Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enhancement-Mode InAIN/AIN/GaN HEMTs With 10―12 A/mm Leakage Current and 1012 ON/OFF Current Ratio

Postprocessing annealing in forming gas at 400 °C was performed on enhancement-mode lattice-matched InAlN/AlN/GaN high-electron-mobility transistors fabricated by selective etch of InAlN under a Pt gate. After postprocessing annealing, the device reverse gate leakage current decreased from 10 ―7 to 10 ―12 A/mm at V gs = ―1 V and V ds = 6 V, showing an ON/OFF current ratio of 10 12 that is the highest reported value for all GaN-based transistors. The gate diode breakdown voltage was observed to increase from ∼9 to ∼29 V; the transistor threshold voltage was also found to shift from 0.6 to 1.2 V. All these observations indicate that an electrically thinner and more insulating interlayer is most likely formed between the Pt gate and underlying channel after postprocessing annealing, which is ascribed to multiple possible mechanisms including increase in barrier height, reduction in interface states introduced during the gate recess process, formation of a thin oxide layer, etc.
MAPPING UNDERLYING DYNAMIC EFFECTIVE CONNECTIVITY IN NEURAL SYSTEMS USING THE DECONVOLVED NEURONAL ACTIVITY

ABSTRACTMAPPING UNDERLYING DYNAMIC EFFECTIVE CONNECTIVITY IN NEURAL SYSTEMS USING THE DECONVOLVED NEURONALACTIVITYSeo Hyon Baik, PhDUniversity of Pittsburgh, 2010Event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has emerged as a tool for studying the functioning of the human brain. The study on fMRI supplies information on the underlying mechanism of the human brain, such as how a brain in good shape functions, how a brain affected by different diseases works, how a brain struggles to recover after damage and how different stimuli can modulate this recovery process.The variable of interest is the neuronal activities given a stimulus, however the signalbeing quantified by MRI scanner is the blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) response which is the subordinate repercussion of the underlying neuronal activity such as local changes in blood flow, volume and oxygenation level that takes place within a few second of changes in neuronal activity. From this point of view, one may think that the neuronal-activity-based and BOLD-based studies would be dissimilar in yielding information on the underlying mechanism of the human brain. This dissertation is devoted primarily to estimating underlying neuronal activities given a stimuli. In particular, we develop a method of estimating intrinsic neuronal signals and haemodynamic responses under thefact that a BOLD response is expressed as a convolution of the underlying neuronal signaland the haemodynamic response function. We also present differences between the use of estimated neuronal signals and of observed BOLD responses in investigating causal relationships among heterogeneous brain regions using an ordinary vector autoregressive model.
The globular tail domain puts on the brake to stop the ATPase cycle of myosin Va

Myosin Va is a well known processive motor involved in transport of organelles. A tail-inhibition model is generally accepted for the regulation of myosin Va: inhibited myosin Va is in a folded conformation such that the tail domain interacts with and inhibits myosin Va motor activity. Recent studies indicate that it is the C-terminal globular tail domain (GTD) that directly inhibits the motor activity of myosin Va. In the present study, we identified a conserved acidic residue in the motor domain (Asp-136) and two conserved basic residues in the GTD (Lys-1706 and Lys-1779) as critical residues for this regulation. Alanine mutations of these conserved charged residues not only abolished the inhibition of motor activity by the GTD but also prevented myosin Va from forming a folded conformation. We propose that Asp-136 forms ionic interactions with Lys-1706 and Lys-1779. This assignment locates the GTD-binding site in a pocket of the motor domain, formed by the N-terminal domain, converter, and the calmodulin in the first IQ motif. We propose that binding of the GTD to the motor domain prevents the movement of the converter/lever arm during ATP hydrolysis cycle, thus inhibiting the chemical cycle of the motor domain.
Improving Cache Performance by Exploiting Read-Write Disparity

Cache read misses stall the processor if there are no independent instructions to execute. In contrast, most cache write misses are off the critical path of execution, since writes can be buffered in the cache or the store buffer. With few exceptions, cache lines that serve loads are more critical for performance than cache lines that serve only stores. Unfortunately, traditional cache management mechanisms do not take into account this disparity between read-write criticality. The key contribution of this paper is the new idea of distinguishing between lines that are reused by reads versus those that are reused only by writes to focus cache management policies on the more critical read lines. We propose a Read-Write Partitioning (RWP) policy that minimizes read misses by dynamically partitioning the cache into clean and dirty partitions, where partitions grow in size if they are more likely to receive future read requests. We show that exploiting the differences in read-write criticality provides better performance over prior cache management mechanisms. For a single-core system, RWP provides 5% average speedup across the entire SPEC CPU2006 suite, and 14% average speedup for cachesensitive benchmarks, over the baseline LRU replacement policy. We also show that RWP can perform within 3% of a new yet complex instruction-address-based technique, Read Reference Predictor (RRP), that bypasses cache lines which are unlikely to receive any read requests, while requiring only 5.4% of RRP’s state overhead. On a 4-core system, our RWP mechanism improves system throughput by 6% over the baseline and outperforms three other state-of-the-art mechanisms we evaluate.
Dimensionality Dependent Plasticity in Halide Perovskite Artificial Synapses for Neuromorphic Computing

The hysteretic behavior of organic–inorganic halide perovskites (OHPs) are exploited for application in neuromorphic electronics. Artificial synapses with 2D and quasi‐2D perovskite are demonstrated that have a bulky organic cation (phenethylammonium (PEA)) to form structures of (PEA)2MAn‐1PbnBr3n+1. The OHP films have morphological properties that depend on their structure dimensionality (i.e., n value), and artificial synapses fabricated from them show synaptic responses such as short‐term plasticity, paired‐pulse facilitation, and long‐term plasticity. The operation mechanism of OHP artificial synapses are also analyzed depending on the dimensionality and it is found that quasi‐2D (n = 3–5) OHP artificial synapses show much longer retention than 2D and 3D OHP counterparts. The calculated energy consumption of a 2D OHP artificial synapse (≈0.7 fJ per synaptic event) is comparable to that of biological synapses (1–10 fJ per synaptic event). These OHP artificial synapses may enable development of neuromorphic electronics that use very little energy.
Experiments Using an Analogue of the Number Field Sieve Algorithm to Solve the Discrete Logarithm Problem in the Jacobians of Hyperelliptic Curves

In this paper we report on an implementation of the algorithm of Aldeman, De Marrais and Huang for the solution of the discrete logarithm problem on jacobians of hyperelliptic curves. The method of Aldeman, De Marrais and Huang is closely related to the Number Field Sieve factoring method which leads us to consider a \lattice sieve" version of the original method. The supposed intractability of the discrete logarithm (DLOG) problem in the Jacobians of curves de ned over a nite eld can be used as the basis of public key cryptosystems. For curves of genus one, elliptic curves, this was proposed in [11] and such systems are now in use. For hyperelliptic curves the analogous system was proposed in [12]. The reason for preferring the use of Jacobians of curves as the underlying group, rather than nite elds, is due to the fact that there is no known subexponential algorithm for solving the DLOG problem in the Jacobian of a general curve. This should be contrasted to the case of nite elds where there exists conjectural subexponential time methods (based on the number eld sieve factoring algorithm) to solve the DLOG problem. There are provably subexponential time methods for solving the discrete logarithm problem in nite elds, however in practice these are not as fast as the number eld sieve algorithm. In [1], Adleman, De Marrais and Huang (ADH), proposed a conjectural subexponential method for the DLOG problem in Jacobians of hyperelliptic curves of large genus. This method was based on the ideas of the function eld sieve algorithm which can be used to solve the discrete logarithm problem in F2n , [2]. The function eld sieve is itself based on Pollard's Number Field Sieve, NFS, algorithm for factoring integers, [14]. The ADH method appears to be only of theoretical interest as for practical systems the genus is usually chosen to be small so that the underlying group operations can be performed quickly. Indeed the group is usually the genus one case of the group of points on an elliptic curve. There is however some, at least theoretical, interest in studying where the cross over point comes between the various methods to solve the DLOG problem such as the exponential methods of Pollard, Pohlig and Hellman and the method of ADH. Recently Paulus, [16], and Flassenberg and Paulus, [8], have carried out such a comparison for imaginary quadratic function elds (or hyperelliptic curves with one rami ed point above in nity). Flassenberg and Paulus did not, however, use the method of ADH directly. Instead they made use of the fact that hyperelliptic curves correspond to degree two function eld extensions. Then using the analogy between
The zebrafish merovingian mutant reveals a role for pH regulation in hair cell toxicity and function

Control of the extracellular environment of inner ear hair cells by ionic transporters is crucial for hair cell function. In addition to inner ear hair cells, aquatic vertebrates have hair cells on the surface of their body in the lateral line system. The ionic environment of these cells also appears to be regulated, although the mechanisms of this regulation are less understood than those of the mammalian inner ear. We identified the merovingian mutant through genetic screening in zebrafish for genes involved in drug-induced hair cell death. Mutants show complete resistance to neomycin-induced hair cell death and partial resistance to cisplatin-induced hair cell death. This resistance is probably due to impaired drug uptake as a result of reduced mechanotransduction ability, suggesting that the mutants have defects in hair cell function independent of drug treatment. Through genetic mapping we found that merovingian mutants contain a mutation in the transcription factor gcm2. This gene is important for the production of ionocytes, which are cells crucial for whole body pH regulation in fish. We found that merovingian mutants showed an acidified extracellular environment in the vicinity of both inner ear and lateral line hair cells. We believe that this acidified extracellular environment is responsible for the defects seen in hair cells of merovingian mutants, and that these mutants would serve as a valuable model for further study of the role of pH in hair cell function.
SiC MOSFET zero-voltage-switching SVM controlled three-phase grid inverter

Although SiC-MOSFET has shown significant advantages on switching performance compared with traditional Si counterpart, the dynamic loss of the hard switching SiC-MOSFET converter rises quickly with the increasing of the switching frequency. To further pushing the power density of SiC-MOSFET gird inverter, soft switching inverter with Zero-Voltage-Switching (ZVS) SVM technique is investigated. In this paper the loss distributions and conversion efficiencies of both a 30kW hard switching inverter and a 30kW ZVS inverter with SiC MOSFET devices have been derived and compared with respect to physical size of the passive components with different switching frequencies from tens of kHz to hundreds of kHz. In order to evaluate the efficiency performance of different topologies with the increasing switching frequency, a new concept called Efficiency Endurance is proposed. Both the theoretical and experimental results have confirmed that the ZVS inverter is more advantageous in high switching frequency applications.
Approximation Algorithms for MAX 4-SAT and Rounding Procedures for Semidefinite Programs

Karloff and Zwick obtained recently an optimal 7/8-approximation algorithm for MAX 3-SAT. In an attempt to see whether similar methods can be used to obtain a 7/8-approximation algorithm for MAX SAT, we consider the most natural generalization of MAX 3-SAT, namely MAX 4-SAT. We present a semidefinite programming relaxation of MAX 4-SAT and a new family of rounding procedures that try to cope well with clauses of various sizes. We study the potential, and the limitations, of the relaxation and of the proposed family of rounding procedures using a combination of theoretical and experimental means. We select two rounding procedures from the proposed family of rounding procedures. Using the first rounding procedure we seem to obtain an almost optimal 0:8721-approximation algorithm for MAX 4-SAT. Using the second rounding procedure we seem to obtain an optimal 7/8-approximation algorithm for satisfiable instances of MAX 4-SAT. On the other hand, we show that no rounding procedure from the family considered can yield an approximation algorithm for MAX 4-SAT whose performance guarantee on all instances of the problem is greater than 0.8724. Although most of this paper deals specifically with the MAX 4-SAT problem, we believe that the new family of rounding procedures introduced, and the methodology used in the design and in the analysis of the various rounding procedures considered would have a much wider range of applicability.
Interaction between combustion-generated organic nanoparticles and biological systems: In vitro study of cell toxicity and apoptosis in human keratinocytes

Abstract The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effect of flame-generated nucleation mode particles with an organic carbon structure on growth and apoptosis in immortalized human keratinocytes. In this study, cells were stimulated with nanoparticles collected from flames that produce only nucleation mode particles operating with a fuel:air mixture typical of low-emission combustion systems. Cytotoxicity as a function of particle concentration was monitored by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis, and apoptosis was observed by FACS using DNA fragmentation and hypodiploidism and confirmed by annexin assay. A dose-dependent reduction in cell viability by apoptosis in incubation periods of 48 and 72 hours was observed with a statistically significant increase in apoptosis over controls for a dose larger than 7 μg/mL (1.4 μg/cm2). The results presented here may be relevant for understanding the association between exposure to traffic-generated particulate pollution and enhanced skin aging reported in epidemiology studies.
The impact of 20 mph traffic speed zones on inequalities in road casualties in London

Background Road traffic casualties show some of the widest socioeconomic differentials of any cause of morbidity or mortality, and as yet there is little evidence on what works to reduce them. This study quantified the current and potential future impact of the introduction of 20 mph zones on socioeconomic inequalities in road casualties in London. Methods An observational study based on analysis of geographically coded police road casualties data, 1987–2006. Changes in counts of casualties from road collisions, those killed and seriously injured and pedestrian injuries by quintile of deprivation were calculated. Results The effect of 20 mph zones was similar across quintiles of socioeconomic deprivation, being associated with a 41.8% (95% CI 21.0% to 62.6%) decline in casualties in areas in the least deprived quintile versus 38.3% (31.5% to 45.0%) in the most deprived quintile. Because of the greater number of road casualties in deprived areas and the targeting of zones to such areas, the number of casualties prevented by zones was substantially larger in areas of greater socioeconomic deprivation. However, the underlying decline in road casualties on all roads was appreciably greater in less deprived areas (p<0.001 for trend) so that despite the targeting of 20 mph zones, socioeconomic inequalities in road injuries in London have widened over time. Extending 20 mph schemes has only limited the potential to reduce differentials further. Conclusions The implementation of 20 mph zones targeted at deprived areas has mitigated widening socioeconomic differentials in road injury in London and to some degree narrowed them, but there is limited potential for further gain.
Nogo-A and Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein Mediate Neurite Growth Inhibition by Antagonistic Regulation of RhoA and Rac1

The adult mammalian CNS has a limited capacity for nerve regeneration and structural plasticity. The presence of glia-derived inhibitory factors myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) and Nogo-A have been suggested to provide a nonpermissive environment for elongating nerve fibers. In particular, Nogo-A, an integral membrane protein predominantly expressed by oligodendrocytes, has been demonstrated to impair neurite growth in vitro and in vivo. Structure function analysis revealed that Nogo-A protein contains at least two active domains, NiG and Nogo-66, with diverse effects on neurite outgrowth and cell spreading. We now provide evidence that these inhibitory domains mediate their effects via an antagonistic regulation of the small GTPases RhoA and Rac1, resulting in activation of RhoA and suppression of Rac1. By inactivating RhoA with C3 transferase or the downstream effector Rho-kinase ROCK withY27632, the inhibitory effects of both Nogo-A fragments and MAG on neurite outgrowth and oligodendrocyte-mediated growth cone collapse were abolished. Furthermore, we show that the recently cloned receptor for Nogo-66 and MAG, NgR, is not necessary for either NiG- or MAG-induced RhoA activation.
The Association between Androgenic Hormone Levels and the Risk of Developing Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between the serum levels of androgens and Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) in an Iranian population. Methods: Male individuals admitted to Tehran Heart Center and Sina Hospital, Tehran, Iran from 2011–2012 were categorized into CAD and control groups based on selective coronary angiography. Baseline demographic data, including age, BMI, diabetes, and a history of hypertension were recorded. Patients were also assessed for their serum levels of total testosterone, free testosterone, estradiol, dehydroepi and rosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), and Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG). Data analysis was carried out chi-square and ANOVA tests as well as logistic regression analysis. Results: Two hundred patients were in the CAD group and 135 individuals in control group. In the CAD group, 69 had single-vessel disease, 49 had two-vessel diseases, and 82 had three-vessel diseases. Statistically significant differences were observed between the individuals in the two groups with respect to age (P<0.0001), diabetes (P<0.0001), and a history of hypertension (P=0.018). The serum levels of free testosterone (P=0.048) and DHEA-S (P<0.0001) were significantly higher in the control group than in the CAD group; however, the serum level of SHBG was higher in the CAD group than in the control group (P=0.007). Results of the logistic regression analysis indicated that only age (P=0.042) and diabetes (P=0.003) had significant relationships with CAD. Conclusion: Although the serum levels of some of the androgens were significantly different between the two groups, no association was found between androgenic hormone levels and the risk of CAD, due mainly to the effect of age and diabetes.
A network flow approach to memory bandwidth utilization in embedded DSP core processors

This paper presents a network flow approach to solving the register binding and allocation problem for multiword memory access DSP processors. In recently announced DSP processors, 16-bit instructions which simultaneously access four words from memory are supported. A polynomial-time network flow methodology is used to allocate multiword accesses, including constant data-memory layout, while minimizing code size. Results show that improvements of up to 87% in terms of memory bandwidth are obtained compared to compiler-generated DSP code. This research is important for industry since this value-added technique can improve code size and utilize higher-memory bandwidths without increasing cost.
Recent Developments in Stereotactic Breast Biopsy Methodologies: An Update for the Surgical Pathologist

Summary: Recently, there have been a number of new devices introduced for stereotactic biopsy of nonpalpable, mammographically detected lesions. The vacuumassisted core biopsy (VACB) (Minimal Invasive Breast Biopsy (MIBB), U.S. Surgical, Norwalk, CT; Mammotome, Biopsys Medical, Cincinnati, OH) obtains multiple tissue cores (11‐gauge) in a circumferential manner around the biopsy probe, inserted under stereotactic guidance. It provides more complete sampling of mammographic lesions than the conventional 14‐gauge stereotactic core biopsy, reducing the number of unsatisfactory biopsies. The advanced breast biopsy instrumentation (ABBI) (United States Surgical Corporation, Norwalk, CT) system utilizes stereotactic technique and an oscillating blade‐cutting mechanism to obtain a single large diameter (5mm to 20mm) tissue core, with the aim of obtaining an intact lesion in its entirety for histologic assessment. Its potential as a treatment option is still under investigation. Suggested protocols for specimen handling are presented together with a review of the recent literature. Close liaison with radiologists and surgeons performing these biopsies will allow the collection of further outcome data to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each technique.
Dendritic cells are potent antigen-presenting cells for microbial superantigens

Dendritic cells are a small subset of human blood mononuclear cells that are potent stimulators of several T cell functions. Here we show they are 10-50-fold more potent than monocytes or B cells in inducing T cell responses to a panel of superantigens. Furthermore, dendritic cells can present femtomolar concentrations of superantigen to T cells even at numbers where other antigen-presenting cells (APCs) are inactive. Although dendritic cells express very high levels of the major histocompatibility complex products that are required to present superantigens, it is only necessary to pulse these APCs for 1 hour with picomolar levels of one superantigen, staphylococcal enterotoxin B, to maximally activate T cells. Our results suggest that very small amounts of superantigen will be immunogenic in vivo if presented on dendritic cells.