Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
TASNIC : a flexible TCP offload with programmable SmartNICs

TASNIC: A Flexible TCP offload with Programmable SmartNICs Rajath Shashidhara, MSCompSci The University of Texas at Austin, 2021 Supervisor: Simon Peter The CPU overhead of TCP packet processing is increasingly prohibitive. Kernelbypass stacks and existing hardware offloads are not enough, causing operational issues at scale and cannot keep up with network protocol evolution. We take advantage of programmable SmartNICs to build TASNIC, a flexible, yet highperformance TCP offload engine (TOE) in software. TASNIC eliminates almost all host CPU packet processing, but retains compatibility with POSIX sockets and places no demands on data center networks. TASNIC allows complete customization of transport logic, providing performance and flexibility. TCP offload to SmartNICs is challenging. SmartNICs are geared towards massively parallel stateless offloads, while TCP is a complex stateful protocol, sensitive to packet reordering. TASNIC leverages fast-path processing of common TCP code paths, fine-grained parallelization of the TCP data-path, and near-memory computing for high performance, while remaining flexible via a modular design. We compare TASNIC to Linux, the TAS TCP accelerator, and the Chelsio Terminator TOE. We find that Memcached scales up to 38% better on TASNIC versus TAS, while saving up to 80% host CPU cycles versus Chelsio. For 64B RPCs, TASNIC cuts 99th-percentile latency to 42% and provides 70% higher throughput versus TAS, and an order of magnitude higher throughput under packet loss than Chelsio. TASNIC interoperates well with other TCP stacks and is easily extensible.
SAR Waveform and Mismatched Filter Design for Countering Interrupted-Sampling Repeater Jamming

The interrupted-sampling repeater jamming (ISRJ) is coherent and has the characteristic of suppression and deception to degrade the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image quality. The anti-ISRJ methods are studied in this work in order to suppress the ISRJ based on the waveform and filter design for SAR. First, the relationship between the ISRJ and waveform is obtained by analyzing the principle of the ISRJ using the ambiguity function. The ISRJ produces multiple false targets based on the high Doppler tolerance of waveform and the characteristic of the matched filter. Next, a method is proposed to counter the ISRJ by transmitting a phase-coded (PC) waveform with low Doppler tolerance and designing the corresponding mismatched filter. The joint design method is then developed to improve the anti-ISRJ and imaging performance. In the proposed methods, the majorization minimization framework is introduced to solve the nonconvex waveform and filter design problem. Finally, several simulations are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods. Simulation results show that the joint design method shows better anti-ISRJ and imaging performance in comparison with the separate design method, but it is more sensitive to the ISRJ sampling duty ratio and period.
Efficacy of cooling garments on exertional heat strain recovery in firefighters: a systematic review and meta-analysis

There is no consent regarding the efficacy of cooling garments as a treatment for reducing heat strain for firefighters. To quantify whether cooling garments mitigate exertional heat stress in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) among firefighters, a systematic review and meta-analysis are performed to explore the issue by following the PRISMA checklist. The searched databases include PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science from January 1999 to January 2021. The studies are constricted to RCTs where the performance of cooling garments is compared to non-cooling control groups. The primary parameters associated with heat strain are elucidated through measuring thermoregulatory (rectal temperature [Tre], mean skin temperature [ T ¯ sk ]), metabolic (heart rate [HR], sweat rate [SR]), and perceptual (rating of perceived exertion [RPE], thermal sensation [TS]) indices from baseline to the end of the exercise. Pre-planned subgroup analyses provide information on whether the outcome of the treatment influences the type of cooling garments, cooled body area, and cooling before or after firefighting activities. Twelve eligible RCTs, including 105 firefighters (mean ± standard deviation age, 29.01 ± 7.15 years; 88% male), are considered for the meta-analysis. Here, ΔTre, Δ T ¯ sk , ΔHR, and TS show significant improvement after the cooling intervention, while no significant change is observed for ΔSR and RPE between the cooling and control groups. Evidence from the meta-analysis suggests that cooling garments are an effective adjunct therapy to mitigate exertional heat stress on firefighters compared to non-cooling treatment. Further, subgroup analyses suggest statistically significant influence facilitated by the type of cooling garments, but cooling before or after firefighting activities had no effect on exertional heat strain recovery. However, it must be noted that more RCTs are needed to confirm the present findings.
Treating COVID-19 by traditional Chinese medicine: a charming strategy?

On April 14, 2020, the State Council of China announced that three proprietary Chinese medicines and three decoctions" of effective traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of the novel coronavirus pneumonia have passed clinical practice screenings. Some scholars believe that early TCM intervention of mild and moderate cases and recovery period may reduce the ratio of mild cases progressing into severe and critical cases. Some data have also suggested that the combination of TCM and Western medicine may reduce the mortality rate in severe and critical cases. "
Mobile Robot 6-D Localization Using 3-D Gaussian Mixture Maps in GPS-Denied Environments

The mobile robot six-dimensional (6-D) localization process in GPS-denied scenarios, e.g., in a cave or a mine, is a challenging problem. This article presents the modification of a well-known literature method using Gaussian mixture maps to determine the robot pose in rough terrain and outdoor nonurbanized environment. To improve the accuracy in rough 3-D terrain, I extended the terrain description from a 1-D Gaussian mixture model to a 3-D Gaussian mixture model (3DGMM) combining terrain height and terrain inclination in two orthogonal directions. Using this approach, one can maintain centimeter accuracy even in the most demanding workspaces. Moreover, I replaced the 3-D scan matching process combined with ground-based smoothing by 6-D scan processing (therefore, the 3DGMM method is capable for both land vehicles and flying robots) using the point-by-point extended Kalman filter based on the work by Niewola and Podsedkowski. Thanks to the point-by-point correction approach, it is possible to run the system in real time and process a full point cloud without GPU-based computing up to 300 000 points per second using small computers dedicated to mobile robots.
Comparative analysis of different host adaptation in two rice planthopper species

Background: Host adaptation is the major determinant of insect diversification. However, knowledge of different host ranges in very close-related species is scarce. The brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens, BPH) and small brown planthopper (Laodelphax striatellus, SBPH) are the most destructive insect pests belonging to Delphacidae. These two species differ in the host range, but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Comparative analysis of planthoppers’ responses to different diets would improve our knowledge of host adaptation regarding herbivores insects.Results: SBPH could well colonize on rice and wheat plants, while BPH survived on rice plants only. We analyzed the gene expression change of SBPH that transferred from rice plants to wheat plants in a short term (rSBPH vs tSBPH) and colonized on wheat plants for a long term (rSBPH vs wSBPH). We found that the majority of differentially expressed genes in SBPH showed similar expression change between short-term transfer and long-term colonization. Based on the comparative analysis of BPH and SBPH after transferring, genes associated with sugar transporters and heat shock proteins varied similarly. However, most of genes were reciprocally regulated between two species. The detoxification-related genes were upregulated in SBPH after transferring, but downregulated in BPH under the same condition; ribosomal-related genes were down regulated in SBPH after transferring, but upregulated in BPH under the same condition.Conclusion: The results of this study provided evidence that host plants played dominant roles in shaping the gene expression, with alike responding of most genes between short-term transfer and long-term colonization in SBPH. In contrast, the majority of genes in BPH were reciprocally regulated in comparison to those of SBPH, and unfitness of BPH on wheat plants might be determined within 24 hours after transferring. This study deepens our understanding of different host ranges regarding two planthopper species, and may provide a potential strategy for pest management.
Seeking the Consent of Ghosts: The Purpose of Political Economy in Behavioural Economics

This article discusses recent efforts to reconcile behavioural economics into other schools of economic thinking. The article argues that behavioural economics should be keen to integrate ideas from other schools and the wider academy. However, adopting a Kuhnian perspective, further argues that it is unhelpful to the development of behavioural economics for behavioural economics to either be subsumed by an alternative school of thought, or to erroneously reinterpret prior ideas to accommodate a behavioural perspective.
Is Reverence for Life Reverence for Rule? Abortion Rate and Corporate Tax Avoidance in China

Despite the momentum of research on the impact of informal institutions on corporate behavior in recent years, few studies probe the effect of an “awe culture” on corporate behavior. Thus, this study explores the economic consequences of the awe culture. It proxies awe culture with regionally induced abortion rates and examines its influence on corporate tax avoidance in China. We document that higher induced abortion rates associate with a higher degree of corporate tax avoidance, confirming that “reverence for life is reverence for rules. ” Further, awe culture influences corporate tax avoidance via management opportunism and risk-appetite channels. The conclusions remained intact after an array of robustness tests. Further analysis suggests that the awe culture effect on corporate tax avoidance is insignificant when senior executives or directors have overseas backgrounds or the proportion of female board members is high. However, the effect is more pronounced when firms have high financial constraints, poor internal governance, or weak taxation enforcement. Notably, given that awe culture shapes corporate behavior, listed firms should fully consider and use awe culture in their economic practices.
The International Criminal Court and the transformation of post-war justice in Northern Uganda.

This article looks at the interface between the International Criminal Court and transitional justice processes in Northern Uganda. It takes a doctrinal approach, drawing on qualitative work in the fields of international criminal law, human rights, and political science. The Ugandan situation demonstrates that top-down transitional justice has both positive and negative dimensions. This article argues that, while the International Criminal Court has helped transform judicial aspects, it has also contributed towards the decline of traditional justice mechanisms. Overall, the article concludes that there is still a compelling case to be made for the involvement of international criminal tribunals in post-war contexts, but that it needs to be done in such a way that promotes good domestic processes and incorporates bottom-up perspectives.
Household Inflation and Aggregate Inflation

This project postulates that an additional cost of increased inflation is an increase in the cross-sectional dispersion of household-level inflation rates. Using scanner data and the Consumer Expenditure Survey, I construct novel measures of household-level inflation and show that households experience inflation at very different rates. An increase in a household's personal inflation rate leads to a persistent increase in their price index. Households respond to a personal inflation shock by decreasing nominal consumption, which means that real consumption falls more than one-for-one; poor households are least able to smooth their consumption in response to household inflation shocks. I find that inflation dispersion (the variance of household inflation rates) increases with the level of absolute aggregate inflation. This relationship is robust across time, methodology, and data.
Impact of information sharing on bullwhip effect in a non-serial supply chain with deterministic lead time

In this paper, we study the impact of retailers’ forecasting methods on the bullwhip effect. We consider three forecasting methods: Moving average (MA), exponential smoothing (ES), and minimum mean squared error (MMSE). We model retailers’ demand by a first-order autoregressive process. We also assume a base-stock policy for retailers’ stock replenishment. Based on Zhang (2004), we derive expressions for the bullwhip effect for each of the forecasting methods. We considered deterministic as well as stochastic lead time. We also consider multiple independent retailers. Our findings indicate that the impact of demand correlation and lead time on bullwhip effect changes with the forecasting method. However, the patterns seem to remain unaffected by the nature of lead time and the number of retailers. We also observe MMSE to outperform MA and ES when the bullwhip effect is the main concern.
Seroconversion rate and socioeconomic and ethnic risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection in children in a population-based cohort

Introduction: Socioeconomic and ethnic background have been discussed as possible risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infections in children. Improved knowledge could lead way to tailored prevention strategies and help to improve infection control. Methods: Observational population-based cohort study in children (6mo. - 18 ys.) scheduled for legally required preventive examination and their parents in a metropolitan region in Germany. Primary endpoint was the SARS-CoV-2 seroconversion rate during study period. Risk factors assessed included age, pre-existing medical conditions, socioeconomic factors, and ethnicity. Results: 2124 children and their parents were included. Seroconversion rates among children in all age groups increased by 3-4-fold from 06/2020 to 02/2021. Only 41% of seropositive children were symptomatic. In 51% of infected children at least one parent was also SARS-CoV-2 positive. Low level of parental education (OR 3.13 (0.72-13.69)) significantly increased the risk of infection. Of the total cohort, 38.5% had a migration background. Specifically, 9% were of Turkish and 5% of Middle Eastern origin. These children had the highest risk for SARS-CoV-2 infections (OR 6.24 (1.38-28.12) and 6.44 (1.14-36.45) after adjustment for other risk factors. Discussion: Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infections in children increased by 3-4-fold within the study period. Frequently, more than one family member was infected. Children from families with lower socioeconomic status were at higher risk. The highest risk for SARS- CoV-2 infection was identified in families with Turkish or Middle Eastern background. Culture sensitive approaches are essential to improve infection control and serve as a blueprint for vaccination strategies in this population.
Predictors and Outcomes of Fully Covered Stent Treatment for Anastomotic Esophageal Strictures in Esophageal Atresia

ABSTRACT Background and Aims: Anastomotic strictures following surgical repair is one of the most common complications in esophageal atresia (EA). The utility of esophageal stenting to treat anastomotic esophageal strictures in pediatrics is unclear. Our primary aim was to evaluate whether esophageal stenting, in conjunction with dilation and other endoscopic therapies, prevented surgical stricture resection (SR). Our secondary aims were to evaluate predictors of successful esophageal stenting and evaluate adverse events from stent placement. Methods: A retrospective review of pediatric patients with EA complicated by esophageal strictures was performed. The change in stricture diameter in millimeters from the time of stent removal to subsequent endoscopy was defined as delta diameter (ΔD). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to determine the discriminatory ability of ΔD. Youden J index was used to identify optimal cutoff-point in predicting stent success. A univariate and multivariate analysis were done to assess predictors of success. Result: Forty-nine esophageal anastomoses were stented to treat esophageal strictures. Stents prevented SR in 41% of patients. ROC curve analysis utilizing Youden J index identified ΔD of ≤4 mm (area under the curve = 0.790; 95% confidence interval: 0.655–0.924; P < 0.001) as the optimal cutoff point in differentiating stent success. The most common adverse events were erosions/ulcerations, granulation tissue formation, and vomiting/retching. Conclusion: Stent therapy in preventing SR at the site of EA repair was successful in 41% in our population with good long term follow-up. The most significant predictor of success in this study was the change in luminal diameter (≤4 mm) at initial poststent follow-up.
Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Children With Inherited Liver Disease and Native Liver

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate neurodevelopmental status among children with inherited cholestatic liver diseases with native liver and variables predictive of impairment. Methods: Participants with Alagille syndrome (ALGS), progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC), and alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency (A1AT) enrolled in a longitudinal, multicenter study and completed the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-III or Intelligence Scale for Children-IV. Full Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ) was analyzed continuously and categorically (>100, 85–99, 70–84, <70). Univariate linear regression was performed to study association between FSIQ and risk factors, stratified by disease. Results: Two hundred and fifteen completed testing (ALGS n = 70, PFIC n = 43, A1AT n = 102); median age was 7.6 years (3.0–16.9). Mean FSIQ in ALGS was lower than A1AT (94 vs 101, P = 0.01). Frequency of FSIQ < 85 (>1 standard deviation [SD] below average) was highest in ALGS (29%) versus 18.6% in PFIC and 12.8% in A1AT, and was greater than expected in ALGS based on normal distribution (29% vs 15.9%, P = 0.003). ALGS scored significantly lower than test norms in almost all Wechsler composites; A1AT scored lower on Working Memory and Processing Speed; PFIC was not different from test norms. Total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, albumin, hemoglobin, and parental education were significantly associated with FSIQ. Conclusions: Patients with ALGS are at increased risk of lower FSIQ, whereas our data suggest A1AT and PFIC are not. A1AT and ALGS appear vulnerable to working memory and processing speed deficits suggestive of attention/executive function impairment. Malnutrition, liver disease severity, and sociodemographic factors appear related to FSIQ deficits, potentially identifying targets for early interventions.
Biflavonoids from the twigs and leaves of Cephalotaxus oliveri Mast. and their α-glucosidase inhibitory activity

Abstract Three new biflavonoids, umcephabiovins C − E (1 − 3), along with fourteen known compounds were isolated from the twigs and leaves of Cephalotaxus oliveri. Their structures and configurations were elucidated by UV, IR, NMR, ECD, and HR-ESI-MS spectra. Compounds 1 − 3 exhibited significant α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 7.05 ± 2.66, 24.45 ± 4.73, and 1.84 ± 1.14 μM, respectively. Compound 11 showed moderate cytotoxicity against the BaF3/T315I cell line. Graphical Abstract
Identifying Central Symptoms and Bridge Pathways Between Autism Spectrum Disorder Traits and Suicidality Within an Active Duty Sample

Abstract Objective This study employed network analysis to characterize central autism spectrum disorder (ASD) traits and suicide symptoms within an active duty military sample as well as to identify symptoms that may bridge between ASD traits and suicidality (i.e., suicidal ideation and behaviors). Method Participants were active duty U.S. military service members (N = 287). Autism spectrum traits, suicidality, depression, and suicide related constructs were assessed online via self-report. Results Within the combined ASD trait-suicidality network, suicide rumination, suicide behaviors, and depression had the highest strength centrality. The most central bridge symptoms between ASD and suicidality were thwarted belongingness, social skills deficits, and depressive symptoms. Conclusions Social skills deficits and thwarted belongingness may function as a meaningful bridge between ASD symptoms and suicidality within active duty members. Individuals with ASD symptoms who additionally present with high levels of thwarted belongingness and/or considerable social skills deficits may be at increased risk for suicidality. HIGHLIGHTS Within an ASD-suicidality network, social skills deficits, low belonging, and depression had the greatest bridge strength. Although low belonging emerged as a bridge symptom, perceived burdensomeness did not. Suicide rumination, suicide behaviors, and depression were the most central symptom in an ASD-suicidality network. Symptoms related to social skills deficits may connect ASD traits and suicidality.
Computational investigation of ginkgetin and theaflavin as potential inhibitors of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90)

Abstract Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is the prime molecular chaperone found to be overexpressed in cancer cells and pose as an anti-cancer therapeutic drug target for cancer chemotherapy. Even drugs are available which inhibit Hsp90, the associated side effects along with multi-drug regimen necessitate the identification of natural molecules to block the activity of Hsp90. In this present investigation, we performed virtual screening of Hsp90 inhibitors from a curated collection of natural molecules with proven pharmacological effects. This process helped in the identification of the top two scoring ligands, ginkgetin and theaflavin with favorable as well as crucial interactions with the Hsp90 ligand-binding pocket. Molecular dynamics simulations of these two natural molecules exhibited minimal fluctuations in the binding pattern of ginkgetin and theaflavin to Hsp90 which retained crucial contacts throughout the simulation time. We anticipate that ginkgetin and theaflavin could act as potent Hsp90 inhibitors which are under current investigation in our laboratory. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma