Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
FPGA implementation of a demux based on a multirate filter bank

In this paper an extensive comparison among alternative algorithms for the implementation of a digital demultiplexer has been carried out. The computational complexity, the performances and the accuracy with respect to the quantization noise effects have been evaluated for the different algorithms. In particular, the digital architecture has been designed to replace an analog filter bank composed of six surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices. This implementation is used, at present, by Alenia Space Division in the Eutelsat Hot-Bird satellites. The obtained digital architecture has been mapped on six Altera Flex 10K-100 devices. The final test bed, that includes a complete interface to the Alenia demodulator, has been implemented on a four-layers PCB.
A breast cancer nomogram for prediction of non-sentinel node metastasis - validation of fourteen existing models.

BACKGROUND To avoid performing axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) for non-sentinel lymph node (SLN)-negative patients with-SLN positive axilla, nomograms for predicting the status have been developed in many centers. We created a new nomogram predicting non-SLN metastasis in SLN-positive patients with invasive breast cancer and evaluated 14 existing breast cancer models in our patient group. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two hundred and thirty seven invasive breast cancer patients with SLN metastases who underwent ALND were included in the study. Based on independent predictive factors for non-SLN metastasis identified by logistic regression analysis, we developed a new nomogram. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves for the models were created and the areas under the curves (AUC) were computed. RESULTS In a multivariate analysis, tumor size, presence of lymphovascular invasion, extranodal extension of SLN, large size of metastatic SLN, the number of negative SLNs, and multifocality were found to be independent predictive factors for non-SLN metastasis. The AUC was found to be 0.87, and calibration was good for the present Ondokuz Mayis nomogram. Among the 14 validated models, the MSKCC, Stanford, Turkish, MD Anderson, MOU (Masaryk), Ljubljana, and DEU models yielded excellent AUC values of > 0.80. CONCLUSIONS We present a new model to predict the likelihood of non-SLN metastasis. Each clinic should determine and use the most suitable nomogram or should create their own nomograms for the prediction of non- SLN metastasis.
Expression level of lipoprotein lipase and dystrophin genes predict survival in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Mutational status of immunoglobulin variable region genes (VH-genes) is known as the strongest predictor of long term prognosis in B-CLL. However, applications in the routine clinical practice are time consuming, and therefore some other predictions are required. In this study, we have compared prognostic values of real time PCR quantification of the expression levels of four genes previously shown to be differentially expressed in VH-unmutated and mutated B-CLL subtypes: ZAP-70, ZBTB20, DMD and LPL. The study included 134 B-CLL patients. Expression levels of LPL and DMD genes were significantly correlated to mutational status, while expression levels of of ZAP-70 gene correlated only in CD19+ selected cases (N = 40). No correlation was observed for ZBTB20 gene. Expression levels of LPL and DMD predicted overall survival in the entire cohort of patients. Prognostic values of LPL gene expression levels were significant even for CLL patients with stage A. Quantitative RT-PCR assays for measuring LPL gene expression are robust enough to be introduced into routine clinical practice.
Evaluation of anti-islanding schemes based on nondetection zone concept

This paper proposes a nondetection zone (NDZ) as a performance index to evaluate different anti-islanding schemes. The NDZ for three basic passive anti-islanding schemes: under/over voltage, under/over frequency, and phase jump are derived analytically and validated by simulation. Based on the NDZ, not only can the dominant factors that influence anti-islanding protection be identified, it may also support definition of optimal combined schemes that lead to a reduced NDZ. The methodology presented in the paper can be extended to the evaluation of other anti-islanding schemes.
Pelvic floor muscle training before transurethral resection of the prostate: A randomized, controlled, blinded study

Objective. To evaluate the effect of preoperative pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) in men scheduled for transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in a randomized, single-blind study. Material and methods. Fifty-eight men with benign prostatic obstruction were included, and 49 completed the study (training group, n=26; control group, n=23). The preoperative training included a 1-h individual lesson, three 1-h group lessons and a home training programme. Postoperatively and before discharge from hospital both groups received verbal instructions regarding PFMT. Pelvic floor muscle function was assessed by anal examination before and 4 weeks after surgery by one physiotherapist who was blinded to the randomization. The primary outcome parameter was the total score on the Danish Prostatic Symptom Score questionnaire. Secondary outcome measures were other subjective and objective voiding and incontinence parameters and four tests of the pelvic floor muscle: function; strength; static endurance; and dynamic endurance. Results. Baseline characteristics were similar in the two groups. Improved static endurance occurred in the training group but not in the control group (p=0.004). Regarding dynamic endurance, a difference in favour of training developed between the groups (p=0.049). Many men produced results that were outside the test scales. At follow-up at 2 and 4 weeks and 3 months there were no differences between the groups in any of the lower urinary tract parameters. Conclusions. Preoperative PFMT produced a significant improvement in pelvic floor muscle endurance after TURP, but clinically relevant storage or voiding improvements did not occur. Pelvic floor muscle assessment tests need to be sex-specific.
The Promise of Targeted α-Particle Therapy

The use of monoclonal antibodies to deliver radioisotopes directly to tumor cells has become a promising strategy to enhance the antitumor effects of native antibodies. Since the wand β-particles emitted during the decay of radioisotopes differ in significant ways, proper selection of isotope and antibody combinations is crucial to making radioimmunotherapy a standard therapeutic modality. Because of the short pathlength (50-80 μm) and high linear energy transfer (∼100 keV/μm) of α-emitting radioisotopes, targeted α-particle therapy offers the potential for more specific tumor cell killing with less damage to surrounding normal tissues than β-emitters. These properties make targeted α-particle therapy ideal for the elimination of minimal residual or micrometastatic disease. Radioimmunotherapy using α-emitters such as 2 1 3 Bi, 2 1 1 At, and 2 2 5 Ac has shown activity in several in vitro and in vivo experimental models. Clinical trials have demonstrated the safety, feasibility, and activity of targeted α-particle therapy in the treatment of small-volume and cytoreduced disease. Further advances will require investigation of more potent isotopes, new sources and methods of isotope production, improved chelation techniques, better methods for pharmacokinetic and dosimetric modeling, and new methods of isotope delivery such as pretargeting. Treatment of patients with less-advanced disease and, ultimately, randomized trials comparing targeted α-particle therapy with standard approaches will be required to determine the clinical utility of this approach.
Immediate-early regulatory gene mutants define different stages in the establishment and reactivation of herpes simplex virus latency

Using nonsense and deletion mutants of herpes simplex virus type 1, we investigated the roles of three immediate-early proteins (ICP4, ICP27 and ICP0) in the establishment and reactivation of ganglionic latency in a mouse ocular model. DNA hybridization, superinfection-rescue, and cocultivation techniques provided quantitative data that distinguished between the failure of a virus to establish latency in the ganglion and its failure to reactivate. Null mutants with lesions in the genes for ICP4 and ICP27 did not replicate in the eye or in ganglia and failed to establish reactivatable latent infections. Three ICP0 deletion mutants which could replicate in the eye and ganglia varied in their ability to establish and reactivate from the latent state, demonstrating that ICP0 plays a role both in the establishment and the reactivation of latency. The use of viral mutants and a variety of stage-specific assays allowed us to better define the stages in the establishment and reactivation of herpes simplex virus type 1 latency.
Parent-of-origin effect in panic disorder.

Parent-of-origin effect was examined in a series of 64 pedigrees with panic disorder (PD) under both the narrow and broad diagnostic models. The narrow diagnostic model defined the affected phenotype to include only the "definite" and "probable" forms of PD, whereas the broad diagnostic model included the entire PD symptomatology. The pattern of maternal vs. paternal transmission of disease was analyzed through a number of comparisons. These comparisons were performed first on all pedigrees and then on a subset of "pure" pedigrees including only strictly maternal transmission or strictly paternal transmission of PD. There were no significant differences in the proportion of offspring born to transmitting mothers vs. transmitting fathers under either diagnostic model or pedigree set. When the difference in the sex ratio among affected offspring from both transmission types was considered, only the "pure" pedigree sample under the broad diagnostic model yielded nominally (i.e., not corrected for multiple tests) significant results (P < .05). Also, the comparisons of cumulative lifetime risk for PD between offspring of transmitting mothers and fathers gave some nominally significant results; when affected and unaffected offspring were considered, significant results were observed under the narrow and broad diagnostic models, P < . 0005 and P < . 05, respectively. These findings must be considered provisional until confirmed by further study.
Unsupervised Temporal Segmentation of Skeletal Motion Data using Joint Distance Representation

In this paper, we present an online method for the unsupervised segmentation of skeletal motion capture data for the assessment of unfavorable or harmful postures in the context of musculoskeletal disorders. The long-time motion capture data is segmented into short motion sequences using joint distances of the captured skeleton. We use the difference between joint distance matrices to detect variances in motion dynamics in which the motion is separated into either a dynamic motion or a static posture. Then, the static posture can be evaluated using well-known posture assessment methods such as the Ovako Working postures Analysing System (OWAS) to derive risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders. The algorithm works in real-time so that it can be incorporated in live warning systems for unfavorable or harmful postures. We evaluated the segmentation algorithm by comparing it with results from state-of-the-art offline motion segmentation algorithms as gold standard. Results show that the algorithm approaches the performance of state-of-the-art offline segmentation algorithms.
How Should Transection of the Liver Be Performed?: A Prospective Randomized Study in 100 Consecutive Patients: Comparing Four Different Transection Strategies

Objective:To identify the most efficient parenchyma transection technique for liver resection using a prospective randomized protocol. Summary Background Data:Liver resection can be performed by different transection devices with or without inflow occlusion (Pringle maneuver). Only limited data are currently available on the best transection technique. Methods:A randomized controlled trial was performed in noncirrhotic and noncholestatic patients undergoing liver resection comparing the clamp crushing technique with Pringle maneuver versus CUSA versus Hydrojet versus dissecting sealer without Pringle maneuver (25 patients each group). Primary endpoints were intraoperative blood loss, resection time, and postoperative liver injury. Secondary end points included the use of inflow occlusion, postoperative complications, and costs. Results:The clamp crushing technique had the highest transection velocity (3.9 ± 0.3 cm2/min) and lowest blood loss (1.5 ± 0.3 mL/cm2) compared with CUSA (2.3 ± 0.2 cm2/min and 4 ± 0.7 mL/cm2), Hydrojet (2.4 ± 0.3 cm2/min and 3.5 ± 0.5 mL/cm2), and dissecting sealer (2.5 ± 0.3 cm2/min and 3.4 ± 0.4 mL/cm2) (velocity: P = 0.001; blood loss: P = 0.003). Clamp crushing technique was associated with the lowest need for postoperative blood transfusions. The degree of postoperative reperfusion injury and complications were not significantly different among the groups. The clamp crushing technique proved to be most cost-efficient device and had a cost-saving potential of 600 &U20AC; to 2400 &U20AC; per case. Conclusions:The clamp crushing technique was the most efficient device in terms of resection time, blood loss, and blood transfusion frequency compared with CUSA, Hydrojet, and dissecting sealer, and proved to be also the most cost-efficient device.
Detecting Temporal Relations of Events in Short Narratives CS 229 Fall 2016 Final Project Report

Event detection and temporal classification has long been a fundamental goal in NLP. Recent studies have highlighted the challenges that modern approaches to this task face, particularly when addressing both detection and classification together. Here, we use a new annotated corpus, StoryCloze, to train classifiers capable of classifying relationships spanning the length of a short narrative. Our final classifier achieves 62% test accuracy with a selection of hand-built features designed to capture lexical and syntactic features, despite sparsity in the dataset.
Analysis of feedback cancellation in hearing aids with Filtered-x LMS and the direct method of closed loop identification

Feedback cancellation in hearing aids based on Filtered-X LMS is analyzed. The data used for identification of the feedback path are the output and input signals of the hearing aid. The identification is thus done in a closed loop. Tracking characteristics and bias of the optimal estimate are discussed. The optimal estimate can be biased when the identification is performed in closed loop and the input signal to the hearing aid is not white. It is shown that the bias could be avoided if the spectrum of the input signal was known and the data used to update the internal feedback is prefiltered. The effects of different choices of the design variables of the Filtered-X LMS are discussed. Three alternatives of the fixed filter are evaluated on feedback paths of hearing aids on human subjects and with alternative spectra of the input signal. The optimal estimate of the Filtered-X LMS with an individually adjusted fixed filter shows the best agreement with the desired estimate.
Blind self-interference cancelation for amplify and forward relaying

In this letter we introduce a self-interference (SI) cancelation technique for amplify and forward relays. Relays are used to help forward signals between a transmitter and a receiver. This helps increase the signal coverage and reduce the required transmitted signal power. One issue that faces relays communications is the SI problem where an unwanted leaked signal from the relay's output will contaminate the new signal received from the transmitter at the relay's input. A solution is proposed in this letter to cancel this SI which is based upon using the constant modulus adaptive algorithm. This is performed blindly at the relay without the need of any training, a priori knowledge of the SI channel or any other channel weight estimates nor the need of multiple antennas. Simulation results are provided to verify the performance of the proposed method.
Calculation of Electronic Lifetimes in Molecular Junctions

We study the electronic lifetimes in molecular junctions using the Keldysh nonequilibrium Green function (NEGF) model . It is found that two characteristic time scales which govern the electron tunneling phenomena. One is the electronic lifetime in which electronic energy in the molecular electronic state dissipates into the right/left electrode or vibrational mode , the other is the residence time due to virtual excitation of electrons between the two electrode s and the molecular electronic state . And using a set of the parameters which characterize the molecular junction , we show that the molecular vibrational frequency, the position of the electronic state of the molecul e , the strength of electron - vibration coupling (via the electron - phonon interaction ) and the distance between the molecule and the electrode s (via the molecule - electrode coupling ) represent substantial contributions that affect the electronic lifetime in molecular junctions , as result all are represent important parameters to determine the nature and the mechanisms of electron transport in molecular junctions .
Semantic encoding in working memory: Is there a (multi)modality effect?

In spite of a large body of empirical research demonstrating the importance of multisensory integration in cognition, there is still little research about multimodal encoding and maintenance effects in working memory. In this study we investigated multimodal encoding in working memory by means of an immediate serial recall task with different modality and format conditions. In a first non-verbal condition participants were presented with sequences of non-verbal inputs representing familiar (concrete) objects, either in visual, auditory or audio-visual formats. In a second verbal condition participants were presented with written, spoken, or bimodally presented words denoting the same objects represented by pictures or sounds in the non-verbal condition. The effects of articulatory suppression were assessed in both conditions. We found a bimodal superiority effect on memory span with non-verbal material, and a larger span with auditory (or bimodal) versus visual presentation with verbal material, with a significant effect of articulatory suppression in the two conditions.
Full-Wave Analysis of 1D Periodic Microstrip Leaky-Wave Antennas

In this paper a full-wave numerical approach for the modal analysis of infinite periodic microstrip lines printed on a grounded dielectric slab is presented. This technique, based on the method of moments (MoM) in the spatial domain applied to a Mixed Potential Integral Equation (MPIE) within the unit-cell, enables a systematic investigation of bound modes, surface-leaky modes, and space-leaky modes. As is well known the knowledge of the dispersion properties permits a rapid determination of the number of radiating beams and of their pointing angles [1]; the proposed approach thus represents an effective tool for the design of 1D LWAs with an arbitrary planar metallization within the unit cell. Formulation In Fig. 1(a) a 1D periodic microstrip line is shown as an example of a 1D periodic LWA. The metallization, which has a translation symmetry along z with period p, is printed on a grounded dielectric slab with relative permittivity er, relative permeability µr = 1, and thickness h. Because of the periodicity, modal fields admit a Floquet representation in z involving an infinite number of spatial harmonics with complex propagation wavenumbers kzn = βn − jα = (β0 + 2πn/p) − jα. It can be observed that each spatial harmonic propagates along z with a different phase constant βn, but with the same attenuation constant α. A time-harmonic dependence e jωt is assumed and suppressed throughout.
Modeling Genealogical Domain - An Open Problem

The automated processing, storing and knowledge inference of genealogical data presents several difficulties. Roughly eighteen years ago, the FamilySearch organization published GEDCOM, a new standard file format to allow genealogy software and tools to exchange genealogical data. Five years later, the GENTECH Data Modeling Project, proposed a new genealogical logic data model to support research in genealogy and to allow data inter-exchange between genealogy software. Despite being initial reference models, they still have some limitations to adapt to different cultural and social environments. Additionally, sharing genealogical data between systems is difficult since, even though they are syntactical reference models, they may have semantic mismatches. Today, we have not a common and unified proposal as a standard recognized genealogical model. In this way, in this paper we propose to consider the ontology paradigm to extend expressiveness of concepts and relationships in such standards.
"Because I was in pain, I just wanted to be treated": Competing Therapeutic Goals in the Performance of Healing HIV/AIDS in Rural Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is experiencing one of the most severe AIDS epidemics in the world, with an estimated one out of seven people infected with HIV. For both palliative care and pragmatic treatment of HIV-related opportunistic infections, people turn to Un'anga (the traditional system of health and healing), not as a substitute for Western therapeutics but as an alternative explanatory model for the diagnosis and management of illness. Through the use of highly charged symbols and ritualized communication, n'angas (traditional healers) seek to transform patients' understandings and experiences of HIV-related illness. Using performance theory and discourse analysis, this article seeks to expand our understanding of how competing therapeutic goals in the performance of healing affect the structure and content of performance, its subsequent meaning, and the therapeutic effect on those afflicted with HIV.
A new noise margin and average static power model for junctionless double-gate FETs (JLDGFET) working in subthreshold logic gate

Based on the device and equivalent transistor models, we present a new device-physics-oriented static noise margin (NM), logic swing, and average power consumption model (Pave) for junctionless double-gate MOSFET (JLDGFET) working on subthreshold CMOS logic gates. Theoretical analysis of the NM and Pave for JLDG MOSFET operating in low-voltage condition is first revealed. The device parameters such as the thick silicon thickness tsi, thick gate oxide thickness tox, large supply voltage Vdd, and short channel length Lg, can severely degrade the NM and induce large Pave due to serious short-channel effect (SCEs). On the contrary, both the small subthreshold slope and balanced transistor strength S induced by device parameters can suppress the NM degradation and reduce Pave efficiently. Being similar to DIBL, both NM and Pave can also be uniquely controlled and determined by the scaling factor according to the scaling theory.
Combined fractal geometries for the design of wide band microstrip antennas with circular polarization

In this paper, we propose the combination of several fractal geometries for microstrip patch antenna for the achievement of their miniaturization and multi banding characteristics. By placing air gaps under the microstrip patches (actually making suspended microstrips) the bandwidths of antennas are drastically improved. By cutting appropriate rectangular and triangular slits as perturbations on the edges of fractal geometries, circular polarizations may be realized in the radiation patterns.