Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microfluidics for lab-ona-chip applications

Integrated micro and nanofluidic lab-on-a-chip systems able to handle and analyse samples in the pico litre range are being realized and are certain to become an everyday item in biotechnology and biomedicine within a few years. Here we present an investigation of the development and implementation of a microfluidic device for assembly of sub micrometer objects, a factory-on-a-chip. Fabricated from poly(dimethylsiloxane), PDMS, and employing an optical tweezers system the device is demonstrated to trap and manipulate micron sized objects in microfluidic channels. The thesis is a pilot study into the possibilities of integrating molecular motors as a transport system in a factory on a chip.
Heating processes over the Asiatic landmass prior to the first transition of the summer monsoon

Using the GAME (GEWEX Asian Monsoon Experiment) 4DDA upper-air data, the large-scale heat source (Q1) and moisture sink (Q2) over the western and eastern Tibetan Plateau are examined for a 4-month period from 1 May to 31 August 1998. The computations were performed on the sigma-pressure hybrid coordinate, named η-coordinate, since the analysis area includes high-elevating mountains. Over the western Plateau in May, there is a deep layer of heating occupying the whole troposphere with the maximum value exceeding 3K day around 400-600 hPa. The smaller magnitude of the apparent moisture sink is confined in the lower troposphere 1 km above the ground surface. Vertically integrated heat sources of 103 Wm over the western Tibetan Plateau are accompanied by a moisture sink of about half that (60 Wm). These results indicate that the latent heat release associated with the condensation plays an important role in the total heating besides the sensible heat supply from the land surface. Later in July, the moisture sink over the eastern Tibetan Plateau nearly equals to the heat source indicating that the dominance of moist process associated with summertime monsoon rains. The contrasting features of the heat source and moisture sink are closely related to the circulation fields. Throughout May and June, we observe strong upward motion along with the western and southwestern slopes of the western Plateau, while there is salient subsidence motion over the eastern Plateau. The analyses of the static stability and the lifting condensation level indicate that the release of latent heat relevant to the moist convection is a dominant factor for the tropospheric heating after the monsoon onset. While the pre-monsoon period (May) is composed of both the convective rainfall and the dry thermal convection. Thus, the heating mechanism prior to the onset of the monsoon, especially over the western Tibetan Plateau, can be characterized by the hybrid nature of “wet” processes due to condensation heating and “dry” processes associated with the sensible heat flux from the elevated mountain surface. Keyword: Tibetan Plateau, First transition, Q1,Q2, GAME reanalysis
G. (2015). An analytical model to predict the natural frequency of offshore wind turbines on three-spring flexible foundations using two different beam

In this study an analytical model of offshore wind turbines (OWTs) supported on flexible foundation is presented to provide a fast and reasonably accurate natural frequency estimation suitable for preliminary design or verification of Finite Element calculations. Previous research modelled the problem using Euler-Bernoulli beam model where the foundation is represented by two springs (lateral and rotational). In contrast, this study improves on previous efforts by incorporating a cross-coupling stiffness thereby modelling the foundation using three springs. Furthermore, this study also derives the natural frequency using Timoshenko beam model by including rotary inertia and shear deformation. The results of the proposed model are also compared with measured values of the natural frequency of four OWTs obtained from literature. The results show that the Timoshenko beam model does not improve the results significantly and the slender beam assumption may be sufficient. The cross-coupling spring term has a significant effect on the natural frequency therefore needs to be included in the analysis. The model predicts the natural frequency of existing turbines with reasonable accuracy.
A Survey on Intrusion Detection in MANETs.

A mobile ad hoc network is an infrastructureless network that changes its links dynamically, which makes routing in MANET a difficult process. As Mobile Ad-Hoc Network (MANET) has become a very important technology, research concerning its security problem, especially, in intrusion detection has attracted many researchers. Feature selection methodology plays a vital role in the data analysis process. PCA is used to analyze the selected features. This is because, redundant and irrelevant features often reduce performance of the intrusion detection system. It performs better in increasing speed and predictive accuracy. This survey aims to select and analyze the network features using principal component analysis. While performing various experiments, normal and attack states are simulated and the results for the selected features are analyzed.
Variations of the Respiration Signals for Respiratory-Gated Radiotherapy Using the Video Coached Respiration Guiding System

Respiratory-gated radiation therapy (RGRT) has been used to minimize the dose to normal tissue in lung-cancer radiotherapy. The present research aims to improve the regularity of respiration in RGRT using a video coached respiration guiding system. In the study, 16 patients with lung cancer were evaluated. The respiration signals of the patients were measured by a real-time position management (RPM) Respiratory Gating System (Varian, USA) and the patients were trained using the video coached respiration guiding system. The patients performed free breathing and guided breathing, and the respiratory cycles were acquired for ~5 min. Then, Microsoft Excel 2010 software was used to calculate the mean and standard deviation for each phase. The standard deviation was computed in order to analyze the improvement in the respiratory regularity with respect to the period and displacement. The standard deviation of the guided breathing decreased to 65.14% in the inhale peak and 71.04% in the exhale peak compared with the values for the free breathing of patient 6. It was found that the standard deviation of the respiratory cycle was decreased using the respiratory guiding system. 2 The respiratory regularity was significantly improved using the video coached respiration guiding system. Therefore, the system is useful for improving the accuracy and efficiency of RGRT.
Integrated cell culture platform for real-time monitoring of adherent cell cultures

The concept of automation and integration of experiments in order to make them more efficient is well recognized in pharmaceutical industry, though this can be a costly undertaking in case if nonstandard procedures are involved. While in research laboratories this laboratory equipment automation concept rarely appears. Therefore, we decided to firstly investigate a possibility of contribution to laboratory automation idea and afterwards we developed the Integrated Cell Culture Platform, where the concept of laboratory equipment miniaturization and automation in biomedical research settings is brought to the reality, and as a result increase experimental capacity of the research laboratories. We designed, engineered and tested an Integrated Cell Culture Platform for microfluidic devices, which proves to make experiments with microfluidic cell culture chips more robust, reproducible and user-friendly. The created tool can help researchers, interested in biomedical experiments, in stepping closer to in vivo conditions by application the naturally occurring physical cues in the organism (in our case it was a shear stress). Additionally, by application of developed platform it is possible to increase the experimental capacity of regular research laboratory, by not occupying excessive number of lab equipment and automation of experiments. Due to the design and capabilities included in the Integrated Cell Culture Platform can be transformed into a commercial product, which can be adapted by every biomedical lab interested in carrying microfluidic experiments on a daily basis. Presented equipment does not require long training and everybody familiar with cell culture research can easily adapt this device in their research. Due to dedicated software operating the ICCP, the setup is programmable and easy to modify on demand, depending on the carried experiment. The integrated cell culture platform was applied for combined microfluidic-nanophotonic devices to monitor cellular micromotion in confluent endothelial cell layers under a flow. This report shows capabilities of miniaturized platform for cell cultures and presents initial results from experiment where cellular micromotion was monitored under static and flow conditions.
Modeling of Silicon Solar Cell with PC1D and Improvement of Electrical Power Output using Anti-reflection Coating

Reflectance calculation for various single, doubleand triple-layer Antireflection coatings (ARCs) on silicon substrate are presented. A calculation program is developed to determine the optimum thickness and the refractive index of each layer at a single wavelength for optoelectronic applications and through the visible spectrum for photovoltaic applications. Ah03 single layer, MgF2/ZnS double layer and MgF2/Ah03/ZnS triple layer ARC systems are deposited on silicon substrate using PCID software. The reflectance as a function of the wavelength of AR coating systems on silicon substrate is measured. The results of the simulation of the reported experimental results of high efficiency multi crystalline silicon (me-Si) solar cells, using PC ID software, are reported in this study. The efficiency can be enhanced if passivation characteristics on both the front and back surface are improved. The role of back surface recombination has become more significant in light of the use of thin me-Si wafers by the solar cell industry. The results of our modeled structure of me-Si solar cell using above triple ARCs show an efficiency of 22 ·10% with short-circuit current density, Jsc = 39 ·10 mA/cm, and open circuit voltage, V0c = 0-670 V.
An operational system for linear feature extraction in land consolidation using high resolution imagery

Land consolidation is a tool for increasing the area of the arable land and improving the effectiveness of land cultivation. This paper presents a practical system for semi-automatic linear feature extraction in land consolidation to monitor the completion of the project using the high resolution images and other auxiliary maps. The system was designed as three-tier construction including interface, modules and database. The parallel line segments are firstly detected and then the improved Active Counter Models (Snakes) are introduced to link the extracted linear segments to the whole networks. The system was implemented and pilot used in the study area of Fangshan in Beijing which achieved satisfactory results. Key-Words: system, linear feature extraction, land consolidation, high resolution imagery, Snakes
Sustainable Knowledge Creation and Corporate Outcomes: Does Corporate Data Governance Matter?

It has been recognized that data curation and governance can equip firms with the capability to generate sustainable knowledge. However, the antecedent and consequences of sustainable knowledge creation have not been systematically explored. The model in this study describes how sustainable knowledge creation enhances corporate information transparency, innovation, and financial and market performance. In addition, we also show how corporate data governance fosters sustainable knowledge creation among corporations listed in the Amman Stock exchange. Using survey data from (n = 180) publicly listed corporations and a judgmental sampling technique, we applied partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS–SEM). Results from PLS–SEM show that corporate data governance is a predictor for sustainable knowledge creation, and sustainable knowledge creation is also a predictor for corporate information transparency and innovative, financial, and market performance. The study offers guidelines for corporate managers to effectively manage and use corporate data responsibly to attain sustainable knowledge creation which in turn results in greater corporate performance and desired outcomes. Implications for practice and theory are discussed.
Enterotoxin-encoding genes in Staphylococcus aureus from buffalo milk

ABSTRACT: This paper investigated the occurrence of Staphylococcus aureus and the detection of enterotoxin-encoding genes of these strains in milk collected from 30 Murrah buffaloes used to produce dairy products in Brazil. A total of 68 strains of Staphylococcus aureus were found as identified by conventional laboratory tests, and thus screened for sea, seb, sec, sed, see, seg, seh and sei enterotoxin-encoding genes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Twelve strains containing enterotoxin-amplified genes were found, with higher expression for the sei and seh genes. These results can be attributed to animal health and inadequate cleaning of the equipment, indicating the need for better quality control in animal production and health lines. The results of this study with the presence of pathogens and their enterotoxigenic potential indicate a source of food poisoning, as well as being a pioneering study in the detection of new enterotoxins for buffalo milk.
Web 2.0 and GIS: between sinergy effects and oxymoron

The growth of new information and communication technologies on the Internet infrastructure is rapidly changing our ways of living. Those new technologies are finding new concepts, ideas and usage all the time. Among them, Web 2.0 is the one that is dominating worldwide among the users in last few years. The other one called GIS is a technology with the respectable history, but the penetration of this concept finds more place also in this period. In this paper author analyzes the potential of GIS in Web 2.0 model environment.
Gender-Based Stereotypes and Managerial Careers in Diverse Socio-Economic Environments: The Cases of Greece and Nigeria

This study investigates business students’ attitudes towards women’s ability to lead as managers in two countries with diverse socio-economic environments (Nigeria and Greece). It also indentifies the factors that shape such attitudes. A structured questionnaire was administered on 310 business students from Nigeria and 305 from Greece. Results of the ANOVA, MANOVA and univariate F tests analyses performed revealed that male students in both countries expressed negative stereotypic attitudes towards women as managers compared to their female counterparts. Gender was dominant and emerged as the most significant source of stereotypic attitudes towards women’s ability to take up managerial responsibilities. The study submits that ‘think manager-think male’ is a global phenomenon which is consistent with gender-centered perspective. Given the dearth of research on stereotyping and women’s career prospects in Greece and Nigeria, this study contributes to debates in the academia on the issue of analyzing empirically stereotypic attitudes toward women as managers.
Design of An Absorptive Fabry-Perot Polarizer and Its Application

—This letter presents an absorptive Fabry-Perot polarizer and its application on the antenna for gain enhancement and cross-polarization level reduction. The proposed polarizer is designed to achieve a partial reflectance/transmission and an electromagnetic (EM) wave absorptivity more than 90% over 4.5 to 7.5 GHz in horizontal and vertical polarization, respectively. Equivalent circuits of the proposed polarizer are established to explicitly analyze the performance of the proposed polarizer. A rectangular patch antenna operating at 5.8 GHz, as the source antenna, is rigorously assembled with the polarizer. The simulated results, compared to the source antenna, demonstrate significant gain enhancement (around 8dB) and cross-polarization level reduction (more than 10 dB), which is experimentally verified by the measured results.
Key performance indicators in a joint-stock company

This paper presents a method of problem solving using Key Performance Indicators to measure, monitor and manage business results in a joint-stock company. A joint-stock company has a large number of functions, that work on the principle of several profit centers, which have mutual processes of management, marketing, development, sales, supply and logistics and have an established Quality Management System according to the demands of the ISO 9001:2008 standard. At the same time, the measurement of process performance, as a key element of the Quality Management System in a joint-stock company must be done in a unique manner no matter the diversity of the functions. This is the basis for development of the unique measurement methodology of performance process measurement and key business indicators as a whole. The results of the application of a given methodology on certain processes in a given joint-stock company are described. Key words: Key performance indicators (KPIs), quality, system, joint-stock company, balanced scorecard, Total quality management (TQM).
Fate of peroxisomal alcohol oxidase of Hansenula polymorpha that is artificially sorted into the secretory pathway

We report the use of peroxisomal alcohol oxidase (AO) as a model protein for the production and secretion of large complex proteins by the methylotrophic yeast Hansenula polymorpha. The leader sequence of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae mating factor α (MFα) was used to mediate sorting of AO to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). This recombinant AO protein was shown to be exclusively directed to the ER although the peroxisomal targeting signal was still present. As a consequence, ER-derived membranous structures are strongly proliferated in these cells. We showed that the AO protein, contained in the ER-derived vesicles is monomeric, did not contain FAD and hence, did not display enzymatic activity. Furthermore, we showed that the recombinant AO protein was subject to gradual degradation. Apparently, the protein could not fold properly in the secretion pathway. We speculate that these folding problems are due to the failure of the AO protein to bind FAD, possibly due to steric hindrance of the FAD binding fold by the presence of the pro-region of the MFα leader sequence.
Higher Order Occurrence of Virulent Isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Hospital Environments Initiate One Health Concerns Irrespective of the Biological Association

Received: Revised: Accepted: Published online: April 22, 2016 October 15, 2016 November 02, 2016 November 23, 2016 One health links the health of humans with that of animals and the environment. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a common nosocomial and opportunistic pathogen of humans and animals causing cystic fibrosis, dermatitis, soft tissue infections, gastrointestinal infections and mastitis etc., has been prevalent in many hospital environments throughout the world. In present the study, out of six hundred samples taken either directly or from close proximity of humans, bovines and equines keeping in view the one health concept of P. aeruginosa. All the samples were checked through conventional methods, API KIT, Biofilm detection, Colony PCR, sequencing and in vivo experiments for taxonomic, molecular and pathogenic characterization of P. aeruginosa isolates. Present study indicates the prevalence of virulent strains of P. aeruginosa in higher order of frequency of isolation i.e. 13.5, 9 and 7.5% in three different hospital environments including Allied Hospital (AH), District Head Quarter Hospital (DHQH) and Civil Veterinary Hospital (CVH) respectively. P. aeruginosa could be recovered from humans, bovines and equines throat swabs with or without symptoms (14.7%), wound pus (13.3%), surgical instruments (8.6%) and garden soil (3.3%). However, the most commonly prevalent and virulent isolates were confirmed as P. aeruginosa strain BTP1 (KU534099) and P. aeruginosa strain WPP1 (KU534100) and consequent phylogenetic analyses clustered them with the most narrowly related Pseudomonas species belonging to the famous P. aeruginosa PAO1 groups. Such a higher order prevalence of these strains in diverse environments and their physiological, genetic and pathogenic variation is quite alarming demanding special considerations from the concerned quarters for one health promotion in Pakistan. ©2016 PVJ. All rights reserved
The Evolution of Physical Activity Guidelines

Background: As the scientific support for the impact of physical activity on health has grown, physical activity recommendations for the public have been modified. The aim of the paper is to present the evolution of physical activity guidelines, which were formulated on the basis of existing research evidence, produced by experts, mainly in physiology and medicine. Material/Methods: A systematic literature review was applied. In order to interpret the content of text data, a qualitative content analysis was used. It was supported by the Qualitative Data Analysis (QDA) computer software package NVivo 9. Results: Recognition of hazards of a sedentary lifestyle has led numerous groups to promulgate public health recommendations for physical activity. Since 1950s leading scientists and science organisations have participated in developing and publicising these guidelines and in revising them to keep up with the pace of modern exercise science. The paper discusses reasons for differences in the guidelines and provides a summary in order to harmonize existing reports. Conclusions: Using epidemiological, clinical and laboratory methods, different expert committees have independently arrived at similar conclusions about the need for physical activity in daily life. However, formulating guidelines regarding an optimal dose of physical activity, which could be universal for everybody, is very problematic. A recommended dose of physical activity must be approachable and adjusted to a particular person or a group. Word count: 5,498 Tables: 6 Figures: 3 References: 42 Received: August 2011 Accepted: November 2011 Published: December 2011 Corresponding author: Monika Piątkowska, PhD. Josef Pilsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Poland Department of Organisation of Physical Culture 34 Marymoncka Str, 00-968 Warsaw Phone: +48 22 834 04 31 ext. 343 E-mail: monika.piatkowska@awf.edu. pl M. Piątkowska, I. Ružbarská, The Evolution of Physical Activity Guidelines
Gender Detection and Stylistic Differences and Similarities between Males and Females in a Dream Tales Blog

English. In this paper we present the results of a gender detection experiment carried out on a corpus we built downloading dream tales from a blog. We also highlight stylistic differences and similarities concerning lexical choices between men and women. In order to carry the experiment we built a feed-forward neural network with traditional sparse n-hot encoding using the Keras open source library.