cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Design considerations of HBM stacked DRAM and the memory architecture extension

Recently, the 3D stacked memory, which is known as HBM (high bandwidth memory), using TSV process has been developed. The stacked memory structure provides increased bandwidth, low power consumption, as well as small form factor. There are many design challenges, such as multi-channel operation, microbump test and TSV connection scan. Various design methodology make it possible to overcome the difficulties in the development of TSV technology. Vertical stacking enables more diverse memory architecture than the flat architecture. The next generation of HBM focuses on not only the bandwidth but also the system performance enhancement by adopting pseudo channel and 8-Hi stacking. The architecture applied to the second generation HBM are introduced in this paper.
Influence of Air Pocket Volume on Manhole Surge

Large discrete air pockets trapped along the crown of a nearly horizontal stormwater tunnel have been shown in laboratory experiments to produce large vertical…
Structure of Guanylyl Cyclase Activator Protein 1 (GCAP1) Mutant V77E in a Ca2+-free/Mg2+-bound Activator State.

GCAP1, a member of the neuronal calcium sensor subclass of the calmodulin superfamily, confers Ca(2+)-sensitive activation of retinal guanylyl cyclase 1 (RetGC1). We present NMR resonance assignments, residual dipolar coupling data, functional analysis, and a structural model of GCAP1 mutant (GCAP1(V77E)) in the Ca(2+)-free/Mg(2+)-bound state. NMR chemical shifts and residual dipolar coupling data reveal Ca(2+)-dependent differences for residues 170-174. An NMR-derived model of GCAP1(V77E) contains Mg(2+) bound at EF2 and looks similar to Ca(2+) saturated GCAP1 (root mean square deviations = 2.0 A). Ca(2+)-dependent structural differences occur in the fourth EF-hand (EF4) and adjacent helical region (residues 164-174 called the Ca(2+) switch helix). Ca(2+)-induced shortening of the Ca(2+) switch helix changes solvent accessibility of Thr-171 and Leu-174 that affects the domain interface. Although the Ca(2+) switch helix is not part of the RetGC1 binding site, insertion of an extra Gly residue between Ser-173 and Leu-174 as well as deletion of Arg-172, Ser-173, or Leu-174 all caused a decrease in Ca(2+) binding affinity and abolished RetGC1 activation. We conclude that Ca(2+)-dependent conformational changes in the Ca(2+) switch helix are important for activating RetGC1 and provide further support for a Ca(2+)-myristoyl tug mechanism.
New Approaches for Reliability Design in Multistate Systems

This chapter presents a new algorithm that can be applied to solve multi-state reliability allocation problems, namely: capacitated multistate and multistate with multistate components. The optimization problem solved considers the maximization of the system design reliability subject to known constraints on resources (cost and weight) by assuming that the system contains a known number of subsystems connected in series and for each of these subsystems a known set of functionally equivalent component types (with different performance specifications) can be used to provide redundancy. This is the first time an optimization algorithm for multistate systems with mutistate components has been proposed. The algorithm is based on two major steps that use a probabilistic discovery approach and Monte Carlo simulation to generate solutions to these problems. Examples for different series-parallel system behaviors are used throughout the chapter to illustrate the approach. The results obtained for these test cases are compared with other methods to show how the algorithm can generate good solutions in a relatively small amount of time. Although developed for series-parallel system reliability optimization, the algorithm can be applied in other system structures as long as minimal cut sets are known.
Long-term radiographic results of stent-assisted embolization of cerebral aneurysms.

Background Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is a disabling disease. Endovascular coiling provides minimally invasive, effective, and safe treatment of both ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysms. Intracranial stents have improved the endovascular treatment of complex aneurysms, but the long-term durability of this treatment modality needs clarification. Objective To elucidate the long-term success of intracranial stent use in the treatment of aneurysms. Methods Four hundred ten patients were treated with stent-assisted endovascular management of 464 aneurysms. Treatment of 363 small aneurysms, 88 large aneurysms, and 13 giant aneurysms was analyzed with respect to both long-term anatomic results with digital subtraction angiography and magnetic resonance angiography over the follow-up period. Results The 6-month angiographic results of 387 aneurysm treatments revealed complete aneurysm occlusion in 282 (72.9%), residual aneurysm neck in 50 (12.9%), and residual aneurysm filling in 55 (14.2%). Long-term radiographic follow-up, performed in 262 patients (mean, 3.63 years), showed significant recurrence of only 3 aneurysms after 6-month follow-up imaging. Forty-eight aneurysms (11.9%) were considered radiographic failures during the follow-up period. Conclusion The aneurysm recurrence rate after stent-assisted embolization in this series was similar to published data using only coil embolization for the period between treatment and the initial follow-up imaging. For aneurysms that do not initially recur, the presented data suggest improved durability in the subsequent long-term follow-up period. Abbreviations DSA, digital subtraction angiographyMRA, magnetic resonance angiography.
FACTOR STRUCTURE OF BELIEFS ABOUT TIME: COMMENT ON HILL AND STUCKEY (1992)

Block, Saggau, and Nickol (1983-84) studied beliefs about time in a sample of predominantly Caucasian-American students at Montana State University. Each respondent completed a 65-statement questionnaire, the Temporal Inventory on Meaning and Experience (TIME). Factor analysis yielded an interesting structure of beliefs about time, with 19 substantive and interpretable factors. Hill and Stuckey (1992) administered the TIME to African-American students at Virginia State University. They reported a radically different factor structure, with only five factors. Neatly hall the statements (28 of 65) loaded on the first factor, which was difficult to interpret. They concluded that the "different factor structure . . . could represent a component of cognitive style differences between black and white college students" (p. 786). In Block, et al.'s study each respondent completed one of four forms of the TIME. To control for response-scale bias, each subject received one of two versions of each statement, with the worn it would not alter the correlation matrix or the factor loadings (except that some positive signs become negative and vice-versa). I conducted two factor analyses of Hill and Stuckey's data,' using their procedures (i.e., varimax rotation of five factors). One analysis used the raw data, and the other used the transformed data. The faccor structures are identical (except that some loadings have reversed signs). Surprisingly, 27 of the 28 statements that load significantly on the first factor are statements for which the response scale was (or might have been) reversed. Intercorrelations of responses to reversed-scale statements are spuriously high, and inteccorrelations of responses to nonreversed-scale statements are spuriously low. The over-all mean response to the 34 reversed-scale statements is 3.00, the scale midpoint; whereas the over-all mean to the 31 nonreversed-scale statements is 3.56, which apparently represents a substantial response bias. A parsimonious interpretation is that there was a systematic anomaly in the methodology, data-analysis, or both. It is premature to conclude that African-American college students show a radically different factor structure of beliefs about time reflecting cognitive-style differences.
Structural and Electrochemical Studies of Pt Clusters Supported on High-Surface-Area Tungsten Carbide for Oxygen Reduction

High-surface-area tungsten carbide (WC) was synthesized via a molten solvent route and investigated as a noncarbon electrocatalyst support for nanosized Pt clusters. Pt clusters less than ∼3 nm in size with a small particle size distribution were homogeneously deposited on the WC support by galvanic displacement with Cu. The activity of supported Pt clusters for the oxygen reduction reaction in acid media was studied. It was found that the activity of the Pt clusters is enhanced on WC compared with Pt clusters supported on carbon, and the most likely cause of this enhancement is electron transfer between the catalyst and support. The electrochemical stability of both raw and platinized WC was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, and the surface composition of the support was probed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was found that WC is electrochemically stable at potentials less than 0.8 V vs the normal hydrogen electrode. At elevated potentials, the WC surface was oxidized to at least two different ...
Ileus beim colorectalen Carcinom Präoperative Implantation eines Metallgitterstents und frühelektive Operation als Alternative zur notfallmäßigen Operation

Einleitung: Ziel der Untersuchung ist es, die Wertigkeit einer notfallmasigen, praoperativen Entlastung eines carcinombedingten Colonileus mittels selbstexpandierbarer Metallgitterstents zu erarbeiten. Methoden: Von Januar 1996 bis Mai 1999 wurde bei 28 Patienten mit Dickdarmileus unter der Verdachtsdiagnose eines Coloncarcinoms die Indikation zur durchleuchtungsgesteuerten Einbringung eines Metallgitterstents in die Stenose gestellt. Bei erfolgreicher Entlastung wurde fruhelektiv und einzeitig operiert. Ergebnisse: Bei 21 von 28 Patienten gelang es praoperativ, die Tumorstenose zu uberwinden und einen Stent zu platzieren, nach spatestens 48 Std. war bei 19 Patienten der Ileus beseitigt. Von diesen Patienten verstarb ein Patient postoperativ, 2mal trat eine Anastomoseninsuffizienz auf. Von den 9 ubrigen Patienten, bei denen sich der Ileus interventionell nicht beseitigen lies, wurden 8 notfallmasig operiert, 4 verstarben perioperativ. Von den 5 Patienten mit gutem postoperativen Verlauf konnte nur einer kontinenzerhaltend operiert werden. Schlussfolgerungen: Die notfallmasige durchleuchtungsgesteuerte Implantation von Stents in ein Coloncarcinom ist eine erfolgversprechende Methode, um trotz Ileus eine fruhelektive Resektion ohne protektives Enterostoma zu ermoglichen.
Neuropsychology of late-life psychoses.

The appearance of psychotic symptoms for the first time among older individuals is not rare and may be associated with a variety of neurologic as well as psychiatric conditions. Studies of younger patients with psychotic disorders have demonstrated a wide range of neuropsychological performances, although the results with respect to mood disorders have been inconsistent. Published studies examining the neurocognitive status of older psychistric patients with psychotic symptoms have been few, and even less is known about the neuropsychological functioning of those patients who develop psychotic symptoms for the first time later in life. A multifaceted assessment approach is critical in the clinical evaluation of such patients, and comprehensive studies are called for in order to increase our understanding of late-life psychoses.
Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the palate in adolescence

Although relatively rare, minor salivary gland tumors are more likely to be malignant in pediatric patients than in adults. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) represents the most common malignant tumor of the salivary glands. It is critical to differentiate such tumors from common benign salivary gland lesions. The purposes of this report are to present the case of a 15-year-old female with MEC of the palate, and to discuss the importance of a thorough intraoral examination on all patients regardless of age, as well as the need for timely referral for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
Amicus Brief of the Constitution Project and Michael J. Glennon Submitted to U.S. District Court in Smith V. Obama

This is the brief of amici curiae in opposition to defendant’s motion to dismiss for want of jurisdiction, filed August 19, 2016 with the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, in Smith v. Obama, Case 1:16-cv-00843-CKK. It supports the plaintiff’s claim that the President has violated the War Powers Resolution’s time limit in using force against ISIS, and argues that the Resolution’s clear statement rule precludes inferring authority from the statutes on which the President relies. It argues further that the case does not present a political question.
A 22mW 227Msps 11b self-tuning ADC based on time-to-digital conversion

A 227 Msps 11b self-tuning analog-to-digital converter (ADC) based on time-to-digital conversion is presented. Sampled analog voltages are first converted to time by means of a voltage-to-time converter (VTC). Then a time-to-digital converter (TDC) converts the time to a digital signal. All the major blocks are self-tuned to address process, voltage and temperature (PVT) variations. The proposed ADC is implemented in the IBM 0.13 μm digital CMOS process and consumes 22 mW at 227 Msps, corresponding to 47 fJ/bit.
The Art of Creating Attractive Consumer Experiences at the Right Time: Skills Marketers Will Need to Survive and Thrive

New technologies have made today’s marketing faster, more mobile, more location-based, more digital, more virtual, and more automatized than ever. In this new world, marketers need to be “real-time relevant” – to gain awareness, to change perceptions and to spur action. They need to have their content in the right channel, format, time and context – from a consumer’s perspective. Only then do they at least have a chance of the consumer attending to the information and being influenced by it. In such an environment new skills and competences are required. The amount of available data has virtually exploded. To gain any perspective or apparent “control” in these environments, successful managers must embrace the complexity and learn to analyze, integrate and interpret all this data. A critical skill for marketers will be to identify the metrics that best reflect the desired outcomes of the organization and that sufficiently reflect specific indicators of critical processes. Furthermore, insights from other disciplines such as architecture, design, information-processing, biology or engineering will be important for creating customer experiences. The marketer of the future will need to be supremely curious and creative and to balance and integrate different worlds. It will all come down to delivering memorable and lasting experiences in a constantly and fast changing environment.
Three-dimensional printing of external airway splints for tracheomalacia

Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology has been used to create personalized medical devices. There is growing interest in the use of 3D-printed biomaterials to create four-dimensional (4D) structure, such that the 3D-printed devices are engineered to adapt and change with tissue growth based on biomechanical and degradation properties over a specified time period (1).
Improved Glottic Exposure for Robotic Microlaryngeal Surgery: A Case Series

Robotic surgery has become the standard of care for many procedures outside of otolaryngology and now is gaining momentum within our specialty. The da Vinci (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA) robot has several advantages to human hands, including removal of tremor and better access to lesions because of increased degree of movement of the articulated instruments. The glottis has rarely been addressed using robotic surgery because access was previously thought to be difficult because of the limitations of currently used retractors, which include poor base of tongue and oral commissure retraction resulting in lack of exposure of the glottis in many patients and lack of space for the robotic instruments to occupy. We present a case series using the Modular Oral Retractor (MOR) system to show that the glottic larynx can be accessed by the da Vinci instrumentation. The MOR system provides better exposure of the anterior commissure and by using oral commissure retraction provides excellent space for the robotic arms to work. The MOR system potentially makes robotic microlaryngeal surgery more feasible for the otolaryngology-head and neck surgeon.
Tumor Angiogenesis: from Bench to Bedside

An association between cancer and blood vessels has been observed for more than a century. These reports dealt mainly with angioarchitecture of tumors, vascular patterns unique to tumors, effects of irradiation on tumor vasculature, alteration in tumor blood flow, increased vascularity of the peripheral shell of tumors, and the delivery of intravital dyes and anti-cancer drugs to the tumor bed (Thiersch 1865; Goldmann 1907; Thiessen 1936). In a few reports, experimental tumors were transplanted into transparent chambers in the mouse or rabbit. In some reports, the tumor and the host vascular bed were separated by a micropore filter to determine whether a diffusible substance was released from tumors that could stimulate blood vessel growth (Ide et al. 1939; Algire 1943; Algire and Legallais 1947; Toolan 1951; Greene 1952; Day et al. 1959; Zweifach 1961; Gullino and Grantham 1962; Goldacre and Sylven 1962; Warner 1964; Greenblatt and Shubik 1968; Greenblatt et al 1969; Rubin and Casarett 1966; Tannock 1970).For a definitive historical review from 1865 to 1970, (see (1979)). Furthermore, surgeons often reported excessive bleeding from tumors, and “serpentiginous veins” on the surface of tumors. Numerous explanations for these findings were offered in the literature. The vascularity of tumors was attributed to vasodilation, inf lammation, dying tumor cells, increased tumor metabolism, overproduction of lactic acid or uric acid, or hypoxia from “tumors outgrowing their blood supply.” There were no molecular mediators of angiogenesis in these reports. One of the most common assumptions prior to 1970 was that excessive vascularity of tumors was a side effect of growing tumors or dying tumor cells.
Toward a formal analysis of deceptive signaling

Deception has long been an important topic in philosophy (see Augustine in Treatises on various subjects, New York, Fathers of the Church, 1952; Kant in Practical philosophy, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1996; Chisholm and Feehan in J Philos 74: 143–159, 1977; Mahon in Int J Appl Philos 21: 181–194, 2007; Carson in Lying and deception, Oxford University Press, New York, 2010). However, the traditional analysis of the concept, which requires that a deceiver intentionally cause her victim to have a false belief, rules out the possibility of much deception in the animal kingdom. Cognitively unsophisticated species, such as fireflies and butterflies, have simply evolved to mislead potential predators and/or prey. To capture such cases of “functional deception,” several researchers (e.g., Sober, From a biological point of view, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1994; Hauser in: Whiten, Byrne (eds) Machiavellian intelligence II, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 112–143, 1997; Searcy and Nowicki, The evolution of animal communication, Princeton University Press, Princeton, 2005; Skyrms, Signals, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2010) have endorsed the broader view that deception only requires that a deceiver benefit from sending a misleading signal. Moreover, in order to facilitate game-theoretic study of deception in the context of Lewisian sender-receiver games, Brian Skyrms has proposed an influential formal analysis of this view. Such formal analyses have the potential to enhance our philosophical understanding of deception in humans as well as animals. However, as we argue in this paper, Skyrms’s analysis, as well as two recently proposed alternative analyses (viz., Godfrey-Smith in Review of signals: evolution, learning, and information by Brian Skyrms, Mind, 120: 1288–1297, 2001; McWhirter in Brit J Philos Sci 67: 757–780, 2016), are seriously flawed and can lead us to draw unwarranted conclusions about deception.
On the low temperature mixed mode fracture analysis of asphalt binder – Theories and experiments

Abstract Brittle fracture of asphalt binder is studied in this paper at low temperatures and under mixed mode crack tip deformation. A set of fracture tests are conducted by two new laboratory specimens made of a type of asphalt binder. The suggested specimens can provide pure mode I (opening), mixed mode I/II, and pure mode II (sliding) crack propagation conditions. The crack propagation angles and fracture toughness values were measured from experiments under pure mode I, pure mode II and mixed mode I/II conditions. The experimental results were then evaluated using different fracture criteria: strain energy density (SED), maximum tangential stress (MTS), and maximum tangential strain (MTSN). The role of the first non-singular term of the elastic stress and strain field (generally called T-term) on the predictions provided by each criterion is discussed. It was found that both specimens are significantly affected by the T-term, and adding T-term significantly improves the predictions provided by each criterion. It was shown that for the mixed mode conditions, the strain-based criteria provide better predictions for the fracture toughness than stress-based and energy-based criteria. The results of this paper will help researchers to understand the mechanism of mixed mode crack propagation in asphalt binders, and as a result in pavement structures, at low temperatures.
High-accuracy robotized industrial assembly task control schema with force overshoots avoidance ☆

Abstract The presented paper proposes an analytical force overshoots free control architecture for standard industrial manipulators involved in high-accuracy industrial assembly tasks (i.e., with tight mounting tolerances). As in many industrial scenarios, the robot manipulates components through (compliant) external grippers and interacts with partially unknown compliant environments. In such a context, a force overshoot may result in task failures (e.g., gripper losses the component, component damages), representing a critical control issue. To face such problem, the proposed control architecture makes use of the force measurements as a feedback (obtained using a force/torque sensor at the robot end-effector) and of the estimation of the equivalent interacting elastic system stiffness (i.e., force sensor– compliant gripper–compliant environment equivalent stiffness) defining two control levels: (i) an internal impedance controller with inner position and orientation loop and (ii) an external impedance shaping force tracking controller. A theoretical analysis of the method has been performed. Then, the method has been experimentally validated in an industrial-like assembly task with tight mounting tolerances (i.e., H7/h6 mounting). A standard industrial robot (a Universal Robot UR 10 manipulator) has been used as a test-platform, equipped with an external force/torque sensor Robotiq FT 300 at the robot end-effector and with a Robotiq Adaptive Gripper C-Model to manipulate target components. ROS framework has been adopted to implement the proposed control architecture. Experimental results show the avoidance of force overshoots and the achieved target dynamic performance.
Quantitative Chemical Analysis at the Nanoscale Using the Photothermal Induced Resonance Technique.

Photothermal induced resonance (PTIR), also known as AFM-IR, is a scanning probe technique that provides sample composition information with a lateral resolution down to 20 nm. Interest in PTIR stems from its ability to identify unknown samples at the nanoscale thanks, in first approximation, to the direct comparability of PTIR spectra with far-field infrared databases. The development of rapidly tuning quantum cascade lasers has increased the PTIR throughput considerably, making nanoscale hyperspectral imaging within a reasonable time frame possible. Consequently, a better understanding of PTIR signal generation and of the fine details of PTIR analysis has become of paramount importance for extending complex IR analysis methods developed in the far-field, e.g., for classification and hyperspectral imaging, to nanoscale PTIR spectra. Here we calculate PTIR spectra via thin-film optics, to identify subtle changes (band shifts, deviation from linear approximation, etc.) for common sample parameters in the c...
Agency Problems in Political Campaigns: Media Buying and Consulting

Advertising expenditures in congressional campaigns are made not directly by campaigns themselves but indirectly though intermediary firms. Using a new dataset of revenues and costs of these firms, we study the markups that these firms charge candidates. We find that markups are higher for inexperienced candidates relative to experienced candidates, and PACs relative to candidates. We also find significant differences across the major parties: firms working for Republicans charge higher prices, exert less effort, and induce less responsiveness in their clients’ advertising expenditures to electoral circumstances than do their Democratic counterparts. We connect this observation to the distribution of ideology among individual consulting firm employees, arguing that these higher rents incentivize consultants to work against their intrinsic ideological motivations. The internal organization of firms reflects an attempt to mitigate this conflict of interest; firms are composed of ideologically homogeneous employees, and are more likely to work for ideologically proximate clients.
Exploring the Possibilities of Scenario-based Assessment: An Introduction

The field of language assessment has steadily been evolving over the years, with new approaches to construct definition and test design emerging as developments in research and technology arise. Different fields have helped inform theory and practice, and one approach, which began as part of K-12 assessment, seems particularly promising–the approach of Scenario-based Assessment (SBA). SBA was initially developed as part of the Cognitively Based Assessment of, for and as Learning (CBAL), an initiative that aimed to use findings from cognitive and behavioral sciences to inform the development of innovative assessments, such as those to be designed in alignment to the Common Core State Standards (Sabatini, Bennet, & Deane, 2011). In this way, SBA has been used to explore the assessment of mathematical skills (Bennet, 2011; Harris & Bauer, 2009), reading proficiency (O’Reily & Sheehan, 2009; Sabatini & O’Reily, 2013), and writing skills (Deane, Sabatini, & Fowles, 2012).
Unsure How to Authenticate on Your VR Headset?: Come on, Use Your Head!

For security-sensitive Virtual Reality (VR) applications that require the end-user to enter authenticatioan credentials within the virtual space, a VR user's inability to see (potentially malicious entities in) the physical world can be discomforting, and in the worst case could potentially expose the VR user to visual attacks. In this paper, we show that the head, hand and (or) body movement patterns exhibited by a user freely interacting with a VR application contain user-specific information that can be leveraged for user authentication. For security-sensitive VR applications, we argue that such functionality can be used as an added layer of security that minimizes the need for entering the PIN. Based on a dataset of 23 users who interacted with our VR application for two sessions over a period of one month, we obtained mean equal error rates as low as 7% when we authenticated users based on their head and body movement patterns.
Quasi-static and dynamic response of 3D-printed alumina

Abstract Mechanical properties and microstructure of 3D-printed alumina processed using pressurized spray deposition have been compared to a commercial sintered alumina. The 3D-printed alumina microstructure was found to be bimodal in nature, with alumina particles agglomerated into large spheres, which resulted in 6.1% porosity. Compared to the sintered alumina, the 3D-printed material exhibited lower quasi-static and dynamic compressive strength, negligible differences in quasi-static and dynamic Vickers hardness, and negligible differences in quasi-static and dynamic fracture toughness. However, while the dynamic fracture surfaces of 3D-printed alumina were smooth and planar, large undulations were observed under quasi-static loading. It is concluded that the pressurized spray deposition 3D-printing technique is a promising method for processing alumina with properties comparable to that produced by traditional techniques, and further improvements may be gained by eliminating porosity.
Investigation of Multiple Heat Source Effects in Lock-In Thermography Applications in Semiconductor Packages

Three-dimensional (3-D) packages have become a technology integrator for multiple functional devices into one component as a cost-effective way to enable Moore’s law for continuous scale-down. There are new challenges arising from the 3-D packages for fault isolation because of continued miniaturization and added complexity in the $z$ -direction of advanced IC devices, which require the development of more capable fault isolation tools and techniques for better accuracy, resolution, and sensitivity. Lock-in thermography is a powerful noncontact and nondestructive investigating technique that has recently become widely adopted in the semiconductor industry because of its sensitivity and quick time to data. As more components are integrated into 3-D packages, there are more active devices and routing becomes very complex. It is very common that multiple defects or heat sources can exist at the same time in a single package. These multiple heat sources interact with each other and affect defect depth accuracy to a very large extent. This paper presents a fundamental analysis to understand the interaction between multiple defects and its effect on the accuracy of defect depth estimation. Furthermore, this paper also presents real test cases to further the understanding and confidence in the proposed correlations. The learnings and techniques discussed in this paper can lead to industry-wide tool and technical developments, and benefit the failure analysis and 3-D package development community.
Rapid energy-efficient manufacturing of polymers and composites via frontal polymerization

Thermoset polymers and composite materials are integral to today’s aerospace, automotive, marine and energy industries and will be vital to the next generation of lightweight, energy-efficient structures in these enterprises, owing to their excellent specific stiffness and strength, thermal stability and chemical resistance1–5. The manufacture of high-performance thermoset components requires the monomer to be cured at high temperatures (around 180 °C) for several hours, under a combined external pressure and internal vacuum 6 . Curing is generally accomplished using large autoclaves or ovens that scale in size with the component. Hence this traditional curing approach is slow, requires a large amount of energy and involves substantial capital investment6,7. Frontal polymerization is a promising alternative curing strategy, in which a self-propagating exothermic reaction wave transforms liquid monomers to fully cured polymers. We report here the frontal polymerization of a high-performance thermoset polymer that allows the rapid fabrication of parts with microscale features, three-dimensional printed structures and carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer composites. Precise control of the polymerization kinetics at both ambient and elevated temperatures allows stable monomer solutions to transform into fully cured polymers within seconds, reducing energy requirements and cure times by several orders of magnitude compared with conventional oven or autoclave curing approaches. The resulting polymer and composite parts possess similar mechanical properties to those cured conventionally. This curing strategy greatly improves the efficiency of manufacturing of high-performance polymers and composites, and is widely applicable to many industries. Frontal polymerization of dicyclopentadiene is used to generate thermoset polymers and composite materials with much lower energy requirements and cure times than are needed in conventional oven or autoclave curing approaches.
Deploying a Multi-interface RESTful Application in the Cloud

This paper describes the design, implementation, and deployment of an application server whose primary infrastructure is an elastic cloud of servers. The design is based on the Representational State Transfer (REST) style, which provides significant benefits in a cloud environment. The paper also addresses implementation issues within a specific cloud service and highlights key decisions and their effect on scalability and cost. Finally, it describes our experiences in deploying a widely used platform with both Web and mobile client interfaces and its ability to cope with load spikes while maintaining a low quiescent cost.
Efficacy of vaginal spaying and anabolic implants on growth and carcass characteristics in beef heifers.

Ninety crossbred beef heifers averaging 260 kg were blocked by weight and allotted randomly to 15 pens of six heifers each, with three replicates per treatment. The treatments were spayed heifers (S); intact heifers (I); S + Synovex-H7 (SH); I + Synovex-H (IH); and S + Synovex-S7 (SS). The heifers were spayed vaginally with a Willis instrument; intact heifers were rectally palpated for reproductive soundness. Heifers were fed a growing diet (55 d), re-implanted and subsequently fed a finishing ration (73 or 101 d). All heifers were observed for estrus daily at approximately 0600 and 2000 until d 69. A jugular vein blood sample was obtained from each heifer on d 48, 55, 62 and 69 for blood progesterone analysis. Results of blood progesterone analysis and reproductive tract examination indicated that two spayed heifers were incompletely spayed, a 96% success rate. The SH and SS heifers continued to exhibit estrous behavior despite being successfully spayed. Heifers implanted with Synovex-H had greater (P less than .01) ADG and were more efficient (P less than .03) than nonimplanted heifers. The SS heifers had greater ADG (P less than .05) during the finishing phase than SH heifers, but no advantage of SS over SH was apparent during the growing phase. The overall ADG response to implantation was fourfold greater (P less than .07) in the spayed heifers than in the intact heifers (32 vs 8%). Heifers implanted with Synovex-H had greater adjusted hot carcass weight (P less than .02) and ribeye area (P less than .002) than nonimplanted heifers. For adjusted live weight and ribeye area, the response to implantation was approximately threefold greater in the spayed heifer than the intact heifer. These results demonstrate that spaying and implanting heifers can increase rates and efficiency of gain even though behavioral estrus is not eliminated.
Full-Field Deformation Observation of Polymer Foam Subjected to Shock Loading

Dynamic material response of polymer foam subjected to shock loading has been investigated, and the effects of density and loading rate have been studied. Cubic specimens 20 and 30 lb/ft3 nominal densities were subjected to shock loading using a single diaphragm shock tube apparatus. Full field displacements and strain fields are obtained with the use of stereo high speed cameras in conjunction with the 3D digital image correlation technique. Simultaneously, load data is obtained with the use of piezotronic load cells. Material responses of the two different mass densities of polymer foam have been examined, while the effect of loading rate is also examined by comparisons with results from quasi-static compression testing. The material response as a function of loading rate was recovered using load cell data and digital image correlation strain fields. Failure mechanisms are observed to differ in specimens of different density. Failure stress is seen to increase significantly with increasing foam density. Both 20 and 30 lb/ft3 density foams exhibit substantial strain rate dependence, with large increases in stress at failure observed at an elevated strain rate.
Neural and Endocrine Control of Circadian Rhythmicity in Invertebrates

The importance of the nervous and neuroendocrine systems in the control of daily rhythms in invertebrates did not escape the notice of early workers in the field. As early as 1911, Demoll suggested that color changes in arthropods were controlled by a periodic phenomenon in the nervous system. Kalmus, in 1938, concluded that the eyestalk neurosecretory system was the source of control of the crayfish activity rhythm, and Welsh (1941) proposed that “a regular variation in the activity of nervous inhibitory centers” was the major factor in the hormonal control of the rhythmic migration of retinal shielding pigments in the crayfish. In the past two decades, a large body of evidence has been obtained that firmly establishes the proposition, implicit in much of this early work, that it is the central nervous and neuroendocrine systems that are responsible for the generation and coordination of the circadian rhythmicity of many behavioral and physiological functions.
Numerical verification of the hydrodynamic reconstruction method for contact resonance atomic force microscopy

A numerical verification of an experimental method used to estimate hydrodynamic forces in contact resonance atomic force microscopy (CR AFM) is performed. The experimental estimation technique, known as the Hydrodynamic Reconstruction Method (HRM), is verified for three distinct cantilever geometries at several vibrational eigenmodes and sample stiffnesses. The results of the analysis are discussed and recommendations for the applicable measurement range of the HRM are provided.
Do Vaccines Cause Narcolepsy

The AS03-adjuvanted 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccine (trade name: PandemrixTM) was associated with an increased risk of narcolepsy in several northern European countries. In other countries where there is a lower prevalence of genetic factors associated with narcolepsy, studies did not find an increase in risk with this vaccine or other influenza vaccines. The vaccine in question (PandemrixTM) was not licensed in the United States, and vaccines in routine use in the United States32F have not been shown to cause narcolepsy.
Surgical Management: Billroth II

When partial gastrectomy is performed, there are several options available for reconstruction including Billroth I (BI), Billroth II (BII), and Roux-en-Y (REY). While utilized less frequently than the others, the BII is indicated in specific circumstances such as the multiply operated abdomen, anticipated need for biliary tree access, and avoidance of complications specifically associated with the alternative operations. Postoperatively, morbidities associated with this procedure include nutritional deficiencies, dumping syndromes, afferent loop syndrome, delayed gastric emptying, bile reflux, and ulcers. Familiarity with the BII is critical for the management of patients who have undergone this procedure in the past as well as keeping it in the armamentarium of surgical options should it become necessary intraoperatively.
State-level variation of initial COVID-19 dynamics in the United States: The role of local government interventions

During an epidemic, metrics such as R0, doubling time, and case fatality rates are important in understanding and predicting the course of an epidemic. However, if collected over country or regional scales, these metrics hide important smaller-scale, local dynamics. We examine how commonly used epidemiological metrics differ for each individual state within the United States during the initial COVID-19 outbreak. We found that the case number, and trajectory of cases, differs considerably between states. We show that early non-pharmaceutical, government actions, were the most important determinant of epidemic dynamics. In particular, restricting restaurant operations was correlated with increased doubling times. Although individual states are clearly not independent, they can serve as small, natural experiments in how different demographic patterns and government responses can impact the course of an epidemic.
Student e-Textbook Engagement and Performance Outcomes

E-textbooks improve the accessibility and delivery of educational content and offer additional benefits. The university featured in this study implemented an e-textbook program. One important goal is to identify a relationship between e-textbook engagement and learning performance outcomes. The comprehensive literature review includes an analysis of earlier studies comparing print textbooks and e-textbooks and studies on the impact of e-textbook usage on performance. This study examines the relationship of several variables, including e-textbook engagement, pages read, number of reading sessions, highlight/bookmark count, reading session length, and student performance. This study suggests that e-textbook tool usage has a moderate effect on learning performance. An e-textbook platform provides a more accurate assessment of reading engagement than self-reported measures. The quality of interactions during reading time is as important as the quantity of time spent. Quality is determined by reading strategies, study techniques, and tool usage. The success of an e-textbook platform is not limited to technical factors but also requires student motivation. Instructors must use motivation techniques to increase student engagement. Future studies should consider students’ intrinsic characteristics, study habits, and learning ability. This study makes a significant contribution to the understanding of e-textbooks and student engagement and examines the benefits of learning analytics.
Effect of grain size on thin film stress and morphology using kinetic Monte Carlo simulations

A kinetic Monte Carlo simulation of polycrystalline thin film growth has been developed that enables the effects of stress to be included. The stress is modeled in terms of processes that happen at the grain boundary, i.e., the formation of new grain boundary lengths and diffusion of atoms from the surface. In this work, the simulation has been used to study the effect of grain size on the thin film stress and surface morphology evolution. Results are presented for different grain sizes, temperatures, and growth rates and the kinetics of relaxation when the growth is terminated. The results are interpreted in terms of rate equations developed to explain thin film stress evolution.
Crazing mechanism and physical aging of poly(lactide) toughened with poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(butylene oxide) diblock copolymers

Sustainable polymers are important alternatives to plastics and elastomers derived from petroleum resources. Poly(lactide) (PLA), a commercially available sustainable plastic, is a well-known succe...
Baseline Arterial Performance Evaluation and Signal System Management by Fusing High-Resolution Data from Traffic Signal Systems and Probe Vehicles

The development of data-driven smart arterial systems that enables reduction in delays and increases the travel time reliability is a valuable tool for improving of arterial performance. Understanding the synergies and differences between speed data sets and traffic signal controller data is necessary for the efficient deployment of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). It is not always feasible to fully instrument an intersection that provides data on optimal performance metrics. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a baseline performance metric for a given corridor to develop an ITS management plan. To that effect, this study conflated crowd-sourced anonymous probe vehicle data on vehicles trajectories and speeds with high-resolution traffic signal data sets. Interdependencies between the two datasets were examined and baseline corridor performance metrics were established. The analysis included an evaluation of the data sets for a 7.3-mile corridor in Burlington County, New Jersey (AADT ranging from 10,000-45,000). A GPS-equipped test vehicle was used to establish reliability of probe-vehicle data, which was then compared to near-term performance measures derived from high-resolution traffic signal data. Based on the analysis of approximately 1.7-million probe vehicle data points using visualization tools, the study demonstrated that the integration of multiple data sets provides a viable mechanism for the development of reliable, visually intuitive, arterial performance metrics. The study results also indicate that long term speed data from anonymous probe vehicle data could be used to evaluate traffic signal data to measure arterial performance measurement.
Educational Initiatives to Retain Hispanic/Latinx Students in Computing: A Systematic Literature Mapping

Diversity in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) majors has been a challenge in the US. Women, Hispanic/Latinx, Black/African American, and Native American students are minorities in CSE majors. Most universities and organizations have worked on outreach activities to these underrepresented minorities (URM). In this context, this paper presents a systematic literature mapping on educational initiatives in higher education for retention of Hispanic/Latinx students in CSE majors reported in the last ten years (2009–2018). The methodology was based on a systematic literature review protocol using four academic databases: Scopus, Web of Science, ACM Digital Library and IEEE Xplore. We found 76 papers about educational initiatives in CSE majors to retain URM students that include Hispanic/Latinx students. We classify the papers to get relevant information about institutions, type of educational initiatives, main conferences, and present these findings in this paper.
Design Optimization for N-port RF Network Reflectometers under Noise and Gain Imperfections

RF sensor technology in mm-wave range has improved significantly in recent years, which led to its widespread use in mission-critical systems, such as automotive radar. With the advent of multi-antenna systems, cascaded radar designs has gained prominence to increase resolution in terms of distance, speed, and angle. However, the performance of the radar systems can be highly dependent on dynamic conditions and they may require in-field calibration, specifically in terms of magnitude and phase mismatches of gain and input reflection coefficient. While in-field measurement of gain using built-in power sensors is more or less straightforward, measurement of the reflection coefficient requires the implementation of an N-port reflectometer on the chip. In this paper, we present an analytical model for noise and gain imperfections in N-port network analyzers. Based on this model, we propose a methodology for optimizing the design of the N-port reflectometer to obtain the highest accuracy under given realistic constraints, such as coupler gain/loss, splitter loss, power detector non-idealities, and noise.