Is a TEM for “Real World” Application Available Presently?

The Real-World Frequency of 24-Hour Urine Protein Electrophoresis (UPEP), Serum Free Light Chain (SFLC), and Serum Protein Electrophoresis (SPEP) Testing in Patients with Multiple Myeloma (MM)

Design Recipes for FPGAs

A new type of electron energy loss spectrometer for use with monochromated microscopes is presented. The energy resolution of the spectrometer is better than 0.100 eV. A completely new electron optical design with a number of extra optical elements and advanced tuning software makes it possible to correct spectrum aberrations to 4th order, which increases sensitivity and collection angles. New high-stability electronics make it possible to maintain energy resolution over a period of several minutes in a practical laboratory environment. The energy resolution of Transmission Electron Microscopes (TEMs) equipped with electron energy loss spectrometers is determined by a combination of the energy spread of the electron source, the stability of the microscope’s high voltage power supply, and the energy resolution of the spectrometer. Commercial microscopes usually employ electron sources with an energy distributions of around 0.5 eV or more (FWHM), limiting the energy ultimate energy resolution that can be achieved. Recently FEI constructed a special 200 kV TEM with a built-in monochromator which makes it possible to monochromize the electron source to better than 0.100 eV. A prototype of the presented spectrometer has been installed on this microscope.

This paper introduces a computational analysis that discusses an approach for optimal synthesis in the design of magnetic lenses, specifically focusing on the analytical method. A widely employed approach for magnetic lens design involves utilizing an analysis optimization procedure, which makes use of the finite element method and is supported by Munro programs. In this study, this approach has been employed to explore magnetic lenses using the Electron Optical Design (EOD) software. The study offers insights into the role of the air gap in magnetic lens design, highlighting its importance in optimizing objective and projector properties. The analysis reveals that variations in the air gap (S) significantly influence the performance of magnetic lenses. Decreasing the air gap when it is set to (3) leads to substantial improvements in objective optical properties and focal length. Conversely, increasing the air gap when it is set to (12) enlarges the half-width of the axial magnetic field while reducing the maximum magnetic field value. These findings underscore the importance of carefully optimizing the air gap to achieve desired lens performance. The focal length is determined using this input data and coefficients of aberration (spherical and chromatic) of the objective. The study focuses on the influence of a crucial geometric parameter, specifically the air gap (S), on both objective and projector properties. Its importance stems from its capability to pinpoint the suitable geometry for magnetic lenses, thereby facilitating their efficient application.

AR integrates virtual elements with the real world in real-time to enhance interactivity and vividness, which may influence consumers’ perceptions and payment intentions. This study explores the impact of Augmented Reality (AR) on consumer willingness to pay for cultural heritage products, utilizing the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and flow theory. This study analyzes 603 responses (quantitative data) to understand consumer perceptions of AR in the purchasing process of cultural heritage products. The findings reveal that perceived usefulness, ease of use, and flow experience significantly enhance consumer purchase intentions, with ease of use also amplifying the effects of perceived usefulness and flow experience. Additionally, the immersive, interactive, and aesthetic aspects of AR contribute positively to ease of use and flow experiences, with immersion notably impacting perceived usefulness. The results support the research model with robust explanatory power, offering practical insights for employing AR to improve marketability and consumer engagement with cultural heritage products. This paper contributes to the existing literature by bridging the gap in understanding the role of AR in enhancing consumer experiences and financial outcomes in the cultural heritage domain.

The ancestral recombination graph (ARG) is the model of choice in statistical genetics to model population ancestries. Software capable of inferring ARGs on a genome scale within a reasonable amount of time are now widely available for most practical use cases. While the inverse problem of inferring ancestries from a sample of haplotypes has seen major progress in the last decade, it does not enjoy the same level of advancement as its counterpart. Up until recently, even moderately sized samples could only be handled using heuristics. In recent years, the possibility of model-based inference for datasets closer to "real world" scenarios has become a reality, largely due to the development of threading-based algorithms. This article introduces Moonshine.jl, a Julia package that has the ability, among other things, to infer ARGs for samples of thousands of human haplotypes of sizes on the order of hundreds of megabases within a reasonable amount of time. On recent hardware, our package is able to infer an ARG for samples of densely haplotyped (over one marker/kilobase) human chromosomes of sizes up to 10,000 in well under a day on data simulated by msprime. Scaling up simulation on a compute cluster is straightforward since each ARG is inferred independently using a single thread. While model-based, it does not resort to threading but rather places restrictions on probability distributions typically used in simulation software in order to enforce sample consistency. In addition to being efficient, a strong emphasis is placed on ease of use and integration into the biostatistical software ecosystem.

Recent advances have led to the development of a virtual simulator to be used for non-destructive inspection (NDI) training of aviation maintenance technicians. The simulator is distinctive in that it has been developed to simulate a general type of NDI job aiding tool (video borescope), as opposed to only simulating a precise model and make. By generating a simulator based on a generic model of the video borescope, the development process must face a common hurdle: determining the best interaction device for the task at hand. In the real world, video borescopes come in a variety of shapes and sizes, as do their interaction devices. In this case, the team must decide upon the best interaction device to be used while ensuring the retention of inspection information from training and facilitating interaction ease of use, all while not permanently engraining the skills that will be needed to control the actual devices when actually used. In short, the interaction device chosen for this simulator should facilitate the trainee's ability to learn NDI techniques without hardwiring simulator control techniques which can vary greatly in the real world. In an effort to determine the most applicable interaction device for this generic training simulator, a study was conducted using expert inspectors and two common interaction devices: a gamepad and a joystick. Performance measures were collected and subjective measures, by way of post-test questionnaires, were considered as well. This paper details the evaluation of a gamepad and a joystick as interaction devices when used with a virtual video borescope simulator for inspection training. Following the findings identified in the study, recommendations are provided for the implementation of such devices.

39 ‘Real world’ tolerability, ease of use, patient satisfaction and reported adherence in CF adults commencing Colobreathe®

Objectives: With the advent of the data technology age, this study aims to prove tourists' behaviors on tourism omnichannel in the world of tourism industry. Methods: We analyze the relationships among tourist information by searching motivation and purchase intention with tourism omni-channel by using tourist satisfaction with omni-channel as a mediator. In detail, tourist information search motivation includes ease of use and trust in this study. For the analysis we developed field study methods based upon the conceptual theory. To validate the questionnaire and its model, we performed a controlled empirical method such as a field survey, analyzed data statistically and proved the hypotheses. Findings: The results are analyzed in multiple and simple regression analysis of the effect of tourism information search motivation (ease of use and trust) on tourism omni-channel satisfaction and of the effect of tourism omni-channel satisfaction on purchase intention. First empirical result is found that tourism information search motivation (ease of use and trust) on tourism omni-channel positively influences satisfaction. That mean that the higher tourist's ease of use for searching information as tourism omni-channel search motivation is, the more they are satisfied with tourism information through tourism omnichannel. And also that means that the stronger trust as tourism omni-channel search motivation tourists have, the more they are satisfied with tourism information through tourism omni-channel. Secondly, tourism omni-channel Satisfaction is proved to positively influence purchase intention. In other words, the more their satisfactions are with tourism omnichannel, the higher their purchase intentions are. Finally the findings help us to understand the motivation of searching tourism information, satisfaction and purchase intention as tourists' behavior on tourism omni-channel. Application: The need for the tourism omni-channel may be so phenomenal at the data technology age that tourism industry should utilize this opportunity of the data technology to create new customer and market on omni-channel commerce.Keywords: Data Technology, Information Search Motivation, Purchase Intention, Satisfaction, Tourism Omni-Channel

Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and experimental techniques based laboratory courses are used in the mechanical engineering curriculum to equip students with numerical and experimental abilities to solve design problems. Review of mechanical engineering curricula in US universities found no definite structure for the numerical and experimental based laboratory courses to support the core courses. Also, the authors found that due to lack of knowledge about the application of finite element analysis and lack of collaboration of experimental laboratories in the universities and colleges, students are unable to apply theory, numerical tool and experiment, when it comes to complete product design. To be effective product development engineers, students have to know how to use these engineering tools effectively for various mechanical systems to design a product with perfection. This motivated the authors to develop, teach, and evaluate a laboratory course before the senior design project, where students will have hands on experience with product design. The application of theoretical, numerical and experimental techniques, and their interconnectedness, will also be addressed in this new course. The main three learning objectives of this course were: (1) the ability to apply physical and mathematical models to analyze or design the mechanical systems; (2) the ability to use numerical tools (e.g., FEA) and a fundamental understanding of the limitations of such tools; and (3) the ability to correlate the theoretical knowledge with FEA and experimental findings. Some of the issues observed from the previously taught FEA laboratory related course are: (1) students do not understand how to use FEA tools in practical design problems; (2) students are unable to relate the theory with numerical and experimental result; (3) students do not understand the importance of verification of numerical results; and (4) students with knowledge of a particular analysis background have problems setting up the product design requirements dealing with different analysis systems. To overcome these difficulties, the proposed course will select design problems related to heat, fluid, vibration, and fracture and examine the overall design process including preliminary design, material selection, manufacturing, analysis, and testing. Simulating the complexity of “real world” engineering will prepare students for their senior design projects. The main benefits of this course are: (1) application of theoretical, numerical, and experimental techniques to solve a design problem, and (2) hands on experience with design problems.

IntroductionHIV incidence remains high among women in Africa, especially adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), despite existing oral pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) programmes. With expanding biomedical prevention options, understanding PrEP use patterns when women are offered choice can inform HIV prevention programming in Africa.MethodsThe CATALYST study offers informed PrEP choice through an enhanced service delivery package for women in 27 public health sites across Kenya, Lesotho, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Women attending sites who were HIV negative and interested in learning about HIV prevention were eligible. We describe uptake and use among those offered choice between oral PrEP and the monthly dapivirine ring from May 2023 through July 2024, explore factors associated with method choice using logistic regression, describe reasons for choice and assess time until PrEP discontinuation using survival analysis.ResultsOf 3967 participants, 44.9% were AGYW (15−24 years), 25.5% were sex workers, and 12.2% and 8.7% were breastfeeding and/or pregnant, respectively. At enrolment, 66.2% chose oral PrEP, 29.9% chose the dapivirine ring and 3.5% chose no method. Common reasons for choosing oral PrEP were ease of use (58.6%) and efficacy (31.7%); the ring was chosen due to ease of use (56.9%) and not needing to swallow pills (53.0%). In multivariable analysis, participants ≤ 24 years (p = 0.007) and participants who were pregnant (p = 0.002) or breastfeeding (p < 0.001) had lower odds of choosing the ring. Month 1 return was 32.7% for oral PrEP and 55.2% for the ring. Ring users reported higher adherence as compared to oral PrEP users (p < 0.001). Of participants returning for ≥ 1 PrEP refills, 12.1% switched methods at least once. Median time until PrEP discontinuation was 95 days (95% CI: 91, 110) for those choosing oral PrEP at enrolment and 169 days (95% CI: 139, 190) for those choosing the ring. Risk of discontinuation was greater for participants choosing oral PrEP at enrolment (p < 0.001) and those ≤ 24 years (p < 0.001), PrEP naïve at enrolment (p < 0.001) or not currently using contraception (p = 0.03).ConclusionsWe demonstrated that women took advantage of PrEP choice. PrEP use varied by product, with 1 month return and method continuation higher for the ring. AGYW had a greater risk of discontinuing either method, suggesting more support is needed.

In this study, we present an innovative design methodology for gradient-index (GRIN) lenses engineered to generate multiple beams from distinct focal points.Comprehensive numerical investigations reveal that the current state-ofthe-art multi-beam lens design, synthesized on the assumption of linear and parallel ray paths, suffers from ray-path errors that limit its applicability to lenses of arbitrary dimensions.To address these constraints, a more accurate synthesis technique is proposed, providing general formulas applicable to a wide variety of lens profiles.Comparative analyses between the conventional and the new method demonstrate that the latter achieves enhanced realized gains consistently for all multiple beams over a broad frequency range.Experimental validation was carried out using a 3D-printed lens featuring seven independent beams in an angular range of 44.The measured gain variations between multiple beams remain below 2.93 dB across the 12.3-19 GHz band.

The design challenge of an optical system is not limited to the optical design itself and its performance in nominal conditions; it extends to the realisation of a system which includes tolerancing and manufacturability as well as meeting system requirements such power consumption, heat dissipation, mass, cost constraints and timescales. In this presentation, optical designs for different applications ranging from satellite optical imager to Augmented Reality Displays are presented to illustrate the different challenges that an optical design needs to address. Augmented Reality will prove to be a very useful tool in our everyday lives; it brings elements of the virtual world into the real world, enhancing what we see, hear, and feel. With this comes a high demand for compact, light, affordable and high-quality displays.

A polarization analysis capability based upon polarization raytracing is described. The polarization ray trace can model the effects of various interface types including metallic reflectors and multilayer coatings. Idealized retarders and linear polarizers can also be incorporated into the model of an optical system. Information obtained during the polarization ray trace is used to compute image quality metrics such as the point-spread function and the modulation transfer function. In addition, the polarization state of the electric field at any point along a ray path can be found. The utility of the polarization raytracing approach is demonstrated by using the CODE V optical design program, which incorporates the modeling features described here, to perform an analysis of selected optical systems, including a corner-cube reflector, a folded beam expander, an imaging radiometer and a high numerical aperture objective. 1. INTRODUCTION The ability to accurately model the polarization effects in optical systems can be an important tool for assessing the performance of certain optical systems. From the standpoint of the optical designer who needs to determine whether or not a design meets specifications, the ideal tool for such an analysis task should provide information about how polarization effects can alter those performance metrics that he is familiar with, i.e. those that are typically used to specify design requirements for an optical system. Furthermore, such an analysis capability is most useful when it is integrated into the optical design/analysis software that he is using.This paper will describe a polarization analysis capability that enables the optical designer to model most of the effects that lead to polarization dependent behavior in conventional optical systems. The capability is primarily intended for analysis tasks rather than synthesis (i.e. design) tasks. At this time, though design techniques for reducing polarization effects do exist,1 they have not yet been fully integrated into optical design programs.

The digital infrastructure in America is undergoing a change as the country struggles to deal with the increasing crisis of legacy systems. These old systems, which are deeply rooted in such sectors of the economy as health care, finances, and government, are expensive to maintain, may be easily attacked by hackers, and cannot be scaled to meet the needs of contemporary technologies. With the digital world transitioning to more adaptable, agile systems, legacy systems have become an innovation, efficiency, and security bottleneck. The microservices architecture and federated cloud systems have come out as a strong solution to these problems. Microservices provide a modular mechanism in the development of software that can be more scaled, deployed faster and more resilient. Federated cloud architectures provide interoperable data sharing, which is secure, across several cloud environments and disaggregates the silos that exist with traditional, centralized systems. When combined, the technologies will help to transform the U.S. digital infrastructure to modernize it and create more efficient, secure, and nimble systems that will be able to meet the demands of the future. This paper will examine the role of microservices and federated cloud architecture in transforming the digital landscape of America, dealing with the inefficiencies of the old system, and allowing organizations to keep up with the technological landscape that is changing so fast. The article explores the advantages, issues, and opportunities of these transformative technologies through the expert opinions, case studies and real world examples. It eventually provides a guide on how organizations could seek to modernize their digital infrastructure and remain competitive in an increasingly digitalized world.