Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pd effects on the reliability in the low cost Ag bonding wire

Recently, the application of Ag bonding wires in electronic devices has been attempted as alternative to Au bonding wires to reduce the material cost of Au. Nevertheless, Ag bonding wires have not been applied to devices due to interface corrosion problems between the Ag wire and Al pad during humidity reliability tests, such as the PCT (Pressure Cooker Test). As the technology for alloying Pd element in Ag wire has developed recently, the corrosive failure problem at the interface in the PCT has been improved significantly. This study examined the behavior of IMCs(intermetallic compounds) and interface corrosion between an Ag wire and Al metallization under humidity conditions (100%RH, 121'C). The chemical compositions of the Ag wires tested were pure Ag, Ag — 1wt%Pd and Ag-3%Pd. These wires are bonded to Al and noble metal(Au, Pd) metallization using a thermo-sonic bonder. The interfaces were characterized by FIB(Focused ion beam), HRTEM (High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope) and EDS (Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy) The findings show that, (1) the interfacial reliability between the Ag wire and Ag metallization was improved considerably. The interface corrosion was suppressed significantly as the Pd content was increased. (2) Ag wires on a noble metal(Au, Pd) pad have stable reliability in PCT.
Evolution of the Polarizing Effect of <named-content content-type="math" xlink:type="simple"> <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{MoS}_{2}$</tex-math></inline-formula></named-content>

We have explored the polarization behavior of MoS2 at three different wavelengths using a polymer-based waveguide. The MoS2-coated waveguide has been fabricated based on the drop casting method. The maximum polarization extinction ratio of 12.6 dB that is achieved at 980 nm is considered to be the highest, to the best of our knowledge, for the MoS2-based waveguide polarizer. It exhibits transverse electric (TE) pass characteristics in the visible wavelength region. The mode field confinement has been computed based on the finite-element method (FEM). Both numerical and experimental results are in very good agreement. These results demonstrate that the few-layer MoS2 can be considered as a complementary material for graphene-based polarizers.
Examining the Impact and Equity of Seniority-Based Teacher Layoff Notices in Washington State : 2008-09 to 2009-10

and Acknowledgements. iii I. Purpose of the Research.1 II. Summary of Relevant Literature about Reduction in Force.1 III. Research Questions.2 IV. Data Sources and Methods.3 V. Study Findings.5 A. Characteristics of Teachers Receiving RIF notices.5 B. Characteristics of Schools with RIF staff.7 C. Impact of RIF on Retention, Mobility and Attrition.9 D. Comparison of Districts’ Collective Bargaining Agreements. 11 E. Initial Comparison of 2009 and 2010 RIF Lists.13 VI. Summary . 15 References.17 Appendices Appendix A-RIF Schools by District Appendix B-Teachers by School Demographics by District Appendix C-Teacher Rehire Rate by School Demographics
Treatment adequacy for anxiety and depressive disorders in six European countries

Summary The aims of this study areto describe the adequacy of treatment for anxiety and depressive disorders in Europe and how it differs between providers, using data from the ESEMeD study The overall proportion of adequate treatment was 45.8% (57.4% in the specialised sector and 23.3% in the general medical care sector). Between-country differences were found in treatment adequacy in the specialised setting. Organisational and political aspects may explain these findings.
Queen number influences the primary sex ratio in the Argentine ant,
 Linepithema humile
 (=
 Iridomyrmex humilis
 )

Hymenoptera are characterized by a haplodiploid sex determination system where females are diploid and males haploid. Because females can decide whether they fertilize their eggs they have control over the sex of their offspring. Females are thus expected to lay haploid and diploid eggs in a ratio that maximizes their fitness. A surprising finding of recent studies on the primary sex ratio of ants has been that queens lay male eggs outside the time of production of sexuals, a period during which all haploid eggs are usually destroyed by workers. It has been suggested that the production of a high proportion of haploid eggs by queens might be a mechanism to achieve higher reproductive success when the colony loses all its queens and rears new sexuals from the brood present within the colony. Here it is shown that, as predicted by this hypothesis, the proportion of haploid eggs laid byLinepithema humilequeens is higher in colonies containing several queens than in single-queen colonies. BecauseL. humilesexuals mate in the nest, the females that produce a higher proportion of haploid eggs should have higher fitness when the colony sex ratio of the brood is female-biased and sons of several queens compete to fertilize the new queens produced.
Putative susceptibility markers of coronary artery disease: association between VDR genotype, smoking, and aromatic DNA adduct levels in human right atrial tissue

Cancer and cardiovascular diseases share risk factors such as smoking, and the onset of both diseases have been suggested to have a common mechanistic basis. The binding of carcinogens to DNA (carcinogen‐DNA adducts), genetic polymorphisms in carcinogen‐detoxifying enzymes glutathione S‐transferases (GSTs), and genetic polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) are among the candidates for modifiers of cancer risk. We determined whether these biomarkers could be related to individual characteristics of patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases. For that purpose, DNA from the right atrial appendage of 41 patients who underwent open heart surgery was analyzed for smoking‐related DNA adducts and polymorphisms in GSTM1, GSTT1, and VDR genes. Statistical analysis was used to identify any patient's characteristics associated with these molecular markers. Our results showed that heart tissue of cigarette smokers contained a variety of aromatic DNA adducts in significantly elevated levels compared to ex‐smokers (P<0.01) or nonsmokers (P<0.001). A linear relationship was observed between DNA adduct levels and daily cigarette smoking (rs=0.73; P=0.0003). Since cardiac myocytes are terminally differentiated cells that have lost their ability to divide and seemingly have limited DNA repair capacities, their levels might accumulate with time and thereby affect heart cell function or viability. Substantial interindividual differences between DNA adduct levels were observed, and persons with severe coronary artery disease (CAD), as assessed by coronary angiography, had higher DNA adduct levels than persons with no or mild CAD (P=0.04). As polymorphisms in GST genes have been shown to modulate DNA adduct levels and risk for lung cancer in smokers, we explored for the first time whether the GST polymorphisms could also explain deviating heart DNA adduct levels and CAD risk. However, no relation could be found between these covariants. In contrast, a VDR genotype, which has been associated with decreased serum levels of the active hormonal form of vitamin D and increased risk for certain cancers, seemed to be related to severity of CAD (P=0.025). Our findings support the hypothesis that smoking‐related DNA damage may be involved in the onset of cardiovascular diseases and suggest that VDR genotype may be a useful susceptibility marker of CAD. —van Schooten, F. J., Hirvonen, A. , Maas, L. M. , de Mol, B. A. , Kleinjans, J. C. S. , Bell, D. A. , Durrer, J. D. Putative susceptibility markers of coronary artery disease: association between VDR genotype, smoking, and aromatic DNA adduct levels in human right atrial tissue. FASEB J. 12, 1409–1417 (1998)
Cooperative Output Regulation of Linear Multi-Agent Systems

In this technical note, we consider the cooperative output regulation of linear multi-agent systems. The overall system consists of two groups of subsystems. While the first group of subsystems can access the exogenous signal, the second cannot. As a result, the problem cannot be solved by the decentralized approach. By devising a distributed observer, we can solve the problem by a dynamic full information distributed control scheme. The problem can also be viewed as a generalization of some results of the leader-following consensus problem of multi-agent systems.
Use of a Protease in Poultry Feed Offers Promising Environmental Benefits

2 Abstract: Enzymes are widely used in feed to improve utilization of nutrients and it is generally acknowledged that phytases, by improving phytate phosphorus utilization are an important tool to reduce phosphorus pollution and the environmental problems derived from this such as eutrophicatio n. Lately, the use of proteases as feed enzymes has gained interest. Proteases are added to feed with the purpose of increasing dietary protein hydrolysis and thus enabling improved nitrogen utilization. When animals utilize nitrogen better, there is a possibility to decrease the diet protein content and in turn also reduce the content of nitrogen in manure. The environmental consequences of decreased dietary protein content and reduced nitrogen excretion were investigated in a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), which considered all steps in broile r production from production of feed ingredients, to the broilers leaving the chicken house, including the use of manure. Wide ranges of environmental impacts were analyzed, covering emissions of nitrous compounds to both air and the aquatic environment. Significant benefits were obtained for all impacts considered. Most important were the benefits related to reduced emissions of ammonia, which help reduce both health risks and environmental impacts, such as acidification and eutrophication. The largest effects were obtained when protease was used as a tool to allow for lower diet protein content. However, even when used in a diet with normal protein level significant benefits were observed. It is illustrated that the use of protease can contribute significantly to current efforts to reduce nitrogen emissions from livestock production.
Monitoring a widespread bacterial group: in situ detection of planctomycetes with 16S rRNA-targeted probes.

The group of planctomycetes represents a separate line of descent within the domain Bacteria. Two phylum-specific 16S rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes for planctomycetes have been designed, optimized for in situ hybridization and used in different habitats to detect members of the group in situ. The probes, named PLA46 and PLA886, are targeting all or nearly all members of the planctomycete line of descent. Planctomycetes could be detected in almost all samples examined, e.g. a brackish water lagoon, activated sludge, and other wastewater habitats. In situ probing revealed quite uniform morphology and spatial arrangement of the detected cells but profound differences in abundance ranging from less than 0.1% to several percentage of the total cells. Single coccoid cells with diameters between 1 and 2.5 microm were dominating in most samples with the exception of the lagoon, in which rosettes of pear-shaped cells were abundant. The planctomycetes showed generally no hybridization signals with the bacterial probe EUB338, which is in accordance with base changes in their 165 rRNA sequences. A discrete ultrastructure of planctomycete cells was suggested by double staining with rRNA-targeted probes and the DNA-binding dye 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). The probe-conferred fluorescence was distributed in a ring-shaped manner around a central DAPI spot. The two probes developed extend the existing set of group-specific rRNA-targeted probes and help to elucidate the basic composition of bacterial communities in a first step of differential analysis. In situ hybridization of environmental samples indicated widespread presence of planctomycetes in different ecosystems.
Dyshidrosiform Pemphigoid: Report of a Case

A Japanese woman had bullous eruptions on her palms and soles for two months, histopathologic examination, immunofluorescence microscopy, and ELISA for BP180 antigen led to the definitive diagnosis of dyshidrosiform pemphigoid (DP). This paper also includes a study of 15 other cases of DP.
The Meristogram: a neglected tool for acanthocephalan systematics

Abstract Background The hooks of the acanthocephalan proboscis exhibit serial variation in size and shape. The Meristogram was developed by Huffman and Bullock (1975) to provide a graphical representation of this positional variation in hook morphology. Initial studies demonstrated the ability of the Meristogram to discriminate species within the genera Echinorhynchus and Pomphorhynchus (Huffman and Bullock 1975, Huffman and Nickol 1978, Gleason and Huffman 1981). However, the reliability of the method for taxonomic work was questioned by Shostak et al. (1986) after they found intra-specific variation in two Echinorhynchus species. Uncertainty about the usefulness of the Meristogram and the absence of a readily available software implementation of the algorithm, might explain why this abstract proboscis character has yet to be adopted by acanthocephalan systematists. New information The Meristogram algorithm was implemented in the R language and a simple graphical user interface created to facilitate ease of use (the software is freely available from https://github.com/WaylandM/meristogram). The accuracy of the algorithm's formula for calculating hook cross-sectional area was validated by data collected using a digitizing tablet. Meristograms were created from data in public respositories for eight Echinorhynchus taxa: E. bothniensis, E. 'bothniensis', E. gadi spp. A, B and I, E. brayi, E. salmonis and E. truttae. In this preliminary analysis, the meristogram differentiated E. bothniensis, E. brayi, E. gadi sp. B, E. salmonis and E. truttae from each other, and from the remaining taxa in this study, but independent data will be required for validation. Sample sizes for E. 'bothniensis' and E. gadi spp. A and I were too small to identify diagnostic features with any degree of confidence. Meristogram differences among the sibling species of the E. gadi and E. bothniensis groups suggest that the 'intra-specfic' variation in meristogram previously reported for some Echinorhynchus taxa, may have actually represented morphological divergence between unrecognized cryptic species. Hierarchical clustering of taxa based on Meristogram data yielded dendrograms that were largely concordant with phylogenetic relationships inferred from DNA sequence data, indicating the presence of a strong phylogenetic signal.
Intimate partner violence, maternal stress, nativity, and risk for maternal maltreatment of young children.

OBJECTIVES We examined the associations of intimate partner violence (IPV) and maternal risk factors with maternal child maltreatment risk within a diverse sample of mothers. METHODS We derived the study sample (N=2508) from the Fragile Families and Child Well-Being Study. We conducted regression analyses to examine associations between IPV, parenting stress, major depression, key covariates, and 4 proxy variables for maternal child maltreatment. RESULTS Mothers reported an average of 25 acts of psychological aggression and 17 acts of physical aggression against their 3-year-old children in the year before the study, 11% reported some act of neglect toward their children during the same period, and 55% had spanked their children during the previous month. About 40% of mothers had experienced IPV by their current partner. IPV and maternal parenting stress were both consistent risk factors for all 4 maltreatment proxy variables. Although foreign-born mothers reported fewer incidents of child maltreatment, the IPV relative risk for child maltreatment was greater for foreign-born than for US-born mothers. CONCLUSIONS Further integration of IPV and child maltreatment prevention and intervention efforts is warranted; such efforts must carefully balance the needs of adult and child victims.
Using gradient information for multi-objective problems in the evolutionary context

The goal of this research is to study the incorporation of gradient-based information when designing Multi-objective Evolutionary Algorithms (MOEAs). We analyze the benefits, and challenges, of using these well developed mathematical programming techniques in order to get hybrid MOEAs. Since we expect the new hybrid algorithms to search effectively and more efficiently than currently available MOEAs, a deeper study of the balance between the computational and the benefits of this coupling is highly necessary.
Working Paper Number 103 December 2006 How to Do xtabond 2 : An Introduction to “ Difference ” and “ System ” GMM in Stata By David Roodman

The Arellano-Bond (1991) and Arellano-Bover (1995)/Blundell-Bond (1998) linear generalized method of moments (GMM) estimators are increasingly popular. Both are general estimators designed for situations with “small T, large N” panels, meaning few time periods and many individuals; with independent variables that are not strictly exogenous, meaning correlated with past and possibly current realizations of the error; with fixed effects; and with heteroskedasticity and autocorrelation within individuals. This pedagogic paper first introduces linear GMM. Then it shows how limited time span and the potential for fixed effects and endogenous regressors drive the design of the estimators of interest, offering Stata-based examples along the way. Next it shows how to apply these estimators with xtabond2. It also explains how to perform the Arellano-Bond test for autocorrelation in a panel after other Stata commands, using abar. The Center for Global Development is an independent think tank that works to reduce global poverty and inequality through rigorous research and active engagement with the policy community. Use and dissemination of this Working Paper is encouraged, however reproduced copies may not be used for commercial purposes. Further usage is permitted under the terms of the Creative Commons License. The views expressed in this paper are those of the author and should not be attributed to the directors or funders of the Center for Global Development. www.cgdev. org ________________________________________________________________________ How to Do xtabond2: An Introduction to Difference and System GMM in Stata
Photoperiod and temperature responses of bud swelling and bud burst in four temperate forest tree species.

Spring phenology of temperate forest trees is optimized to maximize the length of the growing season while minimizing the risk of freezing damage. The release from winter dormancy is environmentally mediated by species-specific responses to temperature and photoperiod. We investigated the response of early spring phenology to temperature and photoperiod at different stages of dormancy release in cuttings from four temperate tree species in controlled environments. By tracking bud development, we were able to identify the onset of bud swelling and bud growth in Acer pseudoplatanus L. , Fagus sylvatica L. , Quercus petraea (Mattuschka) Liebl. and Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. At a given early stage of dormancy release, the onset and duration of the bud swelling prior to bud burst are driven by concurrent temperature and photoperiod, while the maximum growth rate is temperature dependent only, except for Fagus, where long photoperiods also increased bud growth rates. Similarly, the later bud burst was controlled by temperature and photoperiod (in the photoperiod sensitive species Fagus, Quercus and Picea). We conclude that photoperiod is involved in the release of dormancy during the ecodormancy phase and may influence bud burst in trees that have experienced sufficient chilling. This study explored and documented the early bud swelling period that precedes and defines later phenological stages such as canopy greening in conventional phenological works. It is the early bud growth resumption that needs to be understood in order to arrive at a causal interpretation and modelling of tree phenology at a large scale. Classic spring phenology events mark visible endpoints of a cascade of processes as evidenced here.
Structural support, not insulation, is the primary driver for avian cup-shaped nest design

The nest micro-environment is a widely studied area of avian biology, however, the contribution of nest conductance (the inverse of insulation) to the energetics of the incubating adult and offspring has largely been overlooked. Surface-specific thermal conductance (W °C−1 cm−2) has been related to nest dimensions, wall porosity, height above-ground and altitude, but the most relevant measure is total conductance (G, W °C−1). This study is the first to analyse conductance allometrically with adult body mass (M, g), according to the form G = aMb. We propose three alternative hypotheses to explain the scaling of conductance. The exponent may emerge from: heat loss scaling (M0.48) in which G scales with the same exponent as thermal conductance of the adult bird, isometric scaling (M0.33) in which nest shape is held constant as parent mass increases, and structural scaling (M0.25) in which nests are designed to support a given adult mass. Data from 213 cup-shaped nests, from 36 Australian species weighing 8–360 g, show conductance is proportional to M0.25. This allometric exponent is significantly different from those expected for heat loss and isometric scaling and confirms the hypothesis that structural support for the eggs and incubating parent is the primary factor driving nest design.
Dynamic capabilities: taking an emerging technology perspective

Much has been written about the nature and composition of dynamic capabilities, and their importance in defining and implementing successful strategies. However, recent advances in technology have changed the way organisations engage with technology: cloud, data analytics, mobile, and social media to name the most common developments. These technologies are, for some organisations, reshaping their ability to effectively compete within their chosen markets. The question is what dynamic capabilities do they each need to ensure their technology is adding business value. This paper proposes a set of dynamic technology enabling capabilities that organisations should consider developing if they are to better utilise their technology in building competitive advantage.
HIGH PREVALENCE OF Strongyloides stercoralis INFECTION AMONG THE ELDERLY IN BRAZIL

SUMMARY Little is known about the frequency of intestinal parasites in the elderly due to a lack of attention given to the occurrence of these infections among older adults. This study compares the frequency of Strongyloides stercoralis and other enteroparasites between elderly living in nursing homes (n = 100) and those noninstitutionalized (n = 100) from Uberlândia, state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil, associated with data of epidemiological and socio-demographic conditions. Through coproparasitological examination of both groups, enteroparasites were detected in 15 of 200 individuals examined (7.5%; CI: 5.1- 9.9). S. stercoralis was the most frequent parasite 10/200 (5%; CI: 4.2-5.8), being significantly higher in males and in individuals with autonomy for daily living activities. There were no statistical differences in the prevalence of parasites between the two groups compared. In conclusion, S. stercoralis infection was highly prevalent in elderly patients and it does not depend on whether the individual was institutionalized or not.