Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Understanding Error Propagation in GPGPU Applications

GPUs have emerged as general-purpose accelerators in high-performance computing (HPC) and scientific applications. However, the reliability characteristics of GPU applications have not been investigated in depth. While error propagation has been extensively investigated for non-GPU applications, GPU applications have a very different programming model which can have a significant effect on error propagation in them. We perform an empirical study to understand and characterize error propagation in GPU applications. We build a compilerbased fault-injection tool for GPU applications to track error propagation, and define metrics to characterize propagation in GPU applications. We find GPU applications exhibit significant error propagation for some kinds of errors, but not others, and the behaviour is highly application specific. We observe the GPUCPU interaction boundary naturally limits error propagation in these applications compared to traditional non-GPU applications. We also formulate various guidelines for the design of faulttolerance mechanisms in GPU applications based on our results.
Cohesion and Coherence in Theory and Reading Research.

What is the relationship between cohesion and coherence? Researchers in the field of Applied Linguistics have traditionally attempted to list and define the cohesive devices in English which provide the basis for coherent text. Schema theoreticians, on the other hand, have argued that coherence is primary, that readers look for coherence given their existing schemata and extra-linguistic knowledge of the world and only then do they recognise cohesion. This paper looks at these two approaches in the light of the conflict which has grown up around the relationship between the concepts of cohesion and coherence and suggests that the positions taken are the result of a theoretically different starting point. If the researcher is primarily interested in linguistic analysis then she will begin with cohesion whereas, if human psychology in the reading process is the main focus then it will be more natural to look at coherence. However, it seems to be at least intuitively obvious that both the text itself and the reader have a part to play in the reading process, that reading is simultaneously data-driven and concept-driven. It is suggested that these two approaches would benefit from being a part of a larger theory of the reading process. In this context the work of Ruqaiya Hasan is reviewed as the most thorough attempt to provide a theory of text which accounts for both cohesion and coherence. Secondly, data are presented which suggest that a theory which integrates cohesion and coherence is necessary. Two studies are reported: an informal classroom experiment on the influence of pronominal reference on comprehension and an analysis of the results of a test designed to examine the relationships between theoretical constructs hypothesised to constitute (at least part of) the superordinate term “reading comprehension”.
Angiogenic, neurotrophic, and inflammatory system SNPs moderate the association between birth weight and ADHD symptom severity

Low birth weight is associated with increased risk for Attention‐Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD); however, the etiological underpinnings of this relationship remain unclear. This study investigated if genetic variants in angiogenic, dopaminergic, neurotrophic, kynurenine, and cytokine‐related biological pathways moderate the relationship between birth weight and ADHD symptom severity. A total of 398 youth from two multi‐site, family‐based studies of ADHD were included in the analysis. The sample consisted of 360 ADHD probands, 21 affected siblings, and 17 unaffected siblings. A set of 164 SNPs from 31 candidate genes, representing five biological pathways, were included in our analyses. Birth weight and gestational age data were collected from a state birth registry, medical records, and parent report. Generalized Estimating Equations tested for main effects and interactions between individual SNPs and birth weight centile in predicting ADHD symptom severity. SNPs within neurotrophic (NTRK3) and cytokine genes (CNTFR) were associated with ADHD inattentive symptom severity. There was no main effect of birth weight centile on ADHD symptom severity. SNPs within angiogenic (NRP1 & NRP2), neurotrophic (NTRK1 & NTRK3), cytokine (IL16 & S100B), and kynurenine (CCBL1 & CCBL2) genes moderate the association between birth weight centile and ADHD symptom severity. The SNP main effects and SNP × birth weight centile interactions remained significant after adjusting for multiple testing. Genetic variability in angiogenic, neurotrophic, and inflammatory systems may moderate the association between restricted prenatal growth, a proxy for an adverse prenatal environment, and risk to develop ADHD. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Conscientiousness and longevity: an examination of possible mediators.

OBJECTIVE Conscientious individuals tend to experience a number of health benefits, not the least of which being greater longevity. However, it remains an open question as to why this link with longevity occurs. The current study tested two possible mediators (physical health and cognitive functioning) of the link between conscientiousness and longevity. METHOD We tested these mediators using a 10-year longitudinal sample (N = 512), a subset of the long-running Health and Retirement Study of aging adults. Measures included an adjective-rating measure of conscientiousness, self-reported health conditions, and three measures of cognitive functioning (word recall, delayed recall, and vocabulary) included in the 1996 wave of the HRS study. RESULTS Our results found that conscientiousness significantly predicted greater longevity, even in a model including the two proposed mediator variables, gender, age, and years of education. Moreover, cognitive functioning appears to partially mediate this relationship. CONCLUSIONS This study replicates previous research showing that conscientious individuals tend to lead longer lives, and provides further insight into why this effect occurs. In addition, it underscores the importance of measurement considerations.
The influence of the telomere-telomerase system on diabetes mellitus and its vascular complications

Introduction: The telomere-telomerase system plays an important role in the pathogenesis and disease progression of diabetes mellitus as well as in its vascular complications. Recent studies suggest that telomere shortening and abnormal telomerase activity occur in patients with diabetes mellitus, and targeting the telomere-telomerase system has become a prospective treatment for diabetes mellitus and its vascular complications. This review highlights the significance of the telomere-telomerase system and supports its role as a possible therapeutic target for patients with diabetes mellitus and its vascular complications Areas covered: This review covers the advances in understanding the telomere-telomerase system over the last 30 years and its significance in diabetes mellitus. In addition, it provides knowledge regarding the significance of the telomere-telomerase system in diabetes mellitus and its vascular complications as well as its role and mechanisms in oxidative stress, cell therapy and antioxidant activity Expert opinion: The telomere-telomerase system may be a potential therapeutic target that can protect against DNA damage and apoptosis in patients with diabetes mellitus and its vascular complications. DNA damage and apoptosis are associated with oxidative stress and are involved in the dysfunction of pancreatic β cells, insulin resistance, and its vascular complications. Abnormalities in the telomere-telomerase system may be associated with diabetes mellitus and its vascular complications. Therapies targeting telomere-telomerase system, telomerase reverse transcriptase transfection and alterative telomere lengthening must be identified before gene therapy can commence.
Activation of protease‐activated receptors in astrocytes evokes a novel neuroprotective pathway through release of chemokines of the growth‐regulated oncogene/cytokine‐induced neutrophil chemoattractant family

Activation of protease‐activated receptors (PARs) is known to exert neuroprotection when low concentrations of the agonist protease thrombin are applied. However, the mechanism of protection is still unclear. Here, we showed that activation of multiple PARs, including PAR‐1, PAR‐2 and PAR‐4, was able to elevate the release of the chemokine cytokine‐induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC)‐3 from rat astrocytes, in addition to evoking CINC‐1 secretion. Different molecular mechanisms were identified as being involved in the secretion of CINC‐1 and CINC‐3, upon activation of different PARs. Importantly, we found that both CINC‐1 and CINC‐3 could signal to rat cortical neurons. Both chemokines acted via CXCR2 to prevent C2‐ceramide‐induced cytochrome c release from mitochondria. Consequently CINC‐1 and CINC‐3 protected neurons from apoptosis. We further revealed that conditioned media obtained from PAR‐activated astrocytes similarly protected cortical neurons against C2‐ceramide‐induced cell death. The neuroprotection was considerably suppressed by a CXCR2 antagonist. CXCR2 is the cognate receptor for CINC. Therefore, our findings demonstrate that PAR‐activated astrocytes are able to protect neurons against neurodegeneration and cell death via regulation of the secretion of chemokines CINC‐1 and CINC‐3. These data indicate a previously unknown mechanism for astrocyte‐mediated neuroprotection achieved by PAR activation.
The Importance of Interstitial Cells of Cajal in the Gastrointestinal Tract

Gastrointestinal (GI) motility function and its regulation is a complex process involving collaboration and communication of multiple cell types such as enteric neurons, interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), and smooth muscle cells. Recent advances in GI research made a better understanding of ICC function and their role in the GI tract, and studies based on different types of techniques have shown that ICC, as an integral part of the GI neuromuscular apparatus, transduce inputs from enteric motor neurons, generate intrinsic electrical rhythmicity in phasic smooth muscles, and have a mechanical sensation ability. Absence or improper function of these cells has been linked to some GI tract disorders. This paper provides a general overview of ICC; their discovery, subtypes, function, locations in the GI tract, and some disorders associated with their loss or disease, and highlights some controversial issues with regard to the importance of ICC in the GI tract.
Response of Plant Height, Species Richness and Aboveground Biomass to Flooding Gradient along Vegetation Zones in Floodplain Wetlands, Northeast China

Flooding regime changes resulting from natural and human activity have been projected to affect wetland plant community structures and functions. It is therefore important to conduct investigations across a range of flooding gradients to assess the impact of flooding depth on wetland vegetation. We conducted this study to identify the pattern of plant height, species richness and aboveground biomass variation along the flooding gradient in floodplain wetlands located in Northeast China. We found that the response of dominant species height to the flooding gradient depends on specific species, i.e., a quadratic response for Carex lasiocarpa, a negative correlation for Calamagrostis angustifolia, and no response for Carex appendiculata. Species richness showed an intermediate effect along the vegetation zone from marsh to wet meadow while aboveground biomass increased. When the communities were analysed separately, only the water table depth had significant impact on species richness for two Carex communities and no variable for C. angustifolia community, while height of dominant species influenced aboveground biomass. When the three above-mentioned communities were grouped together, variations in species richness were mainly determined by community type, water table depth and community mean height, while variations in aboveground biomass were driven by community type and the height of dominant species. These findings indicate that if habitat drying of these herbaceous wetlands in this region continues, then two Carex marshes would be replaced gradually by C. angustifolia wet meadow in the near future. This will lead to a reduction in biodiversity and an increase in productivity and carbon budget. Meanwhile, functional traits must be considered, and should be a focus of attention in future studies on the species diversity and ecosystem function in this region.
THE EFFECT OF FLUCONAZOLE AND AMPHOTERICIN B ON MACROPHAGE FUNCTIONS

Background: Different antimicrobial drugs inhibit functions of the microbial cells but, unfortunately, some of these drugs can also affect the host cells, including macrophages. Since these cells represent the baseline defense against microbial agents, it is important that they are fully activated. Materials and Methods : In the present study we investigated the effect of amphotericin B and fluconazole on the functions of peritoneal macrophages from Balb/c mice treated with these antimycotics. For each antimycotic the therapeutic dose used in clinical practice (calculated on the mouse body weight) and two-fold higher doses were administered intraperitoneally once a day for three consecutive days. The control group was treated with saline in the same way. Four different tests, candidacidal assay, nitroblue tetrazolium test, adherence capability and phagocytic capability, were used to determine macrophage functions. Results : Our results confirmed positive effect of high dose amphotericin B on phagocytic capability (31.00±4.46 %), metabolic changes (27.93±6.63 %) and adherence capacity (59.24±8.67 %). Lower doses of drug amphotericin B (2 mg/kg) significantly increased the adherence index of macrophages (71.99±5.55 %) and intensity of the NBT intracellular reduction (30.20±3.83 %). Maximum dose of fluconazole expressed significantly higher phagocytic index (30.77±2.17 %), metabolic changes (24.00±4.07 %) and candidacidal activities (27.73±6.73 %), while lower doses of fluconazole (15 mg/kg) significantly increased the adherence index of macrophages (75.58±5.47 %) as well as the phagocytic index (29.23±2.40 %). Other results were similar as in control group. Conclusion: Positive immunomodulatory effects of fluconazole and amphotericin B may be clinically relevant especially in compromised patients who are predisposed to opportunistic fungal infections and require a long-term antimycotic therapy. Synergistic action of macrophages and antimycotics can influence the course of disorders related to immune suppression. Key words: Amphotericin B, fluconazole, macrophage functions
Evaluation of anti-diabetic activity of AHPL/AYTAB/0513 tablet in streptozotocin induced diabetes in rats

Background: Diabetes is a chronic, progressive disease associated with several complications leading to significant mortality and morbidity. Limitations and drawbacks of the conventional treatment generate need for safer, effective complimentary therapies to prevent complications, and maintain normoglycemic status. Aim and Objectives: The aim of this study is to to evaluate antidiabetic activity of AHPL/AYTAB/0513 tablet alone, oral hypoglycemic agents (OHA[s]), and combination of AHPL/AYTAB/0513 tablet and OHA(s) in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats. Materials and Methods: Totally, ten groups of animals were studied comparatively to evaluate antidiabetic activity of AHPL/AYTAB/0513 tablet, OHA(s), and combination of AHPL/AYTAB/0513 tablet and OHA(s). Blood glucose level (BGL), lipid profile, serum creatinine, serum insulin level, and histopathological characteristics of pancreas were studied to evaluate the efficacy of various formulations. Histopathological examination of kidney and heart was carried out to assess the ability of various formulations in preventing complications of diabetes. Results: There was a significant decrease in mean BGL, serum triglycerides, serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very LDL, and serum creatinine levels in all formulations groups. Significant increase in mean serum insulin level and high-density lipoprotein level was observed when compared to diabetic control (DC) group. Recovery of pancreatic beta cells and prevention of damage to heart and kidney cells was significant in all the formulation groups as compared to DC group. None of the formulations tested in nondiabetic rat showed hypoglycemia suggesting safety of all the formulations. Conclusion: AHPL/AYTAB/0513 tablet alone and in combination with OHA(s) can be effectively used in the management of diabetes mellitus. In addition, AHPL/AYTAB/0513 tablet alone and in combination with OHA(s) help in prevention of diabetic complications. As an adjuvant to OHA(s), AHPL/AYTAB/0513 tablet can be more effective.
Stimulation of Lateral Septum CRF2 Receptors Promotes Anorexia and Stress-Like Behaviors: Functional Homology to CRF1 Receptors in Basolateral Amygdala

The corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) system is the primary central mediator of stress-like states, coordinating behavioral, endocrine, and autonomic responses to stress. Although induction of anorexia is a well documented effect of CRF receptor agonist administration, the central sites and behavioral processes underlying this phenomenon are poorly understood. The present studies addressed this question by examining the neuroanatomical, behavioral, and pharmacological mechanisms mediating decreases in feeding produced by the CRF1/CRF2 receptor agonist urocortin. Separate groups of food-restricted male Sprague Dawley rats were given infusions of urocortin (0, 50, 125, 250 ng/0.5 μl) into the lateral septum (LS) and immediately afterward were rated on a wide array of behaviors (locomotion, rearing, grooming, stereotypies) including a microstructural analysis of ingestive behavior. Intra-LS urocortin infusion dose-dependently reduced feeding and drinking while concomitantly increasing grooming, stereotypies, and ethological plus traditional measures of anxiety-like responses in the elevated plus-maze. Urocortin infusion into neighboring sites (lateral ventricle, medial caudate) had no effects. Coinfusion into the LS of the mixed CRF1/CRF2 receptor antagonist d-Phe-CRF(12–41) (0, 100, 1000 ng/0.5 μl) or the novel selective CRF2 receptor antagonist Astressin2B (0, 500, 1000 ng/0.5 μl) blocked urocortin-induced effects, but the CRF1-selective antagonist NBI27914 (0, 500, 1000 ng/0.5 μl) had no effect, although it completely reversed the behavioral sequelae of CRF when infused into the basolateral amygdala. These results indicate that one of the modes through which the CRF system promotes anorexia is the recruitment of stress-like states after stimulation of CRF2 receptors within the LS.
Written-domain language modeling for automatic speech recognition

Language modeling for automatic speech recognition (ASR) systems has been traditionally in the verbal domain. In this paper, we present finite-state modeling techniques that we developed for language modeling in the written domain. The first technique we describe is for the verbalization of written-domain vocabulary items, which include lexical and non-lexical entities. The second technique is the decomposition–recomposition approach to address the out-of-vocabulary (OOV) and the data sparsity problems with non-lexical entities such as URLs, email addresses, phone numbers, and dollar amounts. We evaluate the proposed written-domain language modeling approaches on a very large vocabulary speech recognition system for English. We show that the written-domain language modeling improves the speech recognition and the ASR transcript rendering accuracy in the written domain over a baseline system using a verbal-domain language model. In addition, the writtendomain system is much simpler since it does not require complex and error-prone text normalization and denormalization rules, which are generally required for verbal-domain language modeling.
Monitoring the Response of Roads and Railways to Seasonal Soil Movement with Persistent Scatterers Interferometry over Six UK Sites

Road and rail networks provide critical support for society, yet they can be degraded by seasonal soil movements. Currently, few transport network operators monitor small-scale soil movement, but understanding the conditions contributing to infrastructure failure can improve network resilience. Persistent Scatterers Interferometry (PSI) is a remote sensing technique offering the potential for near real-time ground movement monitoring over wide areas. This study tests the use of PSI for monitoring the response of major roads, minor roads, and railways to ground movement across six study sites in England, using Sentinel 1 data in VV polarisation in ascending orbit. Some soils are more stable than others—a national soil map was used to quantify the relationships between infrastructure movement and major soil groups. Vertical movement of transport infrastructure is a function of engineering design, soil properties, and traffic loading. Roads and railways built on soil groups prone to seasonal water-logging (Ground-water Gley soils, Surface-water Gley soils, Pelosols, and Brown soils) demonstrated seasonal subsidence and heave, associated with an increased risk of infrastructure degradation. Roads and railways over Podzolic soils demonstrated relative stability. Railways on Peat soils exhibited the most extreme continual subsidence of up to 7.5 mm year−1. Limitations of this study include the short observation period (~13 months, due to satellite data availability) and the regional scale of the soil map—mapping units contain multiple soil types with different ground movement potentials. Future use of a higher resolution soil map over a longer period will advance this research. Nevertheless, this study demonstrates the viability of PSI as a technique for measuring both seasonal soil-related ground movement and the associated impacts on road and rail infrastructure.
A survey of Pfaffian orientations of graphs

An orientation of a graph G is Pfaffian if every even cycle C such that G\V (C) has a perfect matching has an odd number of edges directed in either direction of the cycle. The significance of Pfaffian orientations is that if a graph has one, then the number of perfect matchings (a.k.a. the dimer problem) can be computed in polynomial time. The question of which bipartite graphs have Pfaffian orientations is equivalent to many other problems of interest, such as a permanent problem of Polya, the even directed cycle problem, or the sign-nonsingular matrix problem for square matrices. These problems are now reasonably well-understood. On the other hand, it is not known how to efficiently test if a general graph is Pfaffian, but there are some interesting connections with crossing numbers and signs of edgecolorings of regular graphs.
MPEG-4 video decoder optimization

After a decade from its origin, MPEG, with its current MPEG-4 project, is now facing the challenge of providing a future-proof multimedia toolkit which aims at incorporating new and emerging technologies while ensuring backward compatibility with its previous and successful audio-visual standards. The paper provides an overview of the standard, focusing mainly on the video decoding aspects that, by their nature, represent one of the most peculiar features of the future specifications which are scheduled to become an international standard by the beginning of year 1999. The paper first briefly introduces the MPEG standards, focusing on the MPEG-4 Video part of the specification, giving an extensive presentation of a coding/decoding video process. The main part of the paper is focused on the optimization performed to realize a real time software video decoder based on the MMX/sup TM/ architecture compliant to the VM 8 MPEG-4 Video standard. A comparison with the reference video decoder is also presented.