Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a Liquid Media MALDI-TOF MS Protocol for the Identification of Dermatophytes Isolated from Tinea capitis Infections

One of the most common types of tinea is the superficial infection of the hair and scalp area known as tinea capitis. It is responsible for frequent outbreaks in nurseries and schools and represents a global health problem. Correct identification of the infection agent is essential in the determination of the infection source, epidemiological course, and treatment initiation. The conventional identification methods (direct exam, culture, DNA sequencing) are time-consuming, require experienced staff, are time-consuming, and the latter is expensive for routine identifications. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is gaining new ground for routine identification of filamentous fungi. The main advantages of MALDI-TOF MS are its rapid and accurate identification capability, relatively low cost, and easy integration into the laboratory routine. Its accuracy heavily depends on the quality of the reference spectra database. Identification of clinical isolates with MALDI-TOF MS protocol requires a sub-culturing step to ensure reliable identification. It can take days to weeks before fungal growth appears on solid medium. In this study, a unique MALDI-TOF MS protocol using liquid cultures of dermatophyte species was developed in order to shorten the turnaround time for the culture and identification of clinical isolates. Material and Method A standard MALDI-TOF MS protocol was adapted for liquid instead of solid cultures. Three different databases were tested. Results Using the liquid media MALDI-TOF MS protocol, a global rate of 62% correct identification (RCI) was obtained, compared with 87% for the protocol based on solid cultures. Trichophyton tonsurans was not correctly identified in all isolates using liquid cultures, with 88% of the isolates misidentified as Trichophyton interdigitale. The turnaround time for primary isolates for the solid and liquid protocols were respectively 11.7 and 11.6 days (no significant difference between both methods (p = 0.96)). Conclusions The newly designed liquid MALDI-TOF MS protocol did not lead to a significantly shorter turnaround time for the identification of dermatophytes isolated from tinea capitis infections. The turnaround time for the method with primary isolates was not significantly lower, and the rate of correct identification decreased remarkably, which emphasizes the need for a sub-culturing step. Using different database did not lead to improvement in turnaround time or rate of correct identification. This study highlights the importance of the medium and the reference database when performing MALDI-TOF MS.
Integrated power divider/combiner at hybrid orthogonal junctions

We propose an integrated power divider/combiner at the interface between silicon nanowire and plasmonic slot waveguide (PSW). The proposed configuration facilitates light access and manipulation in planar nano-plasmonic circuits. The light is incident from a standard silicon nanowire to be accessed by a nano-plasmonic circuit providing subwavelength confinement. The structure overcomes the losses associated with long distance light propagation in nanoplasmonic splitters as coupling and splitting are performed at the same interface with minimal losses. Two PSWs placed orthogonally to the silicon nanowire forming hybrid junctions are exploited for the power dividing/combining functionality. The power splitter has been analyzed using the finite difference time domain (FDTD) numerical method. The ultra-compact proposed device provides wide-band power splitting functionality. A splitting of 34.7%, over most of the wavelength spectrum from 0.8 μm – 2.5 μm, is demonstrated.
Hypersonic Test Analysis by Means of Aerothermal Coupling Methodology and Infrared Thermography

In the current analysis, surface temperature measurements, carried out with infrared thermography in a plasma wind tunnel experiment on a wing-leading-edge thermal-protection-system demonstrator, are performed and compared with the results of the test numerical rebuilding carried out through an integrated procedure coupling the external aerodynamic field to the internal thermal state of the structure. For the measurement campaign, an infrared mirror system is developed to allow the viewing of the leading-edge region, which was not visible from the standard optical access of the facility. The optical calibration of the camera with a special target is performed. The two-dimensional infrared images are rebuilt on the three-dimensional surface grid of the test article used for computational fluid dynamics computations, thus providing a useful tool for the direct comparison of numerical and experimental data. The comparison between numerical and experimental data is quite satisfactory even though some discrepa.
Orientation-singularity representation and orientation-capability computation of a special class of the Gough-Stewart parallel mechanisms using unit quaternion

Singular configuration seriously affects the performance of the Gough-Stewart parallel mechanism and has attracted many researchers’ attentions. However, most of existing topics often focus on the position-singularity of the mechanism for a constant-orientation, but few reports research the orientation-singularity for a given position. In order to investigate the orientation-singularity of the Gough-Stewart parallel mechanisms with two dissimilar semi-regular hexagonal platforms for a given position, after constructing the discrimination matrix of the singular configuration of the mechanism and computing the determinant of this matrix by using unit quaternion as the orientation parameters which can avoid the singularities in parameterization, a general symbolic expression representing the three-dimensional orientation-singularity locus for a given position is obtained and the three-dimensional view of the orientation-singularity locus is further described. The orientation-singularity-free void exists inside the orientation-singularity locus, but the shape of the orientation-singularity-free void is irregular and inconvenient for the design of the mechanism. The minimal inscribed sphere of the three-dimensional orientation-singularity locus namely the orientation-singularity-free ball is described. The radius of the ball orientation-capability is used as the measurement for the orientation-singularity-free void size. A new efficient algorithm is proposed for the computation of the orientation-capability. Finally, the influences of the geometry parameters and the different positions of the mechanism on the orientation-capability are discussed. A new method of the singularity analysis of the Gough-Stewart parallel mechanism is advanced based on the unit quaternion, and the research finds have important referential value for the configuration parameters optimization of this class of the parallel mechanisms with the goal of having the maximal singularity-free zone.
Statistical Inferences for Testing Marginal Rank and (Generalized) Lorenz Dominances

This paper provides distribution-free inferences for testing marginal rank dominance and Lorenz, and generalized Lorenz dominances. Marginal dominances refer to ordinary dominance relationships holding between an income distribution and its dependent after-event distribution. Using the elegant Bahadur representation, I establish the asymptotic normal distributions of sample marginal changes and derive the variance–covariance structures. I also show that the inference procedures can be modified and applied to more general cases where samples are (partially) dependent. The approaches are illustrated by re-evaluating the marginal impacts of working wives on the U.S. family income distribution using 1990 census data.
Monte Carlo simulation on the effect of dermal thickness variances on noninvasive blood glucose sensing

Near-infrared spectroscopy(NIRs) is an ideal measurement method for noninvasive blood glucose sensing. In that measuring process, the light propagation path in skin tissue would affect the final near-infrared spectrum greatly. In this talk, the Monte Carlo simulation has been conducted to investigate the effect of dermal thickness variances on blood glucose sensing results at earlobe site. Results demonstrate that the floating reference point exists in the finite five-layered thickness skin model, and the variation of floating reference point under the dermal thickness change is simulated. It is indicated that in the dermal thickness increasing process, there is a rising trend of the floating reference point at each wavelength. It will lay a solid foundation for the further design of an advanced blood glucose detection probe to facilitate the application of NIRs to noninvasive blood glucose sensing eventually.
Stabilized multi-domain simulation algorithms and their application in simulation platform for forging manipulator

Most researches focused on the analytical stabilized algorithm for the modular simulation of single domain, e.g., pure mechanical systems. Only little work has been performed on the problem of multi-domain simulation stability influenced by algebraic loops. In this paper, the algebraic loop problem is studied by a composite simulation method to reveal the internal relationship between simulation stability and system topologies and simulation unit models. A stability criterion of multi-domain composite simulation is established, and two algebraic loop compensation algorithms are proposed using numerical iteration and approximate function in multi-domain simulation. The numerical stabilized algorithm is the Newton method for the solution of the set of nonlinear equations, and it is used here in simulation of the system composed of mechanical system and hydraulic system. The approximate stabilized algorithm is the construction of response surface for inputs and outputs of unknown unit model, and it is utilized here in simulation of the system composed of forging system, mechanical and hydraulic system. The effectiveness of the algorithms is verified by a case study of multi-domain simulation for forging system composed of thermoplastic deformation of workpieces, mechanical system and hydraulic system of a manipulator. The system dynamics simulation results show that curves of motion and force are continuous and convergent. This paper presents two algorithms, which are applied to virtual reality simulation of forging process in a simulation platform for a manipulator, and play a key role in simulation efficiency and stability.
BREAKDOWN OF THE K-CONSERVATION RULE IN SI NANOCRYSTALS

We show that light emission from different systems of silicon nanocrystals does behave as expected for indirect-band-gap quantum dots. Photoluminescence excited on the low energy part of the distribution of Si nanocrystals exhibits a set of narrow peaks associated with Si TA and TO momentum-conserving phonon-assisted optical transitions. These spectra allow us to determine the ratio of no-phonon transitions to TA and TO phonon-assisted processes over a wide range of confinement energies. The ratio between these recombination channels changes by 2 orders of magnitude with increasing confinement energy. For confinement energies above 0.7 eV the radiative transitions are governed by no-phonon quasidirect processes.
Unraveling the Effect of PbI2 Concentration on Charge Recombination Kinetics in Perovskite Solar Cells

CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite solar cells have rapidly risen to the forefront of emerging photovoltaic technologies. A solution-based, two-step method was reported to enhance the reproducibility of these solar cells. In this method, first a coating of PbI2 is applied by spin-coating onto a TiO2-coated substrate, followed by a dip in a methylammonium iodide solution, leading to conversion to CH3NH3PbI3. The concentration of PbI2 in the spin-coating solution is a very important factor that affects the infiltration of the perovskite and the amount deposited. The best solar cell performance of 13.9% was obtained by devices prepared using 1.0 M of PbI2 in dimethylformamide. These devices also had the longest electron lifetime and shortest carrier transport time, yielding lowest recombination losses. Rapid quenching of the perovskite emission is found in device-like structures, suggesting reasonably good efficient carrier extraction at the TiO2 interface and quantitative extraction at the spiro–OMeTAD interface.
Origin of characteristic variability in metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors revealed by three-dimensional atom imaging

The greater variability in the electrical properties of n-type metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) compared with those of p-type MOSFETs poses problems for scaling of silicon based large-scale integration technology. We have elucidated the origin of the variability difference between n- and p-type transistors by using laser-assisted atom probe tomography to directly count the number of discrete atoms in local regions. We found that ion implantation and activation annealing for source/drain extension fabrication enhances anomalous dopant fluctuations of boron atoms in n-MOSFET channel regions, interpreted by fast migration of boron atoms.
Solar pulsational stability – I. Pulsation-mode thermodynamics

It is not currently known what excites solar five-minute oscillations. Of the two most plausible possibilities, thermal overstability and stochastic excitation by turbulent convection, the single most important discriminating factor is the intrinsic stability of the pulsation modes. In view of this fact, the problem of the linear stability of model solar envelopes is addressed. A time-dependent, non-local mixing-length prescription is employed for convection, and the Eddington approximation to radiative transfer. The calculations reveal that low-degree acoustic modes are damped. Moreover, the theoretical damping rates compare well with measurements of solar oscillation line widths. Turbulent pressure fluctuations play a critical role in stabilizing the pulsations
Switchable surface plasmon dichroic splitter modulated by optical polarization

For the miniaturization of optical devices, surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) have been widely utilized due to their outstanding confinement and field‐enhancement characteristics. Analyzing a spectrum of optical signals and splitting certain regions of the spectrum range within a submicrometer‐scale structure are demanded for optical integrated systems. In this paper, a novel type of dichroic surface plasmon launcher that can switch the launching direction according to incident polarization states is demonstrated. Compared to the previously reported plasmonic dichroic splitters, the proposed schemes do not use any asymmetric geometry for directional launching. Hence, the direction of guided SPPs can be interchanged according to the polarization state. Such characteristics will be helpful to design switchable plasmonic devices that can be applied to active plasmonic integrated circuits.
Formation of secondary islands during magnetic reconnection

Full particle simulations are presented that suggest that the strength of an ambient guide magnetic field controls whether magnetic reconnection, once it is established, remains steady or becomes bursty. Specifically during anti‐parallel (component) reconnection the electron current layers that form near the magnetic x‐line are short (long) and therefore stable (unstable) to the formation of secondary magnetic islands. The implications for understanding magnetic reconnection and the formation of Flux Transfer Events at the magnetopause are discussed.
Towards planar processing for InP DHBTs

Silicon-like planar InP DHBTs have always been the goal for researchers to enhance their integration capabilities. In addition, heat dissipation for large-scale device integration will be an issue for the traditional mesa DHBT structure while maintaining high-speed performance. We demonstrate that by developing ion-implantation technologies, planar InP DHBTs can be built successfully.
Physical and Computational Applications of Strongly-Interacting Dynamics Beyond QCD

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Type synthesis of two-degrees-of-freedom rotational parallel mechanism with two continuous rotational axes

The two-rotational-degrees-of-freedom(2R) parallel mechanism(PM) with two continuous rotational axes(CRAs) has a simple kinematic model. It is therefore easy to implement trajectory planning, parameter calibration, and motion control, which allows for a variety of application prospects. However, no systematic analysis on structural constraints of the 2R-PM with two CRAs has been performed, and there are only a few types of 2R-PM with two CRAs. Thus, a theory regarding the type synthesis of the 2R-PM with two CRAs is systematically established. First, combining the theories of reciprocal screw and space geometry, the spatial arrangement relationships of the constraint forces applied to the moving platform by the branches are explored, which give the 2R-PM two CRAs. The different distributions of the constraint forces in each branch are also studied. On the basis of the obtained structural constraints of branches, and considering the geometric relationships of constraint forces in each branch, the appropriate kinematic chains are constructed. Through the reasonable configuration of branch kinematic chains corresponding to every structural constraint, a series of new 2R-PMs with two CRAs are finally obtained.
Numerical Simulations of Three-Dimensional Instabilities in Cavity Flows

Direct numerical simulations are performed to investigate the stability of compressible flow over three-dimensional open cavities for future control applications. First, the typical self-sustained oscillations, commonly referred as shear-layer (Rossiter) modes, are characterized for two-dimensional cavities over a range of flow conditions. A linear stability analysis is then conducted to search for three-dimensional global instabilities of the 2D mean flow for cavities that are homogeneous in the spanwise direction. The presence of such instabilities is reported for a range of cavity configurations. For cavities of aspect ratio (length to depth) of 2 and 4, the three-dimensional mode has a spanwise wavelength of approximately 1 cavity depth and oscillates with a frequency about an order-of-magnitude lower than two-dimensional Rossiter (flow/acoustics) instabilities. A steady mode of smaller spanwise wavelength is also identified for square cavities. The linear results indicate that the instability is hydrodynamic (rather than acoustic) in nature and arises from a generic centrifugal instability mechanism associated with the mean recirculating vortical flow in the downstream part of the cavity. These three-dimensional instabilities are related to centrifugal instabilities reported in flows over backward-facing steps, lid-driven cavity flows, and Couette flows. Results from three-dimensional simulations of the nonlinear compressible Navier-Stokes equations are also reported. The formation of oscillating (and, in some cases, steady) spanwise structures is observed inside the cavity. The spanwise wavelength and oscillation frequency of these structures agree with the linear analysis predictions. When present, the shear-layer (Rossiter) oscillations experience a low-frequency modulation that arises from nonlinear interactions with the three-dimensional mode. These results are consistent with observations of low-frequency modulations and spanwise structures in previous experimental and numerical studies on open cavity flows.
The quantal larynx revisited

Quantal effects signify nonlinear relations in the properties of speech sounds, traditionally emphasizing articulatory-acoustic relations [Stevens, 1989, JPhon 17, 3-45]; these relations hold important clues to how continuous phonetic parameters map onto discrete phonological categories. Stevens described quantal states in laryngeal speech function, showing how the vocal fold abduction-adduction continuum can be partitioned into breathy, modal, and pressed phonatory quanta. This account, however, relies on a one-dimensional conceptualization of the larynx, which recent developments in laryngeal phonetic theory reveal to be inadequate [Edmondson & Esling, 2006, Phonology 23, 157-191]: a more realistic model must include the epilarynx. We reopen the issue of quantal laryngeal speech behavior in the context of recent research demonstrating quantal biomechanical properties in labial articulation [Gick, Stavness, Chiu, & Fels, 2011, Can. Acoust. 39, 178-179]. Our "whole larynx" approach [Moisik & Esling, 2011,.
Metrological comparison of terrestrial laser scanning systems Riegl LMS Z390i and Trimble GX

A low cost physical artifact with traceability to the national standard - meter is used for the metrological comparison of two terrestrial laser scanning systems: Riegl LMS Z390i and Trimble GX. The artifact is based on five spheres equidistantly situated and seven cubes of different dimensions. Accuracy and repeatability are evaluated using least squares fitting (LSF) and random sample consensus algorithms, for the study case of the spheres, and plane LSF and statistical analysis for the cubes. The horizontal resolution is evaluated using a modulated transfer function approach and the vertical one with the accuracy and repeatability data along Z axis. The Trimble system shows better results for all parameters, artifact parts, and algorithms under study.
The stability of finite-dimensional inverse problems

In this paper the stability of inverse problems is discussed. It is taken into account that in inverse problems the structure of the solution space is usually completely different from the structure of the data space so that the definition of stability is not trivial. We solve this problem by assuming that under experimental circumstances both the model and the data can be characterized by a finite number of parameters. In the formal definition that we present, we first compare distances in the data space and distances in the model under variations of these parameters. Second, a normalization is introduced to ensure that quantities in the solution space can be compared directly with quantities in the data space. We note that it is impossible to obtain an objective solution of stability due to the freedom one has in the choice of the norm in the solution space and in the data space. This definition is used to examine the stability of linear inverse problems as well as for the Marchenko equation and inverse problems associated with transfer-matrix methods. For the Marchenko equation it is shown that the instability arises from the nonlinearity of the inverse problem.
A racemic layer structure in a chiral bent-core ferroelectric liquid crystal

A fluid smectic phase of a chiral bent-core liquid crystal was found to have a ground state structure that is anticlinic in tilt and ferroelectric in polar order, SmCAPF*. The layer chirality of this structure alternates from layer to layer despite their being composed of chiral mesogens. Observations of the optical second harmonic generation signal from well-aligned domains confirm that the ground state of this phase is bistable ferroelectric. In addition to the ground state two types of metastable domains are also observed.