Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Electrical characterization of sidewall insulation layer of TSV

This paper presented a method to examine the electrical characteristics of sidewall insulation layer of through silicon via (TSV), including breakdown voltage and sidewall capacitance. Blind via samples were fabricated for the experiment using deep reactive ion etching. 2µm SiO2 insulation layer was deposited using PECVD (Plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition). Ti/W/Cu adhesive/barrier/seed layer was sputtered, and then copper was electroplated to fill vias. The final blind via sample was a MOS capacitor-like structure. To measure the electrical characteristics of the sidewall insulation layer, I-V and C-V test were implemented. As a result, the breakdown voltage of TSV sidewall insulation layer was about 40V, calculated breakdown electrical field strength of oxide layer was about 100V/µm. C-V test result showed a capacitance of about tens of femto-farads (fF), while substrate parasitic capacitance affected the measured capacitance greatly. Calculation and simulation of via capacitance were also carried out, and the capacitance of sidewall insulation layer was about 1pF in our experiment.
A hybrid representation of environment models in image-based real time walkthrough

In this paper, a hybrid representation of environment models using a combination of points and polygons is proposed. Through the model, a real time walkthrough of a complex environment can be achieved. We start from multiple depth reference images and classify the pixels of images into two categories, corresponding respectively to planar and non-planar surfaces in 3D space, then all the redundant points are removed by a comparison algorithm of sampling rate. For pixels corresponding to nonplanar surfaces, the point representation is maintained, and a local reconstruction and resampling process is employed to re-sample a set of points that distribute more uniformly on the surfaces. The re-sampled points are organized by an OBB-tree according to their space coordinates and a multiresolution structure is built to improve the rendering efficiency. For pixels corresponding to planar surfaces, the plane coefficients are reconstructed and all their appearances in the reference images are merged to texture maps. Under this hybrid representation, texture mapping and point-based rendering are employed to render the novel views, to take full advantage of the acceleration utility of graphics hardware. The algorithm demonstrates the combined advantages of approaches in traditional computer graphics and PBR/IBR, texture mapping for plane surfaces and point-based rendering for high detail surfaces and shapes.
Reduced adiponectin expression after high-fat diet is associated with selective up-regulation of ALDH1A1 and further retinoic acid receptor signaling in adipose tissue

Adiponectin is an adipocyte‐derived adipokine with potent antidiabetic, anti‐inflammatory, and antiatherogenic activity. Long‐term, high‐fat diet results in gain of bodyweight, adiposity, further inflammatory‐based cardiovascular diseases, and reduced adiponectin secretion. VitaminAderivatives/retinoids are involved in several of these processes, which mainly take place inwhite adipose tissue (WAT). In this study, we examined adiponectin expression as a function of dietary high‐fat and high–vitamin A conditions in mice. A decrease of adiponectin expression in addition to an up‐regulation of aldehyde dehydrogenase A1 (ALDH1A1), retinoid signaling, and retinoic acid response element signalingwas selectively observed in WAT of mice fed a normal–vitaminA, high‐fat diet. Reduced adiponectin expression in WAT was also observed in mice fed a high–vitamin A diet. Adipocyte cell culture revealed that endogenous and synthetic retinoic acid receptor (RAR)α‐ and RAR γ‐selective agonists, as well as a synthetic retinoid X receptor agonist, efficiently reduced adiponectin expression, whereas ALDH1A1 expression only increased with RAR agonists. We conclude that reduced adiponectin expression under high‐fat dietary conditions is dependent on 1) increased ALDH1A1 expression in adipocytes, which does not increase all‐trans‐retinoic acid levels; 2) further RAR ligand–induced, WAT‐selective, increased retinoic acid response element–mediated signaling; and 3) RAR ligand–dependent reduction of adiponectin expression. —Landrier, J.‐F. , Kasiri, E. , Karkeni, E. , Mihály, J., Béke, G. , Weiss, K. , Lucas, R. , Aydemir, G. , Salles, J., Walrand, S. , de Lera, A. R. , Rühl, R. Reduced adiponectin expression after high‐fat diet is associated with selective up‐regulation of ALDH1A1 and further retinoic acid receptor signaling in adipose tissue. FASEB J. 31, 203–211 (2017) www.fasebj. org
Enhanced metastatic ability of TNF-alpha-treated malignant melanoma cells is reduced by intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1, CD54) antisense oligonucleotides.

Treating human malignant melanoma cells with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) or interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) causes a dose- and time-dependent increase in surface expression of ICAM-1. Increased ICAM-1 expression corresponds to greater binding of human leukocyte functional antigen-1 (CD11a/CD18)-expressing peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to C8161 monolayers, suggesting that cytokine-treated melanoma cells would be more metastatic due to PBMC-tumor cell emboli. The purpose of this study was: (1) to test whether TNF-alpha-treated human melanoma cells are indeed more metastatic than untreated C8161 and (2) to determine whether ICAM-1 plays a role in metastasis of C8161. When surface ICAM-1 expression is upregulated, formation of lung metastases in nude mice increases 1.5- to 4-fold (P < 0.05) for human melanoma cell lines C8161, MeWo, and A375. Treatment of C8161 with ICAM-1 phosphorothioate antisense oligonucleotides using cationic lipids results in > 90% inhibition of ICAM-1 surface expression as determined by ELISA and flow cytometry. Antisense ICAM-1-treated cells form 41-64% fewer metastases than sham-treated cells. Metastasis does not increase when antisense-treated melanoma cells are exposed to TNF-alpha. However, treatment of C8161 with antisense 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) oligonucleotides inhibits metastases 39% in Lipofectin-treated cells, but does not inhibit TNF-alpha-induced upregulation of experimental metastases. Similar experiments were performed to measure PBMC adhesion to antisense oligonucleotide-treated C8161 cells; however, TNF-alpha-inducible increase in adhesion was unaffected by ICAM-1 or 5-LO antisense oligonucleotides. These results demonstrate that ICAM-1 is involved in melanoma metastasis, but probably not at the step of PBMC adhesion to C8161 cells.
Verifying FreeRTOS; a feasibility study

This paper presents a study on modeling and verifying the kernel of Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS). The study will show advances in formally verifying such an RTOS both by refinement and by model checking approaches. This work fits in the context of Hoare’s verification challenge. Several real-time operating systems will be discussed including some commercial ones. The focus of the latter part of the paper will be on verifying FreeRTOS. The paper investigates a number of ways to verify this operating system. A preliminary set-up of verifying FreeRTOS using model checking is presented.
Moving Toward the Next Generation of Graduate Degree Programs in Information Systems

The curriculum recommendations for master’s level degree programs in Information Systems (most recently, MSIS 2006) have served the IS community well and formed a strong foundation on which many departments have built their graduate programs. Changes in technology, the way in which IS/IT solutions are procured and provided, and the need to raise the profile of master’s programs in IS, however, have created a need to review the master’s level model curriculum. This article builds on recent discussion on this topic within the IS community and is intended to move the conversation regarding the curriculum revision forward. Through three program exemplars and integrative discussion, the article identifies and addresses key questions related to the curriculum revision and provides guidance for any department that is currently in the process of modifying its degree program.
Nucleotide sequences of the two high-molecular-weight glutenin genes from the D-genome of a hexaploid bread wheat, Triticum aestivum L. cv Cheyenne.

The high-molecular-weight (HMW) glutenins are one of several families of storage proteins found in wheat flour (1). They comprise about 10% of the total protein, and are a critical component contributing to the visco-elastic properties of dough unique to wheat (2-4). Here we report the nucleotide sequence of the two HMW genes from the D-genome of the hexaploid bread wheat Triticum aestivum L. cv Cheyenne. These are the Glu-Dl-1tb and Glu-DlQ-L genes coding for the Dx5 and Dyl 0 HMW subunits, respectively, and have been associated with superior dough quality (3,4). The central, repetitive domain of the genes is indicated by half-brackets, and the TATA and polyadenylation signals are underlined.
A COMPARISON OF NICOTINE AND STRUCTURALLY RELATED COMPOUNDS AS DISCRIMINATIVE STIMULI

1 Of seven nicotine‐like compounds tested as discriminative stimuli in the rat, only 3‐pyridyl‐meth‐ylpyrollidine (3‐PMP) generalized to the stimulus effects of nicotine. 2 3‐PMP caused equivalent nicotine‐like responding at a dose (800 μg/kg) approximately 4 times that used for the original nicotine discrimination (200 μg/kg). The ED50 for 3‐PMP was about 5 times that for nicotine. 3 Testing of the compounds as possible antagonists of the nicotine‐elicited cue were negative. 4 The nicotine‐like cue produced by an 800 μg/kg injection of 3‐PMP was effectively blocked by mecamylamine but not by hexamethonium or atropine. Thus, 3‐PMP appears to produce generalization to the nicotine cue via action on central nicotinic‐cholinoceptors as has been previously reported for the nicotine discriminative stimulus. 5 Mecamylamine blocked the stimulus‐effects of 3‐PMP (800 μg/kg) and of nicotine (200 μg/kg) with an ED50 of 0.32 and 0.20 mg/kg respectively.
Exploring Use Patterns and Perceived Value of Location-Based Services

The recent impressive diffusion of smartphones in the mobile industry offers new opportunities to mobile services vendors. One of the most influenced service categories are location-based services. In the present study we investigate the use of location-based services. Based on insights from behavioural decision making a theoretical framework is developed to analyse the individual decision to use location-based services and to identify the factors influencing use. Through a qualitative study based on LBS users’ interviews, we find that the distinct value dimension and the positive experiences from the service use are the main drivers, pivotal to the continuance of use.
ICP0 Gene Expression Is a Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Apoptotic Trigger

ABSTRACT Apoptosis is a highly regulated programmed cell death process which is activated during normal development and by various stimuli, such as viral infection, which disturb cellular metabolism and physiology. That herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) induces apoptosis but then prevents its killing of infected cells is well-established. However, little is known about the viral factor/event which triggers the apoptotic process. We previously reported that infections with either (i) a temperature-sensitive virus at its nonpermissive temperature which does not inject viral DNA into nuclei or (ii) various UV-inactivated wild-type viruses do not result in the induction of apoptosis (C. M. Sanfilippo, F. N. W. Chirimuuta, and J. A. Blaho, J. Virol. 78:224-239, 2004). This indicates that virus receptor binding/attachment to cells, membrane fusion, virion disassembly/tegument dispersal, virion RNAs, and capsid translocation to nuclei are not responsible for induction and implicates viral immediate-early (IE) gene expression in the process. Here, we systematically evaluated the contribution of each IE gene to the stimulation of apoptosis. Using a series of viruses individually deleted for α27, α4, and α22, we determined that these genes are not required for apoptosis induction but rather that their products play roles in its prevention, likely through regulatory effects. Sole expression of α0 acted as an “apoptoxin” that was necessary and sufficient to trigger the cell death cascade. Importantly, results using a recombinant virus which contains a stop codon in α0 showed that it was not the ICP0 protein which acted as the apoptotic inducer. Based on these findings, we propose that α0 gene expression acts as an initial inducer of apoptosis during HSV-1 infection. This represents the first description of apoptosis induction in infected cells triggered as a result of expression of a single viral gene. Expression of apoptotic viral genes is a unique mechanism through which human pathogens may modulate interactions with their host cells.
Conceptus-Derived Prostaglandins Regulate Endometrial Function in Sheep1

ABSTRACT In sheep, the trophectoderm of the elongating conceptus secretes interferon tau (IFNT) and prostaglandins (PGE2, PGF2alpha, PGI2). The PGs are derived from PG synthase 2 (PTGS2), and inhibition of PTGS2 in utero prevents conceptus elongation. IFNT increases expression of many genes in the endometrial epithelia that regulate conceptus elongation. This study tested the hypothesis that PGs secreted by the conceptus regulate endometrial functions that govern conceptus elongation. Cyclic ewes received intrauterine infusions of control vehicle or early pregnancy levels of IFNT, PGE2, PGF2alpha, or PGI2 from Days 10–14 postestrus. Expression levels of endometrial GRP, IGFBP1, and LGALS15, whose products stimulate trophectoderm cell migration and attachment, were increased by PGE2, PGI2, and IFNT. All PGs and IFNT increased expression of the HEXB protease gene, but only IFNT increased the CST6 protease inhibitor gene. Differential effects of PGs were observed for expression of the CTSL protease gene and its inhibitor, CST3. IFNT, PGF2alpha, and PGI2 increased ANGPTL3 expression, but only IFNT and PGE2 increased HIF1A expression, both of which regulate angiogenesis. For glucose transporters, IFNT and all PGs increased SLC2A1 expression, but only PGs increased SLC2A5 expression, whereas endometrial SLC2A12 and SLC5A1 expression levels were increased by IFNT, PGE2, and PGF2alpha. Infusions of all PGs and IFNT increased the amino acid transporter SLC1A5, but only IFNT increased SLC7A2 expression. In the uterine lumen, only IFNT increased glucose levels, and only PGE2 and PGF2alpha increased total amino acids. These results indicate that PGs and IFNT from the conceptus coordinately regulate endometrial functions important for growth and development of the conceptus during the peri-implantation period of pregnancy.
Redundancy reduction in wireless sensor networks using SVD-QR

In densely deployed wireless sensor networks, not only does the data of one sensor node have self-similarity, but the data from adjacent sensor nodes also have cross-similarity. Therefore, it is clear that there exists highly redundancy in the collected data from sensor nodes in the neighborhood. Due to the intrinsic properties wireless sensor networks have, e.g., energy constraint, bandwidth limitation, this kind of information redundancy impacts the whole networks in a negative way. In this paper, we propose to use singular-value-QR Decomposition (SVD-QR) to reduce the redundancy in wireless sensor networks
In vitro expression of cauliflower mosaic virus genes

The eight major open reading frames (ORFs) of cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) have been cloned for in vitro transcription and translation. All the ORFs could be translated. Using antisera against either purified virus or specific gene products, the translation products were screened by immunoprecipitation. The products of ORFs III, IV and V were confirmed as components of the virions. Molecular weights of primary translation products were determined and compared with those found in vivo. A further series of constructs was designed to test whether translation of adjacent ORFs is coupled in a relay‐race fashion as proposed on the basis of earlier in vivo mutagenesis studies. Downstream genes on dicistronic RNAs could be translated, although inefficiently. In view of the similarity between the arrangement of the CaMV coat protein and reverse transcriptase genes and the corresponding genes of retroviruses, we asked whether the CaMV reverse transcriptase could be expressed in vitro as a fusion protein, e.g. by ribosomal frame shifting. No such fusion was observed, suggesting that the polymerase gene is translated from its own ATG.
Surface production fuels deep heterotrophic respiration in northern peatlands

Multiple analyses of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from pore waters were conducted to define the processes that govern carbon balance in peatlands: (1) source, reactivity, and transport of DOC with respect to vegetation, peat, and age of carbon substrate, (2) reactivity of DOC with respect to molecular size, and (3) lability to photoxidation of surficial DOC. We found that surface organic production fuels heterotrophic respiration at depth in advection‐dominated peatlands, especially in fens. Fen DOC was Δ14C enriched relative to the surrounding fen peat, and fen respiration products were similar to this enriched DOC indicating that DOC was the main microbial substrate. Bog DOC was more variable showing either enrichment in ∆14C at depth or ∆14C values that follow peat values. This variability in bogs is probably controlled by the relative importance of vertical transport of labile carbon substrates within the peat profile versus DOC production from bog peat. These results extended our set of observations to 10 years at one bog‐fen pair and add two additional bog‐fen pairs to our series of observations. Anaerobic incubations of peat, rinsed free of residual DOC, produced DOC and respiration products that were strikingly similar to the peat values in a bog and two fens. This result demonstrated conclusively that downward advection is the process responsible for the presence of modern DOC found at depth in the peat column. Fen DOC has lower C/N values and up to twice as much LMW (<1 kDa) DOC as bogs due to differences in organic inputs and greater microbial processing. Fluorescence irradiation experiments showed that fen DOC is more photolabile than bog DOC.
An Open Platform for Location-Aware Services Development and Sensor Data Collection

In this paper, an open platform, called PLASH (Platform for Location Aware Services with Human Computation), for developing and hosting location-aware application is presented. This open platform provided number of fundamental services and APIs for a 3 rd party developer to integrate and share both functionality and collected data. The two missions of this project: First, this platform is designed to help location-aware service (LAS) providers deploy their applications easily so that users can contribute their efforts and location-related data by using the services, which is the main difference from traditional location-aware services. Second, the collective efforts and data that may be generated by humans or sensors (or both) can be used to help researchers to solve difficult location-aware problems, such as real-time surface traffic estimation, city panoramas and social networking analysis. The PLASH platform comprises three layers, namely, Communication, Data and Service Layers. An LAS application developed on PLASH can exploit the functions provided in each layer by using an application specification language provided by PLASH. In addition, application builders can contribute their mature applications as a service accommodated in the Service Layer for other application builders to expand and create more sophisticated applications. KeywordsMobile Device; Mobile Application; Human Computation; Location-aware Service; Open Platform.
Isolation of cDNA clones for mouse cytoskeletal gamma-actin and differential expression of cytoskeletal actin mRNAs in mouse cells

We described the structures of mouse cytoskeletal gamma-actin cDNA clones and showed that there is strong conservation of the untranslated regions with human gamma-actin cDNA. In addition, we found that the expression levels of beta- and gamma-actin mRNAs are differentially controlled in various mouse tissues and cell types but are coordinately increased in the cellular growing state. These results suggest that there are multiple regulatory mechanisms of cytoskeletal actin genes and are consistent with the argument that beta- and gamma-actins might have functional diversity in mammalian cells.
Equivalent circuit and scanning capabilities of long slot arrays with TEM parallel-feed excitation

A detailed analysis of phased arrays of long slots excited by transverse electromagnetic (TEM) fields, is presented. First, a previously developed model for infinite uniform arrays and infinitely-extended slots is reviewed. The explicit form established for the active admittance allows to derive a network representation of the array. The physical meaning of each component in the circuit is revealed, providing valuable insight on the radiation mechanism. Then, scan blindness phenomena in the principal planes are investigated to assess the scanning capabilities, with reference to arrays covered by a single dielectric slab. The frequency behavior of pattern nulls is presented. The onset of blind spots is heuristically linked to the array period and to the electrical thickness of the cover through parametric studies, in order to provide design criteria to achieve large scan ranges. A novel condition on the array period for the appearance of blind angles in H-plane is demonstrated.
Transmission of 1 Tb/s Unique-Word DFT-Spread OFDM Superchannel Over 8000 km EDFA-Only SSMF Link

Conventional coherent optical orthogonal frequency-division multiplexed (CO-OFDM) system has inferior nonlinear tolerance due to high peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR). Discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFTS-OFDM) has recently been proposed as a promising candidate that possesses similar spectral characteristics as conventional CO-OFDM, but has much better nonlinear tolerance. We demonstrate experimentally the transmission of 1.0 Tb/s unique-word DFTS-OFDM superchannel signal over 8000 km standard single-mode fiber with 80 km span engineering and erbium-doped fiber amplification (EDFA) using quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) modulation, representing a record spectral efficiency and reach product in transmission systems compatible with most of the deployed links.
Systematic analyses of challenges and solutions in geosynchronous synthetic aperture radar

As an emerging technique to obtain remotely sensed data, geosynchronous synthetic aperture radar (GEOSAR) is still at the infant stage for the development of the basic theory although some prediction indicates that the first GEOSAR satellite would be in orbit around 2020. Before the launching, a series of challenges in GEOSAR must be addressed and the feasible solutions should be carried out. Thus, systematic analyses of challenges and solutions in GEOSAR are proposed here. In this paper, the GEOSAR has been studied through analyses of bi-static imaging geometry, signal model, Doppler characteristics, Doppler bandwidth and synthetic aperture time, and resolution evaluation of the GEOSAR imagery, in which both challenges and solutions are included.