Throughput Measurements Research Articles

Rapid and precise large area mapping of rare-earth doping homogeneity in luminescent materials

Doping of luminescent materials by rare-earth ions is common practice to achieve desired emission properties for a large variety of applications. As several rare-earths ions are frequently combined, it is subsequently difficult to effectively detect and control their homogeneous distribution within the host material. Here, we present a simple, rapid, large scale and precise method of rare-earth mapping using a commercial UV-Vis scanner. We discuss the influence of rare-earth distribution on the physical, optical and luminescent properties with no observable qualitative effect on photoluminescent properties and optical anisotropy. On the contrary, rare-earth-rich areas exhibit significantly higher values of refractive index and optical absorption, which allowed for their identification by the commercial scanner device. The presented method thus provides fast and accurate information about the rare-earth distribution in the material volume with high resolution (≈2.7 µm) and low limit of concentration difference detection (≈0.014 at.%) compared to other techniques, which makes it a promising candidate for high throughput measurements.

Internet of things and long range-based bridge slope early detection systems

<p><span>This research proposes an internet of things and long range (LoRa)-based bridge slope status monitoring and warning system that is wireless, low-cost, and user-friendly, with continuous data sent. Bridge inspection officers can easily obtain bridge slope data via a web browser on a cell phone. The design uses Arduino integrated development environment software and an ITGMPU accelerometer sensors, TTGO ESP32, cellphones, successfully identified tilt angle variations from 0.11° to 15.2° were the research's outputs, and and they were continuously transmitted to the bridge inspection officer's mobile phone. Measurements of throughput, quality of service (QoS), and latency characteristics have been made to assess the internet network's performance. The network system performance statistics show an average measured network delay of 1.2 seconds, a throughput of 85 bps, and a QoS of 0%. Consequently, the system performs well and the internet network performance falls into the very good range.</span></p>

An analytical heat transfer model for transient Raman thermometry analysis.

Transient Raman thermometry improves on its steady-state counterpart by eliminating the error-prone steps of temperature calibration and laser absorption measurement. However, the accompanying complex heat transfer process often requires numerical analysis, such as the finite element method, to decipher the measured data. This step can be time-consuming, inconvenient, and difficult to derive a physical understanding of the heat transfer process involved. In this work, the finite element method is replaced by fitting the measured data to an analytical three-dimensional heat transfer model. This process can be completed in a few seconds. Using this approach, the in-plane thermal conductivity of two bulk layered materials and the interfacial thermal conductance between two-dimensional materials and quartz have been successfully measured. Based on our model, we performed an analytical quantitative sensitivity analysis for transient Raman thermometry to discover new physical insights. The sensitivity of the in-plane thermal conductivity of bulk layered materials is dictated by the ratio between the spot radius and heat spreading distance. The sensitivity of the interfacial thermal conductance between two-dimensional materials and quartz is determined by its conductance value. In addition, the uncertainty of the measured value contributed by the uncertainty of the input parameters can be efficiently estimated using our model. Our model provides an efficient data and sensitivity analysis method for the transient Raman thermometry technique to enable high throughput measurements, facilitate designing experiments, and derive physical interpretations of the heat transfer process.

159 A Multidisciplinary Discharge Huddle Improves Emergency Department and Hospital Throughput Measures Without Increased Readmissions in a Rural Emergency Department

159 A Multidisciplinary Discharge Huddle Improves Emergency Department and Hospital Throughput Measures Without Increased Readmissions in a Rural Emergency Department

Equivalence and difference of the dual device under test setup and the single device under test setup of RFC 8219

SummaryRFC 8219 has defined a comprehensive benchmarking methodology for the IPv6 transition technologies. It recommends two kinds of measurement setups: The dual device under test (DUT) setup facilitates the benchmarking of the customer edge (CE) and provider edge (PE) devices together using a legacy RFC 2544 or RFC 5180 Network Performance Tester, whereas the single DUT setup requires a separate technology‐specific tester for the benchmarking of each device. As such, special‐purpose testers do not exist for the vast majority of the IPv6 transition technologies; the only viable solution can be the usage of the dual DUT setup. In this paper, we investigate if the two kinds of measurement setups provide the same or different results; moreover, we examine how the single DUT measurement results can be estimated from the dual DUT measurement results. To that end, we make theoretical considerations and also perform IPv4 packet forwarding and stateless IP/ICMP translation (SIIT) measurements using both measurement setups and analyze the results of the throughput and latency measurements. It was found that the throughput results of the dual DUT setup could approximate well those of the single DUT setup and their differences followed the predictions of our theoretical considerations. However, the latency results did not always follow the theoretical expectations.

A fast fish swimming protocol that provides similar insights to critical swimming speed.

Performance measures are an important tool to assess the impact of environmental change on animals. In fish, performance is often measured as critical swimming speed (Ucrit), which reflects individual maximal physiological capacities. A drawback of Ucrit is that trials are relatively long (∼30-75 min). Ucrit may therefore not be suitable for several repeated measurements because of the potential for training effects, long recovery periods, and low throughput. Here we test a shorter (∼4-5 min) protocol, "Ucrit fast" (UCfast) in zebrafish (Danio rerio). We show that UCfast and Ucrit have similar, significant repeatabilities within individuals. Unlike Ucrit, repeated UCfast trials did not elicit a training effect. Both UCfast and Ucrit provide the same insights into thermal acclimation, and both provide similar estimates of individual acclimation capacity in doubly acclimated fish. We propose that UCfast is a valid substitute for Ucrit particularly when higher throughput and several repeated measures are necessary.

Measuring Fiber Positioning Accuracy and Throughput with Fiber Dithering for the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument

Highly multiplexed, fiber-fed spectroscopy is enabling surveys of millions of stars and galaxies. The performance of these surveys depends on accurately positioning fibers in the focal plane to capture target light. We describe a technique to measure the positioning accuracy of fibers by dithering fibers slightly around their ideal locations. This approach also enables measurement of the total system throughput and point-spread function delivered to the focal plane. We then apply this technique to observations from the Dark Energy Survey Instrument (DESI), and demonstrate that DESI positions fibers to within 0.″08 of their targets (5% of a fiber diameter) and achieves a system throughput within about 7% of expectations.

High-throughput and high-resolution powder X-ray diffractometer consisting of six sets of 2D CdTe detectors with variable sample-to-detector distance and innovative automation system.

The demand for powder X-ray diffraction analysis continues to increase in a variety of scientific fields, as the excellent beam quality of high-brightness synchrotron light sources enables the acquisition of high-quality measurement data with high intensity and angular resolution. Synchrotron powder diffraction has enabled the rapid measurement of many samples and various in situ/operando experiments in nonambient sample environments. To meet the demands for even higher throughput measurements using high-energy X-rays at SPring-8, a high-throughput and high-resolution powder diffraction system has been developed. This system is combined with six sets of two-dimensional (2D) CdTe detectors for high-energy X-rays, and various automation systems, including a system for automatic switching among large sample environmental equipment, have been developed in the third experimental hutch of the insertion device beamline BL13XU at SPring-8. In this diffractometer system, high-brilliance and high-energy X-rays ranging from 16 to 72 keV are available. The powder diffraction data measured under ambient and various nonambient conditions can be analysed using Rietveld refinement and the pair distribution function. Using the 2D CdTe detectors with variable sample-to-detector distance, three types of scan modes have been established: standard, single-step and high-resolution. A major feature is the ability to measure a whole powder pattern with millisecond resolution. Equally important, this system can measure powder diffraction data with high Q exceeding 30 Å-1 within several tens of seconds. This capability is expected to contribute significantly to new research avenues using machine learning and artificial intelligence by utilizing the large amount of data obtained from high-throughput measurements.

Open Source Software-Defined Networking Controllers—Operational and Security Issues

The Software-Defined Networking concept plays an important role in network management. The central controller, which is the main element of SDN, allows the provision of traffic engineering and security solutions in single- and multiple-layer networks based on optical transmission. In this work, we compare selected open-source implementations of SDN controllers. Throughput and latency measurements were analyzed using the CBench program. The simulation of a link failure and a controller failure were conducted using the API provided by the Mininet network simulator. To detect security vulnerabilities, a dedicated program, called sdnpwn, was used. This work provides an overview of the selected controllers, indicating their strengths and weaknesses. Moreover, some implemention suggestions and recommendations are presented.

Upgrading a single-chamber leadless pacemaker to a dual-chamber leadless pacemaker system

Abstract Background/Introduction The first global dual-chamber leadless pacemaker (DR-LP) study included a group of subjects with a pre-existing upgradeable ventricular single chamber leadless pacemaker (VR-LP) in whom the addition of an atrial leadless pacemaker (AR-LP) was undertaken to allow upgrading to a dual chamber leadless pacing (DR-LP) system. Purpose Summarize success rates of single to dual chamber leadless pacemaker upgrades, as well as device and i2i throughput measurements, serious adverse device effects (SADEs) and mortality in this cohort. Methods Subjects with a pre-existing VR-LP who were indicated for a dual-chamber pacemaker were included. Upgrade procedures included downloading firmware to existing VR-LP, placing AR-LP, and pairing the devices to operate in a DR-LP mode. Electrical and i2i throughput measurements were collected at implant, pre-discharge, 1-mo, 3-mo, 6-mo, and 12-mo. Upgrade success rate was defined as an AR-LP upgrade procedure that resulted in a functional DR-LP system. SADEs included all reported events that were adjudicated as serious and possibly, probably or causally related to the procedure or system. SADEs and deaths were adjudicated by an independent clinical events committee. Results Out of 36 enrolled subjects (61.1% male, 70.4 ± 13.8 yrs., 55.6% sinus node dysfunction, 38.9% AV block), 35 had an attempted implant, and 32 of these were successful (91.4%). The 3 unsuccessful upgrade attempts were related to unsuccessful placement of the AR-LP due to complications during the procedure (n = 2) or an inability to implant an AR-LP (n = 1). Figure 1 illustrates a declining early mean pacing capture threshold, rising early P-wave amplitudes, and stable impedance for the AR-LP over the 12 months. Mean i2i throughput for communication from the RV to RA and the RA to RV improved from pre-discharge to 3 months and remained stable through the subsequent 9 months (Figure 2). A total of 5 subjects (5 of 36; 13.9%) experienced 7 SADEs (all procedure-related; 2 related to the AR-LP and 2 to the delivery catheter). One non-cardiovascular, non-device, non-procedure related death occurred in the upgrade population. Conclusions The single to dual-chamber upgrade cohort demonstrated a high upgrade success rate (91.4%), stable atrial and ventricular electrical measurements and consistently high i2i communication throughout the 12 months. AV synchrony (AVS) was not specifically measured in this upgrade cohort, but data from the main DR-LP study suggest that i2i throughput correlates with, but significantly underestimates AVS. Further, the rate of complications was acceptable (13.9%) and limited to the procedure. These data confirm the feasibility, safety and longer-term effectiveness of adding an atrial LP in patients with a pre-existing ventricular LP order to achieve effective dual chamber pacing.Fig. 1: Upgrade Electrical measurementsFig. 2: i2i communication for Upgrades

Efficiency and productivity gains of robotic surgery: The case of the English National Health Service.

This paper examines the effect of new medical technology (robotic surgery) on efficiency gains and productivity changes for surgical treatment in patients with prostate cancer from the perspective of a public health sector organization. In particular, we consider three interrelated surgical technologies within the English National Health System: robotic, laparoscopic and open radical prostatectomy. Robotic and laparoscopic techniques are minimally invasive procedures with similar clinical benefits. While the clinical benefits in adopting robotic surgery over laparoscopic intervention are unproven, it requires a high initial investment cost and carries high on-going maintenance costs. Using data from Hospital Episode Statistics for the period 2000-2018, we observe growing volumes of prostatectomies over time, mostly driven by an increase in robotic-assisted surgeries, and further analyze whether hospital providers that adopted a robot see improved measures of throughput. We then quantify changes in total factor and labor productivity arising from the use of this technology. We examine the impact of robotic adoption on efficiency gains employing a staggered difference-in-difference estimator and find evidence of a 50% reduction in length of stay (LoS), 49% decrease in post-LoS and 44% and 46% decrease in postoperative visits after 1year and 2years, respectively. Productivity analysis shows the growth in radical prostatectomy volume is sustained with a relatively stable number of urology surgeons. The robotic technique increases total production at the hospital level between 21% and 26%, coupled with a 29% improvement in labor productivity. These benefits lend some, but not overwhelming support for the large-scale hospital investments in such costly technology.

Exergetic life cycle assessment for green hydrogen production

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a method for assessing the environmental impacts of products and processes. The life cycle inventory provides a measure of the quantitative throughput of a process, but it cannot measure the intrinsic quality of that throughput. Exergy is a measure of the quantity and quality of energy. When combining LCA and exergy analysis in an exergy-based life cycle assessment (ExLCA) a powerful tool for the quantification of resource efficiency can be established. This study performs a detailed bottom-up cradle-to-grave ExLCA based on cumulative exergy consumption and exergy analysis of the use phase for a state-of-the-art (SoA) and a future plant 5 MW proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer plant. Three scenarios are implemented, i.e. SoA plant operated in the German grid mix of 2018, SoA plant operated in a defossilized grid, and a future plant operated in a defossilized grid. In every scenario, more than 98 % of the resource demand originates from electricity generation alone and decreases significantly with renewable electricity operation. In plant construction, the anode catalyst material iridium causes approximately half of the resource demand and bears the largest lever for the resource reduction potential of the plant construction of 65 %.

A context-aware energy saving information centric (CAES) model for wireless communication network

The CASE model improves the traditional wireless communication approach by deploying an energy-efficient information-centric algorithm that also enables the tiny low-powered communication nodes of the wireless network to work efficiently with the context-aware energy-saving interface. CAES introduces buffer optimization and a smart routing process among all the low-capacity tiny nodes. Moreover, the gathering of Context-aware energy-saving information also takes care of the performance as well as the management of the traffic load of the entire wireless network. Toward the objectives of the proposed algorithm, which ensure a high ratio of content delivery with an efficient energy saving and energy utilizing scheme, this paper is trying to design a type of Wi-Fi environment that carry the data packet and delivery services carefully without falling down the connection or losing the data contents. In addition to this, this paper concentrate on the measurement of Expected Production Quality (EPQ) values, using loss and quality functions based on various quality parameters to be calculated as one of the measured parts of this research work that defines the ratio of reliability and efficiency of CAES. Further, the implementation of CAES defines the improvement of this research work in the form of managing various quality of communication parameters such as packets delivery ratio, end-to-end Delay and throughput measurement. This manuscript proposes a novel version of the context-aware routing mechanism in a wireless network since traditional wireless communication protocols like SADODV, RAEED-EA are not vulnerable to offer best of communication services. This work aims to manage common communication quality parameters such as Packet Delivery Ratio, End to End Delay and Throughput to be improved using information-centric route management services under denial-of-service (DoS) attacks by implementing context-aware energy saving (CAES), which simultaneously deploys energy efficiency and buffer optimization. This paper simulates and compare the resulting parameters with traditional protocols which defines the importance and role of CAES model for the future of Communication Technology.

Metasurface array for single-shot spectroscopic ellipsometry

Spectroscopic ellipsometry is a potent method that is widely adopted for the measurement of thin film thickness and refractive index. Most conventional ellipsometers utilize mechanically rotating polarizers and grating-based spectrometers for spectropolarimetric detection. Here, we demonstrated a compact metasurface array-based spectroscopic ellipsometry system that allows single-shot spectropolarimetric detection and accurate determination of thin film properties without any mechanical movement. The silicon-based metasurface array with a highly anisotropic and diverse spectral response is combined with iterative optimization to reconstruct the full Stokes polarization spectrum of the light reflected by the thin film with high fidelity. Subsequently, the film thickness and refractive index can be determined by fitting the measurement results to a proper material model with high accuracy. Our approach opens up a new pathway towards a compact and robust spectroscopic ellipsometry system for the high throughput measurement of thin film properties.

Protocols for preparation of biomineralized samples for computed tomography

Computed tomography spans a versatile set of techniques that range several length scales and modalities. It is common to them all that the sample must be prepared in a way which allows for addressing the scientific question(s) posed as well as being suitable for the specific setup of the experiment. We present two lathe-based sample preparation workflows developed to prepare biomineralized samples (here bone) for two very different experiments in terms of setup, types of questions asked, and sample requirements. The first experiment, involving the measurement of high throughput (synchrotron) micro-computed tomography, required the preparation of many samples with homogeneity in size, shape, and bone site. This was achieved through a particular sequence of cutting and embedding steps finalized by lathe milling. The resulting samples were cylindrical in shape with diameters close to the field of view of the ensuing tomography experiment, which allowed maximizing the investigated sample volumes. The second experiment was a combined ptychography and X-ray fluorescence nano-computed tomography experiment, which required preparation of a few-micrometer-sized sample. Moreover, the scientific interest was in a specific, localized feature in bone. Thus, the sample had to be extracted from a precise location from within the whole bone. Again, the developed workflow comprised many steps, including both lathe milling and focused ion beam milling. Importantly, localized preparation was enabled by measuring in-house X-ray micro-computed tomography at crucial points in the workflow. The presented workflows provide examples of preparation pathways that can be standardized and strongly increase the throughput, quality, and success rate of tomography experiments.

Development and validation of a DNA-based multi-species biomonitoring toolkit using a high-throughput qPCR platform: A case study of Irish shellfish species.

Biomonitoring of marine life has been enhanced in recent years by the integration of innovative DNA-based approaches, which offer advantages over more laborious techniques (e.g. microscopy). However, trade-offs between throughput, sensitivity and quantitative measurements must be made when choosing between the prevailing molecular methodologies (i.e. metabarcoding or qPCR/dPCR). Thus, the aim of the present study was to demonstrate the utility of a microfluidic-enabled high-throughput quantitative PCR platform (HTqPCR) for the rapid and cost-effective development and validation of a DNA-based multi-species biomonitoring toolkit, using larvae of 23 commercially targeted bivalve and crustacean species as a case study. The workflow was divided into three main phases: definition of (off-) target taxa and establishment of reference databases (PHASE 1); selection/development and assessment of molecular assays (PHASE 2); and protocol optimization and field validation (PHASE 3). 42 assays were eventually chosen and validated. Genetic signal not only showed good correlation with direct visual counts by microscopy but also showed the ability to provide quantitative data at the highest taxonomic resolution (species level) in a time- and cost-effective fashion. This study developed a biomonitoring toolkit, demonstrating the considerable advantages of this state-of-the-art technology in boosting the developmental testing and application of panels of molecular assays for the monitoring and management of natural resources. Once developed, this approach provides a cost and time-effective alternative compared to other multi-species approaches (e.g. metabarcoding). In addition, it is transferable to a wide range of species and will aid future monitoring programmes.

Optimisation of surfactin yield in Bacillus using data-efficient active learning and high-throughput mass spectrometry

Integration of machine learning and high throughput measurements are essential to drive the next generation of the design-build-test-learn (DBTL) cycle in synthetic biology. Here, we report the use of active learning in combination with metabolomics for optimising production of surfactin, a complex lipopeptide resulting from a non-ribosomal assembly pathway. We designed a media optimisation algorithm that iteratively learns the yield landscape and steers the media composition toward maximal production. The algorithm led to a 160 % yield increase after three DBTL runs as compared to an M9 baseline. Metabolomics data helped to elucidate the underpinning biochemistry for yield improvement and revealed Pareto-like trade-offs in production of other lipopeptides from related pathways. We found positive associations between organic acids and surfactin, suggesting a key role of central carbon metabolism, as well as system-wide anisotropies in how metabolism reacts to shifts in carbon and nitrogen levels. Our framework offers a novel data-driven approach to improve yield of biological products with complex synthesis pathways that are not amenable to traditional yield optimisation strategies.

Design and performance of a collimated beam projector for telescope transmission measurement using a broad-band light source

Abstract Type Ia supernovae are the most direct cosmological probe to study dark energy in the recent Universe, for which the photometric calibration of astronomical instruments remains one major source of systematic uncertainties. To address this, recent advancements introduce collimated beam projectors (CBPs), aiming to enhance calibration by precisely measuring a telescope’s throughput as a function of wavelength. This work describes the performance of a prototype portable CBP. The experimental set-up consists of a broad-band Xenon light source replacing a more customary but much more demanding high-power laser source, coupled with a monochromator emitting light inside an integrating sphere monitored with a photodiode and a spectrograph. Light is injected at the focus of the CBP telescope projecting a collimated beam onto a solar cell whose quantum efficiency has been obtained by comparison with a NIST-calibrated photodiode. The throughput and signal-to-noise ratio achieved by comparing the photocurrent signal in the CBP photodiode with the one in the solar cell are computed. We prove that the prototype, in its current state of development, is capable of achieving 1.2 per cent and 2.3 per cent precision on the integrated g and r bands of the Zwicky Transient Facility photometric filter system, respectively, in a reasonable amount of integration time. Central wavelength determination accuracy is kept below ∼0.91 and ∼0.58 nm for g and r bands, respectively. The expected photometric uncertainty caused by filter throughput measurement is approximately 5 mmag on the zero-point magnitude. Several straightforward improvement paths are discussed to upgrade the current set-up.

Routing Methods For Data Transmission In Large Networks: A Review

A wireless sensor network (WSN) is a network consisting of miniaturized smart sensors communicating the information gathered or collected from a monitored environment via a wireless link. The sensors are capable of sensing the events within their environment, process the data, and transmit the data to the base station (BS). The entire processing of data and subsequent transmission to BS requires high energy consumption. The operation of WSN is limited by repeated dead nodes, which results in energy depletion. Hence, to prolong the life-span of the network, several routing protocols have been developed. However, the effectiveness of these protocols has not been well examined in terms of increasing node population for a given WSN field or area. Therefore, in this work the effect of increasing node density on cluster based energy-efficient routing protocols in wireless sensor network was analysed. The implemented routing protocols were Low Energy Adaptive Clustering Hierarchy LEACH, stable election protocol (SEP), and zone-SEP (Z-SEP). The dimension of the WSN was 100 × 100 square metre area with varying number of sensor nodes: 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100. The results of the simulation conducted in MATLAB revealed that increasing node density resulted in increased alive node and throughput (measures in terms of transmitted number of packets). On the contrary, the protocol with the best performance was ZSEP.

Airspace Congestion, flow Relations, and 4-D fundamental Diagrams for advanced urban air mobility

This paper develops theoretical macroscopic air traffic flow models that relate vehicle density and spacing to traffic flow (throughput) measures under different operational parameters for unstructured airspace in the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) context. Recognizing the role of conflicts in air traffic flow, we relate vehicle density to the frequency of conflict occurrence in airspace using a gas-kinetic analogy. The number of conflicts is then related to vehicle speeds using an average speed loss per conflict. The effects of the speed reductions are coupled with density to explore the fundamental diagram between flow rate and density. The theoretical models are tested and validated with simulated results for a number of parameter levels. The models can be applied for quick predictions of future traffic flow conditions, which will be especially useful for operators or air traffic flow management systems. The theoretical and simulated findings also provide operational and policy insights for AAM operators, planners, and modelers. Notable insights include the critical role of aircraft density in air traffic flow and the variable impact of that density on traffic flow behavior. AAM operators and planners will need to closely manage the airspace density to avoid large numbers of conflicts simultaneously and maintain acceptable travel times and throughputs. Key operational parameters such as aircraft spacing requirements and maximum aircraft speeds were also found to have significant impacts on traffic flow behavior, and offer policy avenues for managing air traffic.