Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of virtual microscopes on learning

Universities are using new technologies for both practical aims (to reduce costs or to cater for greater student numbers without increasing teacher numbers) and/or pedagogical aims (to improve students‘ learning). Frequently new technologies are introduced before the impact of these technologies on learning is fully assessed. This thesis focuses on the introduction of virtual microscopes into histology and pathology teaching in the Health Sciences at Murdoch University. An exploratory study was conducted in 2006 in which 47 students were randomly allocated to one of two groups. In their laboratory work one group used optical microscopes (Optical Group) and the other group used virtual microscopes (Virtual Group) during one semester. At the beginning and the end of the semester, an ASSIST survey (Tait, Entwistle, & McCune, 1998) was undertaken to determine any changes in the students‘ learning approach. As part of the assessments in their course, students completed an Attitude Survey about their attitudes to microscopes. Students were also required to complete a log book detailing their time spent studying. The results were analysed using appropriate statistical tests, frequencies, Chi-square, correlation, ANOVA, Two-way ANOVA, and the General Linear Model. The exploratory study tested the research design and the methods for analysing the data for the main study. Some modifications were made to the Attitude Survey prior to the commencement of the main study. In 2007, the main study was undertaken with 293 students. In addition to the ASSIST survey, the Attitude Survey, and the log books, the students were asked to participate in focus groups and interviews to build a richer picture of microscopes and learning. The results indicated changing trends in the students‘ learning approaches. The Optical Group moved from surface to strategic; the Virtual Group from deep and strategic tosurface learning during the teaching period. However, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups. The use of virtual microscopes in histology and pathology laboratories therefore does not encourage deep learning any more than the use of optical microscopes. The virtual microscopes do, however, enable students to study at times and locations that are convenient to them and they are easier to use than the optical microscopes. The students‘ responses to the items in the Attitude Survey were content analysed and 15 themes emerged from the data. These themes indicated that there are critical issues, such as authenticity and group work, which need to be addressed when introducing virtual microscopes into the classroom. In identifying critical issues and ensuring there were no detrimental effects in using virtual microscopes, recommendations were developed for histology and pathology educators to assist the implementation of virtual microscopes into a university curriculum. This was done with a view to enhancing pedagogical practice and included the development of microscope skills, authenticity, linking theory with practice and group work.
DNA fingerprinting and drug resistance profiles of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains isolated from HIV-infected pulmonary tuberculosis patients

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among HIV/AIDS patients. These patients are more likely to develop resistance to anti-tuberculosis drugs as well. Identifying open cases of TB, studying their drug susceptibility pattern and knowledge of genetic diversity to know transmission dynamics among HIV-TB patients is therefore important to control TB. Aims: 1) To determine the prevalence of HIV, among sputum positive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients. 2) To study drug resistance pattern of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates. 3) To evaluate genotypic diversity of M. tuberculosis isolates using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique. Settings and Design: Hospital based cross sectional study Materials and Method: M. tuberculosis strains were isolated from HIV seropositive PTB patients with irrespective of their antiTB treatment. These isolates were processed for drug sensitivity testing (DST) by Proportion method and subsequently genotyped by RAPD technique. Results: Prevalence of HIV-TB co-infection was 22.2%. Total 52.1% M. tuberculosis isolates were resistant to one or more number of drugs. We report 17.4% MDR-TB among study population. RAPD-PCR showed excellent discrimination with high degree of polymorphism among M. tuberculosis isolates. Transmission and diversity of tuberculosis was 10% and 90% respectively. Conclusions: 17.4% of MDR-TB among studied patients indicated worrisome trend that calls for continuous monitoring and DST. RAPD analysis is quick, simple and has potential for molecular epidemiology of TB. RAPD-PCR showed notable genetic polymorphism, suggesting that source and type of infections within the population were varied and no any particular clone of M. tuberculosis is spreading among study population.
Computational model to configure the AEDC 7V chamber optical system and to simulate the measured optical performance

Refurbishment of the Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) 7V high-vacuum cryogenic chamber has recently been completed. This chamber now provides a high-fidelity ground calibration and test facility for infrared surveillance sensors and infrared seekers. Although the chamber optical system was originally designed for diffraction-limited performance in the MWIR to LWIR wavebands, its actual performance allows near diffraction-limited testing into the SWIR over a 20-mrad-square field of view. With a test pupil diameter of 50 cm, 20 K temperature capability, multiple blackbody targets, excellent vibration isolation, exceptional optical performance, and supporting analysis capability, the AEDC 7V is a premier space environmental chamber capable of meeting sensor/seeker ground test requirements well into the next century. Optical collimation of the blackbody sources is provided by a long focal length, unobscured cassegrain. Installation, alignment, and performance testing of the all-metal cassegrain in the chamber were achieved early in 1994. This paper reviews the computational procedures required: (1) to define the final ground test configuration and system alignment after installation of the cassegrain; and (2) to create a computational model that reproduces the interferometrically measured wavefront performance of the installed collimator.
Power and gain considerations in distributed amplifiers based on composite right/lefthanded transmission lines

Composite right/left-handed (CRLH) unit cells can be used to develop new distributed circuits with novel functionalities. In particular, their use in distributed amplifiers leads to an improvement in their power performance. An analysis of the intrinsic power performance of distributed amplifiers based on CRLH unit cells is presented in this contribution. As a result, optimum values for the unit cell phase shifts in different amplifier configurations are determined. A three-stage pHEMT CRLH unit cell-based distributed amplifier has been built and measured. The experimental results validate the main conclusions derived from the simplified analysis and suggest that a dual-fed configuration might provide an optimum output power with significant gain values.
Mathematical Model of a Monocopter Based on Unsteady Blade-Element Momentum Theory

This paper presents a simplified nonlinear dynamic mathematical model of a monocopter. A monocopter is an all-rotating unmanned aerial vehicle with a design inspired by a samara, which is the seed from a maple tree. The aim of the model is to describe the essential dynamics of a monocopter in various regimes of flight. The model is based on the unsteady blade-element momentum theory and combines methodologies that are found both in helicopter and wind turbine theories. A qualitative validation of the proposed model shows that the obtained simulation results are in good agreement with the empirical findings and the simulation results of a more advanced monocopter model. The results also agree with the predictions based on helicopter theory and the stability study of a samara seed. The paper demonstrates that simpler methods (such as the unsteady blade-element momentum theory) could be applied to develop efficient and computationally undemanding monocopter models, which are suitable for further research in .
Compression Tests of High Strength Steels

Mathematical modelling and virtual testing of components and structures represent a useful and economic tool for design and safety assessment. The basic mechanical properties which can be found in material standards are not relevant in cases where the real service conditions differ from those applied during standardised testing. Thus e.g. mechanical behaviour at higher strain rates can be interesting for the car components when the simulation of crash situations is used during structure development. The dynamic compression tests are usually performed by means of drop towers, by means of high speed hydraulic testing machines or Hopkinson bar method. At the Mechanical Testing Laboratory of the SKODA Research Inst. in Pilsen, Czech Republic, an instrumentation of Charpy pendulum testing machine was realised in order that it was possible to perfom dynamic compression tests, [1], and the compatibility of obtained results in comparison with traditional impact compression tests was verified within the round–robin carried out by TC5 ESIS Sub-Committee on “Mechanical Testing at Intermediate Strain Rates“, [2]. A new striking tup and load measurement system were designed and callibrated. At the same time, a new software was developed which makes it possible to evaluate the test force-deformation record. The goal of this study was 1. to check the possibility of compression testing of high strength materilas by mens of Charpy pendulum, and 2. to study the strain rate influence on basic mechanical properties.
Researches Regarding the Usage of Titanium Alloys in Cranial Implants

In the last few decades, the concept of flexible manufacturing has started to gain more and more attention, as an adaptation of production methods to the increasingly varied demands by customers. Therefore, new procedures have been introduced as alternatives to the classical ones, a very promising one being incremental forming [. A possible application for this new procedure, targeted by the authors of this paper, is the manufacturing of custom-shaped prosthetic parts for use in various areas of human medicine. Such prostheses can have a functional role, when they target the replacing of a functional component of the human body, or an esthetic role, when they target the solving of problems related to the appearance of the human body. Among all titanium and its alloys, the mainly used materials in biomedical field are the commercially pure titanium (cp Ti, grade 2) and Ti6Al4V (grade 5) alloy [.
Probing Into the Connotation of Sweep Aerodynamics of Transonic Fans and Compressors

Theory researches, numerical analyses and experiment studies of sweep aerodynamics in turbo-machinery had rapidly developed during the 1990s. Taking a low-aspect-ratio, high-loaded axial flow transonic rotor as the baseline, this paper attempts to probe the connotation of sweep aerodynamics of transonic fans and compressors. The definition of sweep angle was discussed. Flow field, key factors that affect structures of flow fields, linkage between leading edges as well as flow field structures in swept rotors were presented. In order to find out the optimum sweep leading edge curve under prescribed conditions, a numerical optimization program that can be added into design processes was developed.Copyright © 2001 by ASME
Intelligent information systems for defence problems

The purpose of this book is to provide such a platform or framework that will describe the Cyprus problem as a major issue affecting the relations between Greece and Turkey and the arms race between the two countries. It is very important to point out, however, that solving the Cyprus issue is not exactly a prerequisite for settling all disputes between Greece and Turkey. The Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus problem must be regarded as being two very important, however entirely distinct issues. It goes without saying, however, that a mutually acceptable solution to the latter will contribute to the improvement of the former to a large extent. Going back to the construction of our platform, what we have decided to do is to resort to the help of mathematics, always bearing in mind that they can be a useful servant, however a very bad master. In other words we have applied a number of mathematical techniques that have contributed just to the point at which the key determinants in this conflict are underlined thus offering a clear description of the relations between the two sides with emphasis on the issue of Cyprus. The picture thus obtained is then used for suggesting answers on a number of key questions, much more effectively, we believe, compared to the results of any panel discussion. In any case, however, the responsibility of the final decision concerning policies employed on such complicated issues certainly burdens the politicians’ shoulders. As far as we are concerned, we will be happy to know that the conclusions reached in this book are taken in consideration during the decision-making process in the interest of peace. After all, it is only natural to expect that it will require all the “intelligence” of our defence information systems in order to provide plausible answers to such crucial political and strategic issues.
Cytopathological study of salivary gland lesions in rural population: Use of the Milan system for reporting

Introduction: Salivary gland lesions are superficial lesions & seek attention of patient easily. These lesions vary from non-neoplastic to neoplastic ones and from benign to malignant. Impact of changing habits of people may be reflected in spectrum of oral health & lesions of salivary glands. Objectives and Method: Present study includes the spectrum of distribution of various lesions of salivary glands in the patients visiting tertiary care rural hospital. In the present study, the Milan system was used for reporting salivary gland cytopathology in 150 cases. Results: FNAC proved to be a safe and effective modality in diagnosis and planning management of patients with salivary gland lesionsin the rural based population. Conclusion: Milan system was found characteristically significant for cytopathological diagnosis of SGLs. cases were observed as malignant lesions. In our study, the age group of the patients ranged from 02 to 90 years with the mean age of 39.7 years. 79 cases were males and 71 cases were females with M: F ratio of 1.11:1. Non-neoplastic lesions [Category II] were commonly seen in the age group of 21-30 years while neoplastic lesions [Category IV] were commonly seen in the age group of 20 - 60 years. Malignant lesions and lesions with suspicious of malignancy [Category
Drag Reduction of Passenger Car Using Add-On Devices

This work proposes an effective numerical model using the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to obtain the flow structure around a passenger car with different add-on devices. The computational/numerical model of the passenger car and mesh was constructed using ANSYS Fluent which is the CFD solver and employed in the present work. In this study, numerical iterations are completed, and then aerodynamic data and detailed complicated flow structure are visualized. In the present work, a model of generic passenger car was developed using solidworks, generated the wind tunnel, and applied the boundary conditions in ANSYS workbench platform, and then testing and simulation have been performed for the evaluation of drag coefficient for passenger car. In another case, the aerodynamics of the most suitable design of vortex generator, spoiler, tail plates, and spoiler with VGs are introduced and analysed for the evaluation of drag coefficient for passenger car. The addition of these add-on devices are reduces the drag-coefficient and lift coefficient in head-on wind. Rounding the edges partially reduces drag in head-on wind but does not bring about the significant improvements in the aerodynamic efficiency of the passenger car with add-on devices, and it can be obtained. Hence, the drag force can be reduced by using add-on devices on vehicle and fuel economy, stability of a passenger car can be improved.
Efficacy of essential oils of various aromatic plants in the biocontrol of Fusarium wilt and inducing systemic resistance in chickpea seedlings

This study evaluated the antifungal activity of essential oils (EOs) against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceris Padwick (FOC) and their effects in inducing systemic resistance in chickpeas. The EOs chemical composition was analysed by GC-MS. Carvacrol, geraniol and 1,8-cineole were the major constituents in thyme, lemongrass and laurel EOs. The latter showed effective antifungal activity against FOC. In vivo tests revealed that thyme and lemongrass EOs were also very effective in reducing the severity in chickpeas and reached an inhibition rate of 99.3 and 88.9%, respectively. Chickpea resistance is mostly attributed to phenolic compounds accumulation. The highest content of polyphenols was obtained with thyme (22.7 to 57.5 mg/g). The studied EOs could be used as promising antifungal agents in preventing the occurrence of Fusarium wilt in chickpeas.
Identification of an epiphytic diatom on Nitzschia sigmoidea (Bacillariophyceae)

ABSTRACT Epiphytism on benthic motile diatoms is not common and can be considered a phoretic habitat. Nitzschia sigmoidea is a very long diatom which often exhibits epiphytes on its frustule. It was found abundantly in a small regulated stream in Provence and about half of the individuals had a variable number of adnate epiphytes on them. Examination of fresh material under a scanning electron microscope revealed that the epiphytes were diatoms belonging to the species Fallacia helensis. This species had not been reported as epiphytes on other diatoms before. More research is needed to understand the relationship between the two species and, more generally, to investigate phoretic epiphytism as an original biotic interaction between diatoms. Graphical Abstract
Solving the optimal process target problem using response surface designs in heteroscedastic conditions

The contemporary industrial environment continues to rely on the identification of the optimal process target as a means to minimise the product defect rate and ultimately reduce manufacturing costs. Within the context of the optimal process target problem, this paper will offer three distinct contributions. First, a review of literature associated with the process target problem indicates that most research work assumes a known process distribution mean and variance prior to the identification of optimal settings. In contrast, this paper will incorporate the use of response surface designs into solving the process target problem, thus removing the need to make assumptions regarding the process parameters. Second, most research regarding the development of response surface designs either assumes that the same number of observations are made on a quality characteristic of interest, or model error always exhibits a uniform pattern of constant variance. This paper, however, will incorporate alternative modelling techniques to investigate instances when these assumptions are not present, thus broadening the scope of the process target problem. Finally, most research in this area focuses on the determination of the optimal process mean; in this paper, however, we propose a model for simultaneously determining the optimal process mean and variance.
Driving Rain on Building Envelopes— II. Representative Experimental Data for Driving Rain Estimation

A practical numerical method for driving rain estimation was presented in “Driving Rain on Building Envelopes—I” (Blocken and Carmeliet, 2000). An important prerequisite in employing this method is that the climatic data used as input are representative. In this paper, the attainment of representative experimental data for driving rain estimation is analysed. The importance of a sufficiently small time step to obtain representative climatic data measurements is indicated. It is shown that representative averaged values for wind speed and rainfall intensity for longer time steps can be obtained by averaging the measured data with the rainfall amounts as weighting factors. The effects of using different averaging techniques on the accuracy of the calculated driving rain results are investigated. It is found that the presented weighted averaging technique can provide accurate representative averaged data, whereas commonly used averaging techniques can give rise to large errors.
INVESTIGATION OF CO-CHANNEL INTERFERENCE, CHANNEL DISPERSION, AND MULTI-USER DIVERSITY IN MIMO-BASED CELLULAR SYSTEMS

OF THE DISSERTATION Investigation of Co-Channel Interference, Channel Dispersion, and Multi-User Diversity in MIMO-Based Cellular Systems by Rahul N. Pupala Dissertation Directors: Prof. David G. Daut and Prof. Larry J. Greenstein In recent years, Multiple-Input/Multiple-Output (MIMO) systems employing multiple antennas at both ends of the wireless link have been shown to deliver high spectral efficiencies with reasonable constellation sizes. A MIMO link is a special case of a Multi-Element Antenna (MEA) link, wherein one or both ends use a multi-element array. Recently proposed 4G cellular systems are being evaluated that combine MIMO with Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (MIMO-OFDM) for use at the radio layer, while WiMAX 802.16e is considering MIMO with Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (MIMO-OFDMA) for use on the downlink. Multi-User Diversity (MuD) has also been shown to have important consequences in the ever-increasing demand for higher spectral efficiency. A detailed study of MIMO, MIMOOFDM, and MuD is of utmost importance to understand how to maximize the performance gains that can be realized from these promising technologies. This thesis is broadly divisible into three parts. Part I investigates aspects of co-channel interference (CCI) as they relate to MIMO channels. First, the throughputs attainable by interference-limited cellular systems that employ MEA links are computed. The emphasis in this study is on the system-level perspective. That is, determining the distribution of performance over a coverage area, e.g., the cumulative distributive function (CDF) of throughput (TP) over the randomness of user location and shadow fading, as well as and taking into account the CCI produced by co-channel links in other cells. Using a general-purpose simulation platform developed in this work, throughput statistics are obtained over several channel conditions and
Trends in Construction Contractor Financial Data

The purpose of this technical note is to describe the results of a study investigating trends in contractor financial data to help predict their likelihood of experiencing a claim. Financial statements of 87 contractors (36 claim and 51 nonclaim) were obtained from four companies underwriting construction contract surety bonds. A claim contractor is defined as one that defaulted on a bond, many times requiring the surety to pay a loss. A nonclaim contractor is defined as one that has not defaulted on a surety bond during the period for which financial data was supplied. The described trends can assist construction industry professionals by providing them with quantitative values of financial variables for both claim and nonclaim contractors.