Extreme Boundaries Research Articles

"Pscore": A Novel Percentile-Based Metric to Accurately Assess Individual Deviations in Non-Gaussian Distributions of Quantitative MRI Metrics.

Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) metrics could be used in personalized medicine to assess individuals against normative distributions. Conventional Zscore analysis is inadequate in the presence of non-Gaussian distributions. Therefore, if quantitative MRI metrics deviate from normality, an alternative is needed. To confirm non-Gaussianity of diffusion MRI (dMRI) metrics on a publicly available dataset, and to propose a novel percentile-based method, "Pscore" to address this issue. Retrospective cohort. Nine hundred and sixty-one healthy young adults (age: 22-35 years, females: 53%) from the Human Connectome Project. 3-T, spin-echo diffusion echo-planar imaging, T1-weighted: MPRAGE. The dMRI data were preprocessed using the TORTOISE pipeline. Forty-eight regions of interest (ROIs) from the JHU atlas were redrawn on a study-specific diffusion tensor (DT) template and average values were computed from various DT and mean apparent propagator (MAP) metrics. For each ROI, percentile ranks across participants were computed to generate "Pscores"-which normalized the difference between the median and a participant's value with the corresponding difference between the median and the 5th/95th percentile values. ROI-wise distributions were assessed using log transformations, Zscore, and the "Pscore" methods. The percentages of extreme values above-95th and below-5th percentile boundaries (PEV>95(%), PEV<5(%)) were also assessed in the overall white matter. Bootstrapping was performed to test the reliability of Pscores in small samples (N = 100) using 100 iterations. The dMRI metric distributions were systematically non-Gaussian, including positively skewed (eg, mean and radial diffusivity) and negatively skewed (eg, fractional and propagator anisotropy) metrics. This resulted in unbalanced tails in Zscore distributions (PEV>95 ≠ 5%, PEV<5 ≠ 5%) whereas "Pscore" distributions were symmetric and balanced (PEV>95 = PEV<5 = 5%); even for small bootstrapped samples (average [SD]). The inherent skewness observed for dMRI metrics may preclude the use of conventional Zscore analysis. The proposed "Pscore" method may help estimating individual deviations more accurately in skewed normative data, even from small datasets. 1 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 1.

Quantification and Pictorial Expression of Driving Status Domain Boundaries for Autonomous Vehicles in LTAP/OD Scenarios

The ability of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous vehicles to make human-like decisions can be enhanced by providing more detailed information about vehicles and in-vehicle users’ states. In this paper, the driving status domains of vehicles in left turn across path/opposite direction (LTAP/OD) scenarios are subdivided into comfort, discomfort, extreme, and crash, and the boundaries of each status domain are quantified and visualized. First, real unprotected left turn road segments are chosen for the actual vehicle testing. Subjective passenger comfort evaluation results and objective motion state data of vehicles during the experiment are organized and analyzed by statistics. In addition, the pictorials are plotted to determine the comfort and extreme status domain boundaries based on motion state parameters. Second, based on the unprotected left turn kinematic analysis and modeling, as well as a skilled driver risk perception and operational model, the Safe Collision Plots (SCP) of conflicting vehicles in LTAP/OD scenarios are quantified and expressed as pictorial examples. By combining objective motion parameters and passenger experience, intuitively quantifying each driving status domain of vehicles can provide more fine-grained information for the design parameters of ADAS and autonomous vehicles and increase public trust and acceptance of them.

Long-term outcomes of the Endurant endograft in patients undergoing endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

Objective/BackgroundTo investigate the long-term outcomes after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in a real-world setting using the Endurant endograft (EG). Methods184 EVAR candidates treated with the Endurant family EGs in a single vascular center were prospectively enrolled from January 2009 to December 2016. Kaplan-Meir estimates of long-term standardized primary and secondary outcome measures were performed. Per protocol, subgroup comparison analysis was performed in three groups: patients treated within instructions for use (in-IFU) vs patients treated outside IFU (outside-IFU), EVAR in patients receiving the Endurant proximal diameter 32 or 36 mm EG vs those receiving the <32 mm diameter EG and EVAR with various Endurant EG versions. ResultsThe mean follow-up was 75.09 ± 37.9 months (range: 4.1-172 months). The median age of the patients was 72.96 ± 7.03 years (range: 55-88 years). A total of 177 patients were male (96.2%). Compliance with IFU was followed in 107 patients (58.2%). Overall survival was 69.5% and 48% at 5 and 8 years, respectively. Of the 102 all-cause deaths, 7 (6.9%) were aneurysm related. Six of these postimplant deaths occurred in patients presented with aneurysm rupture from type Ia or/and type Ib endoleak. At 5, 8, and 10 years of observation, freedom from aneurysm rupture, open surgical conversion, type I/III endoleak, any type of endoleak, aneurysm-related secondary intervention probabilities, and neck-related events were as follows: 98.1%, 95%, and 89.4%; 95.1%, 91.2%, and 85.7%; 93.6%, 87.3%, and 83.9%; 83.4%, 74%, and 70.9%; 89.8%, 76.7%, and 72%; and 96.3%, 90%, and 87.6%, respectively. Corresponding clinical success was 90%, 77.4%, and 68.4%, respectively. Patients treated outside-IFU had significantly higher risk of aneurysm rupture, open surgical conversion probability, occurrence of type I/III endoleak, and chance of reinterventions and lower clinical success probabilities compared with the in-IFU counterparts at 5 and 8 years. This statistical difference remained when type Ia endoleak or endoleak of any type was considered independently. In addition, it was stronger in patients having extreme anatomic boundaries (>1 hostile anatomic condition), when aneurysm-related death, aneurysm rupture, and clinical success at 5 years were considered. Overall proximal migration and limb occlusion were recorded in 1.1% and 4.9% of the patients, respectively. Overall reintervention rate was 17.4%. An increase in aneurysm sac diameter was observed in 12.5% of patients and was not related to IFU status. The Endurant version or the proximal EG diameter had no significant association with the chance of any complication or adverse event. ConclusionsThe data confirmed the durability of the Endurant EG, achieving promising long-term outcomes in a real-world setting. However, its positive performance must be interpreted with caution in patients treated off-label especially those with extreme anatomic boundaries. In this cohort, some of EVAR advantages might be lost in the late future. Further similar studies are warranted.

Sensitivity Analysis of Key Cost Performance Determinants Using Extreme Bound Analysis Method

The complex nature of construction projects makes achieving positive outcomes challenging, and cost overruns, which frequently occur in all three construction phases, are one of the major impediments to success. When indicators of cost overruns are determined early in a project, however, strategies for reducing or eliminating them can be adopted. Therefore, this study aimed to identify primary cost performance indicators (CPIs) and assess their robustness during the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) phases of heavy industrial projects. To accomplish this, an extensive survey was designed and distributed to experienced construction professionals to gather information on tried and true cost performance indicators they had successfully employed. The chi-square test, two-sample t-test, and the Kruskal-Wallis test were used to evaluate their responses, and a final list of cost performance indicators was developed using the all-possible combination regression analysis approach. The robustness or fragility of the indicators was investigated using extreme bounds analysis (EBA), and the results were analyzed using Sala-i-Martin and Leamer’s EBA methods. Because Leamer’s approach concentrates exclusively on the indicators’ extreme boundaries and Sala-i-Martin’s approach considers the entire distribution of the variables, the conclusions were drawn using the Sala-i-Martin method. The results revealed that the three determinants of cost performance indicators in all three construction phases are a project’s alignment, effective management strategies, and the staff turnover rate. Two more robust indicators in all three phases were the fundamental essence of a project and the number of designer/engineering organizations. The study findings will help project managers of construction projects effectively allocate their financial, human, and machinery resources.

Белая и тундряная куропатки в заповеднике «Басеги» . Виды на южной границе ареала

The article analyzes the long-term (1984-2023) dynamics of registrations of white and tundra partridges on the territory of the Basegi Reserve (Middle Urals, Perm Krai). The author systematizes the available materials on the frequency and content of encounters of these species in Basegas, summarizes his own long-term field observations on the specifics of the territorial distribution of white and tundra partridges in the areas of their joint habitat, draws conclusions about the existing trends in the development of these species of grouse birds of the extreme southern boundaries of their range on the western macroscline of the Ural Mountains. Rare, but fairly regular meetings of white partridges observed over the past 40 years on all three massifs of the Basegi ridge (the Northern, Middle and Southern Baseg mountains), as well as on the upper marshes and forest roads in the adjacent taiga zone, allow us to determine the status of this species in the reserve as rare, small, periodically nesting birds. Reliable facts of registration of tundra partridge on the Northern Baseg Mountain noted in May and September 2023 make it possible to include this species in the list of inhabitants of the protected area. However, the status of this bird's stay in Basegi is unclear and requires clarification.

Antonin Artaud

Antonin Artaud

Genome-Wide Study of Colocalization between Genomic Stretches: A Method and Applications to the Regulation of Gene Expression.

Simple SummaryAddressing a large number of genomic problems requires the comparison of genetic and epigenetic features distributed over the genome (genome tracks). The mutual arrangement of these features determines basic molecular mechanisms related to the dynamics of the genome architecture and gene expression. The analysis of data on the genome tracks stored in numerous databases cannot be performed without suitable bioinformatic tools. A package, the Genome Track Colocalization Analyzer, developed by the authors, is intended for the study of colocalization effects between stretch–stretch and stretch–point genome tracks.In this paper, we describe a method for the study of colocalization effects between stretch–stretch and stretch–point genome tracks based on a set of indices varying within the (–1, +1) interval. The indices combine the distances between the centers of neighboring stretches and their lengths. The extreme boundaries of the interval correspond to the complete colocalization of the genome tracks or its complete absence. We also obtained the relevant criteria of statistical significance for such indices using the complete permutation test. The method is robust with respect to strongly inhomogeneous positioning and length distribution of the genome tracks. On the basis of this approach, we created command-line software, the Genome Track Colocalization Analyzer. The software was tested, compared with other available packages, and applied to particular problems related to gene expression. The package, Genome Track Colocalization Analyzer (GTCA), is freely available to the users. GTCA complements our previous software, the Genome Track Analyzer, intended for the search for pairwise correlations between point-like genome tracks (also freely available). The corresponding details are provided in Data Availability Statement at the end of the text.

People, Armies, Peoples: Tolstoy and the Subject of War

The article is devoted to the politics of war as described by Leo Tolstoy in War and Peace. Tolstoy overturns Carl Clausewitz’ interpretation of war as a “continuation of politics,” paradoxically generalizing and radicalizing one of his theses: the provisions on the “superiority of a defensive strategy” over an offensive strategy. As Tolstoy understands it, defensive strategy is transformed into a negative one that questions the understanding of power and its origin (arche), both in terms of attitude toward the commanding authority and in terms of the impact of individual will on the course of history. Through reflection on the significance of partisan warfare as a privileged form of people’s warfare, this leads to a negative rethinking of the idea of how the “people” and “army” are conjoined. In the final analysis, the “people,” acting as a fundamental historical force that manifests itself in a war for liberation or a struggle for the common good loses its metaphysical characteristics as a subject. However, its communal essence and the truth about politics beyond politics, or at its extreme boundaries where institutional ties disappear, comes to the surface symbolically in the providential meeting between Pierre Bezukhov and Platon Karataev. But this fragile experience forms and symbolizes the vital element that establishes the community of the people apart from any private interests and institutions.

Experimental Investigation and Theoretical Modelling of a High-Pressure Pneumatic Catapult Considering Dynamic Leakage and Convection.

A high-pressure pneumatic catapult works under extreme boundaries such as high-pressure and rapid change of pressure and temperature, with the features of nonlinearity and gas-solid convection. In the thermodynamics processes, the pressure is much larger than the critical pressure, and the compressibility factor can deviate from the Zeno line significantly. Therefore, the pneumatic performance and thermo-physical properties need to be described with the real gas hypothesis instead of the ideal gas one. It is found that the analytical results based on the ideal gas model overestimate the performance of the catapult, in comparison to the test data. To obtain a theoretical model with dynamic leakage compensation, leakage tests are carried out, and the relationship among the leakage rate, pressure and stroke is fitted. The compressibility factor library of the equation of state for compressed air is established and evaluated by referring it to the Nelson-Obert generalized compressibility charts. Based on the Peng–Robinson equation, a theoretical model of the high-pressure pneumatic catapult is developed, in which the effects of dynamic leakage and the forced convective heat transfer between the gas and the metal wall are taken into account. The results from the theoretical model are consistent with the data from ejection tests. This research presents an approach to study the performance of a high-pressure pneumatic catapult with high precision.

Controlled differential evolution based detection of neovascularization on optic disc using support vector machine.

The severe stage of Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is characterized by the growth of new blood vessels which is called Neovascularization (NV). The abnormally grown blood vessels on the disc are breakable in nature thus the patient is at high risk of sudden blindness. Therefore, the significance of early and accurate detection of Neovascularization on Disc (NVD) should not be neglected. This paper presents an automatic detection of the optic disc using a Controlled Differential Evolution (CDE) algorithm. Further, the Region of Interest (ROI) is created automatically by extending the extreme boundaries of the optic disc by 100 pixels to ensure the presence of NV around the optic disc also. From the ROI so created, blood vessels are segmented using multi-scale Gabor filtering and subsequently, both the morphological and textural features are extracted. Simultaneously, statistical features are directly extracted from the earlier created ROI. Finally, the fundus image is classified by a Support Vector Machine (SVM) using the extracted features from all three feature sets. From each individual image, 16 features are extracted and the feature dimension is reduced to 13 using a sequential backward feature (SBF) selection algorithm. The optimal features are obtained from a total of 205 fundus images, which consists of 99 NVD positive and 106 NVD negative images. This paper attains an average accuracy of 98.75%, the specificity of 100%, the sensitivity of 97.8%, and area under the curve (AUC) as 100% when tested over image selected randomly.

Crossing extreme habitat boundaries: Jack‐of‐all‐trades facilitates invasion but is eroded by adaptation to a master‐of‐one

AbstractThe invasion of new environments can be a key instigator of adaptive diversification, but the likelihood of such invasions succeeding can depend on the attributes of would‐be invaders. Chief among these seems to be a generalist or ‘jack‐of‐all‐trades’ phenotype.Yet, despite the obvious link between habitat transitions and adaptation, we know surprisingly little about how phenotypes that might initially allow taxa to transition between habitats subsequently evolve or influence post‐invasion differentiation.We tested how a generalist phenotype of a broad diet and behavioural plasticity in marine blenny fish has facilitated the repeated invasion of extreme environments—particularly land—and how the conditions post‐invasion have impacted that generalist phenotype and associated trophic morphology.Our data show that a wide diet and plasticity in being able to shift between environments freely have been instrumental in the progressive invasion of land by amphibious blennies. Once established, however, terrestrial blennies have experienced strong stabilizing selection for a restricted diet, little to no plasticity and a highly specialized morphology. Instead of promoting diversification, the invasion of land appears to offer only a limited niche for survival, constraining descendent blennies to a specific adaptive phenotype.While our study supports the view that generalism facilitates invasion and that habitat transitions instigate adaptation, it also shows a generalist strategy is not optimal for successful establishment and new environments may offer fewer (not more) opportunities for diversification. This has broad implications for how taxa might be expected to respond or adapt to abrupt environmental change more generally.A freeplain language summarycan be found within the Supporting Information of this article.

Revisiting the Theatre of the Absurd in Christopher Duranggs 'For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls' (1993) and 'Desire, Desire, Desire' (1995)

Contemporary American playwright and actor, Christopher Durang (1949-) has carved himself an important niche in the American theater. He has been awarded several writing fellowships and grants. Noted for his outrageous and absurd comedy, his plays have been produced nationally and internationally. He has been influenced by Eugene Ionesco (1909-1994) and Tom Stoppard (1937- ). His plays satirise preconceived ideas and institutions which lend themselves to the Theatre of the Absurd that deliberately parodies all the traditional assumptions of Western culture. This present study attempts to read Durang’s For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls (1993) and Desire, Desire, Desire (1995) as different manifestations of the Theatre of the Absurd. The former play is an eccentric comedy about a troubled parent-child relationship which spoofs Tennessee Williams’s The Glass Menagerie (1945). As to the latter play, it is a parody of several Tennessee Williams’ plays: A Streetcar Named Desire (1947) and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1955) as well as Marsha Norman’s Night, Mother (1983). It tackles a tensed marital relationship. Thus, through the deft use of parody, Durang satirises man’s difficulty of accepting reality and the impossibility of true escape. As a result, it is perceived that Durang has delineated the Absurd Theatre from extreme farcical boundaries through parodying the inconsistencies in institutions and the human condition.

Introduction to Political Psychoanalysis of a Group in the Middle East

The present study focuses on investigating group psychoanalysis in the Middle East. The study uses a descriptive-analytic method and library resources have been used to collect the data. Additionally, the researcher’s observations of people’s everyday behavior have played an important role in the production and analysis of the study. Group psychoanalysis in the Middle East can be conducted through people’s daily behaviors, proverbs, poetry, mythology, etc., and some of the general characteristics of people in the Middle East include: xenophobia, revivalism, fatalism, nostalgic, wills and so on. Members of the group have often failed to achieve Libido wills and it is very important in unifying and reproduction violence. Therefore, if libidinal wills are irrationally fixed, it will be important in forming fundamentalist and racist groups, a situation that is dominant among many groups in the Middle East. Adversities, from early childhood and afterwards, in the subjects have always been influential in the political behavior of group members, and it manifests itself as counter-projections. Consequently, it affects the foreign policy of the governments. On the other hand, two kinds of subjects are identifiable in the Middle East, one; classical subject that is related to nostalgia and mythology and, two; modern subjects which is self-alienated. As a result, both subjects are seeking identity and self-expression in public in relation to forming groups. Therefore, collective unconscious in the Middle East shows itself as extreme boundaries and leads to forming groups characterized with violence. Psychoanalysis shows important aspects to identify many developments in the Middle East; totally analysis of Freud, Carl Jung and Reich about groups can be applied in the present Middle East.

A pilot cluster randomised trial to assess the effect of a structured communication approach on quality of life in secure mental health settings: The Comquol Study.

BackgroundThere is a lack of research in forensic settings examining therapeutic relationships. A structured communication approach, placing patients’ perspectives at the heart of discussions about their care, was used to improve patients’ quality of life in secure settings.The objectives were to:• Establish the feasibility of the trial design• Determine the variability of the outcomes of interest• Estimate the costs of the intervention• If necessary, refine the interventionMethodsA pilot cluster randomised controlled trial was conducted. Data was collected from July 2012 to January 2015 from participants in 6 medium secure in–patient services in London and Southern England. 55 patients and 47 nurses were in the intervention group with 57 patients and 45 nurses in the control group. The intervention comprised 6 nurse-patient meetings over a 6 month period. Patients rated their satisfaction with a range of domains followed by discussions on improving patient identified problems. Assessments took place at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Participants were not blind to their allocated group. The primary outcome was self-reported quality of life collected by a researcher blind to participants’ allocation status.ResultsThe randomisation procedures and intervention approach functioned well. The measures used were understood by the participants and gave relevant outcome information. The response rates were good with low patient withdrawal rates. The quality of life estimated treatment effect was 0.2 (95 % CI: −0.4 to 0.8) at 6 months and 0.4 (95 % CI: −0.3 to 1.1) indicating the likely extreme boundaries of effect in the main trial. The estimated treatment effect of the primary outcome is clinically important, and a positive effect of the intervention is not ruled out. The estimate of the ICC for the primary outcome at 6 and 12 months was 0.04 (0.00 to 0.17) and 0.05 (0.00 to 0.18). The cost of the intervention was £529 per patient.ConclusionsThe trial design was viable as the basis for a full-scale trial. A full trial is justified to estimate the effect of the intervention with greater certainty. The variability of the outcomes could be used to calculate numbers needed for a full-scale trial. Ratings of need for therapeutic security may be useful in any future study.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials ISRCTN34145189. Retrospectively registered 22 June 2012.

Biomorphic Neuroadaptive Interfaces in the Ergatic Systems: Problems and Solutions

The article shows evolution of the human-machine interface ergonomic systems in the direction of improvement of integration with human, who connects the controlled technical environments. The author presents a classification of the interfaces and the interface environments depending on the degree of the user's integration with the operating environment. The author describes the following types of the integrative interfaces based on the level of the physical interaction of the mechanical controls intended to complete integration of an actor (actors) in the organized working environment: mechanical, with an immediate visual feedback, the mechanical feedback through an information model, a computer user virtual, neurocomputing, symbiotic, biomorphic, technobiotics hypothetical interfaces embodied in the artificial intelligence environment. The author considers the interface, ensuring a direct link with the brain of an operator as one of the promising areas of the inter-system integration, which can be used in the form of a brain-computer technology. The author shows fundamental limitations in the technology and methodology for creation of this class of interfaces. The next section of the paper deals with the problems of creation of the hybrid biomorphic neuroadaptive interfaces, including creation of the artificial sensory modalities, which ensure an effective interaction with the operator control system. The author notes the potential of creation of the biomorphic and hybrid interfaces as a result of the joint use of the genetic engineering and technical design as a part of the system of non-classical representations. The key problem in creation of the biomorphic interfaces is the problem of inter-system integration between the classic technical systems and biological systems, which implement the cyclic self-reproduction (autopoiesis), because of the interference in the operational structure of the autopoietic systems, which leads to their destruction. In conclusion, the author points out that the evolution of the human integration with the artificial environment can lead to appearance of an embodied mind in an artificial environment, which goes beyond the human nature, organized like a non-biological media. This issue is currently on the cutting edge of the scientific knowledge and can be interesting as a philosophical problem arising in the extreme boundaries of the inter-system integration of man and technology.

Effects of pH variations on anodic marine consortia in a dual chamber microbial fuel cell

The effect of anodic pH on Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) inoculated with marine consortia was investigated to characterize the microbial community adaptation to possible pH environmental changes and to define the pH extreme boundaries beyond which MFCs do not run properly.Tests were conducted in triplicate using different feeding pH values (pHfeed) ranging from 3 to 13. The MFCs inoculated with marine consortia had a strong self-regulation ability and actively counterbalanced small variations in pHfeed maintaining the pH inside the anodic chamber (pHanode) close to neutrality.As soon as the pHanode deviated from neutrality it affected MFCs' performances. Alkaline conditions with pHanode values between 8 and 10 corresponded to the formation of a denser biofilm together with the best performance in terms of maximum power density (Pmax). Conversely, when the pHanode reached values lower than 5.5 or higher than 10, a sharp drop in MFC performances, as well as a decrease of viable population, were observed. Interestingly, the system was able to survive these extreme conditions and restart working effectively when neutrality was reset.The obtained results underline the high adaptability and recovery ability of anodic marine consortia even in extreme conditions, suggesting the employment of this inoculum for MFC applications as biosensors for on-site seawater monitoring or as power supply units to be installed in remote area.

A robustness analysis method with fast estimation of dose uncertainty distributions for carbon-ion therapy treatment planning

A simple and efficient approach is needed for robustness evaluation and optimization of treatment planning in routine clinical particle therapy. Here we propose a robustness analysis method using dose standard deviation (SD) in possible scenarios such as the robustness indicator and a fast dose warping method, i.e. deformation of dose distributions, taking into account the setup and range errors in carbon-ion therapy. The dose warping method is based on the nominal dose distribution and the water-equivalent path length obtained from planning computed tomography data with a clinically commissioned treatment planning system (TPS). We compared, in a limited number of scenarios at the extreme boundaries of the assumed error, the dose SD distributions obtained by the warping method with those obtained using the TPS dose recalculations. The accuracy of the warping method was examined by the standard-deviation-volume histograms (SDVHs) for varying degrees of setup and range errors for three different tumor sites. Furthermore, the influence of dose fractionation on the combined dose uncertainty, taking into consideration the correlation of setup and range errors between fractions, was evaluated with simple equations using the SDVHs and the mean value of SDs in the defined volume of interest. The results of the proposed method agreed well with those obtained with the dose recalculations in these comparisons, and the effectiveness of dose SD evaluations at the extreme boundaries of given errors was confirmed from the responsivity and DVH analysis of relative SD values for each error. The combined dose uncertainties depended heavily on the number of fractions, assumed errors and tumor sites. The typical computation time of the warping method is approximately 60 times less than that of the full dose calculation method using the TPS. The dose SD distributions and SDVHs with the fractionation effect will be useful indicators for robustness analysis in treatment planning, and the results of our comparative study show that the proposed analysis method would be beneficial in routine clinical use.

Vertical Silicon Nanowire Field Effect Transistors with Nanoscale Gate-All-Around.

Nanowires are considered building blocks for the ultimate scaling of MOS transistors, capable of pushing devices until the most extreme boundaries of miniaturization thanks to their physical and geometrical properties. In particular, nanowires’ suitability for forming a gate-all-around (GAA) configuration confers to the device an optimum electrostatic control of the gate over the conduction channel and then a better immunity against the short channel effects (SCE). In this letter, a large-scale process of GAA vertical silicon nanowire (VNW) MOSFETs is presented. A top-down approach is adopted for the realization of VNWs with an optimum reproducibility followed by thin layer engineering at nanoscale. Good overall electrical performances were obtained, with excellent electrostatic behavior (a subthreshold slope (SS) of 95 mV/dec and a drain induced barrier lowering (DIBL) of 25 mV/V) for a 15-nm gate length. Finally, a first demonstration of dual integration of n-type and p-type VNW transistors for the realization of CMOS inverter is proposed.

The Power of the Monstrous

Alterity and Otherness have often been the privileged field of contemplation within Western philosophy. Since the Presocratic philosophers, Being has been defined in relation to-and more often opposed to-non-Being, just as Goodness has been considered in relation to Evil, Beauty in relation to the Ugly, Society in relation to Nature, and the examples could be multiplied ad libitum. Every identity is shaped in opposition to an excluded other, an outside, or some thing. Identity and alterity are thus constructed as two inseparable sides of a single, coherent philosophical discourse, or rather a field of various discourses that compose a philosophy, associated with-although not limited to-the early centuries of what we call modernity.Alterity has many faces, depending not only on the different fields of thought in which it is explored (e.g., theology, anthropology, aesthetics, politics, etc.), but also on the nature of its relationship with identity and, more particularly, with the degree of its resistance to or compatibility with identity. No wonder, thus, that so many philosophers have been fascinated not only with alterity in general, but with alterity at the extreme boundaries (geographical as much as ontological) of otherness, at its greatest distance from identity itself. The otherness found at this extreme distance has traditionally been described as monstrous.Monstrosity and the monster have received an astonishing degree of attention across the centuries, not only from philosophers, artists and poets but also, more recently, from scholars in the history of philosophy. The concept of marginality and margins, in particular, has magnetized the attention of the latter and, in the process, completely expanded the comprehension of the centre, or what is considered the centre. Perhaps what has not been underlined enough in the history of philosophy is something best described by an almost paradoxical expression: the centrality of the margin itself. Monstrosity does not simply offer the line or the margin as the site of conflict, difference, or what remains unknown (for example, between the inside and the outside of identity); it entails a reflection upon the role played by alterity and otherness in the grounding or emergence of identity. In other words, it draws our attention to the role played by marginality, and otherness of various kinds, in the definition, conception, and understanding of identity during the early modern period and beyond. In our view, identity itself is inseparable from monstrosity.If the monstrum is what causes the most profound bewilderment and amazement and if, according to Aristotle's dictum about thaumazein in the incipit of his Metaphysics, wonder is the origin of philosophy itself,1 might we recognize in monstrosity and its marginality something more archetypical and central than has traditionally been credited? Perhaps we might find in abnormality, exceptionality, and otherness something that amazes and, more disturbingly, interpellates the entire philosophical enterprise. Thus, the opening of philosophy, that is, the openings of worlds, the genesis of forms of life, are each tied, as if in a web, with the many figures of monstrosity.Given the multifarious complexity of the topic of monstrosity, a plurality of approaches and singular incursions into the thought of individual philosophers or of limited historical periods often provides the best results. This is the rationale and the approach that we have followed for this special issue. We have asked contributors for monographic articles on monstrosity in single authors or articles that compare philosophers' use of monstrosity; we also asked contributors to measure the impact that early modern ideas of monstrosity have had, or continue to have, upon contemporary philosophical and political issues.The question of cultural impact is particularly relevant. Among the philosophical ideas that have had an influence on the world we live in, monstrosity-in the broadest sense of profound alterity and radical otherness-is one of the most powerful. …

Characterization of the Qishn sandstone reservoir, Masila Basin–Yemen, using an integrated petrophysical and seismic structural approach

This study presents an integrated petrophysical and seismic structural analysis that is carried out to evaluate the reservoir properties of Qishn sandstone as well as the entrapment style of the hydrocarbons at Sharyoof field, Sayun-Masila Basin that is located at the east central of Yemen. The reservoir rocks are dominated by clean porous and permeable sandstones zones usually intercalated with some clay stone interbeds. As identified from well logs, Qishn sandstone is classified into subunits (S1A, S1B, S1C and S2) with different reservoir characteristics and hydrocarbon potentiality.A number of qualitative and quantitative well logging analyses are used to characterize the different subunits of the Qishn reservoir and identify its hydrocarbon potentiality. Dia-porosity, M-N, Pickett, Buckles plots, petrophysical analogs and lateral distribution maps are used in the analysis. Shale volume, lithology, porosity, and fluid saturation are among the most important deduced parameters. The analysis revealed that S1A and S1C are the main hydrocarbon-bearing units. More specifically, S1A unit is the best, as it attains the most prolific hydrocarbon saturations (oil saturation “SH″ up to 65) and reservoir characteristics. An average petrophysical ranges of 4–21%, 16–23%, 11–19%, 0–65%, are detected for S1A unit, regarding shale volume, total and effective porosity, and hydrocarbon saturation, respectively. Meanwhile, S1B unit exhibits less reservoir characteristics (Vsh>30%, ϕEff<15% and SH< 15%).The lateral distribution maps revealed that most of the hydrocarbons (for S1A and S1C units) are indicated at the middle of the study area as NE–SW oriented closures. The analysis and interpretation of seismic data had clarified that the structure of study area is represented by a big middle horst bounded by a group of step-like normal faults at the extreme boundaries (faulted anticlinal-structure). In conclusion, the entrapment of the encountered hydrocarbon at Sharyoof oil field, seems to be due to the combined effect of the stratigraphic position of the Qishn reservoir clastics with their overlying thick-sealing sediments and the structural setting as represented by faulted anticlinal-structure associated with the bounding step-like normal faults.