Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design Theory of Optimum Negative-Resistance Amplifiers

In this paper we consider general amplifiers obtained by imbedding a linear active 1-port device in arbitrary 3-ports. The active device is assumed to have a representation of a negative conductance -GD in parallel with a parasitic capacitance CD. We prove that for the lossless reciprocal imbedding, the transducer voltage gain is limited by ∣ S21∣ < ½(1+eπGD/ω0CD), where ω0 is the angular bandwidth. For arbitrary passive imbedding, ∣S21∣ < eπGD/π0CD. Synthesis methods to approach or achieve the optimum are presented. Other types of amplifier configurations are next considered. In each case, the optimum gain-bandwidth formula, synthesis procedure and some useful design curves are given.
Determination of an Optimized Generator Expansion Pattern

A series of programs developed for a small-scale digital computer, such as the IBM (International Business Machines Corporation) 650, to optimize the selection of future additions to generating capacity are discussed. Two detailed programs show how the annual load-duration curve has been adapted to propagate a series of new generator-requirement curves. These curves, giving new generation needs by type for future years, are then available for use in other programs mentioned which develop real expansion patterns and all costs associated with them.
A New Approach to Geometry of Range Difference Location

Loran, as an example of a "hyperbolic" range difference location system, provides hyperbolic lines of position on which the target must lie. It is shown in this paper that lines of position need not be hyperbolic, i.e., an exact straight line of position on the plane or the surface of a sphere (where the solution is a great circle) is derived and computer-generated error maps are given.
Students working against tobacco: A novel educational program to improve Canadian medical students’ tobacco counselling skills

Background Medical professionals should be appropriately trained in the field of smoking cessation counseling and be familiar with related tobacco-control issues. Sadly, Canadian medical students receive little education regarding smoking cessation. Methods University of Ottawa medical students created Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT), a program that provides its members with tobacco education and opportunities to discuss tobacco use, smoking prevention and cessation with elementary-school students. Surveys assessing student knowledge and confidence in addressing tobacco issues were administered to the participating students at the start of the program and following their delivery of a school presentation. Results Students initially lacked knowledge, skills and experience in addressing tobacco issues and discussing smoking prevention and cessation counselling. Following their involvement in the SWAT program, students’ smoking cessation counselling knowledge and skills improved, and they expressed confidence in becoming more engaged in this important preventive health issue. Conclusion Until smoking cessation is incorporated into undergraduate medical education programs, gaps will remain in the preparation of tomorrow’s physicians regarding the provision of effective smoking cessation counselling and their broader understanding of this important health issue. Currently, there are constraints limiting the number of medical undergraduates that SWAT is able to involve and influence.
Effects of a Ruthenium Schiff Base Complex on Glucose Homeostasis in Diet-Induced Pre-Diabetic Rats

Pre-diabetes is a condition that precedes type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) that is characterised by elevated glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c). The management of pre-diabetes includes the combination of dietary and pharmacological interventions to increase insulin sensitivity. However, poor patient compliance has been reported with regard to dietary interventions, therefore, new alternative drugs are required that can be effective even without the dietary intervention. In our laboratory, we have synthesised a novel ruthenium complex that has been shown to have elevated biological activity. This study investigated the effects of this complex in both the presence and absence of dietary intervention on glucose handling in a diet-induced pre-diabetes rat model. Pre-diabetic animals were randomly assigned to respective treatment groups. The ruthenium complex was administered to pre-diabetic rats once a day every third day for 12 weeks. The administration of the ruthenium complex resulted in reduced fasting blood glucose, food intake, and body weight gain which was associated with decreased plasma ghrelin, insulin, and HbA1c levels in both the presence and absence of dietary intervention. The administration of the ruthenium complex ameliorated glycaemic control and insulin sensitivity in pre-diabetic rats. The results of this study warrant further investigations as this compound could potentially be able to re-sensitize insulin resistant cells and reduce the incidence of T2DM.
Fractional Millimicrosecond Electrical Stroboscope

A simple electrical stroboscope having a rise time of 6 × 10-11 seconds and a 6-db bandwidth of 5.5 kmc is described. Oscillograms showing 160-mc square waves and 640 million pulses per second are shown. These waveforms display rise times as fast as 2 × 10-10 seconds. Instrumentation includes a strobe-pulse generator, a coaxial gate using a gallium-arsenide point-contact crystal, suitable wide-band coaxial attenuators, a low-pass integrating filter and a low-frequency oscilloscope.
Predictive framework for codend size selection of brown shrimp (Crangon crangon) in the North Sea beam-trawl fishery

The brown shrimp (Crangon crangon) fishery is of great socio-economic importance to coastal communities on the North Sea. The fishery is exploited by beam trawlers often using codends with very small mesh sizes, leading to concerns about catch rates of undersized shrimp. However, little information is available on codend size selection, making it difficult to provide scientifically based advice on alternative codend designs. Therefore, this study establishes a predictive framework for codend size selection of brown shrimp, based on a large selectivity dataset from 33 different codend designs tested during four experimental fishing cruises, during which more than 350,000 brown shrimp were length measured. Predictions by the framework confirm concerns about the exploitation pattern in the fishery, because the retention probability of undersized shrimp reaches 95% with the currently applied designs. The framework predictions allow the exploration of obtainable exploitation patterns depending on codend design. For example, increasing codend mesh size to 25–29 mm would reduce the retention rate of undersized shrimp to a maximum of 50%, depending on codend mesh type.
Game-Enabled Agency: Outcomes that Matter

: The Doctors Cure learning experience is a 3D immersive game that positions players as protagonists in a virtual world where they must use their understanding of persuasive writing and how to gain evidence from complex texts in their role of investigative reporter. We report on the underlying educational theory, the game itself, and, to justify its impact, share data from a comparison study with 8 7 th grade classes assigned the control and 8 assigned the experimental conditions—about 450 total kids, 90% receive free-and-reduced lunch and 87% are Hispanic. While both the game-based intervention group and the control showed statistically significant learning gains on short-answer and multiple-choice items, the intervention group demonstrated statistically significant gains with a large effect size on an open-ended persuasive essay task. Differences in engagement and learning are credited to player agency, affordances of the embedded scaffolds, and the power of consequential outcomes.
Remarks on the nature of programming-Programmers as Authors

Creative endeavour varies greatly in the amount of overhead (i.e. money, manpower and organization) associated with a project which calls for a given amount of creative work. At one extreme is the activity of an aircraft designer, at the other that of a poet. The art of programming currently falls much closer to the former than the latter. I believe, however, that this situation is likely to change considerably in the next decade. The following remarks state (perhaps overstate) the reasons for this belief.
Sensitivity Analysis of Parasitic Effects in Resistance Terminated LC Two-Ports

Properties of classical sensitivity functions in resistance-terminated LC two-ports are examined and utilized to study the effects of element variations, incidental dissipation, and stray terminations on transmission characteristics. The results show that phase lag in such networks increases monotonically with the magnitude of anyLorCas well as with frequency. Further, they enable the formulation of a number of bounds on errors in transmission characteristics induced by various parasitic phenomena, including the effects of nonuniformly distributed loss when inductors and capacitors have dissipation factors less than fixed constants\bar{d}_L. and\bar{d}_C, respectively. The bounds are invariant for all equivalent twoport realizations and demonstrate the limitations imposed on network sensitivity performance by design specifications.
Chirping and asymmetric jamming avoidance responses in the electric fish Distocyclus conirostris

ABSTRACT Electrosensory systems of weakly electric fish must accommodate competing demands of sensing the environment (electrolocation) and receiving social information (electrocommunication). The jamming avoidance response (JAR) is a behavioral strategy thought to reduce electrosensory interference from conspecific signals close in frequency. We used playback experiments to characterize electric organ discharge frequency (EODf), chirping behavior and the JAR of Distocyclus conirostris, a gregarious electric fish species. EODs of D. conirostris had low frequencies (∼80–200 Hz) that shifted in response to playback stimuli. Fish consistently lowered EODf in response to higher-frequency stimuli but inconsistently raised or lowered EODf in response to lower-frequency stimuli. This led to jamming avoidance or anti-jamming avoidance, respectively. We compare these behaviors with those of closely related electric fish (Eigenmannia and Sternopygus) and suggest that the JAR may have additional social functions and may not solely minimize the deleterious effects of jamming, as its name suggests. Summary: An asymmetric jamming avoidance response in a gregarious electric fish with a low-frequency electric organ discharge could function in communication as well as jamming avoidance.
Effects of feeding diets containing essential oils and betaine to heat-stressed growing-finishing pigs

ABSTRACT This study was to evaluate the effects of dietary essential oils (EO) and betaine on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and serum hormones in growing-finishing pigs under heat stress conditions. A total of 96 crossed pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] with an initial body weight (BW) of 24.7 ± 0.27 kg were used in an 18-week trial. Pigs were randomly allocated to four treatments according to BW and gender. There were six replication pens in each treatment, with four pigs (two barrows and two gilts) per pen. Treatment groups were: (1) control group (CON), basal diet + 23°C for 24 h; (2) heat stress group (HC) with basal diet + 37°C for 9 h, 23°C for 15 h; (3) group HEO, HC with 0.01% EO; (4) group HBE, HC with 0.1% betaine. During the overall period, groups HEO and HBE had higher (p < 0.05) average daily gain than group HC. At week 6, group HC had a lower apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM) (p < 0.05), but at week 12, this group had lower ATTD of DM, nitrogen and gross energy than group HEO (p < 0.05). At week 12 and 18, dietary EO decreased (p < 0.05) serum cortisol and norepinephrine concentration. At week 18, dietary EO and betaine decreased (p < 0.05) epinephrine concentration. Conclusively, dietary EO may be a potential nutritional strategy to alleviate heat stress in growing-finishing pigs.
A Utility's Functional Evaluation Tests for High-Voltage Stator Insulation

This is a progress report on research projects conducted in co-operation with the AIEE Rotating Machinery Insulation Subcommittee, the Canadian Electrical Association's Apparatus Section, and individual manufacturers and utilities. For the functional evaluation required by a utility, a voltage-endurance test was chosen as most indicative of the ionization resistance which is considered critical in short-bore water-wheel generators, and a test of endurance of the mechanical effects of thermal cycling was chosen as most applicable to the critical qualities of insulation for steamturbine generators and other long-bore machines. Test equipments of moderate size and cost have been developed for voltage and mechanical endurance. Emphasis has been laid on close control of aging influences; variation of voltage test "lives" of similar samples has been reduced to within a ratio of three to one. The voltage-endurance equipment is finding further use in studies of effects upon insulation life of various dry-out, overvoltage testing, and operating practices. The mechanical-endurance tester is being used in a study of the optimum clearances between coil side and slot for various insulations.
Screen time behaviours and caffeine intake in US children: findings from the cross-sectional National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

Background Screen time (ST) behaviours, for example, television (TV) watching and computer use, among youth are associated with unhealthy eating, and these patterns track over time. A positive association between ST and TV watching with consumption of caffeinated foods and beverages has been described in national samples of children in a few European countries. The association of ST behaviours with caffeine intake has not been previously reported. We examined whether ST behaviours were associated with caffeine intake on a given day (% consumers and amount consumed) in a nationally representative sample of US children. Methods Data on 3421 children (ages 6–11 years) from the cross-sectional National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007–2012 were used. Time spent on TV watching and computer use was determined using questionnaires. Dietary intake was assessed using a 24-hour recall by trained interviewers. Caffeine intake (mg) was estimated by using updated food and nutrient databases. Caffeine consumption was examined in relation to time spent (≥2 vs<2 hours/day) on ST behaviours. Results Children who watched TV ≥2 hours/day had significantly higher (~45% more) caffeine intake. Total ST or computer use was not associated with caffeine consumption in school-aged children. Conclusion TV watching was positively associated with caffeine intake in school-aged children, suggesting the need for continued monitoring of ST and caffeine intake behaviours in children and adolescents as well as examining the correlates of these behaviours to inform nutrition and health policies.
Multiple-Access Considerations - A Satellite Example

Increased air traffic coupled with the proliferation of sophisticated avionics can be expected to stimulate increased demand for air traffic control (ATC) services over the next few decades. New challenges for the design of communication, surveillance, and navigation subsystems is an anticipated consequence. Since it is unlikely that significantly larger frequency bands will become available, it will be necessary to exploit more efficient multiple-access techniques. The design of a multiple-access technique for a particular application will depend on a broad range of system issues. A predetermined procedure based on general characteristics of the various techniques will have but limited value. An example of an ATC satellite surveillance system is used to illustrate some of the broad ranging systems issues that can be expected to influence the selection of the multiple access technique.
Impact of Antibiotic Treatment on the Burden of Nasal Staphylococcus aureus among Hospitalized Patients

We examined the impact of systemic antibiotics on the burden of nasal Staphylococcus aureus in hospitalized patients. Of 1,482 patients, 237 (16%) had nasal methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and 92 (6%) had nasal methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) on admission. ABSTRACT We examined the impact of systemic antibiotics on the burden of nasal Staphylococcus aureus in hospitalized patients. Of 1,482 patients, 237 (16%) had nasal methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and 92 (6%) had nasal methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) on admission. Treatment regimens that included agents with inhibitory activity against MRSA or MSSA significantly reduced the burden of carriage, whereas regimens lacking anti-MRSA activity, including fluoroquinolones, promoted MRSA overgrowth.
Optimum Mismatched Filters for Sidelobe Suppression

This paper discusses the application of least-mean-squares approximate inverse filtering techniques to radar range sidelobe reduction. The method is illustrated by application to the 13-element Barker code. The performance of the least-mean-square inverse filter is compared with the matched filter and with the simplified sidelobereducing filters of Rihaczek and Golden. A filter which completely suppresses the range sidelobes of a 13-element Barker sequence is only 0.2 dB worse than a matched filter in noise.
Distortion in a Pulse Count Modulation System

In the further development of pulse time multiplex systems the form of modulation known as pulse count modulation (PCM) has been studied both theoretically and experimentally. This work reviews briefly the principles of pulse communication and its extension to PCM. Unlike the conventional types of modulation, PCM is represented by a discrete scanning of the amplitude of the modulating signal rather than a continuous amplitude scanning, in addition to the discrete scanning in time which is common to the other forms of pulse modulation. The discrete nature of such a system introduces a type of distortion which is a function of the number of amplitude levels used. The relation between the numbers of levels and this type of distortion has been investigated and is discussed. Several types of signals are analyzed mathematically; namely, a single-frequency signal, a 2-frequency signal, and finally a continuous band of frequencies. In connection with the multifrequency case, the application of the Fourier transform to pulse amplitude modulation and its extension to PCM is introduced. In addition, the cross talk introduced in different channels of the modulating frequency is shown graphically for several amplitude levels.
Nonsystematic convolutional codes for sequential decoding in space applications

Previous space applications of sequential decoding have all employed convolutional codes of the systematic type where the information sequence itself is used as one of the encoded sequences. This paper describes a class of rate 1/2 nonsystematic convolutional codes with the following desirable properties: 1) an undetected decoding error probability verified by simulation to be much smaller than for the best systematic codes of the same constraint length; 2) computation behavior with sequential decoding verified by simulation to be virtually identical to that of the best systematic codes; 3) a "quick-look-in" feature that permits recovery of the information sequence from the hard-decisioned received data without decoding simply by modulo-two addition of the received sequences; and 4) suitability for encoding by simple circuitry requiring less hardware than encoders for the best systematic codes of the same constraint length. Theoretical analyses are given to show 1) that with these codes the information sequence is extracted as reliably as possible without decoding for nonsystematic codes and 2) that the constraints imposed to achieve the quicklook-in feature do not significantly limit the error-correcting ability of the codes in the sense that the Gilbert bound on minimum distance can still be attained under these constraints. These codes have been adopted for use in several forthcoming space missions.
Computer-aided design–based guided endodontic: A novel approach for root canal access cavity preparation

In cases of teeth with unusual morphology like calcified pulp canal, guided endodontic treatment is suggested. An endodontic guide which navigates burs according to a preplanned path is used. Existing approaches of endodontic guide design are based on visual observation and analysis of tomographic scan of teeth. Hence, they are time-consuming and expert-dependent. Computer-aided design–based methodology was employed to design and fabricate a customized endodontic guide. A cone beam computed tomographic scan with MIMICS software was used to create a solid model of the teeth. The solid model generated was sliced through the developed program in MATLAB. The geometric centers of consecutive slices were joined to plot the root canals central axis. To gauge the optimum bur angulation for guide design, a straight line fitted in the data set of the geometric center helped create minimally invasive access. Methodology involved simulated verification of the drill path to judge the accuracy and feasibility of root canal access cavity preparation. Next, endodontic guides for extracted teeth were designed and fabricated using a three-dimensional printer, followed by guided root canal access cavity preparation for extracted teeth. To validate the proposed methodology, using a MATLAB image processing tool box, the deviation between the prepared root canal access cavity axis and root canal axis was analyzed in radiographs of post-treated teeth. The deviation between the tool path axis and root canal axis in simulated root canals was found to be not more than 0.210 ± 0.04 mm. The deviation between the axis of the planned root canal access cavity and the prepared root canal access cavity was 0.07 ± 0.02 mm. The proposed method reveals encouraging results for endodontic guide design.
Maximum packing density and minimum size of semiconductor devices

The absolute upper limit to packing density and the absolute minimum size of semiconductor devices, whether integrated or non-integrated, is investigated, It is found that absolute limitations exist based on physical phenomena, the mose important of which are statistical variations in impurity distribution, ultimate resolution of fabrication methods, power density and bombardment by cosmic rays. On the basis of these phenomena it is shown that for a medium size computer (105components), with a reasonable mean time between failures (1 month) the maximum packing density is approximately 1010components per cubic inch. This corresponds to a minimum size of the components which is within a factor of 2-5 of the dimensions of the active region of many devices of today. Therefore as far as the devices themselves are concerned the end of the road to smaller size has already been reached. A comparison of various components, and various forms of these components is given.