The M33 Synoptic Stellar Survey. II. Mira Variables

We present the discovery of 1847 Mira candidates in the Local Group galaxy M33 using a novel semi-parametric periodogram technique coupled with a Random Forest classifier. The algorithms were applied to ~2.4x10^5 I-band light curves previously obtained by the M33 Synoptic Stellar Survey. We derive preliminary Period-Luminosity relations at optical, near- & mid-infrared wavelengths and compare them to the corresponding relations in the Large Magellanic Cloud.Comment: Includes small corrections to match the published versio

Automatic Generation of High-Coverage Tests for RTL Designs using Software Techniques and Tools

Register Transfer Level (RTL) design validation is a crucial stage in the hardware design process. We present a new approach to enhancing RTL design validation using available software techniques and tools. Our approach converts the source code of a RTL design into a C++ software program. Then a powerful symbolic execution engine is employed to execute the converted C++ program symbolically to generate test cases. To better generate efficient test cases, we limit the number of cycles to guide symbolic execution. Moreover, we add bit-level symbolic variable support into the symbolic execution engine. Generated test cases are further evaluated by simulating the RTL design to get accurate coverage. We have evaluated the approach on a floating point unit (FPU) design. The preliminary results show that our approach can deliver high-quality tests to achieve high coverage

Immune Response Associated with Islet Xenotransplantation in Small and Large Animal Models

This chapter will review studies that examine the immune response to porcine neonatal pancreatic cell clusters (NPCC) in small and large animal models; specifically, the immune mechanisms that lead to the rejection of transplanted islet cells in mice, nonhuman primates, and humans will be discussed. In addition, current research on the in vitro and in vivo human immune responses to porcine NPCC is also included. Research into the immune responses that lead to islet cell death posttransplant allows for further understanding of how to better protect transplanted porcine NPCC in humans. Furthermore, this chapter will examine immune‐related strategies that have shown to extend the life and/or function of porcine NPCC in vitro and in vivo, including techniques that work to modulate the immune system of the islet cell donor and/or the recipient. Finally, this chapter will identify future areas of research that have yet to be examined extensively in the literature, mostly pertaining to the human immune response to porcine NPCC in the clinical setting