Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Communication-aware stochastic allocation and scheduling framework for conditional task graphs in multi-processor systems-on-chip

The increasing levels of system integration in Multi-Processor System-on-Chips (MPSoCs) emphasize the need for new design flows for efficient mapping of multi-task applications onto hardware platforms. Even though data-flow graphs are often used for pure data-streaming, many realistic applications can only be specified as conditional task graphs (CTG). The problem of allocating and scheduling conditional task graphs on processors in a distributed real-time system is NP-hard. The first contribution of this paper is a complete stochastic allocation and scheduling framework, where an MPSoC virtual platform is used to accurately derive input parameters, validate abstract models of system components and assess constraint satisfaction and objective function optimization. The optimizer implements an efficient and exact approach to allocation and scheduling based on problem decomposition. The original contributions of the approach appear both in the allocation and in the scheduling part of the optimizer. For the first, we propose an exact analytic formulation of the stochastic objective function based on the task graph analysis, while for the scheduling part we extend the timetable constraint for conditional activities. The second contribution of this paper is the introduction of a software library and API for the deployment of conditional task graph applications onto Multi-Processor System-on-Chips. With our library support, programmers can quickly develop multi-task applications which will run on a multi-core architecture and can easily apply the optimal solution found by our optimizer. The proposed programming support manages OS-level issues, such as task allocation and scheduling, as well as task-level issues, like inter-task communication and synchronization.
Flowering mechanisms, pollination strategies and floral scent analyses of syntopically co-flowering Homalomena spp. (Araceae) on Borneo.

In this study, the flowering mechanisms and pollination strategies of seven species of the highly diverse genus Homalomena (Araceae) were investigated in native populations of West Sarawak, Borneo. The floral scent compositions were also recorded for six of these species. The selected taxa belong to three out of four complexes of the section Cyrtocladon (Hanneae, Giamensis and Borneensis). The species belonging to the Hanneae complex exhibited longer anthesis (53-62 h) than those of the Giamensis and Borneensis complexes (ca. 30 h). Species belonging to the Hanneae complex underwent two floral scent emission events in consecutive days, during the pistillate and staminate phases of anthesis. In species belonging to the Giamensis and Borneensis complexes, floral scent emission was only evident to the human nose during the pistillate phase. A total of 33 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were detected in floral scent analyses of species belonging to the Hanneae complex, whereas 26 VOCs were found in samples of those belonging to the Giamensis complex. The floral scent blends contained uncommon compounds in high concentration, which could ensure pollinator discrimination. Our observations indicate that scarab beetles (Parastasia gestroi and P. nigripennis; Scarabaeidae, Rutelinae) are the pollinators of the investigated species of Homalomena, with Chaloenus schawalleri (Chrysomelidae, Galeuricinae) acting as a secondary pollinator. The pollinators utilise the inflorescence for food, mating opportunities and safe mating arena as rewards. Flower-breeding flies (Colocasiomyia nigricauda and C. aff. heterodonta; Diptera, Drosophilidae) and terrestrial hydrophilid beetles (Cycreon sp.; Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae) were also frequently recovered from inflorescences belonging to all studied species (except H. velutipedunculata), but they probably do not act as efficient pollinators. Future studies should investigate the post-mating isolating barriers among syntopically co-flowering Homalomena sharing the same visiting insects.
Fast Estimation of Broncho-Fiberoscope Egomotion for Ct-Guided Transbronchial Biopsy

The paper addresses the problem of very fast real-time estimation of forward and backward broncho-fiberoscope egomotion during the medical procedure of transbronchial biopsy. The proposed algorithm significantly differs from standard egomotion routines since it exploits specific rotational features of the bronchoscopic images resulting from the approximate cylinder-like structure of airway segments. The method is described in detail in the paper and tested on synthetic and real-word endoscopic images. Reported results explicitly confirm its efficiency.
Cross-Reactivity of Anti-CagA Antibodies With Vascular Wall Antigens: Possible Pathogenic Link Between Helicobacter pylori Infection and Atherosclerosis

Background—Helicobacter pylori-CagA positive strains have been shown to be associated with atherosclerosis. However, the pathogenesis is still undetermined. The aim of this study was to determine whether anti-CagA antibodies cross-react with antigens of normal and atherosclerotic arteries. Methods and Results—Eight umbilical cord sections, 14 atherosclerotic artery sections, and 10 gastrointestinal tract sections were examined by immunohistochemistry using polyclonal anti-CagA antibodies. Five atherosclerotic and 3 normal artery samples were also lysed in ice-cold lysis buffer containing protease inhibitors and were immunoprecipitated using the same antibodies. Anti-CagA antibodies reacted with cytoplasm and nuclei of smooth muscle cells in umbilical cord and atherosclerotic vessel sections, cytoplasm of fibroblasts-like cells in intimal atherosclerotic plaques, and the cell membranes of endothelial cells. Anti-CagA antibodies also specifically immunoprecipitated 2 high molecular weight antigens of 160 and 180 kDa from both normal and atherosclerotic artery lysates. Conclusions—Anti-CagA antibodies cross-react with antigens of both normal and atherosclerotic blood vessels. We speculate that the binding of anti-CagA antibodies to those antigens in injured arteries could influence the progression of atherosclerosis in CagA-positive H pylori-infected patients.
The floral homeotic protein APETALA2 recognizes and acts through an AT-rich sequence element

Cell fate specification in development requires transcription factors for proper regulation of gene expression. In Arabidopsis, transcription factors encoded by four classes of homeotic genes, A, B, C and E, act in a combinatorial manner to control proper floral organ identity. The A-class gene APETALA2 (AP2) promotes sepal and petal identities in whorls 1 and 2 and restricts the expression of the C-class gene AGAMOUS (AG) from whorls 1 and 2. However, it is unknown how AP2 performs these functions. Unlike the other highly characterized floral homeotic proteins containing MADS domains, AP2 has two DNA-binding domains referred to as the AP2 domains and its DNA recognition sequence is still unknown. Here, we show that the second AP2 domain in AP2 binds a non-canonical AT-rich target sequence, and, using a GUS reporter system, we demonstrate that the presence of this sequence in the AG second intron is important for the restriction of AG expression in vivo. Furthermore, we show that AP2 binds the AG second intron and directly regulates AG expression through this sequence element. Computational analysis reveals that the binding site is highly conserved in the second intron of AG orthologs throughout Brassicaceae. By uncovering a biologically relevant AT-rich target sequence, this work shows that AP2 domains have wide-ranging target specificities and provides a missing link in the mechanisms that underlie flower development. It also sets the foundation for understanding the basis of the broad biological functions of AP2 in Arabidopsis, as well as the divergent biological functions of AP2 orthologs in dicotyledonous plants.
CROSS-IMMUNITY BETWEEN BRUCELLA MELITENSIS AND MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS

A non-specific element has been demonstrated in the resistance of monocytes derived from immunized rabbits. Vaccination by BCG or by an effective anti-brucellosis reagent induces protection in either case against both Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Brucella melitensis when studied by the monocyte culture method. The activity of the antiserum required to demonstrate the resistance of the monocyte is not affected when the agglutinating action of the anti-Brucella rabbit serum is removed by absorption. The ability of the monocytes from specifically immunized rabbits to retard the growth of virulent Brucella was demonstrated, not as an all-or-none phenomenon, but in the light of the unrestricted bacterial multiplication which occurs in monocytes from normal animals.
Competition in Private Commons: Price War or Market Sharing?

This paper characterizes the outcomes of secondary spectrum markets when multiple providers compete for secondary demand. We study a competition model in which each provider aims to enhance its revenue by opportunistically serving a price-dependent secondary demand, while also serving dedicated primary demand. We consider two methodologies for sharing spectrum between primary and secondary demand: In coordinated access, spectrum providers have the option to decline a secondary access request if that helps enhance their revenue. We explicitly characterize a break-even price such that profitability of secondary access provision is guaranteed if secondary access is priced above the break-even price, regardless of the volume of secondary demand. Consequently, we establish that competition among providers that employ optimal coordinated access leads to a price war, as a result of which the provider with the lowest break-even price captures the entire market. This result holds for arbitrary secondary demand functions. In uncoordinated access, primary and secondary users share spectrum on equal basis, akin to ISM bands. Under this policy, we characterize a market sharing price that determines a provider's willingness to share the market. We show an instance where the market sharing price is strictly greater than the break-even price, indicating that market equilibrium in an uncoordinated access setting can be fundamentally different as it opens up the possibility of providers sharing the market at higher prices.
Requirements Management Tool with Evolving Traceability for Heterogeneous Artifacts in the Entire Life Cycle

There are significant factors in software project management, cost, effort, and quality. Much software engineering works have focused on these. When it comes to software quality, customer requirements are starting points for assuring quality in software development projects [3]. Currently, software engineering literature still finds effective ways to manage requirements within the entire project life cycle, but does not have a complete solution for it. Besides, some solutions are quite time consuming works for project management. At this point, tools for managing requirements help keeping specifications consistent, up-to-date and efficiently accessible. The purpose of this paper is to address the development of a new tool for requirements management with support for the evolution aspect of the grand challenges of traceability as well as making requirement specification and establishing traceability links. An approach to support the sustained evolution of traceability links is proposed and outlined. A fine-grained differencing approach on the link endpoints is used to maintain the links in a scalable manner. Details of the link model, representation and screen are given followed by the process used to evolve traceability links.
Direct N2O emissions from rice paddy fields: Summary of available data

Rice cultivation is an important anthropogenic source of atmospheric nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane. We compiled and analyzed data on N2O emissions from rice fields (113 measurements from 17 sites) reported in peer‐reviewed journals. Mean N2O emission ± standard deviation and mean fertilizer‐induced emission factor during the rice‐cropping season were, respectively, 341 ± 474 g N ha−1 season−1 and 0.22 ± 0.24% for fertilized fields continuously flooded, 993 ± 1075 g N ha−1 season−1 and 0.37 ± 0.35% for fertilized fields with midseason drainage, and 667 ± 885 g N ha−1 season−1 and 0.31 ± 0.31% for all water regimes. The estimated whole‐year background emission was 1820 g N ha−1 yr−1. A large uncertainty remains, especially for background emission because of limited data availability. Although midseason drainage generally reduces CH4 and increases N2O emissions, it may be an effective option for mitigating the net global warming potential of rice fields.
Empirical profile mixture models for phylogenetic reconstruction

MOTIVATION Previous studies have shown that accounting for site-specific amino acid replacement patterns using mixtures of stationary probability profiles offers a promising approach for improving the robustness of phylogenetic reconstructions in the presence of saturation. However, such profile mixture models were introduced only in a Bayesian context, and are not yet available in a maximum likelihood (ML) framework. In addition, these mixture models only perform well on large alignments, from which they can reliably learn the shapes of profiles, and their associated weights. RESULTS In this work, we introduce an expectation-maximization algorithm for estimating amino acid profile mixtures from alignment databases. We apply it, learning on the HSSP database, and observe that a set of 20 profiles is enough to provide a better statistical fit than currently available empirical matrices (WAG, JTT), in particular on saturated data.
Maternal depression increases infant risk of diarrhoeal illness: –a cohort study

Aims: To examine the associations between postnatal depression in mothers and diarrhoeal illness in their infants in the first year of life in a low-income country. Methods: Using a prospective cohort design, 265 infants (n = 130 of mothers having a depressive episode according to the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, at 3 months postnatal and n = 135 of psychologically well mothers) living in rural Rawalpindi, Pakistan, were followed up for 1 year. Frequency of diarrhoeal episodes was measured fortnightly by health workers using a standard questionnaire. Results: Infants of depressed mothers had significantly more diarrhoeal episodes per year than those of controls (mean 5.5 v 4.0; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.9 to 2.0). The relative risk of having ⩾5 diarrhoeal episodes per year in infants of depressed mothers was 2.3 (95% CI 1.6 to 3.1). The association remained significant after adjustment for other risk factors by multivariate analysis. Conclusions: Maternal depression is associated with infant diarrhoeal morbidity in a low-income community setting. It is independent of the effects of known factors such as undernutrition, socioeconomic status and parental education. Preventive child health programmes targeting mothers must consider their mental health.
Time-machine computing: a time-centric approach for the information environment

This paper describes the concept of Time-Machine Computing (TMC), a time-centric approach to organizing information on computers. A system based on Time-Machine Computing allows a user to visit the past and the future states of computers. When a user needs to refer to a document that he/she was working on at some other time, he/she can travel in the time dimension and the system restores the computer state at that time. Since the user's activities on the system are automatically archived, the user's daily workspace is seamlessly integrated into the information archive. The combination of spatial information management of the desktop metaphor and time traveling allows a user to organize and archive information without being bothered by folder hierarchies or the file classification problems that are common in today's desktop environments. TMC also provides a mechanism for linking multiple applications and external information sources by exchanging time information. This paper describes the key features of TMC, a time-machine desktop environment called “TimeScape,” and several time-oriented application integration examples.
Partition of unity method on nonmatching grids for the Stokes problem

We consider the Stokes problem on a plane polygonal domain We propose a finite element method for overlapping or nonmatching grids for the Stokes problem based on the partition of unity method. We prove that the discrete inf-sup condition holds with a constant independent of the overlapping size of the subdomains. The results are valid for multiple subdomains and any spatial dimension.
Dominance relationships among one‐male units in a provisioned free‐ranging band of the Sichuan snub‐nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) in the Qinling Mountains, China

We studied the dominance relationships among one‐male units (OMUs) in a provisioned free‐ranging band of the Sichuan snub‐nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) in the Qinling Mountains of central China from 2001 to 2005. The band was composed of 6–8 OMUs that stayed in the band for several years. Linear dominance orders could be detected using displacement interactions with directional asymmetry among OMUs in 82.3±5% of interactions, and ambiguous and reversed interactions in 17.7±5%. The dominance rank of OMUs was positively related with the duration of their stay in the band, and this may be attributed to the association of the resident male with adult females, rather than the fighting ability of resident males, as males do not fight seriously with each other. Subordinate units were observed to merge with dominant units resulting in an elevation of their rank order. The linear dominance relationship among OMUs in the Sichuan snub‐nosed monkeys may have evolved as a result of competition for preferred food trees. Am. J. Primatol. 70:634–641, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
How to identify dear enemies: the group signature in the complex song of the skylark Alauda arvensis

SUMMARY Song geographic variation and Neighbour–Stranger (N–S) discrimination have been intensively but separately studied in bird species, especially in those with small- to medium-sized repertoires. Here, we establish a link between the two phenomena by showing that dialect features are used for N–S recognition in a territorial species with a large repertoire, the skylark Alauda arvensis. In this species, during the breeding season, many pairs settle in stable and adjoining territories gathered in locations spaced by a few kilometres. In a first step, songs produced by males established in different locations were recorded, analyzed and compared to identify possible microgeographic variation at the syntax level. Particular common sequences of syllables (phrases) were found in the songs of all males established in the same location (neighbours), whereas males of different locations (strangers) shared only few syllables and no sequences. In a second step, playback experiments were conducted and provided evidence for N–S discrimination consistent with the dear-enemy effect, i.e. reduced aggression from territorial birds towards neighbours than towards strangers. In addition, a similar response was observed when a `chimeric' signal (shared phrases of the location artificially inserted in the song of a stranger) and a neighbour song were broadcast, indicating that shared sequences were recognized and identified as markers of the group identity. We thus show experimentally that the shared phrases found in the songs of neighbouring birds constitute a group signature used by birds for N–S discrimination, and serve as a basis for the dear-enemy effect.
Genetic alterations as clonal markers for bladder cancer detection in urine

Bladder cancer is the result of a clonal expansion of cancer cells in which multiple genetic alterations have accumulated. Point mutations of the p53 gene are frequently observed in bladder cancer. Loss of a retinoblastoma (Rb) allele is also common in bladder cancer. Recent data have shown frequent loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and homozygous deletion of 9p21, including the region of p16INK4A, a putative tumor suppressor gene, in bladder cancer. LOH is also observed frequently at several other chromosome regions in bladder cancer. These genetic changes have proved useful as clonal markers in the detection of cancer cells in urine. Because of their complexity, most molecular diagnostic approaches are not considered promising cancer screening tools in patients or high‐risk populations. However, a new molecular approach, the examination of microsatellite alterations in bladder cancer and urine specimens, is a promising screening tool for the disease. The common genetic alterations in bladder cancer and their use as clonal markers in screening or diagnosis strategies will be discussed. J. Cell. Biochem. 25S: 191–196. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Theory of anisotropic magnetoresistance in atomic-sized ferromagnetic metal contacts

Recent experiments in ferromagnetic atomic-sized contacts have shown that the anisotropic magnetoresistance AMR is greatly enhanced and has an asymmetric angular dependence as compared with that of bulk samples. The origin of these effects is still under debate. In this work, we present a theoretical analysis of the AMR in atomic contacts of the 3d ferromagnetic materials. Our results strongly suggest that the anomalous AMR stems from the reduced symmetry of the atomic contact geometries. We also present calculations supporting the idea that the pronounced voltage and temperature dependence in some experiments can be attributed to impurities near the constrictions.
A One-pass Triclustering Approach: Is There any Room for Big Data?

An ecient one-pass online algorithm for triclustering of bi- nary data (triadic formal contexts) is proposed. This algorithm is a modified version of the basic algorithm for OAC-triclustering approach, but it has linear time and memory complexities with respect to the car- dinality of the underlying ternary relation and can be easily parallelized in order to be applied for the analysis of big datasets. The results of computer experiments show the eciency of the proposed algorithm.
Learning High-Density Regions for a Generalized Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test in High-Dimensional Data

We propose an efficient, generalized, nonparametric, statistical Kolmogorov-Smirnov test for detecting distributional change in high-dimensional data. To implement the test, we introduce a novel, hierarchical, minimum-volume sets estimator to represent the distributions to be tested. Our work is motivated by the need to detect changes in data streams, and the test is especially efficient in this context. We provide the theoretical foundations of our test and show its superiority over existing methods.
Fault Localization with Partially Reliable Test Results Using Dempster-Shafer Theory

Fault localization is a critical procedure in software development process. Previous studies based their research on the precondition that test results are conveniently acquired and 100% correct, which does not happen in the real world. In this article, we propose the concept of γ- reliable test-suite to demonstrate the potential unreliability of test results. By modeling this unreliability using Dempster-Shafer theory, we managed to pin down the faults under the new situation. Experiments were conducted on both 100%-reliable and partial-reliable Siemens Test Suite and compared against several known spectrum-based localization algorithms, namely Naish1, Naish2, Binary, Wong1 and Russel&Rao. The results proved the prior performance of our approach. We conclude that fault localization problem is more precisely modeled by Dempster-Shafer theory than common statistical theory.