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Formation control finds broad applications in numerous fields, such as cooperative detection, surveillance, transportation, and disaster rescue. In this article, aiming at hunting a moving target, a two-stage surrounding control algorithm is proposed for linear multiagent systems subject to input saturations. An adaptive distributed observer is developed for each agent to reconstruct the target's position. With the assistance of the algebraic graph theory and low gain feedback technique, distributed controllers are designed to drive the agents to encircle the moving target with a fixed radius and evenly distributed phase angles. Finally, both numerical simulations and experiments are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control algorithm.

This paper considers the output feedback stabilization problem of linear systems with infinite distributed delays in their inputs and outputs. A low gain observer is proposed to estimate the state of the concerned system with infinite distributed delays in its inputs and outputs. The observer based output feedback controller is then developed. It is shown that the resulting closed loop system is globally asymptotically stable. It should be pointed out that the output feedback control problem of linear systems with infinite distributed input and output delays is first time investigated to the best of our knowledge. Finally, some numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed controller.

Aim: Microstrip patch antennas are rapidly used in the areas of wireless systems due to its low cost and lightweight. But still it has research issues like narrow bandwidth, poor efficiency, and low gain. The objective of this study is to enhance the gain of Novel DB-RPA antenna. This work presents the comparative analysis of gain enhancement between rectangular and circular patch antennas. Materials & Methods: Dual band rectangular patch antenna (DB-RPA) and circular patch antenna (CPA) are designed to enhance the gain of the antenna by using HFSS software and by collecting the dataset of 40 samples with pretest power of 80%. The gain of CPA is 1.89 dB and DB-RPA is 4.66 dB. The directivity of CPA is 3.52 dB and DB-RPA is 4.89 dB. Results: On performing an independent sample t-test on the two groups considered, it appears that the mean gain of Novel DB-RPA is 3.0755 and CPA is 0.8820 with significance value of 0.001 (p

Under what conditions do humans systematically deviate from rational decision making? Here we show that pupillary indices of low neural gain are associated with strong and consistent biases across six different extensively-studied decision making tasks, whereas indices of high gain are associated with weak or absent biases. Lower susceptibility to biases, however, comes at the cost of indecisiveness, or alternatively, prolonged deliberation time. We explain the association between low gain and strong biases as reflecting a broader information integration process that gives greater weight to weak biasing influences. The findings underscore the role of pupil-linked brain states in the generation of decision making biases.Significance“Framing effects” are demonstrations that people’s decisions can be biased by the way a decision problem is presented, and consequently, people can make decisions that violate the principles of rationality. Using a set of classic decision-making tasks, we show that pupil dilation, previously linked to levels of the neuromodulator norepinephrine and to a tradeoff between narrowly focused and broadly integrative modes of information processing, distinguishes between people who are consistently biased and people who are relatively immune to these effects. Our findings suggest that norepinephrine may drive these individual differences, and that a narrowly focused mode of information processing confers relative immunity to these decision making biases, whereas the integration of a wider range of information results in greater susceptibility.

Ultra-wideband (UWB) phased array antennas are essential for radar, communication, and Electronic Warfare (EW) applications. Systems can operate over wide-band coverage. The high gain systems require wide-band, wide-angle scanning, good radiation pattern, and return loss over a multi-octave bandwidth. This review discusses the problems present in the UWB phased array system, which include mutual coupling, grating lobe rejection, active return loss, gain fluctuation with scanning, and multiple beam generation. In this, the aperture size of the array is limited by the overall gain requirement of the system. On the other hand, low gain systems require a wide-band with a good radiation pattern and axial ratio. Here the matching over wide-band is simpler as it depends on broadband balun configuration. This system has limited bandwidth over scan angles. These antennas are more preferred as wearable antennas in communication applications. This paper mainly discusses the existing UWB phased array antennas such as Vivaldi Arrays, All-metal Arrays, Spiral Arrays, Sinuous Arrays, and Coupled Arrays. This review paper presents a correct direction for selecting the type of antenna in terms of impedance bandwidth, gain, and materials influencing antenna performance, suited for different applications.

In this paper we study the distributed leader state estimation problem in leader-follower multi-agent systems over a deterministic network and under time-varying communication delays. In this work we propose a distributed estimation technique that allows the follower agents to collectively reconstruct the leader agent states by communicating their estimates with neighboring agents. Additionally, we assume that the communications between the leader and followers are subject to heterogeneous time-varying delays. By using the low gain methodology, sufficient stability conditions of the estimation error dynamics in the presence of network latency are derived, including an upper bound for the delay magnitude. Lastly, the proposed distributed state estimation method is applied to develop a solution to the leader tracking problem in leader-follower multi-agent systems. An illustrative example is also presented to verify the effectiveness of our theoretical results.

Dendrites are important determinants of the input-output relationship of single neurons, but their role in network computations is not well understood. Here, we used a combination of dendritic patch-clamp recordings and in silico modeling to determine how dendrites of parvalbumin (PV)-expressing basket cells contribute to network oscillations in the gamma frequency band. Simultaneous soma-dendrite recordings from PV basket cells in the dentate gyrus revealed that the slope, or gain, of the dendritic input-output relationship is exceptionally low, thereby reducing the cell’s sensitivity to changes in its input. By simulating gamma oscillations in detailed network models, we demonstrate that the low gain is key to increase spike synchrony in PV neuron assemblies when cells are driven by spatially and temporally heterogeneous synaptic input. These results highlight the role of dendritic computations in synchronized network oscillations.

The potential of flipped classroom instruction was undertaken to enhance the performance of students in learning electrochemistry. This study was to investigate the effects of the Flipped Classroom Model (FCM) on students’ performance in electrochemistry as well as their general perceptions. The study used a quasi-experimental method that utilized pre-test-post-test nonequivalent groups design. Students’ perception of FCM was based on a questionnaire. Results of the independent t-test noted that there was a significant difference between the two groups (t (26) =-2.281, p-value=0.031). The results suggested that the Flipped Classroom Group and Conventional Classroom Group are incomparable in terms of performance in electrochemistry after the intervention. The experimental group has a medium gain while the control group has a low gain as reflected by the normalized gain (Hake factor) values of 0.45 (SD = 8.32) and 0.22 (SD = 6.48), respectively. This only means that flipped classroom instruction has a generally positive effect on the achievement of students in learning electrochemistry. The students’ perceptions were positive. Students perceived that FCM helped them understand the concepts in electrochemistry easily. They also suggested that FCM was enjoyable, timely, and engaging. Lastly, the majority of the students agreed about the use of Flipped classroom instruction as an effective way to learn electrochemistry.

Integrated or thematic learning of science at the school level must continue to be improved. The purpose of this study was to improve the learning outcomes of science students in themes 6 and 7 on the topic of Biology through the use of video. The research method used in this study was classroom action research with 2 cycles. This research was conducted in January-February 2019 at State Elementary School 02 Jatimulya (SDN Jatimulya 02), Bekasi. The number of samples used was 36 students. Science learning outcomes of Biology topics after being given a learning video experienced an increase, although not large, while a gain score of 0.14 with a low gain score criteria. In conclusion, there was an increase in science learning outcomes on the topic of Biology after being given a learning video.

In this note, we investigate the stabilization of discrete-time linear systems with an unknown time-varying delay. Existing literature on the stabilization of time-delay systems require some knowledge, such as an upper bound, of the delay. In this paper, by proposing a switched low-gain feedback control law, we are able to achieve asymptotic stabilization of the system without any knowledge of the delay. In addition, the proposed switched low-gain feedback law also significantly improves the closed-loop system performance in terms of overshoot and convergence speed in comparison with the traditional fixed gain design. Simulation study illustrates the effectiveness of our theoretical results.

This paper aims to give an overview of the current status of this technology. The most interesting approaches for future 4-dimensional tracking applications based on the LGAD technology will be presented here. In addition, the latest results on the performance after irradiation of standard LGADs will be reviewed too.

Strip helix antennas offer better performance at wide bandwidth and more compact in size than conventional helix antennas. However, strip helix antennas have a relatively low gain compared to conventional helix antennas. In this paper, a strip helix antenna with 2.4 GHz frequency was designed, simulated, fabricated, and measured. This strip helix antenna was added with several parasitic rings, and its ground plane size was reduced to increase the gain value and its performance. The best simulation results according to the desired parameters were with return loss < -10 dB of -10.366 dB, VSWR < 2 of 1.8702, and directional radiation pattern of 66.5° beamwidth angle. However, the gain did not match with the desired parameters > 12 dB with the result of 8.9612 dB. Measured results showed that the helix strip antenna has a return loss of -10.37 dB and VSWR of 1.870. The parasitic rings addition can increase the strip helix antenna gain of 0.0201 dB and improves performances of return loss, VSWR, and bandwidth. Despite that, the ground plane size reduction actually decreases the gain value.

The narrow bandwidth and low gain performances of a reflectarray are generally improved at the cost of high design complexity, which is not a good sign for high-frequency operation. A dual resonance asymmetric patch reflectarray antenna with a single layer is proposed in this work for 5G communication at 26 GHz. The asymmetric patch is developed from a square patch by tilting its one vertical side by a carefully optimized inclination angle. A progressive phase range of 650&deg, is acquired by embedding a circular ring slot in the ground plane of the proposed element for gain improvement. A 332-element, center feed reflectarray is designed and tested, where its high cross polarization is suppressed by mirroring the orientation of asymmetric patches on its surface. The asymmetric patch reflectarray offers a 3 dB gain bandwidth of 3 GHz, which is 4.6% wider than the square patch reflectarray. A maximum measured gain of 24.4 dB has been achieved with an additional feature of dual linear polarization. Simple design with wide bandwidth and high-gain of asymmetric patch reflectarray make it suitable to be used in 5G communications at high frequencies.

This paper represents the clinical decision support system for video head impulse test (vHIT) based on fuzzy inference system. It examines the eye and head movement recorded by the eye movement tracking device, calculates the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain, and applies fuzzy inference system to output the normality and artifact index of the test result. The position VOR gain and the proportion of covert and overt catch-up saccades (CUS) within the dataset are used as the input of the inference system. In addition, this system yields one more factor, the artifact index, which represents the current interference in the dataset. Data of fifteen vestibular neuritis patients and two of normal subjects were evaluated. The artifact index appears to be very high in the lesion side of vestibular neuritis (VN) patients, indicating highly theoretical contradictions, which are low gain but without CUS, or normal gain with the appearance of CUS. Both intact side and normal subject show high normality and low artifact index, even though the intact side has slightly lower normality and higher artifact index. In conclusion, this is a robust system, which is the first one that takes gain and CUS into account, to output not only the normality of the vHIT dataset, but also the artifacts.

Purpose: To evaluate the role of DTI & MRS complemented by rotatory chair technique in vestibular cortex assessment in vestibulopathy patients with normal brain MRI. Patient & method: The study was carried on 40 persons, 15 control group and 25 study group. Their age ranging from (50â75) years, they all subjected to Conventional MRI, Diffusion tensor imaging and MRS of the right operculum. Results: 5 cases gave very low gain with immeasurable phase and symmetry. They show abnormal MRI finding and were excluded from our study, 20 cases showed low gain with measurable levels of phase & symmetry. 15 cases show high level of asymmetry with DTI results as follow decreased FA in cerebellar peduncle (3 cases) right operculum (7 cases) denoting central affection, 5 cases showed normal DTI making it most probably peripheral vestibular affection variable level of asymmetry were seen in 5 patients, combined decreased FA in cerebellar peduncles & right operculum with thinning of the CST (2 cases), combined decreased FA in cerebellar peduncles & right operculum without thinning of the CST (1 cases), right operculum affection associated with thinning of the CST (2 case). Decreased NAA & NAA/Cr was seen in 5 patients. Conclusion: Combined radiological & audiological examinations are advised for evaluation of the problematic vestibulopathy to differentiate whether the cause is central and/or peripheral injury. Keywords: DTI, Vestibulopathy, Fraction anisotropy

In this study, the authors investigate the semi-global leader-following consensus problem of multi-agent systems in the presence of both position saturation and bounded rate disturbances. Each follower agent is described by a general linear dynamic with actuator position saturation and rate disturbances. Based on low-gain feedback design technique and integral sliding mode, discontinuous and continuous control protocols are developed. It is established that semi-global leader-following consensus can be achieved under the assumptions that the system is asymptotically null controllable with bounded controls and the leader agent has a directed path to every follower agent. Simulations are presented to illustrate the results.

In the past few years, there has been growing interest in the development of silicon sensors able to simultaneously measure accurately the time of passage and the position of impinging charged particles. In this contribution, a review of the progresses in the design of UFSD (Ultra-Fast Silicon Detectors) sensors, manufactured at the FBK (Fondazione Bruno Kessler) Foundry, aiming at tracking charged particles in 4 dimensions, is presented. The state-of-the-art UFSD sensors, with excellent timing capability, are planned to be used in both ATLAS and CMS experiments detector upgrade, in order to reduce the background due to the presence of overlapping events in the same bunch crossing. The latest results on sensors characterization including time resolution, radiation resistance and uniformity of the response are here summarized, pointing out the interplay between the design of the gain layer and the UFSD performances. The research is now focusing on the maximization of the sensor fill factor, to be able to reduce the pixel size, exploring the implementation of shallow trenches for the pixel isolation and the development of resistive AC-coupled UFSD sensors. In conclusion, a brief review on research paths tailored for detection of low energy X-rays or for low material budget applications is given.

A silicon 3D detector with a single cell of 50 × 50 μ m2 was produced and evaluated for timing applications. The measurements of time resolution were performed for 90Sr electrons with dedicated electronics used also for determining time resolution of Low Gain Avalanche Detectors (LGADs). The measurements were compared to those with LGADs and also simulations. The studies showed that the dominant contribution to the timing resolution comes from the time walk originating from different induced current shapes for hits over the cell area. This contribution decreases with higher bias voltages, lower temperatures and smaller cell sizes. It is around 30 ps for a 3D detector of 50 × 50 μ m2 cell at 150 V and − 20 °C, which is comparable to the time walk due to Landau fluctuations in LGADs. It even improves for inclined tracks and larger pads composed of multiple cells. A good agreement between measurements and simulations was obtained, thus validating the simulation results.

A five-level LLC resonant converter is proposed, which is composed of two three-level (TL) bridge arms, main/auxiliary transformers, resonant elements and a set of rectifier bridge. The DC side and AC side of the two TL bridge arms are parallel connected and serial connected, respectively. With different modulation methods, the converter has three different operation modes with low, medium and high voltage gains. Compared with the traditional TL LLC resonant converter, it has lower switching frequency and higher efficiency at low gain mode. Using the same resonant parameters, it has a higher voltage gain and is more suitable for wide output range. A prototype with 90–220 V output was built. The measured efficiency of the new topology was 1.9% higher than that of the traditional topology at low voltage gain mode, and three gain modes were validated.

The CMS MIP Timing Detector, proposed for the HL-LHC upgrade, will be instrumented with O(10) square meters of ultra-fast Silicon detectors (UFSD) in the forward region. These UFSDs are aimed at measuring the time of passage of each track with a precision of about 30 ps. The sensor that will be used for this task is the low gain avalanche detectors (LGAD). In this contri- bution, we will present the latest results from laboratory measurements on 50 and 35 μm thick LGADs fabricated by CNM, in the framework of the AIDA-2020 project. We will concentrate on the timing performance of the sensors. Additionally the electrical characterisation of the sensor will be discussed.

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-10T17:35:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-07-01 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) The study evaluated the effect of gain rates during the growing phase and the possible interaction with finishing phase forage allowance in beef cattle. In Exp. 1, eighty Nellore cattle (386 +/- 7.90 kg; divided into 16 paddocks) were used in a randomized block design in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: (1) gain rate during the growing phase (low and high); (2) forage allowance during the finishing phase (low and high). In Exp. 2, twelve cannulated animals were used to evaluate ruminal parameters at the finishing phase. The animals were supplemented (2% of body weight [BW]) during 112 days. The average forage mass was 6507 and 2712 kg DM/ha, resulting in a forage allowance of 2.91 and 1.31 kg DM/kg BW, respectively, for high and low supply. In Exp. 1, there was interaction among factors (P = 0.01) for average daily gain (ADG): low gain rate animals that were finished on high forage allowance had an ADG 0.203 kg/day greater than average of other treatments (0.917 kg/day). Animals with a high gain rate in the growing phase started the finishing phase 51.5 kg heavier than low gain rate animals; this difference dropped to 35.5 kg in final BW (P < 0.01). In terms of the carcass, this difference was 27 kg at the beginning and dropped to 25 kg at the final carcass weight (P < 0.01). In Exp. 2, the acetate concentration at the end was higher for animals fed high forage allowance compared to low. However, propionate concentration was higher for animals fed low forage allowance compared to high (P = 0.01). Our results showed that the growing phase influences performance during the finishing phase; however, forage allowance with high supplementation at the finishing phase had negligible effects under these experimental conditions. Univ Estadual Paulista, Fac Ciencias Agr & Vet, Via Acesso, BR-14884900 Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil Agencia Paulista Tecnol Agronegocios APTA, Ave Rui Barbosa,Caixa Postal 35, BR-14770000 Colina, SP, Brazil Ctr Univ Fundacao Educ Barretos, Prof Roberto Frade Monte 389, BR-14783226 Barretos, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Fac Ciencias Agr & Vet, Via Acesso, BR-14884900 Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil FAPESP: 2017/50339-5 FAPESP: 2018/20176-0 FAPESP: 2014/05510-0

Summary Bacterial chemotaxis is a major testing ground for systems biology, including the role of fluctuations and individual variation. Individual bacteria vary in their tumbling frequency and adaptation time. Recently, large cell-cell variation was also discovered in chemotaxis gain, which determines the sensitivity of the tumbling rate to attractant gradients. Variation in gain is puzzling, because low gain impairs chemotactic velocity. Here, we provide a functional explanation for gain variation by establishing a formal analogy between chemotaxis and algorithms for sampling probability distributions. We show that temporal fluctuations in gain implement simulated tempering, which allows sampling of attractant distributions with many local peaks. Periods of high gain allow bacteria to detect and climb gradients quickly, and periods of low gain allow them to move to new peaks. Gain fluctuations thus allow bacteria to thrive in complex environments, and more generally they may play an important functional role for organism navigation., Graphical abstract, Highlights • High chemotaxis gain impairs patch crossing, whereas low gain impairs peak localization • Stochastic switching between low and high gain periods provides a superior strategy • Stochastic strategy is analogous to simulated tempering sampling algorithm • Simulated tempering may be a widespread principle for efficient navigation, Biological sciences; Microbiology; Bioinformatics; Mathematical biosciences; Systems biology

When perceiving rich sensory information, some people may integrate its various aspects, whereas other people may selectively focus on its most salient aspects. We propose that neural gain modulates the trade-off between breadth and selectivity, such that high gain focuses perception on those aspects of the information that have the strongest, most immediate influence, whereas low gain allows broader integration of different aspects. We illustrate our hypothesis using a neural-network model of ambiguous-letter perception. We then report an experiment demonstrating that, as predicted by the model, pupil-diameter indices of higher gain are associated with letter perception that is more selectively focused on the letter’s shape or, if primed, its semantic content. Finally, we report a recognition-memory experiment showing that the relationship between gain and selective processing also applies when the influence of different stimulus features is voluntarily modulated by task demands.

The University of Torino (UniTO) and the National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN-TO) are investigating the use of Ultra Fast Silicon Detectors (UFSD) for beam monitoring in radiobiological experiments with therapeutic proton beams. The single particle identification approach of solid state detectors aims at increasing the sensitivity and reducing the response time of the conventional monitoring devices, based on gas detectors. Two prototype systems are being developed to count the number of beam particles and to measure the beam energy with time-of-flight (ToF) techniques. The clinically driven precision (< 1%) in the number of particles delivered and the uncertainty < 1 mm in the depth of penetration (range) in radiobiological experiments (up to 108 protons/s fluxes) are the goals to be pursued. The future translation into clinics would allow the implementation of faster and more accurate treatment modalities, nowadays prevented by the limits of state-of-the-art beam monitors. The experimental results performed with clinical proton beams at CNAO (Centro Nazionale di Adroterapia Oncologica, Pavia) and CPT (Centro di Protonterapia, Trento) showed a counting inefficiency 2, and a deviation of few hundreds of keV of measured beam energies with respect to nominal ones. The progresses of the project are reported.

The CMS detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider is undergoing an extensive Phase II upgrade programme to prepare for the challenging conditions of the High-Luminosity LHC. In particular, a new timing detector, the MTD, will measure minimum ionizing particles with a time resolution of 30–50 ps and hermetic coverage up to a pseudo-rapidity of | η | = 3 . The MTD will consist of a central barrel region based on L(Y)SO:Ce crystals read out with SiPMs and two end-caps instrumented with radiation-tolerant low gain avalanche detectors. The precision time information from the MTD will reduce the effects of the high levels of pile-up expected at the High-Luminosity LHC and will bring new and unique capabilities to the CMS detector. The time information assigned to each track will enable the use of 4D reconstruction algorithms and will further discriminate interaction vertices within the same bunch crossing to recover the track purity of vertices in current LHC conditions. We present the motivations for precision timing at the High-Luminosity LHC, the overall detector design and technological choices including ongoing R&D studies targeting enhanced timing performance and radiation tolerance.

Q-switched lasers operating at wavelengths around 2 µm have many applications including materials processing and LIDAR. However, the low gain of the quasi-three-level gain media available at 2 µm can lead to problems with pulse-to-pulse fluctuations in their output, known as jitter. Here we present a methodology for characterising the level of jitter in a Q-switched laser and apply it to a Tm:YAP system. We also look at the causes of jitter and evaluate some methods of reducing it. The methodology developed here will aid in the development and characterisation of Q-switched lasers at any wavelength.

The Kohnstamm phenomenon is a prolonged involuntary aftercontraction following a sustained voluntary isometric muscle contraction. The control principles of the Kohnstamm have been investigated using mechanical perturbations, but previous studies could not dissociate sensorimotor responses to perturbation from effects of gravity. We induced a horizontal, gravity-independent Kohnstamm movement around the shoulder joint, and applied resistive or assistive torques of 0.5 Nm after 20° angular displacement. A No perturbation control condition was included. Further, participants made velocity-matched voluntary movements, with or without similar perturbations, yielding a 2 × 3 factorial design. Resistive perturbations produced an increase in agonist electromyography (EMG), in both Kohnstamm and voluntary movements, while assistive perturbations produced a decrease. While overall Kohnstamm EMGs were greater than voluntary EMGs, the EMG responses to perturbation, when expressed as a percentage of unperturbed EMG activity, were significantly smaller during Kohnstamm movements than during voluntary movements. The results suggest that the Kohnstamm aftercontraction involves a central drive, coupled with low-gain servo control by a negative feedback loop between afferent input and a central motor command. The combination of strong efferent drive with low reflex gain may characterize involuntary control of postural muscles. Our results question traditional accounts involving purely reflexive mechanisms of postural maintenance. They also question existing high-gain, peripheral accounts of the Kohnstamm phenomenon, as well as accounts involving a central adaptation interacting with muscle receptors via a positive force feedback loop.

Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK, Trento, Italy) has recently delivered its first 50 $\mu$m thick production of Ultra-Fast Silicon Detectors (UFSD), based on the Low-Gain Avalanche Diode design. These sensors use high resistivity Si-on-Si substrates, and have a variety of gain layer doping profiles and designs based on Boron, Gallium, Carbonated Boron and Carbonated Gallium to obtain a controlled multiplication mechanism. Such variety of gain layers will allow identifying the most radiation hard technology to be employed in the production of UFSD, to extend their radiation resistance beyond the current limit of $\phi \sim$ 10$^{15}$ n$_{eq}$/cm$^2$. In this paper, we present the characterisation, the timing performances, and the results on radiation damage tolerance of this new FBK production., Comment: 16 pages, 13 figures, 11th International "Hiroshima" Symposium on the Development and Application of Semiconductor Tracking Detectors (HSTD11) in conjunction with 2nd Workshop on SOI Pixel Detectors (SOIPIX2017) at OIST, Okinawa, Japan, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A (2018)

It is known that the choice of gain ( ${K}$ ) in the Sandia frequency shift (SFS) scheme has direct impacts on the stability of a system with grid-connected distributed generations (DGs). In this paper, a scheduled perturbation technique is proposed to reduce the stability impact of ${K}$ . In the proposed technique, chopping fraction ( cf ) is used to compensate for reduction in the value of ${K}$ , where higher cf values are used to achieve zero nondetection zone (NDZ) under low gain SFS. It is shown by analysis that theoretical reduction of NDZ can be always achieved for a nonzero value of cf . Simulations for single- and multi-DGs systems are performed to verify the analytical analysis. It is shown that an appropriate design of scheduled signal duty cycle ( ${d}$ ) is of critical importance to realize the proposed reduction in NDZ. While close synchronization of perturbation signals for multi-DG system is required, a delay of 0.33 s is shown to be tolerated for a two-DG system. Synchronization can be achieved either through locally synchronized timers or by limited communication among DGs. The proposed technique provides an attractive option for systems with high DG penetration by reducing the negative impact of ${K}$ on stability.

We introduce a double-sided variant of low gain avalanche detector, suitable for pixel arrays without dead-area in between the different read-out elements. TCAD simulations were used to validate the device concept and predict its performance. Different design options and selected simulation results are presented, along with the proposed fabrication process.

A new gaseous active target based on a time projection chamber, named CAT, is introduced. The remarkable feature is a dual gain THGEM to decrease the effective gain for the beam particles while keeping a high enough effective gain for the recoil particles. The measured effective gain of low gain region was a factor of one hundred smaller than that of high gain region. This technique provides a wide dynamic range in order to detect both the beam and recoil particles at the same time even with a very high intensity beam of more than 105 Hz.

This study addresses the semi-global consensus of linear multi-agent systems with a virtual leader, in which the control input of each agent is subject to periodically intermittent saturating actuator. Depending on multiple Lyapunov stability theorem and applying the algebraic-Riccati-equation-based low-gain feedback technique, the authors can obtain that: when the control width is larger than a fixed value, a connected system with each agent being asymptotically null controllable with bounded controls and marginally stable can guarantee the semi-global consensus of multi-agent systems with a virtual leader. Numerical simulations verify the author's theoretical analysis.

[EN] This paper evaluates the accuracy of shoreline positions obtained from the infrared (IR) bands of Landsat 7, Landsat 8, and Sentinel-2 imagery on natural beaches. A workflow for sub-pixel shoreline extraction, already tested on seawalls, is used. The present work analyzes the behavior of that workflow and resultant shorelines on a micro-tidal (, The authors appreciate the financial support provided by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness in the framework of project CGL2015-69906-R. This study is part of the Ph.D. dissertation of the second author, which is supported by a grant from the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports (I+D+i 2013-2016). The authors are extremely grateful to different reviewers and editors of this work because their observations and suggestions have improved the final article a lot.

Body weight response to periods of feed restriction and realimentation is critical and relevant to the agricultural industry. The purpose of this study was to evaluate differentially expressed genes identified in subcutaneous adipose tissue collected from cows divergent in body weight (BW) gain after feed restriction and realimentation. We compared adipose samples from cows with greater gain based on average daily gain (ADG) during realimentation with samples from cows with lesser gain. Specifically, there were four comparisons including two comparing the high and low gain animals across each feeding period (feed restriction and realimentation) and two that compared differences in feed restriction and realimentation across high or low gain classifications. Using microarray analysis, we provide a set of differentially expressed genes identified between the high and low gain at both periods of nutrient restriction and realimentation. These data identify multiple differentially expressed genes between these two phenotypes across both nutritional environments. Keywords: Beef cows, Subcutaneous fat, Transcriptome

International audience; Objective. To compensate for a limb lost in an amputation, myoelectric prostheses use surface electromyography (EMG) from the remaining muscles to control the prosthesis. Despite considerable progress, myoelectric controls remain markedly di↵erent from the way we normally control movements, and require intense user adaptation. To overcome this, our goal is to explore concurrent machine co-adaptation techniques that are developed in the field of brain-machine interface, and that are beginning to be used in myoelectric controls. Approach. We combined a simplified myoelectric control with a perturbation for which human adaptation is well characterized and modeled, in order to explore co-adaptation settings in a principled manner. Results. First, we reproduced results obtained in a classical visuomotor rotation paradigm in our simplified myoelectric context, where we rotate the muscle pulling vectors used to reconstruct wrist force from EMG. Then, a model of human adaptation in response to directional error was used to simulate various co-adaptation settings, where perturbations and machine co-adaptation are both applied on muscle pulling vectors. These simulations established that a relatively low gain of machine co-adaptation that minimizes final errors generates slow and incomplete adaptation, while higher gains increase adaptation rate but also errors by amplifying noise. After experimental verification on real subjects, we tested a variable gain that cumulates the advantages of both, and implemented it with directionally tuned neurons similar to those used to model human adaptation. This enables machine co-adaptation to locally improve myoelectric control, and to absorb more challenging perturbations. Significance. The simplified context used here enabled to explore co-adaptation settings in both simulations and experiments, and to raise important considerations such as the need for a variable gain encoded locally. The benefits and limits of extending this approach to more complex and functional myoelectric contexts are discussed. Model and experiments to optimize co-adaptation in a simplified myoelectric control system2

Saccadic eye movements sample the visual world and ensure high acuity across the visual field. To compensate for delays in processing, saccades to moving targets require predictions: The eyes must intercept the target's future position to then pursue its direction of motion. Although prediction is crucial to voluntary pursuit, it is unclear whether it is an obligatory feature of saccade planning. Saccade planning involves an involuntary enhanced processing of the target, called presaccadic attention. Does this presaccadic attention recruit smooth eye movements automatically? To test this, we had human participants perform a saccade to one of four apertures, which were static, but each contained a random dot field with motion tangential to the required saccade. In this task, saccades were deviated along the direction of target motion, and the eyes exhibited a following response upon saccade landing. This postsaccadic following response (PFR) increased with spatial uncertainty of the target position and persisted even when we removed the motion stimulus in midflight of the saccade, confirming that it relied on presaccadic information. Motion from 50-100 ms prior to the saccade had the strongest influence on PFR, consistent with the time course of perceptual enhancements reported in presaccadic attention. Finally, the PFR magnitude related linearly to the logarithm of stimulus velocity and generally had low gain, similar to involuntary ocular following movements commonly observed after sudden motion onsets. These results suggest that presaccadic attention selects motion features of targets predictively, presumably to ensure successful immediate tracking of saccade targets in motion.

This article was written to explain the suitability between the scores of advance learning activities achieved by students with the "gain score" from the results of the pre-test and post-test of HOTS questions. Advance learning activities include, 1)analyzing, 2)communicating/dialogue, 3)discussing/collaborating. Whereas HOTS question is a question that testing students’ creativity and strategy in solving problems and is at the level of C4 (analyzing), C5 (evaluating) and C6 (Creating). EXO OLO TASK Learning Model was applied in this quasi-experimental research for four meetings in class X IS 1. The model was practiced by a model teacher and learning activity data was collected by six observers. The suitability was obtained by percentage analysis and strengthened by correlation test with the help of SPSS version 20. The results showed that, 1) during learning, all students showed consistent basic learning activities; 2) most students had a "gain score" in the medium category. While 24.13% of students were able to reach high categories and only 6.89% of students with low gain scores, 3) 65.51% of students had scores of learning activities that match the "gain score" and 34, 48% did not. The implementation of this model has only been applied in one class and one school so that it is necessary to implement it in broader classes and schools.

This paper investigates the problem of leader-following consensus of a linear multi-agent system on a switching network. The input of each agent is subject to saturation. Low gain feedback based distributed consensus protocols are developed. It is established that, under the assumptions that each agent is asymptotically null controllable with bounded controls and that the network is connected or jointly connected, semi-global leader-following consensus of the multi-agent system can be achieved. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate this result.

In this paper, the on-body propagation performance measured totally wirelessly with 4-mm-thick and 50 $\,\times\,$ 50 mm size textile monopole antennas is presented. At a relatively low operating frequency 867 MHz, with small size, low gain textile antennas mean channel gain values from $-$ 47 to $-$ 56 dB including the antenna performances were recorded in various on-body propagation scenarios. The majority of the recorded links could be well described with the Nakagami distribution.

Six configurations are proposed in this paper to explore the gain and noise figure (NF) variations under the pumping power effect. I propose a new investigation of gain and NF at different EDFA configurations. Configurations such as SPSS, DPSS, DPSSF, TPDS, TPDSF, and QPDSF are designed, investigated and compared. A continuous progress of gain values is observed from SPSS to QPDSF, and a change of NF values related to configurations is recorded. The NF variations show different behaviors at different configurations. High gain of 59.49 dB and low NF value of 4.22 dB are recorded for the QPDSF configuration and low gain and low NF are recorded for the SPSS configuration.

Microstrip patch antenna (MPA) is suitable for different applications in wireless communications. MPA suffers from low gain and narrow bandwidth. In this paper we improved its bandwidth by inserting multiple slots in its ground plane. We used FR-4 substrate to design this antenna. The dimensions of this antenna are 60mm and 80mm. The dielectric constant is equal to 4.4 and the height is 1.6mm. We inserted up to 12 slots in ground plane with 1mm width. The spacing between slots is 3mm slots were arranged parallel to the feeding line. Simulation was done using HFSS simulator.

For stabilization of linear systems subject to input saturation, there exist four different approaches of low-gain design all of which are independently proposed in the literature, namely direct eigenstructure assignment, H2 and Hoo algebraic Riccati equation (ARE) based methods, and parametric Lyapunov equation based method. It is shown in Wang et al. [2010b] that for continuous-time linear systems, all these methods are rooted in and can be unified under two fundamental control theories, H2 and Hoo theory. In this paper, we extend such a result to a discrete-time setting. Both the H2 and Hoo ARE based methods are generalized to consider systems where all input channels are not necessarily subject to saturation, and explicit design methods are developed.

Desde la perspectiva de la educación basada en competencias, en México, el pertenecer al Sistema Nacional de Bachillerato implica la adopción de estrategias orientadas y centradas en las necesidades de los estudiantes. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la eficacia en el aula de la academia de Física de la Escuela Preparatoria de Tonalá, Jalisco, México, para el logro de actitudes favorables hacia la física y el aprendizaje del concepto de fuerza. Para ello, fue necesario el uso de los factores de concentración y de Hake, con la finalidad de conocer las tendencias en las respuestas y la ganancia en el aprendizaje de conceptos, respectivamente. Los datos fueron obtenidos a partir de la aplicación de dos cuestionarios, la encuesta sobre expectativas hacia la física y la prueba inventario sobre el concepto de fuerza, a alumnos de los cursos de Física I y Mecánica de materiales cerámicos, impartidos en el Bachillerato General por Competencias, durante el primer semestre, y en el Bachillerato Tecnológico en Cerámica, durante el segundo ciclo. El resultado del análisis da información de la baja zona de ganancia en el aprendizaje del concepto de fuerza (G = 0.000 1). El avance en el porcentaje de respuestas favorables hacia la física fue pequeño (1.2 %) en ambos programas de bachillerato, y además hubo una disminución de la pre-prueba a la post-prueba de la actitud favorable en tres grupos. Los patrones de respuesta en la zona aleatoria sugieren que los estudiantes tienen dificultad con el aprendizaje de la física.

The aims of this study were to investigate the improvement of student achievement after given DI model. This research used quasi experimental research. The data collection technique was include test methods for data for student achievement. The data was analyzed using n-gain analyzed (before-after analyzed). Based on these results it can be concluded there is improvement of student achievement after given DI model. The result of the normalized gain score analysis obtained 2 students (6.25%) got high gain score, 14 students (43,75%) got medium gain score and 16 student (50%) got low gain score and overall average gain score students of 0.26 are categorized as low.

To investigate vestibuloocular reflex (VOR) adaptation produced by changes in peripheral vestibular afference, we developed and tested a vestibular “prosthesis” that senses yaw-axis angular head velocity and uses this information to modulate the rate of electrical pulses applied to the lateral canal ampullary nerve. The ability of the brain to adapt the different components of the VOR (gain, phase, axis, and symmetry) during chronic prosthetic electrical stimulation was studied in two squirrel monkeys. After characterizing the normal yaw-axis VOR, electrodes were implanted in both lateral canals and the canals were plugged. The VOR in the canal-plugged/instrumented state was measured and then unilateral stimulation was applied by the prosthesis. The VOR was repeatedly measured over several months while the prosthetic stimulation was cycled between off, low-sensitivity, and high-sensitivity stimulation states. The VOR response initially demonstrated a low gain, abnormal rotational axis, and substantial asymmetry. During chronic stimulation the gain increased, the rotational axis improved, and the VOR became more symmetric. Gain changes were augmented by cycling the stimulation between the off and both low- and high-sensitivity states every few weeks. The VOR time constant remained low throughout the period of chronic stimulation. These results demonstrate that the brain can adaptively modify the gain, axis, and symmetry of the VOR when provided with chronic motion-modulated electrical stimulation by a canal prosthesis.