cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improved Hybrid MOSFET/driver Switching Module for pulsed power applications

Currently, there is no commercially available high voltage power MOSFET suitable for ultra-fast (∼1ns switching) short pulse (∼5ns) generation. A Hybrid MOSFET/driver Switching Module (HSM) has been demonstrated at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, which is capable of generating a 1 kV, 1 ns rise time pulse across a 30 ohm load. This HSM is under development for use in the ILC damping ring kickers, which require modulators that can deliver ±5 kV pulses with a 2 ns flattop and 1 ns rise and fall time at a 6 MHz burst pulse repetition frequency. The HSM is also very attractive for the proposed Project X broadband chopper which requires similar switching speed (∼1 ns) and pulse width (∼4 ns). A second generation HSM is under development with improved modularity, increased power handling capability, and reduced minimum pulse width. Details of this HSM design and initial test results are presented in this paper.
The first probabilistic track of the international planning competition

The 2004 International Planning Competition, IPC-4, included a probabilistic planning track for the first time. We describe the new domain specification language we created for the track, our evaluation methodology, the competition domains we developed, and the results of the participating teams.
WHY THE SOCIAL INSURANCE BUDGET IS TOO LARGE IN A DEMOCRACY

This paper develops a majority voting model to analyze the determination of taxes and transfers in a system of pay-as-yougo social insurance. The major implication is that the equilibrium size of the system is too large if votes are fully aware of the consequences of the policy. In addition, it seems likely that voters are rationally ignorant of a large portion of the cost of social insurance due to the hidden nature of the employer contribution and to the effect of the system on capital accumulatoin. This fiscal illusion works to exacerbate the overexpansion of the social insurance system.
Functional Roles of Equine Infectious Anemia Virus Gag p9 in Viral Budding and Infection

Previous studies utilizing Gag polyprotein budding assays with transfected cells reveal that the equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) Gag p9 protein provides a late assembly function mediated by a critical Y23P24D25L26 motif (L-domain) to release viral particles from the plasma membrane. To elucidate further the role of EIAV p9 in virus assembly and replication, we have examined the replication properties of a defined series of p9 truncation and site-directed mutations in the context of a reference infectious molecular proviral clone, EIAVuk. Characterization of these p9 proviral mutants revealed new functional properties of p9 in EIAV replication, not previously elucidated by Gag polyprotein budding assays. The results of these studies demonstrated that only the N-terminal 31 amino acids of a total of 51 residues in the complete p9 protein were required to maintain replication competence in transfected equine cells; proviral mutants with p9 C-terminal truncations of 20 or fewer amino acids remained replication competent, while mutants with truncations of 21 or more residues were completely replication defective. The inability of the defective p9 proviral mutations to produce infectious virus could not be attributed to defects in Gag polyprotein expression or processing, in virion RT activity, or in virus budding. While proviral replication competence appeared to be associated with the presence of a K30K31 motif and potential ubiquitination of the EIAV p9 protein, mutations of these lysine residues to methionines produced variant proviruses that replicated as well as the parental EIAVuk in transfected ED cells. Thus, these observations reveal for the first time that EIAV p9 is not absolutely required for virus budding in the context of proviral gene expression, suggesting that other EIAV proteins can at least in part mediate late budding functions previously associated with the p9 protein. In addition, the data define a function for EIAV p9 in the infectivity of virus particles, indicating a previously unrecognized role for this Gag protein in EIAV replication.
An approach to mitigate the impact of distributed generation on the Overcurrent Protection scheme for radial feeders

Increased Distributed Generation (DG) presence on radial distribution feeders is becoming a common trend. The existing Overcurrent Protection (OCP) scheme on such feeders consists mainly of overcurrent protection devices (OCPDs) such as fuses and reclosers. When DG is placed on the remote end of a 3-phase lateral, the radial configuration of the feeder is lost. As a result, OCP issues may arise which lead to permanent outages even when the fault is temporary. This paper presents a new approach that revises the existing OCP scheme of a radial feeder to address the presence of DG. The fuses on the laterals with DGs are removed and multi-function recloser/relays (MFRs) are added to address three specific OCP issues; fuse fatigue, nuisance fuse blowing, and fuse misoperation. The new approach requires no communication medium, provides backup protection for the DG unit, and allows the remaining laterals to retain their existing protective devices. The results are reported using the IEEE 34 node radial test feeder to validate the new approach and the IEEE 123 node radial test feeder to generalize the approach. The new approach completely mitigated the fuse misoperation and nuisance fuse blowing issues and most of the fuse fatigue issues that were present on the radial test feeders.
Characterization of the bovine milk proteome in early-lactation Holstein and Jersey breeds of dairy cows

Milk is a highly nutritious natural product that provides not only a rich source of amino acids to the consumer but also hundreds of bioactive peptides and proteins known to elicit health-benefitting activities. We investigated the milk protein profile produced by Holstein and Jersey dairy cows maintained under the same diet, management and environmental conditions using proteomic approaches that optimize protein extraction and characterization of the low abundance proteins within the skim milk fraction of bovine milk. In total, 935 low abundance proteins were identified. Gene ontology classified all proteins identified into various cellular localization and function categories. A total of 43 low abundance proteins were differentially expressed between the two dairy breeds. Bioactive proteins involved in host-defense, including lactotransferrin (P=0.0026) and complement C2 protein (P=0.0001), were differentially expressed by the two breeds, whereas others such as osteopontin (P=0.1788) and lactoperoxidase (P=0.2973) were not. This work is the first to outline the protein profile produced by two important breeds of dairy cattle maintained under the same diet, environment and management conditions in order to observe likely true breed differences. This research now allows us to better understand and contrast further research examining the bovine proteome that includes these different breeds.Within the last decade, the amount of research characterizing the bovine milk proteome has increased due to growing interest in the bioactive proteins that are present in milk. Proteomic analysis of low abundance whey proteins has mainly focused on human breast milk; however, previous research has highlighted the presence of bioactive proteins in bovine milk. Recent publications outlining the cross-reactivity of bovine bioactive proteins on human biological function highlight the need for further investigation into the bovine milk proteome. The rationale behind this study is to characterize and compare the low abundance protein profile in the skim milk fraction produced from Holstein and Jersey breeds of dairy cattle, which are two major dairy cattle breeds in the USA. A combination of fractionation strategies was used to efficiently enrich the low abundance proteins from bovine skim milk for proteomic profiling. A total of 935 low abundance proteins were identified and compared between the two bovine breeds. The results from this study provide insight into breed differences and similarities in the milk proteome profile produced by two breeds of dairy cattle.
PERTURBATION OF CELL CYCLE PROGRESSION AND CELLULAR GENE EXPRESSION AS A FUNCTION OF HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS ICP0

Herpes simplex virus type 1 is capable of inhibiting host cell DNA synthesis following lytic infection. However, the mechanism and nature of potential effects on cell cycle progression have not been described. In this report, we characterize the dysregulation of the cell cycle following infection with the replication-incompetent virus d106, where immediate-early gene expression is restricted to infected-cell polypeptide 0 (ICP0) and the expression of all other viral genes is dramatically reduced or is not observed. Infection with d106 resulted in the accumulation of cells in both the G1/S and G2/M compartments, consistent with cell cycle arrest at both checkpoints. The isogenic variant d109, which does not express any viral proteins, failed to induce this phenotype, suggesting that the expression of ICP0 is crucial for cell cycle arrest. Analysis of global cellular gene expression patterns following infection with d106 and d109 revealed that a relatively small subset of cellular genes were induced as a consequence of ICP0 expression. A number of these genes induced in the presence of ICP0 are classically considered p53-responsive genes, including p21, gadd45, and mdm-2. However, infection with d106 of cells with both alleles of p53 deleted resulted in the same cell cycle arrest phenotype and similar cellular gene expression patterns, suggesting that the expression of ICP0 results in cell cycle arrest potentially via p53-dependent and p53-independent mechanisms. In addition, it was found that the effects of infection with d106 on viral and cellular gene expression were similar to the effects observed following treatment of cells with the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A.
Reliability and Validity of Judgments of the Integrity of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament of the Knee Using the Lachman's Test

This study assessed the intratester and intertester reliability and the validity of judgments of the integrity of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) based on the use of the Lachman's test. End-feel and tibial translation judgments made during the Lachman's test were also assessed. Patients with unilateral knee problems (N = 32), 13 of whom had documented ACL damage, were examined by two physical therapists and two orthopedic surgeons. Intratester Kappa values for whether the test was positive or negative were .44 for physical therapists, .60 for orthopedic surgeons, and .51 for all examiners. Intertester Kappa values were .69 for the therapists, .61 for the surgeons, and .42 for all examiners. The predictive value of a positive test was 47% for all examiners, whereas the predictive value of a negative test was 70%. Results indicate that Lachman's test judgments have limited reliability and may be more useful for predicting that a patient does not have an ACL injury than for predicting that the ACL is injured. [Cooperman JM, Riddle, DL, Rothstein JM: Reliability and validity of judgments of the integrity of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee using the Lachman's test.
Distribution of bird species richness at a regional scale in tropical dry forest of Central America

Aim The objectives of this study were to identify landscape and habitat characteristics associated with bird species richness at a regional scale. In particular, we examined how these variables affect resident bird, forest bird, fruit-eating bird and restricted-range bird species richness in forest fragments. Location Study sites were located in seven decreed reserves in Costa Rica and Nicaragua that contain some of the largest and best-protected fragments of tropical dry forests in central America.
The relation-partitioning approach to processing star queries in distributed databases

In a distributed database system, query processing involves considerable amount of data transmission among different computer sites. Since communication delay is substantial, minimizing inter-site data transmissions becomes an important issue. In this paper, we propose an abstract relation-partitioning approach to the distributed query processing problem. This approach transforms a query processing problem into a pseudo query processing problem, solves the query processing problem in the pseudo space, and then transforms the solution back to the original solution space. We then apply this method to derive optimal algorithms for star queries.
FIBRIN SEALANT TREATMENT OF SPLENIC INJURY DURING OPEN AND LAPAROSCOPIC LEFT RADICAL NEPHRECTOMY

Purpose: We describe the use of fibrin sealant for rapid and definitive hemostasis of splenic injuries incurred during open and laparoscopic left nephrectomy.Materials and Methods: In 2 patients undergoing left nephrectomy for a suspicious renal mass splenic laceration occurred during mobilization of the colonic splenic flexure at open nephrectomy and laparoscopic upper pole dissection, respectively. Fibrin sealant was applied topically in each case.Results: In each patient fibrin sealant achieved immediate hemostasis and each recovered without further splenic bleeding.Conclusions: The topical application of fibrin sealant safely, rapidly and reliably achieves definitive hemostasis of splenic injuries. It is simple to use in the open and laparoscopic approaches.
Plate motion and thermal instability in the asthenosphere

Abstract This paper investigates the effect of shear heating in the asthenosphere on the thermal structure of the upper mantle. Equations describing the motion of the lithosphere over the asthenosphere in the presence of a strongly temperature-dependent stress-strain rate relation are derived and solved with the help of several approximations. These approximations are shown to be valid under conditions appropriate for the earth. Two sets of solutions are found. For one set (the “subcritical” solutions) a normal shear stress—velocity relation is found for small stresses. The velocity increases as the stress increases, reaching a maximum velocity σc for a critical stress σc. The subcritical solutions have a negligible effect on the thermal structure of the earth, even at the critical stress. The other set of solutions (the “supercritical” solutions) has the bizarre property that a decrease of applied shear stress leads to an increase of velocity. Thus, as the shear stress goes to zero, the velocity becomes infinite. At larger shear stresses the velocity decreases until it reaches σc at a stress σc (the two sets of solutions share this point in common). There are no steady solutions of any kind for shear stresses in excess of σc. We discard the supercritical solutions as candidates for the thermal structure of the earth on the basis of their instability to small perturbations of applied stress and temperature. The realm of subcritical solutions (stress less than σc, velocity less than σc) thus defines a regime of plate motion in which the thermal effects of shear heating are negligible. If the shear stresses acting on plates exceed σc, however, new physical processes must come into play to dissipate the excess heat generated. Assuming that the velocities of plates on the earth today are less than σc, relative to the deep mantle, a strict upper limit of a few tens of bars can be derived for σc, corresponding to effective viscosities of ca. 1019 poise in the asthenosphere.
Birefringence Imaging Directly Reveals Architectural Dynamics of Filamentous Actin in Living Growth Cones

We have investigated the dynamic behavior of cytoskeletal fine structure in the lamellipodium of nerve growth cones using a new type of polarized light microscope (the Pol-Scope). Pol-Scope images display with exquisite resolution and definition birefringent fine structures, such as filaments and membranes, without having to treat the cell with exogenous dyes or fluorescent labels. Furthermore, the measured birefringence of protein fibers in the thin lamellipodial region can be interpreted in terms of the number of filaments in the bundles. We confirmed that birefringent fibers are actin-based using conventional fluorescence-labeling methods. By recording movies of time-lapsed Pol-Scope images, we analyzed the creation and dynamic composition of radial fibers, filopodia, and intrapodia in advancing growth cones. The strictly quantitative information available in time-lapsed Pol-Scope images confirms previously deduced behavior and provides new insight into the architectural dynamics of filamentous actin.
Studies of material constitutive behavior using perturbation growth in explosive and magnetically driven liner systems

This paper discusses a collaborative research program aimed at the development of improved constitutive modeling capability, in particular, the development of a model validated over a wide range of strain rates (from quasistatic to 106 s−1). This program includes experimental, theoretical, and numerical components. The experimental part of the program includes both planar and cylindrical manifestations of the perturbation growth method. The theoretical part of the program is focused on the development of a model that considers all the necessary physical aspects and, at the same time, is compatible with standard numerical methods for solving the governing field equations. The numerical part of the program is focused on model implementation (in an appropriate continuum mechanics code) and validation. All three parts of the program are coupled. This paper will discuss the experimental program, the development of a new model, and show some results comparing various model predictions to experimental data.
A temperature-dithering closed-loop interface circuit for a scanning thermal microscopy system

This work presents an interface circuit for low-frequency dithering measurements of resistor-based transducers. It is demonstrated in the context of a polyimide-shank scanning thermal microscopy probe which provides high thermal sensitivity and spatial resolution, but has a low bandwidth from both mechanical and thermal perspectives. These pose challenges in temperature dithering and control, as well as noise immunity. The circuit includes a proportional-integral controller and a demodulator, along with appropriate amplifier and filter blocks. It keeps the average temperature of the probe tip constant while synchronously detecting variations in the second harmonic of the modulated signal as the tip is scanned across the sample surface. Strategic choices in the circuit architecture and topology are evaluated, and the overall system including the sensor and the circuit is simulated. Measurements of the implemented system show that a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 15.7 is achieved while scanning a photoresist sample of 218 nm thickness on a silicon substrate, and that the detection limit for variations in thermal conductance is <3 pW/K.
Toxicity Minimized Cryoprotectant Addition and Removal Procedures for Adherent Endothelial Cells

Ice-free cryopreservation, known as vitrification, is an appealing approach for banking of adherent cells and tissues because it prevents dissociation and morphological damage that may result from ice crystal formation. However, current vitrification methods are often limited by the cytotoxicity of the concentrated cryoprotective agent (CPA) solutions that are required to suppress ice formation. Recently, we described a mathematical strategy for identifying minimally toxic CPA equilibration procedures based on the minimization of a toxicity cost function. Here we provide direct experimental support for the feasibility of these methods when applied to adherent endothelial cells. We first developed a concentration- and temperature-dependent toxicity cost function by exposing the cells to a range of glycerol concentrations at 21°C and 37°C, and fitting the resulting viability data to a first order cell death model. This cost function was then numerically minimized in our state constrained optimization routine to determine addition and removal procedures for 17 molal (mol/kg water) glycerol solutions. Using these predicted optimal procedures, we obtained 81% recovery after exposure to vitrification solutions, as well as successful vitrification with the relatively slow cooling and warming rates of 50°C/min and 130°C/min. In comparison, conventional multistep CPA equilibration procedures resulted in much lower cell yields of about 10%. Our results demonstrate the potential for rational design of minimally toxic vitrification procedures and pave the way for extension of our optimization approach to other adherent cell types as well as more complex systems such as tissues and organs.
The relaxed crossbridge pattern in isolated rabbit psoas muscle thick filaments

Rabbit muscle is a major source of material for biochemical experiments and spin labelling studies of contraction, and so it is important to establish how closely this material resembles the frog and fish muscles usually used for structural studies. Previous studies have shown that relaxed rabbit muscle thick filaments lose the characteristic order of their crossbridges when they are cooled below about 15-19°C, whereas the order of f ish and frog muscles is retained above 0°C. The lack of order has frustrated attempts to examine rabbit thick filament structure and has raised questions about how closely they might resemble other thick filaments. We have therefore developed a procedure for preserving the crossbridge order in isolated filaments. Electron microscopy of these thick filaments after either negative staining or metal shadowing has shown that the crossbridge pattern has a 43 nm axial repeat and is based on three near-helical strands. Computed transforms of either type of image show a series of layer lines con firming that the native relaxed pattern has been pre served, and computer reconstructions show the individual crossbridges lying on a slightly perturbed 3-stranded lattice. These data indicate an unexpectedly high degree of similarity between the rabbit and frog patterns and indicate that, in fully preserved material, there is little structural difference between the two thick filaments at the temperature at which each normally functions. Overall, therefore, our results validate the integration of biochemical data from rabbit muscle with structural data from frog and indicate that the differences between the two muscle types do not result from fundamental structural differences in the arrangement of myosin molecules in their thick filaments. SUMMARY
Acquired Congenital Malalignment of the Great Toenails

Congenital malalignment is the lateral deviation of the nail plate along the longitudinal axis due to the lateral rotation of the nail matrix. The nail plate grows out in ridges caused by repeated microtrauma to the nail. Common complications include onychomycosis, Pseudomonas infection and acute or chronic paronychia. Treatment options range from conservative management to surgical options including realignment and nail matrixectomy. Congenital malalignment usually presents in infancy or childhood, but we present two cases of acquired malalignment occurring in the teenage years.
Nanocrystal Superlattices with Thermally Degradable Hybrid Inorganic−Organic Capping Ligands

Colloidal metallic and semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) functionalized with metal chalcogenide complexes (MCCs) have shown a promise for designing materials that combine high carrier mobility with the electronic structure of strongly quantum-confined solids. Here we report a simple and general methodology for switching the repulsive forces responsible for colloidal stabilization of MCC-capped NCs from long-range electrostatic to short-range steric through the formation of tight ionic pairs with cationic surfactants. This noncovalent surface modification remarkably improved the ability of MCC-capped NCs to self-assemble into long-range ordered superlattices. These NCs are highly soluble in nonpolar solvents and compatible with various technologically relevant organic molecules and polymers. The hybrid inorganic-organic coating can be thermally decomposed at significantly lower temperatures compared to those required for removal of conventional organic ligands.
Whose Liberalism? Which Islam? Leonard Binder's “Islamic Liberalism”

For many students of contemporary Arab politics, the most pressing question is whether Islam will become democratic. One need only point to the case of Algeria to find ready evidence that Islamic movements have already become highly democratic, although frustrated in their electoral objective. Leonard Binder (1989), however, asks a far more pressing question: Will Islam become liberal? As Tocqueville shows, democracy or the love of equality comes easily to citizens of modernity. The love of liberty, however, is a far more difficult love to cultivate. Yet, without this love of liberty, modern democracy comes to embody arguably the most oppressive tyranny in the history of the human race, the tyranny of the majority. In the aristocratic past, such an extraordinarily powerful and omnipresent tyranny was not possible. Thus, it becomes apparent just how pressing is Binder's question about the prospects for Islamic liberalism. Although Binder's answer to this question could hardly be characterized as overly optimistic, Binder does harbor some hope for Islamic liberalism. He proposes a synthesis of Fazlur Rahman's Gadamerian version of Islam and the pragmatic liberalism of Richard Rorty. Although it is not difficult to show an affinity between Gadamer and Rorty, it is difficult to show that Islam is tending in the direction of acquiring Rahman's understanding of it. It is even more difficult to show that pragmatism is truly liberal. Although Binder points the way to an “Islamic pragmatism,” I hope to show that he fails to point the way to an “Islamic liberalism.” Binder's pragmatism cannot avoid the tyranny of the majority that Tocqueville warns us can be fought only with the love of liberty.
Preliminary Identification of ATP Compartment Associated Proteins On Erythrocyte Membrane.

Abstract 3019 Poster Board II-995 A compartment/pool of ATP that is generated by glycolytic enzymes has been reported to exist on the erythrocyte membrane where it channels ATP directly to the Na + /K + -ATPase (Proverbio F and Hoffman JF. J. Gen. Physiol. 1977, 69:605-632. Mercer RW and Dunham PB. J. Gen. Physiol. 1981, 78:547-567). In order to identify the protein components enclosing this compartment of ATP, a photoactivatable probe, 8-azido-[αa- 32 P]ATP, was loaded into porous erythrocytes under conditions that fill the compartment with ATP, and the radiolabeled ATP was induced to label proximal proteins by illumination with UV light. Analysis of radiolabeled bands reveals that spectrin, adducin, protein 4.1, and actin constitute major components of the compartment. To further verify the involvement of these proteins in the ATP compartment, antibodies against the aforementioned proteins were pre-incubated with porous erythrocytes before attempting to load the compartment with ATP. Analysis of the efficiency of ATP loading in the presence of these blocking antibodies reveals that antibody binding prevents normal filling of the ATP pool. These findings confirm Hoffman9s earlier hypothesis that a membrane-bound compartment of ATP exists. The data also suggest that the location of the compartment might reside at the junctional complex, and that the complex of enzymes that fill the ATP pool is different from the complex organized around band 3. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Co-robotic synthetic tracked aperture ultrasound imaging with cross-correlation based dynamic error compensation and virtual fixture control

Acquiring high resolution images in deep regions is challenging in ultrasound imaging due to limited probe aperture size and low transmit frequency usage. The concept of synthetic tracked aperture ultrasound (STRATUS) imaging is introduced to extend the effective aperture size by moving the probe while accurately tracking its orientation and translation. Based on the synthetic aperture technique, sub-apertures from each pose can be synthesized to construct a high-resolution image. In particular, we propose a mechanical tracking configuration using a 6 degree-of-freedom (DOF) robotic arm with force sensors that not only provides a robust tracking accuracy, but also enables co-operative control. The ultrasound probe is moved by an operator, while a virtual fixture uses force feedback of the robotic arm to constrain the motion to be on a desired plane or trajectory. Furthermore, we developed an algorithm to mitigate the potential errors between consecutive poses, such as tracking inaccuracy, tissue deformation, and phase aberration. Those errors were extracted by computing subtle image shift through cross-correlation for all neighboring poses, and the procedure is dynamically applied to the entire image. Comparing the STRATUS image to a conventional single pose image, the full width at the half maximum (FWHM) of a point target located at a depth of around 85 mm improved from 3.13 mm to 2.78 mm, and SNR improved from 28.96 dB to 30.27 dB. In addition, the dynamic error compensation further improved the FWHM and SNR to be 1.15 mm and 33.17 dB, respectively. The results proved the feasibility of the co-robotic STRATUS imaging, and dynamic error compensation improved the system's tolerance to errors.
PMU placement for state estimation considering measurement redundancy and controlled islanding

To select optimal locations for placing phasor measurement units (PMU), in this paper, a two-step convex optimization approach to attain the full network observability of a power system in both the normal operation conditions and controlled islanding operation conditions is proposed. The objective is to get the minimum number of PMUs which guarantees the system full observability with the maximum measurement redundancy. In the first step, a minimization model is applied to convex programing (cvx) to determine the minimum number of PMUs and all the possible candidate buses, which ensures the full network observability. In the second step, in the cases of multiple solutions, a maximization model is applied to cvx to maximize the measurement redundancy. Furthermore, the effect of zero-injection buses is considered to further reduce the number of required PMUs. The proposed approach is tested on three IEEE test systems, i.e. IEEE 14-bus, 30-bus and 118-bus, to demonstrate its effectiveness.
A fundamental AC TDDB study of BEOL ELK in advanced technology

In this study, we thoroughly investigated AC TDDB in BEOL extreme low-k (ELK) dielectric in 10nm technology. We demonstrated that AC TDDB of ELK dielectric has better median-time-to-failure (MTTF) and also much tighter Weibull distribution than constant voltage stress (DC TDDB). In unipolar AC TDDB stress, a very significant recovery process was observed. Through the capacitance recovery analysis, the capture and emission time constants for ELK were found to be ≤ 10−3 and ∼10−8 seconds respectively, which implies that there is low probability of charge trapping when the stress period is as fast as 10−3 seconds; meanwhile the charge detrap happens continuously when the stress period is lower than 10−8 seconds. As a result, the unipolar AC TDDB lifetime increased with increasing frequency. In addition, the unipolar AC TDDB improvement shows a power law dependence on the duty ratio due to a very significant charge trap/detrap effect. This is further validated through a physics-based simulation. On the other hand, bipolar AC stress caused the ion diffusion to be accompanied by the backflow Cu ion drift, thus extending the defect growth rate and improving the TDDB performance. However, no significant frequency and duty ratio dependence on the bipolar AC to DC ratio was found because the critical Cu ion concentration was constrained by the ion diffusion mechanism. This study suggests that actual circuit operation in the AC condition should have a much longer back-end TDDB lifetime than the projection by DC stress assessment for BEOL ELK dielectrics.
Enhanced biennial variability in the Pacific due to Atlantic capacitor effect.

The El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the variability in the Pacific subtropical highs (PSHs) have major impacts on social and ecological systems. Here we present an Atlantic capacitor effect mechanism to suggest that the Atlantic is a key pacemaker of the biennial variability in the Pacific including that in ENSO and the PSHs during recent decades. The 'charging' (that is, ENSO imprinting the North Tropical Atlantic (NTA) sea surface temperature (SST) via an atmospheric bridge mechanism) and 'discharging' (that is, the NTA SST triggering the following ENSO via a subtropical teleconnection mechanism) processes alternate, generating the biennial rhythmic changes in the Pacific. Since the early 1990s, a warmer Atlantic due to the positive phase of Atlantic multidecadal oscillation and global warming trend has provided more favourable background state for the Atlantic capacitor effect, giving rise to enhanced biennial variability in the Pacific that may increase the occurrence frequency of severe natural hazard events.
Oral ghrelin receptor agonist MK-0677 increases serum insulin-like growth factor 1 in hemodialysis patients: a randomized blinded study.

Background Protein-energy wasting (PEW) in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, but options for treatment are limited. Growth hormone (GH) increases insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), with improved nutritional parameters, but must be given subcutaneously and does not provide normal GH secretion patterns. MK-0677, an oral ghrelin receptor agonist (GRA), maintains normal GH secretion and increases lean body mass in normal subjects; it has not been studied in dialysis patients, an essential step in assessing efficacy and safety prior to clinical trials.
Stanniocalcin-1 Is an Ocular Hypotensive Agent and a Downstream Effector Molecule That Is Necessary for the Intraocular Pressure-Lowering Effects of Latanoprost.

Purpose To identify downstream signaling molecules through which intraocular pressure (IOP) is lowered following treatment with the prostaglandin analog latanoprost. Methods Total RNA and protein isolated from primary human Schlemm's canal cells (n = 3) treated with latanoprost (free acid; 100 nM) were processed for quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis. IOP was evaluated in stanniocalcin-1 (STC-1-/-) and wild-type mice following treatment with latanoprost or Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632. Human anterior segment pairs (n = 8) were treated with recombinant STC-1 (5, 50, or 500 ng/mL) and pressure was recorded using custom-designed software. The effect of recombinant STC-1 (0.5 mg/mL) on IOP was evaluated in wild-type mice. Tissue morphology was evaluated by light and transmission electron microscopy. Results Increased STC-1 mRNA (4.0- to 25.2-fold) and protein expression (1.9- to 5.1-fold) was observed within 12 hours following latanoprost treatment. Latanoprost reduced IOP in wild-type mice (22.0% ± 1.9%), but had no effect on STC-1-/- mice (0.5% ± 0.7%). In contrast, Y27632 reduced IOP in both wild-type (12.5% ± 1.2%) and in STC-1-/- mice (13.1% ± 2.8%). Human anterior segments treated with STC-1 (500 ng/mL) showed an increase in outflow facility (0.15 ± 0.03 to 0.27 ± 0.09 μL/min/mm Hg) while no change was observed in paired vehicle-treated controls. Recombinant STC-1 reduced IOP in wild-type mice by 15.2% ± 3.0%. No observable morphologic changes were identified between treatment groups when evaluated by microscopy. Conclusions Latanoprost-induced reduction of IOP is mediated through the downstream signaling molecule STC-1. When used by itself, STC-1 exhibits ocular hypotensive properties.
Correction: A randomized trial to study the comparative efficacy of phenylbutyrate and benzoate on nitrogen excretion and ureagenesis in healthy volunteers.

Benzoate and phenylbutyrate are widely used in the treatment of urea cycle disorders, but detailed studies on pharmacokinetics and comparative efficacy on nitrogen excretion are lacking. We conducted a randomized, three-arm, crossover trial in healthy volunteers to study pharmacokinetics and comparative efficacy of phenylbutyrate (NaPB; 7.15 g•m−2BSA•day−1), benzoate (NaBz; 5.5 g•m−2BSA•day−1), and a combination of two medications (MIX arm; 3.575 g NaPB and 2.75 g NaBz•m−2BSA•day−1) on nitrogen excretion. Stable isotopes were used to study effects on urea production and dietary nitrogen disposal. The conjugation efficacy for both phenylbutyrate and benzoate was 65%; conjugation was superior at the lower dose used in the MIX arm. Whereas NaPB and MIX treatments were more effective at excreting nitrogen than NaBz, nitrogen excretion as a drug conjugate was similar between phenylbutyrate and MIX arms. Nitrogen excreted per USD was higher with combination therapy compared with NaPB. Phenylbutyrate was more effective than benzoate at disposing nitrogen. Increasing phenylbutyrate dose may not result in higher nitrogen excretion due to decreased conjugation efficiency at higher doses. Combinatorial therapy with phenylbutyrate and benzoate has the potential to significantly decrease treatment cost without compromising the nitrogen disposal efficacy.
Estimating Thermal Effects for Granite Surface Plate Calibration

Abstract:This paper explores the sources of variation and thermal effects applied to granite surface plate calibration, and their impacts on the quality, uncertainty, and appropriate decisions abou...
Hip position and sex differences in motor unit firing patterns of the vastus medialis and vastus medialis oblique in healthy individuals

This is the first study to reveal differential activation of the vastus medialis oblique from the vastus medialis in clinical exercise protocols. Our research group used fine-wire electrodes to exa...
Distributed Convolutional Neural Networks for Human Activity Recognition in Wearable Robotics

We investigate distributing convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for human activity recognition across computing nodes collocated with sensors at specific regions (body, arms and legs) on the wearer. We compare four CNN architectures. A distributed CNN is implemented on a network of Intel Edison nodes, demonstrating the capability of performing real-time classification. Two use a centralized, monolithic approach, and two are distributed across a number of computing nodes. While the accuracy of the distributed approaches are slightly worse than those of the monolithic CNNs, exploiting the hierarchy of the problem turns out to require much less memory — and therefore computation — than the monolithic CNNs, and only modest communication rates between nodes in the model, making the approach viable for a wide range of distributed systems ranging from wearable robots to multi-robot swarms.
Medievalizing and Modernizing

Much about Barcelona and Catalonia is deliberately, self-consciously medievalized. The facade of Barcelona’s cathedral. The Barri Gotic. Cardona Castle. Medieval fairs. Ripoll and Poblet. Catalans also recast the medieval in modern form. The Biblioteca Nacional de Catalunya, the Drassanes maritime shipyards, Mercat de Santa Caterina, the Hospital de Santa Creu i de Sant Pau. Present value is born from the courtship of medievalizing and modernizing efforts. What matters more than veracity is potency.
A Measurement Instrument for Understanding Student Perspectives on Stereotypes of IS Professionals

Academic and popular literature suggest that one plausible explanation for declining enrollments in the Information Systems (IS) discipline is the negative stereotypical image students have about IS professionals and the profession. However, there is a lack of empirical research that investigates the image of IS professionals. This study addresses this research gap. First, an instrument was developed to measure stereotypes of IS professionals. A series of empirical analysis was conducted to establish the measure’s psychometric properties. The findings revealed a fivefactor, 15-item instrument that measured IS stereotypes in terms of geeks, gender, intelligence, managerial and technical dimensions. Then, the presence of stereotypes along each of these dimensions was examined. The literature has generally assumed that IS professionals are viewed as geeks, mostly male, intelligent, technically oriented, and lacking managerial skills. The study uncovered that strong stereotypes do exist along these dimensions. However, interestingly, most of the stereotypes were found to be in the opposite direction than the literature suggested. Students disagreed that IS professionals were geeks, that the IS profession was typically dominated by men, and that IS professionals were too technically oriented. They agreed that IS professionals possessed good managerial skills and were intelligent. The paper concludes with implications for theory and practice.
Band Theory of Solids

The free electron models of metals that we have presented in the preceding chapter gives us a good deal of insight into several properties of metals. Yet there are many other important properties that these models do not explain. In particular, they do not tell us why, when chemical elements crystallize to become solids, some are good conductors, some are insulators, and yet others are semiconductors with electrical properties that vary greatly with temperature. These differences are not minor, but rather remarkable. The resistivity may vary from ρ ~ 10−8 ohm-m for a good conductor to ρ ~ 1022 ohm-m for a good insulator.
Environmental Governance, Property Rights and Judeo-Christian Tradition

The link between religious affiliation and public discourse on environmental governance is examined with an emphasis on endangered species legislation, water rights, and the notion of “takings” or private property rights appropriations. The framework is Judeo-Christian values expressed in an American social context. Noting in particular the contribution of geographers to this inquiry, I review the scholarly literature to ascertain whether religious values inform political attitudes. Lynn White’s famous 1967 essay in Science that connected the ecological crisis to Christianity is taken as a starting point for an emerging body of ecotheological literature. Two evangelical-based organizations, the Acton Institute and the Evangelical Environmental Network, are compared in terms of contested views on theological rhetoric and political attitudes. I conclude that there is no one, single interpretation of sacred Judeo-Christian texts or traditions and that religious values do not ultimately trump or change initial political views.
TCAD Analysis of Source-Side Injection Program of FinFET Split-Gate MONOS

Program characteristics of FinFET split-gate metal oxide nitride oxide silicon (SG-MONOS) is analyzed using TCAD simulation. Source-side injection (SSI) program is found to be insensitive to the field enhancement at Fin corners in contrast to FN program, which shows the robustness of SSI program of FinFET SG-MONOS to Fin shape variation in the fabrication process. The simulation also indicates that incremental step pulse programming (ISPP) combined with SSI program reduces the field enhancement and improves oxide reliability.
The EPQ code system for simulating the thermal response of plasma-facing components to high-energy electron impact

The generation of runaway electrons during a thermal plasma disruption is a concern for the safe and economical operation of a tokamak power system. Runaway electrons have high energy, 10 to 300 MeV, and may potentially cause extensive damage to plasma-facing components (PFCs) through large temperature increases, melting of metallic components, surface erosion, and possible burnout of coolant tubes. The EPQ code system was developed to simulate the thermal response of PFCs to a runaway electron impact. The EPQ code system consists of several parts: UNIX scripts that control the operation of an electron-photon Monte Carlo code to calculate the interaction of the runaway electrons with the plasma-facing materials; a finite difference code to calculate the thermal response, melting, and surface erosion of the materials; a code to process, scale, transform, and convert the electron Monte Carlo data to volumetric heating rates for use in the thermal code; and several minor and auxiliary codes for the manipulation and postprocessing of the data. The electron-photon Monte Carlo code used was Electron-Gamma-Shower (EGS), developed and maintained by the National Research Center of Canada. The Quick-Therm-Two-Dimensional-Nonlinear (QTTN) thermal code solves the two-dimensional cylindrical modified heat conduction equation using the Quickest third-order accurate andmore » stable explicit finite difference method and is capable of tracking melting or surface erosion. The EPQ code system is validated using a series of analytical solutions and simulations of experiments. The verification of the QTTN thermal code with analytical solutions shows that the code with the Quickest method is better than 99.9% accurate. The benchmarking of the EPQ code system and QTTN versus experiments showed that QTTN's erosion tracking method is accurate within 30% and that EPQ is able to predict the occurrence of melting within the proper time constraints. QTTN and EPQ are verified and validated as able to calculate the temperature distribution, phase change, and surface erosion successfully.« less
Comply at Your Own Risk: Reconciling the Tension Between Western Due Diligence Practices and Chinese State Secrets Law

The insurgence of Chinese Reverse Mergers revealed a gap in the current law that obstructs the ability of U.S. and foreign inspectors to verify compliance and access requested due diligence materials when a Chinese state secret claim is raised. The status quo highlights China’s unyielding position to allow foreign regulators to inspect on its soil, and the United States’ inclination to impose conformity to its regulations. In order to successfully manage the billions of dollars in private equity and access foreign capital, China needs to design a body to serve as a clearing house to disclose the risks potential investors are exposed to.
Cooperation Among the Three Jurisdictions

Cooperation enables the agencies to identify issues of common interest, improve our analyses, and avoid inconsistent outcomes. Cooperation can either be a review cooperation or a remedies cooperation or both. Moreover, the exchange of information among competition agencies is vital to insure stability in the global arena. Several international organizations provide platform to improve or enhance such cooperation.
Cubic Regularized Newton Method for Saddle Point Models: a Global and Local Convergence Analysis

In this paper, we propose a cubic regularized Newton (CRN) method for solving convex-concave saddle point problems (SPP). At each iteration, a cubic regularized saddle point subproblem is constructed and solved, which provides a search direction for the iterate. With properly chosen stepsizes, the method is shown to converge to the saddle point with global linear and local superlinear convergence rates, if the saddle point function is gradient Lipschitz and strongly-convex-strongly-concave. In the case that the function is merely convex-concave, we propose a homotopy continuation (or path-following) method. Under a Lipschitz-type error bound condition, we present an iteration complexity bound of $\mathcal{O}\left(\ln \left(1/\epsilon\right)\right)$ to reach an $\epsilon$-solution through a homotopy continuation approach, and the iteration complexity bound becomes $\mathcal{O}\left(\left(1/\epsilon\right)^{\frac{1-\theta}{\theta^2}}\right)$ under a H\"{o}lderian-type error bound condition involving a parameter $\theta$ ($0<\theta<1$).