Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Understanding Organization and Open Source Community Relations through the Attraction-Selection-Attrition Model

Organizations increasingly engage with open source communities. Extant research identified the benefits to organizations for engaging with open source and documented how open source communities operate to accommodate organizational engagement. The complexities involved in what attracts organizations to specific communities, how they choose to engage, and how subsequently the organizational-communal engagement shapes the community and organization are not yet well understood. In this paper, we explore how the Attraction-Selection-Attrition Model supports the study of how communities attract, retain, and lose members, and how these aspects relate to organizational-communal engagement between organizations and open source communities. This conceptual paper provides an introduction to the ASA model, having briefly outlined the lack of research connecting ASA and open source communities. Following this, the paper outlines how existing research related to the ASA model may be effectively related to existing open source research, resulting in several questions for future research.
Parallel File System Analysis Through Application I/O Tracing

Input/Output (I/O) operations can represent a significant proportion of the run-time of parallel scientific computing applications. Although there have been several advances in file format libraries, file system design and I/O hardware, a growing divergence exists between the performance of parallel file systems and the compute clusters that they support. In this paper, we document the design and application of the RIOT I/O toolkit (RIOT) being developed at the University of Warwick with our industrial partners at the Atomic Weapons Establishment and Sandia National Laboratories. We use the toolkit to assess the performance of three industry-standard I/O benchmarks on three contrasting supercomputers, ranging from a mid-sized commodity cluster to a large-scale proprietary IBM BlueGene/P system. RIOT provides a powerful framework in which to analyse I/O and parallel file system behaviour—we demonstrate, for example, the large file locking overhead of IBM's General Parallel File System, which can consume nearly 30% of the total write time in the FLASH-IO benchmark. Through I/O trace analysis, we also assess the performance of HDF-5 in its default configuration, identifying a bottleneck created by the use of suboptimal Message Passing Interface hints. Furthermore, we investigate the performance gains attributed to the Parallel Log-structured File System (PLFS) being developed by EMC Corporation and the Los Alamos National Laboratory. Our evaluation of PLFS involves two high-performance computing systems with contrasting I/O backplanes and illustrates the varied improvements to I/O that result from the deployment of PLFS (ranging from up to 25× speed-up in I/O performance on a large I/O installation to 2× speed-up on the much smaller installation at the University of Warwick).
Measurements and Models of Radio Frequency Impulsive Noise for Indoor Wireless Communications

The authors present the results of average and impulsive noise measurements inside several office buildings and retail stores. The noise measurement system operated at 918 MHz, 2.44 GHz, and 4 GHz with a nominal 40-MHz, 3-dB RF bandwidth. Omnidirectional and directional antennas were used to investigate the characteristics and sources of RF noise in indoor channels. Statistical analyses of the measurements are presented in the form of peak amplitude probability distributions, pulse duration distributions, and interarrival time distributions. Simple first-order mathematical models for these statistical characterizations are also presented. These analyses indicate that photocopiers, printers (both line printers and cash register receipt printers), elevators, and microwave ovens are significant sources of impulse noise in office and retail environments. >
Sharpening the Eye of the OSCE with Critical Action Analysis

Purpose When interpreting performance scores on an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE), are all checklist items created equal? Although assigning priority through checklist item weighting is often used to emphasize the clinical importance of selected checklist items, the authors propose the use of critical action analysis as an additional method for analyzing and discriminating clinical performance in clinical skill assessment exercises. A critical action is defined as an OSCE checklist item whose performance is critical to ensure an optimal patient outcome and avoid medical error. In this study, the authors analyzed a set of clerkship OSCE performance outcome data and compared the results of critical action analysis versus traditional checklist item performance scores. Method OSCE performance scores of 398 third-year clerkship students from 2003 to 2006 at the University of Virginia School of Medicine were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a logistic regression model. Through a consensus process, 10 of 25 OSCE cases were identified as containing critical actions. Results Students who scored above the median correctly performed the critical actions more often than those scoring lower. However, for 9 of 10 cases, 6% to 46% of higher-scoring students failed to perform the critical action correctly. Conclusions Failure to address this skill assessment outcome is a missed opportunity to more fully understand and apply the results of such examinations to the clinical performance development of medical students. Including critical action analysis in OSCE data interpretation sharpens the eye of the OSCE and enhances its value in clinical skill assessment.
Metformin and Cancer Occurrence in Insulin-Treated Type 2 Diabetic Patients

OBJECTIVE Metformin is associated with reduced cancer-related morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of metformin on cancer incidence in a consecutive series of insulin-treated patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A nested case-control study was performed in a cohort of 1,340 patients by sampling, for each case subject, age-, sex-, and BMI-matched control subjects from the same cohort. RESULTS During a median follow-up of 75.9 months, 112 case patients who developed incident cancer and were compared with 370 control subjects. A significantly lower proportion of case subjects were exposed to metformin and sulfonylureas. After adjustment for comorbidity, glargine, and total insulin doses, exposure to metformin, but not to sulfonylureas, was associated with reduced incidence of cancer (odds ratio 0.46 [95% CI 0.25–0.85], P = 0.014 and 0.75 [0.39–1.45], P = 0.40, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The reduction of cancer risk could be a further relevant reason for maintaining use of metformin in insulin-treated patients.
A 1 A, Dual-Inductor 4-Output Buck Converter With 20 MHz/100 MHz Dual-Frequency Switching and Integrated Output Filters in 65 nm CMOS

The dual-frequency dual-inductor multiple-output (DF-DIMO) buck converter topology is presented. The topology employs a dual-phase 20 MHz current-mode-controlled input stage to reduce the inductance required per phase to only 200 nH, and a 4-output 100 MHz comparator-controlled fully integrated output stage to reduce the capacitance required per output to 10 nF. In order to enable each output to handle up to 250 mA load with less than 40 mV voltage ripple, a third-order bond-wire-based notch filter is employed at each output for voltage ripple suppression. Additionally, the proposed design employs dynamic output re-ordering to enhance cross-regulation performance, interleaved pulse-skipping to enhance light-load efficiency and dynamic performance, and high-gain error amplifier in the output feedback loop to enhance DC load regulation. Targeting multi-core DSPs, the proposed design is implemented in standard 65 nm CMOS technology with 1.8 V input, and outputs in the range of 0.6- 1.2 V with a total load of 1 A. It achieves a peak efficiency of 74%, less than 40 mV output voltage ripple, 0.5 V/70 ns dynamic voltage scaling (DVS), and settling time of less than 85 ns for 125 mA load steps; all with no observable cross-regulation transients.
A novel multi-carrier scheme: Cyclic block filtered multitone modulation

A novel filter bank modulation scheme is proposed. This architecture is based on the Filtered Multitone (FMT) modulation concept where well frequency confined prototype pulses are deployed. However, in the proposed scheme linear convolutions are replaced by circular convolutions. We refer to this new scheme as Cyclic Block Filtered Multitone Modulation (CB-FMT). Both the synthesis and the analysis filter banks in CB-FMT can be efficiently implemented in the frequency domain via the concatenation of Fast Fourier Transforms (FFTs). Furthermore, it is possible to design the prototype pulse so that the system is orthogonal and it does not experience any inter-symbol and inter-carrier interference in ideal conditions. To cope with the interference introduced by a frequency selective fading medium, simple frequency domain equalization can be used. Numerical results show that CB-FMT can provide better performance than FMT and OFDM in frequency selective fading with comparable or lower complexity.
Ross, Macdonald, and a Theory for the Dynamics and Control of Mosquito-Transmitted Pathogens

Ronald Ross and George Macdonald are credited with developing a mathematical model of mosquito-borne pathogen transmission. A systematic historical review suggests that several mathematicians and scientists contributed to development of the Ross-Macdonald model over a period of 70 years. Ross developed two different mathematical models, Macdonald a third, and various “Ross-Macdonald” mathematical models exist. Ross-Macdonald models are best defined by a consensus set of assumptions. The mathematical model is just one part of a theory for the dynamics and control of mosquito-transmitted pathogens that also includes epidemiological and entomological concepts and metrics for measuring transmission. All the basic elements of the theory had fallen into place by the end of the Global Malaria Eradication Programme (GMEP, 1955–1969) with the concept of vectorial capacity, methods for measuring key components of transmission by mosquitoes, and a quantitative theory of vector control. The Ross-Macdonald theory has since played a central role in development of research on mosquito-borne pathogen transmission and the development of strategies for mosquito-borne disease prevention.
Analysis of pilots for residual frequency offset estimation in MIMO OFDM systems

This paper analyses the estimation of residual frequency offset in MIMO OFDM systems using pilot subcarriers embedded in the data payload. A closed-form expression for the MSE is derived and it shows how the frequency and spatial correlation influence performance. It is also shown that an orthogonal design ensures robust performance, which is independent of the frequency correlation of the channel.
Terpenoid metabolism.

The terpenoids constitute the largest family of natural products; over 22,000 individual compounds of this class have been described (Connolly and Hill, 1991), and the number of defined structures has doubled every decade since the 1970s (Devon and Scott, 1972; Glasby, 1982). The terpenoids play diverse functional roles in plants as hormones (gibberellins, abscisic acid), photosynthetic pigments (phytol, carotenoids), electron carriers (u biquinone, plastoquinone), mediators of polysaccharide assembly (polyprenyl phosphates), and structural components of membranes (phytosterols). In addition to these universal physiological, metabolic, and structural functions, many specific terpenoid compounds (commonly in the CIO, C15, and C20 families) serve in communication and defense, for example, as attractants for pollinators and seed dispersers, competitive phytoxins, antibiotics, and herbivore repellents and toxins (Harborne, 1991). Terpenoids available in relatively large amounts as essential oils, resins, and waxes are important renewable resources and provide a range of commercially useful products, including solvents, flavorings and fragrances, adhesives, coatings, and synthetic intermediates (Zinkel and Russell, 1989; Dawson, 1994). Members of the terpenoid group also include industrially useful polymers (rubber, chicle) and a number of pharmaceuticals (artemisinin, taxol) and agrochemicals (pyrethrins, azadirachtin). In spite of the economic significance of the terpenoids and their many essential functions, relatively little is known about terpenoid metabolism and its regulation in plants. There are severa1 reasons for this. An overwhelming problem with the terpenoids is their sheer number. A given plant may synthesize (and catabolize) many different terpenoid types (from C5 to C40 and higher) at different times and locations for many different purposes throughout the course of development. Because all terpenoids are produced by a common biosynthetic pathway, sophisticated control mechanisms must exist to ensure the production of appropriate levels of these often structurally complex compounds in the proper metabolic, developmental, and environmental context. Pathway elucidation for highly functionalized terpenoid metabolites is not trivial, and determining the enzymology of terpenoid metabolism has proven very challenging, both because relatively little enzymatic machinery is dedicated to terpenoid metabolism and because many of the reaction types involved (carbonium ion
Propofol Inhibits the Activation of p38 through Up-Regulating the Expression of Annexin A1 to Exert Its Anti-Inflammation Effect

Inflammatory response is a kind of nonspecific immune response, with the central link of vascular response, which is mainly manifested by changes in neutrophils and vascular endothelial cells. In recent years, the in vivo and in vitro role of intravenous anesthetic propofol in inhibiting inflammatory response has been attracting more and more attention, but the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of propofol for mononuclear cells still remain undefined. In this study, proteomics analysis was applied to investigate protein expression profile changes in serum mononuclear cells following intervention of rats with endotoxemia using propofol. After two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometric identification, it has been found that the protein Annexin A1 was up-regulated in the propofol intervention group. Annexin A1 is a glucocorticoid-dependent anti-inflammatory protein. After detection using ELISA and Western blot assays, it has also been found that propofol can not only promote the expression of Annexin A1, but also inhibit the phosphorylation level of p38 and release of inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) in rats with endotoxemia. In order to further determine the role of up-regulated expression of Annexin A1 in anti-inflammation of propofol, this gene was silenced in vitro in human THP-1 cells, to detect the phosphorylation status of p38 and release of inflammatory factors. The results show that Annexin A1 can negatively regulate phosphorylation of p38 and release of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in THP-1 cells following propofol intervention and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Our results clearly indicate that propofol can up-regulate Annexin A1 to inhibit the phosphorylation level of p38 and release of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α, so as to inhibit inflammatory response. Therefore, it can be speculated that Annexin A1 might be the key signaling protein in the in vivo and in vitro anti-inflammatory mechanisms of propofol.
Robotic wheeled vehicle ripple tentacles motion planning method

This paper describes a nonholonomic robotic wheeled vehicle ripple tentacle motion planning method, aiming to improve the vehicle's trajectory smoothness and avoid frequent weight parameters adjustment in different environments. In the regular tentacle motion planning algorithm, the planning result is selected among the drivable tentacles using a weighted sum cost function. Though the method is simple and easy to understand, it is difficult to adjust the weighted coefficients in different environments. To solve this problem, a geometrical ripple tentacles technique is used to choose a tentacle as a sub-optimal path. Compared with the regular tentacles algorithm, the proposed ripple tentacle algorithm can get a better performance in vehicle's trajectory smoothness with an acceptable runtime expense. And another two traits can also distinguish this method: (a) it can avoid weight parameter adjustment in different environments and varied vehicle's states, and (b) it can be used in both unknown environment and partly known environment with goal point and global reference path. In the totally unknown environment, it acts as a pure obstacle avoidance algorithm, and when there is a global path, it can follow the reference path and avoid hazards simultaneously.
Insect cardioactive peptides in Manduca sexta: a comparison of the biochemical and molecular characteristics of cardioactive peptides in larvae and adults.

The role of neurally derived peptides affecting insect visceral muscle has been explored by many investigators over the past thirty years (e.g. Raabe, 1982; Miller, 1985; Huddart, 1985). One set of myoactive neuropeptides that have been well characterized physiologically is the cardioacceleratory peptides (CAPs) found in the tobacco hawkmoth Manduca sexta. The CAPs act as cardioregulatory neurohormones in the adult moth, increasing heart rate during wing inflation (Tublitz and Truman, \9%5a,b\ Tublitz and Evans, 1986) and flight (Tublitz, 1989). In addition to their involvement in adult behaviour, one of the CAPs, CAP2, has been implicated in the modulation of the embryonic hindgut in Manduca sexta. Broadie et al. (1990) demonstrated that CAP2 is released in the latter half of embryonic development to aid in the digestion of extra-embryonic yolk by stimulating frequency of gut contractures. This interpretation was supported by quantitative immunocytochemical studies using an anti-CAP monoclonal antibody to identify a group of central nervous system (CNS) neurones that were CAPimmunoreactive (Broadie et al. 1990). The distribution of CAP-immunopositive neurones in the CNS of fifth-instar Manduca sexta caterpillars is identical to that described in embryos (Tublitz and Sylwester, 1988, 1990). This observation, coupled with a previous report suggesting the presence in Manduca sexta larvae of a cardioactive peptide factor with
Recent advances in optic neuritis related to multiple sclerosis

More advanced methods of detecting and quantifying optic neuritis (ON) in multiple sclerosis have been developed in the past 15 years. This review focuses on developments in optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurement of the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) and its role in monitoring axonal loss in the course of the disease. New clinical trial methods of measuring visual acuity (VA) include high‐contrast VA testing with Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study charts, low‐contrast letter acuity and contrast sensitivity testing. Multi‐focal visual evoked potentials have been used to detect early, subtle visual impairment in ON and early recovery of visual function. New technical developments in OCT may help advance our knowledge in studying the relationship between optic nerve/retinal atrophy and brain atrophy in clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis, secondary progressive multiple sclerosis and primary progressive multiple sclerosis. The treatment of CIS patients is still debatable.
Potential effects of CRM1 inhibition in mantle cell lymphoma

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive histotype of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The disease has no known cure, which prompts the urgent need for novel therapeutic agents. Chromosomal region maintenance 1 (CRM1) may play a role in human neoplasia and serve as a novel target of cancer treatment. This study summarizes MCL pathogenesis and determines the involvement of CRM1 in the regulation of several vital signaling pathways contributing to MCL pathogenesis, including the pathways of cell cycle progression, DNA damage response, phosphoinositide kinase-3, nuclear factor-κB activation, and chromosomal stability. A preclinical study is also presented to compare the CRM1 status in MCL cell lines and primary MCL cells with normal B cells, as well as the therapeutic efficiency of CRM1 inhibition in MCL in vitro and in vivo, which make these agents potential targets of novel MCL treatments.
Linear transforms in automatic speech recognition: estimation procedures and integration of diverse acoustic data

Linear transforms have been used extensively for both training and adaptation of Hidden Markov Model (HMM) based automatic speech recognition (ASR) systems. Two important applications of linear transforms in acoustic modeling are the decorrelation of the feature vector and the constrained adaptation of the acoustic models to the speaker, the channel, and the task. Our focus in the first part of this talk is the development of training methods based on the Maximum Mutual Information (MMI) and the Maximum A Posteriori (MAP) criterion that estimate the parameters of the linear transforms. We integrate the discriminative linear transforms into the MMI estimation of the HMM parameters in an attempt to capture the correlation between the feature vector components. The transforms obtained under the MMI criterion are termed Discriminative Likelihood Linear Transforms (DLLT). Experimental results show that DLLT provides a discriminative estimation framework for feature normalization in HMM training for large vocabulary continuous speech recognition tasks that outperforms its Maximum Likelihood counterpart. Then, we propose a structural MAP estimation framework for feature-space transforms. Specifically, we formulate, based on MAP estimation, a Bayesian counterpart of the Maximum Likelihood Linear Transforms (MLLT). Prior density estimation issues are addressed by the use of a hierarchial tree structure in the transform parameter space. In the second part we investigate the use of heterogeneous data sources for acoustic training. We propose an acoustic normalization procedure for enlarging an ASR acoustic training set with out-of-domain acoustic data. The approach is an application of model-based acoustic normalization techniques to map the out-of-domain feature space onto the in-domain data. A larger in-domain training set is created by effectively transforming the out-of-domain data before incorporation in training. We put the cross-corpus normalization procedure into practice by investigating the use of diverse Mandarin speech corpora for building a Mandarin Conversational Telephone Speech ASR system. Performance is measured by improvements on the in-domain test set.
Prospects for Universal Influenza Virus Vaccine

The current vaccination strategy against influenza A and B viruses is vulnerable to the unanticipated emergence of epidemic strains that are poorly matched by the vaccine. A vaccine that is less sensitive to the antigenic evolution of the virus would be a major improvement. The general feasibility of this goal is supported by studies in animal models that show that immunologic activities directed against relatively invariant viral determinants can reduce illness and death. The most promising approaches are based on antibodies specific for the relatively conserved ectodomain of matrix protein 2 and the intersubunit region of hemagglutinin. However, additional conserved determinants for protective antibodies are likely to exist, and their identification should be encouraged. Most importantly, infection and current vaccines do not appear to effectively induce these antibodies in humans. This finding provides a powerful rationale for testing the protective activity of these relatively conserved viral components in humans.