Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Integrated micro-system for real time cell bio-chemical assessment

Miniaturized lab-on-a-chips and micro Total Analysis Systems (μTAS) have already penetrated the area of molecular diagnostics and brought the promise of a shift of paradigm in the way that medical professions will be conducted. Large spectrum of applications have been reported in the area of diagnosis and prognostics, regarding both qualitative and quantitative identification of targeted bio-entities. The advance of Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) and microfluidic technologies opened a major challenge for a large number of researchers, industrial health and bio companies to invest their time and budget into the avenue of Point of Care (POC) health instruments or devices that help in the early detection of cancer cells within the human blood, via circulating malignant cells. A large project that addresses the design of a point of care (POC) prototype in the area of bio-MEMS is presently ongoing in our laboratories. This device will enable the early detection of specific malignant species from a blood sample and integrates subprojects regarding the separation of malignant species from the blood sample, the characterization of these particles and the precise identification of the detected species. The detection method is based on the interaction between a microstructure, in this case a cantilever beam, and the reacting large organic molecules. The aim of the present work is the detection part and represents the effort of the candidate to confirm theoretically and experimentally a series of pre-existing experimental results performed within the research group. The detection experiments take in consideration both the specific deflection obtained by means of direct measuring and the optical variation of the capillary angle during the interaction at micro-level between a pair antibody-antigen. The option of performing the assessment on an in-plane configuration rather than the out-of-plane method is also taken in consideration. The results of this work can help benefiting both care-givers and patients if implemented in a clinical diagnostic device, contributing to an early detection of a malignant condition and the follow-up during the specialized treatment, implicitly reduced costs and improved quality of life.
BUSINESS STRATEGY, EARNINGS MANAGEMENT, AND READABILITY OF NARRATIVE INFORMATION OF THE ANNUAL REPORT (EMPIRICAL STUDY ON INDONESIA LISTED COMPANIES)

This study aims to examine the association of business strategy and earnings management on the readability of narrative information in the annual report. The readability of narrative information on an annual report is measured by the Fog Index. The business strategy in this study is measured by a rolling average of five years of research and development ratios, ratio of number of employees, employee fluctuations, capital intensity and changes in income. Earnings management in this study uses accrual earnings management. This research was conducted at publicly listed companies in Indonesia in the 2015 to 2017. The total sample of the study was 495 firm-years. The results of this study prove that the company's business strategy has an association with the readability of financial statement narrative information. However, there is no evidence that the level of legibility of the annual report's narrative information is related to earnings management by the company. In summary, it can be concluded that the level of readability of narrative information on a company's annual report in Indonesia tends to be driven because of the company's business characteristics, not because of the opportunistic motives of management.
Electronic Business over Wireless Device: A Case Study

Research and practices in electronic business over wireless devices (m-business) have recently seen an exponential growth. The applications and services that were envisioned for m-business are becoming a reality today. This paper presents the basic concepts necessary to understand m-business applications. This paper also presents acase study of the voice driven airline ticketing system that can be accessed at anytime, anywhere by mobile phones. The specific goals for this system are to allow users to search for flight information and purchase an airline ticket to a destination. The application offers maximum functionality while still maintaining high level of user convenience in terms of input and navigation.
Full-duplex Wireless: Design, Implementation and Characterization

Full-duplex Wireless: Design, Implementation and Characterization. by Melissa Duarte One of the fundamental assumptions made in the design of wireless networks is that the wireless devices have to be half-duplex, i.e., they cannot simultaneously transmit and receive in the same frequency band. The key deterrent in implementing a full-duplex wireless device, which can simultaneously transmit and receive in the same frequency band, is the large power differential between the self-interference from a device's own transmissions and the signal of interest coming from a distant source. In this thesis, we revisit this basic assumption and propose a full-duplex radio design. The design suppresses the self-interference signal by employing a combination of passive suppression, and active analog and digital cancellation mechanisms. The active cancellations are designed for wideband, multiple subcarrier (OFDM), and multiple antenna (MIMO) wireless communications systems. We then implement our design as a 20 MHz MIMO OFDM system with a 2.4 GHz center frequency, suitable for Wi-Fi systems. We perform extensive over-the-air tests to characterize our implementation. Our main contributions are the following: (a) the average amount of active cancellation increases as the received self-interference power increases and as a result, the rate of a full-duplex link increases as the transmit power of communicating devices increases, (b) applying digital cancellation after analog cancellation can sometimes increase the self-interference and the effectiveness of digital cancellation in a full-duplex system will depend on the performance of the cancellation stages that precede it, (c) our full-duplex device design achieves an average of 85 dB of self-interference cancellation over a 20 MHz bandwidth at 2.4 GHz, which is the best cancellation performance reported to date, (d) our full-duplex device design achieves 3Q-84% higher ergodic rates than its half-duplex counterpart for received powers in the range of [ -75, -60] dBm. As a result, our design is the first one to achieve Wi-Fi ranges; in comparison, no implementation to date has achieved Wi-Fi ranges. Consequently, we have conclusively demonstrated that Wi-Fi full-duplex is practically feasible and hence shown that one of the commonly made assumptions in wireless networks is not fundamental.
Switching Power Supply Design & Optimization

This is a rigorous, carefully explained and motivated “beginner’s bible” to power supply design. Between dense, mathematical textbooks on power electronics and tiny power supply “cookbooks” there exists no practical tutorial on the hazards of contemporary power supply design. Our Pressman book, the 800 lb gorilla in the field, is both mathematically dense and 7 years old. This new book, detailing cutting edge thermal management techniques, grouping key design equations in a special reference section, and containing a concise Design FAQ, will serve both as an invaluable tutorial and quick reference. Table of contents PREFACE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ABOUT THE AUTHORS Chapter 1: Overview of Switching Power Chapter 2: DC-DC Converters and Their Configurations Chapter 3: Reference Equations and Graphs for Converter Design Chapter 4: Discontinuous Conduction Mode Equations Chapter 5: Front-End of Off-Line Power Supplies Chapter 6: Isolated Topologies for Off-Line Applications Chapter 7: Concepts in Magnetics Chapter 8: Tapped-Inductor Topologies Chapter 9: Selecting Inductors for DC-DC Converters Chapter 10: Flyback Transformer Design Chapter 11: Forward Converter Magnetics Design Chapter 12: PCBs and Layout Chapter 13: Thermal Management Chapter 14: Stabilizing Current Mode Converters Chapter 15: Practical EMI Filter Design Chapter 16: Things to Try Chapter 17: Reliability, Testing, and Safety Issues APPENDIX: COMPONENTS AND FAQ REFERENCES INDEX
Investigation of a miniature differential ion thruster

Complex space missions involving formation flying or drag compensation are driving the need for spacecraft propulsion systems capable of providing low but also highly accurate thrust levels. Currently, no single propulsion device exists that is able to provide both precision and coarse thrust capability over the micro-Newton to milli-Newton thrust range required by these missions. A need for a precision, low thrust, miniature electric propulsion device with a wide throttling range therefore exists. The concept of a differential ion thruster was initially proposed by the Ion Propulsion Group of QinetiQ to address this requirement. It was proposed that an unprecedented throttling range and thrust resolution could be achieved through differential control of opposing ion beams, by which very small net offsets in thrust could be achieved. Single ion beam operation, as for conventional gridded ion thrusters, would permit higher thrust levels to be achieved with high specific impulse. The extraction and independent control of two ion beams from a single gridded ion thruster has never previously been reported. Prototype and breadboard models of the proposed Miniaturised Differential Gridded Ion Thruster (MiDGIT) were designed and manufactured in collaboration with QinetiQ to provide a proof-of-concept and to demonstrate preliminary performance. Test campaigns were conducted at the QinetiQ Large European Electric Propulsion Facilities and within the EP1 vacuum chamber at the University of Southampton. The work reported in this thesis contributes to the first detailed characterisation of a twin-ended radio frequency gridded ion thruster utilising a common plasma discharge. Two control methods were identified which permitted independent control of the ion beams extracted from either end of the thruster. These were: variation of the accelerator grid potential in order to induce changes in the plasma sheath geometry upstream of each screen grid leading to variations in the extracted ion currents, and variation of the RF power delivered to each end of the thruster to generate a higher plasma density on one end of the discharge and ultimately a net thrust out of that end of the thruster. The performance of the MiDGIT thruster has been evaluated with regards to both coarse thrust and fine thrust control requirements. Though the MiDGIT thruster has demonstrated a wide thrust range surpassing competing single-ended miniature ion thrusters, the extraction of two ion beams to achieve very low thrust levels leads to low specific impulse and high specific power for the MiDGIT thruster compared to any other single-ended ion thruster that can achieve the same thrust levels. Recommendations to improve efficiency are made and suggestions for future work and further development of the MiDGIT thruster are given.
Dynamics of attacker–defender dyads in Association Football : parameters influencing decision-making

Previous work on pattern-forming dynamics of team sports has investigated sub-phases of basketball and rugby union by focussing on one-versus-one (1v1) attacker-defender dyads. This body of work has identified the role of candidate control parameters, interpersonal distance and relative velocity, in predicting the outcomes of team player interactions. These two control parameters have been described as functioning in a nested relationship where relative velocity between players comes to the fore within a critical range of interpersonal distance. The critical influence of constraints on the intentionality of player behaviour has also been identified through the study of 1v1 attacker-defender dyads. This thesis draws from previous work adopting an ecological dynamics approach, which encompasses both Dynamical Systems Theory and Ecological Psychology concepts, to describe attacker-defender interactions in 1v1 dyads in association football. Twelve male youth association football players (average age 15.3 ± 0.5 yrs) performed as both attackers and defenders in 1v1 dyads in three field positions in an experimental manipulation of the proximity to goal and the role of players. Player and ball motion was tracked using TACTO 8.0 software (Fernandes & Caixinha, 2003) to produce two-dimensional (2D) trajectories of players and the ball on the ground. Significant differences were found for player-to-ball interactions depending on proximity to goal manipulations, indicating how key reference points in the environment such as the location of the goal may act as a constraint that shapes decision-making behaviour. Results also revealed that interpersonal distance and relative velocity alone were insufficient for accurately predicting the outcome of a dyad in association football. Instead, combined values of interpersonal distance, ball-to-defender distance, attacker-to-ball distance, attacker-to-ball relative velocity and relative angles were found to indicate the state of dyad outcomes.
The Level of Quality of Life among Individuals who Stutter in Jordan and Its Relationship with Some Demographic Variables

The current study aimed to identify the level of quality of life among Individuals who Stutter in Jordan and its relationship to some demographic variables using the correlative descriptive approach. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, the researchers used the quality of life scale-BRIEF-WHOQQL, prepared by the World Health Organization (WHO), on a sample (N=32) males and females Stutters.The results of the study showed that the level of quality of life among individual who stutters in Jordan was low, as the physical health field ranked first with the lowest level in the quality of life followed by the field of social relations and then the mental health and finally the field of environment. They also showed that there were no statistically significant differences in the level of quality of life among Individuals who Stutter in Jordan attributed to the variables of age, gender, marital status, family income and the degree of stuttering severity. The study concluded with a set of research and educational recommendations.
Interferences on Aerosol Acidity Quantification due to Gas-phase Ammonia Uptake onto Acidic Sulfate Filter Samples

Abstract. Measurements of the mass concentration and chemical speciation of aerosols are important to investigate their chemical and physical processing from near emission sources to the most remote regions of the atmosphere. A common method to analyze aerosols is to collect them onto filters and to analyze filters off-line; however, biases in some chemical components are possible due to changes in the accumulated particles during the handling of the samples. Any biases would impact the measured chemical composition, which in turn affects our understanding of numerous physico-chemical processes and aerosol radiative properties. We show, using filters collected onboard the NASA DC-8 and NSF C-130 during six different aircraft campaigns, a consistent, substantial difference in ammonium mass concentration and ammonium-to-anion ratios, when comparing the aerosols collected on filters versus the Aerodyne Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (AMS). Another on-line measurement is consistent with the AMS in showing that the aerosol has lower ammonium-to-anion ratios than obtained by the filters. Using a gas uptake model with literature values for accommodation coefficients, we show that for ambient ammonia mixing ratios greater than 10 ppbv, the time scale for ammonia reacting with acidic aerosol on filter substrates is less than 30 s (typical filter handling time in the aircraft) for typical aerosol volume distributions. Measurements of gas-phase ammonia inside the cabin of the DC-8 show ammonia mixing ratios of 45 ± 20 ppbv, consistent with mixing ratios observed in other indoor environments. This analysis enables guidelines for filter handling to reduce ammonia uptake. Finally, a more meaningful limit-of-detection for filters that either do not have an ammonia scrubber and/or are handled in the presence of human emissions is ∼0.2 μg m−3 ammonium, which is substantially higher than the limit-of-detection of the ion chromatography.
Phytoremediation for the treatment of energetic material releases on testing and training ranges at Eglin Air Force Base

ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would first and foremost like to thank Professor Jerry Schnoor for the opportunity to work on this project and for his guidance, wisdom, and thoughtful input throughout the process. I would also like to acknowledge the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) for their generous funding. Credit also must go to the help and cooperation we received from Eglin Air Force Base, and more specifically the Jackson Guard Natural Resources Section and William " Sandy " Pizzolato for which sampling would have been impossible. Mr. Pizzolato also provided continual updates on our field plots and monthly weather reports. I would have never reached this point in my life without my colleagues, friends, and family. To that respect, I would like to thank the other members of the phytoremediation research group including Master's students who have helped me through coursework and kept life interesting in the office, including I would like to thank the great friends I met at Iowa as an undergraduate and have kept me sane even through the most arduous of times, iii Heimsath, who made my transition to Iowa all the better, was later a great roommate, and is now even a better friend. No words can describe the gratitude and love I have for my mother and father, Lisa and Brian Flannigan, as well as my siblings, Alyssa, Daniel, and Gregory Flannigan. I am extremely fortunate to have been raised by my parents, who have provided me with every opportunity imaginable and have encouraged and supported me every step of the way. Special thanks to my little sister, Alyssa, who joined me at Iowa. Our weekly lunches and conversations were much appreciated, especially during the rare bouts of homesickness. Table 3-2. Mean and standard deviation from HPLC analysis of explosive compound and metabolite detections in Plot #1 during the May and November 13-14, 2010 sampling. The analysis included non-detect samples as half the value of the limit of detection. Table 3-4. Percent total mass of RDX and HMX in the soil and plant material. Assumptions include a contaminated depth of 5 cm and 0.1 ton per acre of growth. Non-detects were included in means as half the limit Figure 2-1. The experimental setup for the RDX microcosm study. Includes three replicates planted in soil from Eglin Air Force Base with Bahiagrass Pensacola, three with excised Bahiagrass Pensacola roots, and three unplanted. All …
Pest risk assessment in the European Community: inventory of data sources. Scientific Report submitted to EFSA

The purpose of the Prassis project (acronym of Pest risk assessment in the European Community: inventory of data sources) is to review and to produce an inventory of international and national key information and data sources, necessary to conduct the risk assessment of harmful organisms. A protocol was developed for inventorying the sources available in literature, in web-sites, in databases, and in software, in a structured, transparent, and efficient manner. The protocol was designed in such a way that the data sources inventoried could also be useful for future risk assessments in other fields and / or connected with other databases. About 250 descriptors (metadata) were defined for describing the data sources. Metadata for evaluation of data quality (strengths and weaknesses), accessibility for EFSA, and suitability for pest risk assessment were also included. International standards and codes were used whenever possible. The protocol was implemented in a userfriendly web-portal. The web-portal was designed to facilitate on-line entry of new data sources and on-line modification or updating of the existing ones. The web-portal also makes it possible to search the data sources within the inventory by using both basic and advanced search procedures, and to summarize results in a clear and concise way. A database was developed containing international and national information and data sources. The inventory covers the 27 European Member States and 34 third Countries. About 500 sources were entered in the web-based portal; because some sources contain information on different aspects of pest risk analysis, there are more than 600 records of interest. The project has three main weaknesses: i) although very large, the database is incomplete; ii) procedures for evaluating the quality of the sources included in the inventory can be improved; iii) the practical use of web-portal functionalities has not been thoroughly tested. Possible solutions are provided. 1 Accepted for Publication on 8 December 2009
Projected Impact of Compositional Verification on Current and Future Aviation Safety Risk

The projected impact of compositional verification research conducted by the National Aeronautic and Space Administration System-Wide Safety and Assurance Technologies on aviation safety risk was assessed. Software and compositional verification was described. Traditional verification techniques have two major problems: testing at the prototype stage where error discovery can be quite costly and the inability to test for all potential interactions leaving some errors undetected until used by the end user. Increasingly complex and nondeterministic aviation systems are becoming too large for these tools to check and verify. Compositional verification is a "divide and conquer" solution to addressing increasingly larger and more complex systems. A review of compositional verification research being conducted by academia, industry, and Government agencies is provided. Forty-four aviation safety risks in the Biennial NextGen Safety Issues Survey were identified that could be impacted by compositional verification and grouped into five categories: automation design; system complexity; software, flight control, or equipment failure or malfunction; new technology or operations; and verification and validation. One capability, 1 research action, 5 operational improvements, and 13 enablers within the Federal Aviation Administration Joint Planning and Development Office Integrated Work Plan that could be addressed by compositional verification were identified.