Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Accelerating MapReduce on Commodity Clusters: An SSD-Empowered Approach

MapReduce, as a programming model and implementation for processing large data sets on clusters with hundreds or thousands of nodes, has gained wide adoption. In spite of the fact, we found that MapReduce on commodity clusters, which are usually equipped with limited memory and hard-disk drive (HDD) and have processors of multiple or many cores, does not scale as expected as the number of processor cores increases. The key reason for this is that the underlying low-speed HDD storage cannot meet the requirement of frequent IO operations. Though in-memory caching can improve IO, it is costly and sometimes cannot get the desired result either due to memory limitation. To deal with the problem and make MapReduce more scalable on commodity clusters, we present mpCache, a solution that utilizes solid-state drive (SSD) to cache input data and localized data of MapReduce tasks. In order to make a good trade-off between cost and performance, mpCache proposes ways to dynamically allocate the cache space between the input data and localized data and to do cache replacement. We have implemented mpCache in Hadoop and evaluated it on a 7-node commodity cluster by 13 benchmarks. The experimental results show that mpCache can gain an average speedup of 2.09 $\times$ when compared with Hadoop, and can achieve an average speedup of 1.79x when compared with PACMan, the latest in-memory optimization of MapReduce.
The Theory of Occupational Therapy

in the treatment of the sick and disabled. Such is this book, and the fact that the demand for it has required the issue of a third edition in six years is in itself a sufficient indication that it continues to fulfil its useful purpose of providing a standard text book for the student preparing for the Diploma of the Association of Occupational Therapists. The scope of the book goes much further than the purely theoretical aspects of occupational therapy, and it is perhaps as a practical guide that it will be found most useful. Problems of staff, equipment, materials, finance, and the general management of the department
POSTER: BotFlex: a community-driven tool for botnetdetection

Existing botnet detection tools suffer from two primary limitations: case specificity and rigidity. Case-specific detection mechanisms leverage instance-specific characteristics of botnets (typically related to C&C). As a result, the scope of detection is narrow and tailored to a sub-class of the entire phenomenon. Similarly, rigidity in design leads to difficulties in (a) accommodating new detection parameters in their decision policies, (b) tuning/configuring their operation, (c) modification of decision policies, and (d) simultaneous implementation of multiple decision policies. In addition to these architectural aspects, flexibility of the tools is further compromised by unavailability of source-code. Currently, no tool exists that can be used to easily implement and test new botnet detection mechanisms. In this poster we present BotFlex— a community-driven network-based tool for botnet detection, designed to address the shortcomings of existing tools identified above. We also present our first-cut implementation of BotFlex which conceptualizes botnet infection as a complex event detectable via multiple trigger paths. BotFlex employs a custom correlation framework which detects and curbs botnet threats by reasoning about vertical (across time) and horizontal (across multiple entities) events. Both BotFlex and its correlation framework are released in open-source for community use [2]. We evaluate BotFlex for accuracy over 500 GB of enterprise traffic collected from one of Pakistan’s largest ISPs, Nayatel, with ground truth obtained using a one-time sample of Team Cymru’s reputation list for the collection duration. By tuning different
Chemoprevention by S-adenosyl-L-methionine of rat liver carcinogenesis initiated by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine and promoted by orotic acid.

Chemoprevention of liver carcinogenesis by S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) was studied in F344 male rats. The rats were given 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (1,2-DMH) 2 HCl (100 mg/kg, i.p.) 18 h after two-thirds hepatectomy. One week later they were fed a semisynthetic basal diet containing 1% orotic acid (OA) for 29 weeks. At this time the rats were transferred to the basal semisynthetic diet and were killed 3 weeks later. SAM treatment (384 mumol/kg/day, i.m.), was started 1 week after 1,2-DMH and was continued up to the end of the experiment. Controls received solvent alone. SAM exerted an inhibitory effect on the induction of preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions. For example, nodules with diameters of 1-2 and 2-6 mm exhibited a decrease in both incidence and number per liver, while no such inhibitory effect was seen in the category of larger nodules. Furthermore, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) also exhibited a decrease in the SAM-treated group. The number/liver and incidence were 0.04 and 4.8% respectively in the SAM-treated group, compared to 0.38 and 37.8% in the control group. Microscopic examination showed the presence of well-differentiated carcinomas and atypical nodules in control rats, while only one small, well-differentiated tumor and one nodule with patterns of initial transformation were seen in SAM-treated rats. No patchy staining of glutathione-S-transferase, indicative of remodeling, was observed in nodules of both SAM-treated and control rats. Nodules and HCCs developing in SAM-treated rats exhibited a relatively high number of apoptotic bodies. Apoptotic bodies count showed 2.8- and 1.8-fold increases in nodules and HCCs of SAM-treated rats with respect to controls. These results indicate that SAM exerts a chemopreventive effect on hepatocarcinogenesis induced by the OA model. SAM seems to be more effective in inhibiting nodule to HCC progression than on the growth of nodule per se. The inhibitory effect is associated with an increase in cell loss by apoptosis in nodules and HCC.
Cultural adaptation, validity, reliability and responsiveness of the Swedish version of the effective musculoskeletal consumer scale (EC-17).

BACKGROUND Endorsed by the Outcome MEasures in Rheumatoid Arthritis in Clinical Trials (OMERACT) group, The Effective Consumer Scale (EC-17) was developed in English for patients with musculoskeletal diseases to assess the skills and perceptions important for participating in and managing health care. The objective of this study was culturally to adapt the questionnaire into Swedish and to study its psychometric properties. METHODS After translation of the questionnaire into Swedish, two different groups of outpatients from two specialist rheumatology departments participated in the study. Face validity was assessed, together with internal consistency, test-retest and responsiveness of the questionnaire. Construct validity was assessed using the Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale (ASES), and responsiveness to a five day educational intervention was analysed using the standardized response mean (SRM). RESULTS Analyses were based on 124 patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases, of whom 50 attended the intervention. Data quality met the requirements, with missing values <5%, and floor and ceiling effects <15%. Item total correlations were all >0.4, ranging from 0.49 to 0.88. Cronbach's alpha was 0.93 and 0.95 for the two groups. The test-retest correlation (ICC₂.₁) was 0.94, and there was a significant improvement as a result of the intervention, with an SRM of 0.43. However, the questionnaire had a higher construct validity with the ASES subscale 'other symptoms' than hypothesized a priori (r(s) 0.75). CONCLUSION The Swedish version of the EC-17 met the required recommendations for face validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability and responsiveness. Its construct validity needs to be further established, and the questionnaire needs further testing in different groups of patients and in different interventions.
Real-time experimental demonstration of a versatile optical OFDM symbol synchronisation technique using low-power DC offset signalling

A simple, low-power DC offset signalling-based optical OFDM symbol synchronisation technique is proposed and experimentally demonstrated, for the first time, in realtime end-to-end 11.25Gb/s 25km SMF IMDD systems using directly modulated DFB lasers. The technique is bandwidth overhead-free and suitable for high line rates. It can also support asynchronous receiver clocking, add extra network security at the physical layer, and more importantly, provide live symbol synchronisation in both point-to-point and point-to-multipoint
The Mn2+/Mn3+ state of La0.7Ce0.3MnO3 by oxygen reduction and photodoping

Films of cerium-doped LaMnO3, which has been intensively discussed as an electron-doped counterpart to hole-doped mixed-valence lanthanum manganites during the past decade, were analyzed by x-ray photoemission spectroscopy with respect to their manganese valence under photoexcitation. The comparative analysis of the Mn 3s exchange splitting of La0.7Ce0. 3MnO3 (LCeMO) films in the dark and under illumination clearly shows that both oxygen reduction and illumination are able to decrease the Mn valence towards a mixed 2+/3+ state, independently of the film thickness and the degree of CeO2 segregation. Charge-injection from the photoconductive SrTiO3 substrate into the Mn eg band with carrier lifetimes in the range of tens of seconds and intrinsic generation of electron–hole pairs within the films are discussed as two possible sources of the Mn valence shift and the subsequent electron doping.
Evaluation of liver diffusion isotropy and characterization of focal hepatic lesions with two single-shot echo-planar MR imaging sequences: prospective study in 66 patients.

PURPOSE To (a) evaluate liver diffusion isotropy, (b) compare two diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging sequences for the characterization of focal hepatic lesions by using two or four b values, and (c) determine an apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) threshold value to differentiate benign from malignant lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty-six patients were examined with two single-shot echo-planar diffusion-weighted MR sequences. In the first sequence, liver diffusion isotropy was evaluated by using diffusion gradients in three directions with two b values. In the second sequence, a unidirectional diffusion gradient was used with four b values. ADCs were measured in 43 patients with 52 focal hepatic lesions more than 1 cm in diameter and in 23 patients with 14 normal and nine cirrhotic livers and were compared by using nonparametric tests. RESULTS Diffusion in the liver parenchyma was isotropic. ADCs of focal hepatic lesions were significantly different between sequences (P <.01). The mean (+/- SD) ADCs in the first sequence were 0.94 x 10(-3) mm(2)/sec +/- 0.60 for metastases, 1.33 x 10(-3) mm(2)/sec +/- 0.13 for HCCs, 1.75 x 10(-3) mm(2)/sec +/- 0.46 for benign hepatocellular lesions, 2.95 x 10(-3) mm(2)/sec +/- 0.67 for hemangiomas, and 3.63 x 10(-3) mm(2)/sec +/- 0.56 for cysts. There was a significant difference between benign (2.45 x 10(-3) mm(2)/sec +/- 0.96, isotropic value) and malignant (1.08 x 10(-3) mm(2)/sec +/- 0.50) lesions (P <.01 for both sequences). CONCLUSION Diffusion-weighted MR imaging can help differentiate benign from malignant hepatic lesions. The use of two b values in one direction could be sufficient for the design of MR sequences in the liver.
The reaction of no with superoxide.

The rate constant for the reaction of NO with . O2- was determined to be (6.7 +/- 0.9) x 10(9) l mol-1 s-1, considerably higher than previously reported. Rate measurements were made from pH 5.6 to 12.5 both by monitoring the loss of . O2- and the formation of the product -OONO. The decay rate of -OONO, in the presence of 0.1 mol l-1 formate, ranges from 1.2 s-1 at pH 5 to about 0.2 s-1 in strong base, the latter value probably reflecting catalysis by formate.
EVOLUTION O ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE BY HUMAN AND BACTERIAL NECHE CONSTRUCTION

Abstract Antibiotic treatment by humans generates strong viability selection for antibiotic‐resistant bacterial strains. The frequency of host antibiotic use often determines the strength of this selection, and changing patterns of antibiotic use can generate many types of behaviors in the population dynamics of resistant and sensitive bacterial populations. In this paper, we present a simple model of hosts dimorphic for their tendency to use/avoid antibiotics and bacterial pathogens dimorphic in their resistance/sensitivity to antibiotic treatment. When a constant fraction of hosts uses antibiotics, the two bacterial strain populations can coexist unless host use‐frequency is above a critical value; this critical value is derived as the ratio of the fitness cost of resistance to the fitness cost of undergoing treatment. When strain frequencies can affect host behavior, the dynamics may be analyzed in the light of niche construction. We consider three models underlying changing host behavior: conformism, the avoidance of long infections, and adherence to the advice of public health officials. In the latter two, we find that the pathogen can have quite a strong effect on host behavior. In particular, if antibiotic use is discouraged when resistance levels are high, we observe a classic niche‐construction phenomenon of maintaining strain polymorphism even in parameter regions where it would not be expected.
Informations- und Informationstechnologie-Management in österreichischen Banken, Versicherungen und KFZ-Unternehmen

Zusammenfassung In diesem Beitrag werden Teile einer empirischen Studie vorgestellt, die das Informationsmanagement (IM) in osterreichischen Grosunternehmen zum Gegenstand hatte. Die Studie basierte auf einem umfassenden IMVerstandnis. Demzufolge wurden sowohl Informationsvermittlungsstellen als auch EDV-/Organisationsabteilungen auf die Umsetzung einer Reihe von IMIndikatoren strategische Informations(technologie)planung, Informationsrichtlinien, Informations(verarbeitungs)controlling, methodische Unterstutzung und organisatorische Aspekte untersucht, die zuvor auf Grundlage eines umfassenden Literaturstudiums herausgearbeitet wurden. Die Ergebnisse zeigen die starke Betonung der technologischen Aspekte im Rahmen des Informationsmanagements auf. Demnach werden die einzelnen IM-Kriterien von den EDV-Abteilungen in einem hohen Mase erfullt. Hingegen ist bei den Informationsvermittlungsstellen oft schon die Lokalisierung mit Schwierigkeiten verbunden. In einigen Unternehmen konnte nicht einmal eine Stelle eruiert werden.
Predictors of Home Radon Testing and Implications for Testing Promotion Programs

Four data sets (total N = 3,329) are examined to identify the predictors of home radon testing. The data, interpreted in terms of a stage model of radon testing behavior, reveal that the variables predicting transitions between stages change as people move from one stage to the next. Thinking about radon testing (vs. never having even considered testing) is best predicted by general radon knowledge and by knowing other people who are concerned or have tested. Once contemplating testing, the decision to test is most closely related to the perceived likelihood of a home radon problem. Finally, there are few differences between people who say they have decided to test and those who have already tested. Instead situational factors—including difficulties in locating and choosing among test kits—appear to constitute the final barrier to testing. The ways in which these findings might assist the design of radon outreach programs are discussed, and specific outreach recommendations are advanced.
Fast Real-time Segmentation and Tracking of Multiple Subjects by Time-of-Flight Camera - A New Approach for Real-time Multimedia Applications with 3D Camera Sensor

Time-of-Flight cameras are a new kind of sensors that use near-infrared light to provide distance measures of an environment. In this paper we present a very fast method for real-time segmentation and tracking, that exploits the peculiar characteristics of these devices. The foreground segmentation is achieved by a dynamic thresholding and region growing: an appropriate correction based on flexible intensity thresholding and mathematical morphology is used to partially compensate one of the most common problem of the TOF cameras, the noise generated by sun light. By the use of a Kalman filter for tracking the retrieved objects the system is able to correctly handle the occlusions and to follow multiple objects placed at different distances. The proposed system is our basic step for complex multimedia applications, such as augmented reality. An example of mixed reality that includes the integration of color information, supplied by a webcam is shown in the experimental results.
Systems Biology

Systems biology as a field continues to grow with PubMed listing 21,352 papers published as of mid December of 2014. The human body can be described as a system of systems and is classified as a complex system. Not only is the intact human a complex system but it is composed of other systems that are also complex systems. The inherent unpredictable nature of complex systems, along with the corresponding failure of scientists and funding agencies to recognize that humans are complex systems, had led to many failures in research in general and in translational research in particular.
Integrated Microbial Survey Analysis of Prokaryotic Communities for the PhyloChip Microarray

ABSTRACT PhyloTrac is an integrated desktop application for analysis of PhyloChip microarray data. PhyloTrac combined with PhyloChip provides turnkey and comprehensive identification and analysis of bacterial and archaeal communities in complex environmental samples. PhyloTrac is free for noncommercial organizations and is available for all major operating systems at http://www.phylotrac. org/ .
Development and Implementation of an Industry Foundation Classes‐Based Graphic Information Model for Virtual Construction

Virtual Construction (VC) applications encounter difficulty in sharing and exchanging information with one another due to the long periods of interoperability limitation. To address these issues, an Industrial Foundation Classes‐based graphic information model (IFC‐GIM) is developed according to the exchange requirement of VC, and using the representations of three models in the IFC schema and its extension by defining the dynamic property set and properties for animation. The three models include the physical object model, the construction information model, and the realistic model. An OpenGL‐based VC platform is developed and applied to a 440‐m‐high building to implement the IFC‐GIM. The results demonstrate that the proposed IFC‐GIM lays the foundation for data sharing and exchange among VC systems and other IFC‐compliant applications, which, in turn, significantly reduces the modeling effort for VC and increases the value of VC results. Furthermore, animation is applied to simulate construction activities by the VC platform in addition to color and transparency, enhancing realistic feelings in 4D applications.
Accelerating a Dual Algorithm for the Simultaneous Routing and Power Control Problem

Efficiently transmitting data in wireless networks requires an integrated routing and radio resource allocation strategy. An initial observation that suggest dual decomposition to be a worthwhile approach is that the network flow variables for routing and the communication variables for resource allocation are only coupled through link capacities. With dual decomposition we split routing and resource allocation up in two separate subproblems and coordinate the solutions by solving a master dual problem. In this paper, we suggest to solve the master dual problem iteratively by using Aitken's method for an update of the dual variables. In contrast to former proposed subgradient methods, we accelerate the iteration process for achieving an optimum solution. This results in significant less complexity, but still facilitating distributed implementation. Beside describing the application of Aitken's method to simultaneous routing and resource allocation we also give necessary conditions for optimality, and show results for data transmission in a wireless mesh network being optimized in a proportional fair manner.
Small Ubiquitin-Like Modifier 3–Modified Proteome Regulated by Brain Ischemia in Novel Small Ubiquitin-Like Modifier Transgenic Mice: Putative Protective Proteins/Pathways

Background and Purpose— Small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) conjugation is a post-translational modification associated with many human diseases. Characterization of the SUMO-modified proteome is pivotal to define the mechanistic link between SUMO conjugation and such diseases. This is particularly evident for SUMO2/3 conjugation, which is massively activated after brain ischemia/stroke, and is believed to be a protective response. The purpose of this study was to perform a comprehensive analysis of the SUMO3-modified proteome regulated by brain ischemia using a novel SUMO transgenic mouse. Methods— To enable SUMO proteomics analysis in vivo, we generated transgenic mice conditionally expressing tagged SUMO1-3 paralogues. Transgenic mice were subjected to 10 minutes forebrain ischemia and 1 hour of reperfusion. SUMO3-conjugated proteins were enriched by anti-FLAG affinity purification and analyzed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Results— Characterization of SUMO transgenic mice demonstrated that all 3 tagged SUMO paralogues were functionally active, and expression of exogenous SUMOs did not modify the endogenous SUMOylation machinery. Proteomics analysis identified 112 putative SUMO3 substrates of which 91 candidates were more abundant in the ischemia group than the sham group. Data analysis revealed processes/pathways with putative neuroprotective functions, including glucocorticoid receptor signaling, RNA processing, and SUMOylation-dependent ubiquitin conjugation. Conclusions— The identified proteins/pathways modulated by SUMOylation could be the key to understand the mechanisms linking SUMOylation to neuroprotection, and thus provide new promising targets for therapeutic interventions. The new transgenic mouse will be an invaluable platform for analyzing the SUMO-modified proteome in models of human disorders and thereby help to mechanistically link SUMOylation to the pathological processes.
Class I and class II viral fusion protein structures reveal similar principles in membrane fusion (Review)

Recent crystal structures of Flavivirus and Alphavirus fusion proteins (class II) confirm two major principles of protein machineries that mediate the merger of two opposing lipid bilayers. First, the fusion protein can bridge both membranes tethered by two membrane anchors. Second, refolding or domain rearrangement steps lead to the positioning of both anchors into close proximity at the same end of an elongated structure. Although these two steps are in principle sufficient to pull two opposing membranes together and initiate membrane fusion, accumulating evidence suggests that the process requires the concerted action of a number of fusion proteins at and outside the contact sites. This review will focus on the structures of viral class I and class II fusion proteins and their similarities in facilitating membrane fusion.