Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
BulkSC: bulk enforcement of sequential consistency

While Sequential Consistency (SC) is the most intuitive memory consistency model and the one most programmers likely assume, current multiprocessors do not support it. Instead, they support more relaxed models that deliver high performance. SC implementations are considered either too slow or -- when they can match the performance of relaxed models -- too difficult to implement. In this paper, we propose Bulk Enforcement of SC (BulkSC), anovel way of providing SC that is simple to implement and offers performance comparable to Release Consistency (RC). The idea is to dynamically group sets of consecutive instructions into chunks that appear to execute atomically and in isolation. The hardware enforces SC at the coarse grain of chunks which, to the program, appears as providing SC at the individual memory access level. BulkSC keeps the implementation simple by largely decoupling memory consistency enforcement from processor structures. Moreover, it delivers high performance by enabling full memory access reordering and overlapping within chunks and across chunks. We describe a complete system architecture that supports BulkSC and show that it delivers performance comparable to RC.
Cocaine-Associated Stimuli Increase Cocaine Seeking and Activate Accumbens Core Neurons after Abstinence

Electrophysiological recordings were completed in rats (n = 14) trained to self-administer cocaine to determine whether activation of nucleus accumbens (Acb) neurons (core vs shell) by cocaine-associated stimuli is enhanced after 1 month of cocaine abstinence. After self-administration training, 170 cells were recorded during a single test session conducted either the next day or 1 month later. The test session consisted of three phases during which (1) the cocaine cue was presented unexpectedly to rats, (2) rats responded for the same cue in the absence of the drug (extinction), and (3) the cocaine cue was presented randomly between cocaine-reinforced responding during resumption of self-administration. The cocaine stimulus significantly increased activation of Acb core (not shell) neurons after 1 month of cocaine abstinence (compared with 1 d); this finding occurred regardless of contingency of cue presentation or cocaine availability. Acb core activation was not observed in other rats (n = 7) presented with the same stimulus never paired with cocaine. The results reflect a cellular neuroadaptation in the Acb core related to cocaine-associated cues that is observed during initial cue exposure and sustained during extinction and resumption of self-administration after prolonged drug abstinence.
Commensal bacteria play a role in mating preference of Drosophila melanogaster

Development of mating preference is considered to be an early event in speciation. In this study, mating preference was achieved by dividing a population of Drosophila melanogaster and rearing one part on a molasses medium and the other on a starch medium. When the isolated populations were mixed, “molasses flies” preferred to mate with other molasses flies and “starch flies” preferred to mate with other starch flies. The mating preference appeared after only one generation and was maintained for at least 37 generations. Antibiotic treatment abolished mating preference, suggesting that the fly microbiota was responsible for the phenomenon. This was confirmed by infection experiments with microbiota obtained from the fly media (before antibiotic treatment) as well as with a mixed culture of Lactobacillus species and a pure culture of Lactobacillus plantarum isolated from starch flies. Analytical data suggest that symbiotic bacteria can influence mating preference by changing the levels of cuticular hydrocarbon sex pheromones. The results are discussed within the framework of the hologenome theory of evolution.
Botanical visualization of huge hierarchies

A new method for the visualization of huge hierarchical data structures is presented. The method is based on the observation that we can easily see the branches, leaves and their arrangement in a botanical tree, despite of the large number of elements. The strand model of Holton is used to convert an abstract tree into a geometric model. Non-leaf nodes are mapped to branches and child nodes to sub-branches. A naive application of this model leads to unsatisfactory results, hence it is tailored to suit our purposes better. Continuing branches are emphasized, long branches are contracted, and sets of leaves are shown as fruit. The method is applied to the visualization of directory structures. The elements, directories and files, as well as their relations can easily be extracted, thereby showing that the use of methods from botanical modeling can be effective for information visualization.
The therapeutic potential of intraocular depot steroid systems: developments aimed at prolonging duration of efficacy.

BACKGROUND Corticosteroids play a major role in the treatment of many diseases of the posterior ocular segment. Systemically or topically administered steroids usually do not attain therapeutic concentrations in the retina, as they must first cross the blood-retina barrier. Intravitreal application is a useful alternative means of achieving therapeutic concentrations in the posterior segment but must be repeated every few weeks, because drugs given in this way have a short half-life. Intraocular sustained-release implants have been now developed in order to prolong the effect of intravitreal drugs and to lessen the need for repeated application. Macular edema is a typical indication for intravitreal steroid treatment. METHODS Selective review of the literature. RESULTS Various intravitreal corticosteroid implants have been evaluated in prospective, randomized clinical trials in recent years, and some have been approved for clinical use. Implants are either longer-acting and non-resorbable (fluocinolone acetonide implants) or shorter-acting and resorbable (dexamethasone implants). Major adverse effects of intravitreal corticosteroids include the induction or worsening of cataracts and elevated intraocular pressure. The likelihood of a complication varies from implant to implant and depends on the duration of action of the particular one used. CONCLUSION Intravitreal corticosteroid implants are a new option in the treatment of diseases of the posterior ocular segment. Long-term results are not yet available. The optimal treatment for these diseases will need to be the focus of further clinical research.
The Relationship Between User Participation and the Management of Change Surrounding the Development of Information Systems: A European Perspective

While much is known about the general process of user participation in information systems development, its impact on matters of organisational change has not been the subject of systematic, in-depth investigation. In addition, researchers have typically adopted variance, rather than processbased approaches to the study of these related phenomena. This paper addresses these deficiencies and makes several important contributions to the literature. First, it presents the results of a comprehensive, process-based study of the relationship between user participation and organisational change in the development and implementation of information systems in a large organisation. Second, it presents a theoretical model which captures the institutional and development-related contexts that shape and influence the processes of user participation and management of change. Third, using the model as a framework to guide the research effort, this study illustrates that an organisation’s institutional context plays a dominant role in shaping and influencing the content and process of user participation and management of
Fear of crime and home security systems

Survey data of 1549 households in the Mexico City metropolitan area were analyzed to examine the relationship between fear of crime and home security systems. Ordinal regression analysis shows home security systems unrelated to fear of crime when home alone. Additionally, findings are that fear of crime is mostly felt by female, young, low-income individuals, and by those who do not trust their local police. Fear of crime is also felt by individuals living in neighborhoods perceived to be unsafe. Implications of these findings are discussed, and suggestions for police work and future research are also included.
Lexical Decision And Naming Times Of Young Disabled Readers With Function And Content Words

Abstract Naming of printed words was found to be more difficult relative to lexical decisions for disabled readers than for normal readers. This finding was interpreted in terms of a phonological recoding deficit in disabled readers. There was also evidence that disabled readers, but not normal readers, have greater difficulty reading function words than content words. It was hypothesised that the low-imagery value of function words could be responsible for the difficulty which disabled readers have with function words. No evidence was found of qualitative differences in reading processes between specific reading retarded and general reading backward groups.
A Generic Thinning Algorithm with Better Performance

This paper reports on a generic sequential thinning algorithm to thin both Bangla and English characters and numerals. In this algorithm the thinned image is obtained by making the whole image uniform at first and then thinning it by deleting the unnecessary pixels by a new approach. To avoid distortion of the original character after thinning, a special technique is adopted here. This algorithm ensures that the basic characteristics of thinning are maintained and also the algorithm remains as simple as possible. This algorithm is effective, fast and simple. The effectiveness of this algorithm is examined both theoretically and experimentally.
A Federated Learning Architecture for Anomaly Detection on the Edge Using Deep Autoencoders

Autoencoder networks are widely used in anomaly detection, however, their training can be computationally expensive, limiting their use in Edge Computing and Federated Learning scenarios, where devices are usually not very powerful. In addition, there are several ways to directly or indirectly attack the privacy of the data used by these networks, which is unacceptable in this type of scenario. Unlike traditional autoencoder networks, Deep AutoEncoder for Federated learning (DAEF) does not require several rounds of learning since it is a non-iterative method. This implies greater speed, less network traffic, and lower energy consumption, as well as preventing the privacy attacks common in iterative networks. In this paper, we present an architecture designed for the use of the DAEF network in Edge Computing and Federated Learning scenarios. Unlike other collaborative machine learning approaches, it is not server based. Consequently, all the stages of the learning process, including the model aggregation, are performed on the edge devices (nodes). Each edge node trains its local DAEF network asynchronously concerning the rest. Nodes that have completed their training can voluntarily request to add their local model information to the global one. In this way, there is not a unique aggregator node, but each node in the network will be in charge of adding its local learning to the global model. The federated learning management is handled by a coordinator node using a Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) communication protocol, which can be assumed by any device in the network in case of failures, and the information exchanged between the nodes does not compromise the privacy of the original local datasets.
Detection of Alzheimer's Disease using Deep Learning: An Optimized Approach

This paper suggests a new CNN that requires just a few parameters to diagnose AD and is perfect for training on smaller datasets. Compared to existing state-of-the-art models, the proposed model uses a more optimized technique to identify the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. The image is sharpened and normalized as part of the preparation phase to help the model learn more quickly and succinctly. We used a bespoke CNN model that makes precise predictions with minimum parameters. Five Convolutional layers and three fully connected layers, which have equally learned samples from each class, make up the proposed model. The approach was compared using a variety of accuracy metrics, such as accuracy, AUC, precision, recall, and Fl-Score, as well as categorical cross-entropy loss, self, and other comparisons. To accurately forecast the method, several trials were carried out. The values for the evaluation measures are as follows: accuracy, AUC, precision, recall, fl-score, and loss are 99.95%, 99.99%, 99.97%, 99.95%, and 0.0016 respectively. According to simulation results, the proposed model performs better than existing cutting-edge models in all evaluation metrics.
A 1.32pW/frame•pixel 1.2V CMOS energy-harvesting and imaging (EHI) APS imager

Recent advances in video sensor networks and implantable biomedical devices — e.g. retinal prostheses [1]-necessitate very low-voltage, low-leakage, and energy-efficient image sensors that preferably produce their own power from ambient sources. A natural energy source for an image sensor that produces video images from impinging “sufficient” amount of light energy is the light itself. This in mind, a CMOS image sensor that can both produce power from light and capture video images on same focal plane is developed. The CMOS energy harvesting and imaging (EHI) active pixel sensor (APS) is incorporated in a 54×50 array along with low-power supporting electronics. It is designed in a mature 0. 5μm 2P3M CMOS process that has only high-Vt transistors.
The tal gene undergoes chromosome translocation in T cell leukemia and potentially encodes a helix‐loop‐helix protein.

We have analyzed t(1;14)(p32;q11) chromosome translocations from two patients with T cell acute lymphocytic leukemia. The chromosome 1 breakpoints of these patients lie within a kilobasepair of each other, and thus define a genetic locus (designated tal) involved in T cell oncogenesis. Moreover, we have identified sequences within tal that potentially encode an amphipathic helix‐loop‐helix motif, a DNA‐binding domain found in a variety of proteins that control cell growth and differentiation. The homology domain of tal is especially related to that of lyl‐1, a gene on chromosome 19 that has also been implicated in T cell oncogenesis. Hence, tal and lyl‐1 encode a distinct family of helix‐loop‐helix proteins involved in the malignant development of lymphocytes.
Interrogative Constructions in Signed Languages: Crosslinguistic Perspectives

This article reports on results from a broad crosslinguistic study based on data from thirty-five signed languages around the world. The study is the first of its kind, and the typological generalizations presented here cover the domain of interrogative structures as they appear across a wide range of geographically and genetically distinct signed languages. Manual and nonmanual ways of marking basic types of questions in signed languages are investigated. As a result, it becomes clear that the range of crosslinguistic variation is extensive for some subparameters, such as the structure of question-word paradigms, while other parameters, such as the use of nonmanual expressions in questions, show more similarities across signed languages. Finally, it is instructive to compare the findings from signed language typology to relevant data from spoken languages at a more abstract, crossmodality level.
A low-power 3.1–5GHz ultra-wideband low noise amplifier utilizing Miller Effect

The candidate topologies for low-power, wideband LNAs are analyzed in this paper, and a novel LNA topology for the 3.1–5 GHz UWB frequency band is presented. The LNA uses subthreshold biasing and employs its Miller capacitance as part of a Butterworth-type bandpass filter for input impedance matching. The LNA achieves a power gain of 14.4 dB with S11 less than −10 dB across the 3.1–5 GHz frequency band. The power consumption is less than 1.5 mW, and the noise figure varies from 5.7–6.3 dB across the 3.1–5 GHz frequency band.
The Unintended Effects of Parental Mediation of Television on Adolescents

A survey of both parents and students was conducted to explore the relationship between parental mediation of televised violence and sex and adolescents' attitudes toward their parents, perceptions of their parents' attitudes toward them, attitudes toward the mediated content, and amount of viewing of the mediated content with friends. The results indicated that restrictive mediation was related to less positive attitudes toward parents, more positive attitudes toward the content, and more viewing of the content with friends. Coviewing was related to both more positive attitudes toward and viewing of television violence and sex. The implications of these unintended effects of parental mediation are discussed.
Patterns of adaptive performance by individuals with autism spectrum disorders on the Behavior Assessment System for Children II (BASC-2)

Abstract Background: Although there are several assessments that directly measure adaptive behavior, other comprehensive measures include adaptive behavior scales, including the Behavioral Assessment System for Children-Second Edition Parent Rating Scale (BASC-2-PRS). Methods: BASC-2-PRS data from 19 individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders were analyzed to determine score discrepancies between diagnoses [autistic disorder, Asperger’s syndrome (AS), and pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS)] on the adaptive behavior profiles on this measure. Differences were hypothesized to correlate with diagnostic intensity (autistic disorder, including the most intense characteristics, followed by AS, and then PDD-NOS). Communication sub-scores of the adaptive behavior scale were expected to be significantly lower for the group with autism than the two other groups. Results: Results indicated significant differences between diagnoses on the adaptability subscale. Differences in cluster score patterns in relation to diagnosis were also observed in the areas of Social Skills and Communication. Interestingly, ratings of the ability to engage in activities of daily living were more often the highest subscale for those with autistic disorder than those with AS or PDD-NOS. Conclusions: The utility of the BASC-2 adaptive behavior scale is discussed in this context.
Student retention in higher education: what role for virtual learning environments?

Ways in which aspects of the student experience associated with first‐year retention at university are likely to be influenced by the use of virtual learning environments (VLEs) are explored here through structured interviews with academic staff and students at one institution (Kingston University). This research finds that some assumptions made about the value of VLEs in aiding communication between students and providing flexibility in modes of learning are not supported, but that retention is likely to be aided by the ways in which they can enhance confidence and provide a sense of control and ownership. The findings also indicate that students tend to be more positive than staff about the role of the VLE in enhancing their overall performance and experience and as such provide an impetus for further developments with the expectation of improved student retention, performance and satisfaction.
Coal-Rock Interface Image Segmentation Based on U2Net Model with Coordinate Attention

Fast and accurate extraction of segmented images of coal-rock interfaces is one of the most important technologies to realize intelligent operation of comprehensive mining face. In this paper, we propose a multi-mechanism fusion U2Net model for recognizing coal-rock interfaces with complex backgrounds and diverse morphologies. We construct the basic network module by replacing the ordinary convolution in RSU with depth-divisible convolution and expansion convolution; add the coordinate attention mechanism in the last layer of the sampling stage of the improved RSU module to construct a new residual structure; and combine this residual structure with the U2Net model to construct a new U2Net model to realize the automatic learning of segmented images of coal-rock interfaces. Among them, the expansion convolution can obtain a larger sensory field without reducing the resolution; the depth separable convolution helps to simplify the model; the coordinate attention mechanism can suppress the interference of each residual block in the encoding and decoding process, and improve the model performance at a small cost. Compared with the semantic segmentation models commonly used in deep learning, this method improves the accuracy of extracting features from different stages of coal rock images, reduces the model training cost, accelerates the convergence speed of the model, and improves the model's anti-interference. Experiments were conducted to compare U2Net-CA-DC with four semantic segmentation networks (FCN, SegNet, UNet, and U2Net) to verify the effectiveness of the improved model. The accuracy of the method is 95.31% and the mIOU is 93.46% on real coal rock image datasets collected from actual underground wells. The experimental results show that the method provides a new solution for coal rock image segmentation detection and can provide data support for coal rock image segmentation.
MATURATION OF BRAINSTEM AUDITORY EVOKED POTENTIAL FROM FULL TERM INFANTS & CHILDREN TO YOUNG ADULT

Age is one of the important factors in the clinical interpretation of Brainstem auditory evoked potential waveform components and it can change the value of peak latencies and interpeak latencies among different age groups. Initial auditory responses in neonates appear in the 26 th and 27 th weeks of pregnancy. Progressively over time, these follow a “maturation pattern” in which interwave intervals and latencies decrease and the amplitudes of the BAEPs increase. So the following study was performed to show the effect of maturation on BAEP wave latencies and amplitude from infants to children (1 month to 5 years) & adult (18- 25 years). We recorded BAEP from sixty subjects; from them 40 were infants & children and 20 were adults. The recording was done using RMS EMG EP MARK II machine manufactured by RMS recorders and medicare system, Chandigarh. The absolute latencies and interpeak latencies for most waves reached to adult equivalence between 9 months to 3 years. The amplitudes of all BAEP waves increased with age, the greatest changes occurring during early infancy. It is clear that there is a distinct maturation pattern for the Brainstem auditory evoked potential.
waterFSA: A Contact-Less Water Flow Source Analyzer for the Household to Enable HAR and ADL Recognition

The development of a contact-less monitoring system detecting water flow in the household and identifying the objects utilizing it, can provide support for Human Activities Recognition (HAR) and for Activities of Daily Living (ADL). This makes it particularly valuable in the context of Ambient Assisted Living (AAL). This study presents the results of an approach based on analyzing the spectrum of sounds captured in the environment. Two non-invasive solutions are examined, both utilizing a platform with a microphone placed in the environment to detect changes in sound caused by water flow noise. One method is based on spectrum analysis; the other on spectrogram analysis. We present the experiments conducted to test the two approaches in different environments. The two approaches differ in computational cost and are suitable for environments with multiple water sources, requiring no direct contact with plumbing. This makes them particularly suitable for applications related to the use of the bathroom. In particular, the spectrogram approach achieves an accuracy above 90%.