Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficient Computation of Localized Fields for Through Silicon Via Modeling Up to 500 GHz

This paper presents methods for the modeling of the localized (near) fields of vertical interconnects in silicon interposers and the applications of these methods for the efficient computation of the electromagnetic properties of through silicon via structures. The localized fields are due to the mode conversions of the coaxial-to-radial waveguide junctions present in these structures. Because exact analytical techniques exist only for the homogeneously filled junction, an efficient numerical technique is proposed in this paper for the modeling of the inhomogeneous cases. This technique provides accurate results in the form of network parameters with three ports, which can be applied, e.g., in the framework of the physics-based via models. The finite-difference frequency domain method for the case of rotational symmetry is adapted to variable grid distances along the axial and radial coordinates, and interface conditions for the inhomogeneous filling of silicon and electrically isolating silicon dioxide are implemented. The method is validated with full-wave results from finite-element simulations and with the results from the published analytical methods that are adapted to the layered structures. The main focus is in the modeling for signal integrity analysis from the frequencies where the skin effect is well developed at about 100 MHz up to 100 GHz. Nevertheless, good agreement with the results from finite-element simulations up to 500 GHz is obtained for several relevant example structures, and a speedup of at least two orders compared with the finite-element simulations is achieved.
Biological Parameters of Scirtothrips dorsalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on Selected Hosts

ABSTRACT Since its establishment in Florida in 2005, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood, a highly polyphagous species, has become an economically important pest of ornamental plants and a potentially significant pest of vegetable and fruit crops. Fruit and vegetable production in Florida is trending toward significant adoption of organic methods and use of widely dispersed small fields in rapidly urbanizing landscapes. Landscape plants may serve as refugia from which S. dorsalis recruits can disperse to nearby fruit and vegetable plantings. Therefore, information on this pest's biology including how it is affected by various host species is needed to develop effective integrated pest management (IPM) programs. In the greenhouse and laboratory condition, we studied the effects of various host plants, development, diel flight activity, oviposition, and demographics of S. dorsalis. The pest preferred Jalapeño pepper and Knockout rose over the other hosts, and it was most active between 1000 and 1600 hours EST. Irrespective of the host species, the duration of each of the immature stadia varied within a narrow range, and their respective sizes were quite similar. Demographic parameters quantified included gross reproduction rate (GRR), net reproductive rate (Ro), intrinsic rate of increase per day (rm), finite rate of increase per day (&lgr;), and mean generation time (T). The pest population may increase by a factor of ≈ 1.09/d, so that it may double in 8 or 9d. The above information should be helpful in the development of sound programs to manage S. dorsalis on various crops and in the formulation of detection strategies by quarantine officers.
Strengthening Performance for Teachers in Early Childhood Education with Heutagogy on the Utilization of Digital Learning Media and Sources

Digital learning sources have been able to construct individuals and society. Even far in the future, the culture will experience change because the digital environment evolves to facilitate adaptation. The condition of prospective teachers who have experienced the ease of use of gadgets to access the required content. The development of digital sources is no longer a trend, but has been implemented in the context of efficiency and effectiveness. So the development of digital learning resources to serve complex and fast
Intensive induction chemotherapy with regimen containing intermediate dose cytarabine in the treatment of de novo acute myeloid leukemia

To improve long‐term outcome of de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients by intermediate dose of cytarabine integrated in induction therapy and to explore the impact of cytogenetic abnormalities on the prognosis. Eighty‐seven AML patients were treated with HAD regimen containing intermediate dose cytarabine (IDAra‐C) as induction therapy, 83 from which with karyotype results were divided into three cytogenetic groups according to SWOG criteria. Complete remission (CR) rate, disease‐free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) among different groups were evaluated. The CR rate of the 87 cases was 80/87 (92%). Median DFS and OS have not reached (NR). DFS rates at 1 and 3 years were 76.3% and 63.4%, respectively. OS rates at 1 and 3 years were 86.0% and 58.7%, respectively. According to SWOG criteria, CR rate, median DFS, and OS were 100%, NR and NR for the favorable group; 88.9%, NR, and 16 months for the intermediate group; 83.3%, 4.5 months, and 7.5 months for the adverse group. The differences among the three groups were statistically significant excepting for CR rate between adverse and intermediate groups. HAD regimen containing IDAra‐C as induction chemotherapy regimen is effective in de novo AML of adult patients and can achieve higher CR rate and longer survival than standard dose of cytarabine (SDAra‐C) regimen. Most of the patients were able to endure the therapy. Cytogenetics is still an important prognostic factor despite of the incorporation of IDAra‐C in induction chemotherapy. The differences among the three groups were statistically significant. Am. J. Hematol. , 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Resistance of cultured peripheral T cells towards activation‐induced cell death involves a lack of recruitment of FLICE (MACH/caspase 8) to the CD95 death‐inducing signaling complex

Phytohemagglutinin‐activated peripheral CD95+ T cells (day 1 T cells) are resistant to CD95‐mediated apoptosis. After prolonged interleukin‐2 treatment, these T cells become CD95‐mediated apoptosis‐sensitive (day 6T cells). To elucidate the molecular mechanism of apoptosis resistance, day 1 and day 6 T cells were tested for formation of the CD95 death‐inducing signaling complex (DISC). DISC‐associated active Fas‐associated DD protein (FADD)‐like interleukin‐1β‐converting enzyme‐like protease (FLICE) also referred to as MACH/caspase 8 was only found in apoptosis‐sensitive day 6 T cells. Further analysis of mRNA and protein expression levels of apoptosis‐signaling molecules FADD, receptor interacting protein, hematopoietic cell protein tyrosine phosphatase, Fas‐associated phosphatase‐1, FLICE, bcl‐2, bcl‐xL, and, bax‐α showed that only the expression level of bcl‐xL correlated with T cell resistance to CD95‐mediated apoptosis (day 1 T cells: bcl‐xhiL; day 6 T cells: bcl‐xloL). In T cells activated in vitro, up‐regulation of bcl‐xL has previously been correlated with general apoptosis resistance. However, the experiments presented suggest that resistance to CD95‐mediated apoptosis in T cells can also be regulated at the level of recruitment of FLICE to the DISC.
Cost-Aware Cloud Provisioning

Cloud computing is often suggested as a low-cost and scalable model for executing and scaling scientific analyses. However, while the benefits of cloud computing are frequently touted, there are inherent technical challenges associated with scaling execution efficiently and cost-effectively. We describe here a cost-aware elastic provisioner designed to dynamically and cost-effectively provision cloud infrastructure based on the requirements of user-submitted scientific workflows. Our provisioner is used in the Globus Galaxies platform -- a Software-as-a-Service provider of scientific analysis capabilities using commercial cloud infrastructure. Using workloads from production usage of this platform we investigate the performance of our provisioner in terms of cost, spot instance termination rate, and execution time. We demonstrate cost savings across six production gateways of up to 95% and 12% improvement in total execution time when compared to a worst case scenario using a single instance type in a single availability zone.
Non-Linearities, Structural Breaks and Fractional Integration in the Analysis of the Ghanaian and the South African CPI Inflation Rates

Keeping a low steady rate of inflation is one of the government’s most important responsibilities. Inflation is an important determinant of economic growth. Consequently, it has been one of the most examined areas in economics, from both theoretical and empirical perspectives. Indeed, economists have shown continued interest in this essential economic variable. The most important question related to inflation is: Does non-linearity exist in inflation? The answer to this question, which has important policy implications, can support or endanger the validity of several important economic models. Hence, a clear understanding of the changing aspects of inflation is crucial to any economy because it is regarded as a significant variable in a number of economic models, whose legitimacy critically relies on whether or not this variable is stationary. In practice, many economic time series models rely on linearity. Nonetheless, it has often been found that simple linear time series models regularly leave certain aspects of economic and financial data inexplicable. This paper proposes a model that combines fractional integration with non-linear deterministic terms based on the Chebyshev polynomials in time for the analysis of CPI inflation rates of Ghana and South Africa in Sub-Saharan Africa. Firstly, we tested for non-linear deterministic terms in the context of fractional integration. The estimates of the differencing parameter, d, were found to be 1.11 and 1.32, respectively for the Ghanaian and the South African inflation rates, but the non-linear trends were found to be statistically insignificant in the two series. A linear model was then investigated and the results indicated that the order of integration for the Ghanaian inflation series was slightly above 1. However, for the case of South Africa, a cyclical I(d) process was found to be more appropriate, with an order of integration below 1, thus showing mean reversion and a cyclical structure of approximately 80 periods (months) per cycle. The implication of these findings could assist in a decision-making process regarding adjusting monetary policy instruments such as inflation targeting (IT) or adopting different monetary policies, to achieve the desired target.
Toward a Status Anxiety Theory of Macro-level Firearm Demand

Previous research has paid little attention to legal firearm demand, instead often focusing on illegal firearm demand. This study expands sociological research on firearms by theoretically identifying and empirically examining a new type of legal firearm demand, status anxiety demand, while also examining recreational and security firearm demand. We use unique background check data from the National Instant Criminal Background Check System to measure firearm demand and test our hypotheses using random effects pooled time-series generalized least squares (GLS) regressions. Findings indicate that our measures for recreational demand and status anxiety demand both affect overall firearm sales, but that actual crime risk and the number of police in a state do not. We find that both increases in National Rifle Association (NRA) membership and Democratic Party strength in the federal government increase firearm demand, suggesting that changes in legal firearm demand are associated with political factors and not just recreational or self-defense motivations.
A phase II study of cetuximab and radiation in elderly and/or poor performance status patients with locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (N0422).

BACKGROUND Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a disease of the elderly. Seeking a tolerable but effective regimen, we tested cetuximab + radiation in elderly and/or poor performance status patients with locally advanced NSCLC. PATIENTS AND METHODS Older patients [≥ 65 years with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0, 1, or 2] or younger patients (performance status of 2) received cetuximab 400 mg/m(2) i.v. on day 1 followed by weekly cetuximab 250 mg/m(2) i.v. with concomitant radiation of 6000 cGy in 30 fractions. The primary end point was the percentage who lived 11+ months. RESULTS This 57-patient cohort had a median age (range) of 77 years (60-87), and 12 (21%) had a performance status of 2. Forty of 57 (70%) lived 11+ months, thus exceeding the anticipated survival rate of 50%. The median survival was 15.1 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 13.1-19.3 months], and the median time to cancer progression was 7.2 months (95% CI 5.8-8.6 months). No treatment-related deaths occurred, but 31 patients experienced grade 3+ adverse events, most commonly fatigue, anorexia, dyspnea, rash, and dysphagia, each of which occurred in <10% of patients. CONCLUSION This combination merits further study in this group of patients.
A Crisis in Student Loans?: How Changes in the Characteristics of Borrowers and in the Institutions They Attended Contributed to Rising Loan Defaults

This paper examines the rise in student loan default and delinquency. It draws on a unique set of administrative data on federal student borrowing matched to earnings records from de-identified tax records. Most of the increase in default is associated with borrowers at for-profit schools, 2-year institutions, and certain other nonselective institutions. Historically, students at these institutions have constituted a small share of all student borrowers. These nontraditional borrowers have largely come from lower-income families, attended institutions with relatively weak educational outcomes, faced poor labor market outcomes after leaving school, and defaulted at high rates. In contrast, default rates have remained low among borrowers who attended most 4-year public and nonprofit private institutions and among graduate school borrowers—who collectively represent the vast majority of the federal loan portfolio—despite the severe recession and these borrowers’ relatively high loan balances. The higher earnings, low rates of unemployment, and greater family resources of this latter category of borrowers appear to have helped them avoid adverse loan outcomes even during times of hardship. Decomposition analysis indicates that changes in the characteristics of borrowers and the institutions they attended are associated with much of the doubling in default rates between 2000 and 2011, with changes in the type of schools attended, debt burdens, and labor market outcomes explaining the largest share.
The anisotropic conductivity of unidirectional carbon fibre reinforced polymer laminates and its effect on microstrip antennas

Carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) is being used increasingly in vehicle structures because of its relatively high stiffness and strength but light weight. Understanding then exploiting the electromagnetic behaviour of CFRP would enhance further some aspects of vehicle performance. The conductivity of unidirectional (UD) CFRP laminates was measured over the X-band. It was found that UD CFRP acts as a conductive surface when the E-field is parallel, and a lossy dielectric when the E-field is perpendicular, to the orientation of the fibres. Microstrip antennas were produced with quasi-isotropic CFRP ground planes and showed resonant frequency of the antenna was 10 % higher when the microstrip antenna was mounted parallel to the first ply fibre orientation.
Growth hormone treatment after cesarean delivery in rats increases the strength of the uterine scar.

OBJECTIVE We sought to determine whether postcesarean treatment of rats with growth hormone (GH) affected the strength of the uterine incision in the puerperium and in a subsequent pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN Forty-eight near-term pregnant rats were delivered by cesarean section. Half received subcutaneous recombinant human GH (2.0 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) for 7 days; control animals received saline injections. Four weeks after delivery, the uterine bursting pressure was determined in 5 treated and 5 control animals. Eight rats in each group were used to study uterine hydroxyproline concentrations and the histologic characteristics of the scar. Twenty-two animals were rebred 30 to 40 days after their cesarean sections. After repeat cesarean delivery, on day 19, the bursting pressure and hydroxyproline concentrations of the previous hysterotomy scar were determined. RESULTS The uterine horn bursting pressure in the GH-treated animals was significantly greater than that in the control animals both 28 days postpartum and near term in a subsequent pregnancy. The uterine hydroxyproline concentrations followed the same pattern. Histologic study of the scars showed they were thicker and had less cellularity in the treated animals than in the control animals. CONCLUSION Postcesarean treatment with GH increased the bursting strength of rat uterine incisions. This effect was accompanied by a significant increase in collagen content and persisted through a subsequent pregnancy.
Becoming a Doctor: A Qualitative Evaluation of Challenges and Opportunities in Medical Student Wellness During the Third Year

Purpose To improve understanding of the impact of the third year on medical student wellness and help educators improve approaches to promoting wellness. Method The authors used an interpretive description approach to conduct a qualitative analysis of required essays written by 173 third-year medical students as part of a May 2011 final exam at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University. In these essays, students reflected on how the transition to clinical responsibilities during the third year of medical school had affected their own health and wellness behaviors. Results Four themes emerged. Students described the difficulty of making healthy choices in the face of time challenges, the effect of becoming a role model for patients, and the impact of information on their view of their own health and wellness. A subset reflected on the tension between self-care and dedication to work that is inherent in developing a professional identity as a physician. Some students characterized these as challenges that encouraged them to be more active and effective in managing their own health; others viewed them as insurmountable obstacles that prevented them from making healthy choices. Conclusions The new responsibilities in the third year of medical school comprise a unique set of opportunities and challenges that affect how students make choices regarding health and wellness. Educators should develop strategies for identifying and supporting students who are likely to experience the transition as difficult, and for capitalizing on learning opportunities by framing these challenges as part of students’ professional development.
Pancreatic beta-cell function and immune responses to insulin after administration of intranasal insulin to humans at risk for type 1 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE Mucosal administration of insulin retards development of autoimmune diabetes in the nonobese diabetic mouse model. We conducted a double-blind crossover study in humans at risk for type 1 diabetes to determine if intranasal insulin was safe, in particular did not accelerate beta-cell destruction, and could induce immune effects consistent with mucosal tolerance. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 38 individuals, median age 10.8 years, with antibodies to one or more pancreatic islet antigens (insulin, GAD65, or tyrosine phosphatase-like insulinoma antigen 2) were randomized to treatment with intranasal insulin (1.6 mg) or a carrier solution, daily for 10 days and then 2 days a week for 6 months, before crossover. The primary outcome was beta-cell function measured as first-phase insulin response (FPIR) to intravenous glucose at 0, 6, and 12 months and then yearly; the secondary outcome was immunity to islet antigens, measured monthly for 12 months. RESULTS No local or systemic adverse effects were observed. Diabetes developed in 12 participants with negligible beta-cell function at entry after a median of 1.1 year. Of the remaining 26, the majority had antibodies to two or three islet antigens and FPIR greater than the first percentile at entry, as well as beta-cell function that generally remained stable over a median follow-up of 3.0 years. Intranasal insulin was associated with an increase in antibody and a decrease in T-cell responses to insulin. CONCLUSIONS Results from this pilot study suggest that intranasal insulin does not accelerate loss of beta-cell function in individuals at risk for type 1 diabetes and induces immune changes consistent with mucosal tolerance to insulin. These findings justify a formal trial to determine if intranasal insulin is immunotherapeutic and retards progression to clinical diabetes.
Analysis of the projected image of tourism destinations on photographs: A literature review to prepare for the future

Making the right impression is paramount to succeed in today’s very competitive market, where photographs have acquired a prominent role in doing so. The evaluation and analysis of destination image have been tackled mainly from the perspective of the tourists’ perceptions. However, the projected image of destinations has received limited attention in the literature and the topic has not yet been successfully operationalized. Moreover, existing literature on the projected image on photographs (PIP) is scattered and lacking of an integral approach. Thus, the aim of this article is to fill this gap by carrying a comprehensive literature review on the destination’s PIP, covering information sources analyzed, destinations included, number of pictures, time framework, methodology, and specially categorization (people, activities represented, and tourism context) and specific attributes used. As a result, this article provides researchers with a reference guide to understand the current situation of the research on this topic, context, methods, and focus of previous studies. Finally, it identifies trends and reflections on future research.