Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Numerical study of DIBL effect in Carbon Nanotube-FETs

In CNFETs, the Drain Induced Barrier Lowing (DIBL) effect is still a primitive problem and open for further study. Based on a numerical model developed with the Non-Equilibrium Green's Function (NEGF) approach in real space, this paper studied the DIBL effect in Carbon Nanotube-FETs (CNFETs). Some interesting phenomena of the impact of DIBL on the energy band have been noticed. For example, the relationship between the degree of barrier lowing and the drain-source voltage is not linear but of a step-like quantization, and the energy band shape (gradient or aclinic) is closely related to Fermi-level. For the first time, a detailed explanation of the underlying physical mechanism of the observed DIBL effect is presented according to the electronic structure, the effective capacitance model and the quantum capacitance model of CNFETs. Then the correlation between DIBL effect and the insulator thickness, insulator dielectric constant, CNT diameter and channel length is studied. At the end, a conclusion is made by summarizing the differences between the DIBL effect in CNFETs and that in short channel MOSFETs, and several approaches is presented to reduce the leakage current resulting from the DIBL effect.
Measuring Nominal and Real Convergence of Selected CEE Countries by the Taylor Rule

Abstract We propose using a simple Taylor rule to evaluate business cycle convergence of the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland with the Eurozone. Our findings indicate an ongoing convergence of those CEE countries to the Eurozone, but with instabilities and heterogeneity between the countries. Especially Poland has shown a high degree of convergence in recent years. But there are still relevant differences in Taylor rates of each country to the Eurozone of about two percentage points.
Into the Great Wide Unknown: Untangling the Relationship between Childcare Service Use and In-Work Poverty

In the literature on in-work poverty (IWP), childcare services are often assumed to be an effective policy instrument in reducing the number of working poor. However, such assumption has never been properly put to the test. This chapter provides, for the first time, empirical evidence on the role of childcare services in combating in-work poverty. First, a conceptual overview of the pathways through which childcare service use is expected to reduce in-work poverty. Second, a comprehensive overview of the literature on the employment effects of childcare use is provided. Third, drawing on the 2012 wave of the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC), the link between using formal childcare and IWP is examined at both the micro and the macro level. The results provide evidence for an aggregation paradox: there is no link between the level of formal childcare use and the IWP rate at the country level, while using childcare at the household level is related to a lower risk of being working poor. This can be explained by the fact that families using formal care are also families with higher levels of work intensity. Finally, we argue that the type of care matters much as we find that informal care arrangements are related to higher levels of IWP.
Development of professional competency through professional identity formation in a PBL curriculum

This research paper describes a study of the student professional competency development as experienced by students in an upper-division project-based learning (PBL) curriculum that emphasis the development of the student professional identity. The specific professional competencies of focus for this study, based on the ABET student outcomes in Criteria 3, are: 1) an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams (3.d); 2) an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility (3.f); and 3) an ability to communicate effectively (3.g). The motivation and background for this research is to build on existing efforts and research in bridging the professional competency gap between the ability of current graduates and the current and future needs of the engineering profession. This research work focuses on the experiences of students at a two-year, upper division, PBL engineering program. During the design of the PBL program, an approach for professional identity development was created and implemented. It builds on previous work from what is currently understood about how students develop professional competencies in engineering education and the role that professional identity formation has in developing the professional competencies. The approach and its curricular elements will be presented as part of the research paper. The student development was evaluated through two quantitative instruments developed for this research. One instrument focused on professional competency practice as an individual, and the other focused on professional competency practice in a team setting. Results of this study show an increase in professional competency performance for students completing the PBL program. The non-PBL group showed no overall growth in performance. Neither group showed growth in importance from before to after completing their upper-division experience. The quantitative study results will be presented and discussed as part one of a two part mixed methods study.
Relationships between hyperspectral data and components of vegetation biomass in Low Arctic tundra communities at Ivotuk, Alaska

Warming in the Arctic has resulted in a lengthening of the growing season and changes to the distribution and composition of tundra vegetation including increased biomass quantities in the Low Arctic. Biomass has commonly been estimated using broad-band greenness indices such as NDVI; however, vegetation changes in the Arctic are occurring at spatial scales within a few meters. The aim of this paper is to assess the ability of hyperspectral remote sensing data to estimate biomass quantities among different plant tissue type categories at the North Slope site of Ivotuk, Alaska. Hand-held hyperspectral data and harvested biomass measurements were collected during the 1999 growing season. A subset of the data was used as a training set, and was regressed against the hyperspectral bands using LASSO. LASSO is a modification of SPLS and is a variable selection technique that is useful in studies with high collinearity among predictor variables such as hyperspectral remote sensing. The resulting equations were then used to predict biomass quantities for the remaining Ivotuk data. The majority of significant biomass-spectra relationships (65%) were for shrubs categories during all times of the growing season and bands in the blue, green, and red edge wavelength regions of the spectrum. The ability to identify unique biomass-spectra relationships per community is decreased at the height of the growing season when shrubs obscure lower-lying vegetation such as mosses. The results of this study support previous research arguing that shrubs are dominant controls over spectral reflectance in Low Arctic communities and that this dominance results in an increased ability to estimate shrub component biomass over other plant functional types.
Depolarization and Neurotransmitters Increase Neuronal Protein Tyrosine Phosphorylation

Abstract: In rat hippocampal slices and in neurons in primary culture, K+‐induced depolarization increased markedly and rapidly tyrosine phosphorylation of a 110‐kDa protein (pp110) and, to a lesser degree, of a 120‐kDa protein (pp120), in a calcium‐dependent fashion. Qlutamate, 1‐aminocyclopentane‐trans‐1,3‐dicarboxylic acid (an agonist of metabotropic glutamate receptors), and α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid (an agonist of ionotropic glutamate receptors) stimulated also tyrosine phosphorylation of pp110 and pp120. These effects were not observed in astrocytes in primary culture. In hippocampal slices tyrosine phosphorylation of pp110 and pp120 was stimulated by Ca2+‐ionophores and by phorbol esters and antagonized by a chelator of intracellular Ca2+and by drugs that inhibit protein kinase C. Stimulation of muscarinic and α1,‐adrenergic receptors increased also tyrosine phosphorylation of pp110 and pp120. These results demonstrate that membrane depolarization and stimulation of neurotransmitter receptors activate a tyrosine phosphorylation pathway in neurons. This pathway involves an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentrations and the activation of protein kinase C. It may provide a biochemical basis for some neurotrophic effects of electrical activity and neurotransmitters and may contribute to the role of tyrosine phosphorylation in long‐term potentiation.
A review of the current clinical trials for gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours

Neuroendocrine tumours of the gastroenteropancreatic axis include carcinoid tumours and islet cell tumours of the pancreas (pancreatic endocrine tumours). Standard medical therapies prescribed for these malignancies include long-acting somatostatin analogues (octreotide and lanreotide) for the palliation of hormonal syndromes; cytotoxic agents (streptozocin, dacarbazine, adriamycin and 5-fluorouracil), which are primarily for the management of advanced islet cell tumours; and hepatic artery embolisation or chemoembolisation for the treatment of liver metastases. Clinical research promises to expand this therapeutic armamentarium. Most of the experimental treatments that are being evaluated in human clinical trials fall into the following categories: angiogenesis inhibitors, novel somatostatin analogues, radiolabelled somatostatin analogues, mTOR inhibitors and novel cytotoxic agents. This review summarises the present scope of clinical research in this field.
Control of death receptor and mitochondrial‐dependent apoptosis by c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase in hippocampal CA1 neurones following global transient ischaemia

c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK), a member of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase family, is activated in response to a number of extracellular stimuli, including inflammatory cytokines, UV irradiation and ischaemia. A large body of evidence supports a role for JNK signalling in stress‐induced apoptosis. It has been hypothesized that JNK may contribute to the apoptotic response by regulating the intrinsic cell death pathway involving the mitochondria. Here, we examined the role of the JNK signalling pathway in hippocampal CA1 apoptotic neurones following transient ischaemia in gerbils. We showed early activation of death receptor‐dependent apoptosis (caspase‐8 activation 2 days after ischaemia) and a biphasic activation of caspase‐3 and caspase‐9 after ischaemia. Activation of the mitochondrial pathway, as measured by cytochrome c release, appeared as a late event (5–7 days after ischaemia). AS601245, a novel JNK inhibitor, antagonized activation of both pathways and significantly protected CA1 neurones from cell death. Our results suggest a key role of JNK in the control of death receptor and mitochondrial‐dependent apoptosis after transient ischaemia.
High Efficient Dynamics Calculation Approach for Computed-Force Control of Robots with Parallel Structures

This paper presents a compact and complete approach for realizing high performant control of fully parallel manipulators with a computed-force control scheme (CFC). The proposed method of dynamics computation is based on the principal of virtual power and allows real-time implementation without falling back on inaccurate model simplifications. The efficiency and performance is demonstrated on a 6-dof complex parallel manipulator within commercial control hardware setup. Crucial points for the enhancement of tracking performance are discussed in details.
Assessment of the Early Predictive Power of Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging Parameters During Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Uterine Cervical Cancer

Objectives The purpose of this study was to quantitatively evaluate 3 types of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters in parallel for the early prediction of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) effectiveness in cervical cancer—tumor volume parameters, diffusion parameters, and perfusion parameters. Materials and Methods We prospectively evaluated 13 patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IB to IIB cervical squamous cell carcinoma who underwent 3 serial MRI studies, that is, pretreatment, post–first course NACT, and post–second course NACT followed by radical hysterectomy. We obtained tumor volume parameters, diffusion parameters, and dynamic contrast material–enhanced perfusion parameters quantitatively from pretreatment MRI and post–first course MRI. The correlation of these parameters and the eventual tumor volume regression rate (TVRR) obtained from pretreatment MRI and post–second course MRI before surgery were investigated, statistically based on the Pearson correlation coefficient. Results Thirteen patients had a total of 39 scans. Early TVRR (r = 0.844; P < 0.001), the fractional volume of the tissue extracellular extravascular space (Ve, r = 0.648; P < 0.05), and the change of Ve during the first course of NACT (r = −0.638; P < 0.05) correlated with eventual TVRR. Conclusions Early TVRR, Ve, and the change of Ve could be useful predictors for the treatment effectiveness of NACT. These parameters could help to modify strategy in the early stage of NACT and to choose individualized treatment to avoid the delay of radical treatment, even when NACT is ineffective.
Extracellular calcium modulates generation of reactive oxygen species by the contracting diaphragm.

Recent studies have indicated that free radicals may play an important role in the development of muscle dysfunction in many pathophysiological conditions. Because the degree of muscle dysfunction observed in some of these conditions appears to be both free radical dependent and modulated by extracellular calcium concentrations, we thought that there may be a link between these two phenomena; i.e., the propensity of a muscle to generate free radicals may be dependent on extracellular calcium concentrations. For this reason, we compared formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS; i.e., free radicals) by electrically stimulated rat diaphragms (trains of 20-Hz stimuli for 10 min, train rate 0.25 trains/s) incubated in organ baths filled with physiological solutions containing low (1 mM), normal (2.5 mM), or high (5 mM) calcium levels. Generation of ROS was assessed by measuring the conversion of hydroethidine to ethidium. We found ROS generation with contraction varied with the extracellular calcium level, with low ROS production (3.18 +/- 0.40 ng ethidium/mg tissue) for low-calcium studies and with much higher ROS generation for normal-calcium (18. 90 +/- 2.70 ng/mg) or high-calcium (19.30 +/- 4.50 ng/mg) studies (P < 0.001). Control, noncontracting diaphragms (in 2.5 mM calcium) had little ROS production (3.40 +/- 0.80 ng/mg; P < 0.001). To further investigate this issue, we added nimodipine (20 microM), an L-type calcium channel blocker, to contracting diaphragms (2.5 mM calcium bath) and found that nimodipine also suppressed ROS formation (2.56 +/- 0.85 ng ethidium/mg tissue). These data indicate that ROS generation by the contracting diaphragm is strongly influenced by extracellular calcium concentrations and may be dependent on calcium transport through L-type calcium channels.
Central Obesity and Asthma Outcomes in Adults Diagnosed with Asthma

Objective. The potential role of central obesity in asthma outcomes has been examined in a few studies. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between central obesity and asthma outcomes in a group of Iranian asthma patients. Methods. One hundred and forty-two outpatients with asthma were studied. Central obesity was defined according to National Institute of Health (NIH) and Asian waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) cut-offs. Asthma outcomes including asthma control, pulmonary function, and morbidity were evaluated. The association between central obesity and asthma outcomes was studied by linear and logistic regression analyses. Results. Linear regression analysis showed a significant association of WHR-based central obesity with forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) (β = −9.04; p-value = .044) and forced vital capacity (FVC) (β = −10.52; p-value = .012). Logistic regression analysis showed a significant increased risk of asthma attacks in 3 months with Asian WC-based central obesity [odds ratio (OR) = 6.31, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.16–34.41]; emergency room (ER) visits with NIH WC-based (OR = 5.15, 95% CI: 1.36–19.55) and Asian WC-based (OR = 18.72, 95% CI: 1.92–182.63) central obesity; and hospitalization in 1 year with NIH WC-based (OR = 5.28, 95% CI: 1.28–21.84) and Asian WC-based (OR = 12.39, 95% CI: 1.29–119.53) central obesity. Conclusions. Our study shows that the Asian WC-based central obesity is a better predictor of asthma morbidity. The results of this study emphasize, when studying the relationship between asthma control and obesity, the importance of selecting the proper definitions for asthma control or central obesity and appropriate cutpoints. Further study in this field using other asthma control and quality of life questionnaires is warranted.
Actin accumulation at sites of attachment of indigenous apathogenic segmented filamentous bacteria to mouse ileal epithelial cells

Selective attachment of indigenous, apathogenic, segmented filamentous bacteria to follicle-associated epithelia of terminal ileal Peyer's patches involves both the specialized M cells and normal enterocytes. A striking, highly localized cytoplasmic accumulation of polymerized actin, which resembles that associated with adherence of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli to cultured epithelial cells, occurs at attachment sites of segmented filamentous bacteria. The epithelial response to the attachment of microorganisms may thus involve mechanisms which are the same for diverse microorganisms.
Perinatal outcomes and gestational weight gain in women with eating disorders: a population‐based cohort study

Please cite this paper as: Micali N, De Stavola B, dos‐Santos‐Silva I, Steenweg‐de Graaff J, Jansen P, Jaddoe V, Hofman A, Verhulst F, Steegers E, Tiemeier H. Perinatal outcomes and gestational weight gain in women with eating disorders: a population‐based cohort study. BJOG 2012;119:1493–1502.
Presidential coattails

This article takes a closer look at how presidential elections affect the fragmentation of the legislative party system. It reviews the theory and conventional empirical modelling strategy; identifies some drawbacks to this strategy and suggests solutions; and then conducts an empirical investigation of the implications of this critique by combining replication data from Golder (2006) with new data on the key variables measuring the presidential coattails. Fortuitously, the literature’s findings about the shadow cast by presidential elections, usually known as the presidential coattails, are relatively robust. However, important differences emerge on the margins, such as regarding the effect of midterm elections. Moreover, this article demonstrates that subsequent presidential elections, like concurrent and preceding ones, cast shadows, too. It also demonstrates that the conventional modelling strategy underestimates the presidential coattails.
A JFET-CMOS radiation-tolerant charge-sensitive preamplifier

A monolithic charge-sensitive preamplifier based on n-channel junction field-effect transistors (JFETs) and p-channel MOS has been realized for applications with microelectrode detectors in elementary particle physics. Radiation resistance tests carried out with the preamplifier exposed to gamma -rays emitted by a /sup 60/Co source have shown no significant increase of the equivalent noise source up to 150-krd absorbed dose. >
A New 6-DOF Quadrotor Manipulation System: Design, Kinematics, Dynamics, and Control

The research on aerial manipulation has increased rapidly in recent years. In the previous work, a manipulator or a gripper is attached to the bottom of a quadrotor to facilitate the interaction with the environment. However, the previously introduced systems suffer from either limited end-effector degrees of freedom (DOF) or small payload capacity. In this paper, a quadrotor with a 2-DOF manipulator that has a unique topology to enable the end-effector to track a desired 6-DOF trajectory with minimum possible actuators is investigated. The proposed system is designed and modeled. However, such a system produces complexity in its inverse kinematics and control. A novel solution to the inverse kinematics problem is presented, which requires a solution of complicated algebraic/differential equations. Its accuracy is verified via numerical results. In order to solve the control problem, the system nonholonomic constraints are utilized with a model-free and low computation cost robust control technique. Moreover, the system stability proof under the proposed controller is carried out. A prototype of the proposed system is built and its design is verified via a flight test. In addition, the system feasibility and efficiency are enlightened.
The Zinc-Dependent Protease Activity of the Botulinum Neurotoxins

The botulinum neurotoxins (BoNT, serotypes A-G) are some of the most toxic proteins known and are the causative agents of botulism. Following exposure, the neurotoxin binds and enters peripheral cholinergic nerve endings and specifically and selectively cleaves one or more SNARE proteins to produce flaccid paralysis. This review centers on the kinetics of the Zn-dependent proteolytic activities of these neurotoxins, and briefly describes inhibitors, activators and factors underlying persistence of toxin action. Some of the structural, enzymatic and inhibitor data that are discussed here are available at the botulinum neurotoxin resource, BotDB (http://botdb.abcc.ncifcrf.gov).
Involvement of Enterococcus faecalis Small RNAs in Stress Response and Virulence

ABSTRACT Candidate small RNAs (sRNAs) have recently been identified in Enterococcus faecalis, a Gram-positive opportunistic pathogen, and six of these candidate sRNAs with unknown functions were selected for a functional study. Deletion mutants and complemented strains were constructed, and their virulence was tested. We were unable to obtain the ef0869-0870 mutant, likely due to an essential role, and the ef0820-0821 sRNA seemed not to be involved in virulence. In contrast, the mutant lacking ef0408-0409 sRNA, homologous to the RNAII component of the toxin-antitoxin system, appeared more virulent and more able to colonize mouse organs. The three other mutants showed reduced virulence. In addition, we checked the responses of these mutant strains to several stresses encountered in the gastrointestinal tract or during the infection process. In parallel, the activities of the sRNA promoters were measured using transcriptional fusion constructions. To attempt to identify the regulons of these candidate sRNAs, proteomics profiles of the mutant strains were compared with that of the wild type. This showed that the selected sRNAs controlled the expression of proteins involved in diverse cellular processes and the stress response. The combined data highlight the roles of certain candidate sRNAs in the adaptation of E. faecalis to environmental changes and in the complex transition process from a commensal to a pathogen.
Pentaaqua(5-carboxypyridine-2-carboxylato-κ2 N,O 2)(pyridine-2,5-dicarboxylato-κ2 N,O 2)cerium(III) tetrahydrate

In the title compound, [Ce(C7H3NO4)(C7H4NO4)(H2O)5]·4H2O, the Ce3+ ion is nine-coordinated by two O atoms and two N atoms from one single and from one double deprotonated pyridine-2,5-dicarboxylate ligand and five water molecules in a distorted monocapped square-antiprismatic geometry. In the crystal, extensive O—H⋯O hydrogen-bonding interactions result in a three-dimensional supramolecular architecture.