Piezoresistor-Embedded Multifunctional Magnetic Microactuators for Implantable Self-Clearing Catheter

Indwelling catheters are used widely in medicine to treat various chronic medical conditions. However, chronic implantation of catheters often leads to a premature failure due to biofilm accumulation. Previously we reported on the development of a self-clearing catheter by integrating polymer-based microscale magnetic actuators. The microactuator provides an active anti-biofouling mechanism to disrupt and remove adsorbed biofilm on demand using an externally applied stimulus. During an in vivo evaluation of self-clearing catheter, we realized that it is important to periodically monitor the performance of implanted microactuators. Here we integrate gold-based piezoresistive strain-gauge on our magnetic microactuators to directly monitor the device deflection with good sensitivity (0.035%/Deg) and linear range (±30°). With the integrated strain-gauge, we demonstrate the multi-functional capabilities of our magnetic microactuators that enable device alignment, flow-rate measurement, and obstruction detection and removal towards the development of chronically implantable self-clearing smart catheter

Profitability and Long-term Survival of Community Banks: Evidence from Texas

This study examines the impact of distance among competing bank locations on market their pricing behavior. A general spatial autoregressive model that nests both spatial autoregressive and spatial error models is used to examine the impact of distance on pricing behavior of 686 non-metro banks in Texas. Results show that non-metro banks exercise market power in pricing their products. An increase in spatial competition may reduce profitability and challenge long term survival of small community based financial institutions.Financial Economics,

Solar Panel with Embedded Electronics

Currently, inverters are needed to utilize solar panels for applications that require AC power. Unfortunately, these inverters are very costly and decrease power efficiency. In this work, two alternatives to using inverters are explored. The first method combines a buck converter with a buck-boost converter to create a sine output. The second method uses switches to change the connections of the solar cells, producing a stepped AC output. Both methods involve embedding the solar cells along with the additional electronics into a solar panel, thus eliminating the need for a separate inverter. Simulations were performed using SIMPLIS, and both methods were compared with a focus on feasibility and cost. Results of the simulation demonstrated that the DC-DC converter method performs better than the multiple switch method. More specifically, the quality of the sinusoidal output voltage from the DC-DC converter method is better than the stepped sine wave produced by the multiple switches. Furthermore, the use of many switches to produce a sine wave like output makes the multiple switch method not practical due to the complexity of circuit as well as cost. Therefore, through these comparisons, we recommend that future projects should focus on implementing prototypes for the DC-DC converter method using buck buck-boost converter

Physics at Multi-TeV Linear Colliders

The physics at an e+e- linear collider with a center of mass energy of 3-5 TeV is reviewed. The following topics are covered: experimental environment, Higgs physics, supersymmetry, fermion pair-production, WW scattering, extra dimensions, non-commutative theories, and black hole production.The physics at an e+e- linear collider with a center of mass energy of 3-5 TeV is reviewed. The following topics are covered: experimental environment, Higgs physics, supersymmetry, fermion pair-production, WW scattering, extra dimensions, non-commutative theories, and black hole production

Performance of Cox Proportional Hazard and Accelerated Failure Time Models in the Analysis of HIV/TB Co-infection Survival Data

Cox model and accelerated failure time models are widely used in the modeling of survival data for various diseases. This paper compares the performance of these two models viz. Cox Proportional Hazard Model and the Accelerated Failure Time Model using HIV/TB Co-infection Survival data. The study revealed that, the AFT model has the best predictive power compared to the Cox model based on the AIC and BIC values. Keywords: Cox proportional hazard model, Accelerated failure time model, Cox-Snell residual, HIV/TB Co-infection, CD4 cell coun