19672 research outputs found
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A 3.15-mW +16.0-dBm IIP3 22-dB CG Inductively Source Degenerated Balun-LNA Mixer With Integrated Transformer-Based Gate Inductor and IM2 Injection Technique
No full textThis article proposes two linearization techniques in improving the third-order input intercept point (IIP3) of a balun-low-noise amplifier (LNA) mixer. First, the intrinsic third-order intermodulation (IM3) product of the inductively source degenerated (ISD) transconductor from the second-order derivative transconductance component ({g}''m) is reduced by tailoring toward the optimum biasing point at the moderate-inversion region. Second, the generated IM3 current by the first-order derivative transconductance ({g}'m) due to the interaction with the feedback component in the ISD transconductor is attenuated by second-harmonic injection via the bulk of the ISD transconductor. Furthermore, a transformer-based gate inductor and a transformer-based balun are applied to improve the input impedance matching and produce a balanced differential input signal. Measured results in 0.13- μ m CMOS show a high IIP3 of +16 dBm and a conversion gain (CG) of 22 dB at 2.4 GHz. The double-sideband (DSB) noise figure (NF) is 7.2 dB, and the power consumption is 3.15 mW at 1.2 V. © 1993-2012 IEEE
Pathogenic Variants in CEP85L Cause Sporadic and Familial Posterior Predominant Lissencephaly
No full textLissencephaly (LIS), denoting a “smooth brain,” is characterized by the absence of normal cerebral convolutions with abnormalities of cortical thickness. Pathogenic variants in over 20 genes are associated with LIS. The majority of posterior predominant LIS is caused by pathogenic variants in LIS1 (also known as PAFAH1B1), although a significant fraction remains without a known genetic etiology. We now implicate CEP85L as an important cause of posterior predominant LIS, identifying 13 individuals with rare, heterozygous CEP85L variants, including 2 families with autosomal dominant inheritance. We show that CEP85L is a centrosome protein localizing to the pericentriolar material, and knockdown of Cep85l causes a neuronal migration defect in mice. LIS1 also localizes to the centrosome, suggesting that this organelle is key to the mechanism of posterior predominant LIS. © 2020 Elsevier Inc.
Tsai et al. implicate CEP85L as an important cause of posterior predominant lissencephaly, identifying 13 individuals with rare, heterozygous CEP85L variants, including 2 families with autosomal dominant inheritance. © 2020 Elsevier Inc
Impact of bypass diode forward voltage on maximum power of a photovoltaic system under partial shading conditions
No full textThe maximum power of a photovoltaic system can reduce significantly under partial shading conditions. Bypass diodes can be used in photovoltaic systems to bypass the shaded photovoltaic modules during partial shading. The bypass diode possesses a forward voltage that introduces a voltage drop in the photovoltaic system upon activation. Therefore, the maximum power of a photovoltaic system can reduce further during partial shading due to the forward voltage of the bypass diode. This paper presents an investigation into the effect of bypass diode forward voltage on the maximum power of a photovoltaic system under partial shading conditions. The results indicated that the forward voltage of the bypass diode did not necessarily decrease the maximum power of the photovoltaic system. This depends on whether the maximum power is delivered at a lower or higher voltage. When the maximum power is delivered at a higher voltage, it is insusceptible to the forward voltage. Conversely, when the maximum power is delivered at a lower voltage, it is susceptible to the forward voltage. In the worst-case scenario, the forward voltage of the bypass diode reduced the maximum power of the photovoltaic system by 16.48%, which was already subject to partial shading loss. © 2019 Elsevier Lt
Comparative assessment of faecal microbial composition and metabonome of swine, farmers and human control
No full textThe gastrointestinal tract of humans and swine consist of a wide range of bacteria which interact with hosts metabolism. Due to the differences in co-evolution and co-adaptation, a large fraction of the gut microbiome is host-specific. In this study, we evaluated the effect of close human-animal interaction to the faecal metagenome and metabonome of swine, farmer and human control. Three distinct clusters were observed based on T-RFLP-derived faecal microbial composition. However, 16S-inferred faecal microbiota and metabolic profiles showed that only human control was significantly different from the swine (P < 0.05). The metabonome of farmers and human controls were highly similar. Notably, higher trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and butyrate were detected in human control and swine, respectively. The relative abundance of TMAO was positively correlated with Prevotella copri. Overall, we compared and established the relationship between the metabolites and microbiota composition of swine, farmers and human control. Based on the data obtained, we deduced that long term occupational exposure to swine and farm environment had affected the gut bacterial composition of farmers. Nonetheless, the effect was less prominent in the metabolite profiles, suggesting the gut bacteria expressed high functional plasticity and are therefore resilience to the level of community shift detected. © 2020, The Author(s)
Cultural adaptation of a patient decision-aid for insulin therapy
No full textIntroduction Patient decision-aids (PDAs) support patients in selecting evidence-based treatment options. PDA is useful only if the user understands the content to make personalised decisions. Cultural adaptation is a process of adjusting health messages so that the information is accurate, relevant and understandable to users from a different population. A PDA has been developed to assist Malaysian patients with secondary drug failure to initiate insulin therapy to control their type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Likewise, patients with T2DM in neighbouring Singapore face similar barriers in commencing insulin treatment, which a PDA may facilitate decision-making in selecting personalised therapy. Objective The study aimed to explore the views and perceptions of Singaporean primary care providers on the Malaysia PDA to initiate insulin therapy and described the cultural adaptation process used in the design and development of a new PDA, which would be trialled in a Singapore primary healthcare institution. Method Qualitative research method was deployed to conduct one-to-one in-depth interviews of the healthcare providers at the trial site (SingHealth Polyclinics-SHP), including six primary care physicians and four nurses to gather their views and feedbacks on the Malaysian PDA. The interviews were transcribed, audited and analysed (standard content analysis) to identify themes relating to the content, layout, concerns of the original PDA and suggestions to the design of the new SHP PDA. Results Cultural adaptation of the new PDA includes change to the overall design, graphics (including pictograms), presentation styles, additional contextualised content (personalisation, subheadings, cost and treatment option), modified phrasing of the subtitles and concerns (choice of words) relevant to the new users. Conclusion A PDA on insulin therapy underwent cultural adaptation before its implementation in another population in a neighbouring country. Its relevance and effectiveness will be evaluated in future research. © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ
Stock market manipulation: A comparative analysis of East Asian emerging and developed financial markets
No full textThe study investigates the firm’s specific characteristics of manipulated firms in East Asian emerging and developed markets using hand-collected 244 manipulated cases between 2001 and 2017. The empirical analysis is conducted using panel logistic regression to identify which stocks are more likely to be manipulated. Result shows that large and highly liquid firms were more likely to be manipulated in both emerging and developed markets. Additionally, marginal effect shows that firms with high free float and market capitalization had a higher probability of being manipulated in these markets. On the contrary, profitable firms were less likely to be manipulated in both developed and emerging markets. Limited studies have been conducted to empirically identify the characteristics of the manipulated stocks across the developed and emerging markets. The regulator can use these results to identify possible and expected manipulation and to design enforcement rules, accordingly. Further, investors can take into consideration these characteristics of manipulated stocks while designing their portfolio in order to reduce the portfolio risk
Validity and Reproducibility of the 3D VECTRA Photogrammetric Surface Imaging System for the Maxillofacial Anthropometric Measurement on Cleft Patients
No full textObjectives To validate the accuracy and reproducibility of linear measurements of three-dimensional (3D) images and to compare the measurements with direct anthropometry method on cleft lip and palate (CLP) patients.
Materials and Methods Twenty-six linear facial measurements were derived from 25 standardized surface landmarks obtained from 37 cleft patients (mean age 23.84 years, standard deviation ±6.02). They were taken manually with calipers and compared it with the digitally calculated distance on the 3D images captured using VECTRA M5-360̊ Imaging System with pre-marked landmarks. Another pair of 26 linear measurements were computed on the 3D images 2 weeks apart for intra- and inter-observer agreements. Statistical analyses used were paired t–test, the Bland-Altman analysis and the intra-class correlation coefficient index (ICC).
Results Generally most of the linear measurements have no statistically significant difference between proposed method and direct anthropometry linear measurements. Nevertheless, bias of the 3D imaging system presents in the linear measurements of the nose width, and the upper vermillion height. The measurements’ mean biases were within 2 mm but the 95% limits of agreement were more than 2mm. Intra- and inter-observer measurements generally showed good reproducibility. Four inter-observer measurements, the upper and lower face heights, nose width and pronasale to left alar base were just slightly clinically significance.
Conclusions Measurements obtained from this 3D imaging system is valid and reproducible for evaluating CLP patient.
Clinical relevance The system is suitable to be used in clinical setting for cleft patients. However, training of the operator is strictly advisable
Non-linear effects of fiscal adjustments on output growth: Does uncertain environment matter?
No full textThis paper proposes a Markov-switching model to assess the fiscal adjustments for the period 1990Q1-2018Q3. Our results indicate that the output growth response asymmetry to the change in the budget position only during stable regime. The positive change in the budget position dampens the output growth. It switches from negative effect to positive effect when there is an improvement in the budget position. The role of the fiscal adjustment only a short-run phenomenon and state dependence. However, the uncertainty in the country found temporary increase the output growth, but it is a threat to the country in the long-term
Religiosity and subjective well-being towards a balanced civilization: A study among muslim older adults in Malaysia
No full textThe aim of the conceptual paper is to shed more light on the significant of religiosity as a psychosocial determinant of elderly subjective well-being, and its role of as a resource copping strategy, social support, and meaning to life experience. This paper draws on the observation of other scholars in the relationship of religion to health, happiness and well-being research. The deductive and exploratory approach was used to select, analyze and summarize the related literature. The literature indicates that religiosity is associated with elderly people life satisfaction, happiness, and self-esteem. Religious affiliation buffers negative effects of stress on physical health; Prayer buffers the effects of stress on depressive. The paper reviewed the literature on both concepts of well-being and religiosity from Malaysian context. Highlighting the issue of the increase in population of people aged 60 and above, who will need an extra care. © 2019, Academy of Islamic Studies, Dept of Islamic History and Civilization, University of Malaya. All rights reserved
An inventory model for delayed deteriorating items with power demand considering shortages and lost sales
No full textThis article considers an EOQ model for a delayed deteriorating item in which the demand varies with time and follows a power pattern. Shortages are allowed with partially backlogged and lost sales. We develop a mathematical model for the problem.The proposed model aims at minimizing the total inventory cost which depends on the length of time with positive and negative inventory level. Numerical examples with the effect of various changes in some possible parameters combination of the model are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the model and to gain some managerial decision. © 2019 IOS Press and the authors. All rights reserved