Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rapid Determination of Organic Contaminations on Wafer Surfaces

Irrespective of the semiconductor type and technology, organic contaminations on wafer surfaces have a detrimental impact on subsequent manufacturing steps and/or the device function. Therefore, it is of great interest to have a quick and reliable tool to detect those contaminations with sufficient sensitivity. In this study we investigated and optimized two methods which have the potential for in-line analytics since they are fast and simple: contact angle measurement and total organic carbon (TOC) determination. We present data on silicon wafer surfaces; however, the techniques may be suitable for all other wafer surfaces, too.
Deep venous thrombosis after general surgical operations at a university hospital: two-year data from the ACS NSQIP.

OBJECTIVE To characterize the location, incidence, and timing of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) after general surgical procedures. DESIGN Retrospective data review. SETTING University hospital. PATIENTS Of 2189 patients who underwent general surgical operation, 35 (1.6%) developed DVT afterward. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Main outcome measures included patient characteristics, location of DVT (lower vs upper), time of DVT diagnosis from the index operation (days), time of diagnosis according to discharge (inpatient vs outpatient), any associated pulmonary embolism, and mortality. RESULTS There were 22 men and 13 women with a mean age of 58 years. The index general surgical operations included pancreatic surgery (n = 10), esophagogastric surgery (n = 8), intestinal/colorectal surgery (n = 13), and other (n = 5). Diagnosis of DVT was based on symptoms in 94.3% of cases and based on routine duplex screening in 5.7% of cases. Upper extremity DVTs occurred in 40%; lower extremity DVTs occurred in 45.7%; and combined upper and lower extremity DVTs occurred in 14.3% of patients. The mean time between diagnosis of DVT and the index operation was 8.6 days with 29 of 35 patients (83%) with DVT diagnosed as an inpatient and 17% diagnosed in the outpatient setting. Catheter-associated DVT occurred in 21 of 35 patients (60%); 19 patients had an upper extremity catheter and 2 patients had a femoral catheter. Twenty-two of 35 patients (62.9%) with postoperative DVT had other concomitant complications such as ventilator dependency, sepsis, renal failure, surgical site infection, and pneumonia. Deep venous thrombosis with concomitant pulmonary embolism occurred in 4 of 35 patients (11.4%), with 1 of these 4 patients having only upper extremity DVT. The 30-day mortality in this study cohort was 14.2%. CONCLUSIONS In the presence of prophylaxis, the incidence of DVT after general surgical operation is low, with more than 80% of cases diagnosed in the inpatient setting. Since more than half of the DVTs are catheter induced, efforts for DVT prevention should include more attention to the need for a central catheter, limiting the amount of time of a central catheter, and possibly the use of anticoagulation in the presence of a central catheter.
OSMOTIC QUANTITIES OF PLANT CELLS IN GIVEN PHASES.

Some authors use seven or eight terms, others content themselves with two or even a single one. The points of view are much divided. In order to reach an objective judgment, let us consider a cell from the pith of Impatiens noli-tangere, a cell which has been accurately measured by Ursprung and Blum (48), Molz (28), Ursprung and Beck (44), and Ursprung (46). Cf. also Beck (1). Let V represent the volume of the given cell, and the indices n, g, and s, represent the normal phase, incipient plasmolytic phase (grenzplasmolytischen), and saturation phase respectively. We distinguish (fig. 1, schematic sketch of cell) the normal volume (Vn = 14,122 units) of the unchanged cell, the volume at incipient plasmolysis (Vg= 13,209 units), and the volume at complete saturation (Vs = 14,779 units). Vn had at the time of observation the value just given, which, however, changed as the water balance within the cell changed. If we desire to measure the osmotic potential of the cell sap of the individual cell, we must begin with the phase of incipient plasmolysis. By means of the plasmolytic method we find first that the incipient plasmolysis value (i.e., the osmotic value at incipient plasmolysis) is Og = 0.38 mol cane sugar. This concentration of the cane sugar solution will cause the protoplasm of our cell to recede from the cell wall ever so little. In the absence of complicating factors, so that the volume changes of the cell have no other effects than corresponding changes in the concentration of the cell sap, one can calculate the osmotic value of the normal sap, On, from y Og = 0.38 by the equation: On = Og^= 0.355 mol cane sugar. If we place the cell sap or an isosmotic cane sugar solution in an osmometer with a semipermeable membrane, the cell sap at incipient plasmolysis would develop an osmotic pressure (physicist's terminology) or a suction force (suction tension, suction2) (our terminology3) of 10.5 atm. In the condition of equilibrium the protoplasm must have the same suction force. Hence we may write : The suction force (suction tension, suction) of the contents of the cell in the phase of incipient plasmolysis is Sig = 10.5 atm. Similarly the suction force (suction tension, suction) of the contents of
Integrin Activation Promotes Axon Growth on Inhibitory Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans by Enhancing Integrin Signaling

Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) are upregulated after CNS lesions, where they inhibit axon regeneration. In order for axon growth and regeneration to occur, surface integrin receptors must interact with surrounding extracellular matrix molecules. We have explored the hypothesis that CSPGs inhibit regeneration by inactivating integrins and that forcing integrins into an active state might overcome this inhibition. Using cultured rat sensory neurons, we show that the CSPG aggrecan inhibits laminin-mediated axon growth by impairing integrin signaling via decreasing phosphorylated FAK (pFAK) and pSrc levels, without affecting surface integrin levels. Forcing integrin activation and signaling by manganese or an activating antibody TS2/16 reversed the inhibitory effect of aggrecan on mixed aggrecan/laminin surfaces, and enhanced axon growth from cultured rat sensory neurons (manganese) and human embryonic stem cell-derived motoneurons (TS2/16). The inhibitory effect of Nogo-A can also be reversed by integrin activation. These results suggest that inhibition by CSPGs can act via inactivation of integrins, and that activation of integrins is a potential method for improving axon regeneration after injury.
Characteristics of subwavelength photolithography based on surface plasmon polaritons

In this work, the characteristics of the subwavelength patterning through periodic metal gratings are discussed. By incorporating different structures of metal gratings, the quality improvements in subwavelength pattern generation are observed in terms of pattern resolution, uniformity and visibility. By using Ag and Al metals, a deep subwavelength (~λ/12 and ~λ/9) pattern with sufficient visibility, and high uniformity can be achieved. The physical mechanism of the quality improvements based on surface-plasmon polaritons (SPPs) theory is discussed. Finite-difference time-domain analysis method is used in the simulation.
Unsupervised Learning of Morphology for English and Inuktitut

We describe a simple unsupervised technique for learning morphology by identifying hubs in an automaton. For our purposes, a hub is a node in a graph with in-degree greater than one and out-degree greater than one. We create a word-trie, transform it into a minimal DFA, then identify hubs. Those hubs mark the boundary between root and suffix, achieving similar performance to more complex mixtures of techniques.
Validation of the Ethnopharmacological Use of Polygonum Persicaria for its Antifungal Properties

Polygonum L. genus (Polygonaceae) is represented in Argentina by 21 species and some of them have been used in the traditional medicine of our country to treat affections related with fungal infections, such as skin ailments and vaginal diseases. With the aim of contributing to the correct ethnopharmacological use of this genus, in the present work we describe the antifungal properties of P. persicaria (species not studied up to now) and the bio-guided isolation of the main active compounds. Results showed that dichloromethane extracts was the most active with MICs (Minimun Inhibitory Concentrations) between 31.2 – 1000 μg/mL, validating the ethnopharmacological use of P. persicaria to treat affections related with fungal infections in the Argentinean traditional medicine.
β- but not γ-secretase proteolysis of APP causes synaptic and memory deficits in a mouse model of dementia

A mutation in the BRI2/ITM2b gene causes loss of BRI2 protein leading to familial Danish dementia (FDD). BRI2 deficiency of FDD provokes an increase in amyloid‐β precursor protein (APP) processing since BRI2 is an inhibitor of APP proteolysis, and APP mediates the synaptic/memory deficits in FDD. APP processing is linked to Alzheimer disease (AD) pathogenesis, which is consistent with a common mechanism involving toxic APP metabolites in both dementias. We show that inhibition of APP cleavage by β‐secretase rescues synaptic/memory deficits in a mouse model of FDD. β‐cleavage of APP yields amino‐terminal‐soluble APPβ (sAPPβ) and β‐carboxyl‐terminal fragments (β‐CTF). Processing of β‐CTF by γ‐secretase releases amyloid‐β (Aβ), which is assumed to cause AD. However, inhibition of γ‐secretase did not ameliorate synaptic/memory deficits of FDD mice. These results suggest that sAPPβ and/or β‐CTF, rather than Aβ, are the toxic species causing dementia, and indicate that reducing β‐cleavage of APP is an appropriate therapeutic approach to treating human dementias. Our data and the failures of anti‐Aβ therapies in humans advise against targeting γ‐secretase cleavage of APP and/or Aβ.
Recapitulation of the Effects of the Human Papillomavirus Type 16 E7 Oncogene on Mouse Epithelium by Somatic Rb Deletion and Detection of pRb-Independent Effects of E7 In Vivo

ABSTRACT Although the human papillomavirus (HPV) E7 oncogene is known to contribute to the development of human cervical cancer, the mechanisms of its carcinogenesis are poorly understood. The first identified and most recognized function of E7 is its binding to and inactivation of the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor (pRb), but at least 18 other biological activities have also been reported for E7. Thus, it remains unclear which of these many activities contribute to the oncogenic potential of E7. We used a Cre-lox system to abolish pRb expression in the epidermis of transgenic mice and compared the outcome with the effects of E7 expression in the same tissue at early ages. Mice lacking pRb in epidermis showed epithelial hyperplasia, aberrant DNA synthesis, and improper differentiation. In addition, Rb-deleted epidermis (i.e., epidermis composed of cells with Rb deleted) exhibited centrosomal abnormalities and failed to arrest the cell cycle in response to ionizing radiation. Transgenic mice expressing E7 in skin display the same range of phenotypes. In sum, few differences were detected between Rb-deleted epidermis and E7-expressing epidermis in young mice. However, when both E7 was expressed and Rb was deleted in the same tissue, increased hyperplasia and dysplasia were observed. These findings indicate that inactivation of the Rb pathway can largely account for E7's phenotypes at an early age, but that pRb-independent activities of E7 are detectable in vivo.
An experimental study on the early stages of gas‐phase olefin polymerizations using supported Ziegler–Natta and metallocene catalysts

The initial stages of gas-phase polymerizations of propylene and ethylene are analyzed using a fixed bed stopped flow reactor. The very early development of particle morphology and polymer properties is analyzed for three different commercial catalyst systems: MgCl2- and SiO2-supported Ziegler–Natta and SiO2-supported metallocene. It is shown that, depending on the operating conditions, distinct nonuniform catalyst fragmentation patterns can develop, confirming different scenarios described by published fragmentation models. In addition, it is shown that the molecular weight distributions and polymer yields obtained during the very early stages of the polymerization suggest the existence of significant temperature gradients inside the growing polymer particles. Finally, it is shown that the ratio of catalyst to glass beads in the bed can have a pronounced effect on the evolution of the polymerization reaction. This can be interpreted in terms of the significant temperature difference between the polymer particles and the gaseous monomer stream. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers
Guiding of electromagnetic energy in subwavelength periodic metal structures

The ultimate miniaturization of optical devices requires structures that guide electromagnetic energy with a lateral confinement below the diffraction limit of light. In this thesis, the possibility of employing plasmon-polariton excitations in plasmon waveguides consisting of closely spaced metal nanoclusters for this purpose is examined. The feasibility of energy transport with mode sizes below the diffraction limit of visible light over distances of several hundred nanometers is demonstrated. As a macroscopic analogue to plasmon waveguides, the transport of electromagnetic energy in the microwave regime along closely spaced centimeter-scale metal rods is examined. Full-field electrodynamic simulations show that information transport occurs at a group velocity of 0.65c for fabricated structures consisting of copper rods excited at 8 GHz. A variety of passive routing structures and an all-optical modulator are demonstrated. The possibility of guiding electromagnetic energy at visible frequencies with mode sizes below the diffraction limit using plasmon waveguides is analyzed using a point-dipole model and finite-difference time-domain simulations. It is shown that energy transport occurs via near-field coupling between metal nanoparticles, which leads to coherent propagation of energy. For spherical gold particles in air, group velocities up to 0.06c are demonstrated, and a change in particle shape to spheroidal particles shows up to a threefold increase in group velocity. Pulses with transverse polarization are shown to propagate with negative phase velocities antiparallel to the energy flow. Plasmon waveguides consisting of gold and silver nanoparticles were fabricated using electron beam lithography. The key parameters that govern the energy transport are determined for various interparticle spacings and particle chain lengths using far-field measurements of the collective plasmon modes. Spherical gold nanoparticles with a diameter of 50 nm and an interparticle spacing of 75 nm show an energy attenuation of 6 dB/30 nm. This loss can be reduced by one order of magnitude by a geometry change to spheroidal particles. Using the tip of a near-field optical microscope as a local excitation source and fluorescent nanospheres as detectors, experimental evidence for energy transport over a distance of 0.5 micron is presented for plasmon waveguides consisting of silver rods with a 3:1 aspect ratio.
Comprehensive shellcode detection using runtime heuristics

A promising method for the detection of previously unknown code injection attacks is the identification of the shellcode that is part of the attack vector using payload execution. Existing systems based on this approach rely on the self-decrypting behavior of polymorphic code and can identify only that particular class of shellcode. Plain, and more importantly, metamorphic shellcode do not carry a decryption routine nor exhibit any self-modifications and thus both evade existing detection systems. In this paper, we present a comprehensive shellcode detection technique that uses a set of runtime heuristics to identify the presence of shellcode in arbitrary data streams. We have identified fundamental machine-level operations that are inescapably performed by different shellcode types, based on which we have designed heuristics that enable the detection of plain and metamorphic shellcode regardless of the use of self-decryption. We have implemented our technique in Gene, a code injection attack detection system based on passive network monitoring. Our experimental evaluation and real-world deployment show that Gene can effectively detect a large and diverse set of shellcode samples that are currently missed by existing detectors, while so far it has not generated any false positives.
Accuracy Improvement of Extended Boundary-Node Method

The extended boundary-node method (X-BNM) has been modified for improving the accuracy degradation due to the boundary shape and its performance has been numerically investigated by comparing with the standard one. For the case where the boundary shape is strongly concave, the results of computations show that the accuracy of the modified X-BNM is always higher than that of the standard one. In addition, the speed of the modified X-BNM is almost equal to that of the standard one. Therefore, it is found that the performance of the modified X-BNM is much superior to that of the standard one.
MutRex: A Mutation-Based Generator of Fault Detecting Strings for Regular Expressions

Regular expressions (regexes) permit to describe set of strings using a pattern-based syntax. Writing a correct regex that exactly captures the desired set of strings is difficult, also because a regex is seldom syntactically incorrect, and so it is rare to detect faults at parse time. We propose a fault-based approach for generating tests for regexes. We identify fault classes representing possible mistakes a user can make when writing a regex, and we introduce the notion of distinguishing string, i.e., a string that is able to witness a fault. Then, we provide a tool, based on the automata representation of regexes, for generating distinguishing strings exposing the faults introduced in mutated versions of a regex under test. The basic generation process is improved by two techniques, namely monitoring and collecting. Experiments show that the approach produces compact test suites having a guaranteed fault detection capability, differently from other test generation approaches.
The Emergence of Partnership Networks in the Enterprise Application Development Industry - An SME Perspective

The IS development industry is currently undergoing profound changes. The well established, large system developers (hubs) take the lead in establishing partner networks with much smaller, often young companies (spokes). This paper takes the perspective of these spokes and seeks to understand their motivations for entering into such partner networks. Drawing on research of strategic alliances and product complementarities, a theoretical framework on the determinants of partnering is developed. It is argued that partnering is especially attractive for smaller organizations when it allows to access capabilities that would otherwise be difficult to obtain. Three broad categories of dynamic capabilities of hub organizations are assumed to act in this role: the capability to innovate architectures, the capability to provide an integrated enterprise application system, and the capability to address broad markets. These are further analyzed in eight case studies. Each case represents a small and medium sized enterprise (SME) that is participating in the partner network of a leading provider of ERP software. The study reveals that while access to market capabilities is a key motivator for all spokes, the other two capabilities do not play an identical role in all cases. Rather, their impact on partnering motivation is contingent upon the type of solution offered by the partner in relation to the large system developer.
Topic-based personalized recommendation for collaborative tagging system

Collaborative tagging has become a very popular way to share, annotate, and discover online resources in Web 2.0. Yet as the number of resources in Collaborative tagging system grows over time, sifting through the large amounts of resources and finding the right resources to recommend to the right user is becoming a challenging problem. In this paper, we investigate a probabilistic generative model for collaborative tagging, explore the implicit semantic connections in the sparse and noisy information space of heterogeneous users and unsupervised tagging. First, a modified Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) model is used to cluster the tags and users simultaneously. The generalization of resource description and user could alleviate the tag noise and data sparseness of recommendation effectively. And then, considering that topic-based recommendation only takes the users' global interest into consideration without the capability of distinguishing users' interest in detail, we combine the global interests with the individual interest and community interest. Experimental results demonstrate the topic-based personalized recommendation method, which integrate both the commonality factor among users and the specialties of individuals, could alleviate data sparsity and provide a more flexible and effective recommendation than previous methods.
A GRelC based Data Grid Management Environment

Data grid management systems are becoming increasingly important in the context of the recently adopted service oriented science paradigm. The Grid Relational Catalog (GRelC) project is working towards ubiquitous, integrated, seamless and comprehensive data grid management solutions to fully address application specific requirements. This paper describes a GRelC based environment for bioinformatics and its underlying data grid services allowing scientific users (by means of a customized grid portal) to manage data, handle, share and publish metadata, perform search and discovery activities, etc.
Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Normal Hong Kong Chinese Children Measured With Optical Coherence Tomography

PurposeTo obtain the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness normative values of Hong Kong children by using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and to investigate the effect of age and axial length (AL) on RNFL thickness. Patients and MethodsOne hundred and four normal children aged between 6 and 17 years were recruited for this study. The RNFL thickness was measured by OCT (Stratus OCT). AL was measured by the IOLMaster. ResultsThe median age of our subjects was 9.75 years (range: 6.08 to 17.58 years). The mean full circle peripapillary RNFL (RNFL-FC) was 113.5 μm (SD 9.8) and 113.1 μm (SD 10.8) in the right and left eyes, respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis showed a significant negative correlation between AL and RNFL-FC in both the right (r=−0.23, P<0.05) and left eyes (r=−0.25, P<0.05). The effect was the strongest in the superior quadrant. Every 1 mm increase in AL would result in a decrease in RNFL-FC by 2.7 to 2.9 μm. Age did not show significant effect on RNFL-FC. ConclusionsThis study provides normative RNFL values for Hong Kong Chinese children. It can be used as a reference for the screening of glaucoma in children. AL demonstrates a significant negative correlation with RNFL thickness.