Capillary origami: superhydrophobic ribbon surfaces and liquid marbles

In the wetting of a solid by a liquid it is often assumed that the substrate is rigid. However, for an elastic substrate the rigidity depends on the cube of its thickness and so reduces rapidly as the substrate becomes thinner as it approaches becoming a thin sheet. In such circumstances, it has been shown that the capillary forces caused by a contacting droplet of a liquid can shape the solid rather than the solid shaping the liquid. A substrate can be bent and folded as a (pinned) droplet evaporates or even instantaneously and spontaneously wrapped on contact with a droplet. When this effect is used to create three dimensional shapes from initially flat sheets, the effect is called capillary origami or droplet wrapping. In this work, we consider how the conditions for the spontaneous, capillary induced, folding of a thin ribbon substrate might be altered by a rigid surface structure that, for a rigid substrate, would be expected to create Cassie–Baxter and Wenzel effects. For smooth thin substrates, droplet wrapping can occur for all liquids, including those for which the Young’s law contact angle (defined by the interfacial tensions) is greater than 90° and which would therefore normally be considered relatively hydrophobic. However, consideration of the balance between bending and interfacial energies suggests that the tendency for droplet wrapping can be suppressed for some liquids by providing the flexible solid surface with a rigid topographic structure. In general, it is known that when a liquid interacts with such a structure it can either fully penetrate the structure (the Wenzel case) or it can bridge between the asperities of the structure (the Cassie–Baxter case). In this report, we show theoretically that droplet wrapping should occur with both types of solid–liquid contact. We also derive a condition for the transition between the Cassie–Baxter and Wenzel type droplet wrapping and relate it to the same transition condition known to apply to superhydrophobic surfaces. The results are given for both droplets being wrapped by thin ribbons and for solid grains encapsulating droplets to form liquid marble

Wetting of non rigid surfaces

In the world of anti-wetting surfaces, many superhydrophobic substrates comprise rigid structures on rigid substrates. The development of a thin flexible substrate would allow new avenues to be explored to fully take advantage of the non-wetting properties of superhydrophobicity. This thesis presents a novel production method and subsequent analysis of thin, conformable, superhydrophobic films based on the embedding of carbon nano-particles (CNPs) into the surface of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates. Firstly experiments were performed to determine the effects of surface roughness on the capillary origami process. It was found that the droplet wrapping process could be controlled with the appropriate choice of liquid. Using a wetting liquid would see an enhanced wrapping state whereas use of a dewetting liquid would see a complete suppression of the wrapping process. The second set of experiments concentrated on determining whether or not it is possible to reduce the drag force experienced on cylinders in a laminar flow situation. By comparing an uncoated cylinder to a CNP PDMS coated cylinder of equivalent diameter, it was determined that it is possible to reduce the drag by a maximum of 28%

HUBUNGAN GAYA KEPEMIMPINAN PELATIH DENGAN KEPUASAN DIRI ATLET TAEKWONDO

Permasalahan yang penulis ajukan pada penelitian ini mengenai gaya kepemimpinan pelatih, yang merupakan salah satu dari sekian banyak faktor yang berhubungan dengan kepuasan diri atlet. Gaya kepemimpinan pelatih merupakan gaya atau cara yang digunakan pelatih dalam proses pelatihan. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui apakah terdapat hubungan gaya kepemimpinan pelatih dengan kepuasan diri atlet taekwondo. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah metode deskriptif. Populasi penelitian ini adalah atlet taekwondo yang tergabung dalam kontingen peserta pertandingan Pekan Olahraga Provinsi (PORPROV) V Banten di Kabupaten Tangerang tahun 2018 yang berjumlah 145 orang. Teknik sampling yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah total sampling atau sampel jenuh sehingga sampel dalam penelitian ini berjumlah 145 orang. Instrumen penelitian ini adalah angket gaya kepemimpinan pelatih dan data prestasi hasil pertandingan. Berdasarkan hasil analisis data dan pembahasan hasil penelitian yang diperoleh, maka dapat disimpulkan bahwa: (1) terdapat hubungan yang signifikan dan positif antara gaya kepemimpinan pelatih dengan kepuasan diri atlet taekwondo yang memiliki kategori nilai interpretasi keeratan rendah; (2) terdapat hubungan yang signifikan dan positif antara gaya kepemimpinan authoritarian dengan kepuasan diri atlet taekwondo yang memiliki kategori nilai interpretasi keeratan rendah; (3) terdapat hubungan yang positif namun tidak signifikan antara gaya kepemimpinan democratic dengan kepuasan diri atlet taekwondo yang memiliki kategori nilai interpretasi keeratan sangat rendah; (4) terdapat hubungan yang positif namun tidak signifikan antara gaya kepemimpinan people centered dengan kepuasan diri atlet taekwondo yang memiliki kategori nilai interpretasi keeratan sangat rendah; (5) terdapat hubungan yang positif namun tidak signifikan antara gaya kepemimpinan task oriented dengan kepuasan diri atlet taekwondo yang memiliki kategori nilai interpretasi keeratan sangat rendah; The problem that the authors propose in this study is the coach’s leadership style, which is one of the many factors associated with athlete achievement. The coach leadership style is the style or method used by the coach in the training process. The purpose of this study is to find out whether there is a relationship between the coach's leadership style and the taekwondo athlete satisfaction. The method used is descriptive method. The population of this study is taekwondo athletes who are members of the contingent of the V Banten Provincial Sports Week (PORPROV) match in Tangerang Regency in 2018, totaling 145 people. The sampling technique used in this study was total sampling, so that the sample in this study amounted to 145 people. The instrument of this research was the achievement leadership style questionnaire test and match achievement data. Based on the results of data analysis and discussion of the results of the research obtained, it can be concluded that: (1) there is a significant and positive relationship between coach’s leadership style and taekwondo athlete satisfaction who have low closeness interpretation value categories; (2) there is a significant and positive relationship between authoritarian leadership style and taekwondo athlete satisfaction who have low closeness interpretation value categories; (3) there is a positive but not significant relationship between democratic leadership style and taekwondo athlete satisfaction who have a very low category of closeness interpretation values; (4) there is a positive but not significant relationship between people centered leadership style and taekwondo athlete satisfaction who have a very low category of closeness interpretation values; (5) there is a positive but not significant relationship between task oriented leadership style and taekwondo athlete satisfaction who have a very low category of closeness interpretation values

High-frame-rate contrast-enhanced echography for myocardial perfusion assessment

Cardiovascular disease remains a significant global burden, standing as the leading cause of death. Annually, millions of people are diagnosed with angina and myocardial infarction (MI) worlwide, with over 3 million cases reported in the European Union alone. Acute MI, particularly ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI) is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Prompt primary percutaneous intervention (PPCI) is the preferred treatment, reopening occluded vessels with a high success rate. Despite this, the no-reflow (NR) phenomenon, characterized by microvascular obstruction, can lead to inadequate myocardial perfusion even after successful epicardial flow restoration, thereby increasing the risk of adverse outcomes post-MI.Current diagnostic methods used to assess myocardial perfusion and diagnose NR have certain limitations, including varying levels of accuracy and potential harm if performed repeatedly due to the presence of ionizing radiation. Echocardiography emerges as a promising option due to its accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and absence of ionizing radiation. The adoption of gas-filled coated bubbles with the size of few micrometers (microbubbles) as ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) has improved echocardiography sensitivity to detect blood flow. However, challenges remain in producing reliable perfusion images due to noise, image artifacts, variability, and operator dependence despite the use of UCAs.This thesis addresses these challenges by developing contrast imaging techniques that improve contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) image quality and contrast detection compared to the standard imaging methods. It could lead to CEUS becoming a reliable method for assessing myocardial perfusion and monitoring NR. This would have significant clinical implications, improving decision-making in patient treatment and understanding NR mechanism.First, in Chapter 2 we explored the capabilities and limitations of the spatiotemporal implementation of SVD as a clutter filter to separate microbubble and tissue signals. We conducted an in vitro experiment and found that SVD is ineffective in detecting slow flow during tissue motion, which is the condition of myocardial perfusion. Thus, we introduced Independent Component Analysis (ICA) as a post-processing technique to improve contrast detection by exploiting the distinct statistical distributions of microbuble and tissue signal. Our in vitro results show that ICA improves SVD detection by 7-10 dB during motion.Next, we incorporated the nonlinear response of microbubbles to enhance contrast detection. The standard technique to exploit this property is the Multi-Pulse Contrast Scheme (MPCS), including techniques like pulse inversion (PI), amplitude modulation (AM), and their combination (AMPI). On top of the motion artifacts, the nonlinear propagation through the microbubble cloud also reduces contrast detection when using the MPCS technique. In Chapter 3, we developed a contrast detection technique using higher-order singular value decomposition (HOSVD), a generalization of SVD that works on high-order tensors. HOSVD is applied to a beamformed IQ image series, with spatial, temporal, and pulsing sequence as the input dimensions. We conducted both in vitro and in vivo experiments to evaluate the efficacy of this technique in comparison to the current standard methods. in vitro results, particularly in scenarios involving motion, demonstrated that HOSVD outperformed the existing standard contrast detection schemes by over 10 dB. We also validated the viability of HOSVD implementation in a more realistic in vivo experiment utilizing a cardiac porcine model. HOSVD showed the superior capability to detect microbubble signal within the myocardium, surpassing the AM contrast-to-background ratio by up to 19 dB. On Chapter 4, we furthered our investigation with the porcine cardiac model to visualize coronary vascular dynamics and identify perfusion deficits by inducing occlusion in the left anterior descending (LAD) artery. We successfully differentiated between fast and slow coronary flows, assumed to represent flow in larger vessels and perfusion. This distinction enhanced our confidence in evaluating myocardial perfusion. Moreover, we accurately visualized the affected area in the myocardium caused by the LAD occlusion.To improve reproducibility and errors due to out-of-plane motion, we explored the implementation of 3D ultrasound imaging. The 3D part of the thesis begins with Chapter 5. We developed an image reconstruction technique for data acquired with the in-house developed spiral array probe. We adjusted the "lags" on the spatial coherence (SC) beamforming and show it capabilities to improve image quality compared to traditional Delay and Sum (DAS) technique. Our in vitro and in vivo experiments, employing a chicken embryo model results showed that SC outperformed conventional DAS beamforming by up to 25 dB. In chapter 6, the focus shifts to in vivo studies using big animal model. We utilize porcine kidney model to visualize renal cortex microcirculation and measure Doppler velocity in vessels. The results are validated against commercial Doppler and contrast-enhanced imaging. Super-resolution imaging is introduced to enhance the visualization of microvascular structures. Chapter 7 builds upon the previous techniques by implementing HOSVD on high-frame-rate volumetric images, beamformed with SC technique. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate the improved contrast detection capabilities of this approach. The chapter concludes with successful visualization of the coronary artery using HOSVD and SC on a porcine model.Lastly, in Chapter 8, we presented the key findings, challenges, and limitations of this thesis. We also shared some technical insights based on unpublished results and provided technical suggestions and clinical implications for future research.<br/

Mekanisme Pengaduan Oleh Committee Against Torture Terkait Tindakan Penyiksaan dan Perlakuan yang Merendahkan Martabat Manusia

This research aims to analyze the form of complaints mechanism by the Committee Against Torture. This research is a study that uses normative legal research by collecting secondary data. Data collection is done using the library study method by collecting legal materials and information in the form of primary, secondary, and tertiary legal materials. In order to get a clear explanation, the data is then arranged systematically and analyzed using descriptive methods. The results of this research indicate that torture is an act carried out by causing pain or suffering. The United Nations General Assembly then established the Convention against Torture which is believed to be able to specifically monitor multilateral instruments for the protection of torture and other inhuman treatment. Furthermore, related to the complaints mechanism regulated by the Anti-Torture Committee that complaints procedures in international law generally refer to a formal legal process whereby a person or group of people submit a complaint to an international legal entity to reveal that their human rights have been violated in a particular case. The Committee has a mandate related to the assessment of complaints filed by participating countries that have recognized the authority of the Committee, individuals and the Committee can conduct fact-finding if it has reliable information about the occurrence of systematic torture in one of the participating countries. Keywords : “Torture”, “Convention Against Torture”, “Committee Against Torture” AbstrakPenelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis mekanisme pengaduan yang dilakukan oleh Committee Against Torture. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian yuridis normatif yang dilengkapi data sekunder. Metode penelitian menggunakan studi pustaka dengan mengumpulkan bahan hukum dan informasi berupa bahan hukum primer, sekunder, dan tersier. Untuk mendapatkan penjelasan yang jelas, data kemudian disusun secara sistematis dan dianalisis menggunakan metode deskriptif. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa penyiksaan merupakan tindakan yang dilakukan dengan menimbulkan rasa sakit atau penderitaan. Majelis Umum Perserikatan Bangsa-Bangsa kemudian membentuk Konvensi Menentang Penyiksaan yang diyakini mampu secara khusus memantau instrumen multilateral untuk perlindungan penyiksaan dan perlakuan tidak manusiawi lainnya. Lebih lanjut, terkait mekanisme pengaduan yang diatur oleh Committee Against Torture bahwa prosedur pengaduan dalam hukum internasional pada umumnya mengacu pada proses hukum formil dimana seseorang atau sekelompok orang mengajukan pengaduan ke badan hukum internasional untuk mengungkapkan bahwa hak asasi mereka telah dilanggar dalam kasus tertentu. Komite memiliki mandat terkait dengan penilaian pengaduan yang diajukan oleh negara peserta yang telah mengakui kewenangan Komite, individu dan Komite dapat melakukan pencarian fakta jika memiliki informasi yang dapat dipercaya tentang terjadinya penyiksaan sistematis di salah satu negara peserta. Kata kunci: Penyiksaan; Konvensi Menentang Penyiksaan; Committee Against Tortur

Contribution of graduate programs in plant breeding to the education of plant breeders in Brazil

The success of agribusiness in Brazil in recent decades is unquestionable. Although the country has always had favorable conditions for agriculture (land, water and climate), this success has only come about recently, due to scientific research, which has resulted in considerable increases in yield and in improvement of product quality, as well as making the occupation of new agricultural frontiers possible. A decisive factor for development of agriculture in the country was the creation of EMBRAPA in 1973, which, in a few years, led to considerable demand for researchers with training in graduate programs. Among them are plant breeders, who came to exercise their activity throughout the country and in all ecosystems. The training of plant breeders was only possible because, as from the middle of the 1960s, the country began a wide-ranging education program, with the creation of several graduate programs in genetics and plant breeding

Drainage basin morphometry of the Encadenadas del Oeste lakes, Argentina

The Las Encadenadas basin can be defined as an endorheic fluviolacustrine system. The aim of this study is to identify hydrographic sectors and subbasins within the Encadenada’s drainage basin and analyze the former’s morphometric properties including hypsometry. The morphometric analysis allowed for quantification of variables and indices for example area, perimeter, total length of streams, etc. Hypsometric curves were also plotted for each subbasin and finally, principal components analysis was used to sort basins based on results from individually calculated parameters and indices. This study’s aim was to define for the first time the various drainage subbasins that comprise the Encadenadas del Oeste’s basin. The characterization of these units shows that the basin is morphologically diverse due to the dynamic fluvial activity that prevails within its limits. One of the above mentioned morphological units are the alluvial cones which form at the mouths of the mainstreams and delineate the bases of the different subbasins. The drainage network exhibits overall a low level of ramification and hierarchy which is likely due to the sedimentary nature and high permeability of the sub-surface soil.Fil: Geraldi, Alejandra Mabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Piccolo, Maria Cintia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Perillo, Gerardo Miguel E.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur; Argentin

Mekanisme Pengaduan Oleh Committee Against Torture Terkait Tindakan Penyiksaan dan Perlakuan yang Merendahkan Martabat Manusia

This research aims to analyze the form of complaints mechanism by the Committee Against Torture. This research is a study that uses normative legal research by collecting secondary data. Data collection is done using the library study method by collecting legal materials and information in the form of primary, secondary, and tertiary legal materials. In order to get a clear explanation, the data is then arranged systematically and analyzed using descriptive methods. The results of this research indicate that torture is an act carried out by causing pain or suffering. The United Nations General Assembly then established the Convention against Torture which is believed to be able to specifically monitor multilateral instruments for the protection of torture and other inhuman treatment. Furthermore, related to the complaints mechanism regulated by the Anti-Torture Committee that complaints procedures in international law generally refer to a formal legal process whereby a person or group of people submit a complaint to an international legal entity to reveal that their human rights have been violated in a particular case. The Committee has a mandate related to the assessment of complaints filed by participating countries that have recognized the authority of the Committee, individuals and the Committee can conduct fact-finding if it has reliable information about the occurrence of systematic torture in one of the participating countries. Keywords : “Torture”, “Convention Against Torture”, “Committee Against Torture” AbstrakPenelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis mekanisme pengaduan yang dilakukan oleh Committee Against Torture. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian yuridis normatif yang dilengkapi data sekunder. Metode penelitian menggunakan studi pustaka dengan mengumpulkan bahan hukum dan informasi berupa bahan hukum primer, sekunder, dan tersier. Untuk mendapatkan penjelasan yang jelas, data kemudian disusun secara sistematis dan dianalisis menggunakan metode deskriptif. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa penyiksaan merupakan tindakan yang dilakukan dengan menimbulkan rasa sakit atau penderitaan. Majelis Umum Perserikatan Bangsa-Bangsa kemudian membentuk Konvensi Menentang Penyiksaan yang diyakini mampu secara khusus memantau instrumen multilateral untuk perlindungan penyiksaan dan perlakuan tidak manusiawi lainnya. Lebih lanjut, terkait mekanisme pengaduan yang diatur oleh Committee Against Torture bahwa prosedur pengaduan dalam hukum internasional pada umumnya mengacu pada proses hukum formil dimana seseorang atau sekelompok orang mengajukan pengaduan ke badan hukum internasional untuk mengungkapkan bahwa hak asasi mereka telah dilanggar dalam kasus tertentu. Komite memiliki mandat terkait dengan penilaian pengaduan yang diajukan oleh negara peserta yang telah mengakui kewenangan Komite, individu dan Komite dapat melakukan pencarian fakta jika memiliki informasi yang dapat dipercaya tentang terjadinya penyiksaan sistematis di salah satu negara peserta. Kata kunci: Penyiksaan; Konvensi Menentang Penyiksaan; Committee Against Tortur

Misuse: An Equitable Defense to Intellectual Property Infringement Actions

The plaintiff\u27s illegal extension of a patent right has historically been a successful defense to a patent infringement claim. Recently, the illegal extension of a monopoly right or misuse defense has been applied to copyright and trademark infringement claims as well. This article discusses the utilization of the misuse defense in patent, copyright, and trademark cases. It explores the case history of the misuse defense and summarizes the elements to the defense in each area