nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Jitter analysis of PLL-generated clock propagation using Jitter Mitigation techniques with laser voltage probing

A new Jitter Mitigation feature in the latest generation laser voltage probing (LVP) tool effectively removes PLL jitter from LVP waveforms [Ng Yin S, Lo W, Wilsher K. Next generation laser voltage probing.  Proceeding, international symposium on testing and failure analysis; 2008. It facilitates the probing of phase-locked loop (PLL) driven circuitry inside of integrated circuits (ICs). In particular, it allows the detection of small amounts of excess jitter that would normally be masked by the much larger jitter of the PLL. To demonstrate the practical application of this Jitter Mitigation feature, we report on the jitter analysis of a PLL-generated clock signal as it propagates, through buffers and logic circuitry, to an external I/O pad of an IC. The IC was a 0.9 V, 65 nm technology graphics processing unit (GPU). The analysis was to determine where excess jitter was introduced into the clock path when the GPU was electrically stressed. Details of the jitter analysis, including Jitter Mitigation methodology, probing setup, and results of the timing measurements, will be presented in this paper.

Field of study: Engineering
Preferential Mapping of Sex-Biased Differentially-Expressed Genes of Larvae to the Sex-Determining Region of Flathead Grey Mullet (Mugil cephalus)

Flathead gray mullet (Mugil cephalus) is a cosmopolitan mugilid species popular in fishery and aquaculture with an economic preference for all-female population. However, it displays neither sexual dimorphisms nor heteromorphic sex chromosomes. We have previously presented a microsatellite-based linkage map for this species locating a single sex determination region (SDR) on linkage group 9 (LG9) with evidence for XX/XY sex determination (SD) mechanism. In this work, we refine the critical SDR on LG9, and propose positional- and functional- candidate genes for SD. To elucidate the genetic mechanism of SD, we assembled and compared male and female genomic sequences of 19 syntenic genes within the putative SDR on mullet’s LG9, based on orthology to tilapia’s LG8 (tLG8) physical map. A total of 25 sequence-based markers in 12 genes were developed. For all markers, we observed association with sex in at least one of the two analyzed M. cephalus full-sib families, but not in the wild-type population. Recombination events were inferred within families thus setting the SDR boundaries to a region orthologous to ∼0.9 Mbp with 27 genes on tLG8. As the sexual phenotype is evident only in adults, larvae were assigned into two putative sex-groups according to their paternal haplotypes, following a model of XY/XX SD-system. A total of 107 sex-biased differentially expressed genes in larvae were observed, of which 51 were mapped to tLG8 (48% enrichment), as compared to 5% in random control. Furthermore, 23 of the 107 genes displayed sex-specific expression; and 22 of these genes were positioned to tLG8, indicating 96% enrichment. Of the 27 SDR genes, BCCIP, DHX32A, DOCK1, and FSHR (GTH-RI) are suggested as positional and functional gene candidates for SD.

Field of study: Biology
Structural analysis of the two horseradish peroxidase catalytic residue variants H42E and R38S/H42E: implications for the catalytic cycle.

The crystal structures of horseradish peroxidase C (HRPC) active-site mutants H42E and R38S/H42E co-crystallized with benzhydroxamic acid (BHA) and ferulic acid (FA), respectively, have been solved. The 2.5 A crystal structure of the H42E-BHA complex reveals that the side-chain O atoms of Glu42 occupy positions that are very similar to the positions of the two side-chain N atoms of the distal histidine in the wild-type HRPC-BHA structure. The mutation disturbs the hydrogen-bonding network extending from residue 42 to the distal calcium ion and results in the absence of the water molecule that is usually ligated to this ion in plant peroxidases. Consequently, the distal calcium ion is six- rather than seven-coordinated. In the 2.0 A R38S/H42E structure the position of Glu42 is different and no FA is observed in the distal haem pocket. This is a consequence of the absence of the Arg38 side chain, which limits the flexibility of the Glu42 side chain and modulates its acidity, making it unsuitable as a general acid-base catalyst in the reaction cycle. The water ligated to the distal calcium ion is present, showing that the wild-type distal hydrogen-bonding network is preserved. These results show why a glutamic acid residue can substitute for the conserved distal histidine in HRPC and that Arg38 plays a significant role in controlling the positioning and ionization state of the residue at position 42. Furthermore, these structures indicate that changes in the distal cavity are conveyed through the distal hydrogen-bonding network to the distal calcium site.

Field of study: Chemistry
An Improved Hybrid Quantum Genetic Algorithm for Edge Detection

The edge of image contains many important information, in order to overcome the shortcomings of fuzzy edge detection problem, introduces the concept and principle of clonal selection in immunology into the QGA, presents a scheme for optimal thresholding by using hybid quantum algorithm, and makes some improvement to the fuzzy edge detection algorithm. Conducts the experiment on test images and the results show that this algorithm is good at edge detection and noise restraint. It can get better results for the edge detection.

Field of study: Computer science
Parietal theta rhythms in carbamazepine therapy of children with epilepsy

Regional bioelectrical activity changes presenting as prolonged or periodic inhibition at the central parietal leads in theta rhythm (PT) are regarded in some studies as congenital predisposition to epilepsy. The study estimates a carbamazepine (CBM) therapy efficacy in children with epilepsy with- or without PT. To study the prognosis in CBM therapy, 119 patients, 63 with PT (group 1) and 56--without PT (group 2) have been retrospectively examined. Patients with the presence of generalized spike-and-wave activity (SWA) before CBM treatment have been excluded from the study. Despite the insignificant between-group differences of clinical and EEG-data before the therapy beginning, the CBM response was much worse in the group 1: a marked effect was found in 14 (22%) patients, in 41 (65%) the effect was mild or absent at all, and in 8 (13%) a disease course worsening was detected. In group 2 a good effect was in 42 (75%) patients, no effect was detected in 14 (25%) patients and none of the patients was worse. Correlations between SWA appearance and inadequate CBM action, as well as between improvement/worsening absence of EEG and favorable prognosis during therapy have been found.  Carbamazepine efficacy in the children with epilepsy is significantly lower in the presence of parietal theta rhythm. PT is likely to be a liability factor for SWA appearance during CBM therapy.

Field of study: Medicine, Psychology
Enhancing decoherence times in superconducting qubits via circuit design

We study decoherence effects in qubits coupled to environments that exhibit resonant frequencies in their spectral function. We model the coupling of the qubit to its environment via the Caldeira-Leggett formulation of quantum dissipation/coherence, and study the simplest example of decoherence effects in circuits with resonances such as a dc SQUID phase qubit in the presence of an isolation circuit, which is designed to enhance the coherence time. We emphasize that the spectral density of the environment is strongly dependent on the circuit design, and can be engineered to produce longer decoherence times. We begin with a general discussion of superconducting qubits such as the flux qubit, the Cooper pair box and the phase qubit and show that in these kinds of systems appropriate circuit design can greatly modify the spectral density of the environment and lead to enhancement of decoherence times. In the particular case of the phase qubit, for instance, we show that when the frequency of the qubit is at least two times larger than the resonance frequency of the environmental spectral density, the decoherence time of the qubit is a few orders of magnitude larger than that of the typical ohmic regime, where the frequency of the qubit is much smaller than the resonance frequency of the spectral density. In addition, we demonstrate that the environment does not only affect the decoherence time, but also the frequency of the transition itself, which is shifted from its environment-free value. Second, we show that when the qubit frequency is nearly the same as the resonant frequency of the environmental spectral density, an oscillatory non-Markovian decay emerges, as the qubit and its environment self-generate Rabi oscillations of characteristic time scales shorter than the decoherence time.

Field of study: Physics
Molecular selectivity of brown carbon chromophores.

Complementary methods of high-resolution mass spectrometry and microspectroscopy were utilized for molecular analysis of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) generated from ozonolysis of two structural monoterpene isomers: D-limonene SOA (LSOA) and α-pinene SOA (PSOA). The LSOA compounds readily formed adducts with Na(+) under electrospray ionization conditions, with only a small fraction of compounds detected in the protonated form. In contrast, a significant fraction of PSOA compounds appeared in the protonated form because of their increased molecular rigidity. Laboratory simulated aging of LSOA and PSOA, through conversion of carbonyls into imines mediated by NH3 vapors in humid air, resulted in selective browning of the LSOA sample, while the PSOA sample remained white. Comparative analysis of the reaction products in the aged LSOA and PSOA samples provided insights into chemistry relevant to formation of brown carbon chromophores. A significant fraction of carbonyl-imine conversion products with identical molecular formulas was detected in both samples. This reflects the high level of similarity in the molecular composition of these two closely related SOA materials. Several highly conjugated products were detected exclusively in the brown LSOA sample and were identified as potential chromophores responsible for the observed color change. The majority of the unique products in the aged LSOA sample with the highest number of double bonds contain two nitrogen atoms. We conclude that chromophores characteristic of the carbonyl-imine chemistry in LSOA are highly conjugated oligomers of secondary imines (Schiff bases) present at relatively low concentrations. Formation of this type of conjugated compounds in PSOA is hindered by the structural rigidity of the α-pinene oxidation products. Our results suggest that the overall light-absorbing properties of SOA may be determined by trace amounts of strong brown carbon chromophores.

Field of study: Environmental science
Some implications of work hardening and ideal plasticity

1.  The purpose of this note is to point out the severe restriction imposed on possible stress-strain relations by a mathematical formulation of the concepts of work hardening and ideal plasticity. Using this condition, an algebraic derivation and extension is given of Prager's extension1 of the Mises plastic potential function. A brief discussion is also given of the meaning of stability of plastic deformation as contrasted with stability of non-conservative systems in general. 2.  A mathematical theory of plasticity must of necessity be based upon simplifying assumptions. For example, a good first approximation may be obtained by ignoring time effects in most structural metals at room temperature under isothermal conditions. A stress-strain diagram, therefore, represents a succession of states of static equilibrium. Furthermore, it is an experimental fact that metals generally work harden; then each equilibrium state is said to be stable. The phenomenon of the upper yield point, exhibited by a few metals, notably mild steel, is an important exception. Another exception is the region beyond the ultimate strength on a nominal tensile stress-strain plot when necking occurs,  the actual stress continues to increase until failure occurs.

Field of study: Mathematics
New Actors in Microfinance Lending: The Role of Regulation and Competition in Latin America

Microfinance institutions (MFIs) provide funds to poor communities that were previously excluded from credit, and to the surprise of many, these institutions often boast high returns for investors. As a result, new actors are beginning to play a more prominent role in the microfinance sector, providing financial services for low-income citizens around the world. In addition, the state is increasingly involved in regulating this sector. Using firm-level data on microfinance institutions in Latin America, this article assesses the role that increased competition, state actors, international actors, and macro-political variables play in MFIs’ ability to attract borrowers. The analysis illustrates that while increased competition and domestic political economy factors decrease the number of borrowers at each firm, regulation and international involvement have a positive effect on MFIs’ ability to attract borrowers.

Field of study: Political science
Synthesis, Photoluminescence and Electrical Study of Pyrazolone-Based Azomethine Ligand Zn(II) Complexes

New luminescent zinc complexes were obtained by reaction of pyrazolone-based azomethine ligands with Zn(CH3COO)2·2H2O. Complexes fully characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, ES–MS, NMR, and single crystal X-ray analysis. Title complexes in the solid state demonstrate tunable luminescence from blue to orange by varying of substituents on the aromatic ring. Quantum yields are in the 0.03 to 0.49 range. TGA data shows that obtained complexes demonstrate high thermal stability and can be used as electroluminescent materials. The electrical properties of the complexes under study were considered in the ITO-Zncomplex-Al “sandwich” structure.

Field of study: Materials science
Employer-Employee Relationships in Islam: A Normative View from the Perspective of Orthodox Islamic Scholars

Management researchers have recently started investigating normative teachings of different religions regarding workplace related issues in order to understand the influence of religious beliefs on lives of people. In line with these studies, some researchers have presented normative understanding of Islamic teachings about employment relations in the light of their reading of the Qur’an , sayings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and writings of earlier Muslim scholars. These scholars have completely ignored the views of orthodox Islamic scholars in the process of understanding the teachings of Islam. This is quite worrisome as orthodox Islamic scholars are considered by majority of Muslims as the authoritative spokesperson of Islam (Zaman, 2002). Furthermore, the neglect of orthodox Islamic scholars strengthen the view put forward by Ul-Haq and Westwood (2012) that Islamic management and organization knowledge is mis-represented and/or under-represented in Western academic discourse. In line with the recommendations given by Ul-Haq and Westwood (2012), this work is an attempt to understand Islamic teachings from Islamic epistemological grounds by giving voice to orthodox Islamic scholars. The findings of the study show that, not only there are some differences in the understanding of orthodox Islamic scholars and Western academic scholars, orthodox Islamic perspective on employer-employee relationships offers a more detailed analysis in terms of explaining conditions associated with permissibility of workplace related issues.

Field of study: Business
Increased neopterin concentration in patients with primary arterial hypertension

The data on the safety profile of anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy in real-life patients cohorts with in flammatory bowel disease (IBD) still are lacking. Neopterin is a pteridine derivative produced from guanosine triphosphate mainly by activated monocytes and macrophages in response to cytokines produced by T-lymphocytes and natural killer cells. Changes in neopterin level reflect the stage of activation of cellular immune system and can be associated with various diseases. Low-grade inflammation is also an important factor in the pathophysiology of hypertension. In presented study we assessed neopterin concentration in 63 patients with primary arterial hypertension compared to 14 control healthy volunteers. Obtained results confirmed increased neopterin level in patients group.

Field of study: Medicine
Directed evolution of the thermostable xylanase from Thermomyces lanuginosus.

The thermostability of the endo-beta-1,4-xylanase from Thermomyces lanuginosus (xynA) was improved by directed evolution using error-prone PCR. Transformants expressing the variant xylanases were first selected on 0.4% Remazol Brilliant Blue-xylan and then exposed to 80 degrees C. Whereas the wild type XynA lost 90% activity after 10 min at 80 degrees C, five mutants displayed both higher stabilities and activities than XynA. Four mutants were subjected to further mutagenesis to improve the stability and activity of the xylanase. Subsequent screening revealed three mutants with enhanced thermostability. Mutant 2B7-10 retained 71% of its activity after treatment at 80 degrees C for 60 min and had a half-life of 215 min at 70 degrees C, which is higher than that attained by XynA. Sequence analysis of second generation mutants revealed that mutations were not concentrated in any particular region of the protein and exhibited much variation. The best mutant obtained from this study was variant 2B7-10, which had a single substitution (Y58F) in beta-sheet A of the protein, which is the hydrophilic, solvent-accessible outer surface of the enzyme. Most of the mutants obtained in this study displayed a compromise between stability and activity, the only exception being mutant 2B7-10. This variant showed increased activity and thermostability.

Field of study: Biology, Engineering
Non-flat Function Representation with Scale-tunable Kernel Model

Based on orthogonal least square algorithm(OLS),a new type of scale-tunable kernel model is proposed to enhance the sparseness of representation for non-flat functions.At each regressor stage,the scale of each term is selected by minimizing the residual using group search optimizer.Experimental results indicate that the new method can produce a kernel function model with better sparseness and generalization than the traditional fix-scale kernel models.

Field of study: Computer science
High-energy γ-rays in α-accompanied spontaneous fission of 252C f

An experiment was performed on prompt γ-ray emission in binary and α-particle accompanied spontaneous fission of 252C f using the Darmstadt-Heidelberg 4π NaI Crystal Ball spectrometer. The enhancement in γ-ray yield, denoted as the “high-energy component”, which appears between 3.5 and 8 MeV and in the region of near-symmetric fragment mass splits, was observed to be equally pronounced in both fission modes. Analyzing the fragment mass dependence of the mean γ-ray multiplicity in both fission modes clearly identifies the disintegration of equilibrated fission fragments in a narrow mass range around the double-magic 132Sn as the source of these γ-rays.

Field of study: Physics
PALAEOMAGNETISM OF DIABASE DYKES OF THE CANADIAN SHIELD

Some areas of the Canadian Shield are profusely intruded by swarms of subparallel basaltic dykes. These typically have a diabasic texture and formerly were considered to be strictly the intrusive equivalents of tholeiitic flood basalt.About 650 oriented samples were collected from about 25 dyke swarms and preliminary palaeomagnetic data from six of them are presented here. The Mackenzie swarm has a K–Ar age of 1 295 million years, occurs throughout the western Canadian Shield, and is the most extensive swarm of basic dykes known anywhere in the world. The other swarms are the Molson dykes (1 445 m.y.) in northeastern Manitoba, the Marathon dykes (1 810 m.y.) just north of Lake Superior, the Sudbury dykes (1 285 m.y.) of southeastern Ontario, the Matachewan dykes (2 485 m.y.) of western Quebec and northeastern Ontario, and the Abitibi dykes (1 230 m.y.), which occur from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, to Lake Mistassini, Quebec.The palaeomagnetic virtual pole positions of six swarms were derived from the mean ...

Field of study: Environmental science
Channel Training Algorithms for Two-Way MIMO Relay Systems

Two-way relay systems are known to be capable of providing higher spectral efficiency compared with conventional one-way relay systems. However, the channel estimation problem for two-way relay systems is more complicated than that of one-way relay systems. In this paper, we propose and compare two channel estimation algorithms, namely the superimposed channel training scheme and the two-stage channel estimation algorithm, for two-way multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) relay communication systems, where the individual channel state information (CSI) for the first-hop and second-hop links is estimated. For both algorithms, we derive the optimal structure of the source and relay training sequences which minimize the mean-squared error (MSE) of channel estimation. In the superimposed channel training scheme, the power allocation between the source and relay training sequences is optimized. For the two-stage channel estimation algorithm, we optimize the power allocation at the relay node between two stages to improve the performance of the algorithm. Numerical examples are shown to demonstrate and compare the performance of the proposed channel training algorithms.

Field of study: Engineering
Si96: A New Silicon Allotrope with Interesting Physical Properties

The structural mechanical properties and electronic properties of a new silicon allotrope Si96 are investigated at ambient pressure by using a first-principles calculation method with the ultrasoft pseudopotential scheme in the framework of generalized gradient approximation. The elastic constants and phonon calculations reveal that Si96 is mechanically and dynamically stable at ambient pressure. The conduction band minimum and valence band maximum of Si96 are at the R and G point, which indicates that Si96 is an indirect band gap semiconductor. The anisotropic calculations show that Si96 exhibits a smaller anisotropy than diamond Si in terms of Young’s modulus, the percentage of elastic anisotropy for bulk modulus and shear modulus, and the universal anisotropic index AU. Interestingly, most silicon allotropes exhibit brittle behavior, in contrast to the previously proposed ductile behavior. The void framework, low density, and nanotube structure make Si96 quite attractive for applications such as hydrogen storage and electronic devices that work at extreme conditions, and there are potential applications in Li-battery anode materials.

Field of study: Materials science
Gamma induced dose fluctuations in a charge injection device

Spatial fluctuations in absorbed dose became important as device dimensions are scaled downward and the number of elements on a single chip increased. Furthermore, the extreme events in the distribution could determine the satisfactory operation of the array. The large sample size available in a charge injection device (CID) has made it possible, for the first time, to compare experimental results for gamma-induced dose fluctuations with theoretical calculations of extreme value distributions. The agreement between theory and experiment is excellent. In order to predict correctly the variance in the dose distribution from the basic model for solid-state imagers, it is found to be necessary in the case of a CID to include a term for carrier diffusion.

Field of study: Physics