Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A High Efficiency Controller IC for LLC Resonant Converter in 0.35 μm BCD

This paper presents a LLC resonant controller IC for secondary side control without external active devices to achieve low profile and low cost LED back light units. A gate driving transformer is adopted to isolate the primary side and the secondary side instead of an opto-coupler. A new integrated dimming circuitry is proposed to improve the dynamic current control characteristic and the current density of a LED for the brightness modulation of a large screen LCD. A dual-slope clock generator is proposed to overcome the frequency error due to the under shoot in conventional approaches. This chip is fabricated using 0.35 ㎛ BCD technology and the die size is 2×2 ㎟. The frequency range of the clock generator is from 50 ㎑ to 500 ㎑ and the range of the dead time is from 50 ㎱ to 2.2 ㎲. The efficiency of the LED driving circuit is 97 % and the current consumption is 40 ㎃ for a 100 ㎑ operation frequency from a 15 V supply voltage.
Temporal evolution of cell focal adhesions: experimental observations and shear stress profiles

Live cells create adhering contacts with substrates viafocal adhesion (FA) sites associated with the termini of actin stress fibers. These FA ‘anchors’ enable cells to adhere firmly and locally to a substrate, and to generate traction that enables cell body displacement. Using time-lapse video microscopy, we have monitored the spontaneous anisotropic changes in FA size and shape, resulting from molecular reorganization of the adhesion sites in live, non-motile rat embryonic fibroblasts adhering to fibronectin-coated glass surfaces. The resulting experimental data on FA growth, saturation and decay is compared with predictions from a number of biophysical models. We find that the growth and saturation regimes for all FAs exhibit a consistent, recurring pattern, whereas the disassembly regime exhibits erratic behavior. We observe that the maximum size of FA areas depends on the FA growth rate: larger FA areas are formed as the growth rate increases. Using a composite mechanics model by which the evolution of the shear stress profile along the FA region can be calculated, we suggest that FA saturation is triggered either by the reaching of a minimum shear stress threshold at the FA back edge, or of a maximum difference between the maximum and minimum shear stress along the FA site.
Surprising Strategies Obtained by Stochastic Optimization in Partially Observable Games

This paper studies the optimization of strategies in the context of possibly randomized two players zero-sum games with incomplete information. We compare 5 algorithms for tuning the parameters of strategies over a benchmark of 12 games. A first evolutionary approach consists in designing a highly randomized opponent (called naive opponent) and optimizing the parametric strategy against it; a second one is optimizing iteratively the strategy, i.e. constructing a sequence of strategies starting from the naive one. 2 versions of coevolutions, real and approximate, are also tested as well as a seed method. The coevolution methods were performing well, but results were not stable from one game to another. In spite of its simplicity, the seed method, which can be seen as an extremal version of coevolution, works even when nothing else works. Incidentally, these methods brought out some unexpected strategies for some games, such as Batawaf or the game of War, which seem, at first view, purely random games without any structured actions possible for the players or Guess Who, where a dichotomy between the characters seems to be the most reasonable strategy. All source codes of games are written in Matlab/Octave and are freely available for download.
Structural Change and Cross-Country Growth Empirics

One of the most striking features of economic growth is the process of structural change whereby the share of agriculture in GDP decreases as countries develop. The cross-country growth literature typically estimates an aggregate homogeneous production function or convergence regression model that abstracts from this process of structural change. This paper investigates the extent to which assumptions about aggregation and homogeneity matter for inferences regarding the nature of technology differences across countries. Using a unique World Bank dataset, it estimates production functions for agriculture and manufacturing in a panel of 40 developing and developed countries for the period from 1963 to 1992. It empirically models dimensions of heterogeneity across countries, allowing for different choices of technology within both sectors. The paper argues that heterogeneity is important within sectors across countries implying that an analysis of aggregate data will not produce useful measures of the nature of the technology or productivity. It shows that many of the puzzling elements in aggregate cross-country empirics can be explained by inappropriate aggregation across heterogeneous sectors.
Iron oxidation kinetics and phosphate immobilization along the flow-path from groundwater into surface water

The retention of phosphorus in surface waters through co-precipitation of phosphate with Fe-oxyhydroxides during exfiltration of anaerobic Fe(II) rich groundwater is not well understood. We developed an experimental field set-up to study Fe(II) oxidation and P immobilization along the flow-path from groundwater into surface water in an agricultural experimental catchment of a small lowland river. We physically separated tube drain effluent from groundwater discharge before it entered a ditch in an agricultural field. Through continuous discharge measurements and weekly water quality sampling of groundwater, tube drain water, exfiltrated groundwater, and surface water, we investigated Fe(II) oxidation kinetics and P immobilization processes. The oxidation rate inferred from our field measurements closely agreed with the general rate law for abiotic oxidation of Fe(II) by O 2 . Seasonal changes in climatic conditions affected the Fe(II) oxidation process. Lower pH and lower temperatures in winter (compared to summer) resulted in low Fe oxidation rates. After exfiltration to the surface water, it took a couple of days to more than a week before complete oxidation of Fe(II) is reached. In summer time, Fe oxidation rates were much higher. The Fe concentrations in the exfiltrated groundwater were low, indicating that dissolved Fe(II) is completely oxidized prior to inflow into a ditch. While the Fe oxidation rates reduce drastically from summer to winter, P concentrations remained high in the groundwater and an order of magnitude lower in the surface water throughout the year. This study shows very fast immobilization of dissolved P during the initial stage of the Fe(II) oxidation process which results in P-depleted water before Fe(II) is completely depleted. This cannot be explained by surface complexation of phosphate to freshly formed Fe-oxyhydroxides but indicates the formation of Fe(III)-phosphate precipitates. The formation of Fe(III)-phosphates at redox gradients seems an important geochemical mechanism in the transformation of dissolved phosphate to structural phosphate and, therefore, a major control on the P retention in natural waters that drain anaerobic aquifers.
Zipf's law in 50 languages: its structural pattern, linguistic interpretation, and cognitive motivation

Zipf's law has been found in many human-related fields, including language, where the frequency of a word is persistently found as a power law function of its frequency rank, known as Zipf's law. However, there is much dispute whether it is a universal law or a statistical artifact, and little is known about what mechanisms may have shaped it. To answer these questions, this study conducted a large scale cross language investigation into Zipf's law. The statistical results show that Zipf's laws in 50 languages all share a 3-segment structural pattern, with each segment demonstrating distinctive linguistic properties and the lower segment invariably bending downwards to deviate from theoretical expectation. This finding indicates that this deviation is a fundamental and universal feature of word frequency distributions in natural languages, not the statistical error of low frequency words. A computer simulation based on the dual-process theory yields Zipf's law with the same structural pattern, suggesting that Zipf's law of natural languages are motivated by common cognitive mechanisms. These results show that Zipf's law in languages is motivated by cognitive mechanisms like dual-processing that govern human verbal behaviors.
KEPLER AND THE LONG-PERIOD VARIABLES

High-precision Kepler photometry is used to explore the details of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) light curves. Since AGB variability has a typical timescale on the order of a year, we discuss at length the removal of long-term trends and quarterly changes in Kepler data. Photometry for a small sample of nine semi-regular (SR) AGB stars is examined using a 30 minute cadence over a period of 45 months. While undergoing long-period variations of many magnitudes, the light curves are shown to be smooth at the millimagnitude level over much shorter time intervals. No flares or other rapid events were detected on a sub-day timescale. The shortest AGB period detected is on the order of 100 days. All the SR variables in our sample are shown to have multiple modes. This is always the first overtone, typically combined with the fundamental. A second common characteristic of SR variables is shown to be the simultaneous excitation of multiple closely separated periods for the same overtone mode. Approximately half the sample had a much longer variation in the light curve, likely a long secondary period (LSP). The light curves were all well represented by a combination of sinusoids. However, the properties of the sinusoids are time variable, with irregular variations present at low levels. No non-radial pulsations were detected. It is argued that the LSP variation seen in many SR variables is intrinsic to the star and linked to multiple mode pulsation.
Frequency of Red Blood Cell Alloimmunization in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease in Palestine

Background Transfusion of red blood cells (RBC) is an essential therapeutic tool in sickle cell disease (SCD). Repeated RBC transfusions can cause alloimmunization which causes difficulty in cross-matching and finding compatible blood for transfusions. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of RBC alloimmunization and related risk factors among Palestinian SCD patients. Materials and Methods A multicenter cross-sectional study on 116 previously transfused SCD patients from three centers in West Bank, Palestine. Demographic, medical data and history of transfusion were recorded. Blood samples were collected from transfused consenting SCD patients. Gel card method was used for antibody screening and identification. In all patients, autocontrol and direct antiglobulin (DAT) test were performed using polyspecific (anti-IgG + C3d) anti-human globulin (AHG) gel cards for the detection of autoantibodies. Results Of the SCD patients, 62 (53.4%) patients were HbSS and 54 (46.6%) patients were sickle β-thalassemia (S/β-thal). There were 53 (45.7%) females and 63 (54.3%) males. Mean age was 18.8 years (range 3-53 years). The frequency of RBC alloimmunization among SCD patients was 7.76%, with anti-K showing the highest frequency (33.3%) followed by anti-E (22.2%), anti-D (11.1%), anti-C (11.1%), and anti-c (11.1%). All reported IgG alloantibodies were directed against antigens in the Rh (66.7%) and Kell (33.3%) systems. Older ages of patients, increased number of blood units transfused, and splenectomy were the commonest risk factors for alloimmunization in our study. Conclusions RBC alloimmunization rate among Palestinian SCD patients is low compared to neighboring countries and countries all over the world but still warrants more attention. Phenotyping of donors/recipients' RBC for Rh antigens and K1 (partial phenotype matching) before their first transfusion may reduce the incidence of alloimmunization.
Long Feeding High-Fat Diet Induces Hypothalamic Oxidative Stress and Inflammation, and Prolonged Hypothalamic AMPK Activation in Rat Animal Model

Scope: The hypothalamus is a key brain region involved in the control of feeding and energy expenditure. Hypothalamic inflammation and oxidative stress are landmarks of both obesity and aging processes, although the molecular mechanisms are still unknown. Therefore, with the aim to understand the neurobiological mechanisms of energy homeostasis during aging, we evaluate the effects of long feeding high-fat diet (HFD) in rats, at different age, on modulation of hypothalamic molecular pathway, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Procedures: Male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: control group, receiving standard diet (CD), and treated group, receiving HFD. Both groups were treated with the appropriate diet for 1, 3, 6, 12, or 18 weeks. We investigated energy balance and body composition, as well as lipid profile, homeostatic model assessment index, and inflammatory state in serum. Furthermore, we also analyzed, at hypothalamic level, inflammation and oxidative stress, and adenosine monophosphate-dependent kinase (AMPK) and pAMPK expression levels. Results: Our data showed that aging and HFD induce increased energy intake and energy efficiency and decreased energy expenditure associated, at hypothalamic level, with inflammation and oxidative stress and activation of AMPK. Conclusion: Our results indicate that the age at which HFD feeding starts and the diet duration are critical in obesity development. The prolonged activation of hypothalamic AMPK may be related to the alterations in energy homeostasis.
Integrated ExG, Vibration and Temperature Measurement Front-End for Wearable Sensing

This paper presents a programmable CMOS integrated front-end ASIC targeting the acquisition of signals in biomedical applications, including rehabilitation and treadmill exercise monitoring. The analog front-end is combined with a commercial microcontroller for clock generation, signal processing, and feedback generation. The ASIC provides a unique combination of sensing interfaces, including a dc-coupled ExG monitor including variable gain amplification with 34–60 dB tunable gain range, 31-step offset compensation, as well as a capacitive sensor readout for piezoelectric vibration measurement (which can alternatively be used as a buffer for sensors with voltage output) providing 28.6-dB attenuation and $16~V_{\mathrm {pp}}$ effective input range below 100 Hz, a 1 °C-precision thermometer, a 50-/60-Hz switched-capacitor notch filter for mains interference reduction, and an 8-bit analog-to-digital pulse-width-modulating converter. The design is realized in 180-nm technology where it occupies an area of 0.06 mm2. Measured results are reported which confirm the intended operation.
Recent Insights on Alzheimer’s Disease Originating from Yeast Models

In this review article, yeast model-based research advances regarding the role of Amyloid-β (Aβ), Tau and frameshift Ubiquitin UBB+1 in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are discussed. Despite having limitations with regard to intercellular and cognitive AD aspects, these models have clearly shown their added value as complementary models for the study of the molecular aspects of these proteins, including their interplay with AD-related cellular processes such as mitochondrial dysfunction and altered proteostasis. Moreover, these yeast models have also shown their importance in translational research, e.g., in compound screenings and for AD diagnostics development. In addition to well-established Saccharomyces cerevisiae models, new upcoming Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Candida glabrata and Kluyveromyces lactis yeast models for Aβ and Tau are briefly described. Finally, traditional and more innovative research methodologies, e.g., for studying protein oligomerization/aggregation, are highlighted.
A compact triple band dual polarized metamaterial antenna loaded with double hexagonal SRR for WLAN/WiMAX applications

This paper presents the design of a CPW-Fed circularly polarized metamaterial (MTM) antenna using short ended configuration. The proposed antenna consists of a Composite Right/Left Handed (CRLH) Transmission Line (TL) unit cell and double hexagonal split ring resonator (SRR). The antenna offers compact size with overall dimensions of 0.17 λ0 x 0.24 λ0 x 0.013 λ0. The antenna shows triple band characteristics with the first band centered at 2.61 GHz, second band centered at 4.12 GHz and third band centered at 6.24 GHz with an impedance bandwidth of 6.54%, 6.61% and 34.20% respectively. The proposed antenna shows circular polarization in the first band and linear polarization in other two bands. The antenna shows peak gain of 2.4 dBi, 3.38 dBi and 4.26 dBi for the three bands respectively.
Pulmonary and Renal Pathology Rapid Fatty Acid Ethyl Ester Synthesis by Porcine Myocardium Upon Ethanol Infusion into the Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery

Fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs), nonoxidative metabolites of ethanol, have been implicated in ethanol-induced heart injury. To assess the in vivo production of FAEEs by myocardial tissue, we used a modified ethanol ablation procedure in pigs. A controlled 60-minute ethanol infusion was administered into the distal left anterior descending coronary artery in seven swine; serial blood sampling of the coronary sinus and peripheral vein before, during, and after infusion allowed measurement of FAEE production and ethanol levels in the coronary sinus and the peripheral circulation. In a single animal, FAEEs were also quantified from nine different sites within the myocardium. FAEEs were produced by the heart within 5 minutes of exposure to ethanol, with very high concentrations of FAEEs detected in coronary sinus blood. Significant variability in amounts of FAEEs was detected in different regions of the heart tissue. A strong correlation was found between coronary sinus FAEEs and ethanol concentration (r 0.9241, P < 0.00001). FAEE production by the heart after delivery of ethanol into the left anterior descending coronary artery was rapid, reaching levels in the coronary sinus blood 4 to 10 times greater than that found in peripheral blood after ethanol intake. These datademonstratethatFAEEsmaybemediatorsofethanolinduced cardiotoxicity. (Am J Pathol 2006, 168:1435–1442; DOI: 10.2353/ajpath.2006.050537)
Virtual Network Function Selection and Chaining Based on Deep Learning in SDN and NFV-Enabled Networks

Software-Defined Network (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV) make Service Function Chain (SFC) become a popular service paradigm. For an SFC Request (SFCR), the flow needs to be routed to traverse a series of specified Virtual Network Functions (VNFs) in predefined order. The key challenge is how to make an optimal VNF selection and chaining approach for an SFCR in multi- instance environment. Moreover, as the SDN controller should achieve centralized network control over the state of data plane elements, it is an urgent need to design a high-performance routing strategy to reduce the routing computation time. In the paper, we formulate the VNF selection and chaining problem as a Binary Integer Programming (BIP) model with the aim to minimize end-to-end delay. Then, a novel deep learning- based strategy is proposed to solve the problem by intelligent routing learning and prediction. Performance evaluation shows that the deep learning- based strategy can obtain high network performance in SFCR acceptance rate and end-to-end delay and enhance the time efficiency of routing computation compared with existing approach.
A Review of Impulse Buying Behavior

Researchers and Practitioners have been interested in the field of impulse buying for the past sixty years (Clover, 1950; Stern, 1962; Rook, 1987; Peck and Childers, 2006; Chang et.al, 2011). The purpose of this paper is to provide a detailed account of the impulse buying behavior by compiling the various research works literature in the field of Retailing and Consumer Behavior. It gives a broad overview of the impulse buying construct and the various behavior related aspects. A wide range of journal databases and books were referred to review the works of various researchers. The content analysis of the various research works led to the classification of literature into different factors influencing impulse buying and further development of research framework. The multiple aspects of the subject are categorized for future research works in the area of impulse buying with the suggestions. The paper will be useful for marketing practitioners and researchers towards comprehensive understanding of the consumer’s impulsiveness.
A Graph Optimization-Based Indoor Map Construction Method via Crowdsourcing

Indoor mapping is an essential element of indoor navigation systems. In this paper, we present a graph optimization-based method for indoor map construction, which can be used in buildings without prior knowledge. By using crowdsourcing data on mobile phone sensors, we can derive activity landmarks where people perform different activities (turning, taking the elevator, taking the escalator, and walking up/down the stairs). Our method uses graph optimization techniques to align crowdsourcing trajectories by their intersecting landmarks. After trajectory alignment, this method applies a pose graph optimization method to construct an indoor map. Finally, our method performs a transform from relative coordinates to an absolute coordinate with reference points and reduces the redundant segments using dynamic time warping. To evaluate the performance, we implement the proposed method in an office building and a shopping mall. Experiment results show that 80th percentile error of the mapping accuracy is about 1.7–3.5 m. Moreover, the proposed method can deal with the curved routes in a building and can also decrease the amount of required data.
DynamiTE: Dynamic Traffic Engineering in Software-Defined Cyber Physical Systems

Next-generation cyber physical systems (CPS) face a variety of challenges in terms of networking, interoperability and scalability in the presence of heterogeneous devices. Recent advances in software-defined networking (SDN) make it a viable approach towards addressing these issues by introducing programmability and flexibility in the network. However, the elasticity of scale required by CPS raises some concerns about the control-overhead of the OpenFlow protocol. In this paper, we propose a dynamic traffic engineering scheme, DynamiTE, in software-defined cyber physical systems (SD-CPS). Our aim is to minimize the control overhead at the SDN controller by minimizing the number of PACKET-IN messages. We propose a greedy heuristic approach to determine the optimal number of switches required to have higher ternary content-addressable memory (TCAM), termed as candidate switches, compared to the other switches in the network. In such a scenario, a fully occupied switch directly forwards a new incoming flow to a candidate switch without sending a PACKET-IN message to the SDN controller. Further, a packet-tagging method is applied to notify the SDN controller about the congestion occurred at the fully occupied switch. Simulation results show that DynamiTE is capable of reducing the number of PACKET-IN messages by 10% compared to the OpenFlow-based reactive forwarding schemes (OFS). Further, the number of packets experiencing congestion in the network is reduced by 38%, compared to the randomized forwarding scheme (RFS).
Towards a Simplified Ontology for Better e-Commerce Search

Query Understanding is a semantic search method that can classify tokens in a customer's search query to entities such as Product, Brand, etc. This method can overcome the limitations of bag-of-words methods but requires an ontology. We show that current ontologies are not optimized for search and propose a simplified ontology framework designed specifically for e-commerce search and retrieval. We also present three methods for automatically extracting product classes for the proposed ontology and compare their performance relative to each other.