Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of a novel cost-effective Package-on-Package (PoP) solution

Package-on-Package (PoP) is one of the major 3D packaging approaches. It vertically combines discrete memory and logic Ball Grid Array (BGA) packages, where one package rests on the top of another. Recently, PoP technologies have attracted more interests, especially for portable electronics related products and applications. For the existing PoP solutions, they have the following disadvantages: • As the next-generation PoP module incorporates more features, top package requires more memory inside and finer pitch is needed. Finer pitch of top package will translate into lower stand-off height between top and bottom packages. It means the mold cap of the bottom package should be kept as thin as possible. • The logic function of the bottom package will be expanded with two stacked dies. The mold cap of the bottom package should be thicker than that of the original design which has only one die inside. It causes the conflict between the stand-off height issue and expanded logic functionality. • The bottom package is a Plastic Ball Grid Array (PBGA) package format normally. Due to its partial mold-cap design, the package's warpage could be large especially non-uniform on a panel since the structure is not well balanced. • The bottom package with customized mold chase with the top pin gate molding method has the high cost issue. To solve the above disadvantages, ASTRI has developed a new PoP structure, which employs a new bottom package that is over molded Fine-pitch Ball Gird Array (FBGA) format with mechanically balanced package structure. For the top package, it's a commercial FBGA format with two die stacking inside. Since the new bottom package structure is based on an existing FBGA format, the mold chase is independent of the mold cap and size of the bottom PoP package. The final mold layer for bottom package has a thickness of 0.5mm. The top interface of the bottom PoP package has 136 pads with 0.65mm pitch and a two-row peripheral format, while the bottom interface has 272 pads with 0.65mm pitch and a four-row peripheral format. The size of both top and bottom packages is 14×14mm2. The configuration of the package is evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which shows a favorable interconnection structure. The warpage of the bottom PoP package after assembly process is characterized by shadow moiré system. The warpage is well controlled by adopting the fully molded structure. The average value is around 30μm that is well below the warpage target of 80μm widely used in the industry.
Do Taxes Affect Corporate Financing Decisions?

A new empirical method and data set are used to study the effects of tax policy on corporate financing choices. Clear evidence emerges that non-debt tax shields "crowd out" interest deductibility, thus decreasing the desirability of debt issues at the margin. Previous studies which failed to find tax effects examined debt-equity ratios rather than individual, well-specified financing choices. This paper also demonstrates the importance of controlling for confounding effects which other papers ignored. Results on other (asymmetric information) effects on financing decisions are also presented.
A gait recognition method based on positioning human body joints

Gait recognition is to identify individuals by analysis of gait pattern. Here a simple and efficient gait recognition method based on positioning body joints is presented. At first key frame is extracted based on cyclic gait analysis. For each key frame image, background subtraction is performed to extract moving body silhouettes from the background. Then the coordinates of joints are computed according to the geometrical characteristics shown while walking. The limbs angles are computed based on the coordinates of joints and then made discrete Fourier transform. The amplitude-frequency and phase-frequency of angles are chosen as gait feature. At last the nearest neighbor classifier is used to classify subjects. Evaluation about the proposed gait recognition method is given according to experiment on the Soton gait database, and the experimental results demonstrate the encouraging performance.
Hazing in the U.S. Armed Forces: Recommendations for Hazing Prevention Policy and Practice

Abstract : Initiation activities have long been part of U.S. military culture as a way to mark significant transitions, status changes, and group membership. However, along with these activities have often come acts of hazing, in which individuals were subjected to abusive and harmful treatment that went beyond sanctioned ceremonies. In recent years, extreme cases of alleged hazing have led to the high-profile deaths of several service members, resulting in renewed interest from the public and Congress in seeing these hazing rituals eliminated from military culture. The Department of Defense (DoD) asked RAND to examine and provide recommendations on current hazing policy and practices across the services. To do so, the researchers examined current DoD and service-specific policy, practices, and data collection related to hazing; reviewed the scientific literature and interviewed leading experts in the field; and reviewed existing DoD incident tracking databases. This report addresses ways to improve the armed forces definition of hazing, the effects of and motivations for hazing, how the armed forces can prevent and respond to hazing, and how the armed forces can improve the tracking of hazing incidents.
Getting the Measure of the Transformed High-Performance Organization

The term "high-performance work systems" is increasingly being used to label the transformed high-commitment organization associated with the abandonment of Taylorism. A fundamental issue is whether the whole ensemble of high-commitment and total quality management practices tend to be used together or in a fragmented ad hoc way. Latent trait analysis is used to address this question. Using data from Osterman's study of U.S. organizations, the analysis shows that certain practices do co-exist, though quality circle stands apart from them. While it is meaningful to talk of high performance management as an integration of modem quality and personnel management methods, caution must be exercised when defining management approaches in terms of a set of practices on a priori grounds alone.
Lactosylceramide Interacts with and Activates Cytosolic Phospholipase A2α*

Background: LacCer is known to regulate PLA2 activity in cells, but the precise mechanisms have not been elucidated. Results: LacCer binds to cPLA2α and increases its enzymatic activity. Conclusion: LacCer is identified as a novel and direct activator of cPLA2α. Significance: This research provides new insights into the regulatory mechanisms of cPLA2α and the physiological functions of LacCer as a signaling molecule. Lactosylceramide (LacCer) is a member of the glycosphingolipid family and is known to be a bioactive lipid in various cell physiological processes. However, the direct targets of LacCer and cellular events mediated by LacCer are largely unknown. In this study, we examined the effect of LacCer on the release of arachidonic acid (AA) and the activity of cytosolic phospholipase A2α (cPLA2α). In CHO-W11A cells, treatment with 1-phenyl-2-palmitoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol (PPMP), an inhibitor of glucosylceramide synthase, reduced the glycosphingolipid level, and the release of AA induced by A23187 or platelet-activating factor was inhibited. The addition of LacCer reversed the PPMP effect on the stimulus-induced AA release. Exogenous LacCer stimulated the release of AA, which was decreased by treatment with an inhibitor of cPLA2α or silencing of the enzyme. Treatment of CHO-W11A cells with LacCer induced the translocation of full-length cPLA2α and its C2 domain from the cytosol to the Golgi apparatus. LacCer also induced the translocation of the D43N mutant of cPLA2α. Treatment of L929 cells with TNF-α induced LacCer generation and mediated the translocation of cPLA2α and AA release, which was attenuated by treatment with PPMP. In vitro studies were then conducted to test whether LacCer interacts directly with cPLA2α. Phosphatidylcholine vesicles containing LacCer increased cPLA2α activity. LacCer bound to cPLA2α and its C2 domain in a Ca2+-independent manner. Thus, we propose that LacCer is a direct activator of cPLA2α.
The Risk and Required Return of Common Stock following Major Price Innovations

Abstract This paper presents empirical evidence demonstrating that the risk and expected returns of common stocks typically change in the aftermath of large price movements. When temporary changes in uncertainty follow major financial events, subsequent stock returns should be positively correlated with the shift in return volatility. This prediction is strongly supported by the data on more than 9,100 daily price change events during 1962–1985. Moreover, the data also suggest that ex ante returns on common stocks may incorporate a premium for increases in parameter uncertainty associated with the events.
A Model of the Demand for Money by Firms

I. Introduction, 413. â€” II. A model of cash flows and the costs of cash management for business firms, 416; assumptions underlying the model, 417; optimal values of the policy parameters, 420; some properties of the solution, 423; implications for the demand for money by firms, 425; extension to allow for non-zero drift, 427. â€” III. The applicability of the model, 429. â€” Appendix, 433.
Therapy options in pulmonary alveolar proteinosis

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is a rare condition characterized by the accumulation of lipoproteinaceous material within the airspaces, resulting in impaired gas transfer, and clinical manifestations ranging from asymptomatic to severe respiratory failure. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there are only a few conditions whose natural history has been so dramatically changed by the influence of advances in basic science, clinical medicine, and translational research in therapeutic approaches. Whole-lung lavage is the current standard of care and it plays a critical role as a modifier factor of the natural history of proteinosis. That notwithstanding, the identification of autoantibodies neutralizing granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in serum and lung of patients affected by the form of proteinosis previously referred to as idiopathic, has opened the way to novel therapeutic options, such as supplementation of exogenous granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, or strategies aimed at reducing the levels of the autoantibodies. The aim of this paper is to provide an updated review of the current therapeutic approach to proteinosis.
THE RELATION BETWEEN BLACK HOLE MASS AND HOST SPHEROID STELLAR MASS OUT TO z ∼ 2

We combine Hubble Space Telescope images from the Great Observatories Origins Deep Survey with archival Very Large Telescope and Keck spectra of a sample of 11 X-ray-selected broad-line active galactic nuclei in the redshift range 1 < z < 2 to study the black-hole-mass–stellar-mass relation out to a look-back time of 10 Gyr. Stellar masses of the spheroidal component (Msph, ⋆) are derived from multi-filter surface photometry. Black hole masses (MBH) are estimated from the width of the broad Mg ii emission line and the 3000 Å nuclear luminosity. Comparing with a uniformly measured local sample and taking into account selection effects, we find evolution in the form MBH/Msph, ⋆∝(1 + z)1.96 ± 0.55, in agreement with our earlier studies based on spheroid luminosity. However, this result is more accurate because it does not require a correction for luminosity evolution and therefore avoids the related and dominant systematic uncertainty. We also measure total stellar masses (Mhost, ⋆). Combining our sample with data from the literature, we find MBH/Mhost, ⋆∝(1 + z)1.15 ± 0.15, consistent with the hypothesis that black holes (in the range MBH ∼ 108–9 M☉) pre-date the formation of their host galaxies. Roughly, one-third of our objects reside in spiral galaxies; none of the host galaxies reveal signs of interaction or major merger activity. Combined with the slower evolution in host stellar masses compared to spheroid stellar masses, our results indicate that secular evolution or minor mergers play a non-negligible role in growing both BHs and spheroids.
Dynamic instruction stream editing

This dissertation proposes a novel, cooperative hardware/software mechanism, called DISE (dynamic instruction stream editor), for efficiently transforming programs. DISE transforms programs using programmable instruction macro-expansion. It resides within the processor inspecting every fetched instruction. Based on user-defined rules, it macro-expands some of those instructions into parameterized replacement sequences. DISE can express a broad range of transformations including transformations for profiling program characteristics, implementing interactive debugging primitives, decompressing compressed programs, and detecting stack and pointer smashing attacks. This dissertation describes the functionality, interface, and system architecture of DISE and proposes one implementation of this architecture. Our evaluation demonstrates that DISE transformation is highly efficient. Unlike transformation mechanisms implemented entirely in software, DISE has no impact on instruction cache performance because it transforms instructions within the processor. Furthermore, the performance cost of macro-expanding instructions is neglible, which is not true of software mechanisms (although some mechanisms transform code statically rather than at runtime). The only significant performance cost of DISE transformation is executing the additional instructions, and this overhead is usually less than 25% for most transformations and benchmarks.
Progress in understanding the association between high myopia and primary open‐angle glaucoma

Many clinical and fundamental studies have shown that high myopia (HM) and glaucoma are closely associated. In particular, the occurrence and progression of primary open‐angle glaucoma interact with the progression of HM. Two hypotheses have been proposed to explain the association between the two disorders: the hypertension gene theory and the collagen‐related gene theory. HM and primary open‐angle glaucoma patients show similar collagen changes and hypersensitive responses to glucocorticoids. Consequently, these common features may hold key information regarding their underlying mechanisms. Advances in life sciences, such as molecular genetics, provide opportunities for clarifying their association at the molecular level. This article reviews available research on the association between these two disorders from the perspectives of epidemiology, clinical manifestation, diagnosis and pathogenic mechanisms.
Is there a link between low parental income and childhood obesity?

The association between familial socioeconomic status and child obesity has created the expectation that low familial income increases the risk of child obesity. Yet, there is very little evidence in the United Kingdom to suggest that this is the case. This article focuses on whether low familial income and family poverty are associated with an increased risk of child obesity. Data from the Millennium Cohort Study (age 7) are analysed. Sequential logistic regression analyses are used to determine whether income has a direct link to childhood weight. The results show no direct relationship between familial income/poverty and weight in childhood. Numerous robustness checks provide considerable evidence that low familial income has no association with children’s weight status in the United Kingdom. The results demonstrate that social inequalities in child weight are not driven by differences in income.
The Occurrence of the Holometabolous Pupal Stage Requires the Interaction between E93, Krüppel-Homolog 1 and Broad-Complex

Complete metamorphosis (Holometaboly) is a key innovation that underlies the spectacular success of holometabolous insects. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that Holometabola form a monophyletic group that evolved from ancestors exhibiting hemimetabolous development (Hemimetaboly). However, the nature of the changes underlying this crucial transition, including the occurrence of the holometabolan-specific pupal stage, is poorly understood. Using the holometabolous beetle Tribolium castaneum as a model insect, here we show that the transient up-regulation of the anti-metamorphic Krüppel-homolog 1 (TcKr-h1) gene at the end of the last larval instar is critical in the formation of the pupa. We find that depletion of this specific TcKr-h1 peak leads to the precocious up-regulation of the adult-specifier factor TcE93 and, hence, to a direct transformation of the larva into the adult form, bypassing the pupal stage. Moreover, we also find that the TcKr-h1-dependent repression of TcE93 is critical to allow the strong up-regulation of Broad-complex (TcBr-C), a key transcription factor that regulates the correct formation of the pupa in holometabolous insects. Notably, we show that the genetic interaction between Kr-h1 and E93 is also present in the penultimate nymphal instar of the hemimetabolous insect Blattella germanica, suggesting that the evolution of the pupa has been facilitated by the co-option of regulatory mechanisms present in hemimetabolan metamorphosis. Our findings, therefore, contribute to the molecular understanding of insect metamorphosis, and indicate the evolutionary conservation of the genetic circuitry that controls hemimetabolan and holometabolan metamorphosis, thereby shedding light on the evolution of complete metamorphosis.
Stability Tests for Alphas and Betas Over Bull and Bear Market Conditions

Monthly returns are used to estimate the single-index market model (SIMM). Binary variables are used to determine if the alpha intercept and beta slope coefficients are stable through alternating bull markets and bear markets. The results suggest that some investment analysts have fallen into the trap of misapplying econometric models and, as a result, are purveying erroneous information. Neither the alpha nor the beta statistics in the SIMM appear to be significantly affected by the alternating forces of bull and bear markets. Of course, the SIMM, the alpha, the beta and the statistics from all econometric models change from sample to sample. But, the question addressed here was whether or not these normal sampling errors were more than would occur in the classic stability tests. Such instability would tend to depreciate the value of the received risk-return theories. However, the SIMM was found to be unaffected by the three different bull and bear market conditions which were delineated.
Factor Analysis and Preliminary Validation of the Mini-Mental State Examination from a Longitudinal Perspective

The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is a commonly used instrument for assessing mental impairment. Previous proposals for its underlying structure have focused on scores obtained from a single administration of the test. Because the MMSE is widely used in longitudinal studies, we examined the pattern of relations among the rates of chance of the items. Data were obtained from 63 subjects for 1.5 years or more. The relations among the rates of change of the MMSE items were described by a five-factor solution that accounted for 75% of the variance and comprised factors pertaining to orientation and concentration, obeying commands, learning and repetition, language, and recall. This was in contrast to the structure of the scores obtained from a single administration of the MMSE, which was best described by a two-factor solution. In order to provide a clinical validation, factor scores derived from the MMSE factors were used to predict scores on the Memory and Behavior Problems Checklist and the Brief Cognitive Rating Scale.
Relationship-Specificity, Contract Enforceability, and Income Smoothing

ABSTRACT: Contracting parties, such as the firm and its supplier, have cost-reducing incentives to make investments that support the unique transactions between them. However, to the extent that one party may renege on its contractual obligations, the other party incurring the cost of the relationship-specific investment bears additional risk and is less willing to invest such that sub-optimal investment occurs. In countries where enforceability of explicit contracts is particularly weak, parties have incentives to signal their willingness to fulfill implicit claims and maintain long-term relationships. We predict that firms engage in income smoothing to send such a signal to their suppliers. Consistent with these expectations, we find that firms that both reside in countries with weak contract enforceability and operate in industries with a greater need for relationship-specific investments tend to smooth reported income more. We further decompose income smoothing into “informational” and “garbled” compo.
Love or Money? Health Insurance and Retirement Among Married Couples

This paper examines the role of employer provided health insurance in the retirement decisions of dual working couples. The near elderly have high-expected medical expenditures; therefore, availability of health insurance is an important factor in their retirement decisions. We determine if access to retiree health insurance for early retirement enables couples to time their retirement together %u2013 a behavior called %u201Cjoint retirement. %u201D We find that wives%u2019 retiree health insurance more than doubles the propensity to retire jointly, suggesting that health insurance is an important consideration in coordinating retirement decisions among couples. Even though retiree health insurance has a substantial effect on joint retirement, its effect on overall employment patterns is modest, accounting for a 2 percentage point fall in employment.
Serum Levels of Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by microangiopathy and increased angiogenic response in various organs. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) as well as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are both angiogenic and are involved in vascular endothelial cell growth. The purpose of this study was to determine serum levels of bFGF and VEGF, in children and adolescents (youngsters) with type 1 diabetes mellitus, and correlate them with parameters reflecting the severity of the disease. Forty diabetic youngsters without clinical evidence of complications were compared with 30 healthy control subjects (mean age ± SD, 14.3 ± 3.6 and 13.8 ± 3.6 y, respectively). Diabetes duration and metabolic control (expressed by glycosylated Hb) were (mean ± SD) 6.2 ± 3.8 y and 9.6 ± 1.8%, respectively. bFGF and VEGF (pg/mL) were measured in serum samples by enzyme immunoassays, and both were not significantly different between the type 1 diabetes mellitus and the control group (p = 0.952 and p = 0.559, respectively). Restricting the analysis to the type 1 diabetes mellitus group, neither the duration nor the metabolic control of the disease showed any correlation with bFGF and VEGF serum levels, whereas a significantly positive correlation was found between the two examined angiogenic factors both in the diabetic (r = 0.3464, p = 0.025) and the control group (r = 0.4619, p = 0.0013). In conclusion, serum levels of bFGF and VEGF were not found to vary significantly in diabetic youngsters in relation to controls and had no correlation with the duration and metabolic control of the disease. Nevertheless, a positive correlation was found between these two angiogenic factors both in the type 1 diabetes mellitus and the control group.