Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Packaging parameters analysis of stacked chip BGA with optimal equivalent solder for fatigue reliability optimization

A global/local method along with an optimization algorithm, so called the modified sub-modeling approach of the optimal equivalent solder is introduced as a simple but effective approach to predict the deformation and the reliability in the package. The viewpoint of equivalent solder in this method is facilitated to obviously reduce the number of elements/nodes so as to enhance computing accuracy and efficiency. To verify the proposed approach, a model of wire-bonded stacked chip Ball Grid Array (WB-SC BGA) package is simulated for analysis. Comparing the global fine mesh method with the global/local method, it is found that the difference of the accumulated strain energy density (SED) under the cyclic thermal loading is merely 5.76 % between the two models, which means the adopted method is eligible to replace the global fine mesh method. In addition, the analysis model with design factors can highly improve the fatigue life of solder ball up to 79.4% for the best choice from one-factor-at-a-time analysis, however, it turns out 123.7% for the double response surface method when those cases is compared with the baseline model.
Validation of training priorities of engineers in the platinum mining industry in South Africa.

Despite a significant need, there is very little South African research on the validation of the generic training priorities of engineers within the platinum mining industry. The purpose of this study was to validate the generic training priorities of engineers in the platinum mining industry in three provinces in South Africa. For this study, a quantitative research design was used, a four-point Likert-type questionnaire was designed, and a purposive sample was used. The results of this study indicated that theoretical knowledge, technical skills, management skills, and engineering principles are generic training priorities.
A Survey of Topology-Transparent Scheduling Schemes in Multi-Hop Packet Radio Networks

The aim of topology-transparent scheduling in multi-hop packet radio networks is to find a schedule for the nodes in such a way that the schedule of the existing nodes need not be recomputed when the network topology changes. It caters to highly dynamic scenarios where topology changes occur faster than the speed at which schedule updates can be orchestrated. Hence, the scheduler is typically expected to use only global network parameters like upper bounds on the number of nodes in the network and on the maximum degree of any node in the network. The problem is non-trivial if there are restrictions on the frame length or the minimum throughput of a node in a frame. Over the years, several innovative solutions have been proposed using a variety of mathematical techniques. We present a lucid tutorial-style survey of the approaches using an integrative taxonomy and a comparative analysis. We also outline a few directions for future research in the field.
Effects of nitrate respiration on expression of the Arc-controlled operons encoding succinate dehydrogenase and flavin-linked L-lactate dehydrogenase

Expression of sdhCDAB (encoding succinate dehydrogenase) and lctD (encoding the flavin-linked L-lactate dehydrogenase) is elevated aerobically and repressed anaerobically in Escherichia coli. The repression is initiated by autophosphorylation of the sensor protein ArcB, followed by phosphoryl group transfer to the regulator ArcA. ArcA-P, a global transcriptional regulator, then prevents sdh and lct expression. The stimulus for ArcB is not O2 deficiency per se. In vitro experiments showed that ArcB phosphorylation is enhanced by pyruvate, D-lactate, acetate, and NADH, the concentrations of which are likely to increase with the lack of an effective exogenous electron sink. In addition to their aerobic function, the two primary dehydrogenases also have roles in anaerobic nitrate respiration. Results presented here indicate that the increase of sdh and lct expression by nitrate depended on its chemical reduction, which in turn diminished the ArcA-P pool. Unexpectedly, a mutation in the fnr gene (encoding a global regulator involved in anaerobic metabolism) also alleviated the anaerobic repressions. Mutations in arcB or arcA were epistatic over that of fnr. Moreover, since this relief was counteracted by pyruvate in the growth medium, Fnr appears to affect formation of stimuli for ArcB. It is possible that Fnr also indirectly affects some of the other members of the arcA modulon, e.g., cyoABCDE (encoding the cytochrome o complex), cydAB (encoding the cytochrome d complex), and sodA (encoding the manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase).
The rise of internal capitalist diversity? Changing patterns of finance and corporate governance in Europe

Abstract The article examines internal diversity within national models of capitalism in Europe, with a particular concern with firm financing and corporate governance patterns. It is suggested that a relatively small number of firms have shifted to a new institutional context consisting of common international institutions and practices, while the large majority of firms continue to operate in a more slowly evolving set of domestic institutions or rules. Examining changes since the early 1990s in firm financing and corporate governance, the article finds preliminary evidence to support the thesis of increasing diversity, but also that national patterns of firm finance are still distinct. Rising diversity challenges the long-term viability of coordinated market economies in Europe.
Controversies surrounding the role of CFTR in airway bicarbonate secretion

Bicarbonate (HCO3−) serves many functions in the human body. It is an important biological buffer required for maintaining intracellular and extracellular acid–base balance, and plays a key role in CO2 transport by blood. Less well known is that HCO3− is secreted onto the mucosal surface of most epithelia where it is involved in a myriad of vital processes including sperm capacitation, innate defence, mucin expansion and mucosal protection. An important challenge in epithelial biology has been to understand the molecular coordination of transepithelial HCO3− secretion and how this simple anion impacts on such a wide variety of physiological processes. Through studies on the inherited disease cystic fibrosis (CF), it has become clear that the plasma membrane protein encoded by the CF gene, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), is essential for epithelial HCO3− secretion, but only recently have we begun to fully appreciate the complex role that CFTR plays in this process.
Advances in Brief p 73 Is Effective in p 53-null Pancreatic Cancer Cells Resistant to Wild-type TP 53 Gene Replacement 1

Novel therapies such as gene therapy are needed for the treatment of pancreatic carcinomas. Here we show that adenovirus-mediated p73 overexpression results in a strong induction of apoptosis, whereas the effect of p53 varies between different cell lines. In particular, p53-negative AsPC-1 cells are resistant to p53-mediated apoptosis. In these cells, only ectopically expressed p73 activates the proapoptotic p53 target P53AIP1, whereas phosphorylation of p53 at Ser-46, shown to regulate transcriptional activation of P53AIP1, is missing. Our findings support the use of p73 as an anticancer drug in p53-null pancreatic cancer cells that are resistant to wild-type TP53 gene replacement.
RATOS – A Software Model Checker for SystemC

The growing popularity of SystemC has attracted research aimed at the formal verification of SystemC designs. In this paper we present KRATOS, a software model checker for SystemC. KRATOS verifies safety properties, in the form of program assertions, by allowing users to explore two directions in the verification. First, by relying on the translation from SystemC designs to sequential C programs, KRATOS is capable of model checking the resulting C programs using the symbolic lazy predicate abstraction technique. Second, KRATOS implements a novel algorithm, called ESST, that combines Explicit state techniques to deal with the SystemC Scheduler, with Symbolic techniques to deal with the Threads. KRATOS is built on top of NUSMV and MATHSAT, and uses state-ofthe-art SMT-based techniques for program abstractions and refinements.
SiGe HBT Technology: Future Trends and TCAD-Based Roadmap

A technology roadmap for the electrical performance of high-speed silicon–germanium (SiGe) heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) is presented based on combining the results of various 1-D, 2-D, and 3-D technology computer-aided design (TCAD) simulation tools with geometry scalable compact modeling. The latter, including all known parasitic effects, enables the accurate determination of the figures of merit for both devices and selected benchmark circuits. The presented roadmap defines five major technology nodes with the maximum oscillation frequency of a typical high-frequency device structure as the main device design target under the constraints of various other parameters for generating the doping profiles and for defining the lateral scaling factors. An extensive and consistent set of technology and electrical parameters is provided along with the obtained scaling rules. The expected fabrication-related challenges and possible solutions for achieving the predicted performance are being discussed. It is hoped that the presented roadmap will be useful not only for foundries and equipment manufacturers but also for circuit and system designers enabling better predictions of the capability of SiGe–BiCMOS process technology for new millimeter-wave (mm-wave) and terahertz (THz) applications.
Online Fraud Defence by Context Based Micro Training

Online frauds are a category of Internet crime that has been increasing globally over the past years. Online fraudsters use a lot of different arenas and methods to commit their crimes and that is making defence against online fraudsters a difficult task. Today we see continuous warnings in the daily press and both researchers and governmental web-pages propose that Internet users gather knowledge about online frauds in order to avoid victimisation. In this paper we suggest a framework for presenting this knowledge to the Internet users when they are about to enter a situation where they need it. We provide an evaluation of the framework that indicates that it can both make users less prone to fraudulent ads and more trusting towards legitimate ads. This is done with a survey containing 117 participants over two groups where the participants were asked to rate the trustworthiness of fraudulent and legitimate ads. One groups used the framework before the rating and the other group did not. The results showed that, in our study, the participants using the framework put less trust in fraudulent ads and more trust in legitimate ads.
Epstein-Barr virus polypeptides: effect of inhibition of viral DNA replication on their synthesis

After Epstein-Barr virus superinfection of the human lymphoblastoid cell line Raji, a Burkitt lymphoma-derived line that contains Epstein-Barr virus genomes in an episomal form, at least 40 polypeptides could be resolved by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Eleven of the 40 polypeptides were immunoprecipitable by early antigen+/viral capsid antigen+ antiserum. The polypeptides could be divided into six classes, immediate-early, early, intermediate, late, very late, and persistent, depending upon the time of synthesis. Ten of the 40 polypeptides appeared to preexist before superinfection and persisted despite general cessation of host protein synthesis; none of the persistent proteins was immunoprecipitated by the Epstein-Barr virus antibody-containing serum. When viral DNA replication was blocked by a variety of inhibitors of DNA synthesis, a number of different patterns of polypeptide synthesis could be detected. The synthesis of six polypeptides was blocked by the most virus-specific inhibitors, acyclovir and phosphonoacetic acid. Additionally, in the presence of 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine, 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyladenine, and methotrexate, seven polypeptides showed oversynthesis.
Enhanced Self-Lift Cûk Converter for Negative-to-Positive Voltage Conversion

This letter introduces a new step-up dc-dc converter that provides a negative-to-positive voltage-conversion path for the negative dc-voltage source. Compared with the classical Cûk and buck-boost converters, the proposed converter increases the voltage boost ability significantly using the switched capacitor and self-lift techniques. It is featured with single power switch operation, common ground, transformerless structure, and clear energy delivery process; therefore, the relative simple structure is beneficial to potential industrial applications in future. A detailed theoretical analysis for the continuous and discontinuous conduction modes is given, and the main general aspects for circuit design are derived. A preliminary system modeling based on the flow graph is also presented for reference. Both simulation and experimental results are provided to validate the analysis results.
Molecular dynamics simulation of thermal and mechanical properties of polyimide–carbon-nanotube composites

An aromatic polyimide and its mixture with randomly distributed carbon nanotubes (NTs) are simulated by using molecular dynamics, repeated energy minimization and cooling processes. The glass transition temperatures are identified through volume–temperature curves. Stress–strain curves, Young's moduli, densities and Poisson ratios are computed at different temperatures. It is demonstrated that the carbon NT reduces the softening effects of temperature on mechanical properties and increases the ability to resist deformation.
γδ T Cells but Not NK Cells Are Essential for Cell-Mediated Immunity against Plasmodium chabaudi Malaria

ABSTRACT Blood-stage Plasmodium chabaudi infections are suppressed by antibody-mediated immunity and/or cell-mediated immunity (CMI). To determine the contributions of NK cells and γδ T cells to protective immunity, C57BL/6 (wild-type [WT]) mice and B-cell-deficient (JH−/−) mice were infected with P. chabaudi and depleted of NK cells or γδ T cells with monoclonal antibody. The time courses of parasitemia in NK-cell-depleted WT mice and JH−/− mice were similar to those of control mice, indicating that deficiencies in NK cells, NKT cells, or CD8+ T cells had little effect on parasitemia. In contrast, high levels of noncuring parasitemia occurred in JH−/− mice depleted of γδ T cells. Depletion of γδ T cells during chronic parasitemia in B-cell-deficient JH−/− mice resulted in an immediate and marked exacerbation of parasitemia, suggesting that γδ T cells have a direct killing effect in vivo on blood-stage parasites. Cytokine analyses revealed that levels of interleukin-10, gamma interferon (IFN-γ), and macrophage chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) in the sera of γδ T-cell-depleted mice were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased compared to hamster immunoglobulin-injected controls, but these cytokine levels were similar in NK-cell-depleted mice and their controls. The time courses of parasitemia in CCR2−/− and JH−/− × CCR2−/− mice and in their controls were nearly identical, indicating that MCP-1 is not required for the control of parasitemia. Collectively, these data indicate that the suppression of acute P. chabaudi infection by CMI is γδ T cell dependent, is independent of NK cells, and may be attributed to the deficient IFN-γ response seen early in γδ T-cell-depleted mice.
Familial hypercholesterolemia in the Finnish north Karelia. A molecular, clinical, and genealogical study.

A specific mutation termed FH-North Karelia [FH-NK] accounts for almost 90% of familial hypercholesterolemia [FH] cases in the Finnish North Karelia, with a population of about 180,000. Extensive search for its presence in the entire North Karelia province revealed 340 carriers of this mutation. Other mutations of the LDL receptor [LDLR] gene accounted for 67 cases of heterozygous FH. This gives a minimum FH prevalence of 1 in 441 inhabitants in North Karelia, with the highest density of patients in the Polvijärvi commune (1 in 143 inhabitants). Old parish records, confirmation records, and tax records were used to track a common ancestor for most of the present-day North Karelian FH-NK patients in the village of Puso, located within an area where the FH prevalence today is the highest. DNA analysis indicated that 2% of the subjects aged 1 to 25 years would have been diagnosed as false-negative and 7% as false-positive FH patients on the basis of LDL cholesterol [LDL-C] determinations alone. Common genetic variations of apolipoprotein E [apoE], XbaI, polymorphism of apolipoprotein B [apoB], and PvuII polymorphism of the intact LDLR allele contributed little to serum lipid variation in established carriers of the FH-NK allele, although apoE2/4 genotype and the presence of the PvuII restriction site tended to be associated with relatively low LDL-C levels. Coronary heart disease (CHD) was present in 65 (30%) out of the 179 FH gene carriers aged > or = 25 years, and 19 individuals had a previous history of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The average age (mean +/- SD) at onset of CHD was 42 +/- 7 years for males and 48 +/- 11 years for females (P < .05). In stepwise logistic regression analysis carried out in carriers of the FH-NK allele, age, gender, smoking, and apoE allele E2 all emerged as independent determinants of risk of CHD or AMI. It may be concluded that the relatively high prevalence of FH patients in North Karelia province provides a unique founder population in which genetic and nongenetic factors modifying the course of FH can be effectively investigated.
Dynamic interactions of proteins in complex networks: a more structured view

Virtually every process in a cell is carried out by macromolecular complexes whose actions need to be perfectly orchestrated. The synchronization and regulation of these biological functions is indeed critical and is usually carried out by complex networks of transient protein interactions. Here, we review some of the many strategies that proteins in regulatory networks use to achieve the dynamic plasticity necessary to rapidly respond to diverse cellular needs. More specifically, we present recent work on the molecular bases of transient peptide‐mediated interactions and the role that post‐translational modifications and disordered regions might play. Finally, in light of some recent findings, we speculate on the possibility of a new regulatory code for intrinsically disordered proteins and the potential biophysical and functional advantages that disorder might provide.
Evaluating Tools for Automatic Concept Extraction: a Case Study from the Musicology Domain

extraction algorithms have various applications in Digital Economy research with the rise of online sources. This paper reports on an evaluation of five term extraction algorithms for automatic concept extraction in the musicology domain, which is carried out in the context of the RCUK funded SerenA Project. Our focus here is to identify the algorithms that are most suitable for the task of concept extraction. In our evaluation, the C-value algorithm produced the best result, while others achieved encouraging performances revealing interesting features of each algorithm that will be helpful for developing better algorithms.
A graph-based resource allocation scheme with interference coordination in small cell networks

We present a novel graph-based resource allocation and interference coordination framework to mitigate downlink interference in small cell networks. In our scheme, two types of clusters from the original network are generated, namely cell-cluster and user-cluster. We first divide small cells into cell-clusters according to their neighboring relationships in the network and examine the network morphology under different neighborhood bounds. Then we develop another graph clustering scheme to group the users in each cell-cluster into user-clusters with minimum intra-cluster interference. Finally, we employ a proportional fair scheduling scheme to assign subchannels among the user-clusters and allocate power using water-filling method. The simulation results show that our method achieves a significant improvement in spectral efficiency compared to previous works under both co-channel and orthogonal deployments.
Regulation of two phosphatases and a cyclic phosphodiesterase of Salmonella typhimurium

The regulation of three Salmonella typhimurium phosphatases in reponse to different nutritional limitations has been studied. Two enzymes, an acid hexose phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.2) and a cyclic phosphodiesterase (EC 3.1.4.d), appear to be regulated by the cyclic adenosine 3' ,5'-monophosphate (AMP) catabolite repression system. Levels of these enzymes increased in cells grown on poor carbon sources but not in cells grown on poor nitrogen or phosphorus sources. Mutants lacking adenyl cyclase did not produce elevated levels of these enzymes in response to carbon limitation unless cyclic AMP was supplied. Mutants lacking the cyclic AMP receptor protein did not produce elevated levels of these enzymes in response to carbon limitation regardless of the presence of cyclic AMP. Since no specific induction of either enzyme could be demonstrated, these enzymes appear to be controlled solely by the cyclic AMP system. Nonspecific acid phsphatase activity (EC 3.1.3.2) increased in response to carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, or sulfur limitation. The extent of the increase depended on growth rate, with slower growth rates favoring greater increases, and on the type of limitation. Limitation for either carbon or phosphorus resulted in maximum increases, whereas severe limitation of Mg2+ caused only a slight increase. The increase in nonspecific acid phosphatase during carbon limitation was apparently not mediated by the catabolite repression system since mutants lacking adenyl cyclase or the cyclic AMP receptor protein still produced elevated levels of this enzyme during carbon starvation. Nor did the increase during phosphorus limitation appear to be mediated by the alkaline phosphatase regulatory system. A strain of Salmonella bearing a chromosomal mutation, which caused constitutive production of alkaline phosphatase (introduced by an episome from Escherichia coli), did not have constitutive levels of nonspecific acid phosphatase.
Polymorphisms in methotrexate transporters and their relationship to plasma methotrexate levels, toxicity of high-dose methotrexate, and outcome of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia

High-dose methotrexate (HDMTX) plays an important role in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) although there is great inter-patient variability in the efficacy and toxicity of MTX. The relationship between polymorphisms in genes encoding MTX transporters and MTX response is controversial. In the present study, 322 Chinese children with standard- and intermediate-risk ALL were genotyped for 12 polymorphisms. SLCO1B1 rs10841753 showed a significant association with plasma MTX levels at 48 h (P = 0.017). Patients who had the ABCB1 rs1128503 C allele had longer duration of hospitalization than did those with the TT genotype (P = 0.006). No association was found between oral mucositis and any polymorphism. Long-term outcome was worse in patients with the SLCO1B1 rs4149056 CC genotype than in patients with TT or TC (5-year event-free survival [EFS] 33.3 ± 19.2% vs. 90.5 ± 1.7%, P < 0.001), and was worse in patients with the SCL19A1 rs2838958 AA genotype than in patients with AG or GG (5-year EFS 78.5 ± 4.6% vs. 92.2 ± 1.8%, P = 0.008). Multiple Cox regression analyses revealed associations of minimal residual disease (MRD) at day 33 (hazard ratio 3.458; P = 0.002), MRD at day 78 (hazard ratio 6.330; P = 0.001), SLCO1B1 rs4149056 (hazard ratio 12.242; P < 0.001), and SCL19A1 rs2838958 (hazard ratio 2.324; P = 0.019) with EFS. Our findings show that polymorphisms in genes encoding MTX transporters substantially influence the kinetics and response to HDMTX therapy in childhood ALL.