Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Finding DC operating points of transistor circuits using homotopy methods

Finding the DC operating points of transistor circuits is one of the most important tasks in electrical circuit simulation. To resolve DC convergence difficulties that often arise when simulating bipolar and MOS transistor circuits, the authors use homotopy methods to solve nonlinear circuit equations. The authors exploit the properties of the equations and construct various homotopies that prove useful in finding their solutions. Criteria are provided for choosing homotopy parameters and a good starting point for homotopy paths. Homotopy methods are robust, accurate, and capable of finding multiple operating points. The authors present a circuit that could not be simulated using techniques available in current circuit simulators, while the solutions were successfully obtained using homotopy methods. <<ETX>>
Space‐for‐time is not necessarily a substitution when monitoring the distribution of pelagic fishes in the San Francisco Bay‐Delta

Abstract Occupancy models are often used to analyze long‐term monitoring data to better understand how and why species redistribute across dynamic landscapes while accounting for incomplete capture. However, this approach requires replicate detection/non‐detection data at a sample unit and many long‐term monitoring programs lack temporal replicate surveys. In such cases, it has been suggested that surveying subunits within a larger sample unit may be an efficient substitution (i.e., space‐for‐time substitution). Still, the efficacy of fitting occupancy models using a space‐for‐time substitution has not been fully explored and is likely context dependent. Herein, we fit occupancy models to Delta Smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus) and Longfin Smelt (Spirinchus thaleichthys) catch data collected by two different monitoring programs that use the same sampling gear in the San Francisco Bay‐Delta, USA. We demonstrate how our inferences concerning the distribution of these species changes when using a space‐for‐time substitution. Specifically, we found the probability that a sample unit was occupied was much greater when using a space‐for‐time substitution, presumably due to the change in the spatial scale of our inferences. Furthermore, we observed that as the spatial scale of our inferences increased, our ability to detect environmental effects on system dynamics was obscured, which we suspect is related to the tradeoffs associated with spatial grain and extent. Overall, our findings highlight the importance of considering how the unique characteristics of monitoring programs influences inferences, which has broad implications for how to appropriately leverage existing long‐term monitoring data to understand the distribution of species.
An Infiltration Based Runoff Model for a Standardized 24-Hour Rainfall

ABSTRACT THE Green and Ampt infiltration equation is applied to a standardized 24-h rainfall distribution. A pro-cedure is developed to estimate surface runoff and its duration. Tabulated values are presented for soil infiltra-tion parameters as a function of soil texture. An example is presented on applying the procedure to a given soil tex-ture, antecedent soil water condition, 24-h rainfall total, and a 24-h rainfall distribution with the SCS Type II, 24-h rainfall distribution. The estimate of surface runoff volume and its duration can be used to estimate a peak runoff rate.
Anti‐Sway Crane Control Considering Wind Disturbance and Container Mass

A method for estimating the sway angle using an observer has already been proposed. The state observer estimates the sway angle accurately and must use the detected sway angle value. However, the estimated sway angle has an error owing to rope length error, friction force, and wind. Moreover, the container mass cannot be determined, and therefore the observer parameter is not suitable. We already proposed robust antisway control for overcoming rope length error without adding a new sensor. Further, we designed a friction disturbance observer to cancel out the influence of the friction force. In this paper, we first propose a container mass estimation method when a crane system performs rolling up control. The observer parameter can be selected using the estimated mass value. Second, in crane parallel shift control, we propose a robust antisway control even when there is a wind disturbance. We design a wind disturbance observer and propose a wind disturbance estimator to separate the friction observer output from the wind disturbance observer output. We confirm through experiments that the proposed method can reduce vibration.
Improved Situational Awareness of Heavy Machinery Operators in Low Visibility Conditions

This thesis studies potential solutions to improve the situational awareness of operators of heavy machinery in low visibility conditions caused by snow, heavy rain or fog. Sensors and techniques intended to provide situational awareness for vehicles have been studied in previous research, but these studies have not covered the robustness of the sensor platform to fog, heavy rain or snow. Furthermore, the information from the sensors has not been presented to a human operator. Four main functionalities are identified: localization, obstacle detection, data fusion and user interface. A number of potential concepts are identified within each functionality using a literature study. The identified concepts are evaluated in terms of feasibility and performance by analysis and in some cases an implemented prototype. Using the concepts evaluated for each function, a system prototype is developed and evaluated in an urban environment. The final proposition for the system involves a high precision GPS for localization, an automotive radar for obstacle detection, an unscented Kalman filter for data fusion and a user interface based upon a 3D map in which the localized obstacles are visualized. The suggested prototype is judged to be suitable for production in small series, aimed at applications where down time caused by bad visibility is present and costly.
Dimensionality Reduction and Classification of Hyperspectral Image via Multistructure Unified Discriminative Embedding

Graph can achieve good performance to extract the low-dimensional features of hyperspectral image (HSI). However, the present graph-based methods just consider the individual information of each sample in a certain characteristic, which is very difficult to represent the intrinsic properties of HSI for the complex imaging condition. To better represent the low-dimensional features of HSI, we propose a multistructure unified discriminative embedding (MUDE) method, which considers the neighborhood, tangential, and statistical properties of each sample in HSI to achieve the complementarity of different characteristics. In MUDE, we design the intraclass and interclass neighborhood structure graphs with the local reconstruction structure of each sample; meanwhile, we also utilize the adaptive tangential affine combination structure to construct the intraclass and interclass tangential structure graphs. To further enhance the discriminating performance between different classes, we consider the influence of the statistical distribution difference for each sample to develop an interclass Gaussian weighted scatter model. Then, an embedding objective function is constructed to enhance the intraclass compactness and the interclass separability and obtain more discriminative features for HSI classification. Experiments on three real HSI datasets show that the proposed method can make full use of the structure information of each sample in different characteristics to achieve the complementarity of different features and improve the classification performance of HSI compared with the state-of-the-art methods.
Continental and Sea Ice Iron Sources Fertilize the Southern Ocean in Synergy

Iron release from melting continental and sea ice is deemed important for phytoplankton, the growth of which is iron‐limited in the Southern Ocean. Both sources are generally considered separately, yet their effects on the biological carbon pump could interact. Using a global ocean‐sea‐ice‐biogeochemical model with a representation of both continental and sea ice iron sources, we find them to have an overall additive effect on phytoplankton activity, increasing carbon export by +13.9% of the Southern Ocean total, with continental ice contributing +4.5% and sea ice +8.0%. The +1.4% residual is due to a coupled fertilization effect: When the iron source from continental ice is activated, iron in sea ice increases by 16%, so does iron transport toward low production areas. Overall, this increases phytoplankton activity: Fertilization is more efficient where sea ice melts than at locations of initial iron release by continental ice.
Near Optimal Obstacle Avoidance Using Expanding Trees and Waypoint Guidance

A tree-growing routine is embedded in a receding horizon optimal control formulation to produce a discrete near optimal, flyable, obstacle-avoiding flight path for attacking a moving ground target. As the near optimal branch is being constructed, the nodes of the branch become three-dimensional waypoints. Unit vectors are determined from central dierences that define the desired flight path through each waypoint. A guidance law is developed that is capable of guiding the vehicle through each waypoint while satisfying the pre-determined flight path constraint associated with each waypoint. After passing the last waypoint, the guidance law is then operated in a proportional navigation-like homing mode to hit a moving ground target.
High-Performance Low Voltage Organic Thin-Film Transistors

In this work, we report on high-performance low voltage pentacene Organic Thin-Film Transistors (OTFT's) and circuits. Inverters and ring oscillators have been designed and fabricated. At 15 V supply voltage, we have observed invertors showing a voltage gain of 9 and an output swing of more than 13 V. As for the ring oscillators, oscillations started at supply voltages as low as 8.5 V. At a supply voltage of only 15 V, a stage delay time of 3.3 νs is calculated from experimental results. We believe that these results show for the first time a high speed ring oscillator at relatively low supply voltages. The required supply voltages can be obtained by rectification using an organic (pentacene) diode. These results may have an important impact on the realization of RF-ID tags: by integrating our circuits with an organic diode, the fabrication of organic RF-ID tags comes closer.
Accurate, predictive modeling of soft error rate due to cosmic rays and chip alpha radiation

We report here the development of a unique and comprehensive computer program (SEMM) to calculate the probability of soft fails in integrated circuits due to alpha particles emanating from the chip materials and due to terrestrial cosmic rays. This model treats all failure modes on an event by event basis allowing for all nuclear reactions and pulse shape effects. It is a three-dimensional design tool that takes the detailed chip layout and profile information to compute the soft error rate and is used without any parameter fitting. SEMM has been extensively tested with hot sources, high energy proton beams, and high elevation cosmic ray tests. Applications of SEMM to bipolar and CMOS chips and considerations for building in reliability for radiation induced soft fails are also discussed. <<ETX>>
An approach to partial-discharge investigation by height-distribution analysis

Results of partial-discharge measurements, performed on insulation systems of rotating machines, are processed referring to the Weibull statistics. It is shown that the partial-discharge height distribution fit the two-parameter Weibull function when partial discharges having the same origin occur, whereas deviations from the Weibull plot are detected in the presence of various simultaneous partial-discharge phenomena. Probability functions based on the multiplicatively-mixed Weibull distribution used to fit data obtained in the presence of partial-discharge phenomena of two different types. The shape and the scale parameters of the Weibull functions derived as functions of test voltage and aging time prove to be characteristics of this kind of phenomenon. Pattern identification and clustering is thus achieved.
Web-based laboratories for internet remote experimentation

We have created a family of web-based laboratories for users to conduct physical experimentation remotely through the internet. In the areas of communications, two of the laboratories serve to teach large undergraduate classes about using an oscilloscope and a spectrum analyser to investigate the various basic electrical characteristics of a simple electrical circuit, and about how frequency modulation changes the spectrum of a signal. The other laboratories on the design of algorithms for a coupled-tank, helicopter and robotic soccer system are for high-level undergraduate, part-time and full-time graduate and research students taking courses in control engineering. With the capability to augment hands-on practical experience, the set of laboratories is an important cornerstone for the success of distance engineering and science education. It allows students to carry out physical experimental work at their own pace anytime anywhere, requires very little space and manpower to maintain, and is ideal for the sharing of expensive equipment.
Performance Investigation of D-Q Model for PI and Fuzzy Controller Based UPFC

– The unified power flow controller (UPFC) is the most versatile and complex power electronic equipment that has emerged as the indispensable equipment for the control and optimization of power flow in electrical power transmission system. In this manuscript is investigated the control of real and reactive power flow through a transmission line with the use of UPFC at the sending end. Computer simulation using MATLAB Simulink is done and the behavior of the UPFC is studied. In the UPFC based control of transmission line parameter control systems, it is observed that whenever the SSSC sources some real power into the transmission line it is manifested as a voltage drop across the DC link. Reactive power demand is indicated as fall in the bus bar AC voltage. The fall of the DC link voltage is an indication of real power demand from the receiving end. Similarly a fall of the bus bar AC voltage is an indication of reactive power demand from the receiving end. Fuzzy Logic and PI controllers are used in this works, the control of DC voltage, AC voltage and power transfer.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Palliative Care in Cancer Patients in Spain

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic outbreak has severely affected healthcare organizations worldwide, and the provision of palliative care (PC) to cancer patients has been no exception. The aim of this paper was to analyse the levels of health care provided by the Clinical Management Unit for PC in Córdoba (Spain) for cancer patients. Method: a retrospective cohort study was conducted. It analyzed the PC internal management database including all cancer patients treated in the period of 2018–2021. Results: 1967 cases were studied. There was a drop in cancer cases (p = 0.008), deaths at the PC hospital (p < 0.001), and referrals from primary care (p < 0.001). However, there was a rise in highly complex clinical situations (p = 0.020) and in ECOG performance status scores of 3–4 (p < 0.001). The pandemic was not shown to be a risk factor for survival in the PC program (0.99 [0.82–1.20]; p = 0.931). However, being female (p = 0.005), being older and having a high Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) score (p < 0.001) could be indicators of a longer stay. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a challenge in the management of patients requiring PC and has highlighted the urgent needs of the healthcare system if it is to continue providing a level of care which meets the needs of patients and their families.
A current reused CMOS quadrature injection‐locked frequency divider

A new current‐reused injection‐locked frequency divider is proposed to generate quadrature outputs and implemented using the standard UMC 0.18 μm CMOS 1P6M process. The proposed circuit is made of two LC‐tank voltage controlled oscillators (VCOs) stacked in series and the VCOs are coupled with the coupling transistors to generate quadrature signals. The direct injection‐locked technique is applied to the VCO to perform a divide by two functions, so that the quadrature circuit can provide low phase noise signal. At the 1.8 V supply voltage, the free running frequency of proposed circuit operates from 2.3 to 2.63 GHz and provides 1 GHz locking from 4.43 to 5.43 GHz. The power consumption is 7.4 mW with 4.1 mA current consumption. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 49: 1804–1806, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.22604
Theoretical Considerations of the Influence of Mechanical Uniaxial Stress on Pixel Readout Circuits

In this work the effects of uniaxial mechanical stress on a pixel readout circuit are theoretically analyzed. It is the effects of mechanical stress on the in-pixel transistors do not arise at the output, when a correlated double sampling circuit is used. However, mechanical stress effects on the photodiode will directly appear at the readout chain output. Therefore, compensation techniques are needed to overcome this situation. Moreover simulation technique of mechanical stress is proposed and diverse layout as well as design recommendations are put forward, in order to minimize stress related effects on the output of a circuit. Keywords—mechanical uniaxial stress, pixel readout circuit
Charge-control modeling of power bipolar junction transistors

This paper describes an improved lumped circuit model of power bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) that can predict the turn-off fall time to a greater accuracy than currently available models. Though the existing models simulate the storage time and delay time to a good accuracy, the fall time performance is neglected. This is because the existing models do not account for the charge decay due to recombination. The model presented in this paper is based on the charge dynamics of the device. The charge dynamics are explained in detail using simulation results from an advanced two-dimensional (2-D) device and circuit simulator. Based on a physical understanding of the charge dynamics, this model is implemented to incorporate the charge decay due to recombination to account for the current tail during turn-off. The lumped-circuit model is implemented in PSPICE using the existing quasisaturation model along with controlled sources. To validate the model, the device was subjected to hard- as well as soft-switching renditions (zero current switching and zero voltage switching). The modeled results are observed to have a good match with measured results.
Assessment Swot on Performance of Micronized Itraconazole against Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger for Superior Health Security

Background: Antifungal medication is used in adults to indulge infections caused by fungi. This includes infections in any part of the body including the lungs, mouth or throat, toenails, or fingernails. The widespread fungal pathogens causing stern insidious infections surrounded by immuno compromised patients are Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. Itraconazole, is an antifungal medication used to treat a number of fungal infections. Itraconazole undergoes rapid metabolism to form hydroxyitraconazole, which also contributes to the anti-fungal activity exhibited by the parent compound. In the present study the assessment of plain Itraconazole and micronized Itraconazole material for increasing health safety and its biological evaluation by using Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger was reported. Methods: The determination of particle size of the micronized material which is a very fine powder and its characteristics was carried out by Dynamic light scattering(DLS) and Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM). Structural identification was done by UV-spectroscopy and Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR). Results: An active pharma ingredient having antifungal activity was selected and micronized using Microniser to reduce the particle size as small as possible. The product antifungal activity was reviewed between untreated material(large particle size, 200 microns) and reduced particle size(micro particles, 2.72 microns). Size reduction showed an increased efficiency of antifungal activity Conclusion: The antifungal activity of Itraconazole can be enhanced if the coarse large particles are micronized to significantly (>70 folds) smaller particles.
Exploring the Applicability and Scaling Effects of Satellite-Observed Spring and Autumn Phenology in Complex Terrain Regions Using Four Different Spatial Resolution Products

The information on land surface phenology (LSP) was extracted from remote sensing data in many studies. However, few studies have evaluated the impacts of satellite products with different spatial resolutions on LSP extraction over regions with a heterogeneous topography. To bridge this knowledge gap, this study took the Loess Plateau as an example region and employed four types of satellite data with different spatial resolutions (250, 500, and 1000 m MODIS NDVI during the period 2001–2020 and ~10 km GIMMS3g during the period 1982–2015) to investigate the LSP changes that took place. We used the correlation coefficient (r) and root mean square error (RMSE) to evaluate the performances of various satellite products and further analyzed the applicability of the four satellite products. Our results showed that the MODIS-based start of the growing season (SOS) and end of the growing season (EOS) were highly correlated with the ground-observed data with r values of 0.82 and 0.79, respectively (p < 0.01), while the GIMMS3g-based phenology signal performed badly (r < 0.50 and p > 0.05). Spatially, the LSP that was derived from the MODIS products produced more reasonable spatial distributions. The inter-annual averaged MODIS SOS and EOS presented overall advanced and delayed trends during the period 2001–2020, respectively. More than two-thirds of the SOS advances and EOS delays occurred in grasslands, which determined the overall phenological changes across the entire Loess Plateau. However, both inter-annual trends of SOS and EOS derived from the GIMMS3g data were opposite to those seen in the MODIS results. There were no significant differences among the three MODIS datasets (250, 500, and 1000 m) with regard to a bias lower than 2 days, RMSE lower than 1 day, and correlation coefficient greater than 0.95 (p < 0.01). Furthermore, it was found that the phenology that was derived from the data with a 1000 m spatial resolution in the heterogeneous topography regions was feasible. Yet, in forest ecosystems and areas with an accumulated temperature ≥10 °C, the differences in phenological phase between the MODIS products could be amplified.