Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Performance Evaluation of Dynamic Parallelism for Fine-Grained, Irregular Workloads

GPU compute devices have become very popular for general purpose computations. However, the SIMD-like hardware of graphics processors is currently not well suited for irregular workloads, like searching unbalanced trees. In order to mitigate this drawback, NVIDIA introduced an extension to GPU programming models called Dynamic Parallelism. This extension enables GPU programs to spawn new units of work directly on the GPU, allowing the refinement of subsequent work items based on intermediate results without any involvement of the main CPU. This work investigates methods for employing Dynamic Parallelism with the goal of improved workload distribution for tree search algorithms on modern GPU hardware. For the evaluation of the proposed approaches, a case study is conducted on the N-Queens problem. Extensive benchmarks indicate that the benefits of improved resource utilization fail to outweigh high management overhead and runtime limitations due to the very fine level of granularity of the investigated problem. However, novel memory management concepts for passing parameters to child grids are presented. These general concepts are applicable to other, more coarse-grained problems that benefit from the use of Dynamic Parallelism.
Application of microscopic techniques in authentication of herbal tea—Ku‐Ding‐Cha

Ku‐Ding‐Cha, a kind of herbal tea, has been widely used in China for a long time to support cardiovascular health. Confusion arises because in different parts of China different plants are used to produce the commercial teas. It is important to determine the identity of the used species in order to authenticate genuine Ku‐Ding‐Cha. However, once the plants have been processed, it is difficult to identify them through macroscopic identification; other means are necessary. A comparative study was made on 24 samples of Ku‐Ding‐Cha, including five standard identified and authenticated plants and 19 commercial samples, by microscopic techniques. The results showed that the shapes of leaf blades, xylem cells, stone cells, and calcium oxalate crystals could be used for the identification of the plants from which the commercial products were made. The method was proven to be quick, handy, simple, and convenient. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Post-transcriptional Regulation of Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor Protein by Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9a in Mouse Liver*

Lipid homeostasis is transcriptionally regulated by three DNA-binding proteins, designated sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-1a, -1c, and -2. Oligonucleotide arrays hybridized with RNA made from livers of transgenic SREBP-1a, transgenic SREBP-2, and SREBP cleavage-activating protein knockout mice recently identified 33 genes regulated by SREBPs in liver, four of which had no known connection to lipid metabolism. One of the four genes was PCSK9, which encodes proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9a, a protein that belongs to the proteinase K subfamily of subtilases. Mutations in PCSK9 are associated with an autosomal dominant form of hypercholesterolemia. Here, we demonstrate that hepatic overexpression of either wild-type or mutant PCSK9 in mice results in hypercholesterolemia. The hypercholesterolemia is due to a post-transcriptional event causing a reduction in low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor protein prior to the internalization and recycling of the receptor. Overexpression of PCSK9 in primary hepatocytes and in mice lacking the LDL receptor does not alter apolipoprotein B secretion. These data are consistent with PCSK9 affecting plasma LDL cholesterol levels by altering LDL receptor protein levels via a post-transcriptional mechanism.
Explaining the Firm's De-Internationalization Process by Using Resource-Based View

The main purpose of this chapter is to analyze why some firms fail in their international operation either right after their exposure or after a certain period of time. Resource-Based View (RBV), which deals with firms’ competitive advantage and their superior performance, is used to predict the underlying reasons of firms’ failure of internationalization process. In international marketing, RBV basically states that the firm internationally expands its territory when it decides to exploit its resources and capabilities in other markets. This chapter extends RBV literature by applying it to de-internationalization process of the firm. It also provides a framework that shows the actions that need to be taken when firms are faced with a failure in their international operation.
Maternal Characteristics Predicting Young Girls' Disruptive Behavior

Little is known about the relative predictive utility of maternal characteristics and parenting skills on the development of girls' disruptive behavior. The current study used five waves of parent- and child-report data from the ongoing Pittsburgh Girls Study to examine these relationships in a sample of 1,942 girls from age 7 to 12 years. Multivariate generalized estimating equation analyses indicated that European American race, mother's prenatal nicotine use, maternal depression, maternal conduct problems prior to age 15, and low maternal warmth explained unique variance. Maladaptive parenting partly mediated the effects of maternal depression and maternal conduct problems. Both current and early maternal risk factors have an impact on young girls' disruptive behavior, providing support for the timing and focus of the prevention of girls' disruptive behavior.
Recursos para Vantagem Competitiva Sustentável no Segmento da Construção Civil Resources to Sustainable Competitive Advantage in Building Organizations

O presente estudo tem como objetivo analisar os recursos organizacionais do setor da construcao civil que contribuem para a vantagem competitiva sustentavel. A abordagem de base desse estudo se da pela teoria da Visao baseada em Recursos, especificamente com o modelo VRIO. A pesquisa se caracterizou como metodo misto, abrangendo combinacoes e abordagens dos metodos quantitativos e qualitativos, proporcionando uma maior compreensao do problema pesquisado. O estudo trilhou pela pesquisa exploratoria e pela pesquisa descritiva, tendo usado como base, os dados obtidos por fontes de dados secundarias, observacao e adaptacao de um questionario ja validado. A amostra se deu em 58 empresas do segmento da construcao civil no estado de Santa Catarina, especificamente com construtoras e incorporadoras. Como principais resultados obtidos, destacam-se os recursos organizacionais com maior percepcao de influencia para a vantagem competitiva sustentavel. O recurso humano foi considerado com menor incidencia de influencia para alcance de vantagem competitiva, apesar da importância a ele atribuida por diversos autores. Os recursos fisicos e organizacionais apresentaram, de acordo com a percepcao dos respondentes, as maiores medias, destacando-se itens como: Etica e respeito, Qualidade dos produtos em relacao a concorrencia e Acesso aos gestores da empresa. Palavras-chave: Vantagem Competitiva Sustentavel. Visao Baseada em Recursos. Construcao Civil. Abstract The present study aims to analyze the organizational features of the construction industry that contribute to sustainable competitive advantage. The basic approach of this study is given by the theory of vision -based resources, specifically with VRIO model. The research was characterized as mixed method, comprising combinations and approaches of quantitative and qualitative methods, providing a greater understanding of the problem researched. The study trod by exploratory and descriptive research by, and used as a basis, the data obtained from secondary data sources, observation and adaptation of a questionnaire validated. The sample was performed in 58 companies in the construction industry in the state of Santa Catarina, specifically with builders and developers. As main results, we highlight the organizational resources with greater perception of influence for sustainable competitive advantage. The human resource is considered a lower incidence of influence to reach competitive advantage, despite the importance attributed to him by several authors. The physical and organizational resources presented, according to the perception of the respondents, the highest averages, highlighting items such as: ethics and compliance, quality of products in relation to competition and access to managers company. Keywords: Sustainable Competitive Advantage. Resouce Based View. Building.
Electromagnetic band gap antenna for GSM applications

This paper presents the design of a low cost Electromagnetic Band Gap (EBG) antenna with high gain and mono-band characteristics covering the up/downlink GSM (890–960 MHz). These properties are performed using Plexiglas layers suspended over a ground plane. The principle of Fabry-Perot cavity is used to obtain the high gain performance.
Host-Bacteria Interactions in Foreign Body Infections

Abstract Persistent staphylococcal infections are a major medical problem, especially when they occur on implanted materials or intravascular catheters. This review describes some of the recently discovered molecular mechanisms of Staphylococcus aureus attachment to host proteins coating biomedical implants. These interactions involve specific surface proteins, called bacterial adhesins, that recognize specific domains of host proteins deposited on indwelling devices, such as fibronectin, fibrinogen, or fibrin. Elucidation of molecular mechanisms of S aureus adhesion to the different host proteins may lead to the development of specific inhibitors blocking attachment of S aureus, which may decrease the risk of bacterial colonization of indwelling devices.
Hendelsesrapportering i en organisasjon i norsk olje- og gassindustri

This master thesis focuses on incident reporting for information security within an organisation in the Norwegian oil and gas industry. The study is based on qualitative interviews. The main purpose of this study is to discover how the organisation’s incident reporting routines compares to a recently developed system dynamic model for incident reporting. The results indicate that the organisation has potential to do improvements regarding certain areas concerning communication about incident reporting. It also indicates that the organisation could profit from giving special attention to feedback toward reporting staff, information about guidelines within incident reporting in information security and also focus on educating the staff with regards to incident reporting.
Cryo-cooling in macromolecular crystallography: advantages, disadvantages and optimization

The flash-cooling of crystals in macromolecular crystallography has become commonplace. The procedure makes it possible to collect data from much smaller specimens than was the case in the past. Also, flash-cooled crystals are much less prone to radiation damage than their room-temperature counterparts, allowing data to be accumulated over extended periods of time. Notwithstanding the attractiveness of the technique, it does have potential disadvantages. First, better methods need to be developed to prevent damage to crystals on freezing. There is also a risk that structures determined at low temperature may suggest conclusions based on aspects of the structure that are not necessarily relevant at room temperature.
UB-Botswana Participation to CLEF eHealth IR Challenge 2017: Task 3 (IRTask1 : Ad-hoc Search)

In this paper, we describe the methods deployed in the different runs submitted for our participation to the CLEF eHealth 2017 Task 3: Patient-Centered Information Retrieval, IRTask 1: ad-hoc search. Specifically, we deploy DPH term weighting model with explicit relevance feedback, where the expansion terms are selected from documents which were previously identified as relevant by assessors for each query. As improvement we deployed proximity search using both Full Dependence (FD) and Sequential Dependence (SD) variants of the Markov Random Fields and the Divergence From Randomness (DFR) based dependence models to re-rank documents, which have query terms in close proximity. In another approach, we deploy pseudo relevance feedback, where the expansion terms are selected from the top 3 ranked documents after a first pass retrieval. In addition, we deploy proximity search using the SD variant of the DFR based dependence model.
Effect of BDNF Val66Met and serotonin transporter 5-HTTLPR polymorphisms on psychopathological characteristics in a sample of university students

Objective The aims of this study were to evaluate the impact of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met polymorphism on several psychological characteristics in a group of Greek University students and to explore putative interactions with the serotonin-transporter-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) and serious past adverse experiences. Methods A total of 224 students were genotyped and classified as (a) carriers or noncarriers of the Met allele of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and (b) carriers or noncarriers of the S or Lg alleles (S′) of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism. Students were evaluated using a battery of standard psychological tests and answered questionnaires on serious past adverse experiences. Results The Val/Val BDNF genotype was associated with higher scores in several psychopathological dimensions. When the effect of the BDNF Met allele was examined in relation to 5-HTTLPR, it was restricted to S′ noncarriers. Among these students, BDNF Met allele carriers had lower scores compared with noncarriers. The effects of the Met allele on the S′ allele noncarriers in the anxiety and phobic anxiety dimensions were more pronounced among individuals who had reported no serious life adversities. Conclusion There may be a protective role of the BDNF Met allele in several psychopathological features and it is suggested that some of these effects are moderated by 5-HTTLPR.
Estimation of Biomechanical Parameters and Propulsive Efficiency of Rowing

2.1. APPARATUS . 3 2.2. SUBJECTS.3 2.3. PROCEDURE . 3 2.4. DATA PROCESSING.4 2.5. CALCULATION OF ENERGY WASTE . 4
A 12-bit 150-MSample/s current-steering DAC

A 12-Bit, 150-MHz current-steering DAC is presented. It has an internal adjustable reference current generator. The measured spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) is about 70 dBc with a 27.2-MHz sine wave. Itpsilas implemented in TSMC 0.25 u mixed signal process. The supply voltages are 3.3 and 2.5 V. The output current can be varied from 2mA to 20 mA by adjusting the reference current. The die size is 0.6 mm2 including the current generator without pads. DAC core size is 0.48 mm2.
Influence of Organizational Characteristics and Context on Research Utilization

Background: Despite three decades of empirical investigation into research utilization and a renewed emphasis on evidence-based medicine and evidence-based practice in the past decade, understanding of factors influencing research uptake in nursing remains limited. There is, however, increased awareness that organizational influences are important. Objectives: To develop and test a theoretical model of organizational influences that predict research utilization by nurses and to assess the influence of varying degrees of context, based on the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARIHS) framework, on research utilization and other variables. Methods: The study sample was drawn from a census of registered nurses working in acute care hospitals in Alberta, Canada, accessed through their professional licensing body (n = 6,526 nurses; 52.8% response rate). Three variables that measured PARIHS dimensions of context (culture, leadership, and evaluation) were used to sort cases into one of four mutually exclusive data sets that reflected less positive to more positive context. Then, a theoretical model of hospital- and unit-level influences on research utilization was developed and tested, using structural equation modeling, and 300 cases were randomly selected from each of the four data sets. Results: Model test results were as follows-low context: &khgr;2 = 124.5, df = 80, p <. 001; partially low: &khgr;2 = 144.2, p <. 001, df = 80; partially high: &khgr;2 = 157.3, df = 80, p <. 001; and partially low: &khgr;2 = 146.0, df = 80, p <. 001. Hospital characteristics that positively influenced research utilization by nurses were staff development, opportunity for nurse-to-nurse collaboration, and staffing and support services. Increased emotional exhaustion led to less reported research utilization and higher rates of patient and nurse adverse events. Nurses working in contexts with more positive culture, leadership, and evaluation also reported significantly more research utilization, staff development, and lower rates of patient and staff adverse events than did nurses working in less positive contexts (i.e., those that lacked positive culture, leadership, or evaluation). Conclusion: The findings highlight the combined importance of culture, leadership, and evaluation to increase research utilization and improve patient safety. The findings may serve to strengthen the PARIHS framework and to suggest that, although it is not fully developed, the framework is an appropriate guide to implement research into practice.
Visualization of Fluid/Structure Interaction in IC Encapsulation

This paper presents the visualization of the fluid/structure interaction (FSI) in molded integrated-circuit (IC) packaging. The complexity and high cost of the experimental setup in the molded packaging make the FSI visualization difficult during the encapsulation process, particularly for tiny and thinned chips in IC packages. To address this problem, we fabricated a scaled-up transparent molded package, and the encapsulation process was experimentally performed to visualize the FSI phenomenon. Two scaled-up (single- and stacked-chip) IC packages were considered in the experiment to investigate the FSI, flow front advancement, and void formation. The void formation mechanisms for both imitated IC packages were also studied. Moreover, finite-volume and finite-element codes, via the mesh-based parallel code coupling interface method, were used to describe the physics of FSI during the encapsulation. The predicted flow front advancement, flow profiles, and chip deformation were validated with the experimental results. Hence, this paper is expected to provide a better understanding of the FSI phenomenon during the IC encapsulation.
The new co-payment policy under Taiwan’s National Health Insurance: welfare gain or welfare loss?

This paper provides a welfare assessment of the new Taiwan National Health Insurance (NHI) co-payment policy, enacted July 15, 2005. This policy creates a pricing mechanism designed to entice patients to first seek outpatient care at local clinics rather than hospitals. Our empirical findings suggest that while the new policy results in a net welfare gain, it is far less than the expected annual growth in NHI medical expenditure. Thus, additional policy changes will be required to deal with Taiwan’s NHI future financial shortfalls.
Let's Do the TWIST.

Silicon wafers, the backbone of the electronics industry, are brittle and fragile. So researchers have sought to create a more supple polymer surface that can be stretched, twisted, and bent in any direction and to populate it with newly engineered circuits. The solution: "pop-up" wire connections between the circuit components, along with flexible S-curves in the wires that can unwind and slip back into shape. "We are now the first to produce a way to stretch electronic components up to 140 percent," says Yonggang Huang, an engineering professor at Northwestern University and the co-leader of the project with John Rogers, an engineering professor at the University of Illinois. Mountable on most surfaces, flexible technology may eventually be found in displays that you can wrap around your arm, as well as solar panels on car bodies, building windows, and even an implantable camera shaped like a human eye. Posted 01.13. 2009 at 11:58 am
A Sustentabilidade em Cadeias de Suprimento a partir da visão de Recursos e Capacidades (Sustainable Supply Chain Management from resources and capabilities)

Due to asetof demands related to the sustainability inclusion in organizational strategies those related to supply chains have emerged as central. In this context, organizations have possibilities to develop sustainability strategies from their resources and initiatives focused on their organizational boundaries. However, when these strategies are extended to supply chains more effective results can be achieved by using internal resources and capabilities for developing to interorganizational relationships. Therefore, this study aims to understand how resources and capabilities can facilitate the application of sustainable supply chain management from the perspective of the Resource Based View (RBV) and Relational View (RV). Thus, a theoretical essay was developed in order to present how those perspectives can be used as a base to propose some practical directions for companies to use resources and capabilities to develop sustainable strategies along the supply chain. Therefore, we present that the perspectives of RBV and RV integrated to the context of sustainable supply chain management can bean opportunity to explore howto integrate internal organizational elements into collaborative relationships in supply chains through appropriate governance mechanisms. Also, presents potential organizational actions that can lead to the creation of competitive and / or collaborative advantages. In this context, this paper contributes to the literature improvement to address the development of resources and capabilities in relation to sustainable supply chain management. Keywords: Sustainability. Supply Chains. Strategy.Resources. Capabilities.
Information privacy and the digital generation gap: An exploratory study

ABSTRACT Over the past decade, the demise of privacy has been repeatedly pronounced by renowned technology executives such as Mark Zuckerberg, who have declared privacy to be passé and anachronistic—“so 20th century”—or the concern of old people. However, there has been relatively little research into privacy perception and behavior among different generations that may relate to how people navigate their private lives in online settings. Furthermore, recent research has revealed the ways in which privacy concerns of young Internet users are enacted, thus challenging overgeneralized claims of a clear-cut generation gap associated with online privacy. As information privacy problems are becoming thornier, unfounded statements voiced by stakeholders with vested interests should be put to one side. Instead, systematic research is needed to understand how privacy is perceived and managed by people of different age groups, and what measures can and should be taken to address current and future concerns of Internet users across generations. We explore these questions and account for the results using a representative sample from Israel.
E-Government and Denial of Service Attacks

The use of electronic technologies in government services has played a significant role in making citizens’ lives more convenient. Even though the transition to digital governance has great advantages for the quality of government services it may be accompanied with many security threats. One of the major threats and hardest security problems e-government faces are the denial of service (DoS) attacks. DoS attacks have already taken some of the most popular e-government sites off-line for several hours causing enormous losses and repair costs. In this chapter, important incidents of DoS attacks and results from surveys that indicate the seriousness of the problem are presented. In order to limit the problem of DoS attacks in government organizations, we also present a list of best practices that can be used to combat the problem together with a classification of attacks and defense mechanisms. INtrODUctION