Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison between electrical and optical global clock distributions for CMOS integrated circuits

CMOS technology downscaling is expected to encounter a metallic interconnect bottleneck in the near future due to increasing delays of global on-chip interconnects, signal distortion, and timing uncertainty (skew and jitter), as well as power consumption. Silicon-compatible integration of optical on-chip interconnects is presented as an alternative solution. Integrated optics using silicon-on-insulator single-mode waveguides, Si-based modulators, and Ge photodetectors offers a feasible way to distribute the global clock over the whole chip. Taking into account the photodetectors' characteristics, with a CMOS-inverter-based transimpedance front-end amplifier and additional gain stages to ensure sufficient voltage swing, the performance of optical global clock distributions is compared with that of their metallic counterparts. The main advantages brought by optics include signal propagation with negligible distortion over centimeter-long distances (pulse spreading <1% of the clock period at a frequency of 100 GHz), reduction of skew and jitter in comparison with electrical repeater lines (optical skew/jitter <3% to 4% at a frequency of 50 GHz), lower sensitivity to temperature variations (optical delay variation <1.8% for a 100-K variation), and reduction of the total chip power consumption (negligible power consumption for the global clock distribution: <70 mW).
Correlation between the growth and development of extremely preterm infants in intensive care units and the intestinal microecology

Objective: To study the association between the growth and development of extremely preterm infants at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and their intestinal microfloraMethods: Extremely low gestational age infants admitted to the NICU were included in this study. The subjects were divided into the extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR) group and normal growth group, and the growth and development were evaluated at 2 and 4 weeks after birth. Meanwhile, the stool samples were taken to perform high throughput 16S rRNA sequencing of the intestinal microflora.Results: A total of 22 infants were included. There was no significant difference in the alpha diversity indexes the two groups at 2 weeks or 4 weeks after birth. The beta diversity analysis showed that the principal components of the intestinal microflora were similar between the two groups. LEfSe analysis showed that after 2 weeks of birth, the items with an absolute LDA higher than 4 included Streptococcaceae, Streptococcus, Bacteroidetes, Bacteroidales and Stenotrophomonas in the EUGR group and Enterococcaceae and Enterococcus in the control group. At the 4th week after birth, the items with an absolute LDA higher than 3 in the EUGR group included Clostriaceae, Eubacteriaceae and Eubacterium. The microbial community composition comparison showed significant differences in the principle components of Enterococcus and Streptococcus on the family and genus levels.Conclusion: The diversity and richness of the intestinal microflora in preterm infants at the NICU are significantly insufficient, and the establishment of intestinal homeostasis is obviously delayed, which may cause growth retardation.
The use of multiple slate devices to support active reading activities

Reading activities in the classroom and workplace occur predominantly on paper. Since existing electronic devices do not support these reading activities as well as paper, users have difficulty taking full advantage of the affordances of electronic documents. This dissertation makes three main contributions toward supporting active reading electronically. The first contribution is a comprehensive set of active reading requirements, drawn from three decades of research into reading processes. These requirements explain why existing devices are inadequate for supporting active reading activities. The second contribution is a multi-slate reading system that more completely supports the active reading requirements above. Researchers believe the suitability of paper for active reading is largely due to the fact it distributes content across different sheets of paper, which are capable of displaying information as well as capturing input. The multi-slate approach draws inspiration from the independent reading and writing surfaces that paper provides, to blend the beneficial features of e-book readers, tablets, PCs, and tabletop computers. The development of the multi-slate system began with the Dual-Display E-book, which used two screens to provide richer navigation capabilities than a single-screen device. Following the success of the Dual-Display E-book, the United Slates, a general-purpose reading system consisting of an extensible number of slates, was created. The United Slates consisted of custom slate hardware, specialized interactions that enabled the slates to be used cooperatively, and a cloud-based infrastructure that robustly integrated the slates with users' existing computing devices and workflow. The third contribution is a series of evaluations that characterized reading with multiple slates. A laboratory study with 12 participants compared the relative merits of paper and electronic reading surfaces. One month long in-situ deployments of the United Slates with graduate students in the humanities found the multi-slate configuration to be highly effective for reading. The United Slates system delivered desirable paper-like qualities that included enhanced reading engagement, ease of navigation, and peace-of-mind while also providing superior electronic functionality. The positive feedback suggests that the multi-slate configuration is a desirable method for supporting active reading activities.
IMPROVING STRONG NEGATION

Abstract Strong negation is a well-known alternative to the standard negation in intuitionistic logic. It is defined virtually by giving falsity conditions to each of the connectives. Among these, the falsity condition for implication appears to unnecessarily deviate from the standard negation. In this paper, we introduce a slight modification to strong negation, and observe its comparative advantages over the original notion. In addition, we consider the paraconsistent variants of our modification, and study their relationship with non-constructive principles and connexivity.
InP/InGaAs double-heterojunction bipolar transistor with step-graded InGaAsP collector

An MOCVD-grown InP/InGaAs double-heterojunction bipolar transistor with a step-graded InGaAsP collector is described. This transistor allows high injection current densities over 2.9 × 105A/cm2, which suggests no significant current blocking related to the wide-gap InP layers. A cutoff frequency of 155GHz and a maximum oscillation frequency of 90GHz are obtained at the collector current density of 1.6 × 105A/cm2.
The effectiveness of routine physiotherapy with and without neuromobilization in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of neuromobilization (NM) on the pain and active forward flexion in participants with shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS). METHODS A randomized control trial was conducted in Social Security Hospital, Gujranwala. The duration of study was September 2016 to March 2018. A sample of 80 participants was selected and allocated in to two groups using computer generator method in simple random sampling technique. Consent was taken from patients with SIS for this trial. At the first session, participants were randomly assigned to either control group (n=40) or experimental group (n=40). After the baseline assessment routine physiotherapy was executed for both groups, while NM was provided to experimental group. Pain and active forward flexion (AFF) were evaluated at baseline, 5th week and 11th week. The data were entered and analyzed using SPSS (version 22.0). RESULTS The experimental group compared with control group at 11th week had lower mean pain score 2.15 (1.66-2.64) vs 4.90 (4.41-5.40); between group difference, 1.82; 95% confidence interval (CI), -2.38 to -1.25; P ˂0.001 and Partial ƞ2=0.33, similarly with AFF 147.13 (142.46-151.79) vs 123.45(118.79-128.11); between group difference ,19.35; 95% CI, (12.86-25.83); P ˂ 0.001 and Partial ƞ2=0.30. Over all pain and AFF were improved among experimental group relative to control group at 11th week. CONCLUSIONS In an experimental setting, the delivery of neuromobilization led to significantly different outcomes in participants of SIS than in control group.
Insect Resistance Management Plans: The Farmer's Perspective

One of the most successful genetically modified crops is Bt corn, which has been modified to produce proteins from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). These proteins are toxic to specific pests such as the European Corn Borer (ECB) and the corn rootworm (CRW). These Bt crops are highly effective at preventing insect damage, and as a result have been rapidly adopted since the release of Bt corn resistant to ECB in 1996 and Bt corn resistant to CRW in 2003. In 2005, Bt corn accounted for 35 percent of the corn acreage in the US either as a single trait or stack trait (NASS, 2005). The rapid adoption of Bt corn, particularly in specific regions of the US, has raised concerns about the development of insect resistance to Bt. Insect resistance to Bt poses a major risk to the producers currently benefiting from the technology and to other producers who depend on Bt as a pesticide, such as organic producers. In order reduce the risk of insect resistance to Bt, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued insect resistance management (IRM) guidelines in 2001 (EPA, 2001). Registrants of Bt crops are responsible for overseeing IRM plans and they implement them by having producers sign legally binding agreements. Under the IRM guidelines, producers in the primary corn growing regions are required to plant at least 20 percent of their corn to a refuge, i.e. non-Bt corn. Currently, there are four approved refuge configurations: the border of the field, a block within the field, splitting the planter so that there are strips through the field, or an adjacent field which is required to be across a ditch or road for CRW corn and within half a mile for ECB corn. Producers are permitted to treat the refuge corn with a non-Bt insecticide. The effectiveness of refuges at preventing insect resistance depends in part on producers’ compliance with the IRM plan regulations. Producers who are found to be not incompliance with the IRM plans for two years will face the penalty of no longer being allowed to purchase Bt crops (Wright and Hunt, 2004). IRM guidelines have been in effect for about 5 years. The EPA will review the IRM regulations related to CRW corn in 2006 when the registration of CRW corn needs to be renewed. In anticipation of these policy discussions about IRM plans, the purpose of this paper is to present survey and focus group results that describe farmers’ thoughts on and reactions to IRM plans.
Multipurpose high-performance 160x120 uncooled IRFPA

Uncooled infrared focal plane arrays are being developed for a wide range of thermal imaging applications. Developments are focused on the improvement of their sensitivity, enabling the possibility of reducing the pixel pitch in order to decrease the total system (size and weight) by using smaller optics. The amorphous silicon technology is the latest one developed by CEA/LETI and transferred to ULIS to manufacture uncooled infrared 2D arrays. We developed for this device a low cost package based on existing technologies. This device is well adapted to multipurpose high volume applications where spatial resolution (in term of pixel number) is less important than device costs.
Study of the Emissions Generated at Intersections for a SI Car under Real World Urban Driving Conditions

A precision in-vehicle tail-pipe emission measurement system was installed in a EURO1 emissions compliant SI car and used to investigate the variability in tail-pipe emission generation at an urban traffic junction. Exhaust gas and skin temperatures were also measured along the exhaust pipe of the instrumented vehicle, so the thermal characteristics and the efficiency of the catalyst monitored could be included in the analysis. Different turning movements (driving patterns) at the priority T-junction were investigated such as straight, left and right turns with and without stops. The test car was hot stable running conditions before each test, thereby negating cold start effects. To demonstrate the influence of the junction on tail-pipe emissions and fuel consumption, distance based factors were determined that compared the intersection drive-through measurements with steady speed (state) runs. Fuel consumption was increased at intersections by a factor of 1.3~5.9. CO, THC and NOx emission were increased by a factor of 8~26, 6~21 and 2.5~10 respectively. Benzene emissions were also increased by a factor of 4~21. Through fine-scale analysis of real-world driving profiles and tail-pipe emissions, this research makes a contribution to our understanding of the variability in driving parameters and emission production in urban areas. The results of this study will be useful in advising the development of combined traffic/ emission models for urban areas and developing optimal traffic management strategies to minimise emissions.
Buildings and Power: Freedom and Control in the Origin of Modern Building Types

Introduction Part I: Some Underlying Ideas 1. The Shape of the Argument 2. Why Can We Use Buildings? Part II: Buildings and People 3. Formation 4. Re-Formation 5. Cleanliness is next to Godliness 6. Re-Creation Part III: Buildings and Knowledge 7. Visible Knowledge 8. Emphmeral Knowledge 9. Invisible Knowledge Part IV: Buildings and Things 10. Production 11. Exchange Part V: Concluding Remarks Notes Biography Knowledge
Tools and reference standards supporting the engineering and evolution of synthetic biological systems

ion As biological engineers, we can make use of abstraction in order to simplify the design and construction of engineered biological systems. A previously described ‘abstraction hierarchy’ for standard biological parts was designed to support the rational engineering of biological systems by managing complexity [10]. This hierarchy consists of four layers: DNA, parts, devices, and systems. ‘DNA’ is genetic material, ‘parts’ are basic biological functions composed of DNA, ‘devices’ are any combination of parts that perform a human-defined function, and ‘systems’ are any combination of devices. I have mapped the three components of the directed evolution process (inputs, assembly, and screening) onto the abstraction hierarchy (Figure 1-1) to consider how we might best make use of standard parts and abstraction to apply directed evolution to more complicated engineered biological
A Task of Miniature Mobile Robot Learning for Obstacle Avoidance through Neural Networks

This paper is concerned with Q-learning , a very popular algorithm for reinforcement learning ,for obstacle avoidance through neural networks. The principle tells that the focus always must be on both ecological nice tasks and behaviours when designing on robot. Many robot systems have used behavior-based systems since the 1980’s.In this paper, the Khepera robot is trained through the proposed algorithm of Q-learning using the neural networks for the task of obstacle avoidance. In experiments with real and simulated robots, the neural networks approach can be used to make it possible for Q-learning to handle changes in the environment.
Laser range-finding by phase-shift measurement: moving toward smart systems

The systems presented in this paper are based on phase-shift measurement. The first solution developed here is the heterodyne technique associated with direct counting. An improvement of the system consists in using digital PLL to reduce the phase noise. A second technique based on under-sampling technique, applied to digital synchronous detection, is described. Its main advantage is a global simplification of the electronic system, leading to a quite simple development of a twofold modulation system. This new technique is also very interesting to move towards a kind of smart range finder able to adapt different parameters to the different steps of the measurement.
Date Palm Pollen versus Pentoxifylline on Improvement of Sperm Parameters in Idiopathic Male Infertility

Background: Idiopathic male infertility (IMI) affects nearly 30 to 45% of men in their optimal reproductive age. In this regard, there are no evidence-based medications prescribed empirically to treat IMI. However, applying traditional medicine for the treatment of male infertility has attracted more attention in recent years. In the current study, the effects of date palm pollen (DPP) on sperm parameters in patients with idiopathic infertility were evaluated and compared to pentoxifylline (PTX). Materials and methods: This study was performed on 80 adult male individuals (20-35 years old) who had oligozoospermia and/or asthenozoospermia and/or teratozoospermia. Patients received 6g DPP powder or 400 mg PTX tablets daily for three months in two separated groups (each in 40). Various sperm parameters and levels of sex hormones were measured. Results: Compared to the PTX group, results revealed a significant improvement in sperm counts (p=0.016), morphology (p=0.029), total motility (p=0.018), progressive motility (p=0.016) and reduction of immotile sperms (p=0.014) in patients who received DPP treatment. Conclusion Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM) strongly recommended DPP as a therapeutic agent to cure IMI through improvement in the functional competence of sperm and semen parameters.
Oxide VCSEL reliability qualification at Agilent Technologies

In the past two years, Agilent Technologies has had a unique opportunity to study the reliability of VCSELs from most major manufacturers. We report on our methodology for qualifying prospective VCSEL suppliers, and briefly discuss our findings. The expected use environment for VCSELs is covered, along with VCSEL reliability limitations with existing technology. Differences between maverick and wearout failures are discussed, and examples of each are shown; VCSEL failure analysis is also briefly touched on. Finally, recent challenges in using oxide VCSELs in non-hermetic packaging, and 10 Gb/s operation, are briefly covered.
Testing DNA-methylation and blood-chemistry measures of biological aging in models of Black-White disparities in healthspan characteristics

Biological aging is a proposed mechanism through which social determinants drive health disparities. We conducted proof-of-concept testing of eight DNA-methylation and blood-chemistry quantifications of biological aging as mediators of disparities in healthspan between Black and White participants in the United States Health and Retirement Study (HRS; n=8231). We quantified biological aging from four DNA-methylation "clocks" (Horvath, Hannum, PhenoAge, and GrimAge), a DNA-methylation Pace of Aging (DunedinPoAm), and three blood-chemistry measures (PhenoAge, Klemera-Doubal method Biological Age, and homeostatic dysregulation). We quantified Black-White disparities in healthspan from tests of physical-performance, self-reported limitations to activities of daily living (ADLs), and physician-diagnosed chronic diseases. DNA-methylation and blood-chemistry quantifications of biological aging were moderately correlated (Pearson-r range 0.1-0.4). GrimAge, DunedinPoAm and all three blood-chemistry measures were associated with healthspan characteristics (10-25% increase in risk per SD of biological aging) and showed evidence of more advanced/faster biological aging in Black compared with White participants (Cohen's d=.3-.5). In mediation analysis, these measures accounted for 19-48% of Black-White differences in healthspan-related characteristics. Evidence that Black Americans are both biologically older and aging more rapidly than White Americans of the same chronological age suggests that differences in aging may represent a novel pathway to understand and eliminate health disparities.
Chromatic classification of RF signals produced by electrical discharges in HV transformers

The results of investigations into the use of chromatic processing of radio frequency signals emitted from transformers known to be suffering from partial discharging are described. The work formed part of a project operated by National Grid Transco involving several industrial parties and UK universities. The chromatic processing methodology developed at the University of Liverpool has been explored for discriminating between various radio frequency signals measured with different techniques, by Glasgow Caledonian University, UMIST, the University of Southampton and the University of Bath. Such discrimination is based on three chromatic parameters: hue (dominant frequency), lightness (nominal signal strength) and saturation (effective signal bandwidth). The chromatic results are capable of yielding patterns, which appear to be associated with indications of discharges of different types and from different sources/locations.
Rainfall – CN (Curve Number) relationships in a tropical rainforest microbasin within the Panamá Canal watershed

Precipitation (P) Curve-Number (CN) relationships for different base flow ranges, obtained within the upper Chagres River watershed were applied to a 6.5 Ha microbasin located within the Panamá Canal watershed. These relationships estimate CN values from P data employing an equation established by Calvo et al (10). This equation uses k and CN∞ as fitting parameters. Rainfall/Runoff data from the microbasin, collected over a six-month period, were analyzed. These analyses showed that CN values at the microbasin are closer to CN results predicted by the equation corresponding to the lower base-flow range (14-42 m3 /s) at the upper Chagres watershed. These results were explained by considering not the absolute values of the base flow (Qbase), but the value of this parameter relative to the basin area under study.
Economic Value of North American Skunks

"Among fur animals [the skunk] is second in importance in the United States, the muskrat alone exceeding it in total value of fur produced. Skunk are kept and reared easily in captivity, and under intelligent management may become a source of profit, although thus far those who have made money in raising them have sold the animals chiefly for breeding purposes. Further experiment will be required to decide whether they can be made profitable as fur producers in captivity. This bulletin discusses the habits and economic importance of the skunk, and furnishes ample instructions to those who desire to raise the animals in inclosures. " -- p. 2
A 0.855 1.342 GHz octa‐phase LC VCO for multimode direct conversion receiver in 0.18‐μm CMOS

New fully integrated, multiband octa‐phase LC VCOs are presented. The VCO is composed of four identical differential VCOs and implemented in a 0.18‐μm TSMC CMOS process. Four individual VCOs are connected by a series‐coupling transistor to obtain the octa‐phase signal and low phase noise characteristic. For multiband operation, a band‐tuning circuit is designed. The circuit is composed of a switching capacitor circuit and MOS varactors, and allows the VCO to operate at a frequency range of three standards (CDMA 2000 1x, WCDMA, WiBro) and to be tuned to select a channel in each frequency range. The measured phase noises of the VCO are −105 dBc at 100 kHz, −115 dBc at 1 MHz, and −130 dBc at 10 MHz for CDMA 2000 1x, WCDMA and WiBro, respectively, while the VCO draws 12 mA and consumes 21.6 mW with output buffers at the frequency band from a 1.8 V supply. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 50: 1717–1719, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23485