Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Contribution à la conception de convertisseurs analogique numérique delta sigma à temps continu, des spécifications à l'implémentation. Application à un standard de télécommunication large bande.

Ce travail de recherche porte sur la conversion analogique numerique delta sigma a temps continu passe-bas, et plus particulierement sur les difficultes de realisation de ce type de convertisseur. L'objectif global de ces recherches etait la mise en place d'une methode de conception adaptee. Dans un premier temps, le travail s'est focalise sur le calcul d'architecture et l'obtention de coefficients adaptes a une specification donnee. L'impact des imperfections d'horloge sur les performances de ces convertisseurs a ensuite ete etudie et une methode analytique d'estimation des degradations introduites par l'intermediaire de l'horloge a ete proposee. Ces deux etapes clefs lors de la realisation d'un delta sigma a temps continu ont ete integrees a un flot de conception complet allant des specifications a l'implementation sur silicium. Finalement, ce flot de conception a ete utilise pour realiser un modulateur delta sigma a temps continu en technologie CMOS065 pour une application WLAN.
SU-8 resonator antenna

Originally developed and patented by IBM in 1989 and commercially introduced by MicroChem Corporation in 1996, SU-8 rapidly found wide use in UV and X-ray lithography as a negative tone photoresist for microsystem technology applications [1]. Its very low optical absorption in UV and X-ray ranges leads to uniform exposure conditions for thicknesses up to a few millimetres resulting in high structural quality and excellent sidewall verticality. Cured SU-8 is highly resistant to solvents, acids and bases and has excellent thermal stability, making it attractive for applications in which the SU-8 is considered as a permanent part of the device. For instance, it is used in fabrication of X-ray lenses [2], metamaterials [3], single-mode and multi-mode optical waveguides [4], [5], and micro channels for bio applications [6].
Filtering of Biomedical signals by using Complete Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition with Adaptive Noise

work treats the filtering of artifacts that interfered with the ECG signals by the different denoising methods for ameliorate the reliability accuracy. During ECG measurement, there may be various noises such as muscle contraction (electromyography), baselines wander and power-line interferences, which interfered with the ECG information identification that causing a misinterpretation of the ECG signal. In this paper, the denoising techniques of the Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD), the Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition (EEMD) and the Complete Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition with adaptive noise (CEEMDAN) are used. The obtained results of the CEEMDAN technique exceed others methods (EEMD and EMD) used in this paper. The CEEMDAN technique is successful in denoising the biomedical signals. KeywordsEEMD, EMD, CU Ventricular Tachyarrhythmia,
Clinical Evaluation of a New Pap Test–Based Method for Screening of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae Using Liquid-Based Cytology Media

Objectives The majority of chlamydial and gonococcal infections in women are asymptomatic and, if left untreated, may result in serious sequelae. Simple and accurate testing of men and women at risk for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) is the single most effective strategy for control of sexually transmitted infections. New tests using easy-to-acquire samples, such as the Papanicolaou (Pap) test, need to be validated in an effort to expand and improve detection. The objective of this study was to determine the performance of a new nucleic acid amplification test using two liquid-based cytology media for the detection of CT and GC. Methods The study was conducted in two phases at 11 geographically diverse, high- and low-prevalence sites. Three endocervical reference swabs as well as an endocervical SurePath or PreservCyt liquid cytology specimen sampled with a broom or brush/spatula were collected in a randomized order from each subject. Reference endocervical swabs were tested with three Food and Drug Administration–approved methods and compared to two new automated tests, the CT Qx Amplified DNA Assay (CTQ) and the GC Qx Amplified DNA Assay (GCQ). Results For the SurePath phase, 1838 subjects were enrolled. The sensitivity and specificity of the CTQ assay were 95.0% and 99.7%, respectively, and the GCQ assay was 100% for both. In the PreservCyt phase, 2164 subjects were enrolled. The sensitivity and specificity of the CTQ assay were 94.1% and 99.8%, respectively, and the GCQ assay was 95.3% and 99.95%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the results. Conclusions In this investigation, high sensitivity and specificity of the CTQ and GCQ assays were demonstrated for samples collected in either of two liquid-based cytology media when compared with endocervical swabs. The results were similar in both collection methods (broom or brush/spatula) and in high- and low-risk populations.
Photo Mosaic Smartphone Application in Client-Server Based Large-Scale Image Databases

In this paper we present a photo mosaic smartphone application in client-server based large-scale image databases. Photo mosaic is not a new concept, but there are very few smartphone applications especially for a huge number of images in the client-server environment. To support large-scale image databases, we first propose an overall framework working as a client-server model. We then present a concept of image-PAA features to efficiently handle a huge number of images and discuss its lower bounding property. We also present a best-match algorithm that exploits the lower bounding property of image-PAA. We finally implement an efficient Android-based application and demonstrate its feasibility.
System Health Monitoring Using a Novel Method: Security Unified Process

Iterative and incremental mechanisms are not usually considered in existing approaches for information security management System (ISMS). In this paper, we propose SUP (security unified process) as a unified process to implement a successful and high-quality ISMS. A disciplined approach can be provided by SUP to assign tasks and responsibilities within an organization. The SUP architecture comprises static and dynamic dimensions; the static dimension, or disciplines, includes business modeling, assets, security policy, implementation, configuration and change management, and project management. The dynamic dimension, or phases, contains inception, analysis and design, construction, and monitoring. Risk assessment is a major part of the ISMS process. In SUP, we present a risk assessment model, which uses a fuzzy expert system to assess risks in organization. Since, the classification of assets is an important aspect of risk management and ensures that effective protection occurs, a Security Cube is proposed to identify organization assets as an asset classification model. The proposed model leads us to have an offline system health monitoring tool that is really a critical need in any organization.
Circulating FGF19 closely correlates with bile acid synthesis and cholestasis in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis

Background and aim Bile acid (BA) synthesis in the liver is regulated by Fibroblast Growth Factor 19 (FGF19) secreted from the ileum as an enterohepatic feedback mechanism. Although FGF19 mRNA is absent in normal liver, FGF19 gene expression was reported to increase in response to both extrahepatic and intrahepatic cholestasis. The impact of upregulated FGF19 expression on BA synthesis is unclear and the overall role of circulating FGF19 and BA synthesis under cholestatic conditions needs to be further investigated. Methods BA synthesis was directly quantified by measuring serum concentrations of 7alpha-hydroxycholest-4-en-3-one (C4), along with serum FGF19 and other parameters, in 44 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and 10 healthy subjects. Results Serum C4 were substantially lower, while those of FGF19 were higher, in cirrhotic PBC patients, as compared to those of either healthy or non-cirrhotic PBC patients. Analyses of the relationships between circulating FGF19, BA synthesis and cholestasis revealed that circulating FGF19 was strongly correlated with BA synthesis (r = -0.735, p<0.0001) and the severity of cholestasis (r = 0.590, p<0.001). Moreover, BA synthesis was found to be strongly correlated with the degree of cholestasis (r = 0.522, p = 0.0005). Conclusion These findings demonstrate that the regulation of BA synthesis in response to cholestasis is primarily controlled by circulating FGF19 and that under cholestatic conditions, the FGF19-BA synthesis feedback mechanism remains intact. Administering FGF19, or suitable mimetic, as a pharmacological intervention to increase circulating levels of FGF19 and suppress BA synthesis by inhibiting CYP7A1 gene expression is likely to provide therapeutic benefits for many PBC patients.
Charracterisation and Analysis of High Voltage Silicon Carbide Mosfet

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Determination of Phase Characteristics for PVDF Membrane Hydrophones in the Frequency Range 1-100 MHz using Nonlinear Acoustics Approach

Determination of Phase Characteristics for PVDF Membrane Hydrophones in the Frequency Range 1-100 MHz using Nonlinear Acoustics Approach Gaurav Gandhi Peter A. Lewin, Ph.D. The purpose of this study was to verify and refine a phase calibration technique reported last year, based on the nonlinear acoustic wave propagation in water. The nonlinearity of the medium leads to the generation of harmonics and the relative phasing of the harmonics causes a distinct asymmetry between the positive and negative pressure levels affecting the rise and fall time of the examined waveforms. Knowledge of the relative phase shift measured in terms of radians versus frequency when referenced to the uniform simulated phase can help deconvolve the pressure-time signal, and hence produce its faithful reconstruction, including the rise times and peak amplitudes. The modified scheme discussed in this dissertation, uses an advanced semi-empirical computer model which predicts the near and the far field distributions using the hyperbolic propagation operator, in contrast to the parabolic approximations used elsewhere. Two PVDF membrane hydrophones were first calibrated in terms of their amplitude sensitivity in Volts/Pascals or dB re 1V/μPa. The sensitivities were needed to calculate the pressure levels generated by the HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound) sources. The sources operated at the frequencies of 5 MHz and 10 MHz to enable studies up to 100 MHz. The phase responses of these two hydrophones a Marconi 50μm thick, 500μm diameter bilaminar PVDF film membrane hydrophone and a custom made Precision Acoustics, 9μm thick, 400μm diameter hydrophone were determined with
Broadband Dispersion Compensation Technology in High Speed Optical Fiber Communication Systems

Dispersion can lead to broadening in the process of optical pulse transmission, which results in intersymbol interference that limits the development of fiber with high speed and large capacity. Conducting efficient compensation to the dispersion in an optical fiber communication system has become a significant research topic. This study adopts vector effective index method to conduct numerical simulation and analysis on the characteristics and nonlinear effects of photonic crystal fiber dispersion. The characteristics and nonlinear effects of photonic crystal fiber dispersion are analyzed by changing the structural parameters of photonic crystal fiber, such as the diameter of an air hole and the space between air holes. The numerical simulation shows that the dispersion coefficient, dispersion slope, and nonlinear coefficient of photonic crystal fiber dispersion change with structural parameters; therefore, broadband dispersion compensation can be achieved by changing the structural parameters. To achieve low-linearity and high-efficiency dispersion compensation of the conventional single-mode fiber, we have to optimize the structure of photonic crystal fibers. The results of this study have guiding significance for the structural design of photonic crystal fiber dispersion compensation.
Merging Live and pre-Captured Data to support Full 3D Head Reconstruction for Telepresence

This paper proposes a 3D head reconstruction method for low cost 3D telepresence systems that uses only a single consumer level hybrid sensor (color+depth) located in front of the users. Our method fuses the real-time, noisy and incomplete output of a hybrid sensor with a set of static, high-resolution textured models acquired in a calibration phase. A complete and fully textured 3D model of the users' head can thus be reconstructed in real-time, accurately preserving the facial expression of the user. The main features of our method are a mesh interpolation and a fusion of a static and a dynamic textures to combine respectively a better resolution and the dynamic features of the face.
Sexually divergent DNA methylation patterns with hippocampal aging

DNA methylation is a central regulator of genome function, and altered methylation patterns are indicative of biological aging and mortality. Age‐related cellular, biochemical, and molecular changes in the hippocampus lead to cognitive impairments and greater vulnerability to neurodegenerative disease that varies between the sexes. The role of hippocampal epigenomic changes with aging in these processes is unknown as no genome‐wide analyses of age‐related methylation changes have considered the factor of sex in a controlled animal model. High‐depth, genome‐wide bisulfite sequencing of young (3 month) and old (24 month) male and female mouse hippocampus revealed that while total genomic methylation amounts did not change with aging, specific sites in CG and non‐CG (CH) contexts demonstrated age‐related increases or decreases in methylation that were predominantly sexually divergent. Differential methylation with age for both CG and CH sites was enriched in intergenic and intronic regions and under‐represented in promoters, CG islands, and specific enhancer regions in both sexes, suggesting that certain genomic elements are especially labile with aging, even if the exact genomic loci altered are predominantly sex‐specific. Lifelong sex differences in autosomal methylation at CG and CH sites were also observed. The lack of genome‐wide hypomethylation, sexually divergent aging response, and autosomal sex differences at CG sites was confirmed in human data. These data reveal sex as a previously unappreciated central factor of hippocampal epigenomic changes with aging. In total, these data demonstrate an intricate regulation of DNA methylation with aging by sex, cytosine context, genomic location, and methylation level.
The design of provincial ancillary service markets in China under the new-round electric power industry reform

This paper aims at developing a provincial ancillary service market framework, which helps improve the system operation and wind power integration ability. Firstly, the traditional plan-based management framework of the ancillary services in China is introduced. Then, the current pilot programs on developing market-based ancillary services management systems in China are introduced. The comparisons between China’s ancillary services management framework and that in mature electricity markets, such as PJM market, are made. Based on the experiences summarized from the mature electricity markets, the key issues of building an efficient ancillary service market are analysed. Finally, the framework of provincial ancillary service markets in China is proposed. The proposed framework illustrates how ancillary services could be procured and scheduled in a provincial electricity market.
On-current tunable carbon nanotube thin-film transistor by SiO2 passivation layer

A concept of tuning the on-current for p-type carbon nanotube thin film transistors (CNT TFTs) by SiO2 passivation layer has been proposed, which meets the different current density requirement for macroelectronic applications. The adsorbed oxygen molecules shift the fermi level down towards valence band, which decreases the barrier height between CNTs and electrodes for holes, so that an as-made CNT TFT with titanium or gold electrode exhibits dominant p-type conduction behavior although the intrinsic behavior of carbon nanotube (CNT) is bipolar. In order to tune the on-current of the p-type CNT TFTs, annealing process in high temperature and SiO2 passivation layer by Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition are used to desorb and prevent oxygen molecules from adsorbing onto the channel again. The methods for forming passivation layer are industry-compatible. Important factors affecting the tuning performance include the thickness and the length of the channel layer are studied in this paper. Besides, the mechanism of the tuning process is disclosed. We found the on-current tuning effect by SiO2 passivation layer is more significant for CNT TFTs with longer channel length than those with shorter channel length. Moreover, a positive correlation between the tuning efficiency and the thickness of passivation layer is concluded from experiments.
Two-year controlled effectiveness trial of a school-based intervention to prevent obesity in Chilean children

Abstract Objective Obesity prevalence among Chilean children is 19·4 %. The present study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a school-based obesity prevention programme. Design Non-randomized controlled study. The intervention included activities in nutrition and physical activity, fully applied the first year and partially in the second one. Primary outcomes were BMI Z-score (BMIZ) and obesity prevalence; secondary outcomes were waist circumference and triceps skinfold thickness. Time effects were assessed by changes in BMI-related variables by gender and period (ANOVA and Tukey test), while intervention effects were determined by comparing changes in (i) obesity prevalence by gender and period (PROC GENMOD) and (ii) BMIZ according gender, age and period (PROC MIXED). Setting Primary schools in the Chilean cities of Casablanca (intervention group) and Quillota (control group). Subjects One thousand seven hundred and fifty-nine children from three schools (intervention group) and 671 from one school (control group). Results Over the two years, obesity prevalence and BMIZ declined significantly in the intervention group; from 17·0 % to 12·3 % and 14·1 % to 10·3 % in boys and girls, respectively, and from 0·62 to 0·53 and 0·64 to 0·58, respectively. In the control group, obesity remained stable at about 21 % and 15 %, while BMIZ increased significantly in the second year. BMIZ declined in both genders and all age categories in the intervention group during the first year (significant only in younger boys). No changes occurred during the summer, while during the second year, BMIZ increased in boys and girls from both groups (significant only in the younger control boys). Obesity declined significantly only in boys during the first year. Conclusion Effectiveness was greater in the first school year and more evident in younger boys.
Cost of University education under the weekend degree programme at Delta State University, Asaba

The direct cost of higher education keep rising in the face of shrinking real budgetary allocation to education. In the absence of any documented evidence, the study sought to determine the cost of acquiring a degree from the Faculty of Management Sciences at Delta State University, Asaba Campus under the Weekend Degree Programme. Data for this study was collected from a random sample of 400 final year students. Data was collected and analyzed using simple percentage frequencies due to the nature of the study. Analysis of the data show that the expenditure profile is higher among female students while the cost component include tuition, accommodation, feeding and transportation. The study recommends that management should consider building hostels for Weekend Degree students to reduce distractions and cost. The university is also advised to minimize upward review of fees since most students from the catchments area are from average socio-economic backgrounds.
A high-efficiency power management IC with power-aware multi-path rectifier for wide-range RF energy harvesting

A highly-integrated CMOS power-management system with wide-range RF for ultra-high frequency (UHF) wireless energy harvesting is presented. To avoid environment-caused sudden power loss and to scavenge energy efficiently, the proposed power management system adopts power-aware rectifier architecture and adaptive DC-DC conversion ratios according to the input power level. The proposed system was fabricated in a 0.18-μm CMOS process. The system achieved a peak RF/DC conversion efficiency of 59%, a sensitivity of −11.6dBm, and a 13.5dB RF input range for at least 20% power efficiency at a 100KΩ load. At the high input power region (>−9dBm), the proposed architecture improves about 15% efficiency when compared to a conventional rectifier followed by a linear regulator. The peak efficiency of the entire system is 37%.
Learning control for a biped walking robot with a trunk

The authors propose learning control methods for compensative trunk motion for a biped walking robot that has a trunk, based on the ZMP (zero moment point) stability criterion, for the cases of the ZMP being inside the stable region and outside the stable region, respectively. They have developed a biped walking robot with a ZMP measurement system and a support device. The results of computer simulation and learning control experiments confirm the convergence of the learning methods and the change of the convergence rate with the change of the weight coefficient. The learning control experiments for the case of the ZMP being outside the stable region show that even though the walking state of the robot itself changes, with the support of a human and by its learning with the ZMP and the support force, stable walking even without the support of a human ultimately is realized.
Detection of toxins produced by vibrio fluvialis

The results of studies with cell-free extracts and culture supernatant fluids of Vibrio fluvialis (a recently recognized, potential enteric pathogen for humans) grown in the absence and presence of lincomycin indicated that the bacterium could produce (i) a factor which causes CHO cell elongation (CEF) similar to that elicited by V. cholerae enterotoxin and by the heat-labile enterotoxin of Escherichia coli, (ii) cytolysin(s) active against erythrocytes, (iii) nonhemolytic, CHO cell-killing factor(s), and (iv) protease(s) active against azocasein. The CEF was heat labile and ammonium sulfate precipitable, and it had an isoelectric point (estimated by sucrose density gradient electrofocusing) and molecular weight (estimated by gel filtration) of about 5.1 and 135,000, respectively.