Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A workload-aware-design of 3D-NAND flash memory for enterprise SSDs

Solid-state drives (SSDs) have a growing trend of replacing hard disk drives (HDDs) in large computing systems to meet the requirements of power and space. Data in SSD are stored in NAND flash memory cells. Since 2-dimensional (2D) scaling is facing various limitations, 3D-NAND flash memory architectures have been proposed to maintain the trend of bit density increase and bit cost reduction, which prefers large block sizes and page sizes. However, overly large block and page sizes flash memory harm the throughput of NAND flash devices. The actual page size and block size of the NAND flash memory product are as small as 8KB and 2MB respectively to avoid the performance degradation. Alternatively, emerging nonvolatile memory devices named storage class memories (SCMs) feature in high speed, low power consumption and high endurance. By combining SCM, large block sizes and page sizes, required especially for the 3D-NAND flash device case, are acceptable for SCM/NAND flash hybrid SSD. In this paper, a workload-aware NAND organization design is investigated for enhancing the performance of both SSD with only NAND flash memory and SCM/NAND flash hybrid SSD. From the experimental results, a 16MB NAND block size that corresponds to 512 layers and 16KB page size in a 512Gbit P-BiCS 3D-NAND flash memory can be acceptable for applications like relational database and financial online transaction processing. Additionally, a large NAND flash page size of 512KB is also acceptable for the firewall/web proxy, relational database and project directories applications. With SCM, the acceptable page and block sizes of the 3D-NAND flash memory can be magnified up to 64-times and 4-times, respectively, compared with the conventional SSD composed of only NAND flash memory.
WORLD PCBs MAP: STORAGE AND EFFECTS IN MAN AND HIS BIOLOGIC ENVIRONMENT IN THE 1970s

PCB residues are found in biota all over the world. A biologic magnification of PCBs has been demonstrated in the food chain: plankton-fish-fish eating birds. A world map of the PCBs residues in biota and some of their biologic effects are given in this study. The biologic effects of PCBs are varied and may generally be explained by the induction or inhibition of the activity of a large number of enzymes, which upsets quantitatively, normal biochemical processes. Harm to reproduction, growth, development, defense systems, tissues, and organs appeared in susceptible organisms as a result of such changes or as a chain reaction to heterostases. The adverse health effects, observed in persons occupationally exposed and in those accidentally poisoned, point to the risk for the general population of an ever-increasing environmental pollution by PCBs. There is need for an integrated approach, consisting of epidemiologic studies on high risk groups in the general population and in persons occupationally exposed, as well as periodic assessment of PCB residues in man, his food, and feed supplies.
Statistical estimates of the n-bit Gray codes by restricted random generation of permutations of 1 to 2n

The number of n -bit Gray codes is the number in a well-defined subset of the permutations of the integers 1 to 2^{n} . Generating random permutations with associated estimates under suitably restrictive selection rules produces a discrete distribution whose expectation value is the number of such codes. The number of Hamiltonian circuits on the n -cube (cyclic Gray codes) is a further subset which can readily be estimated also. Reliable statistical estimates up to n=6 were produced with reasonable speed by computer implementation of this Monte Carlo process; excellent agreement with the exact values for n=4 and 5 was obtained. Proofs are given of the validity of the technique and of an upper bound for the total number of Gray codes. The technique could also be used to count permutation subsets other than Gray codes.
Regional cerebral blood flow changes in chronic alcoholic patients induced by naltrexone challenge during detoxification.

UNLABELLED The recent introduction of the opioid antagonist naltrexone for alcohol-dependence therapy has been mainly based on behavioral animal models that provide evidence of the involvement of the endogenous opioid system in alcohol drinking and dependence. However, the neurophysiological mechanisms of the effect of naltrexone in alcoholic patients remain unknown. This study investigates the effects of a naltrexone challenge on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in chronic alcoholic patients during detoxification. METHODS Sixteen alcoholic inpatients underwent two 99mTc-hexamethyl propyleneamine oxime (HMPAO) brain SPECTs: a basal SPECT on day 10 of abstinence and a second SPECT on day 12 of abstinence after oral administration of 150 mg naltrexone. Region-to-cerebellar ratios were obtained for the orbitary frontal, prefrontal, lateral temporal and mesial temporal regions, basal ganglia and thalamus in each hemisphere. A percentage of rCBF change between both SPECTs was calculated for each region as 100 x (naltrexone - baseline)/ baseline. Values from 13 brain SPECTs of age-matched normal volunteers including test-retest measurements were used for statistical comparison. RESULTS In baseline conditions, alcoholics showed lower rCBF than controls in left orbitofrontal cortex (84.0+/-5.1 versus 89.8+/-5.0, P < 0.01) and prefrontal cortex (left hemisphere: 87.4+/-5.2 versus 96.2+/-3.6, P < 0.001; right hemisphere: 87.0+/-4.9 versus 95.8+/-4.2, P< 0.001). After naltrexone, a significant rCBF decrease was found versus test-retest values in left basal ganglia (-3.3%+/-4.0% versus 1.5%+/-4.1%, P< 0.05), right basal ganglia (-4.2%+/-4.9% versus 0.6%+/-2.7%, P < 0.01) and left mesial temporal region (-4.5%+/-6.8% versus 2.2%+/-2.9%, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION The rCBF decrease detected by SPECT after naltrexone challenge in structures rich in opioid receptors, such as the basal ganglia and the left mesial temporal region, may reflect a naltrexone-induced decreased metabolic activity in these areas. These results support the involvement of the opioid system in alcohol dependence. Furthermore, the localization of naltrexone-induced rCBF changes in mesial temporal structures and in basal ganglia supports the implication of emotional memory and obsessive-compulsive phenomena in craving.
Association of obesity and visceral fat distribution with intima-media thickness of carotid arteries in middle-aged and older persons.

OBJECTIVE The association between obesity and atherosclerotic disease is controversial. We examined whether common carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), a precursor to preclinical atherosclerosis, was associated with total body fatness or the accumulation of fat mass in the abdominal region in middle-aged and older persons. METHODS Participants were consecutively enrolled from patients aged >or=50 years, and were 623 men aged 73+/-10 (mean+/-standard deviation) years and 835 women aged 76+/-10 years. Demographic data were collected and maximal preperitoneal fat thickness (PFT(max)) and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) were evaluated on B-mode ultrasonography. Subjects were divided into 3 groups on the basis of body mass index (BMI), a marker of general obesity. RESULTS It was shown by multiple regression analysis for IMT that age, smoking status, hypertension and uric acid were significantly associated with IMT in subjects in the lowest BMI group (<20 kg/m(2)), and age, hypertension, dyslipidemia and uric acid in middle BMI group (20-22.9 kg/m(2)). Moreover, man sex, age, BMI, PFT(max), smoking status, hypertension and uric acid were significantly associated with IMT in subjects with highest BMI group (>or=23 kg/m(2)). Analysis of covariance showed that interaction between BMI and visceral obesity (f=7.202, p=0.007) was significantly associated with IMT, in addition to age, visceral obesity, smoking status, hypertension, dyslipidemia and uric acid. CONCLUSION The present study indicates a graded and independent association between general and visceral obesity and preclinical carotid artery changes in patients aged >or=50 years with a BMI >or=23 kg/m(2).
Simian retrovirus-D serotype 1 (SRV-1) envelope glycoproteins gp70 and gp20: expression in yeast cells and identification of specific antibodies in sera from monkeys that recovered from SRV-1 infection

The gp70 and transmembrane gp20 envelope proteins of simian retrovirus-D serotype 1 (SRV-1) were expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae as fusion proteins with human superoxide dismutase (SOD). Expression of the SOD-gp70 and SOD-gp20 sequences yielded fusion proteins of 52 and 29 kilodaltons, respectively. The yeast-expressed SRV-1 envelope proteins were used in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of antibodies in the sera of rhesus macaques that recovered from SRV-1. Sera from 47 of 49 such monkeys tested positive for antibodies to the SOD-gp70 fusion protein, while 45 of 49 reacted positively to SOD-gp20. None of 26 SRV-1-nonexposed monkeys tested positive in either ELISA. Monkeys immunized with the recombinant SRV-1 gp20 and gp70 proteins made good ELISA and Western blot (immunoblot) antibodies to whole SRV-1. This antibody was not neutralizing in vitro, however.
Non-Binary Gender Identity Negotiations: Interactions with Queer Communities and Medical Practice

Over the last decade, studies of trans people have somewhat shifted away from essentialising and pathologising narratives, whilst recognition of gender plurality has grown. However to date, gender identities outside of the binary of male/female have received little specific sociological attention. This thesis considers negotiation of non-binary gender identities, in a UK context. Examining how non-binary individuals are involved with and integrated into LGBTQ communities exposes important nuances. This is also true regarding the negotiation of medical practice by non-binary people in relation to gender transitions, and more generally. Eighteen participants with non-binary gender identities were recruited to record ‘mixed media diaries’ for a four month period. These diaries allowed participants to use any methods they wished to express themselves. Follow-up semi-structured interviews were then conducted with the same participants in order to discuss their experiences and views, relating to broad conceptions of queer communities and medical practice. The objectives were to understand how non-binary people are integrated into queer communities and negotiate medical practice, as well as what the emergence of non-binary gender identities implies for these contexts. Symbolic interactionism provided the project’s theoretical framework, as this effectively allowed space for a multiplicity of participant interpretations resulting from interactions with the social world. The findings of this study illustrate both commonalities and difference between binary and non-binary trans experiences. Non-binary identities can present in static or fluidic forms, which may be associated with differential needs. Access to gender affirming medical services is varied, and not always pursued. Non-binary identities may be associated with discourses and practices of reduced legitimisation in both medical contexts and some queer communities. The study concludes that the improvement of a wide range of medical policies and practice is needed, together with community support initiatives to better recognise and serve non-binary people.
Serum Adipocyte Fatty Acid–Binding Protein as a New Biomarker Predicting the Development of Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE— Adipocyte fatty acid–binding protein (A-FABP) is abundantly expressed in adipocytes and plays a role in glucose homeostasis in experimental animals. We have previously shown that circulating A-FABP levels are associated with the metabolic syndrome, which confers an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Here we investigated whether serum A-FABP levels could predict the development of diabetes in a 10-year prospective study. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS— Baseline serum A-FABP levels were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 544 nondiabetic subjects, recruited from the Hong Kong Cardiovascular Risk Factor Prevalence Study cohort, who were followed prospectively to assess the development of type 2 diabetes. The role of A-FABP in predicting the development of type 2 diabetes over 10 years was investigated using Cox regression analysis. RESULTS— At baseline, serum sex-adjusted A-FABP levels were higher in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or impaired fasting glucose (IFG) (P < 0.00001 versus normal glucose tolerance) and correlated positively with adverse cardiometabolic risk factors. Over 10 years, 96 subjects had developed type 2 diabetes. High baseline A-FABP was predictive of type 2 diabetes, independent of obesity, insulin resistance, or glycemic indexes (relative risk [RR] 2.25 [95% CI 1.40–3.65]; P = 0.001; above versus below sex-specific median). High A-FABP levels remained an independent predictor of type 2 diabetes in the high-risk IGT/IFG subgroup (adjusted RR 1.87 [1.12–3.15]; P = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS— Serum A-FABP was associated with glucose dysregulation and predicted the development of type 2 diabetes in a Chinese cohort.
Subglottic hemangioma: A comparison of CO2 laser, Neodym‐Yag laser, and tracheostomy

For airway obstruction caused by subglottic hemangiomas, tracheostomy is still regarded by some as the only established therapy, despite numerous other therapeutic options. Resection with lasers was also reported, but subglottic scar formation may occur, and different laser types may have advantages over others. The charts of 46 consecutive patients over 26 years were reviewed. Until 1986, therapy involved systemic steroids or tracheostomy. Thereafter, a Neodym‐Yag and after 1995 a CO2 laser was used. Mean initial stenosis was 61.0% in the first (n = 15), 85.8% in the Neodym‐Yag (n = 14), and 86.7% in the CO2 period (n = 17). Tracheostomy rates could be reduced from 76.9% to 46.9% with the Neodym‐Yag and to 30.8% with the CO2 laser, and to 22.2% in children not intubated before referral. One tracheostomy obstruction resulted in severe neurological damage; granulomas required resection in 37.5%. Secondary subglottic stenosis was found in 15.4% with the Neodym‐Yag, but not with the CO2 laser. With tracheostomy, 12.5% were symptom‐free at age 2–3 years, vs. 25.0% in the Neodym‐Yag and 41.6% in the CO2 laser period. Speech development was delayed in 75.0% with tracheostomy, and parental anxiety lessened in only 18.8% before the second birthday (68.8% without tracheostomy). Since the end of the retrospective analysis, we treated a further 21 patients (mean stenosis, 83.3%) with the CO2 laser, with only one tracheostomy (4.8%). Compared to steroids and tracheostomy, a significant reduction in morbidity and speech developmental delay, and an improved quality of life, were achieved with CO2 laser resection, and this approach was superior to the Neodym‐Yag laser. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2005; 39:233–237. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Linkbait: Active Link Obfuscation to Thwart Link-flooding attacks

Link-flooding attack (LFA) has emerged as a serious threat to Internet which cuts off connections between legitimate hosts and targeted servers by flooding only a few links (e.g., target links). Several mechanisms have been proposed to mitigate LFA, however, they can only mitigate LFA after target links have been compromised by adversaries. Based on the fact that adversaries rely on network linkmap to discover weakness of the network, in this paper, we propose an active LFA mitigation mechanism, called Linkbait, that actively and preventively mitigates LFA by providing a fake linkmap to adversaries. Inspired by Moving Target Defense (MTD), we propose a link obfuscation algorithm in Linkbait that selectively reroutes probing flows to hide target links from adversaries and mislead them to consider some bait links as target links. By providing the faked linkmap to adversaries, Linkbait can actively mitigate LFA even without identifying bots and does not affect flows from legitimate hosts. In order to further reduce the junk traffic generated by adversaries from entering the network, we propose a bot detection algorithm in Linkbait that extracts unique traffic patterns from LFA and leverages Support Vector Machine to accurately distinguish bots from legitimate hosts. Finally, we evaluate the feasibility of implementing Linkbait in real Internet, and evaluate its performance by using both a real-world testbed and large-scale simulations. The analyses and experiments results demonstrate the effectiveness of Linkbait.
An investigation of Adaline for torque ripple minimization in Non-Sinusoidal Synchronous Reluctance Motors

This paper presents a new method based on Artificial Neural Networks to obtain the optimal currents, for reducing the torque ripple in a Non-sinusoidal Synchronous Reluctance Motor. Optimal current control has to develop a constant electromagnetic torque and minimize the ohmic losses. In d-q reference frame without homopolar current, the direct and quadrature optimal currents will be determined thanks to Lagrange optimization. A neural control scheme is then proposed as an adaptive solution to derive the optimal stator currents. Thanks to learning capacity of neural networks, the optimal currents will be obtained online. With this neural control, either machine's parameters estimation errors or current controller errors can be compensated. Simulation results using Matlab/Simulink are presented to confirm the validity of the proposed method.
Hollowing out national agreements in the NHS? The case of ‘Improving Working Lives’ under a ‘Turnaround’ plan

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to consider the resilience of a national-level initiative (Improving Working Lives (IWL)) in the face of local-level initiative (Turnaround) in an NHS hospital and compare to Bach and Kessler’s (2012) model of public service employment relations. Design/methodology/approach Case study research consisting of 23 in-depth semi-structured interviews from a range of participants. Findings The principles behind IWL were almost entirely sacrificed in order to meet the financial objectives of Turnaround. This indicates the primacy of localised upstream performance management initiatives over the national-level downstream employee relations initiatives that form the basis of the NHS’ claim to model employer aspiration. Research limitations/implications The case study was conducted between 2007 and 2009. While the case study falls under previous government regime, the dualised system of national-level agreements combined with localised performance management – and the continued existence of both Turnaround and IWL – makes the results relevant at the time of writing. Originality/value Some studies (e.g. Skinner et al., 2004) indicated a perception that IWL was not trusted by NHS staff. The present study offers reasons as to why this may be the case.
Chitosan/Polyethylene Glycol Beads Crosslinked with Tripolyphosphate and Glutaraldehyde for Gastrointestinal Drug Delivery

This study reports on the preparation of chitosan (CS)/polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogel beads using sodium diclofenac (DFNa) as a model drug. Following the optimization of the polymer to drug ratio, the chitosan beads were modified by ionic crosslinking with sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP). The CS/PEG/DFNa beads obtained from a (w/w/w) ratio of 1/0.5/0.5 with crosslinking in 10% (w/v) TPP at pH 6.0 for 30 min yielded excellent DFNa encapsulation levels with over 90% loading efficiency. The dissolution profile of DFNa from CS/PEG/DFNa beads demonstrated that this formulation was able to maintain a prolonged drug release for approximately 8 h. Among the formulations tested, the CS/PEG/DFNa (1/0.5/1 (w/w/w)) beads crosslinked with a combination of TPP (10% (w/v) for 30 min) and glutaraldehyde (GD) (5% (w/v)) were able to provide minimal DFNa release in the gastric and duodenal simulated fluids (pH 1.2 and 6.8, respectively) allowing for a principally gradual drug release over 24 h in the intestinal (jejunum and ileum) simulated fluid (pH 7.4). Thus, overall the CS/PEG beads crosslinked with TPP and GD look to be a promising and novel alternative gastrointestinal drug release system.
Antistaphylococcal Activity of Ceftobiprole, a New Broad-Spectrum Cephalosporin

ABSTRACT Ceftobiprole (formerly BAL9141), the active component of the prodrug BAL5788 (ceftobiprole medocaril), is a novel cephalosporin with expanded activity against gram-positive bacteria. Among 152 Staphylococcus aureus isolates, including 5 vancomycin-intermediate and 2 vancomycin-resistant strains, MIC50 and MIC90 values for ceftobiprole were each 0.5 μg/ml against methicillin-susceptible strains and 2 μg/ml against methicillin-resistant strains. Against 151 coagulase-negative staphylococci (including 4 vancomycin-intermediate strains), MIC50 and MIC90 values were, respectively, 0.125 μg/ml and 1 μg/ml against methicillin-susceptible and 1 μg/ml and 2 μg/ml against methicillin-resistant strains. Teicoplanin was less active than vancomycin against coagulase-negative strains. Linezolid, quinupristin-dalfopristin, and daptomycin were active against all strains, whereas increased MICs for amoxicillin-clavulanate, cefazolin, minocycline, gentamicin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, levofloxacin, rifampin, mupirocin, fusidic acid, and fosfomycin were sometimes observed. At 2× MIC, ceftobiprole was bactericidal against 11 of 12 test strains by 24 h. Prolonged serial passage in the presence of subinhibitory concentrations of ceftobiprole failed to select for clones with MICs >4 times those of the parents; the maximum MIC achieved for ceftobiprole after 50 passages (in 1 of 10 strains) was 8 μg/ml. Single-passage selections showed very low frequencies of resistance to ceftobiprole irrespective of genotype or phenotype; the maximal ceftobiprole MIC of recovered clones was 8 μg/ml.
Center frequency, bandwidth, and transfer function tunable bandpass filter using ring resonator and J-inverter

This paper proposes a tunable bandpass filter that can tune its center frequency, bandwidth, and transfer function. The filter comprises tunable ring resonators and tunable J-inverters. The tunable ring resonator can change its susceptance slope parameter independently of its resonant frequency. This feature helps us to change the bandwidth and transfer function of the filter while keeping the center frequency constant. The center frequency of the filter is also tuned by the tunable resonator. The tunable J-inverter maintains its phase difference between two adjacent tunable ring resonators of 90 degrees at the resonant frequency of the tunable resonator even if the tunable resonator varies its resonant frequency. This paper also presents an ideal tuning scheme for a tunable three-pole bandpass filter and the measured characteristics for the fabricated filter. Experimental results validate the feasibility of the proposed tunable filter architecture.