Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Affordable zero emission housing: through life cost-benefit analysis to identify policy pathways for residential new-build in Melbourne, Australia

From an energy efficiency perspective, recent housing policy in Australia has focused on setting minimum energy standards in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Internationally, the UK and the USA have implemented definite policy targets of zero emission new housing by 2020. In Australia, the current minimum housing standard is '5 stars', increasing to '6 stars' by mid 2011. This policy direction has been strongly debated, and there remains uncertainty over the reliability of presented cost benefit data. A lack of empirical evidence has impeded the debate; particularly a lack of evidence on the through life costs and benefits of net zero and low emission housing options to private households and the costs and benefits of renewable energy technologies. This paper seeks to inform the present knowledge gap by applying cost benefit methods. AccuRate thermal simulation house modelling and lifecycle costing are applied to explore the costs and benefits across 50 year and 100 year time-horizons for net zero emission new house scenarios in Melbourne, Australia. Results show that net zero emission housing is economically viable at these time-horizons, with accumulated economic savings of a magnitude of 78% compared to a business as usual scenario over 50 years, with a 100% reduction of net energy emissions. Potential policy and regulatory pathways through which to achieve zero emission residential new-build based upon this empirical research are identified. This research provides empirical evidence to support stronger energy efficient housing standards and has significant implications for the future direction of housing standards in Australia. It argues that current housing standards policy is too narrow in focus, and that renewable energy aspects are presently overlooked.
Neural networks and AdaBoost algorithm based ensemble models for enhanced forecasting of nonlinear time series

In this paper an optimized AdaBoost Regression and Threshold (AdaBoostRT) algorithm based on feed-forward neural networks is evaluated. The AdaBoostRT algorithm is used to combine an ensemble of feed-forward neural networks trained by using backpropagation algorithm (FFN-BP). The ensemble model is validated by using two typical time-series data, namely Chua's circuit and CATS benchmark data. The performance of the ensemble models is shown to outperform several existing approaches.
Note on the Smallest Root of the Independence Polynomial

One can define the independence polynomial of a graph G as follows. Let ik(G) denote the number of independent sets of size k of G, where i0(G)=1. Then the independence polynomial of G is I(G,x)=∑k=0n(−1)kik(G)xk. In this paper we give a new proof of the fact that the root of I(G,x) having the smallest modulus is unique and is real.
Uric Acid Induces Renal Inflammation via Activating Tubular NF-κB Signaling Pathway

Inflammation is a pathologic feature of hyperuricemia in clinical settings. However, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Here, infiltration of T cells and macrophages were significantly increased in hyperuricemia mice kidneys. This infiltration of inflammatory cells was accompanied by an up-regulation of TNF-α, MCP-1 and RANTES expression. Further, infiltration was largely located in tubular interstitial spaces, suggesting a role for tubular cells in hyperuricemia-induced inflammation. In cultured tubular epithelial cells (NRK-52E), uric acid, probably transported via urate transporter, induced TNF-α, MCP-1 and RANTES mRNA as well as RANTES protein expression. Culture media of NRK-52E cells incubated with uric acid showed a chemo-attractive ability to recruit macrophage. Moreover uric acid activated NF-κB signaling. The uric acid-induced up-regulation of RANTES was blocked by SN 50, a specific NF-κB inhibitor. Activation of NF-κB signaling was also observed in tubule of hyperuricemia mice. These results suggest that uric acid induces renal inflammation via activation of NF-κB signaling.
Information Technology and the U.S. Productivity Revival: What Do the Industry Data Say?

This paper examines the link between information technology (IT) and the U.S. productivity revival in the late 1990s. Industry-level data show a broad productivity resurgence that reflects both the production and the use of IT. The most IT-intensive industries experienced significantly larger productivity gains than other industries and a wide variety of econometric tests show a strong correlation between IT capital accumulation and labor productivity. To quantify the aggregate impact of IT-use and IT-production, a novel decomposition of aggregate labor productivity is presented. Results show that virtually all of the aggregate productivity acceleration can be traced to the industries that either produce IT or use IT most intensively, with essentially no contribution from the remaining industries that are less involved in the IT revolution.
A Study on Radio Interference Estimation Method for Wireless Relay Network Link Scheduling

In time division multiple access (TDMA) based wireless networks, graph coloring based link scheduling mechanisms are often considered to assign time slots to links. A graph coloring based link scheduling mechanism requires a radio interference estimation method to make a conflict graph from a wireless network topology, and the protocol method is usually used among radio interference estimation methods. In this paper, we propose a radio interference estimation method for wireless relay networks, where the network topology is a tree. Through simulation experiments, we show that the accuracy of radio interference estimation with our proposed method is improved compared to that with the protocol method.
Stream Traffic Data Archival, Querying, and Analysis with TransDec

Transportation assume no liability for the contents or use thereof. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the State of California or the Department of Transportation. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. ABSTRACT The goal of research was to extend the traffic data analysis of the TransDec (short for Transportation Decision-Making) system, which was developed under METRANS 09-26 research grant. The TransDec system is a real-data driven system to support decision-making in transportation systems. With TransDec, so far we have addressed the challenges in visualization, querying and management of dynamic and large-scale spatiotemporal transportation data, in particular, traffic sensors data and moving assets data. † With this proposal, building on our experience in implementing TransDec, we extended our research and technology development efforts under three specific tasks. First, we developed new techniques to create a streaming data archival repository that supports continuous querying and analysis of the vast amount of California transit data from RIITS (Regional Integration of Intelligent Transportation Systems) generated in the form of data streams. Second, we extended the current data-tier of TransDec to a distributed design to enable more scalable and stable computing environment. Finally, to demonstrate the benefits of the archived traffic datasets, we presented a novel proof-of-concept application, namely time-dependent optimal sequenced route (TD-OSR) planner using congestion prediction. This application exploits a subset of the real-world RIITS datasets, and these days we evaluating the ways to make it available for public use.
An MMAS-GA for resource allocation in multi-cloud systems

Delivering computing resources from multiple cloud providers to satisfy the users' needs, known as multi-cloud, gives the possibility for cloud consumers to get access to a wide variety of performing resources with competing costs. The main challenge of this infrastructure is the providers' systems interoperability. In this paper, cloud broker architecture is proposed, which aims on finding a providers coalition to satisfy a user's request with the minimal execution time and cost. The request is a set of independent tasks where no communication is considered. To solve this problem, a Max-Min Ant system (MMAS) and a Genetic Algorithm (GA) were developed as well as their hybrid, and a comparative study was established.
Neurswing: an intelligent workbench for the investigation of swing in jazz

Neurswing is an intelligent system to investigate swing in jazz by simulating the operation of a rhythm section. From an input consisting of the harmonic grid of a standard time, it constructs a network representing musical data. At runtime the system generates and plays the music of piano, bass, and drums in real time. The user can control the performing style of the rhythm section by setting input parameters of a second, separate and asynchronous, net, which manipulates the probability of some choices. The system can simulate most aspects of a performing jazz rhythm section. It substitutes chords, bass lines, and drum licks, and has been used by practising improvisers as a didactic tool. The rules for substitution as well as the stylistic net are external to the basic system and can be configured and altered at will, allowing the user to treat the system as a workbench for experiments in the synthesis and analysis of swing. <<ETX>>
Board Structure and Executive Pay: Evidence from the UK

We examine the impact of board structure on executive pay for 1,880 UK public firms over the period 1983--2002, using panel data analysis. First, the proportion of non-executive directors tends to decrease the rate of increase in executive pay whereas board size tends to increase it. Second, the proportion of non-executives strengthens the relation between the rate of increase in executive pay and changes in performance. In particular, although for firms in general the pay--performance link is much weaker when performance is poor, a higher proportion of non-executives strengthens this link considerably. Finally, firms that increase the number of non-executives in order to comply with the Cadbury Code of 1992, experience both a decline in the rate of increase in executive pay and an increase in pay--performance sensitivity. Copyright The Author 2009. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Cambridge Political Economy Society. All rights reserved. , Oxford University Press.
Perceptual Global Illumination Cancellation in Complex Projection Environments

The unintentional scattering of light between neighboring surfaces in complex projection environments increases the brightness and decreases the contrast, disrupting the appearance of the desired imagery. To achieve satisfactory projection results, the inverse problem of global illumination must be solved to cancel this secondary scattering. In this paper, we propose a global illumination cancellation method that minimizes the perceptual difference between the desired imagery and the actual total illumination in the resulting physical environment. Using Gauss‐Newton and active set methods, we design a fast solver for the bound constrained nonlinear least squares problem raised by the perceptual error metrics. Our solver is further accelerated with a CUDA implementation and multi‐resolution method to achieve 1–2 fps for problems with approximately 3000 variables. We demonstrate the global illumination cancellation algorithm with our multi‐projector system. Results show that our method preserves the color fidelity of the desired imagery significantly better than previous methods.
Specification-based regression test selection with risk analysis

Regression testing is essential to ensure software quality. The test team applies a regression test suite to ensure that new or modified features do not regress (make worse) existing features. Although existing research has addressed many problems and put forward solutions, most regression test techniques are code-based. Code-based regression test selection is good for unit testing, but it has a scalability problem. When the size of the subject under test grows, it becomes hard to manage all the information and to create corresponding traceability matrices. In this paper, we describe a specification-based method for regression test selection.The basic model we use for describing requirements based on customer features or behaviors is the activity diagram, which is a notation of the Unified Modeling Language (UML). A process for identifying the affected test cases is presented. To summarize our approach, we select two kinds of regression tests: i) Targeted Tests, which ensure that important current customer features are still supported adequately in the new release and ii) Safety Tests, which are risk-directed, and ensure that potential problem areas are properly handled. Our test selection technique will be based on a practical risk analysis model.
A new wavelet thresholding method for speech enhancement based on symmetric Kullback-Leibler divergence

Performance of wavelet thresholding methods for speech enhancement is dependent on estimating an exact threshold value in the wavelet sub-bands. In this paper, we propose a new method for more exact estimating the threshold value. We proposed to determine the threshold value based on the symmetric Kullback-Leibler divergence between the probability distributions of noisy speech and noise wavelet coefficients. In the next step, we improved this value using segmental SNR. We used some of TIMIT utterances to assess the performance of the proposed threshold. The algorithm is evaluated using the PESQ score and the SNR improvement. In average, we obtain 2db SNR improvement and a PESQ score increase up to 0.7 in comparison to the conventional wavelet thresholding approaches.
CAVEATS OF THE CLASSIC MODEL OF AMYLOPLAST SEDIMENTATION : EXPERIMENTAL OBSERVATIONS

The Harvard community has made this article openly available. Please share how this access benefits you. Your story matters. In this short review we focus on the role of noise in gravitropism of plants – the reorientation of plants according to the direction of gravity. We briefly introduce the conventional picture of static gravisensing in cells specialized in sensing. This model hinges on the sedimentation of statoliths (high in density and mass relative to other organelles) to the lowest part of the sensing cell. We then present experimental observations that cannot currently be understood within this framework. Lastly we introduce some current alternative models and directions that attempt to incorporate and interpret these experimental observations, including: (i) dynamic sensing, where gravisensing is suggested to be enhanced by stochastic events due to thermal and mechanical noise. These events both effectively lower the threshold of response, and lead to small-distance sedimentation, allowing amplification, and integration of the signal. (ii) The role of the cytoskeleton in signal-to-noise modulation and (iii) in signal transduction. In closing, we discuss directions that seem to either not have been explored, or that are still poorly understood.
Measurement of Nitrous Acid in Motor Vehicle Exhaust

Nitrous acid (HONO) is an important tropospheric air pollutant. Photolysis of HONO produces hydroxyl radicals that promote ozone formation. HONO may also adversely affect human health. Sources of HONO include both direct emission from combustion processes and secondary atmospheric formation from nitrogen oxides (NOx). The relative contribution of these sources to ambient HONO concentrations is not well known. In this study, HONO and NOx emissions from on-road vehicles were measured at the Caldecott Tunnel during summer 1995. The Caldecott Tunnel is located on a heavily used highway in the San Francisco Bay area. The mean and median model years of vehicles observed during this study were 1989.3 and 1990, respectively. Nitrous acid was collected on sodium carbonate-coated glass annular denuders; NOx concentrations were measured using chemiluminescent analyzers. Average HONO concentrations in the tunnel exhaust and background air were 6.9 ( 1.4 and 0.7 ( 0.3 ppb, respectively. The average HONO/NOx ratio in motor vehicle exhaust was (2.9 ( 0.5) × 10-3. The HONO/NOx ratio in vehicle exhaust measured at the Caldecott Tunnel was higher than that reported previously for wellmaintained, catalyst-equipped vehicles, but was lower than that for older vehicles with limited emission controls. Nighttime ambient HONO/NOx ratios are typically much larger than the HONO/NOx ratio measured at the Caldecott Tunnel, which suggests that ambient HONO concentrations are governed mainly by secondary formation.
Receptor complexes for each of the Class 3 Semaphorins

The Class 3 Semaphorins (Sema3s) are a sub-family of proteins whose known biological roles are varied and growing. The mechanism of action of the Sema3s requires binding to transmembrane receptors that comprise heteromeric complexes of Neuropilins, Plexins and cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). However, knowledge of the receptor components of the Sema3s remains incomplete, and there may be receptor components which are as yet undiscovered. The receptor complexes of the Sema3s share receptor components with each other, and it is the specific combination of these components within a heteromeric complex that is thought to give rise to selective binding and signalling for individual Sema3s. This crosstalk makes it experimentally difficult to define a single holoreceptor for each Sema3. Furthermore, the receptor composition for a given Sema3 may differ between cell types, and change as a function of developmental state or pathological situation. Nevertheless, there are at least some known differences in the constitutive structure of the receptors for the Sema3s. For example in neural cells, Sema3a and Sema3f signal through different Neuropilins (Nrp1 and Nrp2 respectively) and L1cam only appears important for Sema3a signaling, while Nrcam forms a complex with Nrp2. Further complexity arises from crosstalk of other families of ligands (e.g., VEGF) with Sema3 receptor components. Thus the Sema3s, which have been shown as antagonists for each other, can also act as antagonists for other families of molecules. This review compiles experimental evidence describing the receptor components for the Sema3s, detailing the current state of knowledge of which components are important for signaling of each Sema3 before going on to consider possible future directions for the field.
Simultaneous lidar observations of temperatures and waves in the polar middle atmosphere on the east and west side of the Scandinavian mountains: a case study on 19/20 January 2003

Abstract. Atmospheric gravity waves have been the subject of intense research for several decades because of their extensive effects on the atmospheric circulation and the temperature structure. The U. Bonn lidar at the Esrange and the ALOMAR RMR lidar at the Andoya Rocket Range are located in northern Scandinavia 250 km apart on the east and west side of the Scandinavian mountain ridge. During January and February 2003 both lidar systems conducted measurements and retrieved atmospheric temperatures. On 19/20 January 2003 simultaneous measurements for more than 7 h were possible. Although during most of the campaign time the atmosphere was not transparent for the propagation of orographically induced gravity waves, they were nevertheless observed at both lidar stations with considerable amplitudes during these simultaneous measurements. And while the source of the observed waves cannot be determined unambiguously, the observations show many characteristics of orographically excited gravity waves. The wave patterns at ALOMAR show a random distribution with time whereas at the Esrange a persistency in the wave patterns is observable. This persistency can also be found in the distribution of the most powerful vertical wavelengths. The mode values are both at about 5 km vertical wavelength, however the distributions are quite different, narrow at the Esrange with values from λ z =2–6 km and broad at ALOMAR, covering λ z =1–12 km vertical wavelength. In particular the difference between the observations at ALOMAR and at the Esrange can be understood by different orographic conditions while the propagation conditions were quite similar. At both stations the waves deposit energy in the atmosphere with increasing altitude, which leads to a decrease of the observed gravity wave potential energy density with altitude. The meteorological situation during these measurements was different from common winter situations. The ground winds were mostly northerlies, changed in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere to westerlies and returned to northerlies in the middle stratosphere.
Adaptive bit rate variable cost-effective optical networks

Today's optical networks rely on cost effective optical transmission for high capacity combined with long reach. Optical transmission systems, have historically relied on efficient multiplexing and efficient data modulation for spectral efficiency. Such systems are expected to reuse the existing infrastructure when upgrading into higher capacity systems, while complying with the constraints imposed by typical functionalities of next generation all-optical networks. The latter typically implies that bit rate variable and adaptive technologies should be in place. This paper will study bit rate variable adaptive optical and electronic network technologies that enable transmission of high capacity channels with low complexity and cost.
Exploiting Single-Threaded Model in Multi-Core Systems

The widely adopted single-threaded OLTP model assigns a single thread to each static partition of the database for processing transactions in a partition. This simplifies concurrency control while retaining parallelism. However, it suffers performance loss arising from skewed workloads as well as transactions that span multiple partitions. In this paper, we present a dynamic single-threaded inmemory OLTP system, called LADS, that extends the simplicity of the single-threaded model. The key innovation in LADS is the separation of dependency resolution and execution into two nonoverlapping phases for batches of transactions. After the first phase of dependency resolution, the record actions of the transactions are partitioned and ordered. Each independent partition is then executed sequentially by a single thread, avoiding the need for locking. By careful mapping of the tasks to be performed to threads, LADS is able to achieve a high degree of balanced parallelism. We evaluate LADS against H-Store, a partition-based database; DORA, a data-oriented transaction processing system; and Silo, a multicore in-memory OLTP engine. The experimental study shows that LADS achieves up to 20× higher throughput than existing systems and exhibits better robustness with various workloads.