Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DNA methylation in development

Early embryonic development is a very precise and complicated process. When a sperm meets an egg, a series of well-orchestrated changes take place, which end up with distinct types of cells that make up an organism. Cells start from a pluripotent state and differentiate without changes in DNA sequence. A differentiated cell shares the same DNA sequence with the zygote from which it is descended (mammalian B and T cells being an exception). The diverse functions of different cells are due to tissue-specific patterns of gene expression, which are established during development; once the fates of the cells are decided, they will be maintained faithfully through cell divisions. Hence it is reasonable to assert that development is, by definition, an epigenetic process (Reik, 2007). The specific gene expression programs in differentiated cells are regulated by a more flexible system, which dynamically switches on and off the genes for maintaining homeostasis or responding to environmental changes.
A low-voltage fully balanced CMFF transconductor with improved linearity

This paper presents a new low-voltage pseudo-differential continuous-time CMOS transconductor for wideband applications. The proposed cell is based on a feedforward cancellation of the input common-mode signal and keeps the input common mode voltage constant, while the transconductance is easily tunable through a continuous bias voltage. Linearity is preserved during the tuning process for a moderate range of transconductance values. Simulation results for a 0.35 &mgr;m CMOS design show a 1:2 Gm tuning range with an almost constant bandwidth over 600 MHz. Total harmonic distortion figures are below -60 dB over the whole range at 10 MHz up to a 200 &mgr;Ap-p differential output. The proposed cell consumes less than 1.2 mW from a single 2.0 V supply.
Speech variability and emotion : production and perception

• A submitted manuscript is the author's version of the article upon submission and before peer-review. There can be important differences between the submitted version and the official published version of record. People interested in the research are advised to contact the author for the final version of the publication, or visit the DOI to the publisher's website. • The final author version and the galley proof are versions of the publication after peer review. • The final published version features the final layout of the paper including the volume, issue and page numbers.
Wideband U-slot microstrip patch antenna array

The design and measured results of a wideband antenna array of four U-slot rectangular patches are presented. The U-slot patches are proximity coupled by a microstrip feed line terminating with novel /spl Pi/-shaped stubs. By using a foam layer of thickness t/spl sim/5.5 mm as the supporting substrate, an impedance bandwidth (SWR/spl les/2) of 27% ranging from 3.4 GHz to 4.5 GHz is achieved. It has an average gain of 13 dBi and a cross-polarisation of less than -20 dB.
A systematic literature review of the major factors causing yield gap by affecting growth, feed conversion ratio and survival in Nile tilapia (
 Oreochromis niloticus
 )

Productivity among small‐ and medium‐scale tilapia farms varies considerably. The difference between the best performers and lower ones (yield gap), is affected by differences in growth rate and feed conversion ratio (FCR). FCR at the farm level is strongly influenced by survival of fish. In this study a systematic literature review of two databases (ASFA and CAB‐Abstracts) identified 1973 potentially relevant articles. Data from 32 articles that met the inclusion criteria were analysed using linear mixed models for the most important factors with significant contributions to growth [investigated through analysis of the thermal growth coefficient (TGC)], survival and FCR of Nile tilapia. Increasing crude protein (CP), dissolved oxygen (DO) and pH significantly decreased FCR and increased TGC. Increasing stocking weight (SW) significantly improved both FCR and survival. Temperature had the largest effect on FCR followed by DO, pH and CP. DO had the largest effect on TGC followed by CP and pH. This study confirms that the optimal rearing temperature for Nile tilapia is between 27 and 32°C. Improving management to optimize DO (> 5 mg/L), stocking density (3–5 fish/m2), SW (> 10 g) and CP (25 − 30%) will improve performance and survival in small‐ and medium‐scale tilapia farming. However, it is hard to influence temperature in ponds and cages while DO is largely influenced by aeration. Since many small‐ and medium‐sized farms do not have aeration, these major tilapia farming systems could benefit from genetically improved strains selected for resilience to highly fluctuating diurnal temperature and DO levels.
A Continuous Multivariable Finite-Time Control Scheme for Double Integrator Systems With Bounded Control Input

A multivariable finite-time control algorithm is proposed for double integrator systems with matched disturbances. The remarkable feature of the developed method is to ensure the finite-time stability of the closed-loop system with uniformly bounded control signal with respect to arbitrary initial conditions. The convergence criteria are derived by using the Lyapunov-based techniques, and the upper bound of the control signal can be calculated based on the obtained criteria. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is confirmed by some numerical simulations.
Can extreme Arctic climate change be avoided with cost effective mitigation?

WHY IT MATTERS. Climate warming threatens a wide variety of environmental harm on a global scale, with notable high rates of change in the Arctic. But can reduced GHG emissions stabilize the climate to forestall worsening impacts and, if so, how can society best evaluate the true social costs of additional emissions to promote reduction? Decision makers and the public need to understand how mitigation efforts might still reduce the threats of global warming so they can make rational choices with emerging tools to determine the relative cost–benefit of policy and regulatory options.
Effect of Serial Passage on the Pathogenicity and Immunogenicity of Vaccinia Virus LC16m8 Strain

Simple Summary There is great current interest in vaccines for use in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Safety and efficacy are particularly important in vaccine development, and these depend on the properties of the vaccine and the response in the vaccinated person. Some vaccines produce a strong immune response but may also cause adverse events in certain individuals. It is particularly important to predict if a person may be vulnerable to these adverse events, and this is one of the purposes of the field of vaccinomics. In this review, we examine recent studies on vaccinia virus (VACV) vaccine, which is the key vaccine responsible for eradicating smallpox. In particular, we consider the different individual responses to this vaccine, and we discuss future research directions in this area. Abstract The phenotype of an attenuated live vaccine depends on gene mutation achieved by, for example, many passages in cultured cells. Viral clones with preferable phenotypes are selected and the causative genetic mutation(s) are later identified. LC16m8 is an example of a highly attenuated smallpox vaccine that was developed and licensed in Japan in the 1970s. LC16m8 was obtained by the passaging of Lister strain, with indicators of small plaque formation and temperature sensitivity as virus phenotypes. This strain can replicate in mammalian cells and provides robust cellular and humoral immunity, as well as long-term immune memory. Recent studies using proteome-wide antigen arrays have revealed that antibody production against LC16m8 and other VACVs differs largely among individuals. Moreover, associations between SNPs in immune-related genes and immune outcomes have been increasingly found. These results lead to predicting adverse events of a vaccine, which is a purpose of vaccinomics. Studies on VACV will continue to contribute to the understanding of host-pathogen interactions and to development of a vaccine for other infectious and non-infectious diseases. Here, we review studies of VACV, including our recent research on LC16m8, with a focus on the phenotype and genotype, and we discuss future research directions.
How independent directors affect firms’ performance and sustainability: An analysis of Italian firms

The role of independent directors has been for years in the spotlight of international studies. This phenomenon, which was initially a prerogative of corporations of English-speaking countries, over the last two decades has rapidly spread across Europe, where several countries have introduced specific regulations, borrowing from international best practices. Board independence is thought to buffer the firms against opportunistic behavior (Masulis & Zhang, 2019). This study aims to analyze how independent directors contribute to the decisional processes within Italian boards of directors and to the development of the firms to which they belong. The research hypotheses were formulated based on bibliometric analysis and then they were validated through both a desk analysis and survey data. Therefore, the hypotheses were first connected to the data included within the Assonime reports on corporate governance in Italy in the last 4 years. Then, a quantitative analysis was conducted through a structured survey, administered to a sample of 65 independent directors of Italian firms and belonging to Nedcommunity, the Italian association of non-executive and independent directors, in order to examine the self-perception of independent directors about their own role and effectiveness. This work, combining the structural and the behavioral views, aims at contributing to the literature concerning the impact and the efficacy of independent directors. The findings confirm that the presence of independent directors has a positive effect on corporate performance, on the protection of shareholders’ interests, and especially on the adoption of CSR policies.
Towards a portable-noninvasive blood pressure monitoring system utilizing the photoplethysmogram signal.

Blood pressure (BP) responds instantly to the body's conditions, such as movements, diseases or infections, and sudden excitation. Therefore, BP monitoring is a standard clinical measurement and is considered one of the fundamental health signs that assist in predicting and diagnosing several cardiovascular diseases. The traditional BP techniques (i.e. the cuff-based methods) only provide intermittent measurements over a certain period. Additionally, they cause turbulence in the blood flow, impeding the continuous BP monitoring, especially in emergency cases. In this study, an instrumentation system is designed to estimate BP noninvasively by measuring the PPG signal utilizing the optical technique. The photoplethysmogram (PPG) signals were measured and processed for ≈ 450 cases with different clinical conditions and irrespective of their health condition. A total of 13 features of the PPG signal were used to estimate the systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), utilizing several machine learning techniques. The experimental results showed that the designed system is able to effectively describe the complex-embedded relationship between the features of the PPG signal and BP (SBP and DBP) with high accuracy. The mean absolute error (MAE) ± standard deviation (SD) was 4.82 ± 3.49 mmHg for the SBP and 1.37 ± 1.65 mmHg for the DBP, with a mean error (ME) of ≈ 0 mmHg. The estimation results are consistent with the Association for the American National Standards of the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) and achieved Grade A in the British Hypertension Society (BHS) standards for the DBP and Grade B for the SBP. Such a study effectively contributes to the scientific efforts targeting the promotion of the practical application for providing a portable-noninvasive instrumentation system for BP monitoring purposes. Once the BP is determined with sufficient accuracy, it can be utilized further in the early prediction and classification of various arrhythmias such as hypertension, tachycardia, bradycardia, and atrial fibrillation (as the early detection can be a critical issue).
Performance evaluation of doubly-fed twin stator induction machine drive with voltage and current space vector control schemes

The doubly-fed twin stator induction machine (DFTSIM) is of interest as an adjustable speed drive (ASD) and a variable speed generator (VSG), as it combines the advantages of a brushless drive with the potential for high-voltage, high-power and limited speed range applications. Previous work on the DFTSIM (or its equivalent brushless doubly-fed machine) has considered steady state performance with open loop control or dynamic performance with closed loop control, but has not considered an overall performance evaluation with an appropriate closed loop speed control. The comparative dynamic and steady state performance of a laboratory DFTSIM drive using 'voltage space vector control' and 'current space vector control' schemes is discussed. While the magnitude of the control winding voltage (or current) space vector is dynamically controlled to obtain the desired torque in a speed control loop, its position is regulated to operate the machine in synchronous mode. Results show that the maximum efficiency for the voltage space vector control is slightly higher than that for the current space vector control scheme, but the current space vector control offers better dynamic response and minimum converter voltampere requirement. Although the reduction in the converter VA rating with the DFTSIM drive is similar to that achievable with a slip power recovery drive, the brushless DFTSIM drive has a greater potential for applications requiring high reliability and low maintenance. Further, the DFTSIM is a viable alternative in the context of nonconventional power generation such as wind and small hydro.
Study on slot irises for tunable filters using TE 011 mode

Tunable filters using the TE011 mode have slot irises for coupling between cavities. Unless the slot iris is appropriately designed, the coupling value of the iris varies as an operating frequency changes and the filter performance deteriorates as a result. In this reported work, it was found that the frequency-dependent coupling characteristic of the slot iris can be minimised by locating the iris appropriately. Why the coupling of a slot iris changes when the operating frequency is tuned is explained and how to find the optimum location of the slot iris for minimum variation of the coupling value is presented. The proposed theory is verified by full-wave EM simulations and experiments with a Ka-band two-pole filter.
Proposal of a Si based device for multiplexing conversion between PDM and MDM

A novel concept for a compact SOI device used to achieve the conversions between the polarization division multiplexing (PDM) and the mode division multiplexing signals (MDM) is proposed and simulated by utilizing a structure combining a 2D grating coupler and a two-mode multiplexer. The detailed design of the proposed device is given and the simulations show the good performance of the device. The proposed device can be useful for accommodating the future fiber optic communication networks which utilizing multiple multiplexing techniques.
Assessing Retail Biomass Electricity Efficiency in Japan: Focus on Average Cost and Benefit

Biomass utilisation has been one of the most pertinent topics in the field of sustainability. An example of biomass resource usage is renewable electricity (REL) using bioresources (Bio-REL). Although Bio-REL is widely disseminated globally, existing research suggests that it may be less economically efficient than other REL sources. The cost of Bio-REL has not changed in recent years, but the cost of solar or photovoltaic (PV) REL has been significantly reduced. Some studies also assert that retail Bio-REL is preferred less than PV-REL. As this is not well established in the literature, this study analysed the average levelised costs of energy (LCOE) and preferences for retail Bio-REL and PV-REL while focusing on the case of Japan. The results indicate that the average LCOE of retail Bio-REL was 1.4 times greater than that of PV-REL, while the willingness to pay (WTP) for Bio-REL was about half. The analysis has considerable relevance for countries other than Japan with comparative cost and preference for both REL sources. The research raises an important issue regarding the efficiency of the strategy of REL dissemination and proposes that a comprehensive economic analysis of the social benefits of Bio-REL be conducted.
Realization and Design of SMS Alarm System in Satellite TT&C Ground Station

The existed MCS in ground station is local monitoring and control system , so there must be a man on duty all day long to monitor the whole system . In order to make all the staff of the station get the real time alarm messages of the system , we use a SMS modem and a serial server to realize the SMS alarm system on the basis of existed MCS in the ground station . The program language is Visual C#. Net . Based on the alarm system , the staff not on duty can also get the alarm messages of devices in ground station .
Challenges and Costs of Asexuality: Variation in Premeiotic Genome Duplication in Gynogenetic Hybrids from Cobitis taenia Complex

The transition from sexual reproduction to asexuality is often triggered by hybridization. The gametogenesis of many hybrid asexuals involves premeiotic genome endoreplication leading to bypass hybrid sterility and forming clonal gametes. However, it is still not clear when endoreplication occurs, how many gonial cells it affects and whether its rate differs among clonal lineages. Here, we investigated meiotic and premeiotic cells of diploid and triploid hybrids of spined loaches (Cypriniformes: Cobitis) that reproduce by gynogenesis. We found that in naturally and experimentally produced F1 hybrids asexuality is achieved by genome endoreplication, which occurs in gonocytes just before entering meiosis or, rarely, one or a few divisions before meiosis. However, genome endoreplication was observed only in a minor fraction of the hybrid’s gonocytes, while the vast majority of gonocytes were unable to duplicate their genomes and consequently could not proceed beyond pachytene due to defects in bivalent formation. We also noted that the rate of endoreplication was significantly higher among gonocytes of hybrids from natural clones than of experimentally produced F1 hybrids. Thus, asexuality and hybrid sterility are intimately related phenomena and the transition from sexual reproduction to asexuality must overcome significant problems with genome incompatibilities with a possible impact on reproductive potential.
A STUDY ON THE EFFECTS OF NOISE ON INDUSTRIAL WORKERS IN MALAYSIA

Kertas kerja ini mempersembahkan keputusan satu kajian ergonomik berkaitan kesan kebisingan terhadap pekerja industri di Malaysia. Tiga industri berbeza yang telah dipilih untuk kajian ialah pengeluar produk berasaskan getah, syarikat hentakan logam dan syarikat percetakan penerbitan. Satu soal selidik yang mengandungi 37 soalan yang merangkumi semua aduan berkaitan kesan kebisingan terhadap manusia telah disedia dan diberikan kepada 120 pekerja industri yang dipilih. Maklum balas daripada pekerja dikumpulkan sebagai data untuk analisis selanjutnya. Satu pengujian Chi–Square telah digunakan untuk menentukan sama ada kesan kebisingan adalah signifikan atau tidak signifikan. Didapati bahawa pada tahap signifikan, α = 0.05, fisiologi, kehilangan pendengaran, audiotori dan gangguan tidur adalah kesan kebisingan yang secara statistiknya signifikan. Bagaimanapun, kesan kebisingan terhadap psikologi telah didapati tidak signifikan. Kata kunci: Ergonomik, kesan kebisingan, kesan fisiologi, kesan kehilangan pendengaran, kesan audiotori, kesan psikologi This paper presents results of an ergonomic study pertaining to the effect of noise on industrial workers in Malaysia. Three different industries selected for the study were rubber product manufacturing, metal stamping, publication and printing. A questionnaire consisting of 37 questions, covering all possible reported effects of noise on humans, was prepared and served to a total of 120 workers at the above mentioned industries. Responses from the workers were collected for analysis. A Chi–Square test was used to determine whether the effects of noise were statistically significant or not. It is found from the results of the survey, at a level of significance, α = 0.05, physiological, hearing loss, auditory, and sleep disturbances effects of noise are statistically significant. However, psychological effect of noise is found to be non-significant. Key words: Ergonomics, noise effects, physiological effects, hearing loss effects, auditory effects, psychological effects
Robust Application of Supervised Machine Learning Techniques for Cause of Death Determination from Verbal Autopsies

Background: Verbal Autopsy (VA) is a tool commonly used in low to medium income countries to ascertain cause of death, where most deaths are not assigned a medically certified cause. As such, they strengthen health priorities, inform policy, practice and provide vital information where civil registration systems are weak. Physician diagnosis is used as a gold standard to determine cause of death, from VA interviews even though it is inconsistent and expensive. Alternatively, conventional computer algorithms and machine learning approaches have been applied.However, they fail to perform optimally because of data quality and ineffective strategies that they employ. We present a robust machine learning framework that can accurately classify cause of death using only narratives from VA interviews. Methods: Experiments started with data acquisition of the VA narratives, followed by data preprocessing. We created numeric vectors to represent the narratives using various feature engineering techniques for twelve cause of death categories. Furthermore, we applied data balancing, feature scaling, hyper-parameter tuning and dimensionality reduction in order to improve model performance. We applied eight different classification approaches to the vectors to generate model predictors of cause of death. Validation was done using Precision, Recall, Accuracy, F1-score and Receiver Operating Characteristic Area Under Curve (ROCAUC). Results: We used the physician diagnosis as our gold standard for validation of our models. Our five best classifiers attained a Precision, Recall, Accuracy and F1-score of 95%, 94%, 93%, 92% and 91% respectively in cause of death classification of all twelve disease categories. We report on Micro-Average ROCAUC of 96% and Macro-Average ROCAUC of 95% of our twelve classes. Conclusion: Our proposed robust machine learning framework can be a faster and cost effective way to determine cause of death from rich informative unstructured VA narratives. This study can also serve as a benchmark of model comparability and generalisation of machine learning models in determining cause of death using VA data. Our study was limited in terms of data quality. Future work aims at using combined responses and narratives for our models and also applying deep learning architectures for cause of death classification using VAs.