Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Study of the growth behavior of prism-type Cu6Sn5 in the liquid solder

Sn-Pb alloys have widely been used in industry for many years. However, in the European Union, the use of Pb in electronics was prohibited from 1 January 2008 because Sn-Pb alloys cause serious pollution to environment. Therefore, the interfacial reactions between lead-free solders (Sn-Ag, Sn-Ag-Cu and Sn-Cu) and substrates as well as their mechanical properties have attracted much attention from many researchers. The Cu/Sn-based solder/Cu system has been broadly used in high-density integrated circuits such as three-dimensional (3D) integration. With increasing density in device integration, the size of the solder joints will continue to decrease. As a result, the joints are composed of a limited number of solders and intermetallic compounds (IMCs) grains. Moreover, the proportion of IMCs in the joints has also increased. Therefore, the microstructure of solder joints has great influence on the reliability of solder joints, and the IMC is always a great core of solder joints microstructure. Different morphology of IMCs will greatly affect the properties and reliability of solder joints, but the mechanism of this growth behavior and its impact on the reliability of solder joints is not clear. The purpose of this research is to investigate the growth behavior of prism-type Cu6Sn5 in the liquid solder. The sample in the experiment was made from the mixture of the Sn3.5Ag solder paste and 2 vol.% Cu particles and blended for 30 min to ensure homogeneous distribution of Cu particles. The experimental sample was insulation in an aging oven at 240 °C for 60s and cooled in air. Then the samples were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The results showed that the Cu of prism-type Cu6Sn5 can come from the solder. The edge of the solder ball cooling fast, high temperature phase η-Cu6Sn5 was retained.
Learning oriented dictionary for sparse image representation

A novel oriented dictionary is proposed for sparse image representation. The scheme of dictionary learning combines the double sparsity model and the zero-tree structure in the wavelet domain. The dictionary atoms are constructed by grouping the wavelet bases in all high-frequency subbands of the same orientation across different scales. This scheme overcomes the limit on the input signal dimension as well as the over-fitting problem. We demonstrate the potential of the proposed dictionary for M-term approximation of fingerprint images.
Sex effects on heart rate variability in fibromyalgia and Gulf War illness.

OBJECTIVE To investigate autonomic abnormalities in male and female fibromyalgia (FM) and Gulf War illness (GWI) patients by comparing heart rate variability (HRV) with that of age- and sex-matched healthy controls. METHODS Subjects included 26 (19 women, 7 men) with FM, 11 (6 men, 5 women) with GWI, and 36 (18 men,18 women) healthy controls. HRV was determined from Holter recordings obtained in the Clinical Research Center. Analysis of variance compared 24-hour, daytime, and nighttime HRV by sex within groups and by group within sex. RESULTS In women with FM or GWI, HRV was significantly lower than in men with FM or GWI. HRV was similar in male and female controls. When HRV was compared by group within sex, HRV was significantly decreased in women with FM or GWI and no significant differences were seen for men with these conditions. CONCLUSION Decreased HRV in FM and GWI appears to be sex dependent. Results suggest that different mechanisms may be operative in symptom expression in men and women with this spectrum of illness.
Return to driving after traumatic brain injury: a British perspective

Primary objective: To identify the current legal situation and professional practice in assisting persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI) to return to safe driving after injury. Methods and procedures: A brief review of relevant literature, a description of the current statutory and quasi-statutory authorities regulating return to driving after TBI in the UK and a description of the nature and resolution of clinical and practical dilemmas facing professionals helping return to safe driving after TBI. Each of the 15 UK mobility centres was contacted and literature requested; in addition a representative of each centre responded to a structured telephone survey. Main outcome and results: The current situation in the UK is described, with a brief analysis of the strengths and weaknesses both of the current statutory situation, and also the practical situation (driving centres), with suggestions for improvements in practice. Conclusion: Although brain injury may cause serious limitations in driving ability, previous drivers are not routinely assessed or advised regarding return to driving after TBI.
Increase in Cytosolic Ca2+ Levels through the Activation of Non-selective Cation Channels Induced by Oxidative Stress Causes Mitochondrial Depolarization Leading to Apoptosis-like Death in Leishmania donovaniPromastigotes*

Reactive oxygen species are important regulators of protozoal infection. Promastigotes of Leishmania donovani, the causative agent of Kala-azar, undergo an apoptosis-like death upon exposure to H2O2. The present study shows that upon activation of death response by H2O2, a dose- and time-dependent loss of mitochondrial membrane potential occurs. This loss is accompanied by a depletion of cellular glutathione, but cardiolipin content or thiol oxidation status remains unchanged. ATP levels are reduced within the first 60 min of exposure as a result of mitochondrial membrane potential loss. A tight link exists between changes in cytosolic Ca2+ homeostasis and collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential, but the dissipation of the potential is independent of elevation of cytosolic Na+ and mitochondrial Ca2+. Partial inhibition of cytosolic Ca2+ increase achieved by chelating extracellular or intracellular Ca2+ by the use of appropriate agents resulted in significant rescue of the fall of the mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptosis-like death. It is further demonstrated that the increase in cytosolic Ca2+ is an additive result of release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores as well as by influx of extracellular Ca2+ through flufenamic acid-sensitive non-selective cation channels; contribution of the latter was larger. Mitochondrial changes do not involve opening of the mitochondrial transition pore as cyclosporin A is unable to prevent mitochondrial membrane potential loss. An antioxidant likeN-acetylcysteine is able to inhibit the fall of the mitochondrial membrane potential and prevent apoptosis-like death. Together, these findings show the importance of non-selective cation channels in regulating the response of L. donovanipromastigotes to oxidative stress that triggers downstream signaling cascades leading to apoptosis-like death.
Effects of Castration on Penile and Urethral Development in Black Bengal Goat

Thirty-six(n=36) healthy male kids of Black Bengal Goat were divided into six groups having six animals in each, to evaluate the influence of castration on the development of urethra. Proper urethral growth reduces urinary calculi formation and helps to determine the possible suitable age of castration. Group I, II, III, IV and V were castrated at the age of 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks, respectively and group VI was treated as control. After getting maturity, goats were slaughtered and collected all penises with maximum precaution and hygienic practices, and morphometric examinations performed extensively. The highest measurements of penile length, penile weight, penile circumference and urethral lumen perimeter were recorded as 23.67±1.29 cm, 16.85± 2.61 gm, 22.94±2.00 cm, and 6.25±0.38 mm in control bucks, respectively. Of the castrated groups, kids at 8 and 10 weeks of age were found to have similar parameters with that of control group. These observations indicate that castration at later age favors for adequate development of urethra and penis.
Joint Optimized CPU and Networking Control Scheme for Improved Energy Efficiency in Video Streaming on Mobile Devices

Video streaming service is one of the most popular applications for mobile users. However, mobile video streaming services consume a lot of energy, resulting in a reduced battery life. This is a critical problem that results in a degraded user’s quality of experience (QoE). Therefore, in this paper, a joint optimization scheme that controls both the central processing unit (CPU) and wireless networking of the video streaming process for improved energy efficiency on mobile devices is proposed. For this purpose, the energy consumption of the network interface and CPU is analyzed, and based on the energy consumption profile a joint optimization problem is formulated to maximize the energy efficiency of the mobile device. The proposed algorithm adaptively adjusts the number of chunks to be downloaded and decoded in each packet. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can effectively improve the energy efficiency when compared with the existing algorithms.
Pollution-free and fast hybridizable discontinuous Galerkin solvers for the high-frequency Helmholtz equation

In this work we propose a hybridizable discontinuous Galerkin (hdG) discretization of the high-frequency Helmholtz equation in the presence of point sources and highly heterogeneous and discontinuous wave speed models. We show that it delivers solutions that are provably second-order accurate and do not suffer from the pollution error, as long as a slightly higher order hdG method is used where the polynomial degree is chosen such that p = O(logω). These results hold even if the discontinuities in the wave speed are not resolved by the hdG mesh, as long as the integration procedure used in the assembly of the stiffness matrix respects the discontinuities. Further, we show that the associated linear systems can be solved using a modification of the method of polarized traces resulting in a method with linear complexity up to a poly-logarithmic factor, or sub-linear complexity in a parallel environment. To our knowledge and surprise, this note contains the first instance of a numerical method that is at the same time fast (O(N) runtime) and accurate (second-order, pollution-free) in the context of models of geophysical interest.
Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of acrylamide and acetamide in cigarette mainstream smoke after on-column injection.

A method is described for the simultaneous determination of two short-chained amides, acrylamide and acetamide (classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as probable and possible human carcinogens, respectively), in total particulate matter using gas chromatography-on-column injection and mass spectrometric detection. Sample preparation is kept to a minimum, and the proposed analytical procedure proves to be fast, sensitive, and precise. Validation studies show good linearity with a regression coefficient of r2=. 000 for both compounds. Quantitation limits are 32 ng/mL for acrylamide and 70 ng/mL for acetamide. In the particulate phase of mainstream smoke from the University of Kentucky Reference Cigarette 2R4F, 2.3 microg/cig acrylamide and 4.7 microg/cig acetamide are found; no acetamide and only . 0074 microg/cig acrylamide is found in the gas phase. Possible mechanisms of formation in cigarette smoke are discussed.
Using Multi-Modal Topic Modeling in National Culture Resources: Methods and Applications

In field of multi-modal data modeling, semantic analysis method has been widely applied for solving the problem of semantic gap, and one of the leading approaches is based on topic modelling. From a computational method perspective, the national culture data is a typical example of multi-modal data, which combines information from different sources. This paper reviews the development of multi-modal topic modeling and discusses several possible applications of multi-modal topic modeling in national culture resource system, such as cross-media retrieval, automatic annotation, and recommendation system. However, the factors of multi-lingual and inadequate training data give rise to an emerging demand to study and explore the improvement of existing multi-modal topic models. The summation of this paper lays the foundation for the future researches of multi-modal topic modeling applied in national culture resources.
Optimal Radio Access Technology Selection Algorithm for LTE-WiFi Network

Heterogeneous network (HetNet) comprises multiple radio access technologies (RATs) allowing a user to associate with a specific RAT and steer to other RATs in a seamless manner. To cope up with the unprecedented growth of data traffic, mobile data can be offloaded to wireless fidelity (WiFi) in a long term evolution (LTE) based HetNet. In this paper, an optimal RAT selection problem is considered to maximize the total system throughput in an LTE-WiFi system with offload capability. Another formulation is also developed where maximizing the total system throughput is subject to a constraint on the voice user blocking probability. It is proved that the optimal policies for the association and offloading of voice/data users contain threshold structures. As a policy search over the entire policy space may become computationally inefficient, we propose computationally efficient algorithms based on the threshold structures for the association and offloading of users in LTE-WiFi HetNet. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the voice user blocking probability and the total system throughput performance of the proposed algorithms in comparison with other benchmark algorithms.
Learning Strategies to Engage in Quality Interactions Online

This study examined students’ learning strategies to engage in quality interactions in asynchronous online discussions via computer conferencing. Quality interaction in this study was defined as students being able to construct knowledge by engaging in active interactions with others and deep information processing. This study used a mixed-method design and two data sources: observations of online discussions and semi-structured interviews. Observations of online discussions were used to identify active deep processors. Then interviews were conducted with the active deep processors to explore their strategy use. The findings identified several learning strategies contributing to students’ quality interactions in computer conferencing. Those strategies included online class preparation strategies, strategies to identify relevant information, strategies to process information in computer conferencing, strategies to process printed materials, strategies to keep learning on track, strategies to organize learning, and strategies to avoid internal and external distractions. The results revealed the importance of metacogntive awareness in achieving both quality and quantity level of interaction in online learning.
Protein kinase G is involved in ammonia‐induced swelling of astrocytes

Ammonia‐induced swelling of astrocytes is a primary cause of brain edema associated with acute hepatic encephalopathy. Previous studies have shown that ammonia transiently increases cGMP in brain in vivo and in cultured astrocytes in vitro. We hypothesized that protein kinase G (PKG), an enzyme activated by cGMP and implicated in regulation of cell shape, size, and/or volume in peripheral and CNS cells, may play a role in the ammonia‐induced astrocytic volume increase. Treatment of cultured rat cortical astrocytes with 1 or 5 mM NH4Cl (ammonia) for 24 h increased their cell volume by 50% and 80% above control, respectively, as measured by confocal imaging followed by 3D computational analysis. A cGMP analog, 8‐(4‐chlorophenylthio)‐cGMP, increased the cell volume in control cells and potentiated the increase in 1 mM ammonia‐treated cells. A soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor (1H‐[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3‐a]quinoxalin‐1‐one) abrogated, and a PKG inhibitor [8‐(4‐chlorophenylthio)‐cGMP‐thioate, Rp‐isomer] dose‐dependently reduced the cell volume‐increasing effect of 5 mM ammonia. The results suggest that (i) PKG may play a permissive role in ammonia‐induced astrocytic swelling and (ii) elevation of brain cGMP associated with acute exposure to ammonia in vivo may aggravate the ensuing brain edema.
An Improved Nonlinear Speed Controller for Series DC Motors

Abstract The issue of speed tracking control for series DC motors is addressed. Based on the classic backstepping design technique, an improved recursive nonlinear controller is proposed to improve the transient response. In the design, two additional class K functions as design functions are adopted to achieve desirable varying decay rate. Application of this strategy substantially improves the transient response and convergence rate without remarkably increasing the controller “gains”. Series DC motors with jumping load torques are also studied. The dynamics of such a motor with jumping load torques are modeled as a switched system. A switching controller based on the improved nonlinear design method is presented. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
STUNTED PLANT 1, A Gene Required for Expansion in Rapidly Elongating but Not in Dividing Cells and Mediating Root Growth Responses to Applied Cytokinin

To understand the control of spatial patterns of expansion, we have studied root growth in wild type and in the stunted plant 1 mutant, stp1, of Arabidopsis thaliana. We measured profiles of cell length and calculated the distribution of elongation rate. Slow growth of stp1 results both from a failure of dividing cell number to increase and from low elongation rates in the zone of rapid expansion. However, elongation of dividing cells was not greatly affected, and stp1 and wild-type callus grew at identical rates. Thus, rapid cellular expansion differs in mechanism from expansion in dividing cells and is facilitated by the STP1 gene. Additionally, there was no difference between stp1 and wild-type roots for elongation in response to abscisic acid, auxin, ethylene, or gibberellic acid or for radial expansion in response to ethylene; however, stp1 responded to cytokinin much less than wild type. In contrast, both genotypes responded comparably to hormones when explants were cultured; in particular, there was no difference between genotypes in shoot regeneration in response to cytokinin. Thus, effects on root expansion mediated by cytokinin, but not effects mediated by other hormones or effects on other cytokinin-mediated responses, require the STP1 locus.
From Structure to Function: New Insights into Hepatitis C Virus RNA Replication*

Published, JBC Papers in Press, December 30, 2005, DOI 10.1074/jbc.R500026200 Nicole Appel, Torsten Schaller, Francois Penin, and Ralf Bartenschlager From the Department of Molecular Virology, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 345, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany and the Institut de Biologie et Chimie des Proteines, UMR 5086 CNRS, Université Lyon1, IFR 128 BioSciences Lyon-Gerland, 69367 Lyon, France
Human amniotic membrane corticosteroid 11-oxidoreductase activity.

The ability of amniotic membrane, obtained with 3 h of delivery of 28 infants, to interconvert 3H-cortisol and 14-C-cortisone has been examined. The conversion of cortisone to cortisol increases as a function of gestational age, being first seen at 29.5 weeks and reaching values of 50--55% at term (n = 28, r = 0.615, P less than 0.01). Furthermore, a net gain of the active hormone (cortisol) resulting from the bidirectional interconversion of cortisol and cortisone ("C-11 activation index") appears at 31 weeks and reaches 40--50% by term (n = 28, r = 0.674, P less than .001). We speculate that this phenomenon could be an important source of active glucocorticoid for the fetus.
Joint parameter estimation using Magneto and Inertial measurement units

This paper aims to propose an effortless procedure to determine the joint center location and limb length using Magneto and Inertial Measurement Units (M-IMU) based motion capture data. By exploiting the joint acceleration kinematic constraints, we establish an explicit relationship between the M-IMU measurements and the joint center location. Then, with a least square algorithm, the joint parameters can be estimated from the M-IMU measurements generated by a set of prescribed joint motions. The whole procedure doesn't require any knowledge about human anatomy and additional equipment. Computer simulations and experiments with four healthy subjects are conducted to validate the proposed algorithm. Simulation results show that the proposed method is robust against the measurement noise. Experiments show good limb length estimate can be obtained compared with the manual measurements.
Two novel heterozygous mutations of EVC2 cause a mild phenotype of Ellis–van Creveld syndrome in a Chinese family

Ellis–van Creveld syndrome (EvC, chondroectodermal dysplasia; OMIM 225500) is an autosomal recessive skeletal dysplasia with associated multisystem involvement. The syndrome is characterized by short limbs, short ribs, postaxial polydactyly, dysplastic nails, and abnormal teeth. Congenital heart defects occur in 50–60% of cases. In this study, we report EvC in a 6‐year‐old Chinese girl with hypodontia and polydactyly, mild short stature, and abnormalities of the knee joints. No signs of short ribs, narrow thorax, or congenital heart defects were found in this patient. The EvC phenotype shares some similarity with Weyers acrofacial dysostosis (Weyer; OMIM 193530), an autosomal dominant disorder clinically characterized by mild short stature, postaxial polydactyly, nail dystrophy, and dysplastic teeth. Mutations in EVC or EVC2 are associated with both EvC syndrome and Weyers acrodental dysostosis, but the two conditions differ in the severity of the phenotype and their pattern of inheritance. In this study, two novel heterozygous EVC2 mutations, IVS5‐2A > G and c.2653C > T (Arg885X), were identified in the patient. The IVS5‐2A > G mutation was inherited from the patient's mother and the c.2653C > T from her father. Her parents have no phenotypic symptoms similar to those of the patient. These findings extend the mutation spectrum of this malformation syndrome and provide the possibility of prenatal diagnosis for future offspring in this family. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modified Block Newton iteration for the lambda modes problem in hexagonal geometry

To study the behavior of nuclear reactors like the Russian VVER reactors it is necessary to solve the time dependent neutron diffusion equation using a hexagonal mesh. This problem can be solved by means of a modal method, which uses a set of dominant modes to expand the neutron flux. To obtain this set of modes a differential eigenvalue problem for a steady state has to be solved. The spatial part of the equations is discretized using a high order finite element method, based on the fact that the neutron flux can be expanded in terms of the modified Dubiner's polynomials. For the transient calculations using the modal method with a moderate number of modes, these modes must be updated each time step to maintain the accuracy of the solution. A Modified Block Newton iteration is studied to update the modes. The performance of the method has been tested for a hypothetical transient in a 2-dimensional VVER 440 reactor.