Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of ultrasound on production of extracellular matrix by cells in culture

The thesis starts with characterization of alginate that involved the viscosity, ageing, and degradation of different concentrations of alginate. Live/Dead, MTT, and Hoechst 33258 assays were used to investigate cell viability and proliferation in alginate discs. Pulsed-low intensity ultrasound (PLIUS) treatment was applied to cells encapsulated in alginate to see if it has an effect on viability/proliferation of encapsulated cells (Hoechst 33258 assay), extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition (Alcian blue staining, hydroxyproline and glycosaminoglycan (GaG) assay) and cell morphology (scanning electron microscopy (SEM)). Study of cell behaviour in alginate discs showed that by altering both alginate concentration and cell seeding density, cell proliferation in alginate can be controlled. PLIUS in conjunction with growth factors (ascorbic acid and TGF-β1) leads to a higher amount of collagen production for 3T3 cells when compared to PLIUS alone. However, PLIUS exposure alone leads to a greater increase in HDF cell proliferation and collagen production than when supplemented with growth factors. No effect was seen on chondrocytes when PLIUS was applied. SEM images showed no damage to cells as a result of PLIUS exposure. These results indicate that PLIUS treatment of cells encapsulated in alginate showed a potential effect for enhancing ECM production by cells in culture.
Autonomous and Decentralized Replication in the Pangaea Planetary-Scale File Service

Pangaea is a planetary-scale file service that supports sharing of frequently written files as well as read-only files. Pangaea usesmassive replication to achieve low access latency and high availability. This paper focuses on a key feature of Pangaea— randomized, optimistic protocols for managing many replicas efficiently for billions of files replicated on hundreds of servers. Replica membership is maintained as a sparse but strongly connected graph, per file. Updates to the membership and contents are propagated along the graph edges. The feasibility of Pangaea is evaluated using a prototype and a simulation.
Music Genre and Emotion Recognition Using Gaussian Processes

Gaussian Processes (GPs) are Bayesian nonparametric models that are becoming more and more popular for their superior capabilities to capture highly nonlinear data relationships in various tasks, such as dimensionality reduction, time series analysis, novelty detection, as well as classical regression and classification tasks. In this paper, we investigate the feasibility and applicability of GP models for music genre classification and music emotion estimation. These are two of the main tasks in the music information retrieval (MIR) field. So far, the support vector machine (SVM) has been the dominant model used in MIR systems. Like SVM, GP models are based on kernel functions and Gram matrices; but, in contrast, they produce truly probabilistic outputs with an explicit degree of prediction uncertainty. In addition, there exist algorithms for GP hyperparameter learning-something the SVM framework lacks. In this paper, we built two systems, one for music genre classification and another for music emotion estimation using both SVM and GP models, and compared their performances on two databases of similar size. In all cases, the music audio signal was processed in the same way, and the effects of different feature extraction methods and their various combinations were also investigated. The evaluation experiments clearly showed that in both music genre classification and music emotion estimation tasks the GP performed consistently better than the SVM. The GP achieved a 13.6% relative genre classification error reduction and up to an 11% absolute increase of the coefficient of determination in the emotion estimation task.
Preliminary field trials of autonomous path following

As part of the ongoing Responsive AUV Localization and Mapping project (REALM) Memorial University has been developing an autonomous path localization and following system. This Qualitative Navigation System (QNS) localizes an AUV to a predefined path and generates control inputs to maintain the AUV along that path without the need for an absolute position estimate. QNS processes sonar data into the two-dimensional image space and performs feature extraction and matching. The results of this matching are input into a filter which allows localization of the AUV on the path and determination of either a waypoint or heading to maintain the AUVs traversal along the path. This ability to autonomously follow a path will be of great use for long term environmental monitoring. In May of 2013 QNS was deployed on Memorial's Explorer AUV and field tested in Holyrood, Newfoundland. International Submarine Engineering, manufacturer of the Explorer AUV, provided an interface which allowed the QNS software to request control of the AUV, provide command inputs, and relinquish control. A test path consisting of two connected 755m and 470m line sections was defined and used for preliminary tests. Although testing time was constrained, a series of successful tests were completed in which the AUV autonomously detected the path, localized itself and traversed the path to completion. The results of these tests validate the concept of QNS and the AUV control interface and will drive ongoing development and testing.
Understanding and improving the diagnostic workflow of MapReduce users

New abstractions are simplifying the programming of large clusters, but diagnosis nontheless gets more and more challenging as cluster sizes grow: Debugging information increases linearly with cluster size, and the count of intercomponent relationships grows quadratically. Worse, the new abstractions which simplified programming can also obscure the relationships between high-level (application) and low-level (task/process/disk/CPU) information flows. In this paper we analyze the workflow of several users and systems administrators connected with a large academic cluster (based the popular Hadoop implementation of the MapReduce abstraction) and propose improvements to the diagnosis-relevant information displays. We also offer a preliminary analysis of the efficacy of the changes we propose that demonstrates a 40% reduction in the time taken to accomplish 5 representative diagnostic tasks as compared to the current system.
A key time point for cell growth and magnetosome synthesis of Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense based on real-time analysis of physiological factors

Pure culture of magnetotactic bacteria with high magnetosome yield has been achieved for only a few strains. The major obstacles involve the nutritional requirements and culture conditions of the cells. To increase cell density and magnetosome production, it is necessary to elucidate the physiological characteristics of a particular strain during cell growth and develop an appropriate artificial control strategy. Large-scale culture of Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense strain MSR-1 was successfully performed for 48 h in a 42-L autofermentor, and several key physiological parameters were measured in real time. Maximal values of cell density (OD565) (19.4) and cell yield (dry weight) (4.76 g/L) were attained at 40 h. The key time point for cell growth and magnetosome formation was found to be 18–20 h. At this point, cells entered the log phase of growth, the maximal values of Cmag (1.78), iron content (0.47%), and magnetosome number (26 ± 3 per cell) were observed, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity began to decrease more rapidly, ATP content dropped to an extremely low level (0.17 fmol), and reducing power (NADH/NAD+ ratio) began to increase very rapidly. Excessive levels of dissolved oxygen (≥20 ppb) and lactic acid in the medium caused notable cytotoxic effects after 20 h. Artificial control measures for fermentation must be based on realistic cell physiological conditions. At the key time point (18–20 h), cell density is high and magnetosomes have matured. The process of magnetosome synthesis involves a high consumption of ATP and reducing power, and the cells require replenishment of nutrients prior to the 18–20 h time point. Culture conditions that effectively minimize dissolved oxygen accumulation, lactic acid content, and reducing power at this point will enhance magnetosome yield without obvious inhibition of cell growth.
What are the clinical effectiveness, reliability and accuracy of the Siemens Axiom Artis and the GE Innova Imaging System for cardiac catheterization in patients with acute coronary syndrome or coronary artery

Canada. HTIS responses are based on a limited literature search and are not comprehensive, systematic reviews. The intent is to provide a list of sources and a summary of the best evidence on the topic that CADTH could identify using all reasonable efforts within the time allowed. HTIS responses should be considered along with other types of information and health care considerations. The information included in this response is not intended to replace professional medical advice, nor should it be construed as a recommendation for or against the use of a particular health technology. Readers are also cautioned that a lack of good quality evidence does not necessarily mean a lack of effectiveness particularly in the case of new and emerging health technologies, for which little information can be found, but which may in future prove to be effective. While CADTH has taken care in the preparation of the report to ensure that its contents are accurate, complete and up to date, CADTH does not make any guarantee to that effect. CADTH is not liable for any loss or damages resulting from use of the information in the report.
MR cisternography: is it useful in the diagnosis of normal-pressure hydrocephalus and the selection of "good shunt responders"?

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of MR cisternography (MRC) in the diagnosis of idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus (INPH) and in the prediction of the response to shunt treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-six patients with the diagnosis of "probable INPH" were included in the study group and 15 asymptomatic age-matched individuals were included in the control group. Pre-contrast T1-weighted (T1W) imaging was followed by intrathecal administration of 1 ml gadopentetate dimeglumine. Post-contrast T1W images were taken at the 12th, 24th and 48th hours. The presence of contrast material in the lateral ventricles for more than 24 hours was accepted as a positive diagnosis of INPH. Data from both groups were compared statistically. Statistical significance was accepted for P < 0.05. RESULTS All of the INPH patients had remaining contrast material in their lateral ventricles at the 12th and 24th hours, while only 28 (78%) patients had contrast material remaining at the 48th hour after MRC. Only 3 (20%) of the control cases had remaining contrast material in their lateral ventricles at the 24th hour. No contrast material was present in the control cases at the 48th hour. The contrast material was found to be significantly more prevalent in the INPH patients at the 24th and the 48th hours compared with the control cases (P < 0.001). Shunt placement was performed in 14 INPH patients, and eight improved after shunt placement. All patients (100%) who improved after shunt placement had remaining contrast material in their lateral ventricles at the 24th and at the 48th hours. The sensitivity and specificity of MRC in the prediction of the response to shunt treatment were 100% and 17%, respectively. CONCLUSION MRC does not use ionizing radiation and is generally a useful procedure to diagnose NPH and to predict a positive response to shunt treatment; thus, we recommend MRC after routine MRI in patients with the presumed diagnosis of NPH.
Detection and Deformation Mechanism of Non-Metallic Inclusions in FGH96 Alloy Isothermal Forging Disk

According to the defects of powder metallurgy superalloy, especially the influence and damage of inclusions on properties of disk, the deviation between nondestructive testing and metallographic testing of inclusions in FGH96 alloy isothermal forging disk was investigated. Meanwhile, the types and deformation mechanism of inclusions were studied. The results showed that the buried depth tested by metallographic detection was less 67-180μm than nondestructive testing. The size of inclusions with metallographic detection was less about 18-50μm than nondestructive testing. The major types of inclusions in practical disk were Al2O3 and Al2O3-SiO2, the inclusions run through several grains, no matter Al2O3 or Al2O3-SiO2. The Al2O3 inclusion and matrix was purely mechanical bonding, but the Al2O3-SiO2 had reaction zone. There was remarkable effect of extrusion process on crushing and dispersing Al2O3 inclusion, but which was unremarkable for Al2O3-SiO2.
Computer graphic design software applications in graphic design

Graphic design is a products of combination of technology and art. With the development of the times and social progress, all kinds of graphic design combined with computer graphic design software. This article started from the analysis of the concept of computer graphic design software, introduce the concept and current state of graphic design, then to analyze the use of computer graphic design software in graphic design.
Dispersionless Slow Light in Fiber Bragg Gratings with Active Materials

In this paper, an atomic system is suggested to be embedded in the fiber Bragg gratings (FBG) to reduce the group velocity and to eliminate the dispersion of slow light. We demonstrate numerically that the pulse can be transmitted at the group velocity 0.147c dispersionlessly in the FBG, compared with 0.193c and 56% of FWHM broadening without the atomic system.
3D Chemical Imaging with STXM Spectro-Tomography

Three dimensional (3D) chemical imaging using angle scan spectro-tomography in a soft X-ray scanning transmission X-ray microscope (STXM) has been developed and applied to quantitative 3D chemical mapping of fully hydrated biological and polymer systems as well as non-hydrated environmental and biological samples. Soft X-ray tomography using full field X-ray transmission microscopy [1,2] or cryo-STXM [3] has been performed at only one energy which provides density/thickness contrast with limited and potentially ambiguous chemical information. In contrast, spectro-tomography [4-6] acquires tomograms at multiple photon energies to provide true, quantifiable 3D chemical mapping through element- and species-specific, near edge X-ray absorption (NEXAFS) contrast of the components. Fig. 1 shows the in-situ tomography rotator and the sample mounting used, which include pulled glass capillaries, carbon nanopipettes [7], grid strips, and needle frames with wet samples enclose in thin polyimide films. The latter two approaches enable spectro-tomography at energies as low as 150 eV, thus accessing the S 2p edge. Fig. 2d shows a spectro-tomography derived rendering of the distribution of low density (4% dry weight) acrylate polyelectrolyte ionomer inside 800 nm diameter hollow polystyrene micro-spheres in an aqueous medium in a ~3 micron diameter glass micro-capillary The uniformity and statistical distribution of filled versus unfilled microspheres was the goal of the study. Specificity to the acrylate filling was achieved from the difference of tomograms recorded at 532.2 eV (O 1s → π * C=O peak) and 530 eV (Fig. A 3D spatial resolution better than 50 nm
Blind Deconvolution for Ultrasound Sequences Using a Noninverse Greedy Algorithm

The blind deconvolution of ultrasound sequences in medical ultrasound technique is still a major problem despite the efforts made. This paper presents a blind noninverse deconvolution algorithm to eliminate the blurring effect, using the envelope of the acquired radio-frequency sequences and a priori Laplacian distribution for deconvolved signal. The algorithm is executed in two steps. Firstly, the point spread function is automatically estimated from the measured data. Secondly, the data are reconstructed in a nonblind way using proposed algorithm. The algorithm is a nonlinear blind deconvolution which works as a greedy algorithm. The results on simulated signals and real images are compared with different state of the art methods deconvolution. Our method shows good results for scatters detection, speckle noise suppression, and execution time.
Effects of Sensory Immersion on Behavioural Indicators of Player Experience: Movement Synchrony and Controller Pressure

In this paper we investigate the relation between immersion in a game and the player’s intensity of physical behaviours, in order to explore whether these behaviours can be reliably used as indicators of player experience. Immersion in the game was manipulated by means of screen size (20" vs 42" screen), and sound pressure level (60dBA vs 80 dBA), according to a 2 x 2 design. The effects of these manipulations on self-reported experience (including arousal and presence) and behavioural intensity (controller tilt and button pressure) were measured. Results showed that sound pressure level in particular strongly influenced both the self-reported measures of people's affective reactions and feelings of presence and the force people applied to the interface device. Results from controller tilt demonstrated that participants did move along with the dynamics of the game. The measure was, however not sensitive to either of the two manipulations of sensory immersion. In the paper the implications for the use of behavioural indicators of player experience in general and the feeling of presence are discussed. Author Keywords
More Than a Vacation: Short-Term Study Abroad as a Critically Reflective, Transformative Learning Experience

Over the past decade there have been increasing calls to develop the capacity of United States students to think and act globally (Stearns, 2009). One method of encouraging the civic of global citizenship is through study abroad (Tarrant, 2010). However, the educational value and legitimacy of study abroad, in particular short-term programs, has been questioned (Tarrant & Lyons, 2012). This review and commentary will endeavor to support short-term study abroad as a creative, engaging, and effective educative practice. Building on a proposed theoretical framework grounding investigations focused on study abroad and global citizenship (Tarrant, 2010), a review of literature will examine Dewey’s (1933, 1938) conceptualization of educative experiences as necessary and valuable components for a learner, and Mezirow’s (1991) transformative learning theory (TLT) in connection with the fundamental role that critical reflection serves in both established perspectives of learning. Of particular concern is establishing the alignment between studies abroad, the philosophical and theoretical underpinnings of TLT, and the perspective development of learners in connection with global citizenship. By intentionally connecting Dewey and Mezirow’s conceptualizations of learning with Tarrant’s conceptual framework for studies abroad, a call for further research focusing on the experiences and perspectives of students within short-term study abroad environments can be made.
Compact EUV source and Schwarzschild objective for modification and ablation of various materials

In recent years technological developments in the area of extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL) have experienced great improvements. So far, intense light sources based on discharge or laser plasmas, light guiding and imaging optics, as well as detection devices are already available. Currently, the application of EUV radiation apart from microlithography, such as metrology, high-resolution microscopy, or surface analysis comes more and more into focus. The aim is to make use of the strong interaction between soft x-ray radiation and matter for surface-near probing, modification or structuring techniques. In this contribution, we demonstrate the surface-near direct structuring of different polymeric materials as well as lithium fluoride crystals using EUV radiation with a wavelength of 13.5 nm. The setup consists of a table-top EUV source based on a laser-induced plasma and a modified Schwarzschild objective with a resolution down to 130 nm. The mirrors of the employed objective were coated with Mo/Si multilayers, providing a transmittance of around 42 % (reflectivity ~65 % @ 13.5 nm per mirror). With a demagnification factor of 10 small foci are generated, leading to spot diameters of 30 &mgr;m in plasma imaging mode and down to 1 &mgr;m in mask imaging mode, respectively. The EUV energy density of ~100 mJ/cm2 obtained in the focus is sufficient to observe direct photo-etching of polymers, e.g. PMMA. Thus, material interaction studies are currently in progress. The investigations revealed already that in contrast to common excimer laser ablation there are no incubation pulses when using EUV radiation. For lower energies the ablation rate is found to be linear with respect to the applied dose, whereas for higher energies a saturation behavior is observed. By EUV irradiation of LiF samples surface-near defects within the crystal lattice are formed. These color-centers (mainly F2- and F3 +-color centers) are known to be stable at room temperature. They are able to emit characteristic radiation in the visible range after optical excitation with a wavelength around 450 nm. In the future structured areas of such color centers could be used as laser-active gain medium in distributed feedback lasers. For measuring the radiation resistence of Mo/Si mirrors, the setup was used as a top-illuminated microscope at 13.5 nm. By placing the analyzing Mo/Si mirror into the image plane of the objective, the change in reflectivity due to irradiation at a fluence of 20mJ/cm2 could be observed.
Noise spectrum estimation in adverse environments: improved minima controlled recursive averaging

Noise spectrum estimation is a fundamental component of speech enhancement and speech recognition systems. We present an improved minima controlled recursive averaging (IMCRA) approach, for noise estimation in adverse environments involving nonstationary noise, weak speech components, and low input signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The noise estimate is obtained by averaging past spectral power values, using a time-varying frequency-dependent smoothing parameter that is adjusted by the signal presence probability. The speech presence probability is controlled by the minima values of a smoothed periodogram. The proposed procedure comprises two iterations of smoothing and minimum tracking. The first iteration provides a rough voice activity detection in each frequency band. Then, smoothing in the second iteration excludes relatively strong speech components, which makes the minimum tracking during speech activity robust. We show that in nonstationary noise environments and under low SNR conditions, the IMCRA approach is very effective. In particular, compared to a competitive method, it obtains a lower estimation error, and when integrated into a speech enhancement system achieves improved speech quality and lower residual noise.
Polyurethane paint adhesion improvement on aluminium alloy treated by plasma jet and dielectric barrier discharge

Abstract The effect of atmospheric pressure plasma treatment on the adhesion between a protective coating and AA1100 alloy was investigated. Two plasma sources were used for surface modifications: atmospheric pressure plasma jet and dielectric barrier discharge. The surface roughness and water contact angle measurements were conducted in order to evaluate the changes on the aluminium surface after plasma processing. The paint coating was tested using the adhesion tape test (ASTM D3359). A significant improvement of surface wettability and adhesion was obtained after plasma treatments.