158 research outputs found
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No full text法制漫画
助力古城保护
（范其恢 著）
姑苏区法宣办 姑苏区司法局
Legal comics
Help protect the ancient city
(Made by Fan Qihui)
Gusu District Law Propaganda Office Gusu District Judicial Bureau </p
Phenomenology and Affect: Qiu Jiongjiong’s Madame
No full textThis article explores Chinese filmmaker Qiu Jiongjiong’s documentary Madame (2010) and seeks to shed light on how the film portrays queer bodies in the peripheries of various sociocultural norms and structures in contemporary China. Qiu gives us a ‘Madame’ who works as a tailor, Fan Qihui, by day, and a cross-dressing performer, Bilang de Linphél. Whilst the film is assembled by eight scenes (echoing a theatre performance), three pivotal themes of Fan’s personal experiences in the margins are evoked in various parts of the documentary: first, beauty and sex, second, economic disenfranchisement and third, happiness. This article approaches these intersecting themes by focusing on how they mobilise processes of affective embodiment. As such, this article reveals how the film bridges an almost biographical portrayal of Fan’s past with the ways in which the body is affected by the lived experiences through the performance of Bilang on stage. By providing a reading of the film, alongside interviews with and articles about tailor Fan Qihui published online before and after their suicide in 2010, I aim to demonstrate how phenomenological accounts of bodily affect afford a valuable lens through which queer discourses on China can be probed. Analysis of bodily affect can be approached by looking at the bodily movement as well as the body’s tendency towards certain objects and objectives. Fan indeed orient themselves toward certain objects that assume queer meanings and objectives such as finding happiness through the various means afforded by one’s material conditions and bodily realities. In turn, these bodily tendencies call attention to how the body of Bilang and Fan can be seen not only as commentary on external forces and power, but also as a vessel of pivotal information on the very systemic and structural forces that affectively condition the body. Moreover, this essay sheds some light on how the body (of characters) in a film often bears valuable information for social and cultural analysis
Single-Cell Poration and Lysis by Microsecond-Laser-Pulse Induced Microbubbles
No full textIn this dissertation, single-cell poration and single-cell lysis combined with single-cell manipulation via microsecond-laser-pulses induced microbubbles are integrated on a microfluidic chip for molecular biology applications. Molecular delivery is necessary in many clinical and fundamental biological research. Traditional cell poration techniques are well-suited to treating large groups of cells. However, the ability to transfer exogenous molecules into localized single cells is required in fields such as stem-cell research. Optoporation can achieve localized single-cell poration using continuous-wave lasers or nanosecond or femtosecond laser pulses, but with limitations for each method. In this dissertation, a new optoporation method, laser-induced microbubble poration (LMP), is demonstrated and characterized. LMP uses microsecond-long laser pulses to generate and control size-oscillating microbubbles in saline media. The bubble size oscillation induces microstreaming, and the associated shear stress, which causes small pores to open on the membrane of nearby cells. LMP method can achieve single-cell poration with a high efficiency of 95.2 ± 4.8%, and a cell viability as high as 97.6 ± 2.4%. The poration of cells above laser-induced microbubbles (PCALM) has been developed to further improve LMP, and provides higher throughput and the delivery of larger molecules. Single-cell lysis can release intracellular components which provide crucial information for biomedical research. In this report, localized single cells can be lysed precisely and selectively, using microbubbles induced by the microsecond laser pulses. The shear stress from the microstreaming of the laser induced microbubble and the direct contact with the expanding bubbles causes the rupture of the targeted cell membrane. It is also convenient to integrate the cell manipulation function into the cell lysis system, which can be used for cell-cell interaction studies. In the future, the parallel and automated control of microbubbles can be achieved by a laser scanning system or a spatial light modulator. This will enable the poration or lysis of multiple target cells at the same time, further improving the throughput.Ph.D
Biophysicochemical characterization of interaction between pulmonary surfactants and nanoparticles
No full textWith the rapid development of nanotechnology and nanoscience, there is an increasing concern of the environmental, health, and safety (EHS) impacts of nano particles, which have a feature of particle size less than 100 nm in at least one dimension. Inhaled nanoparticles (NPs) must first interact with the pulmonary surfactant (PS) lining layer that covers the entire internal surface of the respiratory tract and plays an important role in surface tension reduction and host defense. Interactions with the PS film determine the subsequent clearance, retention, and translocation of the inhaled NPs, and hence their potential toxicity. To date, little is known how NPs interact with PS, and whether or not NPs have adverse effects on the biophysical function of PS. We found a time-dependent toxicological effect of hydroxyapatite NPs (HA-NPs) on natural PS, Infasurf, and the time scale of surfactant inhibition after particle exposure was comparable to the turnover period of surfactant metabolism. Using a variety of in vitro biophysicochemical characterization techniques, we have determined the inhibition mechanism to be due to protein adsorption onto the HA-NPs. Consequently, depletion of proteins from surfactant vesicles caused conversion of original large phospholipid vesicles into much smaller vesicles, which have poor surface activity. These small vesicles in turn inhibited biophysical function of surfactant films after adsorption at the air-water interface.M.S
Resisting Trauma: Exploring Queer Emotional Narratives in
No full textThis paper delves into the documentary Madame, examining the intricate emotional narrative of Qihui Fan within the Chinese cultural framework using Sara Ahmed’s Cultural Politics of Emotion. By analyzing Fan’s experiences, encompassing childhood strife, youth prostitution, and grappling with a sense of nothingness in middle age, the exploration delves into his emotional journey and the construction of his queer identity. Employing Ahmed’s framework, it dissects how emotions, notably pain and pleasure, interplay within Fan’s narrative. Through resisting societal norms and embracing a persona—madame “BILAN DE LINPHEL,” Fan navigates pleasure as a form of rebellion against heteronormativity. However, this pleasure is fleeting, entangled in a cycle of despair, as his narrative oscillates between self-empowerment and trauma-driven despair. The analysis uncovers Fan’s struggle for recognition in a society with limited tolerance for queer identities. It scrutinizes the performance of emotions, the role of pleasure in resistance, and the narrative’s performative nature. Ultimately, this examination unravels the complex interplay of emotions, societal control, and identity struggles within the context of Chinese queer culture, shedding light on the challenges and nuances faced by individuals like Fan
Collective Organization Behaviors of Multi‐Cell Systems Induced by Engineered ECM‐Cell Mechanical Coupling
No full textCells in vivo are surrounded by fibrous extracellular matrix (ECM), which can mediate the propagation of active cellular forces through stressed fiber bundles and regulate various biological processes. However, the mechanisms for multi-cellular organization and collective dynamics induced by cell-ECM mechanical couplings, which are crucial for the development of novel ECM-based biomaterial for cell manipulation and biomechanical applications, remain poorly understood. Herein, the authors design an in vitro quasi-3D experimental system and demonstrate a transition between spreading and aggregating in collective organizational behaviors of discrete multi-cellular systems, induced by engineered ECM-cell mechanical coupling, with the observed phenomena and underlying mechanisms differing fundamentally from those of cell monolayers. During the process of collective cell organization, the collagen substrate undergoes reconstruction into a dense fiber network structure, which is correlated with local cellular density and consistent with observed enhanced cells' motility; and the weakening of fiber bundle formation within the hydrogel reduces cells' movement. Moreover, cells can respond to the curvature and shape of the original cell population and form different aggregation patterns. These results elucidate important physical factors involved in collective cell organization and provide important references for potential applications of biomaterials in new therapies and tissue engineering
Performance Comparison between Data Centers with Different Airflow Management Technologies
No full textAir cooling systems are widely used in current data centers owing to their low capital costs and high reliability. To satisfy the increasing rack power density, the optimal air-cooling technology and an economic analysis should be carefully discussed. Therefore, this study discusses four airflow management technologies: Case 1: raised floor and cold aisle containment supply/computer room air conditioning (CRAC) direct return; Case 2: CRAC direct supply/hot aisle containment (HAC) return; Case 3: overhead duct supply/CRAC direct return; and Case 4: overhead duct supply/HAC return. Using a validated model, the thermal and economic performances of each case were compared. Results showed that Case 4 exhibited the best thermal performance, followed by Cases 3, 2, and 1. Case 1 cannot satisfy the heat dissipation requirement when the rack power density is larger than 12.5 kW; whereas only Case 4 can be used when the power density is larger than 15 kW. Regarding location within China, owing to the high ambient temperature, Shenzhen showed the highest annual cost value and power usage effectiveness, followed by Shanghai, Xi’an, Beijing, and Harbin. Finally, Cases 3 and 4 are recommended for application when the rack power density is greater than 10 kW.Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository 'You share, we take care!' - Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.Process and Energ
Image based analysis of visibility in smoke laden environments
No full textThis study investigates visibility in a smoke laden environment. For many years, researchers and engineers in fire safety have criticized the inadequacy of existing theory in describing the effects such as colour, viewing angle, environmental lighting etc. on the visibility of an emergency sign. In the current study, the author has raised the fundamental question on the concept of visibility and how it should be measured in fire safety engineering and tried to address the problem by redefining visibility based on the perceived image of a target sign. New algorithms have been created during this study to utilise modern hardware and software technology in the simulation of human perceived image of object in both experiment and computer modelling. Unlike the traditional threshold of visual distance, visibility in the current study has been defined as a continuous function changing from clearly discemable to completely invisible. It allows the comparison of visibility under various conditions, not just limited to the threshold. Current experiment has revealed that different conditions may results in the same visual threshold but follow very different path on the way leading to the threshold. The new definition of visibility has made the quantification of visibility in the pre-threshold conditions possible. Such quantification can help to improve the performance of fire evacuation since most evacuees will experience the pre-threshold condition. With current measurement of visibility, all the influential factors such as colour, viewing angle etc. can be tested in experiment and simulated in numerical model.Based on the newly introduced definition of visibility, a set of experiments have been carried output in a purposed built smoke tunnel. Digital camera images of various illuminated signs were taken under different illumination, colour and smoke conditions. Using an algorithm developed by the author in this study, the digital camera images were converted into simulated human perceived images. The visibility of a target sign is measured against the quality of its image acquired. Conclusions have been drawn by comparing visibility under different conditions. One of them is that signs illuminated with red and green lights have the similar visibility that is far better than that with blue light. It is the first time this seemingly obvious conclusion has been quantified.In the simulation of visibility in participating media, the author has introduced an algorithm that combines irradiance catching in 3D space with Monte Carlo ray tracing. It can calculate the distribution of scattered radiation with good accuracy without the high cost typically related to zonal method and the limitations in discrete ordinate method. The algorithm has been combined with a two pass solution method to produce high resolution images without introducing excessive number of rays from the light source. The convergence of the iterative solution procedure implemented has been theoretically proven. The accuracy of the model is demonstrated by comparing with the analytical solution of a point radiant source in 3D space. Further validation of the simulation model has been carried out by comparing the model prediction with the data from the smoke tunnel experiments.The output of the simulation model has been presented in the form of an innovative floor map of visibility (FMV). It helps the fire safety designer to identify regions of poor visibility in a glance and will prove to be a very useful tool in performance based fire safety design
Image based analysis of visibility in smoke laden environments
No full textThis study investigates visibility in a smoke laden environment. For many years, researchers and engineers in fire safety have criticized the inadequacy of existing theory in describing the effects such as colour, viewing angle, environmental lighting etc. on the visibility of an emergency sign. In the current study, the author has raised the fundamental question on the concept of visibility and how it should be measured in fire safety engineering and tried to address the problem by redefining visibility based on the perceived image of a target sign. New algorithms have been created during this study to utilise modern hardware and software technology in the simulation of human perceived image of object in both experiment and computer modelling. Unlike the traditional threshold of visual distance, visibility in the current study has been defined as a continuous function changing from clearly discemable to completely invisible. It allows the comparison of visibility under various conditions, not just limited to the threshold. Current experiment has revealed that different conditions may results in the same visual threshold but follow very different path on the way leading to the threshold. The new definition of visibility has made the quantification of visibility in the pre-threshold conditions possible. Such quantification can help to improve the performance of fire evacuation since most evacuees will experience the pre-threshold condition. With current measurement of visibility, all the influential factors such as colour, viewing angle etc. can be tested in experiment and simulated in numerical model.Based on the newly introduced definition of visibility, a set of experiments have been carried output in a purposed built smoke tunnel. Digital camera images of various illuminated signs were taken under different illumination, colour and smoke conditions. Using an algorithm developed by the author in this study, the digital camera images were converted into simulated human perceived images. The visibility of a target sign is measured against the quality of its image acquired. Conclusions have been drawn by comparing visibility under different conditions. One of them is that signs illuminated with red and green lights have the similar visibility that is far better than that with blue light. It is the first time this seemingly obvious conclusion has been quantified.In the simulation of visibility in participating media, the author has introduced an algorithm that combines irradiance catching in 3D space with Monte Carlo ray tracing. It can calculate the distribution of scattered radiation with good accuracy without the high cost typically related to zonal method and the limitations in discrete ordinate method. The algorithm has been combined with a two pass solution method to produce high resolution images without introducing excessive number of rays from the light source. The convergence of the iterative solution procedure implemented has been theoretically proven. The accuracy of the model is demonstrated by comparing with the analytical solution of a point radiant source in 3D space. Further validation of the simulation model has been carried out by comparing the model prediction with the data from the smoke tunnel experiments.The output of the simulation model has been presented in the form of an innovative floor map of visibility (FMV). It helps the fire safety designer to identify regions of poor visibility in a glance and will prove to be a very useful tool in performance based fire safety design
Molecular delivery and transfection by laser-induced oscillating microbubbles
No full textExogenous molecules were successfully delivered into localized single mammalian adherent cells with oscillating microbubbles induced by microsecond laser pulses. The shear stress due to the oscillation of the microbubble causes the poration of a nearby cell. Specific single cells can be porated by adjusting the laser position to create the microbubbles beneath the target cell. The poration of localized single cells was demonstrated with the delivery of 500-kDa FITC-Dextran dye and 16-kb plasmids.</p
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