A novel framework for multilevel full-chip gridless routing

Abstract — Due to its great flexibility, gridless routing is desirable for nanometer circuit designs that use variable wire widths and spacings. Nevertheless, it is much more difficult than grid-based routing because of its larger solution space. In this paper, we present a novel “V-shaped ” multilevel framework (called VMF) for full-chip gridless routing. Unlike the traditional “Λ-shaped ” multilevel framework (inaccurately called the “Vcycle” framework in the literature), our VMF works in the V-shaped manner: top-down uncoarsening followed by bottom-up coarsening. Based on the novel framework, we develop a multilevel full-chip gridless router (called VMGR) for large-scale circuit designs. The top-down uncoarsening stage of VMGR starts from the coarsest regions and then processes down to finest ones level by level; at each level, it performs global pattern routing and detailed routing for local nets and then estimate the routing resource for the next level. Then, the bottom-up coarsening stage performs global maze routing and detailed routing to reroute failed connections and refine the solution level by level from the finest level to the coarsest one. We employ a dynamic congestion map to guide the global routing at all stages and propose a new cost function for congestion control. Experimental results show that VMGR achieves the best routability among all published gridless routers based on a set of commonly used MCNC benchmarks. Besides, VMGR can obtain significantly less wirelength, smaller critical path delay, and smaller average net delay than the previous works. In particular, VMF is general and thus can readily apply to other problems. I

A self-evaluation system of quality planning for tourist attractions in Taiwan: an integrated AHP-Delphi approach from career professionals

This study seeks to identify a set of key indicators along with weightings for tourist attractions in Taiwan, and develop a quality management self-evaluation mechanism for tourism businesses, using an advanced integrated Analytic Hierarchy Process and Delphi (AHP-Delphi) approach derived from the supply side perspective. This research study comprises two phases: (1) Delphi method analysis that involves 17 experts, providing confirmation about the evaluation criteria; and (2) Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) method which aims to allocate weightings to the evaluation criteria from the experts. Findings from the Delphi method analysis revealed the acceptance of two dimensions, six sub-dimensions and 17 indicators as key evaluation criteria. The AHP method analysis indicated that the most significant dimension was managing quality, with tourism services and public sector facilities being the most important sub-dimension and indicator respectively. The self-evaluation mechanism proposed in this planning perspectives can assist tourism businesses and national/regional Destination Management Organization to identify quality management problems and possible ways of enhancing quality tourism, so that tourism experience, and tourist’s satisfaction can be further improved effectively between the conflicting views by career professionals

Appropriate cut-off value for follicle-stimulating hormone in azoospermia to predict spermatogenesis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study was undertaken to determine the optimal cut-off value for FSH to predict the presence of spermatogenesis in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 206 non-obstructive azoospermic men were enrolled in this prospective study. By using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, we determined the optimal cut-off value for FSH and evaluated whether the test could adequately predict successful sperm retrieval.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There were 108 non-obstructive azoospermic patients who had evidence of spermatogenesis (group A) and achieved success in sperm retrieval. Another 98 non-obstructive azoospermic patients (group B) failed in sperm retrieval. The mean value of serum FSH in group B was significantly higher than in group A (28.03 +/- 14.56 mIU/mL vs 7.94 +/- 4.95 mIU/mL, p < 0.01; respectively). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves were 0.939 +/- 0.02 and a cut-off value of 19.4 mIU/mL discriminated between group A and B with a sensitivity of 70%. The positive predictive value for failed sperm retrieval (group B) can reach 100%.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Elevated plasma levels of FSH of more than 19.4 mIU/mL could be used as a reliable criterion for a trial of sperm retrieval from testes in artificial reproductive techniques.</p

The Induction of Apoptosis by SV40 T Antigen Correlates with c-junOverexpression

AbstractSimian virus (SV40) T antigen shares many characteristics with adenovirus E1A which is known to induce apoptosis. To verify the potential of SV40 T antigen-mediated apoptosis, we stably expressed T antigen in immortalized human epithelial cells (Z172 and HaCaT). We found that SV40 T antigen could directly cause apoptosis in 22–27% of these cells under normal growth condition as measured by chromatin condensation and nucleosomal fragmentation. The apoptosis of HaCaT cells which contain mutant p53 suggests the p53-independent nature of T antigen-mediated apoptosis. T antigen-induced apoptosis was associated with increased expression of c-Jun protein. Moreover, the overexpression of c-junalone in these cells also induced apoptosis, indicating that c-junmight play an important role in T antigen-induced apoptosis

Application of the SUSTAIN Model to a Watershed-Scale Case for Water Quality Management

[[abstract]]Low impact development (LID) is a relatively new concept in land use management that aims to maintain hydrological conditions at a predevelopment level without deteriorating water quality during land development. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) developed the System for Urban Stormwater Treatment and Analysis Integration model (SUSTAIN) to evaluate the performance of LID practices at different spatial scales; however, the application of this model has been limited relative to LID modeling. In this study, the SUSTAIN model was applied to a Taiwanese watershed. Model calibration and verification were performed, and different types of LID facilities were evaluated. The model simulation process and the verified model parameters could be used in other cases. Four LID scenarios combining bioretention ponds, grass swales, and pervious pavements were designed based on the land characteristics. For the SUSTAIN model simulation, the results showed that pollution reduction was mainly due to water quantity reduction, infiltration was the dominant mechanism and plant interception had a minor effect on the treatment. The simulation results were used to rank the primary areas for nonpoint source pollution and identify effective LID practices. In addition to the case study, a sensitivity analysis of the model parameters was performed, showing that the soil infiltration rate was the most sensitive parameter affecting the LID performance. The objectives of the study are to confirm the applicability of the SUSTAIN model and to assess the effectiveness of LID practices in the studied watershed.[[notice]]補正完畢[[incitationindex]]SCI[[booktype]]電子

Langerhans cell hyperplasia in the tumor stage of mycosis fungoides: a mimic of Langerhans cell histiocytosis

AbstractMycosis fungoides is a form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Malignant CD4+ T cells have been found to adopt the T-regulatory (Treg) cell phenotype and function. We present the case of a 66-year-old man diagnosed with mycosis fungoides that was progressing from the plaque to the tumor stage. The histopathological examinations showed that the Langerhans cell (LC) infiltration in the skin lesion of the tumor stage was greater than that in the patch/plaque stage; the tumor stage lesions resembled LC histiocytosis pathologically. The associations among LCs, apoptotic tumor cells, Treg CTCL cells, and relevant cytokines are complex. Treg CTCL cells produce the immunosuppressive cytokines interleukin-10 and transforming growth factor beta, which facilitate continuous recruitment of LCs and maintenance of long-term dendritic cell immaturity, thereby explaining the remarkable LC infiltration in the tumor stage samples from our patient. This phenomenon indicates that LCs accompanied by Treg CTCL cells may play an important synergistic role in the tumor progression. The development of immunotherapy directed against Treg CTCL cells and LCs overproduction and other immunosuppressive cytokines may be a potent useful adjuvant and worthy of further investigation

Using Capacitance Sensor to Extract Characteristic Signals of Dozing from Skin Surface

Skin is the largest organ of the human body and a physiological structure that is directly exposed to the environment. From a theoretical perspective, numerous physiological and psychological signals use the skin as a medium for input and output with the outside world. Therefore, the skin is considered an optimal signal interception point when developing noninvasive, direct, and rapid signal exploration devices. To date, skin signal interceptions are predominantly performed by measuring skin impedance. However, this method is prone to interference such as sweat secretion, salt accumulation on the skin, and muscle contractions, which may result in a substantial amount of interference and erroneous results. The present study proposes novel and effective methods for skin signal interception, such as using a nested probe as a sensor to measure capacitance to be further processed as physiological and psychological signals. The experimental results indicate that the capacitance curve for the transition between wakefulness and dozing exhibits significant changes. This change in the curve can be analyzed by computer programs to clearly and rapidly determine whether the subject has entered the initial phases of sleep

Anatomical Asymmetry in Goiter: A Demonstration by Three-dimensional Power Doppler Ultrasound

The aim of the present study was to examine the anatomical differences in volumetric and intraparenchymal vascular parameters between the two thyroid lobes of patients with goiter, using three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound. A total of 89 outpatients with goiter, including 55 with autoimmune thyroid disease (ATD) and 34 with simple goiter (SG), were evaluated by three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound. Volumetric and intraparenchymal vascular indices including vascularization index, flow index and vascular flow index of each lobe were measured using the Virtual Organ Computer-Aided Analysis system. In all patients with goiter, the volume and vascular indices (vascularization index, flow index and vascular flow index) of the right thyroid lobe were significantly greater than those of the left lobe (p < 0.05). Differences in vascular indices were present in SG but not in ATD. ATD was associated with a larger thyroid volume and higher vascular indices compared with those of SG (p < 0.001), but there were no significant differences in volumetry and vascular indices between euthyroid ATD and SG. In conclusion, the right thyroid lobe was found to be significantly larger and more vascular than the left lobe in subjects with goiter, as measured by three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound. In addition, ATD was associated with a higher thyroid volume and vascular indices compared with those of SG

Modified Weekly Cisplatin-Based Chemotherapy Is Acceptable in Postoperative Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy for Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer

Background. Triweekly cisplatin-based postoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) has high intolerance and toxicities in locally advanced head and neck cancer (LAHNC). We evaluated the effect of a modified weekly cisplatin-based chemotherapy in postoperative CCRT. Methods. A total of 117 patients with LAHNC were enrolled between December 2007 and December 2012. Survival, compliance/adverse events, and independent prognostic factors were analyzed. Results. Median follow-up time was 30.0 (3.1–73.0) months. Most patients completed the entire course of postoperative CCRT (radiotherapy ≥ 60 Gy, 94.9%; ≥6 times weekly chemotherapy, 75.2%). Only 17.1% patients required hospital admission. The most common adverse effect was grade 3/4 mucositis (28.2%). No patient died due to protocol-related adverse effects. Multivariate analysis revealed the following independent prognostic factors: oropharyngeal cancer, extracapsular spread, and total radiation dose. Two-year progression-free survival and overall survival rates were 70.9% and 79.5%, respectively. Conclusion. Modified weekly cisplatin-based chemotherapy is an acceptable regimen in postoperative CCRT for LAHNC