gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Analysis of flip-chip packaging challenges on copper/low-k interconnects (2003)

An interfacial-fracture-mechanics-based simulation methodology has been developed to study the flip-chip packaging effect on the copper/low-k structures. Multilevel submodeling techniques have been used to bridge the scale difference between the flip-chip packages and the metal/dielectric stacks. To achieve a smaller feature size and higher speed in future chips, SiO/sub 2/ can be replaced with low-k dielectric material in all via and trench layers or the number of metal layers can be increased. The effect of both packaging options has been evaluated. With either option, the future flip-chip copper/low-k packages are facing higher possibilities of adhesive or cohesive failure near the low-k interface. This paper provides a quantitative evaluation of the increased risk, thus providing guidelines to the next level of low-k flip-chip packages.
Photodetectors on structures with vertically correlated dot clusters (2010)

Long photocarrier lifetime is a key issue for improving of room-temperature infrared photodetectors. Detectors based on nanostructures with quantum dot clusters have the strong potential to overcome the limitations in quantum well detectors due to various possibilities for engineering of specific kinetic and transport properties. Here we review photocarrier kinetics in traditional QDIPs and present results of our investigations related to the QD structures with vertically correlated dot clusters (VCDC). Modern technologies allow for fabrication of various VCDC with controllable parameters, such as the cluster size, a distance between clusters, dot occupation etc. Modeling of photocarrier kinetics in VCDC structures shows that the photocarrier capture time exponentially increases with increasing of the number of dots in a cluster. It also exponentially increases as the occupation of a dot increases. At the same time, the capture processes are weakly sensitive to geometrical parameters, such as the cluster size and the distance between clusters. Compared with ordinary quantum-dot structures, where the photoelectron lifetime at room temperatures is of the order of 1-10 ps, the VCDC structures allow for increasing the lifetime up to three orders of magnitude. We also study the nonlinear effects of the electric field and optimize operating regimes of photodetectors. Complex investigations of these structures pave the way for optimal design of the room-temperature QDIPs.
A Network Economic Game Theory Model of a Service-Oriented Internet with Price and Quality Competition in Both Content and Network Provision (2014)

One key challenge in the current Internet is the inefficiency of the mechanisms by which technology is deployed and the business and economic models surrounding these processes. Customers' demands are driving the Internet and telecommunication networks toward the provision of quality-based end-to-end services, which need a richer family of performance guarantees. We believe that novel insights into future Internet structures can be obtained from taking into account the associated economic models and equilibrium conditions among providers. This paper develops a basic and a general network economic game theory model of a quality-based service-oriented Internet to study the competition among the service providers (both content and network providers). We derive the governing equilibrium conditions and provide the equivalent variational inequality formulations. An algorithm is proposed that yields closed-form expressions, at each iteration, for the prices and quality levels. To illustrate the modeling framework and the algorithm, we present computed solutions to numerical examples. The results show the generality of the proposed network economic model for a future Internet.
Porosity content dependence of TDDB lifetime and flat band voltage shift by cu diffusion in porous spin-on low-k (2005)

The porosity dependence of Cu diffusion into the spin-on low-k dielectric having the same matrix with various porogen contents was studied using time dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) and capacitance voltage (C-V) measurements. Abrupt changes of the time to dielectric breakdown and the flat-band-voltage shift were observed when the porosity of the low-k was between 20% and 30%. Such a characteristic agrees with positronium annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) data, which indicates that the interconnectability of the pores abruptly increased for porosity between 20 and 30%. All the results suggest that the interconnection of pores in the low-k dramatically reduces the reliability of interconnects. The activation energy of Cu diffusion in the spin-on low-k dielectric without porosity was calculated to be 1.51 eV.
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (Espagne), ConCiencia, 28 mai 2009, From Matter to Life: Chemistry? Chemistry!. (2009)

International audience
Adsorption, desorption, and decomposition of HCl and HBr on Ge(100): Competitive pairing and near-first-order desorption kinetics (1994)

We have investigated the surface chemistry of coadsorbed hydrogen and halogen atoms on Ge(100), produced by dissociative chemisorption of HCl and HBr, by temperature-programmed desorption. The initial sticking probability S0 for HCl decreases from 0.6 at a substrate temperature of 270 K to 0.05 at 400 K, indicative of a precursor state to adsorption. For HBr S0 is constant at 0.7 over the same temperature range. A fraction f of adsorbed hydrogen atoms desorb associatively as H2 near 570 K, while the remaining (1−f) H atoms recombine with adsorbed halogen atoms and desorb as the hydrogen halide (HX) near 580–590 K. The activation energies for desorption of H2, HCl, and HBr are all approximately 40 kcal/mol. For both HCl and HBr f is 0.7 at low initial coverage and decreases slightly to 0.6 at saturation. The fraction f of adsorbed halogen atoms left on the surface following the competitive desorption of H2 and HX desorb as the dihalides GeCl2 and GeBr2 near 675 and 710 K, respectively. Desorption of H2, HCl, and HBr occurs with near-first-order kinetics, similar to the behavior of hydrogen adsorbed alone, which we attribute to preferential pairing induced by the π bond on unoccupied Ge dimers. We introduce and solve a generalized doubly occupied dimer model incorporating competitive pairing of H+H, H+X, and X+X on Ge dimers to explain the near-first-order kinetics. The model quantitatively accounts for both the desorption kinetics and the relative yields of H2 and HX with pairing energies of ≊3 kcal/mol. Implications of the present results for surface thermochemistry, chemical vapor deposition, and atomic layer epitaxy of Ge and Si(100)2×1 surfaces are discussed.
Evaluation of dielectric fluids for macro-scale electrostatic actuators and machinery (2014)

Recently interest towards electrostatic actuators and machinery has increased for use in MEMS, mechatronics and renewable energy applications. Effective electromechanical power conversion using electrostatics requires dielectric fluids whose permittivity and breakdown field strength can facilitate adequate electric shear stress and pressure beyond the capabilities of media such as air or vacuum. This paper discusses design points for practical electrostatic force production and evaluates available dielectric fluids in terms of electric shear stress and pressure capability. Key dielectric properties including relative permittivity and breakdown field strength are measured via custom test stand. Attractive force is measured between two electrodes mounted on load cells inside a tank filled with a dielectric liquid. Electrode surfaces may be configured to facilitate electric pressure or shear measurement. Measurements demonstrate fluids capable of reaching several PSI of electric pressure while correlating with analytical and finite element (FE) models, ultimately forming a base for electrostatic actuator/machine design.
IMPACT OF INVADING BRUSHTAIL POSSUM POPULATIONS ON MIXED BEECH-BROADLEAVED FORESTS, SOUTH WESTLAND, NEW ZEALAND (1993)

Summary: The impact of browsing by introduced brushtail possums on mixed beech - broadleaved forests in South Westland was estimated from the amount of conspicuous canopy dieback present in 1989-1990. Aerial and ground-based reconnaissance in all catchments indicated most canopies (84%) were intact. The remaining 16% of canopies were affected by conspicuous dieback, principally of southern rata (Metrosideros umbellata) and/or fuchsia (Fuchsia excorticata). Major dieback nuclei were located in the three areas with the longest history of browsing by possums, which had spread from three known liberation centres. At each dieback nucleus, the amount of dieback reflected the abundance of possum-preferred canopy species. Because South Westland forests contain lower proportions of such species, they are less susceptible to dieback than the conifer-broadleaved forests of central Westland. However, the present low amounts of dieback in South Westland mainly reflect low overall possum densities and a short period of occupation. The occurrence of key possum-preferred species indicates that about one-third of the forests could develop conspicuous canopy dieback if possum numbers increase and 44-94% are susceptible to canopy and/or understorey depletion. By 1992, the few areas selected for sustained possum control effort in Westland under-represented the range of forest composition. However, recently boosted funding for possum control has provided the opportunity to protect representative forest tracts before the onset of widespread ecosystem depletion in South Westland.
Percutaneous, Transtrapezial Fixation without Bone Graft Leads to Consolidation in Selected Cases of Delayed Union of the Scaphoid Waist (2016)

<b>Purpose</b> We evaluated clinical and radiographic outcome of percutaneous transtrapezial fixation of the scaphoid delayed union or nonunion using a headless bone screw without bone grafting. <b>Methods</b> Sixteen patients with delayed union or nonunion of the scaphoid were included in this retrospective study between 2006 and 2011. All patients had a delayed presentation of scaphoid fracture, and none of them was treated conservatively elsewhere. Patients with bone graft, sclerotic bone debridement, or displacement of the fragment at the nonunion site were excluded. A percutaneous transtrapezial fixation technique was used in all cases. Patients were reviewed until clinical and radiographic union was observed. At the final follow-up, DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) and PRWHE (Patient-Rated Wrist and Hand Evaluation) outcome scores were completed. <b>Results</b> Radiographic union was obtained in 15 out of 16 patients (94%) at an average follow-up of 36 months (range: 12-98 months). No complications from the percutaneous technique were noted. The average DASH score was 6 (range: 0-39) and the average PRWHE score was 10 (range: 0-56). No statistical significant difference in range of motion and grip strength was found between the operated side and the contralateral side. <b>Conclusion</b> Percutaneous transtrapezial screw fixation for delayed or nonunion of selected scaphoid fractures without bone grafting is promising. At a mean of 4 months, 94% union was obtained with good functional results when there was no sclerosis, minimal osteolysis, and no displacement at the scaphoid nonunion site. <b>Type of Study</b> Therapeutic study. <b>Level of Evidence</b> IV.
Piezotronic Effect on the Sensitivity and Signal Level of Schottky Contacted Proactive Micro/Nanowire Nanosensors (2013)

We demonstrated the first piezoelectric effect on the performance of a pH sensor using an MSM back-to-back Schottky contacted ZnO micro/nanowire device. When the device is subjected to an external strain, a piezopotential is created in the micro/nanowire, which tunes the effective heights of the Schottky barriers at the local contacts, consequently increasing the sensitivity and signal level of the sensors. Furthermore, the strain-produced piezopotential along the ZnO micro/nanowire will lead to a nonuniform distribution of the target molecules near the micro/nanowire surface owing to electrostatic interaction, which will make the sensor proactive to detect the target molecules even at extremely low overall concentration, which naturally improves the sensitivity and lowers the detection limit. A theoretical model is proposed to explain the observed performance of the sensor using the energy band diagram. This prototype device offers a new concept for designing supersensitive and fast-response micro/nanowire sensors by introducing an external strain and piezotronic effect, which may have great applications in building sensors with fast response and reset time, high selectivity, high sensitivity, and good signal-to-noise ratio for chemical, biochemical, and gas sensing.
Thrombolytic effects of recombinant fibrolase or APSAC in a canine model of carotid artery thrombosis. (1994)

These studies demonstrate that local administration of fibrolase lyses a carotid arterial thrombus rapidly without excessive hemorrhage or hemodynamic compromise. The enzyme in combination with antiplatelet therapy (7E3) offers a unique mechanism for clot dissolution and may prove useful as a clinically efficacious alternative to presently used thrombolytic agents or may act in a synergistic manner with plasminogen activators.
Synthesis of Dual‐Sensitive Core Cross‐Linked Mixed Micelles through Thiol–Ene Addition and Subsequent Drug Release Behavior (2017)

Herein the synthesis of core cross‐linked (CCL) mixed micelles through a UV‐promoted thiol–ene addition onto lipid core unsaturations and the subsequent release of an encapsulated drug depending on the external conditions (pH/temperature) are reported. The thiol–ene addition proceeds even in the absence of a photoinitiator to reach a complete conversion in a few minutes in bulk. The cross‐linking reaction is applied in aqueous media onto lipid‐ b ‐poly(acrylic acid) (lipid‐ b ‐PAA) only and then a mixture of pH‐sensitive lipid‐ b ‐PAA and thermo‐sensitive lipid‐ block ‐poly(2‐isopropyl‐2‐oxazoline) copolymers. Structurally CCL micelles, preserved in any conditions, with a stimuli‐sensitive corona whose swelling depends on the external pH or/and temperature, are successfully prepared. The release of vitamin K1 (VK1) is then investigated from all the previous systems and demonstrates a strong dependency to the external conditions. Indeed, the dual‐sensitive CCL micelles release VK1 only when two triggers (pH 10 and T = 38 °C) are simultaneously activated. image
Effect of Substituted Pyridazinone Herbicides and of Difunone (EMD-IT 5914) on Carotenoid Biosynthesis in Green Algae (1976)

The carotenoid biosynthesis of the green alga Ankistrodesmus braunii is blocked if these cells are cultured in presence of sublethal doses of pyridazinone herbicides (San 9789, San 6706, BASF 44521) or of the herbicide difunone (EMD-IT 5914). The amount of colored carotenoids normally found in these algae is reduced drastically and the precursors phytoene and phytofluene are accumulated. Furthermore a decrease in the chlorophyll level occurs in the treated cells, but there is a stronger loss of chlorophyll a, resulting in a lowering of the chlorophyll a/b ratio with time. Concerning the activity of substituted pyridazinones leading to inhibition of carotenoid biosynthesis this effect can be related to the chemical structure of these compounds: a trifluormethyl substitution of the phenyl ring and a mono- or dimethyl substitution of the amine (San 9789, San 6706) or a methoxy group instead of the substituted amine (BASF 44521) are required both for this effect. Other pyridazinone derivatives with either a trifluoromethyl substitition of the phenyl ring (San 9774) or a dimethyl subsittution of the amine (San 9785) or a methoxy group (BASF 13761) are without any effect on the pigment pattern of these algae.
Effect of inoculum age and physical parameters onin vitroculture of the entomopathogenic nematodeSteinernema feltiae (2016)

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) of the families Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae have a symbiotic association with bacteria which makes them virulent against insects. EPNs have been mass produced using in vivo and in vitro methods, including both solid and liquid fermentation. This study assessed the effect of nematode inoculum age on the production of Steinernema feltiae in liquid, solid and biphasic processes. Several physical parameters were also assessed: the effect of medium viscosity, flask size and aeration speed on the recovery and yield of infective juveniles (IJs). Inoculum age treatments included inoculum liquid cultures that were 7, 14, 21 and 28 days old. Nematodes from the same inoculum were added to one liquid medium (liquid culture), one solid medium with bacteria previously grown in sponge (solid culture) and a variation of the solid medium (a biphasic culture), in which the bacteria were first grown in liquid and, then, soaked into the sponges, with the purpose of providing a more homogeneous bacterial culture before nematode inoculation. Experiments were conducted in Erlenmeyer flasks. Eight treatments were established involving combinations of three variables: two media (with and without 0.2% agar), two flask sizes (250 and 150 ml) and two agitation speeds (180 and 280 rpm). The study showed increases in nematode yield for liquid cultures, but not for solid or biphasic cultures, with the advance of the inoculum age up to 28 days of growth. Furthermore, the addition of 0.2% agar to the liquid medium and increasing the aeration rate by using larger flasks with higher agitation speed may increase nematode recovery and final yield. The experiments were conducted using shake flasks but the results may also be applicable for bioreactors.
Dynamic Load, Resistance and Environmental Performance of Floating Ladder Track (2004)

The floating ladder track was developed as a next generation non-ballasted track. Its structural concept is small-mass soft-suspended system so that it can reduce structure-borne noise with a very lightweight construction. A frequency analysis of the measured concrete track-bed vertical vibration proves that the floating ladder track can reduce the vibration by approximately 13 dB compared with that of an adjacent non-ballasted crosstie track. This paper reports on the structural design of ladder sleeper, taking into account the dynamic response against a severe impulsive load due to wheel flat and/or rail-surface defects, and describes the environmental performance of floating ladder track.
Abstract 18295: Racial and Insurance Disparities in Atrial Fibrillation Ablation (2014)

Objective: To identify possible racial and/or health insurance disparities with respect to ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation (AF). Method: Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2000-2011), we identified adult patients (pts) admitted with principle diagnosis of AF by ICD 9 code 427.31 who had catheter ablation (ICD 9 code - 37.34). We stratified patients by race (White, Black, Hispanic, and other minority racial groups), insurance status, age, gender, type of hospital, and type of hospital admission. A hierarchical mixed effect multivariate model was created to identify independent predictors of AF ablation. Results: Among 4,547,144 patients hospitalized with AF during the study period, 201,447(4.43%) underwent ablation procedures. In absolute numbers, the majority of the ablations were performed in Whites (65.7%) and patients with Medicare (66.7%) or private insurance (24.7%). After adjusting for confounding factors, the proportions of Black pts (compare to White), and Medicare, Medicaid, and Uninsured pts (compare to private insurance), receiving ablation therapy were lower (see table). Odds of having ablation were lower in older and female patients and higher in teaching hospitals and after elective admissions (p&lt;0.001 for all comparisions). Similar racial and insurance disparities were observed over the time course of the study. Conclusion: We identified lower rates of AF ablation among black pts even after correction of other factors such as insurance. Ablation rates were also lower among patients without private insurance. These trends persisted during the study period of 2000-2011.
The use of photoinitiated free‐radical cyclopolymerization in the preparation of novel side‐chain liquid‐crystalline polydienes (1996)

Abstract The technique of photoinitiated free‐radical cyclopolymerization has been used to produce a variety of novel side‐chain liquid‐crystalline (SCLC) polymers in which an alicyclic ring structure is incorporated into a polymer backbone. Most of the SCLC polymers gave glass transition temperatures ( T g ) around room temperature and clearing points around 60–70°C. However, the poly(1,5‐hexadiene) was the exception to this, exhibiting a T g value of 14.5°C and a clearing point of 132.5°C. Confirmation of the structure of the alicyclic ring along the polymer backbone is extremely difficult to obtain, but evidence is given in the paper to support the ring structure.
Metal-on-Metal Versus Polyethylene in Hip Arthroplasty: A Randomized Clinical Trial (2003)

A prospective, randomized, blinded clinical trial was done to evaluate polyethylene versus metal bearing surfaces in total hip replacement. Forty-one patients were randomized to receive either a metal (23 patients) or a polyethylene (18 patients) insert. The femoral and acetabular components were identical with the acetabular insert the only variable. Patients were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively using radiographs, multiple outcome measures (Western Ontario MacMaster University Score, Harris hip score, Short Form-12), erythrocyte metal ion analysis (cobalt, chromium, titanium), and urine metal ion analysis (cobalt, chromium, titanium). Patients were followed up for a minimum of 2 years (mean 3.2 years; range, 2.2–3.9 years). There were no differences in radiographic outcomes or outcome measurement tools between patients. Patients receiving a metal-on-metal articulation had significantly elevated erythrocyte and urine metal ions compared with patients receiving a polyethylene insert. Patients who had metal-on-metal inserts had on average a 7.9-fold increase in erythrocyte cobalt, a 2.3-fold increase in erythrocyte chromium, a 1.7-fold increase in erythrocyte titanium, a 35.1-fold increase in urine cobalt, a 17.4-fold increase in urine chromium, and a 2.6-fold increase in urine titanium at 2 years followup. Patients receiving a polyethylene insert had no change in erythrocyte titanium, urine cobalt, or urine chromium and a 1.5-fold increase in erythrocyte cobalt, a 2.2-fold increase in erythrocyte chromium, and a 4.2-fold increase in urine titanium. Forty-one percent of patients receiving metal-on-metal articulations had increasing metal ion levels at the latest followup.
Supplementary Figure 5 from Group I p21-Activated Kinases (PAKs) Promote Tumor Cell Proliferation and Survival through the AKT1 and Raf–MAPK Pathways (2023)

&lt;p&gt;PDF file - 18K, MTS assays of ME12 and Meso 22 cells treated with 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 muM PIR3.5 compound after 72 hours of treatment&lt;/p&gt;
Silicon MOSFETs as room temperature terahertz detectors (2009)

International audience