Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microscopic Hot-Carrier Degradation Modeling of SiGe HBTs Under Stress Conditions Close to the SOA Limit

We present and validate a physics-based model to describe the underlying mechanisms of hot-carrier degradation in bipolar transistors. Our analysis is based on a deterministic solution of the coupled system of Boltzmann transport equations for electrons and holes. The full-band transport model provides the energy distribution functions of the charge carriers interacting with the passivated Si–H bonds along the oxide interface. The simulation results assert the dominant role of hot holes along the emitter–base spacer oxide interface in the long-term degradation of an n-p-n SiGe heterojunction bipolar transistor under low and high-current conditions at the border of the safe-operating area. The interface trap density is calculated by incorporating an energy driven paradigm for the microscopicmechanisms of defect creation into a reaction-limitedmodelwith dispersive reaction rates. These interface traps increase the forward-mode base current via Shockley–Read–Hall recombination and degrade the overall device performance. The Gummel characteristics of a degraded device and time evolution of the excess base current for different stress conditions are verified versus the experimental data obtained for a state-of-the-art toward-terahertz SiGe HBT.
The Online Delivery of Psychology Courses: Attrition, Performance, and Evaluation

In this article I address issues associated with online courses, focusing on introductory psychology. Data from 2 studies compared student attrition, performance, and evaluation in classroom sections and online sections. In Study 1, students chose to enroll in online or classroom sections; in Study 2, students were assigned to a section. Data indicate that attrition was similar in the 2 instructional formats. In Study 1, online students scored nonsignificantly lower on course tests and the final exam. Online students were more likely to fail the course. However, online students evaluated the course similarly to the classroom students. In Study 2, performance and evaluation were not different for the online and the classroom sections.
A New MRI-Based Model of Heart Function with Coupled Hemodynamics and Application to Normal and Diseased Canine Left Ventricles

A methodology for the simulation of heart function that combines an MRI-based model of cardiac electromechanics (CE) with a Navier–Stokes-based hemodynamics model is presented. The CE model consists of two coupled components that simulate the electrical and the mechanical functions of the heart. Accurate representations of ventricular geometry and fiber orientations are constructed from the structural magnetic resonance and the diffusion tensor MR images, respectively. The deformation of the ventricle obtained from the electromechanical model serves as input to the hemodynamics model in this one-way coupled approach via imposed kinematic wall velocity boundary conditions and at the same time, governs the blood flow into and out of the ventricular volume. The time-dependent endocardial surfaces are registered using a diffeomorphic mapping algorithm, while the intraventricular blood flow patterns are simulated using a sharp-interface immersed boundary method-based flow solver. The utility of the combined heart-function model is demonstrated by comparing the hemodynamic characteristics of a normal canine heart beating in sinus rhythm against that of the dyssynchronously beating failing heart. We also discuss the potential of coupled CE and hemodynamics models for various clinical applications.
Gradient-based learning of higher-order image features

Recent work on unsupervised feature learning has shown that learning on polynomial expansions of input patches, such as on pair-wise products of pixel intensities, can improve the performance of feature learners and extend their applicability to spatio-temporal problems, such as human action recognition or learning of image transformations. Learning of such higher order features, however, has been much more difficult than standard dictionary learning, because of the high dimensionality and because standard learning criteria are not applicable. Here, we show how one can cast the problem of learning higher-order features as the problem of learning a parametric family of manifolds. This allows us to apply a variant of a de-noising autoencoder network to learn higher-order features using simple gradient based optimization. Our experiments show that the approach can outperform existing higher-order models, while training and inference are exact, fast, and simple.
Social capital or social interruption: the impact of smartphone use

The study aims to explore the impact of smartphone use on Facebook users' daily lives, particularly in terms of the development and maintenance of one's social capital, the level of perceived social interruption and the relationships between the two. The sample consisted of 789 university students in Taiwan. Two types of social capital, namely bonding and bridging, are examined. The results indicated that smartphone users developed and maintained social capital more easily and at the same time were interrupted more than non-smartphone users. A positive relation between social interruption and social capital was found for Facebook users with or without smartphones. The more social interruptions one experienced, the more social capital one possessed, regardless of smartphone uses.
BI FILM-VIDEO WORLD

Abstract Bisexual representations in film can be difficult to find; positive bi images even more scarce. Given our ever increasing hunger for bi-visibility, we searched where the dominant culture would most likely put us-namely, in stereotypical situations. Hence, based on the popular belief that bisexuality is related to non-monogamy, we sought out “threesome” films for explicit representations of bisexuality, and we identified and analyzed four mainstream films from the 1990s (Threesome, Splendor, Just One Time, and Trois, all of which have a White cast, except Trois, which has a Black cast). While each film demonstrated a willingness to investigate issues on non-monogamy and even sexual experimentation, we found no “reel” evidence of this illusive relationship between bisexuality and non-monogamy. More importantly, we did not find a willingness to call any sexual or intimate acts in these films “bisexual. ” What we did find was an overwhelming tendency to privilege women as more sexually fluid, more capable of breaking out of an identity as “straight” to explore bi-intimacy, bi-potential, and the possibility of having multiple intimate and sexual partners. At the same, though, bisexuality was rarely figured as an identity (and never as a positive one). The most stable relationships established by the end of each film revolved around the creation of largely monosexual relationships.
A Cloudy/XSPEC Interface

We discuss new functionality of the spectral simulation code Cloudy that allows the user to calculate grids with one or more initial parameters varied and formats the predicted spectra in the standard FITS format. These files can then be imported into the X‐ray spectral analysis software XSPEC and used as theoretical models for observations. We present and verify a test case. Finally, we consider a few observations and discuss our results.
Yoga for children in the mirror of the science: working spectrum and practice fields of the training of relaxation with elements of yoga for children

The latest research work showed a clear increase in stress consequences for younger children related to experience, behaviour and health (among other things, fear to fail and psychosomatic disorders). In contrast, only a few stress‐handling programmes are available specifically for children; a large part covers stress‐handling training courses orientated to behaviour and cognition. The aim of the Training of Relaxation with Elements of Yoga for Children technique introduced and evaluated is the communication of self‐control and relaxation based on experience using breathing exercises, imagination journeys and specifically selected yoga techniques for children. This stress‐handling programme has been investigated by means of a test/control/group design with 48 pupils of the fifth grade. During a pre/post comparison with three measuring times one could give proof that the training will increase emotional balance in the long term and reduce fears. Feelings of helplessness and aggression were clearly reduced. Beyond this, the participants transferred the learned breathing techniques and self‐instructions to situations beyond school, in order to relax after the lessons, to improve well‐being and to control negative feelings. The effects found out here indicate that yoga is suited for children as an independent control method.
Probabilistic Sentential Decision Diagrams

We propose the Probabilistic Sentential Decision Diagram (PSDD): A complete and canonical representation of probability distributions defined over the models of a given propositional theory. Each parameter of a PSDD can be viewed as the (conditional) probability of making a decision in a corresponding Sentential Decision Diagram (SDD). The SDD itself is a recently proposed complete and canonical representation of propositional theories. We explore a number of interesting properties of PSDDs, including the independencies that underlie them. We show that the PSDD is a tractable representation. We further show how the parameters of a PSDD can be efficiently estimated, in closed form, from complete data. We empirically evaluate the quality of PS-DDs learned from data, when we have knowledge, a priori, of the domain logical constraints.
Identifying Mobile Processes in a Complex Information System

Owing to the technical development of information and communication technologies, extensive information technology support to mobile business processes has been provided. The principal feature of these processes is changeability of the location at which certain process activities are performed combined with actor mobility. Modern information systems ought to equally support stationary and mobile processes, wherein the latter are executed in a dislocated manner regarding a particular organization’s stationary information technology resources. Such information systems cannot be successfully developed by merely adding mobile hardware and software components to a static information system. For mobile technologies potential to be fully exploited, reengineering of an organization’s business processes is required. In addition, the new information system needs to be developed comprehensively thus ensuring that those business processes are selected in which the usage of mobile technologies is justified. Identifying those – tentatively called ‘mobile’ – processes is the first step in mobile information systems design. In this paper the concepts of mobile business systems and mobile information systems are first defined, followed by an overview of researchers involved in their design. It is in that context that a new methodology is proposed, called Mobile Process Recognition Method–MPRM. This methodology, enabling reliable mobile process identification within the entire set of an organization’s business processes, is particularly suitable for team work with business users during the initial stage of mobile information systems design.
Multi-Label Classification of Short Text: A Study on Wikipedia Barnstars

A content analysis ofWikipedia barnstars personalized tokens of appreciation given to participants reveals a wide range of valued work extending beyond simple editing to include social support, administrative actions, and types of articulation work. Barnstars are examples of short semi-structured text characterized by informal grammar and language. We propose a method to classify these barnstars which contain items of interest into various work type categories. We evaluate several multilabel text categorization classifiers and show that significant performance can be achieved by simple classifiers using features which carry context extracted from barnstars. Although this study focused specifically on work categorization via barnstar content for Wikipedia, we believe that the findings are applicable to other similar collaborative systems.
Tensões militares no governo Lula (2003-2009): a pré-história do acordo com a França

O artigo trata da dinâmica das relacoes civis-militares no governo Lula, procurando entender as diferentes gestoes no Ministerio da Defesa. A hipotese central e que o presidente Lula teria deixado as questoes de defesa para um segundo plano, nao fosse a intervencao de fatores imprevistos. Palavras-chave: Politica de Defesa; militares; politica militar. Abstract The article deals with the dynamics of the relationship between civil and military personnel in Lula’s Government, aiming at understanding the different administrations of the Ministry of Defense. The central hypothesis is that non-anticipated factors gave prominence to the defense issues, which otherwise would be a secondary matter in President Lula’s agenda. Key words: Defense policy; military; military policy.
Rat monoclonal antitubulin antibodies derived by using a new nonsecreting rat cell line

Hybrid myeloma cell lines secreting monoclonal antibodies to tubulin have been prepared using rat myelomas and spleen cells from rats immunized with yeast tubulin. A comparison between the results obtained with the rat myeloma Y3-Ag 1.2. 3. , which secretes a light chain, and a new line, YB2/O, which does not, shows that they are both excellent parental lines and that the second produces hybrids with no myeloma chain components. The antitubulin antibodies in the serum of rats bearing two of the hybrid myeloma tumors gave titers of up to 1:10(6) from which large amounts of monoclonal antibodies could be easily purified. They recognized tubulin from yeast as well as from birds and mammals. The two antibodies gave clear immunofluorescent staining of yeast mitotic spindles as well as the interphase microtubule network of tissue culture cells. Some difference in the pattern of immunofluorescence staining of yeast cells and nuclei was observed between the two antibodies. The purified antibodies could be conjugated to colloidal gold particles and used for direct labeling of yeast microtubules for electron microscopy.
Conserved residue clustering and protein structure prediction

Protein residues that are critical for structure and function are expected to be conserved throughout evolution. Here, we investigate the extent to which these conserved residues are clustered in three‐dimensional protein structures. In 92% of the proteins in a data set of 79 proteins, the most conserved positions in multiple sequence alignments are significantly more clustered than randomly selected sets of positions. The comparison to random subsets is not necessarily appropriate, however, because the signal could be the result of differences in the amino acid composition of sets of conserved residues compared to random subsets (hydrophobic residues tend to be close together in the protein core), or differences in sequence separation of the residues in the different sets. In order to overcome these limits, we compare the degree of clustering of the conserved positions on the native structure and on alternative conformations generated by the de novo structure prediction method Rosetta. For 65% of the 79 proteins, the conserved residues are significantly more clustered in the native structure than in the alternative conformations, indicating that the clustering of conserved residues in protein structures goes beyond that expected purely from sequence locality and composition effects. The differences in the spatial distribution of conserved residues can be utilized in de novo protein structure prediction: We find that for 79% of the proteins, selection of the Rosetta generated conformations with the greatest clustering of the conserved residues significantly enriches the fraction of close‐to‐native structures. Proteins 2003;52:225–235. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Energy harvesting from anti-corrosion power sources

This work presents energy harvesting techniques from low-voltage current used to prevent galvanic corrosion between a metallic structure and a permanent copper/copper sulfate (Cu/CuSO4) reference electrode. Supercapacitors are adopted to compensate for or overcome the limitations of batteries. Then, a boost converter is used to convert the low voltage levels of galvanic corrosion to that needed by the complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technologies used for the wireless sensor systems. Experimental results show that our proposed harvesting schemes significantly reduce the overhead of the charging circuitry, which enables nearly full charging of supercapacitors of up to 350 F under the low power conditions of 3mW (i.e., 3mA at 1 V). More importantly, our system enables maintenance-free operation of remote-monitoring cathodic protection (RMCP) systems in harsh environments, where sunlight or wind power may be unavailable or unpredictable.
Renal Osteodystrophy in Pre-Dialysis Patients: Ethnic Difference?

The purpose of the present study is to investigate whether an ethnic difference exists in the incidence of renal osteodystrophy between Asian and Western countries in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. We evaluated bone histology in 58 pre-dialysis patients (28 male, 30 female; mean age: 47.7 years). All patients had bone biopsies with quantitative histomorphometry and sero-logical parameters such as intact PTH, osteocalcin, total alkaline phosphatase, and basal and deferoxamine-stimulated serum aluminum levels. We observed that 91.4% of all evaluated patients showed renal osteodystrophy before the start of dialytic therapy. Mild osteitis fibrosa were observed in 21 patients (36.2%), severe osteitis fibrosa in 5 patients (8.6%), mixed lesions in 7 patients (12.1 %), osteomalacia in 6 patients (10.3%), aplastic bone disease in 14 patients (24.1%), and normal bone in 5 patients (8.6%). Among the bone histomorphometric parameters, fibrosis area rate (%) showed the best correlation with intact PTH, and osteocalcin and osteoid area rate (%) with total alkaline phosphatase. Aluminum-related bone disease was not observed. Among patients with aplastic bone disease, only 14.3% showed aluminum deposition of any significance (5% < stainable bone surface aluminum < 25%). In the diabetic patients, aplastic bone disease was most common, but no case was related to aluminum intoxication. In conclusion, the distribution of renal osteodystrophy in our study was different from that of Western countries in pre-dialysis patients. Our patients tended to have more mild-form osteitis fibrosa and normal findings, and less severe-form osteitis fibrosa and aplastic bone disease. Aluminum-related bone disease was not observed.
Student satisfaction with graduate supervision in doctoral programs primarily delivered in distance education settings

There are no universal, precise, or explicit criteria for completing a doctoral degree successfully. Researchers and practitioners have pointed out how difficult and time consuming the supervision of graduate student research can be. When students in doctoral programs complete their degrees via distance delivery, supervision of graduate students becomes even more difficult for both students and supervisors. The goal of the research was to investigate doctoral students' perceptions of supervision and to understand doctoral student satisfaction with graduate supervision where programs were delivered utilizing a variety of distance systems. Statistically significant differences in student responses were found based on gender. While students whose programs were primarily delivered online were moderately satisfied, students who were in the blended programs were more satisfied. Other differences were detected between online and blended doctoral supervision environments. Certainly, these media for supervision warrant further investigation as distance and blended doctoral programs increase.
Pedagogies of Belief: Teaching and Learning in a Small Christian School

A vast array of religious phenomena, as well as constantly emerging novel forms and expressions of religious life have actualized a whole range of issues as part of the social sciences, and education, teaching and learning is embraced within this. This article approaches teaching and learning through the hermeneutic of ‘engaged pedagogy’ as put forward by the noted feminist writer bell hooks, and uses Kainon New Church School as a case study for what engaged pedagogy means in the context of teaching within a religious school. The article suggests that such engaged teaching aims at accruing a particular kind of ‘social’ or ‘religious capital’ for the learner. Social capital itself is a reference to the resource embedded in the connections within and between a network and nodal actors in the network, and religious capital is defined (Finke 2003:3) as consisting of an acquirement of ‘power and level of embeddedness into this or that religious culture’. The article attempts to illustrate that Kainon School is part of a small networked community comprising the School, the Church, and the Congregational community (who are in many instances also parents at the school) and argues that teaching and learning occurs within these communally overlapping fields, similarly embedded within a particular religious culture. Methodologically, the paper is situated within a qualitative framework where the experiences and reflections of teachers and learners are captured through personal interviews and sustained observation.
Comparison of Post Outage Bus Voltage Magnitudes Estimated by Harmony Search and Differential Evolution Methods

Contingency studies are indispensable tools of both the power system planning and operational studies. Real time implementation of operational problems makes necessary the use of high speed computational methods while requiring reasonable accuracies. On the other hand, accuracy of the results and the speed of calculation depend on branch outage modeling as well as solution algorithm used. This paper presents a comparison of post outage bus voltage magnitudes calculated by two meta-heuristic approaches; namely differential evolution (DE) and harmony search (HS) methods. The methods are tested on IEEE 14, IEEE 30, IEEE 57, and IEEE 118 bus test systems and the results are compared both in terms of accuracy and calculation speed.
Anxiety and Depression during Hospital Treatment of Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

This study investigated the prevalence, risk factors and rate of recognition of anxiety and depression in 50 patients hospitalized for exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Using the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders questionnaire, 13 patients were identified as having depression, four had anxiety and eight had a combination of the two. Patients with anxiety and/or depression had a significantly higher partial pressure of oxygen and pH, and a lower partial pressure of carbon dioxide, in arterial blood on admission, more severe dyspnoea after a 6-min walk test and less improvement of dyspnoea from admission to discharge than COPD patients without anxiety and/or depression. Two patients were referred to a mental health specialist during their hospitalization, indicating a low rate of recognition. The results suggest that patients with mental disorders are referred and admitted to hospital earlier in the course of a COPD exacerbation due to earlier and more intense perception of dyspnoea.