Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Low field TDDB of BEOL interconnects using >40 months of data

Over 40 months of low field BEOL TDDB data obtained on different test vehicles with spacings ranging from 90-30nm and OSG low-k dielectrics with k-values ranging from 3.22.0 are summarized. For the dielectrics with k≥2.5, a simultaneous maximum likelihood fit with a fixed acceleration factor and varying distributional shapes is performed. By considering the log-likelihood of each model fit, this approach allows a comparison of fitted lifetime models. This approach also allows estimating the parameters of the impact damage model, which is more difficult to fit due to its multiple acceleration factors. From a statistical point of view and by using a 95% significance level, the results show that the power law and the impact damage model equally outperform all other proposed models and that their prediction to lower fields are very similar. As from a practical point of view the power law model is much more easy to use due to its limited number of fitting parameters, we propose to use the power law model for low-k dielectrics with k-value between 2.5 and 3.2. Regardless of the presence of a protection film, our low-field data obtained on the k=2.0 material show different acceleration factors at high and low fields. This suggests that different breakdown mechanisms are present at different fields and that, in order to allow reliable predictions to operating fields, future TDDB tests of highly porous films will require stresses at much wider field ranges.
The Interview Mode Effect on the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale: An Item Response Theory Analysis

BackgroundEvidence of a mode effect has raised concerns about the comparability and validity of self- versus interviewer-administered versions of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) scale. Response anonymity has been proposed to explain this effect. However, the factors that contribute to this mode effect are not well understood. We used item response theory (IRT) to examine the nature of the CES-D mode effect. MethodsA sample of depressed primary care patients from the Partners-in-Care Study were randomized to receive either a phone interview (N = 139) or a mail survey (N = 139) of the CES-D. We used likelihood ratio tests to identify differentially functioning items in the 2 groups. Category response curves are used to describe these effects. ResultsTwelve items manifested differential functioning. Category response curves consistently indicate that phone respondents had a lower probability of endorsing the third of 4 response categories than mail respondents, suggesting a possible cognitive effect. ConclusionAlthough response anonymity could be important in mode effects observed in surveys of sensitive topics, cognitive factors appear more important to the mode effect in the CES-D.
Analysis of the Role of Tripeptidyl Peptidase II in MHC Class I Antigen Presentation In Vivo1

Previous experiments using enzyme inhibitors and RNA interference in cell lysates and cultured cells have suggested that tripeptidyl peptidase II (TPPII) plays a role in creating and destroying MHC class I-presented peptides. However, its precise contribution to these processes has been controversial. To elucidate the importance of TPPII in MHC class I Ag presentation, we analyzed TPPII-deficient gene-trapped mice and cell lines from these animals. In these mice, the expression level of TPPII was reduced by >90% compared with wild-type mice. Thymocytes from TPPII gene-trapped mice displayed more MHC class I on the cell surface, suggesting that TPPII normally limits Ag presentation by destroying peptides overall. TPPII gene-trapped mice responded as well as did wild-type mice to four epitopes from lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. The processing and presentation of peptide precursors with long N-terminal extensions in TPPII gene-trapped embryonic fibroblasts was modestly reduced, but in vivo immunization with recombinant lentiviral or vaccinia virus vectors revealed that such peptide precursors induced an equivalent CD8 T cell response in wild-type and TPPII-deficient mice. These data indicate that while TPPII contributes to the trimming of peptides with very long N-terminal extensions, TPPII is not essential for generating most MHC class I-presented peptides or for stimulating CTL responses to several Ags in vivo.
Successively postadministered melatonin prevents disruption of hepatic antioxidant status in rats with bile duct ligation

Abstract: We have reported that orally administered melatonin exerts a therapeutic effect on cholestatic liver injury in rats treated with bile duct ligation (BDL) possibly through its antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory actions. Herein, we examined whether successively postadministered melatonin prevents the disruption of hepatic antioxidant status in BDL‐treated rats. Wistar rats with BDL were killed 5 and 13 days after BDL. Melatonin (10 or 100 mg/kg body weight) was orally administered to rats with and without BDL everyday for 8 days, starting 5 days after BDL. The hepatic concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, an index of lipid peroxidation, and reduced glutathione increased 5 days after BDL and further increased at 13 days. Hepatic vitamin E concentration and catalase and Se‐glutathione peroxidase (Se‐GSH‐Px) activities were similarly reduced at 5 and 13 days after BDL. Hepatic ascorbic acid concentration and the hepatic activities of Cu,Zn‐ and Mn‐superoxide dismutases, glutathione reductase, and glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase decreased 13 days after BDL. Melatonin postadministered to BDL‐treated rats attenuated all these changes observed at 13 days after the treatment more effectively at the higher dose than at the lower dose. Melatonin administered to BDL‐untreated rats increased the hepatic Se‐GSH‐Px activity at both doses and the hepatic activities of Cu,Zn‐ and Mn‐superoxide dismutases at the higher dose. These results indicate that successively postadministered melatonin at pharmacological doses prevents the disruption of hepatic antioxidant status in rats with BDL through its direct and indirect antioxidant action, which may contribute to its therapeutic effect of BDL‐induced cholestatic liver injury.
P 3 , a monoclonal antibody capable to activate B-1 a cells

P3 is a murine IgM mAb that recognizes N-glycolylated gangliosides, glycolipids expressed on the cell membranes of most vertebrates. It also binds other self-antigens like sulfatides and has high homology with an antibody that recognizes myelin oligodendrocytes. Previously it was demonstrated that P3 mAb is able to activate an idiotypic cascade involving autologous anti-idiotypic B and T cells, in the absence of adjuvant or carrier protein, despite being a self-protein. The anti-P3 idiotype response is mediated not only by CD4+, but also by CD8+ T cells. B-1a cells are the dominant B cell population during the early phases of development, when the idiotypic connectivity is established. Germline natural antibodies secreted by these cells play fundamental roles fighting infections and keeping the homeostasis. In this work, we show that the P3 mAb was able to recognize B-1a cells from naïve BALB/c mice. This antibody induced the overexpression of the activation markers CD25, CD69 and CD86, and increased the secretion of IgM and a mixed pattern of IFN-g, IL-4 and IL-10 cytokines by B-1a cells. The P3 mAb ability of activating the B-1a cells could contribute to its immunogenicity in the syngeneic model, further supporting its use as a tool to specifically target and stimulate B-1a cells.
Using technology to alleviate poverty: use and acceptance of telecenters in rural India

The preponderance of poor people worldwide live in rural areas. Since they cannot afford, and are not educated sufficiently to take full advantage of contemporary knowledge-based technologies, alternative approaches are necessary. A major business model to do so involves setting up a rural telecenter that provides computer and internet technology as a shared model or highly subsidized. Despite the potential and availability of telecenters, research suggests that telecenters have low usage. In this research, we explore the reasons for the low usage of telecenters using a framework for use and acceptance of rural telecenters. The framework we use builds on prominent IT theories and has the following four dimensions: (a) perceived outcomes, (b) perceived effort, (c) social influence, and (d) facilitating factors. We use this framework to formulate six research questions. The study in general has the goal to identify reasons for low use of telecenters and test it with an exploratory study of information and communication technology users and non-users from rural India. Implications are discussed at the village and provider levels. Ramiro Montealegre is the accepting Associate Editor for this article.
A method to suppress high peaks in BPSK-modulated OFDM signal

We address the problem of classification of binary phase-shift keying-modulated multicarrier signals with the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) exceeding 3/4 of the maximal possible value. By providing a simple characterization of such signals, we derive an upper bound on their number, and propose a simple sufficient condition for the signals to have low PAPR. Based on this, we describe a simple method for generation of signals with guaranteed PAPR gain of more than 2.5 dB using only two redundant tones.
Risk of Head, Facial and Neck Injury in Bicycle and Motorcycle Crashes in relation to Helmet Use

Recent rises in bicycle and motorcycle use have been met with concern over their impact on road safety. This has been coupled with the recognition that helmet effectiveness needs to be reviewed. Little recent research has been performed on helmet performance in real accidents and related injury risks in Australia. A retrospective study was undertaken at a major trauma centre in Sydney to examine the general profile of injuries and the risk of head, facial and neck injury with helmet use. The results of a sample of 214 casualties collected over a 12 month period showed that sixty (28%) riders sustained a head, face and neck injury, with 59 (27.6%) having suffered concussion. The cyclists had a mean age of 31 ± 13 years (range, 3 - 64 years). Of the 214 casualties, 21% of riders did not wear a helmet at the time of the crash. Wearing a helmet significantly lowered the risk of head, facial and neck injuries (Odds ratio = 0.2, 95% CI 0.1 to 0.43). Attempt was made to examine whether injury reduction was the same across all levels of impact by controlling the levels of injury severity. The logistic regression analysis only showed that helmet use significantly lowered the risk of minor to moderate head trauma. This study is part of a major prospective crash investigation study examining the performance of current bicycle and motorcycle helmets.
Procrastination and Stress: Exploring the Role of Self-compassion

Although previous research has demonstrated that procrastinators experience high levels of stress, less is known about why procrastination is linked to stress. This study is the first to investigate self-compassion as a mediator of the relationship between trait procrastination and stress. Across four samples (145 undergraduates, 339 undergraduates, 190 undergraduates, and 94 community adults) trait procrastination was associated with lower levels of self-compassion and higher levels of stress. A meta-analysis of these effects revealed a moderate negative association of procrastination with self-compassion. In all four samples, self-compassion mediated the relationship between stress and procrastination. These findings suggest that lower levels of self-compassion may explain some of the stress experienced by procrastinators and interventions that promote self-compassion could therefore be beneficial for these individuals.
Should we believe the results of ultraviolet–millimetre galaxy spectral energy distribution modelling?

Galaxy spectral energy distribution (SED) modelling is a powerful tool, but constraining how well it is able to infer the true values for galaxy properties (e.g. the star formation rate, SFR) is difficult because independent determinations are often n ot available. However, galaxy simulations can provide a means of testing SED modelling techniques. Here, we present a numerical experiment in which we apply the SED modelling code MAGPHYS to ultraviolet (UV)‐ millimetre (mm) synthetic photometry generated from hydrodynamical simulations of an isolated disc galaxy and a major galaxy merger by performing three-dimensional dust radiative transfer. We compare the properties inferred from the SED modelling with the true values and find that MAGPHYS recovers most physical parameters of the simulated galaxies well. In particular, it recovers consistent parameters irrespecti ve of the viewing angle, with smoothly varying results for neighbouring time steps of the simulati on, even though each viewing angle and time step is modelled independently. The notable exception to this rule occurs when we use an SMC-type intrinsic dust extinction curve in the radiative transfer calculations. In this case, the two-component dust model used by MAGPHYS is unable to effectively correct for the attenuation of the simulated galaxies, which leads to potentially significant errors (although we obtain only marginally acceptable fits in this case). Over all, our results give confidence in the ability of SED modelling to infer physical properties of galaxies, albeit with some caveats.
Radiosurgery for chordomas and chondrosarcomas of the skull base.

OBJECT Chordomas and chondrosarcomas of the skull base are aggressive and locally destructive tumors with a high tendency for local progression despite treatment. The authors evaluated the effect of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) on local tumor control and survival. METHODS Twenty-eight patients with histologically confirmed chordomas (18) or chondrosarcomas (10) underwent Gamma Knife SRS either as primary or adjuvant treatment. Their ages ranged from 17 to 72 years (median 44 years). The most common presenting symptom was diplopia (26 patients, 93%). In two patients, SRS was the sole treatment. Twenty-six patients underwent between one and five additional surgical procedures. Two underwent an initial transsphenoidal biopsy. The average tumor volume was 9.8 cm3. The median dose to the tumor margin was 16 Gy. RESULTS No patient was lost to follow-up. Transient symptomatic adverse radiation effects developed in only one patient. The actuarial local tumor control for chondrosarcomas at 5 years was 80 +/- 10.1%. For chordomas both the actuarial tumor control and survival was 62.9 +/- 10.4%. CONCLUSIONS Stereotactic radiosurgery is an important option for skull base chordomas and chondrosarcomas either as primary or adjunctive treatment. Multimodal management appears crucial to improve tumor control in most patients.
Effect Of Porosity On Compressive Strength Of Glass Ionomer Cements.

Purpose. The purpose of this in vitro study was to determine the correlation between the porosity of diameter (1-100) μm and the compressive strength of glass ionomer cements. Materials And Methods. A total of fifteen cylindrical specimens 6mm height and 4mm in diameter were prepared for each type of luting cements which are Fuji I (GC Corp, Tokyo, Japan), Fuji I CAPSULE (GC Corp, Tokyo, Japan), were stored in distilled water at 37°C for 24 hours. The compressive strength for each cement type was determined The fractured surfaces of 10 randomly selected specimens for each cement type were examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy at 250 times magnification, and five photomicrographs were taken at five random places for each fractured surface. All the photomicrographs were analyzed using image analyzer software to determine the amount and size of porosity present. The data were analyzed Mann-Whitney tests for compressive strength and percentage of porosity, Spearman’s rho test was used to examine the correlation between the compressive strength and the percentage of porosity (1-100) μm in diameter. Result. Mechanical mixing method had no effect on the compressive strength, but it had a significant effect by increasing the percentage of porosity of diameter (1-100) μm in diameter of GIC. There was no linear relationship between compressive strength and porosity (1-100) μm in diameter for both type of luting cements (P>0.05). Conclusion. Mixing method has no effect on the compressive strength. The size and number of the porosity in the specimens of encapsulated cements were greater than those of hand-mixed cements. The porosity (1-100) μm in diameter and the compressive strength bore no linear relationship to each other.
Plasma biochemical indices at various stages of infection with a field isolate of Eimeria tenella in broiler chicken

Coccidiosis has a major impact on poultry industry as it affects broiler and layer birds of all age groups. Caecal coccidiosis, caused by Eimeria tenella is a very devastating enteric disease in broiler,which involves huge economic loss In present study, experimental infective dose of Eimeria tenella isolated from field was determined in broiler chicken and subsequent alterations in different plasma biochemical constituents were evaluated at interval of 5th, 7th and 9th day of post inoculation (PI) with the selected dose of 20000-25000 sporulated oocyst per bird. The dose was selected based on titration. A significant increase in plasma glucose, total cholesterol level and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity were observed where as a significant decrease in the level of total plasma protein, albumin, globulin, triglyceride and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity were evident during infection. Highest degree of infection was found on 7th day PI. Onward 9th day of PI onward clinical recovery was confirmed on the basis of pathognomonic caecal lesion score, clinical signs and symptoms.
Biochemical characterization of prephenate dehydrogenase from the hyperthermophilic bacterium Aquifex aeolicus

A monofunctional prephenate dehydrogenase (PD) from Aquifex aeolicus was expressed as a His‐tagged protein in Escherichia coli and was purified by nickel affinity chromatography allowing the first biochemical and biophysical characterization of a thermostable PD. A. aeolicus PD is susceptible to proteolysis. In this report, the properties of the full‐length PD are compared with one of these products, an N‐terminally truncated protein variant (Δ19PD) also expressed recombinantly in E. coli. Both forms are dimeric and show maximum activity at 95°C or higher. Δ19PD is more sensitive to temperature effects yielding a half‐life of 55 min at 95°C versus 2 h for PD, and values of kcat and Km for prephenate, which are twice those determined for PD at 80°C. Low concentrations of guanidine‐HCl activate enzyme activity, but at higher concentrations activity is lost concomitant with a multi‐state pathway of denaturation that proceeds through unfolding of the dimer, oligomerization, then unfolding of monomers. Measurements of steady‐state fluorescence intensity and its quenching by acrylamide in the presence of Gdn‐HCl suggest that, of the two tryptophan residues per monomer, one is buried in a hydrophobic pocket and does not become solvent exposed until the protein unfolds, while the less buried tryptophan is at the active site. Tyrosine is a feedback inhibitor of PD activity over a wide temperature range and enhances the cooperativity between subunits in the binding of prephenate. Properties of this thermostable PD are compared and contrasted with those of E. coli chorismate mutase‐prephenate dehydrogenase and other mesophilic homologs.
Schistosoma mansoni: autoradiographic tracking studies of isotopically‐labelled challenge parasites in naive and vaccinated CBA/Ca mice

Summary The migration of isotopically‐labelled challenge parasites of Schistosoma mansoni in naive CBA/Ca mice, and CBA/Ca mice vaccinated 4 weeks previously with about 600 radiation‐attenuated cercariae, has been followed by means of compressed organ autoradiography. In naive mice, only 16% of the challenge parasites failed to migrate from the skin to the lungs, whereas up to half of the individuals that succeeded in reaching the pulmonary vasculature did not move on to the liver. The tracking technique thus revealed a total loss of 58% of the challenge parasites, which correlated well with the fact that only 50% of the challenge was recovered as adult worms by retrograde perfusion of the hepatic portal system. Challenge migration in vaccinated mice initially proceeded more slowly than in naive mice, but peak numbers of foci were eventually recorded in the lungs on the same day in both groups of individuals. We did not therefore recognize a delay in parasite migration in vaccinated mice. In the present experiments, 58±5% of the challenge failed to reach the lungs of vaccinated rodents, and 25% of those parasites that did attain the pulmonary vasculature were not recruited to the liver. The tracking technique thus accounted for a total loss of 83±5% of the parasites, which again correlated well with the fact that we recovered only 22% of the challenge as adult worms at portal perfusion. The data presented here prove conclusively that the major phase of immune‐dependent challenge elimination in vaccinated CBA/Ca mice occurs in the cutaneous tissues, and that only a small proportion of the parasites are lost in the lungs. These data are entirely consistent with those we have published elsewhere for the CBA/Ca mouse using a multiplicity of different techniques; they differ however, from results reported by others for the C57 Black strain of mouse. Possible reasons for these discrepancies are discussed.
Sensorimotor training promotes functional recovery and somatosensory cortical map reactivation following cervical spinal cord injury

Sensorimotor activity has been shown to play a key role in functional recovery after partial spinal cord injury (SCI). Most studies in rodents have focused on the rehabilitation of hindlimb locomotor functions after thoracic or lumbar SCI, whereas forelimb motor and somatosensory abilities after cervical SCI remain largely uninvestigated, despite the high incidence of such injuries in humans. Moreover, little is known about the neurophysiological substrates of training‐induced recovery in supraspinal structures. This study was aimed at evaluating the effects of a training procedure combining both motor and sensory stimulation on behavioral performance and somatosensory cortical map remodeling after cervical (C4–C5) spinal hemisection in rats. This SCI severely impaired both sensory and motor capacities in the ipsilateral limbs. Without training, post‐lesion motor capacities gradually improved, whereas forepaw tactile abilities remained impaired. Consistently, no stimulus‐evoked responses were recorded within the forepaw representational zone in the primary somatosensory (S1) cortex at 2 months after the SCI. However, our data reveal that with training started from the 7th day post‐lesion, a nearly complete recovery (characterized by an early and rapid improvement of motor functions) was associated with a gradual compensation of tactile deficits. Furthermore, the recovery of tactile abilities was correlated with the areal extent of reactivation of S1 cortex forepaw representations. Rehabilitative training promoted post‐lesion adaptive plasticity, probably by enhancing endogenous activity within spared spinal and supraspinal circuits and pathways sustaining sensory and motor functions. This study highlights the beneficial effect of sensorimotor training in motor improvement and its critical influence on tactile recovery after SCI.