Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Measurement of Broadband Ultrasonic Attenuation in Cancellous Bone-A Review of the Science and Technology

The measurement of broadband ultrasonic attenuation (BUA) in cancellous bone at the calcaneus was first described in 1984. The assessment of osteoporosis by BUA has recently been recognized by Universities UK, within its EurekaUK book, as being one of the "100 discoveries and developments in UK Universities that have changed the world" over the past 50 years, covering the whole academic spectrum from the arts and humanities to science and technology. Indeed, BUA technique has been clinically validated and is utilized worldwide, with at least seven commercial systems providing calcaneal BUA measurement. However, a fundamental understanding of the dependence of BUA upon the material and structural properties of cancellous bone is still lacking. This review aims to provide a science- and technology-orientated perspective on the application of BUA to the medical disease of osteoporosis.
Ultrastructural immunolabeling shows prominent presynaptic vesicular localization of delta-opioid receptor within both enkephalin- and nonenkephalin-containing axon terminals in the superficial layers of the rat cervical spinal cord

Opioid peptides, Met5- and Leu5-enkephalin, are known endogenous ligands for the delta-opioid receptor (DOR) associated with opioid analgesia at the spinal level. To determine the cellular sites for DOR- mediated actions, we examined the ultrastructural localization of DOR and Met5-enkephalin (ME) in the spinal cord by combining immunoperoxidase and immunogold-silver labeling for antibodies against DOR and ME, respectively. Antibodies for DOR localization were raised in guinea pig against peptide 34–47 (p34), an amino acid sequence within the extracellular N-terminus of the DOR recently cloned from mouse neuroblastoma glioma (NG-108) cells. Selective immunoperoxidase labeling for DOR was detected by light microscopy in NG-108 cells and in the lamina I and II of the dorsal horn of the spinal cord (C2-C4). Electron microscopy of these spinal laminae revealed that the majority of the punctate varicosities seen by light microscopy were axon terminals. delta-opioid receptor-like immunoreactivity (DOR-LI) in axon terminals was most prominently associated with large dense core vesicles, and sometimes seen along the membranes of small clear vesicles and segments of the plasmalemma. A semiquantitative analysis of dually labeled sections revealed that of the terminals showing DOR- LI, 23/102 (23%) also contained Met5-enkephalin-like immunoreactivity (ME-LI). Conversely, 23/35 (66%) of the terminals showing ME-LI also showed DOR-LI. In addition to the presynaptic localization, selective postsynaptic densities within dendrites were also occasionally (9%) immunolabeled for the opioid receptor. These results provide the first ultrastructural evidence that DOR may serve autoreceptor functions on ME terminals as well as presynaptic modulation of other transmitters in the dorsal horn of the rat spinal cord. Additionally, the vesicular localization of DOR-LI in axon terminals suggests the involvement of these organelles in the transport of the receptors to the plasma membrane.
Performance Analysis of Mc Ds-Cdma System Using BPSK Over Correlated And Independent Nakagami-M Fading Channel

Abstract. This paper deals with simulation of Nakagami-m fading in wireless channels using generalized MC DS-CDMA scheme using binary phase shift keying modulation. The paper proposes for deriving Bit Error Rate (BER) in BPSK MC DS-CDMA system over Nakagami-m fading channels. The numerical results are plotted as BER vs SNR for various values of Nakagami factor m, number of users K, and jamming interference (JSR) using MAT LAB software. The performance analysis for a system using MRC at the receiver was carried out and difference between independent and correlated fading for various values of m was observed. It is observed that the BER of correlated fading is high when compared with the independent fading. There is a decrease in Bit Error Rate for increase in m for MC DS-CDMA. The number of users k, JSR increases as Bit Error Rate increases for MC DS-CDMA. As the Correlation coefficient increases the Bit Error Rate increases for MC DSCDMA. Effect of fading is more for high correlation coefficients.
Multi-objective programming to maximize the penetration of distributed generation in distribution networks

Distributed generation allows achieving large savings or causing technical problems, depending on the generation size, type and location. The optimal location and sizing of DG is a challenging problem and requires a multiobjective programming approach. In this paper the aspects of the DG siting and sizing problem are highlighted considering the simultaneous optimization of several objective functions from the point of view of different stakeholders of the distribution system. A procedure able to identify the maximum allowable penetration level of DG in a given distribution network, considering the possibility of a non-optimal location of the DG units, is presented.
Multisite Comparison of CD4 and CD8 T-Lymphocyte Counting by Single- versus Multiple-Platform Methodologies: Evaluation of Beckman Coulter Flow-Count Fluorospheres and the tetraONE System

ABSTRACT New analytic methods that permit absolute CD4 and CD8 T-cell determinations to be performed entirely on the flow cytometer have the potential for improving assay precision and accuracy. In a multisite trial, we compared two different single-platform assay methods with a predicate two-color assay in which the absolute lymphocyte count was derived by conventional hematology. A two-color method employing lymphocyte light scatter gating and Beckman Coulter Flow-Count fluorospheres for absolute counting produced within-laboratory precision equivalent to that of the two-color predicate method, as measured by coefficient of variation of replicate measurements. The fully automated Beckman Coulter tetraONE System four-color assay employing CD45 lymphocyte gating, automated analysis, and absolute counting by fluorospheres resulted in a small but significant improvement in the within-laboratory precision of CD4 and CD8 cell counts and percentages suggesting that the CD45 lymphocyte gating and automated analysis might have contributed to the improved performance. Both the two-color method employing Flow-Count fluorospheres and the four-color tetraONE System provided significant and substantial improvements in between-laboratory precision of absolute counts. In some laboratories, absolute counts obtained by the single-platform methods showed small but consistent differences relative to the predicate method. Comparison of each laboratory's absolute counts with the five-laboratory median value suggested that these differences resulted from a bias in the absolute lymphocyte count obtained from the hematology instrument in some laboratories. These results demonstrate the potential for single-platform assay methods to improve within-laboratory and between-laboratory precision of CD4 and CD8 T-cell determinations compared with conventional assay methods.
Realization of Time Synchronization Protocol Based on Frequency Skew Bid and Dynamic Topology Using Embedded Linux System

The time synchronization of network will encounter a severe challenge due to the proliferation of scale in wireless sensor networks. In order to improve the precision of time synchronization in network, a time synchronization protocol based on frequency skew bid and dynamic topology (FBDT) is designed in the paper as well as realized on Embedded Linux System. To be able to effectively inhibit synchronization error accumulation in multi-hop, a clustering mechanism in network region is adopted to reduce synchronization hops. In the protocol, every node selects the parent node which has a more stable clock frequency and fewer synchronization hops to restrain accumulation of synchronization error, meanwhile, combining fast and slow synchronization strategy is utilized to meet requirement on two performance indicators of synchronization accuracy and convergence time. Availing itself of hops information to select the parent node dynamically, the protocol can fit well in the network of dynamic topology, with good resistance to destructive and scalability. A method similar with TPSN protocol is used to eliminate transmission delay during synchronization between two nodes. Testing results on embedded Linux development board indicate that the FBDT synchronization protocol can reach the precision of μs, which can satisfy the requirements for practical applications.
Synthesis of High Quality Graphene Films by Atmospheric Pressure CVD and their Application in Laser Q-Switching

Synthesis of high quality graphene films on Cu foil by atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) was studied systematically. Acetylene and Cu foil were chosen as the carbon source and the catalyst (or the support) for the synthesis of graphene, respectively. The effect of several synthesized parameters on the structure of graphene films were investigated in detail. The controlled synthesis of graphene and the optimal synthesis conditions were derived. The prepared graphene film was transferred to a coated mirror as a Q-switching saturable absorber used in a Nd:YAG laser. The obtained shortest laser pulse width with single-pulse energy of 8.18 μJ was 242.8 ns. The results indicate that graphene film synthesized by APCVD can be excellently used as saturable absorber material in ultrashort pulse laser.
The Evolution of the Labor Market for Medical Interns and Residents: A Case Study in Game Theory

The organization of the labor market for medical interns and residents underwent a number of changes before taking its present form in 1951. The record of these changes and the problems that prompted them provides an unusual opportunity to study the forces at work in markets of this kind. The present paper begins with a brief history and then presents a game-theoretic analysis to explain the orderly operation and longevity of the current market, in contrast to the turmoil that characterized various earlier short-lived attempts to organize the market. An analysis is also given of some contemporary problems facing the market. A subsidiary theme of the paper concerns the history of ideas: the problems encountered in the organization of this market, and some of the solutions arrived at, anticipated the discussion of such issues in the literature of economics and game theory.
Design and implementation of the baseband transceiver for the HD radio AM system

In recent years, the spectrum resource has become a more and more important consideration for the designs of wireless communication system. Therefore, Hybrid In-Band On-Channel (HIBOC) broadcasting system has been proposed as a composite solution to transmit digital and analog amplitude modulation (AM) signals in the conventional AM band. This system has been adopted by US as a digital radio broadcasting standard, and the specification is named as HD Radio AM. Although the modulation scheme in this standard is the Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) which has been widely applied to various digital communication systems, the receiver architecture could not be the same as the conventional OFDM receiver design owing to the overlapping spectrum between the analog and digital signals. In this paper, a high-pass filter is employed to improve the performance of the symbol timing detection. In a fading channel, the channel response must be estimated before canceling the interference of the analog AM signals. Besides, when implementing the system on the FPGA based hardware platform, both the theoretical and the practical aspects have been considered to reach the available hardware resource. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme can keep good system performance.
ÉTUDE DE LA PERFORMANCE DE PILES À COMBUSTIBLE MICROBIENNES ET L'EFFET DES MATÉRIAUX D'ÉLECTRODES

Recent climate change has brought a whole new dimension to the energy field since now we must change our primary source, fossil fuels. The microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology emerged as a result of recent efforts in the development of alternative sources of energy. The MFC technology provides organic matter removal in wastewater along with electricity generation. Functioning with many types of organic compounds, this promising technology may be implemented in multiple settings: sewage treatment plants, farms and food processing plants and pulp and paper industries. This technology opens the door to universal and inexpensive electricity production since every country generates a substantial amount of wastewater and biomass. Given the complexity of such system combining microbiology, electrochemistry and transport phenomena in a reactor, it is important to analyze the performance of microbial fuel cells under various experimental conditions. This project therefore aims to improve the general understanding that leads to the performance maximization of such cell. It is assumed that the microbial fuel cells’ functioning is influenced by the operation conditions as well as the biofilm development and other limitations. It is also appropriate to suppose that the electrode materials also have consequences on either the microorganisms’ activity or the electrochemical reaction reactivity. Thus, various operating conditions and configurations are tested to identify the specific effects of these changes on cell performance. Also, the development of the biofilm is extensively studied under various conditions to improve the electrons transfer between the active biofilm and the anode. Experiments in this project are performed in a membraneless single-chamber microbial cell inoculated with anaerobic sludge and supplied with simple substrates (glucose, acetate). The cell is generally operated at room temperature and neutral pH. Periodic monitoring of the current generated by microbial fuel cell throughout its operation permitted to notice the evolution of anodic biofilm growth and activity. The cell characteristics (internal and electrodes resistance, current and power generation) were evaluated using polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. Cyclic voltammetry allowed the observation of the electrochemical activity of anode-reducing microorganisms and determination of their redox potential, as well as the system reversibility and its diffusion limitation. Moreover, it is possible to evaluate changes in the fuel cells operation under various conditions using calculations of organic matter removal
A Dopa Decarboxylase Modulating the Immune Response of Scallop Chlamys farreri

Background Dopa decarboxylase (DDC) is a pyridoxal 5-phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the decarboxylation of L-Dopa to dopamine, and involved in complex neuroendocrine-immune regulatory network. The function for DDC in the immunomodulation remains unclear in invertebrate. Methodology The full-length cDNA encoding DDC (designated CfDDC) was cloned from mollusc scallop Chlamys farreri. It contained an open reading frame encoding a polypeptide of 560 amino acids. The CfDDC mRNA transcripts could be detected in all the tested tissues, including the immune tissues haemocytes and hepatopancreas. After scallops were treated with LPS stimulation, the mRNA expression level of CfDDC in haemocytes increased significantly (5.5-fold, P<0.05) at 3 h and reached the peak at 12 h (9.8-fold, P<0.05), and then recovered to the baseline level. The recombinant protein of CfDDC (rCfDDC) was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3)-Transetta, and 1 mg rCfDDC could catalyze the production of 1.651±0.22 ng dopamine within 1 h in vitro. When the haemocytes were incubated with rCfDDC-coated agarose beads, the haemocyte encapsulation to the beads was increased significantly from 70% at 6 h to 93% at 24 h in vitro in comparison with that in the control (23% at 6 h to 25% at 24 h), and the increased haemocyte encapsulation was repressed by the addition of rCfDDC antibody (which is acquired via immunization 6-week old rats with rCfDDC). After the injection of DDC inhibitor methyldopa, the ROS level in haemocytes of scallops was decreased significantly to 0.41-fold (P<0.05) of blank group at 12 h and 0.47-fold (P<0.05) at 24 h, respectively. Conclusions These results collectively suggested that CfDDC, as a homologue of DDC in scallop, modulated the immune responses such as haemocytes encapsulation as well as the ROS level through its catalytic activity, functioning as an indispensable immunomodulating enzyme in the neuroendocrine-immune regulatory network of mollusc.
The Prudent Principal

This paper re-examines executive incentive compensation, using a principal-agent model in which the principal is downside risk averse, or prudent (as a number of empirical facts, regulations and scholarly works suggest it should be), instead of risk neutral (as it has been commonly assumed so far in the literature). We …nd that optimal incentive pay should then be ‘approximately concave’ in performance (in a precise sense), the approximation being closer the more prudent the principal is relative to the agent. This means that an executive should face higher-powered incentives while in the bad states, but be given somewhat weaker incentives when things are going well. Such a statement runs counter to current evidence that incentive compensation packages often put substantial weight on convex devices (such as stock options). We show that this disparity can be justi…ed under certain limited liability and taxation regimes. Some empirical research directions (investigating the composition of incentive pay, notably) and public policy implications are brie‡y discussed.
RANBAR: RANSAC-based resilient aggregation in sensor networks

We present a novel outlier elimination technique designed for sensor networks. This technique is called RANBAR and it is based on the RANSAC (RANdom SAmple Consensus) paradigm, which is well-known in computer vision and in automated cartography. The RANSAC paradigm gives us a hint on how to instantiate a model if there are a lot of compromised data elements.However,the paradigm does not specify an algorithm and it uses a guess for the number of compromised elements, which is not known in general in real life environments. We developed the RANBAR algorithm following this paradigm and we eliminated the need for the guess. Our RANBAR algorithm is therefore capable to handle a high percent of outlier measurement data by leaning on only one preassumption,namely that the sample is i.i. d. in the unattacked case. We implemented the algorithm in a simulation environment and we used it to filter out outlier elements from a sample before an aggregation procedure. The aggregation function that we used was the average. We show that the algorithm guarantees a small distortion on the output of the aggregator even if almost half of the sample is compromised. Compared to other resilient aggregation algorithms, like the trimmed average and the median, our RANBAR algorithm results in smaller distortion, especially for high attack strengths.
Feedforward reversed nested Miller compensation techniques for three-stage amplifiers

Two novel reversed nested Miller compensation (RNMC) techniques for low-voltage three-stage amplifiers are proposed in this contribution: Nested Feedforward RNMC (NFRNMC) and Crossed Feedforward RNMC (CFRNMC). Both techniques employ double feedforward paths to remove the right-half-plane zero. The second architecture generates a left-half-plane zero to further improve the phase margin. To demonstrate advantages of the new RNMC techniques over the traditional RNMC architecture, two three-stage amplifiers are designed employing the proposed techniques in a standard 0.5 /spl mu/m CMOS process. Simulation results show that, with the same gain-bandwidth product, the NFRNMC and CFRNMC amplifiers have improved stabilities over the conventional RNMC amplifiers by more than 150 and 200 in the phase margin, respectively. They both dissipate less than 0.4 mW of power with a 1 V supply.
International Productivity Di ¤ erences and Roles of Domestic Investment , FDI and Trade

This paper calculates Theils entropy index to measure the extent of productivity di¤erences across 92 countries for the period from 1970 to 2003. While there is evidence of increasing di¤erences in productivity across these countries, we observe di¤erent patterns when we group the countries by income levels. These di¤erences seem to have decreased among middle income developing and developed countries whereas they have widened among low and high income developing countries. Multivariate time series analysis results suggest that FDI increases productivity di¤erences among low and high income developing countries whereas domestic investment reduces these di¤erences among low income countries in the long-run. Granger causality test results indicate that while an increase in domestic investment slows down the growth of trade, a higher growth of trade attracts FDI to middle income countries. Furthermore, a reduction in productivity di¤erences and a higher FDI growth accelerate the growth of trade in developed countries. Keywords : Productivity Di¤erences, Theils Entropy Index, Domestic Investment, Foreign Direct Investment. JEL Classi cations: F02, F21, F43. Department of Economics and Business, Hanyang University, Ansan Campus, Kyunggi-Do, 426-791, South Korea; Phone: 031 400 5628; E-mail: ggd@hanyang.ac. kr yDepartment of Economics and International Business, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville TX 77341-2118 USA; Phone: 936-294-4760; E-mail: eco_hkn@shsu.edu zCorresponding author: Department of Economics, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON, Canada M5B 2K3. Phone: 416-979-5000 (ext 6689); fax: 416-5985916; e-mail: hyildiz@ryerson.ca.
A Bio-hydro-mechanical Model for Propagation of Biogrout in Soils

Conventional soil improvement techniques can lead to permanent soil pollution or emission of carbon dioxide. It is therefore a challenge for engineers to design alternative sustainable and cost-effective grouting techniques. In Microbial Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP), bacterial activity leading to calcite precipitation is created and the precipitated calcite acts as a cementing agent in the soil. Bacterial strains producing urease can indeed have a major impact on the natural calcite precipitation process when supplied with nutrients and urea. The miscible and reactive biogrout injection in saturated, deformable soil need to be better described to more effectively design this innovative grouting technique. A comprehensive research work is therefore carried out on this topic. The field equations for biogrout transport are established based on the understanding of the complex processes involved: bio-hydro-mechanical couplings, transport, miscibility, bacterial growth and decay and bacterial attachment and detachment. The resulting set of field equations is discretized and implemented into an advanced finite element code. Finite element modelling of column injection tests is carried out to validate the formulation and demonstrate the potentiality of the developed model. The simulation results emphasize the significant role of bio-hydromechanical processes in the global MICP response of the soil.