Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Estimation of dialysis treatment efficiency by means of system identification

When treating patients suffering from renal failure with hemodialysis, an obvious point of interest is the actual blood cleaning efficiency of the dialyzer (artificial kidney). This efficiency is called clearance or dialysance. The method currently used for estimating clearance is based on doing a step-change on the process. Due to the nature of the process, this method is slow and has a relatively large output spread. This master thesis investigates a new method of finding clearance by means of system identification. The dialyzer is modelled as a discrete-time system, and perturbed by use of a pseudo-binary random sequence. The input/output-data is then fed into an optimal Kalman filter for parameter estimation. The gain and offset of the identified system is directly related to the dialyzer clearance of the treatment. The method shows promising results, usually converging to good parameters within 15 minutes, and then tracking changes continuously for the rest of the treatment. It also provides better accuracy, with a considerable reduction in spread compared to the old method. Main obstacles stem from variable time-delays in the system and measurement offsets.
1700 MHz urban microcells and their coverage into buildings

The author summarises some of the key radiowave propagation characteristics for urban microcells at 1700 MHz before examining the characteristics of radiowave propagation from outdoor microcellular base stations to indoor environments. The amount of signal penetration into a building from an external base station transmitter is dependent on the distance of the base station from the building as well as the effective radiated power of the base station transmitter. It may also be both frequency and environment dependent. To gauge the magnitude of the problem, the author conducted a series of experiments at four different buildings located in both urban and suburban environments.
Designing survivable space systems

Issues relevant to the design of survivable space systems are set forth with a hypothetical example regarding a pellet-ring antisatellite system targeted against the carrier vehicle (CV) of a kinetic kill vehicle. Standard survivability-enhancement options are reviewed including nuclear and impact hardening, element elimination, redundant nodes, decoy utilization, and attack detection and aversion.
Organisational inertia and the dynamics of multiple organisational routines

ABSTRACT Studies on routine dynamics have argued that as organisational routines are not static and can change endogenously, routines are a source of organisational flexibility and not inertia. However, most studies have taken only single routines as the unit of analysis. This study extends this stream of research by examining multiple routines; drawing on insights from different streams of research, this study furthers our knowledge of multiple-routine dynamics. The aim is to examine whether multiple organisational routines that change endogenously lead to organisational inertia. It argues that even if we take the perspective of routine dynamics research that single routines can change endogenously, multiple routines can be a source of organisational inertia and, thus, impede organisational adaptation, which was overlooked in prior studies. Endogenous change makes routines sub-optimal over time, which increases coordination costs among multiple routines, leading to organisational inertia. The study explores the potential downside of multiple routine dynamics.
Balanced Scorecard Step-by-Step: Maximizing Performance and Maintaining Results

Foreword.Acknowledgments. Preface.PART ONE: INTRODUCTION TO PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT AND THE BALANCED SCORECARD. Chapter 1. Performance Measurement and the Need for a Balanced Scorecard. Chapter 2. Balanced Scorecard as an Enduring Management Tool. PART TWO: STEP--BY--STEP DEVELOPMENT OF THE BALANCED SCORECARD. Chapter 3. Getting Started. Chapter 4. Mission, Values, Vision, and Strategy. Chapter 5. Developing Performance Objectives and Measures. Chapter 6. Finalizing Measures and Developing Cause and Effect Linkages. Chapter 7. Setting Targets and Prioritizing Initiatives. PART THREE: EMBEDDING THE BALANCED SCORECARD IN THE ORGANIZATION'S MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. Chapter 8. Cascading the Balanced Scorecard to Build Organizational Alignment. Chapter 9. Using the Balanced Scorecard to Strategically Allocate Resources. Chapter 10. Linking Rewards to Performance: The Balanced Scorecard and Compensation. PART FOUR: SUSTAINING BALANCED SCORECARD SUCCESS. Chapter 11. Reporting Balanced Scorecard Results. Chapter 12. Maintaining the Balanced Scorecard. PART FIVE: BALANCED SCORECARDS IN THE PUBLIC AND NOT--FOR--PROFIT SECTORS AND CONCLUDING THOUGHTS ON SCORECARD SUCCESS. Chapter 13. Balanced Scorecards in the Public and Not--for--Profit Sectors. Chapter 14. Concluding Thoughts on Balanced Scorecard Success. Index.
Low-frequency noise and radiation response of metal-oxide-semiconductor transistors with Al2O3/SiOxNy/Si(100) gate stacks

Low-frequency noise and irradiation response are studied for n-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors with Al2O3/SiOxNy/Si(100) gate stacks. Radiation-induced threshold-voltage shifts and low-frequency noise increase with dose and decrease with postirradiation annealing. The border trap density in the gate dielectric inferred from the noise measurements is significantly higher than that typically observed in thermal SiO2. Similarly, the effective radiation-induced-hole trapping efficiency in Al2O3 gate dielectrics is significantly higher than for SiO2 gate dielectrics of comparable thickness. The low-frequency noise in these high-κ devices can be described well by a number fluctuation model.
Improving power factor correction in distributed power supply systems using PWM and ZCS-QR SEPIC topologies

The single-ended primary inductance converter (SEPIC) presents several advantages over boost and flyback topologies which make this converter convenient for use as a power factor preregulator (PFP). Due to this fact, both the pulsewidth modulation (PWM) and the zero-current switched quasi-resonant (ZCS-QR) SEPIC used as PFPs are studied. Stress in components and operation in continuous and discontinuous conduction mode are considered in the PWM case, while the use of full-wave and half-wave resonant switches is considered in the ZCS-QR case. The study of the PWM SEPIC used as a PFP reveals that both types of PFP control, multiplier approach and voltage-follower approach, can be used in PWM SEPIC, the first one when it operates in continuous conduction mode and the second one when it operates in discontinuous conduction mode. Regarding the ZCS-QR SEPIC used as PFP, both types of resonant switch (half-wave and full-wave) can be used. <<ETX>>
Intermodulation characteristics of UHV/CVD SiGe HBTs

Extensive SPICE circuit simulations were performed to explore the physics underlying the unusually high linearity (15 dBc OIP3/P/sub DC/) observed in SiGe HBT's. The EB and CB depletion capacitances were found to be the major contributors to the observed high linearity. Both the absolute value and the bias dependence of the depletion capacitances contribute to nonlinearity, while the diffusion capacitance has negligible impact.
Practical protection and control strategies during large power-system disturbances

Disturbances in power systems can take the form of large and sudden changes, such as loss of a large generating unit or fault on a critical part of the system. In case of an emergency, control and/or protection actions are required to return the system back to a normal, secure state as soon as possible. Historically, only centralized control was used because only at this level were computers and communications economically justified. With the increased availability of sophisticated computer, communication and measurement technologies, more "intelligent" equipment can be used at the local level to improve the overall emergency response. In this paper, present design practices for emergency protection equipment are analyzed. Attributes of typical underfrequency load-shedding schemes are described. Implementation of the rate-of-change-of-frequency function is evaluated and adaptive features suggested. Intelligent emergency control strategies to prevent system islanding, frequency drop, and voltage instability are proposed.
Influence of system architecture changes on organizational work flow and application to Geared turbofan engines

The design and development of a gas turbine engine for aircraft applications is a highly integrated process, and requires the integration of efforts of large numbers of individuals from many design specialties. If the design process is well defined and the product architecture is stable, the outcome of the process will become highly predictable and repeatable. In the case that there are significant architecture changes due to technology insertion, customer requirements or overall changes in component configuration for performance, this large and integrated design process may become more challenging. Communication of design intent, requirements and predicted performance for all of the components, systems and subsystems must be made without error to all involved in the development of the product. Pratt & Whitney is a large gas turbine engine design company, and has been in the engine business since it's inception in 1925. In 2008, P&W designed, built and flew a large "Geared Turbofan" engine which was a demonstrator for a new product architecture being developed, the first of the new product family being the PWl 524G. This new engine architecture is different from the more traditional turbofan engine architecture in the use of a reduction gear set between the fan and the turbine shaft which drives it. Earlier work in examination of gas turbine engine product-design process interactions has been performed with a traditional high bypass ratio gas turbine engine architecture using the PW4098. Using two test cases, the PW4098 and PW1524G, this work seeks to map the architecture of a gas turbine aero engine in the Design Structure Matrix format, with all major connectivity shown, and then to apply organizational information in the form of Domain Matrix Maps to the physical architectural connectivity to determine which portions of the architecture result in additional or functional group interactions. The determination of the architecture driven changes in the number of functional group interactions is made first, and then isolation of "novel" functional group interactions is made with the original architecture serving as the baseline for organizational interaction. Analysis of these results is then performed to examine the potential organizational impact of moving from traditional turbofan architecture to a geared turbofan architecture. The potential impact to the organization in assessed and recommendations are made to minimize the potential impact of the change. The analysis presented shows that the change in engine architecture represents a move to a more distributed and less modular architecture. The DSM shows a 20% increase in density of connectivity between components. From an organizational impact perspective, there is a 30% change overall in the total number of functional group interactions in the integration of the engine. The impact of these changes on particular design functional groups is discussed, and the data suggests that the more distributed architecture of the PW1524G likely will require more system…
High efficiency telecom rectifier using a novel soft-switched boost-based input current shaper

A novel snubber circuit for the constant frequency pulsewidth-modulation (PWM) boost converter is presented to provide soft-switching transitions for the power switches and thus to reduce the power losses, component stresses, and noise generation. The proposed topology is very useful for the input current shapers in AC-AC applications. The operation of the circuit including its control block is explained and illustrated for a 1.5 kW, 100 kHz high-performance power-factor-corrected telecommunication rectifier. <<ETX>>
Spatial domain forward-backward predictor with second-order statistics for bearing estimation

This paper deals with the problem of bearing estimation for narrow-band sources buried in additive white/colored Gaussian noises where the signal-to-noise ratio of interest is relatively small. To circumvent this problem, the MFBLP method with second-order statistics of linear array data is presented, and is referred to as the MFBLP-SOS method. Under the assumption that the additive noise is white Gaussian process, an analytical study of the MFBLP-SOS method is first developed. To further improve the performance, a modified MFBLP-SOS method is proposed. Finally, computer simulations are given to document the advantage of the MFBLP-SOS method of linear array data.
Near-Field Technology - An Emerging RF Discipline

This paper explains and surveys the emerging RF discipline of near-field technology. First, this paper defines what is meant by the “near field. ” Then, this paper presents a brief history of near-field technology from Faraday to the present day. In particular, this paper focuses on recent advances in near-field technology for applications like Near Field Communications (NFC), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), and Real Time Location Systems (RTLS). Finally, this paper will discuss the extension of propagation laws and antenna gains to the near-field regime.
Time response properties on deformation velocity for a solid polymer electrolyte sensor

This paper aims to clarify time response properties of a solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) sensor. SPE film has been attracted attention in wide range of fields, and it is expected to be used as soft actuators and sensors. SPE film can reversely convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. Moreover, SPE film is lightweight, flexible, and has good workability and air-stable output. Although authors have been investigated output characteristics of an SPE sensor, time response properties of the sensor have not been inspected. In the paper, to reveal time response properties of the SPE sensor, the sensor output behaviors for several deformation velocities are measured and evaluated. Maximum voltages in the transient response and output attenuations for constant deformation are analyzed. Results show that the attenuation characteristics depend on the sensor deformation velocity, and maximum voltages in the transient response are independent of deformation velocities.
Leading School Turnaround: How Successful Leaders Transform Low-Performing Schools

1. Starting Points for Understanding Turnaround Leadership. The Dynamic Context in Which Turnaround Leaders Work. 2. Reasons for School Failure. 3. A Staged Conception of School Turnaround Processes. 4. The Stages Illustrated: Rowlatt's Hill Primary School. What Turnaround Leaders Do and How They Do It. 5. How Turnaround Leaders Create a Shared Sense of Direction in Their Schools. 6. How Turnaround Leaders Foster Capacity Development Among Their Teachers. 7. How Turnaround Leaders Redesign Their School Organisations. 8. How Turnaround Leaders Manage Improvements in Their School s Instructional Programme. 9. Turnaround Leadership Up Close and Personal. Outstanding Challenges. 10. Sustaining Performance: Achieving Satisfactory Performance and Aspiring to Much More. 11. Creating the Conditions for Stronger Relationships between Leadership and Student Learning. Appendix A: Methods Used For the Ontario Study. Appendix B: Methods Used For the UK Study.
Obstacle avoidance sonar-an analysis of system requirements and detection performance during near-bottom operation

An obstacle avoidance sonar (OAS) is designed to provide spatial information concerning the underwater environment, through an interface, to the guidance and control subsystem of an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). An OAS sensor system requirements analysis for near-bottom operation is presented using characteristic environmental and operational parameters. The analysis shows that higher spatial resolution (beam patterns and shortened pulse lengths) is needed to provide effective obstacle detection when operating near the bottom. Simple modifications to an existing obstacle avoidance sonar provide these features and result in an effective obstacle avoidance sonar for near-bottom operation. Detection performance calculations for the unmodified and modified versions of the obstacle avoidance sonar are presented. <<ETX>>
Predicting the impact of towed fishing gears on emergent epifauna

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Performance and Emissions Evaluation of Compressed Natural Gas and Clean Diesel Buses at New York City's Metropolitan Transit Authority

The New York City Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) has initiated a program to utilize various diesel emission control, alternative fuel, and hybrid electric drive technologies as part of its ongoing effort to provideenvironmentally friendly bus service. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has joined with the MTA and Environment Canada in evaluating this program, and has established a protocol for measuring both regulated and unregulated emissions, as well as other operational parameters. This paper compares and contrasts the emissions of buses powered by Detroit Diesel Series 50 diesel engines and Series 50G Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) engines. All buses have been tested for regulated emissions at the Emissions Research and Measurement Division of Environment Canada, in Ottawa, Ontario. Unregulated emissions measurements, including particle size distributions and chemical analysis, have been supported by DEC staff. The various measured quantities are presented in order to facilitate useful comparisons among the different transit bus technologies.
Electronic Networking Technologies, Innovation Misfit and Plant Performance

Prior work on information technology (IT) adoption and economic impacts typically employs an instrumental logic in which firms lead with innovation when they possess characteristics that make it economically beneficial to do so and lag when they do not. However, firms may deviate from this idealized picture when they possess characteristics of an innovation laggard but exhibit the behavior of an innovation leader (or vice versa), with implications for the returns to IT investment. This study develops a conceptual framework and hypotheses regarding the implications of such deviations, which we call innovation misfits. Using a data set comprising measures of the adoption of electronic networking technologies (ENT) in over 25,000 U.S. manufacturing plants, productivity regression estimation reveals a consistent pattern that the association between IT and productivity is diminished in the presence of innovation misfit. We discuss the implications of innovation misfit for scholarship and management practice, which are numerous.
Harmonic mode-locked fiber laser based on microfiber-assisted nonlinear multimode interference

A novel harmonic mode-locked fiber laser based on nonlinear multimode interference (NL-MMI) in a microfiber-assisted ultrafast optical switch is proposed in this Letter. The microfiber-assisted ultrafast optical switch can be obtained by tapering the splicing point of the graded-index multimode fiber (GIMF) and single-mode fiber, which not only helps to shorten the self-imaging period in GIMF to relax the strict requirement of NL-MMI on the length of multimode fiber, but also improves the harmonic order. In the experiment, with the waist diameter of ∼15 μm, the repetition rates of the fiber laser can be stably locked at 285 MHz, corresponding to the 16th-order harmonic mode-locking, with the pulse duration of 1.52 ps. Our results provide novel insight into the design of a high-repetition-rate laser and the application of microfibers in the modelocking device.
Regulatory mechanism of lncRNA HCP5 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell proliferation and apoptosis via the miR-140-5p/NPR3 axis

Objectives Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is malignant tumor frequently occurring in east and southeast Asia. This study investigated the underlying mechanism of lncRNA HCP5 in NPC cell proliferation and apoptosis. Methods LncRNA HCP5 expression in NPC cells and tissues was detected. SUNE-1 cells were transfected with HCP5 silencing and CNE-1 cells were transfected with overexpressing HCP5, and then cell proliferation and apoptosis were measured. Subcellular localization of HCP5 was analyzed. The binding relationship between lncRNA HCP5 and miR-140-5p, and miR-140-5p and NPR3 were predicted and verified. Expressions of miR-140-5p and NPR3 in NPC cells were detected. SUNE-1 cells and CNE-1 cells were transfected with miR-140-5p mimic, and si-HCP5-transfected SUNE-1 cells were treated with miR-140-5p inhibitor. Then the proliferation and apoptosis of NPC cells were detected. Results LncRNA HCP5 was elevated in NPC tissues and cells. HCP5 silencing suppressed NPC cell proliferation and enhanced apoptosis. HCP5 was mainly located in the cytoplasm of NPC cells. HCP5 promoted NPR3 expression by competitively binding to miR-140-5p. Overexpression of miR-140-5p weakened proliferation and facilitated apoptosis of NPC cells. miR-140-5p inhibitor partially restored the effects of HCP5 silencing on NPC cells. Conclusion LncRNA HCP5 upregulated NPR3 expression via sponging miR-140-5p, thereby suppressing NPC cell proliferation and promoting apoptosis. This study may offer new insights into NPC treatment.
Fixed and Flapping Wing Aerodynamics for Micro Air Vehicle Applications

Recently, there has been a serious effort to design aircraft that are as small as possible for special, limited-duration missions. These vehicles may carry visual, acoustic, chemical, or biological sensors for such missions as traffic management, hostage situation surveillance, rescue operations, etc. The goal is to develop aircraft systems that weigh less than 90 grams, with a 15-centimetre wingspan. Since it is not possible to meet all of the design requirements of a micro air vehicle with current technology, research is proceeding. This new book reports on the latest research in the area of aerodynamic efficiency of various fixed-wing, flapping wing, and rotary wing concepts. It presents the progress made by over 50 active researchers in the field from Canada, Europe, Japan, and the United States. It is the only book of its kind.
Simplification of switched reluctance motor drives for commercial applications

The authors review the SRM (switched reluctance motor) drive technology. They present some of the simplified technology which has been developed in the lab and elsewhere. The emphasis is on elimination of discrete rotor position sensors and discrete current sensors. The theoretical apsects of the different methods of position sensing and the relevant experimental results are also presented. <<ETX>>
State estimation for the NEPTUNE power system

Even operation under normal operating conditions is challenging for the NEPTUNE power delivery system, a cabled dc network with multiple distributed loads. The problem comes about because the power management system must control a system that is severely limited in the number and location of measurements. The modified state estimation approach taken to address this challenge is described.