Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular perspective of iron uptake, related diseases, and treatments

Iron deficiency anemia and anemia of chronic disorders are the most common types of anemia. Disorders of iron metabolism lead to different clinical scenarios such as iron deficiency anemia, iron overload, iron overload with cataract and neurocognitive disorders. Regulation of iron in the body is a complex process and different regulatory proteins are involved in iron absorption and release from macrophages into hematopoietic tissues. Mutation in these regulatory genes is the most important cause of iron refractory iron deficiency anemia (IRIDA). This review provides a glance into the iron regulation process, diseases related to iron metabolism, and appropriate treatments at the molecular level.
Recent progress in laboratory diagnosis of thalassemia and hemoglobinopathy: a study by the Korean Red Blood Cell Disorder Working Party of the Korean Society of Hematology

Genetic hemoglobin disorders are caused by mutations and/or deletions in the α-globin or β-globin genes. Thalassemia is caused by quantitative defects and hemoglobinopathies by structural defect of hemoglobin. The incidence of thalassemia and hemoglobinopathy is increased in Korea with rapid influx of people from endemic areas. Thus, the awareness of the disease is needed. α-thalassemias are caused by deletions in α-globin gene, while β-thalassemias are associated with decreased synthesis of β-globin due to β-globin gene mutations. Hemoglobinopathies involve structural defects in hemoglobin due to altered amino acid sequence in the α- or β-globin chains. When the patient is suspected with thalassemia/hemoglobinopathy from abnormal complete blood count findings and/or family history, the next step is detecting hemoglobin abnormality using electrophoresis methods including high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. The development of novel molecular genetic technologies, such as massively parallel sequencing, facilitates a more precise molecular diagnosis of thalassemia/hemoglobinopathy. Moreover, prenatal diagnosis using genetic testing enables the prevention of thalassemia birth and pregnancy complications. We aimed to review the spectrum and classification of thalassemia/hemoglobinopathy diseases and the diagnostic strategies including screening tests, molecular genetic tests, and prenatal diagnosis.
Second exposure to acetaminophen overdose is associated with liver fibrosis in mice

Repeated administration of hepatotoxicants is usually accompanied by liver fibrosis. However, the difference in response as a result of repeated exposures of acetaminophen (APAP) compared to a single dose is not well-studied. Therefore, in the current study, the liver response after a second dose of APAP was investigated. Adult fasted Balb/C mice were exposed to two toxic doses of 300 mg/kg APAP, which were administered 72 h apart from each other. Subsequently, blood and liver from the treated mice were collected 24 h and 72 h after both APAP administrations. Liver transaminase, i.e. alanine amino transferase (ALT) and aspartate amino transferase (AST) levels revealed that the fulminant liver damage was reduced after the second APAP administration compared to that observed at the same time point after the first treatment. These results correlated with the necrotic areas as indicated by histological analyses. Surprisingly, Picro Sirius Red (PSR) staining showed that the accumulation of extracellular matrix after the second dose coincides with the upregulation of some fibrogenic signatures, e.g., alpha smooth muscle actin. Non-targeted liver tissue metabolic profiling indicates that most alterations occur 24 h after the first dose of APAP. However, the levels of most metabolites recover to basal values over time. This organ adaptation process is also confirmed by the upregulation of antioxidative systems like e.g. superoxide dismutase and catalase. From the results, it can be concluded that there is a different response of the liver to APAP toxic doses, if the liver has already been exposed to APAP. A necroinflammatory process followed by a liver regeneration was observed after the first APAP exposure. However, fibrogenesis through the accumulation of extracellular matrix is observed after a second challenge. Therefore, further studies are required to mechanistically understand the so called “liver memory”.
Area-Efficient Short-Time Fourier Transform Processor for Time–Frequency Analysis of Non-Stationary Signals

In this paper, we propose an area-efficient short-time Fourier transform (STFT) processor that can perform time–frequency analysis of non-stationary signals in real time, which is essential for voice or radar-signal processing systems. STFT processors consist of a windowing module and a fast Fourier transform processor. The length of the window function is related to the time–frequency resolution, and the required window length varies depending on the application. In addition, the window function needs to overlap the input data samples to minimize the data loss in the window boundary, and overlap ratios of 25%, 50%, and 75% are generally used. Therefore, the STFT processor should ideally support a variable window length and overlap ratio and be implemented with an efficient hardware architecture for real-time time–frequency analysis. The proposed STFT processor is based on the radix-4 multi-path delay commutator (R4MDC) pipeline architecture and supports a variable length of 16, 64, 256, and 1024 and overlap ratios of 25%, 50%, and 75%. Moreover, the proposed STFT processor can be implemented with very low complexity by having a relatively lower number of delay elements, which are the ones that increase complexity in the most STFT processors. The proposed STFT processor was designed using hardware description language (HDL) and synthesized to gate-level circuits using a standard cell library in a 65 nm CMOS process. The proposed STFT processor results in logic gates of 197,970, which is 63% less than that of the conventional radix-2 single-path delay feedback (R2SDF) based STFT processor.
Association Between Maternal Feeding Practices and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression Among 6-Year-Old Children

Background: Maternal feeding practices (MFPs) have been linked to childhood obesity and other eating disorders. However, population-based research examining the association between MFPs and children’s emotional well-being is currently lacking. Methods: We examined 1241 participants from Year 6 Follow-Up of the Infant Feeding Practices Study II, conducted from March to June 2012 in the United States. Results: Approximately 57.5% and 47.8% of participants reported at least one symptom of childhood anxiety and depression, respectively. After adjusting for potential confounders, mothers who responded “yes” to “If I did not guide or regulate my child’s eating, he or she would eat too much of his or her favorite food” had higher odds of having a child who has symptoms of depression and anxiety compared with mothers who responded “no” (odds ratio [OR], 95% confidence interval [CI]) (2.02; 1.47-2.78, P < .001) and (1.41, 1.05-1.91, P = .024), respectively. The odds of having a child who has symptoms of depression were lower among mothers who responded “yes” to “I make sure that my child does not eat too many sweets or junk foods” compared with mothers who responded “no” (0.49; 0.26-0.91, P = .020). Mothers who responded “yes” to “I encourage my 6 year-old to eat all of the food on his or her plate” had higher odds of having a child who has symptoms of anxiety compared with mothers who responded “no” (1.43; 1.01-2.05, P = .049). Conclusions: Controlling MFPs may influence a child’s emotional well-being. Further research is needed to address the complex relationships between MFPs and psychosocial well-being in children.
Exact analysis for requirements selection and optimisation

Requirements engineering is the prerequisite of software engineering, and plays a crit- ically strategic role in the success of software development. Insufficient management of uncertainty in the requirements engineering process has been recognised as a key reason for software project failure. The essence of uncertainty may arise from partially observable, stochastic environments, or ignorance. To ease the impact of uncertainty in the software development process, it is important to provide techniques that explicitly manage uncertainty in requirements selection and optimisation. This thesis presents a decision support framework to exactly address the uncertainty in requirements selection and optimisation. Three types of uncertainty are managed. They are requirements uncertainty, algorithmic uncertainty, and uncertainty of resource constraints. Firstly, a probabilistic robust optimisation model is introduced to enable the manageability of requirements uncertainty. Requirements uncertainty is probabilis- tically simulated by Monte-Carlo Simulation and then formulated as one of the opti- misation objectives. Secondly, a probabilistic uncertainty analysis and a quantitative analysis sub-framework METRO is designed to cater for requirements selection deci- sion support under uncertainty. An exact Non-dominated Sorting Conflict Graph based Dynamic Programming algorithm lies at the heart of METRO to guarantee the elim- ination of algorithmic uncertainty and the discovery of guaranteed optimal solutions. Consequently, any information loss due to algorithmic uncertainty can be completely avoided. Moreover, a data analytic approach is integrated in METRO to help the deci- sion maker to understand the remaining requirements uncertainty propagation through- out the requirements selection process, and to interpret the analysis results. Finally, a more generic exact multi-objective integrated release and schedule planning approach iRASPA is introduced to holistically manage the uncertainty of resource constraints for requirements selection and optimisation. Software release and schedule plans are inte- grated into a single activity and solved simultaneously. Accordingly, a more advanced globally optimal result can be produced by accommodating and managing the inherent additional uncertainty due to resource constraints as well as that due to requirements. To settle the algorithmic uncertainty problem and guarantee the exactness of results, an e-constraint Quadratic Programming approach is used in iRASPA.
A 10-mW mm-Wave Phase-Locked Loop With Improved Lock Time in 28-nm FD-SOI CMOS

This paper presents a millimeter-wave (mm-wave) phase-locked loop (PLL), with an output frequency centered at 54.65 GHz. It demonstrates a mode-switching architecture that considerably improves the lock time, by seamlessly switching between a low-noise mode and a fast-locking mode that is only used during settling. The improvement is used to counteract the increased lock-time caused by cycle-slips that results from using a high reference frequency of 2280 MHz, which is several hundred times the loop bandwidth. Such a reference frequency alleviates the noise requirements on the PLL and is readily available in 5G systems, from the radio frequency PLL. The mm-wave PLL is implemented in a low-power 28-nm fully depleted silicon-on-insulator CMOS process, and its active area is just 0.19 mm<sup>2</sup>. The PLL also features a novel double injection-locked divide-by-3 circuit and a charge-pump mismatch compensation scheme, resulting in state-of-the-art power consumption, and jitter performance in the low-noise mode. In this mode, the in-band phase noise is between −93 and −96 dBc/Hz across the tuning range, and the integrated jitter is between 176 and 212 fs. The total power consumption of the mm-wave PLL is only 10.1 mW, resulting in a best-case PLL figure-of-merit (FOM) of −245 dB. The lock time in low-noise mode is up to <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$12~\mu \text{s}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, which is improved to <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$3~\mu \text{s}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> by switching to the fast-locking mode, at the temporary expense of a power consumption increase to 15.1 mW, an integrated jitter increase to between 245 and 433 fs, and an FOM increase to between −235 and −240 dB.
Circuit Models and Fast Optimization of Litz Shield for Inductive-Power-Transfer Coils

The metal shields with plates or rings are usually added to the inductive-power-transfer coils to attenuate the stray magnetic field. However, the coil-to-coil efficiency is reduced owning to the extra losses on the shields. This paper introduces the litz shield which attenuates the field with smaller shielding loss thanks to the uniform distribution of the shield current. Two types of litz shields, i.e., shorted litz shield and driven litz shield are discussed in detail. Their performances are analyzed with the circuit model composed of four coupled inductors. The efficiency and the field attenuation for the coils with litz shields are optimized with Pareto fronts. A fast method to derive the fronts using a lumped-loop model is described. Only tens of finite-element simulations are required in the entire optimization. The coils with different shields were optimized to transfer 100-W power across 40-mm gap with the same efficiency. The measurement results prove that the shorted litz shield is more effective than the other shields. It attenuated 23% more of the stray magnetic field compared to the coils with traditional metal shield.
IMPACTO NO MERCADO ACIONÁRIO BRASILEIRO CAUSADO PELO CASO JBS

O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar o impacto do vazamento da delação premiada do executivo da JBS S.A. sobre os retornos do mercado acionário brasileiro, tendo como premissa a Hipótese do Mercado Eficiente. Para isso, foram analisados os dados das empresas que compõem o índice IBrX 100, no período de 2017 a 2018. Ademais, o estudo investigou o comportamento dos controladores do grupo JBS no período do vazamento da delação por meio dos formulários ICVM 358. Os dados foram analisados por meio de um estudo de eventos e a partir de informações estatísticas, fazendo o uso de testes de correlação e regressões. Os resultados mostram que o mercado acionário brasileiro é eficiente, em sua forma semiforte, pois as informações vazadas tiveram impacto sobre o mercado. A relação entre o vazamento da delação premiada e o retorno das ações foi negativa, tanto para o mercado quanto para a JBS. Ainda, verificou-se que próximo ao período do vazamento da delação, os controladores aumentaram consideravelmente o número de ações vendidas, o que pode trazer indícios de que pode ter ocorrido insider trading.
FPGA Implementation of Passivity-Based Control and Output Load Algebraic Estimation for Transformerless Multilevel Active Rectifier

This paper presents the design and embedded implementation of a robust controller for the transformerless multilevel active monophase rectifier. In order to reduce the effects caused by the uncertainty originated by the output load, an algebraic estimator is devised. Then, a linear controller based on the exact static error dynamics passive output feedback (ESEDPOF) is proposed, where the uncertainty estimation is taken into account. Since the controller estimator is based on the continuous-time plant model, its real-time implementation on a digital platform requires a discretization of the controller under sufficiently fast sampling, such that the properties of the closed-loop nonlinear sampled-data system are preserved. For this reason, the medium-scale field-programmable gate array Spartan-6 XC6SLX16 is used for implementing the ESEDPOF controller, the online algebraic estimator, the enhanced phase-locked loop, and the multilevel pulsewidth modulator. The parallel processing provided by these devices and the capability in the design of custom modules allow optimizing the hardware description and obtaining an update time for the control law of 9.683 $\mu$s. Experimental validation shows an excellent dynamical performance and a near-unity power factor.
Inductor Current Feedback Active Damping Method for Reduced DC-Link Capacitance IPMSM Drives

The LC resonance between the line inductor and the dc-link film capacitor is an important concern in the reduced dc-link capacitance interior permanent magnet synchronous motor drive system. In this paper, an active damping method based on the virtual damping resistor is applied to suppress the LC resonance and improve the drive system stability. The performance of the damping resistor is analyzed in a systematic level, and possible configurations have been analyzed to obtain the optimal solution, which is proved to be the inductor current feedback (ICF) damping method. In order to realize the equivalent damping effect, the dc-link voltage feedback is applied to emulate the ICF-based active damping method by a step-by-step approach. Meanwhile, the grid voltage distortion will stimulate additional harmonics of the grid current in the reduced dc-link capacitance motor drives. Hence a feedforward compensation method is applied to suppress the grid current distortion arising from the distorted grid voltage, which has not been investigated in the previous related researches. Harmonics of the grid current are reduced and requirements of EN61000-3-2 can be satisfied by applying the proposed method. Experiments on a compressor drive platform equipped with the reduced dc-link capacitance are performed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
A Compact X-Band Vector Network Analyzer for Microwave Image Sensing

This paper develops a compact and portable X-band vector network analyzer (VNA) for the low-cost microwave image sensing applications. Since significant local oscillator (LO) injection pulling and poor LO phase noise performance may reduce the accuracy of measurement, the developed VNA uses the single-conversion technique and the phase noise cancellation technique to suppress the injection pulling effect and the LO phase noise, respectively. A hybrid phase detection algorithm that includes arctangent, arcsine, and arccosine functions is proposed to overcome the bottleneck of the distortion of conventional quadrature phase detection in some phase regions. The experimental results demonstrate that the X-band microwave image sensing system that uses the developed VNA, which is highly compact and portable, can effectively yield a contour image of bones in a chicken wing and pork ribs.
Gait Phase Detection for Normal and Abnormal Gaits Using IMU

Gait phase detection is essential for clinicians to examine the gait cycles of human test subjects. In this paper, a method to detect normal and abnormal gait phases using a single inertial measurement unit attached to the shank is proposed. The local maxima, minima, and zero crossings of the shank’s angular velocity and acceleration are used to detect heel strike, toe strike, and toe off. The proposed method may provide human-understandable insights into the shank’s angular velocity and acceleration to assist clinicians to evaluate the patients’ gaits. The proposed method is compared with an existing method that uses force sensitive resistors placed under the foot. The mean absolute sample difference between the proposed and existing methods is low at around 2 sample difference, equivalent to 20 ms difference.
Applying Brain-Computer Interface Technology for Evaluation of User Experience in Playing Games

The Brain-computer interface (BCI) technology reliably produce changes of individuals electroencephalographic (EEG) activity, while users experience (UX) evaluation in games refers to assess the players experience (like fun, boring, engaged, etc.) in playing games. Thus the BCI technology could be used as an effective alternative means of measuring the users emotions or User Experience (UX) in playing games, which in turn will help practitioners to evaluate as well as to re-design the computer or mobile games. Therefore, the objective of this research is to propose a system based on brain-computer interface technology for evaluating the user (player) experience in playing computer games. To attain this objective, in this paper, firstly with the help of a headset that reads electroencephalogram (EEG) signals, raw data of individual's brain were extracted while the individual was playing a computer game. After that, the brain signal curves were generated from the extracted raw data. Next, the brain signals were analyzed to detect the individual's mood or emotion, which in turn provide the player's (user) experience while playing games. The system was also demonstrated with a single player while playing the ‘DX-Ball’ game to assess the system's performance in evaluating the UX of ‘DX-Ball’ game.
An Equivalent Circuit Model for Rectangular Waveguide Performance Analysis Considering Rough Flanges’ Contact

In order to investigate the rough flanges’ impact on the electrical performance of rectangular waveguides in the high-power-microwave and high-frequency-microwave communications, a new equivalent circuit model for the contact problem in waveguide flanges is established. Different from the present method that expresses the contact resistance with the contact radius, this method expresses the contact resistance with the incremental stiffness. The equivalent circuit of the waveguide connection is deduced by combining the mechanical contact model with the contact resistance model. Both metal–insulator–metal contacts and metal–metal contacts are considered. The relationship between electrical characteristics and mechanical characteristics is finally established with the transmission line theory of waveguides. The experimental results are given to demonstrate the proposed methodology.
Dual Hesitant Fuzzy Linguistic Power-Average Operators Based on Archimedean t-Conorms and t-Norms

This paper introduces some novel power-average (PA) operators of dual hesitant fuzzy linguistic (DHFL) set with the Archimedean t-conorms and t-norms (ATT) functions, such as the weighted DHFL power-average (ATT-WDHFLPA) operator based on ATT functions and the weighted generalized DHFL power-average operator on ATT functions (ATT-WGDHFLPA). Subsequently, the properties of those new operators are studied and the relationships between operators and existing ones are given. Furthermore, an approach of those operators is developed to solve the group decision-making problem with dual hesitant fuzzy linguistic information. Finally, an example is showing the advantages of those operators, and a sensitivity analysis of the main parameters has illustrated the results.
Benchmarking Agility For Multilegged Terrestrial Robots

In this paper, we present a novel and practical approach for benchmarking agility. We focus on terrestrial, multilegged locomotion in the field of bio-inspired robotics. We define agility as the ability to perform a set of different but specific tasks executed in a fast and efficient manner. This definition is inspired by the analysis of natural role models, such as dogs and horses as well as robotic systems. An evaluation of existing benchmarks in robotics is done and taken into account in our proposed benchmark. After the general definition, the actual normalized benchmarking values are defined, and measuring methods, as well as an online database for agility score collection and distribution, are presented. To provide a baseline for agile locomotion, various videos of dog-agility competitions were analyzed and agility scores calculated wherever applicable. Finally, validation and implementation of the benchmark are done with different robots directly available to the authors. In conclusion, our benchmark will enable researchers not only to compare existing robots and find out strengths and weaknesses in different design approaches, but also give a tool to define new fitness functions for optimization, learning processes, and future robots developments, intensifying the links between biology and technology even further.