Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Propagation model of a city street for personal and microcellular communications

Theoretical analysis of propagation in a city street modelled as a 3D multislit waveguide is proposed. Assuming that the screens and slits are distributed by a Poisson law, the statistical propagation characteristics in such a waveguide are expressed in terms of multiple ray-fields approaching the observer. Algorithms for the path-loss prediction are presented and compared with experimental data.
Resveratrol Suppresses Ovarian Cancer Cell Growth and Invasion Through Upregulation of microRNA-34a

Resveratrol (RES), a natural compound found in red wine, has previously reported to suppress ovarian cancer (OC) cell growth in vitro and in vivo; however, its potential molecular mechanisms are not fully elucidated. The aim of this study is to investigate the suppressive potential of RES in OC cell growth and invasion and reveal the underlying mechanisms. Herein, we found that RES treatment obviously suppressed the proliferative and invasive capacities of OC cells, and elevated cell apoptosis in vitro. Subsequent microarray and qRT-PCR analysis further showed that microRNA-34a (miR-34a) was significantly increased by RES treatment. Moreover, the inhibitory effects of RES on OC cells were enhanced by miR-34a overexpression, whereas weakened by miR-34a inhibition in OC cells. Of note, Bcl-2, an anti-apoptotic gene, was identified as a direct target of miR-34a. Then, we revealed that RES decreased the expression of Bcl-2 in OC cells in a dose dependent manner. Furthermore, the anti-tumor effects of RES were abolished by overexpression of Bcl-2 in OC cells. Overall, these results demonstrated that RES exerts the anti-cancer effects on OC cells through the miR-34a/Bcl-2 axis.
Passive Q-switching in all-fibre Raman laser with distributed Rayleigh feedback

The experimental demonstration of the all-fibre passive Q-switching operation of a Raman fibre laser is reported. Giant pulses around 1550 nm with a peak power of 1 kW and pulse duration down to 1 ns were obtained with a 10 km-long fibre cavity pumped by a 2.4 W continuous-wave fibre laser source. Reported experimental data indicate that Rayleigh, Brillouin and Raman scatterings are all involved in the pulse generation process.
Strategic management process design e o pensamento sistêmico: a emergência de novas metodologias de design

It is possible to attain the systemic paradigm reasoning from a historical context of increasing complexification and limitations of the analytic thought in Modern Science, by understanding non-linear processing phenomena, which are not reducible to a few variables of atomized parts. This systemic reasoning paradigm can be achieved so as to facilitate reflective thinking about design today, with its multiple marketing interactions, its strategic functions within organizations, as well as with the need for processes and management directed by design and for design. Through a short overview of the methodologies based on the analytical epistemology, the present article attempts to draw some basic guiding lines for the development of a systemic methodology for strategic design.
Evaluation of mechanical recycling options for electronic equipment

We evaluated two methods of sorting mixed plastic parts from demanufactured electronic goods to increase the value of the plastic. The first process took advantage of high-speed, automated, plastics identification equipment to enrich and segregate target materials before grinding and final purification. The second process was to sort and enrich the plastics by having laborers use a combination of recycling stamps (plastic identity labels) and a spectroscopic instrument to sort die material prior to grinding and purification. Each method has several difficulties associated with it. We found that plastic enrichment by sorting whole parts via either process is not economically promising. Neither method could enrich a mixed plastic stream to an appropriate level to achieve high resale value. Thus, there is little return to offset the considerable costs involved. The study showed that particle-by-particle sorting would be required to further enrich the plastics after whole part sorting in either case. Whole part sorting is only practical when the material source is very controlled and the contamination level is limited.
Nondestructive damage detection in Euler–Bernoulli beams using nodal curvatures—Part II: Field measurements

The objective of this paper is to evaluate, using field measurements, the performance of the nondestructive evaluation methodology presented in the accompanying paper ‘Nondestructive damage detection in Euler–Bernoulli beams using nodal curvatures – Part I: Theory and numerical verification’. Experimental modal data collected from the Interstate 40 bridge are utilized to accomplish the stated objective. Prior to the replacement of the bridge in 1993, researchers from New Mexico State University and Los Alamos National Laboratory introduced incremental levels of damage on the structure and performed experimental modal analyses at each damage stage. The results of the experiments were utilized to evaluate the performance of five previously published nondestructive damage identification methods. Utilizing the measured modal parameters from the Interstate 40 bridge study, structural damage is localized and quantified with the nondestructive evaluation methodology presented in the accompanying paper. The results of this study indicate that the proposed methodology performed equally as well as the damage index method for damage localization and additionally provided realistic estimates of damage severity. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mathematical modelling of cell aggregation in liver tissue engineering

A promising method for growing functional liver tissue in vitro involves culturing hepatocytes as spheroidal cell aggregates. In this thesis, we develop mathematical models of cell aggregation, and use them to determine how hepatocytes' interactions with the extracellular matrix (ECM) on which they are seeded, and with stellate cells, affect the process. Chapters 2-4 focus on the effect that cell-ECM coupling has on the aggregation process. We use a novel formulation that couples a mechanical model for the ECM with a two-phase model for the cell-culture region. A combination of linear stability analysis and numerical simulations are used to identify parameter regimes in which aggregation occurs, and investigate the effect of changing key parameters. In Chapter 2, we assume a one-dimensional geometry, whereas in Chapters 3 and 4, the slender two-dimensional geometry is exploited to obtain two alternative one-dimensional models in which the mechanisms dominating aggregation are chemotaxis and surface tension. In Chapter 5, we focus on interactions between hepatocytes and stellates, neglecting the role of the ECM.We develop new non-local models to investigate the relative contributions of hepatocyte-heaptocyte and hepatocyte-stellate interactions in controlling spheroid formation. Comparison with experimental results suggests that the hepatocyte-stellate interaction is the stronger, in which case a 1:1 seeding ratio of hepatocytes to stellates is likely to be optimal for promoting swift aggregate formation.
Biosensor Design and Fabrication

This paper presents the use of biosensor devices for bioanalytical purposes. In contrast to common analytical tools using sophisticated and bulky devices, biosensors should be able to perform measurements in untreated samples in a simple and inexpensive manner. As a model creating biosensors serves nature which produces a variety of selective molecules during evolution that can be used in technical sensor devices. Combining such natural molecules with methods from microelectronics, mass fabrication of laboratories on chip seems feasible. Emerging markets for such tools can be seen in medicine, drug screening and biotechnology. After explaining the principles of biosensors different transducing methods are explained showing advantages and disadvantages for creating biosensors. The greatest emphasis is laid on electrochemical and optical principles which exhibit an overwhelming experience and the largest impact on future developments. Despite such developments, acoustic and calorimetric transducers are also explained. As biological sensing agents enzymes, antibodies and DNA are described with appropriate immobilizing procedures. Additionally, new aspects for creating a laboratory-on-chip using microanalytical systems (μTAS) including microfluidics and actuator modules are given for creating sensing systems for metabolic parameters and also cell-based and affinity-based systems for screening purposes. The purpose of this section is to give an overview and to explain the present possibilities for creating biosensor systems and ends up with an outlook in the near analytical future for new sophisticated and miniaturized analytical systems.
Studies on the development and innervation of the bovine and caprine horn

The main objective of this study, as detailed in Chapter 2, was to investigate the nerves innervating the horn base in cattle and goats, paying particular attention to the contribution of the N. sinuum frontalium. The study involved the gross dissection of twenty-five cattle, aged between 2 days and 4 years, as well as twenty-four goats aged between 10 hours and 6 years. In addition to the dissections, the neurotracer Fluorogold was applied to the cut horn bases of two calves and two 15-month-old heifers. Fluorogold was taken up by cut nerves and was then transported in a retrograde manner along the nerves. The inspection of nerve sections under the fluorescence microscope revealed Fluorogold granules in the R. zygomaticotemporalis of all four animals, as well as in the N. infratrochlearis of two animals and in the N. frontalis of a single animal. Fluorogold granules were not present in either the N. sinuum frontalium or the Nn. cervicales. However, osmium-stained histological sections of the horn base revealed the presence of nerve fascicles, presumed to be branches of the N. sinuum frontalium, in the cornual diverticular lining of cattle over 2 years of age and goats over 4 years of age. These results demonstrated that in cattle the R. zygomaticotemporalis is not the only nerve supplying the horn base. Furthermore, in mature cattle and goats the N. sinuum frontalium needs to be blocked before the animal is dehorned.The objective of Chapter 3 was to investigate the sensory receptors present in the horn bud of calves and kids. For this study immunohistochemistry was used in conjunction with transmission electron microscopy. Immunohistochemistry utilized neurofilament and S-100 antibodies which demonstrated nerve fibres and Schwann cell cytoplasm respectively. In this study numerous free nerve endings, known to be nociceptors, were identified in both calves and kids. In addition, bulbous corpuscles, Merkel cells and intraepidermal nerves were demonstrated.
The role of the meniscus in the tear film

In the diagnosis of dry eye, an evaluation of tear fluid volume is an important parameter. The tear menisci hold approximately 75-90% of the overall tear fluid volume and serve as reservoirs, supplying tears to the pre-corneal tear film. The measurement of the anterior curvature radius of the tear meniscus (TMR) is an indicator of tear film volume and when it is performed non-invasively has been found to have good dry eye diagnostic accuracies. Optical coherence tomography and meniscometry are existing techniques that can measure TMR non-invasively. These techniques have not found wide application among clinicians, either because they are not commercially available or they are too expensive. This PhD describes a series of experiments that investigated the development, evaluation and application of a new instrument for non-invasive tear meniscus measurement. From the results of these studies, it can be concluded: A Portable Digital Meniscometer (PDM) was developed. This consists of an application tool for the iPod-touch, a slit-lamp holder for the iPod-touch and an image analysis software for TMR calculation. A simple iPod-touch or an iPhone mounted on a commercially available digital slit-lamp can be used to project a grid of black and white lines on the tear meniscus. Using the principal of reflective meniscometry, the radius of the lower tear meniscus can be non-invasively measured. This newly developed instrument is a simple, mobile and useful device for measuring tear meniscus radius, and therefore tear volume, and is suitable for use by clinicians. The newly developed PDM was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. It produced accurate and reliable measurements and provided similar values for the tear meniscus radius, in human studies, to the existing video-meniscometer. PDM and OCT measurements of the TMR were significantly correlated. Since with the PDM no image calibration is needed, it seems to be a quick and non-invasive technique for evaluation of tear fluid quantity. The PDM appears to measure the radius of the central section of the tear meniscus The PDM was able to non-invasively measure alterations in TMR and TMH along the lower lid. The flatter TMR and higher TMH at the nasal and temporal locations may be caused by the LIPCOF degree of the underlying conjunctiva. To avoid any interference by LIPCOF, it is recommended that TMR and TMH be measured along the lower lid margin below the pupil centre. Furthermore, the PDM was able to usefully detect changes in TMR following the instillation of artificial tears. The difference in residence time is likely to reflect the different viscosity and Newtonian properties of these drops. An overload with a large drop may result in initial increased blink rate. Blink rate at baseline is significantly related to dry eye symptoms.
The study of composite effects of functional ceramics and its potential applications

Functional ceramics have come into a new era with the concept that materials may exhibit combined effects or various functional properties which can be composed together to form a new material, device or system. Several examples which are now being studied and developed are introduced: Ceramic damping and acoustic dumb devices through piezoelectric+electrostrictive; Optical memory devices developed by photovoltaic+ferroelectric; Pyroelectric transformers taking advantage of PTC+pyroelectric; Pyroelectric energy converters obtained by induced phase transitions (F/sub RI//F/sub RH/); Smart actuators by induce phase transition effects. Principles and experimental results are discussed.
Optimum economic dispatch of load among Fajr petrochemical company heat power plants considering non-smooth cost functions using evolutionary algorithm hybrid method

Abstract. This article aims to solve the question of load economic dispatch among power plants for optimized usage of fossil-fuel power plants in order to reduce fuel costs using evolutionary algorithms. Nowadays, electric-energy production for power systems aiming to minimize the whole production cost for existing active units in power network is one of the most important subjects of modern systems . In other words, the objective of economic load dispatch is optimum and appropriate programming for manufacturing units considering factors and existing non-linear constraints in power network and manufacturing units . The amount of production as well as rising and falling rates have become an optimization question. In this study, 11 production units of Fajr petrochemical power plant complex is studied in a 24-hour cycle without steam valve and with steam control valve. The mentioned case study was compared by algorithms including PSO, ABC, ABCPSO in order to determine the production cost and load dispatch through the mentioned algorithms. We will introduce the best solution as well.
Robotic flexible endoscope

In flexible endoscopy a flexible tube with a steerable camera is used to inspect the internal patient tracts and to perform small surgical interventions. In current practice the physician is faced with usability problems. Often assistance is required to manipulate the flexible endoscope and the instruments. As a consequence the physician lacks force feedback on tissue and endoscope interaction, communication errors easily occur, and two persons are required to perform a relatively simple procedure. In addition, current experiments to perform more advanced therapeutic procedures by using steerable instruments are limited by the lack of availability of intuitive and user-friendly tools. This thesis describes the development and evaluation of a robotic flexible endoscope that allows a single physician to perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in an intuitive and user-friendly way. The robotic modules interact with standard available endoscopy equipment and the setup can be customized to the clinical requirements of a specific procedure. The main focus of the research was directed to the usability of handling all degrees of freedom of the endoscope and the instruments. A fully functional system was realized that is prepared for clinical practice because of the integration of safety and cleanability aspects, and its easy positioning close to the patient. In general, feedback on the experimental setups indicate that the robotic flexible endoscope for diagnosis, existing therapy, as well as experimental therapy is highly appreciated by novice and expert participants. Novices are enthusiastic about the ease with which the degrees of freedom are operated, whereas experts value the clinical opportunities that robotic control provides.
Broadband and low loss slow light in SOI photonic crystal waveguides

The phenomenon of slow light in photonic crystal waveguides is discussed. Rather than maximising the slowdown factor, we believe that slow light is only useful for all-optical data processing if there is sufficient bandwidth, hence a slowdown factor of order 10-100 is more favourable, given that it enables bandwidths of order 1 THz or more to be realised. As a specific example, we demonstrate a slowdown factor of 12 (group index of 25) over a bandwidth of 2.5 THz in a W2 photonic crystal waveguide. Furthermore, slow light can only be useful if it is not compromised by losses. Due to recent improvements in our technology, we can now achieve losses of order 4 dB/cm, which is amongst the best reported for W1 photonic crystal waveguides.
Note on Z -eigenvalue inclusion theorems for tensors

Wang et al. gave four Z -eigenvalue inclusion intervals for tensors in [Discrete and Continuous Dynamical Systems Series B, 1 (2017), 187-198]. However, these intervals always include zero, and hence could not be used to identify the positive deﬁniteness of a homogeneous polynomial form. In this note, we present a new Z -eigenvalue inclusion interval with parameters for even-order tensors, which not only overcomes the above shortcomings under certain conditions, but also provides a checkable suﬃcient condition for the positive deﬁniteness of homogeneous polynomial forms, as well as the asymptotically stability of time-invariant polynomial systems.
Development of the U.S. Woodland Battle Dress Uniform

Abstract : This report describes the development of the Woodland camouflage pattern for the new US Army Battle Dress system. Guidance derived from combat experience, field trials and visual science is described. Rationale is given for selection of the fabric and specific pattern design, including the individual elements of color, infrared reflectance, and pattern size. Also described are the colormetric and infrared properties of the standards selected and estimates of range of effectiveness from visual science. Dyeing and printing technology and relevant specifications are cited in the Appendix. (Author)
Track quality estimation for multiple-target tracking radars

A method is developed for estimating track quality for a multiple-target tracking radar, such as an electronically scanned array radar or track-while-scan system. It is assumed that tracking error residuals and error variance estimates are available, as is the case when minimum-variance track filters are used. A normalized distance function is selected as the direct measure of a target's instantaneous track quality. It is smoothed using a recursive fading memory filter to provide an estimate of track quality. A statistical hypothesis test is then applied to the track quality estimates to determine when target tracks have achieved a specified quality for the given application. This procedure can be implemented for each target in track, and it uses only data already required by the return-to-track association algorithms used by many multiple-target tracking radars. In addition, the technique is applicable to both active and passive radar operation, and it can easily be extended to incorporate alternate or additional quality criteria. <<ETX>>
Rethinking the accounting ethics education research in the post- COVID-19 context

Abstract Now more than ever before, studies of accounting ethics should be at the front of every research that is commenced throughout and following COVID-19 to protect students, academics, professionals, and broader communities. Accounting Ethics Education Research is traditionally linked to the global crisis. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to map the knowledge of accounting ethics education literature and to pay closer inception in facing the waves of destressing and the repeated financial scandals in the Covid-19 context. A systematic literature review was performed on 31 empirical research published on the Scopus database for 1993 to 2020. This study also suggests new avenues and insights for future research by analysing the articles into three primary levels according to the scope (environmental, university, and individual), which would help to find the main focus of researchers and draw a clear picture of literature gap. Moreover, this study is the first by far to provide and discuss the key variables (gender, age, accounting ethics course) used by previous studies. The study findings help provide an overarching picture of the accounting ethics education patterns and trends to avoid falling into the same mistakes. In addition, these results draw potential future avenues to bridge the current literature void by presenting fruitful and indispensable directions for future research in the post-pandemic world. It also suggests multidimensional and in-depth insights for reforming the accounting ethics education pedagogy.
Acoustic echo cancellation in non-linear and noisy environment

This paper presents a new assessment of four approaches to acoustic echo cancellation in the presence of non-linear echo. The comparison is performed with algorithms that are configured to give equivalent performance under linear-only echo conditions, thereby giving a more meaningful assessment. We also compare the effect of non-linear echo to that of noise and show that, whilst performance differs in non-linear environments, there are negligible differences in noisy environments. The computationally efficient FBLMS algorithm is shown to perform as well as other algorithms in noisy environments but performs poorly under non-linear echo conditions. We also show how the correlation between non-linearities and the speech signal can corrupt the echo path estimate and leads to small attenuation of non-linear components at the expense of reduced attenuation for linear echo. Finally we discuss the merits of modelling non-linearities as a linear environment with a time varying echo path.