Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization and Preliminary Demonstration of Microcantilever Array Integrated Sensors

Characterization and Preliminary Demonstration of Microcantilever Array Integrated Sensors Ryan R. Anderson Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, BYU Doctor of Philosophy I characterize the behavior of microcantilever arrays which utilize the in-plane photonic transduction that I’ve previously developed and evaluate the performance of the microcantilever arrays in simple sensing scenarios with integrated microfluidics. First the thermal responses of microcantilevers with a variety of patterns of deposited gold films are compared. Using a scanning electron microscope, I observe the deflection thermal sensitivities of 300 μm long microcantilevers to be -170.82 nm/K for a full gold coating and -1.93 nm/K for no gold coating. Using the photonic transduction method I measure a thermal sensitivity of -1.46 nm/K for a microcantilever array with no gold. A microcantilever array integrated with microfluidics is exposed to a solution of bovine serum albumin (BSA) followed by solutions of various pH’s. In all cases I observe a previously unreported transient deflection response. We find that the transient response is due to temporary nonuniform concentration distributions. In response to nonspecific binding of BSA, I observe a transient surface stress of -0.23 mN/m that agrees well with the -0.225 mN/m predicted by simulations. We hypothesize that the deflection response to pH changes is due to stress generated by conformational changes of bound BSA. The deflection response of an integrated microcantilever array to different types of flow and different flow rates is observed. Simulations of the deflection response match well with experimental results but disagree at higher flow rates. For flow rates greater than 200 μL/min, the limitation of the differential signal’s dynamic range becomes apparent. We then investigate flow driven by an on-chip reciprocating reservoir pump. We demonstrate that it is possible to use the reciprocating pump to achieve high flow rates while making deflection measurements in-between reservoir actuations. Investigations of the microcantilever array noise show that flicker noise dominates below 10 Hz, while above 10 Hz, readout noise dominates. A minimum deflection noise density of 15 pW/ √ Hz is achieved. To improve the signal-to-noise ratio I develop algorithms for a digital lock-in amplifier with a digital phase-lock loop. In simulation the lock-in amplifier is able to improve the SNR by up to a factor of 6000, and self-lock to a noisy carrier signal without an external reference signal.
The Refinement of Drivers’ Needs During Wet Night Conditions: Wet Visibility Project Phase III

The purpose of this project was to develop a specification for the minimum retroreflectivity of pavement markings in wet nighttime conditions. In order to establish this specification, the performance of four retroreflective pavement marking materials in wet-night conditions was evaluated. The performance of the pavement markings was evaluated by driver participants under simulated rain conditions using a similar protocol to studies that have already been performed at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute. The performance of the markings was verified based on the participants’ ability to detect the end points of the markings in both rainy and clear conditions. The conclusions from this investigation indicate the following: • The materials developed over recent years show an improved performance over those tested previously. These materials provide adequate performance through improved technology and performance. • The log-linear relationship found previously is functional for the data provided. Two models were developed. The model with no intercept provides a more constrictive boundary at low levels of retroreflectivity. • A retroreflectivity value above 250 mcd/m2/lx provides limited return in terms of detection distance. • A specification limit of 150 mcd/m2/lx will provide adequate visibility for 55 mph in dry conditions and 40 mph in wet conditions using standard dry retroreflectivity measurements, and 1 in/hr measurements for the wet conditions. This value should be the minimum maintained over the life of the marking. • The retroreflectivity specification for a white and a yellow material should be equal. • The rumble stripe showed a significant recovery time improvement over the other tested materials. This study recommends a minimum retroreflectivity of 150 mcd/m2/lx for white and yellow pavement markings in both dry and wet nighttime conditions. This level provides the Virginia Department of Transportation with the basis for establishing a performance-based specification for pavement markings.
An Android Smartphone Application for Collecting, Sharing, and Predicting Border Crossing Wait Time

This paper introduces an Android smartphone application called the Toronto Buffalo Border Wait Time (TBBW) app, designed to collect, share and predict waiting time at the three Niagara Frontier border crossings, namely the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, the Rainbow Bridge, and the Peace Bridge. The innovative app offers the user three types of waiting time estimates: (1) current waiting times collected at the crossings; (2) historical waiting times; and (3) future waiting time predicted for the next 15 minutes and updated every five minutes. For the current waiting time, the app can provide both the data collected by border crossing authorities as well as user-reported or “crowd-sourcing” data shared by the community of the app’s users. Reporting of the data could be done either manually or automatically through a GPS tracking function provided by the smartphone. For the historical waiting time, the app provides statistical charts and tables to help users choose the crossing with the likely shortest wait time. Future waiting times are predicted by a real-time stepwise traffic delay prediction model which consists of a short-term traffic volume forecasting model and a multi-server queueing model. To validate the prediction functionality of the app, its predictions were compared against real-world delay measurements for the entire month of May, 2014. The comparison showed that the model offered predictions with a mean absolute difference of 9.22 minutes. When considering only delays that are greater than 10 minutes, the model has a mean absolute difference of only 6.95 minutes. The ability to integrate officially reported delay estimates with crowd-sourcing data, and the ability to provide future border wait times clearly distinguish the TBBW app from others on the market.
General displacement arch-cantilever element method for stress analysis of arch dam

Abstract Based on the general displacement method and the basic hypothesis of the trial load method, a new advanced trial load method, the general displacement arch-cantilever element method, was proposed to derive the transformation relation of displacements and loads between the surface nodes and middle plane nodes. This method considers the nodes on upstream and downstream surfaces of the arch dam to be exit nodes (master nodes), and the middle plane nodes to be slave nodes. According to the derived displacement and load transformation matrices, the equilibrium equation treating the displacement of middle plane nodes as a basic unknown variable is transformed into one that treats the displacement of upstream and downstream nodes as a basic unknown variable. Because the surface nodes have only three degrees of freedom (DOF), this method can be directly coupled with the finite element method (FEM), which is used for foundation simulation to analyze the stress of the arch dam with consideration of dam-foundation interaction. Moreover, using the FEM, the nodal load of the arch dam can be easily obtained. Case studies of a typical cylindrical arch dam and the Wudongde arch dam demonstrate the robustness and feasibility of the proposed method.
Bistabilities and Nonlinearities in Laser Diodes

Introduction. Basic Concept and Nonlinear Effects of Semiconductor Lasers. Absorptive Bistable Laser Diodes. Dispersive Bistable Laser Diodes. Two-Mode Bistability Via Gain Saturation. Waveguiding Bistability and Pulse Position Bistability. Self-Pulsation and Ultra-Short Optical Pulse Generation. Wavelength Conversion. Wavelength Selection and Wavelength Selective Photodetection. Applications for Photonic Switching. Future Prospects.
Project Management Metrics, KPIs, and Dashboards: A Guide to Measuring and Monitoring Project Performance

With the growth of complex projects, stakeholder involvement, and advancements in visual-based technology, metrics and KPIs (key performance indicators) are key factors in evaluating project performance. Dashboard reporting systems provide accessible project performance data, and sharing this vital data in a concise and consistent manner is a key communication responsibility of all project managers.
A Surfactant, Oxidant and Inhibitor Compatible Thermo-solvent-tolerant Amylase From a Novel Extrimophilic Bacillus Subtilis Strain Clb-34 Mk443366: Study on Purification and Characterization

It is the first time when thermo-tolerant, heavy metal resistance amylase producing strain Bacillus subtilis isolated from soil sample. Amylase was purified 3.8-fold with a specific activity of 11,305.0 U mg-1. The molecular weight of purified amylase was 67 kDa as revealed by SDS-PAGE and activity gel analysis. The amylase was active in broad pH and temperature range of 4.0-11.0 and 35-110°C, respectively, with maxima at pH 7.0 and 85°C temperature. The amylase has Km and Vmax value of 2.181 mg ml-1 and 909.09 µg ml-1min-1, respectively when starch used as substrate. The amylase was not only stable but also its activity enhanced in the presence of n-dodecane, iso-octane, n-decane, xylene, toluene, n-butanol, acetone, and cyclohexane, after prolonged incubation (7 days). Amylase activity and stability was inhibited in the presence of Hg2+, benzene, sodium perborate. The unique property of solvent tolerance and heavy metal resistance proves the potential candidature of this isolate not only for starch liquefaction for food application but also for bioremediation strategies involved in environmental cleanup.
A History of Full-Scale Aircraft and Rotorcraft Crash Testing and Simulation at NASA Langley Research Center

This paper summarizes 2-1/2 decades of full-scale aircraft and rotorcraft crash testing performed at the Impact Dynamics Research Facility (IDRF) located at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. The IDRF is a 240-ft. -high steel gantry that was built originally as a lunar landing simulator facility in the early 1960's. It was converted into a full-scale crash test facility for light aircraft and rotorcraft in the early 1970 s. Since the first full-scale crash test was preformed in February 1974, the IDRF has been used to conduct: 41 full-scale crash tests of General Aviation (GA) aircraft including landmark studies to establish baseline crash performance data for metallic and composite GA aircraft; 11 full-scale crash tests of helicopters including crash qualification tests of the Bell and Sikorsky Advanced Composite Airframe Program (ACAP) prototypes; 48 Wire Strike Protection System (WSPS) qualification tests of Army helicopters; 3 vertical drop tests of Boeing 707 transport aircraft fuselage sections; and, 60+ crash tests of the F-111 crew escape module. For some of these tests, nonlinear transient dynamic codes were utilized to simulate the impact response of the airframe. These simulations were performed to evaluate the capabilities of the analytical tools, as well as to validate the models through test-analysis correlation. In September 2003, NASA Langley closed the IDRF facility and plans are underway to demolish it in 2007. Consequently, it is important to document the contributions made to improve the crashworthiness of light aircraft and rotorcraft achieved through full-scale crash testing and simulation at the IDRF.
Principles of Rational Dislocation of Road Infrastructure Objects on the Main and National Roads

Lithuania has a rather good network of motor roads facilitating transportation of passengers and cargoes. Development of tourism and transit transport requires a rational distribution of hotels, motels, restaurants, cafes, staging posts, filling stations etc. Being now a member of the EU, Lithuania must undertake to improve the network of roads so as to meet the international requirements. Seeking to convert Lithuania into a country of travel, transit and transportation, the roads must be improved to provide all necessary services. The state of pavement, characterized by the indices of cracking and evenness, is an important factor of traveling comfort and safety. Roadsides service objects represent other factors which influence the flows of travelers. Basing on analysis of West European and Russian experience, we recommend to classify the objects and complexes of roadside service and infrastructure into categories A, B, C, D, E, F, and G depending on the rest time and to arrange them according to the model presented in the article. Having evaluated the questionnaire data and actual distribution of service complexes by the Lithuanian main roads, the authors recommend to space the service objects and complexes at suggested rational distances. The recommendations for improving the roads and their infrastructure represent the novelty of the present work. They will contribute to traveling comfort and contribute to providing the services necessary for travelers and drivers.
Lithium-ion batteries : advanced materials and technologies

Lithium-Ion Batteries: Material Challenges and Perspectives, Daiwon Choi, Wei Wang, and Zhenguo Yang Cathode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries, Zhumabay Bakenov and Izumi Taniguchi Anode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries, Ricardo Alcantara, Pedro Lavela, Carlos Perez, and Jose L. Tirado Electrolytes for Lithium-Ion Batteries, Alexandra Lex-Balducci, Wesley Henderson, and Stefano Passerini Separators for Lithium-Ion Batteries, Shriram Santhanagopalan and Zhengming (John) Zhang First-Principles Methods in the Modeling of Lithium-Ion Battery Materials, John S. Tse and Jianjun Yang A Multidimensional, Electrochemical-Thermal Coupled Lithium-Ion Battery Model, Gang Luo and Chao-Yang Wang State-of-the-Art Production Technology of Cathode and Anode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries, Guoxian Liang and Dean D. MacNeil
EFFECT OF DIFFERENT FAT SOURCES AND ENERGY LEVELS ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE, NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY AND MEAT QUALITY IN BROILER CHICKS

This experiment was conducted to evaluate different oil sources and energy density in broiler. Two vegetable oil sources (canola and palm oil), two animal oil sources (fish oil and refined poultry oil) and two levels of energy were: recommended energy (RE); 3000 and 3200 kcal/kg according to manual of Ross 308 and low energy (LE); 2850 and 3050 kcal/kg used in starter and finisher phases, respectively. Four hundred and sixteen (416) day-old broiler birds were distributed in eight treatments (four replicates containing 13 birds in each) in 2 x 4 factorial arrangement. Feed intake, body weight and mortality were recorded. At the end of experiment, two birds from each replicate were slaughtered for carcass characteristics and meat quality parameters. Nutrient digestibility was determined using Celite® as marker. Data were subjected to statistical analysis using analysis of variance technique by completely randomized design under factorial arrangement using Minitab 17 and treatment means were compared using Tukey’s Test. Results revealed that weight gain, protein efficiency ratio (PER), European production efficiency factor (EPEF), Feed efficiency (FE) and FCR were improved (P ≤ 0.05) in birds given recommended energy diet than those fed low energy diet. Feed intake was lower (P ≤ 0.05), whereas weight gain, PER, EPEF, FE and FCR were improved in birds given canola and poultry oil than those received fish and palm oil. Dressing percentage was higher (P ≤ 0.05) in birds fed RE and poultry oil and it was lower (P ≤ 0.05) in birds fed LE and fish oil. Water holding capacity of broiler breast meat was higher (P ≤ 0.05) in birds fed RE diet. Different energy levels had no effect (P > 0.05) on dry matter (DM), ether extract (EE) and crude protein (CP) digestibility (%) at 21st day. Birds fed diet having poultry and canola oil had greater (P ≤ 0.05) DM, CP and EE digestibility on 35th day than those fed diet having palm and fish oil. Production cost per kg live weight was lower (P ≤ 0.05) in birds receiving recommended energy and poultry oil based diets. In conclusion, refined poultry oil in recommended energy had improved growth performance, meat quality and economics efficiency in broilers.
FRICTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF MATERIALS SLIDING AGAINST ICE

This paper presents some of the more important conclusions of a study to find abrasion-resistant, low friction coatings which can be used on the hulls of U.S. Coast Guard icebreakers. Basic studies showed that there are several parameters which affect the friction of materials sliding on ice, including surface roughness, relative humidity and velocity. Distinctions are also made concerning the breakway, static and kinetic friction coefficients and the parameters which affect those values. Laboratory tests were made to evaluate the friction and abrasion resistance of over 200 coating materials. Based on the results obtained, two nonsolvented polymer coatings were seleted for full-scale ship evaluations. Both coating materials have remained over 90 percent intact on the hull of an icebreaker for two years or more. One material, a nonsolvented polyurethane, has been effective in protecting the hull for four years and shows a reduction in hull resistance in ice after two years of service.
Transcriptome analysis provides insights into a molecular mechanism of histamine response in the cyprid larvae of Amphibalanus amphitrite

: Barnacles are notorious marine fouling creatures; their planktonic cyprid larvae attach to material substrates and metamorphose. Histamine has shown great importance in regulating cyprid settlement and metamorphosis. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms of histamine-induced larval settlement. Cyprids were exposed to histamine or loratadine, an anti-histamine compound. The percent larval settlements of the histamine-and anti-histamine-treated cyprids were significantly higher and lower, respectively, than the control group. Transcriptomic analyses showed that histamine-treated cyprids had 18 498 differentially expressed genes (DEGs, 14 531 up-regulated, 3967 down-regulated) and the anti-histamine group had 18 055 DEGs (17 237 up-regulated, 818 down-regulated) in comparison to untreated controls. In both treatment groups, significant enrichment of DEGs involved in the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway was observed. Based on the results of larval settlement bioassays, we set 4 filter conditions to perform DEG analyses, and 19 DEGs were selected as functional genes related to cyprid settlement. The functional categories of these genes included structural proteins, spider silk proteins, energy metabolism proteins, cement proteins, glycosyl proteins, and multifunctional proteins. The energy metabolism protein AdipoR was significantly up-regulated in the histamine-treated cyprids but significantly down-regulated in the anti-histamine group. The activity of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, a downstream signaling protein of AdipoR, increased in the histamine-treated group and decreased in the anti-histamine-treated group. Our results provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the histamine-induced settlement of barnacle cyprids and identify AdipoR as an im portant gene that can affect the settlement of cyprids, likely through regulating cyprid energy metabolism.
How Virtual Reality Works

Eddings takes the reader on a fully illustrated, colorful ride through the ever-expanding world of Virtual Reality, simply and clearly explaining everything that VR encompasses, and fully exploring and detailing the VR computer-generated environment of 3D graphics and sound effects that "replace" the sights, sounds, and experiences of the real world.
Screening Supportive Care Needs, Compliance to Exercise Program, Quality of Life, and Anxiety Level During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Individuals Treated with Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Purpose: Primary aim was to address supportive care needs, compliance to exercise program, quality of life level (QOL), and anxiety level during the COVID-19 pandemic in individuals treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Secondary aim was to investigate differences in outcome measures in terms of gender and to determine associated factors with supportive care needs and compliance to exercise program during pandemic.Methods: The present study included individuals treated with HSCT and previously consulted to physical therapy. Data were collected by interviewing with participants on phone. Supportive care needs were assessed by using Supportive Care Needs Survey-Short Form 29TR. Compliance to the exercise program was recorded as percentage of walking duration to the recommended duration during the last week. The European Cancer Research and Treatment Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire-Cancer30 was used to assess QOL. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-I and Visual Analogue Scale were used to assess anxiety level. Results: Totally 106 individuals were included. The psychological and physical supportive care needs were predominant in participants. Compliance to exercise program was low during the pandemic. Anxiety level was low, yet anxiety about COVID-19 was moderate severity in participants. Supportive care needs were correlated with anxiety level, performance level, duration after HSCT, and QOL (p˂0.05). Compliance to exercise program was associated with performance level and QOL (p˂0.05). Conclusion: Our results offer supportive telehealth interventions should be considered during the COVID-19 pandemic for individuals treated with HSCT to decrease unmet supportive care needs and anxiety, to increase QOL, and to reduce isolation related physical inactivity.
Advances in industrial ergonomics and safety I : proceedings of the annual International Industrial Ergonomics and Safety Conference held in Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A., 5-9 June 1989

Industrial ergonomics - programs and applications applied work physiology occupational biomechanics engineering anthropometry work and protective clothing hand tools human-computer interface theory and practice of industrial safety human perception and performance human strengths industrial noise and vibration machine guarding and industrial machine safety manual materials handling modelling for safety and health occupational injuries and health problems policies and standards quality control and inspection rehabilitation and designing for the disabled work duration and fatigue work and work place design.