Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MEMS technology for timing and frequency control

An overview on the use of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technologies for timing and frequency control is presented. In particular, micromechanical RF filters and reference oscillators based on recently demonstrated vibrating on-chip micromechanical resonators with Q's >10,000 at 1.5 GHz, are described as an attractive solution to the increasing count of RF components (e.g., filters) expected to be needed by future multi-band wireless devices. With Q's this high in on-chip abundance, such devices might also enable a paradigm-shift in the design of timing and frequency control functions, where the advantages of high-Q are emphasized, rather than suppressed (e.g., due to size and cost reasons), resulting in enhanced robustness and power savings. With even more aggressive 3D MEMS technologies, even higher on-chip Q's have been achieved via chip-scale atomic physics packages, which so far have achieved Q's >10/sup 7/ using atomic cells measuring only 10 mm/sup 3/ in volume, consuming just 5 mW of power, all while still allowing Allan deviations down to 10/sup -11/ at one hour.
Bright Blue Light‐Emitting Doped Cesium Bromide Nanocrystals: Alternatives of Lead‐Free Perovskite Nanocrystals for White LEDs

Lead‐based perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) are promising candidates for use in lighting and display applications; however, the toxicity of lead is one critical issue that needs to be solved for its commercialization. Consequently, less toxic tin and bismuth‐based perovskite NCs have been developed, but these materials exhibit low photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs) and large full width at half maximum (FWHM) values. Due to their similarity in size for Eu2+ and Pb2+, the more environmental‐friendly europium shows the potential to replace lead. Herein, the synthesis of Eu2+ doped CsBr NCs with an average size of 51.5 nm via a facile hot‐injection method is reported. The prepared CsBr:Eu2+ NCs exhibit an emission peak at 440 nm with an FWHM of 31 nm and PLQY up to 32.8%, which is persistent for at least 60 d. Moreover, the size and FWHM of CsBr:Eu2+ NCs can be tuned to 18.9 and 29 nm, respectively, by co‐doping of Ca2+ ions into the NCs. It is also demonstrated that the prepared CsBr:Eu2+ NCs can be employed as efficient color conversion materials for fabricating white light‐emitting diodes.
The 3D Elevation Program—Supporting California's Economy

California faces unprecedented challenges presented by shifting weather patterns that are defining a “new normal. ” The result has been extreme weather events, prolonged drought, flooding, and debris flows. These conditions drive severe tree mortality, increase wildfire occurrence and intensity, reduce water availability, and hasten subsidence in groundwater basins. Collectively, these challenges threaten public safety, compromise infrastructure, and adversely impact the economic well-being of California’s citizens. Critical applications that address these issues depend on light detection and ranging (lidar) data that provide a highly detailed three-dimensional (3D) model of the Earth’s surface. The 3D Elevation Program (3DEP; see sidebar) works in partnership with Federal, State, Tribal, U.S. territorial, and local agencies to acquire consistent lidar coverage at quality level 2 or better (table 1) to meet the needs of California (Roth, 2018) and the Nation. The status of publicly available lidar data in California is shown in figure 1. The National Enhanced Elevation Assessment (NEEA) (Dewberry, 2012) identified user requirements and conservatively estimated that availability of lidar data would result in at least $28 million in new benefits annually to the State. The top six California business uses for 3D elevation data, which are based on the estimated annual conservative benefits of 3DEP, are shown in table 2.
Model predictive control of three-level four-leg flying capacitor converter operating as Shunt Active Power Filter

This paper proposes the new implementation of Finite Control States Set Model Predictive Control (FS-MPC) applied to 3-level 4-leg Flying Capacitor Converter (FCC) operating as a Shunt Active Power Filter (SAPF). The developed approach is based on three important issues that are described. The first is addressed to the phase to phase model of the 4-wire system to simplify the prediction equations. The second relates to calculation amount reduction gained through applied Flying Capacitors' voltages control and suitable interpretation of FCC switching states in the converter's model. The third regards to cost function extension and considered system restrictions: elimination of simultaneous commutations of all transistors in one leg and reduction of the switching events number. The control performance was analyzed in Matlab-Simulink model. Presented simulation studies validate the effectiveness of proposed solution.
Evoregions: Mapping Shifts in Phylogenetic Turnover Across Biogeographic Regions

Biogeographic regionalization offers context to the geographical evolution of clades. The positions of bioregions inform both the spatial location of clusters in species distribution and where their most important boundaries are. Nevertheless, defining bioregions based on species distribution alone only incidentally recovers regions that are important during the evolution of the focal group. The extent to which bioregions correspond to centers of independent diversification depends on how clusters of species composition naturally reflect the radiation of single clades, which is not the case when mixed colonization occurred. Here, we showed that using phylogenetic turnover based on fuzzy sets, instead of species composition, led to more adequate detection of evolutionary important bioregions, that is, regions that truly account for the independent diversification of lineages. Mapping those evoregions in the phylogenetic tree quickly reveals the timing and location of major shifts of biogeographic regions. Moreover, evolutionary transition zones are easily mapped, and permits the recognition of regions with high phylogenetic overlap. Our results using the global radiation of rats and mice (Muroidea) recovered four evoregions—three major evolutionary arenas corresponding to the Neotropics, a Nearctic-Siberian, and a Paleotropical-Australian evoregion, and a fourth and fuzzy Afro-Palearctic evoregion. In comparison, an analysis with a method considering species distribution alone found 52 bioregions. Evoregions is a useful framework whenever the question is related to the identification of the most important centers of a group’s diversification history and its evolutionary transitions zones.
On the universal trends in the noise reduction due to wavy leading edges in aerofoil–vortex interaction

Existing studies suggest that wavy leading edges (WLEs) offer substantial reduction of broadband noise generated by an aerofoil undergoing upstream vortical disturbances. In this context, there are two universal trends in the frequency spectra of the noise reduction which have been observed and reported to date: (i) no significant reduction at low frequencies followed by (ii) a rapid growth of the noise reduction that persists in the medium-to-high frequency range. These trends are known to be insensitive to the aerofoil type and flow condition used. This paper aims to provide comprehensive understandings as to how these universal trends are formed and what the major drivers are. The current work is based on very-high-resolution numerical simulations of a semi-infinite flat-plate aerofoil impinged by a prescribed divergence-free vortex in an inviscid base flow at zero incidence angle, continued from recent work by the authors (Turner & Kim, J. Fluid Mech., vol. 811, 2017, pp. 582–611). One of the most significant findings in the current work is that the noise source distribution on the aerofoil surface becomes entirely two-dimensional (highly non-uniform in the spanwise direction as well as streamwise) at high frequencies when the WLE is involved. Also, the sources downstream of the LE make crucial contributions to creating the universal trends across all frequencies. These findings contradict the conventional LE-focused one-dimensional source analysis that has widely been accepted for all frequencies. The current study suggests that the universal trends in the noise-reduction spectra can be properly understood by taking the downstream source contributions into account, in terms of both magnitude and phase variations. After including the downstream sources, it is shown in this paper that the first universal trend is due to the conservation of total (surface integrated) source energy at low frequencies. The surface-integrated source magnitude that decreases faster with the WLE correlates very well with the noise-reduction spectrum at medium frequencies. In the meantime, the high-frequency noise reduction is driven almost entirely by destructive phase interference that increases rapidly and consistently with frequency, explaining the second universal trend.
Multichannel dosimeter and α-Al2O3:C Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) fiber sensors for use in Radiation Therapy - evaluation with photon beams

A multichannel OSL Fibre Optic dosimeter based on Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) of alumina is proposed for on-line In Vivo Dosimetry (IVD) in Radiation Therapy (RT). Two types of dosimetric-grade Al2O3:C crystals are compared and show different behavior according to manufacturing process. Metrological validations have been performed with a Saturne 43 LINAC in reference conditions at CEA LIST LNHB (French Ionizing Radiation Reference Laboratory). The dose response of OSL integrals under photon beam irradiation (6, 12 and 20 MV) show sublinearity behavior modeled by second-order equations and exhibit a small energy dependence (between 0.7% and 1.4%), explained by a modified intermediate cavity model adapted to a LINAC photon spectrum. Preclinical tests at Institut Gustave Roussy (IGR) prove that a proper design for a PMMA build-up cap leads to a low dependence vs photon beam orientation (± 1.5 % and ± 0.9 %) and vs field size in view of surface measurements.
Surface reconstruction of freeform objects based on multiresolution volumetric method

3D scanners developed over the past several decades have facilitated the reconstruction of complicated engineering parts. Typically the boundary representation of a part is reconstructed from its scanned cloud of points. This approach, however, is still limited and cannot be applied to a family of objects such as thin parts. Recently, new 3D scanning devices have been developed. These devices capture additional information, such as normals and texture, as well as conventional information, including clouds of sampled points.This paper describes a new and fast reverse engineering method for creating a 3D computerized model from data captured by contemporary 3D scanning devices. The proposed method aggregates large-scale 3D scanned data into an extended Hierarchical Space Decomposition Model (HSDM) based on Octree data structure. This model can represent both an object's boundary surface and its interior volume. Based on the proposed volumetric model, the surface reconstruction process becomes more robust and stable with respect to sampling noise. The hierarchical structure of the proposed volumetric model enables data reduction, while preserving sharp geometrical features and object topology. As a result of data reduction, the execution time of the reconstruction process is significantly reduced. Moreover, the proposed model naturally allows multiresolution surface reconstruction, represented by a mesh with regular properties. The proposed surface reconstruction approach is based on extracting a Connectivity Graph from the extended HSDM and reconstructing facets based on normals data. The feasibility of the method will be demonstrated on a number of complex objects, including thin parts.
Design of millimeter-wave reconfigurable bandstop filter using CMOS-MEMS technology

The design of band reconfigurable CMOS-MEMS bandstop filter is proposed in this work. The stopband is switchable when driving comb-fingers mechanical structure to change the open-stub capacitance. The actuator is constructed by numerous parallel beams which are connected by a central pole to create a fishbone-like structure. Therefore, the static electricity force can be increased owing to multiple beams so that the driven voltage can be dramatically reduces. The measurement results show that the resonant frequency is tuned from 60 GHz to 50 GHz and isolation in both cases is better than 35 dB. This device was fabricated using TSMC 0.35-μm CMOS-MEMS process with chip size of 0.765×0.98 mm2.
Practicing responsible research and innovation in a crowdsourcing project in Norway

Abstract The paper discusses the operationalization of responsible research and innovation (RRI), drawing on empirical materials from a research project that explored ICT-enabled tools and methods for crowdsourcing in urban environmental research and decision- making. An integrated model for RRI is developed from prior studies, in which socially responsible crowdsourcing is described as an iterative and recursive process of inclusion, anticipation, reflexivity and responsiveness on the purpose, process, product and people components of the crowdsourcing project. The paper outlines four important aspects that influence the practice of RRI: time, interdisciplinary skills and capacities, design flexibility of ICT tools and strategic alliances between researchers and public officials. Theoretically, the paper contributes with an integrated conceptual model that further extends the already existing RRI framework.
Notice of RetractionDiscussion on the mode of business process change

Process improvement and process reengineering are the two modes of business process change. This paper compares the similarities and differences as well as the respective applicable scopes of the two modes of business process change, and puts forward the core ideas of sustainable innovation of business process. For the sake of building continuous competitive advantages, we must combine the two modes and develop towards the sustainable innovation of business process according to the changes of market competitive environment.
Extra Long-Distance Bulk Power Transmission

This paper presents a solution for bulk ac power transmission over extra long distance based on an unconventional transmission line that is little longer than a half wavelength (λ/ 2+). This solution is very convenient to be applied in countries where the generation sites are very distant from the consumption centers. However, it has some restrictions regarding feeding loads at intermediate points. To overcome this drawback, an HVAC tap based on power-electronics converters is proposed. This tap allows feeding local loads as well as integrating power plants to the main circuit without changing the transmission system's electrical characteristic. This paper also presents an application example of a λ/ 2+ line with an HVAC tap draining and injecting energy from the line.
Going solo : case-studies of learners grappling with self-instructed CALL

Erin Bidlake ABSTRACT This thesis reports on an investigation of the use of commercial computerassisted language learning (CALL) programs marketed for self-instruction (i.e. learners working with CALL programs alone, without teacher, classroom, or institutional support). To better understand learning in this context, I conducted II case-studies using a primarily qualitative, multi-method design, employing diaries, interviews, observations, and online tracking. Working with one of two commercial CALL programs in one of six languages, fue participants logged a total of 96 learning sessions and approximately 75 hours of study between October 2007 and July 2008. Overwhelmingly, participants were disappointed with their CALL programs, and many chose to drop out of the study earlier than planned. Three research questions were proposed for the purposes of this study: I. What are the experiences of learners working with commercial CALL programs marketed for self-instruction? J What common themes emerge as most relevant to shaping these experiences? 3. What are the pedagogical implications of the learners' experiences for CALL theory and program design? In answer to research question I, I created case files for the participants, bringing together all of the data collected through the various methods. These case files describe each individual participant's experience from inception to conclusion, highlighting the positive and negative aspects that had the greatest bearing on the final outcomes on a case by case basis. In answer to research question 2, I adopted a grounded theory approach to data analysis and identified five key themes as being most relevant across the entire group of II participants (i.e. need for increased selfdiscipline, dealing with technical problems, encountering ambiguity, working outside the program, and questioning the program's ability to teach). In answer to question 3, I used a framework of five criteria for evaluating CALL materials to discuss the key themes in terms of their impact on learner experience with self-instructed CALL and their pedagogical implications for CALL theory and program design. The framework, modified from Chapelle (2001 b) addresses issues of learner fit, authenticity, practicality, construct validity, and impact. Pedagogical implications highlight suggestions for improvement and directions for future research and development.
Sources of errors in structured light 3D scanners

Structured light scanners have been commercially available for over a decade and some commercial scanners are evaluated using one of two German guidelines – VDI/VDE 2634 parts 2 and/or 3. Several other research groups have developed physical artifacts that are agnostic to instrument construction and are purpose driven. The use of such guidelines and artifacts is not well understood for instruments which have a variety of sensor configurations and capabilities. It is also not clear if these guidelines/artifacts are sensitive to all the sources of errors that are present in these systems. In this context, this paper will describe the ongoing activities at NIST to study various sources of errors in structured light scanners with an objective of characterizing their performance.
6-k/spl Omega/ 43-Gb/s differential transimpedance-limiting amplifier with auto-zero feedback and high dynamic range

A high-gain, 43-Gb/s InP HBT transimpedance-limiting amplifier (TIALA) with 100-/spl mu/A/sub pp/ sensitivity and 6 mA/sub pp/ input overload current is presented. The circuit also operates as a limiting amplifier with 40-dB differential gain, better than 15-dB input return loss, and a record-breaking sensitivity of 8 mV/sub pp/ at 43 Gb/s. It features a differential TIA stage with inductive noise suppression in the feedback network and consumes less than 450mW from a single 3.3-V supply. The TIALA has 6-k/spl Omega/ (76dB/spl Omega/) differential transimpedance gain and 35-GHz bandwidth and comprises the transimpedance and limiting gain functions, an auto-zero dc feedback circuit, signal level monitor, and slicing level adjust functions. Other important features include 45-dB isolation and 800-mV/sub pp/ differential output.
Tests for conditional heteroscedasticity with functional data and goodness-of-fit tests for FGARCH models

Functional data objects that are derived from high-frequency financial data often exhibit volatility clustering characteristic of conditionally heteroscedastic time series. Versions of functional generalized autoregressive conditionally heteroscedastic (FGARCH) models have recently been proposed to describe such data, but so far basic diagnostic tests for these models are not available. We propose two portmanteau type tests to measure conditional heteroscedasticity in the squares of financial asset return curves. A complete asymptotic theory is provided for each test, and we further show how they can be applied to model residuals in order to evaluate the adequacy, and aid in order selection of FGARCH models. Simulation results show that both tests have good size and power to detect conditional heteroscedasticity and model mis-specification in finite samples. In an application, the proposed tests reveal that intra-day asset return curves exhibit conditional heteroscedasticity. Additionally, we found that this conditional heteroscedasticity cannot be explained by the magnitude of inter-daily returns alone, but that it can be adequately modeled by an FGARCH(1,1) model.
Interactive Relighting in Single Low-Dynamic Range Images

This article addresses the relighting of outdoor and large indoor scenes illuminated by nondistant lights, which has seldom been discussed in previous works. We propose a method for users to interactively edit the illumination of a scene by moving existing lights and inserting synthetic lights into the scene that requires only a small amount of user annotation and a single low-dynamic range (LDR) image. We achieve this by adopting a top-down approach that estimates the scene reflectance by fitting a diffuse illumination model to a photograph. This approach gains stability and robustness by estimating the camera, scene geometry, and light sources in sequence and by using a confidence map, which is a per-pixel weight map. The results of our evaluation demonstrates that the proposed method can estimate a scene accurately enough for realistic relighting of images. Moreover, the experimental results of our user studies show that the synthesized images are so realistic as to be almost indistinguishable from real photographs.
Character navigation in dynamic environments based on optical flow

Steering and navigation are important components of character animation systems to enable them to autonomously move in their environment. In this work, we propose a synthetic vision model that uses visual features to steer agents through dynamic environments. Our agents perceive optical flow resulting from their relative motion with the objects of the environment. The optical flow is then segmented and processed to extract visual features such as the focus of expansion and time‐to‐collision. Then, we establish the relations between these visual features and the agent motion, and use them to design a set of control functions which allow characters to perform object‐dependent tasks, such as following, avoiding and reaching. Control functions are then combined to let characters perform more complex navigation tasks in dynamic environments, such as reaching a goal while avoiding multiple obstacles. Agent's motion is achieved by local minimization of these functions. We demonstrate the efficiency of our approach through a number of scenarios. Our work sets the basis for building a character animation system which imitates human sensorimotor actions. It opens new perspectives to achieve realistic simulation of human characters taking into account perceptual factors, such as the lighting conditions of the environment.
Remarkable electronic effect on the total stereoselectivity of the cycloaddition reaction of arylnitrile oxides with pyrrol-2-one derivatives

Abstract The regiospecific 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of 1,5-dihydropyrrol-2-one and arylnitrile oxides derivatives have been investigated. The asymmetric induction expected by the chiral centre of the 5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1,5-dihydropyrrol-2-one derivatives was very effective, single diastereoisomers anti-3 was formed. The diastereoselectivity was linked to the destabilization of the syn transition state as a result of the electrostatic repulsion between the hydroxy group of the dihydropyrrol-2-one derivatives and the atom oxygen of the dipole.