Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Towards Solving the Challenge of Minimal Overhead Monitoring

The examination of performance changes or the performance behavior of a software requires the measurement of the performance. This is done via probes, i.e., pieces of code which obtain and process measurement data, and which are inserted into the examined application. The execution of those probes in a singular method creates overhead, which deteriorates performance measurements of calling methods and slows down the measurement process. Therefore, an important challenge for performance measurement is the reduction of the measurement overhead. To address this challenge, the overhead should be minimized. Based on an analysis of the sources of performance overhead, we derive the following four optimization options: (1) Source instrumentation instead of AspectJ instrumentation, (2) reduction of measurement data, (3) change of the queue and (4) aggregation of measurement data. We evaluate the effect of these optimization options using the MooBench benchmark. Thereby, we show that these optimizations options reduce the monitoring overhead of the monitoring framework Kieker. For MooBench, the execution duration could be reduced from 4.77 µs to 0.39 µs per method invocation on average.
dqualizer: Domain-Centric Runtime Quality Analysis of Business-Critical Application Systems

The runtime quality of application systems - e.g., performance, reliability, and resilience - directly influences companies' business success. Over the last few years, corresponding analysis measures such as load tests or monitoring have become widespread in practice, and mature commercial and open-source tools have been developed. However, these measures are all at the technical level and not interpreted at the (business) domain level. At the same time, software architecture and software development approaches such as Domain-Driven Design (DDD), which are becoming increasingly widespread, essentially do not consider runtime quality concerns despite their criticality. Our envisioned dqualizer approach aims to close the gap between the domain-specificity of application systems and the (technical) measures and findings of quality assurance utilizing a domain-centric approach. For this purpose, we integrate means to model and monitor runtime quality metrics into DDD-based techniques, e.g., Domain Story Telling, that enable domain experts to describe domain-centric runtime quality concerns. Our preliminary results comprise the prototypical extension of a domain story editor for specifying load and resilience tests and reporting test results. Using the editor, we gathered feedback from domain experts in a qualitative user study. Despite the editor's limitations regarding functionality and usability, the feedback indicated that domain experts are able to model runtime quality analyses.
PERSISTENCE OF QUASI PERIODIC ORBITS IN FAMILIES OF REVERSIBLE SYSTEMS WITH A 1:1 RESONANCE

Persistence of invariant tori at a 1: 1 resonance in reversible systems is investigated. Both the generic and the semisimple case are considered. As parameters are needed for persistence, a general unfolding theory for the reversible context is developed. This allows to generalize Broer, Huitema(2) and prove the persistence of a suitable union of quasi periodic (diophantine) tori.
Views From the Trenches: Current Trends in Performance Engineering

Performance engineering is changing before our eyes adjusting to current industry trends - such as cloud computing, agile development, and DevOps. As systems scale and sophistication skyrocket, performance gets more attention. While it looks like some performance concepts like algorithm complexity became a must for anybody working in the industry, it still doesn't result in a consistent view of performance. So it remains an open question what computer professionals should learn about performance - and, even more challenging, what is needed to prepare performance professionals (that actually have never been clearly answered - and now it is even less defined than it was before).
To Bayes or Not to Bayes, From Whether to When: Applications of Bayesian Methodology to Modeling

This article presents relevant research on Bayesian methods and their major applications to modeling in an effort to lay out differences between the frequentist and Bayesian paradigms and to look at the practical implications of these differences. Before research is reviewed, basic tenets and methods of the Bayesian approach to modeling are presented and contrasted with basic estimation results from a frequentist perspective. It is argued that Bayesian methods have become a viable alternative to traditional maximum likelihood-based estimation techniques and may be the only solution for more complex psychometric data structures. Hence, neither the applied nor the theoretical measurement community can afford to neglect the exciting new possibilities that have opened up on the psychometric horizon.
Tomography image processing techniques for geometrical characteristics measurement of viscous objects

The geometrical characteristics measurement of viscous objects is one of the development tendencies of dynamic geometrical characteristics measurement. This article deals with the technique of tomography image processing for geometrical characteristics measurement of viscous object. Based on the theory of photoelectric information processing, image segmentation, image preprocessing and object characteristic extraction from images are developed to increase the amount of information which can be obtained from viscous object images. The experimental results demonstrate that these methods cannot only distinguish the geometrical characteristics of viscous objects from tomography images in which the ratio of pixels between background and object image is about 9 to 1, but can also increase the image resolution by 30 percent. It is concluded that these methods can solve the problem to use computer tomography of dynamic geometrical characteristics measurement for non-destructive inspections.
Using genetic algorithms to improve support vector regression in the analysis of atomic spectra of lubricant oils

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess the quality of commercial lubricant oils. A spectroscopic method was used in combination with multivariate regression techniques (ordinary multivariate multiple regression, principal components analysis, partial least squares, and support vector regression (SVR)). Design/methodology/approach – The rationale behind the use of SVR was the fuzzy characteristics of the signal and its inherent ability to find nonlinear, global solutions in highly complex dimensional input spaces. Thus, SVR allows extracting useful information from calibration samples that makes it possible to characterize physical-chemical properties of the lubricant oils. Findings – A dataset of 42 spectra measured from oil standards was studied to assess the concentration of copper into the oils and, thus, evaluate the wearing of the machinery. It was found that the use of SVR was very advantageous to get a regression model. Originality/value – The use of genetic algorithms coupled to SVR was .
Does hot water freeze first

It sounds like the kind of question you would be dismayed to hear schoolchildren getting wrong: which takes less time to freeze, cold or hot water? Common sense and the laws of thermodynamics appear to insist that cold water must freeze first. For example, Newton's law of cooling states that the rate at which a body cools is proportional to the temperature difference between the object and its surroundings. But, in fact, it does seem as though hot water sometimes "overtakes" cold as it cools.
Regulation of VEGFR2 and AKT Signaling by Musashi-2 in Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer type and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents most of the lung cancer. Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2) is a member of the VEGF family of receptor tyrosine kinase proteins, expressed on both endothelial and tumor cells which is one of the key proteins contributing to cancer development and involved in drug resistance. We previously showed that Musashi-2 (MSI2) RNA-binding protein is associated with NSCLC progression by regulating several signaling pathways relevant to NSCLC. In this study, we performed Reverse Protein Phase Array (RPPA) analysis of murine lung cancer which nominated VEGFR2 protein as strongly positively regulated by MSI2. Next, we validated VEGFR2 protein regulation by MSI2 in several human NSCLC cell line models. Additionally, we found that MSI2 affected AKT signaling via negative PTEN mRNA translation regulation. In silico prediction analysis suggested that both VEGFR2 and PTEN mRNAs have predicted binding sites for MSI2. We next performed RNA immunoprecipitation coupled with quantitative PCR which confirmed that MSI2 directly binds to VEGFR2 and PTEN mRNAs, suggesting direct regulation mechanism. Finally, MSI2 expression positively correlated with VEGFR2 and VEGF-A protein levels in human NSCLC samples. We conclude that MSI2/VEGFR2 axis contributes to NSCLC progression and is worth further investigations and therapeutic targeting.
Comportamento ingestivo em ovinos Santa Inês submetidos a diferentes níveis de inclusão de palma forrageira na dieta

Este trabalho foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar a utilizacao de diferentes niveis de inclusao de palma forrageira ( Nopalea cochenillifera ) na dieta de ovinos sobre o comportamento alimentar. Foram utilizados 20 cordeiros Santa Ines machos (nao castrados), oriundos da Fazenda Sao Marcos, Alagoa Grande - PB, com aproximadamente quatro meses de idade, e media de peso vivo inicial de 20,5 kg ± 2,8 kg. Os animais permaneceram confinados em gaiolas de madeira individuais de dimensao 1,20 m x 1,0 m, providas de comedouros e bebedouros individuais. Os ensaios foram testados os efeitos de quatro niveis (15; 30; 45 e 60 %) de inclusao da palma forrageira nas dietas. As dietas foram compostas por 75 % de ingredientes volumosos (fenos de capim-Mombaca, e palma forrageira) e 25 % de concentrados (milho moido, farelo de soja, ureia e sal mineral). As dietas foram calculadas para cordeiros com estimativa para ganho de peso de 200 g/dia. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso. Os dados foram analisados pelo procedimento MIXED do SAS (SAS INSTITUTE, 1996), envolvendo os efeitos fixos de tratamento e tempo. Houve efeito linear negativo para tempo de ruminacao e efeito linear positivo para o tempo em ocio, por cada nivel de inclusao de palma na dieta do total (diurno + noturno). O comportamento ingestivo dos ovinos para ocio no periodo diurno e noturno obedeceu a mesma tendencia observada no comportamento ingestivo total. O tempo de ingestao e ruminacao nao sofreu influencia durante o comportamento ingestivo diurno. O tempo de ruminacao no periodo noturno foi influenciado de forma linear negativa inclusao de niveis da palma forrageira na dieta de ovinos Santa Ines, ocasiona reducao no tempo de ruminacao e aumento no tempo em ocio.
Spatiotemporal patterns of cortical microstructural maturation in children and adolescents with diffusion MRI

Neocortical maturation is a dynamic process that proceeds in a hierarchical manner; however, the spatiotemporal organization of cortical microstructure with diffusion MRI has yet to be fully defined. This study characterized cortical microstructural maturation using diffusion MRI (fwe-DTI and NODDI multi-compartment modeling) in a cohort of 637 children and adolescents between 8 and 21 years of age. We found spatially heterogeneous developmental patterns broadly demarcated into functional domains where NODDI metrics increased and fwe-DTI metrics decreased with age. Using non-negative matrix factorization, we found cortical regions that correspond to lower-order sensory regions mature earlier than higher-order association regions. Our findings corroborate previous histological and neuroimaging studies that show spatially-varying patterns of cortical maturation that may reflect unique developmental processes of cytoarchitectonically-determined regional patterns of change.
Multimodal anatomical mapping of subcortical regions in Marmoset monkeys using high-resolution MRI and matched histology with multiple stains

Subcortical nuclei and other deep brain structures play essential roles in regulating the central and peripheral nervous systems. However, many of these nuclei and their subregions are challenging to identify and delineate in conventional MRI due to their small size, hidden location, and often subtle contrasts compared to neighboring regions. To address these limitations, we scanned the whole brain of the marmoset monkeys in ex vivo using a clinically feasible diffusion MRI method, called the mean apparent propagator (MAP)-MRI, along with T2W and MTR (T1-like contrast) images acquired at 7 Tesla. Additionally, we registered these multimodal MRI volumes to the high-resolution images of matched whole-brain histology sections with seven different stains obtained from the same brain specimens. At high spatial resolution, the microstructural parameters and fiber orientation distribution functions derived with MAP-MRI can distinguish the subregions of many subcortical and deep brain structures, including fiber tracts of different sizes and orientations. The good correlation with multiple but distinct histological stains from the same brain serves as a thorough validation of the structures identified with MAP-MRI and other MRI parameters. Moreover, the anatomical details of deep brain structures found in the volumes of MAP-MRI parameters are not visible in conventional T1W or T2W images. The high-resolution mapping using novel MRI contrasts, combined and correlated with histology, can elucidate structures that were previously invisible radiologically. Thus, this multimodal approach offers a roadmap toward identifying salient brain areas in vivo in future neuroradiological studies. It also provides a useful anatomical standard reference for the region definition of subcortical targets and the generation of a 3D digital template atlas for the marmoset brain research (Saleem et al., 2023). Additionally, we conducted a cross-species comparison between marmoset and macaque monkeys using results from our previous studies (Saleem et al., 2021). We found that the two species had distinct patterns of iron distribution in subregions of the basal ganglia, red nucleus, and deep cerebellar nuclei, confirmed with T2W MRI and histology.
Scale-by-scale energy budgets which account for the coherent motion

Scale-by-scale energy budget equations are written for flows where coherent structures may be prominent. Both general and locally isotropic formulations are provided. In particular, the contribution to the production, diffusion and energy transfer terms associated with the coherent motion is highlighted. Preliminary results are presented in the intermediate wake of a circular cylinder for phase-averaged second-and third-order structure functions. The experimental data provide adequate support for the scale-by-scale budgets.
Sodium-mediated plateau potentials in an identified decisional neuron contribute to feeding-related motor pattern genesis in Aplysia

Motivated behaviors such as feeding depend on the functional properties of decision neurons which provide the flexibility required for behavioral adaptation. Here, we analyzed the ionic basis of the endogenous membrane properties of an identified decision neuron (B63) that drive radula biting cycles underlying food-seeking behavior in Aplysia. Each spontaneous bite cycle arises from the irregular triggering of a plateau-like potential and resultant bursting by rhythmic subthreshold oscillations in B63’s membrane potential. In isolated buccal ganglion preparations, and after synaptic isolation, the expression of B63’s plateau potentials persisted after removal of extracellular calcium, but was completely suppressed in a TTX-containing bath solution, thereby indicating the contribution of a transmembrane Na+ influx. Potassium outward efflux through TEA- and calcium-sensitive channels was found to contribute to each plateau’s active termination. This intrinsic plateauing capability, in contrast to B63’s membrane potential oscillation, was blocked by the ICAN blocker flufenamic acid (FFA). Conversely, the SERCA blocker cyclopianozic acid (CPA), which abolished the neuron’s oscillation, did not prevent the expression of experimentally evoked-plateau potentials. These results therefore indicate that the dynamic properties of the decision neuron B63 rely on two distinct mechanisms involving different sub-populations of ionic conductances. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Here, we report an endogenous plateau property underlying bursting in a bilateral pair of buccal ganglion pacemaker neurons (B63) which trigger individual motor pattern cycles for food-seeking behavior in the marine mollusk Aplysia. The ionic mechanisms of this membrane bistability in B63 rely critically on voltage-dependent sodium inward currents. The expression of these plateau properties and the underlying endogenous oscillatory pacemaker drive can be dissociated pharmacologically, indicating that the two intrinsic properties depend on different sets of conductances. Our results thus shed new light on the mechanisms of spontaneous decision making in Aplysia.
Using the Social Skills Improvement System (SSiS) Rating Scales to assess social skills in youth with Down syndrome

Introduction and Methods This study provides preliminary data on the Social Skills Improvement System (SSiS) Rating Scales Parent Form to measure social skills in a sample of 124 children and adolescents with Down syndrome (DS) ages 6–17 years. Results Overall, participants demonstrated relatively mild symptoms, with the sample’s average standard score falling within 1 standard deviation from the mean of the normative sample for the social skills (M = 92, SD = 15) and problem behaviors (M = 104, SD = 12) domains (normative sample M = 100, SD = 15 for both domains). However, a wide range of scores was observed across the sample for the composite and subscale scores. Differential patterns were also observed by subscale. For some subscales (i.e., Cooperation, Assertion, Responsibility, Engagement, Externalizing, Hyperactivity/Inattention, and Autism Spectrum), a disproportionate number of participants scored in the below average (i.e., lower levels of social skills) or above average (i.e., more symptomatic in problem behaviors or autism spectrum) range relative to the normative sample; for other subscales (i.e., Communication, Empathy, Self-Control, Bullying, and Internalizing), participants’ score distribution aligned more closely to that of the normative sample. SSiS composite scores correlated in the expected directions with standardized measures of autism characteristics, executive function, and expressive language. Discussion This study provides some of the first evidence validating the use of the SSiS in youth with DS, filling a gap in standardized measures of social functioning in this population.
EchoAI: A deep-learning based model for classification of echinoderms in global oceans

Introduction In response to the need for automated classification in global marine biological studies, deep learning is applied to image-based classification of marine echinoderms. Methods Images of marine echinoderms are collected and classified according to their systematic taxonomy. The images belong to 5 classes, 38 orders, 145 families, 459 genera, and 1021 species, respectively. The deep learning model, EfficientNetV2, outperforms the competing model and is chosen for developing the automated classification tool, EchoAI. Then, the EfficientNetV2-based tool, EchoAI is applied to each taxonomic level. Results The accuracy for the test dataset was 0.980 (class), 0.876 (order), 0.738 (family), 0.612 (genus), and 0.469 (species), respectively. Online prediction service is provided. Discussion The EchoAI model and results are facilitated for investigating the diversity, abundance and distribution of species at the global scale, and the methodological strategy can also be applied to image classification of other categories of marine organisms, which is of great significance for global marine studies. EchoAI is freely available at http://www.csbio. sjtu.edu. cn/bioinf/EchoAI/ for academic use.
Subclinical doses of dietary fumonisins and deoxynivalenol cause cecal microbiota dysbiosis in broiler chickens challenged with Clostridium perfringens

Fusarium toxins are one of the most common contaminants in poultry diets. The co-occurrence of fumonisins (FUM) and deoxynivalenol (DON), even at a subclinical dose, negatively affects the growth performance, intestinal integrity and induce subclinical necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens. Loss of gut integrity can be expected to alter the intestinal microbiota’s composition. The objective of this study was to identify the effects of combined FUM and DON on the cecal microbiome profile and predicted metabolic functions and a short chain fatty acid profile in broilers challenged with Clostridium perfringens. A total of 240 1 day-old chicks were randomly assigned to two treatments: a control diet and the control diet with 3 mg/kg FUM + 4 mg/kg DON each with eight replications. All the birds were received cocci vaccine at d0. All birds in both treatment groups were challenged with C. perfringens 1 × 108 CFU via feed on d 19 and 20 to achieve 5% mortality. On d 35, the FUM and DON contaminated diet numerically (P = 0.06) decreased the body weight gain (BWG) by 84 g compared to the control group. The bacterial compositions of the cecal contents were analyzed by sequencing the V3–V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Overall, microbial richness and diversity increased (P < 0.02) during the studied period (d 21–35). Cecal contents of birds in the FUM + DON group had greater (P < 0.05) microbial evenness and diversity (Shannon index) compared to the control group. FUM + DON exposure decreased (P = 0.001) the relative abundance of Proteobacteria in the cecal content, compared to the control group. The combined FUM + DON significantly increased the relative abundance of the Defluviitaleaceae and Lachnospiraceae families (P < 0.05) but decreased the abundances of the Moraxellaceae and Streptococcaceae (P < 0.05) compared to the control group birds. At the genus level, FUM + DON exposure decreased (P < 0.05) Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas abundance and had a tendency (P = 0.08) to decrease Thermincola abundance compared to the control group. In the ileum, no NE-specific microscopic abnormalities were found; however, the tip of the ileal villi were compromised. The present findings showed that dietary FUM and DON contamination, even at subclinical levels, altered cecal microbial composition, dysregulated intestinal functions, and impaired the gut immune response, potentially predisposing the birds to necrotic enteritis.