Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
COMP 9243 — Week 8 b ( 17 s 1 )

In a distributed file system (DFS), multiple clients share files provided by a shared file system. In the DFS paradigm communication between processes is done using these shared files. Although this is similar to the DSM and distributed object paradigms (in that communication is abstracted by shared resources) a major difference between these paradigms and the DFS paradigm is that the resources (files) in DFS are much longer lived. This makes it, for example, much easier to provide asynchronous and persistent communication using shared files than using DSM or distributed objects. The basic model provided by distributed file systems is that of clients accessing files and directories that are provided by one or more file servers. A file server provides a client with a file service interface and a view of the file system. Note that the view provided to different clients by the same server may be different, for example, if clients only see files that they are authorised to access. Access to files is achieved by clients performing operations from the file service interface (such as create, delete, read, write, etc.) on a file server. Depending on the implementation the operations may be executed by the servers on the actual files, or by the client on local copies of the file. We will return to this issue later. The key challenges of distributed systems apply to DFS as follows:
Effect of Borneol on the Distribution of Danshensu to the Eye in Rabbit via Oral Administration

Purpose: Both borneol and danshensu are bioactive substances derived from traditional Chinese medicine. In this paper, the effect of borneol on the distribution of danshensu to the eyes in rabbits via oral administration was investigated. Methods: The rabbits were injected danshensu (1.0 g/kg) into the auris dextra vein 15 min after intragastric administration of borneol and the danshensu concentrations in plasma, aqueous humor, and vitreous humor were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Draize test was used to examine the eye irritation. Results: Compared with the administration of danshensu alone, danshensu concentrations co-administrated with borneol in plasma were between 60.99 and 722.90 μg/ml. Peak times (Tmax) in both groups appeared at 0 min; however, compared with the control group, the values were not statistically significant although they differ (P > 0.05). The concentrations of danshensu in aqueous humor and vitreous humor in test group are higher than that in control group. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Tmax in both groups appeared at 25 min. Neither irritation nor inflammatory reaction was found during the examinations. Conclusion: The results suggest that the promoting effect of borneol on the permeability of drugs through the blood–ocular barrier in vivo is obvious, which indicates that borneol has the potential to be used as an ocular penetration enhancer.
COLOR: CROSS CULTURAL MARKETING PERSPECTVES AS TO WHAT GOVERNS OUR RESPONSE TO IT.

advertisers and graphic artists agree that the effects of color on the consumer certainly can help facilitate the exchange process. Studies have shown how color can grab and retain attention, can stimulate emotional responses, can affect an individual's perception, can form attitudes, and improve learning and persuasiveness. Color is influential at every level of the marketplace, from brand logo, image, signage, display, packaging, and even the product itself. Color exercises very strong effects plus induces reactions in individuals based on both instincts and associations. This paper will review research and literature on the psychological and socio-cultural association and meaning of color in a cross cultural context. It will present evidence that people of various cultures and/or geographic areas possess disparate perceptions and response to color which will support research demonstrating that our response to color is both physiological and learned.
Rubik: Fast analytical power management for latency-critical systems

Latency-critical workloads (e.g., web search), common in datacenters, require stable tail (e.g., 95th percentile) latencies of a few milliseconds. Servers running these workloads are kept lightly loaded to meet these stringent latency targets. This low utilization wastes billions of dollars in energy and equipment annually. Applying dynamic power management to latency-critical workloads is challenging. The fundamental issue is coping with their inherent short-term variability: requests arrive at unpredictable times and have variable lengths. Without knowledge of the future, prior techniques either adapt slowly and conservatively or rely on application-specific heuristics to maintain tail latency. We propose Rubik, a fine-grain DVFS scheme for latency-critical workloads. Rubik copes with variability through a novel, general, and efficient statistical performance model. This model allows Rubik to adjust frequencies at sub-millisecond granularity to save power while meeting the target tail latency. Rubik saves up to 66% of core power, widely outperforms prior techniques, and requires no application-specific tuning. Beyond saving core power, Rubik robustly adapts to sudden changes in load and system performance. We use this capability to design RubikColoc, a co-location scheme that uses Rubik to allow batch and latency-critical work to share hardware resources more aggressively than prior techniques. RubikColoc reduces data-center power by up to 31% while using 41% fewer servers than a datacenter that segregates latency-critical and batch work, and achieves 100% core utilization.
15.5 A 0.6V 1.17ps PVT-tolerant and synthesizable time-to-digital converter using stochastic phase interpolation with 16× spatial redundancy in 14nm FinFET technology

A time-to-digital converter (TDC) is a key element for the digitization of timing information in modern mixed-signal circuits such as digital PLLs, DLLs, ADCs, and on-chip jitter-monitoring circuits. To build high-resolution TDCs, many researchers have focused on minimizing the unit delay of quantization. Vernier delay-line-based TDCs are a good example. Their performance, however, is limited by delay variation and random mismatch among delay cells, unless additional error correction or external control are applied. A time-domain successive-approximation scheme could be an option to achieve high resolution but it consumes too much power and area to generate precisely tuned delay cells. In another case, time-amplifier-based multi-step TDCs that can alleviate the requirement on the minimum unit delay of the quantization by time-difference amplification, may be an attractive option. However these tend to be power-hungry or to require additional calibration circuitries due to the inaccuracy and PVT vulnerability of the time amplifier or time register. In this paper, we present a simple, low-power, and PVT-variation-tolerant TDC architecture without any calibration, using stochastic phase interpolation and 16× spatial redundancy.
Evolutionary Methods for Learning Bayesian Network Structures

Bayesian networks (BN) are a family of probabilistic graphical models representing a joint distribution for a set of random variables. Conditional dependencies between these variables are symbolized by a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG). Two classical approaches are often encountered when automaticaly determining an appropriate graphical structure from a database of cases,. The first one consists in the detection of (in)dependencies between the variables (Spirtes et al., 2001; Cheng et al., 2002). The second one uses a scoring metric (Chickering, 2002a). But neither the first nor the second are really satisfactory. The first one uses statistical tests which are not reliable enough when in presence of small datasets. If numerous variables are required, it is the computing time that highly increases. Even if score-based methods require relatively less computation, their disadvantage lies in that the searcher is often confronted with the presence of many local optima within the search space of candidate DAGs. Finally, in the case of the automatic determination of the appropriate graphical structure of a BN, it was shown that the search space is huge (Robinson, 1976) and that is a NP-hard problem (Chickering et al., 1994) for a scoring approach. In this field of research, evolutionary methods such as Genetic Algorithms – GAs (De Jong, 2006) have already been used in various forms (Larrañaga et al., 1996; Muruzábal & Cotta, 2004; Wong et al., 1999; Wong et al., 2002; Van Dijk et al., 2003b; Acid & De Campos, 2003). Among these works, two lines of research are interesting. The first idea is to effectively reduce the search space using the notion of equivalence class (Pearl, 1988). In (Van Dijk et al., 2003b) for example the authors have tried to implement a genetic algorithm over the partial directed acyclic graph space in hope to benefit from the resulting non-redundancy, without noticeable effect. Our idea is to take advantage both from the (relative) simplicity of the DAG space in terms of manipulation and fitness calculation and the unicity of the equivalence classes’ representations. One major difficulty when tackling the problem of structure learning with scoring methods — evolutionary methods included — is to avoid the premature convergence of the population to a local optimum. When using a genetic algorithm, local optima avoidance is often ensured by preserving some genetic diversity. However, the latter often leads to slow convergence and difficulties in tuning the GA's parameters. To overcome these problems, we designed a general genetic algorithm based upon dedicated operators: mutation, crossover but also a mutual information-driven repair O pe n A cc es s D at ab as e w w w . ite ch on lin e. co m
Gene Therapy with Endogenous Inhibitors of Angiogenesis for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Beyond Anti-VEGF Therapy

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of substantial and irreversible vision loss amongst elderly populations in industrialized countries. The advanced neovascular (or “wet”) form of the disease is responsible for severe and aggressive loss of central vision. Current treatments aim to seal off leaky blood vessels via laser therapy or to suppress vessel leakage and neovascular growth through intraocular injections of antibodies that target vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). However, the long-term success of anti-VEGF therapy can be hampered by limitations such as low or variable efficacy, high frequency of administration (usually monthly), potentially serious side effects, and, most importantly, loss of efficacy with prolonged treatment. Gene transfer of endogenous antiangiogenic proteins is an alternative approach that has the potential to provide long-term suppression of neovascularization and/or excessive vascular leakage in the eye. Preclinical studies of gene transfer in a large animal model have provided impressive preliminary results with a number of transgenes. In addition, a clinical trial in patients suffering from advanced neovascular AMD has provided proof-of-concept for successful gene transfer. In this mini review, we summarize current theories pertaining to the application of gene therapy for neovascular AMD and the potential benefits when used in conjunction with endogenous antiangiogenic proteins.
Assessment of Cognitive Components of Decision Making with Military Versions of the IGT and WCST

The U.S. Army is focused on improving leader decision making, yet little is known as to how military officers develop optimal decision making. Two key components of optimal decision making are reinforcement learning and cognitive flexibility. Thirty-four military officers completed military versions of two standard cognitive assessments, the Iowa Gambling Test and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Task, while their eye movements were tracked. Results indicated that the military versions of these tasks successfully provided objective assessments of reinforcement learning and cognitive flexibility. Preliminary analyses of eye movements provide insights into the subjects’ decision strategies. Training implications of the results are discussed.
The concreteness effect and the bilingual lexicon: The impact of visual stimuli attachment on meaning recall of abstract L2 words

According to the Dual-Coding Theory (Paivio & Desrochers, 1980), words that are associated with rich visual imagery are more easily learned than abstract words due to what is termed the concreteness effect (Altarriba & Bauer, 2004; de Groot, 1992, de Groot et al., 1994; ter Doest & Semin, 2005). The present study examined the effects of attaching visual imagery to abstract words through use of a meaning recall test. Eighty-seven American university students of first-year Spanish participated in the study. Participants were placed in either picture or non-picture groups and were given a treatment of 12 abstract and 12 concrete words. The treatment included three input phases lasting approximately 17 minutes. The posttest and delayed posttest involved a meaning recall test to measure receptive knowledge in which participants were supplied the L2 lexical item and asked to write the L1 translation. The results indicated that participants in the abstract picture group outperformed those in the abstract non-picture group on both posttest and delayed posttest; however, no such effect was found for concrete words. Findings suggest that meaning recall of abstract words can be facilitated by usage of metaphorical, emotive, or symbolic imagery.
Feasibility of providing computer activities for nursing home residents with dementia.

INTRODUCTION Nursing home residents with dementia need cognitively stimulating and enjoyable activities, and computer technology offers them a means of engaging in such activities. This study therefore examined the feasibility of providing a 12-week computer activity program (CAP) for nursing homes residents with dementia. METHODS Fourteen participants completed the CAP, and 462 observational logs of CAP sessions were analyzed. RESULTS On average, participants completed 33 sessions amounting to 936.5 minutes over 12 weeks. Participants with mild and moderate dementia preferred playing a cognitively challenging game such as solitaire, while those with severe dementia enjoyed watching slideshows with music. CONCLUSION The findings suggest that it is important to match computer activities to interests and cognitive ability in order to increase participation and satisfaction of NH residents with dementia.
Evidence for involvement of trans-acting factors in selection of the AUG start codon during eukaryotic translational initiation

The molecular mechanism with which an appropriate AUG codon is selected as the start site for translational initiation by eukaryotic ribosomes is not known. By using a cell-free translation system, small RNA molecules containing single AUG codons, surrounded by various nucleotide sequences, were tested for their abilities to interfere with the translation of a reporter mRNA. RNAs containing the AUG in an ACCAUGG context (Kozak consensus sequence) were able to inhibit translation of the reporter mRNA. In contrast, RNAs containing the AUG in a less favorable context for start site selection (for example, CAGAUGG) had no effect on the translation of the reporter mRNA. The effect mediated by the ACCAUGC-containing RNAs was not due to sequestration of ribosomal subunits or to particular structural features in these RNAs. To identify potential trans-acting factors that might be preferentially bound by ACCAUGG-containing RNAs, ACCAUGG- and CAGAUGC-containing RNAs with a single 4-thiouridine residue at the AUG were incubated with partially fractionated extracts, and AUG-binding proteins were identified after irradiation of the complexes with UV light and subsequent analysis by gel electrophoresis. The analysis (of such complexes in competition experiments revealed that proteins, approximately 50 and 100 kDa in size, were found to bind directly at the AUG codon embedded in the ACCAUGG motif. One of these proteins has been identified as the La autoantigen. These findings indicate that trans-acting factors may play a role in AUG start site selection during translational initiation.
The antiparallel loops in gal DNA

Interactions between proteins bound to distant sites along a DNA molecule require bending and twisting deformations in the intervening DNA. In certain systems, the sterically allowed protein–DNA and protein–protein interactions are hypothesized to produce loops with distinct geometries that may also be thermodynamically and biologically distinct. For example, theoretical models of Gal repressor/HU-mediated DNA-looping suggest that the antiparallel DNA loops, A1 and A2, are thermodynamically quite different. They are also biologically different, since in experiments using DNA molecules engineered to form only one of the two loops, the A2 loop failed to repress in vitro transcription. Surprisingly, single molecule measurements show that both loop trajectories form and that they appear to be quite similar energetically and kinetically.
Impact of glacial erosion on 10 Be concentrations in fluvial sediments of the Marsyandi catchment, central Nepal

Several processes contribute to denudation in high-mountain environments. Of these, glacial erosion is particularly difficult to constrain, despite its critical importance in the evolution of many mountain ranges. In this study, we present a new data set of 10Be concentrations in fluvial sediments sampled along the Marsyandi River and its main tributaries in central Nepal. We interpret the 10Be concentrations as being significantly impacted by glacially derived sediments along the Marsyandi River. Such additions complicate conventional interpretations of 10Be-derived catchment-scale denudation rates. Using a simple linear mass-conservation formulation, we invert our data set in order to separate the different denudational contributions to the observed signal, as well as to constrain their magnitude and spatial distribution. Our results suggest significant variations in glacial erosion, both in space and magnitude, within the Marsyandi catchment.
DIFFERENTIATION IN CULTURE OF MIXED AGGREGATES OF DISSOCIATED TISSUE CELLS.

Our concepts of the process of determination in embryonic development have been based largely on results obtained by extirpation, transplantation, and explantation of tissue masses consisting of many cells. These methods have revealed an apparent restriction of potencies during development. The varying results obtained with different methods, however, have led to serious questioning of the conclusions. For, as Harrison1 pointed out, "there always may be new conditions, not yet tested, under which other potencies might be revealed. " An important factor influencing the degree and variety of differentiation in tissue culture is the size of the tissue mass involved.25 Thus small pieces from the node region of the chick blastoderm (definitive primitive streak stage) fail to differentiate in culture, while larger pieces invariably form brain tissue. ' Explants of presumptive head mesoderm from a single early gastrula of Triton taeneatus form only muscle in vitro, but larger masses consisting of identical cells, derived from the fusion of several of these same primordia, ofrmmuscle, chorda brain sensory primordia, and ectoderm.5 It is evident from these observations that a description of the potencies of a given tissue mass composed of many cells does not necessarily reveal the capacities of the individual constituent cells. These studies raise the possibility that, when an intact tissue mass is judged to be determined by all the usual criteria, individual cells within the mass may retain wider potencies. Perhaps in transferring a mass of cells to a new site the immediate environment of the inner cells is but slightly altered. Such a change would be sufficient to cause a shift in the direction of cell differentiation in the earliest phases of development(e.g., early amphibian gastrula); but in more advanced stages, generally considered to be determined, a more acute change may be necessary. Accordingly, in the latter instance, fixity of the mass under the imposed conditions could not be taken as evidence of cell fixity. With the discovery that it is possible to dissociate vertebrate tissue cells by treatment with high pH,' trypsin,7 8 or versene9 and, after aggregation, to obtain characteristic differentiation in vitro, we have a promising method for attacking this problem. By mixing dissociated cells derived from different primordia (or even from differentiated tissues) and combining them into complex tissue masses by aggregation, we may drastically alter the immediate environment of embryonic tissue cells. The differentiation of such complex aggregates may then provide important information on the potencies of these cells. It was with this hope that we began the present investigation. Our method has been to combine cells derived from two different organs at various advanced stages of organogenesis and study the differentiation in vitro of the complex aggregates.
Ability Profile of the Elite Volleyball Player

The aim of this study was to examine the cognitive, motor, and perceptual abilities of elite volleyball players. These abilities were considered responsible for high quality performance by expert athletes. The elite group was formed with 12 members of the Greek Junior National Volleyball team. A group of 18 physical education students were the novice athletes. The measured abilities were selected by expert volleyball coaches as those most important for an elite athlete. Analysis showed differences between the abilities of the two groups of athletes were significant. An ability profile for the elite volleyball player can be formed.
Cortex Olfaction : From Odorant Molecules to the Olfactory

Int. Union Physiol. Sci./Am.Physiol. Soc. ESSN: 1548-9221. Visit our website at http://www.the-aps.org/. December by the American Physiological Society, 9650 Rockville Pike, Bethesda MD 20814-3991. © 2004 physiological developments. It is published bimonthly in February, April, June, August, October, and (formerly published as News in Physiological Science) publishes brief review articles on major Physiology by gest on O cber 9, 2016 http://physioline.physiology. org/ D ow nladed fom
A lightweight software-based runtime temperature monitoring model for multiprocessor embedded systems

High-thermal variation and temperature operation can have a noteworthy impact on system performance, power consumption and reliability, which is a major and increasingly critical design metric in emerging multiprocessor embedded systems. Existing thermal management techniques rely on physical sensors to provide them with temperature figures to regulate the system's operating temperature and thermal variation at runtime. However, on-chip thermal sensors present limitations (e.g. extra power and area cost), which may restrict their use in large scale systems. In this regard, this paper proposes a lightweight software-based runtime temperature model, enabling to capture detailed temperature distribution information of multiprocessor systems at a negligible overhead. To validate the proposal, the model is embedded in a distributed-memory MPSoC platform described in RTL. Further, results show that the average absolute error of the temperature estimation, compared to HotSpot is smaller than 4% in systems with up to 36 processing elements.