Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reduction of Local Mechanical Stress in a Transistor Using Si3 N 4 / SiO x N y Contact ESL

We have investigated the influence of a contact etch-stop layer (ESL) on the local mechanical stress in a deep sub-micrometer complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) field-effect transistor using convergent-beam electron diffraction with nanoscale resolution. By introducing a thin buffer layer of SiO x N y underneath the Si 3 N 4 contact ESL, we have shown that the compressive channel strain can be effectively mitigated, resulting in higher electron mobility and drive current in n-channel metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors, without undue impact on the electrical performance of p-channel transistors. Hence, the Si 3 N 4 /SiO x N y film stack is a promising alternative for contact ESL to enable high-performance CMOS devices.
A DIY Self-Experimentation Toolkit for Behavior Change

Within personal informatics and Quantified Self (QS), great emphasis has been placed on creating the systems for gathering and visualizing data to support self-discovery. While this is a vital first step, a logical next step is the development of self-experimentation tools focused on not only tracking but also testing of alternative strategies for behavior change. Many behavior change technologies provide the “solution” to a problem rather than give individuals the tools to selfexperiment with alternative solutions; a tactic that fits particularly well with QS. In this paper, we will briefly describe the conceptual frameworks relevant to habit formation, particularly those that emphasize context, and then we describe the Game as Life, Life as Game (GaLLaG) system developed by Burelson et al. and how this tool along with other QS tools could be used as the starting point of a DIY self-experimentation toolkit.
Reconstruction of Markov Random Fields from Samples: Some Observations and Algorithms

Markov random fields are used to model high dimensional distributions in a number of applied areas. Much recent interest has been devoted to the reconstruction of the dependency structure from independent samples from the Markov random fields. We analyze a simple algorithm for reconstructing the underlying graph defining a Markov random field on nnodes and maximum degree dgiven observations. We show that under mild non-degeneracy conditions it reconstructs the generating graph with high probability using i¾? (dlogn) samples which is optimal up to a multiplicative constant. Our results seem to be the first results for general models that guarantee that thegenerating model is reconstructed. Furthermore, we provide an explicit O(dnd+ 2logn) running time bound. In cases where the measure on the graph has correlation decay, the running time is O(n2logn) for all fixed d. In the full-length version we also discuss the effect of observing noisy samples. There we show that as long as the noise level is low, our algorithm is effective. On the other hand, we construct an example where large noise implies non-identifiability even for generic noise and interactions. Finally, we briefly show that in some cases, models with hidden nodes can also be recovered.
Antifungal Cobalt(II), Copper(II), Nickel(II) and Zinc(II) Complexes of Furanyl-,Thiophenyl-, Pyrrolyl-, Salicylyl- and Pyridyl-derived Cephalexins

Some novel cephalexin-derived furanyl, thiophenyl, pyrrolyl, salicylyl and pyridyl Schiff's bases and their cobalt (II), copper (II), nickel (II) and zinc (II) complexes have been synthesized and studied for their antifungal properties against Trichophyton longifusus, Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus, Microsporum canis, Fusarium solani and Candida glaberata. The presence of metal ions in the investigated Schiff's base complexes reported here lead to significant antifungal activity, whereas the parent ligands were generally less active.
The relationship between cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers and depression in elderly women.

OBJECTIVE Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers including the 42 amino-acid form of beta-amyloid (Abeta42), total tau protein (T-tau), and the CSF/serum albumin ratio are markers of brain pathology and metabolism. Abeta42 and T-tau are sometimes used to discriminate geriatric depression from mild forms of Alzheimer disease (AD) in clinical studies. However, studies focusing on the relationship between these CSF biomarkers and geriatric depression are lacking. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study with a population-based sample of 84 nondemented elderly women in Sweden. Measurements included neuropsychiatric, physical, and lumbar puncture examinations, with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Revision-based depression diagnoses and measurement of CSF levels of Abeta42, T-tau, albumin, and serum albumin. RESULTS Fourteen women (mean age: 72.6 years) had any depression (11 with major depressive disorder [MDD]). Compared to women without depression, women with MDD had higher levels of Abeta42 and the CSF/serum albumin ratio. The CSF/serum albumin ratio was also higher in women with any depression. No differences in T-tau were observed; however, T-tau increased with age. CONCLUSION Higher levels of CSF Abeta42 were observed among elderly depressed women, in contrast to lower levels usually observed in AD, indicating potential neuropathological differences between the two disorders. Higher CSF/serum albumin ratios observed in depressed women point to potential vascular processes.
Building platforms for information system interoperability - using a UML-based metamodeling approach

Models have been playing a major role in information system engineering and interoperability: in this paper, we put an emphasis on the complementary role of metamodels. Metamodels are used as a core of two innovative platforms for information system interoperability. The first platform allows to combine formal and informal approaches for both modeling and interoperability of information systems. The second platform uses metamodeling and reengineering in order to reuse interoperability know-how in the Semantic Web. Both platforms are based on metamodels that are integrated from metamodels of participating information systems. Such integration of metamodels is carried out by using a UML-based metamodeling architecture we have proposed.
Nek1 phosphorylates Von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor to promote its proteasomal degradation and ciliary destabilization

Loss of function in either VHL or Nek1 leads to cyst formation in tissues, especially in kidneys. Whether there is a connection between pVHL and Nek1 regulation is unknown. Here, we report that the VHL protein (pVHL) may be a substrate of Nek1. While Nek1 can phosphorylate pVHL at multiple sites, the phosphorylation at serine-168 results in pVHL degradation. Nek1-mediated phosphorylation of pVHL does not significantly affect hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF), a known target of pVHL. However, non-phosphorylable pVHL reconstituted in VHL-deficient cells induces more stable cilia than wild-type VHL during serum stimulation and Nocodazole treatment. The results suggest a possible regulation of pVHL by Nek1 that may contribute to ciliary homeostasis and cystogenesis.
Strategies for Achieving Whole-Practice Engagement and Buy-in to the Patient-Centered Medical Home

PURPOSE The current model of primary care in the United States limits physicians’ ability to offer high-quality care. The patient-centered medical home (PCMH) shows promise in addressing provision of high-quality care, but achieving a PCMH practice model often requires comprehensive organizational change. Guided by Solberg’s conceptual framework for practice improvement, which argues for shared prioritization of improvement and change, we describe strategies for obtaining organizational buy-in to and whole-staff engagement of PCMH transformation and practice improvement. METHODS Semistructured interviews with 136 individuals and 7 focus groups involving 48 individuals were conducted in 20 small- to mid-sized medical practices in Pennsylvania during the first regional rollout of a statewide PCMH initiative. For this study, we analyzed interview transcripts, monthly narrative reports, and observer notes from site visits to identify discourse pertaining to organizational buy-in and strategies for securing buy-in from personnel. Using a consensual qualitative research approach, data were reduced, synthesized, and managed using qualitative data management and analysis software. RESULTS We identified 13 distinct strategies used to obtain practice buy-in, reflecting 3 overarching lessons that facilitate practice buy-in: (1) effective communication and internal PCMH campaigns, (2) effective resource utilization, and (3) creation of a team environment. CONCLUSION Our study provides a list of strategies useful for facilitating PCMH transformation in primary care. These strategies can be investigated empirically in future research, used to guide medical practices undergoing or considering PCMH transformation, and used to inform health care policy makers. Our study findings also extend Solberg’s conceptual framework for practice improvement to include buy-in as a necessary condition across all elements of the change process.
Creative and Reflective Accounting Education: Authentic Learning in Kazakhstan

Authentic learning challenges the student to take ownership of the learning process by agreeing to the process of learning, linking theory to practical implications, and the learning process as a construction of their empowerment. Students in this journey could choose the authentic learning experience over the more traditional mode of instruction. The textual analysis of the learning journals revealed that there was an increased understanding of the technical issues, increased creativity and commitment by students, the interconnections between theoretic dimensions and practice became clearer, coupled with increased motivation and the ability to deal with uncertainty. The findings indicate that the construction of learning by self-directed and empowered individuals can be formed by a community of learners as well as the broader community in which these students are embedded.
CHANGES IN BODY FAT MASS IN PATIENTS AFTER STARTING PERITONEAL DIALYSIS

♦ Background: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is characterized by gain in fat mass. Visceral fat mass is associated with metabolic syndrome and atherosclerosis rather than subcutaneous fat mass. In addition, the change in visceral fat mass is a more reliable predictor of survival in PD patients. In this study, we prospectively examined serial changes in fat composition and nutritional status and analyzed factors associated with gain in fat mass in patients undergoing PD. ♦ Methods: Body composition was assessed by bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) and computed tomogram (CT). Nutrition status was assessed by Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), protein equivalent of nitrogen appearance (nPNA), serum albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and lipid profile. All measurements except BIA were performed on the seventh day and at 6 and 12 months after the start of PD. ♦ Results: 60 patients (30 men; mean age 55.0 ± 12.5 years) were enrolled. Increase in body weight continued during the 12 months but visceral and subcutaneous fat mass increased during the first 6 months and decreased during the second 6 months. While hematocrit and serum albumin decreased during the first 6 months, they did not change during the second 6 months. Serum creatinine, total cholesterol, and triglyceride increased similarly to the weight pattern. While nPNA decreased during the 12 months, Kt/V, SGA, and CRP did not change. Patients that had more visceral fat mass at the start of PD had less gain of visceral fat mass during the first 6 months (r = –0.821, p = 0.002). Patients that had more subcutaneous fat mass at the start of PD had less gain of subcutaneous fat mass (r = –0.709, p = 0.015). The change in weight was not associated with the change in visceral or subcutaneous fat during the first 6 months. ♦ Conclusion: Patients starting PD experience weight gain, including visceral and subcutaneous fat, during the first 6 months of PD. Patients with high baseline fat mass had less increase in fat mass than those with low baseline fat mass, regardless of visceral or subcutaneous fat mass.
Variations of intrahepatic and proximal extrahepatic bile ducts.

BACKGROUND/AIMS The modern segmental concept of the liver with a segmental bile duct distribution is of practical importance for biliary specialists and should include information on variations of intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts. The aim of this study was to find biliary variations, especially on a segmental and sectorial level, and to try to arrange them into types. METHODOLOGY We analyzed 51 corrosion casts of the human liver, which enabled the three-dimensional study of extrahepatic, sectorial, segmental and subsegmental bile ducts, their variations in course and confluencing, and the relationship between the structures of the portal pedicle. RESULTS The types of confluence and their frequency were determined separately for the left, right, right anterior sectorial, right posterior sectorial and common hepatic ducts. "Normal" left confluence was formed in 82% and three variations in 18%. "Normal" right confluence was formed in 75% and four variations in 25%. A complete ("normal") anterior sectorial duct was present in 35% and four variations in 65%. A complete ("normal") posterior sectorial duct was present in 61% and four variations in 39%. CONCLUSIONS The study showed that the biliary tree variations are quite frequent, and therefore clinically important, and that they could be arranged into several types.
Developmental changes in expression of ion currents accompany maturation of locomotor pattern in frog tadpoles

1 The K+ currents of spinal neurons acutely dissociated from Xenopus larvae were studied and compared with those of neurons dissociated from Xenopus embryos. 2 The density of total outward current in the larval and embryonic neurons remained the same from stage 37/38 to stage 42. 3 Almost all neurons at stage 42 expressed a fast activating Ca2+‐dependent K+ current (IKCa) that was largely absent from embryonic neurons. Whereas IKCa became larger and more prevalent during development, the delayed rectifier K+ currents were down‐regulated. 4 About 53% of IKCa was selectively blocked by iberiotoxin which had no effect on the delayed rectifier K+ currents or the K+ currents of embryonic neurons. 5 The firing properties of neurons isolated from embryos were unchanged by iberiotoxin. However, the toxin greatly increased the frequency of firing in larval neurons. 6 Iberiotoxin extended the duration of ventral root bursts during fictive swimming in larvae at stages 41 and 42 but had no effect at stage 40. The progressive expression of IKCa thus contributed to burst termination. 7 We have found that changes in expression of outward current closely correlate with the maturation of the motor pattern during development. At a time when the motor pattern has a need for a burst‐terminating mechanism, the larval neurons express a channel with properties appropriate for such a role.
An FPGA Dynamically Reconfigurable Framework for Modular Robotics

Dynamic Reconfiguration has always constituted a challenge for embedded systems designers. Nowadays, technological developments make possible to do it on Xilinx FPGAs, but setting up a dynamically reconfigurable system remains a painful and complicated task. In this paper we propose a framework for performing it in an easy way, for a specific application: Modular Robotics. We propose an architecture containing a Microblaze processor and a reconfigurable module. The module is defined in VHDL and synthesized by the user; then we provide the scripts for easily generating the corresponding configuration bitstreams for a dynamic partial reconfigurable controller for our Modular Robot. The proposed framework is easily extendable to other applications.
In‐hospital mortality in adult recipients of living donor liver transplantation: Experience of 576 consecutive cases at a single center

Adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) was developed against the background of a scarcity of deceased donors and has a number of disadvantages leading to in‐hospital mortality, such as marginal donors and grafts and recipients suffering from severe conditions. We have thus developed surgical and medical innovations to overcome these disadvantages. The present study analyzes the causes of death and factors affecting in‐hospital mortality in adult recipients of LDLT. Between November 1994 and December 2007, 576 consecutive adult patients underwent LDLT at a single medical center. Overall in‐hospital mortality was 18.9%. The peak rate was 55.6% in 1996, and the rate gradually decreased thereafter to 4.4% in 2007. The most frequent cause of death was infection (62.5%), which was followed by rejection (15.7%) and nonseptic multiple‐organ failure (8.9%). Being intensive care unit–bound before the operation, ABO blood type incompatibility, an absence of postoperative enteral nutrition, and a Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease score of 25 or higher were independent risk factors for in‐hospital mortality. In ABO‐identical and ABO‐compatible cases, retransplantation and a positive lymphocyte crossmatch test were additional independent risk factors. In conclusion, even aggressive efforts, preoperative conditions such as being intensive care unit–bound, a high Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease score, retransplantation, and a positive lymphocyte crossmatch test are still risk factors. Enteral nutrition could be a promising strategy to improve adult LDLT. Liver Transpl 15:1420–1425, 2009. © 2009 AASLD.
Lack of a cell cycle-dependent strand bias for mutations induced in the HPRT gene by (+/-)-7 beta,8 alpha-dihydroxy-9 alpha,10 alpha-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene in excision repair-deficient human cells.

We showed previously that in repair-proficient human cells the location of the premutagenic lesion induced by (+-)-7 beta,8 alpha-dihydroxy-9 alpha,10 alpha-epoxy-7,8,9,10- tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene (BPDE), namely, the guanine in a G.C base substitution, in mutants derived from cells treated at the beginning of S phase just when the hypoxanthine (guanine) phosphoribosyltransferase gene is replicated, differs significantly from their location in cells treated 12 h prior to the beginning of S phase (early G1 phase) (R-H. Chen et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 87:8680-8684, 1990). This suggests that the cells preferentially remove BPDE adducts from the transcribed strand. We have now determined the kinds and location of independent mutations induced by BPDE in the coding region of the hypoxanthine (guanine) phosphoribosyltransferase gene of synchronized repair-deficient xeroderma pigmentosum cells (XP12BE, complementation group A), treated at S or in G1. Nineteen of 25 mutants derived from S-treated cells and 23 of 28 mutants from G1-treated cells contained base substitutions. Eighty-nine percent of these involved a G.C base pair, primarily G.C----T.A transversions. This is similar to the kinds of mutations we saw in the repair-proficient cells. However, in contrast to our earlier results, there was no change in strand distribution of premutagenic BPDE lesions. In both populations, approximately 26% of the base substitutions involving G.C base pairs had the G located in the transcribed strand, 5 of 18 in the S phase mutants, and 5 of 21 in the G1 phase mutants. These results support the hypothesis that the strong strand bias of induced mutations observed in the repair-proficient cells results from preferential repair of BPDE-induced DNA damage from the transcribed strand.
Cooperation versus Dominance Hierarchies in Animal Groups

While some communities of animals living in groups may develop systems of cooperation or mutual altruism, many other animal societies are characterised by dominance hierarchies. This thesis is concerned with describing the development of cooperation and dominance hierarchies amongst animal groups. By using a game-theoretic framework, I develop and investigate simple models to describe social interactions amongst animals. In particular, I consider the situation in which the animals differ from each other by some asymmetry and I analyse the effect of such individual differences on the models. Unlike earlier work in this field, which tended to focus on cooperation or dominance hierarchies in isolation, I develop a model that allows both cooperation and dominance hierarchies to arise. Additionally, this work is novel in that it makes a connection between the Hawk–Dove model and the formation of a dominance hierarchy. I begin my analysis with a static analysis of the asymmetric Hawk–Dove game, using the concept of an evolutionary stable strategy. This is followed by the application of replicator dynamics to the problem. My analysis shows that neither of these standard approaches allow cooperation as an outcome, which motivates me to develop new but tractable dynamic models. The final model presented allows both cooperation and dominance relations in different circumstances, and I discuss how it can be used to model the formation of a dominance hierarchy. Finally, I investigate how much asymmetry is required in order to make qualitative differences in the relative frequencies of cooperation and dominance hierarchies.
Adaptive diffusion and discriminant analysis for complexity control of time-frequency detectors

Achieving good performance with data-driven detectors requires matching their complexity to the amount of available training data. Receivers with a too large number of adjustable parameters often exhibit poor generalization performance whereas those characterized by an insufficient complexity cannot learn all the discriminant information carried by training samples. This paper deals with the complexity control of data-driven time-frequency detectors. Our approach is based on a locally adaptive filtering technique for time-frequency representations, called adaptive diffusion. It consists in using discriminant analysis to design the conductance function that controls the diffusion process. The resulting filtering scheme preserves discriminant information while acting on the complexity of the time-frequency detector. Simulation examples illustrate the efficiency of our approach.
Erythematous, eczematous papules appearing in the spring

A 6-mm punch biopsy was taken. The chief histological findings were the presence of minimal papillary dermal oedema, and dense superficial and mid-dermal perivascular infiltrate. The infiltrate was composed predominately of lymphocytes (Fig. 2). The epidermis showed atrophy and focal spongiosis with associated exocytosis of lymphocytes and vacuolar degeneration of the basal layer (Fig. 3). Inflammation around adnexal structures and dermal mucin deposition were not present.
Stable Suppression of Tumorigenicity by Pin1-Targeted RNA Interference in Prostate Cancer

Purpose: The peptidyl-prolyl isomrase Pin1 plays a catalytic role in oncogenesis in solid cancers, including prostate cancer. In the present study, we sought to determine the potential of Pin1-targeted gene silencing in inhibiting cellular growth and tumorigenicity in prostate cancer. Experimental Design: A retrovirus-mediated RNA interference targeting Pin1 was expressed in PC3 and LNCaP cells, and cell growth and several transformed properties were investigated. Results: The stable expression of Pin1-specific small interfering RNA constructs in PC3 and LNCaP cells significantly reduced cellular proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion but strongly enhanced the apoptotic response induced by serum depletion or treatment with anticancer agents. Furthermore, Pin1 depletion significantly suppressed tumorigenic potential in athymic mice, resulting in the inhibition of both tumor growth and angiogeneisis. Conclusions: These results strongly suggest that Pin1 plays an important role not only in tumorigenesis but also in the maintenance of the transformed phenotype in prostate cancer cells. Hence, Pin1 may serve as a promising therapeutic target, particularly for recurrent prostate tumors.