E-QED: Electrical Bug Localization During Post-Silicon Validation Enabled by Quick Error Detection and Formal Methods

During post-silicon validation, manufactured integrated circuits are extensively tested in actual system environments to detect design bugs. Bug localization involves identification of a bug trace (a sequence of inputs that activates and detects the bug) and a hardware design block where the bug is located. Existing bug localization practices during post-silicon validation are mostly manual and ad hoc, and, hence, extremely expensive and time consuming. This is particularly true for subtle electrical bugs caused by unexpected interactions between a design and its electrical state. We present E-QED, a new approach that automatically localizes electrical bugs during post-silicon validation. Our results on the OpenSPARC T2, an open-source 500-million-transistor multicore chip design, demonstrate the effectiveness and practicality of E-QED: starting with a failed post-silicon test, in a few hours (9 hours on average) we can automatically narrow the location of the bug to (the fan-in logic cone of) a handful of candidate flip-flops (18 flip-flops on average for a design with ~ 1 Million flip-flops) and also obtain the corresponding bug trace. The area impact of E-QED is ~2.5%. In contrast, deter-mining this same information might take weeks (or even months) of mostly manual work using traditional approaches

KALPATARU Majalah Arkeologi vol 22 nomor 2

Persebaran Karst di Beberapa Pulau-pulau Terluar Indonesia dan Prospeknya pada Penelitian Arkeologi Indonesia Oleh: Robby Ko King Tjoen, lembaga Karst Indonesia Peraturan Presiden Nomor 78 Tahun 2005 menetapkan adanya 92 pulau terluar yang berbatasan dengan Malaysia, Vietnam, Filipina, Palau, Australia, Timar Leste, India, Singapura, dan Papua Nugini. Hasil identifikasi menunjukkan bahwa 12 di antaranya sebagai "karang", "batu karang", "terumbu karang", tanpa gua-gua. Hanya sedikit pulau yang luas dan memiliki gua-gua karst. dan dinamakan pulau "batu kapur", "batu gamping", "gamping". Beberapa pulau lainnya dilaporkan terdiri dari "batuan andesit' dan "batuan sedimen". Cukup banyak yang tidak dideskripsi segi geologi-petrologinya. Data flora dan faunanya sangat sedikit. Hanya beberapa pulau terluar yang berpenghuni. Apakah di antara pulau-pulau itu, yang berbatu gamping dan sudah mengalami proses karstifikasi dengan adanya gua-gua, bemilai arkeologi? Hal ini membutuhkan kajian yang lebih mendalam, terutama karena menyangkut waktu (time), ruang (space), perubahan (change), dan kesinambungan (continuity). Arkeologi Pulau Terluar di Maluku: Survei Arkeologi Pulau Masela Oleh: Marlon Ririmasse, Balai Arkeologi Ambon Masela adalah satu di antara sembilan puluh dua pulau terluar yang ada di Indonesia. Terletak di ujung selatan Kepulauan Maluku, pulau ini merupakan bagian dari bentang luas pulau-pulau yang berbatasan dengan daratan besar Australia. Memiliki nilai strategis secara geografis dan geohistoris, kajian arkeologis atas pulau ini belum pemah dilakukan.Tulisan ini adalah rekam hasil penelitian arkeologis perdana di Pulau Masela yang dilakukan pada paruh kedua tahun 2012. Tulisan ini merupakan upaya lebih jauh untuk memahami wajah sejarah budaya Masela dengan mengamati segenap potensi arkeologis di wilayah ini yang telah direkam melalui sudut pandang arkeologi pulau terluar. Survei penjajakan diadopsi sebagai pendekatan untuk merekam secara luas ragam bukti materi masa lalu yang tersebar di pulau ini. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa Pulau Masela menunjukan tiga karakter khas dalam kaitan dengan potensi arkeologis di wilayah ini: konstruksi dan distribusi pemukiman kuna; jejak penguburan tradisional; dan situs­situs terkait sejarah lokal. Pengembangan tema penelitian terkait ketiga potensi, kiranya dapat diinisiasi melalui pendalaman kajian atas situs-situs pemukiman kuna di wilayah ini. Persebaran dan Bentuk-bentuk Megalitik Indonesia: Sebuah Pendekatan Kawasan Oleh: Bagyo Prasetyo, Pusat Arkeologi Nasional Studi tentang arkeologi kawasan dilandasi oleh pemikiran bahwa ruang merupakan bagian yang tidak terpisahkan dari hidup manusia. Demikian pula dengan kawasan Megalitik Indonesia, merupakan topik yang selalu menarik untuk dikaji. Hadimya budaya megalitik di lingkup makro dengan berbagai jenisnya memberikan informasi yang sangat berharga sebagai titik tolak kajian arkeologi kawasan serta mata rantai kesinambungan budaya megalitik di Nusantara. Studi Kewilayahan dalam Penelitian Peradaban Sriwijaya 0/eh: Eka Asih Putrina Taim, Pusat Arkeologi Nasional Kerajaan Sriwijaya memiliki peradaban yang tersebar di seluruh wilayah yang berada di bawah kekuasaannya, tidak hanya di Sumatra bagian selatan, tetapi di seluruh wilayah Nusantara bahkan di wilayah Asia Tenggara. Hasil studi arkeologi mengenai peradaban Sriwijaya masih bersifat spatial, belum dapat menggambarkan posisi dan fungsi antara satu situs Sriwijaya dengan situs Sriwijaya lain, baik dalam lingkup nasional maupun intemasional. Studi atau penelitian Sriwijaya diperlukan secara integritas dalam suatu kawasan untuk mendapatkan hasil secara holistik, tidak terpisah-pisah oleh batasan wilayah, baik secara administratif maupun kewilayahan geografis. Dalam makalah ini akan dicoba untuk membahas mengenai penelitian berorientasi kawasan yang tidak dipisah-pisah baik secara geografis, administratif, maupun wilayah kerja

Important prognostic factors for the long-term survival of lung cancer subjects in Taiwan

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study used a large-scale cancer database in determination of prognostic factors for the survival of lung cancer subjects in Taiwan.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Total of 24,910 subjects diagnosed with lung cancer was analysed. Survival estimates by Kaplan-Meier methods. Cox proportional-hazards model estimated the death risk (hazard ratio (HR)) for various prognostic factors.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The prognostic indicators associated with a higher risk of lung cancer deaths are male gender (males versus females; HR = 1.07, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.03–1.11), males diagnosed in later periods (shown in 1991–1994 versus 1987–1990; HR = 1.13), older age at diagnosis, large cell carcinoma (LCC)/small cell carcinoma (SCC), and supportive care therapy over chemotherapy. The overall 5-year survival rate for lung cancer death was significantly poorer for males (21.3%) than females (23.6%). Subjects with squamous cell carcinoma (SQCC) and treatment by surgical resection alone had better prognosis. We find surgical resections to markedly increase 5-year survival rate from LCC, decreased risk of death from LCC, and no improved survival from SCC.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Gender and clinical characteristics (i.e. diagnostic period, diagnostic age, histological type and treatment modality) play important roles in determining lung cancer survival.</p

Prognostic and therapeutic significance of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 as tumor marker in patients with pancreatic cancer

In pancreatic cancer ( PC) accurate determination of treatment response by imaging often remains difficult. Various efforts have been undertaken to investigate new factors which may serve as more appropriate surrogate parameters of treatment efficacy. This review focuses on the role of carbohydrate antigen 19- 9 ( CA 19- 9) as a prognostic tumor marker in PC and summarizes its contribution to monitoring treatment efficacy. We undertook a Medline/ PubMed literature search to identify relevant trials that had analyzed the prognostic impact of CA 19- 9 in patients treated with surgery, chemoradiotherapy and chemotherapy for PC. Additionally, relevant abstract publications from scientific meetings were included. In advanced PC, pretreatment CA 19- 9 levels have a prognostic impact regarding overall survival. Also a CA 19- 9 decline under chemotherapy can provide prognostic information for median survival. A 20% reduction of CA 19- 9 baseline levels within the first 8 weeks of chemotherapy appears to be sufficient to define a prognostic relevant subgroup of patients ('CA 19- 9 responder'). It still remains to be defined whether the CA 19- 9 response is a more reliable method for evaluating treatment efficacy compared to conventional imaging. Copyright (c) 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel

Mindfulness-based interventions in epilepsy: a systematic review

Mindfulness based interventions (MBIs) are increasingly used to help patients cope with physical and mental long-term conditions (LTCs). Epilepsy is associated with a range of mental and physical comorbidities that have a detrimental effect on quality of life (QOL), but it is not clear whether MBIs can help. We systematically reviewed the literature to determine the effectiveness of MBIs in people with epilepsy. Medline, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, CINAHL, Allied and Complimentary Medicine Database, and PsychInfo were searched in March 2016. These databases were searched using a combination of subject headings where available and keywords in the title and abstracts. We also searched the reference lists of related reviews. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool. Three randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with a total of 231 participants were included. The interventions were tested in the USA (n = 171) and China (Hong Kong) (n = 60). Significant improvements were reported in depression symptoms, quality of life, anxiety, and depression knowledge and skills. Two of the included studies were assessed as being at unclear/high risk of bias - with randomisation and allocation procedures, as well as adverse events and reasons for drop-outs poorly reported. There was no reporting on intervention costs/benefits or how they affected health service utilisation. This systematic review found limited evidence for the effectiveness of MBIs in epilepsy, however preliminary evidence suggests it may lead to some improvement in anxiety, depression and quality of life. Further trials with larger sample sizes, active control groups and longer follow-ups are needed before the evidence for MBIs in epilepsy can be conclusively determined

Individual rules for trail pattern formation in Argentine ants (Linepithema humile)

We studied the formation of trail patterns by Argentine ants exploring an empty arena. Using a novel imaging and analysis technique we estimated pheromone concentrations at all spatial positions in the experimental arena and at different times. Then we derived the response function of individual ants to pheromone concentrations by looking at correlations between concentrations and changes in speed or direction of the ants. Ants were found to turn in response to local pheromone concentrations, while their speed was largely unaffected by these concentrations. Ants did not integrate pheromone concentrations over time, with the concentration of pheromone in a 1 cm radius in front of the ant determining the turning angle. The response to pheromone was found to follow a Weber's Law, such that the difference between quantities of pheromone on the two sides of the ant divided by their sum determines the magnitude of the turning angle. This proportional response is in apparent contradiction with the well-established non-linear choice function used in the literature to model the results of binary bridge experiments in ant colonies (Deneubourg et al. 1990). However, agent based simulations implementing the Weber's Law response function led to the formation of trails and reproduced results reported in the literature. We show analytically that a sigmoidal response, analogous to that in the classical Deneubourg model for collective decision making, can be derived from the individual Weber-type response to pheromone concentrations that we have established in our experiments when directional noise around the preferred direction of movement of the ants is assumed.Comment: final version, 9 figures, submitted to Plos Computational Biology (accepted

An exploratory randomised controlled trial of a premises-level intervention to reduce alcohol-related harm including violence in the United Kingdom

&lt;b&gt;Background&lt;/b&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; To assess the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial of a licensed premises intervention to reduce severe intoxication and disorder; to establish effect sizes and identify appropriate approaches to the development and maintenance of a rigorous research design and intervention implementation.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Methods&lt;/b&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; An exploratory two-armed parallel randomised controlled trial with a nested process evaluation. An audit of risk factors and a tailored action plan for high risk premises, with three month follow up audit and feedback. Thirty-two premises that had experienced at least one assault in the year prior to the intervention were recruited, match paired and randomly allocated to control or intervention group. Police violence data and data from a street survey of study premises’ customers, including measures of breath alcohol concentration and surveyor rated customer intoxication, were used to assess effect sizes for a future definitive trial. A nested process evaluation explored implementation barriers and the fidelity of the intervention with key stakeholders and senior staff in intervention premises using semi-structured interviews.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Results&lt;/b&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; The process evaluation indicated implementation barriers and low fidelity, with a reluctance to implement the intervention and to submit to a formal risk audit. Power calculations suggest the intervention effect on violence and subjective intoxication would be raised to significance with a study size of 517 premises.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Conclusions&lt;/b&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; It is methodologically feasible to conduct randomised controlled trials where licensed premises are the unit of allocation. However, lack of enthusiasm in senior premises staff indicates the need for intervention enforcement, rather than voluntary agreements, and on-going strategies to promote sustainability

ADHD and brain anatomy:What do academic textbooks used in the Netherlands tell students?

Studies of brain size of children classified with ADHD appear to reveal smaller brains when compared to ‘normal’ children. Yet, what does this mean? Even with the use of rigorously screened case and control groups, these studies show only small, average group differences between children with and without an ADHD classification. However, academic textbooks used in the Netherlands often portray individual children with an ADHD classification as having a different, malfunctioning brain that necessitates medical intervention. This conceptualisation of ADHD might serve professional interests, but not necessarily the interests of children

Connexin-mimetic peptide Gap 27 decreases osteoclastic activity

BACKGROUND: Bone remodelling is dependent on the balance between bone resorbing osteoclasts and bone forming osteoblasts. We have shown previously that osteoclasts contain gap-junctional protein connexin-43 and that a commonly used gap-junctional inhibitor, heptanol, can inhibit osteoclastic bone resorption. Since heptanol may also have some unspecific effect unrelated to gap-junctional inhibition we wanted to test the importance of gap-junctional communication to osteoclasts using a more specific inhibitor. METHODS: A synthetic connexin-mimetic peptide, Gap 27, was used to evaluate the contribution of gap-junctional communication to osteoclastic bone resorption. We utilised the well-characterised pit-formation assay to study the effects of the specific gap-junctional inhibitor to the survival and activity of osteoclasts. RESULTS: Gap 27 caused a remarked decrease in the number of both TRAP-positive mononuclear and multinucleated rat osteoclasts cultured on bovine bone slices. The decrease in the cell survival seemed to be restricted to TRAP-positive cells, whereas the other cells of the culture model seemed unaffected. The activity of the remaining osteoclasts was found to be diminished by measuring the percentage of osteoclasts with actin rings of all TRAP-positive cells. In addition, the resorbed area in the treated cultures was greatly diminished. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of these results we conclude that gap-junctional communication is essential for the action of bone resorbing osteoclasts and for proper remodelling for bone