Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Saliva-based system for health and toxicology monitoring

The practical utility of technologies for early detection of human exposure to a variety of toxic agents has been limited in many cases by the absence of instruments suitable for first responders and at field hospitals. Microarrays provide multiplexed assay of a large number of human biomarkers, including cytokines and chemokines, indicators of immune system health. Assay of saliva is less invasive and provides quick indication of exposure especially of the respiratory system. Our pilot clinical study has uncovered an early cytokine response in human saliva. As a model for respiratory exposure, a cohort of 16 adult volunteers was challenged with FluMistTM vaccinations, an FDA approved, attenuated live influenza virus. Blood and saliva cytokine levels were monitored immediately prior to and up to 7 days afterwards. Bead assay found little change in blood cytokine levels while several of those in saliva were frequently elevated above two standard deviations on trial days one and three. We have developed a prototype portable saliva monitoring system consisting of microarray cytokine capture plate, luminescent reporter, and whole plate imaging. Assay is with a commercial 96-well plate spotted with up to 16 distinct biomarkers per well and read by chemiluminescence. A battery-powered, 16-bit, cooled-CCD camera and laptop PC provide imaging and data reduction. Detection limits of common inflammatory cytokines were measured at about 1-5 pg/ml which is within the clinically significant range for saliva of exposed individuals, as verified for samples from the small clinical trial. An expanded study of cytokine response in saliva of therapeutic radiation oncology patients is being launched.
Modeling the direct current superconducting quantum interference device coupled to the multiturn input coil. II

A complete circuit model of a dc superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) coupled to a multiturn input coil has been developed. With this model, it is shown that the rf properties of the coupled SQUID can be calculated using only the given parameters of the SQUID. There are no adjustable parameters. The resonant structures in the SQUID characteristics caused by the presence of the input coil have been quantitatively studied. Methods to suppress the resonant structures have also been investigated. It is shown that the present circuit model explains well the experimentally observed rf properties of coupled SQUIDs. The present circuit model is therefore useful for the design of highly sensitive SQUIDs.
The effect of rain and water vapor on sky noise at centimeter wavelengths

Measurements of sky noise temperature at a frequency of 6.0 kmc have been made for various conditions of absolute humidity and precipitation. For an antenna beam position 5° above the horizon, the sky noise temperature was found to increase about 15°K from winter to summer due to the change in absolute humidity. During periods of rain, with the antenna beam pointed to the zenith, sky noise temperatures as high as 130°K have been observed, compared with the usual background value of 3° due to oxygen and water vapor. Theoretical calculations of sky noise temperature for typical dry and humid summer days are presented.
Update of the BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Tc-99m comparison of activity measurements for the radionuclide 99mTc to include new results for the LNE–LNHB and the NPL

In 2007 and 2008 respectively, the Laboratoire national de metrologie et d'essais–Laboratoire national Henri Becquerel (LNE–LNHB), France and the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), UK, submitted ampoules with between 10 MBq and 130 MBq activity of 99mTc to the International Reference System (SIR), to update their results in the BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Tc-99m comparison. Together with the four other national metrology institutes (NMI) that are participants, thirteen samples have been submitted since 1983. The key comparison reference value (KCRV) has been recalculated to include the latest primary results of the PTB and the LNE–LNHB as this makes the evaluation more robust. The degrees of equivalence between each equivalent activity measured in the SIR are given in the form of a matrix for all six NMIs. A graphical presentation is also given. Main text. To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm. org/. The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI Section II, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA).
Portable real-time optical coherence tomography system for intraoperative imaging and staging of breast cancer

Breast cancer continues to be one of the most widely diagnosed forms of cancer amongst women and the second leading type of cancer deaths amongst women. The recurrence rate of breast cancer is highly dependent on several factors including the complete removal of the primary tumor and the presence of cancer cells in involved lymph nodes. The metastatic spread and staging of breast cancer is also evaluated through the nodal assessment of the regional lymphatic system. A portable real-time spectral domain optical coherence tomography system is being presented as a clinical diagnostic tool in the intraoperative delineation of tumor margins as well as for real time lymph node assessment. The system employs a super luminescent diode centered at 1310 nm with a bandwidth of 92 nm. Using a spectral domain detection system, the data is acquired at a rate of 5 KHz / axial scan. The sample arm is a galvanometer scanning telecentric probe with an objective lens (f = 60 mm, confocal parameter = 1.5 mm) yielding an axial resolution of 8.3 &mgr;m and a transverse resolution of 35.0 &mgr;m. Images of tumor margins are acquired in the operating room ex vivo on freshly excised human tissue specimen. This data shows the potential of the use of OCT in defining the structural tumor margins in breast cancer. Images taken from ex-vivo samples on the bench system clearly delineate the differences between clusters of tumor cells and nearby adipose cells. In addition, the data shows the potential for OCT as a diagnostic tool in the staging of cancer metastasis through locoregional lymph node assessment.
Local manifold spectral clustering with FCM data condensation

In this paper, a novel local manifold spectral clustering with fuzzy c-means (FCM) data condensation is presented. Firstly, a multilayer FCM data condensation method is performed on the original data to contain a condensation subset. Secondly, the spectral clustering algorithm based on the local manifold distance measure is used to realize the classification of the condensation subset. Finally, the nearest neighbor method is adopted to obtain the clustering result of the original data. Compared with the standard spectral clustering algorithm, the novel method is more robust and has the advantages of effectively dealing with the large scale data. In our experiments, we first analyze the performances of multilayer FCM data condensation and local manifold distance measure, then apply our method to solve image segmentation and the large Brodatz texture images classification. The experimental results show that the method is effective and extensible, and especially the runtime of this method is acceptable.
Asymptotics for likelihood ratio tests under loss of identifiability

This paper describes the large sample properties of the likelihood ratio test statistic (LRTS) when the parameters characterizing the true null distribution are not unique. It is well known that the classical asymptotic theory for the likelihood ratio test does not apply to such problems and the LRTS may not have the typical chi-squared type limiting distribution. This paper establishes a general quadratic approximation of the log-likelihood ratio function in a Hellinger neighborhood of the true density which is valid with or without loss of identifiability of the true distribution. Under suitable conditions, the asymptotic null distribution of the LRTS under loss of identifiability can be obtained by maximizing the quadratic form. These results extend the work of Chernoff and Le Cam. In particular, applications to testing the number of mixture components in finite mixture models are discussed.
A new level‐set technique for the crack‐detection problem

We present a new technique for recovering key characteristics of defects such as snake‐like cracks from boundary electrical measurements. We propose a shape‐based reconstruction algorithm adapting the level set techniques to the situation of modelling very thin shapes. Two level set functions are employed: the first one models the location and form of the crack, and the second one models its length and connectivity. Two Hamilton‐Jacobi type equations are derived to describe the evolution laws for these two level set functions in order to minimize the least squares data misfit. Numerical experiments in 2D show the efficiency of this method for reconstructing disconnected cracks in the presence of measurement noise. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Single-mode characteristics of short coupled-cavity semiconductor lasers

The characteristics of single-longitudinal-mode selection in short coupled-cavity (SCC) semiconductor lasers with a plane reflector are analyzed theoretically. It is found that the power ratio of the main mode to other side modes can be increased significantly by reducing the reflectivity of a laser diode facet adjacent to the external mirror. Based on the theoretical results, a new type of SCC laser is developed; single-longitudinal-mode output with 35-40 dB side mode suppression ratio is obtained under CW and 150 MHz modulation conditions.
The scattering of electromagnetic waves by single hydrometeors

This paper is concerned with the state of the art in the calculation of electromagnetic wave scattering by hydrometeors. Four methods currently being used are briefly described (point-matching, T matrix, unimoment, and Fredholm integral equation), and aspects of their computational implementation are reviewed and compared. The ranges of validity of three types of approximation are discussed—those with respect to size, orientation, and frequency. Finally, scattering patterns from various sizes of spheroidal raindrop at 11.7 GHz are briefly discussed.
The validity of the perturbation approximation for rough surface scattering using a Gaussian roughness spectrum

The validity of the perturbation approximation for rough surface scattering is examined (1) by comparison with exact results obtained by solving an integral equation and (2) through comparison of low‐order perturbation predictions with higher‐order predictions. The pressure release boundary condition is assumed, and the field quantity calculated is the bistatic scattering cross section. A Gaussian roughness spectrum is used, and the surfaces have height variations in only one direction. It is found, in general, that the condition kh≪1 (k is the acoustic wavenumber, h is the rms surface height) is insufficient to guarantee the accuracy of first‐order (or higher‐order) perturbation theory. When the surface correlation length l becomes too large or too small with h held fixed, higher‐order perturbation terms can make larger contributions to the scattering cross section than lower‐order terms. An explanation for this result is given. The regions of validity for low‐order perturbation theory are also given. Th.
Synthesis of crafted optical pulses by time domain modulation in a fiber‐grating compressor

We report a method for direct generation of voltage programmable, arbitrarily shaped laser pulses of subpicosecond duration and roughly 100 fs resolution. A waveguide intensity modulator was fabricated and incorporated into a fiber‐grating pulse compressor to shape temporally the chirped pulse before compression. Optical pulses with sin(x)/x and square envelopes are synthesized to demonstrate the technique.
Hot Points in Multifrequency Astrophysics Today

This paper reproduces the introductory talk of the workshop in which we presented several hot points of today astrophysics, which have been discussed in details during the workshop. We would like to demonstrate that the improvement on knowledge of the physics of the Universe is strictly related with multifrequency studies of diffuse and discrete cosmic sources.
Analytical solution for electromagnetic scattering from a sphere of uniaxial left-handed material

Based on the analytical solution of electromagnetic scattering by a uniaxial anisotropic sphere in the spectral domain, an analytical solution to the electromagnetic scattering by a uniaxial left-handed materials (LHMs) sphere is obtained in terms of spherical vector wave functions in a uniaxial anisotropic LHM medium. The expression of the analytical solution contains only some one-dimensional integral which can be calculated easily. Numerical results show that Mie series of plane wave scattering by an isotropic LHM sphere is a special case of the present method. Some numerical results of electromagnetic scattering of a uniaxial anisotropic sphere by a plane wave are given.
Numerical Investigation of the Radiative Properties of Polymeric Foams from Tomographic Images

Polymeric closed-cell foams are widely used in various applications where their insulating performance is of interest. In most of these applications, radiation propagation is an important mode of heat transfer. That is the reason why many studies have already been performed in the prediction of the radiative behavior. Until now, these studies were based on ideal representations of the cellular structure that simplify the real porous morphology. However, the recent development of x-ray tomography allows envisaging a noticeable improvement in the morphological characterization of these materials, which can be used to achieve a better numerical estimation of their radiative properties. To fulfill this objective, a numerical method for computing the directional radiative properties of particulate media based on ray-tracing procedures has been developed. The method to three-dimensional binary representations of the cellular structures obtained from x-ray tomography on plastic foams has been applied. The comparison between the spectral radiative properties computed by the simplified models of the literature and by our original models permits us to determine which assumptions are the most detrimental to the reliability of the simplified models.
FIELD THEORIES ON CONFORMALLY RELATED SPACE-TIMES: SOME GLOBAL CONSIDERATIONS

The nature of the vacua appearing in the relation between the vacuum expectation value of stress tensors in conformally flat spaces is clarified. The simple but essential point is that the relevant spaces should have conformally related global Cauchy surfaces. Some commonly occurring conformally flat space-times are divided into two families according to whether they are conformally equivalent to Minkowski space or to the Rindler wedge. Expressions, some new, are obtained for the vacuum expectation value of the stress tensor for a number of illustrative cases. It is noted that thermalization relates the Green's functions of these two families.
The relationship between interplanetary discontinuities and Alfvén waves: Ulysses observations

The rate of occurrence of interplanetary discontinuities (ROID) is examined using Ulysses magnetic field and plasma data from 1 to 5 AU radial distance from the Sun and at high heliographic latitudes. We find two regions where the ROID is high: in stream-stream interaction regions and in Alfven wave trains. This latter feature is particularly obvious at high latitudes when Ulysses enters a high speed stream associated with a polar coronal hole. These streams are characterized by the presence of continuous, large-amplitude (ΔB→/|B|∼1−2)Alfven waves and an extraordinarily high ROID value (∼150 discontinuities/day). In a number of intervals examined, it is found that (rotational) discontinuities are an integral part of the Alfven waves. The nonlinear Alfven waves are spherically polarized, i.e., the tip of the perturbation vector resides on the surface of a sphere (a consequence of constant |B|). The slowly rotating part of the wave rotates ∼270° in phase. There is a slight arc in the B1-B2 hodogram, suggesting an almost linear polarization. The phase rotation associated with the discontinuity is ∼90°, lies in the same plane as the slowly rotating part of the Alfven wave, and therefore completes the 360° phase rotation. The best description of the overall Alfven wave plus discontinuity is a spherical, arc-polarized, phase-steepened wave.
FURTHER STUDY ON POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF THE DYNAMO-ELECTRIC FIELD ON ELECTRONS TRAPPED IN THE MAGNETOSPHERE

The electrostatic field communicated from the dynamo region (the E region) into the magnetosphere will affect the motion of the trapped electrons. The case of electrons with energy ranging from 300eV to 30keV is treated. The electron orbit between two conjugate mirror points shifts earthward (inward) during night and outward during daytime. At the same time the mirror points shifts downwards and equatorwards (or upwards and polewards) during night (or daytime). The integrated effect on the apex height of an orbit and its diurnal variation are given. The number of inelastic collisions of an electron is calculated and the effective lifetime of a trapped electron is estimated. By the use of this result a possibility is studied whether the trapped electrons, coming down to the mirror point as low as 300-500 km, can be the principal cause of ionization of the F region during night.
Investigation of a surface field phase perturbation technique for scattering from rough surfaces

We present initial results from the investigation of a surface field phase perturbation method for the calculation of the wave field scattered by a rough surface. This technique is based on the extinction theorem and uses a perturbation expansion of a function closely related to the complex phase of the surface field. This approach was suggested earlier, but we use the expansion in a different way. In the present work we consider only deterministic periodic surfaces, rough in one dimension, on which the total field is zero. We find that, for surfaces with modest slope and curvature, this technique can be used to calculate scattered fields even when surface relief is significant compared to the wavelength of the incident radiation.
Single-particle motion in classical monatomic liquids

The scattering law Ss(k, omega ) observed in incoherent neutron scattering is studied in terms of the generalized Langevin equation of motion for its temporal Fourier transform. An approximate Ss(k, omega ) is obtained from a continued-fraction representation of the equation of motion which contains no arbitrary parameters, satisfies the first three moment relations, and has the correct small and large wavevector k dependence at zero energy transfer. It is shown to give a good description of the incoherent scattering from liquid argon measured by Skold, Rowe, Ostrowski and Randolph (1972). The corresponding velocity autocorrelation function is identical to that derived by Berne, Boone and Rice (1966).
Half-Annular Leaky-Wave Antenna With Suppressed Open Stopband: Design and Experimental Testing

A new half-annular bull-eye leaky-wave antenna (LWA) design with suppressed open stopband (OSB) and integrated feeding is presented. The 2-D aperture offers a pencil beam with scanning through broadside and with stable gain values as a function of frequency. To achieve directional radiation, a TM<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$_{0}$</tex-math></inline-formula> surface wave supported by a grounded dielectric slab is properly perturbed by means of a suitable planar-periodic double-strip aperture. In addition, the proposed structure offers improved performance and reduced design complexity with respect to previous LWAs having a nonsuppressed OSB. Dispersion analyses based on a well-established method-of-moments approach are also performed to characterize the fast spatial harmonic supported by the structure and to determine the size, position, and periodicity of the strips needed for optimal OSB suppression. Simulations and experiments have been carried out to validate the antenna performance against the optimized unit cell. The fabricated planar-periodic LWA also provides continuous beam scanning from <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$-35^{\circ }$</tex-math></inline-formula> to <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$40^{\circ }$</tex-math></inline-formula>, with a peak realized gain of 21 dBi.
Early solar mass loss, element diffusion, and solar oscillation frequencies

Swenson and Faulkner, and Boothroyd et al. investigated the possibility that early main-sequence mass loss via a stronger early solar wind could be responsible for the observed solar lithium and beryllium depiction. This depletion requires a total mass loss of {approximately}0.1 M{circle_dot}, nearly independent of the mass loss timescale. We have calculated the evolution and oscillation frequencies of solar models including helium and element diffusion, and such early solar mass loss. We show that extreme mass loss of 1 M{circle_dot} is easily ruled out by the low-degree p-modes that probe the solar center and sense the steeper molecular weight gradient produced by the early phase of more rapid hydrogen burning. The effects on central structure are much smaller for models with an initial mass of 1.1 M{circle_dot} and exponentially-decreasing mass loss irate with e-folding timescale 0.45 Gyr. While such mass loss slightly worsens the agreement between observed and calculated low-degree modes, the observational uncertainties of several tenths of a microhertz weaken this conclusion. Surprisingly, the intermediate-degree modes with much smaller observational uncertainties that probe the convection zone bottom prove to be the key to discriminating between models: The early mass loss phase decreases the total amount of helium and heavier more » elements diffused from the convection zone, and the extent of the diffusion produced composition gradient just below the convection zone, deteriorating the agreement with observed frequencies for these modes. Thus it appears that oscillations can also rule out this smaller amount of gradual early main-sequence mass loss in the young Sun. The mass loss phase must be confined to substantially under a billion years, probably 0.5 Gyr or less, to simultaneously solve the solar Li/Be problem and avoid discrepancies with solar oscillation frequencies. « less
Searching for new nonlinear optical materials on the basis of the anionic group theory

Based on the anionic group theory of nonlinear optical crystals and the relationship between the microscopic nonlinear coefficients of the anionic group and the macroscopic coefficients of the crystal, an evaluation system has been established to analyze the spatial arrangement of the anionic groups in a crystal lattice. A structural criterion is given to find which crystal has a favorable spatial arrangement of the anionic groups in terms of its nonlinear effects. Some of the currently available nonlinear optical crystals have been analyzed in this way with a computer program to test the evaluation method, and results demonstrate that the above structural criterion is quite reliable. Several compounds with crystallographic data from an inorganic crystal structure database were evaluated and found to be possible good candidates for nonlinear applications.
Single-longitudinal mode operation of a semiconductor laser using a metal film reflection filter

Theoretical and experimental results are presented which show that a narrow-band reflection filter can be used for longitudinal mode selection in semiconductor lasers. Single-mode operation of 13 μm InGaAsP semiconductor lasers both under CW and pulsed operation has been demonstrated. CW mode discrimination of >30 dB has been obtained up to an output power of ∼10 mW. These results suggest a new scheme for single-mode injection laser sources.