Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predictive Communication and Its Application to Vehicular Environments: Doppler-Shift Compensation

We introduce predictive communication algorithms for channel estimation and equalization in vehicular environments. The proposed concept makes use of vehicular sensors combined with unique properties of surrounding environment to predict future changes in the communication scenario. This combination enables a new range of improvements in the direct-link vehicular communications. Among others, it allows predicting the Doppler frequency shift for some strong channel components in highly dynamic scenarios and estimating the likelihood for the communicating vehicles to remain in the line-of-sight conditions. A predictive Doppler-shift compensation is presented as an illustrative example of one of potential benefits for future vehicular communications. The algorithm is applied to compensate the strong line-of-sight component as well as the line-of-sight with one strong reflection which is received at the same sampling interval. The obtained simulation results show that the proposed sensor-based Doppler-shift prediction and compensation approach outperforms a benchmark least-squares channel estimation with linear interpolation algorithm in various road scenarios (urban, rural, and highway) and relative driving directions (same and oncoming) of communicating vehicles.
A novel ultrasonic tip for removal of filling material in flattened/oval-shaped root canals: a microCT study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of a novel ultrasonic tip as an auxiliary method for removing filling material from flattened/oval-shaped canals. The null hypothesis tested was that this method does not influence removing the filling material in flattened/oval-shaped canals. Forty-five mandibular incisors were selected and randomly divided into three experimental groups (n = 15) according to different protocols for removing root canal filling material. Group R: Reciproc R25/. 08, Group RC: Reciproc R25/. 08 + Clearsonic tip, and Group CR: Clearsonic tip + Reciproc R25/. 08. The teeth were scanned pre and post-operatively by means of a micro-computed tomography system. Data were analyzed using non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests (p < 0.05). The percentage of residual root canal filling material between the experimental groups was examined. Statistically significant differences between the experimental groups were found in the root canal. Group R had the highest percentage of residual root canal filling material when compared with Groups RC and CR. The lowest percentage of residual root canal filling material was observed in Group CR. In the apical third of the root canal, statistically significant differences were found between the different protocols. The use of the ClearSonic tip followed by the Reciproc 25/. 08 file to remove filling material resulted in the lowest percentage of residuals in the whole root canal and in the apical third.
Novel HVDC spacers by adaptively controlling surface charges – part i: charge transport and control strategy

A spacer is a challenging part of high voltage direct current (HVDC) gas-insulated substations and gas-insulated transmission lines. This paper proposes a novel design of HVDC spacers by self-adaptively controlling the surface charge. The paper briefly reviews dielectric modification methods that aim to limit surface charge accumulation. A novel design of HVDC spacer is introduced that is based on the concept of adaptively controlling surface charges using nonlinear materials, and its surface charge control and regulation abilities are investigated. The surface charge accumulation and decay properties of the novel spacer are compared to a downsized spacer. The results show that the proposed model spacer can restrict surface charge accumulation in the charge adaptive control region of the spacer. Doping the nonlinear material can facilitate surface charge decay in the charge adaptive control region when the electric field exceeds a threshold. These positive results represent a new idea of designing a suitable spacer to avoid surface flashover in HVDC SF6 apparatus.
A Dual-Mode Index Modulation Scheme With Gray-Coded Pairwise Index Mapping

In this letter, we propose a single-carrier (SC) dual-mode (DM) index modulation scheme with Gray-coded pairwise index mapping. To improve the index error rate performance of DM schemes, we apply Gray-coding to the mapping of modulation patterns. The error propagation within each symbol group in DM schemes can also be avoided due to the pairwise pattern design. Moreover, the mapping ideas in the proposed scheme can be easily extended to other index modulation schemes to obtain better bit error rate performance. Simulation results demonstrate the performance advantage of the proposed scheme over conventional SC and DM schemes in frequency selective fading channels.
Comprehensive Genomic Profiling of Patient-matched Head and Neck Cancer Cells: A Preclinical Pipeline for Metastatic and Recurrent Disease

Metastases and tumor recurrence have a major prognostic impact in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC); however, cellular models that comprehensively characterize metastatic and recurrent HNSCC are lacking. To this end, we obtained genomic, transcriptomic, and copy number profiles of the UM-SCC cell line panel, encompassing patient-matched metastatic and recurrent cells. UM-SCC cells recapitulate the most prevalent genomic alterations described in HNSCC, featuring common TP53, PI3K, NOTCH, and Hippo pathway mutations. This analysis identified a novel F977Y kinase domain PIK3CA mutation exclusively present in a recurrent cell line (UM-SCC14B), potentially conferring resistance to PI3K inhibitors. Small proline-rich protein 2A (SPRR2A), a protein involved in epithelial homeostasis and invasion, was one of the most consistently downregulated transcripts in metastatic and recurrent UM-SCC cells. Assessment of SPRR2A protein expression in a clinical cohort of patients with HNSCC confirmed common SPRR2A downregulation in primary tumors (61.9% of cases) and lymph node metastases (31.3%), but not in normal tissue. High expression of SPRR2A in lymph node metastases was, along with nonoropharyngeal location of the primary tumor, an independent prognostic factor for regional disease recurrence after surgery and radiotherapy (HR 2.81; 95% CI, 1.16–6.79; P = 0.02). These results suggest that SPRR2A plays a dual role in invasion and therapeutic resistance in HNSCC, respectively through its downregulation and overexpression. Implications: The current study reveals translationally relevant mechanisms underlying metastasis and recurrence in HNSCC and represents an adjuvant tool for preclinical research in this disease setting. Underlining its discovery potential this approach identified a PIK3CA-resistant mutation as well as SPRR2A as possible theragnostic markers.
Text-to-Image-to-Text Translation using Cycle Consistent Adversarial Networks

Text-to-Image translation has been an active area of research in the recent past. The ability for a network to learn the meaning of a sentence and generate an accurate image that depicts the sentence shows ability of the model to think more like humans. Popular methods on text to image translation make use of Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) to generate high quality images based on text input, but the generated images don't always reflect the meaning of the sentence given to the model as input. We address this issue by using a captioning network to caption on generated images and exploit the distance between ground truth captions and generated captions to improve the network further. We show extensive comparisons between our method and existing methods.
Generating carbon schwarzites via zeolite-templating

Significance Nanocarbons can be characterized by their curvature—that is, positively curved fullerenes, zero-curved graphene, and negatively curved schwarzites. Schwartzites are fascinating materials but have not been synthesized yet, although disordered materials with local properties similar to schwarzites (“random schwarzites”) have been isolated. A promising synthetic method allows for the interior surfaces of zeolites to be templated with sp2 carbon, but theoretical study of these zeolite-templated carbons (ZTCs) has been limited because of their noncrystalline structures. In this work, we develop an improved molecular description of ZTCs, show that they are equivalent to schwartzites, and thus make the experimental discovery of schwarzites ex post facto. Our topological characterization of ZTCs lends insights into how template choice allows for the tunability of ordered microporous carbons. Zeolite-templated carbons (ZTCs) comprise a relatively recent material class synthesized via the chemical vapor deposition of a carbon-containing precursor on a zeolite template, followed by the removal of the template. We have developed a theoretical framework to generate a ZTC model from any given zeolite structure, which we show can successfully predict the structure of known ZTCs. We use our method to generate a library of ZTCs from all known zeolites, to establish criteria for which zeolites can produce experimentally accessible ZTCs, and to identify over 10 ZTCs that have never before been synthesized. We show that ZTCs partition space into two disjoint labyrinths that can be described by a pair of interpenetrating nets. Since such a pair of nets also describes a triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS), our results establish the relationship between ZTCs and schwarzites—carbon materials with negative Gaussian curvature that resemble TPMSs—linking the research topics and demonstrating that schwarzites should no longer be thought of as purely hypothetical materials.
Practical Imaging Strategies for Acute Appendicitis in Children.

OBJECTIVE Diagnosing pediatric appendicitis is difficult because clinical findings are nonspecific. Improved accuracy can be obtained with ultrasound (US), CT, or MRI, despite considerable variation in their use at different institutions. This article reviews the evidence for best practices in imaging pediatric appendicitis. CONCLUSION When each modality is optimally used, a stepwise imaging approach that begins with graded compression US and proceeds to CT or MRI in select cases is currently best practice.
Virtual Screening and Experimental Testing of B1 Metallo-β-lactamase Inhibitors

The global rise of metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) is problematic due to their ability to inactivate most β-lactam antibiotics. MBL inhibitors that could be coadministered with and restore the efficacy of β-lactams are highly sought after. In this study, we employ virtual screening of candidate MBL inhibitors without thiols or carboxylates to avoid off-target effects using the Avalanche software package, followed by experimental validation of the selected compounds. As target enzymes, we chose the clinically relevant B1 MBLs NDM-1, IMP-1, and VIM-2. Among 32 compounds selected from an approximately 1.5 million compound library, 6 exhibited IC50 values less than 40 μM against NDM-1 and/or IMP-1. The most potent inhibitors of NDM-1, IMP-1, and VIM-2 had IC50 values of 19 ± 2, 14 ± 1, and 50 ± 20 μM, respectively. While chemically diverse, the most potent inhibitors all contain combinations of hydroxyl, ketone, ester, amide, or sulfonyl groups. Docking studies suggest that these electron-dense moieties are involved in Zn(II) coordination and interaction with protein residues. These novel scaffolds could serve as the basis for further development of MBL inhibitors. A procedure for renaming NDM-1 residues to conform to the class B β-lactamase (BBL) numbering scheme is also included.
Improved Composition Theorems for Functions and Relations

One of the central problems in complexity theory is to prove super-logarithmic depth bounds for circuits computing a problem in P , i.e., to prove that P is not contained in NC1. As an approach for this question, Karchmer, Raz and Wigderson [5] proposed a conjecture called the KRW conjecture, which if true, would imply that P is not cotained in NC1. Since proving this conjecture is currently considered an extremely difficult problem, previous works by Edmonds, Impagliazzo, Rudich and Sgall [1], Håstad and Wigderson [3] and Gavinsky, Meir, Weinstein and Wigderson [2] considered weaker variants of the conjecture. In this work we significantly improve the parameters in these variants, achieving almost tight lower bounds. 2012 ACM Subject Classification Theory of computation → Communication complexity, Theory of computation → Circuit complexity, Theory of computation → Complexity classes
Enhanced Electromechanical Modeling of Asymmetrical Dual Three-Phase IPMSM Drives

Throughout literature, a clear concern for achieving high performance stator current control of asymmetrical dual three- phase IPMSM drives as well as fault tolerant strategies were demonstrated. However, limited attention was given on how to effectively compute, simulate and compare the expected (i.e. simulated) and the practically applied electromechanical torque. This requires an accurate electromechanical model with precise electromechanical torque estimation. This paper presents a high fidelity direct-quadrature (dq) model capable of describing the generated electromechanical torque. The presented method is based on obtaining the non-linear flux linkage maps as well as describing the harmonic models, which contribute to the average and ripple torque, respectively. The flux linkage maps contribute in the tuning of the stator current controllers and electromechanical torque computation, which is compared to the computed torque from the manufacturer parameters and literature. The proposed model does not require previous knowledge concerning geometric and machine design data. The results coincide to a high extent with the experimental validations on a 2.5 kW asymmetrical dual three-phase IPMSM prototype.
Low Effort Design Space Exploration Methodology for Configurable Caches

Designers can reduce design space exploration time and efforts using the design space subsetting method that removes energy-redundant configurations. However, the subsetting method requires a priori knowledge of all applications. We analyze the impact of a priori application knowledge on the subset quality by varying the amount of a priori application information available to designers during design time from no information to a general knowledge of the application domain. The results showed that only a small set of applications representative of the anticipated applications’ general domains alleviated the design efforts and was sufficient to provide energy savings within 5.6% of the complete, unsubsetted design space. Furthermore, since using a small set of applications was likely to reduce the design space exploration time, we analyze and quantify the impact of a priori applications knowledge on the speedup in the execution time to select the desired configurations. The results revealed that a basic knowledge of the anticipated applications reduced the subset design space exploration time by up to 6.6X.
Data-Driven Transducer Design and Identification for Internally-Paced Motor Brain Computer Interfaces: A Review

Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) are systems that establish a direct communication pathway between the users' brain activity and external effectors. They offer the potential to improve the quality of life of motor-impaired patients. Motor BCIs aim to permit severely motor-impaired users to regain limb mobility by controlling orthoses or prostheses. In particular, motor BCI systems benefit patients if the decoded actions reflect the users' intentions with an accuracy that enables them to efficiently interact with their environment. One of the main challenges of BCI systems is to adapt the BCI's signal translation blocks to the user to reach a high decoding accuracy. This paper will review the literature of data-driven and user-specific transducer design and identification approaches and it focuses on internally-paced motor BCIs. In particular, continuous kinematic biomimetic and mental-task decoders are reviewed. Furthermore, static and dynamic decoding approaches, linear and non-linear decoding, offline and real-time identification algorithms are considered. The current progress and challenges related to the design of clinical-compatible motor BCI transducers are additionally discussed.
Human proteins that interact with RNA/DNA hybrids

RNA/DNA hybrids form when RNA hybridizes with its template DNA generating a three-stranded structure known as the R-loop. Knowledge of how they form and resolve, as well as their functional roles, is limited. Here, by pull-down assays followed by mass spectrometry, we identified 803 proteins that bind to RNA/DNA hybrids. Because these proteins were identified using in vitro assays, we confirmed that they bind to R-loops in vivo. They include proteins that are involved in a variety of functions, including most steps of RNA processing. The proteins are enriched for K homology (KH) and helicase domains. Among them, more than 300 proteins preferred binding to hybrids than double-stranded DNA. These proteins serve as starting points for mechanistic studies to elucidate what RNA/DNA hybrids regulate and how they are regulated.
Stabilization of Acute High-Grade Acromioclavicular Joint Separation: A Prospective Assessment of the Clavicular Hook Plate Versus the Double Double-Button Suture Procedure

Background: The stabilization strategy for acute high-grade acromioclavicular (AC) joint separations with AC-stabilizing clavicular hook plate (cHP) or coracoclavicular (CC)–stabilizing double double-button suture (dDBS) is still under consideration. Hypothesis: The CC-stabilizing dDBS is superior to the cHP according to an AC-specific radiologic assessment and score system. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Seventy-three consecutive patients with acute high-grade AC joint separation were prospectively followed in 2 treatment groups (64.4% randomized, 35.6% patient-selected treatment): open reduction and cHP (cHP group) or arthroscopically assisted dDBS (dDBS group) performed within 14 days of injury. Patients were prospectively analyzed by clinical scores (Taft, Constant score [CS], numeric analog scale for pain) and AC-specific radiographs (AC distance, CC distance [CCD], relative CCD [rCCD; 100 / AC distance × CCD]) at points of examination (preoperative and 6, 12, and 24 months). The minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) were assessed by the anchor-based method. Results: Twenty-seven of 35 patients (mean age ± SD: 37.7 ± 9.7 years) after cHP implantation and 29 of 38 patients (34.2 ± 9.7 years) after dDBS implantation were continuously followed until the 24-month follow-up. All patients showed significantly increased scores after surgery as compared with preoperative status (all P < .05). As compared with GI, GII had significantly better outcomes at 24 months (Taft: cHP = 9.4 ± 1.7 vs dDBS = 10.9 ± 1.1, P < .05, MCID = 2.9; CS: cHP = 90.2 ± 7.8 vs dDBS = 95.3 ± 4.4, P < .02, MCID = 16.6) and at 24 months for Rockwood IV/V (Taft: cHP = 9.4 ± 1.7 vs dDBS = 11.1 ± 0.8, P < .0005; CS: cHP = 90.1 ± 7.7 vs dDBS = 95.5 ± 3.1, P < .04). Clinically assessed horizontal instability persisted in 18.52% (GI) and 6.89% (GII; P = .24). The rCCD showed equal loss of reduction at 24 months (GII = 130.7% [control = 111%] vs GI = 141.8% [control = 115%], MCID = 11.1%). Conclusion: This prospective study showed significantly superior outcomes in all clinical scores between GII and GI. The subanalysis of the high-grade injury type (Rockwood IV/V) revealed that these patients showed significant benefits from the dDBS procedure in the clinical assessments. The cHP procedure resulted in good to excellent clinical outcome data and displayed an alternative procedure for patients needing less restrictive rehabilitation protocols.
A Survey on Methods and Theories of Quantized Neural Networks

Deep neural networks are the state-of-the-art methods for many real-world tasks, such as computer vision, natural language processing and speech recognition. For all its popularity, deep neural networks are also criticized for consuming a lot of memory and draining battery life of devices during training and inference. This makes it hard to deploy these models on mobile or embedded devices which have tight resource constraints. Quantization is recognized as one of the most effective approaches to satisfy the extreme memory requirements that deep neural network models demand. Instead of adopting 32-bit floating point format to represent weights, quantized representations store weights using more compact formats such as integers or even binary numbers. Despite a possible degradation in predictive performance, quantization provides a potential solution to greatly reduce the model size and the energy consumption. In this survey, we give a thorough review of different aspects of quantized neural networks. Current challenges and trends of quantized neural networks are also discussed.
Distal accesses in the hand (two novel techniques) for percutaneous coronary angiography and intervention

BACKGROUND Trans-radial and trans-ulnar accesses have been practiced and recommended as default and alternative techniques for coronary angiography and angioplasty in recent years. In this study, we present new innovative approaches using more distal access points, i.e. trans-snuff box and trans-palmar approaches. METHODS We conducted dorsal hand access (trans-snuff box) for angiography and/or angioplasty on 235 patients, and trans-palmar access (superficial palmar branch of ulnar artery) on 175 patients in 3 hospitals in Isfahan City, Iran. RESULTS In 221 patients out of 235 ones (94.1%) [men: 76.5%, age: 57.4 ± 10.4 (years); women: 23.5%, age: 62.4 ± 9.5 (years)], our procedure through snuff box (dorsal hand) was successfully performed. In 159 patients out of 175 ones (90.8%) [men: 76.0%, age: 58.1 ± 10.5 (years); women: 24.0%, age: 61.2 ± 9.6 (years)], our procedure through palmar artery was successfully performed. In total, the evaluated patients had mild pain (3.4% for snuff box, and 4.5% for palmar), ecchymosis in distal forearm (5.1% for snuff box, and 2.8% for palmar), with no major complications even one (amputation, infection, thrombosis, need for surgery, hand dysfunction, nerve palsy, and so forth). In addition, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was done in 28.9% and 18.2% of cases via snuff box and palmar approaches, respectively. Meanwhile, hemostasis was very fast and easy with discharge time equivalent to other upper limb accesses. CONCLUSION Although our procedures are at their early stages with about a follow-up period of 3-15 months, more researches are recommended to be conducted in forthcoming months and years, and this new innovative approaches could be suggested safe, feasible, and reliable with low complications.