Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Realtime regular expressions for analog and mixed-signal assertions

Syntax and semantics are proposed for realtime (i.e., continuous-time) regular expressions, which extend and generalize existing SVA regular expressions. The extensions are motivated by practical needs for AMS circuit verification and were developed as part of the authors' contribution to analog assertions work in the Accellera committee standardizing Verilog-AMS. Given a suitable notion of sampling, we prove that the realtime semantics provided for the existing SVA clocked digital regular expressions is equivalent to the original discrete semantics. As a result, the existing digital operators can intermix freely with the new realtime operators, which is a major contribution of our framework. We also investigate the theoretical relationship between our framework and the timed regular expressions of Asarin, Caspi, and Maler. We provide a semantically faithful embedding of timed regular expressions into our realtime regular expressions, as well as a construction of timed automata recognizers for our realtime regular expressions. These constructions show that our realtime regular expressions are no less expressive than the timed regular expressions of [1] and no more expressive than the generalized timed regular expressions of [2]. The automata recognizers also provide the basis for an implementation strategy for our framework.
A Test Automation Language for Behavioral Models

Model-based testers design tests in terms of models, such as paths in graphs. Abstract tests cannot be run directly because they use names and events that exist in the model, but not the implementation. Testers usually solve this mapping problem by hand. Model elements often appear in many abstract tests, so testers write the same redundant code many times. This is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and error-prone. This paper presents a language to automate the creation of mappings from abstract tests to concrete tests. Three issues are addressed: (1) creating mappings and generating test values, (2) transforming graphs and using coverage criteria to generate test paths, and (3) solving constraints and generating concrete test. The paper also presents results from an empirical comparison of testers using the mapping language with manual mapping on 17 open source and example programs. We found that the automated test generation method took a fraction of the time the manual method took, and the manual tests contained numerous errors in which concrete tests did not match their abstract tests.
Examining middle school students learning language arts skills in context

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the embedded language approach is effective in teaching the traditional language arts curriculum, and whether it holds any advantages over the more traditional approach. Twelve teachers in ten different schools taught language skills using the embedded language approach, while twelve matched teachers explicitly taught the same skills using traditional workbook practice activities for six weeks. Treatment efficacy was assessed using gain scores between pretest and posttest using a battery of informal and standardized measures. In addition, weekly comprehension probes were administered to examine whether language arts skills taught during the week generalized to the target context of reading. Results of the mixed design Analyses of Variance (ANOVA) indicated that scores for classes receiving the embedded language lessons were statistically different from scores of the classes receiving the explicit language lessons for the informal pre and posttest measurements, but not for the standardized subtests measurements. Also, findings revealed that the embedded language group and the explicit language group performances were similar and did not favor either group for the comprehension probes.
Student barriers to online learning: A factor analytic study

This article reports on a large‐scale (n = 1,056), exploratory factor analysis study that determined the underlying constructs that comprise student barriers to online learning. The eight factors found were (a) administrative issues, (b) social interaction, (c) academic skills, (d) technical skills, (e) learner motivation, (f) time and support for studies, (g) cost and access to the Internet, and (h) technical problems. Independent variables that significantly affected student ratings of these barrier factors included: gender, age, ethnicity, type of learning institution, self‐rating of online learning skills, effectiveness of learning online, online learning enjoyment, prejudicial treatment in traditional classes, and the number of online courses completed.
Preliminary Experiments with Geo-Filtering Predicates for Geographic IR

This paper describes a set of experiments for monolingual English retrieval at G EO-CLEF 2005. We evaluate a technique for spatial retrieval based on named entity tagging, toponym resolution, and re-ranking by means of geographic filtering. To this end, we present a series of systematic experiments in the Vector Space paradigm. We investigate plain bag-of-word versus a kind of phrasal retrieval, the potential of meronymic query expansion as a recall-enhancing device, and compare three alternative geo-spatial filtering techniques based on spatial clipping. We evaluate these on 25 monolingual English queries. Our prelimiary results show that always choosing toponym referents based on a simple “maximum population” heuristic to approximate the salience of a referent fails to outperform TF*IDF baselines with the GEO-CLEF 2005 dataset when combined with three geo-filtering predicates. Conservative geo-filtering outperforms more aggresive predicates. The evidence further seems to suggest that query expansion with WordNet meronyms is not effective in combination with the method described. A cursory post-hoc analysis indicates that responsible factors for the low performance include sparseness of available population data, gaps in the gazetteer that associates Minumum Bounding Rectangles with geo-terms in the query, and the composition of the GEO-CLEF 2005 dataset itself.
Enforcing Integrity of Execution in Distributed Workflow Management Systems

As opposed to centralized workflow management systems, the distributed execution of workflows can not rely on a trusted centralized point of coordination. As a result, this flexible decentralized setting raises specific security requirements, such as the compliance of the overall sequence of operations with the pre-defined workflow execution plan, that are not yet met by existing decentralized workflow infrastructures. In this paper, we propose new security mechanisms capitalizing on onion encryption techniques and security policy models in order to assure the integrity of the distributed execution of workflows and to prevent workflow instance forging to name a few features. These mechanisms can easily be integrated into distributed workflow management systems as our design is strongly coupled with the runtime specification of decentralized workflows.
Some Simple Pirate Strategies

Illegal copies of digital objects (images, texts, movies, music etc.) are easy to make. With the use of Internet more and more products are distributed in its digital form. To prevent illegal redistribution we propose to uniquely mark each distributed copy with a digital fingerprint. This fingerprint has to be part of the information to prevent it from being easily removed. This method is discussed for example in [1], [2], [3] and [4].
A novel SMC-like protein, SbcE (YhaN), is involved in DNA double-strand break repair and competence in Bacillus subtilis

Bacillus subtilis and most Gram positive bacteria possess four SMC like proteins: SMC, SbcC, RecN and the product of the yhaN gene, termed SbcE. SbcE is most similar to SbcC but contains a unique central domain. We show that SbcE plays a role during transformation in competent cells and in DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair. The phenotypes were strongly exacerbated by the additional deletion of recN or of sbcC, suggesting that all three proteins act upstream of RecA and provide distinct avenues for presynapsis. SbcE accumulated at the cell poles in competent cells, and localized as a discrete focus on the nucleoids in 10% of growing cells. This number moderately increased after treatment with DNA damaging agents and in the absence of RecN or of SbcC. Damage-induced foci of SbcE arose early after induction of DNA damage and rarely colocalized with the replication machinery. Our work shows that SMC-like proteins in B. subtilis play roles at different subcellular sites during DNA repair. SbcC operates at breaks occurring at the replication machinery, whereas RecN and SbcE function mainly, but not exclusively, at DSBs arising elsewhere on the chromosome. In agreement with this idea, we found that RecN-YFP damage-induced assemblies also arise in the absence of ongoing replication.
VNA Based Measurements and Nonlinear Modeling for Efficient RF Circuit Design

All the players in RF industry are looking to develop high efficiency circuits, and are willing to invest heavily to achieve this target. Increasing power efficiency enables decreasing power consumption, thus reducing the use of the resources provided from the battery, to reduce the size of cooling systems, improve reliability, and ultimately reduce the electricity bill. For advanced design of RF power amplifier circuits, this requires a detailed knowledge of the optimal matching conditions that can leverage the best performances. If the RF designer can use an accurate transistor model for the simulation with a proper design method, then the design target will be hit. If there is no model available, alternative methods must be found in order to retain the best RF design. In the later case, for die or packaged transistor, two approaches are proposed. Both tend to secure the design flow of high efficiency amplifier when a complete compact transistor nonlinear model is not available.
High-Dimensional Sparse Factor Modeling: Applications in Gene Expression Genomics

We describe studies in molecular profiling and biological pathway analysis that use sparse latent factor and regression models for microarray gene expression data. We discuss breast cancer applications and key aspects of the modeling and computational methodology. Our case studies aim to investigate and characterize heterogeneity of structure related to specific oncogenic pathways, as well as links between aggregate patterns in gene expression profiles and clinical biomarkers. Based on the metaphor of statistically derived “factors” as representing biological “subpathway” structure, we explore the decomposition of fitted sparse factor models into pathway subcomponents and investigate how these components overlay multiple aspects of known biological activity. Our methodology is based on sparsity modeling of multivariate regression, ANOVA, and latent factor models, as well as a class of models that combines all components. Hierarchical sparsity priors address questions of dimension reduction and multiple comparisons, as well as scalability of the methodology. The models include practically relevant non-Gaussian/nonparametric components for latent structure, underlying often quite complex non-Gaussianity in multivariate expression patterns. Model search and fitting are addressed through stochastic simulation and evolutionary stochastic search methods that are exemplified in the oncogenic pathway studies. Supplementary supporting material provides more details of the applications, as well as examples of the use of freely available software tools for implementing the methodology.
Soil microbes and medical metabolites of Artemisia annua L. along altitudinal gradient in Guizhou Karst terrains of China

ABSTRACT Soil microbes play important roles in biochemical processes in the plant-soil-microbe ecosystem. However, the associations between soil microbes and herbal plants mediated by plant medical metabolites are poorly understood. We investigated the linkages of soil microbial biomass (SMB) and diversity based on an analysis of the phospholipid fatty acids and medical metabolites of Artemisia annua at 18 sites (54 plots) at altitudes ranging from 420 to 1420 m altitude in the Guizhou karst terrain of China. We found that the SMB and its diversity significantly linearly increased along the altitude gradient. The artemisinin concentration (0.54–20.82 g/kg) significantly linearly increased with increasing altitude. The artemisic acid concentration and total phenolics significantly linearly decreased with increasing altitude. SMB was significantly positively correlated to artemisinin and negatively correlated with total phenolics. Our results provide basic data regarding the linkages between soil microbes and A. annua medical metabolites, and provide an insight into their interactions.
Buffer scheduling policy in DTN routing protocols

Delay Tolerant Networks are with intermittent connectivity, high latency and without end-to-end paths from the source to the destination. Message delivering in these networks is characterized by store-and-forward. So the sequence of message delivering and discarding is important to the performance of routing algorithms. However, there is little effort concentrating on buffer management optimization, which can effectively utilize the limited resource. In this paper, we employ optimal theory to propose a novel buffer management strategy named Optimal Buffer Management (OBM) to optimize the sequence of message forwarding and message discarding. In OBM strategy, globe optimization considering delivery ratio, delay, and overhead is adopt to improve the overall performance of routing algorithms. The simulation results also show that the OBM policy is much better than the existing ones in delivery ratio, delay, and overhead.
Noncommutative conformally coupled scalar field cosmology and its commutative counterpart

We study the implications of a noncommutative geometry of the minisuperspace variables for the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker universe with a conformally coupled scalar field. The investigation is carried out by means of a comparative study of the universe evolution in four different scenarios: classical commutative, classical noncommutative, quantum commutative, and quantum noncommutative, the last two employing the Bohmian formalism of quantum trajectories. The role of noncommutativity is discussed by drawing a parallel between its realizations in two possible frameworks for physical interpretation: the NC frame, where it is manifest in the universe degrees of freedom, and in the C frame, where it is manifest through {theta}-dependent terms in the Hamiltonian. As a result of our comparative analysis, we find that noncommutative geometry can remove singularities in the classical context for sufficiently large values of {theta}. Moreover, under special conditions, the classical noncommutative model can admit bouncing solutions characteristic of the commutative quantum Friedmann-Robertson-Walker universe. In the quantum context, we find nonsingular universe solutions containing bounces or being periodic in the quantum commutative model. When noncommutativity effects are turned on in the quantum scenario, they can introduce significant modifications that change the singular behavior of the universe solutions or that render them dynamicalmore » whenever they are static in the commutative case. The effects of noncommutativity are completely specified only when one of the frames for its realization is adopted as the physical one. Nonsingular solutions in the NC frame can be mapped into singular ones in the C frame. « less
Accidental Tourism in Wagner’s Bayreuth - An Analysis of Visitors’ Motivations and Experiences in Wagner’s Bayreuth.

This research offers an analysis of the motivations and experiences of visitors in Wagner’s Bayreuth. Wagner’s Bayreuth is a great example of music tourism as it is maybe the first site where music lovers from around the world visited in order to listen and experience classical music. Taking as a starting point the theories developed on music tourism studies on sites related to popular music such as the ones of Connell and Gibson (2003), Gibson and Connell (2005, 2007) and Bolderman and Reijnders (2016), this research will try to identify whether these theories apply also on the classical music field, based on the example of Wagner’s Bayreuth. This paper addresses four visitor elements; the motivation, the expectation, the experience and evaluation of the above. The personal ‘identity’ of each visitor plays also an important role on their motives and evaluation procedure of the experience, as it defines the relationship between the visitor and the place and also the way of evaluation through their personal story. Through the analysis of these elements, using a qualitative approach with in depth interviews based on these elements, the findings suggest that there are some similarities in the behavior of the visitors between Wagner’s Bayreuth and previous researches on popular culture sites. However, the major difference lies in the fact that the visitors of Wagner’s Bayreuth, who visit the city outside the period of the festival, are not fans of the music and the composer and thus, they have different motives and experiences than the ‘Wagnerians’.
AN EMERGENT FORM OF CLIENT-LED SUPPLY CHAIN GOVERNANCE IN UK CONSTRUCTION: CLANS

Drawing inspiration and legitimacy from the traditions of organisational theory and in particular alternative mechanisms of organisational governance, the research explores an emergent, clan form of client-led supply chain governance in UK construction. Clan mechanisms of organisational governance are described as hybrid structures of exchange, neither pro-market nor organisational hierarchy. Not to be mistaken with alternative mechanisms of exchange such as networks, clan forms of client-led supply chain management are readily distinguishable by their highly socialised marketplace, enduring relationships and community of practice. A qualitative research strategy is adopted for this exploration of clan forms of client-led supply chain governance. Data collection uses semi-structured interviews, recorded, coded and analyzed. Participants include senior industry figures from a crosssection of construction stakeholder organisations, including client bodies, first tier service providers and construction contractors. In contrast to much of the prevailing work in construction supply chain management research, the findings draw specific attention to a hybrid form of organisational governance rarely discussed: namely clans. In light of challenging economic conditions, the recognition and potential contribution of clans as an alternative mechanism of governance is a timely and valuable contribution to the ongoing construction supply chain management debate.
Partial Deduction of the Ground Representation and its Application to Integrity Checking

Integrity constraints are very useful in many contexts, such as, for example, deductive databases, abductive and inductive logic programming. However, fully testing the integrity constraints after each update or modiication can be very expensive and methods have been developed which simplify the integrity constraints. In this paper, we pursue the goal of writing this simpliication procedure as a meta-program in logic programming and then using partial deduction to obtain pre-compiled integrity checks for certain update patterns. We argue that the ground representation has to be used to write this meta-program declaratively. We however also show that, contrary to what one might expect, current partial deduction techniques are then unable to specialise this meta-interpreter in an interesting way and no precompilation of integrity checks can be obtained. In fact, we show that partial deduction (alone) is not able to perform any (sophisticated) specialisation at the object-level for meta-interpreters written in the ground representation. We present a solution which uses a novel implementation of the ground representation and an improved partial deduction strategy. With this we are able to overcome the diiculties and produce highly specialised and eecient pre-compiled integrity checks through partial deduction of meta-interpreters.
0 41 12 23 v 1 2 4 N ov 2 00 4 Shape resonances in nested diffraction gratings

The diffraction problem of a plane wave impinging on a grating formed by nested cavities is solved by means of the modal method, for s and p polarization modes. The cavities are formed by perfectly conducting sheets that describe rectangular profiles. The electromagnetic response of the grating is analyzed, paying particular attention to the generation of resonances within the structure. The dependence of the resonances on the geometrical parameters of the grating is studied, and results of far and near field are shown. The results are checked and compared with those available in the literature for certain limit cases.
Glucose fluctuations increase the incidence of atrial fibrillation in diabetic rats.

AIMS We investigated whether glucose fluctuations aggravate cardiac fibrosis and increase the occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in rats with diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS AND RESULTS Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were randomly divided into three groups: uncontrolled DM (U-STZ) group, controlled DM (C-STZ) group, and DM with glucose fluctuations (STZ-GF) group. Glucose fluctuations were induced by fasting for 24 h and additional regular insulin injections (0.5 IU/kg) administered three times per week for three consecutive weeks. C-STZ rats were administered long acting insulin (20 IU/kg) twice a day to control blood glucose levels. Cardiac fibrosis evaluated by Masson trichrome staining and the expressions of collagen type 1, collagen type 3, and α-smooth muscle actin were increased in U-STZ rats compared with C-STZ rats, which were more pronounced in STZ-GF rats. The inducibility of AF was significantly larger in U-STZ rats than C-STZ rats and was greatest in STZ-GF rats. To explore the mechanism of cardiac fibrosis, we investigated the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis. The expression of malondialdehyde, an indicator of ROS levels, was significantly upregulated in STZ-GF rats compared with U-STZ rats, along with increased thioredoxin-interacting protein (Txnip) expression in STZ-GF rats. Furthermore, caspase-3 expression and the number of TUNEL-positive cells were significantly increased in STZ-GF rats compared with U-STZ and C-STZ rats. CONCLUSION Glucose fluctuations increase the incidence of AF by promoting cardiac fibrosis. Increased ROS levels caused by upregulation of Txnip expression may be a mechanism whereby in glucose fluctuations induce fibrosis.
Linear-scaling effects of phonetic context on vowel formants : A tutorial

Systematic effects of phonetic context on vowel-formant transitions are uncovered using the hypothesis (Broad & Clermont 2002) that, for a given speaker and a given formant, the relative spacing between vowels is invariant, and unaffected by consonantal context or by location within a syllable. The assumed invariance implies that, within and between contexts, inter-vowel spacings will be geometrically similar to and, therefore, linearly-scaled copies of one another. Here we explain the linear-scaling approach and describe the sequence of steps leading to scale factors, with which one can evaluate the strength of a context or compare different context effects. This is illustrated using second formant-frequency data (Al-Bannai 1992) obtained from 5 Arabic vowels in 13 fricative contexts.