Schematic Level Research Articles

Hardware implementation of a novel water marking algorithm based on phase congruency and singular value decomposition technique

The effortless accessibility of digital information and the simplicity of the digital systems have left the contents over the digital media extremely insecure. Digital watermark based information hiding is a prospective means for copyright protection, authentication, integrity verification and intellectual property right protection. Phase congruency technique works on the principle that perceptually significant image features have effect at spatial locations, where the essential Fourier components are maximally in phase with one another. An adaptive digital watermarking algorithm for better performance in multi-parametric solution space is developed here for hiding the copyright information by means of phase congruency and singular value decomposition supported information hiding technique. Performance evaluation of the algorithm is performed using simulation in Matlab in terms of Peak Signal to Noise Ratio, Structural Similarity Index Metrics, and Normalized Cross correlation index. Hardware realization up to the register transfer logic schematic level has been performed using high performance field programmable gate array board. The device utilization is 26% only, the dynamic power consumption of the circuit is 5.029mW and delay after clock is 1.539ns only. The experimental analysis establishes better robustness of the proposed algorithm as it stands against various attacks along with better data hiding capacity.

Compreensão de frases gramaticais com nível de especificidade e esquematicidade por pessoas com Alzheimer: uma análise psicolinguística e cognitiva.

Esta pesquisa objetivou identificar se, na doença de Alzheimer, existe comprometimento na compreensão de frases gramaticais no nível de especificidade, por meio da técnica de leitura automonitorada. No intuito de atingir nossos objetivos e respondermos nossas hipóteses, empreendemos um experimento para analisar: o tempo de reação na leitura da frase, o tempo de reação para leitura da pergunta de compreensão e escolha da resposta, e o índice de acerto nas perguntas de compreensão por adultos jovens (AJ) e idosos saudáveis (IS) como grupos controle, e idosos com provável Alzheimer (IPAI/IPAM) como grupo caso, considerando frases no nível de especificidade e esquematicidade. Participaram da aplicação dos experimentos, 10 AJ, 10 IS e 10 IPAI/IPAM, totalizando uma amostra de 30 sujeitos. Os resultados apontam que a pessoa com Alzheimer apresenta desempenho inferior na compreensão da imagética convencional, em termos de índice de acertos e de tempo de resposta, quando comparados com idosos sem declínio cognitivo. Como resultado do experimento, com relação ao nível de Especificidade, as pessoas com Alzheimer demandam maior tempo na leitura e em dar respostas em frases de esquematicidade, nas quais também se observa maior índice de erro nas respostas. Confirmou-se então a hipótese de que a compreensão da imagética convencional em frases gramaticais no nível de especificidade, estão afetadas desde os estágios iniciais da doença de Alzheimer, e acreditamos que seja influenciada pelo declínio cognitivo progressivo da memória de trabalho, da velocidade de processamento, da tomada de decisão e da orientação temporal e espacial.

EMC Qualification Methodology for Semicustom Digital Integrated Circuit Design

In this paper, a simulation methodology and an electromagnetic compatibility qualification environment (EQE) are developed to verify the electromagnetic susceptibility of semicustom digital integrated circuits (IC) during the design phase. The immunity levels of the digital circuits are estimated by the functional failure and delay change caused by the external noise which is injected by bulk current injection (BCI) and direct power injection (DPI) methods. The model for the device under test (DUT), the standard cell parasitic model, and the equivalent circuit model of BCI and DPI test setup are developed for the IC immunity test. All test components and on-chip circuit models are linked by EQE to analyze the target DUT. The EQE can be applied to predict the immunity level of the design at the schematic level and postlayout level design. To validate the accuracy of the proposed simulation tool, EQE is applied to the design process of a clock divider (CKD) and a serial peripheral interface (SPI) circuits to verify their immunity levels. The CKD and SPI circuits are designed and fabricated using Magna 180 nm Complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology. The immunity levels generated by the EQE are compared with the experimental measurement results. The comparison shows good agreement between simulation and measurement.

Assessing Context-Specific Attributions During Couples' Conflict Interactions.

Two studies were conducted to develop and validate a six-item scale for measuring context-specific attributions regarding the extent to which people either blame or exonerate partners during couples' conflicts. Context-specific attributions pertain to appraisals made during a single episode of relationship conflict, and the scale was expected to be distinct from existing attribution scales measuring people's schemas regarding the types of attributions they typically make. Study 1 included 2,452 people in marriage or cohabitating relationships; Study 2 included 172 people in dating relationships, and participants in both studies completed Internet questionnaires. Item response theory was used to create an attribution scale using the fewest number of items to discriminate reliably across the full range of attribution levels. The resulting scale produced an expected pattern of convergent and divergent correlations with other context-specific measures, including two types of underlying concerns and three types of emotion. The context-specific attribution scale explained variance in these criterion variables that could not be explained by other existing scales that assess attributions at the schematic level.

Bayesian Model Fusion: Large-Scale Performance Modeling of Analog and Mixed-Signal Circuits by Reusing Early-Stage Data

Efficient performance modeling of today’s analog and mixed-signal circuits is an important yet challenging task, due to the high-dimensional variation space and expensive circuit simulation. In this paper, we propose a novel performance modeling algorithm that is referred to as Bayesian model fusion (BMF) to address this challenge. The key idea of BMF is to borrow the information collected from an early stage (e.g., schematic level) to facilitate efficient performance modeling at a late stage (e.g., post layout). Such a goal is achieved by statistically modeling the performance correlation between early and late stages through Bayesian inference. Furthermore, to make the proposed BMF method of practical utility, four implementation issues, including: 1) prior mapping; 2) missing prior knowledge; 3) fast solver; and 4) prior and hyper-parameter selection, are carefully considered in this paper. Two circuit examples designed in a commercial 32 nm CMOS silicon on insulator process demonstrate that the proposed BMF method achieves up to $9\times $ runtime speed-up over the traditional modeling technique without surrendering any accuracy.

Expression and Evidence, Advances in Architecture Studio Pedagogy

Energy simulation software has been available for several years, increasingly affordable and accessible by both architecture offices and the academy. The most prominent barrier to truly synthesizing and reconciling architectural design studio education methods with energy consumption literacy and calculation has been the complexity of software and often associated technical knowledge requirements. While the singularly gifted student may be able to navigate complex modeling software and complete architectural design studies concurrently, we observe that it is more often the case that modeling typically drives students toward two divergent outcomes. On the one hand, students find the modeling so compelling that their architectural design outcomes fail to be particularly culturally compelling or beautiful but are simulated to perform well. On the other hand, students become frustrated with the modeling parameters and limitations and ignore the modeling system in favor of design expression. Some pedagogical breakthroughs have been realized in our experience by using schematic design level energy simulation software in architecture design education. This paper develops a compelling thesis for architecture design education pedagogy that fuses the competing design agenda of expression and simulated energy consumption modeling, supported by examples of student work.

Synthesis and luminescence properties of BaSO4 phosphor activated with Sm

BaSO4 phosphor activated with Sm are prepared by the high temperature solid state reaction method in air, and its crystal structure, morphology, and luminescence properties are investigated. Broadband PLE spectrum are observed within the range 250–580nm owing to mainly the 4f–5d transitions of Sm2+ ions, and PL spectrum consists seven emission bands in the range of 550–780nm owing to mainly 5D0→7FJ (J=0, 1, 2, and 3) transitions of Sm2+ ion and 4G5/2→6HJ (J=5/2, 7/2, and 9/2) transitions of Sm3+ ions. Sm2+ ions can exist steadily in BaSO4:Sm phosphor sintered at different temperature and time in air. The optimum Sm2+/3+ doping concentration, sintering temperature and time are about 2mol%, 800°C and 30min, respectively. The luminous mechanisms are discussed by the schematic energy level diagrams of Sm3+ and Sm2+ ions.

Spectral investigation of R, Ce:YAG (R: Pr3+, Eu3+, Gd3+) single crystals and their applications in white LEDs

Eu3+, Pr3+, or Gd3+ codoped Ce:YAG single crystals were grown by using the Czochralski method. The photoluminescence (PL) emission and excitation spectra and transmittance were measured and investigated. The additional red-emitting bands were observed in the PL emission spectra of Eu,Ce:YAG and Pr,Ce:YAG single crystals and the formation of noticeable peaks was studied with reference to the schematic energy level diagrams. A red-shifted phenomenon was observed in the PL emission spectrum of Gd,Ce:YAG. With codoped Eu3+, Pr3+, or Gd3+ ions, warmer white light was achieved for the white light emitting diodes and the color rendering index became higher.

Synthesis and up-conversion luminescence properties of Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped Sr2CeO4 phosphors

Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped Sr2CeO4 phosphors were synthesized using a high-energy ball milling method at 1100°C. The X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed their orthorhombic structure. The up-conversion emissions corresponding to 2H11/2→4I15/2, S3/2→4I15/2 and 4F9/2→4I15/2 transitions peaking at 526nm, 552nm and 669nm have been observed under 975nm excitation. With the help of a schematic energy level diagram the up-conversion mechanisms were discussed in detail. The excited state absorption and energy transfer process were discussed as possible up-conversion mechanisms. The energy back transfer (4S3/2+2F7/2→4I13/2+2F5/2) contribute the increased intensity ratio of red to green emission in Sr2CeO4:Er3+/Yb3+ samples. A decay curve analysis for the UC emission corresponding to the 4S3/2→4I15/2 and 4F9/2→4I15/2 transitions in the Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped Sr2CeO4 phosphors was performed. The CIE chromaticity coordinates of the Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped Sr2CeO4 phosphors were located in the green region. The results indicate that the material may be suitable for applications in the fields of color displays and light emitting devices.

Fast physical design of CMOS ROs for optimal performance using constrained NSGA-II

The performance of nanoscale radio frequency integrated circuits (RFIC) is influenced by the circuit parasitics and device dimensions. The present work predicts the design parameters of CMOS ring oscillator (CMOS RO) for its optimal performance and designs the CMOS RO using these parameters in Cadence Virtuoso Analog Design Environment with GPDK 90nm process. An efficient optimization technique, non-dominated sorting based genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) is used to minimize the power consumption and phase noise of the circuit at its schematic and physical levels. This optimization is also carried out by taking into account the extracted parasitics that would be present in the physical integrated circuit and by considering the variations in the process parameters. The optimization algorithm, effectively converts several time consuming design iterations to a single step design, ensuring the near best performance of the CMOS RO with all possible real time constraints. In this proposed design methodology the optimization objectives such as frequency, power and phase noise are formulated in such a manner that those are implicitly parasitic aware. The design of CMOS RO with different number of stages is verified by performing simulations for transient and noise analysis using Cadence tools.

VUV–vis photoluminescence, low-voltage cathodoluminescence and electron-vibrational interaction of Mn2+ in Ba2MgSi2O7

A series of Mn2+ doped Ba2MgSi2O7 phosphors with a nominal formula Ba2Mg1−xMnxSi2O7 (x=0.01–0.13) were prepared by a high-temperature solid-state reaction technique. Their VUV–vis photoluminescence spectra, fluorescence decay curves, and low-voltage cathodoluminescence spectra were measured and discussed in detail. The results confirm that the Mn2+ ions enter into the four-coordinated Mg2+ site in Ba2MgSi2O7 host lattice. The main electron-vibrational interaction (EVI) parameters (such as Huang–Rhys factor, effective phonon energy and position of the zero-phonon line) were evaluated from the experimental spectra. Furthermore, the concentration and the temperature dependence of the emission intensity and the luminescence decays of Ba2MgSi2O7:Mn2+ were investigated, accordingly the schematic energy levels for Mn2+ in Ba2MgSi2O7 were proposed. Due to the high emission intensity under low-voltage electron beam excitation, a further optimized sample Ba2Mg0.95Mn0.05Si2O7 can be considered as a promising green phosphor for field emission displays (FEDs).

Numerical modeling of heavily polluted fine-grained sediments remobilization in northern Czech Republic

The northern part of the Czech Republic is regarded as significantly polluted by antecedent or ongoing heavy industrial production mainly concentrated in the riparian zones of the Elbe River and its tributaries. Toxic pollutants tend to persist in the environment for a long time bound with fine-grained sediments. Nevertheless, a high-flow event can induce a remobilization of those deposits and lead to secondary pollution of downstream aquatic ecosystems. Numerical modeling was used as a tool for remobilization probability assessment under local hydrodynamic conditions within 113km of Elbe and Bílina river beds and riparian zones. The assessment was based on statistical evaluation of causal discharge, the actual discharge observed at the evaluated cross section at the time of remobilization defined as significant erosion of observed sediment depositions. MIKE modeling software by DHI was used with different levels of horizontal plan schematization according to site-specific flow conditions and available data sources. MIKE 11 and MIKE 21 were used for Bílina River and MIKE 21 C was used for the Elbe River. Sediment transport was calculated simultaneously with hydrodynamic simulation of the unsteady synthetic boundary conditions based on observed flood properties (MIKE 21 C, MIKE 21 MT). Remobilization assessment of Bílina River sediment was based on the shear stress map evaluation verified with the results obtained by 2D model of the experimental site. The study contributes to risk-based assessment of polluted sediment management of the Elbe and extends the current scope of remobilization prediction within a reasonable timeframe using a numerical modeling method.

Synthesis and luminescence properties of efficient red phosphors SrAl4O7:Mn4+,R+ (R+=Li+, Na+, and K+) for white LEDs

A series of SrAl[4−(4x)/3]O7:xMn4+ (0≤x≤1.4mol%) and Sr(1−0.06/2)Al[4−(4×0.008)/3]O7:0.008Mn4+,0.06R+ (R+=Li+, Na+, and K+) phosphors are synthesized by a conventional solid-state reaction method in air. The PLE bands peaking at~325, 395, and 470nm and the strongest PL band peaking at~660nm are assigned to the 4A2→4T1 transition of Mn4+ ion and O2−–Mn4+ change transfer band, 4A2→2T1, 4A2→4T2, and 2E→4A2 transitions, respectively. The optimum Mn4+ doping concentration is about 0.8mol%. Li+, Na+, and K+ ions used as charge compensator can improve observably the PL intensity of SrAl4O7:Mn4+ phosphor with excitation 325nm. The fluorescence lifetimes of SrAl[4−(4×0.008)/3]O7:0.008Mn4+ and Sr[1−0.06/2]Al[4−(4×0.008)/3]O7:0.008Mn4+,0.06R+ (R+=Li+, Na+, and K+) are 0.958, 0.97, 1.113 and 0.965ms, respectively. The luminous mechanism is explained by schematic energy level diagram of Mn4+ ion. These experiment results indicate that SrAl4O7:Mn4+,R+ (R+=Li+, Na+, and K+) phosphors can be used as red emitting phosphor candidate for white LEDs based on a UV (~325nm) and near UV (~395nm) bands of LEDs chip.

Remarkably enhanced red-NIR broad spectral absorption via gold nanoparticles: applications for organic photosensitive diodes.

For organic films, remarkably enhanced red-NIR broad spectral absorption was achieved via the incorporation of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using a simple and facile preparation. The relevant thermal evaporation method has produced size-controllable AuNPs in the range of 0-20 nm diameter. The potential use of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) enhanced organic photosensitive diodes (OPDs) as sensitive broadband sensors was discussed in this context. Here we showed that, by combining organic heterojunctions with size-controllable plasmonic AuNPs, the efficiency of organic photodetectors could be increased by up to one order of magnitude, because of LSPR and scattering effects of the AuNPs. Fabricated OPD devices showed a large photoresponse under radiation from wavelengths between 650 and 830 nm, accompanied by a low power consumption profile. A schematic energy level model combined with theoretical simulation analysis was proposed to explain the experimental data. More importantly, to the best of our knowledge, this work demonstrated the broadest photosensitivity with high responsivity from AuNP-based photodetectors, proving the potential of AuNPs as a promising material for efficient optoelectronic devices.

On the borrowability of subject pronoun constructions in Turkish–Dutch contact

Turkish spoken in the Netherlands (NL-Turkish) sounds different in comparison to Turkish spoken in Turkey (TR-Turkish) due to Dutch influence. In addition to borrowed Dutch words/phrases, Dutch influence on NL-Turkish is also observed through literally translated constructions. This study investigates the Dutch influence on NL-Turkish constructions with subject pronouns. Analyses of NL-Turkish and TR-Turkish spoken corpora do not reveal any significant differences in terms of subject pronoun frequency. However, qualitative analysis of the data reveals some unconventional cases of subject pronoun use in NL-Turkish. In these cases, subject pronouns do not lead to unconventionality on their own but as parts of larger constructions that are copied from Dutch as chunks. Following the principles of usage-based approaches, these unconventional constructions are further analyzed in terms of their level of schematicity and flexibility.

Synthesis and luminescence properties of Sr(1−x−y−z)MoO4:xEu3+, yBi3+, zR+ (R+ = Li+, Na+, and K+) phosphors

A series of Sr(1−x−y−z)MoO4:xEu3+, yBi3+, zR+ (R+=Li+, Na+, and K+) phosphors are prepared through solid-state reaction method in air. Eu3+ doped SrMoO4 phosphor can show red emission at ∼616nm under excitation 275nm and 397nm light due to the 5D0→7F2 transition of Eu3+ ion, and its emission intensity can be enhanced after co-doping Bi3+ owing to energy transfer between Bi3+ and Eu3+ ions. The mechanism of energy transfer is discussed by the schematic energy level diagrams of Bi3+ and Eu3+ ions. The optimal composition in Eu3+ and Bi3+ co-doped SrMoO4 phosphors is determined to be (Sr0.92Eu0.05Bi0.03)MoO4. The emission intensity of SrMoO4:Eu3+, Bi3+ phosphor is found to be further improved by using Li+, Na+, and K+ ions as charge compensators. These experiment results in the paper are helpful to develop novel and high-efficiency phosphors for white light-emitting diodes.

Structural characterizations and intense green upconversion emission in Yb3+, Pr3+ co-doped Y2O3 nano-phosphor

We report the structural and optical properties of Yb3+, Pr3+ co-doped Y2O3 nano-phosphor synthesized through solution combustion method. The structural studies reveal the nano-crystalline structure of the sample. The energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) measurements confirm the presence of Y, O, Pr and Yb elements in the sample. Fourier transform infrared studies show the vibrational features of the samples. The fluorescence spectra of the samples have been monitored on excitation with 976nm and the intense green upconversion emission observed at 552nm is due to 3P0→3H5 electronic transition. The concentration of Pr3+ ion in the sample is optimized and the fluorescence intensity is maximum at 0.08mol% of Pr3+. The power dependence studies reveal the involvement of two photons in the emission process. The possible mechanism of upconversion has been discussed on the basis of schematic energy level diagram. The sample annealed at higher temperature enhances the fluorescence intensity up to 8 times and this enhancement is discussed in terms of the removal of optical quenching centers. The nano-phosphor can be applicable in the field of display devices and green laser.

Toward a constructional framework for research on language change

A construction grammar approach is presented to changes to language as a system that is both communicative and cognitive (Traugott and Trousdale 2013). Constructionalization is defined as the development of formnew-meaningnew pairs and constructional changes as changes to features of constructions. The approach requires focus on form and meaning equally. Constructionalization is shown to encompass and go beyond both grammaticalization and lexicalization, which are conceptualized as on a continuum. The framework favors thinking in terms of analogizing to sets and schemas as well as of gradual (micro-step) reanalyses. The ability to see how networks, schemas, and micro-constructions are created or grow and decline, as well as the ability to track the development of patterns at both substantive and schematic levels, allows the researcher to see how each micro-construction has its own history within the constraints of larger patterns, most immediately schemas, but also related network nodes.

Structural and optical properties of Eu3+, Sm3+ co-doped La(OH)3 nano-crystalline red emitting phosphor

We report Eu3+, Sm3+ co-doped La(OH)3 nano-crystalline red emitting phosphor prepared following combustion synthesis protocol. The structural and morphological information about the synthesized samples have been explored using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) techniques. The optical properties of the samples have been investigated under 355nm laser excitations. The sample emits intense red emissions at 625 and 707nm due to 5D0 → 7F2 and 5D0→7F4 transitions in Eu3+ ion, respectively. The concentrations of both, Eu3+ and Sm3+ in the samples were optimized at 1mol% to get maximum fluorescence. The presence of Sm3+ in the Eu3+ doped sample enhances the emission intensity up to two times. The samples annealed at higher temperature show significant enhancement in the emission intensity. The life time studies show an efficient energy transfer from Sm3+ to Eu3+ ions and have been discussed with the help of schematic energy level diagram. This enhancement in the emission intensity is discussed in terms of the rare earth ion concentration, annealing temperature and energy transfer.

Hydrothermal synthesis and upconversion properties of CaF2:Er3+/Yb3+ nanocrystals.

A series of rare-earth ions (Er3+ and Yb3+) Co-doped CaF2 upconversion luminescent nanomaterials have been successfully prepared via a facile hydrothermal method using pluronic p123 (p123), pluronic F127 (F127) and sodium citrate as surfactants at 180 degrees C with different reaction time. The crystallographic phase, size and morphology can be controlled by simply tuning the reaction parameters such as the types of surfactants and the reaction time. It is found that reaction time and surfactant play a key role in forming the nanocrystals with different morphologies. X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy FE-SEM, and photoluminescence spectra were used to characterize the structure, morphology and upconversion luminescence properties of CaF2:Er3+/Yb3+ upconversion nanomaterials, respectively. The experimental results indicate that three monodispersive and highly uniform CaF2:Er3+/Yb3+ nanocrystals with mean size of 200 nm, 3 um, and 700 nm have cubic and sphere shapes, respectively. While the possible mechanisms of upconversion luminescence are analyzed by the diagram of proposed energy transfer mechanisms, the schematic energy level diagrams showing typical upconversion processes for Er3+ also reveals that the as-synthesized CaF2:Er3+/Yb3 nanomaterials may be in the cubic structure with space group Fm-3m, in which Ln3+ cations occupy crystal lattice positions with lower point symmetry, leading to a high upconversion efficiency under the excitation of a 980 nm diode laser.