Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Advanced Fabrication Processes for Superconducting Very Large-Scale Integrated Circuits

We review the salient features of two advanced nodes of an 8-Nb-layer fully planarized process developed recently at MIT Lincoln Laboratory for fabricating single flux quantum (SFQ) digital circuits with very large-scale integration on 200-mm wafers: the SFQ4ee and SFQ5ee nodes, where “ee” denotes that the process is tuned for energy-efficient SFQ circuits. The former has eight superconducting layers with 0.5-μm minimum feature size and a 2-Ω/sq Mo layer for circuit resistors. The latter has nine superconducting layers: eight Nb wiring layers with the minimum feature size of 350 nm and a thin superconducting MoNx layer (Tc ~ 7.5 K) with high kinetic inductance (about 8 pH/sq) for forming compact inductors. A nonsuperconducting (Tc <; 2 K) MoNx layer with lower nitrogen content is used for 6-Ω/sq planar resistors for shunting and biasing of Josephson junctions (JJs). Another resistive layer is added to form interlayer sandwich-type resistors of milliohm range for releasing unwanted flux quanta from superconducting loops of logic cells. Both process nodes use Au/Pt/Ti contact metallization for chip packaging. The technology utilizes one layer of Nb/AlOx-Al/Nb JJs with critical current density Jc of 100 μA/μm2 and minimum diameter of 700 nm. Circuit patterns are defined by 248-nm photolithography and high-density plasma etching. All circuit layers are fully planarized using chemical mechanical planarization of SiO2 interlayer dielectric. The following results and topics are presented and discussed: the effect of surface topography under the JJs on the their properties and repeatability, Ic and Jc targeting, effect of hydrogen dissolved in Nb, MoNx properties for the resistor layer and for high-kinetic-inductance layer, and technology of milliohm-range resistors.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter study of tacrine for Alzheimer's disease. The Tacrine Collaborative Study Group.

BACKGROUND In Alzheimer's disease, there is a marked decline in the function of cholinergic neurons in the brain. However, studies of treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors have produced conflicting results. We conducted a multicenter trial to evaluate whether the cholinesterase inhibitor tacrine (1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-acridinamine monohydrochloride monohydrate) could improve cognition in patients with Alzheimer's disease. METHODS Of 632 eligible patients with probable Alzheimer's disease, 215 improved while receiving tacrine during a preliminary crossover phase to determine responsiveness and the best dose. The 215 patients were randomly assigned to receive either placebo or their best dose of tacrine (10 or 20 mg four times a day) in a six-week, double-blind trial. The primary measures of efficacy were the cognitive subscale of the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale and the Clinical Global Impression of Change scale; the secondary measures included the Mini-Mental State Examination and the assessment of the activities of daily living. RESULTS At the end of the six-week trial, the patients receiving tacrine had a mean adjusted cognitive-subscale score of 30.3 (Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale) as compared with 32.7 in patients receiving placebo. This represents a smaller decline (by 2.4 points) in cognitive performance in the tacrine group (P < 0.001). There were no differences between the groups in their global-rating scores. The tacrine group had a significantly smaller decline in the activities of daily living. The results of the Mini-Mental State Examination favored tacrine, but the differences were small and not statistically significant (a score of 16.0 with tacrine vs. 15.3 with placebo; P = 0.08). Gastrointestinal symptoms, elevation of aminotransferase levels, and headache were the most frequent side effects; all could be reversed by reducing the dose or discontinuing treatment. CONCLUSIONS In this short-term study in patients with Alzheimer's disease who were selected for apparent responsiveness to tacrine, treatment with tacrine resulted in a statistically significant reduction in the decline of cognitive function, although this reduction was not large enough to be detected by the study physicians' global assessments of the patients.
Analysis of the Flow in Hermetic Compressor Valves Using the Immersed Boundary Method

The flow in radial diffusers is numerically simulated in order to represent the flow through hermetic reciprocating compressors automatic valves. The Immersed Boundary method is used to represent solid boundaries inside the domain and the governing equations are solved using a numerical code based on the Finite Volume methodology. Initially, comparison between numerical and experimental results for pressure distribution on the reed, for two gaps distances and several Reynolds numbers, have shown that the methodology is suitable to study this problem. A chamfer was inserted in the inferior disk with three inclination angles, in order to show the flexibility of the method. As expected, the pressure gradient through the flow decreases for increasing inclination angles, indicating less amount of energy to drive the flow. Results showed that this is a promising methodology to study the flow through radial diffusers, with the future possibility of applying to real valve system of hermetic reciprocating compressors.
Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Patellar Tendon Allograft: Surgical Technique

Despite the marked advances in treatment and highly predictable success of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, an approximate 10% to 15% failure rate is noted in the literature. The mechanism of failure is often difficult to ascertain and is often multifactorial. A strong patient-physician relationship must be established to proceed with revision ACL reconstruction. After the decision has been made to proceed with revision ACL reconstruction extensive preoperative planning is warranted. Revision ACL recontructions are a “salvage” procedure to allow the patient to perform activities of daily living. A return to sports is a possibility, but the patient's expectations should be realistic and individualized. This article focuses on the surgical technique of revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with patellar tendon allograft.
Cloning and sequencing of Haemophilus influenzae outer membrane protein P6

P6, a 16,600-dalton protein present in the outer membranes of both typeable and nontypeable strains, may be an important antigen in immunity to Haemophilus influenzae. The gene encoding P6 of a nontypeable strain of H. influenzae was cloned by using bacteriophage lambda gt11. Four recombinant phages were detected by screening plaques with monoclonal antibodies and a polyclonal antiserum. One recombinant phage, clone O, produced a full-length gene product which was expressed at a high yield. The DNA insert contained within this phage was cloned into the plasmid vector pUC18 to create the recombinant plasmid pBUD1. An Escherichia coli transformant containing this plasmid produced a protein which had an apparent molecular weight identical to that of H. influenzae P6, as determined by Western blot (immunoblot) analyses. Expression of the P6 polypeptide by both clone 0 and the transformant was independent of induction of the lac operon by isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside, suggesting that transcription was from the promoter of the P6 gene. Immunoelectron microscopy using a monoclonal antibody with specificity for a P6 surface epitope detected the presence of P6 on the surface of the transformant. The insert in pBUD1 was cut down in size to approximately 800 base pairs. The resultant plasmid, pBUD5, also coded for a full-length gene product. DNA sequence analysis revealed that the P6 gene contains transcriptional and translational sequences resembling those recognized in E. coli and a signal sequence characteristic of procaryotic membrane proteins. In addition, the carboxy terminus of this signal sequence shares homology with a common sequence found in bacterial lipoproteins, suggesting that P6 is a lipoprotein. Posttranslational proteolytic cleavage of the signal sequence would result in a protein composed of 134 amino acids.
Cervical screening participation and risk among Swedish‐born and immigrant women in Sweden

Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers among women worldwide, although cervical screening has reduced the incidence in many high‐income countries. Low screening uptake among immigrant women may reflect differences in risk of cervical cancer. We investigated the degree of participation in cervical screening among immigrant and Swedish‐born women and their concurrent risk of cervical cancer based on individual information on Pap smears taken both from organized and opportunistic screening. Mean degree of participation in cervical screening was estimated for women between 23 and 60 years from 1993 to 2005, stratified by birth region and age at migration. In Poisson regression models, we estimated relative risks (RRs), incidence rates and incidence rate ratios of cervical cancer for women adhering or not to the cervical screening program. We also assessed effect of adherence to screening on the risk of cervical cancer among immigrant groups compared to Swedish‐born women. The degree of participation was 62% and 49% among Swedish‐born and immigrant women, respectively, with large variations between immigrant groups. Participation was lowest among those immigrating at older ages. Swedish‐born and immigrant women who where nonadherent to the cervical screening program had a fivefold excess risk of cervical cancer compared to adherent women. After adjustment for screening adherence, excess RRs of cervical cancer were statistically significant only for women from Norway and the Baltic States. Participation to screening is lower among immigrant than Swedish‐born women, and adherence to the recommended screening intervals strongly prevents cervical cancer.
Role of the β isoform of 14-3-3 proteins in cellular proliferation and oncogenic transformation

In this study we established NIH 3T3 cells overexpressing the β isoform of the 14-3-3 protein (14-3-3 β) and showed that 3 β) to examine the function of this isoform in cellular fragment of a cDNA, Rae-1209, encoding 14-3-3 β, into the mammalian expres- proliferation and oncogenic transformation. Over- sion vector pSG5 (24). Twenty micrograms of pSGβ and 1 µg of pSV2neo (25) expression of 14-3-3 β in NIH 3T3 cells stimulated cell were precipitated by calcium phosphate and then added to the cells (26); after growth and supported anchorage-independent growth in 48 h, 400 µg/ml of G418 (Gibco-BRL, Rockville, MD, USA) was added. After soft agar medium and tumor formation in nude mice. To 14-21 days, G418-resistant colonies were isolated and propagated in G418- containing medium. Cells were also transfected with 20 µg of pMEK1 DN (27) elucidate the molecular mechanisms of 14-3-3 β-mediated and 1 µg of pSV2hygro (28) and selected with 100 µg/ml of hygromycin B NIH 3T3 transformation, we examined the activity of (Sigma Chemicals, St Louis, MO, USA). Exogenous expression of 14-3-3 β and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) after serum MEK1 DN was detected by northern and immunoblot analyses. stimulation. Overexpression of 14-3-3 β augmented Characterization of the growth properties MAPK activity after serum stimulation, and MAPK NIH 3T3 transfectants were seeded as described above and were grown in activity correlated well with the amount of 14-3-3 β expres- Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) supplemented with 5% fetal sion. The colony-forming ability of NIH 3T3 cells over- calf serum (FCS) and 200 µg/ml G418. The medium was changed every third day and cell numbers were counted daily. Doubling times were calculated as expressing 14-3-3 β in soft agar medium was efficiently described above. When several successive cell counts showed no increase in abolished by exogenous expression of a dominant-negative number, the saturation density was recorded. All data shown are the means mutant of MEK1 and 14-3-3 β physically interacted with and standard deviations from two independent experiments. Statistical analysis Raf-1 in these cells. These findings indicate that 14-3-3 β was done using Student's t-test. Differences were considered significant when P values were 0.01. has oncogenic potential, mainly through enhancement of Raf-1 activation and resultant augmentation of signaling Anchorage independence assay
Sliding mode control for Markovian jumping systems with actuator nonlinearities

This article considers the design of sliding mode control for stochastic Markovian jumping systems with actuator nonlinearities. In the design of integral sliding surfaces, a set of specified matrices are employed such that the connections among sliding surfaces corresponding to each mode are established. And then, a sliding mode controller depending on the transition rates is synthesised such that the reachability of the specified sliding surface can be ensured. Moreover, sufficient conditions for the stability of the sliding motions are derived. It is shown that the effect of Markovian switching can be coped with by the present sliding mode control method. Finally, the simulation results illustrating the proposed method are provided.
A 5mA CMOS FM Front-End with 39 dB IRR and 52 dB Channel Selectivity

A complete analog front-end, with the exclusion of the frequency synthesizer, for FM broadcasting occupies 2.8 mm2 active area in a standard 0.35 mum CMOS technology. The use of current driven passive mixer and switch capacitor polyphase filter gives +100 dBmuV IIP3, 52 dB adjacent channel selectivity and +39 dB image rejection without trimming or tuning. The output noise is 390 nVparradic(Hz), with a conversion gain of about 39 dB. This front-end consumes only 5 mA from a 2.4 V supply
Immunologic and clinical responses to highly active antiretroviral therapy over 50 years of age. Results from the French Hospital Database on HIV

Objective: To study immunologic and clinical responses to HAART in patients over 50 years old. Design and methods: A prospective cohort study which included 68 hospitals in France. A total of 3015 antiretroviral-naive patients, 401 of whom were aged 50 years or over, were enrolled following initiation of HAART. The influence of age on the mean CD4 cell count increase on HAART was studied by using a two-slope mixed model. Progression, defined by the occurrence of a new AIDS-defining event (ADE) or death, was studied by Cox multivariate analyses. Results: Among patients with baseline HIV RNA above 5 log copies/ml, CD4 mean increase during the first 6 months on HAART was +42.9 × 106 cells/l per month in patients under 50 years and +36.9 × 106 cells/l per month in patients over 50 years (P < 0.0001); subsequently, the respective monthly changes were +17.9 and +15.6 × 106 cells/l per month (P < 0.0001). Similar trends were observed in patients with baseline HIV RNA below 5 log copies/ml, and also after stratification for the baseline CD4 cell count. After a median follow-up of 31.5 months, 263 patients had a new ADE and 44 patients died. After adjustment for baseline characteristics, older patients had a significantly higher risk of clinical progression (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.52 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.15–2.00]) and were more likely to achieve a viral load below 500 copies/ml [HR = 1.23, (95% CI, 1.11–1.38)]. Conclusion: Patients over 50 years of age have an immunologic response to HAART. However, their CD4 cell reconstitution is significantly slower than in younger patients, despite a better virologic response. This impaired immunologic response may explain their higher risk of clinical progression.
Le temps dans la construction des savoirs à l'aide des médias

Cet article attire notre attention sur deux phenomenes : la gestion du temps d'un utilisateur consultant une machine a communiquer pour construire des connaissances, et la nature des fonctions cognitives mises en oeuvre a cette occasion. Dans l'observation de situations locales, deux modeles s'opposent : le modele scolaire traditionnel, caracterise par un flux continu de notions autorisant questions et reponses avec temps d'interactions elastique ; le modele mass-mediatique, qui se focalise plus sur des evenements que sur des contenus et rythme par l'horloge interne diffusee par la regie de diffusion. Les notions d'horloge des medias et de micro-univers temporels sont alors observables comme adaptations des utilisateurs a ces rythmes. Deux strategies cognitives sont mises en oeuvre, particulierement observables dans le cas de l'utilisation de jeux videos, au cours desquels les temps de reaction sont tres courts : l'abduction, qui conduit a la decouverte des regles qui regissent le systeme, et la gestion en parallele, qui suppose de pouvoir traiter simultanement plusieurs tâches inachevees et d'accepter d'etre interrompu en cours de tâche
Sensing Your Surroundings: How Transcription-Regulatory Networks of the Cell Discern Environmental Signals

Accumulating evidence indicates that cells differentially regulate parts of their biochemical networks in various environmental conditions. Two recent studies, focused on the yeast transcription-regulatory network, have identified the characteristics and some of the regulatory logic that defines such conditional regulation on a system level. But what is the underlying basis of such environment-dependent dynamic network utilization? We propose that with simultaneous changes in many environmental variables, cells detect and process the incoming pieces of information individually with the use of receptors and sensor transcription factors specialized to a given type of signal. In turn, transcriptional subnetworks affected by the activity of these proteins reassemble the processed signals deeper inside the network, ultimately resulting in the development of an integrated cellular response.
Recent Advances and Future Perspectives in Lentiviral Gene Therapy for Hemophilia A and B

Hemophilia A and B are rare incurable hereditary diseases due to deficiencies in clotting factor VIII (FVIII) and factor IX (FIX), respectively. These genetic defects result in potentially life-threatening, uncontrolled bleeding episodes. Current treatment by protein substitution therapy does not constitute a cure making gene therapy an attractive alternative. Lentiviral vectors (LVs) have many distinctive features that make them especially well suited for FVIII or FIX gene delivery. This includes the lack of vector-specific pre-existing immunity, their ability to permanently transduce both dividing and non-dividing cells and their capacity to readily accommodate FIX and FVIII expression cassettes, consistent with their packaging capacity of 10 kb. LVs have been used to achieve sustained therapeutic clotting factor expression levels and hemostatic correction in preclinical hemophilic mouse models. The liver has been the target organ of choice for direct in vivo LV transduction of FVIII or FIX genes, resulting in sustained therapeutic effects. Nevertheless, the potential development of neutralizing antibodies to the clotting factors following ex vivo or in vivo gene therapy with LVs can preclude long-term phenotypic correction. These risks can be minimized by preventing ectopic expression in antigen-presenting cells. LVs are well suited to deliver the clotting factor genes into hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, allowing for stable FVIII or FIX expression upon hematopoietic reconstitution. In addition, therapeutic FVIII and FIX expression levels have been achieved in vivo after transplantation of lentivirally transduced endothelial and mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells. Current challenges relate primarily to the translation of these findings to larger preclinical animal models and ultimately to patients suffering from hemophilia.
CHITOSAN NANOPARTICLES AND THEIR APPLICATIONS IN DRUG DELIVERY: A REVIEW

Chitosan is one of the most popular materials in the field of drug delivery due to its adhesivity and biodegradability. Different types of Chitosan based drug carriers have been conceived for various administration routes, such as oral, nasal, transdermal, parenteral, vaginal, cervical and rectal due to its biocompatibility and biodegradability. Chitosan Nanoparticles (NPs) have long been studied as carriers for systemic and targeted drug delivery. Considerable research efforts have been directed towards developing safe and efficient Chitosan NPs-based particulate drug delivery systems. The results indicated that chemical modification of Chitosan NPs can improve their targeting and bioavailability. The main objectives of this review are to study the Chitosan NPs, their preparation methods, characteristics and modification and finally to evaluate their potential applications in drug delivery systems.
Difficulties in Recognizing One's Own Incompetence: Novice Physicians Who Are Unskilled and Unaware of It

Kruger and Dunning published an elegant series of studies illustrating that deficits in the ability to assess one’s own competence were common among the subjects in the lowest-scoring quartile on a wide range of tasks such as recognition of humor and logical reasoning. These researchers demonstrated that subjects who had the highest scores underestimated their abilities but were able to recalibrate following exposure to the performances of others. Those scoring in the middle quartiles were generally accurate in assessing their skills, and this remained so after exposure to others’ performances. People in the lowest quartile, however, greatly overestimated their abilities and failed almost entirely to correct their selfassessments following exposure to the performances of others. Kruger and Dunning concluded that those who know less also know less about what they know. In their study they raise the question of how to help learners who intrinsically overestimate their abilities and therefore do not perceive their own incompetence. The work of Kruger and Dunning is intriguing for medical educators because, if replicated with doctors, it suggests that those with the least skill may be most at risk of inaccurately assessing their abilities. We set out to determine whether the same problems of self-assessment so consistently replicated in the studies of Kruger and Dunning could be demonstrated in family medicine residents. We reported in a previous study that the calibration of the selfassessment of novices improved when they viewed benchmark performances of others. In that study, the self-assessments of residents remained less than perfect even after viewing others’ performances. Having reviewed the work of Kruger and Dunning, we decided to see whether it was indeed the lowest performers in our group who were most inaccurate in their self-assessments. We also wondered whether those in the highest-performing group would underestimate their skills but recalibrate following exposure to the performance of others. With these questions in mind, we reanalyzed the study data following the method of Kruger and Dunning and, indeed, both of these findings were confirmed.