Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interfacial Fracture Analysis of CMOS Cu/Low-$k$ BEOL Interconnect in Advanced Packaging Structures

The increasing use of Cu/low-k dielectrics as multilevel interconnect inclusion materials and aggressive scaling in advanced back-end of line (BEOL) results in a considerable challenge in the structural enhancement of mechanical reliability. Owing to the expected adoption of various ultra dielectrics, the development of a prediction methodology with reliable virtual prototypes is needed before realizing successful integrated circuits (IC) for the next technology node. These prototypes are required to assess the potentiality of interfacial cracks in dissimilar materials, while the impacts of chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) and packaging are introduced. In order to meet the diversity of a Cu/low-k material system and to resolve the significant size difference between the interconnects and the whole IC device, this research presents finite element (FE) analysis based on the mechanic theory of interfacial fracture integrated with a global/local sub-modeling approach. The unique feature of the proposed novel concept is the adoption of equivalent stacked low-k interconnects within the analysis of a global FE model. Through estimation of the J-integral approach and verification of the four-point bending test (4-PBT), the methodology presented exhibits excellent numerical precision in predicting the cracking energy of low-k packaging. In addition, interfacial fracture parameters and stress fields acting near the crack tip are evaluated using an analytical solution combined with polynomial regressions. The derived results match well compared with the simulated data. Based on the presented demonstrations on the ability of simulated procedures, this investigation provides a desirable manner of understanding the related failure mechanisms of low-k interconnects.
Effects of Different Tactile Feedback on Myoelectric Closed-Loop Control for Grasping Based on Electrotactile Stimulation

Closed-loop control is important for amputees to manipulate myoelectric prostheses intuitively and dexterously. Tactile feedback can help amputees improve myoelectric control performance for grasping objects. To investigate the effects of different tactile feedback, we performed experiments on six amputees and six able-bodied subjects via electrotactile stimulation. Using a virtual environment, six kinds of objects with different weights and stiffnesses were used for grasping tasks. Five feedback conditions (no feedback, pressure feedback, slip feedback, pressure + slip feedback, and vision feedback) were considered. Nine evaluation indexes and three control objectives (rapidity, economy, and stability) were proposed. Under the five feedback conditions, our study investigated four issues: 1) three types of grasping-related failures; 2) four types of grasping-related time measures; 3) average grasping force; 4) standard deviation of the grasping force. Results indicate that: 1) slip feedback is better than pressure feedback; 2) pressure + slip feedback can improve grasping rapidity; 3) slip feedback significantly contributes to grasping economy and stability; and 4) pressure + slip feedback can perform as well as vision feedback.
Analysis of daily body weight of dairy cows in early lactation and associations with productive and reproductive performance

The objective of this study was to describe daily body weight (BW) changes in the first 100 days of lactation in confined dairy cows and to associate BW loss with productive and reproductive performance. Data included 26,344 daily BW measurements of 372 Holsteins calving between June 2011 and June 2012 in a commercial herd in the South of Brazil. Cows were automatically weighed and were assigned according to parity. Individual measurements were smoothed using cubic splines, generating nadir BW, days to nadir BW and the BW loss (absolute and relative values). This approach used days in milk (DIM) as a single smoothing variable. Body weight at calving differed across parities: 570.5, 653.5, and 699.9 kg, for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd and subsequent parities, respectively. Body weight at nadir also differed across parities: 521.5, 608.8, and 647.3 kg, respectively. Mean days from calving BW to nadir BW and mean loss of BW (kg) from calving to nadir BW did not differ across parities, but relative BW change (kg/100 kg) was larger in animals in first parity (-8.4 kg/100 kg) than second parity (-6.6 kg/100 kg). However, cows in first parity had more chances for good reproduction than cows in third and subsequent parities (44.0% vs. 30.7%, respectively). There was no difference in the probability of adequate reproduction (pregnant until 180 DIM) among cows with low, medium, or high milk yield. Furthermore, cows with low and medium BW loss (below 60 kg of BW change) showed more likelihood to adequate reproduction than cows with high BW loss (above 60 kg of BW): 45.5 and 45.8% vs. 24.4%, respectively. Improvements in fertility of dairy cows should be achieved by minimizing body weight loss in early lactation.
Working-Time Regimes and Work-Life Balance in Europe

The organization of times and places of work are key elements of working conditions, and define employees’ possibilities for balancing work and other life spheres. This study analyses several aspects of temporal and spatial flexibility, and their associations with employees’ work-life balance. This study separates four dimensions of temporal flexibility and one indicator of spatial flexibility. The dimensions of temporal flexibility are the number of hours worked, when the hours are worked, work-time intensity, and the degree of working-time autonomy. The workplace flexibility indicator is an index of work locations. Work-life balance is analysed with work-hour fit. The analyses were based on the fifth wave of the European Working Conditions Survey collected in 2010. We used data from 25 Member States of the European Union (n1⁄4 25,417). Based on the hierarchical cluster analysis, this study found various types of flexibility regimes in Europe. Country clusters show a clear effect on perceived worklife balance even after controlling for flexibility measurements at the individual level. This study contributes to the existing research in analysing several dimensions of temporal and spatial flexibility at the same time, as well as their associations to work-life balance.
Deformational plagiocephaly: a follow-up of head shape, parental concern and neurodevelopment at ages 3 and 4 years

Objectives To compare head shape measurements, parental concern about head shape and developmental delays in infancy with measurements obtained at follow-up at ages 3 and 4 years. Design Longitudinal cohort study. Setting Initial assessments were conducted at a plagiocephaly clinic; follow-up assessments were conducted in the children's homes. Participants 129 children with a mean age of 4 years (range 3 years 3 months to 4 years 9 months), all of whom were diagnosed in infancy with deformational plagiocephaly or brachycephaly. Main outcome measures Head shape measurements of cephalic index and oblique cranial length ratio; level of parental concern about head shape; and delays on parent-completed age-appropriate Ages and Stages Questionnaires. Results 61% of head shape measurements reverted to the normal range; 4% remained severe at follow-up. Brachycephaly improved more than plagiocephaly. Facial and frontal asymmetry reduced to almost nil. Most had good improvement, but 13% were categorised as having ‘poor improvement’. Initially, 85% of parents reported being ‘somewhat’ or ‘very’ concerned; this decreased to 13% at follow-up. The percentage of children with ≥1 delay decreased from 41% initially to 11% at follow-up. Conclusions Overall, head shape measurements, parental concern and developmental delays in infancy showed a dramatic improvement when re-measured at 3 and 4 years of age.
Unipolar Depression and the Progression of Coronary Artery Disease: Toward an Integrative Model

Background: Despite extensive research on the relationship between depression and coronary artery disease (CAD) after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS), causal interpretations are still difficult. This uncertainty has led to much confusion regarding screening and treatment for depression in CAD patients. Method: A critical and conceptual analysis of the pertinent literature, which elaborates the implications of the heterogeneity in symptom pattern, etiology, and course of depression in CAD patients. Results: We propose an integrative dynamic model of the depression-CAD relationship. The model rests on three core hypotheses: (1) Depression in CAD patients consists of mixtures of two types of depression, denoted as ‘cognitive/affective’ and ‘somatic’ depression, each having a somewhat characteristic symptom expression and etiology. (2) Effects of depression on CAD depend on the type and duration of depression. The dynamic aspect of the model indicates that post-ACS depression shifts, when it persists, from a marker of the severity (somatic type) and meaning (cognitive/affective type) of the ACS to a largely indirect causal factor in the progression of CAD. (3) The most plausible pathways mediating the effects of persistent/recurrent depression, irrespective of type, on cardiac prognosis are behavioral and act by making depressed CAD patients more susceptible to other CAD risks. The model offers testable predictions and explanations for a variety of apparently unrelated or inconsistent findings. Conclusion: The proposed model may have potential for integrating findings regarding the depression-CAD relationship, contributing to the clarification of discords on screening and treatment of depression, and guiding future research.
The Orbital Angular Momentum Spreading for Cylindrical Vector Beams in Turbulent Atmosphere

The cylindrical vector beams (CVBs) compose two circularly polarized vortex beams carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) states with the opposite topological charge. We derived the probabilities for OAM of high-order CVB propagation through turbulent atmosphere. The calculated probabilities of OAM are based on the polarization insensitive element detection and phase perturbation coherence function assumption. The numerical calculation results show that the probabilities of OAM state spreading to neighbor states of CVBs through turbulent atmosphere increase with the propagation distance increase. Under the same conditions, the spreading of OAM for CVBs are weaker than Laguerre–Gaussian beam propagation through turbulent atmosphere. The results show that the OAM state of CVBs could improve the performance of optical communications systems in atmospheric turbulence.
Low power microwave radiation inhibits the proliferation of rabbit lens epithelial cells by upregulating P27Kip1 expression.

PURPOSE The goal of this study was to examine the effects of low power microwave radiation (<10 mW/cm2) on the proliferation of cultured rabbit lens epithelial cells (RLEC). METHODS Cultured RLEC were exposed to continuous microwave radiation at a frequency of 2,450 MHz and power densities of 0.10, 0.25, 0.50, 1.00, and 2.00 mW/cm2 for 8 h. Cell morphologic changes were observed under a phase-contrast microscope. Cell viability was measured using the MTT assay and cell cycle analysis was measured using flow cytometry. After exposure to 2.00 mW/cm2 microwave radiation for 4, 6, and 8 h, the expression of cell cycle-regulatory proteins, P21WAF1 and P27Kip1, was examined using western blot analysis. Finally, the levels of P21WAF1 and P27Kip1 mRNA were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS After 8 h of radiation treatment, cells treated with 0.50, 1.00, and 2.00 mW/cm2 microwave radiation exhibited decreased cell viability, increased cell condensation and an inhibition of DNA synthesis. RLEC showed significant G0/G1 arrest. No obvious changes could be detected in the 0.10 and 0.25 mW/cm2 microwave treatment groups. Protein expression of P27Kip1 was markedly increased after microwave radiation. However, the mRNA levels were unchanged. On the other hand, there were no detectable differences in P21WAF1 protein expression and mRNA levels between microwave treatment and control groups. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that low power microwave radiation higher than 0.50 mW/cm2 can inhibit lens epithelial cell proliferation, and increase the expression of P27Kip1. These effects may account for the decline of lens epithelial proliferation after exposure to microwave radiation.
Effects of Body Mass Index, Infrapatellar Fat Pad Volume and Age on Patellar Cartilage Defect

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between patellar cartilage defects and body mass index (BMI), infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) volume and age. Methods: 100 patients who met the inclusion criteria and were aged 18 to 60, were evaluated retrospectively. The BMI’s of the participants were evaluated according to their weight and height. For detecting and measuring patellar cartilage defects, axial sequences were used and sagittal sequences for were used to evaluate IPFP volumes in MRI. Results: 40 patients were found to have patellar cartilage defects. In this group, age and BMI were higher in both sexes when compared with the controls (P<0.05). The IPFP volume was lower in the group with the patellar cartilage defect when compared with the control group (P<0.05). The IPFP volume was statistically significantly lower in women (P<0.05). Conclusion: Patellar cartilage defects were found to be related to age and BMI. In women, the decrease in IPFP volume seems to be one of the causative factors for patellar cartilage defects. The effect of IPFP volume on articular cartilage in healthy people is unknown. Further studies focusing on patellofemoral cartilage damage are needed to reveal this association.
A role for phagocytosis in inducing cell death during thymocyte negative selection

Autoreactive thymocytes are eliminated during negative selection in the thymus, a process important for establishing self-tolerance. Thymic phagocytes serve to remove dead thymocytes, but whether they play additional roles during negative selection remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that phagocytosis promotes negative selection, and that negative selection is more efficient when the phagocyte also presents the negative selecting peptide. Our findings support a two-step model for negative selection in which thymocytes initiate the death process following strong TCR signaling, but ultimately depend upon phagocytosis for their timely death. Thus, the phagocytic capability of cells that present self-peptides is a key determinant of thymocyte fate.
Thirty thousand-year-old evidence of plant food processing

European Paleolithic subsistence is assumed to have been largely based on animal protein and fat, whereas evidence for plant consumption is rare. We present evidence of starch grains from various wild plants on the surfaces of grinding tools at the sites of Bilancino II (Italy), Kostenki 16–Uglyanka (Russia), and Pavlov VI (Czech Republic). The samples originate from a variety of geographical and environmental contexts, ranging from northeastern Europe to the central Mediterranean, and dated to the Mid-Upper Paleolithic (Gravettian and Gorodtsovian). The three sites suggest that vegetal food processing, and possibly the production of flour, was a common practice, widespread across Europe from at least ~30,000 y ago. It is likely that high energy content plant foods were available and were used as components of the food economy of these mobile hunter–gatherers.
Mixed-Micellar Proliposomal Systems for Enhanced Oral Delivery of Progesterone

The objective of our study was to develop a mixed-micellar proliposomal formulation of poorly water-soluble drug progesterone and evaluate the dissolution profile and membrane transport. Several formulations of proliposomes were prepared by mixing different concentrations of lipid, progesterone, polysorbate 80, and microcrystalline cellulose. The mixed-micellar formulation of drug:dimyristoyl-phosphatidycholine:polysorbate 80 (1:20:3.3) exhibited the maximum dissolution (75.27%), while pure progesterone resulted in low dissolution. The above formulation showed a 4-fold increase in transport in Caco-2 cells and a 6-fold increase in transport across the everted rat intestinal sac experiments compared with control. Proliposomal formulations enhance the extent of dissolution and membrane transport of progesterone and serve as ideal carriers for oral delivery of drugs with low water solubility.
The Nature and Origin of Cross-Modal Associations to Odours

Several studies have demonstrated reliable cross-modal associations between odours and various visual, auditory, taste, and somatosensory attributes. How these associations arise is not well understood. We examined whether cross-modal associations to odours themselves form distinct groups, and whether these groupings relate to semantic (nameability, familiarity) and perceptual (intensity, irritancy, and hedonics) olfactory attributes. Participants evaluated 20 odours, varying in all of the latter attributes, and reported their visual, auditory, gustatory, and somatosensory associations for each. Significant inter-rater agreement was observed for all modalities except audition, and responses in all modalities were consistent with those obtained on a repeat test session 2 weeks later. Two groups of cross-modal odour associates emerged: one of which was related to the semantic attributes of odours and another which related to their perceptual attributes. The exception was taste, which was significantly associated with both. While these results suggest that both semantic and perceptual mechanisms underpin odour cross-modal matches, the data also point to the importance of hedonics as a further contributing mechanism.
Fuzz nanostructure and erosion on tungsten–vanadium alloys exposed to helium plasma in the STEP linear plasma device

Tungsten–vanadium (W–V) alloys with 5 and 10 wt. % V made using hot-pressing sintering have been subjected to helium plasma at 1050 K with ion energy of 100 eV for one hour in a linear plasma generator STEP. The W–V alloys consist of three typical phase regions, i.e. the W-enriched region, the W–V solid solute region and the V-enriched region. Slight surface erosion on the W–V solid solute region and severe surface erosion on the V-enriched region are observed on the exposed surface. Sputtering during the He plasma loading contributed to the surface erosion in the W–V solid solute region and the V-enriched region. Slight sputtering on W–V solid solute region is expected given that the lighter alloying element increases the sputtering yield of the W-based material. Moreover, fuzz nanostructure formed on the surface of the W–V alloys under the applied irradiation conditions. The W–V solid solute region exhibits severe fuzz growth in comparison with the W-enriched region when exposed to He plasma, especially in the low flux area. The intense attraction interaction between He and substitutional V atoms aggravates the fuzz growth on the W–V solid solute region. Furthermore, the aggravation effect of V on fuzz nanostructure evolution is mitigated in the high flux area due to the enhanced preferential V sputtering.
Thinking with indicators. Exploring the epistemic impacts of academic performance indicators in the life sciences

While quantitative performance indicators are widely used by organizations and individuals for evaluative purposes, little is known about their impacts on the epistemic processes of academic knowledge production. In this article we bring together three qualitative research projects undertaken in the Netherlands and Austria to contribute to filling this gap. The projects explored the role of performance metrics in the life sciences, and the interactions between institutional and disciplinary cultures of evaluating research in these fields. Our analytic perspective is focused on understanding how researchers themselves give value to research, and in how far these practices are related to performance metrics. The article zooms in on three key moments in research processes to show how ‘thinking with indicators’ is becoming a central aspect of research activities themselves: (1) the planning and conception of research projects, (2) the social organization of research processes, and (3) determining the endpoints of research processes. Our findings demonstrate how the worth of research activities becomes increasingly assessed and defined by their potential to yield high value in quantitative terms. The analysis makes visible how certain norms and values related to performance metrics are stabilized as they become integrated into routine practices of knowledge production. Other norms and criteria for scientific quality, e.g. epistemic originality, long-term scientific progress, societal relevance, and social responsibility, receive less attention or become redefined through their relations to quantitative indicators. We understand this trend to be in tension with policy goals that seek to encourage innovative, societally relevant, and responsible research.
Growth, PAYG pension systems crisis and mandatory age of retirement

Since in many countries - plagued by low fertility - significant increases of the mandatory retirement age have been recently introduced with the declared objective to sustain PAYG pension budgets, then in this paper we investigate whether and how such boosts are effective. It is shown - in the basic two-period overlapping generations model of endogenous growth, which is maybe the toy-model most used for pension policy analyses - that the postponement of the retirement age is always harmful for growth and even for pension payments. Therefore this result suggests that the effects of boosts of mandatory retirement ages for sustaining PAYG pension budgets may not be warranted.
Functional outcomes following non-operative versus operative treatment of clavicle fractures in adolescents

Purpose Superiority of non-operative versus operative treatment of clavicle shaft fractures remains unclear. We aimed to assess shoulder function in adolescents following shortened clavicle fracture and compare operative versus non-operative treatment. Methods Patients aged 12 to 18 years at the time of fracture and minimum 1.5 years post injury were identified for this institutional review board (IRB)-approved study. For this retrospective cohort study, patients were frequency-matched for age, gender, shortening of the clavicle fracture and activity level. The dominant arm was controlled in the statistical model. Initial radiographs were used to measure clavicle shortening. At follow-up, isokinetic testing of both shoulders was performed in flexion, external rotation and the plane of scapular motion. Maximum number of isotonic repetitions and average isometric torque were recorded, as were ASES and DASH scores. Data were analysed comparing non-operative and operative groups and involved and uninvolved shoulders. Results Twenty patients were recruited (18 male, 2 female), with ten in each group. Median clavicle shortening was 17.5 mm (11.4 to 23.6). There was no statistical difference in average ASES (100 vs 99; p = 0.84) or DASH (0.0 vs 1.7; p = 0.08) between non-operative and operative groups, respectively. Results of isokinetic testing comparison between non-operative and operative groups showed no statistical difference for any individual association, controlling for the dominant arm. Among the non-operative group, the involved arm had decreased functional measures compared with the uninvolved arm on all measures, when controlling for dominant arm, and there was increased variability of the functional estimate. Conclusions The increased variability in functional measures for the non-operative group suggests some patients may have dysfunction.