Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Manufacturability and reliability of a high-speed CSP SRAM on an interposer package

Manufacturability and reliability of a custom CSP SRAM mounted on an interposer is discussed in this paper. In order to provide a reliable device for high reliability applications, an SRAM interposer structure was designed to ensure high reliability on every level of solder joint interconnects. Finite element modeling method was used as a mean to evaluate the reliability of various configurations of the protection methods. Test vehicles were built to run reliability tests on selected configurations from FEA simulation to evaluate the integrity and robustness of the SRAM interposer. An under fill process was chosen to be the protection method in production because of its reliability performance. However, extra efforts are needed for implementation during production in order to address the manufacturability concern.
Recursive restoration of pitch variation defects in musical recordings

A new algorithm is presented for the identification and restoration of time-varying pitch defects in audio signals. The problem is commonly encountered as 'wow' in gramophone disc and magnetic tape recordings where motor speed variations or eccentricity in the recording process are significant. The algorithm operates in two stages, the first of which tracks tonal components in musical signals to generate a single pitch variation curve, and the second stage which performs restoration as a time-varying resampling operation. Results are presented from both artificially degraded sources and real sources. <<ETX>>
Genetic and biochemical studies of transport systems for branched-chain amino acids in Escherichia coli K-12: isolation and properties of mutants defective in leucine-repressible transport activities

The characteristics of a mutant (hrbA) of Escherichia coli K-12 that is defective in a leucine-nonrepressible transport system, the LIV-3 system, for branched-chain amino acids were described previously (I. Yamato et al., J. Bacteriol 138:24-32, 1979). New mutants requiring a high concentration of isoleucine for growth were isolated from strain B763 (hrbA ileA) after mutagenesis with ethyl methane sulfonate. These mutants had a defect of the leucine-repressible transport activities for branched-chain amino acids of the parental strain. One of these mutants, strain B7634, had defects of two independent genetic loci (hrbBC and hrbD). The genes hrbBC were mapped at min 76 near malT, and the gene hrbD mapped at min 77 near xyl on the E. coli genetic map. The substrate specificity, kinetic properties, and source of coupling energy of the transport system coded for by each of these genes were studied using cytoplasmic membrane vesicles and intact cells. The results identified three transport systems with characteristic features other than the LIV-3 system. The hrbB and hrbC systems are responsible for the uptake activites of the LIV-2 system, with a high Km value, and the LIV-1 system, with a low Km value, respectively. Both activities are repressed by leucine and inhibited by threonine and the b(--) isomer of 2-aminobicycloheptyl-2-carboxylic acid. They both utilize adenosine 5'-triphosphate as coupling energy and are not detected in cytoplasmic membrane vesicles. The hrbD system is responsible for the LIV-4 system, with a high Km value. Its activity is repressed by leucine and partially inhibited by threonine. It is detected in cytoplasmic membrane vesicles with a proton motive force as the driving energy.
A Synthetic View of Approximate Reasoning Techniques

This paper presents a review of different approximate reasoning techniques which have been proposed for dealing with uncertain or imprecise knowledge, especially in expert systems based on production rule methodology. Theoretical approaches such as Bayesian inference, Shafer's belief theory or Zadeh's possibility theory as well as more empirical proposals such as the ones used in MYCIN or in PROSPECTOR, are considered. The presentation is focused on two basic inference schemes : the deductive inference and the combination of several uncertain or imprecise evidences relative to a same matter. Several kinds of uncertainty are taken into account in the models which are described in the paper : different degrees of certainty or of truth may be associated with the observed or produced facts or with the " if. , then. " rules; moreover the statements of facts or of rules may be imprecise or fuzzy and the values of the degrees of certainty which are used may be only approximately known. An extensive bibliography, to which it is referred in the text, is appended.
Evaluation of Sensitivity and Specificity of a Standardized Procedure Using Different Reagents for the Detection of Lupus Anticoagulants

Summary This study was designed to test the sensitivity and specificity of a combination of 3 phospholipid-dependent assays performed with various reagents, for the detection of lupus anticoagulant (LA). Plasmas containing an LA (n = 56) or displaying various confounding pathologies [58 intrinsic pathway factor deficiencies, 9 factor VIII inhibitors, 28 plasmas from patients treated with an oral anticoagulant (OAC)] were selected. In a first step, the efficiency of each assay and reagent was assessed using the Receiving Operating Characteristic (ROC) method. Optimal cut-offs providing both sensitivity and specificity ≥80% were determined. The APTT assay and most of the phospholipid neutralization assays failed to discriminate factor VIII inhibitors from LA. In a second step, using the optimal cut-offs determined above, the results of all the possible combinations of the 3 assays performed with 4 different reagents were analyzed. Thirteen combinations of reagents allowed ≥ 80% of plasmas of each category (LA, factor deficiency or OAC) to be correctly classified (3/3 positive test results in LA-containing plasmas and 0/3 positive results in LA-negative samples).
Smokeless tobacco use related to military deployment, cigarettes and mental health symptoms in a large, prospective cohort study among US service members.

AIMS To characterize smokeless tobacco initiation and persistence in relation to deployment, combat, occupation, smoking and mental health symptoms. DESIGN Prospective cohort, utilizing self-reported survey data from the Millennium Cohort Study. SETTING US military service members in all branches including active duty, reserve and National Guard. PARTICIPANTS Population-based sample of 45,272 participants completing both baseline (July 2001-June 2003; n = 77,047) and follow-up (June 2004-January 2006; n = 55,021) questionnaires (follow-up response rate = 71.4%). MEASUREMENTS Self-reported smokeless tobacco initiation and persistence. FINDINGS Over the study period, 72.4% did not deploy, 13.7% deployed without combat exposures and 13.9% deployed with combat exposures, while 1.9% were smokeless tobacco initiators and 8.9% were persistent users. The odds of initiation were greater for deployers with combat exposure [odds ratio (OR), 1.76; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.49-2.09], deployers without combat exposure (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.07-1.60) and those who deployed multiple times (OR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.31-2.14), as well as in smoking recidivists/initiators (OR, 4.65; 95% CI, 3.82-5.66) and those reporting post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms (OR, 1.54; CI, 1.15-2.07). A similar pattern for higher odds of persistent use was observed for deployment and combat exposure, but not for smoking and mental health symptoms. Military occupation was not significantly associated with initiation or persistence. CONCLUSIONS Deployment and combat exposure in the US military are associated with increased risk of smokeless tobacco initiation and persistence while smoking and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder increase the odds for initiation. Research is needed on aspects of military service amenable to the reduction or prevention of tobacco consumption.
Mindfulness Training as an Adjunct to Evidence-Based Treatment for ADHD Within Families

Objective: Individuals with ADHD face significant neurodevelopmental hurdles with inattention and/or hyperactive/impulsive behavior through their life span. Mindfulness training may be one self-regulatory method for strengthening attentional processes (orienting, alerting, and executive attention). This review’s goals are to (a) argue for the use of mindfulness training as an adjunct to evidence-based treatment for ADHD and (b) call for improving psychosocial intervention for ADHD within families by integrating mindfulness training with behavioral parent training. Method: EBSCOhost was utilized to search 29 psychology-related research databases through Athabasca University. Results: Mindfulness training should be incorporated into current treatment guidelines as a psychosocial option for families with ADHD. Conclusion: Preliminary findings suggest significant improvements in attentional processes, and prominent mindfulness-based approaches have been successfully adapted for ADHD.
HPV16‐E6 associated hTERT promoter acetylation is E6AP dependent, increased in later passage cells and enhanced by loss of p300

The E6 oncoprotein from high‐risk HPV types activates human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) transcription in human keratinocytes. Studies on how E6 regulates hTERT have implicated E‐box or X‐box elements in the hTERT promoter (Veldman et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2003;100:8211–14; Oh et al., J Virol 2001;75:5559–66; Gewin et al., Genes Dev 2004;18:2269–82), but the mechanism of activation by E6 is still controversial and not well defined. Here, we demonstrate that induction of both hTERT expression and telomerase activity by HPV‐16 E6 in early passage keratinocytes is associated with acetylation of histone H3 at the hTERT promoter, is dependent on the E6 associated protein (E6AP) and is not exclusively reliant on E‐box or X‐box elements. Further increases in histone acetylation of the hTERT promoter and hTERT transcriptional activity in E6 expressing cells that had been passaged extensively in culture were found to occur only with the endogenous promoter and not with an exogenously introduced hTERT promoter construct. Telomerase activity at both early and late passages, however, was dependent on E6AP expression, implying a continued reliance on E6 function for telomerase activity. Our results demonstrate that E6 induces hTERT promoter acetylation, but that further increases in telomerase activity and histone acetylation in later passage E6 expressing cells are independent of E6 activation of the core hTERT promoter. We also provide evidence that the transcription factor p300 is a potential repressor of telomerase activation and histone acetylation in the context of E6 expression. These studies give insight into how immortalization by HPV results in upregulation of hTERT and furthers our understanding of how telomerase is activated during the process of malignant transformation. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Deletion of Betaine-Homocysteine S-Methyltransferase in Mice Perturbs Choline and 1-Carbon Metabolism, Resulting in Fatty Liver and Hepatocellular Carcinomas*

Betaine-homocysteine S-methyltransferase (BHMT) uses betaine to catalyze the conversion of homocysteine (Hcy) to methionine. There are common genetic polymorphisms in the BHMT gene in humans that can alter its enzymatic activity. We generated the first Bhmt−/− mouse to model the functional effects of mutations that result in reduced BHMT activity. Deletion of Bhmt resulted in a 6-fold increase (p < 0.01) in hepatic and an 8-fold increase (p < 0.01) in plasma total Hcy concentrations. Deletion of Bhmt resulted in a 43% reduction in hepatic S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) (p < 0.01) and a 3-fold increase in hepatic S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy) (p < 0.01) concentrations, resulting in a 75% reduction in methylation potential (AdoMet:AdoHcy) (p < 0.01). Bhmt−/− mice accumulated betaine in most tissues, including a 21-fold increase in the liver concentration compared with wild type (WT) (p < 0.01). These mice had lower concentrations of choline, phosphocholine, glycerophosphocholine, phosphatidylcholine, and sphingomyelin in several tissues. At 5 weeks of age, Bhmt−/− mice had 36% lower total hepatic phospholipid concentrations and a 6-fold increase in hepatic triacyglycerol concentrations compared with WT (p < 0.01), which was due to a decrease in the secretion of very low density lipoproteins. At 1 year of age, 64% of Bhmt−/− mice had visible hepatic tumors. Histopathological analysis revealed that Bhmt−/− mice developed hepatocellular carcinoma or carcinoma precursors. These results indicate that BHMT has an important role in Hcy, choline, and one-carbon homeostasis. A lack of Bhmt also affects susceptibility to fatty liver and hepatocellular carcinoma. We suggest that functional polymorphisms in BHMT that significantly reduce activity may have similar effects in humans.
Eight solutions of the essential matrix for continuous camera motion tracking in video augmented reality

This paper considers a self-calibration approach to the estimation of motion parameters for an unknown camera used for video-based augmented reality. Whilst existing systems derive four SVD solutions of the essential matrix, which encodes the epipolar geometry between two camera views, this paper presents eight possible solutions derived from mathematical computation and geometrical analysis. The eight solutions not only reflect the position and orientation of the camera in static displacement but also the dynamic, relative orientation between the camera and an object in continuous motion. This paper details a novel algorithm that introduces three geometric constraints to determine the rotation and translation matrix from the eight possible essential matrix solutions. An OpenGL camera motion simulator is used to demonstrate and evaluate the reliability of the proposed algorithms; this directly visualizes the abstract computer vision parameters into real 3D.
Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells overexpressing IL10 attenuates cardiac impairments in rats with myocardial infarction

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) has been well known to exert therapeutic potential for patients with myocardial infarction (MI). In addition, interleukin‐10 (IL10) could attenuate MI through suppressing inflammation. Thus, the combination of MSC implantation with IL10 delivery may extend health benefits to ameliorate cardiac injury after MI. Here we established overexpression of IL10 in bone marrow‐derived MSC through adenoviral transduction. Cell viability, apoptosis, and IL10 secretion under ischemic challenge in vitro were examined. In addition, MSC was transplanted into the injured hearts in a rat model of MI. Four weeks after the MI induction, MI, cardiac functions, apoptotic cells, and inflammation cytokines were assessed. In response to in vitro oxygen‐glucose deprivation (OGD), IL10 overexpression in MSC (Ad.IL10‐MSC) enhanced cell viability, decreased apoptosis, and increased IL10 secretion. Consistently, the implantation of Ad.IL10‐MSCs into MI animals resulted in more reductions in myocardial infarct size, cardiac impairment, and cell apoptosis, compared to the individual treatments of either MSC or IL10 administration. Moreover, the attenuation of both systemic and local inflammations was most prominent for Ad.IL10‐MSC treatment. IL10 overexpression and MSC may exert a synergistic anti‐inflammatory effect to alleviate cardiac injury after MI.
Expression of CXCR 2 and its clinical significance in human colorectal cancer

In the present study, we detected CXC chemokine receptor-2 (CXCR2) CXCR2 expression in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and investigated the correlation of CXCR2 expression with clinicopathological variables. CXCR2 expression levels in 46 cancerous tissues, 20 colonic benign tumour tissues, and 30 normal colonic mucosa tissues were examined at both the mRNA level and protein level by using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and two-step immunohistochemical staining, respectively. We found that the positive rate of CXCR2 protein expression in cancer tissue samples was 69.6%. RT-PCR results confirmed that CXCR2 expression was significantly higher in tumour tissues compared with benign tumour and normal mucosa tissues (P < 0.05). When 46 colorectal cancer patients were divided into groups according to the clinical stage, lymph node metastasis and liver metastasis, we found that CXCR2 expression increased in patients with lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05), and its expression was much higher in stage III and IV cancers than stage I and II cancers. These findings suggest that CXCR2 expression in CRC patients may be a potential molecular biomarker for evaluation of tumour growth and invasion.
High-Repetition-Rate Terahertz Generation in QPM GaAs With a Compact Efficient 2- $\mu \text{m}$  KTP OPO

An efficient tunable high-repetition-rate KTiOPO4 (KTP) optical parametric oscillator (OPO) was deployed as a compact terahertz (THz) source for the first time. The KTP OPO was intracavity pumped by an acousto-optical Q-switched Nd:YVO4 laser and emitted two tunable wavelengths near degeneracy. The OPO tuning range extended continuously from 2.068 to 2.191 μm with a maximum output power of 3.29 W at 24 kHz, corresponding to an optical-optical conversion efficiency of 20.69%, believed to be among the highest reported. A periodically inverted quasi-phase-matched GaAs crystal was used to generate the THz wave by the difference frequency generation (DFG) method based on a dual-wavelength laser. The maximum output THz power was 0.6 μW at 1.244 THz, and the DFG energy conversion efficiency was 4.32 × 10-7. This provides a potential practical palm-top tunable THz sources for portable applications.
Influence of interaction techniques on vims in virtual environments : estimation et prédiction. (Influence of interaction techniques o n VIMS in virtual environments : estimation and prediction)

La comprehension de la dynamique oculo-vestibulaire pendant un rearrangement sensoriel dans le systeme nerveux central joue un role extremement important pour mieux apprehender la perception humaine, et ameliore la technologie dans de nombreux domaines de l'ingenierie. Par ailleurs, le conflit sensoriel qui apparait entre les systemes oculaire, vestibulaire et proprioceptif pendant un rearrangement sensoriel a certains instants peut affecter grandement la performance d'un utilisateur dans un grand nombre d'applications telles que la simulation de vol/conduite, les systemes d'affichage 3D echelle 1, les affichages de grande taille, les serious games, etc. De fait, connaitre la condition dans laquelle le conflit sensoriel apparait est d'une grande importance. Cette etude a pour objectif la comprehension de la nature du conflit sensoriel par la modelisation et des etudes subjectives, ainsi que les conditions dans lesquelles ce conflit apparait dans un environnement synthetique. Les resultats sont ensuite utilises pour concevoir de meilleures interfaces de navigation et de manipulation dans des environnements virtuels immersifs et interactifs. Plusieurs elements, tels que la surface/taille projetee du balancement postural d'un utilisateur (mesuree par le centre de gravite) apres exposition au conflit, la difference entre les composantes hautes et basses frequences du balancement, et le temps d'exposition, seront proposes comme indicateurs de ce conflit dans des processus temps reel. Enfin, la methode proposee sera utilisee pour evaluer plusieurs interfaces de navigation. Celles-ci sont basees sur des peripheriques, la marche sur place, la reconnaissance vocale, les supports nomades, ou une fusion multi-sensorielle. Nous montrerons que les interfaces naturelles engendrent moins de conflit que celles artificielles. De plus, les trajectoires de l'utilisateur et de mauvais reglages des parametres de navigation peuvent amener a un conflit plus eleve. En resume, pour eviter un inconfort general de l'utilisateur, les parametres de navigation doivent etre regles dans un certain intervalle.
Analysis of lombard and angry speech using Gaussian Mixture Models and KL divergence

Recognition of expressions from speech has emerged as an important research area in the recent past. However, the scientific community still faces problems in differentiating between angry and lombard speech. The objective of this work is to analyze the differences between the Lombard and angry speech using the features representing the excitation source of speech production. The instantaneous fundamental frequency, the strength of excitation and loudness measure, reflecting the sharpness of the impulse-like excitation around the epochs are used as excitation source features. The distributions curves of these three parameters are next plotted. We employ the concept of Gaussian Mixture Models (GMMs) and KL divergence (a measure of relative entropy) to calculate an exact measure of difference between angry, lombard and neutral speech with context to the aforementioned parameters and successfully show differences among the Lombard and angry speech signals at the excitation source level.
Comparative analysis of serum proteome in congenital scoliosis patients with TBX6 haploinsufficiency – a first report pointing to lipid metabolism

Congenital scoliosis (CS) is a three‐dimensional deformity of the spine affecting quality of life. We have demonstrated TBX6 haploinsufficiency is the most important contributor to CS. However, the pathophysiology at the protein level remains unclear. Therefore, this study was to explore the differential proteome in serum of CS patients with TBX6 haploinsufficiency. Sera from nine CS patients with TBX6 haploinsufficiency and nine age‐ and gender‐matched healthy controls were collected and analysed by isobaric tagged relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) labelling coupled with mass spectrometry (MS). In total, 277 proteins were detected and 20 proteins were designated as differentially expressed proteins, which were submitted to subsequent bioinformatics analysis. Gene Ontology classification analysis showed the biological process was primarily related to ‘cellular process’, molecular function ‘structural molecule activity’ and cellular component ‘extracellular region’. IPA analysis revealed ‘LXR/RXR activation’ was the top pathway, which is a crucial pathway in lipid metabolism. Hierarchical clustering analysis generated two clusters. In summary, this study is the first proteomic research to delineate the total and differential serum proteins in TBX6 haploinsufficiency‐caused CS. The proteins discovered in this experiment may serve as potential biomarkers for CS, and lipid metabolism might play important roles in the pathogenesis of CS.