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Ultra-Low-Power Dynamic-Bias Comparators With Self-Clocked Latch in 65-nm CMOS
No full textThis article introduces two comparators featuring a dynamic-bias preamplifier and self-clocked latches, tailored for ultra-low-power and medium-speed applications with <500-µV input-referred noise (IRN). The proposed self-clocked latches are activated by the preamplifier outputs and therefore operate with a lower common-mode current, which in turn minimizes the crowbar current that is typically present during the comparison phase in conventionally clocked latches. The proposed comparators do not require an additional clock phase for the latch, thereby reducing the clock drive power consumption for systems employing multiple latches, e.g., in ADCs or memories. The absence of an additional clock phase for latching makes them robust toward clock skews, similar to the “StrongARM comparator.” This article also presents an exhaustive overview of the prior art, the “Schinkel comparator,” and its bottlenecks when optimizing for low-noise low-power applications, thereby motivating the importance of self-clocked latches for such applications. This article also discusses the noise–energy–delay design tradeoffs of the proposed dynamic-bias self-clocked (DBSC) comparators. Fabricated in a 65-nm CMOS process along with a standard Schinkel comparator, the two proposed designs exhibit an IRN of 320 and 460 µV while consuming approximately 40fJ of energy per comparison from a 1.2-V supply. The measured CLK-OUT delay stands roughly at 0.5 ns. The results indicate a 2 × enhancement in energy efficiency and a 3.7 × and 2.6 × reduction in IRN with a 2.5 × increment in CLK-OUT delay for similar differential input voltages when compared to the “Schinkel comparator.”</p
Positivity effects in self-defining memories in men and women across adulthood:different patterns between self-rated affect and content-coded meaning
No full textThe positivity effect (PE) refers to older adults’ selective attention and memory to positive over negative information. Older adults often rate their personal memories more positively and less negatively than younger people. However, findings are mixed when memory content is analysed. This study examined the PE using self-report and content-coded measures in self-defining memories (SDMs) and the role of gender in moderating the PE. A representative sample (N = 1985; 18–92 years) reported three SDMs and rated positive and negative affect toward each memory on three occasions within the one-year interval. Each memory was coded for positive and negative meaning-making. Memory valence was also coded to determine positive and negative SDMs. Multilevel analyses showed that age predicted greater positive and lower negative affect. Mixed findings emerged when meaning-making was featured. Age predicted lower positive and lower negative meaning-making in negative SDMs. Gender moderated the PE. Women showed greater age-related negativity reduction than men in negative SDMs assessed by self-rated affect. While women presented greater negative meaning-making in negative SDMs than men, the gap converged in older age. These findings were controlled for mental health symptoms. Together, this study suggests that how SDMs are felt and narrated may be two distinct processes.</p
Sensitivity Analysis for EMC and Thermal Optimization in Power Electronic Circuits
No full textDesigning power electronic (PE) circuits involves addressing the influence of parasitic elements already during the simulation phases. However, a challenge lies in a priori estimating those and understanding their influence with respect to key design objects. To enhance the performance and reliability of such circuits, sensitivity analysis (SA) can be employed to examine how input parameters affect output characteristics in different domains, including electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), thermal management, or power efficiency. This paper explores the application of SA, through computation of Cotter indices, to a three-level passive neutral-point-clamped (PNPC) inverter intended for aerospace applications. We perform SA on common mode (CM), differential mode (DM) voltage, and power losses in three different sections of the system. We show that among 82 input parameters, one can identify 10 most influential parameters to guide design efforts in finding optima in the multi-domain design space of electromagnetic interference (EMI) and thermal management
From green consumption to carbon inclusion:An examination of the Chinese government's adoption and implementation of climate policies
No full textThis study examines carbon inclusion as an innovative policy mechanism for addressing consumer-side emissions within industrial ecosystems. Carbon inclusion quantifies and incentivizes individual low-carbon behaviors, bridging consumer choices and industrial transformation. Using longitudinal analysis of China's green consumption and carbon inclusion policies (2013–2024), combined with text mining and expert interviews, we investigate how carbon inclusion complements broader green consumption initiatives. Findings reveal that green consumption policies focused on a wide range of themes, while carbon inclusion policies emphasized digital platforms, emission reduction projects, and public participation, forming market-oriented connections between consumer behavior and industrial systems. While green consumption relies on regulatory and economic instruments across diverse themes, carbon inclusion emphasizes network-based and communicative approaches to foster climate engagement. It extends industrial ecology into consumption by translating individual behaviors in areas like transport, food, and housing into measurable carbon credits circulating within the economy. Implementation across multiple Chinese cities demonstrates various governance models, including those led by government, financial institutions, and enterprises. Both policy types could benefit from innovative instruments such as green nudges to increase effectiveness. Carbon inclusion represents a promising framework for integrating individual actions with industrial ecology, contributing to a sustainable system transformation by linking behavior change with structural shifts.</p
A Three-Level Interleaved VSI with Active Fourth Leg for CMV Mitigation in Aerospace Applications
No full textThis paper presents a three-level parallel and PWM interleaved voltage source inverter with an active fourth leg (3LFVSI) for aerospace applications. The proposed topology effectively mitigates common-mode voltage (CMV), thereby reducing electromagnetic interference (EMI) while ensuring high system efficiency. The study presents a comprehensive analysis of the operational principles, modulation strategies, and circuit configurations of the 3LFVSI. Simulation results demonstrate its effectiveness in reducing high-frequency noise and common mode current while significantly improving harmonic distortion. Additionally, the analysis highlights the fourth leg's role in synchronizing the CMV, enabling effective cancellation and enhancing overall system performance. The results confirm that the proposed topology reduces EMI noise while maintaining high efficiency in high-speed motor drive systems for more electric aircraft
Possibilities of Self-Healing UHF RFID Sensor Tags in Biomedical and Bionic Applications
No full textSelf-healing functional polymers, composites, and blends have the potential to provide cutting-edge solutions for fully soft and elastic electronics, antennas and sensors, enabling them to spontaneously heal themselves. It is expected that multifunctional self-healing polymers will have several paradigm shifting applications in biomedicine and bionics, such as self-healing electronic skin (eSkin) and self-healing wireless biomedical implants. In these systems, RFID-based communication methods will provide an important development platform. The work presented in this paper provides proof-ofconcept in the development of self-healing antennas, sensors and electronics. In addition to the first prototypes of self-healing tag antennas, we have demonstrated direct attachment of the RFID IC strap to the antenna without any additional adhesives. Future work will focus on improving the self-healing material properties and developing interdisciplinary self-healing sensor applications utilizing RFID-based communication methods. We also discuss the future avenues for self-healing eSkin systems and bionic implants integrating human cells and self-healing polymer for regenerative tissue engineering
Impact of land use land cover change on catchment hydrological response in 576 Iranian catchments
No full textLand use and land cover (LULC) changes significantly impact hydrological processes in semi-arid regions like Iran, where national-scale studies are scarce. This study assesses LULC change impacts from 2001 to 2022 on runoff and hydrological drought across Iran's 576 catchments (410,000 km2) using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool Plus (SWAT+). This analysis employs a novel SWAT + framework integrating crop-specific calibrations (e.g., wheat, barley, rice), human interventions (e.g., irrigation, reservoir operations, interbasin diversions), and Curve Number (CN) dynamics, achieving robust performance (NSE: 0.50–0.88; KGE: 0.51–0.90). Evergreen forest loss (4.8 %–2.8 %) and agricultural expansion (20 %–27.8 %) increased annual runoff by 1.21 mm/month, with a 2.7 mm/month rise during the March–May rainy season, driven by 10–15 % reduced canopy interception and 5–10 % CN increases in arid catchments. Hydrological drought frequency rose 15 % in western and central catchments, with duration extending 1.2–1.8 months and severity increasing 5 %, linked to higher surface runoff (1.5–2.7 mm/month). Impacts were pronounced in arid and semi-arid regions (150–300 mm/year precipitation). This study advances LULC impact assessments by integrating runoff and drought analyses with CN dynamics, offering policy strategies like reforestation and precision irrigation for sustainable water management in semi-arid environments
A randomized controlled trial testing the effects of sequential psychotherapy in depression:Changing therapist, or both therapist and method?
No full textBackground This study examined the effectiveness of sequential psychotherapy strategies for adults with major depressive disorder who did not respond to an initial course of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or short-term psychodynamic supportive psychotherapy (SPSP). Methods In this randomized controlled trial, conducted in specialized mental health care in the Netherlands, from 185 non-responders from an initial 16-session treatment phase, 163 were randomly assigned 1:1:1 to one of three conditions: continuing treatment with the same therapist, switching to a different therapist, or switching both therapist and treatment method. All participants were offered an additional 16 sessions over eight weeks. The primary outcome was depressive symptom severity, measured using the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology – Self Report (IDS-SR) in the intention-to-treat sample. Results All groups showed a modest but statistically significant reduction in depressive symptoms after the second treatment phase (mean change −5.23, 95 % CI -7.27 to −3.12, Cohen's d = 0.29). However, no significant differences in symptom reduction, response, or remission rates were found between the three treatment strategies. Conclusions Continuing psychotherapy after initial non-response leads to modest improvements in depressive symptoms. Switching therapist or both therapist and method does not appear to offer additional benefit, but also does not hinder outcomes. These findings suggest that there is no one-size-fits-all switching strategy that is suitable for all non-responders. Trial registration Both phases of the study were approved by the medical ethics committee of Medical Centre Leeuwarden (METC: RTPO970, registration number NL 56047.099.16, July 21th 2016) and the trial was registered with the Netherlands Trial Register (NL5753).</p
Telling the transition:Citizen perspectives and communication approaches in the Dutch energy transition
No full textFollowing the Paris Agreement, the transition to a more sustainable energy system has become a cornerstone of Dutch climate policy. This transition depends on widespread public engagement: people are increasingly expected to take ownership of their energy production and consumption, and policymakers rely on citizen support to legitimize emerging agendas. Yet many citizens report dissatisfaction with, or disconnect from, the transition process. In response, communication has often aimed to move people from apathy or resistance toward acceptance, treating the public as “for” or “against” the transition. This acceptance lens flattens the plurality of perspectives and obscures the normative judgments by which citizens assess what counts as a ‘good’ transition. As a result, much communication risks reinforcing, rather than resolving, dissatisfaction and disconnect. Addressing this gap calls for approaches that attend to, and resonate across, the perspectives Dutch citizens hold regarding the energy transition.This dissertation asks: What perspectives may Dutch citizens hold on the energy transition, and how can understanding these perspectives lead to more resonant communication approaches? In doing so, it advances two contributions.First, it shows that Dutch citizens do not line up along a simple pro–anti axis. Rather, they bring multiple, patterned ways of seeing the transition. Perspectives differ in (a) what they attend to, (e.g., technologies, governance, fairness, pace, landscape impacts), and (b) how they appraise those issues (e.g., as desirable or burdensome). These differences are shaped by relatively stable normative foundations, notably personal values, social identities, and ideals, which guide attention and appraisal across issues. Second, it demonstrates that one-size-fits-all communication is unlikely to foster engagement. More resonant communication acknowledges this plurality and tailors messages to citizens’ normative foundations, signalling recognition of what matters to them and why. Such tailoring does not erase disagreement nor guarantee behavioral change, but it may secure initial receptivity, reduce reactance, and create conditions for more productive, durable engagement.Overall, the dissertation reframes public engagement from “securing acceptance” to recognizing perspectives, offering a foundation for communication that is coherent, value-aware, and better aligned with communicative citizenship
3D Ultrasound Volume Reconstruction Using a CNN-Transformer Model and IMU Data
No full textThree-dimensional (3D) ultrasound (US) can enhance diagnostic and intraoperative imaging by providing volumetric insights in a non-invasive and cost-effective manner. However, most current methods rely on expensive tracking systems or 3D transducers, limiting the use in point-of-care settings. We propose a trackerless 3D US reconstruction method using a handheld US probe with an integrated inertial measurement unit (IMU) and a CNN-Transformer architecture. A dataset of 361 US sweeps from ex vivo specimens and phantoms was collected using a custom setup. The model uses Two-dimensional (2D) US images, optical flow, and IMU orientation data to predict local inter-frame and global transformations relative to the start frame. The final model achieved a mean Final Drift Ratio (FDR) of 11.63% and median FDR of 8.11% on unseen data. It accurately reconstructed 3D anatomy, enabling segmentation and visualization of structures, particularly along the x/y axes and x-axis rotation. This work demonstrates a feasible and competitive trackerless 3D US reconstruction approach, supporting future clinical use in diagnostic imaging, surgical guidance, and planning.</p