Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aging-Constrained Performance Optimization for Multi Cores

Circuit aging has become a dire design concern and hence it is considered a primary design constraint. Current practice to cope with this problem is to apply (too) conservative means.In contrast, we introduce a far less restrictive approach by efficiently exploring a fundamentally new aging-aware design space comprising temperature (T), aging degradation (ΔVth) and supply voltage (Vdd). On that basis, we present a tailored multi core resource management (with # threads and v/f levels as parameters etc.) that aims to maximize performance (optimization goal) under aging constraint(s). We demonstrate that our approach is the first to fully exploit the performance/aging trade-off within this new design space but without the restrictions inherent to current state of the art. As a result, we achieve 43% increase in performance while maintaining the same level of circuit aging when compared to the best technique reported yet.
Interval Outcomes of a Lifestyle Weight-Loss Intervention in Early Adolescence

We undertook a feasibility study to reassess metabolic outcomes in young people with early onset obesity who attended a hospital-based lifestyle weight-loss intervention during adolescence. Comparisons of metabolic assessments, including body mass index standard deviation scores (BMI–SDSs), blood pressure (BP), oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs), lipid profile, and alanine transaminase (ALT), before and after treatment were made. Twenty-five subjects (10 males) with median ages (interquartile range, IQR) of 14.5 (12.6–15.4) years at the beginning of intervention and 18.2 (17.2–18.9) years at reassessment and who were 3.5 (2.4–6.5) years post-intervention were recruited. Twenty-eight percent had a ≥0.25 reduction in BMI–SDS from baseline (responders). Responders demonstrated significantly lower BMI–SDS, systolic BP, and glucose disposal at reassessment compared with baseline. They also showed significantly lower total fat percentage SDSs, trunk fat percentages, 120 min insulin, and ALT, as well as higher insulin sensitivity index (ISIcomp) than non-responders. Male gender and younger age at the initiation of intervention showed a non-significant trend towards greater success in weight loss. Long-term benefits were demonstrated in around one-quarter of obese adolescents after lifestyle modification treatment, with associated improvements in body composition and metabolic parameters.
Spatial distribution of four freshwater fish species in different types of artificial European water bodies

Spatial distribution of young-of-the-year (YOY) and older roach, rudd, perch and ruffe was compared in two artificial lakes with macrophytes present and absent, and a valley reservoir, using gillnets. Almost all species of interest and both age categories preferred benthic habitats. The depth distribution in benthic habitats was relatively consistent across water bodies with the highest fish densities found in the shallowest depths. In the macrophyte-rich lake, YOY roach and perch utilize the 3–6 m benthic layer the most, whereas the fish preferred the 0–3 m benthic layer in the macrophyte-poor lake and reservoir. No differences were found in the depth distribution in pelagic habitats sampled by pelagic gillnets for YOY fish between the water bodies. Older fish usually utilized the surface water layer. Macrophytes influenced the depth distribution of YOY fish in benthic habitats, where their density maximum shifted deeper in the macrophyte-rich lake when fewer macrophytes were present in the shallowest benthic depth. In lakes, YOY fish utilized a wider depth spectrum due to the deeper thermocline when compared to the reservoir. Oxygen and temperature stratification are the main factors influencing fish distribution, whereas macrophyte presence particularly influences the depth distribution of YOY fish in benthic habitats.
Sign-Magnitude SC: Getting 10X Accuracy for Free in Stochastic Computing for Deep Neural Networks*

Stochastic computing (SC) is a promising computing paradigm for applications with low precision requirement, stringent cost and power restriction. One known problem with SC, however, is the low accuracy especially with multiplication. In this paper we propose a simple, yet very effective solution to the low-accuracy SC-multiplication problem, which is critical in many applications such as deep neural networks (DNNs). Our solution is based on an old concept of sign-magnitude, which, when applied to SC, has unique advantages. Our experimental results using multiple DNN applications demonstrate that our technique can improve the efficiency of SC-based DNNs by about 32X in terms of latency over using bipolar SC, with very little area overhead (about 1%).
Hand posture recognition using modified Ensemble of Shape Functions and Global Radius-based Surface Descriptor

This paper presents an approach to recognition of static hand gestures based on data acquired from 3D cameras and point cloud descriptors: Ensemble of Shape Functions and Global Radius-based Surface Descriptor. We describe the recognition algorithm consisting of: hand segmentation, noise removal and downsampling of point cloud, dividing point cloud bounding box to cells, feature extraction and normalization, gesture classification. Modifications of the descriptors are proposed in order to increase hand posture recognition rates and decrease quantity of used features as well as computational cost of the algorithm. The experiments performed on four challenging datasets using cross-validation tests prove the usefulness of our approach.
Multidimensional joint coupling: a case study visualisation approach to movement coordination and variability

Abstract A case study visualisation approach to examining the coordination and variability of multiple interacting segments is presented using a whole-body gymnastic skill as the task example. One elite male gymnast performed 10 trials of 10 longswings whilst three-dimensional locations of joint centres were tracked using a motion analysis system. Segment angles were used to define coupling between the arms and trunk, trunk and thighs and thighs and shanks. Rectified continuous relative phase profiles for each interacting couple for 80 longswings were produced. Graphical representations of coordination couplings are presented that include the traditional single coupling, followed by the relational dynamics of two couplings and finally three couplings simultaneously plotted. This method highlights the power of visualisation of movement dynamics and identifies properties of the global interacting segmental couplings that a more formal analysis may not reveal. Visualisation precedes and informs the appropriate qualitative and quantitative analysis of the dynamics.
Microbiological Etiologies of Pneumonia Complicating Stroke: A Systematic Review

Background and Purpose— Identifying the causal pathogens of pneumonia complicating stroke is challenging, and antibiotics used are often broad spectrum, without recourse to the microbiological cause. We aimed to review existing literature to identify organisms responsible for pneumonia complicating stroke, before developing a consensus-based approach to antibiotic treatment. Methods— A systematic literature review of multiple electronic databases using predefined search criteria was undertaken, in accordance with Cochrane and PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidance. Published studies of hospitalized adults with ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, or both, which identified microbiological etiologies for pneumonia complicating stroke up to January 1, 2017, were considered. Analysis included summary statistics and random-effects meta-analysis where appropriate. Results— Fifteen studies (40% ischemic stroke, 60% ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage) involving 7968 patients were included. Reported occurrence of pneumonia varied considerably between studies (2%–63%) with a pooled frequency of 23% (95% confidence interval, 14%–34%; I2=99%). Where reported (60%), the majority of pneumonia occurred within 1 week of stroke (78%). Reported frequency of positive culture data (15%–88%) varied widely. When isolated, aerobic Gram-negative bacilli (38%) and Gram-positive cocci (16%) were most frequently cultured; commonly isolated organisms included Enterobacteriaceae (21.8%: Klebsiella pneumoniae, 12.8% and Escherichia coli, 9%), Staphylococcus aureus (10.1%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (6%), Acinetobacter baumanii (4.6%), and Streptococcus pneumoniae (3.5%). Sputum was most commonly used to identify pathogens, in isolation (40%) or in conjunction with tracheal aspirate (15%) or blood culture (20%). Conclusions— Although the analysis was limited by small and heterogeneous study populations, limiting determination of microbiological causality, this review suggests aerobic Gram-negative bacilli and Gram-positive cocci are frequently associated with pneumonia complicating stroke. This supports the need for appropriately designed studies to determine microbial cause and a consensus-based approach in antibiotic usage and further targeted antibiotic treatment trials for enhanced antibiotic stewardship.
Characterization of the Temporal Trends in the Rate of Cattle Carcass Condemnations in the US and Dynamic Modeling of the Condemnation Reasons in California With a Seasonal Component

Based on the 2016 National Cattlemen's Beef Association statistics, the cattle inventory in the US reached 93.5 million head, from which 30.5 million were commercial slaughter in 2016. California ranked fourth among all the US states that raise cattle and calves, with 5.15 million head and approximately 1.18 million slaughtered animals per year. Approximately 0.5% of cattle carcasses in the US are condemned each year, which has an important economic impact on cattle producers.In this study, we first described and compared the temporal trends of cattle carcass condemnations in all the US states from Jan-2005 to Dec-2014. Then, we focused on the condemnation reasons with a seasonal component in California and used dynamic harmonic regression (DHR) models both to model (from Jan-2005 to Dec-2011) and predict (from Jan-2012 to Dec-2014) the carcass condemnations rate in different time horizons (3 to 12 months). Data consisted of daily reports of 35 condemnation reasons per cattle type reported in 684 federally inspected slaughterhouses in the US from Jan-2005 to Dec-2014 and the monthly slaughtered animals per cattle type per states. Almost 1.5 million carcasses were condemned in the US during the 10 year study period (Jan 2005-Dec 2014), and around 40% were associated with three condemnation reasons: malignant lymphoma, septicemia and pneumonia. In California, emaciation, eosinophilic myositis and malignant lymphoma were the only condemnation reasons presenting seasonality and, therefore, the only ones selected to be modeled using DHRs. The DHR models for Jan-2005 to Dec-2011 were able to correctly model the dynamics of the emaciation, malignant lymphoma and eosinophilic myositis condemnation rates with coefficient of determination (Rt2) of 0.98, 0.87 and 0.78, respectively. The DHR models for Jan-2012 to Dec-2014 were able to predict the rate of condemned carcasses 3 month ahead of time with mean relative prediction error of 33, 11, and 38%, respectively. The systematic analysis of carcass condemnations and slaughter data in a more real-time fashion could be used to identify changes in carcass condemnation trends and more timely support the implementation of prevention and mitigation strategies that reduce the number of carcass condemnations in the US.
The Relationship between Personality and Value-Based Decision-Making

Within the context of software engineering, many decisions take place and such decisions should employ value propositions that focus on short as well as long-term goals. In 2003, Boehm coined the term Value-Based Software Engineering (VBSE), which entails the change from a value-neutral to a value-based approach. VBSE argues that decisions should be based on all key stakeholders' value propositions, and to balance both reach the short as well as long-term goal(s) the ones. This paper details a PhD research plan that aims to study the relationship between personality and decision-making within the context of VBSE. The research focuses on group decision-making, considering three aspects: the interaction among decision-makers, their perception of the decision value and their personality traits. The research methodology will be experiment which will revolve around a hypothetical software development project and some decisions that need to be made, for example, the features to be included and the priority of each one. The contribution from a theoretical perspective is to understand the relationship among three main aspects: personality traits, decision-making process, and decision value. From practitioners' perspective, the contribution is to provide help on improving software project decision-making.
Diurnal and seasonal changes in semen quality of men in subfertile partnerships

ABSTRACT Circadian and circannual rhythms influence not only the environment, but also human physiology. In times of increasing numbers of couples struggling with infertility, and thus increasing demand for successful assisted reproduction, the aim of our study was to evaluate circadian and circannual rhythms and their association with semen quality. A total of 12 245 semen samples from 7068 men, collected at the andrology laboratory of the Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, University Hospital Zurich, between 1994 and 2015, were uniformly analysed in terms of sperm concentration, total sperm count, progressive motility and normal morphology. On the basis of these four parameters, we retrospectively examined the circadian and circannual changes of semen quality. The Mann–Whitney U test and multiple linear regression analysis were used for the statistical evaluation. The semen samples collected in the early morning before 7:30 a.m. showed the highest levels in sperm concentration, total sperm count and normal morphology, all with statistical significance. Progressive motility did not show any significant alterations based on circadian rhythm. Furthermore, a significant increase in sperm concentration and total sperm count was found in spring, with significant decreases in the summer. The highest percentage of normal morphology was found in summer. For progressive motility, no significant seasonal variation could be demonstrated. Male semen quality varies with both circadian and circannual rhythms. Collection of semen in the early morning, where semen quality was highest, can be used to improve natural fertility as well as fertility resulting from assisted reproduction.
Semantic-enabled Hybrid Genetic Disease Diagnostics in Next-Generation Sequenced Data

Next Generation Sequencing is a technology for genome sequencing used in genetics for diseased diagnosis. NGS provides the list of all mutations in a genome, so identifying the one which causes a disease is not trivial. A number of applications for variant prioritization was developed, but the data they provide is rather a suggestion than a diagnosis, moreover they suffer from issues as identifying nonpathogenic variant as a causal one or inability to identify the causal gene. These issues inspired us to create a strategy for variant prioritization which includes the use of Exomiser and OmimExplorer result sets improved by semantic analysis of abstracts and articles freely available from PubMed and PubMed Central databases. For the wider scope of scientific articles Google Scholar repository will be used. Described approach enables to present latest and most accurate information about potential pathogenic variants.
Automatic Verification of Time Behavior of Programs

Automatic verification of software could save companies from huge losses due to errors in their programs. Existing techniques to prevent and detect errors are mainly based on imprecise heuristics which can report false positives. Formal verification techniques are an alternative to the heuristic approaches. They are more precise and can report errors with higher rigor. However, they cannot be directly applied because current programming languages have no defined semantics that specifies how the source code is interpreted in the execution of programs. Moreover, no existing work tries to develop a semantics for the time domain. The target of this thesis is to provide a verification framework based on a defined time semantics that can help developers to automatically detect time related errors in the behavior of programs. We define a time semantics that allows us to ascribe a meaning to source code statements that alter and use time. Based on the time semantics, we develop an approach to (i) automatically assert time properties and (ii) reverse engineer timed automata, a formal model of the time behavior that is amenable for verification. We plan to evaluate our approaches with quantitative and qualitative studies. The quantitative studies will measure the performance of our approaches in open source projects and the qualitative studies will collect the developers' feedback about the applicability and usefulness of our proposed techniques.
Dental Findings in Patients With Non-surgical Hypoparathyroidism and Pseudohypoparathyroidism: A Systematic Review

Background: Dental aberrations have been mentioned in relation to non-surgical hypoparathyroidism (Ns-HypoPT) and pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP). However, a systematic review of dental characteristics have not been performed. The present systematic review describes the dental findings in patients with Ns-HypoPT and PHP. Methods: Studies on Ns-HypoPT and PHP reporting dental features were eligible. A systematic literature search was conducted using four bibliographic databases (Web of Science, Scopus, Pubmed, and Embase) and was limited to studies written in English. Reviews, meta-analyses and letters were excluded. Both the research and reporting of results were based on PRISMA (preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) guidelines. Results: Of 88 studies included, nine were cross-sectional, one was a prospective cohort study, 26 were case series, and 52 were case reports. The most frequently reported findings in patients with Ns-HypoPT were enamel opacities, enamel hypoplasia, hypodontia, and eruption disturbances. In patients with PHP, enamel hypoplasia, eruption disturbance, and deviation of the root morphology were the most frequently reported findings. Conclusion: An association between enamel hypoplasia and Ns-HypoPT and PHP is likely. The results should, however, be interpreted cautiously due to the limited number of high-quality studies. The present review confirms the need of further well-designed studies, such as large-scale studies, e.g., multicenter studies, to conclude on the reported associations between Ns-HypoPT/PHP and enamel hypoplasia.
Online Absolute Ranking with Partial Information: A Bipartite Graph Matching Approach

Ever since the introduction of the secretary problem, the notion of selecting from a pool of candidates before encountering every candidate has been of significant research interest. Motivated by the real-world problem of hiring in a supply-constrained environment, e.g., the tech industry, we extend the secretary problem setting to the case where the complete score of a candidate is revealed only after a certain number of subsequent candidates (characterizing the delay in the partial score) have been encountered. A novel aspect of our study is that of predicting each candidate's absolute rank before all of the candidates have been revealed. A key contribution of our study involves the innovative use of weighted bipartite matching to find the maximum likelihood assignment of candidates to order-statistic distributions. We run extensive experiments on synthetically generated data as well as real-world data obtained from a university course. On synthetic data, we observe an average deviation of at most 1.6 ranks out of 25 from the true ranking, and on real-world partially observed data we observe a median deviation of 5.5 ranks out of 50. On fully observed real-world data, the algorithm successfully identifies the ten best students immediately upon their arrivals into the system, demonstrating that the algorithm has wide applicability for online hiring problems. Furthermore, we generalize the algorithm to match candidates to an arbitrary set of template distributions. This is particularly useful when we are interested in a certain fraction of the candidates only (e.g. the top 10% of all the candidates) and involves significantly fewer distributions than the order statistics. For this case, we introduce a novel sparsified randomized matching algorithm with a better complexity ($\mathcal O(N^2 \log N)$, where $N$ is the number of candidates) than the naive algorithm ($\mathcal O(N^3)$).
The H3K4 methyltransferase Setd1b is essential for hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell homeostasis in mice

Hematopoietic stem cells require MLL1, which is one of six Set1/Trithorax-type histone 3 lysine 4 (H3K4) methyltransferases in mammals and clinically the most important leukemia gene. Here, we add to emerging evidence that all six H3K4 methyltransferases play essential roles in the hematopoietic system by showing that conditional mutagenesis of Setd1b in adult mice provoked aberrant homeostasis of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). Using both ubiquitous and hematopoietic-specific deletion strategies, the loss of Setd1b resulted in peripheral thrombo- and lymphocytopenia, multilineage dysplasia, myeloid-biased extramedullary hematopoiesis in the spleen, and lethality. By transplantation experiments and expression profiling, we determined that Setd1b is autonomously required in the hematopoietic lineages where it regulates key lineage specification components, including Cebpa, Gata1, and Klf1. Altogether, these data imply that the Set1/Trithorax-type epigenetic machinery sustains different aspects of hematopoiesis and constitutes a second framework additional to the transcription factor hierarchy of hematopoietic homeostasis.
Different Effects of Social Support on Adolescent Smoking and the Mediation by Smartphone Dependence

Background and aims: This study examines the relationship between social support (from parents and peers) and cigarette use, through the mediating effect of smartphone dependence, among adolescents. Study design: Prospective cohort study. Methods: A survey, conducted among 472 adolescents (average age = 16.2 years) attending classes in 3 schools in Lille, France, provides the data. The theoretical model features social support (parental and peer) and cigarette use, with smartphone dependence as a mediator, such that the authors simultaneously examine direct (support → cigarette use) and indirect (eg, peer support → smartphone dependence → cigarette use) paths. Results: The results illustrate that both parental support and peer support discourage cigarette use, but the indirect effect through smartphone dependence is positive. That is, smartphone dependence mediates the relationship between peer support and cigarette use. Parental support and peer support shape adolescents’ cigarette use and smartphone dependence differently, depending on the adolescents’ gender. Conclusions: Policy makers should acknowledge the positive effects of social support, the negative effect of smartphone dependence, and the importance of gender when developing anti-smoking policies and campaigns.