Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Maximizing performance of thermally constrained multi-core processors by dynamic voltage and frequency control

In this paper a precise formulation of the problem of minimizing the maximum completion time of tasks on a multi-core processor, subject to thermal constraints is presented. The power model used in this work, accounts for the leakage dependence on temperature, while the thermal model is based on the HotSpot model. The general problem is shown to be a non-linear optimization problem that includes cyclic constraints between temperature and power. The derived policy of dynamic frequency and voltage control results in a performance improvement of 19.6% over an optimal policy which performs speed-only control.
Promoting creativity through problem oriented project based learning in engineering education at Malaysian polytechnics: Issues and challenges

Self-directed learning and other life-long learning skills are among requirements of today workers. To sustain in competitive globalised world of work they need to be creative, innovative, critical and analytical in their approach. In order to achieve all those competences, learning institution can no longer teach their students using traditional teacher-centred approach only. More student-centred approach such as Problem Based Learning (PBL) and Problem Oriented Project Based Learning (POPBL) should be employed. It is believed that those two approaches are able to promote the competencies required for lifelong learners. In the present teaching scenario, polytechnics are still practicing the traditional approach in classroom such as pen-and-paper or exam-based learning. Students can no longer survive by memorizing textbooks, they now need to explore and experience genuine tasks that connects to the real-world; in which they can develop, master, and demonstrate authentic skills. Engineering Education needs to move from an instructive to constructivist approach.Problem based learning (PBL) is one of the constructivist approaches where cooperation among learners plays important role in the learning method. Project is one of the core subjects in the Polytechnics system which carries 2.5 credit hours. Students will be assessed based on their performance throughout the projects as well as the final outcome of the projects. However most of these final projects designed by students are lacking of creative and innovative dimensions.PBL differs in certain aspects from conventional learning. In normal conventional classes, students normally learned based on what the lecturers delivered in class. This paper discusses issues and challenges the lecturers faced in promoting students-centred approach such as POPBL. Several suggestions are proposed to assist the implementation of POPBL approach in the polytechnics setting in Malaysia Key-Words: Problem Based Learning, Problem Oriented Project Based Learning, Engineering Education Malaysia
Interactions between MDM2 and TP53 Genetic Alterations, and Their Impact on Response to MDM2 Inhibitors and Other Chemotherapeutic Drugs in Cancer Cells

Purpose: MDM2 is a key negative regulator of the p53 signaling pathway. We aimed to evaluate the inter-relationships between MDM2 SNP309, mRNA expression, amplification, and TP53 mutations, as well as their correlations with responsiveness to MDM2 inhibitors and other commonly used cytotoxic drugs tested in the NCI-60 cancer cell panel. Experimental Design: SNP309 was genotyped in the NCI-60 cancer cell lines. MDM2 mRNA levels and gene copy number were measured using real-time PCR. We assessed the inter-relationship between MDM2 genetic alterations, TP53 mutations, and the cytotoxicity of two MDM2 inhibitors (RITA and Nutlin-3) as well as 111 other drugs with known mechanisms of action. Results: In the overall NCI-60 cell panel, MDM2 mRNA levels were not associated with SNP309 but with increased gene copy number. However, SNP309 strongly determined the MDM2 mRNA expression in cancer cells with wild-type TP53. Cancer cells with wild-type TP53 also had significantly higher MDM2 copies. In the overall panel, MDM2 copy number was independently correlated with increased sensitivity to commonly used alkylating agents and topoisomerase I and II inhibitors. SNP309 was significantly associated with increased sensitivity to alkylating agents and topoisomerase I inhibitors in the cells with wild-type TP53. In addition, TP53 mutations were the only factor significantly associated with cellular resistance to the MDM2 inhibitor RITA. Conclusions: Our results suggest that MDM2 copy number and SNP309 may predict for response to alkylating agents and topoisomerase inhibitors. These markers should be tested further, particularly in combination with other putative predictive biomarkers. (Clin Cancer Res 2009;15(24):7602–7)
Power quality detection and classification method for IEC 61000-4-30 Class A instruments

This paper describes an improved version of the previously developed method for detection and classification of some power quality disturbances. The new version uses the spectral sincfit algorithm for extraction of the disturbances from the voltage signal. The sincfit algorithm was adapted and optimized for PQ measurements. The proposed method was tested for compliance with the IEC 61000-4-30 Class A requirements.
3D reconstruction and comparison of shapes of DNA minicircles observed by cryo-electron microscopy

We use cryo-electron microscopy to compare 3D shapes of 158 bp long DNA minicircles that differ only in the sequence within an 18 bp block containing either a TATA box or a catabolite activator protein binding site. We present a sorting algorithm that correlates the reconstructed shapes and groups them into distinct categories. We conclude that the presence of the TATA box sequence, which is believed to be easily bent, does not significantly affect the observed shapes.
The Relationship between Dimensions of Personality and Situational Awareness in a Navigation Simulator

The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between personality and situational awareness (SA). 34 first year students from The Royal Norwegian Navy Officer Candidate School participated in this study. SA was measured during training in the navigation simulator at the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy. Both subjective and observer ratings of SA was measured using the Situational Awareness Rating Scale (SARS). Personality was measured using The NEO Personality Inventory (NEO PI-R). The results indicated that neuroticism was negatively related to both subjective and observer SA. Extroversion and conscientiousness were positively related to subjective SA. Regression analyses showed that the dimension of conscientiousness with the facet competence could predict subjective SA, and the dimension of neuroticism predicted observer ratings of SA.
Channel Coding in Random Access Communication over Compound Channels

Due to the short and bursty incoming messages, channel access activities in a wireless random access system are often fractional. The lack of frequent data support consequently makes it difficult for the receiver to estimate and track the time varying channel states with high precision. This paper investigates random multiple access communication over a compound wireless channel where channel realization is known neither at the transmitters nor at the receiver. An achievable rate and error probability tradeoff bound is derived under the non-asymptotic assumption of a finite codeword length. The results are then extended to the random multiple access system where the receiver is only interested in decoding messages from a user subset.
Fysikkstudenten fra studiestart til mastergrad – motivasjon, verdier og prioriteringer

Artikkelen presenterer funn fra to sammenhorende undersokelser av studenter ved Institutt for fysikk ved NTNU, gjennomfort i studentenes forste semester og nar de var i ferd med a avslutte studiet. Vi har undersokt hva som har inspirert studentene til a starte pa et fysikkstudium, hva som har motivert dem gjennom studiet, hvordan de har likt ulike laeringsaktiviteter og hvilke verdier som ligger til grunn for deres prioriteringer for framtidig jobb. Resultatene viser at studentene i hoy grad motiveres av egen nysgjerrighet og interesse for faget og at de har onske om a vaere autonome. Karriereutsikter synes a vaere mindre viktig. Dette avspeiles ogsa i deres vurdering av laeringsaktiviteter i studiet og i deres onsker om a kunne videreutvikle egne kunnskaper og interesser ogsa i en framtidig jobb. (Publisert: 11. desember 2012) Citation: Uniped 2012, 35 : 19886 - http://dx.doi. org/10.3402/uniped.v35i3. 19886
A rapid plethysmographic method for measuring thoracic gas volume: a comparison with a nitrogen washout method for measuring functional residual capacity in normal subjects.

In general, two principles have been employed in the measurement of the volume of gas in the lungs. The dilution techniques, using either a closed (rebreathing) or open (non-rebreathing) system are the most commonly used; the physical methods, based on Boyle's law relating pressure and volume, require special equipment and have been used relatively infrequently. This report presents a rapid, practical physical method for measuring lung volumes plethysmographically; it has been found to give reproducible values which, in healthy subjects, do not differ significantly from values obtained by the dilution method of Darling, Cournand, and Richards (1). Two types of physical (pneumatometric) techniques have been described previously, both based on Boyle's law. One of these is the decompression method used by Hitchcock, Edelmann, Shelden, and Whitehorn (2), Willmon and Behnke (3), and Dejours and Rahn (4) ; it has been used in experimental animals (5, 6) as well as in normal man. In the decompression method, the pressure about the body and in the trachea and lungs is raised equally above atmospheric so as to compress the gas inside the lungs and outside the body. The total number of molecules is thereby increased in all parts of the lung in free communication with an open airway. The pressures in the chamber and in the trachea are then released simultaneously. During return to normal atmospheric pressure, the amount of gas which flows out of the trachea is measured; this is the amount of gas which had been added to the lung gas by the previ-
Goals and perceived ability: Impact on student valuing, self-regulation, and persistence.

Abstract We examined the motivational patterns and self-regulatory activities of 119 students in introductory statistics. Toward the end of the course subjects were given a questionnaire which assessed perceived ability, goal orientation (learning and performance), valuing of statistics (intrinsic and extrinsic), and the extent to which subjects used self-regulatory activities such as goal-setting, self-monitoring, and task-appropriate cognitive strategies. Predictions from Dweck′s goal orientation theory were tested. The findings were generally consistent with the theoretical predictions; however, the predicted interaction of dominant goal orientation and perceived ability failed to emerge.
Assortative Pairing and Life History Strategy A Cross-Cultural Study

A secondary analysis was performed on preliminary data from an ongoing cross-cultural study on assortative pairing. Independently sampled pairs of oppositesex romantic partners and of same-sex friends rated themselves and each other on Life History (LH) strategy and mate value. Data were collected in local bars, clubs, coffeehouses, and other public places from three different cultures: Tucson, Arizona; Hermosillo, Sonora; and San José, Costa Rica. The present analysis found that slow LH individuals assortatively pair with both sexual and social partners more strongly than fast LH individuals. We interpret this phenomenon as representing (1) an adaptation for preserving coadapted genomes in slow LH strategists to maintain high copying fidelity genetic replication while producing a lower number of offspring in stable, predictable, and controllable environments and (2) a bet-hedging adaptation in fast LH strategists, favoring the genetic diversification of a higher number of offspring in unstable, unpredictable, and uncontrollable environments.
Setting the Governmental Agenda for State Decentralization of Higher Education

State decentralization of higher education emerged as a significant governance trend of the 1980s to 1990s. Yet little is known about how or why decentralization first became an issue to which state governments paid serious attention. This study employs multiple theories to analyze the agenda-setting stage of policy formation in three states that enacted decentralization legislation.
Static and dynamic resource allocation in a multiservice satellite network with fading

A control architecture for resource allocation in satellite networks is proposed, along with the specification of performance indexes and control strategies. The latter, besides being based on information on traffic statistics and network status, rely upon some knowledge of the fading conditions over the satellite network channels. The resource allocation problem consists of the assignment, by a master station, of a total available bandwidth among traffic earth stations in the presence of different traffic types. Traffic stations are assumed to measure continuously their signal fade level, but this information may either be used only locally or also communicated to the master station. According to the information made available on‐line to the master station on the level of the fading attenuation of the traffic stations, the assignment can be made static, based on the a priori knowledge of long‐term fading statistics, or dynamic, based on the updated measurements. In any case, the decisions can be adapted to slowly time‐varying traffic characteristics. At each earth station, two basic traffic types are assumed to be present, namely guaranteed bandwidth, real time, synchronous data (stream traffic) and best‐effort traffic (datagram traffic). Numerical results are provided for a specific architecture in the dynamic case, in a real environment, based on the Italsat satellite national coverage payload characteristics. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stress Response and Perinatal Reprogramming: Unraveling (Mal)adaptive Strategies

Environmental stressors induce coping strategies in the majority of individuals. The stress response, involving the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis and the consequent release of corticosteroid hormones, is indeed aimed at promoting metabolic, functional, and behavioral adaptations. However, behavioral stress is also associated with fast and long-lasting neurochemical, structural, and behavioral changes, leading to long-term remodeling of glutamate transmission, and increased susceptibility to neuropsychiatric disorders. Of note, early-life events, both in utero and during the early postnatal life, trigger reprogramming of the stress response, which is often associated with loss of stress resilience and ensuing neurobehavioral (mal)adaptations. Indeed, adverse experiences in early life are known to induce long-term stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders in vulnerable individuals. Here, we discuss recent findings about stress remodeling of excitatory neurotransmission and brain morphology in animal models of behavioral stress. These changes are likely driven by epigenetic factors that lie at the core of the stress-response reprogramming in individuals with a history of perinatal stress. We propose that reprogramming mechanisms may underlie the reorganization of excitatory neurotransmission in the short- and long-term response to stressful stimuli.
Constraint and divergence of global gene expression in the mammalian embryo

The effects of genetic variation on gene regulation in the developing mammalian embryo remain largely unexplored. To globally quantify these effects, we crossed two divergent mouse strains and asked how genotype of the mother or of the embryo drives gene expression phenotype genomewide. Embryonic expression of 331 genes depends on the genotype of the mother. Embryonic genotype controls allele-specific expression of 1594 genes and a highly overlapping set of cis-expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL). A marked paucity of trans-eQTL suggests that the widespread expression differences do not propagate through the embryonic gene regulatory network. The cis-eQTL genes exhibit lower-than-average evolutionary conservation and are depleted for developmental regulators, consistent with purifying selection acting on expression phenotype of pattern formation genes. The widespread effect of maternal and embryonic genotype in conjunction with the purifying selection we uncovered suggests that embryogenesis is an important and understudied reservoir of phenotypic variation. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.05538. 001
A Model-Based fMRI Analysis with Hierarchical Bayesian Parameter Estimation

A recent trend in decision neuroscience is the use of model-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) using mathematical models of cognitive processes. However, most previous model-based fMRI studies have ignored individual differences because of the challenge of obtaining reliable parameter estimates for individual participants. Meanwhile, previous cognitive science studies have demonstrated that hierarchical Bayesian analysis is useful for obtaining reliable parameter estimates in cognitive models while allowing for individual differences. Here we demonstrate the application of hierarchical Bayesian parameter estimation to model-based fMRI using the example of decision making in the Iowa Gambling Task. First, we used a simulation study to demonstrate that hierarchical Bayesian analysis outperforms conventional (individual- or group-level) maximum likelihood estimation in recovering true parameters. Then we performed model-based fMRI analyses on experimental data to examine how the fMRI results depend on the estimation method.
Fiscal Reforms, Fiscal Rule, and Development Spending: How Indian States Have Performed?

In the last decade, fiscal rule was introduced to institutionalize rule-based fiscal control in India by enacting Fiscal Responsibility Legislation by the Union and state governments. Using a 14 year data set from 2000–01 to 2013–14, spread across 14 major states, this paper examines the impacts of fiscal rule on fiscal balance. Our findings confirm that the introduction of fiscal rule resulted in reduction in fiscal imbalance. The paper also found that, to comply with the deficit targets set by the fiscal rule, states resorted to spending cuts, primarily the discretionary development expenditures.
Inverse model based control for a twin rotor system

The use of active control technique has intensified in various control applications, particularly in the field of aircraft systems. A laboratory set-up system which resembles the behaviour of a helicopter, namely twin rotor multi-input multi-output system (TRMS) is used as an experimental rig in this research. This paper presents an investigation using inverse model control for the TRMS. The control techniques embraced in this work are direct inverse-model control, augmented PID with feedforward inverse-model control and augmented PID with feedback inverse-model control. Particle swarm optimization (PSO) method is used to tune the parameter of PID controller. To demonstrate the applicability of the methods, a simulated hovering motion of the TRMS, derived from experimental data is considered. The proposed inverse model based controller is shown to be capable of handling both systems dynamic as well as rigid body motion of the system, providing good overall system performance.
A Variant of TNFR2-Fc Fusion Protein Exhibits Improved Efficacy in Treating Experimental Rheumatoid Arthritis

Etanercept, a TNF receptor 2-Fc fusion protein, is currently being used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, 25% to 38% of patients show no response which is suspected to be partially due to insufficient affinity of this protein to TNFα. By using computational protein design, we found that residue W89 and E92 of TNFR2 were critical for ligand binding. Among several mutants tested, W89Y/E92N displayed 1.49-fold higher neutralizing activity to TNFα, as compared to that of Etanercept. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) based binding assay revealed that the equilibrium dissociation constant of W89Y/E92N to TNFα was 3.65-fold higher than that of Etanercept. In a rat model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), W89Y/E92N showed a significantly better ability than Etanercept in reducing paw swelling and improvement of arthritic joint histopathologically. These data demonstrate that W89Y/E92N is potentially a better candidate with improved efficacy in treating RA and other autoimmune diseases.
gpDB: a database of GPCRs, G-proteins, effectors and their interactions

UNLABELLED gpDB is a publicly accessible, relational database, containing information about G-proteins, G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and effectors, as well as information concerning known interactions between these molecules. The sequences are classified according to a hierarchy of different classes, families and subfamilies based on literature search. The main innovation besides the classification of G-proteins, GPCRs and effectors is the relational model of the database, describing the known coupling specificity of GPCRs to their respective alpha subunits of G-proteins, and also the specific interaction between G-proteins and their effectors, a unique feature not available in any other database. AVAILABILITY http://bioinformatics.biol.uoa.gr/gpDB CONTACT: shamodr@biol.uoa.gr SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Control of Uterine Ca2+ by Membrane Voltage

Abstract: Myometrial contractility is a complex and dynamic physiological process that changes substantially during pregnancy and culminates in childbirth. Uterine contractions are initiated by transient rises in cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), which in turn are triggered and controlled by myometrial action potentials. The sequence of events between the action potential generation and the contraction initiation is referred to as excitation–contraction coupling. Hormones and other physiologically active substances affect myometrial contractility by modulating different steps in the excitation–contraction coupling process. It is therefore imperative that we understand that process to understand the regulation of myometrial contractility. The complex action potentials generated by human myometrium result from the activity of many ion channels, transporters, and pumps. Two types of myometrial action potential waveform have been described in the literature: a plateau type and a spike type. Parameters of the myometrial [Ca2+]i transients and contractions differ depending on the type of action potential that triggers them. Some aspects of the excitation–contraction coupling are unique to human myometrium and cannot be found in animal models; some others are common between many species. This article reviews the current state and discusses future directions of physiological research on human myometrial excitation–contraction coupling.