Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Algorithmic techniques for nanometer VLSI design and manufacturing closure

Algorithmic Techniques for Nanometer VLSI Design and Manufacturing Closure. (May 2008) Shiyan Hu, B.S., Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics; M.S., Polytechnic University, Brooklyn, NY Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Jiang Hu As Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) technology moves to the nanoscale regime, design and manufacturing closure becomes very difficult to achieve due to increasing chip and power density. Imperfections due to process, voltage and temperature variations aggravate the problem. Uncertainty in electrical characteristic of individual device and wire may cause significant performance deviations or even functional failures. These impose tremendous challenges to the continuation of Moore’s law as well as the growth of semiconductor industry. Efforts are needed in both deterministic design stage and variation-aware design stage. This research proposes various innovative algorithms to address both stages for obtaining a design with high frequency, low power and high robustness. For deterministic optimizations, new buffer insertion and gate sizing techniques are proposed. For variation-aware optimizations, new lithography-driven and post-silicon tuning-driven design techniques are proposed. For buffer insertion, a new slew buffering formulation is presented and is proved to be NP-hard. Despite this, a highly efficient algorithm which runs > 90× faster than the best alternatives is proposed. The algorithm is also extended to handle continuous buffer locations and blockages. For gate sizing, a new algorithm is proposed to handle discrete gate library in contrast to unrealistic continuous gate library assumed by most existing algorithms.
Wyłaniające się modele kapitalizmu w Polsce i krajach Europy Środkowo-Wschodniej na tle Europy Zachodniej

This article presents the results of the study which aims to enrich the empirical picture and to better understand the nature of capitalism emerging in Poland and other new EU member states from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE11). Our main research goal is to assess the degree of similarity of Poland and other CEE11 countries toward each of the four models of capitalism in Western Europe distinguished by Bruno Amable. Each of these models is represented by an “ideal-typical” western European country. At the average level for the whole analyzed group, the CEE11 countries show the greatest similarity to the Mediterranean model of capitalism, represented by Spain/Italy. At the same time, these countries also exhibit quite high institutional proximity to the continental model of capitalism, represented by Germany.
Zyzzyva

We present Zyzzyva, a protocol that uses speculation to reduce the cost and simplify the design of Byzantine fault tolerant state machine replication. In Zyzzyva, replicas respond to a client's request without first running an expensive three-phase commit protocol to reach agreement on the order in which the request must be processed. Instead, they optimistically adopt the order proposed by the primary and respond immediately to the client. Replicas can thus become temporarily inconsistent with one another, but clients detect inconsistencies, help correct replicas converge on a single total ordering of requests, and only rely on responses that are consistent with this total order. This approach allows Zyzzyva to reduce replication overheads to near their theoretical minimal.
Physics of Baseball Bats - An Analysis

An analysis of the physics of baseball bats is presented in this study. The analysis compares the performance of aluminum and wooden baseball bats. Novel experimental approaches to indirectly quantify the performance of these bats have been implemented. The analysis also considers various aspects of baseball including the physical dimensions of the baseball fields, ball exit speed ratio, moment of inertia, trampoline effect, coefficient of restitution and youth baseball. In youth baseball, the baseball bats used are more effective relative to the physical dimensions of the baseball fields. The novelty, in this study, focuses on the investigation of bat and ball collision with the ball immersed in liquid nitrogen. The results seem to suggest that the energy transfer between aluminum bat and liquid nitrogen immersed ball is better than that of wooden bat and immersed ball.
L-arginine-dependent reactive nitrogen intermediates as mediators of tumor cell killing by activated macrophages.

The capacities of lymphokines and of various microbes to induce in a pure population of bone marrow-derived mononuclear phagocytes tumoricidal activity and/or the production of L-arginine-dependent reactive nitrogen intermediates, measured by the release of nitrite, were comparatively assessed. These parameters were found to be closely correlated in a variety of experimental situations, i.e., enhanced by a surplus of L-arginine and abrogated by N-monomethyl-L-arginine, a selective inhibitor of L-arginine-dependent effector mechanisms. In other macrophage/tumor cell combinations, such correlation was less obvious or not at all detectable, suggesting that, in these models, L-arginine-dependent reactive nitrogen intermediates are not or not alone responsible for the mediation of tumoricidal activity by activated macrophages. Collectively, the present findings suggest that the mechanism of tumor cell killing by activated macrophages may differ, depending on the tumor cell type and the pathway of macrophage activation. Among the various effector mechanisms considered to be involved in tumor cell killing by activated macrophages, L-arginine-dependent reactive nitrogen intermediates appear to hold a major role.
Channel estimation and hybrid combining for mmWave: Phase shifters or switches?

Precoding/combining and large antenna arrays are essential in millimeter wave (mmWave) systems. In traditional MIMO systems, precoding/combining is usually done digitally at baseband with one radio frequency (RF) chain and one analog-to-digital converter (ADC) per antenna. The high cost and power consumption of RF chains and ADCs at mmWave frequencies make an all-digital processing approach prohibitive. When only a limited number of RF chains is available, hybrid architectures that split the precoding/combining processing into the analog and digital domains are attractive. A previously proposed hybrid solution employs phase shifters and mixers in the RF precoding/combining stage. It obtains near optimal spectral efficiencies with a reduced number of RF channels. In this paper we propose a different hybrid architecture, which simplifies the hardware at the receiver by replacing the phase shifters with switches. We present a new approach for compressed sensing based channel estimation for the hybrid architectures. Given the channel estimate, we propose a novel algorithm that jointly designs the antenna subsets selected and the baseband combining. Using power consumption calculations and achievable rates, we compare the performance of hybrid combining with antenna switching and phase shifting, showing that antenna selection is preferred in a range of operating conditions.
Transmission and reflection properties of composite double negative metamaterials in free space

We report free space transmission and the first reflection measurements of a composite double negative (DNG) metamaterial, also known as a left-handed material (LHM). The metamaterial composes of the split-ring-resonators and discontinuous thin wires. Very high transmission values of the metamaterial are observed within a frequency range for which both effective permeability and permittivity are expected to be negative.
Axial-Load Fatigue Tests on 17-7 PH Stainless Steel Under Constant-Amplitude Loading

SUMMARY Axial-load fatigue tests were conducted at roam temperature on notched and unnotched sheet specimens of 17-7 PH stainless steel in Condition TH 1050. The notched specimens had theoretical stress- concentration factors of 2.32, 4.00, and 5.00. under completely reversed loading. S-N curves are presented for each specimen configuration and ratios of fatigue strengths of unnotched speci- mens to those of notched specimens are given. Predictions of the fatigue behavior of notched specimens near the fatigue limit were made. All Specimens were tested INTRODUCTION Stainless steels are commonly used in the construction of shells and &el tanks for missiles and also for structural parts of other vehi- cles subjected to high temperatures. Since these structures are fre- quently subjected to repeated loads, additional information regarding the fatigue behavior and notch sensitivity of stainless steels would be of interest to the designer. Therefore, an investigation
Histone Deacetylase-1 (HDAC1) Is a Molecular Switch between Neuronal Survival and Death* ♦

Background: The role of HDAC1 in the regulation of neuronal survival is unresolved. Results: In cooperation with HDRP, HDAC1 promotes neuronal survival, but when it interacts with HDAC3, HDAC1 promotes neuronal death. Conclusion: HDAC1 can protect neurons or promote neuronal death depending on whether it interacts with HDRP or HDAC3. Significance: Our results provide insight into the role of HDAC1 in the regulation of neuronal survival. Both neuroprotective and neurotoxic roles have previously been described for histone deacetylase-1 (HDAC1). Here we report that HDAC1 expression is elevated in vulnerable brain regions of two mouse models of neurodegeneration, the R6/2 model of Huntington disease and the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK)/p25 double-transgenic model of tauopathic degeneration, suggesting a role in promoting neuronal death. Indeed, elevating HDAC1 expression by ectopic expression promotes the death of otherwise healthy cerebellar granule neurons and cortical neurons in culture. The neurotoxic effect of HDAC1 requires interaction and cooperation with HDAC3, which has previously been shown to selectively induce the death of neurons. HDAC1-HDAC3 interaction is greatly elevated under conditions of neurodegeneration both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the knockdown of HDAC3 suppresses HDAC1-induced neurotoxicity, and the knockdown of HDAC1 suppresses HDAC3 neurotoxicity. As described previously for HDAC3, the neurotoxic effect of HDAC1 is inhibited by treatment with IGF-1, the expression of Akt, or the inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β). In addition to HDAC3, HDAC1 has been shown to interact with histone deacetylase-related protein (HDRP), a truncated form of HDAC9, whose expression is down-regulated during neuronal death. In contrast to HDAC3, the interaction between HDRP and HDAC1 protects neurons from death, an effect involving acquisition of the deacetylase activity of HDAC1 by HDRP. We find that elevated HDRP inhibits HDAC1-HDAC3 interaction and prevents the neurotoxic effect of either of these two proteins. Together, our results suggest that HDAC1 is a molecular switch between neuronal survival and death. Its interaction with HDRP promotes neuronal survival, whereas interaction with HDAC3 results in neuronal death.
Geometric Characteristics of Olomore Drainage Basin, Abeokuta, and their Implications for Hydrologic Processes

The study analysed the geometric attributes of Olomore drainage basin, south-west of Abeokuta, Ogun State. The analysis was based on the linear, areal and relief characteristics of a drainage basin. The analysis was carried out with the aid of ArcGis software package (Version 9.3; ESRI, 2008). The results of the analysis revealed a total of 71 streams within the basin. Total stream length, drainage area and watershed length were 98.85km, 41.70km 2 and 10.75km, respectively. The elongation and circularity ratios showed that the basin was circular in shape, while the bifurcation ratio was 1.75. The channel gradient was computed as 0.0071. The results obtained from the computation of the stream frequency, elongation and circularity ratio indicate that the risk of flooding within the basin is low. It is, however, recommended that anthropogenic activities that could negatively impact the hydrology of the basin should be discouraged. KEYWORDS: Geometric, Drainage Basin, Hydrology, Abeokuta, Nigeria
Least-Squares Conditional Density Estimation

Estimating the conditional mean of an input-output relation is the goal of regression. However, regression analysis is not sufficiently informative if the conditional distribution has multi-modality, is highly asymmetric, or contains heteroscedastic noise. In such scenarios, estimating the conditional distribution itself would be more useful. In this paper, we propose a novel method of conditional density estimation that is suitable for multi-dimensional continuous variables. The basic idea of the proposed method is to express the conditional density in terms of the density ratio and the ratio is directly estimated without going through density estimation. Experiments using benchmark and robot transition datasets illustrate the usefulness of the proposed approach.
Offline Replay Supports Planning: fMRI Evidence from Reward Revaluation

Making decisions in sequentially structured tasks requires integrating distally acquired information. The extensive computational cost of such integration challenges planning methods that integrate online, at decision time. Furthermore, it remains unclear whether “offline” integration during replay supports planning, and if so which memories should be replayed. Inspired by machine learning, we propose that (a) offline replay of trajectories facilitates integrating representations that guide decisions, and (b) unsigned prediction errors (uncertainty) trigger such integrative replay. We designed a 2-step revaluation task for fMRI, whereby participants needed to integrate changes in rewards with past knowledge to optimally replan decisions. As predicted, we found that (a) multi-voxel pattern evidence for off-task replay predicts subsequent replanning; (b) neural sensitivity to uncertainty predicts subsequent replay and replanning; (c) off-task hippocampus and anterior cingulate activity increase when revaluation is required. These findings elucidate how the brain leverages offline mechanisms in planning and goal-directed behavior under uncertainty.
Assessment of Child Immunization Coverage and Associated Factors in Oromia Regional State, Eastern Ethiopia

The aim of the study is to assess the immunization coverage of children aged between 12-23 months and its determinants. A community based cross survey involving quantitative and qualitative 2010 in 6 Kebeles of Kombolcha district. Stratified m technique with simple random sampling (SRS) was used to select sample size of 694 children aged 12 to 23 months with their mothers or care takers after census conducted in randomly selected Kebeles. Data was collected by using pre structured questionnaire and then coded, SPSS version 16.0 software. Of total 168(24.2%) not immunized, 367(52.9%) partially immunized and 159(22.9%) completely OPV3, pentavalent-1, pentavalent-3 and measles coverage at the time of survey by card plus history was 452(65.1%), 520(74.9%), 236(34.0%), 512(73.8%), 230(33.1%) and 280(40.3%) respectively. Unaware they didn’t return for 2 nd and 3 rd dose because of information on place and/or time of immunization and wrong perception contraindication were statistical significant factors children. Over all the immunization coverage in Kombolcha Woreda was low in case of pentavalent-3 (33.1%). To prevent defaulters’ mothers/ care takers should be given due attention, encouraged and promoted during contacts
Pharmacokinetic evaluation of triiodothyronine supplementation in children after modified Fontan procedure.

BACKGROUND Triiodothyronine (T(3)) supplementation may be a useful adjunct in the management of patients after cardiopulmonary bypass. Limited data are available regarding the use and pharmacokinetics of T(3) in children. The present study was performed to evaluate T(3) pharmacokinetics in a cohort of children undergoing the modified Fontan procedure. METHODS AND RESULTS A total of 28 patients were enrolled in this randomized, prospective study. The patients were divided into 4 groups: 1 group received a placebo and 3 groups received intravenous T(3) at dosages of 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 microg/kg, respectively. All 28 patients survived their operative procedures. Two patients developed low cardiac output, and 3 patients had pleural effusions. The median length of hospital stay was 7 days. The mean free T(3) level was 316+/-67 pg/dL after then administration of a placebo. Patients who received T(3) had mean peak free T(3) levels of 972+/-88, 1351+/-299, and 1869+/-281 pg/dL for the dosages of 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 microg/kg, respectively. The calculated half-life of T(3) was 7 hours. CONCLUSIONS The half-life of intravenous T(3) in children is approximately one-third of that reported for adults. These results provide a framework for studying the efficacy of T(3) supplementation in children undergoing open-heart surgery.
A mechanistic framework for noncell autonomous stem cell induction in Arabidopsis

Significance Cell–cell communication is a prerequisite of multicellular development and noncell autonomous stem cell induction has been conserved during evolution. Cytoplasmic bridges, called plasmodesmata, which facilitate the exchange of molecules between neighboring cells, are a striking innovation for cell–cell signaling in plants. Here, we show that plasmodesmata function is required for the activity of shoot apical stem cells in Arabidopsis and provide evidence that the stem cell inducing transcription factor WUSCHEL moves from the niche into the stem cells via this route. WUSCHEL movement is functionally relevant and mediated by multiple protein domains. Because parts of the protein that restrict movement are required for homodimerization, the formation of WUSCHEL dimers might contribute to the regulation of stem cell activity in Arabidopsis. Cell–cell communication is essential for multicellular development and, consequently, evolution has brought about an array of distinct mechanisms serving this purpose. Consistently, induction and maintenance of stem cell fate by noncell autonomous signals is a feature shared by many organisms and may depend on secreted factors, direct cell–cell contact, matrix interactions, or a combination of these mechanisms. Although many basic cellular processes are well conserved between animals and plants, cell-to-cell signaling is one function where substantial diversity has arisen between the two kingdoms of life. One of the most striking differences is the presence of cytoplasmic bridges, called plasmodesmata, which facilitate the exchange of molecules between neighboring plant cells and provide a unique route for cell–cell communication in the plant lineage. Here, we provide evidence that the stem cell inducing transcription factor WUSCHEL (WUS), expressed in the niche, moves to the stem cells via plasmodesmata in a highly regulated fashion and that this movement is required for WUS function and, thus, stem cell activity in Arabidopsis thaliana. We show that cell context-independent mobility is encoded in the WUS protein sequence and mediated by multiple domains. Finally, we demonstrate that parts of the protein that restrict movement are required for WUS homodimerization, suggesting that formation of WUS dimers might contribute to the regulation of apical stem cell activity.
Sharing BRCA1/2 test results with first-degree relatives: factors predicting who women tell.

PURPOSE Patient communication with relatives about cancer genetic test results is the primary means for alerting those who may benefit from identification of hereditary risk. This study identifies factors predicting patterns of disclosure of BRCA1/2 test results to first-degree relatives (FDRs) among women tested in a clinical protocol. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 273 women completed a family communication measure 4 months after BRCA1/2 result disclosure. chi2 analyses and logistic regression models identified factors predicting sharing of the test result. RESULTS Most FDRs were informed of the participant's test result by 4 months; female relatives were more likely to be informed than males. Tested women conveyed inconclusive results (variant or negative without known familial mutation) less frequently to their sisters than conclusive (positive/true negative) results (P = .03). Twenty-three percent of participants did not inform their father. Informing brothers was more likely when BRCA1/2 was inherited through paternal lineage (P = .04), but 29% of brothers were not informed. Women older than age 40 were less likely to share their result with their parents (P = .03) than were women < or = 40. Children's ages influenced communication to offspring; most children were told. CONCLUSION Demographic, health-, and test-related factors predicted genetic test result communication to FDRs. Additional research investigating the full spectrum of discussion within families and motives for incomplete sharing of genetic test results with relatives may suggest strategies for providers and targeted educational interventions for patients to enhance family communication.
Flood or Drought: How Do Aerosols Affect Precipitation?

Aerosols serve as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) and thus have a substantial effect on cloud properties and the initiation of precipitation. Large concentrations of human-made aerosols have been reported to both decrease and increase rainfall as a result of their radiative and CCN activities. At one extreme, pristine tropical clouds with low CCN concentrations rain out too quickly to mature into long-lived clouds. On the other hand, heavily polluted clouds evaporate much of their water before precipitation can occur, if they can form at all given the reduced surface heating resulting from the aerosol haze layer. We propose a conceptual model that explains this apparent dichotomy.
Multiplex N-terminome Analysis of MMP-2 and MMP-9 Substrate Degradomes by iTRAQ-TAILS Quantitative Proteomics*

Proteolysis is a major protein posttranslational modification that, by altering protein structure, affects protein function and, by truncating the protein sequence, alters peptide signatures of proteins analyzed by proteomics. To identify such modified and shortened protease-generated neo-N-termini on a proteome-wide basis, we developed a whole protein isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) labeling method that simultaneously labels and blocks all primary amines including protein N- termini and lysine side chains. Blocking lysines limits trypsin cleavage to arginine, which effectively elongates the proteolytically truncated peptides for improved MS/MS analysis and peptide identification. Incorporating iTRAQ whole protein labeling with terminal amine isotopic labeling of substrates (iTRAQ-TAILS) to enrich the N-terminome by negative selection of the blocked mature original N-termini and neo-N-termini has many advantages. It enables simultaneous characterization of the natural N-termini of proteins, their N-terminal modifications, and proteolysis product and cleavage site identification. Furthermore, iTRAQ-TAILS also enables multiplex N-terminomics analysis of up to eight samples and allows for quantification in MS2 mode, thus preventing an increase in spectral complexity and extending proteome coverage by signal amplification of low abundance proteins. We compared the substrate degradomes of two closely related matrix metalloproteinases, MMP-2 (gelatinase A) and MMP-9 (gelatinase B), in fibroblast secreted proteins. Among 3,152 unique N-terminal peptides identified corresponding to 1,054 proteins, we detected 201 cleavage products for MMP-2 and unexpectedly only 19 for the homologous MMP-9 under identical conditions. Novel substrates identified and biochemically validated include insulin-like growth factor binding protein-4, complement C1r component A, galectin-1, dickkopf-related protein-3, and thrombospondin-2. Hence, N-terminomics analyses using iTRAQ-TAILS links gelatinases with new mechanisms of action in angiogenesis and reveals unpredicted restrictions in substrate repertoires for these two very similar proteases.