Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Four innovative calibration algorithms for capacitive mismatch in 18‐bit redundant split SAR ADC

Four calibration algorithms based on the order statistics about capacitive mismatch are proposed for successive approximation register (SAR) analog‐to‐digital converter (ADC). An 18‐bit split capacitive SAR ADC architecture with redundant bits was used to verify the four calibration algorithms proposed. The main dynamic parameters of the SAR ADC were simulated in MATLAB by 500 Monte‐Carlo runs with a standard deviation of 0.1% (σ0/C0 = 0.001). And the simulation results of sorting and regrouping method II (SRGII) show that a 21.64‐dB enhancement of spurious‐free dynamic range (SFDR) and a 3.33‐bit improvement of effective number of bits (ENOB) have achieved respectively, whereas the simulation results of sorting and re‐exchanging method I (SREI) show that a 21.64‐dB enhancement of SFDR and a 3.34‐bit improvement of ENOB have achieved, respectively
The Semi-dense ICP Algorithm Based on the SIFT Feature Points Neighborhood

The ICP algorithm based on RGB-D images is one of the most widely used and the most effective point cloud registration algorithms. How to improve the registration accuracy, registration speed and robustness of the ICP algorithm has become an important research hotspot at present. However, existing algorithms have low computational efficiency under large-scale point cloud data, and when the overlap between point clouds is small, the registration accuracy is low. To deal with these problems, this paper proposes a semi-dense ICP algorithm based on SIFT feature points neighbourhood. First, the algorithm selects the SIFT feature point matching algorithm as the rough registration method of ICP, because the SIFT feature points have the advantage of rotation invariance, illumination invariance, and scale invariance; then based on the SIFT feature points, the algorithm selecting its neighbourhood as the matching range. The experimental result shows that this algorithm has the better registration accuracy and computational efficiency.
Blood Glucose Regulation Using Labview

Diabetes mellitus (DM), commonly referred to as diabetes, is a group of metabolic diseases in which there are high blood sugar levels over a prolonged period. If not regulate the glucose level then it will cause the serious damage to heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves. The pancreas produces insulin to absorb the glucose. In type I diabetes the pancreas does not secrete insulin to compensate this artificial pancreas will be used. The artificial pancreas will mimic the function of pancreas it consists of a sensor, controller and insulin pump. The sensor continuously monitors glucose, the amount of insulin required will be calculated using a controller then injected using insulin pump this is the function of the artificial pancreas. The food we take is converted into glucose. So, meal intake will greatly affect the glucose levels, in this paper a closed loop model is developed based on Bergman's minimal model and meal intake is introduced as a disturbance then the control action is performed using Fuzzy and PID controller using LABVIEW software. So, from this, if the glucose concentration exceeds/decreases, above/below a certain point necessary control action will be taken.
Carboxyl Methyltransferases: Natural Functions and Potential Applications in Industrial Biotechnology

The use of methyltransferases (MTs) in industrial biotechnology to replace toxic alkylating agents is of increasing interest. Carboxyl MTs (CMTs) are a subgroup of MTs that methylate the hydroxyl oxygen of carboxylic acids. Research initially focussed on their natural functions in protein regulation and production of volatile methyl esters in plants. In this review we highlight this potentially valuable group of enzymes that show promise for formation of a wide range of structurally diverse methyl esters from the parent acids under aqueous conditions. CMTs have been used to generate intermediates for biofuels, bioplastics and pharmaceuticals. These biocatalysts could also be integrated into cascades with other enzymes such as acyltransferases that function under aqueous conditions. Recent approaches for regenerating the required cofactor S‐adenosylmethionine (SAM) are discussed including in vitro recycling, improvement in in vivo production and the use of more stable analogues. Advances in these areas will further improve the potential to use carboxyl MTs in industrial biotechnology.
Target distance measurement method using monocular vision

Most existing machine vision-based location methods mainly focus on the spatial positioning schemes using one or two cameras along with non-vision sensors. To achieve an accurate location, both schemes require processing a large amount of data. In this study, the authors propose a novel method, which requires much less amount of data to be processed for measuring target distance using monocular vision. Based on the geometric model of camera imaging, the parameters of the camera (such as camera's focal length and equivalent focal length.), as well as the principle of analogue signal being transformed into a digital signal, the authors derive the relationship among the target distance, field of view, equivalent focal length and camera resolution. Experimental results show that the proposed method can effectively and accurately achieve the target distance measurement.
The inhibition of ABC transporters in cancer multidrug resistance by heterocyclic cyclohexanone analogues of curcumin

ii Acknowledgements . iv List of figures . x List of tables . xiv List of equations . xvi Abbreviations . xvii 1. General Introduction . 1 1.1 Cancer multidrug resistance . 1 1.2 ABC transporters . 3 1.2. 1 P-Glycoprotein . 5 1.2. 2 Breast cancer resistance protein . 14 1.2. 3 Multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 and 5 . 24 1.2. 4 Role of ABC transporters in cancer chemotherapy . 35 1.2. 5 Inhibition of ABC transporters in the clinic . 41 1.3 Curcumin as an MDR reversal agent . 48 1.3. 1 Curcumin . 48 1.3. 2 Molecular structure . 49 1.3. 3 Anticancer and chemosensitising activity . 50 1.3. 4 Inhibition of ABC transporters . 52 1.3. 5 Instability in vitro and in vivo . 56 1.3. 6 Biostable monocarbonyl analogues of curcumin . 61 1.4 Cyclohexanone analogues of curcumin . 63 1.4. 1 Structure and anticancer activity . 63 1.4. 2 Potential inhibition of ABC transporters . 65
Online community development through social interaction — K-Pop stan twitter as a community of practice

ABSTRACT Fandom practices are often considered meaningless and unnecessary. However, the use of social media carries the potential for positive as well as negative impact on the users. Using the fraemwork of Community of Practice, the latest theory addressing community formation and interaction, as its theoretical framework, the study explores the Twitter-based online fandom community (called stan twitter) of Korean Pop-Music (K-Pop) as a working Community of Practice (CoP). This community is a hub of non-native English language speakers, who actively communicate on this platform. This qualitative study uses semi-structured interviews and participant observations to collect data, and analyzes it using qualitative coding. The study finds that the members of K-Pop Stan Twitter form interpersonal bonds, communicate regularly, and create a close-knit community where everyone contributes in their own capacity. The study suggests that the platform in question does possess the characteristics to be considered a working CoP, with the addition of another element that makes it unique: power hierarchy among the participants of the community, which is usually the least noticed aspect in research on online platforms. Moreover, it carries implications for inculcation of various positive qualities in the users.
Aflatoxicosis and ochratoxicosis in broiler chicks and their amelioration with locally available bentonite clay.

Received: Revised: Accepted: Online available: October 20, 2015 November 19, 2015 November 25, 2015 January 13, 2016 The present study was designed to investigate the ameliorative ability of locally available bentonite clay (BN) against aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) toxicity in broiler chicks. In the first experiment the broiler chicks were kept on feeds contaminated with AFB1 (0.1, 0.2 and 0.6 mg/kg) alone and in combination with bentonite clay (3.7 and 7.5 g/kg). In the second experiment OTA (0.15, 0.3 and 1.0 mg/kg) alone and concurrently with bentonite clay (3.7, 7.5 and 15 g/kg) was fed to the broiler chicks. The dietary addition of AFB1 and OTA alone exerted deleterious effects on the performance, sero-biochemical and oxidative status of the broiler chicks. A concurrent dietary incorporation of BN (3.7 and 7.5 g/kg) ameliorated the adverse effects of 0.1 and 0.2 mg/kg AFB1 on body weight, FCR, serum ALT and urea concentration. Serum creatinine, total protein and albumin concentrations were mostly significantly lower in combination groups suggesting a partial or no amelioration. Dietary incorporation of BN at all levels only partially alleviated the deleterious effects of 0.15 and 0.3 mg/kg dietary OTA on performance, serobiochemical and oxidative stress, but amelioration was absent when the concentration of OTA in the feed was 1 mg/kg. Results suggested that the dietary incorporation of BN (3.7 and 7.5 g/kg) ameliorated the adverse effects of 0.1 and 0.2 mg/kg of AFB1 on various parameters. However, BN at all levels did not alleviate the deleterious effects of OTA.
RESPONSE OF ARTOCARPUS HETEROPHYLLUS LAM. TO SOME NATURAL EXTRACTS AT THE EARLY GROWTH STAGES 2- CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF THE PLANTS

Prof. Dr. Boshra A. ElSayed, Hort. Res. Inst. , ARC. ABSTRACT: The experimental trial was consummated under saran house of 65% shading performed at the nursery of Horticulture Research Institute, Giza, Egypt during two successive seasons (2012/2013 and 2013/2014) with the aim of improving plant quality at the early growth stages of Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. by studying the effect of treating plants with some natural botanical extracts (Moringa oleifera Lam., Thymus vulgaris L. and Majorana hortensis Moench) with different levels (0, 5 and 10%) besides, the combinations of moringa + marjoram, moringa + thyme and marjoram + thyme extracts at 2.5%. All of them were applied as a foliar spray commencing from November 20 in both seasons on transplants of Artocarpus hetrophyllus Lam. 14-15 cm height with 4-5 leaves till June 20 of the following year at 15 days interval. The plants were grown in sand + peatmoss mixture (1:1, v/v). The results emphasized that most plants which received the highest natural extract level (10%) died after about 6 times of spraying. So, the corresponding data of such treatments were excluded. Meanwhile, using either moringa extract at 5% or the combination of marjoram + thyme extracts at 2.5% proved their mastery in improving plant chemical constituents at the terminate of experiment (July,5) as that treating plants with moringa extract at 5% followed by that of the combination of marjoram + thyme extracts at 2.5% were the best treatments used for improving all the components which were measured in this respect (chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids, total carbohydrates, N, P, K and protein in leaves). From the aforementioned results, it could be recommended to use either moringa extract at 5% or the combination of marjoram + thyme extras at 2.5% for improving chemical constituents of Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. at the early growth stages of such plants besides, getting better plants without being forced to use chemical nutrients or synthetic growth regulators that may contaminate the environment with getting a safe clean product.
Spatial evaluation and trade‐off analysis of soil functions through Bayesian networks

There is increasing recognition that soils fulfil many functions for society. Each soil can deliver a range of functions, but some soils are more effective at some functions than others due to their intrinsic properties. In this study we mapped four different soil functions on agricultural lands across the European Union. For each soil function, indicators were developed to evaluate their performance. To calculate the indicators and assess the interdependencies between the soil functions, data from continental long‐term simulation with the DayCent model were used to build crop‐specific Bayesian networks. These Bayesian Networks were then used to calculate the soil functions' performance and trade‐offs between the soil functions under current conditions. For each soil function the maximum potential was estimated across the European Union and changes in trade‐offs were assessed. By deriving current and potential soil function delivery from Bayesian networks a better understanding is gained of how different soil functions and their interdependencies can differ depending on soil, climate and management.
MAS-based evaluation method of production performance for coal export terminals

ABSTRACT Determining how to reasonably evaluate the production performance of bulk cargo terminals has always been a concern of the terminal managers. Aiming at the problem of production performance evaluation of the coal export terminals, this paper presents an evaluation method of production performance based on MAS (multi-agent system). A global simulation model of a typical export coal terminal is built in the paper, and the changes of production performance indicators under different conditions are discussed in detail. For the terminal studied, the experimental results show that the terminal production efficiency can be improved based on a series of measures, such as reducing the coal storage time, reducing the ship inter-arrival time, increasing ship loading capacity within a certain range. This method is helpful for the coal terminal managers to better understand the relationship between the terminal production performance indicators and related input factors.
Precision weighting of cortical unsigned prediction errors is mediated by dopamine and benefits learning

The predictive coding framework construes the brain as performing a specific form of hierarchical Bayesian inference. In this framework the precision of cortical unsigned prediction error (surprise) signals is proposed to play a key role in learning and decision-making, and to be controlled by dopamine. To test this hypothesis, we re-analysed an existing data-set from healthy individuals who received a dopamine agonist, antagonist or placebo and who performed an associative learning task under different levels of outcome precision. Computational reinforcement-learning modelling of behaviour provided support for precision-weighting of unsigned prediction errors. Functional MRI revealed coding of unsigned prediction errors relative to their precision in bilateral superior frontal gyri and dorsal anterior cingulate. Cortical precision-weighting was (i) perturbed by the dopamine antagonist sulpiride, and (ii) associated with task performance. These findings have important implications for understanding the role of dopamine in reinforcement learning and predictive coding in health and illness.
Wanting to like: Motivation influences behavioral and neural responses to social feedback

Human beings revel in social approval and social connection. For example, individuals want to be liked, and frequently surround themselves with people who provide such positive reinforcement. Past work highlights a “common currency” between social rewards like social approval, and non-social rewards like money. But social and motivational contexts can reshape reward experiences considerably. Here, we examine the boundary conditions that deem social approval subjectively valuable. Participants received feedback about their attractiveness from others. Neural activity in reward-related brain structures (e.g., ventral striatum) increased in response to positive feedback, but only when such feedback came from well-liked targets. These heightened reward responses predicted increases in subsequent attraction to well-liked targets. This work suggests that motivational contexts amplify or diminish the value of social approval in a target-specific manner. The value of social approval is thus defined by the extent to which these experiences bring us closer to people we like.
A comparative study of different network simulation tools and experimentation platforms for underwater communication

Study of computer networks and their performance parameters like delay, bandwidth utilization, throughput, latency, jittering, and packet loss. have gained significant importance in the recent times. Simulation studies have been preferred for these parameters in computer networks, which in a real time is a difficult task. A network consists of many networking devices as gateways, routers, bridges, wireless access points and hub connected to it. To implement any new protocol or algorithm in a network is costlier and time consuming. Recently lot of research is going on underwater wireless sensor networks (UWSNs). Conducting real time experiments for underwater applications are overpriced, so as an alternative solution for this, we can conduct simulation studies to reduce the cost and quicken the research activities.In this paper we explore the different experimentation platforms and simulation tools available that help the network architects to develop new protocols or do changes to the existing protocol in a productive manner. We classify the tools based on various parameters and provide guidelines for researchers to choose a suitable platform based on their requirements.
Proposal of an Algorithm to Generate VDM++ Specification Based on its Grammar by Using Word Lists Extracted from the Natural Language Specification

The natural language includes ambiguous expressions. Vienna Development Method (VDM) is one of methodology on the formal methods to write the specification without ambiguity. Because VDM++ is written by strict grammar, it is difficult to write a VDM++ specification. This research attempts to generate a VDM++ specification automatically from a natural language specification by machine learning. To generate a VDM++ specification, it is necessary to extract words that consist of predicate corresponding to the function and nouns corresponding to variable from the natural language specification. This paper proposes an approach to generate a VDM++ specification based on its grammar from the classified word list. Identifiers are generated from the classified word list
CO Total and Preferential Oxidation over Stable Au/TiO2 Catalysts Derived from Preformed Au Nanoparticles

CO preferential oxidation (PROX) is an effective method to clean reformate H2 streams to feed low-temperature fuel cells. In this work, the PROX and CO oxidation reactions were studied on preformed Au nanoparticles (NPs) supported on TiO2 anatase. Preformed Au NPs were obtained from gold cores stabilized by dodecanethiols or trimethylsilane-dendrons. A well-controlled size of ca. 2.6 nm and narrow size distributions were achieved by this procedure. The catalysts were characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and ex situ and in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The XPS results showed that the preformed Au NPs exhibited high thermal stability. The different ligand-derived Au catalysts, as well as a conventional gold catalyst for comparison purposes, were loaded onto cordierite supports with 400 cells per square inch. The activity and selectivity of the samples were evaluated for various operation conditions. The catalyst prepared using dodecanethiol-capped Au NPs showed the best performance. In fact, CO conversions of up to 70% at 40% CO2 selectivity and 90% O2 conversion were observed operating at 363 K in H2-rich atmospheres. The performance of the best catalysts was subsequently tested on stainless steel microreactors. A 500-hour stability test was carried out under a real post-reformate stream, including 18 vol.% CO2 and 29 vol.% H2O. A mean CO conversion of ca. 24% was measured for the whole test operating at 453 K and a gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) of 1.3 × 104 h−1. These results reveal our dodecanethioland carbosilane-derived Au catalysts as extremely promising candidates to conduct a PROX reaction while avoiding deactivation, which is one of the major drawbacks of Au/TiO2 catalysts.
Quantum Mechanical 4-dimensional Non-polarizing Beamsplitter

The effects of a beamsplitter are frequently described mathematically as a matrix acting on a two input ports vector. This might be comprehensive for a scalar field but certainly insufficient in case of photons which are vector fields. In this paper we discuss theoretical grounds to define elements of a 4x4 matrix to more accurately represent the beamsplitter, fully accounting for transverse polarization modes. We also provide experimental evidence confirming this matrix representation. From scientific point of view the paper addresses a non-trivial equivalence between the classical fields Fresnel formalism and the canonical commutation relations of the quantized photonic fields. That the formalism can be readily verified with a simple experiment provides further benefit. The beamsplitter expression derived can be applied in the field of quantum computing.
Development of HPLC method for phenylethyl resorcinol content determination in whitening cream preparation

This experiment aimed to develop and validate an analytical method using HPLC for phenylethyl resorcinol (PR) content determination in the emulsion-cream formula, consisted five preservative agents methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and phenoxyethanol. Measurement was carried out with a UV detector and using a C18 column. Previously, a selectivity test was conducted to distinguish PR from the other whitening agents that were hydroquinone, alpha-arbutin, kojic acid, and vitamin C. The mobile phase system was optimized by using acetonitrile, water, and methanol, in a gradient concentration. The optimum condition was set in the flow rate of 1.0 mL/min, which provided a suitable chromatogram. Linearity in the range of 10.48-73.36 mg/mL showed a correlation coefficient (r) = 0.9999 and generated the detection and quantification limit of 0.7183 mg/L and 2.3943 mg/L, respectively. A robustness test was performed by a variate internal and external factor changes also proved the proper precision. Finally, the validated method was applied as an adequate quantitative analysis to determining phenyl ethyl resorcinol content in the whitening cream preparations.
Geomorphic Approaches to Estimate Short-Term Erosion Rates: An Example from Valmarecchia River System (Northern Apennines, Italy)

Studying fluvial dynamics and environments, GIS-based analyses are of fundamental importance to evaluate the network geometry and possible anomalies, and can be particularly useful to estimate modifications in processes and erosion rates. The aim of this paper is to estimate short-term erosion rates attributable to fluvial processes in two sample catchment sub-basins of the Marecchia river valley, by conducting quantitative morphometric analyses in order to calculate various descriptive parameters of the hierarchisation of the river networks and the mean turbid transport of streams (Tu). Sediment yield transported by streams can in fact partially express the amount of erosional processes acting within the drainage basin. The study area includes two sub-basins of the Marecchia valley (Senatello river, 49 km2 and Mazzocco river, 47 km2), chosen because of their similar extent and of the different location in the major catchment basin. Starting from geomorphological maps of the two river basins, the Tu parameter has been calculated and converted in short-term rate (average value 0.21 mm/year). Moreover, the comparison of these short-term mean data with the uplift rates calculated on a regional scale (0.41 ± 0.26 mm/year) in the Marecchia valley confirms that the northern Apennines may represent a non-steady state system.