A characterization of robust test-pairs for stuck-open faults

Tests for stuck-open faults in static CMOS circuits consist of a sequence of two input vectors. Such test-pairs may be invalidated by delays in the circuit. Test-pairs that are not invalidated by delays in the circuit are known as robust test-pairs. We present a six-valued logic system Ω = {0, 1, r, f, 0h, 1h}. We show how Ω differs from a number of other logic systems that have been proposed for test generation. This logic system abstracts the important aspects of the transition behavior of the circuit, on application of an input pair, that is necessary to characterize robust test-pairs for stuck-open faults. This characterization of robust test-pairs is used to derive:

1. an algorithm for determining if a given test-pair is a robust test-pair for a given stuck-open fault or not; and
2. a simplified algorithm for computing a robust test-pair for a stuck-open fault. The resulting algorithm for computing robust tests for stuck-open faults can be implemented by minor modifications to test generation algorithms for stuck-at faults.

     

Advanced AAO Templating of Nanostructured Stimuli‐Responsive Polymers: Hype or Hope?

Nanostructures play a significant role in introducing distinctive functionality to materials. A synergistic combination of nanofabrication techniques with material properties holds great promise in creating smart biomimetic structures. An advanced preparation technique to fabricate complex and sophisticated hierarchical polymeric nanostructure templates via anodized alumina oxide membranes is highlighted. Moreover, nanostructures made of responsive polymers activated by environmental stimuli offer a huge potential in a wide range of applications by enhancing their responsiveness. The current state of research on novel nanostructures fabrication by integrating anodic aluminum oxide with stimuli‐responsive polymers is presented, with an emphasis on the underlying actuation mechanism in terms of application. Furthermore, the potential direction for future research is discussed.     

Lung Nodule Classification on Computed Tomography Images Using Deep Learning

Wireless Personal Communications - Lung Cancer is the most fast growing cancer around the world and is mostly diagnosed at an advanced stage. Due to enhancement in medical imaging modalities like...     

A thermomechanical study on selective dispersion and different loading of graphene oxide in polypropylene/polycarbonate blends

Carbon nanofiller reinforced polymeric materials offer the opportunity to obtain materials with desired properties. In the present study, effects of different loading of graphene oxide (GO) on the compatibility, thermomechanical, and morphological properties of incompatible polypropylene (PP)/polycarbonate (PC) polymer blends were investigated. The neat blend and blend nanocomposites were prepared by using a twin‐screw extruder under controlled shear pressure to explore the role of GO on thermomechanical properties of blends. Fourier transform infrared analysis showed the presence of GO in PC phase which was further confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry and morphological analysis. It was observed that up to loading of 0.5%, GO preferable dispersed in only PC phase and then dispersed in both PP and PC phase with further increase in GO loading due to increase in viscosity of PC phase. Field emission scanning electron microscopy investigation of PNCs showed the coalescence of PC phase with increase of GO loading. Tensile analysis confirmed that 1% of GO loading produced highest reinforcement in thermomechanical properties and further increase of GO loading deteriorate the mechanical properties. Dynamic mechanical analysis also showed high storage modulus for 1% loading. Thermal stability of 1% GO loaded nanocomposite was found to be higher than other blend nanocomposites. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45062.     

Aluminum nitride‐single walled carbon nanotube nanocomposite with superior electrical and thermal conductivities

Development of aluminum nitride (AlN)‐single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) ceramic‐matrix composite containing 1‐6 vol% SWCNT by hot pressing has been reported in this article. The composites containing 6 vol% SWCNT are dense (~99% relative density) and show high dc electrical conductivity (200 Sm^?1) and thermal conductivity (62 Wm^?1K^?1) at room temperature. SWCNTs contain mostly metallic variety tubes obtained by controlled processing of the pristine tubes before incorporation into the ceramic matrix. Raman spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) of the fracture surface of the samples show the excellent survivability of the SWCNTs even after high‐temperature hot pressing. The results indicate the possibility of preparation of AlN nanocomposite for use in plasma devices and electromagnetic shielding.     

网络信息生态系统中的虚假信息:检测、缓解与挑战

随着互联网的迅速发展及网络社会媒体中用户的增加,通过社会媒体发布和传播信息的真实性和质量受到 日益广泛的关注.目前大部分公众已习惯从社会媒体平台与互联网获取新闻,甚至是获取受到高度关注的话题(如新冠病毒感染症状)的信息.鉴于网络信息生态系统非常嘈杂,充斥着错误和虚假信息并经常受到恶意媒介的污染,从中识别真实的信息成为一项艰巨任务.对此,研究者们已开始致力于虚假信息检测和减缓虚假信息传播影响方面的工作.讨论了网络信息生态系统中的虚假信息问题,特别是随着新冠病毒大爆发而来的"信息疫情".随后,简述了虚假信息检测方法,分析了减缓虚假信息影响的方法,并探讨了虚假信息研究中的固有挑战.最后从跨学科角度阐述了检测和减缓虚假信息影响的方法和未来研究展望.     

Predictors and the rate of medical treatment failure in ulcerative colitis

Eighty-nine admissions into Auckland Hospital with exacerbation of ulcerative colitis (between May 1985 and May 1991) were analyzed to determine the rate and any predictors of medical treatment failure. Twenty-five patients (28%) failed to respond to medical treatment and required surgery. Clinical information and laboratory indices available within 24 h of the admissions were compared between the patients requiring surgery and those who did not. There were no significant differences between the groups in sex distribution, age of onset of disease, duration of disease, hemoglobin concentration, or white cell count. However, "severe" diarrhea (chi 2 = 24.83, p = 0.0001), and lower albumin level (F1, 83 = 45.61, p = 0.0001) were noted in the surgical group. There was a tendency toward higher ESR (F1, 82 = 3.06, p = 0.08) and "extensive" colitis (chi 2 = 3.29, p = 0.07) in the patients requiring surgery. Univariate analysis confirmed albumin level and severity of diarrhea as significant discriminators. A discriminant function analysis showed that albumin level and severity of diarrhea would distinguish between surgical and nonsurgical outcome in 82% of cases. Distal colitis and mild to moderate diarrhea had negative predictive values of 80% and 91%, respectively, for nonsurgical outcome of acute ulcerative colitis. It is concluded that the above significant variables are good predictors of outcome of medical treatment for exacerbations of ulcerative colitis and that the proportion of patients needing surgery has not changed in the last 35 yr despite various management strategies.     

Keratin K15 as a Biomarker of Epidermal Stem Cells

Keratin 15 (K15) is type I keratin protein co-expressed with the K5/K14 pair present in the basal keratinocytes of all stratified epithelia. Although it is a minor component of the cytoskeleton with a variable expression pattern, nonetheless its expression has been reported as a stem cell marker in the bulge of hair follicles. Conversely, suprabasal expression of K15 has also been reported in both normal and diseased tissues, which is inconsistent with its role as a stem cell marker. Our recently published work has given evidence of the molecular pathways that seem to control the expression of K15 in undifferentiated and differentiated cells. In this article, we have critically reviewed the published work to establish the reliability of K15 as an epidermal stem cell marker.     

Convergence: Lactosylceramide-Centric Signaling Pathways Induce Inflammation,Oxidative Stress,and Other Phenotypic Outcomes

Lactosylceramide (LacCer), also known as CD17/CDw17, is a member of a large family of small molecular weight compounds known as glycosphingolipids. It plays a pivotal role in the biosynthesis of glycosphingolipids, primarily by way of serving as a precursor to the majority of its higher homolog sub-families such as gangliosides, sulfatides, fucosylated-glycosphingolipids and complex neutral glycosphingolipids—some of which confer “second-messenger” and receptor functions. LacCer is an integral component of the “lipid rafts,” serving as a conduit to transduce external stimuli into multiple phenotypes, which may contribute to mortality and morbidity in man and in mouse models of human disease. LacCer is synthesized by the action of LacCer synthase (β-1,4 galactosyltransferase), which transfers galactose from uridine diphosphate galactose (UDP-galactose) to glucosylceramide (GlcCer). The convergence of multiple physiologically relevant external stimuli/agonists—platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), stress, cigarette smoke/nicotine, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and in particular, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)—on β-1,4 galactosyltransferase results in its phosphorylation or activation, via a “turn-key” reaction, generating LacCer. This newly synthesized LacCer activates NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dihydrogen phosphate) oxidase to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a highly “oxidative stress” environment, which trigger a cascade of signaling molecules and pathways and initiate diverse phenotypes like inflammation and atherosclerosis. For instance, LacCer activates an enzyme, cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), which cleaves arachidonic acid from phosphatidylcholine. In turn, arachidonic acid serves as a precursor to eicosanoids and prostaglandin, which transduce a cascade of reactions leading to inflammation—a major phenotype underscoring the initiation and progression of several debilitating diseases such as atherosclerosis and cancer. Our aim here is to present an updated account of studies made in the field of LacCer metabolism and signaling using multiple animal models of human disease, human tissue, and cell-based studies. These advancements have led us to propose that previously unrelated phenotypes converge in a LacCer-centric manner. This LacCer synthase/LacCer-induced “oxidative stress” environment contributes to inflammation, atherosclerosis, skin conditions, hair greying, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes due to mitochondrial dysfunction. Thus, targeting LacCer synthase may well be the answer to remedy these pathologies.     

Microstructure,mechanical properties and machining performance of spark plasma sintered Al2O3–ZrO2–TiCN nanocomposites

The effect of addition of nanocrystalline ZrO₂ and TiCN to ultrafine Al₂O₃ on mechanical properties and microstructure of the composites developed by spark plasma sintering (SPS) was investigated. The distribution of the nanoparticles was dependent on their overall concentration. Maximum hardness (21 GPa) and indentation toughness (5.5 MPa m^1/2) was obtained with 23 vol% nanoparticles, which was considered as the optimum composition. The Zener pinning criteria were also satisfied at this composition with grain size of the restraining nanoparticles ～63–65 nm. Hardness of the composites follows the rule of mixtures; crack deflection and crack arrest by nanoparticles at grain boundaries along with mixed fracture mode led to high toughness in the nanocomposites. Cutting tool inserts were developed by SPS with the optimized composition and their machining performance was compared with commercial alumina based inserts. Increased toughness in the nanocomposite inserts reflects in the machining performance as the tool life improves drastically compared to that of the commercial inserts at high cutting speeds ≥500 m min^?1. This was attributed to differences in their failure modes; the commercial inserts fail catastrophically by fracture due to their low toughness whereas the nanocomposite inserts reach the tool failure criteria by crater wear at all machining conditions.