Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Facile fabrication of gelatin‐based biopolymeric optical waveguides

The rapid development in optical detection techniques for sensing applications has led to an increased need for biocompatible, biodegradable, and disposable optical components. We present a controllable fabrication technique for an entirely biopolymeric planar optical waveguide via simple spin‐coating. The refractive index difference, thermal responsive properties, and inherent biocompatibility of gelatin and agarose were exploited in the fabrication of thin, stacked films that efficiently guide light in a core layer with higher index of refraction. These planar waveguides were fabricated using a simple spin‐coating technique, which resulted in controllable layer thicknesses and smooth layer interfaces. This technique, therefore, offers a path for routine engineering of biopolymer structures with contrasting refractive indices. The thermal stability of the gelatin core layer was improved using two crosslinkers; glutaraldehyde or microbial Transglutaminase. Light guiding in the core layer of the waveguide was demonstrated using a simple He–Ne laser setup. Guiding efficiency was further illustrated by directly embedding fluorescent markers within the core layer and detecting their spectral signature. Combined with the biopolymers' inherent biocompatibility and biodegradability, our simple strategy to fabricate disposable optical components holds the potential for the development of applications in biological sensing and implantable biomedical devices. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;103: 725–732. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of Dietary Supplementation on Body Composition, Pulmonary Function and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Stable COPD

Background: Malnutrition is very common in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Nutritional supplementation improves the patient’s nutritional status by increasing the energy intake and providing anti-inflammatory elements which can relieve the patient’s symptoms and delay the disease progression. This study sought to determine if energy and protein supplementation improves physical function, pulmonary function and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in stable COPD patients. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out in an outpatient setting on 60 stable COPD patients over a period of one year. Patients were randomized to intervention group (n=30), receiving supplemental nutrition in the form of additional protein and carbohydrates or control group (n=30), receiving only the usual standard diet. Lung function, body mass index (BMI), exercise capacity (6-minute walk test or 6MWT), mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and skin fold thickness (SFT) were evaluated, and clinical assessment was carried out at baseline and after completion of 12 weeks. The HRQL was assessed using Seattle obstructive lung disease questionnaire. Results: Twelve weeks of dietary supplementation resulted in a significant increase in weight and BMI of patients in the intervention group in comparison to the control group (P<0.005). Significant improvement was also observed in 6MWT and HRQL scores after nutritional intervention (P=0.002 and P=0.001, respectively). However, difference in MUAC, SFT and serum protein level after 12 weeks of follow up was not significant in any of the two groups. There was a similar degree of lung function improvement in both groups although it was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Nutritional supplementation with high protein and energy diet during 12 weeks of intervention improved body weight and composition, exercise capacity and quality of life in stable COPD patients.
A Model-Driven Multicore Software Development Environment for Embedded System

Multi-core programming is no more a luxury; it is now a necessity, because even embedded processors are becoming multi-core. However, the state-of-the-art techniques such as OpenMP and the Intel Threading Building Block (TBB) library are far from user-friendly due to the tedious work needed in explicitly designing multi-core programs and debugging. At the present days, a solution for above problems will be that to enhance the abstract level of multicore embedded software design. By leveraging on the expertise gained from Verifiable Embedded Real-Time Application Framework (VERTAF), we propose a Multi-Core version of VERTAF, called VERTAF/ Multi-core (VMC in short). VMC is an integrated development environment for multi-core embedded software architecture. Developers would be able to 1. describe their system requirements with SysML by using this environment, 2. model their design with SysML standard notation, 3. automatically apply a pattern structure into their design for a high quality multicore embedded system, 4. generate source code through a well-designed model; 5. map to different hardware architecture as assigned by the model, and 6. finally we can test the code.Using the model driven architecture (MDA) design flow in SysML, we saw a significantly improvement on productivity and quality of a multicore embedded programming over traditional approach.
Parenting Practices and the Psychological Adjustment of Children in Rural China

In this dissertation, guided by the conceptual framework of the ecological model, I investigated (1) the relationship between parental behaviors and children's psychological well-being in the contexts of family and community; and (2) the intermediate role that parental behaviors play in linking children's and other familial characteristics with children's mental health in a sample of 2000 children in rural northwest China. The hypotheses leading this study are that (1) the effects of parental behaviors on children's psychological adjustment differ depending upon familial and communal characteristics; (2) characteristics of children, families, and communities affect parenting behaviors, which, in turn, are directly linked to children's psychological adjustment. This dissertation is composed of a general introduction, three articles, and a general conclusion. Using multiple regression analysis, I inspected the relationships between parental behaviors and child psychological maladjustment in the first article. In the second article, multilevel regression analysis was used to examine the impacts of community SES and community environment of parenting on child maladjustment and on the parenting-child-development relationships. In the third article, I used structural equation modeling to test the mediating role of parental behaviors in connecting the paths from child characteristics and family variables to child internalizing and externalizing problems. Each article has its own abstract. This study is one of the first studies using a large-scale survey data to investigate the effect of parenting practices on children's psychological adjustment in a poor, rural population. The findings from this study not only contribute additional insight to our view of the variability that characterizes parental behaviors and children's developmental trajectories, but also serve as a guide for integrating family processes and communal contexts in prevention and intervention directed at children and adolescent psychological health in this under-studied population. Comments A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of Education of Harvard University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education. Advisors: Gil G. Noam, Terry Tivnan, Emily Hannum This journal article is available at ScholarlyCommons: http://repository.upenn. edu/gansu_dissertations/2 Parenting Practices and the Psychological Adjustment of Children in Rural China
European pallets fabricated with composite wood blocks from tropical species reinforced with nanocrystalline cellulose: Effects on the properties of blocks and static flexure of the pallet

The objective of this study was to characterize the performance of composite wood blocks (CWB) by testing internal bonding, nail extraction resistance, and water absorption. The CWB were glued with two wood adhesives, polyvinyl acetate (PVAc), and urea formaldehyde (UF), modified with 1% nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC). Three tropical species were employed: Vochysia ferruginea, Cordia alliodora, and Gmelina arborea. In addition, the original European pallet in the static flexure test was evaluated. The results showed that the internal bonding relative to solid wood blocks (SWB) increased with both adhesives. Meanwhile, the CWB of V. ferruginea with UF and C. alliodora with PVAc showed the greatest resistance to nail extraction, while in G. arborea, the NCC increased the resistance to nail extraction. The CWB with modified adhesives absorbed more moisture, particularly with PVAc, compared with the SWB. In static flexure tests of the pallets fabricated with CWB, the load at the limit of proportionality and the maximum load increased, while deflections were lower, compared with SWB. The results showed the potential of utilizing NCC in CWB fabricated with tropical species.
Cloning of sporulation gene spoOB of Bacillus subtilis and its genetic and biochemical analysis

A specialized transducing phage carrying a sporulation gene (spoOB) was constructed from Bacillus subtilis temperate phage rho 11 by in vitro and in vivo recombinations. Transformation experiments showed that the spoOB gene resides on a 1.4-megadalton fragment generated by EcoRI endonuclease treatment of the phage deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Mutants of this phage which lost transducing activity were isolated and used for genetic complementation tests and the analysis of protein(s) coded by the 1.4-megadalton fragment. The spoOB locus was shown to be composed of one cistron. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel analysis of proteins synthesized in ultraviolet-irradiated cells infected with these phages showed that the 1.4-megadalton fragment codes at least one protein, of molecular weight 39,000, which is synthesized in both vegetative and sporulating cells. A cleavage map of the phage DNA was constructed by use of restriction endonucleases, EcoRI, BamHI, and SalI, and the site of integration of the 1.4-megadalton fragment was determined. Expression and function of the spoOB gene are discussed.
Big data: Issues, challenges, tools and Good practices

Big data is defined as large amount of data which requires new technologies and architectures so that it becomes possible to extract value from it by capturing and analysis process. Due to such large size of data it becomes very difficult to perform effective analysis using the existing traditional techniques. Big data due to its various properties like volume, velocity, variety, variability, value and complexity put forward many challenges. Since Big data is a recent upcoming technology in the market which can bring huge benefits to the business organizations, it becomes necessary that various challenges and issues associated in bringing and adapting to this technology are brought into light. This paper introduces the Big data technology along with its importance in the modern world and existing projects which are effective and important in changing the concept of science into big science and society too. The various challenges and issues in adapting and accepting Big data technology, its tools (Hadoop) are also discussed in detail along with the problems Hadoop is facing. The paper concludes with the Good Big data practices to be followed.
Modeling RFID signal strength and tag detection for localization and mapping

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest within the robotics community in investigating whether Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology can be utilized to solve localization and mapping problems in the context of mobile robots. We present a novel sensor model which can be utilized for localizing RFID tags and for tracking a mobile agent moving through an RFID-equipped environment. The proposed probabilistic sensor model characterizes the received signal strength indication (RSSI) information as well as the tag detection events to achieve a higher modeling accuracy compared to state-of-the-art models which deal with one of these aspects only. We furthermore propose a method that is able to bootstrap such a sensor model in a fully unsupervised fashion. Real-world experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach also in comparison to existing techniques.
Power controllable region of a power conversion system for SMES by use of a single natural commutation converter and an ICB energy transfer circuit

Highly efficient current type power conversion system (PCS) is the key component for realizing SMES of the large scale. PCS by use of the inverter-converter bridge (ICB) energy transfer circuit has been proposed to achieve the above requirement, and the experimental studies have been carried out. This PCS can control the power supplying to the utility well when the power factor is small one, however, the system goes out of control in the high power factor operations. In this study, it is theoretically analyzed the reason why the system goes into the unstable states. The experimental results are examined for confirming the theoretical analysis.
An Evolutionary Technique for Performance-Energy-Temperature Optimized Scheduling of Parallel Tasks on Multi-Core Processors

This paper proposes a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm (MOEA)-based task scheduling approach for determining Pareto optimal solutions with simultaneous optimization of performance (P), energy (E), and temperature (T). Our algorithm includes problem-specific solution encoding, determining the initial population of the solution space, and the genetic operators that collectively work on generating efficient solutions in fast turnaround time. Multiple schedules offer a diverse range of values for makespan, energy consumed, and peak temperature and thus present an efficient way of identifying trade-offs among the desired objectives, for a given application and machine pair. We also present a methodology for selecting one solution from the Pareto front given the user's preference. The proposed algorithm for scheduling tasks to cores achieves three-way optimization with fast turnaround time. The proposed algorithm is advantageous because it reduces both energy and temperature together rather than in isolation. We evaluate the proposed algorithm using implementation and simulation, and compare it with integer linear programming as well as with other scheduling algorithms that are energyor thermal-aware. The time complexity of the proposed scheme is considerably better than the compared algorithms.
Using the Standard Deviation of a Region of Interest in an Image to Estimate Camera to Emitter Distance

In this study, a camera to infrared diode (IRED) distance estimation problem was analyzed. The main objective was to define an alternative to measures depth only using the information extracted from pixel grey levels of the IRED image to estimate the distance between the camera and the IRED. In this paper, the standard deviation of the pixel grey level in the region of interest containing the IRED image is proposed as an empirical parameter to define a model for estimating camera to emitter distance. This model includes the camera exposure time, IRED radiant intensity and the distance between the camera and the IRED. An expression for the standard deviation model related to these magnitudes was also derived and calibrated using different images taken under different conditions. From this analysis, we determined the optimum parameters to ensure the best accuracy provided by this alternative. Once the model calibration had been carried out, a differential method to estimate the distance between the camera and the IRED was defined and applied, considering that the camera was aligned with the IRED. The results indicate that this method represents a useful alternative for determining the depth information.
Caveolin-1 Tyrosine Phosphorylation Enhances Paclitaxel-mediated Cytotoxicity*

Caveolin-1 (CAV1), a highly conserved membrane-associated protein, is a putative regulator of cellular transformation. CAV1 is localized in the plasmalemma, secretory vesicles, Golgi, mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum membrane and associates with the microtubule cytoskeleton. Taxanes such as paclitaxel (Taxol) are potent anti-tumor agents that repress the dynamic instability of microtubules and arrest cells in the G2/M phase. Src phosphorylation of Tyr-14 on CAV1 regulates its cellular localization and function. We report that phosphorylation of CAV1 on Tyr-14 regulates paclitaxel-mediated apoptosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Befitting its role as a multitasking molecule, we show that CAV1 sensitizes cells to apoptosis by regulating cell cycle progression and activation of the apoptotic signaling molecules BCL2, p53, and p21. We demonstrate that phosphorylated CAV1 triggers apoptosis by inactivating BCL2 and increasing mitochondrial permeability more efficiently than non-phosphorylated CAV1. Furthermore, expression of p21, which correlates with taxane sensitivity, is regulated by CAV1 phosphorylation in a p53-dependent manner. Collectively, our findings underscore the importance of CAV1 phosphorylation in apoptosis and suggest that events that negate CAV1 tyrosine phosphorylation may contribute to anti-microtubule drug resistance.
Passive Haptic Training to Improve Speed and Performance on a Keypad

Learning text entry systems is challenging, yet necessary. Many layouts and keyboards exist, but they rely on laborious learning techniques. Passive haptic learning (PHL) has already demonstrated some benefit for learning the Braille text entry system. Could this computing-enabled technique be used to improve desktop keyboard typing skills? It is unknown whether passive haptic training can improve speed on a motor task (as opposed to initial learning). We use a randomized numeric keypad to examine users’ typing performance with or without passive haptic training. When users were prevented from looking at the keyboard, the PHL group demonstrated consistent accuracy (-0.011 KSPC) while those in the control group greatly increased their error (+1.26 KSPC on average). This result is consistent with the finding that PHL users looked significantly less at the keyboard. In a second, longer study, users exposed to PHL were found to significantly improve their typing speed (mean increase of 11 WPM) versus control (mean increase of 2.2 WPM).
From Clonal to Sexual Hybrids: Genetic Recombination Via Triploids in All-Hybrid Populations of Water Frogs

Speciation via interspecific hybrids is very rare in animals, as compared to plants. Whereas most plants overcome the problem of meiosis between different chromosome sets by tetraploidization, animal hybrids often escape hybrid sterility by clonal reproduction. This comes at the expense of genetic diversity and the ability to purge deleterious mutations. However, here we show that all-hybrid populations of diploid (LR) and triploid (LLR and LRR) water frogs (Pelophylax esculentus) have secondarily acquired sexual reproduction. First, in a crossing experiment analyzed with microsatellite markers, triploid hybrids of both sexes and genotypes (LLR and LRR) recombined their homospecific genomes. Second, the great majority of natural populations investigated had low multilocus linkage disequilibrium, indicating a high recombination rate. As predicted from mating system models, the L genome had constant, low levels of linkage disequilibrium, whereas linkage disequilibrium in the R genome showed a significant reduction with increasing proportion of recombining triploids. This direct evidence of sexual reproduction in P. esculentus calls for a change of the conventional view of hybridogens as clonally reproducing diploids. Rather, hybridogens can be independent sexually reproducing units with an evolutionary potential.
High-Performance CMOS and BiCMOS Transimpedance Preamplifiers for Optical Communications

High-performance transimpedance preamplifiers (TIAs) based on new CMOS common-gate (CG) and BiCMOS common-base (CB) schemes have been designed for optical communications. The new design approach potentially allows the efficient employment of circuit techniques to optimize performance tradeoffs inherent in such circuits. Using conventional silicon 0. 8μm process parameters, simulated performance features of 3.7 GHz CMOS-CG and 7.5 GHz BiCMOS-CB TIAs are presented. The results are superior when compared to those of similar recent designs. The new design approaches IC designs using GaAs or InP technologies. Key-Words: Transimpedance Preamplifiers, Optical Receivers, Low Noise, Optical Communication
Stool culture: are you getting value for money?

AIMS--To assess the best medium for primary isolation of enteric pathogens; to determine the need for a second primary culture medium; and to gather information on stool culture media used in 20 other randomly selected laboratories. METHODS--Specimens were cultured on desoxycholate citrate agar (DCA), Hektoen enteric agar (Hektoen), and xylose lysine deoxycholate agar (XLD). Non-lactose fermenters were screened with Rapidec Z (bio-Mérieux) and identified with API 10S (bio-Mérieux) where appropriate. Shigellas were identified with API 20E (bio-Mérieux) and serology, and salmonellas biochemically and by serology. A telephone survey was carried out to enquire into different culture practices and whether they had been evaluated for cost effectiveness. RESULTS--The isolation rate of enteric pathogens on primary stool culture media was 97% on DCA, 88% on XLD, and 76% on Hektoen. Seventeen of 18 shigellas grew on DCA, 13 of 18 on XLD, and 14 of 18 on Hektoen. DCA missed one Salmonella, XLD three, and Hektoen 13. XLD and Hektoen both missed Yersinia enterocolitica. The telephone survey revealed a diverse range of both primary and subculture plates. There was little evidence of evaluation of stool media, but firm personal convictions concerning the advantages and disadvantages of each type of medium at each stage of culture. CONCLUSIONS--DCA performed best and was the most cost effective of the three media. Neither XLD nor Hektoen were satisfactory as primary culture media because they grew fewer pathogens than DCA.
A Design Method of Cellular Neural Networks for Associative Memories based on Linear Programming

A novel design method of cellular neural networks (CNNs) for associative memories is presented. The proposed method can realize as high recall probability as the method based on generalized eigenvalue minimization (GEVM), which is known as the most e fficient CNN design method so far. On the other hand, since the proposed method is based on linear programming, its computation time is much shorter than the GEVM-based method.
Learning Vector Quantization and Neural Predictive Coding for nonlinear speech feature extraction

Speech recognition is a special field of pattern recognition. In order to improve the performances of the systems, one can opt for several ways and among them the design of a feature extractor. This paper presents a new nonlinear feature extraction method based on the Learning Vector Quantization (LVQ) and the Neural Predictive Coding (NPC). The key idea of this work is to design a feature extractor, the NPC, by the introduction of discriminant constraint provided by the LVQ classifier. The performances are estimated on a phoneme classification task by several methods: GMM, MLP, LVQ. The phonemes are extracted from the NTIMIT database. We make comparisons with linear and nonlinear feature transformation methods (LDA, PCA, NLDA, NPCA), and also with coding methods (LPC, MFCC, PLP).