Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Flicker noise measurement of HF quartz resonators

The frequency flicker of quartz resonators can be derived from the measurement of S/sub /spl phi//(f), i.e. the power spectrum density of phase fluctuations /spl phi/. Besides, the interferometric method turns out to be the best choice to measure the quartz resonator phase fluctuations because of its high sensitivity even in the low power conditions required for these devices. Combining these two ideas, we built an instrument suitable to measure the resonator frequency flicker floor and we measured the stability of some 10 MHz high performances resonators as a function of the dissipated power. The stability limit of our instrument, described in terms of Allan deviation /spl sigma//sub y/(/spl tau/), is of some 10/sup -14/.
Temperature Dependence of Digital SET Pulse Width in Bulk and SOI Technologies

Using three-dimensional mixed-mode simulation, temperature dependence of digital SET pulse width in bulk and PD SOI inverter chains has been studied. It was found that temperature has a very important impact on digital SET. Using a LET of 60 MeVmiddotcm2 /mg, when temperature rises from -55 to 125degC , the digital SET pulse width in bulk and floating SOI inverter chains rises remarkably, while in a SOI inverter chain with ideal body tie, the digital SET pulse width is almost constant with rising temperature. Detailed analysis showed that pulse broadening with rising temperature is primarily due to enhancement of bipolar amplification.
A Novel Decoupled Flexure Nanopositioner With Thermal Distortion Self-Elimination Function

Flexure nanopositioner is usually utilized to compensate the alignment deviation in the process of micro/mini LED chip repairing.However, thermal distortion effect always reduces the alignment accuracy of the precision positioning system, which will seriously affect the chip repairing quality. The motivation of this article is to develop a novel decoupled flexure nanopositioner with thermal distortion self-elimination function. The thermal distortion self-elimination performance is achieved via three flexible connection modules (FCM), in which the thermal stress can be automatically eliminated. First the design, modeling, and optimization of the proposed flexure nanopositioner are presented. Then, theoretical analysis in terms of thermal deformation relationship derivation and whole mechanism compliance modeling are carried out, respectively. In addition, aiming for minimizing thermal distortion of the nanopositioner, the FCM is optimized by the genetic optimization algorithm and finite element analysis (FEA) evaluations. Finally, a series of validation experiments including displacement decoupling, tracking performance at different temperatures, and thermal distortion elimination tests are successfully carried out. The theoretic, simulated, and practical testing results uniformly indicate that thermal distortion can be eliminated up to 61.6% by FCM, the displacement coupling error is kept within 2.4%, and the closed-loop positioning precision is $\pm$100 nm with 48-$\mu$m stroke. All the experimental results verify that the developed flexure nanopositioner can achieve decoupling, accurate, and stable positioning targeted the ultra-precision positioning tasks under the condition of environmental temperature drift.
Design of QMF banks using allpass filters

The authors consider the design of quadrature mirror filter (QMF) banks using digital allpass filters. The QMF banks consisting of an allpass filter and a pure delay section have an approximately linear phase response, and the phase distortion can be minimised by using another additional allpass filter as an equaliser.
Designing the intelligent controller for photovoltaic system in islanding mode operation

In this paper, an optimal controller is proposed to control the voltage of photovoltaic system as distributed generation (DG) using intelligent algorithm in islanding mode operation. The control algorithm used in the studied control plant during load variations is based on the reinforcement learning (RL) algorithm. To control the examined plant, this algorithm has tried to prevent controller output voltage changes due to the load variations by changing the constant and integral coefficients of load variations, and to keep the output voltage of photovoltaic system in certain constant value in the islanding mode. The proposed controller performance to achieve this goal is verified by the simulation results. Key words: Renewable energy, controller design, reinforcement learning (rl) algorithms, photovoltaic systems
Integrating Instructional Technology into a Teacher Education Program: A Three-Tiered Approach

This project description examines how a teacher education program integrated new instructional technology through the creation of a Technology Facilitator position in the department. The project proceeded through a three-tiered system of learning literacy to establish a knowledge base amongst faculty members, augmenting required courses to model the use of instructional technology, and finally the transformation of the credential program where the activity of learning can only be accomplished through leveraging technology. As a professional program housed in a liberal arts institution, this project combines aspects of the essential learning outcomes of the 21 century with the professional skills required of K-12 teachers. Also included are initial data results from student and faculty preand post-surveys, observations of students using new technologies in the field, and implications for similar institutions in the implementation of a three-tiered approach to technology integration through the guidance of a Technology Facilitator.
Modeling natural motivations into hybrid artificial agents

Beforehand, the concept of natural motivations (i.e.motivations related to the satisfaction of natural needs) has been generally integrated into reactive agents, and particularly to animats. In this paper, we present and discuss a generic model which introduces such notions into hybrid agents. The basis of our model is the Abraham Maslow’s pyramid of needs.
Spectroscopic and Analytical Developments Ltd fingerprints brand spirits with ultraviolet spectrophotometry

Purpose – To review the innovative products of a particular UK company.Design/methodology/approach – Looks at the history and philosophy of the company, the design and advantages of their brand authenticator product, and then presents their latest spectrophotometric instruments.Findings – Starting in the field of miniature spectrophotometers, which soon became very competitive, the company found a niche market and developed an instrument well‐suited to that market. Their latest products build on that success.Originality/value – An encouraging report for technologists and entrepreneurs.
Modified MAP Algorithm for Extended Turbo BCH Codes and Turbo Equalisers

The Maximum A-Posteriori (MAP) algorithm is modified in order to incorporate the parity check bit of extended BCH codes into calculating the Log Likelihood Ratio (LLR) of the coded bits. The algorithm is then used jointly with channel equalisation – in a scheme referred to as turbo equalisation – in order to mitigate the effects of Inter-Symbol Interference (ISI) introduced by dispersive channels. The performance of the extended BCH codes is evaluated and compared to that of conventional BCH codes. For example, the extended BCH(32,26) code was found to outperform the conventional BCH(31, 26) code by approximately 0.5 – 1.0 dB at a bit error reate (BER) of $10^{-5}$ over dispersive Rayleigh-fading channels.
Adaptive Grasping of Moving Objects through Tactile Sensing

A robot’s ability to grasp moving objects depends on the availability of real-time sensor data in both the far-field and near-field of the gripper. This research investigates the potential contribution of tactile sensing to a task of grasping an object in motion. It was hypothesised that combining tactile sensor data with a reactive grasping strategy could improve its robustness to prediction errors, leading to a better, more adaptive performance. Using a two-finger gripper, we evaluated the performance of two algorithms to grasp a ball rolling on a horizontal plane at a range of speeds and gripper contact points. The first approach involved an adaptive grasping strategy initiated by tactile sensors in the fingers. The second strategy initiated the grasp based on a prediction of the position of the object relative to the gripper, and provided a proxy to a vision-based object tracking system. It was found that the integration of tactile sensor feedback resulted in a higher observed grasp robustness, especially when the gripper–ball contact point was displaced from the centre of the gripper. These findings demonstrate the performance gains that can be attained by incorporating near-field sensor data into the grasp strategy and motivate further research on how this strategy might be expanded for use in different manipulator designs and in more complex grasp scenarios.
Automatic segmentation of oceanic eddies on AVHRR thermal infrared sea surface images

Presents some new developments of a technique for automatic detection of oceanic eddies on satellites infrared sea surface images. This technique relies on an algorithm using multiscale analysis of isotherm curvature and characterization of eddies through the phase portraits method. The main interest of the method is that isotherm curvature can be related to ocean dynamic, particularly to detect and describe such phenomena as mesoscale eddies with spiral patterns. The aim of this work is to obtain a much efficient method both in term of calculation time and stability in the characterization step. This algorithm has been then tested on several thermal infrared images of Bay of Biscay issued from AVHRR radiometer. The results on some typical images are given and statistics on the whole set are briefly described and discussed.
Effect of Soil Surface Submergence and a Water Table on Vegetative Growth and Nutrient Uptake of Corn

Effects of excessive-water stress on corn vegetative growth and nutrient uptake were investigated in environmentally controlled growth chambers. Two excessive-water treatments (soil surface submergence and water table at 15-cm depth) and four excessive-water stress levels (equivalent to 90, 180, 270, and 360 cm-day of stress as defined by SEW30 concept) were imposed at 21 days after emergence. Data on plant growth parameters (i.e., height, leaf area, dry matter, and shoot uptake of N, P, and K) were compared for both water-table positions. Corn plants were significantly larger when a water table was imposed at the 15-cm depth than when the surface was submerged at all excessive-water stress levels. Plant nutrient uptake also was greater when a water table was maintained at 15 cm below the surface than when the surface was submerged. Nutrient uptake decreased significantly with increasing stress level for the submerged-surface treatment, but the trend was not consistent for the water-table treatment.
A fracture mechanics approach to soldered joint cracking

Fracturing of a soldered joint, 60Sn-40Pb and beryllium copper, is investigated by a method that makes use of a double cantilever beam specimen where two symmetrical beams are soldered together. In this center line of solder layer, an initial crack is created. In one set of experiments, a monotonically increasing load is applied in the opening mode until the crack suddenly propagates. This procedure is repeated to obtain a set of load-deflection curves of different crack lengths which are used to calculate the J integral. The critical J integral is found to be 900-1200 J/m/sup 2/. In the second set of experiments, a subcritical load in the opening mode is applied and the corresponding displacement at the loading point is held constant. Subsequent load decrease and increase in the crack length are recorded with time. The rate of crack growth per unit time shows linear correlation with the third power of the J integral. Furthermore, there seems to exist a threshold J integral of 200-300 J/m/sup 2/ below which no crack growth is observed. >
Enclosure enhancement of flight performance

We use a potential flow solver to investigate the aerodynamic aspects of flapping flights in enclosed spaces. The enclosure effects are simulated by the method of images. Our study complements previous aerodynamic analyses which considered only the near-ground flight. The present results show that flying in the proximity of an enclosure affects the aerodynamic performance of flapping wings in terms of lift and thrust generation and power consumption. It leads to higher flight efficiency and more than 5% increase of the generation of lift and thrust.
Four-year changes in central fatness, risk of diabetes, and metabolic control in older adults: a cohort study with mediation analysis

Background/Aims Older adults are vulnerable to central obesity, while the association of changes in central fatness with risk of diabetes and metabolic control has not been investigated among this particular population. This study was aimed to address these issues. Methods A total of 1,815 adults aged ≥ 60 years without diabetes at baseline were followed for 4 years. Incident diabetes was ascertained based on plasma glucose, hemoglobin A1c, medical history, and/or the use of anti-diabetic drugs. Central fatness was assessed by waist circumference (WC), waist-height ratio (WHtR), and body roundness index (BRI). Logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association of changes in central fatness with risk of diabetes, along with dose-response and mediation analyses. Results During the 4-year follow-up, 177 participants developed diabetes. The risk of diabetes was increased by 42%, 41%, and 40% per 1 standard deviation increases in WC, WHtR, and BRI, respectively, in multivariable-adjusted models (all p < 0.01). Moreover, these relationships were all linearly-shaped (all pnonlinearity ≥ 0.11). Increases in WC, WHtR, and BRI correlated with increases in hemoglobin A1c, triglycerides-and-glucose index, triglycerides, white blood cell, and C-reactive protein (all p ≤ 0.04). Yet only changes in hemoglobin A1c and triglycerides-and-glucose index were identified as the possible mediators for risk of diabetes, with their mediating effect being about 35% and 21%, respectively. Conclusions Increases in central fatness were related to elevated risk of diabetes, and this association might be partly explained by the worsening of glycemic control and insulin resistance in older adults.
The MEPLAN models of Bilbao, Leeds and Dortmund

A trio of closely related land‐use/transport interaction models was developed using Marcial Echenique & Partners’ software package MEPLAN. The models were for the cities of Bilbao, (Spain), Dortmund (West Germany) and Leeds (England). All were calibrated using data drawn from earlier studies. The three models were used to predict the effects (relative to a base case) of a common programme of land‐use and transport policies or scenarios. This paper explains briefly the theoretical basis of the MEPLAN package as applied to urban models such as these three; describes the types of policies that have been assessed; and presents some of the key results.
A hierarchical driver model

This paper presents a hierarchical driver model, outlines the architecture and designs some control subsystems. The driver model includes four layers: decision-making, task planning, maneuver and action. This paper focuses on the design of the task planning layer. The fuzzy reasoning which is suitable to make use of human knowledge is used for expressing the process of driver's decision-making when the driver determines implementing a maneuver or not. The driver model has passed the simulation tests.
Prediction and optimisation models for turning operations

Selection of process parameters has very significant impact on product quality, production costs and production times. The quality and cost are much related to tool life, surface roughness and cutting forces which they are functions of process parameters (cutting speed, feed rate, depth of cut and tool nose radius). In this paper, empirical models for tool life, surface roughness and cutting force are developed for turning operations. The process parameters (cutting speed, feed rate, depth of cut and tool nose radius) are used as inputs to the developed machineability models. Two data mining techniques are used; response surface methodology and neural networks. The data of 28 experiments have been used to generate, compare and evaluate the proposed models of tool life, cutting force and surface roughness for the selected tool/material combination. The resulting models are utilized to formulate an optimisation model and solved to find optimal process parameters, when the objective is minimising production cost per workpiece, taking into account the related boundaries and limitation of this multi-pass turning operations. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate the suggested optimisation models.
Bayesian methods in reliability of search and rescue action

Bayesian methods in reliability of search and rescue action This paper concerns the application of bayesian network to planning and monitoring life saving actions at sea. The presented bayesian network was formed a.o. on the basis of the determined life raft safety function. The proposed bayesian network makes it possible to determine reliability of conducted life saving action, with accounting for a large number of events which influence course of the action. Reliability control was proposed to be applied to search and rescue - SAR action in contrast to risk control. Reliability levels were defined to make the assessing of safety of conducted SAR action, possible.
Statistical Estimation Problems in Inventory Management

Most of the literature on inventory management assumes that demand distributions and the parameters that characterize these distributions are known with certainty. However, this is not the case in practice and the unknown parameters must be estimated using only a finite (and sometimes very limited) amount of historical demand data. The sequential process of first estimating the parameters and then optimizing the inventory based on these estimates does not perform well especially when there is limited amount of data for estimation. The discrepancy between the performance of an optimal inventory target and the performance of its estimate from a short demand history is a serious, but often ignored, operational problem. The first study in this dissertation aims to solve this problem by considering a demand history with distributional characteristics that are hard to capture using standard distributions, and uses a flexible system of distributions that can capture a wide variety of distributional shapes with asymmetry, peakedness, and tail weight. The second study, on the other hand, considers an intermittent demand history which includes many zero values because demand does not arrive every inventory-review period. In both of these studies, the objective is to develop inventory-target estimation methods that account for the operational costs of incorrectly estimating the unknown parameters in the demand model. In particular, we combine inventory management and parameter estimation into a single task to balance the costs of underand overestimation of the optimal inventory target. In the third study, we focus on finding a probabilistic guarantee on the near-optimality of an inventory-target estimator in the presence of temporally dependent demand data. Our findings shed light on how the autocorrelation and tail dependence in a demand process affect the number of demand observations required to achieve a performance arbitrarily close to the performance of the optimal inventory target, which has been only investigated for independent and identically distributed demand in the inventory management literature. iii
Advanced Strategies for 3D Bioprinting of Tissue and Organ Analogs Using Alginate Hydrogel Bioinks

Alginate is a natural polysaccharide that typically originates from various species of algae. Due to its low cost, good biocompatibility, and rapid ionic gelation, the alginate hydrogel has become a good option of bioink source for 3D bioprinting. However, the lack of cell adhesive moieties, erratic biodegradability, and poor printability are the critical limitations of alginate hydrogel bioink. This review discusses the pivotal properties of alginate hydrogel as a bioink for 3D bioprinting technologies. Afterward, a variety of advanced material formulations and biofabrication strategies that have recently been developed to overcome the drawbacks of alginate hydrogel bioink will be focused on. In addition, the applications of these advanced solutions for 3D bioprinting of tissue/organ mimicries such as regenerative implants and in vitro tissue models using alginate-based bioink will be systematically summarized.
Political donations and the gender gap during COVID-19

What effect has the COVID-19 pandemic had on the political donations gender gap in Canada? Drawing on data from two national surveys conducted in May and August 2020, as well as Elections Canada data from 2019 and 2020, we find an overall decline in contributions to political parties and a reduced but still significant gender gap, with women less likely to donate to political parties than men.
Millimeter wave micro-CPW integrated antenna

This paper presents the latest result of applying the microstrip's leaky mode for a millimeter-wave active integrated antenna design. In contrast to the use of the first higher-order leaky mode, the second higher-order leaky mode, the second higher-order leaky mode of even symmetry is employed in the new approach, which allows larger dimension for leaky-wave antenna design and thereby reduces its performance sensitivity to the photolithographic tolerance. The new active integrated antenna operating at frequency about 34 GHz comprises of a microstrip and a coplanar waveguide stacked on top of each other, named as the millimeter wave micro-CPW integrated antenna. The feed is through the CPW that would be connected to the active uniplanar millimeter-wave (M)MIC's. Our experimental and theoretical investigations on the new integrated antenna show good input matching characteristics for such a highly directed leaky-wave antenna with the first-pass success.
Autistic children and adolescents and their parents: being and having meals together

ABSTRACT Objective his study analyzed collective activities, involving eating with autistic children and adolescents, their families and professionals and included walks to street-food markets, picnics and participating in Festa Junina, aiming at investigating feeding in the perspective of commensality. Methods Ethnographic research carried out, based on participant observation during a walk to the street-food market, picnic and Festa Junina, conducted with 19 children and 13 adolescents of an Institution for autistic people. The data recorded were analyzed within the phenomenology framework. Results The activities showed the interaction of autistic children/adolescents with space, people and food, revealing the way autistic people relate, belong and position themselves. The investigators highlighted commensality, emphasizing food as a mediator of relationships, considering a scenario that may present contradictions and power relationships, and allows new possibilities of being together with this audience, outside home and beyond therapeutic care. Conclusion Staying and eating in a group influences the autistic child/adolescent and the activities were configured as an invitation to shared meals, with unexpected behaviors that went beyond institutional therapeutic purposes.