Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Femtosecond laser machining of SiO2 microfluidic devices for cellular imaging during chemotaxis analysis

Femtosecond laser machining of fused silica (SiO2) was used to fabricate biomolecule concentration gradient forming microfluidic devices specifically designed for cellular imaging purposes during chemotaxis. These novel cell imaging devices can replace standard Gundersen and Barrett based micropipette systems, are re-usable, have superior optical properties, and may include both micro and nanofluidic channels. The dimensional and surface characteristics of these channels can be precisely tailored as a function of the energy-per-pulse, pulse repetition rate and laser rastering conditions used during femtosecond laser machining, to suit particular application specifications. Design and fabrication of SiO2 devices with biomolecule concentration gradient forming capabilities, used for chemotactic analysis, is presented.Femtosecond laser machining of fused silica (SiO2) was used to fabricate biomolecule concentration gradient forming microfluidic devices specifically designed for cellular imaging purposes during chemotaxis. These novel cell imaging devices can replace standard Gundersen and Barrett based micropipette systems, are re-usable, have superior optical properties, and may include both micro and nanofluidic channels. The dimensional and surface characteristics of these channels can be precisely tailored as a function of the energy-per-pulse, pulse repetition rate and laser rastering conditions used during femtosecond laser machining, to suit particular application specifications. Design and fabrication of SiO2 devices with biomolecule concentration gradient forming capabilities, used for chemotactic analysis, is presented.
A Fixed-Point Method for Weighting Terms in Verbose Informational Queries

The term weighting and document ranking functions used with informational queries are typically optimized for cases in which queries are short and documents are long. It is reasonable to assume that the presence of a term in a short query reflects some aspect of the topic that is important to the user, and thus rewarding documents that contain the greatest number of distinct query terms is a useful heuristic. Verbose informational queries, such as those that result from cut-and-paste of example text, or that might result from informal spoken interaction, pose a different challenge in which many extraneous (and thus potentially misleading) terms may be present in the query. Modest improvements have been reported from applying supervised methods to learn which terms in a verbose query deserve the greatest emphasis. This paper proposes a novel unsupervised method for weighting terms in verbose informational queries that relies instead on iteratively estimating which terms are most central to the query. The key idea is to use an initial set of retrieval results to define a recursion on the term weight vector that converges to a fixed point representing the vector that optimally describes the initial result set. Experiments with several TREC news and Web test collections indicate that the proposed method often statistically significantly outperforms state of the art supervised methods.
Kybernetes Case study: Application of enhanced Delphi method for software development and evaluation in medical institutes

Purpose – In recent years, many development projects of the medical systems encounter difficulties and eventually fail. Failure is often due to very complicated and changeable medical procedures and the inconsistent understanding between system stakeholders, especially the healthcare providers, and information technology staff. Many research results also indicate that poor communication easily results in negative consequences during the implementation of the medical information system. To effectively overcome this obstacle, the purpose of this paper is to propose an enhanced Delphi method to assist in reaching consensus during the software development with some additional steps. Design/methodology/approach – As an alternative to the traditional way to elicit pertinent feedback from respondents, the enhanced Delphi method stresses the systematic, flexible, and cyclic stages to construct a questionnaire with viewpoints from different types of panelists and a self-assessment procedure as a validating step to measure the improvements in the system implementation. Findings – The better communication between the members of project team does increase the comprehensive assessment of a project. Originality/value – Based on a practical case, the enhanced Delphi method really demonstrates good performance and effectiveness.
A Philosophical Essay about A General Theory of Competition: Resources, Competences, Productivity, Economic Growth

Shelby Hunt has produced one of the most important books in marketing in decades. He basically challenges us to engage in the discussion of competition based on what develops as “resource-advantage. ” The extensive essay is based on a comprehensive examination of the foundations of competition with the hopes of offering a synthetic theory. Although Hunt provides compelling arguments worthy of serious attention, the major shortcoming of the work is the absence of competitive theory drawn from the theory and practice of marketing, that lodged directly in the marketing discipline. Nevertheless, the integration of competition can more easily flow now that a basic framework has been provided.
Guideline Recommendations for Testing of ALK Gene Rearrangement in Lung Cancer: A Proposal of the Korean Cardiopulmonary Pathology Study Group

Rearrangement of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene is the best predictor of response to crizotinib, an ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor. However, the prevalence of the ALK fusion is low, so accurate patient identification is crucial for successful treatment using ALK inhibitors. Furthermore, most patients with lung cancer present with advanced-stage disease at the time of diagnosis, so it is important for pathologists to detect ALK-rearranged patients while effectively maximizing small biopsy or cytology specimens. In this review, we propose a guideline recommendation for ALK testing approved by the Cardiopulmonary Pathology Study Group of the Korean Society of Pathologists.
Visually guided micro-aerial vehicle: automatic take off, terrain following, landing and wind reaction

We have developed a visually based autopilot which is able to make a micro air vehicle (MAV) automatically take off, cruise and land, while reacting adequately to wind disturbances. We built a proof-of-concept, tethered rotorcraft that can travel indoors over an environment composed of contrasting features randomly arranged on the floor. Here we show the feasibility of a visuomotor control loop that acts upon the thrust so as to maintain the optic flow (OF) estimated in the downward direction to a reference value. The sensor involved in this OF regulator is an elementary motion detector (EMD). The functional structure of the EMD was inspired by that of the housefly, which was previously investigated at our laboratory by performing electrophysiological recordings while applying optical microstimuli to single photoreceptor cells of the compound eye. The vision based autopilot, which we have called OCTAVE (optic flow control system for aerospace vehicles) solves complex problems such as terrain following, controls risky maneuvers such as take off and landing and responds appropriately to wind disturbances. All these reputedly demanding tasks are performed with one and the same visuomotor control loop. The non-emissive sensor and simple processing system are particularly suitable for use with MAV, since the tolerated avionic payload of these micro-aircraft is only a few grams. OCTAVE autopilot could also contribute to relieve a remote operator from the lowly and difficult task of continuously piloting and guiding an UAV. It could also provide guiding assistance to pilots of manned aircraft.
Cross-plane thermal transport in graphene-based structures

Thermal transport properties in graphene and graphene-based materials have been extensively studied due to the extremely high intrinsic thermal conductivity of graphene and its broad applications. However, most of the research is focused on the mass production and thermal transport improvement, while the layered structure and the corresponding large anisotropy in thermal transport are lack of attention. In this work, several graphene-based structures are investigated to uncover the energy coupling between graphene and substrate and between graphene layers. The thermal conductance induced by few-layered graphene (Gr) sandwiched between β-phase tungsten (β-W) films is first studied. Our differential method is able to distinguish the thermal conductance induced by the β-W film and the β-W/Gr interface. The β-W/Gr interface thermal conductance (GW/Gr) features strong variation from sample to sample and has a lower-limit of 84 MWmK at room temperature (RT). This is attributed to possible graphene structure damage and variation during graphene transfer and W sputtering. Compared to up-to-date reported graphene interface thermal conductance, the β-W/Gr interface is at the high end in terms of local energy coupling. Then the cross-plane thermal conductivity (kc) of highly reduced and ordered graphene paper (GP) is characterized from 295 K down to 12.3 K. kc is 6.08 ± 0.6 Wm K at RT, close to the well-accepted value of graphite along the c-axis. An anisotropic specific heat model is developed to identify the specific heat that sustains heat conduction along the c-axis, based on the phonon propagation direction. This model predicts a c-axis mean free path (c-MFP) of 165 nm for graphite at RT, very close to the value of 146 nm from molecular dynamics (MD) modeling. For widely studied normal graphite materials, this model combined with the residual thermal reffusivity theory, predicts a structural domain size of 375 nm, close to the 404 nm grain size uncovered by transmission
Nonlinear Pattern Formation in a Multilayer Photonic Platform

Nonlinear Pattern Formation in a Multilayer Photonic Platform Antoine Bois Master of Applied Science Graduate Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Toronto 2017 An optical resonator containing a Kerr nonlinearity and supporting two coupled modes with the same polarization is investigated to reveal stable localized solutions beyond the usual formation mechanism involving a single mode. Paired breather dissipative Kerr solitons, in addition to temporally stable patterns, are demonstrated via numerical simulations that accounts for differential group delay and unequal second-order dispersions (in both magnitudes and signs). The soliton dynamics are explored from the viewpoint of modulational instability and the spatial dynamics. These results are put within the broader context of multilayer photonic platforms and address considerations relating to dispersion engineering, external coupling, and avoided crossing phenomena. Preliminary waveguide measurements show the feasibility of implementing such a structure for the stable generation of coherent optical frequency combs.
Estimation and Validation of Etoposide by RP-HPLC Method in Rat Plasma by Liquid-Liquid Extraction

The objective of this article is to develop a new validated RP-HPLC method for the estimation of Etoposide, an anti-cancer drug in rat plasma. Etoposide was estimated by a new RP-HPLC method developed on a phenomenex C18 (4.6 x 250 mm, 5µ i.d) column, by isocratic elution using mobile phase mixture of methanol: pH 6 phosphate buffer in a ratio of 80:20 % v/v, at a flow rate 0.9 ml/min and monitored at 273 nm with an average retention time of 4.7 ± 0.1 min. Extraction of the sample from rat plasma was performed by employing liquid-liquid extraction method using chloroform as a solvent. The evaporated chloroform extract was reconstituted by using methanol exhibits linearity in the concentration range of 2000-5000 µg/ml. The LOD and LOQ were found to be 184 µg/ml and 561 µg/ml, respectively with a correlation coefficient of 0.9989 and slope of 1.3818. The method was proved to be more accurate, simple, precise and rapid by statistical validation, extraction and recovery studies.
Verifying sequential equivalence using ATPG techniques

In this paper we address the problem of verifying the equivalence of two sequential circuits. State-of-the-art sequential optimization techniques such as retiming and sequential redundancy removal can handle designs with up to hundreds or even thousands of flip-flops. However, the BDD-based approaches for verifying sequential equivalence can easily run into memory explosion for such designs. In an attempt to handle larger circuits, we modify test pattern-generation techniques for verification. The suggested approach utilizes the popular efficient backward-justification technique used in most sequential ATPG programs. We present several techniques to enhance the efficiency of this approach by (1) identifying equivalent flip-flop pairs using an induction-based algorithm, and (2) generalizing the idea of exploring the structural similarity between circuits to perform verification in stages. This ATPG-based framework is suitable for verifying circuits either with or without a reset state. In order to extend this approach to verify retimed circuits, we introduce a delay-compensation-based algorithm for preprocessing the circuits. The experimental results of verifying the correctness of circuits after sequential redundancy removal and retiming with up to several hundred flip-flops are presented.
Identification of programmed cell death in situ via specific labeling of nuclear DNA fragmentation

Programmed cell death (PCD) plays a key role in developmental biology and in maintenance of the steady state in continuously renewing tissues. Currently, its existence is inferred mainly from gel electrophoresis of a pooled DNA extract as PCD was shown to be associated with DNA fragmentation. Based on this observation, we describe here the development of a method for the in situ visualization of PCD at the single-cell level, while preserving tissue architecture. Conventional histological sections, pretreated with protease, were nick end labeled with biotinylated poly dU, introduced by terminal deoxy- transferase, and then stained using avidin-conjugated peroxidase. The reaction is specific, only nuclei located at positions where PCD is expected are stained. The initial screening includes: small and large intestine, epidermis, lymphoid tissues, ovary, and other organs. A detailed analysis revealed that the process is initiated at the nuclear periphery, it is relatively short (1-3 h from initiation to cell elimination) and that PCD appears in tissues in clusters. The extent of tissue-PCD revealed by this method is considerably greater than apoptosis detected by nuclear morphology, and thus opens the way for a variety of studies.
Managing The Internet as an Economic System

The Internet is by far the fastest growing economy in the world in terms of the number of users and information providers. Currently there are over 30 million users with an estimated 100% annual growth. As an economic system we can view the information providers, including entertainment, news, educational services, etc., as producers and the users as consumers. The Internet is already experiencing traffic jams and, given the growth rate of The Internet and the need to provide real time services in future, this will become a severe problem if proper coordinating mechanisms are not designed and implemented. We have developed a priority pricing mechanism based on General Equilibrium theory in economics, and we use a measure based on the collective benefits obtained by the users to evaluate the performance of the system. We have developed simulation model to test the validity of our approach and to show the gain in efficiency induced by pricing. We present some results with a non-priority pricing scheme and show substantial improvements versus a free access policy. Furthermore, we address the issues concerning the development of new accounting/billing methods, cross subsidization of services, infrastructure investment, development of smart agents for dynamic scheduling and users’ job management, and the possible competitive market structures which will evolve over The Internet.
Childhood Disability in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Overview of Screening, Prevention, Services, Legislation, and Epidemiology

BACKGROUND. Childhood disability affects millions of children around the world, most of whom are in low- and middle-income countries. Despite the large burden on child development, family life, and economics, research in the area of childhood disability is woefully inadequate, especially from low- and middle-income countries. OBJECTIVE. The objective of this review was to generate information about current knowledge on childhood disability in low- and middle-income countries and identify gaps to guide future research. METHODS. Electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, PsycInfo) were searched by using specific search terms related to childhood disability in developing countries. The Cochrane Library was also searched to identify any similar reviews. Whole texts of articles that met study criteria were scrutinized for information regarding research method, screening tools, epidemiology, disability-related services, legislation, and prevention and promotion activities. Quantitative and qualitative information was collated, and frequency distributions of research parameters were generated. RESULTS. Eighty articles were included in the review (41 from low-income countries). Almost 60% of the studies were cross-sectional; case-control, cohort, and randomized, controlled trials accounted for only 15% of the studies. Of the 80 studies, 66 focused on epidemiologic research. Hearing (26%) and intellectual (26%) disabilities were the commonly studied conditions. The Ten Questionnaire was the most commonly used screening tool. Information on specific interventions, service utilization, and legislation was lacking, and study quality generally was inadequate. Data on outcomes of morbidities, including delivery complications and neonatal and early childhood illness, is particularly lacking. CONCLUSIONS. With this review we identified potential gaps in knowledge, especially in the areas of intervention, service utilization, and legislation. Even epidemiologic research was of inadequate quality, and research was lacking on conditions other than hearing and intellectual disabilities. Future researchers should not only address these gaps in current knowledge but also take steps to translate their research into public health policy changes that would affect the lives of children with disabilities in low- and middle-income countries.
Age at First Childbirth and Hypertension in Postmenopausal Women

Whether age at first childbirth has an effect on hypertension incidence is unclear. The objectives of this study were to examine the relationship between age at first childbirth and hypertension and to examine whether degree of obesity, measured as body mass index, mediates age at first childbirth-related hypertension in postmenopausal women. This study analyzed 4779 postmenopausal women data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010 to 2012. Logistic regression analyses were used to investigate relationship between age at first childbirth and hypertension. Mediation analysis was performed to examine the contribution of body mass index to age at first childbirth-related hypertension. Mean of participants’ age at first childbirth and current age were 23.8 and 63.4 years, respectively. The prevalence of hypertension was 51.1%. Age at first childbirth was significantly associated with the prevalence of hypertension (odds ratio, 0.963; 95% confidence interval, 0.930–0.998; P=0.036). Women with age at first childbirth ⩽19 years had significantly higher risk of hypertension (odds ratio, 1.61; 95% confidence interval, 1.17–2.23; P=0.004) compared with those >19 years. Multivariable-adjusted prevalence of hypertension was significantly lower in women who delivered the first infant at 20 to 24 (45.5%), 25 to 29 (46.1%), and ≥30 (39.9%) years compared with those at ⩽19 years (58.4%). Body mass index completely mediated age at first childbirth–hypertension relationship (indirect effect: odds ratio, 0.992; 95% confidence interval, 0.987–0.998; P=0.008). Age at first childbirth was significantly associated with hypertension in postmenopausal women. Body mass index mediated the effects of age at first childbirth on hypertension.
Fixing the Complexity of the Sphere Decoder for MIMO Detection

A new detection algorithm for uncoded multiple input-multiple output (MIMO) systems based on the complex version of the sphere decoder (SD) is presented in this paper. It performs a fixed number of operations during the detection process, overcoming the two main problems of the SD from an implementation point of view: its variable complexity and its sequential nature. The algorithm combines a novel channel matrix ordering with a search through a very small subset of the complete transmit constellation. A geometrically-based method is used to study the effect the proposed ordering has on the statistics of the MIMO channel. Using those results, a generalization is given for the structure this subset needs to follow in order to achieve quasi-maximum likelihood (ML) performance. Simulation results show that it has only a very small bit error rate (BER) degradation compared to the original SD while being suited for a fully-pipelined hardware implementation due to its low and fixed complexity.
A Numerical and Experimental Evaluation of the Turbulent Heat Flux in a Heated Jet in Crossflow

The injection of fully-developed turbulent heated air from a tube into a cooler turbulent duct flow is examined, as an analogy to film cooled turbine blades. Scale Resolving Simulations (SRS) are used to examine the flow numerically. A Detached Eddy Simulation (DES) methodology is examined but found to be ine↵ective at correctly capturing the physics of the flow. A Large Eddy Simulation (LES) numerical model is developed and applied in which tube and duct turbulence inflow e↵ects are emulated using a divergence-free synthetic eddy method (SEM). The LES sensitivity to the synthetic inflow turbulence is examined with a series of simulations with the SEM inflow toggled on and o↵. The e↵ects of turbulence in the coolant tube are found to the most critical for accurate prediction. For direct comparison, a hot-wire experiment is conducted within the ERB test cell SW-6 at NASA Glenn Research Center. Excellent agreement is obtained for these numerical and experimental results related to velocity, temperature, and heat flux, for a blowing ratio of 1.2, and involving a 36 K temperature di↵erence. The relative e↵ect on the solutions of tube and duct inflow turbulence is systematically evaluated. The impact of inherent low-pass filtering of temperature measurements and probe wire o↵set on the experimental results are addressed. The validity of the gradient di↵usion hypothesis, fundamental to Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) models, is evaluated.
Open-loop transmit diversity in IS-20000 systems

A new form of transmit diversity has been developed and included for Interim Standard 2000 (IS-2000) the third generation successor for IS-95 code division multiple access (CDMA) systems. This transmit diversity scheme which was developed by Bell Laboratories is similar in principle to space-time block coding methods developed for UMTS systems by Texas Instruments and by Tarokh et al.(see IEEE Transactions on Information Theory, vol.45, p.1456-67, 1999) for TDMA systems. This paper presents performance results of this new transmit diversity method, termed space-time spreading.