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Patients with chronic hepatitis C who achieve a sustained viral response after pegylated interferon therapy have a reduced risk of hepatocellular carcinoma, but the risk after treatment with direct-acting antivirals is unclear. We compared the rates of early development of hepatocellular carcinoma after direct-acting antivirals and after pegylated interferon therapy. We retrospectively analysed 785 patients with chronic hepatitis C who had no history of hepatocellular carcinoma (211 treated with pegylated interferon, 574 with direct-acting antivirals) and were followed up for at least 24 weeks after antiviral treatment. De novo hepatocellular carcinoma developed in 6 of 574 patients receiving direct-acting antivirals and in 1 of 211 patients receiving pegylated interferon. The cumulative incidence of early hepatocellular carcinoma development did not differ between the treatment groups either for the whole cohort (1.05% vs 0.47%, P = .298) or for those patients with Child-Pugh Class A cirrhosis (3.73% vs 2.94%, P = .827). Multivariate analysis indicated that alpha-fetoprotein level >9.5 ng/mL at the time of end-of-treatment response was the only independent risk factor for early development of hepatocellular carcinoma in all patients (P < .0001, hazard ratio 176.174, 95% confidence interval 10.768-2882.473) and in patients treated with direct-acting agents (P < .0001, hazard ratio 128.402, 95% confidence interval 8.417-1958.680). In conclusion, the rate of early development of hepatocellular carcinoma did not differ between patients treated with pegylated interferon and those treated with direct-acting antivirals and was associated with the serum alpha-fetoprotein level at the time of end-of-treatment response.

One important advantage of MCFCs is the possibility of using different fuel gases (natural gas, coal gas, biogas, landfill gas, etc.). However, these fuels contain impurities that can damage MCFCs, and, of these, sulphur compounds seem to be the most harmful, even at low concentrations. The aim of this work is to test the effect of different H 2 S compositions on operating variables, investigate the relationships, propose phenomena reading and obtain new information to define tolerance limits. In particular, chemical, electrochemical and physical poisoning mechanisms were taken into account, trying to evaluate their importance studying the effects of exposure time, temperature and current density on MCFC performance when H 2 S polluted anodic gas is fed. To support the investigation, experimental tests were performed at the Fuel Cell Research Center laboratories of KIST (South Korea) and a theoretical analysis was also proposed to suggest operating strategies, for example showing how high current density or temperature values can emphasize the negative effect of poisoning. The results obtained gave new suggestions for approaching data interpretation, confirming the possibility of using MCFCs when a number of ppm of H 2 S is present in the feeding fuel.

Inclusive photoproduction of D*+- in ep collisions at HERA has been measured with the ZEUS detector for photon-proton centre of mass energies in the range 115 < W < 280 GeV and photon virtuality Q**2 < 4 GeV**2. The cross section sigma(ep --> D*X) integrated over the kinematic region pt(D*) > 3 GeV and -1.5 < eta(D*) < 1.0 is (10.6+-1.7(stat.)+1.6(syst.)-1.3(syst.)) nb. Differential cross sections as functions of pt(D*), eta(D*) and W are given. The data are compared with two next-to-leading order perturbative QCD predictions. For a calculation using a massive charm scheme the predicted cross sections are smaller than the measured ones. A recent calculation using a massless charm scheme is in agreement with the data., 18 pages including 4 figures

The gluon momentum density xg ( x , Q 2 ) of the proton was extracted at Q 2 = 20 GeV 2 for small values of x between 4 × 10 −4 and 10 −2 from the scaling violations of the proton structure function F 2 measured recently by ZEUS in deep inelastic neutral current ep scattering at HERA. The extraction was performed in two ways. Firstly, using a global NLO fit to the ZEUS data on F 2 at low x constrained by measurementsfrom NMC at larger x ; and secondly using published approximate methods for the solution of the GLAP QCD evolution equations. Consistent results are obtained. A substantial increase of the gluon density is found at small x in comparison with the NMC result obtained at larger values of x .

10nm logic technology using Si FinFET is developed for low power and high performance applications. Power-speed gain of 27% compared to 14nm technology node was obtained using four key developments: 1) advanced gate stack engineering enabling 4 multi-Vt devices, 2) 3rd generation Fin technology, 3) highly doped source/drain (S/D), and 4) contact resistance optimization. CVD liner for BEOL process was also applied for better metal fill capability. Finally yield of the smallest ever SRAM with 0.04um2 SRAM bit-cell size was demonstrated.

The pressure transient inside the passenger cabin of high-speed train has been simulated using computational fluid dynamics(CFD) based on the axi-symmetric Navier-Stokes equation. The pressure change inside a train have been calculated using first order difference approximation based on a linear equation between the pressure change ratio inside a train and the pressure difference of inside and outside of the train. The numerical results have been assessed for the KTX train passing through a 9km long tunnel of Wonju-Kangneung line at the speed of 250km/h assuming that the train is satisfying the train specification for airtightness required by the regulation.

For the first time, 20nm DRAM has been developed and fabricated successfully without extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography using the honeycomb structure (HCS) and the air-spacer technology. The cell capacitance (Cs) can be increased by 21% at the same cell size using a novel low-cost HCS technology with one argon fluoride immersion (ArF-i) lithography layer. The parasitic bit-line (BL) capacitance is reduced by 34% using an air-spacer technology whose breakdown voltage is 30% better than that of conventional technology.

Nano-sized Ca 2.8 Cu 0.2 Co 4 O 9 powders were synthesized by the solution combustion process, using five different fuels, i.e., aspartic acid, alanine, glutamic acid, glycine, and urea. The combustion process lowered both the calcination and sintering temperatures. The sintered Ca 2.8 Cu 0.2 Co 4 O 9 consisted of plate-like grains that were favorable for high energy conversion efficiency. In the comparative study of various different fuels, aspartic acid-processed Ca 2.8 Cu 0.2 Co 4 O 9 showed an extremely high Seebeck coefficient, thus resulting in an enhanced power factor. The highest power factor value (8.05 × 10 −4 Wm −1 K −2 ) was attained for the aspartic acid-processed sample at 800 °C.

We investigated the effects of treadmill exercise performed regularly for 6 weeks on the levels of nerve growth factor (NGF), tyrosine kinase A and p75 receptors, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K), mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) 1,2, cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB), and caspase-3 in the soleus of rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. Thirty-two male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into the following four groups: (1) normal control group (NCG; n = 8), (2) normal exercise group (NEG; n = 8), (3) diabetes control group (DCG; n = 8), and (4) diabetes exercise group (DEG; n = 8). Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ (55 mg/kg dissolved in 0.05 M citrate buffer, pH 4.5). Rats were subjected to treadmill exercise 5 days a week for 6 weeks. The protein level of NGF significantly increased in the NEG and DEG (p < 0.001), whereas the levels of tyrosine kinase A and p75 receptors significantly increased in the NEG (p < 0.001). The levels of t-PI3-K, p-PI3-K, and p-CREB, and the p-CREB/t-CREB ratio significantly increased in the NEG (p < 0.001, respectively). The p-PI3-K/t-PI3-K ratio significantly increased in the DEG (p < 0.001). The p-Erk1/t-Erk1 ratio significantly increased in the NEG (p < 0.001), whereas the p-Erk2/t-Erk2 ratio significantly decreased in the DCG and DEG (p < 0.001). The caspase-3 level significantly increased in the DCG compared with that in the DEG (p < 0.001). These results suggest that treadmill exercise increases NGF levels and accelerates p-PI3-K activation in order to suppress apoptotic cell death in the soleus muscle of diabetic rats.

High-quality (Y,Gd)VO 4 :Eu,Zn phosphors were synthesized by the ultrasonic spray pyrolysis method using an organic additive of ethylene glycol:citric acid = 0.5:0.5. The annealed (Y,Gd)VO 4 :Eu,Zn phosphors crystallized in the tetragonal zircon type structure ( a = b = 7.143 A and c = 6.310 A). The emission of the electric dipole 5 D 0 → 7 F 2 transition (615 and 619 nm) for the phosphors was stronger than that of the magnetic 5 D 0 → 7 F 1 transition (594 nm), indicating high-purity red color emission. The addition of a small amount of Zn and high annealing temperature (1150 °C) resulted in improved photoluminescence properties. We demonstrate that the new (Y,Gd)VO 4 :Eu,Zn can be prospectively utilized as red phosphor for plasma display panels.

The p-type Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 sintered at 450 or 500 °C with various powder sizes ( ( R 3 ¯ m ) . The electrical and thermal conductivities of the Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 sintered at 500 °C were higher than those of the Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 sintered at 450 °C mainly because of a higher hole concentration. The Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 fabricated with intermediate powders (45–105 μm) in size had the highest hole concentration and the lowest porosity, resulting in the highest electrical conductivity. The Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 sintered at 450 °C with the smallest powder (

The red-emitting (Y 1− x Gd x ) 0.94 Eu 0.06 VO 4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) phosphors were synthesized by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis. The (Y 1− x Gd x ) 0.94 Eu 0.06 VO 4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) phosphors had the tetragonal xenotime structure with a space group of I4 1 /amd (1 4 1). The calculated crystallite sizes of the annealed phosphors ranged from 58 to 68 nm. In this study, we discussed the photoluminescence properties of the (Y 1− x Gd x ) 0.94 Eu 0.06 VO 4 phosphors under VUV excitation, depending on Gd content. The emission intensity of the (Y 1− x Gd x ) 0.94 Eu 0.06 VO 4 phosphors increased with increasing Gd content up to x = 0.5, and then decreased with a further increase in Gd content. The purest red color was obtained for the (Y 0.5 Gd 0.5 ) 0.94 Eu 0.06 VO 4 phosphors.

We synthesized high-quality (Y0.5Gd0.5)0.94−xAlxEu0.06VO4 (0 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.04) red phosphors by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis. The annealed (Y0.5Gd0.5)0.94−xAlxEu0.06VO4 (0 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.04) was solid solutions of the constituent oxides, which had a tetragonal zircon type structure. The incorporation of a small amount of Al to (Y0.5Gd0.5)0.94−xAlxEu0.06VO4 up to x = 0.02 significantly enhanced the emission intensity. The (Y0.5Gd0.5)0.92Al0.02Eu0.06VO4 phosphor annealed at 1150 °C emitted the strongest and purest red color. In addition, enhanced photoluminescence properties of (Y0.5Gd0.5)0.94−xAlxEu0.06VO4 red phosphors were obtained over a wide range of annealing temperature (1100–1150 °C), thereby allowing greater flexibility for the choice of their annealing temperature. We demonstrate that the (Y0.5Gd0.5)0.94−xAlxEu0.06VO4 could be a novel red phosphor for PDP applications.

This study was conducted to provide fundamental data for design of air inflating apparatus of air-inflated double-layer plastic greenhouse. The variation of static pressure in air tube for different fans and filters, filtering performance for various kinds of filters and destruction phase of experimental greenhouse collapsed by excessive static pressure in air space were analyzed. The general type of forward centrifugal fan was recommended for inflating air space in air-inflated double-layer plastic greenhouse. The experimental greenhouse was collapsed down by excessive static pressure just like fallen by heavy snow load acting on it. The static pressure in air tube without filter decreased linearly as the number of outlet openings increased. But the pressure in air tube with filter declined quadratically, the decremental ratio diminished by the increase of outlet openings. The higher filtering efficiency and the greater decrements of static pressure in air tube, the larger capacity fan was required for maintaining proper static pressure in air space. Because the porosities of filter were blocked by dust as time goes by, the static pressure in air tube with filter decreased. The higher filtering efficiency, the less decremental ratio of static pressure in air tube as time passes by. Considering the filtering efficiency, decrement of static pressure and thickness of filter, the 5mm thickness filter of 75% efficiency was recommended for air inflating filter of air-inflated double-layer plastic greenhouse.

Aims: α-Fetoprotein (AFP) is frequently detected in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and AT motif binding factor 1 (ATBF1) down-regulates AFP gene expression in hepatic cells. The ATBF1 gene also inhibits cell growth and differentiation, and altered gene expression is associated with malignant transformation. The aim was to investigate the potential role of the ATBF1 gene in HCCs. Methods and results: Somatic mutations, allelic loss and hypermethylation of the ATBF1 gene were analysed in 76 sporadic HCCs. The level of ATBF-1 mRNA expression was analysed using quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Genetic studies of the ATBF1 gene revealed absence of somatic mutation in the hotspot region and 15 (25%) of 60 informative cases showed allelic loss at the ATBF1 locus. Hypermethylation in the intron 1 region of the ATBF1 gene was detected in only one case. Interestingly, ATBF1 mRNA expression in HCCs was significantly reduced in 55 (72.4%) samples compared with the corresponding surrounding liver tissues. Reduced expression was not statistically associated with clinicopathological parameters including stage, histological grade, infective virus type, and serum α-fetoprotein level. Conclusions: The ATBF1 gene may contribute to the development of HCCs via transcriptional down-regulation of mRNA expression, but not by genetic or epigenetic alterations.

For commercialization of molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC), it has some problems to be overcome such as decrease of porosity and thickness of the anode under the operating condition (at and working pressure of more than 2 ). Recently, Ni-Al alloy anode has been proposed to replace the conventional Ni-Cr anode as an alternative material to resist a creep and inhibit the sintering. The objective of this research is to sinter the green sheet of Ni-Al alloy anode during single cell pre-treatment process, which has several advantages like cost down and simplification of manufacturing process. However, the Ni-Al alloy anode prepared with a conventional pre-treatment process showed the phase separation of Ni-Al alloy and formation of micropore(), resulting in low creep resistance and high electrolyte re-distribution. In order to prevent the Ni-Al alloy anode from phase-separating, nitrogen gas was used in the process of pre-treatment. Introducing the nitrogen, the phase separation from Ni-Al alloy into nickel and alumina was minimized and increased creep resistance. However, there was some micropore formation on the surface of Ni-Al alloy anode during the cell operation due to creation of lithium aluminate. Addition of more amount of electrolyte into a cell, especially at cathode, made the cell performance stable for 2,000 hrs. Consequently, it was possible to make the Ni-Al alloy anode with good creep resistance by the modified in-situ sintering technique.

The purpose of this study was to determine possible effects of 12-week Prop Pilates Exercise Program (PPEP) for the fruit farmers (grape, tomato, apple) with musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) on body stability and pain. 131 fruit farmers with MSD were selected and asked to join a 12-week Prop Pilates Exercise Program (PPEP) from 2009 to 2012. The subjects (female=74, male=57) aged 50 to 65 years old voluntarily participated. As a result, it was found that lateral-medial and anterior-posterior of body stability significantly improved in male and female fruit farmers. It was found that pain index (VAS) after 12-week Prop Pilates Exercise Program (PPEP) showed a significant decrease.

The Y 0.94 Eu 0.06 BO 3 phosphor powders, which were annealed after synthesizing under three-heating zones, showed more spherical morphology and uniform size in comparison with the phosphors under single-heating zones. The annealed Y 0.94 Eu 0.06 BO 3 phosphors were single phase with the hexagonal vaterite structure ( a = 3.776 A and c = 8.806 A) and the space group P 6 3 /m (176). The emission spectra consisted of three strong peaks at 593, 610, and 627 nm. These peaks were caused by transitions from the excited 5 D 0 to 7 F j ( j = 1 and 2) levels of the Eu 3+ activator. The emission intensity of the Y 0.94 Eu 0.06 BO 3 phosphors synthesized under a three-heating zone (800, 1000, and 800 °C) was higher than that of the commercial YBO 3 :Eu 3+ phosphor. This demonstrates that the three-zone heating in the spray pyrolysis yielded a higher emission intensity.

Improved X-ray detector technology continues to be a critical need in the semiconductor industry, particularly for high-spatial-resolution X-ray microanalysis using lowbeam-voltage field-emission scanning electron microscopes (FE-SEMs). In response to this need, a prototype microcalorimeter energy-dispersive spectrometer has been developed. This article discusses the capabilities of the new tool and demonstrates its use in thin-film and particle analysis. It also discusses ongoing development efforts and potential future advancements.

This paper presents a new approach to dispersed generation planning based on Hereford ranch algorithm (HRA) in a subtransmission system. Dispersed generations could be photovoltaic cells, wind generation, battery storage, fuel cell, etc. A method to optimally locate such generation in a meshed network for maximizing the potential benefits is outlined using HRA and its improvement in this paper. The benefit expressed as a performance index is minimization of losses. The proposed method was tested for several sample power systems with 6, 14 and 30 bus types. Also, to show its effectiveness, the results of suggested algorithm are compared with those of classical genetic algorithm and conventional second-order method.

Ti–48.5Al–1.5Mo (at.%) and Ti–48.5Al–1.5Mo–X (X=0.3, 1.0 and 2.0C or N) alloys were prepared by vacuum arc melting and homogenized at 1390°C for the lamellar microstructure and then aged at 900°C. It was found that C (or N) additions decreased the grain size of the lamellar structure. In particular, 1.0 and 2.0%C (or N) additions refined the grain size to 1/10 of that of the mother alloy. Tensile elongation at room temperature decreased for the alloys with 0.3%C (or N) but recovered with 1.0% and 2.0%C (or N) additions compared to the value of the mother alloy. The yield stress at room temperature for these alloys containing 1.0% and 2.0%C (or N) increased up to twice that of the mother alloy, and this high stress was maintained up to 800°C. The aged alloys showed much higher tensile elongation at room temperature than did the alloys with only heat-treatment. Moreover, the alloy with 1.0%N added exhibited better creep resistance than did the mother alloy, in spite of its much smaller grain size.

In active noise control (ANC) systems, an acoustic feedback signal may degrade the ANC performance and/or cause system instability. To solve such a problem, various online feedback path modeling (OFPM) methods using additive random noise have been reported. However, the additive random noise signal may contribute to the residual output noise. In this paper, a new random noise injection control is proposed for ANC systems with OFPM. For that purpose, the additive random noise being generated is scheduled to be stopped when the output error power of an OFPM filter is lower than the estimated steady-state mean square error (MSE) of the filter. Furthermore, a variable step-size normalized mean square (VSS-NLMS) algorithm is employed to achieve faster convergence of the OFPM filter. Finally, simulation results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.

Background Serum homocysteine (sHcy) is currently well recognized as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Hyperhomocysteinemia is reportedly associated with high serum uric acid (sUA) levels. MTHFR C677T polymorphism is assciated with increase in sHcy. Some studies have suggested a positive correlation between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and sUA, but it remains unclear. Objectives We aimed to evaluate the association between sHcy and sUA as well as MTHFR C677T polymorphism and sUA. Methods Patients with memory impairment who visited neurology outpatient clinic were enrolled excluding those who were taking medication for the control of hyperuricemia. Hyperuricemia was defined as >7.0 mg/dl for male and >5.6 mg/dl for female. Hyperhomocysteinemia was defined as >15 μmol/l. Clinical laboratory examinations and genotyping for MTHFR C677T polymorphism was performed. Statistical analyses were performed using chi-square, Pearson9s correlation coefficients, and ANOVA. Results Data from 861 subjects (264 male and 597 female) were analyzed. The mean age was 73.2±11.3 years in male and 75.3±10.3 years in female. Male showed significantly higher smoking, alcohol intake, LDL cholesterol, sUA, and sHcy levels, whereas HDL cholesterol, vitamin B12, folic acid were significantly lower compared to female. The prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia was 38.6% (n=102) in male and 21.4% (n=128) in female. Hyperuricemia was also more common in male with prevalence of 13.3% (n=35) compared to 18.8% (n=112) in female and the mean sUA level was significantly higher in male (5.7±1.4 mg/dl vs 4.6±1.3 mg/dl, p sHcy was significantly associated with both folic acid (r=-0.307, p Conclusions Low serum folic acid and vitamin B12 are significant risk factors for hyperhomocysteinema, which reflects the influence of alcohol consumption and vitamin deficiencies on sHcy level. TT genotype of the MTHFR C677T was associated with hyperhomocysteinemia. A positive association was observed between sHcy levels and sUA levels for both males and females which is in agreement with previous studies. Male having the TT genotype and female having the CT and CC genotype with hyperhomocysteinemia are likely to have higher sUA level. MTHFR C677T polymorphism is not associated with sUA level, which is inconsistent with recent studies. References Assessment of a possible link between hyperhomocysteinemia and hyperuricemia. Eytan Cohen, et al. J Investig Med 2015;63: 534–538. Meta-analysis of the association of the C677T polymorphism of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene with hyperuricemia. Wen wei, et al. Ann Nutr Metab 2012;60:44–51. Disclosure of Interest None declared

Events with a large rapidity gap and total transverse energy greater than 5 GeV have been observed in quasi-real photoproduction at HERA with the ZEUS detector. The distribution of these events as a function of the $\gamma p$ centre of mass energy is consistent with diffractive scattering. For total transverse energies above 12 GeV, the hadronic final states show predominantly a two-jet structure with each jet having a transverse energy greater than 4 GeV. For the two-jet events, little energy flow is found outside the jets. This observation is consistent with the hard scattering of a quasi-real photon with a colourless object in the proton., Comment: 19 pages, latex, 4 figures appended as uuencoded file

A search for charm hadron decays into two muons plus one or more hadrons has been carried out using a hybrid emulsion spectrometer. This technique is sensitive to modes with missing neutrals, e.g. π0μ+μ− and ϱ±μ+μ−, as well as to constrained modes having visible invariant masses equal to those of charm states. No evidence for any such decays has been found, which allows upper limits at the 90% confidence level as low as 1.8 × 10−4 to be placed on the branching fractions for charm-changing neutral-current and lepton-number violating decay modes.

Films of YSZ have been deposited on a porous NiO/YSZ substrate by a slurry coating method. Evolution of gas permeation rate through the film during the deposition was measured at 600--1,000 C using He, N{sub 2}, Ar and O{sub 2}. The viscous flow effect dominated the gas permeation through the porous NiO/YSZ substrate. As the YSZ layer was formed on the substrate, however, the gas permeation rate decreased and the permeation through the YSZ films became governed by Knudsen diffusion. The permeation rate through the porous YSZ films decreased with increasing temperature. As the film became denser, YSZ film became selective for O{sub 2} permeation. The permeation rate of O{sub 2} through the dense YSZ film increased with increasing temperature.

The relative branching fraction RK = Γ(D0 → K−μ+v)/Γ(D0 → μ−X) has been measured by Fermilab experiment E653, using D0 mesons produced by 600 GeV π−. The semimuonic decay sample of 232 events was identified by the decay chain D ∗+ → D 0 π + , D 0 → μ + h − X , where h is a hadron. The Kμv component was extracted from the joint distribution of these events in the D0 decay variables Mmin and pTh. We find RK = 0.472 ± 0.051 (stat) ± 0.040 (sys), and use a world average of the D0 → Klv branching fraction to obtain the D0 inclusive semimuonic branching fraction B(D0 → μ+X) = (7.67 ± 1.13)%.

A new method, called graphic scanning, was developed by the Nagoya University Group for emulsion analysis in a hybrid experiment. This method enhances both speed and reliability of emulsion analysis. Details of the application of this technique to the analysis of Fermilab experiment E653 are described.

In this study, digital higher-order spectral analysis and frequency-domain Volterra system models are utilized to yield a practical methodology for the identification of weakly nonlinear time-invariant systems up to third order. The primary focus is on consideration of random excitation of nonlinear systems and, thus, the approach makes extensive use of higher-order spectral analysis to determine the frequency-domain Volterra kernels, which correspond to linear, quadratic, and cubic transfer functions. Although the Volterra model is nonlinear in terms of its input, it is linear in terms of its unknown transfer functions. Thus, a least squares approach is used to determine the optimal (in a least squares sense) set of linear, quadratic, and cubic transfer functions. Of particular practical note, is the fact that the approach of this paper is valid for non-Gaussian, as well as Gaussian, random excitation. It may also be utilized for multitone inputs. The complexity of the problem addressed in this paper arises from two principal causes: (1) the necessity to work in a 3D frequency space to describe cubically nonlinear systems, and (2) the necessity to characterize the non-Gaussian random excitation by computing higher-order spectral moments up to sixth order. A detailed description of the approach used to determine the nonlinear transfer functions, including considerations necessary for digital implementation, is presented. >

We reported characteristics of 20nm PRAM cell. Optimization of diode integration process and improved implantation technology were used to satisfy the required diode on-current (Ion) with low off-current (Ioff). Confined cell structure and novel bottom electrode (BE) materials were developed to reduce a reset current (Ireset) below 100uA. Using the advanced technologies, we successfully produced fully integrated 20nm node size PRAM device for the first time.

A 20 nm logic device technology for low power and high performance application is presented with the smallest contacted-poly pitch (CPP) of minimal 80 nm ever reported in bulk Si planar device. We have achieved nFET and pFET drive currents of 770 µA/µm and 756 µA/µm respectively at 0.9 V and 1 nA/µm Ioff with the novel high-k/metal (HKMG) gate stack and advanced strain engineering. Short channel effect is successfully suppressed thanks to the optimized shallow junction, resulting in excellent DIBL and subthreshold swing below 120 mV and 90 mV/dec, respectively. In addition, full functionality of SRAM device with 20 nm technology architecture is confirmed.

A novel design of linear-phase sharp FIR filters is presented in a closed form by employing sampling kernels and relationships among half-band filters, Hilbert transformers, and differentiators. Design examples demonstrate that three designed sharp FIR filters (i.e., half-band filter, Hilbert transformer, and differentiator) can be easily and directly obtained with small number of multipliers and reduced group delay.

A search for charm production in the coherent diffractive dissociation reaction pSi→XSi was carried out for the modes D0→K−π+, D0→K−π+π+π−, and D+→K−π+π+. No charm signals were observed, and the 90% confidence level upper limit for coherent charm pair production was determined to be 26 μb per silicon nucleus. The results are interpreted as an upper limit of 0.2% on the amount of intrinsic charm in the proton.

Upper limits at the 90% confidence level are presented for four- and five-prong semimuonic decays of charm mesons. From a study of four-prong vertices we find B ( D 0 → K − π + π − μ + ν )/ B ( D 0 → K − μ + ν ) B (D 0 → ( K ∗ (892)π) − μ + ν)/B(D 0 → K − μ + ν) . The five-prong vertices yield the result B ( D S + → η ′ μ + ν ) / B ( D S + → φμ + ν )

We present a study of the Cabibbo-allowed semimuonic decay modes of the DS+ produced in 600 GeV c π − -emulsion interactions. From a signal of 18.7±4.9−0.7+0.4 events in the DS+ → oμ+υ channel, the product of production cross section and partial width is measured with respect to that for D + → K ∗0 μ + υ to be ( σ(D S + ) σ(D + )) . (Λ(D S + → oμ + ν)Λ(D + → K ∗0 μ + ν)) = 0.56 ± 0.14 ± 0.12. The form factor ratios in the decay, obtained by fitting to the decay angles and q2, are A 2 (0) 1 (0) = 2.1 −0.5 +0.6 ± 0.2 and V (0) A 1 (0) = 2.3 −0.9 +1.1 ± 0.4 , where A1 (0) and A2 (0) are the axial vector form factors and V(0) is the vector form factor, evaluated at q2 = 0. The first observation of DS+ → (ημ+υ + η'μ+υ) is also reported, and Γ (D S + → (ημ + υ + η'μ + υ)) Γ (D S + → oμ + υ) is determined to be 3.9 ± 1.6.

We report on the production characteristics and total cross section for 9 beauty hadron pairs produced by a 600 GeV/ c π − beam, the first such information in this energy region. The events were detected in the hybrid emulsion spectrometer of Fermilab Experiment E653. The measured pair cross section for all χ F , assuming linear A dependence, is 33±11 (stat.)±6(syst.) nb/nucleon. Fits of the inclusive single-hadron production distribution to the forms d σ d χ F ∝ (1−|χ F −χ 0 |) n and d σ d p T 2 ∝ exp (−bp t 2 ) give n=5.0 −2.1−1.7 +2.7+1.7 , χ 0 =0.06 −0.07−0.03 +0.06+0.02 , and b=0.13 −0.04−0.02 +0.05+0.02 ( GeV /c −2 . .The pairs tend to be produced back-to-back.

In multi-channel active noise control (ANC) systems, online secondary-path modeling (OSPM) using the auxiliary noise signal is often applied. However, the additive noise signal may contribute to the residual output noise. In this paper, the conventional noise power scheduling, utilized for single-channel ANC with OSPM, is further extended to multi-channel ANC. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed approach yields better ANC performance, compared with conventional multi-channel ANC methods.

In this paper, a new method of designing 2-D linear-phase narrowband FIR filters is proposed by extending the conventional method of designing computationally efficient sharp linear-phase FIR filters, whereby the McClellan transformation and sampling kernels are utilized. In particulr, by applying the McClellan transformation to the sampling kernels and 1-D prototype model filters, we can design various types of 2-D narrow-band FIR filters (e.g., circular, elliptic, and diamond-shaped) with sharp transition. Design examples are included to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed design approach.

The branching ratio for the decay mode D + → K ∗0 μ + ν has been measured with two methods. The first uses D0→K−μ+ν for normalization, and yields the result B( D + → K ∗0 μ + ν)=(3.25±0.71±0.75)% . From this method we also obtain the direct measurement Γ( D + → K ∗0 μ + ν)/Γ( D 0 → K − μ + ν)=0.43±0.09±0.09 . The second method uses the mode D+→K−π+π+ for normalization and yields B( D + → K ∗0 μ + ν)=(4.18±0.66±0.96)% . Combining the results of the two methods yields B( D + → K ∗0 μ + ν)=(3.57±0.96)% .

We present total and differential cross sections for charm mesons produced in 600 GeV/c π- emulsion interactions. Fits to d2σ/dxF dpT2∞ (1−|xF|)nexp (-bpT2) for 676 electronically reconstructed D mesons with xF>0 give n=4.25±0.24 (stat.)±0.23 (syst.) and b=0.76±0.03±0.03 (GeV/c)-2. The total inclusive D+ and D0 cross sections are σ(π-N→D±; xF>0) = 8.66±0.46±1.96μb nucleon and σ(π - N→D 0 D 0 ; x F >0)=22.05±1.37±4.82μb nucleonk, where a linear dependence on the mean atomic weight of the target is assumed. These results are compared to next-to-leading order QCD predictions.

A measurement of the form factor ratios in the decay D + → K ∗ (892) 0 μ + ν is obtained by fitting to the decay angles and q2 of 305 events. The results, evaluated at q2 = 0, are A2(0)/A1(0) = 0.82+0.22−0.23 (stat.)±0.11 (sys.) and V(0)/A1(0) = 2.00+0.34−0.32±0.16, where A1 and A2 are the axial vector form factors and V is the vector form factor. The corresponding ratio of the longitudinal to transverse polarization of the K ∗0 is 1.18±0.18±0.08. These results are compared with other experimental results and with theoretical predictions.

In this paper, a new design of a computationally efficient linear-phase sharp FIR half-band filter is proposed in a closed form, whereby a modified sampling kernel and complementary filter concept are utilized. Based on the derived closed-form formula, filter coefficients of a linear-phase FIR half-band filter with sharp transition are derived. Simulation results show that the number of multipliers can be much reduced in the proposed approach, when compared with that required in the conventional half-band filter design.

In this paper, active noise control (ANC) of a Volterra system with a nonlinear secondary path is proposed in the presence of a linear acoustic feedback, whereby the conventional ANC of a linear system with online acoustic feedback-path modeling is further extended to ANC of a Volterra system with a linear acoustic feedback path. In particular, the proposed ANC system consists of two adaptive Volterra filters (for nonlinear noise control and nonlinear adaptive noise cancellation) and one feedback-path modeling filter. Simulation results show that the proposed approach yields more effective reduction of disturbances arising from the acoustic feedback, in addition to high nonlinear ANC performance.

Most automatic sphygmomanometers use oscillometric method with a blood pressure cuff. Conventional oscillometric sphygmomanometer is simple to use and it needs no peripheral device. However, the method provides no guarantee of accuracy in all circumstance, because it is based on statistics. In this paper, we propose a new oscillometric method with two cuffs. A cuff is placed on upper arm as usual and another cuff is added on forearm. By adding one more blood pressure cuff, there are two different waveforms are shown and the different characteristics between both cuffs can be compared. The results of our experiments show that it is possible to measure blood pressure using dual-cuff oscillometric method.