Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fast and Accurate Wire Timing Estimation on Tree and Non-Tree Net Structures

Timing optimization is repeatedly performed throughout the entire design flow. The long turn-around time of querying a sign-off timer has become a bottleneck. To break through the bottleneck, a fast and accurate timing estimator is desirable to expedite the pace of timing closure. Unlike gate timing, which is calculated by interpolating lookup tables in cell libraries, wire timing calculation has remained a mystery in timing analysis. The mysterious formula and complex net structures increase the difficulty to correlate with the results generated by a sign-off timer, thus further preventing incremental timing optimization engines from accurate timing estimation without querying a sign-off timer. We attempt to solve the mystery by a novel machine-learning-based wire timing model. Different from prior machine learning models, we first extract topological features to capture the characteristics of RC networks. Then, we propose a loop breaking algorithm to transform non-tree nets into tree structures, and thus non-tree nets can be handled in the same way as tree-structured nets. Experiments are conducted on four industrial designs with tree-like nets (28nm) and two industrial designs with non-tree nets (16nm). Our results show that the prediction model trained by XGBoost is highly accurate: For both tree-like and non-tree nets, the mean error of wire delay is lower than 2 ps. The predicted path arrival times have less than 1% mean error. Experimental results also demonstrate that our model can be trained only once and applied to different designs using the same manufacturing process. Our fast and accurate wire timing prediction can easily be integrated into incremental timing optimization and expedites timing closure.
Efficiently Exploiting Low Activity Factors to Accelerate RTL Simulation

Hardware simulation is a critical tool for design, but its slow speed often bottlenecks the entire design process. Although most signals in a digital design rarely change, most leading simulators still simulate the entirety of the design every cycle. Tracking which signals are unchanged and can thus be reused typically introduces too much overhead to deliver a practical speedup.In this work, we explore the challenge of efficiently detecting opportunities for reuse, and we demonstrate practical techniques to profitably exploit them. Thanks to our novel acyclic partitioning algorithm and other optimizations, our generated simulators outperform open-source and industrial state-of-the-art simulators.
Characteristics of Ammonia Oxidation in a Dielectric Barrier Discharge Reactor

At present, both the scale and intension for agricultural production are being largely developed, releasing a large amount of NH<sub>3</sub> which causes people with malodor and health problems. In this article, the efficiency and products of ammonia removal in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor were studied experimentally, at different energy density, relative humidity, and ammonia concentration. The results show that the removal of ammonia increases with the increase of energy density, while the increase of NH<sub>3</sub> concentration or humidity inhibits the ammonia removal. The conversion products of ammonia are mainly NO<sub><italic>x</italic></sub> and NH<sub>4</sub>NO<sub>3</sub>. More importantly, we found that under optimal conditions, nearly 80% of NH<sub>3</sub> can be converted into NH<sub>4</sub>NO<sub>3</sub>. This discovery provides a new way for ammonia treatment and resource utilization in an eutrophic environment.
An Infrared and Visible Image Fusion Algorithm Based on LSWT-NSST

Regarding the problems of image distortion, edge blurring, Gibbs phenomena in the traditional wavelet transform algorithm and the loss of subtle features in the Non-Subsampled Shearlet Transform (NSST), and considering the physical characteristics of infrared and visible images, an infrared and visible image fusion algorithm based on the Lifting Stationary Wavelet Transform (LSWT) and Non-Subsampled Shearlet Transform is proposed in this paper. First, since LSWT can quickly calculate and has all advantages of traditional WT, it is utilized to decompose infrared and visible images to obtain low-frequency coefficients and multi-scale and multi-directional high-frequency coefficients, respectively. Second, NSST multi-scale decomposition is used to extract the target features and detailed features of the image from the high and low-frequency sub-bands to obtain new high and low-frequency sub-bands. Third, according to the physical characteristics that low and high-frequency coefficients represent, different fusion rules are designed. Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) and Local Spatial Frequency (LSF) are introduced in the low-frequency sub-band, and LSF adaptive weighted fusion rules are used in the DCT domain. The fusion strategy improves the regional contrast in the high-frequency sub-band with the spectral characteristics of human vision. Finally, the Inverse Lifting Stationary Wavelet Transform (ILSWT) is used to reconstruct the fusion coefficients to obtain the final fused images. To verify the advantages of the proposed algorithm in this paper, the classic and advanced 9 IR and VI fusion algorithms are selected for subjective and objective comparison. In the objective evaluation, a comprehensive ranking index is designed based on 9 classical indicators. Simulation experiments with 10 IR and VI fusion algorithms prove that the proposed algorithm has better performance and flexibility. The results show that the proposed algorithm in this paper fuses the images with clear edges, prominent targets, and good visual perception, and it outperforms state-of-the-art image fusion algorithms.
Sparse GANs for Thermal Infrared Image Generation From Optical Image

Thermal infrared (TIR) images are not influenced by the illumination variations and can be used in total darkness. With these advantages, TIR technology has a wide application in surveillance systems and various defense systems. However, there are not enough TIR images for wide range of application because the equipment for thermal infrared imaging is expensive and demands strict imaging conditions. To address this problem, we propose a sparse generative model based on pix2pix framework to produce synthetic TIR data from optical RGB images. Considering little texture and color information in TIR images, this model uses a U-net architecture but only selects partial low-level and high-level information for symmetric connections. Specially, we integrate intensity and gradient losses into the objective to train models, which assists generation models to learn more infrared images’ characteristics. The experiments on public datasets prove that this proposed method can generate TIR data from optical images. Compared with current pix2pix networks, this method achieves increases by over 6.5% and over 1.2% separately on the metrics of SSIM and PSNR based on the public datasets. The SSIM value even gets an increase by 7% for daytime images. Meanwhile the network parameters decent by 13%.
An Application of IoT for Conduct of Laboratory Experiment from Home

The concept "Internet of Things" has been applied in many fields to reduce human efforts by using automatic things. It also provides opportunities to develop remote laboratories or distance researches/studies. The main objective of this article is to conduct the telemetry experiment on the measurement of the flow behavior in the pool scrubbing of a Filtered Containment Venting System (FCVS). The Internet of Things (IoT) has been applied to monitor and control the experimental performance and the measurement system. An IoT network that consists of various sensors, web-cameras, IoT appliances, and PCs was established. Thus, the laboratory's experimental works can be implemented from home. It is valuable for the current situation of social distancing due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Genetic diversity of Eupatorium adenophorum determined by AFLP marker

Eupatorium adenophorum, a troublesome weed in the world, is one of the most important invasive organisms in China. Since it was first introduced to China in the 1940's, it has spread rapidly throughout southwestern China. Now it can be found in Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan Provinces and in the Guangxi and Tibet Autonomous Region. Its invasion has caused seriously economic and ecological consequences for agriculture, forestry, and natural environments. The invasive characteristics of exotic organisms such as invasion pathway and dispersal are highly related to genetic diversity. A study on genetic diversity would be beneficial to predict the invasiveness and potential areas threatened by E. adenophorum, but little is known about the genetic diversity of this weed. AFLP (Amplified Fragment Length Po1ymorphism) technique was used to analyze genetic diversity of 24 different populations of E. adenophorum collected from 23 locations in China and one location in Australia. Genomic DNA was digested with EcoRI and MseI enzymes and amplified with six E+3 and M+3 Primer combinations. AFLP analysis produced 509 scoreable bands, of which 392 (77.01%) were polymorphic. The effective number of alleles per locus (N_a) of the 24 populations was 1.50, and the mean Nei's gene diversity index (H) was 0.29, the Shannon's information index (I) was 0.42, indicating that genetic diversity of this weed is very rich. Cluster Analysis based on the UPGMA method indicated that E. adenophorum was first introduced in Yunnan Province. Populations in Yunnan provinces showed the greatest genetic variability as all populations sampled in this province could be classified into nine groups. This indicated that genome DNA of E. adenophorum diversified due to adaptation to diverse climates and environments in Yunnan Province. In other newly-invaded areas, genetic diversity of E. adenophorum populations was less, and distinctly related to the geographically nearby populations collected from the place of Yunnan. Seeds of E. adenophorum are spread by wind and water resulting in close biogeographic relationships among the populations occurring in neighboring regions. These results suggest that E. adenophorum invaded the southern part of Yunnan Province from Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos on multiple occasions, and then spread to the central and northern parts. The established populations of E. adenophorum in Yunnan have provide the seed source which has spread the infestation into Guangxi, Guizhou, Sichuan, Tibet and even Hubei Provinces.
A Comparison on Metabolizable Energy of Leymus chinensis in Mutton Sheep Determined by Direct and Substitution Methods

This study aimed to compare metabolizable energy( ME) of Leymus chinensis in mutton sheep determined by direct and substitution methods. Thirty crossbreed rams weighted about 45. 0 kg were used and divided into 5 treatments with 6 replicates per treatment and 1 sheep per replicate according to a randomized block design. The diets in different treatments were as follow s: full Leymus chinensis diet for direct method,and a basal diet( forage∶ concentrate ratio was 1∶ 1) and three experimental diets( the basal diet was replaced by Leymus chinensis at 60 %,40 % and 20 %) for substitution method. Diets were fed tw ice at 08 : 00 and 18 : 00( 600 g at each time point). Each experiment period lasted for 19 d including 10 d of pretest period and 9 d of test period. The results show ed as follow s: the apparent digestibility of dry matter,organic matter,gross energy and crude protein of show ed that basal diet group 20 % group 40 % group 60 % group full Leymus chinensis diet group,and significant differences were found among groups( P 0. 05). The digestible energy( DE) and ME showed that basal diet group 20% group 40% group 60% group full Leymus chinensis diet group,and significant differences were found among groups( P 0. 05). DM∶ ME had no significant difference among treatments( P 0. 05). The apparent digestibility of crude protein and neutral detergent fiber had no difference betw een direct and substitutions methods. The apparent digestibility of dry matter,organic matter,and gross energy of Leymus chinensis in full Leymus chinensis diet group measured with direct method was significantly higher than those in 40 % group( P 0. 05),but had no significant difference with 20% group and 40% group( P 0. 05). The DE and ME in full Leymus chinensis diet group were significantly higher than those in 60% group( P 0. 05),and had no significant difference with 40% group and 20% group( P 0. 05). In determination of ME of Leymus chinensis using direct and substitution methods,a significant difference is observed when the substitution proportion is different. The optimal substitution proportion is 20% when using substitution method to measure ME.
Correlation of anthropometric indices with fasting blood glucose and blood pressure among university students in Kano, Nigeria

Context: Studies have suggested superiority of measures of central obesity over body mass index (BMI) in predicting cardiovascular risk. This multiplicity of anthropometric indices has led to inconsistency in their correlation with fasting blood glucose (FBG) and blood pressure. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of obesity using different anthropometric indices and their correlation with FBG and blood pressure among university students in Kano, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: One hundred and forty-eight participants were randomly selected for the study. Anthropometric indices, FBG and blood pressure were measured following standard protocols. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 23.0. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between quantitative variables. P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the participants was 22.09 years ± 4.03. The prevalence of obesity was: BMI – 4.8%, waist circumference (WC) – 23.1%, waist–hip ratio (WHR) – 31.76% and waist–height ratio (WHtR) – 31.76%. BMI was positively correlated with diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP). WC was positively correlated with systolic blood pressure (SBP), DBP and MAP. WHtR was positively correlated with SBP, DBP and MAP among female participants only. WHR was negatively correlated with DBP and MAP in male participants only. WC, WHtR and WHR were positively correlated with FBG among female participants only. Conclusion: The prevalence of obesity among undergraduate students in Kano is high. There was a wide variation in the correlation between anthropometric indices and FBG and blood pressure.
Effects of special pelvic floor muscle training on the quality of life in women with urinary incontinence, a clinical trial

Background: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is the involuntary loss of urine which occurs with physical exertion and an increase in intra-abdominal pressure. Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is generally recommended to reduce SUI. This study aimed to compare the effects of three different exercises in women with urinary incontinence by abdominal and pelvic floor muscle retraining.Methods: A total of 81 patients with urinary incontinence (UI) were randomly allocated to the pelvic muscle training by biofeedback (BF), pelvic muscle training by biofeedback plus abdominal exercise (BF+AbdExs), and only abdominal exercise (AbdExs). All participants received 12 weeks of treatment. The outcome measure was maximal vaginal squeeze pressure and Quality of life (QOL) Questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests.Results: The mean age of pa­tients was 49.4 ± 8.4 years. The scores of QOL, pelvic floor muscle strength, and endurance increased in all groups after the treatment. The mean score of QOL in group BF+Abd.Exs ranged from 65.2 to 93.6, while in groups BF and AbdExs, it ranged from 61.8 to 85.6 and 63.6 to 79.1 respectively. More aspects of QOL improved significantly in the BF+ AbdExs group than in other group. However, the difference in pelvic floor muscle strength and endurance was not statistically significant among the three groups (p>0.05)Conclusion: An increase in pelvic floor muscle strength was associated with AbdExs, which improved QOL. Thus, the AbdExs seems to induce co-contraction in pelvic floor exercise. However, AbdExs alone is not adequate for improving incontinence.
Drug-related Problems in Hypertensive Patients: A Cross-sectional Study from Indonesia

Objective: The treatment of hypertension requires special attention because of comorbidities and polypharmacy. In a previous study, polypharmacy has been associated with a high risk of drug-related problems (DRPs). This study aimed to analyze DRPs in Indonesian hypertensive patients focusing on drug therapy effectiveness and adverse drug reactions. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using medical records' data, prescriptions, and nursing records to observe DRPs that occurred in outpatients with hypertension from February to April 2019. A total of 114 outpatients aged ≥23 years with a primary diagnosis of primary hypertension were included in this study. DRPs were reviewed based on literature, recent guidelines, and drug interaction software. Classification DRPs were done using Indonesian-translated Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe V6.02. The data obtained were analyzed using univariate descriptive analysis. Findings: Of all participants, 65 (57%) outpatients were found to have DRPs related to treatment effectiveness (54 cases) and adverse drug reactions (36 cases). The primary cause of the problems was an inappropriate drug (94.14%) and dose selection (2.86%). Potential drug interactions were found high (62.14%) in the combination of an antihypertensive agent with other drugs among patients. Overprescribing drugs without clear indications, untreated indications, and subtherapeutic dosage were also reported in this study. Conclusion: A significant percentage of outpatients being treated for hypertension experienced DRPs. The role of clinical pharmacists and physicians in monitoring drug therapy needs to be prioritized to prevent and resolve DRPs in outpatients with hypertension.
Anatomic variations of the osteomeatal complex and its relationship to patency of the maxillary ostium: A retrospective evaluation of cone-beam computed tomography and its implications for sinus augmentation

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of obliterated osteomeatal complex (OMC) due to the presence of anatomic variants. Settings and Design: Retrospective Study. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, a total of 71 patients, 34 males and 37 females, aged 35–65 years were included in the study. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of patients were assessed to identify the status of the OMC in the presence of anatomic variants and their incidence was recorded. The radiological assessment of the anatomical variants was made by viewing the coronal sections of the scans. The variants observed were deviated nasal septum, uncinate process), agger nasi, Haller cells, middle turbinate variants, enlarged bulla, accessory ostium, and maxillary sinus abnormalities). Ostium patency was evaluated in the coronal section of each sinus and classified as “patent” or “obstructed. ” The most common variants observed were then correlated with the patency of the ostium. Statistical Analysis Used: Chi square test was performed to assess the association between the anatomic variants and the patency of the OMC. Results: In the present study, the incidence of an obliterated OMC due to the presence of anatomic variants was 73.2%. The four most common variants associated with the possibility of an obliterated OMC were the deviated nasal septum (76.2%), middle turbinate (86.4%), enlarged bulla (77.8%), and sinus cavity variants (80.0%). A statistically significant association was noted between middle turbinate variants and Haller cells and the patency of the OMC. Conclusion: Thorough pretreatment CBCT evaluation should be performed to assess the presence of anatomic variants and thereby, the patency of the ostium before sinus floor elevation procedures. The pre and postsurgical treatment plans and regimes can be modified according to anticipated postsurgical sequelae, thereby avoiding postsurgical complications and enhancing the success of the graft procedure.
The Pattern of Intravenous Proton-Pump Inhibitor Utilization at an Academic Medical Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the extent of inappropriate utilization of intravenous proton-pump inhibitors (IV-PPIs) and its financial burden in a Middle Eastern tertiary care university hospital. Methods: This was an observational, retrospective, cross-sectional study carried out in King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. During a study period of 6 consecutive weeks, all hospitalized adult patients (age ≥18) who received IV-PPI selected and mapped with their indications. The patient indications analyzed in comparison with the appropriate indications developed based on the evidence from published literature and guidelines. Findings: A total of 347 patients were identified, with a mean age of 51.5 years, of which 51.9% were male. Of all the patients who received IV-PPIs, 251 (72.3%), 66 (19%), and 30 (8.7%) received for stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP), peptic ulcer disease (PUD) or gastroesophageal reflux diseases (GERDs), and upper gastrointestinal bleeding, respectively. Overall, only 110 (31.7%) of the 347 patients received IV-PPIs appropriately. The patients with SUP showed the highest percentage of inappropriate use of IV-PPI (80.59%) compared to PUD/GERD (19%). The total cost of inappropriate prescription of IV-PPI was 585,167 Saudi Riyal (SAR) (156,044 USD). Conclusion: There is a high tendency of IV-PPI's inappropriate prescription in our hospital setting. This large-scale inappropriate prescription of IV-PPI in the hospital setting not only may lead to increased financial burden but also expose patients to number of undesired effects.
Prevalence of Psychological Distress among Undergraduate Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Stressful environment in medical school often has a negative effect on students' psychosocial well-being. An in-depth understanding of how medical students experience psychological distress and coping is necessary for the prospective students. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of psychological distress among undergraduate medical students and its association with some demographic factors. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 380 medical students in the University of the West Indies, Saint Augustine. The questionnaires used in this study consisted of two components – (i) the demographic information that required participants to provide their gender, age, year of study, and nationality and (ii) Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 items to measure the levels of psychological distress among participants. Results: Anxiety was the most prevalent psychological distress among medical students, with 63% of them having anxiety symptoms. Depression was found to be the second most common psychological distress, with a prevalence of 51%, while 48% of the students suffered from stress. In further analysis, we found that Trinbagonian students were more depressed than the students from Caribbean Community and other nationality. Higher anxiety score was significantly associated with gender and age of the students. There was a significant association between students from different age groups and level of stress. Conclusions: A considerable number of students studying medicine are suffering from psychological distress. Intervention programs to address the mental health problems of such students should be initiated.