Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pointer life cycle types for lock-free data structures with memory reclamation

We consider the verification of lock-free data structures that manually manage their memory with the help of a safe memory reclamation (SMR) algorithm. Our first contribution is a type system that checks whether a program properly manages its memory. If the type check succeeds, it is safe to ignore the SMR algorithm and consider the program under garbage collection. Intuitively, our types track the protection of pointers as guaranteed by the SMR algorithm. There are two design decisions. The type system does not track any shape information, which makes it extremely lightweight. Instead, we rely on invariant annotations that postulate a protection by the SMR. To this end, we introduce angels, ghost variables with an angelic semantics. Moreover, the SMR algorithm is not hard-coded but a parameter of the type system definition. To achieve this, we rely on a recent specification language for SMR algorithms. Our second contribution is to automate the type inference and the invariant check. For the type inference, we show a quadratic-time algorithm. For the invariant check, we give a source-to-source translation that links our programs to off-the-shelf verification tools. It compiles away the angelic semantics. This allows us to infer appropriate annotations automatically in a guess-and-check manner. To demonstrate the effectiveness of our type-based verification approach, we check linearizability for various list and set implementations from the literature with both hazard pointers and epoch-based memory reclamation. For many of the examples, this is the first time they are verified automatically. For the ones where there is a competitor, we obtain a speed-up of up to two orders of magnitude.
SEISMICITY RATE CHANGES IN ASSOCIATION WITH TIME DEPENDENT STRESS TRANSFER IN THE REGION OF NORTHERN AEGEAN SEA, GREECE

The region of northern Aegean has suffered several strong earthquakes since the beginning of the 20 th century, causing extensive damage and loss of lives. For the seismic hazard assessment in the area, several studies have been accomplished, among them being the ones dealing with the Coulomb stress changes due to the seismic slip caused by major earthquakes, in addition with the constant tectonic loading on the major regional faults. The aim of the present study is to evaluate if seismicity rate changes from 1964 to 2008 are associated with changes in the stress field. For this purpose the stronger events (Μ w >5.8) that occurred in this period were considered and their contribution to the stress field evolution was investigated by calculations performed just before and after their occurrence. This influence was then examined in connection with the occurrence rate of small events (Μ w > 3.8) for the respective time intervals. After defining the probability density function (PDF) of the small events distribution, a rate/state model was used to correlate static stress changes with seismicity rate and to compare the observed with the expected seismicity rate for each time period.
Argon plasma coagulation versus cold steel tonsillectomy: a comparison of safety and efficacy

Background: Various tonsillectomy techniques have been introduced as alternatives to cold steel (CS) dissection. The aim of this study was to compare safety and efficacy of Argon plasma coagulation (APC) with CS tonsillectomy, by evaluating: (I) operative time; (II) intraoperative haemorrhage; (III) postoperative pain and (IV) postoperative haemorrhage. Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of a 5-year prospectively collected database. Five hundred patients who underwent elective tonsillectomies performed by a single surgeon were included in this study (age range 1–57, male/female ratio =0.68, APC group n=232, CS group n=268). Results: APC group had shorter operative time than CS [12.33 min, standard deviation (SD) 0.284 vs. 20.68 min, SD 0.16, P<0.001], and less intraoperative haemorrhage (P<0.001). Intraoperative haemorrhage was described by a grading system: the majority of APC group in grade 1a bleeding (equivalent to 0–2 mL) and majority of CS in grade 2 bleeding (equivalent to 14–65 mL). Pain scores were lower in CS group by only 0.45 on a 10-point scale (P=0.04) and pain profiles over a 2-week postoperative period were similar. There was less secondary postoperative haemorrhage in APC group compared to CS, which was not statistically significant (3.88% vs. 5.22%, P=0.16). Primary haemorrhage did not occur in either group. Conclusions: APC appears to be a safe and efficacious technique for paediatric and adult tonsillectomy. It offers shorter operative time, reduced intraoperative haemorrhage and same postoperative pain experience. Rates of secondary haemorrhage require further evaluation with higher powered studies.
Towards understanding the boundary propagation speeds in tumor growth models

At the continuous level, we consider two types of tumor growth models: the cell density model, which is based on the fluid mechanical construction, is more favorable for scientific interpretation and numerical simulations; and the free boundary model, as the incompressible limit of the former, is more tractable when investigating the boundary propagation. In this work, we aim to investigate the boundary propagation speeds in those models based on asymptotic analysis of the free boundary model and efficient numerical simulations of the cell density model. We derive, for the first time, some analytical solutions for the free boundary model with pressures jumps across the tumor boundary in multi-dimensions with finite tumor sizes. We further show that in the large radius limit, the analytical solutions to the free boundary model in one and multiple spatial dimensions converge to traveling wave solutions. The convergence rate in the propagation speeds are algebraic in multi-dimensions as opposed to the exponential convergence in 1D. We also propose an accurate front capturing numerical scheme for the cell density model, and extensive numerical tests are provided to verify the analytical findings.
VALIDATION OF THE ANALYTICAL METHOD FOR THE SIMULTANE- OUS DETERMINATION OF SELECTED POLYBROMINATED DIPHENYL ETHERS, POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS AND ORGANOCHLORINE PESTICIDES IN HUMAN BLOOD SERUM BY GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY WITH MICRO-ELECTRON CAPTURE DETECTOR

Background. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) as other persistent organic pollutants like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) pose a significant hazard to human health, mainly due to interference with the endocrine system and carcinogenetic effects. Humans are exposed to these substances mainly through a food of animal origin. These pollutants are globally detected in human matrices which requires to dispose reliable and simple analytical method that would enable further studies to assess the exposure of specific human populations to these compounds. Objective. The purpose of this study was to modify and validate of the analytical procedure for the simultaneous determination of selected PBDEs, PCBs and OCPs in human blood serum samples. Material and Methods. The analytical measurement was performed by GC-μECD following preparation of serum samples (denaturation, multiple extraction, lipid removal). Identity of the compounds was confirmed by GC-MS. Results. The method was characterised by the appropriate linearity, good repeatability (CV below 20%). The recoveries ranged from 52.9 to 125.0% depending on compound and level of fortification. The limit of quantification was set at 0.03 ng mL-1 of serum. Conclusions. The modified analytical method proved to be suitable for the simultaneous determination of selected PBDEs, PCBs and OCPs in human blood serum by GC-μECD with good precision.
Beam Acquisition and Training in Millimeter Wave Networks Using Tones

This paper studies the initial access problem in millimeter wave networks consisting of multiple access points (AP) and user devices. A novel beam training protocol is presented with a generic frame structure. Each frame consists of an initial access sub-frame followed by data transmission sub-frames. During the initial subframe, APs and user devices sweep through a set of beams and determine the best transmit and receive beams via a handshake. Only narrowband tones are transmitted to mitigate mutual interference and training errors. Both non-coherent beam estimation using power detection and coherent estimation based on maximum likelihood (ML) are presented. To avoid exchanging information of beamforming vectors between APs and user devices, a locally maximum likelihood (LML) algorithm is presented. An efficient fast Fourier transform method is proposed for ML and LML to achieve highresolution beam estimation. A system-level optimization is performed to optimize the key parameters in the protocol, including the frame length, training time, and training bandwidth. The optimal training overhead is determined by those optimized parameters. Simulation results based on real-world topology are presented to compare the performance of different estimation methods and signaling schemes, and to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed protocol.
EPC Green Premium in Two Different European Climate Zones: A Comparative Study between Barcelona and Turin

Energy performance certificates (EPCs) are important tools aimed at improving buildings’ energy performance. They play a central role in the context of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) which asks member states (MS) to take the necessary measures to establish a complete certification system. In this study, an application of the hedonic price method (HPM) assessing the effect of energy labels derived from the EPC on real estate market value is presented. The estimation methodology was applied to two European cities characterized by different climate conditions. The analysis was based on two datasets of listing prices referring to multi-family residential markets in Turin (Italy) and Barcelona (Spain). Four models for each dataset were applied to capture the marginal price of green attributes, but also to control for the spatial autocorrelation among values. The findings showed how the EPC has been applied in the two countries and how it has influenced the real estate market. Turin’s buyers pay more attention to the EPC label, while in Barcelona, they value much more single characteristics, such as air conditioning and a swimming pool, considered popular attributes among contemporary buildings in this climate zone. From the results, it is possible to deduce that the implementation of the EPC schemes is still irregular in EU countries and must be strengthened through a standardized rating model.
Hybrid Analog Signal-Based Models of Computation

The present work attempts both a review of previous methods for transferring digital and symbolic computations in an analog or optical substrate and also to offer certain alternatives not yet fully explored. The essential difference from previous cases lies in the merging of general signal processing and computational theory with some emphasis on the foundations of computations and its logico-mathematical background and possible connections with fundamental physical processes. The technologies proposed could among other things be used to turn a standard RF network into a complete, autonomous holographic or distributed computational medium. Some applications for MultiAgent Systems are also examined near the end.
Cores for piecewise-deterministic Markov processes used in Markov chain Monte Carlo

This article provides a tool for the analysis of Piecewise-deterministic Markov processes (PDMPs) which have recently gained attention with the proposal of new efficient Markov Chain Monte Carlo schemes such as the Bouncy Particle Sampler (BPS), the Zig-Zag process or the Randomized Hamiltonian Monte Carlo method (RHMC). A thorough theoretical analysis often relies on the generator of the semigroup of these processes. In this work, the main theorem establishes that the infinitely differentiable functions with compact support form a core of the generator of a PDMP under assumptions which are typically fulfilled in piecewise-deterministic MCMC schemes such as the RHMC, the BPS or the Zig-Zag. Due to this result, one is often able to focus on test functions in the analysis of these MCMC algorithms which is illustrated on the example of martingale problems at the end of this work.
LPRNet: Lightweight Deep Network by Low-rank Pointwise Residual Convolution

Deep learning has become popular in recent years primarily due to the powerful computing device such as GPUs. However, deploying these deep models to end-user devices, smart phones, or embedded systems with limited resources is challenging. To reduce the computation and memory costs, we propose a novel lightweight deep learning module by low-rank pointwise residual (LPR) convolution, called LPRNet. Essentially, LPR aims at using low-rank approximation in pointwise convolution to further reduce the module size, while keeping depthwise convolutions as the residual module to rectify the LPR module. This is critical when the low-rankness undermines the convolution process. We embody our design by replacing modules of identical input-output dimension in MobileNet and ShuffleNetv2. Experiments on visual recognition tasks including image classification and face alignment on popular benchmarks show that our LPRNet achieves competitive performance but with significant reduction of Flops and memory cost compared to the state-of-the-art deep models focusing on model compression.
DDDT_A_225311 3485..3495

1Department of Chemistry, University of Malakand Chakdara, Dir Lower, Kpk 18800, Pakistan; 2Department of Chemistry, GC University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan; 3Medicinal, Aromatic and Poisonous Plants Research Center (MAPRC), College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; 4Phytochemistry Department, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt; 5Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; 6Department of Pharmacy, Sarhad University of Science and Information Technology, Peshawar, Kpk 25000, Pakistan Background: In this study, 2 symmetrical and 3 unsymmetrical thioureas were synthesized to evaluate their antioxidant, antibacterial, antidiabetic, and anticholinesterase potentials. Methods: The symmetrical thioureas were synthesized in aqueous media in the presence of sunlight, using amines and CS2 as starting material. The unsymmetrical thioureas were synthesized using amines as a nucleophile to attack the phenyl isothiocyanate (electrophile). The structures of synthesized compounds were confirmed through H NMR. The antioxidant potential was determined using DPPH and ABTS assays. The inhibition of glucose-6phosphatase, alpha amylase, and alpha glucosidase by synthesized compounds was used as an indication of antidiabetic potential. Anticholinesterase potential was determined from the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase by the synthesized compounds. Results: The highest inhibition of glucose-6-phosphatase was shown by compound V (03.12 mg of phosphate released). Alpha amylase was most potently inhibited by compound IV with IC50 value of 62 μg/mL while alpha glucosidase by compound III with IC50 value of 75 μg/mL. The enzymes, acetylcholinesterase, and butyrylcholinesterase were potently inhibited by compound III with IC50 of 63 μg/mL and 80 μg/mL respectively. Against DPPH free radical, compound IV was more potent (IC50 = 64 μg/mL) while ABTS was more potently scavenged by compound I with IC50 of 66 μg/mL. The antibacterial spectrum of synthesized compounds was determined against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Agrobacterium tumefaction and Proteus vulgaris). Compound I and compound II showed maximum activity against A. tumefaction with MIC values of 4.02 and 4.04 μg/mL respectively. Against P. vulgaris, compound V was more active (MIC = 8.94 μg/mL) while against S. aureus, compound IV was more potent with MIC of 4.03 μg/mL. Conclusion: From the results, it was concluded that these compounds could be used as antibacterial, antioxidant, and antidiabetic agents. However, further in vivo studies are needed to determine the toxicological effect of these compounds in living bodies. The compounds also have potential to treat neurodegenerative diseases.
Changes in potato tuber sugar metabolism in response to natural sprout suppressive compounds

The increased demand for potato by the Brazilian processing industry requires long term refrigerated storage, but after a few months, natural dormancy ends, and sprouts start to grow. Thus, sprout inhibitors are necessary to reduce the rate of growth and allow further storage. The purpose of research described here was to determine the effects clove and menthol essential oils have on the inhibition of sprout growth in non-dormant ‘Asterix’ tubers. Both eugenol and menthol treatments reduced the rate of sprout growth during storage at 8oC for up to 50 days. Eugenol and menthol essential oils diminished the rate of accumulation of reducing sugar, which are responsible for browning of French fries. Color after frying was within acceptable levels when the tubers were treated with eugenol or menthol essential oils.
The impact of ESG scores on cost of equity and firm’s profitability

In this paper, we empirically investigate the effect of ESG Scores on (1) Cost of equity; (2) Firm’s profitability for a sample of firms operating in the Oil & Gas sector. The obtained results of this study are in line with the literature, supporting the argument that a better Sustainability Performance generates a reduction in the Cost of Equity (Dhaliwal et al., 2014; Matthiesen & Salzmann, 2017; Gupta, 2018). Our findings support arguments in the literature that firms with better ESG performance have higher value and lower risk (El Ghoul et al., 2011, 2018; Chen et al., 2009; Hail & Leuz, 2006), and in the same time highlight some peculiarities deriving from industry-level factors (Reverte, 2012; Gregory et al., 2016)
Link Prediction via Deep Learning

Link prediction aims to infer the missing links or predicting future ones based on the currently observed partial network. It is a fundamental problem in network science because not only the problem has wide range of applications such as social network recommendation and information retrieval, but also the linkages contain rich hidden information of node properties and network structures. However, conventional link prediction approaches neither have high prediction accuracy nor being capable of revealing the hidden information behind links. To address this problem, we generalize the latest techniques in deep learning on graphs and present a new link prediction model - DeepLinker by integrating the batched graph convolution techniques in GraphSAGE and the attention mechanism in graph attention network (GAT). Experiments on five graphs show that our model can not only achieve the state-of-the-art accuracy in link prediction, but also the efficient ranking and node representations as the byproducts of link prediction task. Although the low dimensional node representations are obtained without any node label information, they can perform very well on downstream tasks such as node ranking and classification. Therefore, we claim that the link prediction task on graphs is like the language model in natural language processing because it reveals the hidden information from the graph structure in an unsupervised way.
Mass Transfer of Microscale Light-Emitting Diodes to Unusual Substrates by Spontaneously Formed Vertical Tethers During Chemical Lift-Off

A much simplified method for transferring Gallium nitride (GaN) light emitting didoes (LEDs) to an unusual substrate, such as glass, Si, polyethylene terephthalate, or polyurethane, was demonstrated with spontaneously formed vertical tethers during chemical lift-off (CLO), without requiring a sacrificial layer or extra process steps. The LED arrays resided on a stamp that was coated with an adhesive layer. After the layer with the LEDs was transferred to the new substrates, the stamp was removed by acetone to complete the preparation. Over 3 × 3 cm2 LED arrays transferred to various substrates without any damage and misorientation. We also found that the optical and electrical characteristics improved after transfer due to decease in built-in stress. This simple and practical method is expected to greatly facilitate the development of transferrable full color GaN microLEDs on various substrates with either greatly reduced or no damage.
Formulation, in vitro and Bioavailability Assessments of Ranitidine Rectal Suppositories

The objective of the current work was to develop and evaluate suppository dosage form in order to improve ranitidine bioavailability as a substitute to the oral administration. Suppocire (different grades), Witepsol W25 and polyethylene glycol (PEG) were used as suppository bases and prepared by molding method. The prepared formulations were examined for hardness, disintegration time, melting point, content uniformity, drug release, stability and bioavailability. The hardness ranged from 3.82 to 12.53 kg and disintegration time from 13.32 to 28.22 min. The melting points of fatty bases had values from 33.94 to 36.82±0. 36ºC while PEG based suppositories melting points were directly proportional chain length. Higher content uniformity was observed in PEG based suppositories due to easy incorporation of RT into water soluble base. Release was affected by hydroxyl value and molecular weight (in cases of fatty and PEG bases respectively). All formulations were relatively stable after 12 months. In vivo studies of all formulations exhibited double peak phenomena. PEG based formula (S8) showed significant higher Cmax (10.05±1 μg/ml) and AUC0-12 (58.313±3.9 µg.h/mL) than fatty bases and oral solution. In conclusion, rectal administration of S8 could be prepared as an alternative to the oral dosage form to improve bioavailability and overcome the first-pass metabolism.
On Primary School Teachers’ Training Needs in Relation to Game-Based Learning

This study aimed to explore primary school teachers’ training needs in relation to game-based learning. This study used a survey research design. The sample consisted of 410 primary school teachers. A survey was developed in line with the purpose of the study. The data collected through open-ended questions were subjected to content analysis. The teachers reported that they want to use game-based learning approaches in educational activities; however, they do not use it because they feel incompetent. The surveyed teachers felt that they need training in the peculiarities of game-based learning approaches, application examples, course planning, course implementation, and evaluation processes.
OZONESONDE QUALITY ASSURANCE

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