Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Embedded Tutorial: Electromigration-Aware Physical Design of Integrated Circuits

The electromigration effect within current-density-stressed signal and power lines is an ubiquitous and increasingly important reliability and design problem in sub-micron IC designs. It is therefore necessary to consider electromigration-related design parameters as early as possible in the physical design flow. In this tutorial, we first give an introduction into the electromigration problem and its relationship to current density and temperature. Physical design parameters that affect current density are presented next. We then focus on various distinctive methodologies that allow the electromigration problem to be addressed directly during physical design and verification of both analog and digital circuits. We also present and discuss commercial applications of these electromigration-aware methodologies.
Structural mechanism of transcription regulation of the Staphylococcus aureus multidrug efflux operon mepRA by the MarR family repressor MepR

The multidrug efflux pump MepA is a major contributor to multidrug resistance in Staphylococcus aureus. MepR, a member of the multiple antibiotic resistance regulator (MarR) family, represses mepA and its own gene. Here, we report the structure of a MepR–mepR operator complex. Structural comparison of DNA-bound MepR with ‘induced’ apoMepR reveals the large conformational changes needed to allow the DNA-binding winged helix-turn-helix motifs to interact with the consecutive major and minor grooves of the GTTAG signature sequence. Intriguingly, MepR makes no hydrogen bonds to major groove nucleobases. Rather, recognition-helix residues Thr60, Gly61, Pro62 and Thr63 make sequence-specifying van der Waals contacts with the TTAG bases. Removing these contacts dramatically affects MepR–DNA binding activity. The wings insert into the flanking minor grooves, whereby residue Arg87, buttressed by Asp85, interacts with the O2 of T4 and O4′ ribosyl oxygens of A23 and T4. Mutating Asp85 and Arg87, both conserved throughout the MarR family, markedly affects MepR repressor activity. The His14′:Arg59 and Arg10′:His35:Phe108 interaction networks stabilize the DNA-binding conformation of MepR thereby contributing significantly to its high affinity binding. A structure-guided model of the MepR–mepA operator complex suggests that MepR dimers do not interact directly and cooperative binding is likely achieved by DNA-mediated allosteric effects.
Towards Multitenancy for IO-bound OLAP Workloads

Consolidation of multiple databases on the same server allows service providers to save significant resources because many production database servers are often under-utilized. We consider the problem of minimizing the number of servers needed to host a set of tenants, while satisfying the service level agreement (SLA) on the throughput of each tenant. Recent research investigates this problem under the assumption that the working sets of tenants are kept in main memory (e.g., OLTP workloads, or in-memory OLAP workloads), thus the buffer size of each tenant is dictated by the working set size of that tenant. In this paper we instead investigate the problem when the throughput SLAs of tenants are low enough for queries to be answered from disk. We study the trade-off between buffer size and query execution time for IO-bound workloads and propose an algorithm, called Greedy Memory Reduction (GMR). GMR approximates a globally-optimum memory allocation function (i.e., a function that assigns a buffer size to each tenant) for tenants running in private DBMS instances, such that the number of servers needed to host all tenants is minimized. GMR further inspires the design of another online heuristic that, though lacks an approximation guarantee, performs very well in practice. We then present a heuristic algorithm, called Greedy Tenant Consolidation (GTC), for consolidating tenants into shared DBMS instances whenever their throughput SLAs allow. Finally, we conduct extensive experimental evaluations of our algorithms to demonstrate their effectiveness, scalability, and correctness.
Analysis of the Survivability of GaN Low-Noise Amplifiers

This paper presents a detailed analysis of the stressing mechanisms for highly rugged low-noise GaN monolithic-microwave integrated-circuit amplifiers operated at extremely high input powers. As an example, a low-noise amplifier (LNA) operating in the 3-7-GHz frequency band is used. A noise figure (NF) below 2.3 dB is measured from 3.5 to 7 GHz with NF<1.8 dB between 5-7 GHz. This device survived 33 dBm of available RF input power for 16 h without any change in low-noise performance. The stress mechanisms at high input powers are identified by systematic measurements of an LNA and a single high electron-mobility transistor in the frequency and time domains. It is shown that the gate dc current, which occurs due to self-biasing, is the most critical factor regarding survivability. A series resistance in the gate dc feed can reduce this gate current by feedback, and may be used to improve LNA ruggedness
Revisiting the concept of Beverton -Holt life-history invariants with the aim of informing data-poor fisheries assessment

The complexity and cost of assessment techniques prohibits their application to 90% of fisheries. Simple generic approaches are needed for the world’s small-scale and data-poor fisheries. This meta-analysis of the relationship between spawning potential and the normalized size and age of 123 marine species suggests that the so-called Beverton– Holt life-history invariants (BH-LHI; Lm/L1, M/k, M × Agem) actually vary together in relation to life-history strategy, determining the relationship between size, age, and reproductive potential for each species. Although little realized, the common assumption of unique values for the BH-LHI also implies that all species share the same relationship between size, age, and reproductive potential. This implicit assumption is not supported by this meta-analysis, which suggests that there is considerable but predictable natural variation in the BH-LHI ratios and the relationships between size, age, and reproductive potential that they determine. We believe that this reconceptualization of the BH-LHI has potential to provide a theoretical framework for “borrowing” knowledge from well-studied species to apply to related, unstudied species and populations, and when applied together with the assessment technique described by Hordyk et al. (this issue b), could make simple forms of size-based assessment possible for many currently unassessable fish stocks.
External interference-aware channel assignment

Channel assignment is an efficient method to increase the network capacity of multi-radio mesh networks by using orthogonal channels for otherwise interfering transmissions in the network. With the massive increase of commercial and personal WLAN deployments in urban areas, co-located networks may cause a performance degradation if operated on the same wireless channels. Thus, in order to fully exploit the benefits of spectral diversity, channel assignment needs to become aware of external interference. In this paper, we propose EICA, a distributed algorithm for external interference-aware channel assignment. We show how EICA is capable to detect co-located sources of interference with spectrum sensing using commodity IEEE 802.11 radios of the network nodes. Thus, no additional hardware is required. Based on the channel conditions, the algorithm favors the lesser congested channels for the channel assignment. We evaluate EICA in a large-scale testbed with 126 multi-radio network nodes in different scenarios with increasing levels of interference. The testbed study shows that EICA can significantly increase the network capacity in scenarios with high levels of external interference.
Predictors of positive tuberculin skin test (TST) results after 2-step TST among health care workers in Manitoba, Canada.

BACKGROUND Baseline 2-step tuberculin skin testing (TST) is recommended for health care workers (HCWs) to identify cases of the "boosting phenomenon" (i.e., a negative initial TST result followed by a positive result) and to track the risk of acquiring occupational tuberculosis. However, the 2-step TST has been shown to be insufficient to identify all cases of the booster phenomenon in older adults and refugees. The objective of this study was to identify whether a history of bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination and foreign birth--variables that are known to be associated with the booster phenomenon--remain predictors of a positive TST result in a group of HCWs documented to have negative 2-step TST results (i.e., 2 TSTs done 7-28 days apart with indurations <10 mm in diameter). METHODS We performed a retrospective analysis of an employee database in a tertiary care hospital in Winnipeg, Canada. The study population was comprised of 698 HCWs with negative 2-step TST results who underwent a TST 0-2 years after completion of the 2-step procedure. RESULTS Forty-six HCWs (6.6%) had a positive TST result 0-2 years after the 2-step test. In a multiple logistic regression analysis controlling for age, BCG vaccination, foreign birth, sex, and work setting, only history of BCG vaccination (odds ratio [OR], 8.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.04-17.4), foreign birth (OR, 3.19; 95% CI, 1.53-6.62), and high-risk work setting (OR, 2.93; 95% CI, 1.44-5.95) were associated with a positive TST result. CONCLUSIONS Even for HCWs with negative results of 2-step TST, foreign birth and history of BCG vaccination are associated with a positive result of a future TST. Some positive TST results in such HCWs are related to nonoccupational factors, including delayed boosting, rather than to conversion due to recent tuberculosis contact.
Oxygenation of the Prefrontal Cortex during Sequential Planning in the Tower of London

To investigate the utility of neural theories for human planning, this study used near-infrared spectroscopy to investigate prefrontal (PFC) oxygenation for a well-established planning task: The Tower of London (TOL). Changes in prefrontal oxygenated hemoglobin from baseline were measured during task performance. Performing the Tower of London led to a significant increase in oxygenation in the left caudal region of the PFC in difficult trials moves relative to easier trials. The different degree of prefrontal oxygenation agrees with previous research and provides further evidence for a capacity utilization framework for measuring neurocognitive demand. Higher activity in the left rostral frontopolar region predicted better performance in the Tower of London, which agrees with a proposed rostral-caudal control hierarchy for the prefrontal cortex. Observed results support the feasibility of near-infrared spectroscopy to assess activity during tasks requiring planning ability and provide support for two neurocognitive models, capacity utilization and rostro-caudal control hierarchy.
Dealing with Dangerous Digitals

Options with discontinuous payos are generally traded above their theoretical Black-Scholes prices because of the hedging diculties created by their large delta and gamma values. A theoretical method for pricing these options is to constrain the hedging portfolio and incorporate this constraint into the pricing by computing the smallest initial capital which permits super- replication of the option. We develop this idea for exotic options, in which case the pricing problem becomes one of stochastic control. The high cost of exact super-replication coincides with market price quotations for dangerous derivatives such as reverse knock-out barrier options, which are often higher than their risk-neutral expected payo ( theoretical value). This paper illustrates how the theory of leverage constrained pricing can be successfully applied to compute close-to-market option values and serves as a practitioner's guide to derive explicit formulae and compute prices by finite dierence methods.
Integrated online marketing communication: implementation and management

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the particularities of integrated marketing communication (IMC) in the online environment.Design/methodology/approach – Both secondary and primary data (face‐to‐face interviews with 29 marketing or communication managers of UK online consumer retail firms) are analysed in order to identify the various meanings of the integrated online marketing communication, the opportunities and challenges raised by online communication, and the structure of an efficient integrated online marketing communication system.Findings – The transparency, interactivity and memory of the internet force the organisation to adopt a proactive‐reactive attitude in online communication, and to combine consistency and continuity with flexibility and customisation.Research limitations/implications – The number of interviews used to collect primary data is relatively small; the use of the information collected is general and unstructured; and the findings are applicable only to onlin.
A microfabricated flexible slip sensor

Slip sensors are useful in robotics and prosthetics to improve the precision of force control during manipulation tasks. This work describes the design and fabrication of a flexible slip microsensor with no-moving parts, based on thermo-electrical phenomena. The sensor has been tested on a purposively developed test bench capable of producing a repeatable and controllable slip velocity. Experimental results are reported, demonstrating microsensor capability of discriminating slip events. The flexibility of the sensor makes it suitable for its integration on curved or deformable surfaces, such as robotic finger pads.
Open label, randomized, crossover pilot trial of high-resolution, relational, resonance-based, electroencephalic mirroring to relieve insomnia

Effective noninvasive interventions for insomnia are needed. High‐resolution, relational, resonance‐based, electroencephalic mirroring (HIRREM™) is a noninvasive, electroencephalography (EEG)‐based method to facilitate greater client‐unique, autocalibrated improvements of balance and harmony in cortical neural oscillations. This study explores using HIRREM for insomnia. Twenty subjects, with an Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) score of ≥15 (14 women, mean age 45.4, mean ISI 18.6), were enrolled in this randomized, unblinded, wait‐list control, crossover, superiority study. Subjects were randomized to receive 8–12 HIRREM sessions over 3 weeks, plus usual care (HUC), or usual care alone (UC). Pre‐ and post‐HIRREM data collection included ISI (primary outcome), and many secondary, exploratory measures (CES‐D, SF‐36, HR, BP, neurocognitive testing, and VAS scales). The UC group later crossed over to receive HIRREM. ISI was also repeated 4–6 weeks post‐HIRREM. All subjects completed the primary intervention period. Analysis for differential change of ISI in the initial intervention period for HUC versus UC showed a drop of 10.3 points (95% CI: −13.7 to −6.9, P < 0.0001, standardized effect size of 2.68). Key secondary outcomes included statistically identical differential change for the crossed‐over UC group, and persistence of the effect on the ISI up to > 4 weeks post‐HIRREM. Differential change in the HUC group was also statistically significant for CES‐D (−8.8, 95% CI: −17.5 to −0.1, P = 0.047), but other exploratory outcomes were not statistically significant. For all receiving HIRREM (n = 19), decreased high‐frequency total power was seen in the bilateral temporal lobes. No adverse events were seen. This pilot clinical trial, the first using HIRREM as an intervention, suggests that HIRREM is feasible and effective for individuals having moderate‐to‐severe insomnia, with clinically relevant, statistically significant benefits based on differential change in the ISI. Effects persisted for 4 weeks after completion of HIRREM. Larger controlled clinical trials are warranted.
hort-term environmental / economic hydrothermal scheduling

This paper proposes a new technique based on lexicographic optimization and ε-constraint method to solve the combined economic emission scheduling problem of hydrothermal systems comprising several equality constraints as well as non-equality ones. The hydrothermal scheduling problem is modeled as a multi-objective problem with two objective functions as fuel cost minimization and also pollutant emission minimization. After deriving the Pareto set, the most preferred solution is determined using a fuzzy satisfying method. The thermal plants are considered with valve point effect and emission level function. Besides, this paper has taken into consideration the multi-reservoir cascaded configuration of hydro units, while the relationship considered between water discharge rate and power generated through these hydro units is nonlinear. Also, there is a water transport delay between hydro units. The cheduling uzzy satisfying method presented model is implemented on a sample test system comprising four cascaded hydro units and three thermal units to verify the efficiency of the proposed method. Furthermore, the proposed method is implemented on IEEE 118 bus test case. The results obtained from the simulation show the effectiveness of the presented technique in the case of fuel cost and emission output compared to other approaches recently used. © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Comparing several coverage criteria for detecting faults in logical decisions

Many testing coverage criteria, including decision coverage and condition coverage, are well-known to be inadequate for software characterised by complex logical decisions, such as those in safety-critical software. In the past decade, more sophisticated testing criteria have been advocated. In particular, compliance of MC/DC has been mandated in the aviation industry for the approval of airborne software. On the other hand, the MUMCUT criterion has been proved to guarantee the detection of certain faults in logical decisions in irredundant disjunctive normal form. We analyse and empirically evaluate the ability of test sets satisfying these testing criteria in detecting faults in logical decisions. Our results show that MC/DC test sets are effective, but they may still miss some faults that can almost always be detected by test sets satisfying the MUMCUT criterion.
Optimal asset allocation in a stochastic factor model-an overview and open problems

This paper provides an overview of the optimal investment problem in a market in which the dynamics of the risky security are a¤ected by a correlated stochastic factor. The performance of investment strategies is measured using two criteria. The rst criterion is the traditional one, formulated in terms of expected utility from terminal wealth while the second is based on the recently developed forward investment performance approach.
Cognitive Control Modulates Effects of Episodic Simulation on Delay Discounting in Aging

Enhancing prospective thinking by tagging the future with specific episodic events has been shown to reduce delay discounting in young age (“tag-effect”). So far, it is unclear whether such beneficial effect extends to old adulthood. Since the general ability of future thinking and cognitive control are crucial modulators of temporal discounting in young age, potential age-related decline in these functions might impact on the effect. We focused on this issue by combining functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with an established intertemporal choice task including episodic “tags” in healthy older participants. Future thinking ability was assessed using autobiographical interviews for future event simulations and a visual search task was applied to assess participants’ cognitive control ability. In contrast to previous data in young adults, the group of older participants did not benefit from tagging the future with episodic events. Older participants’ cognitive control function was directly associated with discounting rates in the episodic conditions: the less the older adults were able to focus their attention the less they benefited from the inclusion of episodic events. Consistent with this, imaging results revealed that: (a) subjective value (SV) signals in the hippocampus and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) as well as; (b) hippocampal-striatal coupling during the episodic condition were positively related to participants’ control capacity. Our findings highlight the critical role of executive functioning for the simultaneous integration of episodic information with future value computation in aging. Boosting delay gratification by including episodic tags might hence be limited in older individuals with pronounced decline in distraction control.
Classical and Quantum Branes in c = 1 String Theory and Quantum Hall Effect

Interpretation of D1 and D0-branes in 1+1 string theory as classical and quantum eigen-values in dual c=1 Matrix Quantum Mechanics (MQM) was recently suggested. MQM is known to be equivalent to a system of N free fermions (eigen-values). By considering quantum mechanics of fermions in the presence of classical eigen-value we are able to calculate explicitly the perturbation of the shape of Fermi-sea due to the interaction with the brane. We see that the shape of the Fermi-sea depending on the position of the classical eigen-value can exhibit critical behavior, such as development of cusp. On quantum level we build explicitly the operator describing quantum eigen-value. This is a vertex operator in bosonic CFT. Its expectation value between vacuum and Dirichlet boundary state is equal to the correct wave-function of the fermion. This supports the conjecture that quantum eigen-value corresponds to D0-brane. We also show that c=1 MQM can be obtained as analytical continuation of the system of 2d electrons in magnetic field which is studied in Quantum Hall Effect.
Population based-heuristic for solving the assignment problems with two objectives

The paper presents a population-based heuristic for computing approximations of the efficient solution set for the assignment problem with two objectives. The heuristic is based on the intensive use of three operators-a local search, a crossover and a path-relinking-performed on a population composed only of elite solutions. The initial population is a subset of supported solutions, where each solution is one optimal assignment for an appropriate weighted sum of two objectives. Genetic information is derived from the elite solutions, providing a useful genetic heritage to be exploited by crossover operators. An upper bound set, defined in the objective space, provides one acceptable limit for performing a local search. Results of extensive numerical experiments have shown that the heuristic is able to quickly find a very good approximation of the efficient frontier, and outperforms all previously published results. In addition, this heuristic has two main advantages. It is based on simple easy-to-implement principles, and it does not need a parameter tuning phase.
Pruning Divide & Conquer networks

Determining an effective architecture for multi-layer feedforward backpropagation neural networks can be a time-consuming effort. In general it requires human intervention in determining the number of layers, number of hidden cells, the learning rule and the learning parameters. Over the past few years several approaches to dynamically configure neural networks have been proposed, which remove most of the responsibility for choosing the correct network configuration from the user. As important as finding a viable network architecture for some given learning problem, is the need to obtain a minimal configuration. The total time required to emulate or simulate neural networks is largely dependent on the number of connections present in a network. Therefore, it is essential to provide pruning methods to reduce network complexity. In this paper two approaches to network pruning will be investigated: single- and multi-pass pruning. Their effectiveness is emphasized by applying them to several real world proble.