Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transient photocurrent measurements on Polymer Solar Cells

Organic solar cells made of polymers are an attractive alternative to the conventional solar cells which are commercially used today. The polymer solar cell is cheap to produce, due to the high absorption coefficients which limits the needed thickness of the material and due to the simple manufacturing process, which doesn’t demand high temperatures. However, the efficiencies of polymer solar cells are yet too low for commercial production. To optimize the efficiency a critical step is to understand the overall mechanism of the conversion from photon energy into electric and what factors limit the conversion. In this report studies on the device physics of two different polymer solar cells were performed by time resolved electrical traces in terms of EQE*. Pulsed laser was used as a light source. The aim with the study was to investigate how dynamical excitation conditions as repetition rate and pulse energy influence on the solar cell device physics. To specify the investigation the following questions were asked: Are there any limits of solar cell performance regarding concentration of photons incident on the solar cell? If yes, what are the limits? And in regarding repetition rate; does the solar cell need to establish some quasi-equilibrium distribution of photo-generated charges in order to optimize the solar cell performance? A substantial part of this project involved the set up of a program which would enable the analyses of the solar cell response and put the data into a fit. It is shown that the pulse energy is substantial for the conversion of photons into electrons. For high pulse energies (~10-10 hv) the EQE* starts to decreases and this is attributed to an increased contribution from non-geminate recombination. Shortly above the pulse energy 10 hv the limit for solar cell operation is reached. No lower limit for solar cell operation regarding pulse energy was found in the energy range measured. As for the repetition rate, it’s shown that no significant change in the physical processes of the solar cell can be deduced when the frequency is varied in a range of 1000 Hz to 25000 Hz. This is interpreted as there is probably no need to establish a quasi-equilibrium of photo generated charges to optimize the solar cell efficiency. *EQE is the external quantum efficiency which is the ratio between incoming photons and extracted electrons from the solar cell. See also 2.1. 2 External quantum efficiency in the theory section.
Synergetic formation of secondary inorganic and organic aerosol: effect of SO 2 and NH 3 on particle formation and growth

Abstract. The effects of SO2 and NH3 on secondary organic aerosol formation have rarely been investigated together, while the interactive effects between inorganic and organic species under highly complex pollution conditions remain uncertain. Here we studied the effects of SO2 and NH3 on secondary aerosol formation in the photooxidation system of toluene∕NOx in the presence or absence of Al2O3 seed aerosols in a 2 m3 smog chamber. The presence of SO2 increased new particle formation and particle growth significantly, regardless of whether NH3 was present. Sulfate, organic aerosol, nitrate, and ammonium were all found to increase linearly with increasing SO2 concentrations. The increases in these four species were more obvious under NH3-rich conditions, and the generation of nitrate, ammonium, and organic aerosol increased more significantly than sulfate with respect to SO2 concentration, while sulfate was the most sensitive species under NH3-poor conditions. The synergistic effects between SO2 and NH3 in the heterogeneous process contributed greatly to secondary aerosol formation. Specifically, the generation of NH4NO3 was found to be highly dependent on the surface area concentration of suspended particles, and increased most significantly with SO2 concentration among the four species under NH3-rich conditions. Meanwhile, the absorbed NH3 might provide a liquid surface layer for the absorption and subsequent reaction of SO2 and organic products and, therefore, enhance sulfate and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation. This effect mainly occurred in the heterogeneous process and resulted in a significantly higher growth rate of seed aerosols compared to without NH3. By applying positive matrix factorisation (PMF) analysis to the AMS data, two factors were identified for the generated SOA. One factor, assigned to less-oxidised organic aerosol and some oligomers, increased with increasing SO2 under NH3-poor conditions, mainly due to the well-known acid catalytic effect of the acid products on SOA formation in the heterogeneous process. The other factor, assigned to the highly oxidised organic component and some nitrogen-containing organics (NOC), increased with SO2 under a NH3-rich environment, with NOC (organonitrates and NOC with reduced N) contributing most of the increase.
Improvement of Gain and Elevation Tilt Angle Using Metamaterial Loading for Millimeter-Wave Applications

Elevation-plane beam tilting is demonstrated for a printed dipole antenna operating over 57-64 GHz. This is achieved using a 3 ×4 array of high refractive-index metamaterial (HRIM) unit cells. The unit cell comprises a modified H-shaped structure with stub loading to control the refractive index of the unit cell over a finite frequency range. Integration of the 3 ×4 array in the H-plane of a dipole antenna is shown to deflect the main beam by + 30° with respect to the endfire direction over 57-64 GHz. In addition, the proposed technique provides 5 dB gain enhancement.
CLASSIFICATION OF LOCAL SPATIAL ENVIRONMENT OF AMINO ACID RESIDUES BY PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS : ANALYSIS OF TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR DNA-BINDING DOMAINS

Motivation: Interaction of an amino acid residue with its local spatial environment contributes significantly to the pattern of mutation fixing. Heterogeneity of the local environment brings forth the differences in evolutionary modes of amino acid residues, even within the same protein. This arises the problem of estimating the heterogeneity in local environment of individual residues in proteins. Results: A method for estimating the heterogeneity in local environment of individual residues in proteins utilizing the cluster analysis of averaged physicochemical characteristics of the environment in question is proposed in this work. The method was applied to analysis of local environments of amino acid sites within DNA-binding domains of transcription factors. Nine classes of local environment were detected, and their interrelations with the structural characteristics of these sites were analyzed. The similarity of local environments of various types of amino acids was analyzed.
On pi-Calculus Semantics as a Formal Basis for UML Activity Diagrams

UML activity diagrams encompass a set of notational elements for capturing the dynamic behavior of a system. Although the graphical syntax of UML activity diagrams is well-defined in the UML documentation, there is still not a commonly accepted approach for reasoning about UML activity diagrams. In this paper, we present a formalization of the execution semantics of UML activity diagrams using the π-calculus. The formalization provides a theoretical foundation and formal analysis for UML activity diagrams, as well as a starting point for building automated software tool.
Maximum likelihood detection and constellation multiplexing in correlated MIMO channel

We propose a precoder based on constellation multiplexing for spatial multiplexing in the presence of spatial correlation. Given the long term statistical channel information at the transmitter, a precoder is selected from the candidates that correspond to different level of constellation. The precoder selection is based on minimizing the union bound on the symbol error probability and applied to the transmitted symbol vector. The optimal precoder varies with different correlation level and is evaluated with maximum likelihood detection and ZF-SIC detection schemes under different correlation scenarios. It is shown by simulation that both the detection schemes with precoding outperform their counterpart without precoding.
The Mortar Edge Element Method in Three Dimensions: Application to Magnetostatics

The subject presented in this paper concerns the approximation of a magnetostatic problem, where the primary unknown is the magnetic vector potential in a three-dimensional system composed of two solid parts separated by an interface. The approximation of the problem here is based on the mortar element method combined with edge elements on tetrahedral meshes that do not match at the interface. In this paper we describe the proposed method and its implementation aspects together with some numerical results that illustrate how the method works.
Important Parameters for Prediction of Power Loads - A Bottom-Up Approach Utilizing Measurements from an Automatic Meter Reading System

In Sweden the deregulation of the electricity market has increased the demand of efficient and accurate short term prognosis. Top-down models are today widely used for both planning and prognosis. The top-down models are known as accurate and effective when working with data in a well known domain, but can have problems estimating new trends in consumption patterns and in other situations with a limited access to reliable consumption statistics. In a bottom-up approach a stronger physical relationship can be implemented and individual parameter adaptations can be made. Increased knowledge on an individual consumption basis become more important to be able to increase the accuracy of such tool, and the extensive installations of automatic meter reading systems provides the necessary consumption data for these new models. In this paper an analysis method of individual customers is presented, a bottom-up approach is described and important parameters for forecasting and simulation are discussed.
An Allometric Modelling Approach to Identify the Optimal Body Shape Associated with, and Differences between Brazilian and Peruvian Youth Motor Performance

Children from developed and developing countries differ in their body size and shape due to marked differences across their life history caused by social, economic and cultural differences which are also linked to their motor performance (MP). We used allometric models to identify size/shape characteristics associated with MP tests between Brazilian and Peruvian schoolchildren. A total of 4,560 subjects, 2,385 girls and 2,175 boys aged 9–15 years were studied. Height and weight were measured; biological maturation was estimated with the maturity offset technique; MP measures included the 12 minute run (12MR), handgrip strength (HG), standing long jump (SLJ) and the shuttle run speed (SR) tests; physical activity (PA) was assessed using the Baecke questionnaire. A multiplicative allometric model was adopted to adjust for body size differences across countries. Reciprocal ponderal index (RPI) was found to be the most suitable body shape indicator associated with the 12MR, SLJ, HG and SR performance. A positive maturation offset parameter was also associated with a better performance in SLJ, HG and SR tests. Sex differences were found in all motor tests. Brazilian youth showed better scores in MP than their Peruvian peers, even when controlling for their body size differences The current study identified the key body size associated with four body mass-dependent MP tests. Biological maturation and PA were associated with strength and motor performance. Sex differences were found in all motor tests, as well as across countries favoring Brazilian children even when accounting for their body size/shape differences.
VoiceMask: Anonymize and Sanitize Voice Input on Mobile Devices

Voice input has been tremendously improving the user experience of mobile devices by freeing our hands from typing on the small screen. Speech recognition is the key technology that powers voice input, and it is usually outsourced to the cloud for the best performance. However, the cloud might compromise users' privacy by identifying their identities by voice, learning their sensitive input content via speech recognition, and then profiling the mobile users based on the content. In this paper, we design an intermediate between users and the cloud, named VoiceMask, to sanitize users' voice data before sending it to the cloud for speech recognition. We analyze the potential privacy risks and aim to protect users' identities and sensitive input content from being disclosed to the cloud. VoiceMask adopts a carefully designed voice conversion mechanism that is resistant to several attacks. Meanwhile, it utilizes an evolution-based keyword substitution technique to sanitize the voice input content. The two sanitization phases are all performed in the resource-limited mobile device while still maintaining the usability and accuracy of the cloud-supported speech recognition service. We implement the voice sanitizer on Android systems and present extensive experimental results that validate the effectiveness and efficiency of our app. It is demonstrated that we are able to reduce the chance of a user's voice being identified from 50 people by 84% while keeping the drop of speech recognition accuracy within 14.2%.
Method for cell image segmentation based on bilateral filtering and CV Model

Objectives: Change the initial value of CV model to achieve the purpose of cell image segmentation fast and accurately. Material and methods: This paper selects slice image of cervical-cancer cells under a microscope as experimental materials. First, the original image is bilateral filtered and then the image is preprocessed using Otsu method to get the rough contour of cytoplasm. Then use Otsu method twice on the cytoplasm to get the rough contour of nucleus. Finally, regard the preprocessed results as the initial value of CV model and evolve the curve with level set method to obtain the final contour. Results: This proposed method costs 17.057s and the iterations are 50, the contour is accurate. Meanwhile, the existed method costs 45.329s and the iterations are 90 and it doesn't iterate to the accurate result. Conclusions: It can obtain accurate cell contour fast regarding the preprocessed result of bilateral filtering and Otsu method as the initial value of CV model.
Minimally invasive thyroid surgery.

Endoscopic surgery is often considered to be 'minimally invasive surgery' in the light of recent technical developments. Endoscopic neck surgery, including thyroid and parathyroid surgery, has developed rapidly over the past 2 years. The various techniques of thyroid surgery, including sites of incision and procedures for creating adequate working space, are described here. The cosmetic benefits of endoscopic versus conventional open surgery were evaluated by questionnaires sent to two groups of patients. The lower invasiveness of endoscopic surgery in terms of operating time and amount of bleeding is also discussed. Endoscopic surgery with a new, totally gasless anterior neck skin lifting method, with which we have now had much experience, will be described and its advantages discussed.
Tin laser-produced plasma as the light source for extreme ultraviolet lithography high-volume manufacturing: history, ideal plasma, present status, and prospects

Today intermediate-focus equivalent extreme ultraviolet (EUV) power of several watts is now available, and EUV lithography scanners are being considered as potential scanners for high-volume manufacturing (HVM) tools. However, for high-volume manufacturing with throughput of over 100 wafers per hour, EUV power of 350 W may be required. We review the history of EUV sources for lithography with tin as fuel. We discuss the ideal plasma for tin sources for extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL), conditions for a high conversion efficiency of 4% to 5% in 2πsr, and the existence of a repetition rate limit at around 40 kHz. We review the present status reported by EUV source suppliers and the prospects of tin laser-produced plasma as an EUV source for HVM EUVL.
Variation in the Practice of Preoperative Medical Consultation for Major Elective Noncardiac Surgery: A Population-based Study

Background: Patients scheduled for major elective noncardiac surgery frequently undergo preoperative medical consultations. However, the factors that determine whether individuals undergo consultation and the extent of interhospital variation remain unclear. Methods: The authors used population-based administrative databases to conduct a cohort study of patients, aged 40 yr or older, who underwent major elective noncardiac surgery in Ontario, Canada, between April 2004 and February 2009. Multilevel logistic regression models were used to identify patient- and hospital-level predictors of consultation. Results: Within the cohort of 204,819 patients who underwent surgery at 79 hospitals, 38% (n = 77,965) underwent preoperative medical consultation. Although patient- and surgery-level factors did predict consultation use, they explained only 5.9% of variation in consultation rates. Differences in rates across hospitals were large (range, 10–897 per 1,000 procedures), were not explained by surgical procedure volume or hospital teaching status, and persisted after adjustment for patient- and surgery-level factors. The median odds of undergoing consultation were 3.51 times higher if the same patient had surgery at one randomly selected hospital as opposed to another. Conclusions: One-third of surgical patients undergo preoperative medical consultation. Although patient- and surgery-level factors are weak predictors of consultation use, the individual hospital is the major determinant of whether patients undergo consultation. Additional research is needed to better understand the basis for this substantial interhospital variation and to determine which patients benefit most from preoperative consultation.
The national programme for school success promotion and the role of technology: Challenges for teacher training

The National Programme for School Success Promotion equipped schools with the necessary resources to find effective ways to fight against the school failure rate. Among the measures provided by schools in their strategic plans, special mention should be made to teacher training in three key areas: methodological/didactic, organizational/pedagogical and civic/social. In order to ensure that the strategic plans of the schools from Tomar, Ourém and Ferreira do Zêzere are implemented, Os Templários (a training centre bringing together clusters of schools from various municipalities) has launched in partnership with the Laboratòrio de Tecnologia Educativa (LabTE) of the University of Coimbra and the Instituto Politécnico de Tomar, the Project MobEdu — Mobile Technologies and Devices in Education — that includes various workshops using computer applications. This contributed to meet the training needs of the clusters of schools which regarded the use of technology in education as one of the main areas of intervention. In order to measure the impact of the training actions among students, teachers and the schools themselves several case studies will be conducted in the Médio Tejo clusters of schools covered by the project.
Development of a Neuropsychological Battery for the Leukoaraiosis and Disability in the Elderly Study (LADIS): Experience and Baseline Data

The relationship between age-related white matter changes and cognitive performance in independent elderly people is still not clear. The Leukoaraiosis and Disability in the Elderly study (LADIS) involves 11 European centers. It aims to assess the role of the age-related white matter changes as an independent factor in the transition to disability, and in cognitive performance of an independent elderly population. A comprehensive neuropsychological battery was constructed in order to harmonize the cognitive assessment across countries. Patients were evaluated at baseline and during the 3-year follow-up with the Mini-Mental State Examination, a modified version of the VADAS-Cog (Alzheimer’s Dementia Assessment Scale plus tests of Delayed recall, Symbol digit, Digit span, Maze, Digit cancellation and Verbal fluency), Trail making and Stroop test. Six hundred thirty-eight patients (mean age 74 ± 5 years; mean educational level 10 ± 4, F/M: 351/287) were included in this study. Neuropsychological data were analyzed test by test and also grouped in three compound measures (executive, memory and speed/motor control domains). Older subjects (>74 years) performed significantly worse than younger subjects on the ADAS-Mod and on the tests of memory (t631 = 3.25; p = 0.001), executive functions (t581 = 4.68; p = 0.001) and speed/motor control (t587 = 4.01; p = 0.001). Participants with higher educational level (>8 years of school) showed better performances on the compound measures for memory (t631 = 3.25; p = 0.001), executive functions (t581 = 4.68; p = 0.001) and speed/motor control (t587 = 4.01; p = 0.001). Using multiple regression analysis models to study the influence of demographic variables on cognitive performance, age and education remained important variables influencing test performance. In the LADIS population baseline data, older age and lower educational levels negatively influence neuropsychological performance.
A review of Intelligent Software Development Tools

In recent years, a new paradigm for software development has appeared, and it promises to release developers from writing code. The basis of this paradigm is to increase the level of abstraction to its maximum, allowing developers (or even customers) to simply detail their business process, letting the machine to do the “hard work”. This machine, conveniently configured, will be able to generate the software that will comply with customer’s definition. The purpose of this paper is to provide an extensive review of the available tools. There tools allow put into practice the principles of this paradigm.
Low Level Laser Therapy -A Review

Low level laser therapy is defined to supply direct biostimulative light energy to the cells . It has been reported that low-level semiconductor diode lasers could enhance the wound healing process. The periodontal ligament is crucial for maintaining the tooth and surrounding tissues in periodontal wound healing. Low-level semiconductor diode lasers have been used in low-level laser therapy ,there have been few reports on their effects on periodontal ligament fibroblasts(PDLFs). Low intensity laser therapy also has stimulating effects on bone cells and can accelerate the repair process of the bone . However still further research needs to be done in laser efficacy for periodontal treatment.