A Two-Phased Gradient Technique For Budget Allocation: An Application To Data Collection Budget Allocation In Efficiency Measurement Of DEA.

This paper presents a gradient based algorithm to solve the data collection budget allocation problem in efficiency measurement of DEA

Development of a novel beam profiling prototype with laser self-mixing via the knife-edge approach

Laser is widely used in industry, biomedical and other kinds of fields. Beam size is the most important parameter among the laser variables. Typical state-of-the-art profiling techniques employ either a scanning-based or camera-based system, using photodiodes or image sensors as the signal receiver. Despite their profiling capabilities, these systems do not tend to be budget-friendly and easy to operate. In this paper, a novel cost-effective beam profiling prototype based on self-mixing interference was developed to measure the Full Width Half Maximum (FWHM) of a range of laser diodes by the knife-edge approach. The difference between our prototype and other systems is that the photodiode is placed behind the laser source, and beam size is calculated by analyzing the feedback signal. A commercial camera beam profiler was used to benchmark our prototype. Results show that though there is a variation of 45.29% between the measured beam size and the integrated beam size in the x directions due to diffuse and specular reflection, our USD 200 prototype has a high accuracy on the prediction of laser beam sizes. Our prototype could provide accurate predicted beam size for Gaussian-alike beam. This is the very first study to explore the application of self-mixing interference in laser beam profiling. It is believed that our proposed approach has contributed to the on-going development of laser beam profiling methodology

Pride in the Field

Many USU students, staff, and faculty are engaged in projects and research focused on the LGBTQIA+ community, as explored in the Utah State Today series, “Celebrating Pride.” Join us for a panel discussing approaches to research about, with, and by the LGBTQIA+ community. What key considerations should researchers center when studying gender and sexuality? From research design, to language use, to avoiding bias, to supporting researchers, what do inclusion, equity, and justice look like in practice? Panelists and attendees will reflect together on positionality, privilege, and marginalization, while taking away actionable practices for future research.https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/inter_inclusion/1005/thumbnail.jp

Patent applications for using DNA technologies to authenticate medicinal herbal material

Herbal medicines are used in many countries for maintaining health and treating diseases. Their efficacy depends on the use of the correct materials, and life-threatening poisoning may occur if toxic adulterants or substitutes are administered instead. Identification of a medicinal material at the DNA level provides an objective and powerful tool for quality control. Extraction of high-quality DNA is the first crucial step in DNA authentication, followed by a battery of DNA techniques including whole genome fingerprinting, DNA sequencing and DNA microarray to establish the identity of the material. New or improved technologies have been developed and valuable data have been collected and compiled for DNA authentication. Some of these technologies and data are patentable. This article provides an overview of some recent patents that cover the extraction of DNA from medicinal materials, the amplification of DNA using improved reaction conditions, the generation of DNA sequences and fingerprints, and the development of high-throughput authentication methods. It also briefly explains why these patents have been granted

Examination of silver-graphite lithographically printed resistive strain sensors

This paper reports the design and manufacture of three differing types of resistive strain sensitive structures fabricated using the Conductive Lithographic Film (CLF) printing process. The structures, utilising two inks prepared with silver and graphite particulates as the conductive phase, have been analysed to determine electrical and mechanical properties with respect to strain, temperature and humidity when deposited on four alternative substrate materials (GlossArt, PolyArt, Teslin and Melinex)

Study on laser spot size measurement by scanning-slit method based on back-injection interferometry

Spot size is an important parameter of the laser, which not only represents the resolution of laser, but is also involved in the calculation of other parameters. Nowadays, CCD imaging systems, scanning imaging systems, and other sensors are used to measure the laser spot size. But they are all lacking flexibility when measuring the spot size in different locations, not to mention their high cost. In this study, a new spot size measurement device based on laser back-injection interferometry was presented. The photodiode integrated with the laser diode was used to collect the feedback laser, then the laser spot size was calculated by the feedback current. A commercial CCD imaging system was used to provide the laser spot size as a reference. Results show that our spot size measurement device could measure the spot size (Full Width Half Maximum) of 5 laser diode modules both in the x (Gaussian-like profile) and y (top-hat-like profile) direction through scanning-slit. Though there are variations between the scanning-slit results and spot sizes from the CCD imaging system due to the diffuse and specular reflection, the accuracy of the spot size measurement device ranges from 96.07 % to 99.46 %, which proves the reliability of our device. It is believed that our device could provide an alternate method for laser spot size measurement, which is cost-effective, easy to operate, and accurate

Studies on Homalomeneae (Araceae) of Sumatera VI: Two remarkable new species of Homalomena [Chamaecladon Clade]

Two ornamental new species of Sumateran Homalomena [Chamaecladon] are described: Homalomena anthurioides S.Y.Wong, P.C.Boyce & A.Hay and H. pexa S.Y.Wong, P.C.Boyce & A.Hay. These novelties represent a continuation of discoveries on Sumatera of species with uniquely, for Asia, highly elaborated epidermis