Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design of Low Power Data Preserving Flip Flop Using MTCMOS Technique

In order to reduce overall power consumption, a well-known technique is to scale supply voltages. However, to maintain performance, device threshold voltages must scale as well, which will cause sub threshold leakage currents to increase exponentially. The sub threshold voltage has to affect the two parameters one is the delay and other one is the sub threshold leakage current. Smaller the threshold voltage smaller will be delay while larger will be the sub threshold current. Controlling sub threshold leakage has been explored significantly in the literature, especially in the context of reducing leakage currents in burst mode type circuits, where the system spends the majority of the time in an idle standby, or sleep, state where no computation is taking place. MTCMOS or multi-threshold CMOS has been proposed as a very effective technique for reducing leakage currents during the standby by state by utilizing high sleep devices to gate the power supplies of a low logic block. Although MTCMOS circuit techniques are effective for controlling leakage currents in combinational logic, a drawback is that it can cause internal nodes to float, and cannot be directly used in standard memory cells without corrupting stored data. As a result, several researchers have explored possible MTCMOS latch designs that can reduce leakage currents yet maintain state during the standby modes. In this work a data preserving flip flop with reduced leakage power is designed using MTCMOS technique in 90nm technology with the help of CADENCE tool. The simulation results have shown that the leakage power is reduced by 25.70% compared to CMOS flip flop.
Stock Market Development and Financing Choices Of firms: Case Study of A SIDS

This paper attempts to empirically investigate the link between stock market development and firms’ capital structure, an often overlooked relationship in finance theory, for the case of 38 firms listed on the stock exchange of Mauritius (SEM) for the period 1994-2005. Results from the panel estimates suggest that further development of the market has been associated with debt financing for non financial firms while this is not the case for financial firms which have been substituting equity for debts. An overall positive relationship between the size of the banking sector and leverage exists as well. The other major determinants of capital structure in Mauritius are reported to be profitability, size, tangibility and liquidity and other factors such as business risk, growth opportunities while Non Debt Tax Shield do not seem to have any significant impact on capital structure.
Developments in Business Simulation and Experiential Learning , Volume 26 , 1999 A FRAMEWORK FOR ASSESSING THE COMPETENCIES REFLECTED IN SIMULATION PERFORMANCE

This paper is part of an on-going stream of research designed to determine the potential of using simulation games as instruments of assessment. Previous research has failed to validate games for this purpose, in part, because it has not specified what competencies the games should assess. This paper seeks to address the problem by proposing a three-dimensional taxonomy of performance competence. It then discusses how researchers might operationalize the three dimensions, thus developing alternative competency measures to which game performance might be compared to establish its validity.
Fiber Ring Based Optical Frequency Comb Generator and its Application

A fiber ring based Optical Frequency Comb Generator is presented. Highly stable fiber laser combined with matched length cavity length correction loop gives stable output. The system is capable to generate a coherent optical comb of wider than 500 GHz, and with a relative flat spectral profile. Combined with the high frequency waveguide based photomxier, this system is capable to generate a high quality, tunable millimeter wave signal. The phase noise of the 110 GHz detected signal at 100 kHz offset is typically better than -82dBC/Hz, with a maximum power available from the photomixer directly equal to 0.18 mW. This presents a high quality, easily deliverable millimeter wave signal, and can be used in many millimeter/sub-millimeter applications such as the LO for phased array antenna or image system. The narrow linewidth and high stability of the signal generated from the photomixer will allow narrow band heterodyne detection, which significantly improves the signal to noise ratio of the detection scheme. The easily tuning in the frequency will benefit the accurate spectral scanning. Problems of the generation and delivery of the optical comb are also examined.
Seed weight and oil content response to branch position reveals the importance of carbohydrate and nitrogen allocation among branches in canola ( Brassica napus L . ) genotypes

Increasing seed weight and oil content are the main pathways to increase canola seed oil yield. The effect of branch position on seed weight and oil content has not been previously reported in canola. Field experiments were conducted to explore the impact of branch position on seed weight and oil content. Four canola genotypes, Zheyou 50, Zhongshuang 11, Zheyou 18, and Zheshuang 8, were used to evaluate seed weight, oil content, carbohydrate profile, and nitrogen content in the main inflorescence and branches from the top to the bottom of the main stem. Seed weight and oil content decreased from the main inflorescence to the lower branches in the four genotypes. Lower carbohydrate and nitrogen content in the seed and low transport efficiency of the two chemical compounds in the siliques and branches were responsible for the lower seed weight and oil content in Zheshuang 8 and Zheyou 18, respectively. However, the decreasing seed weight and oil content in the branches did not correspond with decreasing carbohydrate and nitrogen content in the branches from the top to the bottom. The result suggested complex carbohydrate and nitrogen metabolism in the canola seed in the different branches.
Modeling and simulation of brake judder considering the effects of thermo-mechanical coupling

Reproducing the real behavior of brake judder in time domain is useful for brake judder reduction, but it is hard to establish a time-domain model of brake judder due to the effects of thermo-mechanical coupling. To solve this problem, a modeling method is proposed taking into account the effects of thermo-mechanical coupling before hotspot occurs. In this method, an eight-degree-of-freedom dynamics model of brake caliper assembly with multi-contact points is established, and a semi-empirical model of friction coefficient is proposed by magic formula tyre model. The input of the dynamics model is the initial disc thickness variation (DTV) and the DTV caused by uneven heating, which is calculated by a transient FE model of thermo-mechanical coupling considering initial DTV. On this basis, a simulation of brake judder is conducted and an experiment is designed to validate the method. The simulated brake pressure and brake torque without and with thermo-mechanical coupling are compared with the experiment results respectively, and it indicates that the simulated results considering thermo-mechanical coupling have a good agreement with experiment results. Brake pressure variation (BPV) and brake torque variation (BTV) increase gradually in time domain because of the effects of thermo-mechanical coupling and the increments of BPV and BTV can reach 45 % and 50 % respectively in the simulation.
Endobronchial ultrasound bronchoscopy: current uses, innovations and future directions

Radial probe endobronchial ultrasound (RP-EBUS) and convex probe EBUS (CP-EBUS) have transformed the approach to diagnosis and management of intrathoracic disease. RP-EBUS, has improved the diagnostic yield of bronchoscopic biopsy of peripheral pulmonary nodules. CP-EBUS is the initial diagnostic tool of choice for mediastinal and hilar lymph node staging of lung cancer. Both EBUS modalities have been used in a variety of novel ways to enhance the minimally invasive diagnostic and treatment capabilities of the bronchoscopist in benign and malignant disease. Thin convex probe EBUS and electromagnetic navigated EBUS are promising advances in endobronchial ultrasound technology that may allow for enhanced diagnostic capabilities in the future. Future research and technological developments will likely continue to expand the application of EBUS in thoracic disease.
Wideband Circularly Polaried Cross Bowtie Dipole Antenna with Axial-Ratio Bandwidth Enhancement

A wideband circularly polarized (CP) cross-dipole antenna is proposed for wireless applications. In this design, four parasitic square patches are utilized around the radiation patch to enhance the Axial-ratio (AR) bandwidth. By employing the bowtie-shape dipoles, the proposed antenna can achieve a wide impedance bandwidth. Meanwhile, by integrating with a curved-delay line which provides a 90◦ phase difference, the proposed antenna can radiate a CP pattern. A prototype is calculated, fabricated, and measured. Good agreement between the simulated and measured results is achieved. The measured results show an impedance bandwidth for VSWR ≤ 2 of 47.73% (1.93– 3.14 GHz) and a 3-dB AR bandwidth of 42.8% (2.00–3.09 GHz).
Anomalies and gravity

Anomalies in Yang‐Mills type gauge theories of gravity are reviewed. Particular attention is paid to the relation between the Dirac spin, the axial current j5 and the non‐covariant gauge spin C. Using diagrammatic techniques, we show that only generalizations of the U(1)‐ Pontrjagin four‐form F ∧ F = dC arise in the chiral anomaly, even when coupled to gravity. Implications for Ashtekar’s canonical approach to quantum gravity are discussed.
Biochemical Evaluation of Dietary Onion as a Hypoglycemic Agent in Rats

Diabetes mellitus is one of the serious global health problems affecting a significant proportion of both developed and developing countries. Overproduction of free radicals and oxidative stress has been associated with the development of diabetic complications. The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of onion (Allium cepa) juice on biochemical parameters, enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Alloxan (130 mg/kg BW) was administered as a single dose to induce diabetes. Three (3) groups of rats (n = 8) were used; group 1 was normal control while group 2 was used as diabetic test group and group 3 was diabetic group that received A dose of 1ml of onion juice /100g body weight (equivalent to 0.4 g/100 g BW) was orally administered daily to alloxan-diabetic rats for four weeks. The levels of glucose, urea, creatinine and bilirubin were significantly (p < 0.05) increased in plasma of alloxan-diabetic rats compared to the control group. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline and acid phosphatases (AlP, AcP) activities were significantly (p < 0.05) increased in plasma and testes of alloxan-diabetic rats, while these activities were decreased in liver compared with the control group. Brain LDH was significantly (p < 0.05) increased. The concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and the activity of glutathione S-transferase in plasma, liver, testes, brain, and kidney were increased in alloxan diabetic rats. Treatment of the diabetic rats with repeated doses of onion juice could restore the changes of the above parameters to their normal levels. The present results showed that onion juice exerted antioxidant and antihyperglycemic effects and consequently may alleviate liver and renal damage caused by alloxan-induced diabetes
Tls Field Data Based Intensity Correction for Forest Environments

Abstract. Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) is increasingly used for forestry applications. Besides the three dimensional point coordinates, the 'intensity' of the reflected signal plays an important role in forestry and vegetation studies. The benefit of the signal intensity is caused by the wavelength of the laser that is within the near infrared (NIR) for most scanners. The NIR is highly indicative for various vegetation characteristics. However, the intensity as recorded by most terrestrial scanners is distorted by both external and scanner specific factors. Since details about system internal alteration of the signal are often unknown to the user, model driven approaches are impractical. On the other hand, existing data driven calibration procedures require laborious acquisition of separate reference datasets or areas of homogenous reflection characteristics from the field data. In order to fill this gap, the present study introduces an approach to correct unwanted intensity variations directly from the point cloud of the field data. The focus is on the variation over range and sensor specific distortions. Instead of an absolute calibration of the values, a relative correction within the dataset is sufficient for most forestry applications. Finally, a method similar to time series detrending is presented with the only pre-condition of a relative equal distribution of forest objects and materials over range. Our test data covers 50 terrestrial scans captured with a FARO Focus 3D S120 scanner using a laser wavelength of 905 nm. Practical tests demonstrate that our correction method removes range and scanner based alterations of the intensity.
Implementation and Efficiency of Reproducible Level 1 BLAS

Numerical reproducibility failures appear in massively parallel floating-point computations. One way to guarantee this reproducibility is to extend the IEEE-754 correct rounding to larger computing sequences, e.g. to the BLAS. Is the extra cost for numerical reproducibility acceptable in practice? We present solutions and experiments for the level 1 BLAS. We detail optimized implementations and we conclude about their efficiency.
A socio-economic impact assessment of a project to identify and implement best management practices at the Zanyokwe Irrigation Scheme at farm level

The main aim of this study was to assess the impact of the Best Management Practices (BMP) project on social and economic wellbeing at the Zanyokwe Irrigation Scheme (ZIS) in central Eastern Cape Province. The BMP project is a knowledge-based initiative aimed at introducing management practices in order to improve production and livelihoods in the study area. The study employed a survey to collect socio-economic data amongst farming households. The 2005 (pre-BMP project) baseline study based on the same respondents allowed for the tracking of changes after the implementation of the project. A socio-economic impact assessment (SEIA) framework was used to assess the impacts. The results showed the BMP project to have impacted on social and economic wellbeing of households. Skills introduced were in the areas of water management, agronomic practices, marketing and institutional arrangements. In 2007 more than half of farmers worked on their farms daily, an improvement on 2005, when none of the farmers reported working over weekends. The average time spent on the farms per day also increased from 4 (in 2005) to 7 h (in 2007). Agriculture’s contribution to household income improved from 71% in 2005 to 81% in 2007 and reduced household poverty and food insecurity levels. The number of households earning incomes below the poverty line dropped from 61% in 2005 to 38% in 2007. A marked increase was noted in winter land use, which was almost non-existent in 2005. The on-farm trials introduced by the BMP team improved the farmers’: maize planting time, plant population density, fertiliser management, crop yield and participation in community activities. Seedling transplanting was preferred to direct maize seeding. Positive impacts on institutions were seen in the restructuring of the management system; improved marketing systems; institutional arrangements for managing water; and institutions for maintaining irrigation infrastructure.
Fiscal Policy and the Banking System in Italy: Have Taxes, Public Spending and Banks Been Procyclical in the Long-Run?

This paper analyses the relations between the banking system fluctuations, on one hand, and taxation and public spending, on the other one, using a VECM methodology. We find some evidence of prociclicality of fiscal policy using variables such as government spending, taxes, and primary surplus. Effects in the opposite direction are much smaller. Results are quite stable over time.
Electrospinning Synthesis of Hydroxyapatite
Nanofibers Assembled from Nanorods and their
Adsorption for Heavy Metal Ions

In this work, porous HAP nanofibers assembled from nanorods were developed as potential devices for the treatment of Cu(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) contamination of consumable waters. Two steps were employed in the HAP nanofibers fabrication. First, rod-like HAP nanoparticles were synthesized through a chemical pathway from Ca(NO3)2·4H2O, (NH4)2HPO4, and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a capping agent. The subsequent electrospinning was performed to fabricate the PVP/HAP hybrid nanofibers as precursors to obtain pure HAP nanofibers assembled from nanorods via a calcination process. The effects of PVP dosage on morphology was investigated. And a possible formation mechanism of rod-like HAP was proposed. Then the removal efficiency of porous HAP nanofibers toward Cu(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) were evaluated via sorption kinetics and sorption isotherms. Our results proved that the sorption kinetic data were well fitted by the pseudo second-order rate equation, and the adsorption of Cu2+, Cd2, and Pb2+ ions on HAP nanofibers correlated well with the Langmuir equation as compared to Freundlich isotherm equation under the concentration range studied. These novel porous HAP nanofibers assembled from nanorods promise a feasible advance in the development of new, easy to handle, and low-cost water
Neurally Adjusted Vetilatory Assist in the Newborn

Invasive and noninvasive ventilation of the preterm newborn may be associated with local and systemic complications due to mechanical trauma to lung tissues and their inflammatory response. A key objective, therefore, of any type of mechanical ventilation is to reduce its duration and the side effects related to it. Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist (NAVA), a method that uses the Electrical Activity of the diaphragm (EAdi) as a signal to trigger the mechanical ventilatory breaths, may improve synchronization between patient and ventilator and optimize the volume of gas delivered to the lungs, according to the patient needs, eventually reducing volu- and biotrauma. The EAdi signal may also be used as vital sing to monitor the patient’s neural respiratory drive. Preliminary data show some benefit with the use of NAVA in the neonatal period, but further studies are needed to assess whether these short-term benefits are reflected in better outcomes in the long run.
Luminescence properties of nanophosphors: metal ion-doped sol-gel silica glasses *

Photoluminescence of xerogel and sol-gel SiO2 glasses doped with metal ions, metal complexes and semiconductor nanocrystals are investigated at 300 K and 10 K to clarify the optical properties and the electronic structures of nanophosphors. Sol-gel glasses doped with 3d, 4d and 5d transition metal ions exhibit a bright luminescence with various colours due to the 3 LMCT transition associated with closed -shell molecular complex centres. Luminescence from rare earth(III) complexes doped in the same matrix serve as a sensitive probe to determine axial and chiral complex structures. Luminescence properties are investigated of doped semiconductors ZnS: Cu, Al dispersed as nanocrystalline green phosphors in xerogel with various lifetime components. The sol-gel silica-based phosphors are characterized by unusual valence states of the transition metal ions, stable centres in organic-inorganic hybrid hosts and the 500 ps lifetimes of D-A pairs due to spd hybridization effects in semiconductor nanocrystals.
A new parameterization of hydrous mantle melting

Modeling of melt formation and transport in all tectonic settings requires the inclusion of water, since water has large effects on mantle solidi as well as physical properties of liquids. To facilitate the inclusion of water in melting models this paper presents a new parameterization for melt fraction as a function of pressure, temperature, water content and modal cpx, based on knowledge gained from recent advances in the fields of thermodynamic modeling as well as experimental investigations of peridotite melting and hydrous equilibria. The parameterization is computationally efficient and can be modified easily as better experimental data become available. We compare it to other published parameterizations and test it in simple calculations of adiabatic decompression melting (mid‐ocean ridge) and hydrous melting (subduction zone).
Minmax solutions for underdetermined isotope mixing problems: Reply to Semmens et al. (2013)

Stable isotope tracers are used to solve ecological problems, and sophisticated mod- elling approaches are now available to help interpret measured isotope data. However, models such as IsoSource and SIAR can go a step too far in producing mean and median values when there are too many sources and not enough tracers. The models solve these underdetermined problems by assuming that some of the many possible or feasible solutions are more likely than others. I promote the alternative idea that all feasible solutions are equally likely, and support use of minimum and maximum ('minmax') solutions as the appropriate way to view results from underdetermined systems.
Start Define Partners of Supply Chain Develop Supply Network Measure Supply Chain Element Performance Measure Supply Chain Performance Search Intelligent Supply Chain Finish SCOR Method

One of problem faced in supply chain management is path searching. The best path depend not only on distance, but also other variables, such as: the quality of involved companies, quality of delivered product, and other value resulted by quality measurement. Commonly, the ant colony optimization could search the best path that has only one objective path. But it would be difficult to be adopted, because in the real case, the supply path has multi path and objectives (especially in palm oil based bioenergy supply). The objective of this paper is to improve the ant colony optimization for solving multi objectives based supply path problem by using fuzzy ant colony optimization. The developed multi objectives fuzzy ant colony optimization design was explained here, that it was used to search the best supply path.
Narrow head-tail radio galaxies at very high resolution

Aims. Narrow-angle tailed (NAT) sources in clusters of galaxies can show on the large scale very narrow tails that are unresolved even at arcsecond resolution. These sources could therefore be classified as one-sided jets. The aim of this paper is to gain new insight into the structure of these sources, and establish whether they are genuine one-sided objects, or if they are two-sided sources. Methods. We observed a sample of apparently one-sided NAT sources at subarcsecond resolution to obtain detailed information on their structure in the nuclear regions of radio galaxies. Results. Most radio galaxies are found to show two-sided jets with sharp bends, and therefore the sources are similar to the more classical NATs, which are affected by strong projection effects.