Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design Enhancement of Miniature Lumped-Element LTCC Bandpass Filters

We present a novel methodology for the design of miniature lumped element components embedded in a low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) package. The entire process, from initial schematic design, through individual element design, to complete device optimization is discussed. The design and fabrication of novel miniature lumped element LTCC filters is used to validate the proposed methodology. Commercial software tools are used to accurately model and simulate all aspects of the devices to ensure design success. In addition, the filters occupy only 0.03 lambda times 0.05 lambda times 0.004 lambda of a conventional low-permittivity LTCC substrate, which is among the smallest sizes reported. An advantage of these filters is that they use a true third-order topology with three multilayer L-C resonators, leading to superior stopband performance. For the first time, measured results are shown for two new bandpass filters targeted for global positioning system applications. Measured results are in good agreement with the simulations and show an insertion loss of 2.8 dB and a return loss of 21.3 dB at the center frequency of 1.64 GHz.
Magnetic fields in merging spirals - the Antennae

We present an extensive study of magnetic fields in a system of merging galaxies. We obtained for NGC 4038/39 (the Antennae) radio total intensity and polarization maps at 8.44 GHz, 4.86 GHz and 1.49 GHz using the VLA in the C and D configurations. The galaxy pair possesses bright, extended radio emission filling the body of the whole system, with no dominant nuclear sources. The radio thermal fraction of NGC 4038/39 was found to be about 50% at 10.45 GHz, higher than in normal spirals. Most of the thermal emission is associated with star-forming regions, but only a part of these are weakly visible in the optical domain because of strong obscuration. The mean total magnetic fields in both galaxies are about two times stronger (≃ 20µG) than in normal spirals. However, the degree of field regularity is rather low, implying tangling of the regular component in regions with interaction-enhanced star formation. Our data combined with those in H i, H�, X-rays and in far infrared allow us to study local interrelations between different gas phases and magnetic fields. We distinguish several radio- emitting regions with different physical properties and at various evolutionarystages: the rudimentary magnetic spiral, the northern cool part of the dark cloud complex extending between the galaxies, its warm southern region, its southernmost star-forming region deficient in radio emission, and the highly polarized northeastern ridge associated with the base of an unfolding tidal tail. The whole region of the dark cloud complex shows a coherent magnetic field structure, probably tracing the line of collision between the arms of merging spirals while the total radio emission reveals hidden star formation nests. The southern region is a particularly intense merger-triggered starburst. Highly tangled magnetic fields reach there strengths of ≃ 30µG, even larger than in both individual galaxies, possibly due to compression of the original fields pulled out from the parent disks. In the northeastern ridge, away from star-forming regions, the magnetic field is highly coherent with a strong regular component of 10µG tracing gas shearing motions along the tidal tail. We find no signs of field compression by infalling gas there. The radio spectrum is much steeper in this region indicating aging of the CR electron population as they move away from their sources in star-forming regions. Modelling Faraday rotation data show that we deal with a three-dimensionally curved structure of magnetic fields, becoming almost parallel to the sky plane in the southeastern part of the ridge.
A 48-mW, 12-bit, 150-MS/s pipelined ADC with digital calibration in 65nm CMOS

A 1.2 V 12-bit 150 MS/s pipelined ADC with low-gain op-amps (DC gain ≈15 dB) is fabricated in a 65-nm CMOS process. The proposed 5-transistor single stage op-amp enables simple analog circuit to achieve low power and high speed. Digital background calibration technique is exploited to compensate the inter-stage gain error, capacitor mismatch and op-amp nonlinearity. The ADC achieves a peak SNDR of 68 dB and 67 dB and a peak SFDR of 85 dB and 81 dB with 6 MHz input at 100 MS/s and 150 MS/s, respectively. The ADC analog core occupies 0.78 mm2 and dissipates 36 mW at 150 MHz sampling rate from a 1.2-V supply. The digital calibration circuit occupies 0.21 mm2 and dissipates 12 mW at a clock frequency of 150MHz by estimation with software. The ADC shows a FoM of 194 fJ/conv-step at 150-MS/s from a 1.2-V supply.
The Convergence of Institutional Logics on the Community College Sector and the Normalization of Emotional Labor: A New Theoretical Approach for Considering the Community College Faculty Labor Expectations

Abstract:Little empirical research has systematically focused on, or interrogated, the labor expectations set forth for community college faculty. Thus, in this paper, we present a theoretical argument, which we formed by (re) reading several community college focused studies through various theoretical lenses. Ultimately, we merged two theories—institutional logics and emotional labor—and argue that multiple institutional logics converge within the community college sector in ways that normalize the expectation of emotional labor from community college faculty. Unlike corporate entities that tap into emotional labor for profit, community colleges rely upon faculty members' emotions to compensate for insufficient public investments.
Fairness Perceptions and Reservation Wages—the Behavioral Effects of Minimum Wage Laws

In a laboratory experiment we show that minimum wages have significant and lasting effects on subjects' reservation wages. The temporary introduction of a minimum wage leads to a rise in subjects' reservation wages which persists even after the minimum wage has been removed. Firms are therefore forced to pay higher wages after the removal of the minimum wage than before its introduction. As a consequence, the employment effects of removing the minimum wage are significantly smaller than are the effects of its introduction. The impact of minimum wages on reservation wages may also explain the anomalously low utilization of subminimum wages if employers are given the opportunity to pay less than a minimum wage previously introduced. It may further explain why employers often increase workers' wages after an increase in the minimum wage by an amount exceeding that necessary for compliance with the higher minimum. At a more general level, our results suggest that economic policy may affect people's behavior by shaping the perception of what is a fair transaction and by creating entitlement effects.
A Fast, Robust Network Flow-based Standard-Cell Legalization Method for Minimizing Maximum Movement

The standard-cell placement legalization problem has become critical due to increasing design rule complexity and design utilization at 16nm and lower technology nodes. An ideal legalization approach should preserve the quality of the input placement in terms of routability and timing, as well as effectively manage white space availability and have low runtime. In this work, we present a robust legalization algorithm for standard cell placement that minimizes maximum cell movements fast and effectively based on a novel network-flow approach. The idea is inspired by path augmentation but with important differences. In contrast to the classical path augmentation approaches, we resolve bin overflows by finding several candidate paths that guarantee realizable (legal) flow solutions. In addition, we show how the proposed algorithm can be seamlessly extended to handle relevant cell edge spacing design rules. Our experimental results on the ISPD 2014 benchmarks illustrate that our proposed method yields 2.5x and 3.3x less maximum and average cell movement, respectively, and the runtime is significantly (18x) lower compared to best-in-class academic legalizers.
Impaired neurogenesis by HIV-1-Gp120 is rescued by genetic deletion of fatty acid amide hydrolase enzyme

The HIV‐envelope glycoprotein Gp120 is involved in neuronal injury and is associated with neuro‐AIDS pathogenesis in the brain. Endocannabinoids are important lipid ligands in the CNS regulating neural functions, and their degeneration is controlled by hydrolysing enzymes such as the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). Here, we examined whether in vivo genetic deletion of Faah gene prevents HIV‐1 Gp120‐mediated effects on neurogenesis.
Effect of Calcitriol on Prostate-Specific Antigen In vitro and in Humans

Background: Calcitriol, the natural ligand for the vitamin D receptor, has significant potential in prostate cancer treatment. Measurement of its antineoplastic activity in prostate cancer clinical trials may be complicated by effects of calcitriol on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) production. We examined the effects of calcitriol at similar concentration on cell proliferation, androgen receptor (AR) expression, and PSA production in vitro and on PSA concentrations in prostate cancer patients. Experimental Design: LNCaP prostate cancer cell proliferation was examined by cell counts 6 days after exposure to a range of concentrations of calcitriol. AR and PSA protein was quantified in LNCaP cells over 96 hours after exposure to 1 nmol/L calcitriol. Serum PSA and free PSA was serially measured by immunoassay over a period of 8 days in patients with hormone-naïve prostate cancer after a single dose of 0.5 μg/kg calcitriol. Results: Calcitriol treatment resulted in dose-dependent growth inhibition of LNCaP with ∼50% growth inhibition at the clinically achievable concentration of 1 nmol/L. Time-dependent up-regulation of AR expression and of PSA production in LNCaP cells was shown at the same concentration. No significant change in serum PSA or free PSA over 8 days was seen in eight subjects treated with a single dose of 0.5 μg/kg calcitriol. The analysis was powered to detect a 1.23-fold change between the baseline and day 8 serum PSA. Conclusions: At clinically achievable concentrations, calcitriol inhibits growth and induces AR and PSA expression in LNCaP cells. We did not detect similar changes in serum PSA or free PSA in patients exposed to similar concentrations of calcitriol. Thus, a PSA flare, predicted by preclinical systems, is unlikely to occur in patients and therefore unlikely to complicate interpretation of clinical trial outcomes.
Spectral classification of emission-line galaxies

The main goal of this work is to further investi- gate the classification of emission-line galaxies from the "Spec- trophotometric Catalogue of Hii galaxies" by Terlevich et al. (1991) in a homogeneous and objective way, using the three line-ratio diagrams, called diagnostic diagrams, of Veilleux & Osterbrock (1987). On the basis of the resulting catalogue, we critically discuss the classification methods in the optical range. In particular we compare our classification scheme to the one done by Rola et al. (1997) which is efficient for the classification of redshifted galaxies. We also propose a new diagnostic diagram involving the known intensity ratio R23=((Oii)3727+(Oiii)4959+(Oiii)5007)/H which ap- pears to be a very good criterion allowing to discriminate the Seyfert 2 from Hii galaxies. The revised catalogue including 314 narrow-emission- line galaxies 1 contains Hii galaxies, Seyfert 2 galaxies, Low Ionization Nuclear Emission-Line Regions (hereafter LIN- ERs) galaxies and some particular types of galaxies with the most intriguing ones, called "ambiguous", due to the am- biguity of their location in the diagnostic diagrams. These galaxies appear as Hii galaxies and as active galactic nu- clei (hereafter AGNs) in different diagrams of Veilleux & Osterbrock and constitute certainly a sample of particularly in- teresting candidates for a thorough study of connections be- tween starbursts and AGNs.
Exclusion and Reintegration in a Social Dilemma

Using a social dilemma game, we study the cooperative behavior of individuals who reintegrate their group after being excluded by their peers. We manipulate the length of exclusion and whether this length is imposed exogenously or results from a vote. We show that people are willing to exclude the least cooperators and they punish more, and more severely, chronic defections. In return, a longer exclusion has a higher disciplining effect on cooperation after reintegration, but only when the length of exclusion is not chosen by group members. Its relative disciplining effect is smaller when the length of exclusion results from a vote. In this environment, a quicker reintegration also limits retaliation. The difference in the impact of long vs. short exclusion on retaliation is larger when the length of exclusion is chosen by group members than when it is exogenous. Post-reintegration cooperation and forgiveness depend not only on the length of exclusion but also on the perceived intentions of others when they punish.
Leaders or Brokers? Potential Influencers in Online Parliamentary Networks

The use of social media by parliamentarians is opening up a new communication arena. In Catalonia, where 85 percent of parliamentarians have a Twitter account, two questions emerge from this new social phenomenon. First, who are the opinion leaders of the parliamentarians' online political networks, and second, do the characteristics of the Members of Parliament' (MPs') Twitter networks and the attributes of the parliamentarians influence the likelihood of forming communication ties? This article seeks to ascertain whether social media are challenging party politics and leadership in communication flows in Parliament. We used a social network analysis of relationships among the Catalan parliamentarians with Twitter accounts (115 of the 135 members) to reveal the potential influencers of the following-follower network. Exponential Random Graph models were employed to determine the endogenous (network) and exogenous (node attributes) factors facilitating MPs' communication ties. We found evidence that Catalan MPs' communication ties arise from network dynamics (reciprocity and popularity) and from MPs' political position. We also discovered that new potential influencers, who are not official party leaders and do not play important roles in Parliament, are emerging as brokers within the Catalan parliamentary Twitter network.
Are objects required for object-files? Roles of segmentation and spatiotemporal continuity in computing object persistence

Two central tasks of visual processing are (1) to segment undifferentiated retinal images into discrete objects, and (2) to represent those objects as the same persisting individuals over time and motion. Here we explore the interaction of these two types of processing in the context of object files—mid-level visual representations that “stick” to moving objects on the basis of spatiotemporal properties. Object files can be revealed by object-specific preview benefits (OSPBs), wherein a “preview” of information on a moving object speeds the recognition of that information at a later point when it appears again on the same object (compared to when it reappears on a different moving object), beyond display-wide priming. Here we explore the degree of segmentation required to establish object files in the first place. Surprisingly, we find that no explicit segmentation is required until after the previews disappear, when using purely motion-defined objects (consisting of random elements on a random background). Moreover, OSPBs are observed in such displays even after moderate (but not long) delays between the offset of the preview information and the onset of the motion. These effects indicate that object files can be established without initial static segmentation cues, so long as there is spatiotemporal continuity between the previews and the eventual appearance of the objects. We also find that top-down strategies can sometimes mimic OSPBs, but that these strategies can be eliminated by novel manipulations. We discuss how these results alter our understanding of the nature of object files, and also why researchers must take care to distinguish “true OSPBs” from “illusory OSPBs”.
Combination of Candida biomarkers in patients receiving empirical antifungal therapy in a Spanish tertiary hospital: a potential role in reducing the duration of treatment.

Methods: This was a prospective observational study including adults starting empirical antifungal treatment for suspected IC, at Gregorio Marañón Hospital, Madrid (Spain). Patients were stratified according to admission department (ICU or other wards) and final diagnosis (no IC or proven or probable IC). Type of candidiasis (candidaemia or deep-seated candidiasis) was also considered. The Candida albicans germ tube antibody (CAGTA) test and the b-D-glucan (BDG) test were performed on serum samples collected by venepuncture on days 0, 3 and 5 after starting empirical antifungal therapy.
Manipulation of Attention at Study Affects an Explicit but Not an Implicit Test of Memory

We investigated the impact of attention during encoding on later retrieval. During study, participants read some words aloud (ignoring the print color) and named the print color of other words aloud (ignoring the word). Then one of two memory tests was administered. The explicit test--recognition--required conscious recollection of whether a word was studied. Previously read words were recognized more accurately than were previously color named words. This contrasted sharply with performance on the implicit test--repetition priming in lexical decision. Here, words that were color named during study showed priming equivalent to words that were read during study; both were responded to faster than unstudied words. Thus, an attentional manipulation during study had a strong effect on an explicit test of memory, but almost no effect on an implicit test. Focal attention during study is crucial for remembering consciously but not necessarily for remembering without awareness.
Production of Branched Tetraether Lipids in the Lower Pearl River and Estuary: Effects of Extraction Methods and Impact on bGDGT Proxies

Branched glycerol dibiphytanyl glycerol tetraethers (bGDGTs) are known as bacterial lipids that occur widely in terrestrial environments, particularly in anaerobic peat bogs and soil. We examined the abundance and distribution of bGDGTs in both core (C) and polar (P) lipid fractions from the water column and surface sediments in the lower Pearl River (PR) and its estuary using two extraction methods (sonication vs. Bligh and Dyer). A number of soil samples in the lower PR drainage basin were also collected and extracted for bGDGTs using the sonication method. The results showed aquatic production of bGDGTs as supported by substantial abundances of P-bGDGTs in the water column and sediment samples. The bGDGT-based proxies (BIT, CBT, and MBT) were not affected by the method of extraction when C-bGDGTs were analyzed; in such case, the pHCBT of the sediments reflected the soil pH of the lower PR drainage basin, and the temperature close to the annual mean air temperature (MAT) in the lower PR basin. On the other hand, the P-bGDGT-derived proxies were inconsistent between the two methods. The P-bGDGTs (particularly those extracted using the sonication method) may not be reliable indicators of annual MATs.
Development and molecular characterization of polymeric micro-nanofibrous scaffold of a defined 3-D niche for in vitro chemosensitivity analysis against acute myeloid leukemia cells

Standard in vitro drug testing employs 2-D tissue culture plate systems to test anti-leukemic drugs against cell adhesion-mediated drug-resistant leukemic cells that harbor in 3-D bone marrow microenvironments. This drawback necessitates the fabrication of 3-D scaffolds that have cell adhesion-mediated drug-resistant properties similar to in vivo niches. We therefore aimed at exploiting the known property of polyurethane (PU)/poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA) in forming a micro-nanofibrous structure to fabricate unique, not presented before, as far as we are aware, 3-D micro-nanofibrous scaffold composites using a thermally induced phase separation technique. Among the different combinations of PU/PLLA composites generated, the unique PU/PLLA 60:40 composite displayed micro-nanofibrous morphology similar to decellularized bone marrow with increased protein and fibronectin adsorption. Culturing of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) KG1a cells in FN-coated PU/PLLA 60:40 shows increased cell adhesion and cell adhesion-mediated drug resistance to the drugs cytarabine and daunorubicin without changing the original CD34+/CD38−/CD33− phenotype for 168 hours compared to fibronectin tissue culture plate systems. Molecularly, as seen in vivo, increased chemoresistance is associated with the upregulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl2 and the cell cycle regulatory protein p27Kip1 leading to cell growth arrest. Abrogation of Bcl2 activity by the Bcl2-specific inhibitor ABT 737 led to cell death in the presence of both cytarabine and daunorubicin, demonstrating that the cell adhesion-mediated drug resistance induced by Bcl2 and p27Kip1 in the scaffold was similar to that seen in vivo. These results thus show the utility of a platform technology, wherein drug testing can be performed before administering to patients without the necessity for stromal cells.
Decreased Variability of the 6-Minute Walk Test by Heart Rate Correction in Patients with Neuromuscular Disease

Objective The 6-minute walk test is widely used to assess functional status in neurological disorders. However, the test is subject to great inter-test variability due to fluctuating motivation, fatigue and learning effects. We investigated whether inter-test variability of the 6MWT can be reduced by heart rate correction. Methods Sixteen patients with neuromuscular diseases, including Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, Charcot-Marie-Tooths, Dystrophia Myotonica and Congenital Myopathy and 12 healthy subjects were studied. Patients were excluded if they had cardiac arrhythmias, if they received drug treatment for hypertension or any other medical conditions that could interfere with the interpretation of the heart rate and walking capability. All completed three 6-minute walk tests on three different test-days. Heart rate was measured continuously. Results Successive standard 6-minute walk tests showed considerable learning effects between Tests 1 and 2 (4.9%; P = 0.026), and Tests 2 and 3 (4.5%; P = 0.020) in patients. The same was seen in controls between Tests 1 and 2 (8.1%; P = 0.039)). Heart rate correction abolished this learning effect. Conclusion A modified 6-minute walk test, by correcting walking distance with average heart rate during walking, decreases the variability among repeated 6-minute walk tests, and should be considered as an alternative outcome measure to the standard 6-minute walk test in future clinical follow-up and treatment trials.
Binding of Substrates to the Central Pore of the Vps 4 ATPase Is Autoinhibited by the Microtubule Interacting and Trafficking

Background: The Vps4 ATPase powers the endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT) pathway. Results: Peptide binding to hexameric Vps4 is promoted by nucleotides that can mimic ADP, ATP, and the transition state. Conclusion: ESCRT-III substrates bind Vps4 MIT domains and then bind the central pore of an asymmetric, nucleotide-bound Vps4 hexamer. Significance: Mechanistic understanding of Vps4-substrate interactions is advanced by this work.
On phases of generic toric singularities

We systematically study the phases of generic toric singularities, using methods initiated in hep-th/0612046. These correspond to large volume limits of certain Gauged Linear Sigma Models. We show that complete information about the classical regimes of generic U(1)r GLSMs can be obtained by studying the GLSM Lagrangian, appropriately modified in the different phases of the theory. We use this to study some aspects of La,b,c spaces and their non-supersymmetric counterparts.