Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Wait-free data structures in the asynchronous PRAM model

A wad-free implementation of a data object in shared memory is one that guarantees that any process can complete any operation in a finite number of steps, regardless of the execution speeds of the other processes. Much of the literature on wait-free synchronization has focused on the construction of atomic registers, which are memory locations that can be read 01 written instantaneously by concurrent processes. This model, in which a set of asynchronous processes communicate through shared atomic registers, is sometimes known as asynchronous PRAM. It is known, however, that the asynchronous PRAM model is not sufficiently powerful to construct wait-free implementations of many simple data types such as lists, queues, stacks, test-and-set registers, and others. In this paper, we give an algebraic characterization of a large class of objects that do have wait-free implementations in asynchronous PRAM, as well as a general algorithm for implementing them.
Cervical Compressive Myelopathy due to Anomalous Bilateral Vertebral Artery

We report a very rare case of cervical compressive myelopathy by an anomalous bilateral vertebral artery (VA) entering the spinal canal at the C1 level and compressing the spinal cord. A 70-year-old woman had been suffering from progressive gait disturbance. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed that a bilateral VA at the V4 segment had abnormal courses and caused compression to the high cervical cord. VA repositioning was performed by anchoring a suture between the artery and around the arachnoid membrane and dentate ligament, and then, microvascular decompression using a Teflon sponge was done between the VA and the spinal cord. The weakness in the patient improved in the lower extremity after the operation. Anomalous VA could be one of the rare causes of cervical compressive myelopathy. Additionally, an anchoring suture and microvascular decompression around the VA could be a sufficient and safe method to indirectly decompress the spinal canal.
A measure of the variability of revenue in auctions: A look at the revenue equivalence theorem

One not-so-intuitive result in auction theory is the revenue equivalence theorem, which states that as long as an auction complies with some conditions, it will on average generate the same revenue to an auctioneer as the revenue generated by any other auction that complies with them. Surprisingly, the conditions are not defined on the payment rules to the bidders but on the fact that the bidders do not bid below a reserve value—set by the auctioneer—the winner is the one with the highest bidding and there is a common equilibrium bidding function used by all bidders. In this paper, we verify such result using extensive simulation of a broad range of auctions and focus on the variability or fluctuations of the results around the average. Such fluctuations are observed and measured in two dimensions for each type of auction: as the number of auctions grows and as the number of bidders increases.
Predicting articulatory movement from text using deep architecture with stacked bottleneck features

Using speech or text to predict articulatory movements can have potential benefits for speech related applications. Many approaches have been proposed to solve the acoustic-to-articulatory inversion problem, which is much more than the exploration for predicting articulatory movements from text. In this paper, we investigate the feasibility of using deep neural network (DNN) for articulartory movement prediction from text. We also combine full-context features, state and phone information with stacked bottleneck features which provide wide linguistic context as network input, to improve the performance of articulatory movements' prediction. We show on the MNGU0 data set that our DNN approach achieves a root mean-squared error (RMSE) of 0.7370 mm, the lowest RMSE reported in the literature. We also confirmed the effectiveness of stacked bottleneck features, which could include important contextual information.
OOCYTE DIFFERENTIATION AND VITELLOGENESIS IN THE ROACH PERIPLANETA AMERICANA

The ovary of the roach Periplaneta americana has been studied by techniques of light and electron microscopy. Each ovariole (panoistic type) contains a linear array of oocytes in varying stages of development. Newly formed oocytes become encased by a layer of follicle cells and begin pinocytosis. All subsequent growth stages of the oocytes are dependent, in part, on this phenomenon. All of the pinocytotic caveolae show an unique surface modification; i.e., on their internal surface they have an amorphous or filamentous substance and their external surface is studded with many fine radially oriented spike-like projections. The pinosomes of early oocytes do not contain a demonstrable internal structure; they are thought to contain nutritive substances for the developing oocytes rather than yolk precursors. When the oocyte enters its last stage of growth, characterized by yolk deposition, the caveolae become filled with a dense material which is thought to be the precursors of yolk. Hence the conclusion is drawn that yolk formation is independent of any cytoplasmic organelle system of the oocyte and that the precursors of this deutoplasmic substance are manufactured outside the ovary and are internalized by the process of pinocytosis. Under the phase-contrast microscope the nucleoli of early oocytes are large irregular masses and show the phenomenon of nucleolar emission (fragmentation). These "emissions" become randomly dispersed in the nucleoplasm and some of them come to be intimately associated with the fenestrated nuclear envelope. After this process ceases, the main nucleolar mass becomes vacuolated. Electron micrographs suggest that the constituent particles of the nucleolar emissions migrate from the nucleus through patent pores of the nuclear envelope.
Design of microstructured optical fibers for supercontinuum generation

The optimized design of microstructured optical fibers (MOFs) for supercontinuum generation is investigated. The dependence of the group velocity dispersion and effective mode area on wavelength is analyzed. We consider first the case of a conventional MOF with a hexagonal pattern of air holes. In addition, we propose a new design, corresponding to a layered spiral microstructured optical fiber (LS-MOF). By changing appropriately its three parameters, it is possible to shift the zero dispersion wavelength to visible and near-infrared regions, as well as to achieve a very high nonlinearity near this wavelength. Supercontinuum generation is simulated in a LS-MOF with optimized design .
On the control of glacial‐interglacial atmospheric CO2 variations by the Southern Hemisphere westerlies

The University of Victoria Earth System Climate Model is used to investigate the effects of changes in Southern Hemisphere Westerlies (SHW) on atmospheric CO2. It is shown that a northward shift of the SHW and a decrease of their amplitude have the same qualitative effect on deep ocean carbon storage, which increases because of a deceleration of the bottom meridional overturning circulation. A southward shift or a strengthening of the SHW has the opposite effect. However, latitudinal shifts of the SHW and changes in their amplitude are not equivalent in terms of atmospheric CO2. In particular, while doubling the SHW amplitude increases atmospheric CO2 by 36 ppm and halving reduces it by 20 ppm, the latitudinal shifts (north‐ or southward) have no significant impact on atmospheric CO2. These different CO2 responses are due to different dynamical responses of the upper ocean circulation which, in the case of latitudinal shifts, produce a carbon storage change opposite to the one observed for the deep ocean. In all experiments, the changes in the biological carbon pump in response to a redistribution of the nutrients by the modified oceanic circulation remain small. Ultimately, the atmospheric CO2 response depends on the control the SHW exert on both the ventilation of the deep ocean and the depth of the upper ocean pycnocline.
SemEval-2016 Task 4 : Deep Learning Architecture for Twitter Sentiment Analysis

In this paper, we present a novel deep learning architecture for sentiment analysis in Twitter messages. Our system finki, employs both convolutional and gated recurrent neural networks to obtain a more diverse tweet representation. The network is trained on top of GloVe word embeddings pre-trained on the Common Crawl dataset. Both neural networks are used to obtain a fixed length representation of variable sized tweets, and the concatenation of these vectors is supplied to a fully connected softmax layer with dropout regularization. The system is evaluated on benchmark datasets from the Sentiment Analysis in Twitter task of the SemEval 2016 challenge where our model achieves best and second highest results on the 2-point and 5-point quantification subtasks respectively. Despite not relying on any hand-crafted features, our system manages the second highest average rank on the considered subtasks.
Brain Building - The Genetic Programming of Artificial Nervous Systems and Artificial Embryos

This article introduces the concept of Genetic Programming (GP), which is the application of the Genetic Algorithm to the creation of functional systems which are too complex in their dynamics to be analyzed or pre-specified in detail. Such systems can be built, but (probably) not understood. Two main examples of the application of the GP philosophy are introduced one is the creation of an artificial nervous system, and the other is the creation of an artificial embryo. The first presents results leading up to and including the "LIZZY Project", which aims to build an artificial nervous system using GenNets as modules (or "agents" using Minsky's terminology [1]). GenNets are neural networks whose weights are evolved using the Genetic Algorithm (GA) such that the neural outputs over time produce desired behaviours (e.g. getting sticklegs to walk, or a lizard-like creature to turn or peck at food etc). Behavioural GenNets (effectors) can be switched on and off using control GenNets, which in turn receive their inputs from detector GenNets. An appropriate GenNet circuit can cause an artificial creature (called a "biot" in this article, i.e. a "biological robot", whether real or simulated) to react appropriately to its environment. This article presents the principles and initial results of the simulation of a lizard-like biot called LIZZY. Since it will be impractical to handcraft every module in an intelligent biot containing millions of behavioural modules, a biot will have to self-organize, i.e. "grow" itself. The later sections of this article introduce ideas and techniques to create a new branch of Artificial Life, called "Artificial Embryology" as well as its technological implementation, called "Electronic (Neuro)Embryology". The groundwork for a new technology is thus established, namely creating biotic (neuro) circuits (and hence biots) which "grow".
Towards an Integration of Process Modeling and Project Planning

Most development projects have very complex dependencies regarding the tasks to accomplish. Process models offer the chance to incorporate the knowledge of many project managers into active projects. Bridging the gap between process models and project plans by defining such models precisely seems to be beneficial. In this paper, we show the benefits and highlight some of the interesting problems of integrating process modeling and project planning. We introduce metamodeling techniques to constrain the instantiation of the process model, so that structural aspects of the process plan can be derived. A small, consistent example is used throughout the paper to illustrate our approach.
Face verification using temporal affective cues

It is widely accepted that biometric authentication systems based on human faces are vulnerable to spoofing attacks, in which attackers exploit recaptured photos of legitimate users to gain unauthorized access. To address this vulnerability, numerous approaches which employ complex physics-based models to verify the live-ness of presented images have been proposed. While capable of distinguishing between real and recaptured images, a key weakness of these methods is their reliance on an appropriate choice of the model used. Here, we adopt a fundamentally different approach to detect recaptured images. Our method uses randomized temporal affective cues in the form of facial expressions to verify the liveness of users. A quantitative evaluation user study involving 6 users demonstrated the feasibility of our method, and we have also shown that the system is capable of achieving an average classification accuracy of 95.85% for different facial expressions.
Slot Synchronization of WDM Packet-Switched Slotted Rings: the WONDER Project

The WONDER project aims at designing and building a WDM packet-switched slotted ring network, with tunable transmitters and fixed receivers. An experimental prototype is under development at the laboratories of Politecnico di Torino. In this paper, we study two different strategies of slot synchronization for such networks: in the former, a slot synchronization signal is transmitted by the master station on a dedicated control wavelength; in the latter, slave nodes achieve slot synchronization aligning on data packets received from the master. Emphasis has been given to the architecture of the WONDER network. The performance of the two synchronization strategies, in terms of packet collision probability, has been evaluated by simulation. The technique based on transmitting a timing signal on a dedicated control wavelength resulted in achieving a better performance, although being more expensive due to need of an additional wavelength. However, the technique based on aligning on data packets received from the master should be not discarded, although attaining lower timing stability, especially if limiting the number of wavelengths and receivers is a strong requirement.
Reductive dehalogenation of chlorinated ethenes and halogenated ethanes by a high-rate anaerobic enrichment culture.

An anaerobic enrichment culture, using CH 3 OH as an electron donor, dechlorinated tetrachloroethene (PCN, 55 μmol added/100 mL of culture) nearly stoichiometrically to vinyl chloride (VC) in 20 h with negligible buildup of other intermediates and at a maximum rate of 4.6±0.4 μmol of PCN transformed/mg of volatile suspended solids per day. Appreciable conversion of VC to NTH occurred only after the PCN was nearly depleted, suggesting the inhibition of VC dechlorination by PCN. PCN, trichloroethene, cis-1,2-dichloroethene (DCN), and 1,1-DCN were all rapidly metabolized to VC with near zero-order kinetics and apparently inhibited subsequent VC dechlorination
Sequence and Antigenic Variability of theHelicobacter mustelae Surface Ring Protein Hsr

ABSTRACT We have identified an array of more than 500 repetitive sequences flanking the hsr gene, which encodes the major surface protein of the ferret pathogen Helicobacter mustelae. The repeats show identity exclusively to the amino-terminal half of Hsr. Analysis of Hsr from three strains indicated variability of exposed epitopes. Characterization of an hsr mutant showed that Hsr is not an adhesin.
On the difference between strength-based and frequency-based mirror effects in recognition memory.

A mirror effect can be produced by manipulating word class (e.g., high vs. low frequency) or by manipulating strength (e.g., short vs. long study time). The results of 5 experiments reported here suggest that a strength-based mirror effect is caused by a shift in the location of the decision criterion, whereas a frequency-based mirror effect occurs although the criterion remains fixed with respect to word frequency. Evidence supporting these claims is provided by a series of studies in which high frequency (HF) words were differentially strengthened (and sometimes differentially colored) during list presentation. That manipulation increased the HF hit rate above that for low frequency (LF) words without selectively decreasing the HF false alarm rate, just as a fixed-criterion account of the word-frequency mirror effect predicts.
Chemical nature of bioluminescence systems in coelenterates.

Analysis of substances involved in light-emitting reactions among bioluminescent coelenterates has revealed a pronounced uniformity in the structural features of initial reactants, i.e., "luciferins" and photo-protein chromophores, as well as the light-emitter product. This product is structurally identical among the different classes of coelenterates: Hydrozoa (the jellyfish, Aequorea), Anthozoa (the sea cactus, Cavernularia; sea pansy, Renilla; and sea pen, Leioptilus), and very likely also the Scyphozoa (the jellyfish, Pelagia). In each of these instances the reaction product, namely, 2-(p-hydroxy-pnenylacetyl)amino-3-benzyl-5-(p-hydroxyphenyl) pyrazine, is the actual light-emitter, whether it occurs in a Ca2+-triggered photoprotein type of luminescence, or in a "luciferin-luciferase" type. The evidence indicates that in certain coelenterates, e.g., Cavernularia, these two types are equally significant, whereas in others (Renilla and Leioptilus) the "luciferin-luciferase" type predominates over the Ca-triggerable photoprotein type, and finally that only the photoprotein type functions in the luciferaseless jellyfish, Aequorea. In all instances investigated, the structure of the light-emitter prior to the luminescence reaction appears to be essentially the same as that of the chromophore of unreacted aequorin. The product of the luminescence reaction is absent in extracts of non luminous species. However, a product very similar to that of luminescent coelenterates occurs also in representatives of other phyla, including the cephalopod molluscs, e.g., the "firefly squid" Watasenia and probably various ctenophores as well.
Randomized Trial of Efficacy of Crystalloid and Colloid Resuscitation on Hemodynamic Response and Lung Water Following Thermal Injury

To assess the effects of crystalloid and colloid resuscitation on hemodynamic response and on lung water following thermal injury, 79 patients were assigned randomly to receive lactated Ringer's solution or 2.5% albumin-lactated Ringer's solution. Crystalloid-treated patients required more fluid for successful resuscitation than did those receiving colloid solutions (3.81 vs. 2.98 ml/kg body weight/% body surface burn, p < 0.01). In study phase 1 (29 patients), cardiac index and myocardial contractility (ejection fraction 'and mean rate of internal fiber shortening, Vcf) were determined by echocardiography during the first 48 hours postburn. Cardiac index was lower in the 12-to 24-hour postburn interval in the crystalloid group, but this difference between treatment groups had disappeared by 48 hours postburn. Ejection fractions were normal throughout the entire study, while Vcf was supranormal (p < 0.01 vs. normals) and equal in the two resuscitation groups. In study phase 2 (SO patients), extravascular lung water and cardiac index were measured by a standard rebreathing technique at least daily for the first postburn week. Lung water remained unchanged in the crystalloid-treated patients (p > 0.10), but progressively increased in the colloid-treated patients over the seven day study (p < 0.0001). The measured lung water in each treatment group was significantly different from one another (p < 0.001). Cardiac index increased progressively and identically in both treatment groups over the study period (p < 0.01). These data refute the existence of myocardial depression during postburn resuscitation and document hypercontractile left ventricular performance. The addition of colloid to crystalloid resuscitation fluids produces no long lasting benefit on total body blood flow, and promotes accumulation of lung water when edema fluid is being reabsorbed from the burn wound.
P-Type Floating Gate for Retention and P/E Window Improvement of Flash Memory Devices

A flash memory with a lightly doped p-type floating gate is proposed, which improves charge retention and programming/erase (P/E) Vth window. Improvement in P/E window is enhanced for cells with smaller capacitance coupling ratio, which is important for future scaled flash memory cells. Both device simulation and experimental verification are presented.
Analytical Semantics Visualization for Discovering Latent Signals in Large Text Collections

Considering the increasing pressure of competition and high dynamics of markets, the early identification and specific handling of novel developments and trends becomes more and more important for competitive companies. Today, those signals are encoded in large amounts of textual data like competitors’ web sites, news articles, scientific publications or blog entries which are freely available in the web. Processing large amounts of textual data is still a tremendous challenge for current business analysts and strategic decision makers. Although current information systems are able to process that amount of data and provide a wide range of information retrieval tools, it is almost impossible to keep track of each thread or opportunity. The presented approach combines semantic search and data mining techniques with interactive visualizations for analyzing and identifying weak signals in large text collections. Beside visual summarization tools, it includes an enhanced trend visualization that supports analysts in identifying latent topic-related relations between competitors and their temporal relevance. It includes a graph-based visualization tool for representing relations identified during semantic analysis. The interaction design allows analysts to verify their retrieved hypothesis by exploring the documents that are responsible for the current view.
Impact of reference change value (RCV) based autoverification on turnaround time and physician satisfaction

Background For a quicker delivery of laboratory test results to the hospital emergency department (ED), we implemented an autoverification system based on the reference change value (RCV). The aim of this study was to assess how the RCV based autoverification reflected on turnaround time (TAT) and on physician satisfaction. Materials and methods The laboratory information system (LIS) was programmed to autoverify the results as long as they were within the range settled by RCV, so that the autoverified results were reported to the physician as soon as the tests were carried out, without any further intervention. We analyzed the same three-month periods’ TAT and verification time (VFT) from the years prior to and following the implementation of RCV autoverification. The change in physicians’ satisfaction levels was assessed using the hospital’s Annual Physician Satisfaction Survey (APSS). Over sixty percent of physicians completed the questionnaire, and the amount of daily ED test requests (nearly three hundred) did not vary throughout the duration of this study. Results Mann-Whitney U test showed that the VFT was significantly reduced in all the test but troponin I. There were substantial reductions in TAT medians (haemogram, 75%; fibrinogen, 41%; prothrombin time, 40%; sodium, 27%). The percentage of physicians satisfied with the haematological and biochemical tests´ TAT increased from 84% to 93% and from 86% to 91% respectively. Conclusions Our results reveal that VFT and TAT were severely reduced in most emergency tests, greatly improving physicians’ satisfaction with TAT.
AjCQFr: AOP-based code quality framework

Code quality is an important part in the software quality hierarchy. Given the joint-point model provided by AOP, this paper proposed a framework named AjCQFr under which several tools were developed to enhance the code quality. With these tools, it greatly improved the code quality and development productivity, and shortened the quality assurance process.