Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
NOVEL APPROACHES TO AMORPHOUS SILICON THIN FILM TRANSISTORS FOR LARGE AREA ELECTRONICS

While scaling VLSI devices to ever shrinking dimensions has driven much of the improvement in performance and reduction in cost of electronic intelligence, a new set of challenges and opportunities has emerged in a drastically different regime. As systems become more and more powerful, they are no longer limited by their electronic information processing capability, but by the human-machine interface. For example, the quality and size of a video is limited by the display delivering it. Motivated by the experience of the end users, it is often desirable to make products (e.g. displays) bigger, more flexible and user friendly in general. In this regime, performance improvement and cost reduction cannot be achieved via scaling as in the traditional microelectronics field. They are achieved with novel devices structures, new materials, creative fabrication techniques and innovative functionalities. This thesis will present three such innovations in amorphous-silicon-based large area electronics. The first is a novel amorphous silicon (a-Si) top-gate thin-film transistor (TFT) with selfaligned silicide source and drain. This structure offers performance that is on par with the best conventional bottom-gate a-Si TFTs, while providing better power efficiency and faster speed by eliminating parasitic capacitances. Furthermore, it can be fabricated with simple two-photomask process at low temperatures (~280°C), which is fully compatible with plastic substrates and less expensive than conventional fabrication processes. This device is ideal for flexible displays on future mobile computing devices. The device physics underlying this structure is explored and a model of the electron tunnel injection contact is presented. The second is a creative fabrication technique called Self-Aligned Imprint Lithography (SAIL). Originally envisioned by HP labs, SAIL is designed to be a low-cost, high throughput way to manufacture a-Si TFT circuits. The first implementation by Hewlett Packard labs were limited bottom-gate a-Si TFTs, this thesis improved upon their work by developing a process to manufacture our top-gate a-Si TFT with self-aligned silicide source and drain. Our process involves imprinting a three-dimensional, multilayer mask structure, which replaces all photomasks
Sensor Errors and the Uncertainties in Stereo Reconstruction

An important objective in the evaluation of algorithms with sensory inputs is the devel opment of measures characterizing the intrinsic errors in the results Intrinsic are those errors which are caused by noise in the input data The particular application which we consider is D reconstruction from stereo We demonstrate that a radiometric correction of the images could improve signi cantly the accuracy We propose a con dence interval approach for quantifying the precision We also illustrate the use of the con dence intervals for the rejection of unreliable D points
Probabilistic Semantics for Cost Based Abduction

Cost-based abduction attempts to find the best explanation for a set of facts by finding a minimal cost proof for the facts. The costs are computed by summing the costs of the assumptions necessary for the proof plus the cost of the rules. We examine existing methods for constructing explanations (proofs), as a minimization problem on a DAG. We then define a probabilistic semantics for the costs, and prove the equivalence of the cost minimization problem to the Bayesian network MAP solution of the system.
Design of School News information System for CZ College

School news information system breaks through and exceeds the traditional news communication conception, and provides audiences with new taste in vision, hearing and sense. CZ college has excellent conditions in many aspects, but lack of school news information system has become the development obstacle of CZ college. School news information system for CZ college is regarded as research object in the paper, and a school news information system is designed to satisfy the demand and characteristic of CZ college. System architecture of school news information system for CZ college is designed, and system architecture figure is finished. The function of school news information system for CZ college is designed, and the function tree is established, the function model is set up with IDEF0 method. The database is design based on above result, and database conception design and logic design are implemented, and physical design is discussed.
A Population of Supramammillary Area Calretinin Neurons Terminating on Medial Septal Area Cholinergic and Lateral Septal Area Calbindin-Containing Cells Are Aspartate/Glutamatergic

The excitatory amino acid, aspartate/glutamate content of septal complex calretinin (CR)-, choline acetyltransferase plus substance P-, and Leu-enkephalin (Leu-enk)-containing extrinsic afferents was examined. Experiments were carried out using the transmitter-specific [3H]-d-aspartate retrograde tracer technique in combination with immunostaining for CR, choline acetyltransferase, and Leu-enk. The extrinsic and intrinsic CR innervation of the same brain areas were elucidated on control rats and on animals in which the septum was surgically separated from its ventral afferents. Correlated light and electron microscopic double-immunostaining experiments were used to determine the synaptic connections between CR axon terminals and lateral septal area calbindin (CB)- and medial septal area choline acetyltransferase-immunoreactive neurons. Furthermore, to determine the synaptic power of supramammilloseptal aspartate/glutamatergic neurons on the septal complex, semiquantitative analyses were performed in the supramammillary area on retrogradely (1) [3H]-d-aspartate-radiolabeled and (2) HRP-labeled material. The results demonstrated that a population of the extrinsic CR axons originating in the supramammillary area are aspartate/glutamatergic. These fibers forming asymmetric synaptic contacts terminate on both CB and cholinergic neurons. Intraseptal CR neurons, which establish symmetric synapses, innervate only lateral septal area neurons, including the CB-containing cells. These observations, together with other published data, raise the possibility of a hippocampus–lateral septal (GABAergic CB-containing neurons)–supramammillary area (aspartate/glutamatergic cells)–medial septal (cholinergic neurons)–hippocampus signal loop, which might be involved in the generation and regulation of hippocampal theta rhythm activity.
Tree-Cut for Probabilistic Image Segmentation

This paper presents a new probabilistic generative model for image segmentation, i.e. the task of partitioning an image into homogeneous regions. Our model is grounded on a mid-level image representation, called a region tree, in which regions are recursively split into subregions until superpixels are reached. Given the region tree, image segmentation is formalized as sampling cuts in the tree from the model. Inference for the cuts is exact, and formulated using dynamic programming. Our tree-cut model can be tuned to sample segmentations at a particular scale of interest out of many possible multiscale image segmentations. This generalizes the common notion that there should be only one correct segmentation per image. Also, it allows moving beyond the standard single-scale evaluation, where the segmentation result for an image is averaged against the corresponding set of coarse and fine human annotations, to conduct a scale-specific evaluation. Our quantitative results are comparable to those of the leading gPb-owt-ucm method, with the notable advantage that we additionally produce a distribution over all possible tree-consistent segmentations of the image.
A perturbation method for stochastic meshless analysis in elastostatics

A stochastic meshless method is presented for solving boundary‐value problems in linear elasticity that involves random material properties. The material property was modelled as a homogeneous random field. A meshless formulation was developed to predict stochastic structural response. Unlike the finite element method, the meshless method requires no structured mesh, since only a scattered set of nodal points is required in the domain of interest. There is no need for fixed connectivities between nodes. In conjunction with the meshless equations, classical perturbation expansions were derived to predict second‐moment characteristics of response. Numerical examples based on one‐ and two‐dimensional problems are presented to examine the accuracy and convergence of the stochastic meshless method. A good agreement is obtained between the results of the proposed method and Monte Carlo simulation. Since mesh generation of complex structures can be a far more time‐consuming and costly effort than the solution of a discrete set of equations, the meshless method provides an attractive alternative to finite element method for solving stochastic mechanics problems. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
3-2009 Information Technology ( IT ) Investment Decisions Under Asymmetric Information : A Modified Rational Expectation Model

In this paper, we propose that IT managers make investment decisions about new IT initiatives based on a modified rational expectation model. Unlike traditional rational expectation models, we emphasize the relevance of market uncertainty and its impact on the return of new IT investment. This results in information acquisition decisions by managers that can cause information asymmetry. This information asymmetry is endogenous and so the IT manager can become well informed if and only if it is beneficial to do so. We also capture different levels of IT investment across managers by introducing heterogeneity across managers in terms of different levels of initial capital. Based on a simulation analysis to validate our theoretical model, we find that it is the IT manager with larger initial capital outlay who is particularly interested in acquiring information about their IT investments in order to reduce any asymmetry with competitors. Furthermore, we find that holding other things constant, fewer IT investors are informed when information cost increases and in consequence the difference of investment level between the informed and uninformed investors is more pronounced.
Causal Inference on Time Series using Structural Equation Models

Causal inference uses observations to infer the causal structure of the data generating system. We study a class of functional models that we call Time Series Models with Independent Noise (TiMINo). These models require independent residual time series, whereas traditional methods like Granger causality exploit the variance of residuals. There are two main contributions: (1) Theoretical: By restricting the model class (e.g. to additive noise) we can provide a more general identifiability result than existing ones. This result incorporates lagged and instantaneous effects that can be nonlinear and do not need to be faithful, and non-instantaneous feedbacks between the time series. (2) Practical: If there are no feedback loops between time series, we propose an algorithm based on non-linear independence tests of time series. When the data are causally insufficient, or the data generating process does not satisfy the model assumptions, this algorithm may still give partial results, but mostly avoids incorrect answers. An extension to (non-instantaneous) feedbacks is possible, but not discussed. It outperforms existing methods on artificial and real data. Code can be provided upon request.
On the Pitfalls of Using Arbiter-PUFs as Building Blocks

Physical unclonable functions (PUFs) have emerged as a promising solution for securing resource-constrained embedded devices such as RFID tokens. PUFs use the inherent physical differences of every chip to either securely authenticate the chip or generate cryptographic keys without the need of nonvolatile memory. However, PUFs have shown to be vulnerable to model building attacks if the attacker has access to challenge and response pairs. In these model building attacks, machine learning is used to determine the internal parameters of the PUF to build an accurate software model. Nevertheless, PUFs are still a promising building block and several protocols and designs have been proposed that are believed to be resistant against machine learning attacks. In this paper, we take a closer look at two such protocols, one based on reverse fuzzy extractors and one based on pattern matching. We show that it is possible to attack these protocols using machine learning despite the fact that an attacker does not have access to direct challenge and response pairs. The introduced attacks demonstrate that even highly obfuscated responses can be used to attack PUF protocols. Hence, this paper shows that even protocols in which it would be computationally infeasible to compute enough challenge and response pairs for a direct machine learning attack can be attacked using machine learning.
Development of a programming model for the AEGIS secure processor

In this thesis, a high level programming model for the AEGIS secure processor is designed and implemented. The AEGIS processor enables developers to create trusted systems, while only needing to trust the AEGIS processor. In order for developers to utilize the processor, there was a need for high level access to the low level AEGIS constructs. There was also a need for a practical programming model to describe how to correctly design and develop applications utilizing the AEGIS system. The implementation of this programming model was done using a combination of C, Java, and Assembly. Thesis Supervisor: Srinivas Devadas Title: Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Toward automated schema-directed code revision

Updating XQuery programs in accordance with a change of the input XML schema is known to be a time-consuming and error-prone task. We propose an automatic method aimed at helping developers realign the XQuery program with the new schema. First, we introduce a taxonomy of possible problems induced by a schema change. This allows to differentiate problems according to their severity levels, e.g. errors that require code revision, and semantic changes that should be brought to the developer's attention. Second, we provide the necessary algorithms to detect such problems using a solver that checks satisfiability of XPath expressions.
Metabotropic glutamate receptors inhibit microglial glutamate release

Pro-inflammatory stimuli evoke an export of glutamate from microglia that is sufficient to contribute to excitotoxicity in neighbouring neurons. Since microglia also express various glutamate receptors themselves, we were interested in the potential feedback of glutamate on this system. Several agonists of mGluRs (metabotropic glutamate receptors) were applied to primary rat microglia, and the export of glutamate into their culture medium was evoked by LPS (lipopolysaccharide). Agonists of group-II and -III mGluR ACPD [(1S,3R)-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid] and L-AP4 [L-(+)-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid] were both capable of completely blocking the glutamate export without interfering with the production of NO (nitric oxide); the group-I agonist tADA (trans-azetidine-2,4-dicarboxylic acid) was ineffective. Consistent with the possibility of feedback, inhibition of mGluR by MSPG [(R,S)-α-2-methyl-4sulfonophenylglycine] potentiated glutamate export. As the group-II and -III mGluR are coupled to Gαi-containing G-proteins and the inhibition of adenylate cyclase, we explored the role of cAMP in this effect. Inhibition of cAMP-dependent protein kinase [also known as protein kinase A (PKA)] by H89 mimicked the effect of ACPD, and the mGluR agonist had its actions reversed by artificially sustaining cAMP through the PDE (phosphodiesterase) inhibitor IBMX (isobutylmethylxanthine) or the cAMP mimetic dbcAMP (dibutyryl cAMP). These data indicate that mGluR activation attenuates a potentially neurotoxic export of glutamate from activated microglia and implicate cAMP as a contributor to this aspect of microglial action.
Soil moisture retrieval using fuzzy logic based on UWB signals

A fuzzy logic approach to retrieve the soil moisture from the ultra-wideband (UWB) radar measurements is investigated in this paper. A monostatic UWB radar module is applied to collect the reflected signals from subsurface of bare soil and sand with different volume water contents (VWCs). Meanwhile, VWCs' data are collected by a time domain reflectometer (TDR). Traditionally, the channel modeling, from the statistical point of view, is able to retrieve the soil moisture. However, the statistical information lacks the ability to disclose the direct relation between the waveform and soil moisture. In this work, we try to model the problem as a time-series forecasting problem. The reflected signals are divided into training data and testing data. The training data are imported into the type-1 fuzzy logic system (T1FLS) to forecast the testing data. After that, we extract the parameters of membership functions in the final iteration and obtain the VWC value based on a recognition strategy.
Transgender and gender diverse people's experience of non-transition-related health care in Sweden

ABSTRACT Introduction: The transgender population is a marginalized group in society and research suggests that they experience significant barriers when accessing health care. However, little is known about transgender and gender-diverse people and their experiences of encounters with healthcare professionals in Sweden. Aim: To explore transgender and gender-diverse people's experiences of accessing health care in Sweden. Method: Semi-structured interviews with 12 self-identified transgender or gender-diverse individuals were analyzed in a latent thematic analysis. Results: Participants experienced difficulties in having their gender identity acknowledged in encounters with healthcare staff. Most healthcare professionals were believed to lack knowledge about transgender people, and participants felt they needed to take a lot of responsibility themselves to ensure they received adequate care. Due to negative experiences, or fear of them, some participants delayed seeking health care or they chose to withhold their transgender identity during healthcare consultations. Discussion: Participants’ experiences suggest that healthcare professionals in Sweden may be insufficiently equipped to provide competent and gender affirming care for transgender individuals. There appears to be an urgent need for interventions specifically designed to improve the quality of health care for these individuals. Further research is needed to determine what specific interventions would be most effective, and to elucidate the specific needs of differing groups within the transgender community to promote optimal care for each person.
Qualitatively Correct

In recent years several high quality Sturm-Liouville software packages have been written (e.g., SLEDGE, SLEIGN, the NAG routine SL02FM). All excel at providing eigenfunction estimates at a nite set of points but only the NAG routine provides interpolation capability, and this by a fairly crude method (especially when compared with the sophistication of its eigenvalue solver). We describe an accurate, eecient method of approximating Sturm-Liouville eigenfunctions based on a small sample of given accurate values. Even though the theory is developed only for regular problems, the algorithm can be extended to many singular cases.
A Novel Speed Measurement Technique andSpeed Control of Five Phase BLDC Motor ona 16-Bit Microcontroller Platform

This paper describes the speed measurement of a five phase BLDC motor by frequency measurement of output pulses from rotor position sensor using Microchip PIC24HJ128GP310 microcontroller. A digital PI controller is also implemented with the proposed speed measurement method in the feedback circuit. The microcontroller generates the PWM signals with required duty cycle to run motor at the desired speed. The speed response curves for various dc supply voltages and under loaded condition are shown. The experimental results show that the proposed method is actually feasible.
Antennal expression pattern of two olfactory receptors and an odorant binding protein implicated in host odor detection by the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae

Odor-detection in the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae involves large families of diverse proteins, including multiple odorant binding proteins (AgOBPs) and olfactory receptors (AgORs). The receptors AgOR1 and AgOR2, as well as the binding protein AgOBP1, have been implicated in the recognition of human host odors. In this study, we have explored the expression of these olfactory proteins, as well as the ubiquitous odorant receptor heteromerization partner AgOR7, in the thirteen flagellomeres (segments) of female and male antenna. Expressing cells were visualized by adapting a whole mount fluorescence in situ hybridization method. In female mosquitoes, AgOR1-expressing olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) were almost exclusively segregated in segments 3 to 9, whereas AgOR2-expressing ORNs were distributed over flagellomeres 2 to 13. Different individuals comprised a similar number of cells expressing a distinct AgOR type, although their antennal topography and number per flagellomere varied. AgOBP1-expressing support cells were present in segments 3 to 13 of the female antenna, with increasing numbers towards the distal end. In male mosquitoes, total numbers of AgOR- and AgOBP1-expressing cells were much lower. While AgOR2-expressing cells were found on both terminal flagellomeres, AgOR1 cells were restricted to the most distal segment. High densities of AgOBP1-expressing cells were identified in segment 13, whereas segment 12 comprised very few. Altogether, the results demonstrate that both sexes express the two olfactory receptor types as well as the binding protein AgOBP1 but there is a significant sexual dimorphism concerning the number and distribution of these cells. This may suggest gender-specific differences in the ability to detect distinct odorants, specifically human host-derived volatiles.
Silencing Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Capsid Protein Encoding Genes by siRNA: A Promising Antiviral Therapeutic Approach

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), a member of the herpesviridae, causes a variety of human viral diseases globally. Although a series of antiviral drugs are available for the treatment of infection and suppression of dissemination, HSV-1 remains highly prevalent worldwide. Therefore, the development of novel antiviral agents with different mechanisms of action is a matter of extreme urgency. During the proliferation of HSV-1, capsid assembly is essential for viral growth, and it is highly conserved in all HSV-1 strains. In this study, small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) against the HSV-1 capsid protein were screened to explore the influence of silencing capsid expression on the replication of HSV-1. We designed and chemically synthesized siRNAs for the capsid gene and assessed their inhibitory effects on the expression of target mRNA and the total intracellular viral genome loads by quantitative real-time PCR, as well as on the replication of HSV-1 via plaque reduction assays and electron microscopy. Our results showed that siRNA was an effective approach to inhibit the expression of capsid protein encoding genes including UL18, UL19, UL26, UL26.5, UL35 and UL38 in vitro. Interference of capsid proteins VP23 (UL18) and VP5 (UL19) individually or jointly greatly affected the replication of clinically isolated acyclovir-resistant HSV-1 as well as HSV-1/F and HSV-2/333. Plaque numbers and intracellular virions were significantly reduced by simultaneous knockdown of UL18 and UL19. The total intracellular viral genome loads were also significantly decreased in the UL18 and UL19 knockdown groups compared with the viral control. In conclusion, interfering with UL18 and UL19 gene expression could inhibit HSV-1 replication efficiently in vitro. Our research offers new targets for an RNA interference-based therapeutic strategy against HSV-1.