Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The fluid profile during spin-coating over a small sinusoidal topography

We consider spin-coating over a small sinusoidal topography modelling the physical problem of the coating of a television screen. This involves depositing a phosphor layer on a substrate with a precoating consisting of small parallel striations. Despite the fact that the basic flow is radial, we show that the final liquid coating does not have radial variation; rather, it varies according to the underlying topography. We use a thin film model resulting in an evolution equation for the fluid thickness and sketch several techniques for obtaining approximate solutions in appropriate limiting situations.
"Jordan's Scalar Stars"and Dark Matter

Here we are starting the study of the field equations of relativistic scalar tensor theories in the spherically symmetric gravitational field. In the present article we shall consider as an example only the simplest Jordan-Brans-Dicke (JBD) one. To illustrate the property of the spherically symmetric JBD configuration we exhibit a new representation of the well-known four dimensional solutions. In this model, a suitable segment of Brans solution is chosen for the interior of the object while the outer region consists of a Schwarzschild vacuum. We have constructed ”Jordan’s scalar stars” model consisting of three parts: a homogeneous inner core with equation of state p M = ε ̺M ; an envelope of Brans spacetime matching the core and the exterior Schwarzschild spacetime. We have also showed that this toy model can explain the intergalactic effects without the dark matter hypothesis.
Founder human capital and small firm performance : an empirical study of founder-managed natural food stores

The authors investigated the effect of founders’ human capital on the performance of their small firms. In our model, founder human capital had two dimensions: (1) level of education and (2) industry managerial experience. The authors hypothesized that higher levels of founder education and more years of founder industry managerial experience led to better firm performance. A survey of founder-managed natural food stores validated our hypotheses.
Static Analysis of Programs with Graphical User Interface

We describe a new approach for statically analyzing programs which have a graphical user interface (GUI). Our analysis detects the parts of the program which belong to the GUI, it detects widgets and hierarchies they form, and it shows the event handlers connected to events of those widgets. Besides supporting general program understanding, we show that this also supports control-flow analysis, architecture recovery, migration to GUI builders and mapping the visual appearance of the program to source code artefacts. Our tests indicate that the static analysis we propose is fast and useful
Reflective Symmetry Detection by Rectifying Randomized Correspondences

We present a method for detecting bilateral or reflective symmetries in images. We pose the problem as an instance of a multiple model estimation problem. We build candidate symmetry models by randomly sampling minimal sets of SIFT matches. Since these symmetry models can be in non-frontal viewpoints, we rectify them, undoing the perspective effect. From the models with valid symmetric properties, we compute consensus sets by determining which SIFT matches are compatible with each symmetry model. We finally recombine these consensus sets, using a clustering algorithm. The method is able to detect single and multiple symmetries both in frontal and non frontoparallel viewpoints, achieving state-of-the-art results.
A Multi-Platform Optical Sensor for In Vivo and In Vitro Algae Classification

Differentiation among major algal groups is important for the ecological and biogeochemical characterization of water bodies, and for practical management of water resources. It helps to discern the taxonomic groups that are beneficial to aquatic life from the organisms causing harmful algal blooms. An LED-induced fluorescence (LEDIF) instrument capable of fluorescence, absorbance, and scattering measurements; is used for in vivo and in vitro identification and quantification of four algal groups found in freshwater and marine environments. Aqueous solutions of individual and mixed dissolved biological pigments relevant to different algal groups were measured to demonstrate the LEDIF’s capabilities in measuring extracted pigments. Different genera of algae were cultivated and the cell counts of the samples were quantified with a hemacytometer and/or cellometer. Dry weight of different algae cells was also measured to determine the cell counts-to-dry weight correlations. Finally, in vivo measurements of different genus of algae at different cell concentrations and mixed algal group in the presence of humic acid were performed with the LEDIF. A field sample from a local reservoir was measured with the LEDIF and the results were verified using hemacytometer, cellometer, and microscope. The results demonstrated the LEDIF’s capabilities in classifying and quantifying different groups of live algae.
Promotion of Ventricular Tachycardia Induction by Procainamide in Dogs with Inducible Ventricular Fibrillation Late After Myocardial Infarction

The influence of procainamide on inducible ventricular tachyarrhythmias was evaluated in 35 dogs with experimental myocardial infarction, and 9 normal dogs. Programmed stimulation was performed from the right ventricular apex via a percutaneously positioned electrode catheter, using up to five extrastimuli before and after intravenous administration of procainamide (15 mg/kg). Procainamide Jevels in postinfarct dogs were 8.5 ± 0.7 μg/mL (range 5.3–33.6 μg/mL). Procainamide exerted its greatest effect in postinfarct dogs with reproducible baseline ventricular fibrillation. Six of nine dogs (P < 0.05) with ventricular fibrillation had sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (cycle length: 147 ± 4 msec) induced after procainamide administration. This ventricular tachycardia required significantly more extrastimuli than baseline ventricular fibrillation (3 ± 0.3 extrastimuli before vs 4 ± 0.3 extrastimuli after procainamide). Procainamide never converted ventricular fibrillation to ventricular tachycardia in normal dogs. Procainamide had minimal effect on inducible ventricular tachycardia after myocardial infarction. Ventricular tachycardia induction was abolished in only 2 of 17 dogs despite significant prolongation of electrophysiological parameters. Ventricular tachycardia cycle length, and the number of extrastimuli required were unchanged by procainamide in this subgroup. Conclusion: Ventricular tachycardia is insensitive to the antiarrhythmic properties of procainamide in this model. In contrast, procainamide is able to convert postinfarction ventricular fibrillation to ventricular tachycardia, presumably by promoting sustained, organized reentry. This previously undescribed action is an unusual form of proarrhyfhmic effect, and suggests that this drug should be used cautiously in patients after myocardial infarction.
Imprinted H19 oncofetal RNA is a candidate tumour marker for hepatocellular carcinoma.

AIMS/BACKGROUND: To study the expression of the H19 gene in hepatocellular carcinoma. H19 is an imprinted, maternally expressed gene, which is tightly linked, both physically and functionally, to the paternally expressed insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF II). IGF II is known to be involved in liver carcinogenesis. H19 was first discovered in the fetal mouse liver to be under the same regulatory genes as alpha fetoprotein (alpha FP), a widely used tumour marker for hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: Using both radioactive and non-radioactive in situ hybridisation, the expression of the H19 gene was compared with the presence of alpha FP, as demonstrated by immunohistochemistry, in 18 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma. RESULTS: H19 expression was present in 13 of 18 cases, whereas staining for alpha FP was positive in only nine of 18 cases. Concordance was found in 12 of 18 tumours (66.7%). In general, the staining pattern for H19 was more diffuse than the immunohistochemical staining for alpha FP. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of a non-radioactive in situ hybridisation assay for H19 RNA to the panel of tumour markers used for the histopathological and cytological diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma might be useful.
Multiple multipole program analysis of metallic optical waveguides

The focus of this paper is on the numerical analysis of ultra-small metallic waveguides at optical wavelengths that is very demanding 1) because the cross sections may be much smaller than the wavelength, 2) because strong plasmon-polariton effects must be accounted for, and 3) because of strong dispersion and material loss. After a short outline of available numerical methods with focus on eigenvalue solvers, the Multiple Multipole Program (MMP) - that is applied for obtaining the results shown in this paper - is outlined. Since the analysis of metallic waveguides leads to difficult complex eigenvalue problems, several techniques for solving such problems are introduced. Based on these procedures, simple plasmonic wires, metallic wires coupled with a dielectric fiber, partially coated optical fibers, and metallic waveguides with tiny V-grooves of only a few nanometers are analyzed. The impact of the material properties is demonstrated by comparing gold and silver wires with V-grooves. It is shown that such structures may exhibit Channel Plasmon-Polariton (CPP) modes with acceptable propagation lengths even when the grooves are only a few nm deep, but only within a narrow frequency range and only for metals with low loss in the desired frequency range. These modes show a strong field confinement within the groove that might be attractive for sensor applications. Furthermore, the partially coated optical fiber is attractive for optical nearfield microscopy and exhibits field enhancement due to wedge plasmon polariton and triple-point plasmon polariton effects.
Measurement of short-term changes in dyspnea and disease-specific quality of life following an acute COPD exacerbation.

STUDY OBJECTIVE To determine whether currently available measurement tools can be used to obtain valid measurements of short-term changes in dyspnea and disease-specific quality of life (QOL) in outpatients with an acute COPD exacerbation. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. METHODS Sixty-six patients with an acute COPD exacerbation who presented to the emergency department completed the chronic respiratory disease index questionnaire (CRQ) and the baseline dyspnea index (BDI) and were discharged home receiving 10 days of medical therapy. Reassessment with the CRQ and the transitional dyspnea index (TDI) occurred within 48 h of relapse (defined as an urgent hospital revisit within 10 days because of worsening respiratory symptoms), or 10 days later if relapse did not occur. RESULTS Patients who did not relapse (n = 49) showed moderate-to-large improvements in disease-specific QOL across all four CRQ domains (improvements in each domain of 1.4 to 1.9 U; p < 0.001 for all domains) and large positive changes in the TDI (total TDI score, + 5.02 plus minus 0.55 U; p = 0.0001). In contrast, patients who had a relapse (n = 17) did not have improved CRQ or TDI scores (mean negative change in three of four CRQ domains, total TDI score - 3.06 plus minus 1.14 U; p = 0.02). Changes in the CRQ dyspnea score and TDI correlated with each other (r = 0.78; p = 0.0001) and with changes in FEV(1) (CRQ, r = 0.48 and p = 0.0001; TDI, r = 0.46 and p = 0.0002). Ten control patients with stable COPD showed no changes in the CRQ or TDI over 10 days. CONCLUSION The CRQ and BDI/TDI can be used to obtain valid, responsive measures of acute changes in QOL and dyspnea associated with a COPD exacerbation. The direction and magnitude of change in these scores was highly correlated with clinical outcome and with other health measures. Most outpatients treated for a COPD exacerbation experience significant short-term improvements in QOL and dyspnea, with the exception of patients who have a clinical relapse of symptoms.
Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinase Catalytic Subunits Have Divergent Roles in Virulence Factor Production in Two Varieties of the Fungal Pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans

ABSTRACT Our earlier findings established that cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase functions in a signaling cascade that regulates mating and virulence of Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii (serotype A). Mutants lacking the serotype A protein kinase A (PKA) catalytic subunit Pka1 are unable to mate, fail to produce melanin or capsule, and are avirulent in animal models, whereas mutants lacking the PKA regulatory subunit Pkr1 overproduce capsule and are hypervirulent. Because other mutations have been observed to confer different phenotypes in two diverged varieties of C. neoformans (grubii variety [serotype A] and neoformans variety [serotype D]), we analyzed the functions of the PKA genes in the serotype D neoformans variety. Surprisingly, the Pka1 catalytic subunit was not required for mating, haploid fruiting, or melanin or capsule production of serotype D strains. Here we identify a second PKA catalytic subunit gene, PKA2, that is present in both serotype A and D strains of C. neoformans. The divergent Pka2 catalytic subunit was found to regulate mating, haploid fruiting, and virulence factor production in serotype D strains. In contrast, Pka2 has no role in mating, melanin production, or capsule formation in serotype A strains. Our studies illustrate how different components of signaling pathways can be co-opted and functionally specialized during the evolution of related but distinct varieties or subspecies of a human fungal pathogen.
Influence of Charging on SiO2 Etching Profile Evolution Etched by Fluorocarbon Plasmas

A comprehensive simulation of etching profile evolution requires knowledge of the etching rates at all points of the profile surface during the etching process. Electrons do not contribute directly to the material removal, but they are the source, together with positive ions, of the profile charging that has many negative consequences on the final outcome of the process especially in the case of insulating material etching. The ability to simulate feature charging was added to the 3D level set profile evolution simulator described earlier. The ion and electron fluxes were computed along the feature using the Monte Carlo method. The surface potential profiles and electric field for the entire feature were generated by solving the Laplace equation using finite elements method. Calculations were performed in the case of a simplified model of Ar+/CF4 nonequilibrium plasma etching of SiO2.
RSTFC: A Novel Algorithm for Spatio-Temporal Filtering and Classification of Single-Trial EEG

Learning optimal spatio-temporal filters is a key to feature extraction for single-trial electroencephalogram (EEG) classification. The challenges are controlling the complexity of the learning algorithm so as to alleviate the curse of dimensionality and attaining computational efficiency to facilitate online applications, e.g., brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). To tackle these barriers, this paper presents a novel algorithm, termed regularized spatio-temporal filtering and classification (RSTFC), for single-trial EEG classification. RSTFC consists of two modules. In the feature extraction module, an l2-regularized algorithm is developed for supervised spatio-temporal filtering of the EEG signals. Unlike the existing supervised spatio-temporal filter optimization algorithms, the developed algorithm can simultaneously optimize spatial and high-order temporal filters in an eigenvalue decomposition framework and thus be implemented highly efficiently. In the classification module, a convex optimization algorithm for sparse Fisher linear discriminant analysis is proposed for simultaneous feature selection and classification of the typically high-dimensional spatio-temporally filtered signals. The effectiveness of RSTFC is demonstrated by comparing it with several state-of-the-arts methods on three brain-computer interface (BCI) competition data sets collected from 17 subjects. Results indicate that RSTFC yields significantly higher classification accuracies than the competing methods. This paper also discusses the advantage of optimizing channel-specific temporal filters over optimizing a temporal filter common to all channels.
Brain structure in healthy adults is related to serum transferrin and the H63D polymorphism in the HFE gene

Control of iron homeostasis is essential for healthy central nervous system function: iron deficiency is associated with cognitive impairment, yet iron overload is thought to promote neurodegenerative diseases. Specific genetic markers have been previously identified that influence levels of transferrin, the protein that transports iron throughout the body, in the blood and brain. Here, we discovered that transferrin levels are related to detectable differences in the macro- and microstructure of the living brain. We collected brain MRI scans from 615 healthy young adult twins and siblings, of whom 574 were also scanned with diffusion tensor imaging at 4 Tesla. Fiber integrity was assessed by using the diffusion tensor imaging-based measure of fractional anisotropy. In bivariate genetic models based on monozygotic and dizygotic twins, we discovered that partially overlapping additive genetic factors influenced transferrin levels and brain microstructure. We also examined common variants in genes associated with transferrin levels, TF and HFE, and found that a commonly carried polymorphism (H63D at rs1799945) in the hemochromatotic HFE gene was associated with white matter fiber integrity. This gene has a well documented association with iron overload. Our statistical maps reveal previously unknown influences of the same gene on brain microstructure and transferrin levels. This discovery may shed light on the neural mechanisms by which iron affects cognition, neurodevelopment, and neurodegeneration.
A multigenerational effect of parental age on offspring size but not fitness in common duckweed (Lemna minor)

Classic theories on the evolution of senescence make the simplifying assumption that all offspring are of equal quality, so that demographic senescence only manifests through declining rates of survival or fecundity. However, there is now evidence that, in addition to declining rates of survival and fecundity, many organisms are subject to age‐related declines in the quality of offspring produced (i.e. parental age effects). Recent modelling approaches allow for the incorporation of parental age effects into classic demographic analyses, assuming that such effects are limited to a single generation. Does this ‘single‐generation’ assumption hold? To find out, we conducted a laboratory study with the aquatic plant Lemna minor, a species for which parental age effects have been demonstrated previously. We compared the size and fitness of 423 laboratory‐cultured plants (asexually derived ramets) representing various birth orders, and ancestral ‘birth‐order genealogies’. We found that offspring size and fitness both declined with increasing ‘immediate’ birth order (i.e. birth order with respect to the immediate parent), but only offspring size was affected by ancestral birth order. Thus, the assumption that parental age effects on offspring fitness are limited to a single generation does in fact hold for L. minor. This result will guide theorists aiming to refine and generalize modelling approaches that incorporate parental age effects into evolutionary theory on senescence.
Dimeticone-Based Pediculicides: A Physical Approach to Eradicate Head Lice~!2010-03-29~!2010-04-10~!2010-07-14~!

Resistance of head lice to insecticides with a neurotoxic mode of action, such as permethrin and malathion, is increasing in incidence and geographic extent. As a consequence, physically acting pediculicidal products have emerged. Dimeticones are synthetic silicone oils of low surface tension and can therefore coat most surfaces, thus also killing head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) by physical means. Considering this mode of action, the development of head lice resistance in the future is very unlikely. In this review, ex vivo and clinical evidence on the efficacy of dimeticones against head lice is presented. Besides the high adulticidal and excellent ovicidal ex vivo efficacy, clinical efficacy of high concentrated dimeticone has been shown. We conclude that dimeticone-based products are a safe and effective option for those patients who prefer not to use pediculicides with a neurotoxic mode of action, especially in areas where resistances of head lice against permethrin and malathion-based products have been reported, or are suspected.
Elimination Of The Axial Deformation Problem Of Cu-TSV In 3D Integration

The out‐of‐plane expansion of Copper Through‐Silicon‐Via (Cu‐TSV) is a concern in 3D stacking of chips, since it pushes against the BEOL, thus posing a possible reliability risk. In this study we demonstrate a solution for the Cu‐TSV out‐of‐plane expansion problem resulting in a non‐deformed BEOL. This is achieved through gaining a good understanding of the thermo‐mechanical behavior of Cu by experiments and adopting this learning in our process flow.
Robust filter bank common spatial pattern (RFBCSP) in motor-imagery-based brain-computer interface

The Filter Bank Common Spatial Pattern (FBCSP) algorithm performs autonomous selection of key temporal-spatial discriminative EEG characteristics in motor imagery-based Brain Computer Interfaces (MI-BCI). However, FBCSP is sensitive to outliers because it involves multiple estimations of covariance matrices from EEG measurements. This paper proposes a Robust FBCSP (RFBCSP) algorithm whereby the estimates of the covariance matrices are replaced with the robust Minimum Covariance Determinant (MCD) estimator. The performance of RFBCSP is investigated on a publicly available dataset and compared against FBCSP using 10×10-fold cross-validation accuracies on training data, and session-to-session transfer kappa values on independent test data. The results showed that RFBCSP yielded improvements in certain subjects and slight improvement in overall performance across subjects. Analysis on one subject who improved suggested that outliers were excluded from the robust covariance matrices estimation. These results revealed a promising direction of RFBCSP for robust classifications of EEG measurements in MI-BCI.
Category-Based Intrusion Detection Using PCA

Existing Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) examine all the network features to detect intrusion or misuse patterns. In feature-based intrusion detection, some selected features may found to be redundant, useless or less important than the rest. This paper proposes a category-based selection of effective parameters for intrusion detection using Principal Components Analysis (PCA). In this paper, 32 basic features from TCP/IP header, and 116 derived features from TCP dump are selected in a network traffic dataset. Attacks are categorized in four groups, Denial of Service (DoS), Remote to User attack (R2L), Remote to User attack (U2R) and Probing attack. TCP dump from DARPA 1998 dataset is used in the experiments as the selected dataset. PCA method is used to determine an optimal feature set to make the detection process faster. Experimental results show that feature reduction can improve detection rate for the category-based detection approach while maintaining the detection accuracy within an acceptable range. In this paper KNN classification method is used for the classification of the attacks. Experimental results show that feature reduction will significantly speed up the train and the testing periods for identification of the intrusion attempts.