FpSynt: a fixed-point datapath synthesis tool for embedded systems

Digital mobile systems must function with low power, small size and weight, and low cost. High-performance desktop microprocessors, with built-in floating point hardware, are not suitable in these cases. For embedded systems, it can be advantageous to implement these calculations with fixed point arithmetic instead. We present an automated fixed-point data path synthesis tool FpSynt for designing embedded applications in fixed-point domain with sufficient accuracy for most applications. FpSynt is available under the GNU General Public License from the following GitHub repository: http://github.com/izhbannikov/FPSYN

Allocating the chains of consecutive additions for optimal fixed-point data path synthesis

Minimization of computational errors in the fixed-point data path is often difficult task. Many signal processing algorithms use chains of consecutive additions. The analyzing technique that can be applied to fixed-point data path synthesis has been proposed. This technique takes advantage of allocating the chains of consecutive additions in order to predict growing width of the data path and minimize the design complexity and computational errors

An examination of strategy development and strategic management processes within growth-seeking small businesses

This doctoral thesis responds to the need for greater understanding of what constitutes effective strategic management practice in successfully developing small firms. And an associate need to enhance the strategic management capability of small business owner managers and ability of support providers to deliver sound, pragmatic strategy development assistance. The study in its action research mode of investigation recognises and attempts to address the numerous shortcomings and pitfalls associated with small business management. Integral to this approach is a longitudinal business development project-orientation to facilitate the fulfilling of parallel academic and small business development practice objectives. The research approach is based upon the premise that there is a glove-tight relationship between advances in knowledge and the research methodology which facilitate those knowledge advances. An overarching aim of this study is thus the development of a creative and innovative research approach to enable production not only of advances in small business strategic management knowledge and practical small business development, but also a base research methodology capable of ongoing refinement and use by others in the future. The origins of the methodology lay in the non-acceptance of traditional philosophical positions in epistemology and ontology, with a philosophical standpoint of constructive alternativism underpinning the research and the use of a drive theory which builds out of that standpoint. As part response to that philosophical positioning, the concept of epistemological bootstrapping is used to develop a ‘partial research framework’ to foothold and inform the qualitative action research process. The key insights highlighted by the ‘bootstrap’ facilitate design and development of the innovative methodology, integral to which is a close ‘rich’ working partnership interface with the participant small business owner managers. A novel attempt at linked multi-level and processual (contextualist) analysis was attempted within an action research approach which is underpinned and driven by personal construct theory. Both researcher and the researched are thus treated as ‘man the scientist’ who is progressively seeking to refine and enhance his own personal constructions of phenomenon, issues and circumstances facing him throughout his life. Such conceptualisation facilitates the build up of dual working partner investigation using live, longitudinal practical business development projects to produce tangible outputs for both parties - academic small business management knowledge for the researcher and world of academia and practical strategic development and associate knowledge and enhanced abilities for the owner manager

Supporting research and development in ambulance services: research for better healthcare in prehospital settings

Background This paper discusses recent developments in research support for ambulance trusts in England and Wales and how this could be designed to lead to better implementation, collaboration in and initiation of high-quality research to support a truly evidence-based service. Method The National Ambulance Research Steering Group was set up in 2007 to establish the strategic direction for involvement of regional ambulance services in developing relevant and well-designed research for improving the quality of services to patients. Results Ambulance services have been working together and with academic partners to implement research and to participate, collaborate and lead the design of research that is relevant for patients and ambulance services. Conclusion New structures to support the strategic development of ambulance and prehospital research will help address gaps in the evidence for health interventions and service delivery in prehospital and ambulance care and ensure that ambulance services can increase their capacity and capability for high-quality research

The economic effects of special purpose entities on corporate tax avoidance

This study provides the first large‐sample evidence on the economic tax effects of special purpose entities (SPEs). These increasingly common organizational structures facilitate corporate tax savings by enabling sponsor‐firms to increase tax‐advantaged activities and/or enhance their tax efficiency (i.e., relative tax savings of a given activity). Using path analysis, we find that SPEs facilitate greater tax avoidance, such that an economically large amount of cash tax savings from research and development (R&D), depreciable assets, net operating loss carryforwards, intangible assets, foreign operations, and tax havens occur in conjunction with SPE use. We estimate that SPEs help generate over $330 billion of incremental cash tax savings, or roughly 6% of total U.S. federal corporate income tax collections during the sample period. Interaction analyses reveal that SPEs enhance the tax efficiency of intangibles and R&D by 61.5% to 87.5%. Overall, these findings provide economic insight into complex organizational structures supporting corporate tax avoidance.Accepted manuscrip

Reconfigurable data path processor

A reconfigurable data path processor comprises a plurality of independent processing elements. Each of the processing elements advantageously comprising an identical architecture. Each processing element comprises a plurality of data processing means for generating a potential output. Each processor is also capable of through-putting an input as a potential output with little or no processing. Each processing element comprises a conditional multiplexer having a first conditional multiplexer input, a second conditional multiplexer input and a conditional multiplexer output. A first potential output value is transmitted to the first conditional multiplexer input, and a second potential output value is transmitted to the second conditional multiplexer output. The conditional multiplexer couples either the first conditional multiplexer input or the second conditional multiplexer input to the conditional multiplexer output, according to an output control command. The output control command is generated by processing a set of arithmetic status-bits through a logical mask. The conditional multiplexer output is coupled to a first processing element output. A first set of arithmetic bits are generated according to the processing of the first processable value. A second set of arithmetic bits may be generated from a second processing operation. The selection of the arithmetic status-bits is performed by an arithmetic-status bit multiplexer selects the desired set of arithmetic status bits from among the first and second set of arithmetic status bits. The conditional multiplexer evaluates the select arithmetic status bits according to logical mask defining an algorithm for evaluating the arithmetic status bits

There Is No Normal

Honorable Mentio

Storytelling Through Hip Hop

90’s but has changed drastically over the years. Styles have evolved and new sub-genres have emerged but the opportunity for compelling storytelling has remained. Over the course of this past semester with the guidance of my sponsor, I explored this rich tradition. I listened to several albums with release dates that spanned from the 90s to 2000s to get a feel for what techniques some of the most well-known storytellers in hip-hop have used. The albums that I found to be particularly useful were ‘Ready to Die’ by Notorious B.I.G., Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Good Kid, m.A.A.d City’ and ‘Because the Internet’ by Childish Gambino. Armed with this knowledge, I took my project to the next level and put what I had learned into practical use. The months that followed consisted of the creation of my own storytelling album, with the intent of telling the story of college through my own unique lens. The album explores the various feelings, emotions, and themes that many college students experience as they navigate their way through undergraduate life. During this time, I learned what it takes to conceptually create an album, how to tell a story through music, and how to physically produce an album in a meaningful way. The process was long and began with finding instrumentals to use and then writing, which is an intense process in and of itself. This part of the process involved talks with my sponsor about the development of a story through poetic writing as well as the importance of making sure that the songs I was creating lent themselves to the overall theme. What I hoped to learn through this project was what it takes to create a meaningful album and to develop a relatable story through music. I believe that this album can show people the power of hip-hop and its unparalleled ability to tell a story and convey meaning