Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lifetime evaluation of solder layer in an IGBT module under different temperature levels

Solder layers are highly important parts of the IGBT module which establish the internal electrical connections, mechanical support and cooling channel of module. The function of the IGBT module is deeply dependent on the reliability of solder layers. A Finite Element (FE) model based on actual Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) module is established to analyze how temperature levels of power cycling load influence the fatigue life of solder layer. 42 power cycling loads were designed with different temperature profiles, simulation results found that with the increase of junction temperature variation, the life parameter which has a negative correlation with solder life grows at an exponential rate. As the same time, with the increase of minimum junction temperature, the life parameter will have a near linear growth. Accordingly, life of solder layer get shorter when junction temperature variation and minimum junction temperature become higher. Finally, a life evaluation function of the solder layer has been established which made temperature profiles as the input variables and life parameter as the output variable.
Improved Dynamic Time Slice Round Robin Scheduling Algorithm with Unknown Burst Time

Round-Robin (RR) is one of the algorithms mostly used in time sharing system and in network scheduling. Time slices are assigned to each process in equal portions and in circular order handling all processes without priority. Round Robin algorithm requires some parameter such as arrival time, burst time and quantum time which enables the scheduler to predict the behavior of possible processes. Prior to the execution of a process, the burst time is not known. This paper proposed a more improvement in the Round Robin CPU scheduling algorithm by improving the algorithm of Anju et. al. where burst time is determined using an initial time quantum. However, the improved algorithm determines burst time using instruction count in each of the process and by experimental analysis. This proposed algorithm performs better than Dynamic Time Slice Round Robin Scheduling Algorithm with Unknown Burst Time in terms of minimizing average waiting time, average turnaround time and number of context switches.
Population structure of a large blue butterfly and its specialist parasitoid in a fragmented landscape

Habitat fragmentation may interrupt trophic interactions if herbivores and their specific parasitoids respond differently to decreasing connectivity of populations. Theoretical models predict that species at higher trophic levels are more negatively affected by isolation than lower trophic level species. By combining ecological data with genetic information from microsatellite markers we tested this hypothesis on the butterfly Maculinea nausithous and its specialist hymenopteran parasitoid Neotypus melanocephalus. We assessed the susceptibility of both species to habitat fragmentation by measuring population density, rate of parasitism, overall genetic differentiation (θST) and allelic richness in a large metapopulation. We also simulated the dynamics of genetic differentiation among local populations to asses the relative effects of migration rate, population size, and haplodiploid (parasitoid) and diploid (host) inheritance on metapopulation persistence. We show that parasitism by N. melanocephalus is less frequent at larger distances to the nearest neighbouring population of M. nausithous hosts, but that host density itself is not affected by isolation. Allelic richness was independent of isolation, but the mean genetic differentiation among local parasitoid populations increased with the distance between these populations. Overall, genetic differentiation in the parasitoid wasp was much greater than in the butterfly host and our simulations indicate that this difference is due to a combination of haplodiploidy and small local population sizes. Our results thus support the hypothesis that Neotypus parasitoid wasps are more sensitive to habitat fragmentation than their Maculinea butterfly hosts.
Enzyme -Converting a Cells Is Mediated by TNF-CD30 Shedding from Karpas 299 Lymphoma

CD30 is a costimulatory receptor on activated lymphocytes and a number of human lymphoma cells. Speciﬁc ligation of mem-brane-bound CD30 or cellular stimulation by PMA results in a metalloproteinase-mediated down-regulation of CD30 and release of its soluble ectodomain (sCD30). In this report, it is demonstrated that PMA-induced CD30 cleavage from Karpas 299 cells was mediated by a membrane-anchored metalloproteinase which was active on intact cells following 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimeth-ylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate extraction of membrane preparations. Moreover, CD30 shedding was blocked by the synthetic hydroxamic acid-based metalloproteinase inhibitor BB-2116 (IC 50 , 230 nM) and the natural tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-3 (IC 50 , 30 nM), but not by the matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors TIMP-1 and TIMP-2. This inhibition proﬁle is similar to that of the TNF- a - converting enzyme (TACE) and, indeed, mRNA transcripts of the membrane-bound metalloproteinase-disintegrin TACE could be detected in Karpas 299 cells. The ectodomain of TACE was expressed in bacteria as a GST fusion protein (GST-TACE) which cleaved CD30 from the surface of Karpas 299 cells and concomitantly increased the level of sCD30 in the cell supernatants. Hence, TACE does not only control the release of TNF- a , but also that of sCD30. The Journal of Immunology, 2000, 165: 6703–6709.
Stretch induces cytokine release by alveolar epithelial cells in vitro

Vlahakis, Nicholas E. , Mark A. Schroeder, Andrew H. Limper, and Rolf D. Hubmayr. Stretch induces cytokine release by alveolar epithelial cells in vitro. Am. J. Physiol. 277 (Lung Cell. Mol. Physiol. 21): L167–L173, 1999. —Mechanical ventilation can injure the lung, causing edema and alveolar inflammation. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) plays an important role in this inflammatory response. We postulated that cyclic cell stretch upregulates the production and release of IL-8 by human alveolar epithelium in the absence of structural cell damage or paracrine stimulation. To test this hypothesis, alveolar epithelial cells (A549 cells) were cultured on a deformable silicoelastic membrane. When stretched by 30% for up to 48 h, the cells released 49 6 34% more IL-8 (P , 0.001) than static controls. Smaller deformations (20% stretch) produced no consistent increase in IL-8. Stretch of 4 h duration increased IL-8 gene transcription fourfold above baseline. Stretch had no effect on cell proliferation, cell viability as assessed by 51Cr release assay, or the release of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and tumor necrosis factor-a. We conclude that deformation per se can trigger inflammatory signaling and that alveolar epithelial cells may be active participants in the alveolitis associated with ventilator-induced lung injury.
Interaction between ABCB1 and professional exposure to organochlorine insecticides in Parkinson disease.

OBJECTIVE To study the association between Parkinson disease (PD) and 2 polymorphisms in ABCB1 among subjects enrolled in the French health system for agricultural workers (Mutualité Sociale Agricole), as well as the interaction between ABCB1 and organochlorine insecticides. DESIGN Case-control study. SETTING Mutualité Sociale Agricole. PARTICIPANTS Patients with PD were examined by a neurologist and were matched to a maximum of 3 controls. Participants were classified as never users, users for gardening, and professional users of pesticides. Detailed information on pesticides lifelong use was obtained for professional users by occupational health physicians. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES DNA was obtained and 2 ABCB1 polymorphisms (exon 21: G2677[A,T]; exon 26: C3435T) associated with altered P-glycoprotein function were genotyped. RESULTS Among 207 cases and 482 matched controls, ABCB1 polymorphisms were not associated with PD (C3435T, P = .43; G2677[A,T], P = .97). Among 101 male cases and 234 matched controls, the odds ratio for organochlorines was 3.5 (95% confidence interval, 0.9-14.5) times higher among homozygous carriers of variant G2677(A,T) alleles than noncarriers. Among cases only, we found an association between carrying 2 variant G2677(A,T) alleles and organochlorines (odds ratio, 5.4, 95% confidence interval, 1.1-27.5) as well as with the number of cumulative lifetime number of hours of exposure (P = .005; analyses restricted to subjects exposed to organochlorines, P = .03). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that the ABCB1 gene and exposure to organochlorine insecticides interact to increase PD risk: in subjects professionally exposed to organochlorines, polymorphisms associated with a decreased ability of ABCB1 to clear xenobiotics from the brain increased the risk of PD. These findings support the hypothesis of gene x pesticides interactions in PD.
Real‐time PCR (qPCR) primer design using free online software

Real‐time PCR (quantitative PCR or qPCR) has become the preferred method for validating results obtained from assays which measure gene expression profiles. The process uses reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), coupled with fluorescent chemistry, to measure variations in transcriptome levels between samples. The four most commonly used fluorescent chemistries are SYBR® Green dyes and TaqMan®, Molecular Beacon or Scorpion probes. SYBR® Green is very simple to use and cost efficient. As SYBR® Green dye binds to any double‐stranded DNA product, its success depends greatly on proper primer design. Many types of online primer design software are available, which can be used free of charge to design desirable SYBR® Green‐based qPCR primers. This laboratory exercise is intended for those who have a fundamental background in PCR. It addresses the basic fluorescent chemistries of real‐time PCR, the basic rules and pitfalls of primer design, and provides a step‐by‐step protocol for designing SYBR® Green‐based primers with free, online software. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education Vol. 39, No. 2, pp. 145–154, 2011
Heritability of factors of the insulin resistance syndrome in women twins

The insulin resistance syndrome (IRS) is characterized by a combination of interrelated coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors, including low high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) levels, obesity and increases in triglyceride (TG), blood pressure, small low‐density lipoprotein particles (LDL), and both fasting and postload plasma insulin and glucose. Using factor analysis, we previously identified 3 uncorrelated factors that explained 66% of the variance among these variables, based on data from women participating in examination 2 of the Kaiser Permanente Women Twins Study in Oakland. CA during 1989–1990. The factors were interpreted as: 1) body mass/fat distribution, 2) insulin/glucose, and 3) lipids: TG, HDL‐C, LDL peak particle diameter. In this analysis, heritability of each of the factors was estimated based on data from 140 monozygotic and 96 dizygotic pairs of non‐diabetic women twins. Heritability estimates were calculated using the classical approach, the analysis of variance (ANOVA) approach, and the maximum likelihood approach. For the body mass/fat distribution factor heritability estimates suggest moderate genetic influences: 0.61 (P < 0.001), 0.14 (P > 0.05), and 0.71 (P < 0.001), respectively. The insulin/glucose factor appeared to be highly heritable, with estimates of 0.87,0.92, and 0.57 (all P < 0.001), respectively. The heritability estimates for the lipid factor were moderate and consistent across methods: 0.25 (P < 0.10), 0.32 (P < 0.05), and 0.30 (P < 0.05), respectively. These results are consistent with genetic influences on each of the 3 “factors,” and suggest that both genetic and environmental effects are involved in the clustering of IRS risk factors. Genet. Epidemiol. 14:241–253,1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Effectiveness of Traditional and Sling Exercise Strength Training in Women

Dannelly, BD, Otey, SC, Croy, T, Harrison, B, Rynders, CA, Hertel, JN and Weltman, A. The effectiveness of traditional and sling exercise strength training in women. J Strength Cond Res 25(2): 464-471, 2011-Strength training often combines closed-kinetic-chain exercises (CKCEs) and open kinetic-chain exercises (OKCEs). The CKCE may be more effective for improving performance in lower-body training. Recently, we reported upper-body CKCE (using a commercially available system of ropes and slings, Redcord AS, Staubo, Norway) was as effective as OKCE training for strength gains and that CKCE was more effective than OKCE for improving throwing performance. To our knowledge the effectiveness of a strength training program that uses exclusively CKCE is unknown. In this study, we examined the effectiveness of CKCE vs. OKCE strength training programs in women enrolled in an introductory strength training program. Twenty-six participants were randomized to OKCE (traditional exercises) or CKCE (sling-based exercises). Participants completed 6 sets per week for 13 weeks. Pre and posttraining evaluations included the following: 1 repetition maximum (1RM) leg and bench press; sling exercise push-ups; isokinetic dynamometry; lateral step-down test; and the Star Excursion Balance Test. Both groups significantly improved bench press (by an average of 4-6 kg) and leg press (by an average of 23-35 kg) (p < 0.001). There was a significant group × time interaction (p < 0.001) for sling exercise push-ups (OKCE pre = 5.5 ± 8.6, OKCE post = 6.1 ± 8.2, CKCE pre = 6.8 ± 6.0, CKCE post = 16.9 ± 6.6). Isokinetic measures of knee extension, knee flexion, shoulder internal rotation, and shoulder external rotation increased (improvements ranged from 2.7 to 27.7%), with no group differences. Both OKCE and CKCE strength training elicited similar changes in balance. We conclude that CKCE training is equally as effective as OKCE training during the initial phases of a strength training program in women. The fact that only CKCE improved sling exercise push-ups supports previous findings suggesting functional superiority of CKCE.
Sildenafil for primary and secondary pulmonary hypertension

Sildenafil is a selective inhibitor of cyclic guanosine monophosphate‐specific phosphodiesterase type 5, an enzyme that is abundant in both lung and penile tissues. Sildenafil is widely used to dilatepenile arteries, suggesting that it may also dilate pulmonary arteries in patients with pulmonary hypertension. However, the long‐term hemodynamic effects and safety of the drug in pulmonary hypertension are not known.
Physically-based real-time animation of draped cloth

We propose a new physically-based model for real-time animation of draped cloth which not only speeds up the rendering greatly, but also maintains visually appealing results. Our simplified model is represented as a grid object composed of mass points connected by semi-rigid rods, whose behavior is governed by non-rigid dynamics. The longitudinal (vertical) and latitudinal (horizontal) directions of our model are decoupled and processed separately, and later combined to generate the final cloth. Moreover, we provide a uniform treatment of internal and external forces.
Incidence of surgical site infections in children: active surveillance in an Italian academic children's hospital.

BACKGROUND Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) account for 16-34% of all health-care associated infections. This study aimed to assess the incidence rate of SSIs in children who underwent surgical procedures in an academic children's hospital in Italy. STUDY DESIGN Prospective cohort study. METHODS We actively followed-up 0-17 year old children at 30 days of surgical procedures without implants conducted during one index week per quarter, from the second quarter of 2014, to the first quarter of 2016 (8 index weeks in total). Follow up data were collected by telephone interview, or derived by clinical records if patients were still hospitalized. SSIs were defined according to case definitions of Centers for Diseases Control, Atlanta, USA. We calculated cumulative incidence of SSIs per 100 surgical procedures, by patient characteristics, procedure characteristics, and quarter. To investigate variables associated with SSIs, we compared characteristics of procedures with SSIs with those of procedures without SSIs. RESULTS Over the study period, SSI incidence was 1.0% (19 cases/1,830 surgical procedures). SSI incidence was significantly lower after ear, nose and throat procedures compared to all other procedures, and significantly decreased over time. Duration of surgery was a risk factor for SSIs; patients with SSIs had a significantly longer total length of stay (LOS), due to a prolonged post-operative LOS. CONCLUSION As reported in adults, this study confirms that SSIs are associated with longer hospitalizations in children. Active surveillance of SSIs is an important component of the overall strategy to reduce the incidence of these infections in children.
Origin and Evolution of the Sponge Aggregation Factor Gene Family

Although discriminating self from nonself is a cardinal animal trait, metazoan allorecognition genes do not appear to be homologous. Here, we characterize the Aggregation Factor (AF) gene family, which encodes putative allorecognition factors in the demosponge Amphimedon queenslandica, and trace its evolution across 24 sponge (Porifera) species. The AF locus in Amphimedon is comprised of a cluster of five similar genes that encode Calx-beta and Von Willebrand domains and a newly defined Wreath domain, and are highly polymorphic. Further AF variance appears to be generated through individualistic patterns of RNA editing. The AF gene family varies between poriferans, with protein sequences and domains diagnostic of the AF family being present in Amphimedon and other demosponges, but absent from other sponge classes. Within the demosponges, AFs vary widely with no two species having the same AF repertoire or domain organization. The evolution of AFs suggests that their diversification occurs via high allelism, and the continual and rapid gain, loss and shuffling of domains over evolutionary time. Given the marked differences in metazoan allorecognition genes, we propose the rapid evolution of AFs in sponges provides a model for understanding the extensive diversification of self–nonself recognition systems in the animal kingdom.
Angiotensin II Inhibits bTREK-1 K+ Channels in Adrenocortical Cells by Separate Ca2+- and ATP Hydrolysis-dependent Mechanisms*

Bovine adrenocortical cells express bTREK-1 K+ channels that set the resting membrane potential (Vm) and couple angiotensin II (AngII) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) receptors to membrane depolarization and corticosteroid secretion. In this study, it was discovered that AngII inhibits bTREK-1 by separate Ca2+- and ATP hydrolysis-dependent signaling pathways. When whole cell patch clamp recordings were made with pipette solutions that support activation of both Ca2+- and ATP-dependent pathways, AngII was significantly more potent and effective at inhibiting bTREK-1 and depolarizing adrenal zona fasciculata cells, than when either pathway is activated separately. External ATP also inhibited bTREK-1 through these two pathways, but ACTH displayed no Ca2+-dependent inhibition. AngII-mediated inhibition of bTREK-1 through the novel Ca2+-dependent pathway was blocked by the AT1 receptor antagonist losartan, or by including guanosine-5′-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) in the pipette solution. The Ca2+-dependent inhibition of bTREK-1 by AngII was blunted in the absence of external Ca2+ or by including the phospholipase C antagonist U73122, the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor antagonist 2-amino-ethoxydiphenyl borate, or a calmodulin inhibitory peptide in the pipette solution. The activity of unitary bTREK-1 channels in inside-out patches from adrenal zona fasciculata cells was inhibited by application of Ca2+ (5 or 10 μm) to the cytoplasmic membrane surface. The Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin also inhibited bTREK-1 currents through channels expressed in CHO-K1 cells. These results demonstrate that AngII and selected paracrine factors that act through phospholipase C inhibit bTREK-1 in adrenocortical cells through simultaneous activation of separate Ca2+- and ATP hydrolysis-dependent signaling pathways, providing for efficient membrane depolarization. The novel Ca2+-dependent pathway is distinctive in its lack of ATP dependence, and is clearly different from the calmodulin kinase-dependent mechanism by which AngII modulates T-type Ca2+ channels in these cells.
Classification based person identification in group living environment

In this research, we investigated a method of person identification in closed indoor environment, such as office or laboratory, under the condition which the members change their clothes day-by-day. Furthermore, we did not assume any constraint to posture or location of people even if a face of a person cannot be seen. This is a challenging problem due to the change of their pose and clothes cause serious intra-person variation of appearance. To deal with this problem, we used a recent visual object classification method with commonly available RGB-D camera. In particular, we employed a classifier based approach using Fisher vector representation with weakly labeled image dataset. We built the person classifier and we validated the effectiveness of our approach by experiments.
Costs of Starting to Trade and Costs of Continuing to Trade

Costs of international trade are increasingly modeled as fixed costs paid by individual firms. In a dynamic setting, these fixed costs may take two different forms: costs of starting to trade and costs of continuing to trade. The distinction matters when firms experience idiosyncratic shocks to productivity over time. We develop an analytically tractable dynamic model of firms’ import decisions. In the model, there are costs of developing relationships with foreign input suppliers and costs of continuing these relationships. The benefit of using imported inputs lies in a combination of the relative price and the technology embodied in the inputs. Our model quantitatively captures many important features of plant-level manufacturing data, including the dynamics of import status, entry and exit rates, the size distribution, and the large performance advantage associated with using imported intermediate inputs.