these results provide a unified framework leading to polynomial-size extended formulations for several generalizations of mixing sets and lot-sizing sets studied in the last few years.
Persistent reduction in left ventricular asynergy in patients with acute myocardial infarction by intravenous infusion of nitroglycerin.

Intravenous nitroglycerin (NG) infusion in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has been shown to improve left ventricular function and myocardial perfusion and to decrease ischemic injury and creatine kinase (CK) indexes of infarct size. To determine whether early NG infusions in patients with AMI decreases the extent of left ventricular asynergy, we used two-dimensional echocardiography to measure asynergic segments (akinesis and/or dyskinesis) at four serial short-axis levels from base to apex (mitral, M; chordal, C; midpapillary, MP; low papillary, LP) in 22 patients with a first anterior AMI. Patients were randomized between infusions of NG (n = 11) or 5% dextrose in water (controls, n = 11) within 5.6 hr after the onset of pain. NG infusion rates were titrated to lower mean arterial pressure to an average level of 7% below control (but not below 80 mm Hg) and were maintained at this level for the duration of the infusions (39 hr). After NG, left ventricular function improved as left ventricular filling pressure decreased (p less than .005), and sigma ST on precordial ST segment mapping decreased (p less than .001). These parameters did not change in control subjects. Computed CK infarct size was smaller in the NG group than in the control group (p less than .05). Before the infusions, the mean extent of left ventricular asynergy (% left ventricular circumference) were similar in both groups: M, 18% vs 21%; C, 22% vs 23%; MP, 26% vs 24%; LP, 32% vs 29%. In addition, the computed total left ventricular asynergy (% surface area) was also similar for these two groups before therapy (25% vs 25%). There was no change in left ventricular asynergy from pretreatment values by 1 hr and 10 days among control subjects: M, 18% vs 18% vs 17%; C, 22% vs 22%; MP, 26% vs 26% vs 22%; LP, 32% vs 33% vs 33%; total 25% vs 25% vs 24% (multiple measures analysis of variance). In contrast, there was a significant decrease (p less than .001) in left ventricular asynergy from pretreatment values by 1 hr and 10 days with NG: M, 21% vs 10% vs 8%; C, 23% vs 12% vs 10%; MP, 24% vs 13% vs 9%; LP, 29% vs 14% vs 10%; total, 25% vs 12% vs 9%. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Towards Inferring Ratings from User Behavior in BitTorrent Communities

Peer-to-peer file-sharing has been increasingly popular in the last decade. In most cases file-sharing communities provide only minimal functionality, such as search and download. Extra features such as recommendation are difficult to implement because users are typically unwilling to provide sufficient rating information for the items they download. For this reason, it would be desirable to utilize user behavior to infer implicit ratings. For example, if a user deletes a file after downloading it, we could infer that the rating is low, or if the user is seeding the file for a long time, the rating is high. In this paper we demonstrate that it is indeed possible to infer implicit ratings from user behavior. We work with a large trace of Filelist.org, a BitTorrent-based private community, and demonstrate that we can identify a binary like/dislike distinction over the set of files users are downloading, using dynamic features of swarm membership. The resulting database containing the inferred ratings will be published online publicly and it can be used as a benchmark for P2P recommender systems.
A Mobile Host Protocol Supporting Route Optimization and Authentication

Host mobility is becoming an important issue due to the recent proliferation of notebook and palmtop computers, the development of wireless network interfaces, and the growth in global internetworking. This paper describes the design and implementation of a mobile host protocol, called the Internet mobile host protocol (IMHP), that is compatible with the TCP/IP protocol suite, and allows a mobile host to move around the Internet without changing its identity, In particular, IMHP provides host mobility over both the local and wide area, while remaining transparent to the user and to other hosts communicating with the mobile host. IMHP features route optimization and integrated authentication of all management packets. Route optimization allows a node to cache the location of a mobile host and to send future packets directly to that mobile host. By authenticating all management packets, IMHP guards against possible attacks on packet routing to mobile hosts, including the interception or redirection of arbitrary packets within the network. A simple new authentication mechanism is introduced that preserves the level of security found in the Internet today, while accommodating the transition to stronger authentication based on public key cryptography or shared keys that may either be manually administered or provided by a future Internet key management protocol. >
Normalization of single-channel DNA array data by principal component analysis

MOTIVATION Detailed comparison and analysis of the output of DNA gene expression arrays from multiple samples require global normalization of the measured individual gene intensities from the different hybridizations. This is needed for accounting for variations in array preparation and sample hybridization conditions. RESULTS Here, we present a simple, robust and accurate procedure for the global normalization of datasets generated with single-channel DNA arrays based on principal component analysis. The procedure makes minimal assumptions about the data and performs well in cases where other standard procedures produced biased estimates. It is also insensitive to data transformation, filtering (thresholding) and pre-screening.
Genome-Wide Scans for Candidate Genes Involved in the Aquatic Adaptation of Dolphins

Since their divergence from the terrestrial artiodactyls, cetaceans have fully adapted to an aquatic lifestyle, which represents one of the most dramatic transformations in mammalian evolutionary history. Numerous morphological and physiological characters of cetaceans have been acquired in response to this drastic habitat transition, such as thickened blubber, echolocation, and ability to hold their breath for a long period of time. However, knowledge about the molecular basis underlying these adaptations is still limited. The sequence of the genome of Tursiops truncates provides an opportunity for a comparative genomic analyses to examine the molecular adaptation of this species. Here, we constructed 11,838 high-quality orthologous gene alignments culled from the dolphin and four other terrestrial mammalian genomes and screened for positive selection occurring in the dolphin lineage. In total, 368 (3.1%) of the genes were identified as having undergone positive selection by the branch-site model. Functional characterization of these genes showed that they are significantly enriched in the categories of lipid transport and localization, ATPase activity, sense perception of sound, and muscle contraction, areas that are potentially related to cetacean adaptations. In contrast, we did not find a similar pattern in the cow, a closely related species. We resequenced some of the positively selected sites (PSSs), within the positively selected genes, and showed that most of our identified PSSs (50/52) could be replicated. The results from this study should have important implications for our understanding of cetacean evolution and their adaptations to the aquatic environment.
Work is Fun: The Phenomenon of Boys Enjoying Work in a Camp Setting

“WORK IS FUN”: THE PHENOMENON OF BOYS ENJOYING WORK IN A CAMP SETTING Zina L. Bennion Department of Recreation Management and Youth Leadership Master of Science The purpose of this study was to examine the perceived outcomes of participation in a summer camp that included physical work and service as a major component. A qualitative data analysis approach was used. A convenience sample of 10 male adolescents and 10 parents were selected. The data were analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding. Data analysis was used to ascertain perceived outcomes from the program from both boys and their parents. Analysis of the data showed the emergence of a core theme of boys learning to work and enjoying work. Enjoying work was the gerund chosen to represent this core theme, and a theory of enjoying work was developed with seven salient attributes. These attributes were that the work was productive and taught skills, provided challenge, was intrinsically rewarding, made a difference for someone else, was done with others, was physical and done outdoors, and took place over an extended period of time.
"Manufacturing-Operation Planning Versus AI Planning

Although AI planning techniques can potentially be useful in several manufacturing domains, this po- tential remains largely unrealized. Many of the is- sues important to manufacturing engineers have not seemed interesting to AI researchers--but in order to adapt AI planning techniques to manufacturing, it is important to address these issues in a realistic and robust manner. Furthermore, by investigating these issues, AI researchers may be able to discover principles that are relevant for AI planning in gen- eral. As an example, in this paper we describe the tech- niques for manufacturing-operation planning used in IMACS (Interactive Manufacturability Analysis and Critiquing System). We compare and contrast them with the techniques used in classical AI planning sys- tems, and point out that some of the techniques used in IMACS may also be useful in other kinds of plan- ning problems.
Towards better generalization in Pittsburgh learning classifier systems

Generalization ability of a classifier is an important issue for any classification task. This paper proposes a new evolutionary system, i.e., EDARIC, based on the Pittsburgh approach for evolutionary machine learning and classification. The new system uses a destructive approach that starts with large-sized rules and gradually decreases the sizes as evolution progresses. Unlike most previous works, EDARIC adopts an intelligent deletion mechanism, evolves a separate population for each class of a given problem and uses an ensemble system to classify unknown instances. These features help in avoiding over-fitting and class-imbalance problems, which are beneficial for improving generalization ability of a classification system. EDARIC also applies a rule post-processing step to exempt the evolution phase from the burden of tuning a large number of parameters. Experimental results on various benchmark classification problems reveal that EDARIC has better generalization ability in case of both standard and imbalanced datasets compared to many existing algorithms in the literature.
Retrospective Evaluation of Malingering: A Validational Study of the R-SIRS and CT-SIRS

Empirically based methods of detecting retrospective malingering (i.e., the false assertion or exaggeration of physical or psychological symptoms reportedly experienced during a prior time period) are needed given that retrospective evaluations are commonplace in forensic assessments. This study's main objective was to develop and validate a focused, standardized measure of retrospective malingering. This objective was addressed by revising the Structured Interview of Reported Symptoms (SIRS), an established measure of current feigning. The SIRS' strategies were retained and its items modified to produce two new SIRS versions: The Retrospective Structured Interview of Reported Symptoms (R-SIRS) and The Concurrent-Time Structured Interview of Reported Symptoms (CT-SIRS). Forensic inpatients were used to test the R-SIRS (n = 25) and CT-SIRS (n = 26) which both showed good internal consistency and interrater reliability. The overall effectiveness of the R-SIRS and the CT-SIRS in the classification of malingerers and genuine patients was established in this initial validation study. Moreover, their classification rates were similar to those obtained by the SIRS. Pending additional validation, these measures are expected to increase the quality of forensic evaluations by providing the first standardized methods of assessing retrospective malingering.
Engaging in complaint behaviour: An Indonesian perspective

This paper investigates the various factors affecting consumer complaint behaviour in Indonesia. The main objective is to determine the various demographic variables and to profile complainers and non‐complainers with regard to psychographic variables, attitudes towards businesses in general, product attributes and attribution of blame. It provides a comprehensive comparison with the other studies in the literature which were mainly conducted in Northern America and Europe. The research suggests that complainers in Indonesia had a higher level of income and education. Complainers tended to exhibit greater self‐confidence and individualistic characters. They were more willing to take risk and had a positive attitude toward complaining. Consumers were more likely to complain when the unsatisfactory product was expensive, and used frequently and over a long time. In addition, complainers were more inclined to make a complaint when they blamed sellers and manufacturers for their bad purchase experiences. It was also noted that both complainers and non‐complainers possessed poor attitudes towards businesses in general. Managerial implications are discussed.