Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mid-infrared nonlinear silicon photonics

Recently there has been a growing interest in mid-infrared (mid-IR) photonic technology with a wavelength of operation approximately from 2-14 μm. Among several established mid-IR photonic platforms, silicon nanophotonic platform could potentially offer ultra-compact, and monolithically integrated mid-IR photonic devices and device arrays, which could have board impact in the mid-IR technology, such as molecular spectroscopy, and imaging. At room temperature, silicon has a bandgap ~ 1.12 eV resulting in vanishing two-photon absorption (TPA) for mid-IR wavelengths beyond 2.2 μm, which, coupled with silicon’s large nonlinear index of refraction and its strong waveguide optical confinement, enables efficient nonlinear processes in the mid-IR. By taking advantage of these nonlinear processes and judicious dispersion engineering in silicon waveguides, we have recently demonstrated a handful of silicon mid-IR nonlinear components, including optical parametric amplifiers (OPA), broadband sources, and a wavelength translator. Silicon nanophotonic waveguide’s anomalous dispersion design, providing four-wave-mixing (FWM) phase-matching, has enabled the first demonstration of silicon mid-IR optical parametric amplifier (OPA) with a net off-chip gain exceeding 13 dB. In addition, reduction of propagation losses and balanced second and fourth order waveguide dispersion design led to an OPA with an extremely broadband gain spectrum from 1.9-2.5 μm and >50 dB parametric gain, upon which several novel silicon mid-IR light sources were built, including a mid-IR optical parametric oscillator, and a supercontinuum source. Finally, a mid-IR wavelength translation device, capable of translating signals near 2.4 μm to the telecom-band near 1.6 μm with simultaneous 19 dB gain, was demonstrated.
Breaking the time-bandwidth limit in physics and engineering

Breaking the time-bandwidth limit in physics and engineering K. L. Tsakmakidis1†*, L. Shen2†*, S. A. Schulz1, X. Zheng3, J. Upham1, X. Deng2, H. Altug4, A. F. Vakakis5, and R. W. Boyd1,6* Department of Physics and Max Planck Centre for Extreme and Quantum Photonics, University of Ottawa, 25 Templeton Street, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada Institute of Space Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China State Key Laboratory of Modern Optical Instrumentation, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China Bioengineering Department, EPFL – École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1206 West Green Street, Urbana, IL 61801, USA Institute of Optics and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA
Développement durable : est-ce bien rationnel ?

La notion de developpement durable fait desormais partie des elements de la vie courante. Si le concept n'est pas encore parfaitement cerne du grand public, le mot est entre dans la conscience collective. Pourtant, meme les plus fervents partisans du developpement durable sont en droit de s'interroger. Pas une entreprise, pas un parti politique, pas une organisation multilaterale ou supranationale qui n'ait sa strategie de developpement durable ou son plan d'action. Les grandes organisations syndicales, longtemps reticentes, commencent a prendre position sur le sujet. Le developpement durable tend a devenir un poncif, au point qu'on peut s'interroger sur la realite de son impact sur les decisions.
Simulation of high re boundary layer flows using vorticity confinement

We describe how Vorticity Confinement (VC) can be regarded as a new pde formulation of the slightly viscous incompressible flow equations. These equations, when discretized and solved, generate nonlinear solitary waves that can be used to efficiently approximate a large class of external flow problems, including the effects of separating turbulent boundary layers. These problems can involve subsonic flow over complex structures such as ships, buildings, and realistic topography such as hills. These problems typically involve the simulation of a large ensemble of flow conditions for each configuration to be designed or analyzed. One of the most difficult aspects of these simulations is that often the main effects of the dynamics of thin evolving vortical structures must be solved for. The VC method appears to be effective for many of these problems, since it requires much less computing and setup time than current Navier Stokes “RANS” approximations. The method involves treating the flow over a solid body as a two-scale problem: The first component is an “outer” smoothly varying, mainly irrotational flow with perhaps large scale vortical components where standard CFD techniques can be used. The second component is composed of thin vortical regions. These vortical parts consist of mostly thin attached boundary layers, thin separating vortex sheets, which roll up and thin vortex filaments, which result from roll up. The VC method involves treating these regions with a single equation that has three equilibrium states corresponding to these regions. The equation allows transition between these equilibrium states so that for example, boundary layers can separate and roll up into vortex filaments, and vortex filaments can join and reconnect with other filaments. These properties survive discretization and require no extra logic. VC can be used to treat the entire flow in a locally-Cartesian computational grid with the solid surfaces “immersed” in the grid so that they can be quickly generated for many configurations. Adaptive or conforming fine scale grid cells are then not required to approximate the thin vortical boundary layers, or thin separating vortex sheets. Instead, vortical structures created with Vorticity Confinement, which are essentially thin, non-diffusing, or confined “Nonlinear Solitary Waves” (NSW’s) are used to “carry” the vorticity in these regions. The VC method has the efficiency of panel methods, but the generality and ease of use of fixed grid Euler equation methods. In this paper we concentrate on attached and separating boundary layers; there are already in the literature a large number of papers describing the use of VC for free, convecting vortices.
Title On a nonparametric estimator for the finite time survivalprobability with zero initial surplus

In this paper, we consider the estimation of the finite time survival probability in the classical risk model when the initial surplus is zero. We construct a nonparametric estimator by Fourier inversion and kernel density estimation method. Under some mild assumptions imposed on the kernel, bandwidth and claim size density, we derive the order of the bias and variance, and show that the estimator has asymptotic normality property. Some simulation studies show that the estimator performs quite well in the finite sample setting.
Environmental niche divergence between genetically distant lineages of an endangered water beetle

Historically, there has been considerable disagreement between researchers about the criteria used to discriminate among species. Decisions based on traditional morphological and genetic data alone can be potentially problematic, especially if the hypotheses are contradictory. Today, taxonomy is integrating new methods from different disciplines that study species’ limits and evolution; this diverse range of evidence aids researchers in the recognition of species. Differences in niche characteristics could become a new and useful criterion in helping to decide the status of conflicting taxonomical entities. Ochthebius glaber (family Hydraenidae) is an endangered water beetle typical from southeast Iberian hypersaline streams that shows three clear discrete genetic units within its distribution range. However, there is no evidence to date that these lineages of O. glaber exhibit any adaptive morphological or ecological divergence. Using a modelling approach directed to generate niche representation from distributional data, we found a significant environmental niche divergence for allopatric lineages of O. glaber that followed an aridity gradient. Although we can not conclude firmly at present that the separate populations of O. glaber studied represent separate, reproductively isolated species, the present study complements and supports previous phylogeographic analyses through the inclusion of measures of another form of evolutionary change; in this case, ecological diversification. Despite the existence of some methodological limitations, also discussed in the present study, we emphasize the importance of recent conceptual advances that allow taxonomy to improve species delimitation practices through the integration of theory and methods from disciplines that study the origin and evolution of species. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 103, 891–903. ADDITIONAL KEYWORDS: Iberian Peninsula – niche models – Ochthebius glaber – potential distribution – threatened species.
Towards a 3 D User Interface in a Touch Screen Device Context An Iterative Design and Evaluation Process

This paper presents a design and evaluation process in the early design phase towards a three dimensional user interface on a touch screen mobile device with service multitasking use cases. Our Service Fusion concept is an outcome of this iterative concept design and evaluation process. In this paper, we present briefly four 3D user interface concepts, evaluated with users and experts. Two of these concepts are also implemented on a touch screen mobile device. We also present user experience findings and how they have supported our early phase design process. The Service Fusion demonstration of 3D multitasking shows multiple services running in a 3D city model, which allows users to purchase movie tickets, listen to music and find local bars and stores by drag and drop gestural controls. Evaluation findings indicate that people are interested in service multitasking and dragging and dropping interaction model in 3D user interfaces in the tablet device context. However, the 3D space context will affect how important and useful users perceive services to them. Keywords-3D UI; concept design; user experience; touch screen mobile device; tablet.
Macroeconomic Forecasts in Models with Bayesian Averaging of Classical Estimates

The aim of this paper is to construct a forecasting model oriented on predicting basic macroeconomic variables, namely: the GDP growth rate, the unemployment rate, and the consumer price inflation. In order to select the set of the best regressors, Bayesian Averaging of Classical Estimators (BACE) is employed. The models are atheoretical (i.e. they do not reflect causal relationships postu lated by the macroeconomic theory) and the role of regressors is played by business and consumer tendency survey-based indicators. Additionally, survey-based indicators are included with a lag that enables to forecast the variables of interest (GDP, unemployment, and inflation) for the four forthcoming quarters without the need to make any additional assumptions concerning the values of predictor variables in the forecast period. Bayesian Averaging of Classical Estimators is a method allowing for full and controlled overview of all econometric models which can be obtained out of a particular set of regressors. In this paper authors describe the method of generating a family of econometric models and the procedure for selection of a final forecasting model. Verification of the procedure is performed by means of out-of-sample forecasts of main economic variables for the quarters of 2011. The accuracy of the forecasts implies that there is still a need to search for new solutions in the atheoretical modelling.
Enhancement of Investors' Satisfaction on Industrial Zones of ThaiNguyen Province, Vietnam

The industrial zones play an important role in the socio-economic development of Thai Nguyen province. The authorities of the province and Industrial zone management are very interested in the evaluation of the investors' satisfaction in the industrial zones because this is an important information channel to help the province improve its investment environment and attract investors. This study analyzed and assessed the status of investment attraction policies and infrastructure characteristics of industrial zones by collecting and analyzing secondary data. In addition, the satisfaction of investors was analyzed and evaluated through data collection methods and data processing using SPSS 20.0 software. The research result shows that investors are basically satisfied with the Industrial Zones of Thai Nguyen province, especially in terms of Reliability, Assurance and Empathy of industrial zones. Some items in the scale Tangibles, Responsiveness have not yet been assessed at the satisfaction level but are Neutral level. Based on the status analysis, the study proposes a number of solutions to improve the investor satisfaction, contributing to the improvement of the provincial investment environment.
THE ROLE OF RELA ( p 65 ) IN REGULATION OF NF-κB HOMEOSTASIS : IMPLICATIONS FOR ATHEROSCLEROSIS

The NF-κB/Rel family of transcription factors and IκB inhibitors play a key role in regulation of gene expression in inflammation and immunity. Previous studies from our laboratory suggested that steady-state levels of p65 and other NF-κB components in the normal mouse aorta determine the magnitude of NF-κB target gene expression in response to proinflammatory stimuli, however, the mechanism(s) by which steady-state levels of NF-κB components are set is not clear. This study aims at elucidating the mechanisms behind NF-κB homeostasis and how that affects atherosclerosis susceptibility. In HeLa cells and HUVEC, siRNA silencing of p65 correlated with reduced steady-state expression of a subset of NFκB/Rel and IκB genes at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels, respectively, in addition to reducing TNFα-induced NF-κB/Rel and IκB gene expression. This correlation was also observed in atherosclerosis-susceptible mouse aortic endothelium suggesting the role of p65 in modulating NF-κB homeostasis and affecting atherosclerosis susceptibility.
GC-MS analysis and cardiovascular activity of the essential oil of Ocotea duckei

The essential oils obtained by steam distillation from the roots, stems, leaves and fruits of Ocotea duckei had their composition analyzed by GC-MS. The pharmacological activity of these oils was also evaluated showing significant cardiovascular effects. Forty-nine substances were identified, consisting of a complex mixture of monoterpenes (45%) and sesquiterpenes (55%). The fruits yielded (1.9%) more essential oil than the stems (1.0%), roots (0.8%) and leaves (0.7%). The main component in the oil of the leaves was trans-caryophyllene (60.54%), in the stem bark b-eudesmol (27.51%) and in the fruits, dl-limonene (30.12%). The predominant essential oil component in the roots was elemol (24.31%). In non-anaesthetized normotensive rats, the essential oils from different parts of Ocotea duckei (leaves, fruits, stem and roots) induced significant (p < 0.05) hypotension followed by bradycardia.
The recognition of spoken words with variable representation

A phoneme detection study by Mehta and Cutler [41] similarly contrasted detection of targets in utterances which had either been produced spontaneously, versus read from a text (by the same speaker who had earlier spoken the utterances in conversation). Two effects long known from the literature to appear in phoneme detection (with read-speech materials) disappeared with the spontaneous utterances: Phoneme targets occurring later in utterances were detected more rapidly than targets occurring earlier, and targets preceded by long words were detected more rapidly than targets preceded by short words, in the read speech but not in the spontaneous speech. In contrast, two effects appeared with spontaneous speech that were not observed with read speech: Targets were detected more rapidly in accented than in unaccented words, and in stressed as opposed to unstressed syllables.
Application of AFLP markers in fishery and seafood

Several sociological, health and conservation arguments request acorrect labelling of seafood products and fish species. Nowadays, moleculargenetics is a useful tool for food chain traceability, particularly in regardsto species identification. Among the variety of PCRbased molecular markers,AFLPs (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms) have recently been used toinvestigate genomes of different complexities. This paper assesses thepotential use of the AFLP technology to determine fish and seafood species inprocessed commercial products, domestic stocks and research in the field ofmolecular ecology. In particular a species database of fish, molluscs andcrustaceans has been created with the aim to identify species of origin ofseafood products by previously defined AFLP patterns. Researchers in the fieldof molecular ecology and evolution require versatile and low-cost genetictyping methods. The AFLP method was introduced 20 years ago and shows manyfeatures that fulfil these requirements. With good quality genomic DNA at hand,it is relatively easy to generate anonymous multilocus DNA profiles in mostspecies and the start-up time before data can be generated is often less than aweek. These aspects include classical problems such as studies of populationgenetic structure and phylogenetic reconstructions, and also new challengessuch as finding markers for genes governing adaptations in wild populations andmodifications of the protocol that makes it possible to measure expressionvariation of multiple genes (cDNA-AFLP) and the distribution of DNAmethylation. We hope this review will help molecular ecologists to identifywhen AFLP is likely to be superior to other more established methods, such asmicrosatellites, SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) analyses and multigeneDNA sequencing.
Structural Effect on Electrochemical Performance of 4,4’-Biphenyldicarboxylate Soduim Salts As an Anode for Na-Ion Batteries

The crystal structures and electrochemical performance of 4,4’-biphenyldicarboxylate sodium salts is first introduced as an anode for Na-ion batteries. The structural modification of 4,4’biphenyldicarboxylate sodium salts showing different degree of deprotonation and the coordination of a water molecule are deliberately accomplished through various precipitation and solvothermal methods, resulting in the formation of three different crystal structures even though they are composed of the same organic (bpdc) and inorganic (Na) building blocks. The crystal structures are determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The powder X-ray diffraction patterns showed the good agreemen t with the corresponding simulated patterns, indicating that the phase pure powders have the same crystal s t ructure as the single crystals . The level of deprotonation in 4,4’biphenyldicarboxylate sodium salts affects not only electrochemical performance but also reaction mechanisms. The fully deprotonated 4,4’-biphenyldicarboxylate disodium salt (Na2bpdc) exhibits promising electrochemical performance including reversible capacity of 220 mA h g at ca. 0.5 V vs. Na/Na, negligible capacity fading over 150 cycles, and excellent rate performance delivering about 100 mA h g even at a 20C rate, which is better than monosodium 4,4’-biphenyldicarboxylate (NaHb pdc) that is partially deprotonated. This better rate performance of Na2bpdc salts is definitely attributed to the smaller particle size (short diffusion length) of that compared to NaHbpdc. However, even the dehydrated disodium 4,4’-biphenyldicarboxylate monohydrate (h-Na2bpdc) having similar size to NaHbpdc exhibited better rate performance than NaHbpdc. This means that the rate performance is affected by the degree of deprotonation in 4,4’-biphenyldicarboxylate sodium salts. Carboxylic group causes the large amount of electrolyte decomposition to form thick solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layers, resulting in the increase of polarization due to large charge-transfer resistance. Also, the de/sodiaiton of Na2bpdc salts proceeds in a two-phase reaction, regardless of the degree of deprotonation. And, the amorphization of Na2bpdc salts occurred during cycling, even though the crystal structure is maintained. However, unlike the fully deprotonated showing reversible phase transition during sodiation and desodiation, the partially deprotonated exhibits irreversible phase transition during cyclings. It seems to be occurred the partially phase transition to Na2bpdc which is fully deprotonated due to the ion-exchange between Na and H.
PRIORITIZATION OF EFFECTIVE MARKETING CRITERIA IN THE CHAOTIC WORLD OF DETERGENT INDUSTRIES

n fact, the relationship between suppliers and internal customers determines the ultimate quality of service that reaches the external customer and providing better services to internal customers will finally lead to provide better services to external customers. Internal customer and supplier is defined as any part which has a need is a customer and a part which meets the need is an internal supplier. In current complex and chaotic environment, effective marketing and customer management are considered main issues in the activity cycle of economic enterprises. This phenomenon is renewed and new techniques must be supplied by the innovators of this area to the managing directors, CEOs and marketing managers of enterprises. In new attitude (customer orientation) customer is at the helm of affairs, all organizational units are working together to provide customer interests. This cooperation leads to meet customer’ needs and customer benefit. In today's turbulent and complex environment, speed in identifying opportunities and developing new products and also reducing product offering time to the market are critical. This study aimed to prioritize effective marketing criteria in the chaotic world of detergent industries. This applied research which was a descriptive type was conducted in Kondor Company, a manufacturer of detergents. The population consisted of 600 employees, 48 of whom were directly or indirectly engaged in the marketing and sales department. 48 people were given the questionnaire to answer the questions. The validity was confirmed by experts’ opinions and Cronbach's alpha was obtained 0.82 using SPSS software. Five criteria including customer orientation philosophy, integrated marketing efforts, marketing information, strategic orientations and operational efficiency that were effective marketing components in Kotler’s perspective were prioritized using SPSS software and nonparametric Friedman test. “Customer orientation philosophy” was considered as a more important criterion for Kondor Company marketing department.
Topological orbital magnetization and emergent Hall effect of an atomic-scale spin lattice at a surface

We predict the occurrence of a novel type of atomic-scale spin lattice in an Fe monolayer on the Ir(001) surface. Based on density functional theory calculations we parametrize a spin Hamiltonian and solve it numerically using Monte Carlo simulations. We find the stabilization of a three-dimensional spin structure arranged on a (3 × 3) lattice. Despite an almost vanishing total spin magnetization we predict the emergence of orbital magnetization and large anomalous Hall effect, to which there is a significant topological contribution purely due to the real space spin texture at the surface.