Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimum noise measure configurations for transistor negative resistance amplifiers

A new method, using the noise matrix approach, has been developed for determining the optimum reactive terminations for a transistor employed as a low-noise negative-resistance element in a reflection-mode amplifier. This new method corroborates the less efficient graphical method the authors reported earlier. It is established theoretically and demonstrated numerically that the optimum noise measure of a transistor used in a reflection-mode amplifier is independent of the choice of active terminal and is identical to the optimum noise measure of the same transistor when used in a conventional transmission-mode amplifier.
Flammability and physical stability of sugar palm crystalline nanocellulose reinforced thermoplastic sugar palm starch/poly(lactic acid) blend bionanocomposites

Abstract In this study, sugar palm crystalline nanocellulose (SPCNC)-reinforced thermoplastic sugar palm starch (TPS) was blended with poly(lactic acid) (PLA) in order to prioritize the biodegradation feature while offsetting individual polymer limitation. Prior to melt blending process, SPCNC was dispersed through sonication in advance of starch gelatinization which was later casted into petri dishes. PLA and TPS were melt blended into five different ratios using Brabender mixer followed by compression molding. Soil degradation (4 months) and water uptake (4 weeks) tests were conducted to evaluate the physical stability of PLA/TPS blend bionanocomposites. Based on Fickian law, the diffusion curve and coefficient of diffusion for seawater, river water, and sewer water were calculated. The flammability and limiting oxygen index (LOI) tests were conducted in accordance with ASTM D635 and ASTM D2863, respectively. For PLA60TPS40 (40% TPS), significant reduction (46–69%) was recorded in maximum water uptake in all mediums, while soil degradation rate experienced insignificant increment (7.92%) for PLA70TPS30 (30% TPS) owing to the reinforcement of SPCNC through the well-dispersed TPS within PLA. Meanwhile, the flammability rates and LOI values for PLA40TPS60 and PLA60TPS40 indicated flammable material properties.
Post buckling of micromachined beams

The static deformation of micromachined beams under prescribed in-plane compressive stress is studied through analytical and experimental means over the prebuckling, transition, and postbuckling load ranges. The finite amplitude of the beam in its postbuckled state is predicted by modeling the non-linear dependence of the out-of-plane deformation on the compressive stress. In addition, the model explicitly considers the net effect of slight imperfections, which can include fabrication defects, geometric irregularities, or non-ideal loading, on the beam's behavior in the near-buckling regime. As an application, clamped-clamped silicon dioxide beams are fabricated through conventional bulk micromachining, and their deflected profiles are measured through three-dimensional optical profilometry. The measurements are compared to the postbuckled amplitudes and shapes that are predicted by the model, and by existing simpler models that do not include the effects of either non-linearity or imperfection. As borne out by the data, when imperfections are considered, the beams exhibit continuous growth of the out-of-plane amplitude during transition from the prebuckled state to a postbuckled one, in contrast to sudden bifurcation at a critical load. By accounting for this behavior, the estimate of residual stress in the thin film from which the beams are fabricated can be improved, and the amplitude of common postbuckled micromachined structures can be predicted during the design phase.
SEARCH FOR CRITICAL SLIP CIRCLE USING GENETIC ALGORITHMS

Abstract In using traditional nonlinear optimization techniques for determining the critical slip surface in slope-stability analysis there is generally some uncertainty as to robustness of the algorithms to locate the global minimum factor of safety rather than the local minimum factor of safety for complicated and non-homogeneous geological subsoil conditions. This paper describes the incorporation of a genetic algorithm methodology which is becoming increasingly popular in engineering optimization problems as it has been shown in a wide variety of problems to be suitably robust for the search not to become trapped in local optima. First, the general principles of genetic algorithms are described. The genetic algorithm procedure used to locate the critical circular slip surface is then described. The five examples presented indicate that the search strategy was suf ficiently robust and efficient to handle multi-layered soils.
Digital literacy in theory, policy and practice: old concerns, new opportunities

The increasing ubiquity and use of digital technologies across social and cultural life is a key challenge for educators engaged in helping students develop a range of literacies useful for school and beyond. Many young people's experience of communication and participation is now shaped by almost constant engagements with digital technologies and media, as well as with global digital cultures. This increasing access and use has given many young people the opportunity to engage deeply with global media cultures via popular music, television and film franchises, the worldwide computer games industry, or countless other subcultures that connect fans and interested others from around the world via the internet. 'Digital literacy' is often the term associated with the ability to traverse these, and other, online and offline worlds; the notion has long been synonymous with the idea that digital technologies now mediate perhaps a majority of our social interactions. These forms of engagement with the world have important implications for educators and school systems which have historically recognised only a very narrow set of legitimate literacies.
The Effects of General Education Completion on Transfer Student Success: A Transcript Study of Tennessee Transfer Students

This study examines the effects of completing the common general education core prior to transferring on transfer student college success. Comparing students who are similar in terms of their background and educational experiences, we find that pre-transfer completion of the general education requirements has a large statistically significant effect on college success. Specifically, completion of the entire core, or its individual components, increases the probability of graduation, reduces time to a bachelor’s degree, and increases college GPA. The effects differ by component, with the mathematics and communications clusters having the largest impact on the outcomes. We conclude that the general education core effectively serves the goal of facilitating transfer student success and recommend students’ early and full completion of the general education requirements.
Combined Effect of Surface Roughness and Slip Velocity on Jenkins Model Based Magnetic Squeeze Film in Curved Rough Circular Plates

This paper aims to discuss the effect of slip velocity and surface roughness on the performance of Jenkins model based magnetic squeeze film in curved rough circular plates. The upper plate’s curvature parameter is governed by an exponential expression while a hyperbolic form describes the curvature of lower plates. The stochastic model of Christensen and Tonder has been adopted to study the effect of transverse surface roughness of the bearing surfaces. Beavers and Joseph’s slip model has been employed here. The associated Reynolds type equation is solved to obtain the pressure distribution culminating in the calculation of load carrying capacity. The computed results show that the Jenkins model modifies the performance of the bearing system as compared to Neuringer-Rosensweig model, but this model provides little support to the negatively skewed roughness for overcoming the adverse effect of standard deviation and slip velocity even if curvature parameters are suitably chosen. This study establishes that for any type of improvement in the performance characteristics the slip parameter is required to be reduced even if variance (−ve) occurs and suitable magnetic strength is in force.
The Oncolytic Caprine Herpesvirus 1 (CpHV-1) Induces Apoptosis and Synergizes with Cisplatin in Mesothelioma Cell Lines: A New Potential Virotherapy Approach

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive asbestos-related cancer, against which no curative modalities exist. Oncolytic virotherapy is a promising therapeutic approach, for which MM is an ideal candidate; indeed, the pleural location provides direct access for the intra-tumoral injection of oncolytic viruses (OVs). Some non-human OVs offer advantages over human OVs, including the non-pathogenicity in humans and the absence of pre-existing immunity. We previously showed that caprine herpesvirus 1 (CpHV-1), a non-pathogenic virus for humans, can kill different human cancer cell lines. Here, we assessed CpHV-1 effects on MM (NCI-H28, MSTO, NCI-H2052) and non-tumor mesothelial (MET-5A) cells. We found that CpHV-1 reduced cell viability and clonogenic potential in all MM cell lines without affecting non-tumor cells, in which, indeed, we did not detect intracellular viral DNA after treatment. In particular, CpHV-1 induced MM cell apoptosis and accumulation in G0/G1 or S cell cycle phases. Moreover, CpHV-1 strongly synergized with cisplatin, the drug currently used in MM chemotherapy, and this agent combination did not affect normal mesothelial cells. Although further studies are required to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the selective CpHV-1 action on MM cells, our data suggest that the CpHV-1-cisplatin combination could be a feasible strategy against MM.
Loss of SATB2 Occurs More Frequently Than CDX2 Loss in Colorectal Carcinoma and Identifies Particularly Aggressive Cancers in High-Risk Subgroups

Simple Summary The immunohistochemical analysis of Special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 2 (SATB2) is increasingly being used to detect colorectal differentiation. Our study aimed to investigate SATB2 expression levels and the prognostic relevance of SATB2 loss in colorectal carcinoma (CRC), especially in comparison with CDX2, the standard marker of colorectal differentiation. We tested SATB2 expression in 1039 CRCs and identified SATB2 as a strong prognosticator in the overall cohort as well as in specific subcohorts, including high-risk subgroups. Compared to CDX2, SATB2 showed a higher prognostic power but was lost at a much higher frequency, generally rendering SATB2 as the less sensitive marker for colorectal differentiation compared to CDX2. Abstract Background: Special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 2 (SATB2) has emerged as an alternative immunohistochemical marker to CDX2 for colorectal differentiation. However, the distribution and prognostic relevance of SATB2 expression in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) have to be further elucidated. Methods: SATB2 expression was analysed in 1039 CRCs and correlated with clinicopathological and morphological factors, CDX2 expression as well as survival parameters within the overall cohort and in clinicopathological subgroups. Results: SATB2 loss was a strong prognosticator in univariate analyses of the overall cohort (p < 0.001 for all survival comparisons) and in numerous subcohorts including high-risk scenarios (UICC stage III/high tumour budding). SATB2 retained its prognostic relevance in multivariate analyses of these high-risk scenarios (e.g., UICC stage III: DSS: p = 0.007, HR: 1.95), but not in the overall cohort (DSS: p = 0.1, HR: 1.25). SATB2 loss was more frequent than CDX2 loss (22.2% vs. 10.2%, p < 0.001) and of higher prognostic relevance with only moderate overlap between SATB2/CDX2 expression groups. Conclusions: SATB2 loss is able to identify especially aggressive CRCs in high-risk subgroups. While SATB2 is the prognostically superior immunohistochemical parameter compared to CDX2 in univariate analyses, it appears to be the less sensitive marker for colorectal differentiation as it is lost more frequently.
The Effects of Employer Branding on Value Congruence and Brand Love

This study examines the effect of employer brand on employees’ brand love by applying value congruence theory. A survey was conducted with employees of well-known hotel brands in South Korea. The results show that not all employer brand dimensions equally contribute to the formation of brand love. While economic, social, and development values positively influence brand love, interest value and application value did not affect brand love formation. Employees’ value congruence perceptions mediate this effect because employees could infer what values employers care about based on the benefits that a hotel brand offers. This study contributes to the literature by linking value congruence with employer branding and brand love. Based on our findings, hospitality managers can redesign all work activities and apply employer branding principles to reflect employment value to achieve employee’s brand love.
Assessing the Status of Mandatory Tuberculosis Case Notification among Private Practitioners in Urban Puducherry

Background: In India, tuberculosis (TB) was made a notifiable disease in 2012 and nonnotification was made a punishable offense in March 2018. In 2018, 25% of TB cases notified were from private sector. Objectives: The objective of the study is to assess the proportion of private practitioners (PPs) who notified TB cases to the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) and to identify the facilitating factors and barriers to TB case notification, including channels most preferred for notification. Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among PPs in urban Puducherry. PPs were included consecutively, and data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire. Results: Almost 60% (75 of 125) of PPs had dealt with presumptive TB cases in the last 1 year. Only one of 16 PPs who diagnosed and two of four PPs who treated had notified. PPs preferred electronic modes of notification such as e-mail and short messaging service (SMS). Concerns regarding patient confidentiality and delay in collection of notification forms from PPs by RNTCP were the barriers to notification. Conclusions: Notification for TB diagnosis was poor as PPs preferred to refer cases to RNTCP rather than notifying. Only four PPs had initiated TB treatment, of whom two PPs (50%) had notified.
The impact of technostress creators on novice teachers’ job satisfaction

ABSTRACT This study investigates the technostress of 304 Chinese novice teachers of primary and secondary schools to explore how technostress creators impact job satisfaction through their appraisal results and coping strategies. The results reveal that for novice teachers: (a) the relationships between different technostress creators and appraisal results are inconsistent, (b) seeking technical help mediates the influence of challenge appraisal on job satisfaction, (c) venting has no significant mediating effect on the impact of threat appraisal on job satisfaction. Based on these findings, initial teacher educators could adjust their courses by including more students-centred technical training and practices; teacher recruitment may appropriately increase the evaluation of the technical ability and technostress management, school administrators should add stress coping and tailor-made technical content to their existing professional training programme for newly qualified teachers and create adequate opportunities for them to experience technology.
Parental compliance for speech therapy of their hearing-impaired children using cochlear implants

Background: Cochlear implant is a miraculous surgery to improve hearing in profound hearing-impaired children who derive no benefit from hearing aids and consequently present with speech and language disability. This study aims to explore the parental perspective regarding compliance to speech therapy and its potential benefit in hearing-impaired children with cochlear implantation. This will help understand parental concerns and plan recommendations for providing appropriate speech therapy sessions after cochlear implantation. Subjects and methods: This cross-sectional study using purposive sampling recruited 217 parents of hearing impaired cochlear implanted children of both genders, aged 1 to 15 years. Sample was collected from Audiology Department of Riphah International University, Combined Military Hospital, Bahria Town Hospital and Alam Audiology Clinic, Lahore, Pakistan over a period of 6 months. Basic demographic sheet and self-structured questionnaire was used for data collection. SPSS Version 22 was used for data analysis. Results: Results revealed that both parents of 120 (55.3%) male and 97 (44.7%) female cochlear implanted children entered the study. A poor compliance was noted with only 88(40.55%) parents got their children consulted with a speech therapist for post implant needs and of these only 75 (84.23%) received regular speech therapy. There was significant association of those who received hearing aid trial and consultation to speech therapist (p=0.01) and length of speech therapy with regular therapy sessions (p=0.03), speech language improvement with the thought that regular speech therapy was important (p=0.04) Conclusion: By and large parents are not very compliant to speech therapy needs of their implanted children with only 40.55% consulted speech language therapists and remaining remained indifferent. Of the 40.55% who consulted speech language therapists 84.23% followed speech therapy for their children. Study also revealed a significant relationship between regular speech therapy sessions and early speech and language development.
A LOW WASH DESIGN FOR A RIVER PATROL CRAFT WITH MINIMAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

A description is given of the development of a low wash design for a river patrol craft. The new design was to replace an existing vessel which creates substantial wave wash at normal operating speeds and high speeds. In order to assess the potential contending designs a series of computational and model scale tests were carried out on a monohull and two catamaran designs. This entailed measurements of resistance, trim and wave wash heights. Near full scale tests were carried out on the three hull forms and wash measurements were made. Broad agreement between the computational, model and near full scale wave wash prediction was achieved. The results of the investigation were used to develop a final design which was of catamaran form. Construction of the vessel is described including materials suggestion and the build processes, with the aim of minimum impact upon the environment. Overall, the research, development and design programme has added substantially to the potential for improved safety in inland waterway and inshore patrol and rescue craft, while also providing benefits to both the riverbank, atmospheric and water environments.
Microstrip reflectarrays: Full-wave analysis and design scheme

An analytical approach and a design scheme based on a highly efficient full-wave analysis technique CG-FFT (conjugate-gradient fast Fourier transform), are presented for accurately analyzing large microstrip reflectarrays in a very detailed manner throughout the whole design procedure. A trial microstrip reflectarray has been designed using the proposed approach. It was then constructed and tested. The experimental results are compared with the simulated results. It is considered that, to get an accurate focus point of the microstrip reflectarray, it is crucial to know the precise phase shift of the reradiated field of each single patch in the array caused by the connected short transmission lines. <<ETX>>
A review of algal toxin exposures on reserved federal lands and among trust species in the United States

Abstract Associated health effects from algal toxin exposure are a growing concern for human and animal health. Algal toxin poisonings may occur from contact with or consumption of water supplies or from ingestion of contaminated animals. The U.S. Federal Government owns or holds in trust about 259 million hectares of land, in addition to the Trust species obligations. We completed the first comprehensive review of potential toxin-producing algal blooms in surface waters on Federal lands and Trust species exposed to algal toxins. Events were sorted into three tiers based on potentially toxic algae abundance or toxin concentration and related effects on animal morbidity and mortality. At least 11.1% of Federal lands are known to have been affected by algal events, but exposure is likely underreported. The occurrence of potential toxin producers and their toxins (Tier 1) have been documented 337 times, health advisory threshold exceedances (Tier 2) were reported 943 times, and 86 events involved animal sickness or death linked to cyanobacteria or marine toxins (Tier 3). Trust species exposed to cyano- or algal toxins included marine mammals, migratory birds, threatened and endangered species, and species of concern. We report numerous data gaps ranging from potential effects on human health from consuming intoxicated animals to the infrequency of measuring and reporting certain toxins. Improvements to field and laboratory methods, more consistent evaluation of toxin exposure, decreased latency on data analysis, delivery and interpretation will be necessary to improve response and management strategies for protecting human and animal health where issues persist.
Design of ultra-broad-band LiNbO/sub 3/ optical modulators with ridge structure

This paper describes novel coplanar waveguide (CPW) electrode and asymmetric coplanar strip line (A-CPS) electrode structures, introducing ridged LiNbO/sub 3/ substrates and thicker electrodes, for ultra-broad-band LiNbO/sub 3/ optical modulators. The structures are designed here with quasistatic analysis using the finite-element method. Ridged-structures with CPW and A-CPS electrodes are shown to be able to reduce the driving-voltage below that of the conventional planar-type electrodes and are suitable for modulation of exceeding 100 GHz and driving voltage of far less than 4 V under an optical wavelength of 1.55 /spl mu/m and 50 /spl Omega/ characteristic-impedance system. The ridge-type CPW can provide a broader bandwidth characteristic with a relatively thinner buffer layer and thinner electrode than the ridge-type A-CPS and is easier to fabricate. The ridge-type LiNbO/sub 3/ modulators are consequently candidate devices for future ultra-high-speed optical fiber transmission systems. >
Lean Sigma [production and supply chain management]

Lean strategy brings a set of proven tools and techniques to reduce times, inventories, set up times, equipment downtime, scrap, rework and other wastes of the hidden factory. The focus is on value from a customer perspective and flowing this through the entire supply chain. The statistically based problem solving methodology of Six Sigma delivers data to drive solutions, delivering dramatic bottom-line results. In the Six Sigma school of study, a problem is tackled by a black or green belt, depending on the nature of the problem and the degree of complexity involved in the determination of solutions. The authors compare and contrast the lean and Six Sigma approaches, and find that greater benefits can be reaped by blending the best of each.