Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A floating high-voltage level-shifter with high area efficiency for biomedical implants

A major problem in State-of-the-Art digital, floating level-shifters is, that they either require a large area when employing positive feedback, or lack accuracy with respect to the floating digital supply, if an open-loop solution is used. In order to reach accurate, floating, digital supply levels, while using the area efficient, static level-shifter topology, a control-loop for the reference current is introduced. Thereby process, temperature and time related variations are compensated and the adaptive reference can be distributed to an arbitrarily large array of level-shifters. The whole architecture has been simulated, layouted and manufactured in a standard 0.18 μm HV CMOS process. Simulation results show, that the design is capable of shifting digital signals from 0/3V to a floating 6/9V and -6/-9V domain with a delay of 250 ns and 150 ns respectively. By reducing the amount of high voltage transistors and utilizing low voltage diodes in the floating voltage domain, an area of only 65 μm × 33 μm per level-shifter can be realized. This is especially advantageous for the intended application in a multichannel neural stimulator, where many level-shifters are needed to switch the dedicated functions in the floating high voltage domains. The required bias current control-loop has a simulated power consumption of only 94 μW and requires an area of 137 μm × 97 μm.
Use of proton‐transfer‐reaction mass spectrometry to characterize volatile organic compound sources at the La Porte super site during the Texas Air Quality Study 2000

[1] Proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) was deployed for continuous real-time monitoring of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at a site near the Houston Ship Channel during the Texas Air Quality Study 2000. Overall, 28 ions dominated the PTR-MS mass spectra and were assigned as anthropogenic aromatics (e.g., benzene, toluene, xylenes) and hydrocarbons (propene, isoprene), oxygenated compounds (e.g., formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone, methanol, C7 carbonyls), and three nitrogencontaining compounds (e.g., HCN, acetonitrile and acrylonitrile). Biogenic VOCs were minor components at this site. Propene was the most abundant lightweight hydrocarbon detected by this technique with concentrations up to 100+ nmol mol � 1 , and was highly correlated with its oxidation products, formaldehyde (up to � 40 nmol mol � 1 ) and acetaldehyde (up to � 80 nmol/mol), with typical ratios close to 1 in propene-dominated plumes. In the case of aromatic species the high time resolution of the obtained data set helped in identifying different anthropogenic sources (e.g., industrial from urban emissions) and testing current emission inventories. A comparison with results from complimentary techniques (gas chromatography, differential optical absorption spectroscopy) was used to assess the selectivity of this on-line technique in a complex urban and industrial VOC matrix and give an interpretation of mass scans obtained by ‘‘soft’’ chemical ionization using proton-transfer via H3O + . The method was especially valuable in monitoring rapidly changing VOC plumes which passed over the site, and when coupled with meteorological data it was possible to identify likely sources. INDEX TERMS: 0322 Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Constituent sources and sinks; 0345 Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Pollution—urban and regional (0305); 0365 Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Troposphere—composition and chemistry; KEYWORDS: PTR-MS, VOC, air quality, Houston, ozone
Stability-Indicating HPLC Method for the Simultaneous Determination of Valsartan and Ezetimibe in Pharmaceuticals

Purpose: To develop a simple, accurate, sensitive, precise and robust reverse-phase HPLC stabilityindicating method for the simultaneous estimation of valsartan and ezetimibe in combined tablet formulation. Methods: A stability indicating method for the simultaneous estimation of valsartan and ezetimibe in combined tablet formulation using a RP-HPLC was developed and validated as per ICH guidelines using a symmetry C18 column with a mobile phase comprising phosphate buffer and acetonitrile (58:42 v/v, pH 3.15) with a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min at 230 nm. Stress degradation studies were performed in acidic, alkaline, oxidation and photolysis conditions to demonstrate the stability-indicating power of the method. Results: The contents of valsartan and ezetimibe were in the range of 99.77 ± 0.10 and 99.30 ± 0.43 % in the marketed formulation, 99.77 ± 0.08 and 99.29 ± 0.38 for the test formulation, respectively. The correlation coefficient for both valsartan and ezetimibe was 0.999 and recovery was in the range of 98 – 102 %. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.2 and 0.3 µg/mL for valsartan and ezetimibe, respectively, while limit of quantification (LOQ) was 1 µg/mL for both valsartan and ezetimibe, respectively. Conclusion: The proposed method is simple, precise, accurate, reproducible, specific and reproducible used for the quantitative determination of valsartan and ezetimibe in bulk and dosage formulations.
Determination of the conformation of folding initiation sites in proteins by computer simulation

Experimental evidence and theoretical models both suggest that protein folding begins by specific short regions of the polypeptide chain intermittently assuming conformations close to their final ones. The independent folding properties and small size of these folding initiation sites make them suitable subjects for computational methods aimed at deriving structure from sequence. We have used a torsion space Monte Carlo procedure together with an all‐atom free energy function to investigate the folding of a set of such sites. The free energy function is derived by a potential of mean force analysis of experimental protein structures. The most important contributions to the total free energy are the local main chain electrostatics, main chain hydrogen bonds, and the burial of nonpolar area. Six proposed independent folding units and four control peptides 11–14 residues long have been investigated. Thirty Monte Carlo simulations were performed on each peptide, starting from different random conformations. Five of the six folding units adopted conformations close to the experimental ones in some of the runs. None of the controls did so, as expected. The generated conformations which are close to the experimental ones have among the lowest free energies encountered, although some less native like low free energy conformations were also found. The effectiveness of the method on these peptides, which have a wide variety of experimental conformations, is encouraging in two ways: First, it provides independent evidence that these regions of the sequences are able to adopt native like conformations early in folding, and therefore are most probably key components of the folding pathways. Second, it demonstrates that available simulation methods and free energy functions are able to produce reasonably accurate structures. Extensions of the methods to the folding of larger portions of proteins are suggested. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dopamine metabolism in adults with 22q11 deletion syndrome, with and without schizophrenia – relationship with COMT Val108/158 Met polymorphism, gender and symptomatology

22q11 Deletion syndrome (22q11DS) is a major risk factor for schizophrenia. In addition, both conditions are associated with alterations of the dopaminergic system. The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene, located within the deleted region, encodes for the enzyme COMT that is important for degradation of catecholamines, including dopamine (DA). COMT activity is sexually dimorphic and its gene contains a functional polymorphism, Val108/158 Met; the Met allele is associated with lower enzyme activity. We report the first controlled catecholamine study in 22q11DS-related schizophrenia. Twelve adults with 22q11DS with schizophrenia (SCZ+) and 22 adults with 22q11DS without schizophrenia (SCZ-) were genotyped for the COMT Val108/158 Met genotype. We assessed dopaminergic markers in urine and plasma. We also correlated these markers with scores on the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS). Contrary to our expectations, we found SCZ+ subjects to be more often Val hemizygous and SCZ- subjects more often Met hemizygous. Significant COMT cross gender interactions were found on dopaminergic markers. In SCZ+ subjects there was a negative correlation between prolactin levels and scores on the general psychopathology subscale of the PANSS scores. These findings suggest intriguing, but complex, interactions of the COMT Val108/158 Met polymorphism, gender and additional factors on DA metabolism, and its relationship with schizophrenia.
Effects of bile reflux on gastric mucosal lesions in patients with dyspepsia or chronic gastritis.

AIM To investigate the influences of bile reflux on profiles of gastric mucosal lesions in patients with dyspepsia or chronic gastritis. METHODS A total of 49 patients diagnosed with dyspepsia and chronic gastritis underwent 24-h ambulatory and simultaneous monitoring of intragastric bilirubin absorbance and pH values, and then they were divided into bile reflux positive group and bile reflux negative group. Severity of pathological changes in gastric mucosa including active inflammation, chronic inflammation, intestinal metaplasia, atrophy and dysplasia as well as Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection at the corpus, incisura and antrum were determined respectively according to update Sydney system criteria. The profiles of gastric mucosal lesions in the two groups were compared, and correlations between time-percentage of gastric bilirubin absorbance >0.14 and severity of gastric mucosal lesions as well as time-percentage of gastric pH >4 were analyzed respectively. RESULTS Thirty-eight patients (21 men and 17 women, mean age 44.2 years, range 25-61 years) were found existing with bile reflux (gastric bilirubin absorbance >0.14) and 11 patients (7 men and 4 women, mean age 46.2 years, range 29-54 years) were bile reflux negative. In dyspepsia patients with bile reflux, the mucosal lesions such as active inflammation, chronic inflammation, intestinal metaplasia, atrophy or H pylori infection in the whole stomach, especially in the corpus and incisura, were significantly more severe than those in dyspepsia patients without bile reflux. Moreover, the bile reflux time was well correlated with the severity of pathological changes of gastric mucosa as well as H pylori colonization in the near-end stomach, especially in the corpus region. No relevance was found between the time of bile reflux and pH >4 in gastric cavity. CONCLUSION Bile reflux contributes a lot to mucosal lesions in the whole stomach, may facilitate H pylori colonization in the corpus region, and has no influence on acid-exposing status of gastric mucosa in patients with dyspepsia or chronic gastritis.
Marketing Research in Vietnam

Vietnam has attracted a large amount of foreign investment in recent years, and even more foreign products are imported. Foreign companies operating in this rapidly developing market have a huge need for reliable marketing information, and the marketing research industry has taken off since 1992. There are only a few full-service type research suppliers, all foreign, but there are over 30 suppliers of various specialized services. Many suppliers are local, with some of their own clients, but also subcontracting with foreign research suppliers for local fieldwork.To local companies, marketing research usually means simply calling up connections and asking them for their opinion, or talking to one's distributors. They use such information for background knowledge, not for decisions about marketing. Foreign companies are leading the development of demand for modern marketing research. They conduct or commission modern marketing research projects, and they use the results to help them decide how to structure their marketing activities.On both the supply and demand side then, the rapid growth of the marketing research industry is currently being driven by foreign companies. However, some local companies are learning fast, and certainly all of the local employees in foreign and joint venture companies have absorbed the concepts of using and doing modern marketing research. The industry looks set to continue its rapid growth and broaden its base in the years immediately ahead.
Ethnic and Class Clustering through the Ages: A Transdisciplinary Approach to Urban Neighbourhood Social Patterns

This paper presents initial findings from longer-term transdisciplinary research concerning the social dynamics of urban neighbourhoods. It examines the spatial clustering of ethnicity and class in neighbourhoods over urban history, from Bronze Age Mesopotamia to contemporary cities. Fourteen distinct drivers of social clustering are identified, grouped under the headers of macro-structural forces, the state, local regimes and institutions, and bottom–up processes. The operation of these processes is examined through three historical and three archaeological case studies of clustering. It is concluded that: clustering is a common, but not universal, attribute of cities; there is much variation in clustering patterns, both within and between cities and urban traditions; and, consideration of a wide variety of drivers is required to understand historical and modern residential dynamics.
Exploiting the PANORAMA Representation for Convolutional Neural Network Classification and Retrieval

A novel 3D model classiﬁcation and retrieval method, based on the PANORAMA representation and Convolutional Neural Networks, is presented. Initially, the 3D models are pose normalized using the SYMPAN method and consecutively the PANORAMA representation is extracted and used to train a convolutional neural network. The training is based on an augmented view of the extracted panoramic representation views. The proposed method is tested in terms of classiﬁcation and retrieval accuracy on standard large scale datasets
Does too much Transparency of Central Banks Prevent Agents from Using their Private Information Efficiently

This paper analyses in a simple global games framework welfare effects of different communication strategies of a central bank: it can either publish no more than its overall assessment of the economy or be more transparent, giving detailed reasons for this assessment. The latter strategy is shown to be superior because it enables agents to use private information and to be less dependent on common knowledge. This result holds true even if the strategies of agents are strategic complements, for which case it has been argued that too much transparency might induce agents to neglect their private knowledge.
The Reliability of Energy Infrastructures; The Organizational Requirements of Technical Operations

The reliable operation of energy infrastructures is more than just a technical matter. It is also dependent upon the organizational structure that enables and constrains entities in their management of operations. Yet while this lesson is well-known to scholars, there still exists a lack of understanding on how multiple actors should coordinate their actions to reliably operate energy infrastructures. In response, this paper proposes a framework that allows establishing the organizational structures required for the reliable operation of energy systems. The result is a stepwise progression that moves from the technical characteristics of energy infrastructures to the organizational structure required to facilitate reliable operations via identifying the critical technical functions and their accompanying control mechanisms and then establishing the responsibilities and coordination requirements that they imply for the entities involved in operations. The paper ends with a reflection on in how far we have achieved the intention and what still needs to be done.
Modelling and Inference Strategies for Biological Systems

For many years, computers have played an important role in helping scientists to store, manipulate, and analyze data coming from many different disciplines. In recent years, however, new technological capabilities and new ways of thinking about the usefulness of computer science is extending the reach of computers from simple analysis of collected data to hypothesis generation. The aim of this work is to provide a contribution in the Computational Systems Biology field. The main purpose of this recent discipline is to enhance the intertwined relationship connecting Biology and Computer Science, by developing tools and theoretical frameworks able to formally and quantitatively investigate the interactions among the components of biological systems. The final goal of these efforts is to assemble the different pieces into a working model of a living, responding, reproducing cell; a model that can be used for performing in-silico tests and simulations in order to understand and predict possible emergent properties. In this thesis we present the application to real biological case studies of a specific concurrent modelling language (derived by the metaphors of "molecules-as-object" -introduced by Fontana- and "cells-as-computations" -introduced by Regev and Shapiro- at the end of last century) and the development and implementation of a tool for inferring knowledge from experimental data in order to link the numerical aspects of a model to real wet-lab data.
Using a Local Network to Support Internationalisation: a Case Study from New Zealand

This thesis explores how collaboration amongst a network of companies can lead to successful internationalisation. Positioned between the network and internationalisation literature, this research used a successful case study where a New Zealand company supported by a network local of companies won a $21 million export contract to supply retail payment terminals to a Malaysian oil company. The research focused on the network formation, structure and evolution over time. In addition, the roles and performance of the network were also examined. The research method focused on a successful case and involved in-depth interviews with senior management of four companies. This was coupled with network analysis based on data extracted from the interview transcripts. Capturing chronological data was made possible by using a historical approach. There are several insights worth noting that surfaced from the results. First, relationally embedded ties appear to have reinforcing network effects. For example, the case shows how relationally embedded ties influence resource acquisition. Second, in examining the evolution of the network over time, the data captured shows how a closed network formed bridges across structural holes, leading to 'structural autonomy. ' The third contribution of this research is the identification and integration of internationalisation theories within the case. As such, this thesis has made a series of contributions to the area of network dynamics that supports successful internationalisation.
Quality of Life of Adults with Unhealed and Healed Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers cause major treatment morbidity and cost of care. This study evaluated quality of life in patients with unhealed and healed diabetic foot ulcers. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of adult diabetic patients (age 45 years or older) treated in a tertiary care foot clinic who had foot ulcers within the preceding 2 years. Patients with other diabetic complications or conditions that would potentially affect quality of life were excluded. Two patient groups of comparable age, gender distribution, and duration of diabetes were studied: 57 patients with unhealed ulcers (minimum duration, 6 months) and 47 patients with healed ulcers. Telephone interviews were done using the Short Form 12 (SF-12) (both groups) and a Cardiff Wound Impact Scale (CWIS) (unhealed ulcer group). Results: The mean SF-12 Physical Component Summary score was significantly lower for the group with unhealed ulcers (unhealed, 35 ± 8 points; healed, 39 ± 10 points; p = 0.04); these scores for both groups were significantly lower than published Short Form 36 (SF-36) scores for general, diabetic, and hypertensive populations. The mean SF-12 Mental Component Summary scores of the groups did not differ significantly from each other or from published population scores. CWIS responses showed that patients with unhealed ulcers were frustrated with healing and had anxiety about the wounds, resulting in marked negative impact on the average Well-being Component Score (35 ± 6 points). Conclusions: Individuals with diabetic foot ulcers experience profound compromise of physical quality of life, which is worse in those with unhealed ulcers.
On the Simulation of Financial Transactions for Fraud Detection Research

This thesis introduces a financial simulation model covering two related financial domains: Mobile Payments and Retail Stores systems. The problem we address in these domains is different types of fraud. We limit ourselves to isolated cases of relatively straightforward fraud. However, in this thesis the ultimate aim is to cover more complex types of fraud, such as money laundering, that comprises multiple organisations and domains. Fraud is an important problem that impact the whole economy. Currently, there is a general lack of public research into the detection of fraud. One important reason is the lack of transaction data which is often sensitive. To address this problem we present a Mobile Money Simulator (PaySim) and Retail Store Simulator (RetSim), which allow us to generate synthetic transactional data. These simulations are based on real transaction data. These simulations are multi agent based simulations. Hence, we developed agents that represent the clients in PaySim and customers and salesmen in RetSim. The normal behaviour was based on behaviour observed in data from the field, and is codified in the agents as rules of transactions and interaction between clients, or customers and salesmen. Some of these agents were intentionally designed to act fraudulently, based on observed patterns of real fraud. We introduced known signatures of fraud in our model and simulations to test and evaluate our fraud detection results. The resulting behaviour of the agents generate a synthetic log of all transactions as a result of the simulation. This synthetic data can be used to further advance fraud detection research, without leaking sensitive information about the underlying data. Using statistics and social network analysis (SNA) on real data we could calibrate the relations between staff and customers and generate realistic synthetic data sets that were validated statistically against the original. We then used RetSim to model two common retail fraud scenarios to ascertain exactly how effective the simplest form of statistical threshold detection commonly in use could be. The preliminary results show that threshold detection is effective enough at keeping fraud losses at a set level, that there seems to be little economic room for improved fraud detection techniques.