nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Exploring design diversity redundancy to improve resilience in mixed-signal systems

Redundancy is the most popular technique to add fault tolerance at system level to electronic systems. Redundancy with hardware and software diversity of digital computers is currently employed in safety critical applications, as, for example, in spacecrafts and commercial aircrafts, to increase the reliability of such systems. This work presents a study of the design diversity redundancy technique in the context of mixed-signal systems, identifying the advantages and associated costs of applying this technique to subsystems with both analog and digital parts. The discussion is based on three case studies: two data acquisition systems and a low-pass filter, all of them prototyped in mixed-signal programmable platforms. In these systems, different combinations regarding the number of modules (double or triple modular redundancy) and specific issues related to the applied diversity modes are considered. Based on the results of fault injection campaigns by hardware emulation and one neutron irradiation test, the achieved reliability level of each studied system is discussed, as well as the tradeoffs of applying design diversity redundancy to mixed-signal systems.

Field of study: Engineering
MicroRNA Mechanisms of Action: What have We Learned from Mice?

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenously encoded single-stranded RNAs of about 22 nucleotides (nts) in length that play essential roles in a large variety of physiological processes in animals and plants (Ambros, 2004; Bushati and Cohen, 2007). Mature miRNAs are integrated into the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), whose core component is one of the Argonaute family proteins. MiRNAs then direct RISCs to target mRNAs, which are recognized through partial sequence complementarity. Bioinformatic prediction and experimental target gene identification have shown that a miRNA binds mRNAs of hundreds of protein coding genes, which often span a broad spectrum of functional categories (Bartel, 2009; Chi et al., 2009; Hafner et al., 2010). The functional consequence of miRNA-target mRNA interaction and the mechanism of miRNA action have been under intensive investigation and remain a matter of hot debate. It was initially thought that miRNAs repress the protein output of a small number of target genes without significantly affecting their mRNA levels in animals (Lee et al., 1993; Wightman et al., 1993). Subsequent genetic studies in C. elegans and zebrafish showed that miRNAs promote the degradation of their target mRNAs (Bagga et al., 2005; Giraldez et al., 2006). Later, a series of genome-wide studies of in vitro cultured mammalian cell lines transiently transfected with chemically synthesized miRNA mimics led to the conclusion that the predominant functional consequence of miRNA action is target mRNA degradation (Guo et al., 2010). A follow-up study employing temporal dissection of zebrafish development seems to reconcile these two opposite observations by revealing that translational repression precedes target mRNA decay, and suggesting that the immediate outcome of miRNA-target mRNA interaction is translation inhibition but mRNA degradation can follow (Bazzini et al., 2012). Similarly, re-analysis of the previous datasets from cultured cell lines transiently transfected with synthetic miRNA mimics also found that translation repression precedes mRNA degradation (Larsson and Nadon, 2013).

Field of study: Biology
On some inverse problems in potential theory

It is a well known result that the inverse square law has the property that the attraction, at an external point, due to a sphere of uniform density is the same as if the sphere was concentrated at its center. The most general law of attraction having this property for all spheres among the class of central force laws is known to be the inverse square plus linear. For the corresponding internal problem, it is well known that there is 110 attractive force acting on a particle inside a uniform spherical shell and, inversely, this property characterizes the inverse square law. We establish the first inverse result under the weaker condition that the desired property holds for just two thin spherical shells of any radii. For the corresponding internal problem, we need three incommensurable radii. "The inverse square law has the property that the attraction, at an external point, due to a sphere of uniform density is the same as if the sphere was concentrated at its center. Are there any other laws of attraction which have this property?"2 The above problem was solved in the affirmative,2 i.e., the most general such central force law being C(r) = A /r2 + Br. For the problem concerning an internal point, Jeans3 notes that if there is no attractive force acting on a particle inside a uniform spherical shell, then the law of force must be inverse square. He also provides a neat proof and attributes the theorem to Laplace. In both cases above, the desired property was assumed to hold among the class of central force laws and for spheres or shells of all sizes. In this paper we establish the first result under the weaker condition that the desired property holds for just two thin spherical shells of radii 1 and 2. Our method has some features in common with that given by Jeans. If instead of using shells of radii 1 and 2 we use a pair of arbitrary radii, the problem becomes considerably more difficult and apparently requires a more sophisticated argument. Consequently, this solution is given secondly. Lastly, we extend the internal problem in a similar way. But here it will turn out that the radii of the shells cannot be commensurable. Let <J>(r) denote the unknown potential function. Since the desired property is to hold for shells of radii 1 and 2, $(r) must then satisfy f *(|R C|) dS( = <£(|R|) + Cl for |R| > 1 (1) 7T J|<|-1 and j[ *(|R <|) dS{ = S(|R|) + c2 for |R| > 2 (2) 47T J | {|n=2 where dS( denotes the surface area element of the spherical surface. •Received February 24, 1967. •And also Yeshiva University. 2Problem 4381, proposed by R. J. Walker,  (1951), p. 51. This problem also appears in S. L. Loner, An elementary treatise on statics,  zThe mathematical theory of electricity and magnetism,  Since a spherical zone has area proportional to its thickness, we can reduce the above double integrals to the following single ones: | J $((r2 — 2rt + 1)1/2) dt = $(r) + c, for r > 1 (3)

Field of study: Mathematics
Wood-inhabiting fungal communities in woody debris of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.), as reflected by sporocarps, mycelial isolations and T-RFLP identification.

Wood-inhabiting fungi play a key role in forest ecosystems and constitute an essential part of forest biodiversity. We therefore examined the composition and abundance of wood-inhabiting fungi by three methods: sporocarp counts, mycelial culturing and direct amplification of internal transcribed spacer terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism from wood combined with sequencing of reference rDNA. Seven-year-old slash piles left after a thinning were analyzed in a 50-year-old Norway spruce plantation. Fifty-eight fungal species were detected from the piled branches and treetops. More species were revealed by sporocarp counts and cultured mycelia than by direct amplification from wood. In principle, sporocarp monitoring may reveal all fruiting taxa, but it poorly reflects their relative abundance in the wood. In contrast, terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism will record the most frequent fungal taxa in the wood, but it may overlook uncommon taxa. Culturing mycelia from wood gives a bias towards species favoured by the cultural medium. The results demonstrate the advantage and the limitations of these methods to be considered in analyses of fungal communities in wood.

Field of study: Biology, Environmental science
Improving the Electrochemical Performance of Carbon Anodes Derived from Marine Biomass by Using Ionic-Liquid-Based Hybrid Electrolyte for LIBs

The electrochemical performance of Li-ion batteries (LIBs) including a marine-biochar electrode and ionic-liquid-based hybrid electrolyte has been investigated. The formation of micro/macro-ordered porosity in the biochar structure after pyrolysis provides a three-dimensional (3D) olive-shaped architecture for facile diffusion of electroactive species within the electrode. Three imidazolium-based ionic liquids, namely 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (EMImPF6), 1-ethyl-2,3 dimethylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (EDImPF6), and 1,3-dimethoxy-2-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate [(OM)2MImPF6], were used to fabricate hybrid electrolytes and investigate the effect of the imidazolium cation structure on the safety and electrochemical performance of marine-biomass-based LIBs at various temperatures. Electrochemical characterization was carried out using galvanostatic charge–discharge measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). It was found that mixing 40 wt.% (OM)2MImPF6 IL with the organic electrolyte (modified electrolyte) remarkably improved the capacity, cyclability, and coulombic efficiency (CE) of the marine-biochar electrode. After 100 charge–discharge cycles, the capacity retention of the cell containing 40 wt.% (OM)2MImPF6 IL was 85%, 84%, and 81% at 25°C, 45°C, and 65°C, respectively, whereas capacity fading of 35%, 45%, and 68% was observed for the cell without modified electrolyte in this condition. According to EIS analysis, Li+ transfer at the electrode–electrolyte interface was significantly improved in the presence of the modified hybrid electrolyte compared with the other cells. Moreover, the results of thermal and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses proved that this IL could be an appropriate electrolyte to improve the thermal stability and the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation on the marine-biochar surface, respectively.

Field of study: Materials science
Heat dissipation and its relation to thermopower in single-molecule junctions

Motivated by recent experiments, we present here a detailed theoretical analysis of the joule heating in current-carrying single-molecule junctions. By combining the Landauer approach for quantum transport with ab initio calculations, we show how the heating in the electrodes of a molecular junction is determined by its electronic structure. In particular, we show that in general heat is not equally dissipated in both electrodes of the junction and it depends on the bias polarity (or equivalently on the current direction). These heating asymmetries are intimately related to the thermopower of the junction as both these quantities are governed by very similar principles. We illustrate these ideas by analyzing single-molecule junctions based on benzene derivatives with different anchoring groups. The close relation between heat dissipation and

Field of study: Physics
Synthesis of New Trioctahedral Mg-Smectite

New trioctahedral Mg-smectites were synthesized hydrothermally from homogeneous Mg–Si precipitates having a wide range of compositions, i.e., from Mg=3.2 to 6, vs. Si=8 in the atomic ratios. Dispersed solutions of the synthetic smectites formed transparent gels possessing good rheological properties.

Field of study: Chemistry
Resource allocation for multiparty connections

This article addresses the problems of specifying complex multimedia multiparty connections and allocating resources to set up multimedia multipoint connections while efficiently using network resources in a network that includes signal converters to resolve the heterogeneity of customer/network equipment and information mixers for conference services. A notation called logical connection is proposed to capture the special resources and connectivity requirements. Given a connection request and a physical network, we consider the general resource allocation problem in which the allocation costs of special resources and links are comparable, so that neither can be neglected. The problem is shown to be NP-hard. A resource allocation software system that integrates an optimal algorithm, several heuristic algorithms, and a distributed algorithm was implemented, and the performance result of these algorithms is presented.

Field of study: Computer science, Engineering
Charge pumping analysis of radiation effects in LOCOS parasitic transistors

We have performed current-voltage and charge pumping measurements on LOCOS parasitic transistors submitted to X-ray irradiation. The electrical behavior and the charge pumping response of these non-planar structures have been analyzed by two-dimensional computer simulations. We report how this experimental approach allows us to obtain quantitative information about oxide charge and interface trap densities in different parts of the complete structure. Our results show a maximum of oxide charge trapping and interface trap buildup in the bird's beak regions after irradiation. The generation of radiation-induced interface and border traps along the LOCOS SiO/sub 2//Si interface is discussed, in terms of trap density and frequency response.

Field of study: Physics
[The characteristics of a psycho-autonomic syndrome in the sequelae of closed craniocerebral trauma].

Some clinical characteristics of posttraumatic psychovegetative syndrome, associated with nonspecific brain systems disfunctions were defined more precisely on the basis of the clinical estimation of vegetative, psychological as well as polygraphic indexes of sleep-awakening cycle in 205 patients with the consequences of closed craniocerebral trauma (CCT). It was mentioned that the characteristics features of such psychovegetative syndrome turned out to be: in vegetative sphere the clear parasympathetic displacement of main cardiovascular characteristics. According to electrophysiological data the alteration of tentative reactions dying away as well as decrease of alpha-rhythm presentation in the relaxed awakening state were observed. The prevalence of anxious and depressive features was marked in personality structure. The discussion of results obtained was performed. The psychovegetative pattern revealed was worthwhile in different diagnosis of CCT with diseases of other etiology as well as both elaboration and improvement of rehabilitation system of patients with CCT consiquences.

Field of study: Medicine, Psychology
Acquisition of differential delay eyeblink classical conditioning is independent of awareness.

There has been debate about whether differential delay eyeblink conditioning can be acquired without awareness of the stimulus contingencies. In 4 experiments, the authors reexamined this question. Older participants were tested with a tone and white noise (Experiment 1) or with 2 tones (Experiment 2). In addition, younger participants were tested with 2 tones (Experiment 3) or with 2 tones plus the parameters from an earlier study that had reported a relationship between conditioning and awareness (Experiment 4). Participants who were designated aware of the stimulus contingencies and participants who were designated unaware exhibited equivalent levels of differential eyeblink conditioning. Awareness of stimulus contingencies is not required for differential delay eyeblink conditioning when simple conditioned stimuli are used.

Field of study: Biology, Psychology
The tobacco industry's challenges to standardised packaging: A comparative analysis of issue framing in public relations campaigns in four countries.

Tobacco industry public relations campaigns have played a key role in challenges to standardised cigarette packaging. This paper presents a comparative analysis of industry campaigns in Australia and the United Kingdom, which have implemented standardised packaging legislation; Canada, where policy has been adopted but not yet implemented; and the Netherlands, which has considered, but not enacted regulation. Campaigns were identified via Google searches, tobacco industry websites, media coverage, government submissions and previous research; analysis focused on issue framing and supporting evidence. Public relations campaigns in all case study countries drew on similar frames - the illicit trade in tobacco products, the encroaching 'nanny state', lack of evidence for the effectiveness of standardised packaging, a slippery slope of regulation, and inherent threats to intellectual property rights. These claims were supported by industry research, front groups and commissioned reports by accountancy firms, but were not with verifiable research. Independent evidence that contradicted industry positions was overlooked. Similarities in structure and content of public relations campaigns in countries that have enacted or considered regulation points to a strategic co-ordinated approach by cigarette manufacturers. Countries considering standardised packaging policy can expect powerful opposition from the tobacco industry. Tobacco control communities and policy makers can learn from previous experience, and share best practise in countering industry arguments.

Field of study: Medicine, Political science
Reduction of Contact Resistivity by Nano-Textured Contact

The feasibility of reducing contact resistance by adding nano-textures on the contact surface is evaluated by three-dimensional simulation. Upward and downward pyramids and hemispheres are considered, and the effects of contact area and electric field are discussed. The downward nano-texture has a stronger electric field than the upward nano-texture; thus the increasing contact area will be more effectively used and lead to a greater improvement effect. On the other hand, the electric field of the hemisphere nano-texture is lower than that of the pyramid nano-texture. With proper design, the nano-textured contact can effectively reduce contact resistance up to 30–50%. Therefore, the proposed nano-textured contact is a promising approach with contact resistivity approaching physical limits.

Field of study: Materials science
H¥ Control for A Class of LPV Discrete-time Singular System with Delay

The ¥ H controller via state feedback is studied for the delayed discrete-time LPV sigular system with polytope model. Based on ¥ H control theory, the sufficiency condition of the state feedback controller for the delayed discrete-time sigular systems is adressed; Using Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI) convex optimal technique, the feasible solution of the state feedback controller is obtained.The simulation shows that the presented method is feasible and effective.

Field of study: Engineering
Two synaptotagmin genes, Syt1 and Syt4, are differentially regulated in adult brain and during postnatal development following kainic acid-induced seizures.

The synaptotagmins together with other vesicle proteins are thought to be essential for the docking and/or fusion of synaptic vesicles with the plasma membrane that occurs following depolarization and calcium influx in presynatic terminals. Syt4, the fourth identified member of the synaptotagmin family, is inducible in PC12 cells by depolarization and secretagogues, and in limbic regions of the adult rat brain by kainic acid-induced seizures. In the present study, we examined the time course of the seizure-induced changes in the expression of Syt4 and Syt1, both in adult animals and during the postnatal period. Syt4 was transiently induced in several structures of the adult rat brain following seizure activity with peak inductions between 4 and 8 h and overal return to control values by 30 h. No induction was observed following seizure activity in 7-day-old animals. The brain regions most sensitive to increased induction were, in decreasing order of sensitivity, hippocampal pyramidal cells dentate granule cells and piriform cortex pyramidal cells. The brain areas showing the greatest Syt4 stimulation in adults were also the areas in which Syt4 was induced by seizures earlier in development. In contrast, Syt1 mRNA was depressed in adult brains following seizure activity, particularly in the dentate granule cells. Our results suggest that the differential regulation of different synaptotagmin genes following excessive neuronal activity might participate in rapid adaptation of subsequent transmitter release.

Field of study: Biology
Identification of an IKBKE inhibitor with antitumor activity in cancer cells overexpressing IKBKE

HighlightsIKBKE is frequently overexpressed or activated in a variety of human cancers.We identified a specific IKBKE inhibitors, malachite green oxalate (MCCK1), which directly inhibited IKBKE kinase activity as well as its downstream targets such as I&kgr;B&agr;, p65 and IRF3.MCCK1 is a potential specific IKBKE inhibitor with anti‐tumor activity, and could be a novel anti‐cancer reagent for patients with tumors overexpressing IKBKE.  The serine/threonine kinase IKBKE is frequently overexpressed or activated in a variety of human cancers. Ectopic expression of IKBKE induces malignant transformation, cell migration, invasion and chemoresistance. Thus, IKBKE is an attractive target for anti‐cancer drug development.  By screening of NCI Diversity Set and Clinical Collection I and II compound libraries using cell‐based assay, we identified several candidates of IKBKE inhibitors, which directly inhibited IKBKE kinase activity in vitro and in vivo. One of them, malachite green oxalate (MCCK1), was further characterized. The mechanism was examined by western blot, immunoprecipitation (IP) and Immunofluorescence. We also evaluated in a mouse xenograft model. In vitro kinase assay and luciferase reporter assay were also performed in our experiments.  MCCK1 inhibits IKBKE kinase as well as its downstream targets such as I&kgr;B&agr;, p65 and IRF3. MCCK1 is a selective inhibitor for IKBKE, with moderate effect on TBK1, but does not inhibit the activation of IKK&agr;/&bgr;, STAT3, Erk‐1/2, p38 or JNK. The inhibition of IKBKE by MCCK1 resulted in induction of cell growth arrest and apoptosis selectively in human cancer cells that harbor aberrant expression of IKBKE. Furthermore, MCCK1 inhibits tumor growth in nude mice of human cancer cells in which IKBKE is elevated but not of those cancer cells in which it is not.  These data indicate that MCCK1 is an IKBKE inhibitor with anti‐tumor activity in vitro and in vivo and could be a potential anti‐cancer agent for patients with tumors over expressing IKBKE.

Field of study: Medicine
The Max $K$-Armed Bandit: PAC Lower Bounds and Efficient Algorithms

We consider the Max $K$-Armed Bandit problem, where a learning agent is faced with several stochastic arms, each a source of i.i.d. rewards of unknown distribution. At each time step the agent chooses an arm, and observes the reward of the obtained sample. Each sample is considered here as a separate item with the reward designating its value, and the goal is to find an item with the highest possible value. Our basic assumption is a known lower bound on the {\em tail function} of the reward distributions. Under the PAC framework, we provide a lower bound on the sample complexity of any $(\epsilon,\delta)$-correct algorithm, and propose an algorithm that attains this bound up to logarithmic factors. We analyze the robustness of the proposed algorithm and in addition, we compare the performance of this algorithm to the variant in which the arms are not distinguishable by the agent and are chosen randomly at each stage. Interestingly, when the maximal rewards of the arms happen to be similar, the latter approach may provide better performance.

Field of study: Computer science