Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CE-IoT: Cost-Effective Cloud-Edge Resource Provisioning for Heterogeneous IoT Applications

With the great advance in the Internet-of-Things (IoT) sector, the recent years have witnessed an unprecedented wave of the proliferation of heterogeneous IoT devices and applications. Among them, some have stringent hard deadlines which can only be satisfied by the emerging paradigm of mobile-edge computing (MEC), while the others may pose elastic soft deadlines which can be flexibly fulfilled by cloud computing. However, with the presence of both temporal and spatial diversities of the resource cost of MEC and cloud, it remains a practical challenge how to efficiently provision the MEC and cloud resource to minimize the long-term operational cost, while still guaranteeing both hard and soft deadlines for heterogeneous IoT applications. To navigate such an inherent performance–cost tradeoff, an efficient online cloud-edge resource provisioning framework is proposed, based on the delay-aware Lyapunov optimization technique. Without requiring a priori knowledge of the statistics of the cloud-edge system, the proposed framework allows to make online greedy decisions on how much MEC and cloud resources to be provisioned to heterogeneous IoT applications. Through rigorous theoretical analysis, we prove that without violating both the hard and soft deadlines of heterogeneous IoT applications, the long-term operational cost can be pushed arbitrarily close to the offline optimum. With extensive evaluations driven by realistic traffic and cost traces, we empirically demonstrate the cost efficiency of the proposed cloud-edge resource provisioning framework.
Age-related variation in primary sexual characters in a passerine with male age-related fertilization success, the bluethroat Luscinia svecica

In passerine species with frequent extrapair mating, young (second calendar year) males often have a lower fertilization success than older (after second calendar year) males. This pattern might be explained by male- or female-driven mechanisms, such as female preference for older males or higher competitive ability of older males. In this study we measured the size of the testes, the seminal glomera and the cloacal protuberance as well as the size and motility of the sperm, in individual bluethroats Luscinia svecica. In this species, nearly all extrapair fertilizations (EPFs) are obtained by older males. We found that the mass of the testes and the seminal glomera were highly positively correlated and that older males had significantly larger testes (38%), seminal glomera (15%) and cloacal protuberance (23%) than young males. In contrast, there was no difference between age groups in average sperm size or sperm motility. Our results are consistent with the idea that higher fertilization success by older males in this species is due to their higher rate of sperm production, allowing larger ejaculates and/or more frequent copulations. Unequal sperm production capacities by young and older males have important implications for the interpretation of paternity patterns in extrapair mating systems.
Analysis of Levulins, Inulin, and Monosaccharides in Guayule

Introduction In previous papers the nature of the water-soluble carbohydrates in guayule (Parthenium argentatum A. Gray) has been established (2, 5, II, I2), and the importance of relating the relative proportions of the 8g%0-ethanol-soluble and the 8g'%0-ethanol-insoluble levulins to plant functioning has also been indicated (I I) . The reader is referred to TRAUB and SLATTERY (I I) for criticism of the earlier untenable conception of the nature of the chief carbohydrate reserve in guayule (4). In the present paper methods of extracting and analyzing for water-soluble carbohydrates and for distinguishing between 8g'%0-ethanol-soluble and 8gS0 -ethanolinsoluble levulins are briefly summarized. Typical results obtained by the application of these methods, showing seasonal changes in guayule tissues, are presented.
Training Optimization for Hybrid MIMO Communication Systems

Channel estimation is conceived for hybrid multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication systems. Both mean square error minimization and mutual information maximization are used as our performance metrics and a pair of low-complexity channel estimation schemes are proposed. In each scheme, the training sequence and the analog matrices of the transmitter and receiver are jointly optimized. We commence by designing the optimal training sequences and analog matrices for the first scheme. Upon relying on the resultant optimal structures, the training optimization problems are substantially simplified and the nonconvexity resulting from the analog matrices can be overcome. In the second scheme, the channel estimation and data transmission share the same analog matrices, which beneficially reduces the overhead of optimizing the associated analog matrices. Therefore, a composite channel matrix is estimated instead of the true channel matrix. By exploiting the statistical optimization framework advocated, the analog matrices can be designed independently of the training sequence. Based on the resultant analog matrices, the training sequence can then be efficiently designed according to diverse channel statistics and performance metrics. Finally, we conclude by quantifying the performance benefits of the proposed estimation schemes.
Improved methods for freeze preservation of chimpanzee sperm

Freeze preservation of human and nonhuman semen has been used effectively for a number of years; however, the application of freezing to preserve nonhuman primate sperm has been less successful. This study compares five freeze methods and various concentrations of the cryoprotectants glycerol and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) for cryopreservation of chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) sperm. The different methods were compared using quantitative analysis of sperm function and, by an indirect measure of fertilizing capacity, the denuded hamster oocyte penetration assay (SPA). The best results were obtained using an extender comprising Ham's F10 medium containing 15% heat inactivated human cord serum and 15.6% glycerol. Semen extended 1 to 1 by this method, for a final glycerol concentration of 7.8%, and frozen using a computer programmed freezer maintained approximately 65% of its original viability and up to 70% of its initial motility. The extended semen was used to initiate pregnancy in two female chimpanzees.
The study of the main parameters affecting the efficiency of Claus reactor and construction of linguistic models for assessing the quality of produced sulfur

Analysis of the key technological factors of sulfur recovery process and their impact on operating efficiency of Claus reactor sulfur recovery unit at thermal and catalytic stages was carried out. The composition of acid gas entering Claus reactor and hydrogen sulfide (H2S); carbon dioxide (CO2), vapors of water, hydrocarbons, oxygen, COS and CS2, and their impact on sulfur recovery process were studied and analyzed. Dependence diagrams of the influence of selected technological factors on sulfur recovery process rates were constructed.The quality of the produced sulfur is estimated on the basis of linguistic models developed using the initial fuzzy information. Linguistic models are developed on the basis of recovery model of knowledge representation and they describe the dependence of sulfur quality indices (sulfur grade) from the mass fractions of sulfur, ash, organic substances, and water. To describe a fuzzy term ‘high quality’ of sulfur, structures of membership functions were determined. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Mixture Surrogate Models for Multi- Objective Optimization

Multi-objective optimization problems (MOOP) involve minimization of more than one objective functions and all of them are to be simultaneously minimized. The solution of these problems involves a large number of iterations. The multi- objective optimization problems related structural optimization of complex engineering structures is usually solved with finite element analysis (FEA). The solution time required to solve these FEA based solutions are very high. So surrogate models or meta- models are used to approximate the finite element solution during the optimization process. These surrogate assisted multi- objective optimization techniques are very commonly used in the current literature. These optimization techniques use evolutionary algorithm and it is very difficult to guarantee the convergence of the final solution, especially in the cases where the budget of costly function evaluations is low. In such cases, it is required to increase the efficiency of surrogate models in terms of accuracy and total efforts required to find the final solutions.In this paper, an advanced surrogate assisted multi- objective optimization algorithm (ASMO) is developed. This algorithm can handle linear, equality and non- linear constraints and can be applied to both benchmark and engineering application problems. This algorithm does not require any prior knowledge for the selection of surrogate models. During the optimization process, best single and mixture surrogate models are automatically selected. The advanced surrogate models are created by MATSuMoTo, the MATLAB based tool box. These mixture models are built by Dempster- Shafer theory (DST). This theory has a capacity to handle multiple model characteristics for the selection of best models. By adopting this strategy, it is ensured that most accurate surrogate models are selected. There can be different kind of surrogate models for objective and constraint functions. Multi-objective optimization of machine tool spindle is studied as the test problem for this algorithm and it is observed that the proposed strategy is able to find the non- dominated solutions with minimum number of costly function evaluations. The developed method can be applied to other benchmark and engineering applications.
PREPARATION OF MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY TO RABBIT KIDNEY GAMMA-GLUTAMYL TRANSPEPTIDASE AND ITS CROSS-REACTIVITY ANALYSIS IN IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY

A monoclonal antibody against rabbit kidney, γ-GTP, was prepared. The subclass of the antibody was IgG2a and the light chain was λ. The antibody specifically recognized the H chain, the site involved in anchoring part of this enzyme. The immunohistochemical assay detected reaction in the brush border of the proximal convoluted tubule of the rabbit kidney, particularly on the distal part. Cross-reaction between homologous and heterologous organs was immunohistochemically examined using this antibody. In the homologous organs, reaction was absorbed in the intercalated duct of the rabbit pancreas and along the stereocilia of the ductus epididymidis. No cross-reaction was detected in the kidney, pancreas or epididymis of a rat, or in the human kidney.
Fox Scat Analysis in a Forest Park in South-eastern Australia

The dietary habits of foxes in a small forest park 40 km east of Melbourne were assessed from analysis of dried excreta represented by 1888 scats collected during 1 year. Of the total 67% contained remains of mammals, with rabbits showing the highest incidence, but including also antechinus, possums, rats and mice. Bird feathers were found in 17% of specimens examined and a great variety of insect remains were identified. Vegetable material was also present in 86% of samples, including the seeds of various fruits. Snails were eaten only in winter and spring; land crayfish were commonly eaten during the warmer months. The results also pointed to cannibalism; substantial amounts of fox fur were identified in 10 samples. Buried remains of cats and dogs were dug up and eaten and garbage buried at a small dump in the area was repeatedly exhumed and eaten, presumably by foxes. It is concluded that scat analysis, particularly during the colder months, provides a good indication of the mammalian species preyed upon by foxes in a given area.
Age differences in blue tit Parus caeruleus plumage colour: within-individual changes or colour-biased survival?

In many species of passerine birds yearlings display a less elaborate version of the adult secondary sexual traits, but the causes of such differences in ornamentation are not always well understood. We studied age-related changes in blue tit Parus caeruleus UV/ blue structural crown coloration, a sexually selected trait. In our Austrian study population, older blue tits, irrespective of sex, displayed on average a more ultraviolet (lower hue, higher UV chroma), more chromatic and brighter crown coloration than yearlings. This age dichromatism was caused by within-individual changes in the expression of crown coloration between years since males and females became more UV, more chromatic and brighter as they aged. Colour biased survival did not contribute to the observed pattern of age dichromatism since crown coloration was largely unrelated to overwinter survival. Between-year repeatability of crown colour was significant for most colour variables but low in general, and lower for females than for males. In the blue tit, yearling males might benefit from being less ornamented by avoiding adult aggression but at the expense of sexual attractiveness. Adaptive explanations of blue tit age dichromatism should however take into account that age effects were of similar magnitude in males and females. This suggests that both male and female yearlings could benefit from being less ornamented and hence that sexual selection might be acting on both sexes simultaneously in this species.
The Botany, Chemistry, Pharmacological and Therapeutic Application of Psoralea corylifolia L. – A Review

Psoralea corylifolia Linn. is an endangered and medicinally important plant indigenous to tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Its medicinal usage is reported in Indian pharmaceutical codex, the Chinese, British and the American pharmacopoeias and in different traditional system of medicines such as Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha. The review reveals that wide ranges of phytochemical constituents have been isolated from the plant and it possesses important activities like antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antitumer. Various other activities like hepatoprotective, antioxidants and antithelminitic have also been reported. These repots are very encouraging and indicate that herb should be studied more expensively for its therapeutic benefits.This article briefly reviews the botany, pharmacology, biochemistry and therapeutic application of the plant. This is an attempt to compile and document information on different aspects of Psoralea corylifolia and highlight the need for research and development. Keywords: - Psoralen, Isopsoralen, Pharmacological activities, Psoralea corylifolia Linn.
Microhabitat use by juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar ) sheltering during the day in summer

Daytime snorkeling surveys were conducted in the Wardsboro Branch, a tributary of the West River, Vermont, U.S.A. , in July and August 1996. We documented microhabitat use by 245 juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) sheltering (i.e., concealed beneath the stream substrate) at water temperatures ranging from 17 to 23°C, well above 10°C, the maximum temperature at which young salmon are thought to shelter during the day. The majority (92%) of sheltering salmon were young-of-the-year salmon (YOY). Of the YOY observed, 45% were sheltering, while 55% were in the water column. In comparison, only 10% of post-young-of-the-year salmon (PYOY; age 1 or older) observed were sheltering, while 90% were in the water column. Sheltering PYOY occupied greater water depths and were found under larger substrate stones than were YOY. Sheltering salmon (YOY and PYOY) were not distributed in proportion to the available microhabitat. Salmon only sheltered beneath unembedded cobble or boulder substrate, and sheltering salmon we.
Liquidity Shocks, Commodity Financialization, and Market Comovements

We explore whether and how liquidity factors influence risk transfers between commodity and stock markets using a composite liquidity index and five different types of liquidity measures. We find that liquidity shocks, including both funding liquidity and market liquidity, are positively associated with comovements between commodity and stock markets after 2000, though the relationship is insignificant prior to 2000. The structural change indicates that financialization creates a role for adverse liquidity shocks to increase cross-market correlations. Further evidence shows that the effect of liquidity on cross-market correlations is state-dependent and intensifies when liquidity conditions deteriorate and asset returns sustain substantial declines. Our findings are not explained by business cycles.
How Productive Are Antarctic Krill?Recent research is challenging some long-held assumptions about the fecundity and development of Euphausia superba

T he immensity of the Southern Ocean and the abundance of its living resources guarantee that it will be a focal point of international research well into the future. A key component of the Southern Ocean ecosystem is the shrimplike Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba,l which dominates the waters south of the Antarctic Convergence, a circumpolar front where northward-flowing Antarctic surface water meets warmer, southward-flowing subantarctic water (see map, p. 240). Krill predominate in the diets of many species, and all Antarctic marine vertebrates
Phytoplankton Community Structure at Subsurface Chlorophyll Maxima on the Western Arctic Shelf: Patterns, Causes, and Ecological Importance

Subsurface chlorophyll maxima (SCM) layers are becoming more important to the Arctic shelf ecosystem as phytoplankton growing season and ice‐free water increase. We measured size‐fractionated pigments and environmental variables on the western Arctic shelf during the open‐water season in 2014, to study the spatial pattern and mechanisms of the phytoplankton community at the SCM. The SCM layers accumulated approximately 50% of the chlorophyll a (Chl a) standing stock in the water column, and the contribution increased to >70% for high‐biomass areas, suggesting the biological importance of the summer SCM in the shelf ecosystem. The spatial difference in phytoplankton biomass was caused mainly by bioavailable nitrogen concentrations, and the spatial difference in diatom size may be the result of differences in predominant species. High biomass and large diatoms dominated in the SCM layers, making the south and north of the Chukchi shelf a biological hotspot for the ecosystem's food chain and benthos of the western Arctic shelf in summer.
Purification, serology and properties of five zucchini yellow mosaic virus isolates.

Five zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) isolates designated ZYMV-1, -3, -5, -7 and -FL were purified from zucchini plants grown under the same environmental conditions. Isolates were divided into three groups on the basis of yield of purified virus: group one (ZYM V-5 and -7) yielded 18-24 mg/100 g tissue, group two (ZYMV-3) 5.0-5.7 mg/100 g tissue, and group three (ZYMV-1 and -FL) low yields of 0-5-1-5 mg/100 g tissue. The yield of purified virus was positively correlated with the number of local lesions produced by inoculation of Chenopodium amaranticolor with extracts from infected zucchini leaf tissue. No serological differences were exhibited among the isolates in SDS-immunodiffusion tests. Results of ELISA tests indicated that ZYMV-FL differed from the other isolates and that antiserum to ZYMV-7 absorbed with ZYMV-FL failed to react with ZYMV-FL but retained some serological activity to ZYMV-7 and the other three Taiwanese isolates. The relative molecular masses of capsid proteins for the four ZYMV isolates from Taiwan and ZYMV-FL were similar.
A comparative study on articulation abilities of Turkish children with stuttering and children with typical development

This study aims to explore the relationship between articulation abilities and stuttering in Turkish children. The participants were 56 Turkish speaking, monolingual children with stuttering and 56 typically developing peers, aged between 3.0 and 8.11 years. A generalized linear model was used to assess between group differences with regard to articulation abilities, age and sex. The results revealed that the group effect (Wald χ2 (1) = 215.64, p < 0.001, b = 0.14) and the sex effect (Wald χ2 (1) = 215.64, p = 0.001, b = 0.74) was significant in all age groups. Girls who stutter performed significantly better compared to boys in the preschool age group on articulation abilities while there was no sex effect in the school age group. There was a correlation between family history of stuttering and articulation abilities (r = 0.321, p = 0.001) and, between time passed since the onset of stuttering and the articulation abilities (r = 0.342, p = 0.001) in the stuttering group. The correlation between stuttering severity and articulation abilities was not statistically significant (r = 0.048, p = 0.928). Findings of the study suggest that there are subtle differences between groups regards to articulation abilities increasing with age.
Effect of Piper betle on Hepatotoxicity and Antioxidant Defense in Ethanol-Treated Rats

ABSTRACT Piper betle L. leaves are commonly used masticatory material in Asia. Because hepatotoxicity of ethanol may result from oxidative damage, we investigated the effect of P. betle leaves on key hepatic markers and antioxidant defense against ethanol toxicity to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of P. betle. Administration of ethanol (7.9 g/kg body wt.) for 60 days resulted in significant elevation of key hepatic markers such as alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyl transferase and bilirubin in serum and disturbances in antioxidant defense when compared to normal. Coadministration of aqueous extract of P. betle leaves for 30 days (100, 200, and 300 mg/kg body wt.) significantly decreased the level of hepatic markers and lipid peroxidation markers such as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and hydroperoxides. The extract also improved the antioxidant status by increasing the levels of nonenzymatic antioxidants such as reduced glutathione, vitamin C, and vitamin E. The leaf extract at 300 mg/kg body weight was more effective than other doses. The results were comparable with the known hepatoprotective drug, silymarin. These results suggest that P. betle exhibits hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects in ethanol-treated rats.
Modeling Acoustic Cavitation Using a Pressure-Based Algorithm for Polytropic Fluids

A fully coupled pressure-based algorithm and finite-volume framework for the simulation of the acoustic cavitation of bubbles in polytropic gas-liquid systems is proposed. The algorithm is based on a conservative finite-volume discretization with collocated variable arrangement, in which the discretized governing equations are solved in a single linear system of equations for pressure and velocity. Density is described by the polytropic Noble-Abel stiffened-gas model and the interface between the interacting bulk phases is captured by a state-of-the-art algebraic Volume-of-Fluid (VOF) method. The new numerical algorithm is validated using representative test-cases of the interaction of acoustic waves with the gas-liquid interface as well as pressure-driven bubble dynamics in infinite and confined domains, showing excellent agreement of the results obtained with the proposed algorithm compared to linear acoustic theory, the Gilmore model and high-fidelity experiments.