Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aspects of Brane Dynamics in String Theory

This thesis investigates the dynamics and potential application of D-brane systems in Type II String Theory. In the first section we investigate the dynamics of a single brane in the NS5-brane ring geometry, and further develop the tachyon-radion correspondance which maps dynamical brane solutions to open string tachyon condensation on unstable branes. We show that the resulting Geometrical Tachyon exhibits many of the properties of the open string tachyon. In the second section we investigate the dynamics of N coincident Dp-branes in various brane backgrounds. This involves the use of matrix degrees of freedom and non-commutative geometries known as fuzzy spheres. We study the collapse of these fuzzy spheres inDp-brane and NS5-brane backgrounds, before generalising the results. We also examine the D1−D3 intersection in a general background, from the macroscopic and microscopic viewpoints. This section closes with the microscopic description of (p, q) strings in the Warped Deformed Conifold. We calculate the tension spectrum and find agreement with the macroscopic solution in the limit of large flux. Using the finite q prescription for the Myers action, we conjecture a form for the string tension when there are a finite number of D-strings. The final section emphasises the cosmological aspects of such dynamics. We being by using the Geometrical Tachyon as a toy model of tachyonic inflation. We then construct a hybrid inflation scenario using the Geometrical Tachyon coupled to the open string tachyon. Both models compare well to the experimental data. Finally we develop a new model of DBI inflation using multiple branes at the IR tip of a warped throat. We study the theory in the large N limit and show how it is similar to the single brane models. We then extend the analysis to the case of finite N , which we expect to be more phenomenologically viable. In the large N limit we find that inflation is possible, but the amplitude of gravitational waves is large. This is not the case in the finite N limit, which can allow for small perturbations unusual levels of non-gaussianities making it a testable prediction of string theory.
Static power characteristics of selective buried oxide CMOS devices

Selective buried oxide (SELBOX) Metal‐Oxide‐Semiconductor Field‐Effect Transistor (MOSFET) structure can be used to reduce the kink effect and self‐heating problems associated with the silicon on insulator (SOI) MOSFET devices while maintaining the advantages of bulk MOSFET. In this paper, static power dissipation of SELBOX structure is investigated and compared with SOI and bulk structures. Various MOSFET structures are simulated and evaluated in terms of their static power dissipation. Only results from 90‐nm Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) technology devices are included in this paper. Simulation results using the Silvaco TCAD show that static power dissipation in SELBOX CMOS is similar to that of SOI devices but lower than that of bulk CMOS. Hence, SELBOX structure is found to produce relatively low‐static power dissipation while maintaining high operating speed and reducing self‐heating and kink effect. A mathematical model to describe the static power dissipation in the subthreshold region is also included. Statistical analysis show that the model and fabrication simulation results agree with P < . 05 and correlation coefficient of 0.95.
Occupation times and exact asymptotics of small deviations of Bessel processes for -norms with

We prove theorems on exact asymptotics of the distributions of integral functionals of the occupation time of Bessel processes. Using these results, we obtain exact asymptotics of small deviations for Bessel processes in the -norm. We use Laplace's method for the occupation times of Markov processes with continuous time. Computations are carried out for and . We also solve extremal problems for the action functional.
A multiple-relaxation-time lattice Boltzmann method for high-speed compressible flows

This paper presents a coupling compressible model of the lattice Boltzmann method. In this model, the multiple-relaxation-time lattice Boltzmann scheme is used for the evolution of density distribution functions, whereas the modified single-relaxation-time (SRT) lattice Boltzmann scheme is applied for the evolution of potential energy distribution functions. The governing equations are discretized with the third-order Monotone Upwind Schemes for scalar conservation laws finite volume scheme. The choice of relaxation coefficients is discussed simply. Through the numerical simulations, it is found that compressible flows with strong shocks can be well simulated by present model. The numerical results agree well with the reference results and are better than that of the SRT version.
Measurement of Heat Flux in Rocket Combustors Using Plug-Type Heat Flux Gauges

This paper proposes a new measurement method to improve the shortcomings of an existing integral method for measuring heat flux in plug-type heat flux gauges in the high-temperature and high-pressure environments of liquid-rocket combustors. Using the existing integral measurement method, the calculation of the surface area for the heat flux in the gauge exhibits error in relation to the actual surface area. To solve this problem, transient profiles obtained from ANSYS Fluent were used to calculate unsteady heat flux as it adjusted to the measured temperature. First, a heat flux gauge was designed and manufactured specifically for use in the high-temperature and high-pressure conditions that are similar to those of liquid rocket combustors. A calibration test was performed to prove the reliability of the manufactured gauge. Then, a combustion experiment was conducted, in which the gauge was used to measure unsteady heat flux in a liquid rocket combustor that used kerosene and liquid oxygen as propellants. Reasonable heat flux values were obtained using the gauge. Therefore, the proposed measurement method is considered to offer significant improvement over the existing integral method.
From black box to white box at open access journals: predictive validity of manuscript reviewing and editorial decisions at Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics

More than 4,500 open access (OA) journals have now become established in science. But doubts exist about the quality of the manuscript selection process for publication in these journals. In this study we investigate the quality of the selection process of an OA journal, taking as an example the journal Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP). ACP is working with a new system of public peer review. We examine the predictive validity of the ACP peer review system, namely, whether the process selects the best of the manuscripts submitted. We have data for 1,111 manuscripts that went through the complete ACP selection process in the years 2001 to 2006. The predictive validity was investigated on the basis of citation counts for the later published manuscripts. The results of the citation analysis confirm the predictive validity of the reviewers' ratings and the editorial decisions at ACP: Both covary with citation counts for the published manuscripts. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.
Informed Consent and Clinician Accountability: The Ethics Of Report Cards On Surgeon Performance

Acknowledgements Introduction: accountability, informed consent and clinician performance information Justin Oakley and Steve Clarke Part I. Accountability: Introduction 1. Clinician report cards and the limits of evidence-based patient choice Michael Parker 2. Report cards for institutions, not individuals Neil Levy 3. Safety, accountability, and 'choice' after the Bristol inquiry Tom Sorell 4. Public reports: putting patients in the picture requires a new relationship between doctors and patients Merrilyn Walton 5. Adverse event disclosure: benefits and drawbacks for patients and clinicians Paul Barach and Michael Cantor 6. Report cards and performance monitoring Stephen Bolsin and Liadain Freestone Part II. Informed Consent: Introduction 7. Informed consent and surgeons' performance Steve Clarke and Justin Oakley 8. The value and practical limits of informed consent Merle Spriggs 9. Against the informed consent argument for surgeon report cards David Neil 10. Trust and the limits of knowledge David Macintosh 11. Surgeons' report cards, heuristics, biases and informed consent Steve Clarke 12. Report cards, informed consent and market forces A. J. Walsh Part III. Reporting Performance Information: Introduction 13. Is the reporting of an individual surgeon's clinical performance doing more harm than good for patient care? Silvana F. Marasco and Joseph E. Ibrahim 14. Examining the link between publicly reporting health care quality and quality improvement Rachel M. Werner and David A. Asch 15. Hospital and clinician performance data: what it can and cannot tell us Paul Aylin 16. An ethical analysis of the defensive surgery objection to individual surgeon report cards Justin Oakley 17. Surgeon report cards and the concept of defensive medicine Yujin Nagasawa 18. Training, innovation and surgeons' report cards Tony Eyers 19. Doctors' report cards: a legal perspective Ian Freckelton.
Development of Continuous Automatic Speech Recognition System for Controlling of MAVs through Natural Speech

In this paper it is proposed to develop a continuous Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) system for the recognition of MAV commands. This system needs to be integrated with the MAV Ground Control Station (GCS). This provides a simple and effective user interface for the MAV operators while flying MAVs. Mission Planner, an open source GCS is used as the integration platform. The ASR is developed using HTK Toolkit.
Time constant and lateral resonances of thermal vertical bimorph actuators

Thermal vertical bimorph actuators consist of silicon beams side-coated with aluminium. Upon heating they bend like a bimetal and produce movement in the wafer plane. We have measured the time constant describing the deflection response of the actuator to input pulses. Depending on the dimensions of the actuator, the time constant ranges from 0.5 ms to 3.8 ms. Lateral resonances of the first mode have been measured using thermal excitation and are found to be between 20 and 85 kHz.
Component-based Probabilistic Methodology for the Vulnerability Assessment of RC Frames Retrofitted with Dissipative Braces

The paper illustrates a probabilistic methodology for assessing the vulnerability of low-ductility reinforced concrete (RC) buildings retrofitted by dissipative braces. The aim is to highlight the most important parameters controlling the capacity of these systems and specific aspects concerning the response uncertainties. The proposed methodology is based on local engineering demand parameters (EDPs) for monitoring the seismic response and on the development of component and system fragility curves before and after the retrofit. Its capability is tested considering a RC frame designed for gravity-loads only retrofitted by elasto-plastic dissipative braces. The results show the effectiveness of the methodology in describing the changes in the response and in the failure modalities due to the retrofit. Moreover, the retrofit effectiveness is evaluated by introducing proper synthetic parameters describing the fragility curves and highlighting the importance of employing local rather than global EDPs in the seismic risk evaluation of low-ductility frames.
Distributed Wind Energy Conversion System Interface to the Grid Using Cascaded Multi-Level Converter

ABSTRACT In this paper, a distributed wind energy conversion system based on the cascaded H-bridge multi-level converter topology has been proposed to be used for the medium-voltage grid interface application. This includes load compensation and injection of real power requirement of the load. The load compensation includes reactive power compensation, load harmonic mitigation, and correction for the unbalancing problem. An algorithm has been proposed for generating references for the voltage source converter in current control mode in order to inject real power together with the reactive and harmonic components of the load. Modular structure of the wind turbine-alternator sets and cascaded multi-level inverter using H-bridges suits the distributed wind energy conversion system interface to the medium-voltage grid. The factors like equal distribution of switching stress and power losses, reduced power ratings of the inverter, redundancy, and high quality of inverter output voltage make the proposed arrangement efficient for high-power applications. The cascaded topology with phase-shifted multi-carrier pulse width modulation (PWM) has the features of increasing the effective switching frequency and reducing the ripple magnitude. The proposed scheme has been verified through the simulation study using power system transient analysis tool (PSCAD/EMTDC).
A model for ultrasonic scattering from tissues based on the K distribution

A model for the backscattered ultrasound echo from tissues is presented. The model takes into account the fact that the range cell being insonified may contain only a few scatterers and the number may not be large enough to justify the use of a Gaussian model which results in Rayleigh statistics for the echo. Furthermore, the model also considers the case where the echogenicity of the scatterers in the range cell may not be uniform, the lack of uniformity resulting from variations in scattering cross-sections produced by the chemical as well as biochemical changes brought on by the presence of disease, growth of benign or malignant tumours, etc. The model is developed from the fundamental principles of scattering using the results available in radar. This new model results in a two-parameter distribution, namely the K distribution for the echo, thereby making it possible to gain information on the number as well as scattering cross-sections of the scatterers in the range cell. The model is extended to include the effects due to the presence of scatterers having some regular or periodic orientation in the range cell, resulting in the so-called generalized K distribution which approximates to Rayleigh, Rician, or Gaussian under various limiting cases. Results of computer simulations and experiments on tissue-mimicking phantoms are also provided, which strongly suggest that this new model offers potential for tissue characterization.
A Method of Extended Jacobian and Firefly Algorithm for the Kinematic Analysis of Planar Robots

Planar robots are one of the optimal robot form impacted in typical Cartesian plane. It consists of fixed divisions and connectors positioned in series which offers like working of human arm. The one end of robot arm position is fixed and the other arm of the robot move through the Cartesian plane by modifying the framework of arm joints. The kinematic analysis on planar robot includes position, velocity and acceleration are validated not by considering the force which cause motion to robot. The manipulator with lack of design and fault tolerant operation is analytical for application in remote and threat environment where periodic maintenance and improvements are not available. The most advanced architecture and operational flexibility of robots offer new probability and advancement in a large scale of fabrication process. This paper proposes inverse kinematic analysis of PUMA 560 robotic arm to conclude long range of fault tolerance. The proposed work incorporates Jacobian and Firefly algorithm are generally useful for determining inverse kinematics for redundant robots.
Supersonic electroweak baryogenesis: achieving baryogenesis for fast bubble walls

Standard electroweak baryogenesis in the context of a first order phase transition is effective in generating the baryon asymmetry of the universe if the broken phase bubbles expand at subsonic speed, so that CP asymmetric currents can diffuse in front of the wall. Here we present a new mechanism for electroweak baryogenesis which operates for supersonic bubble walls. It relies on the formation of small bubbles of the symmetric phase behind the bubble wall, in the broken phase, due to the heating of the plasma as the wall passes by. We apply the mechanism to a model in which the Higgs field is coupled to several singlets, and find that enough baryon asymmetry is generated for reasonable values of the parameter space.
Imaging lobular breast carcinoma: comparison of synchrotron radiation DEI-CT technique with clinical CT, mammography and histology

Different modalities for imaging cancer-bearing breast tissue samples are described and compared. The images include clinical mammograms and computed tomography (CT) images, CT images with partly coherent synchrotron radiation (SR), and CT and radiography images taken with SR using the diffraction enhanced imaging (DEI) method. The images are evaluated by a radiologist and compared with histopathological examination of the samples. Two cases of lobular carcinoma are studied in detail. The indications of cancer are very weak or invisible in the conventional images, but the morphological changes due to invasion of cancer become pronounced in the images taken by the DEI method. The strands penetrating adipose tissue are seen clearly in the DEI-CT images, and the histopathology confirms that some strands contain the so-called ‘Indian file’ formations of cancer cells. The radiation dose is carefully measured for each of the imaging modalities. The mean glandular dose (MGD) for 50% glandular breast tissue is about 1 mGy in conventional mammography and less than 0.25 mGy in projection DEI, while in the clinical CT imaging the MGD is very high, about 45 mGy. The entrance dose of 95 mGy in DEI-CT imaging gives rise to an MGD of 40 mGy, but the dose may be reduced by an order of magnitude, because the contrast is very large in most images.
Parametric Study of Effects of Vertical Ground Motions on Base Isolated Structures

ABSTRACT Presently, the effects of vertical components of ground motions are investigated on the performance of the base isolated building. The response assessment of the isolated building is carried out by nonlinear dynamic analysis under a set of recorded ground motions, involving both horizontal and vertical components. It is demonstrated that the vertical ground motion increases the isolation efficiency but results in extensively large displacement of the bearing. Two types of isolation bearing, namely, the conventional lead-rubber-bearing (LRB) and shape-memory-alloy-rubber-bearing (SMARB) are considered. The superior performance of the latter is established in circumventing the adverse consequences of the vertical ground motions.
Beyond the plane-parallel and Newtonian approach: wide-angle redshift distortions and convergence in general relativity

We extend previous analyses of wide-angle correlations in the galaxy power spectrum in redshift space to include all general relativistic effects. These general relativistic corrections to the standard approach become important on large scales and at high redshifts, and they lead to new terms in the wide-angle correlations. We show that in principle the new terms can produce corrections of nearly 10% on Gpc scales over the usual Newtonian approximation. General relativistic corrections will be important for future large-volume surveys such as SKA and Euclid, although the problem of cosmic variance will present a challenge in observing this.
Modelling of silicon based electrostatic energy harvester for cardiac implants

The concept of Energy Harvesting using the ability of heart to develop an acceptable amount of power for its natural operation (up to 10W) could address the power source requirements of leadless pacemakers. This paper presents a new structural geometry of Silicon based Electrostatic Energy Harvester which uses angled electrodes unlike the traditional harvesters for these pacemakers. It is observed that this topology provides a greater change of capacitance with respect to displacement compared to conventional topologies as it combines both In-Plane Gap and In-Plane Area Overlap capacitances. This harvester can thus be used as an alternate to the conventional battery sources used and act as a constant voltage source for various components of the pacemaker.
Do shorter wavelengths improve contrast in optical mammography?

The detection of tumours with time-resolved transmittance imaging relies essentially on blood absorption. Previous theoretical and phantom studies have shown that both contrast and spatial resolution of optical images are affected by the optical properties of the background medium, and high absorption and scattering are generally beneficial. Based on these observations, wavelengths shorter than presently used (680–780 nm) could be profitable for optical mammography. A study was thus performed analysing time-resolved transmittance images at 637, 656, 683 and 785 nm obtained from 26 patients bearing 16 tumours and 15 cysts. The optical contrast proved to increase upon decreasing wavelengths for the detection of cancers in late-gated intensity images, with higher gain in contrast for lesions of smaller size (<1.5 cm diameter). For cysts either a progressive increase or decrease in contrast with wavelength was observed in scattering images.
A dynamic nonlinear regression method for the determination of the discrete relaxation spectrum

The relaxation spectrum is an important tool for studying the behaviour of viscoelastic materials. The most popular procedure is to use data from a small-amplitude oscillatory shear experiment to determine the parameters in a multi-mode Maxwell model. However, the discrete relaxation times appear nonlinearly in the mathematical model for the relaxation modulus. The indirect calculation of the relaxation times is an ill-posed problem and its numerical solution is fraught with difficulties. The ill-posedness of the linear regression approach, in which the relaxation times are specified a priori and the minimization is performed with respect to the elastic moduli, is well documented. A nonlinear regression technique is described in this paper in which the minimization is performed with respect to both the discrete relaxation times and the elastic moduli. In this technique the number of discrete modes is increased dynamically and the procedure is terminated when the calculated values of the model parameters are dominated by a measure of their expected values. The sequence of nonlinear least-squares problems, solved using the Marquardt-Levenberg procedure, is shown to be robust and efficient. Numerical calculations on model and experimental data are presented and discussed.
Experimental study and associated mechanism analysis of horizontal bolted connections involved in a precast concrete shear wall system

This paper is concerned about the lateral load response and associated working mechanism of a precast reinforced concrete shear wall involving horizontal connections. An assembling method is proposed using dry connection through a horizontal steel connector (H‐connector) and high strength bolts. To investigate the effectiveness of such an assembling method, two identical wall‐connector assembly specimens have been constructed and tested under monotonic loading and cyclic loading, respectively, while subjected to a constant vertical compression. The test results showed that the performance of the shear wall assembly was generally satisfactory in terms of ensuring the full development of the shear wall strength and ductility. To assist in the interpretation of the experimental results and enable further study on the design approach, a detailed mechanism analysis has been subsequently conducted. The stress in H‐connector flange and shear force transferred through each high strength bolt has been deduced on the basis of mechanism analysis. The further sliding analysis within the bolted connections agrees well with the experimental results and therefore confirms the derived formulae for H‐connector and high strength bolt.