Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differential orthogonal space-time block codes for four transmit antennas

A new high-order differential space-time block code (DSTBC) is introduced as an attractive alternative to the well-known coherent space-time block code (STBC) by providing both full space-time diversity and blind detection. A differential detection based on the orthogonal STBC scheme is proposed. The proposed differential scheme is a generalisation of the recent DSTBC already designed for two transmit antennas. The proposed differential encoder consists of a specific trellis diagram that creates a positive correlation between successive differential data. At the receiver side, the well-known Viterbi algorithm is applied using a specific metric that nearly compensates for the 3 dB penalty commonly introduced by the symbol by symbol differential schema, and shows a 0.5 dB performance loss only from the coherent STBC scheme.
An entrepreneurial‐directed approach to teaching corporate entrepreneurship at university level

– The aim of this article is to explore the entrepreneurial‐directed approach to teaching within one university‐level course in corporate entrepreneurship (CE) for Master's‐level students, and to gain a deeper understanding of the viability of the pedagogical methods used in teaching CE. The paper seeks to describe and examine the approach in the light of the theoretical concepts behind it, the pedagogical methods and applications used to reach the course objectives, and the learning outcomes. , – A combination of qualitative research methods and observation techniques were used during and after the course in order to explore the learning outcomes of the students and to evaluate the applicability of the approach in achieving the learning objectives. All of the research material was analysed in the context of the entrepreneurial‐directed approach. , – The results reveal that the approach is well suited to teaching CE in a university setting, perhaps even better suited than it is to entrepreneurship. The entrepreneurial‐directed approach may be a constructive, educational and fruitful experience for students and teachers. , – Longitudinal research is needed in order to trace how the entrepreneurial‐directed approach has succeeded in fostering entrepreneurial behaviour in students. , – The case study gives some practical ideas on how the approach could be used in teaching CE. , – Few researchers have discussed and analysed how entrepreneurship is taught, and research on teaching CE is almost non‐existent. This study attempts to fill both of these gaps.
Simultaneous quantification of ankle, muscle, and tendon impedance in humans

Objective Regulating the impedance of our joints is essential for the effective control of posture and movement. The impedance of a joint is governed mainly by the mechanical properties of the muscle-tendon units spanning it. Many studies have quantified the net impedance of joints but not the specific contributions from the muscles and tendons. The inability to quantify both muscle and tendon impedance limits the ability to determine the causes underlying altered movement control associated with aging, neuromuscular injury, and other conditions that have different effects on muscle and tendon properties. Therefore, we developed a technique to quantify joint, muscle, and tendon impedance simultaneously and evaluated this technique at the human ankle. Methods We used a single degree of freedom actuator to deliver pseudorandom rotations to the ankle while measuring the corresponding torques. We simultaneously measured the displacement of the medial gastrocnemius muscle-tendon junction with B-mode ultrasound. From these experimental measurements, we were able to estimate ankle, muscle, and tendon impedance using non-parametric system identification. Results We validated our estimates by comparing them to previously reported muscle and tendon stiffness, the position-dependent component of impedance, to demonstrate that our technique generates reliable estimates of these properties. Conclusion Our approach can be used to clarify the respective contributions from the muscle and tendon to the net mechanics of a joint. Significance This is a critical step forward in the ultimate goal of understanding how muscles and tendons govern ankle impedance during posture and movement.
PROBE CAPACITANCE-DEPENDENT SYSTEMATIC ERROR IN I-V MEASUREMENTS OF NANOWIRES: ANALYSIS AND CORRECTION

We propose a method of eliminating the systematic error due to the capacitance of digital oscilloscope probes in the experimental setup used for tracing current-voltage (I-V) curves of nanowires with quantum point contact (QPC). Used in I-V measurements, a digital storage oscilloscope (DSO) allows a reduction of measurement time to microseconds. Such short measurement time, however, involves a sensible effect of transition states occurring in an experimental setup representing an RC circuit. We analyze the effect of probe capacitance on the signal reading and on the resulting I-V curves, and derive theoretical formulae for the probe capacitance-dependent systematic error on the basis of a model proposed for the discussed measurement method. The systematic error is evidenced by nonlinearity of the obtained current-voltage curve, its shift with respect to the origin of the coordinate system, and an extension of the measurement range. We propose a correction method based on the derived theoretical relations that allow to calculate the corrections to be applied. The presented results of I-V measurements of nanowires with QPC confirm the correctness of our model and the effectiveness of the method proposed.
Harmonic Analyzing and Filtering of Motor Discrete Variable Frequency Soft Starter

A large number of harmonic is mainly produced by with the discrete variable frequency soft starter. The harmonic during the motor soft starting is characterized by the high energy consumption and signal interference. Therefore, harmonic analyzing and filtering of motor discrete variable frequency soft starter is presented in this paper to achieve low energy consumption and ensure the motor soft starting stably. The following works have been done in the study: introduce the reason of harmonics appearance, analyze the harmonic, and present the filtering approach. The motor soft starter developed with this filtering approach has been successfully applied to filter out harmonic and to improve the starting performance when the motors draw the heavy-loads. It saves energy, stabilize the voltage of the power supply network.
Engineered Biological Neural Networks on High Density CMOS Microelectrode Arrays

In bottom-up neuroscience, questions on neural information processing are addressed by engineering small but reproducible biological neural networks of defined network topology in vitro. The network topology can be controlled by culturing neurons within polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microstructures that are combined with microelectrode arrays (MEAs) for electric access to the network. However, currently used glass MEAs are limited to 256 electrodes and pose a limitation to the spatial resolution as well as the design of more complex microstructures. The use of high density complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) MEAs greatly increases the spatiotemporal resolution, enabling sub-cellular readout and stimulation of neurons in defined neural networks. Unfortunately, the non-planar surface of CMOS MEAs complicates the attachment of PDMS microstructures. To overcome the problem of axons escaping the microstructures through the ridges of the CMOS MEA, we stamp-transferred a thin film of hexane-diluted PDMS onto the array such that the PDMS filled the ridges at the contact surface of the microstructures without clogging the axon guidance channels. Moreover, we provide an impedance-based method to visualize the exact location of the microstructures on the MEA and show that our method can confine axonal growth within the PDMS microstructures. Finally, the high spatiotemporal resolution of the CMOS MEA enabled us to show that we can guide action potentials using the unidirectional topology of our circular multi-node microstructure.
A new family of resonant rectifier circuits for high frequency DC-DC converter applications

A family of rectifiers suitable for operation at high frequencies is presented. These rectifiers use naturally occurring component parasitics to control diode switching thereby minimizing parasitic ringing and improving rectification efficiency by reducing the flow of harmonic currents. The input impedance of the resonant rectifier is linear, which makes possible an accurate adjustment of the rectifier to present the proper load impedance to an inverter. When a resonant rectifier is coupled to a resonant inverter in this manner, a fully resonant DC-to-DC converter is produced. With these circuits it is possible to achieve a very low input/output ripple and EMI since voltages and currents seen by the filters are confined to a very narrow frequency range compared to conventional squarewave converters. <<ETX>>
TCAD-assisted analysis of back-channel leakage in irradiated mesa SOI nMOSFETs

Enhanced back-channel leakage in a mesa SOI device architecture is analyzed. Using integrated process, device, and hole trapping simulation, the cause of the leakage enhancement is identified as enhanced hole trapping in the buried oxide near the island edge. Simulation results suggest this edge effect may be mitigated using body-tied-to-source tabs at the edge of the island. The potential performance and manufacturing impacts of this measure are discussed.
Range Restriction Affects Factor Analysis: Normality, Estimation, Fit, Loadings, and Reliability

A sample suffers range restriction (RR) when its variance is reduced comparing with its population variance and, in turn, it fails representing such population. If the RR occurs over the latent factor, not directly over the observed variable, the researcher deals with an indirect RR, common when using convenience samples. This work explores how this problem affects different outputs of the factor analysis: multivariate normality (MVN), estimation process, goodness-of-fit, recovery of factor loadings, and reliability. In doing so, a Monte Carlo study was conducted. Data were generated following the linear selective sampling model, simulating tests varying their sample size ( N = 200 and 500 cases), test size ( J = 6, 12, 18, and 24 items), loading size ( L = .50, .70, and .90), and restriction size (from R = 1, .90, .80, and so on till .10 selection ratio). Our results systematically suggest that an interaction between decreasing the loading size and increasing the restriction size affects the MVN assessment, obstructs the estimation process, and leads to an underestimation of the factor loadings and reliability. However, most of the MVN tests and most of the fit indices employed were nonsensitive to the RR problem. We provide some recommendations to applied researchers.
Robust Stabilization of Periodic Gaits for Quadrupedal Locomotion via QP-Based Virtual Constraint Controllers

This letter develops, theoretically justifies, and experimentally implements an optimization-based nonlinear control methodology for stabilizing quadrupedal locomotion. This framework utilizes virtual constraints and control Lyapunov functions (CLFs) in the context of quadratic programs (QPs) to robustly stabilize periodic orbits for hybrid models of quadrupedal robots. Properties of the proposed QP are studied wherein sufficient conditions for the continuous differentiability of the controller are presented. Additionally, this letter addresses the robust stabilization problem of the orbits based on the Poincaré sections analysis and input-to-state stability (ISS). The proposed controller is numerically and experimentally validated on the A1 quadrupedal robot with 18 degrees of freedom to demonstrate the robust stability of trotting gaits against external disturbances and unknown payloads.
Harnessing Crowds: Mapping the Genome of Collective Intelligence

Over the past decade, the rise of the Internet has enabled the emergence of surprising new forms of collective intelligence. Examples include Google, Wikipedia, Threadless, and many others. To take advantage of the possibilities these new systems represent, it is necessary to go beyond just seeing them as a fuzzy collection of "cool" ideas. What is needed is a deeper understanding of how these systems work. This article offers a new framework to help provide that understanding. It identifies the underlying building blocks - to use a biological metaphor, the "genes" - at the heart of collective intelligence systems. These genes are defined by the answers to two pairs of key questions: - Who is performing the task? Why are they doing it? - What is being accomplished? How is it being done? The paper goes on to list the genes of collective intelligence - the possible answers to these key questions - and shows how combinations of genes comprise a "genome" that characterizes each collective intelligence system. In addition, the paper describes the conditions under which each gene is useful and the possibilities for combining and re-combining these genes to harness crowds effectively. Using this framework, managers can systematically consider many possible combinations of genes as they seek to develop new collective intelligence systems.
Broadband characterization of the active reflection coefficient of finite-sized phased array microstrip antennas

This paper describes the application of the finite difference time domain method (FDTD) for calculating broadband characteristics of finite-sized phased array antennas consisting of microstrip elements fed with coaxial probes. The motivation is to develop a computer-aided analysis technique that can be applied to the design and evaluation of an antenna array system It is important to consider the effects of increased mutual coupling and the impedance of the radiating element, since they vary as the array is scanned. The most significant contribution is the calculation of broadband characteristics of phased array microstrip antennas using a full time-domain approach from the scan element patterns, and the use of a full time-domain approach to analyze finite-sized phased array microstrip antennas for different scan conditions.
Boundary characterization of microstructures through thermo-mechanical testing

A variety of silicon foundry processes available for microsystem implementation are available at the present time. The manufacturing methods and the associated process tolerances employed at a particular foundry will determine the performance of the finished devices. Moreover, micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) often require processes that are difficult to control. Device-to-device variations can occur even in batch microfabricated systems. One particular limitation of MEMS foundry processes, in general, is associated with non-classical boundary support conditions due to over/under etching of silicon. These non-classical support conditions will affect the static and dynamic performance of the microsystem. This condition has important implications in atomic force microscopy applications where the targeted natural frequencies are given a wide tolerance due in large part to microfabrication limitations. This paper presents the boundary characterization of single crystal silicon microcantilevers through thermo-mechanical testing. A non-contact optical sensing approach is used for the experimentation. The Rayleigh–Ritz energy method incorporating boundary characteristic orthogonal polynomials is used for the prediction analysis.
The Adoption of e-HRM: A View of a Telecommunications Company in Zimbabwe

The 21st-century has witnessed the catalytic effect of Information Technology (IT) on organisational operations through increased robustness and sustained competitive advantage in the knowledge economy. Technology’s disruptive diffusion has not sparred the human resource practice; thus, this study investigates the adoption of electronic Human Resources Management (e-HRM) by a telecommunications-based organisation in Zimbabwe. The study utilised a quantitative case design using a questionnaire targeting 130 managers and supervisors. In meeting the study’s objective, factor analysis using principal component analysis and varimax rotation was conducted. The results show that the three constructs had a direct impact on the adoption of e-HRM. The respondents agreed that e-HRM had automated employee records management and improved communication between employees and managers, increasing productivity. Identified benefits from the results include lowering administrative costs, delivering state of the art HRM services, enabling HR staff more time to focus on strategic reorientation, increasing HRM effectiveness and efficiency, and facilitating the scouting of the best talent globally. The respondents noted that aligning e-HRM processes to the HRM function had some restraints, such as unwillingness to accommodate change, confidentiality and security of personal records through hacking. The study generates new knowledge for benchmarking as Zimbabwean organisations endeavour to embrace e-HRM. The study contributes literature on e-HRM adoption, which appears scant in developing countries such as Zimbabwe. More research on e-HRM adoption in developing countries provides practical and theoretical implications for the HRM practice and the research community. Future studies could involve several organisations for more generalisability of the results.
Lifetime prediction methods for p-MOSFET's: a comparative study of standard and charge-pumping lifetime criteria

Lifetime prediction methods are compared for buried-channel p-MOSFET's DC-stressed under hot-electron injections. Experiments are achieved with current-voltage and charge-pumping measurements in order to find a reliable lifetime evaluation with regard to the time-dependent degradation. It is shown that a large difference appears whether one considers a logarithmic or a power time-dependent law for the degradation of the maximum of the transconductance. This arises from the difficulty to extrapolate to the working voltage when the gradients vary with time. We used a modified charge-pumping technique in order to compare the hot-carrier immunity of different drain structures. The local increase in the negative trapped charge is compared to the degradations of the threshold-voltage shift, the relative changes of the drain current, and of the transconductance. A close correlation is found between the transconductance degradation and the oxide charge in conventional p-devices where the degradation is dominated by the channel shortening. In deep-submicrometer LDD p-devices, the increase in oxide charge and interface traps in the graded-drain region plays a significant role in the change in the channel shortening and series resistance. The local build-up of the oxide charge is shown to grow logarithmically in time. Comparisons of a lifetime prediction method based on the trapping phenomena with I-V lifetime criteria show that the maximum of the transconductance degradation is better correlated to the oxide charge than the other parameters. >
VALIDATING FULL CAVITATION MODEL WITH AN EXPERIMENTAL CENTRIFUGAL PUMP

The full cavitation model is increasingly applied in the cavitating flow simulation and the cavitation performance prediction of a centrifugal pump to improve or optimize its hydraulic design. Since the model involves surface tension and non-condensable gas content, it can be potentially applied in predicting cavitation behaviour of a centrifugal pump when handling viscous oils that possess different surface tension and gas content than water. However, the model has not been validated extensively against experimental incipient cavitation and NPSHr (net positive suction head required) data so far. In the paper, the cavitation performance of an experimental centrifugal pump is investigated using the CFD code and the full cavitation model when pumping water. The incipient cavitation number-flow rate curve and head-NPSHa (net positive suction head available) relationship are established and compared with experimental observations. The relationship between the head and integrated vapour-liquid volume ratio in the impeller is argued. The influence of the non-condensable gas content and turbulence model on the head-NPSHa curve is clarified. The cavity pattern predicted is compared with the visualized one. The computational methods adopted and the results achieved here can be useful for the cavitation performance prediction of a centrifugal pump in engineering.
Effect of the periacetabular osteotomy on the stress on the human hip joint articular surface

Long-lasting over-elevated stress on the hip joint articular surface can damage the articular cartilage and is connected with arthrosis development. Periacetabular pelvic osteotomy is performed in order to prevent arthrosis development in different cases of residual hip dysplasia where the stress on the hip joint articular surface is increased because of inadequate femoral head coverage, i.e., too small hip joint weight bearing area. The aim of this work is to estimate a decrease of the stress on the hip joint articular surface after the periacetabular osteotomy. For this purpose, a three-dimensional mathematical model is constructed taking into account the spherical shape of the femoral head and of the acetabulum inner surface before and after the operation. On the basis of the presented results it is concluded that while performing the periacetabular osteotomy the proximal part of the acetabulum should be rotated over the femoral head in lateral direction with the simultaneous medial displacement of the whole joint. In this way postoperative stress on the hip joint articular surface is reduced to the greatest extent. >
Rapid Androgen-Responsive Proteome Is Involved in Prostate Cancer Progression

Androgen exerts its functions by binding with an androgen receptor (AR). It can activate many signaling pathways that are important to the progression of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Here, we characterized the rapid proteomic changes seen at 5, 15, 30, and 60 min after the androgen treatment of VCaP cells via the tandem mass tag (TMT) labeling strategy. A total of 5529 proteins were successfully identified and quantified. Dynamic time profiling of protein expression patterns allowed us to identify five protein clusters involved in various stages of androgen-initiated signal transmission and processing. More details of protein functions and localization patterns, and our elucidation of an AR-interacting protein network, were obtained. Finally, we validated the expression level of AR-regulated proteins known to be significantly regulated in CRPC patients using the mouse xenograft model and patient samples. Our work offers a systematic analysis of the rapid proteomic changes induced by androgen and provides a global view of the molecular mechanisms underlying CRPC progression.
Index of rotor losses in three-phase fractional-slot permanent magnet machines

The aim of here is to define an index of the rotor losses induced by the magnetomotive force (MMF) space harmonics in fractional-slot permanent magnet (PM) machines. Such an index facilitates a rapid discrimination of the various fractional-slot PM machines, based on the numbers of slots and poles. For the sake of generality, a simple model of the rotor losses is adopted to compute such an index of rotor losses. However, the index behaviour follows that of rotor losses computed by means of more complex models.