Towards Building Wind Tunnels for Data Center Design

Data center design is a tedious and expensive process. Recently, this process has become even more challenging as users of cloud services expect to have guaranteed levels of availability, durability and performance. A new challenge for the service providers is to find the most cost-effective data center design and configuration that will accommodate the users ’ expectations, on ever-changing workloads, and constantly evolving hardware and software components. In this paper, we argue that data center design should become a systematic process. First, it should be done using an integrated approach that takes into account both the hardware and the software interdependencies, and their impact on users ’ expectations. Second, it should be performed in a “wind tunnel”, which uses large-scale simulation to systematically explore the impact of a data center configuration on both the users ’ and the service providers ’ requirements. We believe that this is the first step towards systematic data center design – an exciting area for future research. 1

Institutional delivery knowledge, attitude, and practice among mothers of childbearing age with one or more children, Ethiopia

Background: Institutional delivery is Giving birth in medical institution under the care and Supervision of trained health care providers which promotes newborn survival and reduces maternal mortality. The objective of the study was to assess Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards institutional delivery among mothers of child bearing age who have one or more child and visit MCH clinic Adaba health center, West Arsi zone, South East Ethiopia. Methods: Institutional based cross sectional study design was conducted. The study was conducted starting from May 1-30, 2021 at Adaba health center, West Arsi zone, South East Ethiopia. Our study sample size is 250 mothers who have at least one birth and visiting MCH at Adaba health center. Systematic random sampling was used to select mothers, Data was collected by using structured questionnaire. Finally data was analyzed by SPSS version 21   Results out of 250 women during our data collection time 246(98.4%) were our respondents and 4(1.6%) were non respondents. Among 246 women 213 (86.6%) had good knowledge and 33(13.4%) had poor knowledge. While 212(86.2%) had good attitude and 34(13.8%) had poor attitude and 179(72.8%) had good practice but 67(27.2%) had poor practice. Conclusion Increasing knowledge, attitude and practice of mothers towards institutional delivery plays a key role in reducing maternal mortality and morbidity. However, the prevailing level of KAP towards institutional delivery is not satisfactory. Increasing utilization of institutional delivery by increasing awareness of each community through health information dissemination on importance of institutional delivery is needed

Effects of GeoGebra on Students’ Attitudes towards Learning Geometry: A Review of Literature

The rapid growth of technology for teaching and learning of geometry includes the introduction of educational software commonly known as GeoGebra. However, a few studies were found that provide evidence on the effectiveness of this software on students’ attitudes towards geometry. The present study aims to provide a comprehensive view of prior literature related to the effects of GeoGebra in enhancing students’ attitudes towards geometry. The present study employed a systematic review. To collect data, the researcher downloaded journal papers, conference proceedings papers, and theses from different databases such as Google Scholar, Research gate, Academia, Research for life, and Education Resources Information Center (ERIC). Thus, 96 documents were initially obtained. After download, duplicating papers were immediately deleted. Thus, a deep analysis followed and 68 documents were filtered out. Twenty-three documents including 22 journal papers and one thesis remained for analysis. The reviewed literature showed that there are positive effects on students’ attitudes towards geometry in terms of interest, engagement and active learning, self-efficacy and self-regulation, and enhanced positive attitudes. More than a half of authors (12 out of 23) employed quasi-experimental research design to investigate the effects of GeoGebra on students’ attitudes toward geometry. Considering categories of attitudes identified, the majority of authors (8 out of 23) reported that GeoGebra enhanced students’ interest to learn geometry

From a Competition for Self-Driving Miniature Cars to a Standardized Experimental Platform: Concept, Models, Architecture, and Evaluation

Context: Competitions for self-driving cars facilitated the development and research in the domain of autonomous vehicles towards potential solutions for the future mobility. Objective: Miniature vehicles can bridge the gap between simulation-based evaluations of algorithms relying on simplified models, and those time-consuming vehicle tests on real-scale proving grounds. Method: This article combines findings from a systematic literature review, an in-depth analysis of results and technical concepts from contestants in a competition for self-driving miniature cars, and experiences of participating in the 2013 competition for self-driving cars. Results: A simulation-based development platform for real-scale vehicles has been adapted to support the development of a self-driving miniature car. Furthermore, a standardized platform was designed and realized to enable research and experiments in the context of future mobility solutions. Conclusion: A clear separation between algorithm conceptualization and validation in a model-based simulation environment enabled efficient and riskless experiments and validation. The design of a reusable, low-cost, and energy-efficient hardware architecture utilizing a standardized software/hardware interface enables experiments, which would otherwise require resources like a large real-scale test track.Comment: 17 pages, 19 figues, 2 table

Reducing the volume, exposure and negative impacts of advertising for foods high in fat, sugar and salt to children: a systematic review of the evidence from statutory and self-regulatory actions and educational measures

Purpose: To identify and review evidence on 1) the effectiveness of statutory and self-regulatory actions to reduce the volume, exposure or wider impact of advertising for foods high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) to children, and 2) the role of educational measures. Design/methodology/approach: A systematic review of three databases (Medline, CINAHL and PsycINFO) and grey literature was carried out. Relevant evidence included studies evaluating advertising bans and restrictions, advertising literacy programmes and parental communication styles. Relevant media included TV, internet, radio, magazines and newspaper advertising. No studies were excluded based on language or publication date. Findings: Forty-seven publications were included: 19 provided evidence for the results of statutory regulation, 25 for self-regulation, and six for educational approaches. Outcome measures varied in approach, quality and results. Findings suggested statutory regulation could reduce the volume of and children's exposure to advertising for foods HFSS, and had potential to impact more widely. Self-regulatory approaches showed varied results in reducing children's exposure. There was some limited support for educational measures. Discussion: Consistency in measures from evaluations over time would assist the development and interpretation of the evidence base on successful actions and measures to reduce the volume, exposure and impact of advertising for foods HFSS to children

A Mission to Test the Pioneer Anomaly

Analysis of the radio tracking data from the Pioneer 10/11 spacecraft has consistently indicated the presence of an anomalous small Doppler frequency drift. The drift can be interpreted as being due to a constant acceleration of a_P= (8.74 +/- 1.33) x 10^{-8} cm/s^2 directed towards the Sun. Although it is suspected that there is a systematic origin to the effect, none has been found. The nature of this anomaly has become of growing interest in the fields of relativistic cosmology, astro- and gravitational physics as well as in the areas of spacecraft design and high-precision navigation. We present a concept for a designated deep-space mission to test the discovered anomaly. A number of critical requirements and design considerations for such a mission are outlined and addressed.Comment: Final changes for publication. Honorable Mention, 2002 Gravity Research Foundation Essay

QUBIC: The QU Bolometric Interferometer for Cosmology

One of the major challenges of modern cosmology is the detection of B-mode polarization anisotropies in the CMB. These originate from tensor fluctuations of the metric produced during the inflationary phase. Their detection would therefore constitute a major step towards understanding the primordial Universe. The expected level of these anisotropies is however so small that it requires a new generation of instruments with high sensitivity and extremely good control of systematic effects. We propose the QUBIC instrument based on the novel concept of bolometric interferometry, bringing together the sensitivity advantages of bolometric detectors with the systematics effects advantages of interferometry. Methods: The instrument will directly observe the sky through an array of entry horns whose signals will be combined together using an optical combiner. The whole set-up is located inside a cryostat. Polarization modulation will be achieved using a rotating half-wave plate and interference fringes will be imaged on two focal planes (separated by a polarizing grid) tiled with bolometers. We show that QUBIC can be considered as a synthetic imager, exactly similar to a usual imager but with a synthesized beam formed by the array of entry horns. Scanning the sky provides an additional modulation of the signal and improve the sky coverage shape. The usual techniques of map-making and power spectrum estimation can then be applied. We show that the sensitivity of such an instrument is comparable with that of an imager with the same number of horns. We anticipate a low level of beam-related systematics thanks to the fact that the synthesized beam is determined by the location of the primary horns. Other systematics should be under good control thanks to an autocalibration technique, specific to our concept, that will permit the accurate determination of most of the systematics parameters.Comment: 12 pages, 10 figures, submitted to Astronomy and Astrophysic

Search for a Standard Explanation of the Pioneer Anomaly

The data from Pioneer 10 and 11 shows an anomalous, constant, Doppler frequency drift that can be interpreted as an acceleration directed towards the Sun of a_P = (8.74 \pm 1.33) x 10^{-8} cm/s^2. Although one can consider a new physical origin for the anomaly, one first must investigate the contributions of the prime candidates, which are systematics generated on board. Here we expand upon previous analyses of thermal systematics. We demonstrate that thermal models put forth so far are not supported by the analyzed data. Possible ways to further investigate the nature of the anomaly are proposed.Comment: Changes made for publicatio

Quality of life and symptom intensity over time in people with cancer receiving palliative care : results from the international European Palliative Care Cancer Symptom study

Background People with advanced cancer experience multiple symptoms during their illness trajectory, which can fluctuate in intensity. Aim To describe the course of self-reported quality of life, emotional functioning, physical functioning and symptom intensity over time in cancer patients receiving palliative care. Design Longitudinal study with monthly assessments, using the EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL. Data were analysed (1) prospectively, from baseline to >= 8-month follow-up; and (2) retrospectively, by taking death as index date and comparing results from three cross-sectional subsamples at different stages of illness (time to death >= 6, 5-3 and 2-0 months). Linear mixed models were calculated. Setting/participants A total of 1739 patients (mean age 66, 50% male) from 30 palliative care centers in 12 countries were included. Results In prospective analyses, quality of life, functioning and symptoms-except nausea/vomiting-remained generally stable over time. In retrospective analyses, patients 2-0 months before death reported significantly lower quality of life and physical functioning scores than those 5-3 months before death, who in turn scored lower than those >= 6 months before death, suggesting progressive decline. Emotional functioning remained initially unchanged, but decreased in the last months. Pain, fatigue and appetite loss showed a stable increase in intensity towards death. Dyspnea, insomnia and constipation increased from 5-3 to 2-0 months before death. Nausea/vomiting only increased when comparing those >= 6 months before death with those 2-0 months before death. Conclusion While the prospective approach showed predominantly stable patterns for quality of life, functioning and symptom severity throughout study duration, retrospective analyses indicated that deterioration was already apparent before the terminal phase and accelerated close to death. Our findings support the importance of early symptom identification and treatment in this population, and highlight the need for further studies to explore what characterizes those with either lower or higher symptom burden at different time points towards death