Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CHANGES OF DUST OPACITY WITH DENSITY IN THE ORION A MOLECULAR CLOUD

We have studied the opacity of dust grains at submillimeter wavelengths by estimating the optical depth from imaging at 160, 250, 350, and 500 μm from the Herschel Gould Belt Survey and comparing this to a column density obtained from the Two Micron All Sky Survey derived color excess E(J − Ks). Our main goal was to investigate the spatial variations of the opacity due to “big” grains over a variety of environmental conditions and thereby quantify how emission properties of the dust change with column (and volume) density. The central and southern areas of the Orion A molecular cloud examined here, with NH ranging from 1.5 × 1021 cm−2 to 50 × 1021 cm−2, are well suited to this approach. We fit the multi-frequency Herschel spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of each pixel with a modified blackbody to obtain the temperature, T, and optical depth, τ1200, at a fiducial frequency of 1200 GHz (250 μm). Using a calibration of NH/E(J − Ks) for the interstellar medium (ISM) we obtained the opacity (dust emission cross-section per H nucleon), σe(1200), for every pixel. From a value ∼1 × 10−25 cm2 H−1 at the lowest column densities that is typical of the high-latitude diffuse ISM, σe(1200) increases as N0.28H over the range studied. This is suggestive of grain evolution. Integrating the SEDs over frequency, we also calculated the specific power P (emission power per H) for the big grains. In low column density regions where dust clouds are optically thin to the interstellar radiation field (ISRF), P is typically 3.7 × 10−31 W H−1, again close to that in the high-latitude diffuse ISM. However, we find evidence for a decrease of P in high column density regions, which would be a natural outcome of attenuation of the ISRF that heats the grains, and for localized increases for dust illuminated by nearby stars or embedded protostars.
VERTICAL MOTIONS OF DROPS OF DIFFERENT SIZES IN MARINE STRATUS

The mechanism for drizzle formation in warm marine stratus is an important current topic. A key element to understanding the process is the characterization of the spatial and temporal history of drizzle drops. Simple upward moving parcel descriptions are clearly invalid in stratus. While the desired histories are unobtainable, some clues can be derived from the associations of drizzle drops, and of other droplets, of different sizes with air motions. This is the topic addressed in this paper, restricting the analyses at this stage to vertical air motions.
Natural disturbance and human land use as determinants of tropical forest dynamics: results from a forest simulator

Forests are often subject to multiple, compounded disturbances, representing both natural and human-induced processes. Predicting forest dynamics requires that we consider how these disturbances interact to affect species demography. Here we present results of an individual-based, spatially explicit forest simulator that we developed to analyze the compounded effects of hurricane disturbance and land use legacies on the dynamics of a subtropical forest. We used data from the 16-ha Luquillo Forest Dynamics Plot in Puerto Rico, together with a reconstruction of historical wind damage, to parameterize the simulator. We used the model to ask two questions. (1) What are the implications of variation in hurricane frequency and severity for the long-term dynamics of forest composition, diversity, and structure? Both storm severity and frequency had striking effects on forest dynamics, composition, and structure. The periodicity of disturbance also played an important role, with periods of high hurricane activity fostering the establishment of species that may become rare in the absence of severe storms and quiescent periods allowing these species to reach reproductive size. Species responses to hurricane disturbance could not be predicted from their life history attributes. However, species perceived to be primary forest species exhibited low temporal variation in abundance through the simulations. (2) How do hurricanes and legacies from human land use interact to determine community structure and composition? Our results suggest that, over time, regardless of the storm regime, land use legacies will become less apparent but will lead to a forest community that contains a mixture of secondary and primary forest species formerly dominant in areas of different land use. In the long term, hurricane disturbance generated two communities with slightly greater similarity than those not subject to storms. Thus, the inclusion of hurricane disturbance does not alter the prediction that land use legacies in this tropical forest will diminish over time. Our simulations also highlight the contingent effects of human legacies on subsequent community dynamics, including the response to hurricane disturbance, therefore supporting the notion that compounded disturbances can interact in ways that cannot be predicted by the study of single disturbances. The widespread importance of land use as a large-scale disturbance makes it imperative that it be addressed as a fundamental ecological process.
III–V-on-Silicon Photonic Integrated Circuits for Spectroscopic Sensing in the 2–4 μm Wavelength Range

The availability of silicon photonic integrated circuits (ICs) in the 2–4 μm wavelength range enables miniature optical sensors for trace gas and bio-molecule detection. In this paper, we review our recent work on III–V-on-silicon waveguide circuits for spectroscopic sensing in this wavelength range. We first present results on the heterogeneous integration of 2.3 μm wavelength III–V laser sources and photodetectors on silicon photonic ICs for fully integrated optical sensors. Then a compact 2 μm wavelength widely tunable external cavity laser using a silicon photonic IC for the wavelength selective feedback is shown. High-performance silicon arrayed waveguide grating spectrometers are also presented. Further we show an on-chip photothermal transducer using a suspended silicon-on-insulator microring resonator used for mid-infrared photothermal spectroscopy.
The Cytotoxic Effects of Preserved and Preservative-Free Prostaglandin Analogs on Human Corneal and Conjunctival Epithelium In Vitro and the Distribution of Benzalkonium Chloride Homologs in Ocular Surface Tissues In Vivo

Purpose: To investigate the cytotoxicity of benzalkonium chloride (BAC)-containing ophthalmic solutions of prostaglandin analogs (latanoprost, travoprost, bimatoprost, and preservative-free (PF) tafluprost), BAC mixture (BACmix) and BAC homologs with different alkyl chain lengths using human corneal epithelial (HCE) and conjunctival epithelial (IOBA-NHC) cell cultures. The distribution of BAC homologs in rabbit ocular surface tissues in vivo was examined. Methods: The cells were exposed for one hour to prostaglandin analogs, BACmix and three homologs. Cytotoxicity was assessed with the WST-1 and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays for cellular viability and cell membrane integrity. BAC 0.02% solution was instilled on the rabbit eye daily for 14 days and the concentrations of BAC homologs in external ocular tissues were determined. Results: The order of decreasing cytotoxicity in the WST-1 test was latanoprost ≥ travoprost > bimatoprost ≥ PF tafluprost. IOBA-NHC cells were more sensitive than HCE cells. In HCE, only latanoprost diluted to 10% increased LDH leakage. In IOBA-NHC, LDH leakage was statistically significant with 3–10% travoprost and 10% latanoprost. The order of decreasing cytotoxicity of preservatives was C14 > C12 > BACmix > C16 in HCE and C12 > C14 > BACmix > C16 in IOBA-NHC. Following treatment with BAC 0.02% solution, the amounts of BAC-C12, -C14 and -C16 in rabbit cornea and conjunctiva, respectively were: 0.37 ± 0.08 and 2.64 ± 0.27 ng/mg; 0.42 ± 0.07 and 4.77 ± 0.43 ng/mg; 0.04 ± 0.01 and 0.54 ± 0.05 ng/mg. Conclusions: The cytotoxic effects of latanoprost, travoprost, and bimatoprost were dependent on the BAC concentration in their formulations. BACmix was cytotoxic at the concentrations above those corresponding to 0.001% BAC in ophthalmic medications. PF tafluprost was the least toxic of the drugs tested. Within studied BAC homologs, those with longer alkyl chain and higher lipophility penetrated effectively into rabbit external ocular tissues.
Antimicrobial and Barrier Properties of LDPE Films Containing Imazalil and EDTA

Imazalil and ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTA) were incorporated into low-density polyethylene (LDPE) aimed at producing antimicrobial packaging films for foodstuffs. Moulded plates (thickness 2mm) containing 5% of EDTA inhibited Bacillus subtilis, whereas 0.05–0.25% of imazalil had strong activity against Aspergillus niger. Further tests for antimicrobial activity, migration and oxygen and water vapor barrier properties were carried out using biaxially stretched LDPE films containing different combinations of both substances. The addition of imazalil and EDTA increased the oxygen transmission rates and water vapor permeabilities, although the effects with imazalil films were not as significant. Transparency of the EDTA containing films decreased rapidly as a function of added EDTA, whereas imazalil films were optically faultless. Total migration into 3% acetic acid and 10% ethanol was below 4 mg/dm2. Although imazalil retained its activity against A. niger on a high level (inhibition zones >30 mm), the activity of EDTA was gone. None of the samples inhibited Escherichia coli.
Serum Bone Morphogenic Protein-4 Contributes to Discriminating Coronary Artery Disease Severity

AbstractBone morphogenic protein 4 (BMP-4) is a known pro-inflammatory and pro-atherogenic cytokine. Here, we investigated whether the serum BMP-4 level predicts coronary artery disease (CAD) severity in humans.We measured serum BMP-4 concentrations in 1044 consecutive patients who underwent elective coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention. CAD severity was estimated by the number of diseased vessels showing ≥50% diameter stenosis.Among males, the serum BMP-4 level was significantly lower in patients with multivessel disease (MVD) compared with those with single-vessel disease (SVD) (16.3 ± 22.6 vs. 22.0 ± 28.4 pg/mL, P < 0.01). After adjustment for other cardiovascular risk factors, a high serum BMP-4 level was an independent predictor for a decreased risk of MVD (odds ratio, 0.992; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.985–0.998; P = 0.01) and patients in the lower tertile were 1.55-fold more likely to have MVD compared with upper tertile patients. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that the serum BMP-4 level had a 54% sensitivity and 54% specificity for predicting MVD (area under the curve [AUC], 56.5%; 95% CI, 51.9–61.0%; P < 0.01). Serum BMP-4 improved the predictive capability of risk factors for MVD (AUC with and without BMP-4: 64.9 and 63.6%, respectively). Considering the likelihood ratio and number of parameters, adding the serum BMP-4 level provided a better-fit model for predicting MVD compared with the model consisting of conventional risk factors (likelihood ratio &khgr;2 = 6.20, P = 0.01). However, an association between serum BMP-4 and CAD was not observed in females.Serum BMP-4 levels are independently associated with CAD severity and contribute to discriminating CAD severity in males.
Glypicans regulate JAK/STAT signaling and distribution of the Unpaired morphogen

In Drosophila, ligands of the Unpaired (Upd) family activate the Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway. The JAK/STAT pathway controls many developmental events, including multiple functions in the ovary. These include an early role in the germarium for specification of stalk cells and a later role in the vitellarium to pattern the follicular epithelium surrounding each cyst. In this latter role, graded JAK/STAT activation specifies three distinct anterior follicular cell fates, suggesting that Upd is a morphogen in this system. Consistent with the JAK/STAT activation pattern in the vitellarium, Upd forms a concentration gradient on the apical surface of the follicular epithelium with a peak at its source, the polar cells. Like many morphogens, signaling and distribution of Upd are regulated by the heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) Dally and Dally-like. Mutations in these glypican genes and in heparan sulfate biosynthetic genes result in disruption of JAK/STAT signaling, loss or abnormal formation of the stalk and significant reduction in the accumulation of extracellular Upd. Conversely, forced expression of Dally causes ectopic accumulation of Upd in follicular cells. Furthermore, biochemical studies reveal that Upd and Dally bind each other on the surface of the cell membrane. Our findings demonstrate that Drosophila glypicans regulate formation of the follicular gradient of the Upd morphogen, Upd. Furthermore, we establish the follicular epithelium as a new model for morphogen signaling in complex organ development.
Kinetic analysis of a graft reaction induced in cell culture.

A kinetic analysis was made of the graft reaction induced in culture by plating rat lymphocytes on monolayers of mouse fibroblasts. The immune cytolysis of the mouse fibroblasts, carried out by sensitized rat large pyroninophilic cells (LPC), was determined by the rate of 51Cr released from labelled target cells. The sensitivity and accuracy of the quantitative method employed in the present study was evident from: (a) the low spontaneous release of the 51Cr from the labelled fibroblasts, (b) the lack of re-utilizaiton of the released 51Cr by lymphocytes, and (c) the low standard deviation of replicate plates. Experiments were made to determine the order of the lytic reaction with regard to the different cell reactants (LPC and fibroblasts). When the rate of lysis was measured while constant numbers of LPC interacted with different concentrations of fibroblasts, the reaction was of first order for fibroblasts. When measured while constant numbers of fibroblasts interacted with different concentrations of LPC—the reaction was of first order for LPC. This indicates that one LPC is required to lyse one fibroblast. The kinetic analysis of the lytic reaction also indicated that each fibroblast dies independently as a result of a single hit by a LPC. There was no latent period, or only a very short one, for the lytic effect. Thus, the lytic process of a target cell starts as soon as cell-contact between LPC and fibroblast is accomplished. The number of LPC is not decreased during the lytic reaction. Hence, LPC are not subjected to an `allergic death' after exerting a lytic effect on target cells.
Tire Changes, Fresh Air, and Yellow Flags: Challenges in Predictive Analytics for Professional Racing

Our goal is to design a prediction and decision system for real-time use during a professional car race. In designing a knowledge discovery process for racing, we faced several challenges that were overcome only when domain knowledge of racing was carefully infused within statistical modeling techniques. In this article, we describe how we leveraged expert knowledge of the domain to produce a real-time decision system for tire changes within a race. Our forecasts have the potential to impact how racing teams can optimize strategy by making tire-change decisions to benefit their rank position. Our work significantly expands previous research on sports analytics, as it is the only work on analytical methods for within-race prediction and decision making for professional car racing.
An adaptive median filter using local texture information in images

After evaluating performances of the directional median (DM) filter and the adaptive switching median (ASWM) filter, we propose an adaptive median filter for restoring images by using local texture information in images. It contains two steps: 1) identifying noise pixels; 2) estimating the values of the noise pixels. Firstly, a double-layer window is adopted to improve the adaptive switching median filter, and the inner layer is used to detect noise pixels while the outer layer is used to obtain local texture information. According to the texture features, the detected noisy pixels are then restored by the center weighted median filter. Finally, experimental tests are done on evaluating the algorithm's time consumption, noise detecting rate, and restoration quality. The test results show our algorithm has satisfying performance on restoring high-corrupted images and is with lower time consumption compared to the existing approaches.
Short-Term Memory for Reaching to Visual Targets: Psychophysical Evidence for Body-Centered Reference Frames

Pointing to a remembered visual target involves the transformation of visual information into an appropriate motor output, with a passage through short-term memory storage. In an attempt to identify the reference frames used to represent the target position during the memory period, we measured errors in pointing to remembered three-dimensional (3D) targets. Subjects pointed after a fixed delay to remembered targets distributed within a 22 mm radius volume. Conditions varied in terms of lighting (dim light or total darkness), delay duration (0.5, 5.0, and 8.0 sec), effector hand (left or right), and workspace location. Pointing errors were quantified by 3D constant and variable errors and by a novel measure of local distortion in the mapping from target to endpoint positions. The orientation of variable errors differed significantly between light and dark conditions. Increasing the memory delay in darkness evoked a reorientation of variable errors, whereas in the light, the viewer-centered variability changed only in magnitude. Local distortion measurements revealed an anisotropic contraction of endpoint positions toward an “average” response along an axis that points between the eyes and the effector arm. This local contraction was present in both lighting conditions. The magnitude of the contraction remained constant for the two memory delays in the light but increased significantly for the longer delays in darkness. These data argue for the separate storage of distance and direction information within short-term memory, in a reference frame tied to the eyes and the effector arm.
Synthesis of Directional Sources Using Wave Field Synthesis, Possibilities, and Limitations

The synthesis of directional sources using wave field synthesis is described. The proposed formulation relies on an ensemble of elementary directivity functions based on a subset of spherical harmonics. These can be combined to create and manipulate directivity characteristics of the synthesized virtual sources. The WFS formulation introduces artifacts in the synthesized sound field for both ideal and real loudspeakers. These artifacts can be partly compensated for using dedicated equalization techniques. A multichannel equalization technique is shown to provide accurate results thus enabling for the manipulation of directional sources with limited reconstruction artifacts. Applications of directional sources to the control of the direct sound field and the interaction with the listening room are discussed.
Low temperature bonding using non-conductive adhesive for 3D chip stacking with 30μm-pitch micro solder bump interconnections

Due to the raising requirements of functionality and performance in consumer electronics, high density package technology including high I/O interconnections and 3D chip-stacking technology have received a great number of attentions. Solder micro bumps are widely applied in high density interconnections packaging, but its bonding temperature is still high during process. During chip stacking process, high bonding temperature would lead chip damage and chip warpage induced by the mismatch of coefficient of thermal expansion among each structure within the chip. Also, warpage would cause stress concentration happened within the chip and damage the device and micro interconnections. In order to meet the purpose of low temperature bonding, we demonstrated the chip-to-chip stacking module with a bump pitch of 30um by using non-conductive film in this study. The reliability of the chip-stacking module produced by such low temperature bonding approach was also estimated. A chip-on-chip (COC) structure was used as the test vehicles. There were about 3000 bumps totally in this test vehicle. For evaluating the feasibility of adhesive bonding by NCF in fine pitch micro bumps, Cu/Ni/Au micro bumps joined with Cu/Sn solder micro bumps was conducted by using NCF in this study. After assembly process, thermal cycling test, thermal humidity storage test and high current test were carried out to evaluate the reliability performance of the micro interconnections by such low temperature bonding approach. In this investigation, the chip-on-chip stacking module with a bump pitch of 30μm by using non-conductive film was achieved. The bonding results revealed that the contact resistance of micro joints was about 100 ~ 350 MΩ. The high deviation of contact resistance was due to the non-melting contact between joined micro bump by soft tin solder. The reliability results revealed that the chip-stacking module produced by NCF could pass the reliability test of 1000 cycles of TCT and 1000 hours of THST. The results of high current test also showed that the NCF joint had excellence endurance against high current density of 5×104 A/cm2 for more than 1300 hours with an increase of contact resistance less than 2%. This study displayed that the NCF material had great potential to be applied in fine-pitch 3D chip stacking. The multi-chip stacking module with a TSV pitch of 20μm produced by NCF will also be presented in this investigation.
Defining process design space for monoclonal antibody cell culture

The concept of design space has been taking root as a foundation of in‐process control strategies for biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes. During mapping of the process design space, the multidimensional combination of operational variables is studied to quantify the impact on process performance in terms of productivity and product quality. An efficient methodology to map the design space for a monoclonal antibody cell culture process is described. A failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) was used as the basis for the process characterization exercise. This was followed by an integrated study of the inoculum stage of the process which includes progressive shake flask and seed bioreactor steps. The operating conditions for the seed bioreactor were studied in an integrated fashion with the production bioreactor using a two stage design of experiments (DOE) methodology to enable optimization of operating conditions. A two level Resolution IV design was followed by a central composite design (CCD). These experiments enabled identification of the edge of failure and classification of the operational parameters as non‐key, key or critical. In addition, the models generated from the data provide further insight into balancing productivity of the cell culture process with product quality considerations. Finally, process and product‐related impurity clearance was evaluated by studies linking the upstream process with downstream purification. Production bioreactor parameters that directly influence antibody charge variants and glycosylation in CHO systems were identified. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2010;106: 894–905. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.