Nature-inspired Cuckoo Search Algorithm for Side Lobe Suppression in a Symmetric Linear Antenna Array

In this paper, we proposed a newly modified cuckoo search (MCS) algorithm integrated with the Roulette wheel selection operator and the inertia weight controlling the search ability towards synthesizing symmetric linear array geometry with minimum side lobe level (SLL) and/or nulls control. The basic cuckoo search (CS) algorithm is primarily based on the natural obligate brood parasitic behavior of some cuckoo species in combination with the Levy flight behavior of some birds and fruit flies. The CS metaheuristic approach is straightforward and capable of solving effectively general N-dimensional, linear and nonlinear optimization problems. The array geometry synthesis is first formulated as an optimization problem with the goal of SLL suppression and/or null prescribed placement in certain directions, and then solved by the newly MCS algorithm for the optimum element or isotropic radiator locations in the azimuth-plane or xy-plane. The study also focuses on the four internal parameters of MCS algorithm specifically on their implicit effects in the array synthesis. The optimal inter-element spacing solutions obtained by the MCS-optimizer are validated through comparisons with the standard CS-optimizer and the conventional array within the uniform and the Dolph-Chebyshev envelope patterns using MATLABTM. Finally, we also compared the fine-tuned MCS algorithm with two popular evolutionary algorithm (EA) techniques include particle swarm optimization (PSO) and genetic algorithms (GA)

Exact ground states and correlation functions of chain and ladder models of interacting hardcore bosons or spinless fermions

By removing one empty site between two occupied sites, we map the ground states of chains of hardcore bosons and spinless fermions with infinite nearest-neighbor repulsion to ground states of chains of hardcore bosons and spinless fermions without nearest-neighbor repulsion respectively, and ultimately in terms of the one-dimensional Fermi sea. We then introduce the intervening-particle expansion, where we write correlation functions in such ground states as a systematic sum over conditional expectations, each of which can be ultimately mapped to a one-dimensional Fermi-sea expectation. Various ground-state correlation functions are calculated for the bosonic and fermionic chains with infinite nearest-neighbor repulsion, as well as for a ladder model of spinless fermions with infinite nearest-neighbor repulsion and correlated hopping in three limiting cases. We find that the decay of these correlation functions are governed by surprising power-law exponents.Comment: 20 pages, 18 figures, RevTeX4 clas

Performance indicators and the deeper foundations of performance

Critics of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) argue that KPIs culture rewards the immediate production of tangible outcomes sometimes at the expense of social engagement and cooperative behaviour. The need to gain immediate outcomes in the current KPIs performance culture focuses many individuals onto forms of productivity that gain high KPIs but at what cost? What effect does this single minded focus have on developing organisational loyalties and commitments? Some scholars have suggested that a singular focus on performance indicator success may crowd out other positive social capital in institutions

Challenges in Delivering Cross-Agency Integrated e-Services: The OBLS Project

This case study describes how the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Infocomm Development Authority, as lead agencies, jointly initiated and managed the implementation of a one-stop business licensing portal called OBLS (Online Business Licensing Service, https://licenses.business.gov.sg/) in the Singapore public sector. While the mandate from the top for this strategic cross-agency project was strong, there were many hurdles in the form of people, process and technology that had to be overcome. The case study highlights these issues and challenges, and illustrates how they were successfully overcome for delivering cross-agency integrated e-Service for new business license application

Fumaric acid ester–induced renal Fanconi syndrome: evidence of mitochondrial toxicity

Background: Fumaric acid esters (FAEs) are used to treat chronic plaque psoriasis. Fumarate is a crucial component of the Krebs cycle and mitochondrial function. Proximal tubule cells have high energy demands and rely on aerobic respiration. Proximal tubular dysfunction can cause renal Fanconi syndrome and acute kidney injury. We sought to better understand the mechanism for this in the context of FAE therapy. Methods: We describe a case series of 10 patients with FAE-associated Fanconi syndrome. Patients were diagnosed and managed at a tertiary renal tubular disorder clinic, with examination of serum and urine biochemistry. Five patients had a renal biopsy with examination of the specimens by electron microscopy. Results: The median age was 36.5 years [interquartile range (IQR) 32.25–54.25]. The median dose of FAE was 720 mg/day (IQR 390–720). There was low molecular weight proteinuria: the median urinary retinol-binding protein (RBP) at presentation was 8385 μg/mL (IQR 2793–14 600) and the RBP:creatinine ratio was 710 (IQR 390–2415). All patients had hyperphosphaturia [median fractional excretion of phosphate 24.2% (IQR 20.8–26.9), normal range <20%] as well as relative hypophosphataemia, with a median serum phosphate concentration of 0.93 mmol/L (IQR 0.83–0.97). Renal histology showed proximal tubular damage and abnormal mitochondrial morphology. Two patients had a favourable biochemical response to treatment with probenecid. Conclusions: We document for the first time that FAE-associated renal Fanconi syndrome is associated with mitochondrial damage visible on electron microscopy. This effect may be ameliorated by antagonism of the organic anion transporter with probenecid

Real exchange rate dynamics in the Asian economies: can regime shifts explain purchasing power parity puzzles?

We show that the strong version of the purchasing power parity (PPP) hypothesis holds in most of the US dollar real exchange rates using cointegration method that accounts for breaks in the models. The break dates in seven of the Asian currencies coincide with the two rounds of currency depreciation recorded during the 1997–1998 financial crises. We obtain a mean half-life estimate of about 10 months for PPP to converge to its long-run equilibrium level. Our confidence intervals based on persistence profile approach for the half-lives is much narrower than previous evidence might indicate. Taken together, these results show that mean reversion is stronger than commonly thought

Drying Characteristics and Product Quality of Lemon Slices Dried with Hot Air Circulation Oven and Hybrid Heatpump Dryers

In this research, drying characteristics and product quality of Coulomb-force-assisted heatpump and oven dried lemon slices were studied. Lemon slices with 3 mm thickness each, were dried using oven and Coulomb-force-assisted-heatpump dryer with and without auxiliary heater at different drying conditions. It was found that the drying rate of the lemon slices dried by all drying methods showed only falling rate states, which indicates the drying kinetics were controlled by internal moisture diffusion. Oven drying of lemon slices at 60°C showed the highest drying rate among all, followed by oven dried slices at 50°C, Coulomb-force-heater-assisted-heatpump (CF-HT-HP) dried slices at 31°C, Coulomb-force-assisted-heatpump (CF-HP) dried slices at 22°C, oven dried slices at 40°C and heatpump dried slices at 22°C. The average effective moisture diffusivity value for the slices dried with these drying methods was found in the range of 16.2 to 63.8´10-4 mm2min-1. In terms of quality assessment, CF-HP dried lemon slices retained the highest amount of Vitamin C as compared to the lemon slices dried by other drying methods. However, it retained relatively lower amount of total phenolic content (TPC) as compared to oven dried products. Among of all, CF-HP drying method produced dried lemon slices with the highest Vitamin C (6.74 mg AA / g dry weight) whereas oven dried lemon slices at 50°C preserved most of the TPC in the dried slices, which recorded as 13.76 mg GA / g dry weight

Nanoscale broadband transmission lines for spin qubit control

The intense interest in spin-based quantum information processing has caused an increasing overlap between two traditionally distinct disciplines, such as magnetic resonance and nanotechnology. In this work we discuss rigourous design guidelines to integrate microwave circuits with charge-sensitive nanostructures, and describe how to simulate such structures accurately and efficiently. We present a new design for an on-chip, broadband, nanoscale microwave line that optimizes the magnetic field driving a spin qubit, while minimizing the disturbance on a nearby charge sensor. This new structure was successfully employed in a single-spin qubit experiment, and shows that the simulations accurately predict the magnetic field values even at frequencies as high as 30 GHz.Comment: 18 pages, 8 figures, 1 table, pdflate