Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Developments in MOVPE HgCdTe arrays for passive and active infrared imaging

SELEX Galileo Infrared Ltd has developed a range of 3rd Generation infrared detectors based on HgCdTe grown by Metal Organic Vapour Phase Epitaxy (MOVPE) on low cost GaAs substrates. There have been four key development aims: reducing the cost especially for large arrays, extending the wavelength range, improving the operating temperature for lower power, size and weight cameras and increasing the functionality. Despite a 14% lattice mismatch between GaAs and HgCdTe MOVPE arrays show few symptoms of misfit dislocations even in longwave detectors. The key factors in the growth and device technology are described in this paper to explain at a scientific level the radiometric quality of MOVPE arrays. A feature of the past few years has been the increasingly sophisticated products that are emerging thanks to custom designed silicon readout devices. Three devices are described as examples: a multifunctional device that can operate as an active or passive imager with built-in range finder, a 3-side buttable megapixel array and an ultra-low noise device designed for scientific applications.
Risk factors for declining ankle-brachial index in men and women 65 years or older: the Cardiovascular Health Study.

BACKGROUND An ankle-brachial index (ABI) of less than 0.9 is a noninvasive measure of lower extremity arterial disease and a predictor of cardiovascular events. Little information is available on longitudinal change in ABI or on risk factors for declining ABI in a community-based population. METHODS To assess risk factors for ABI decline, we studied 5888 participants in the Cardiovascular Health Study cohort (men and women 65 years or older). We measured ABI in 1992-1993 and again in 1998-1999. At baseline, we excluded individuals with an ABI less than 0.9, ABI greater than 1.4, or confirmed symptomatic lower extremity arterial disease (n = 823). The group with ABI decline included 218 participants with decline greater than 0.15 and to 0.9 or less. The comparison group comprised the remaining 2071 participants with follow-up ABI. RESULTS The percentage of participants with ABI decline was 9.5% over 6 years of follow-up. The mean +/- SD decline was 0.33 +/- 0.12 in cases of ABI decline and 0.02 +/- 0.13 in non-cases. Independent predictors of ABI decline, reported as odds ratios, were age, 1.96 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.42-2.71) for 75 to 84 years and 3.79 (95% CI, 1.36-10.5) for those older than 85 years compared with those younger than 75 years; current cigarette use, 1.74 (95% CI, 1.02-2.96); hypertension, 1.64 (95% CI, 1.18-2.28); diabetes, 1.77 (95% CI, 1.14-2.76); higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, 1.60 (95% CI, 1.03-2.51), and lipid-lowering drug use 1.74 (95% CI, 1.05-2.89). CONCLUSION Worsening lower extremity arterial disease, assessed as ABI decline, occurred in 9.5% of this elderly cohort over 6 years and was associated with modifiable vascular disease risk factors.
Disappearance of the budding yeast Bub2–Bfa1 complex from the mother-bound spindle pole contributes to mitotic exit

Budding yeast spindle position checkpoint is engaged by misoriented spindles and prevents mitotic exit by inhibiting the G protein Tem1 through the GTPase-activating protein (GAP) Bub2/Bfa1. Bub2 and Bfa1 are found on both duplicated spindle pole bodies until anaphase onset, when they disappear from the mother-bound spindle pole under unperturbed conditions. In contrast, when spindles are misoriented they remain symmetrically localized at both SPBs. Thus, symmetric localization of Bub2/Bfa1 might lead to inhibition of Tem1, which is also present at SPBs. Consistent with this hypothesis, we show that a Bub2 version symmetrically localized on both SPBs throughout the cell cycle prevents mitotic exit in mutant backgrounds that partially impair it. This effect is Bfa1 dependent and can be suppressed by high Tem1 levels. Bub2 removal from the mother-bound SPB requires its GAP activity, which in contrast appears to be dispensable for Tem1 inhibition. Moreover, it correlates with the passage of one spindle pole through the bud neck because it needs septin ring formation and bud neck kinases.
Predictive Torque and Flux Control Without Weighting Factors

Finite control set model predictive control is an emerging alternative in the control of power converters and drives. The method allows flexible control schemes with fast dynamics. However, the standard formulation of this type of controllers is based on a minimization of a single cost function. This optimization method requires weighting factors that depend on the system parameters and operating point. The calculation of these factors is achieved through a nontrivial process. In this paper, a predictive torque and flux control of an induction machine drive fed by a three-phase two-level voltage source inverter is developed. The proposed strategy replaces the single cost function with a multiobjective optimization based on a ranking approach. This approach makes the tuning of weighting factors unnecessary for a correct operation. Simulation and experimental results on steady state and dynamic operation are presented to illustrate the good behavior of the drive.
Flexible transparent electrodes based on silver nanowires synthesized via a simple method

Silver nanowires (Ag NWs) with the length of approximately 60 µm and the diameter of approximately 300 nm are prepared via a simple, cost-effective, high-yield and eco-friendly procedure under a high molar concentration ratio of silver nitrate (AgNO3) solution to poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) solution. The pre-synthesized Ag NWs were analysed by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and UV–visible spectrophotometer. Furthermore, the as-prepared silver nanowires were roll-coated on the surfaces of the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates. By optimizing the concentration of silver nanowire solution, the flexible Ag NW/PET transparent electrodes with a sheet resistance of 3.8 Ω sq−1 at a transmittance of 70% can be fabricated. The results reported in this paper provide a basis for optimizing the growth of silver nanowires and performances of transparent electrodes.
Hepatoprotective effect of biherbal ethanolic extract against paracetamol-induced hepatic damage in albino rats

Aim: The combined hepatoprotective effect of Bi-herbal ethanolic extract (BHEE) was evaluated against paracetamol induced hepatic damage in albino rats. Materials and Methods: Liver function tests and biochemical parameters were estimated using standard kits. Livers were quickly removed and fixed in 10% formalin and subjected to histopathological studies. Results: Ethanolic extract from the leaves of Aerva lanata and leaves of Achyranthes aspera at a dose level of 200 mg/kg, 400mg/kg body weight was administered orally once for 3 days. Substantially elevated serum marker enzymes such as SGOT, SGPT, ALP, due to paracetamol treatment were restored towards normal. Biochemical parameters like total protein, total bilirubin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and urea were also restored towards normal levels. In addition, BHEE significantly decreased the liver weight of paracetamol intoxicated rats. Silymarin at a dose level of 25 mg/kg used as a standard reference also exhibited significant hepatoprotective activity against paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity. Conclusion: The results of this study strongly indicate that BHEE has got a potent hepatoprotective action against paracetamol induced hepatic damage in rats.
Handling of multi-reflections in wafer bump 3D reconstruction

In advanced electronic manufacturing that involves say die-to-die bonding, microscopic surfaces like solder bumps on wafers have to be inspected in 3D. However, because the bumps are of hemispherical shape, light projected onto the bumps could be reflected and illuminate other regions. Such multi-reflections could greatly disturb the intensity distribution in the image data and limit the use of gray level intensities for accurate 3D reconstruction of the bumps. In a previous work, we described a new solution mechanism that was based upon the concept of binary pattern projection, but unlike the traditional mechanisms which use an array of light sources it uses only a single light source. The light source in combination with a binary fringe grating could induce binary pattern on the target surface to be imaged, and the displacements of the binary fringe grating could allow the binary pattern to be varied. In this work, we describe under that solution framework how multi-reflections could be detected and the correct binary signals could be restored. Experimental results on solder bumps validate the feasibility of the proposed approach.
Support vector regression for classifier prediction

In this paper we introduce XCSF with support vector prediction:the problem of learning the prediction function is solved as a support vector regression problem and each classifier exploits a Support Vector Machine to compute the prediction. In XCSF with support vector prediction, XCSFsvm, the genetic algorithm adapts classifier conditions, classifier actions, and the SVM kernel parameters.We compare XCSF with support vector prediction to XCSF with linear prediction on the approximation of four test functions.Our results suggest that XCSF with support vector prediction compared to XCSF with linear prediction (i) is able to evolve accurate approximations of more difficult functions, (ii) has better generalization capabilities and (iii) learns faster.
A framework for FPGA based Discrete Biorthogonal Wavelet Transforms implementation

During the last decade, the wavelet transform has proven to be a valuable tool in many application fields including telecommunication, numerical analysis and most notably image/video compression. This paper describes a high-level framework dedicated to the implementation of 1-D and 2-D Discrete Biorthogonal Wavelet Transforms (DBWTs) on FPGAs. The system hides the low level hardware details of the FPGA structure and thus allows the user to concentrate more on the experimentation rather than on the low-level architecture. The DBWT architectures proposed within the framework are scalable, modular and have less area and time complexity when compared with existing structures. FPGA implementation results based on a Xilinx Virtex-2000E device have shown that proposed system provides an efficient solution for the processing of DBWTs in real-time.
Contrasted Thermal Regimes Do Not Influence Digestion and Growth Rates in a Snake from a Temperate Climate

Temperature influences almost all life-history traits. For a period of 3 mo, we placed four groups of snakes under four contrasted thermal treatments: (1) a natural regime (NR), based on daily variations (24-h cycle); (2) an accelerated regime (AR), where the thermoperiod fluctuated rapidly (12-h cycle); (3) a slow regime (SR; 48-h cycle); and (4) a cool stable regime (ZR; no fluctuation). The mean temperature, set at 23°C, was identical for the four groups. For the first three groups (NR, AR, SR), ambient temperature fluctuated between 18°C and 28°C. Relative humidity and photoperiod were constant. We recorded feeding success, digestion efficiency, growth rate, activity, and ecdysis events. Differences between groups were expected because of varied exposure to the optimal temperatures, most notably in the ZR group, where the preferred body temperature for digestion (∼30°C) would not be reached. Surprisingly, there was no significant effect of the experimental treatment on feeding rate, digestion, body mass increase, and growth rate. Our results do not conform to the paradigm stipulating that maximal body temperature selected by ectotherms necessarily corresponds to the most efficient for resource assimilation and that temperature fluctuations are essential. We propose that increasing the digestive tract’s performance through body-temperature elevation trades off against elevated (parasite) energy expenditure from the rest of the body. The main advantage of high body temperatures would be to reduce the amount of time necessary to assimilate prey rather than to improve the net mass gain during digestion.
EVALUATION OF CRUMB RUBBER IN HOT MIX ASPHALT

An asphalt-rubber hot mix asphalt (AR-HMA) design was created using a Superpave 12.5-mm gradation and #30(-)mesh crumb rubber at 20% total weight of the asphalt binder. At this point in time, asphalt rubber has only been used with HMA that contains a more open graded nature, such as open graded friction course (OGFC). However, OGFC is limited in its use due to its potential problems (i.e., clogging and winter maintenance). However, a 12.5-mm Superpave mix may be used on almost any roadway in New Jersey and is most commonly found as the surface course. It is used for both new construction and rehabilitation projects. Therefore, this mix type has the largest potential for usage, meaning that more tires can eventually be recycled. However, two factors need to be considered prior to acceptance: performance and cost. Four HMA mixes were constructed and tested in this study: three baseline mixes using a PG64-22, PG70-22, and a PG75-22 asphalt binder, and the AR-HMA mix which used crumb rubber blended with the same PG64-22 asphalt binder. The influence of crumb rubber particle size on the compaction properties during the mixture design procedure was also evaluated. This would provide a method of comparing the final mixture performance of different performance graded binders to the AR-HMA mix. This type of methodology of testing the mixtures is extremely important due to the necessity of ensuring the crumb rubber complying to the aggregate gradation volume limitations and how the crumb rubber interacts with this volume limitation under performance testing. Therefore, a number of different performance tests were conducted on the four different HMA mixes: 1) Asphalt Pavement Analyzer; 2) Repeated Load Permanent Deformation testing using the Simple Performance test specification; 3) Dynamic Modulus; 4) Repeated Shear at Constant Height; 5) Frequency Sweep at Constant Height; and 6) Simple Shear at Constant Height. The results from the mixture design portion concluded that to provide consistent compactibility when using crumb rubber in a 12.5-mm Superpave design, the maximum particle size should not be greater than a #30 mesh. The performance tests concluded that the AR-HMA mix performed as well as or better than the PG76-22 for every test conducted. For example, the dynamic modulus test results showed that the AR-HMA had similar stiffnesses to the PB76-22 at the high test temperatures, however, the AR-HMA had a much less stiffness at the low test temperature. This indicates that the AR-HMA mix design in this study will provide excellent rut resistance, while also providing excellent low temperature cracking resistance. Essentially, by adding the crumb rubber to the PG64-22, the working temperature range of the asphalt binder increased on both the high and low sides. Also, by performing similarly to the PB76-22, Bayshore Recycling now can establish a cost comparison using the difference in cost between a HMA with a PG64-22 and a PG76-22.
Recursive Least-Squares Source Tracking using One Acoustic Vector Sensor

An acoustic vector-sensor (a.k.a. vector-hydrophone) is composed of three acoustic velocity-sensors, plus a collocated pressure-sensor, all collocated in space. The velocity-sensors are identical, but orthogonally oriented, each measuring a different Cartesian component of the three-dimensional particle-velocity field. This acoustic vector-sensor offers an azimuth-elevation response that is invariant with respect to the source's center frequency or bandwidth. This acoustic vector-sensor is adopted here for recursive least-squares (RLS) adaptation, to track a single mobile source, in the absence of any multipath fading and any directional interference. A formula is derived to preset the RLS forgetting factor, based on the prior knowledge of only the incident signal power, the incident source's spatial random walk variance, and the additive noise power. The work presented here further advances a multiple-forgetting-factor (MFF) version of the RLS adaptive tracking algorithm, that requires no prior knowledge of these aforementioned source statistics or noise statistics. Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate the tracking performance and computational load of the proposed algorithms.
In-Field Absolute Calibration of Ground and Airborne VIS-NIR-SWIR Hyperspectral Point Spectrometers

Spectrometer calibration and measurements of spectral radiance are often required when performing ground, aerial, and space measurements. While calibrating a spectrometer in the field using an integrating sphere is practically unachievable, calibration against a quartz halogen (QH) lamp is a quite easy and feasible option. We describe a calibration protocol whereby a professional QH lamp, operating with a stabilized current source, is first calibrated in the laboratory against a US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) traceable integrating sphere and, then, used for the field calibration of a spectrometer before a ground or airborne campaign. Another advantage of the lamp over the integrating sphere is its ability to create a continuous calibration curve at the spectrometer resolution, while the integrating sphere is calibrated only for a few discrete wavelengths. A calibrated lamp could also be used for a secondary continuous calibration of an un-calibrated integrating sphere.
Generating Adaptation Policies for Multi-tier Applications in Consolidated Server Environments

Creating good adaptation policies is critical to building complex autonomic systems since it is such policies that define the system configuration used in any given situation. While online approaches based on control theory and rule- based expert systems are possible solutions, each has its disadvantages. Here, a hybrid approach is described that uses modeling and optimization offline to generate suitable configurations, which are then encoded as policies that are used at runtime. The approach is demonstrated on the problem of providing dynamic management in virtualized consolidated server environments that host multiple multi-tier applications. Contributions include layered queuing models for Xen-based virtual machine environments, a novel optimization technique that uses a combination of bin packing and gradient search, and experimental results that show that automatic offline policy generation is viable and can be accurate even with modest computational effort.
Involvement of cyclins and cdc2 serine/threonine protein kinase in human sperm cell function.

The presence and roles of mitotic cyclins (cyclin A and cyclin B1), and cdc2 and related (having an N-terminal PSTAIRE conserved sequence) serine/threonine protein kinases were investigated by use of specific antibodies. The cyclin A and cyclin B1 antibodies reacted specifically with the acrosomal regions of human sperm cells in the indirect immunofluorescence technique (IFT) and recognized the specific band of p60 (cyclin A) and p62 (cyclin B1) on the Western blot of sodium deoxycholate (DOC)-solubilized noncapacitated human sperm preparation. Both antibodies reacted more strongly with the specific cell region/band of capacitated sperm than with that of noncapacitated sperm. The cdc2 and PSTAIRE antibodies also reacted predominantly with the acrosomal regions of human sperm cells in IFT and recognized the specific band of 34 kDa corresponding to p34 cdc2 protein on the Western blot of DOC-solubilized noncapacitated human sperm preparation. Again, both antibodies reacted more strongly with the specific cell region/band of capacitated sperm than with that of noncapacitated sperm. The cyclin A antibodies (but not the cyclin B1 antibodies) and cdc2 antibodies as well as the PSTAIRE antibodies significantly (p = 0.02 to p < 0.001) increased (rather than decreased) the human sperm penetration rates of zona-free hamster ova; the cyclin A and cdc2 antibodies showed the strongest enhancing effects. These three antibodies significantly increased the acrosome reaction and release of acrosin activity from the sperm cells. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Remote Sensing Image Segmentation of Ulan Buh Desert Based on Mathematical Morphology

As the basis of 1:10000 color aerial remote sensing image of Ulan Buh Desert, Inner Mongolia, this paper studies on white thorn which is a typical representative of the nature of scarcity and mass organizations like the vegetation in the desert region. By using mathematical morphology theory and the Matlab 7.0 software, the white thorn will be conducted from the remote sensing image segmentation. Comparing the conducted image with the outer shape of the industry survey results, the accuracy of segmentation could be verified by the gray-level co-occurrence matrix comparisons. This research provides the technical reference for the large sample survey of desert region by remote sensing image segmentation.
Role of Densification in Deformation of Glasses Under Point Loading

It is proposed as a working hypothesis that the many so-called microplastic effects produced by pressure of hard, sharp points on glasses do not occur by plastic flow, but by densification. An interferometric technique is illustrated, by means of which the existence of densification can readily be demonstrated and its magnitude estimated. It is concluded that the “hardness” number of glasses is best interpreted as a measure of the critical stress for yield by densification; that the hardness number has no necessary relation to tensile strength; and that the technology of glass cutting is dependent on residual stresses associated with densification.
People Use their Knowledge of Common Events to Understand Language, and Do So as Quickly as Possible

People possess a great deal of knowledge about how the world works, and it is undoubtedly true that adults use this knowledge when understanding and producing language. However, psycholinguistic theories differ regarding whether this extra-linguistic pragmatic knowledge can be activated and used immediately, or only after a delay. The authors present research that investigates whether people immediately use their generalized knowledge of common events when understanding language. This research demonstrates that (i) individual isolated words immediately activate event-based knowledge; (ii) combinations of words in sentences immediately constrain people's event-based expectations for concepts that are upcoming in language; (iii) syntax modulates people's expectations for ensuing concepts; and (iv) event-based knowledge can produce expectations for ensuing syntactic structures. It is concluded that theories of sentence comprehension must allow for the rapid dynamic interplay among these sources of information.