Maximum-Likelihood Sequence Detector for Dynamic Mode High Density Probe Storage

There is an increasing need for high density data storage devices driven by the increased demand of consumer electronics. In this work, we consider a data storage system that operates by encoding information as topographic profiles on a polymer medium. A cantilever probe with a sharp tip (few nm radius) is used to create and sense the presence of topographic profiles, resulting in a density of few Tb per in.2. The prevalent mode of using the cantilever probe is the static mode that is harsh on the probe and the media. In this article, the high quality factor dynamic mode operation, that is less harsh on the media and the probe, is analyzed. The read operation is modeled as a communication channel which incorporates system memory due to inter-symbol interference and the cantilever state. We demonstrate an appropriate level of abstraction of this complex nanoscale system that obviates the need for an involved physical model. Next, a solution to the maximum likelihood sequence detection problem based on the Viterbi algorithm is devised. Experimental and simulation results demonstrate that the performance of this detector is several orders of magnitude better than the performance of other existing schemes.Comment: This paper is published in IEEE Trans. on communicatio

Equity research report on ford motor company: running out of ´gas´?

Despite the secular trend of electrification slowly taking over the automotive industry, almost all of Ford Motor Co’s revenues come from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Specifically, they are one of the market leaders in pick-up trucks and SUVs in the U.S. and in commercial vehicles in the E.U., and together, these 2 regions account for almost 90% of the firm’s revenue, with the rest being split developing markets such as Asia, South America, and Middle East & Africa. In this report, I will examine the current dynamics of the ICE vehicle market and how they may develop going forward, and the impact it could have on Ford and its development. The underlying theme here is that despite the increased pace at which government regulations and consequently customer preferences are evolving in its biggest markets, the alignment of Ford’s current strategy with the prevailing market conditions will ensure that its short- and medium-term performance will not suffer too much despite the increased competition posed by the electrification headwind. Also, depending on how the newly christened management plays its cards, Ford could remain reasonably competitive even in the long-term

Ethics, Prosperity, and Society: Moral Evaluation Using Virtue Ethics and Utilitarianism

Modelling ethics is critical to understanding and analysing social phenomena. However, prior literature either incorporates ethics into agent strategies or uses it for evaluation of agent behaviour. This work proposes a framework that models both, ethical decision making as well as evaluation using virtue ethics and utilitarianism. In an iteration, agents can use either the classical Continuous Prisoner's Dilemma or a new type of interaction called moral interaction, where agents donate or steal from other agents. We introduce moral interactions to model ethical decision making. We also propose a novel agent type, called virtue agent, parametrised by the agent's level of ethics. Virtue agents' decisions are based on moral evaluations of past interactions. Our simulations show that unethical agents make short term gains but are less prosperous in the long run. We find that in societies with positivity bias, unethical agents have high incentive to become ethical. The opposite is true of societies with negativity bias. We also evaluate the ethicality of existing strategies and compare them to those of virtue agents

Biochar production from agro-food industry residues: A sustainable approach for soil and environmental management

Advance biochar production technique, hydrothermal carbonization (HTC, wet pyrolysis) offers an option to tap the benefits of biomass residues of food industry characterized by high moisture and low calorific value. HTC is more energy efficient due to its low temperature operations and higher biochar recovery rates (up to 90%). Biochar offers multitude of benefits in terms of agronomical and environmental management. It can contribute to climate change mitigation, increase plant productivity and crop yield and remediation of contaminated sites. Limitations and knowledge gaps in the current understanding of biochar along with its properties have been identified. Major hurdles recognized in commercialization of biochar application are permanency, diversity and economic viability

Extensive humeral hydatid cyst with extraosseous involvement: a case report

Hydatid cysts caused by Echinococcus species mainly involve visceral organs. Rarely skeletal involvement occurs. The spine and pelvis account for half of the cases of osseous hydatidosis, making humeral hydatid cysts one of the rarest conditions. We report a case of humeral hydatidosis in a 42-year male who presented to us with pain and swelling over the left upper arm, radiological investigations suggestive of osseous cystic lesions were inconclusive and diagnosis of hydatidosis was confirmed with a biopsy subsequently. Surgical excision and curettage of bone and surrounding soft tissue were done, and the void was filled using PMMA cement followed by antihelminthic chemotherapy. No complication or recurrence has been found postoperatively at the end of 6 months of follow-up, with preservation of limb function. To keep orthopedic surgeons aware of this morbid condition, due to its low prevalence, and advanced presentation which is likely misdiagnosed, and even after the early intervention, there is a high recurrence rate which makes this one of the rare cases of humeral hydatidosis notifiable

Modified dual osteotomy for Madelung’s deformity

Madelung’s deformity is one of the rare congenital deformities of the forearm and wrist, typically seen as positive ulnar variance and increased volar tilt due to the “Vickers” ligament. Different corrective surgical methods for this have been done in the literature. In this case of a 9-year-old Madelung’s like deformity, we have performed a modified dual osteotomy with periosteal preservation allowing natural articulation and bone to be modified, especially in a younger child. This article gives the surgical option to orthopedics for the future, especially in a younger child with severe deformity. This is a level V evidence-based therapeutic study