Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
NRZ DPLL CMOS Frequency Synthesizer Using Active PI Filter

This paper demonstrates a CMOS frequency synthesizer design, whose primary purpose is to test the designer’s high speed, mixed-signal CMOS circuit design skill. Line codes are the techniques for representing digital sequences by pulse waveforms suitable for baseband transmission. NRZ or non return to zero is an important Line coding method. NRZ pulses are of full bit duration. We do not get square waveform in conventional current starved VCO. So, the conventional current starved VCO cannot be used for generating NRZ line coding as it is necessary that the output waveform of VCO should be square wave for NRZ coding. This new current starved CMOS VCO is used to design a DPLL. Furthermore, this DPLL design is used to generate a clock for a 8.33Mbits/second with NRZ data format for center frequency at VCO. The DPLL presented here uses XOR phase detector for reducing jitter noise and divide by two stage is used in the feedback loop for frequency synthesis. The DPLL is designed uses active PI filter.
A Phenomenological Research on the Lived Experience of Lipoabdominoplasty Clients

Every year, a lot of cosmetic procedures are performed on female clients. Liposuction is one of the most common cosmetic surgeries conducted with abdominoplasty. With regard to the increasing number of lipoabdominoplasty clients and the probability of developing severe complications, the question of “what is the lived experience of people undergoing lipoabdominoplasty” comes to mind.
Simulation Appraisal of the Adequacy of Number of Background Markers for Relationship Estimation in Association Mapping

Complex trait dissection through association mapping provides a powerful complement to traditional linkage analysis. The genetic structure of an association mapping panel can be estimated by genomewide background markers and subsequently accounted for in association analysis. Deciding the number of background markers is a common issue that needs to be addressed in many association mapping studies. We first showed that the adequacy of markers in relationship estimation influences the maximum likelihood of the model explaining phenotypic variation and demonstrated this influence with a series of computer simulations with different trait architectures. Analyses and computer simulations were then conducted using two different data sets: one from a diverse set of maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines with a complex population structure and familial relatedness, and the other from a group of crossbred dogs. Our results showed that the likelihood‐based model‐fitting approach can be used to quantify the robustness of genetic relationships derived from molecular marker data. We also found that kinship estimation was more sensitive to the number of markers used than population structure estimation in terms of model fitting, and a robust estimate of kinship for association mapping with diverse germplasm requires a certain amount of background markers (e.g., 300–600 biallelic markers for the simulated pedigree materials, >1000 single nucleotide polymorphisms or 100 simple sequence repeats [SSRs] for the diverse maize panel, and about 100 SSRs for the canine panel). Kinship construction with subsets of the whole marker panel and subsequent model testing with multiple phenotypic traits could provide ad hoc information on whether the number of markers is sufficient to quantify genetic relationships among individuals.
Mitigation of urban heat stress – a modelling case study for the area of Stuttgart

In 2050 the fraction of urban global population will increase to over 69 %, which means that around 6.3 billion people are expected to live in urban areas (UN 2011). Cities are the predominant habitation places for humans to live and are vulnerable to extreme weather events aggravating phenomena like heat stress. Finding mitigation strategies to sustain future development is of great importance, given expected influences on human health. In this study, the mesoscale numerical model WRF is used on a regional scale for the urban area of Stuttgart, to simulate the effect of urban planning strategies on dynamical processes affecting urban climate. After comparing two urban parameterisation schemes, a sensitivity study for different scenarios is performed; it shows that a change of the reflective properties of surfaces has the highest impact on near-surface temperatures compared to an increase of urban green areas or a decrease of building density. The Urban Heat Island (UHI) describes the temperature difference between urban and rural temperatures; it characterises regional urban climate and is responsible for urban-rural circulation patterns. Applying urban planning measures may decrease the intensity of the UHI in the study area by up to 2 °C by using heat-reflective roof paints or by 1 °C through replacing impervious surfaces by natural vegetation in the urban vicinity – compared to a value of 2.5 °C for the base case. Because of its topographical location in a valley and the overall high temperatures in this region, the area of Stuttgart suffers from heat stress to a comparatively large extent.
Food Safety and Risk Perception in a Changing World

This paper presents an analysis of food risk perceptions of German consumers over the eleven year period from 1992 to 2002. Using factor analysis, we analyse the respondents general risk attitudes and the specific perception of food safety risks. General risk attitude are described by variables relating to environmental, lifestyle and food risks. Food safety concerns are grouped into concern about use of biotechnology, about residues, about unhealthy eating habits, and about natural contaminants. An ordered probit analysis identifies the characteristics that explain the importance consumers attribute to these different food safety risks. The results reveal that general risk perceptions and knowledge about food safety hazards are highly significant in the explanation.
Analysis of the virtual learning community user adoption behavior based on perceived risk

Purpose: The virtual learning community plays an important role in the distance education. In the modern distance education, student’s learning process is a student’s interacting process with other network teaching components, including human-computer interaction, interaction of contents and interpersonal interaction. Design/Methodology/approach: This paper is to explain the adoption behavior of virtual learning community users, through the questionnaire data collection, and usage the structural equation model to verify the perceived risk of virtual learning community user adoption behavior effect, thus put forward the strategy to reduce the user perceived risk. Findings: In this paper, it uses Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to measure the scale reliability and validity of the model. In order to test whether scale is suitable for exploratory factor analysis, it needs to calculate KMO and Bartlett sphere test in advance. The results show KMO value is 0.804, and the test results show that it is suitable for factor analysis. Based on TAM theory, the article analyses user adoption behavior of virtual learning community for real-time interaction and completes the learning task in the distance education from the user perceived risk perspective. Originality/Value: This paper puts forward the relationship between perceived risk model of user in virtual learning community utilizing structural equation modelling and regression testing of hypotheses.
Improved real-time data anomaly detection using context classification Nemanja Branisavljevic ´ , Zoran Kapelan and Dus ÿ an Prodanovic ´

The number of automated measuring and reporting systems used in water distribution and sewer systems is dramatically increasing and, as a consequence, so is the volume of data acquired. Since real-time data is likely to contain a certain amount of anomalous values and data acquisition equipment is not perfect, it is essential to equip the SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system with automatic procedures that can detect the related problems and assist the user in monitoring and managing the incoming data. A number of different anomaly detection techniques and methods exist and can be used with varying success. To improve the performance, these methods must be fine tuned according to crucial aspects of the process monitored and the contexts in which the data are classified. The aim of this paper is to explore if the data context classification and pre-processing techniques can be used to improve the anomaly detection methods, especially in fully automated systems. The methodology developed is tested on sets of real-life data, using different standard and experimental anomaly detection procedures including statistical, model-based and data-mining approaches. The results obtained clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of the suggested anomaly detection methodology.
The Elusive Allure of “Aura”: Sample-based Music and Benjamin’s Practice of Quotation

ABSTRACT This article discusses both sample-based and electronic music in relation to Walter Benjamin’s infamous text, “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction. ” The applicability of “aura” to such music is questioned, in favour of other considerations, such as practices of collecting, remembering, selecting, and connecting. The relationships between performance, “liveness,” and technologically enabled forms of music are explored. Authors who have written about Benjamin’s text in relation to modern audio (re)production are compared and contrasted. I also reference interviews I conducted with a group of sample-based sound artists from Montreal, Canada, between 2004 and 2005. My discussion brings me to Benjamin’s use of Leonardo da Vinci’s disparaging comments about music compared with painting in the latter’s Paragone. I conclude by asserting that Benjamin’s practice of quotation is more relevant than his conception of “aura” in terms of discussing “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction” in relation to contemporary, reproduction-based artistic practices such as electronic and/or sample-based music. RESUME Cet article discute a la fois de la musique a base d’echantillons sonores et la musique electronique par rapport au texte notoire de Walter Benjamin, « L’OEuvre d’art a l’epoque de sa reproductibilite technologique ». Dans mon article, je mets en question la possibilite d’appliquer l’idee d’« aura » a de telles musiques, favorisant plutot d’autres approches, tels les pratiques de collectionner, evoquer, selectionner et echanger la musique. J’explore les rapports entre l’interpretation, la representation et les formes de musique basee sur les progres technologiques. Je compare des auteurs qui ont recouru au texte de Benjamin pour commenter les (re)productions sonores modernes et je mets en evidence les differences entre ces auteurs. Je me rapporte en outre a des entrevues que j’ai menees aupres d’un groupe d’echantillonneurs montrealais en 2004 et 2005. Ma discussion me mene a l’utilisation par Benjamin de propos desobligeants tenus par Leonardo da Vinci dans son Paragone envers la musique par rapport a la peinture. J’en arrive a la conclusion que la pratique de Benjamin de citer d’autres textes est plus pertinente que son concept d’« aura » pour discuter des pratiques artistiques contemporaines basees sur la reproduction telles que la musique a base d’echantillons et la musique electronique.
Infringing Nations: Predicting Software Piracy Rates, BitTorrent Tracker Hosting, and P2P File Sharing Client Downloads Between Countries

This study sought to investigate the predictors of digital piracy at the national level. The bulk of previous research on this subject has relied almost exclusively on measures of piracy taken from reports created by copyright industry representatives, which may not be objective sources. For this research, two new measures of piracy related activity in addition to the usual software piracy rate and software piracy cost measures were used. The number of BitTorrent tracking servers and the number of peerto-peer file sharing client downloads per country were measured. It was determined that these new measures tended to have predictors that were different than the standard software piracy rates. Additionally, it appeared that measuring piracy as a rate relative to legal purchases had the opposite effect than when measuring piracy in absolute terms (such as the absolute number of BitTorrent trackers and absolute dollar amount lost due to piracy). Smaller, poorer, and less technologically developed countries had higher piracy rates, but lower absolute piracy activity. An absolute measure of piracy may be more appropriate, as it likely reflects larger costs to copyright stakeholders, and therefore policy ought to focus on wealthier nations, not poorer ones, when it comes to targeting pirating behavior.
An Empirical Model for Information Retrieval System Evaluation: The User's perspective

The aspect of time has become an issue since computers were introduced into management studies and thus highlights the need for efficient paradigm that will enable easy access to information, with much ease. But this is not the case yet, since finding the desired search engine and learning how to use them for this purpose is still time consuming. The continued dominance of measures for use in the system-centered aspect of IR evaluation, which is weak for use in user-centered IR system evaluation process, remains a challenge. Therefore the purpose of this study is to present usable measures through using an empirical from user's perspective for use in the evaluation of IR system. The survey method, a robust multivariate mathematical model and the factor analytic method were experimented upon. Results showed that the model presented is promising concerning the challenges highlighted. Therefore user's own knowledge, experience and searching abilities could be harnessed and implicated in IR design and evaluation. This study therefore serves as a test bed and guide to studies in this area, which results could contribute immensely to the overall improvement of the system. However, more data and a larger sample size are required to verify the proposed model in future, with other extraction techniques.
The differences in attitudes about their society between 14 years old pupils with and without an immigration background; a cross-national comparison.

In this paper we analyze the attitudes of 14 year old children of first and second generation immigrants and their civic attitudes about (aspects of) the society of destination. We use data from the Civic Education Study conducted by International Educational Association (IAE) in 1999. This Civic Education Study tests civic knowledge, civic attitudes and civic participation of 14 year old students. We have five dependent variables in 11 countries: trust in government related institution positive attitudes towards immigrants, positive attitudes towards one’s nation of residence positive attitudes towards women’s rights and civic participation. 14-year pupils with an immigrant background had stronger positive attitudes towards immigrants, stronger negative attitudes towards women’s political and economic rights, stronger negative attitudes towards the nation of residence and less outspoken lower trust in government related institutions. Second generation pupils do not deviate less than first generation, neither pupils in more inclusive societies differ less.
External and Environmental Radiation Dosimetry with Optically Stimulated Luminescent Detection Device Developed at the SCK·CEN

The laboratory of Radiation Dosimetry and Calibration of the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK.CEN) is using thermoluminescence dosimetry for more than thirty years for routine measurements and for R&D investigations. In 2002, it has developed an experimental device based on the optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) technique. This device is working with AL2O3:C crystals stimulated by the green line (488 nm) emitted by a 150 mW argon laser. This paper describes this device, its characteristics, some applications in space dosimetry and the R&D works initiated in this field during the next few years.
WebSim: A Web-based Semantic Similarity Measure

Semantic similarity measures are important for numerous tasks in natural language processing such as word sense disambiguation, automatic synonym extraction, language modelling and document clustering. We propose a method to measure semantic similarity between two words using information available on the Web. We extract page counts and snippets for the AND query of the two words from a Web search engine. We define numerous similarity scores based on page counts and lexico-syntactic patterns. These similarity scores are integrated using support vector machines to form a robust semantic similarity measure. Proposed method outperforms all existing Webbased semantic similarity measures on Miller-Charles benchmark dataset achieving a high correlation coecient of 0:834 with human ratings.
Preparation of Microcapsules of Slow-Release NPK Compound Fertilizer and the Release Characteristics

In this study, a novel type of slow-release fertilizer (SRF) was synthesized through lignin-based microcapsules. K2HPO4 and urea were coated by lignin and formaldehyde to prepare microcapsules of NPK compound SRF. The slow-release performance was measured by determining the NPK contents in water solution and soil column leaching. The release amounts of N, P and K after 5 days were 95.39, 95.28 and 96.75% in water, and 83.35, 96.62 and 90.75% in soil, respectively. The properties of SRF were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry and scanning electron microscopy. NPK release from the SRF was promoted by higher temperature and acid environment, but inhibited by alkaline environment. The first order kinetics equation provides the best correlation to describe nutrient release characteristics. The results indicated that SRF have good slow-release properties and are cost-saving and environment-friendly, and thus can efficiently improve the utilization efficiency of fertilizers in agricultural production.
Prise en compte de dépendances syntaxiques pour la traduction contextuelle de segments

Dans un système standard de traduction statistique basé sur les segments, le score attribué aux différentes traductions d’un segment ne dépend pas du contexte dans lequel il apparaît. Plusieurs travaux récents tendent à montrer l’intérêt de prendre en compte le contexte source lors de la traduction, mais ces études portent sur des systèmes traduisant vers l’anglais, une langue faiblement fléchie. Dans cet article, nous décrivons nos expériences sur la prise en compte du contexte source dans un système statistique traduisant de l’anglais vers le français, basé sur l’approche proposée par Stroppa et al. (2007). Nous étudions l’impact de différents types d’indices capturant l’information contextuelle, dont des dépendances syntaxiques typées. Si les mesures automatiques d’évaluation de la qualité d’une traduction ne révèlent pas de gains significatifs de notre système par rapport à un système à l’état de l’art ne faisant pas usage du contexte, une évaluation manuelle conduite sur 100 phrases choisies aléatoirement est en faveur de notre système. Cette évaluation fait également ressortir que la prise en compte de certaines dépendances syntaxiques est bénéfique à notre système.
The Heck reaction in the production of fine chemicals

An overview is given of the use of the Heck reaction for the production of fine chemicals. Five commercial products have been identified that are produced on a scale in excess of 1 ton/year. The herbicide Prosulfuron(tm) is produced via a Matsuda reaction of 2-sulfonatobenzenediazonium on 3,3,3-trifluoropropene. The sunscreen agent 2-ethylhexyl p-methoxy-cinnamate has been produced on pilot scale using Pd/C as catalyst. Naproxen(tm) is produced via the Heck reaction of 2-bromo-6-methoxy-naphthalene on ethylene, followed by carbonylation of the product. Monomers for coatings are produced via a Heck reaction on 2-bromo-benzocyclobutene. A key step in the production of the antiasthma agent Singulair(tm) is the use of the Heck reaction of methyl 2-iodo-benzoate on allylic alcohol (18) to give ketone (20). The high cost of palladium has spurred much research aimed at the development of more active palladium catalysts. Ligandless catalysts are very attractive for production, but work only on reactive substrates.
Out-of-the-box? The state of the academic discussions about strategies and strategy work

Strategies are popular instrument to organize business. However, general definition for strategy is still missing. This is an accepted state of affairs. However, there is a need to study further subjects of strategy and strategizing. This study focuses on this field using strategic journals and especially articles of “strategy work” as a source. The aim is to find combining and differentiating contents, discourses and meanings about strategy, and strategy work. Analysis reveals that the use of “strategy work” is mainly associated with the practices of strategy or strategy-as-practice and secondary the mainstream “traditional” perspectives. For example, in strategy education there is a need for new ways of thinking, “out-of-the-box”, outside the traditional perspectives. Despite the critique mounted against the traditional strategy perspective, there are efforts to construct combining strategy perspectives between practices (strategy itself) and traditional (managing strategy) perspective. The study suggests achieving added value via coexistence of two strategy discussions.
One Step Surfactant Free Synthesis and Characterization of Spherical Gold Nanoparticles

We report a novel and simple one step method for the synthesis of spherical gold nanoparticles (SGNPs) by the reduction of gold (III) chloride trihydrate (HAuCl 4 ) through a surfactant free single step method. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) was evaluated to depict the morphology of SGNPs. TEM images reveal the homogeneous spherical gold nanoparticles formation. The average diameter of single SGNPs was calculated to be ∼2.5 – 5 nm. In addition, the existence of gold nanoparticles was investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV-visible spectroscopy studies. Also, Surface plasmon resonance peak of SGNPs recorded via UV-visible spectroscopy. We expect the method introduced in our work may be more useful for the large-scale synthesis of gold nanomaterials and for multifunctional applications.
The Invention and Developing of Multibeam Echosounder Technology

Abstract When a man has mastered the ability to travel by sea, he began to wonder what is the depth clearance under the keel and how to measure the depth. Initially, only coastal shipping was practiced. Cargo ship sailing, fishery, underwater scientific research, recreational diving as well as resource exploration and operation of submarine cables and pipelines laying were developing dynamically in this part of the continental shelf. That is why accurate bathymetric information was of great importance to masters, scientists, fishermen, ship-owners and all seafarers. Cartographic compilation of even a primitive nautical chart was a huge challenge. It was a painstaking process and required, first and foremost, a large amount of data, which was primarily obtained through not efficient measurements. As technology progresses, new techniques and methods of ocean exploration have developed. The technology, systems, devices and instruments of underwater exploration have gone through a long way of change, modernization and improvements, ultimately creating the potential for a bottom surface visualization as three-dimensional spatial models. A significant role has been played by multibeam echosounder which revolutionized the hydrographic surveys and proved to be efficient means of hydrographic and oceanographic surveys.