Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lensless Cameras Lens-based Cameras lens sensor Examples Microscope Examples

The basic design of a camera has remained unchanged for centuries. To acquire an image, light from the scene under view is focused onto a photosensitive surface using a lens. Over the years, the photosensitive surface has evolved from a photographic film to an array of digital sensors. However, lenses remain an integral part of modern imaging systems in a broad range of applications. Unfortunately, lenses also introduce a number of limitations. First, while image sensors are typically thin, cameras end up being thick due to the lens complexity and the large distance required between the lens and sensor to achieve focus. For example, the thinnest mobile cameras today are approximately 5 mm thick, with the thickness increasing at larger lens aperture sizes. Second, lenses for visible light can be manufactured with inexpensive materials such as glass and plastic, but lenses for wavelengths farther into the infrared and ultraviolet are either extremely expensive or infeasible. Third, lens-based cameras invariably require post-fabrication assembly, resulting in manufacturing inefficiencies. In this paper, we review a variety of alternate imaging approaches that completely eschew lenses. The primary task of a lens in a camera is to shape the incoming light wavefront so that it creates a focused image on the sensor. In the absence of a lens, a sensor would simply record the average light intensity from the entire scene. Lensless imaging systems dispense with a lens by using other optical elements to manipulate the incoming light. The sensor records the intensity of the manipulated light, which may not appear as a focused image. However, when the system is designed correctly, the image can be recovered from the sensor measurements with the help of a computational algorithm. Figure 1 shows the processes for capturing/reconstructing images in lensed and lensless systems. The simplest lensless imaging system is the pinhole camera. It is inefficient, however, since the small pinhole restricts the amount of light reaching the sensor. Coded aperture cameras improve the light efficiency using a mask with an array of pinholes. The sensor measurements become a superposition of the images formed by each aperture, and the computational recovery algorithm’s task is to reorganize the measurements to recover the image.
Construct validity of the Swedish Enlistment Battery

The construct validity of the Swedish Enlistment Battery (SEB) used for classification of conscripts according to intellectual capacity was examined. The covariance matrices of three samples of conscripts (N= 501, 1058 and 1057) were analysed in Study 1, testing the hypothesis of one general factor influencing all the four subtests and one residual factor General visualization (Gv′) influencing two of the subsets. The fit of such a model was good. In Study 2 seven reference tests were added to accomplish better definitions of the factors and also to be able to identify a crystallized intelligence (Gc′) factor. Subjects were 113 national servicemen. A general factor was identified, accounting for the dominating part of the total variance. Two factors orthogonal to the general factor were identified; one crystallized-verbal (Gc′) and one general visualization (Gv′) factor, both accounting for a significant but low part of the total variance. More tests must be developed and brought into use in the Enlistment Battery in order to add to the variances in the Gv′ and Gc′ factors. This is a prerequisite for high determinacy and high differential predictive validities of the factors.
Latvian Foreign Policy after Enlargement

Latvia’s transition from Soviet republic to restored nation-state has been most clearly seen in the transition to democracy and the market economy. Externally, however, the Baltic State has had to negotiate complex challenges in both the local and wider security complex. In this essay I argue that the development and evolution of Latvian foreign policy illustrates a transition to post-existential politics and illuminates the nature of geo-politics in the Baltic subregion in general. Initially, Latvia had to create a foreign policy agenda with limited resources such as knowledge and capacity. The 1995 Latvian foreign policy guidelines formally established the move to the ‘West’ generally as well as membership of the EU and NATO specifically. The guidelines show that the nature of insecurity in the region was by and large dictated by Russian dominance and political transition. With the accession into the EU and NATO, we can see that Latvia’s foreign policy objectives have shifted away from balancing in the subregion to integration in the larger security architecture. This includes fulfilling the niche capabilities in the North Atlantic infrastructure as well as engaging with other post-Soviet States as they move towards the ‘West’. Furthermore, Latvia’s objectives have moved beyond the subregion to include military missions in the Balkans, Afghanistan and Iraq. Overall, I argue that a review of Latvia’s foreign policy development illustrates the evolving nature of cooperation and conflict on the threshold between East and West.
Carbon nano-onions (multi-layer fullerenes): chemistry and applications

Summary This review focuses on the development of multi-layer fullerenes, known as carbon nano-onions (CNOs). First, it briefly summarizes the most important synthetic pathways for their preparation and their properties and it gives the reader an update over new developments in the recent years. This is followed by a discussion of the published synthetic procedures for CNO functionalization, which are of major importance when elucidating future applications and addressing drawbacks for possible applications, such as poor solubility in common solvents. Finally, it gives an overview over the fields of application, in which CNO materials were successfully implemented.
Army Civilian Leadership Development

The mission of the Army Management Staff College (AMSC) is to provide leader development educational experiences for Army civilians. To develop as leaders, students must recognize they have a choice to take action that influences their work environment. The authors suggest the learning environment at AMSC is intentionally designed to be paradoxical to the work environment in an effort to promote student leadership self-efficacy beliefs. Faculty use a facilitated student-centric approach to create a learning environment that promotes self-efficacy and learning transfer; however, other factors such as feedback, coaching, and peer and organizational support also affect learning transfer and should be considered in curriculum design and delivery.
Pharmacodynamic monitoring of immunosuppressive drugs.

Pharmacodynamic (PD) monitoring measures the biological response to a drug, which alone—or coupled with pharmacokinetics— provides a novel method for optimization of drug dosing. PD monitoring has been investigated by us and other investigators primarily for four immunosuppressive drugs: cyclosporine (CsA), azathioprine (AZA), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and rapamycin (RAPA). PD monitoring of CsA and MMF involves measuring the activity of the enzymes calcineurin and inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, respectively. The PD of AZA is assessed by measuring the activity of thiopurine methyltransferase, which is induced by a metabolite of AZA, 6-mercaptopurine. The PD for RAPA involves measuring the activity of a P70 S6 kinase in lymphocytes. To date, the most detailed studies have been performed with PD monitoring of CsA and MMF. Similarities exist in the PD responses to CsA and MMF in renal-transplant patients. At trough concentrations in blood, both drugs reduce the activity of their target enzymes by only 50%; however, considerable interpatient variability is evident. Throughout the dosing interval, the enzyme activities parallel the respective drug concentrations. AZA treatment of renal-transplant patients who exhibited an increase in thiopurine methyltransferase activity from time of transplantation resulted in fewer episodes of active rejection. Additional clinical trials are currently underway to relate various pharmacokinetics and PD parameters to clinical response, to ascertain which provides the best guide for dosing. PD monitoring may provide an alternative approach to additional measurements of drug concentrations.
Decreased Muscle Strength and Quality in Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes

Adequate skeletal muscle strength is essential for physical functioning and low muscle strength is a predictor of physical limitations. Older adults with diabetes have a two- to threefold increased risk of physical disability. However, muscle strength has never been investigated with regard to diabetes in a population-based study. We evaluated grip and knee extensor strength and muscle mass in 485 older adults with diabetes and 2,133 without diabetes in the Health, Aging, and Body Composition study. Older adults with diabetes had greater arm and leg muscle mass than those without diabetes because they were bigger in body size. Despite this, muscle strength was lower in men with diabetes and not higher in women with diabetes than corresponding counterparts. Muscle quality, defined as muscle strength per unit regional muscle mass, was significantly lower in men and women with diabetes than those without diabetes in both upper and lower extremities. Furthermore, longer duration of diabetes (≥6 years) and poor glycemic control (HbA1c >8.0%) were associated with even poorer muscle quality. In conclusion, diabetes is associated with lower skeletal muscle strength and quality. These characteristics may contribute to the development of physical disability in older adults with diabetes.
Modeling an isosurface with a neural network

Presents a novel method for modeling an isosurface that is defined by an unstructured set of control points. The principle is to model the scalar field underlying the isosurface with a neural network: the inputs of the neural network are the three coordinates of a point in space, and its output is the value of the scalar field at this point. The isosurface is requested to satisfy some constraints related to the control points: it must pass through these points and its normal and curvature may be imposed over these points. Consequently, the neural network is trained to comply with these constraints. The type of network considered so far is a multilayer feedforward neural network with two internal layers. The learning techniques (for finding relevant values of the connection weights) on which we are currently working are an expanded version of the backpropagation algorithm and a genetic algorithm. This paper lays the basis of the neural network modeling approach. Some directions for further development are also indicated.
Impact of self-heating effect on long-term reliability and performance degradation in CMOS circuits

As the technology feature size is reduced, the thermal management of high-performance very large scale integrations (VLSIs) becomes an important design issue. The self-heating effect and nonuniform power distribution in VLSIs lead to performance and long-term reliability degradation. In this paper, we analyze the self-heating effect in high-performance sub-0.18-/spl mu/m bulk and silicon-on-insulator (SOI) CMOS circuits using fast transient quasi-dc thermal simulations. The impact of the self-heating effect and technology scaling on the metallization lifetime and the gate oxide time-to-breakdown (TBD) reduction are also investigated. Based on simulation results, an optimized clock-driver design is proposed. The proposed layout reduces the hot-spot temperature by 15/spl deg/C and by 7/spl deg/C in 0.09-/spl mu/m SOI and bulk CMOS technologies, respectively.
Computational Calculations of Molecular Properties and Molecular Docking of New and Reference Cephalosporins on Penicillin Binding Proteins and Various β-Lactamases

An approach of using molinspiration calculations and molecular docking on PBPs (penicillin-binding proteins) and certain β-lactamases is employed to predict the molecular properties, bioactivity and resistance of newer and reference cephalosporins. The previously synthesized cephalosporins 1-8 and reference cephalosporins were subjected to extensive evaluations by calculating the molecular properties, drug-likeness scores on the bases of Lipinski’s rule and bioactivity prediction using the method of molinspiration web-based software. The TPSA (topological polar surface area), OH-NH interactions, n-violation and the molinspiration Log partition coefficient (miLogP) values were also calculated. The investigated cephalosporins were subjected to molecular docking study on PBPs (1pyy) and on β-lactamases produced by S. aureus, K. pneumonia, E. coli and P. auroginosa using 1-click-docking website. Molecular properties of 1-8 recorded higher TPSA than cephalexin and were lower than the reference cephalosporins and do not fulfill the requirements for Lipinski’s rule. Bioactivities of 1-8 were predicted to be less and their docking scores on PBPs were comparable to those of the reference cephalosporins, particularly ceftobiprole. The references recorded various docking scores on the above β-lactamases and as expected, ceftobiprole recorded the lowest scores on all β-lactamases. Cephalosporins 1-8 recorded various docking scores on β-lactamases. Molecular docking studies on PBPs and β-lactamases are considered as very useful, reliable and practical approach for predicting the bioactivity scores and to afford some information about the stability and selectivity of the newly proposed cephalosporins against β-lactamases of certain pathogenic microbes, such as P. auroginosa and MRSA, by recording the relative docking scores in comparison with those of reference cephalosporins.
Experiences of belittlement and harassment and their correlates among medical students in the United States: longitudinal survey

Abstract Objective To determine medical students' perceptions of having been harassed or belittled and their correlates, for the purposes of reducing such abuses. Design Longitudinal survey. Setting 16 nationally representative US medical schools. Participants 2884 students from class of 2003. Main outcome measures Experiences of harassment and belittlement at freshman orientation, at entry to wards, and in senior year by other students, by residents or fellows, by preclinical professors, by clinical professors or attendings, or by patients. Results 2316 students provided data (response rate 80.3%). Among seniors, 42% (581/1387) reported having experienced harassment and 84% (1166/1393) belittlement during medical school. These types of abuse were caused by other students (11% (158/1389) and 32% (443/1390) of students experienced such harassment or belittlement, respectively). Harassment and belittlement was also caused by residents (27% (374/1387) and 71% (993/1393)), preclinical professors (9% (131/1386) and 29% (398/1385)), clinical professors (21% (285/1386) and 63% (878/1390)), and patients (25% (352/1387) and 43% (592/1388)). Only 13% (181/1385) of students classified any of these experiences as severe. Medical students who reported having been harassed or belittled did not differ significantly from those not reporting such experiences by sex, ethnicity, political orientation, or religion. They did differ significantly by chosen specialty and were significantly more likely to be stressed, depressed, and suicidal, to drink alcohol or to binge drink, and to state that their faculty did not care about medical students. They were also significantly less likely to be glad they trained to become a doctor. Conclusion Most medical students in the United States report having been harassed or belittled during their training. Although few students characterised the harassment or belittlement as severe, poor mental health and low career satisfaction were significantly correlated with these experiences.
A primer on leading the improvement of systems

The nurse called me urgently into the room. The child, she said, was in acute respiratory distress. I had never met either Jimmy (the 6 year old boy) or his mother (an inner city single teenage parent) before. His asthma attack was severe, his peak expiratory flow rate only 35% of normal. Twenty years ago my next steps would have been to begin bronchodilator treatment, call an ambulance, and send the boy to hospital. That also would have been the story 10 years ago, or five, or two. But today, when I entered the room, the mother handed me her up to date list of treatments, including nebuliser treatment with β2 agonists, that she had administered with equipment that had been installed in her home. It continued with her graph of Jimmy's slowly improving peak flow levels, which she had measured and charted at home, having been trained by the asthma outreach nurse. She then gave me the nurse's cellular telephone number, along with a specific recommendation on the next medication to try for her son, one that had worked in the past but was not yet available for her to use at home. My reply was interrupted by a knock on my door. It was the chief of the allergy department in my health maintenance organisation. He worked one floor above me in the health centre and, having been phoned by the outreach nurse, had decided to “pop down” to see if he could help. He also handed me a phial of the same new medication that the mother had just mentioned, suggesting that we try it. Two hours later Jimmy was not in a hospital bed; he was at home breathing comfortably. Just to be safe the allergy nurse would be paying him a visit later that afternoon. …
Endotoxins induce and interferon‐α suppresses vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Endotoxins, classical activators of innate immune cells, induce systemic inflammation designated by increased microvascular permeability, and, not so infrequently, circulatory shock, organ dysfunction, and death. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), besides being an endothelial‐cell mitogen, is a strong vascular permeability factor. This study demonstrates that peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) from healthy volunteers cultured in serum‐free medium in the absence of any stimulus release VEGF continuously into culture media. Physiological endotoxin concentrations stimulate this VEGF secretion in a dose‐dependent manner, representing an induction of de novo VEGF production, as an induction of the expression of the major 3.7‐kb VEGF mRNA transcripts was observed, and the release of VEGF was blocked by cycloheximide. Reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction also verified the expression of the four VEGF transcripts. Interferon‐α, a modulator of the immune system and an inhibitor of angiogenesis, inhibited VEGF release dose dependently. We conclude that endotoxin promotes VEGF production in PBMNCs. Circulating and emigrating VEGF‐producing PBMNCs may enhance the shift to angiogenic phenotype in a variety of infectious and inflammatory disorders as well as in cancer. VEGF‐producing PBMNCs may be a novel mechanism of tissue edema in systemic inflammation. Inhibition of VEGF production in PBMNCs may be one of the mechanisms of interferon‐α action.
Business exploitation cases for providing pervasiveness services

This article describes a process for identifying the most interesting business exploitation cases (BECs) for the implementation of the Daidalos Integrated Project architecture. Starting from the characterization of the telecommunication service provision market and from the project business model framework (BMF), we analyze the main enabling players that are in the position to occupy the main roles in the info-communication value chain. From this analysis, we reason which are the most probable scenarios for establishing business relations between these players, in the present and in the near future telecommunications context.
Superior outcome of women with stage I/II cutaneous melanoma: pooled analysis of four European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer phase III trials.

PURPOSE Several studies observed a female advantage in the prognosis of cutaneous melanoma, for which behavioral factors or an underlying biologic mechanism might be responsible. Using complete and reliable follow-up data from four phase III trials of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Melanoma Group, we explored the female advantage across multiple end points and in relation to other important prognostic indicators. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients diagnosed with localized melanoma were included in EORTC adjuvant treatment trials 18832, 18871, 18952, and 18961 and randomly assigned during the period of 1984 to 2005. Cox proportional hazard models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for women compared with men, adjusted for age, Breslow thickness, body site, ulceration, performed lymph node dissection, and treatment. RESULTS A total of 2,672 patients with stage I/II melanoma were included. Women had a highly consistent and independent advantage in overall survival (adjusted HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.59 to 0.83), disease-specific survival (adjusted HR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.62 to 0.88), time to lymph node metastasis (adjusted HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.51 to 0.96), and time to distant metastasis (adjusted HR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.59 to 0.81). Subgroup analysis showed that the female advantage was consistent across all prognostic subgroups (with the possible exception of head and neck melanomas) and in pre- and postmenopausal age groups. CONCLUSION Women have a consistent and independent relative advantage in all aspects of the progression of localized melanoma of approximately 30%, most likely caused by an underlying biologic sex difference.
Understanding the seriousness of corporate crime

The measurement of public attitudes towards the criminal law has become an important area of research in recent years because of the perceived desirability of ensuring that the legal system reflects broader societal values. In particular, studies into public perceptions of crime seriousness have attempted to measure the degree of concordance that exists between law and public opinion in the organization and enforcement of criminal offences. These understandings of perceived crime seriousness are particularly important in relation to high-profile issues where public confidence in the law is central to the legal agenda, such as the enforcement of work-related fatality cases. A need to respond to public concern over this issue was cited as a primary justification for the introduction of the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007. This article will suggest that, although literature looking at the perceived seriousness of corporate crime and, particularly, health and safety offences is limited in volume and generalist in scope, important lessons can be gleaned from existing literature, and pressing questions are raised that demand further empirical investigation.
Einfluss von Formvariationen auf Finite Elemente Simulationen bei muskulären Strukturen

Kurzfassung. Heutzutage existieren konkurrierende Konzepte zur chirurgischen Behandlung von Fehlbildungen im Lippen-, Kieferund Gaumenbereich. Zur Unterstutzung von Chirurgen bei der Vorhersage von Operationsergebnissen zahlen morphologiebasierte Finite Elemente Simulationen in histologischer Auflosungsgenauigkeit zu den vielversprechendsten Methoden. Dabei stellt die Erstellung von geeigneten Netzen, die sich gleichermasen zur mathematischen Modellierung sowie zur genauen Rekonstruktion der Anatomie eignen, eine unzufriedenstellend geloste Aufgabe dar. Hier wird daher untersucht, wie sich Formvariationen auf numerische Ergebnisse auswirken. Die Essenz dabei ist, dass eine exakte Segmentierung eine unabdingbare Voraussetzung ist, aber auch kleinere Abweichungen in der Formdarstellung zu groseren Anderungen im Simulationsergebnis fuhren konnen.