Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An efficient synthesis-oriented CAD implementation of Nyquist stability criterion

Nyquist stability criterion is largely used to determine the number of Right-Half Plane poles of feedback systems and circuits. However, visual inspection of open-loop gain polar plot is required, and automatic stability check within microwave CAD tools is not possible. In this paper, a procedure to check system and circuit linear stability by means of Nyquist criterion within CAD tools, is presented. The proposed method makes use of integral phase evaluation of a transfer function, and does not require visual inspection of Nyquist plots. The method has been successfully implemented in commercial microwave CAD tools.
The impact of intelligent transportation systems on supply chain management

Businesses are constantly searching for ways to reduce costs and increase revenue. This is a fact of life in a world where shareholder value drives corporate actions. In order to become more profitable, these businesses develop new processes and techniques to create efficiency. This paper is focused on one particular new technology that can be used to increase corporate profitability intelligent transportation systems. The primary research objective of this thesis is to determine the impact that differing levels of information can have on transportation practices, and therefore, in turn on corporate profitability. This information is collected, analyzed, and disseminated through the use of intelligent transportation systems. The end result of this work is a quantification of this impact and conclusions related to which informational practices should be implemented into the supply chain. An experimental setup is designed that uses the Los Angeles Highway System as a test-bed. Traffic data is collected on this network over a two-week period. This data is used as the foundation to perform a series of simulations using differing levels of information. Each of these information levels is compared to a baseline to yield a % time savings. Next, a sensitivity analysis is performed by introducing a random error term which is normally distributed with mean zero and a specified standard deviation. The author concludes that there appears to be a fairly consistent trend in the way differing levels of information provide value. Progressing up the information spectrum, it appears that more and more value can be extracted in the form of time savings over the baseline. A monetary framework is examined which translates the time savings derived in the simulations into financial performance. It is shown that a regional carrier with a modest fleet size is able to add millions of dollars per year in operating profit by using the highest levels of information in its supply chain practices. After the implementation costs are incorporated into the analysis, the savings from ITS have the potential to unlock significant value for a company. The author recommends that supply chain professionals incorporate intelligent transportation systems into their operations. All in all, the author believes that the pretrip, predictive information level is likely to offer the most benefit to corporations at a reasonable cost for the near-term if an accurate forecast can be made. Thesis Supervisor: Dr. Tomer Toledo Title: Research Associate, MIT Intelligent Transportation Systems Program
Perceptions of Displaced Manufacturing Workers about Their Transition to Successful Re-Employment Through a Community College Education Experience: Six Stories of Success

The significant economic shift of the past ten years within the United States has forced thousands of long-time manufacturing workers to change careers. Within this life transition process, dislocated workers have chosen to attend community colleges using the education benefit within the federal Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program. Using narrative methodology, this qualitative study explored how North Carolina workers, dislocated from traditional manufacturing jobs, successfully navigated transition from work to college into a new career field through the use of TAA benefits. Six individuals who earned an associate’s degree from a North Carolina community college and began work in a new field were interviewed using a semi-structured format. Because all six participants successfully navigated the transition, determining how and why they were successful was a focus in data analysis.
Seismic Design of Gravity Retaining Walls

Abstract : The design of gravity retaining walls in an earthquake-prone environment is usually based upon static analysis using an equivalent seismic coefficient. This can be a suitable approach, provided that the seismic coefficient is determined from a rational analysis of actual dynamic behavior. The report discusses the seismic design of gravity walls retaining granular backfill without pore water. The general features of behavior are illustrated by field experiences, results from laboratory model tests and from theoretical analyses. Both the conventional method of design and the Richards-Elms method, based upon an analogy to a sliding block, are reviewed. A shortcoming of the sliding block analogy is discussed, and corrections obtained using a two-block model are presented. Several sources of uncertainty are examined in detail: the random nature of ground motions, uncertainty in resistance parameters, and model errors, including the important influence of deformability in the backfill. All of these results are then combined to develop a probabilistic method for predicting seismically induced displacements of walls and an improved version of the Richards-Elms method of design. The risk that walls designed by the conventional method might experience excessive displacements is analyzed. Originator supplied keywords include: Retaining walls--design and construction (LC); Richards-Elms retaining wall design method (WES).
A Hybrid PV-FC-Diesel-Battery Efficient Schemes for Four-Wheel PMDC Electric Vehicle Drive System

The paper presents a number of online error driven control strategies for a hybrid PV-FC-Diesel-Battery powered all-wheel drive Electric Vehicle (EV). The proposed regulation schemes developed by the First Author include Proportional plus Integral plus Derivative modified control strategies and a dynamic variable structure sliding mode control scheme. All proposed control schemes are dynamically self regulated using soft computing Particle Swarm Optimization PSO and Genetic Algorithm GA random search techniques. The PSO and GA search and optimization techniques ensure control gains dynamical adjusting and online tuning under all operating conditions and electric vehicle nonlinearities. The Proposed tri loop dynamic error driven self tuned controllers are also used to ensure energy efficiency, control loop decoupling, stability and system efficient utilization while maintaining full speed tracking capability. The integrated scheme is fully stabilized using a novel FACTS based green filter compensator that ensures stabilized DC bus voltage, minimal inrush current conditions, and damped load excursions.
Feasibility study of a large scale biogas plant in Lagos, Nigeria

Lagos state hosts one of the largest emerging cities in the world, with such a status comes the problem of a population that is fast outgrowing the infrastructure required for its survival, such as sewage treatment facilities to prevent pollution. In a situation where the government is finding it difficult to solve problems the private sector must intervene where possible, but for this to happen they must see an avenue for profit making. In doing this research work I intend to investigate the possibility of turning the state’s sewage waste to energy for profit making such that private entities have an incentive to solve this problem. This study includes a detailed study of the technology of a biogas plant, the process of digestion and a look at a number of other biogas plants operating around the world. The costs per cubic meter of gas produced were examined and were used to estimate a possible cost of such a plant in Lagos. The net present cost of such a plant was calculated, and a case study was used to compare the use of biogas with natural gas for industrial heat processes. The feasibility of the plant was explained and a sensitivity analysis of the effects of changes in capital cost and the discounting rate was done. The NPC of the plant over its 10 year lifetime is $1.75million and it has a Levelised cost of $0.78/m3. The plant at current operation parameters is not viable because the net present value is negative. To conclude the plant is not viable but with some changes in the regulatory environment, improvements in plant operations and extra efforts in sourcing revenue it has the potential to solve a major problem and also generate a good profit.
An analysis of movement patterns and physiological strain in relation to optimal positioning of association football referees

This edited collection brings together the latest research into the range of sports known as football . With contributions by a large number of the leading international researchers in the field, the book aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice in football, and to raise the awareness of the value of a scientific approach to the various football codes. The book contains nearly seventy papers, examining aspects ranging from match analysis and medical aspects of football to metabolism and nutrition, psychology and behaviour, and management and organization. Containing a wealth of research data, and a huge range of examples of how science can be applied; this book represents an invaluable reference for coaches, trainers, managers, medical staff, and all those involved in supporting performers in the many football codes.
Empirical analysis of national culture and performance-related pay in multinational and local companies in Thailand

The purpose of this study was to investigate PRP practices in Thailand where is a collectivist society whereas PRP schemes are initiated from the Western management based on individualism. The research focused on the differences between two groups of employees working under PRP plans. Also the study examined the elements of PRP and work-related aspects (teamwork, career advancement and organisational commitment) by examining whether or not the nationality of an owner was related to such variables. The study relied upon survey data collected from 6 companies representing the manufacturing sector in Thailand. Using descriptive and inferential statistics: Mann- Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test and partial correlation, the study has found that PRP practices are typically deployed in a specific cultural context, that HRM aspects fit, regarding culture, leads to improve PRP perceptions. Moreover, female, lowly-educated workers, those with children and non-union employees exhibited greater perceptions of PRP, unexpectedly. There were no significant differences found among employees in the three groups in terms of setting objectives, system design and pay-performance links. However, the differences of performance appraisal, fairness and communication were addressed. Surprisingly, there were no significant differences among employees working within Thai, Japanese and American companies with respect to teamwork and career advancement. Regarding organisation commitment, statistically significant differences were found according to affective and continuance commitment. The implications, suggestions and limitations for further studies of PRP plans are presented. This research serves to consolidate the HRM's learning and direct for future work such that it may continue growing and contributing to HRM knowledge.
Mode-locked semiconductor lasers and their applications for optical signal processing

Summary form only given. Mode-locked semiconductor lasers may be used for numerous applications in optical signal processing. We provide an overview on various realizations of mode-locked semiconductor lasers for optical time division multiplexing (OTDM) systems. We mainly concentrate on an external cavity mode-locked semiconductor laser that was developed in our laboratory.
Cooperation in swarms of robots without communication

Swarm robotics aims to use a large group of relatively simple robots to solve tasks that can hardly be achieved by a single robot in the group. Compared to single robot systems with increased capability, a swarm robotic system may have advantages in robustness, flexibility and scalability. However, designing cooperative behaviors for a swarm robotic system is a challenging problem, especially when the robots may not have communication capabilities and thus only know local information. For a swarm of miniature mobile robots that cannot communicate explicitly, this thesis studies fully decentralized solutions of two problems. For the problem of cooperative transport, the thesis presents a strategy to push an object that is large enough to occlude the robots' perception of the goal of the transportation. For the problem of pattern formation, the thesis investigates algorithms based on the Brazil nut effect that can organize the swarm of robots into an annular formation. These problems are studied using physics-based computer simulations as well as experimental implementations based on the e-puck robotic platform. The simplicity of the solutions make them suitable for applications that require the individual robots to be as simple as possible. Example application scenarios could be micro robot swarms working in the human body.
The influence of some side mirror parameters on the decisions of drivers

General considerations about the use of convex mirrors indicate that they may be very useful to enlarge the field of view. There seems to be no need to use smaller values for the radius of the mirror than 1000 mm. A reaction time experiment is described in which plane mirrors of equal size at different positions on the fender are used. There are indications that the position of about 20° out of the line of sight straight ahead might be optimal. Whether this also holds for convex mirrors is not investigated. An experiment is described in which a driver must decide whether he can overtake a car in front of him, while a car behind him is approaching. This is done with several speeds of the car behind and with different curvatures of the side mirrors. Especially if the radius of curvature is not less than 1200 mm, no serious effects on driver behavior is observed. The instrumented car used in the studies is briefly described. The research described in this paper is carried out partly under contract with Donnelly Mirrors Inc., Holland, Michigan. Copyright © 2007 SAE International.
42V power system architecture development

With the increaslig demand for more fuel efficiency and environmentally friendly car coupled with the consumers' drive for more comfort, safety and luxury car has led to the introduction of more electrical and electronic systems to the passenger car. This is further impacted by the current trend in automotive industry to replace mechanical and hydraulic system with their electrical counterparts. The handling capability of the current 14V DC system is getting very close to reaching the limits. To meet the new growing electrical power demands with minimum fuel consumption and minimum environmental effects, the automobile industry is looking into increasing the present voltage threefold, from 14V to 42V for future cars. A shift towards a 42V system will cut the current of the vehicle by a factor of three. With the lower current, the size and cost of power semiconductors can be reduced, allowing for their use in applications that could not use semiconductors before. In this paper, a detailed mathematical model for a 3-phase, 4kW and 42V Lundell alternator average electrical equivalent circuit will be presented along with the DC/DC converter based architectures for dual-voltage systems. The performance of the 42V Lundell alternator with the interleaved six-phase buck dc-to-dc converter system is modelled using Simulink software to assess the effectiveness of the model and its transient behaviour.
Transgenic use of Smad7 to suppress TGFbeta signaling during mouse development

Smad7 is a negative regulator of TGFβ superfamily signaling. Using a threecomponent triple transgenic system, expression of Smad7 was induced via doxycycline within the neural crest lineages at preand post-migratory stages. Consistent with its role in negatively regulating both TGFβ and BMP signaling in vitro, induction of Smad7 within the NCC significantly suppressed phosphorylation levels of both Smad1/5/8 and Smad2/3 in vivo, resulting in subsequent loss of NCC-derived craniofacial, pharyngeal and cardiac OFT cushion tissues. At the cellular level, increased cell death was observed in pharyngeal arches. However, cell proliferation and NCC-derived smooth muscle differentiation were unaltered. NCC lineage mapping demonstrated that cardiac NCC emigration and initial migration were not affected, but subsequent colonization of the OFT was significantly reduced. Induction of Smad7 in postmigratory NCC resulted in cardiac OFT anomalies and interventricular septal chamber septation defects, suggesting that TGFβ superfamily signaling is also essential for cardiac NCC to govern normal cardiac development at postmigratory stage. Taken together, the data show that tightly regulated TGFβ superfamily signaling plays an essential role during craniofacial and cardiac NCC colonization and cell survival in vivo.
Instructional Technical and Pedagogical Design: Teaching Future Teachers Educational Technology

This chapter described a case study of informed educational technology design. The chapter discussed how a conceptual guide for technology teacher experiences (Ottenbreit-Leftwich, Glazewski, & Newby, 2010) informed educational technology design in a course intended to prepare future teacher students to use technology. These students are introduced to various technologies and create materials for their future classrooms. They are also exposed to cases wherein they are required to make decisions on which technologies are most pedagogically appropriate. Therefore, the technology and pedagogy selected for this course are particularly important, as course instructors need to model appropriate decision-making. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-61350-080-4.ch023
High-Q Microresonators as Lasing Elements for Silicon Photonics

Although the concept of constructing active optical waveguides in crystalline silicon has existed for over twenty years, it is only in the past few years that silicon photonics has been given serious attention as a displacing technology. Fueled by the predicted saturation of "Moore's Law" within the next decade, universities and industries from all over the world are exploring the possibilities of creating truly integrated silicon opto-electronic devices in a cost effective manner. Some of the most promising silicon photonics technologies are chip-to-chip and intra-chip optical interconnects. Now that compact high-speed modulators in silicon have been achieved, the limiting factor in the widespread adoption of optical interconnects is the lack of practical on-chip optical sources. These sources are critical for the generation of the many wavelengths of light necessary for high-speed communication between the logical elements between and within microprocessors. Unfortunately, crystalline silicon is widely known as a poor emitter because of its indirect bandgap. This thesis focuses on the many challenges in generating silicon-based laser sources. As most CMOS compatible gain materials possess at most 1 dB/cm of gain, much of our work has been devoted to minimizing the optical losses in silicon optical microresonators. Silicon microdisk resonators fabricated from silicon-on-insulator wafers were employed to study and minimize the different sources of scattering and absorption present in high-index contrast Si microcavities. These microdisks supported whispering-gallery modes with quality factors as high as 5 x 10^6, close to the bulk limit of lightly doped silicon wafers. An external silica fiber taper probe was developed to test the microcavities in a rapid wafer-scale manner. Analytic theory and numerical simulation aided in the optimization of the cavity design and interpretation of experimental results. After successfully developing surface chemistry treatments and passivation layers, erbium-doped glasses were deposited over undercut microdisks and planar microrings. Single-mode laser oscillation was observed and carefully characterized for heavily oxidized silicon microdisks. Dropped power thresholds of 690 nW, corresponding to 170 nW of absorbed power, were measured from gain-spectra and Light in-Light out curves. In addition, quantum efficiencies for these lasers were as high as 24%, indicating that this technology may be ready for further development into real-world devices.
Social Intelligence: Next Generation Business Intelligence

In order for Business Intelligence to truly move beyond where it is today, a shift in approach must occur. Currently, much of what is accomplished in the realm of Business Intelligence relies on reports and dashboards to summarize and deliver information to end users. As we move into the future, we need to get beyond these reports and dashboards to a point where we break out the individual metrics that are embedded in these reports and interact with these components independently. Breaking these pieces of information out of the confines of reports and dashboards will allow them to be dynamically assembled for delivery in the way that makes most sense to each consumer. With this change in ideology, Business Intelligence will move from the concept of collections of objects, or reports and dashboards, to individual objects, or information components. The Next Generation Business Intelligence suite will translate concepts popularized in Facebook, Flickr, and Digg into enterprise worthy communication vehicles.