Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distributed Online Optimization in Dynamic Environments Using Mirror Descent

This work addresses decentralized online optimization in nonstationary environments. A network of agents aim to track the minimizer of a global, time-varying, and convex function. The minimizer follows a known linear dynamics corrupted by unknown unstructured noise. At each time, the global function (which could be a tracking error) can be cast as a sum of a finite number of local functions, each of which is assigned to one agent in the network. Moreover, the local functions become available to agents sequentially, and agents do not have prior knowledge of the future cost functions. Therefore, agents must communicate with each other to build an online approximation of the global function. We propose a decentralized variation of the celebrated mirror descent algorithm, according to which agents perform a consensus step to follow the global function and take into account the dynamics of the global minimizer. In order to measure the performance of the proposed online algorithm, we compare it to its offline counterpart, where the global functions are available a priori. The gap between the two losses is defined as dynamic regret. We establish a regret bound that scales inversely in the spectral gap of the network and represents the deviation of minimizer sequence with respect to the given dynamics. We show that our framework subsumes a number of results in distributed optimization.
Combinatorial Algorithms for Fast Clock Mesh Optimization

We present a fast and efficient combinatorial algorithm to simultaneously identify the candidate locations as well as the sizes of the buffers driving a clock mesh. Due to the high redundancy, a mesh architecture offers high tolerance towards variation in the clock skew. However, such a redundancy comes at the expense of mesh wire length and power dissipation. Based on survivable network theory, we formulate the problem to reduce the clock mesh by retaining only those edges that are critical to maintain redundancy. Such a formulation offers designer the option to trade-off between power and tolerance to process variations. Experimental results indicate that our techniques can result in power savings up to 28% with less than 4% delay penalty
Targeting LGR5+ cells with an antibody-drug conjugate for the treatment of colon cancer

An antibody-drug conjugate targeting LGR5 effectively treats intestinal cancer in preclinical models. Stemming the progression of cancer LGR5 is a well-known marker of intestinal cancer stem cells, which makes it an attractive target for anticancer treatments. Unfortunately, it is also found in healthy intestinal stem cells, giving rise to concerns about the potential toxicity of such treatments. Now, Junttila et al. used preclinical models of intestinal cancer to demonstrate that targeting LGR5 with an antibody-drug conjugate is effective for shrinking tumors without damaging the surrounding normal tissues. These observations of preclinical effectiveness as well as safety suggest that targeting LGR5-expressing cells may be a viable therapeutic strategy and a candidate for evaluation in human studies. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are hypothesized to actively maintain tumors similarly to how their normal counterparts replenish differentiated cell types within tissues, making them an attractive therapeutic target for the treatment of cancer. Because most CSC markers also label normal tissue stem cells, it is unclear how to selectively target them without compromising normal tissue homeostasis. We evaluated a strategy that targets the cell surface leucine-rich repeat–containing G protein–coupled receptor 5 (LGR5), a well-characterized tissue stem cell and CSC marker, with an antibody conjugated to distinct cytotoxic drugs. One antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) demonstrated potent tumor efficacy and safety in vivo. Furthermore, the ADC decreased tumor size and proliferation, translating to improved survival in a genetically engineered model of intestinal tumorigenesis. These data demonstrate that ADCs can be leveraged to exploit differences between normal and cancer stem cells to successfully target gastrointestinal cancers.
Hybrid Beamforming With a Reduced Number of Phase Shifters for Massive MIMO Systems

In this paper, two novel hybrid beamforming methods are proposed to reduce the cost and power consumption of hybrid beamformers with a subconnected phase shifter network structure in massive multiple–input multiple–output systems. This is achieved by replacing some of the phase shifters with switches, which, in general, are cheaper and have lower power consumption compared to phase shifters. The proposed methods and the closed-form expressions of their performance are derived according to the properties of the elements of the singular vectors of the channel matrix. In the first approach, it is shown that by combining the subconnected phase shifter network with a fully connected switch architecture, the number of the phase shifters can be reduced up to 50%, while the spectral efficiency is preserved. Then, in order to simplify the structure of the switch network, the fully connected switches are replaced by a subconnected switch network, e.g., binary switches. The analytical and simulation results indicate that just by using 25% of phase shifters, 90% spectral efficiency can be achieved. Finally, simulation results indicate that a similar behavior is observed when the wireless channel is considered to be sparse or correlated.
Integration of routine QA data into mega‐analysis may improve quality and sensitivity of multisite diffusion tensor imaging studies

A novel mega‐analytical approach that reduced methodological variance was evaluated using a multisite diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) fractional anisotropy (FA) data by comparing white matter integrity in people with schizophrenia to controls. Methodological variance was reduced through regression of variance captured from quality assurance (QA) and by using Marchenko–Pastur Principal Component Analysis (MP‐PCA) denoising. N = 192 (119 patients/73 controls) data sets were collected at three sites equipped with 3T MRI systems: GE MR750, GE HDx, and Siemens Trio. DTI protocol included five b = 0 and 60 diffusion‐sensitized gradient directions (b = 1,000 s/mm2). In‐house DTI QA protocol data was acquired weekly using a uniform phantom; factor analysis was used to distil into two orthogonal QA factors related to: SNR and FA. They were used as site‐specific covariates to perform mega‐analytic data aggregation. The effect size of patient‐control differences was compared to these reported by the enhancing neuro imaging genetics meta‐analysis (ENIGMA) consortium before and after regressing QA variance. Impact of MP‐PCA filtering was evaluated likewise. QA‐factors explained ∼3–4% variance in the whole‐brain average FA values per site. Regression of QA factors improved the effect size of schizophrenia on whole brain average FA values—from Cohen's d = . 53 to . 57—and improved the agreement between the regional pattern of FA differences observed in this study versus ENIGMA from r = . 54 to . 70. Application of MP‐PCA‐denoising further improved the agreement to r = . 81. Regression of methodological variances captured by routine QA and advanced denoising that led to a better agreement with a large mega‐analytic study.
A Prospective Study to Evaluate a Diagnostic Algorithm for the Use of Fluid Lymphocyte Subset Analysis in Undiagnosed Unilateral Pleural Effusions

Background: Haematological malignancy is an important cause of pleural effusion. Pleural effusions secondary to haematological malignancy are usually lymphocyte predominant. However, several other conditions such as carcinoma, tuberculosis, and chronic heart failure also cause lymphocytic effusions. Lymphocyte subset (LS) analysis may be a useful test to identify haematological malignancy in patients with lymphocytic effusions. However, research into their utility in pleural effusion diagnostic algorithms has not yet been published. Objectives: We aimed to determine the clinical utility of pleural fluid LS analysis and whether it can be applied to a diagnostic algorithm to identify effusions secondary to haematological malignancy. The secondary aim was to evaluate the diagnostic value of pleural fluid differential cell count. Methods: Consecutive consenting patients presenting to our pleural service between 2008 and 2013 underwent thoracentesis and differential cell count analysis. We proposed an algorithm which selected patients with lymphocytic effusions (>50%) to have further fluid sent for LS analysis. Two independent consultants agreed on the cause of the original effusion after a 12-month follow-up period. Results: A total of 60 patients had samples sent for LS analysis. LS analysis had an 80% sensitivity (8/10) and a 100% specificity for the diagnosis of haematological malignancy. The positive and negative predictive values were 100 and 96.1%, respectively. Overall 344 differential cell counts were analysed; 16% of pleural effusions with a malignant aetiology were neutrophilic or eosinophilic at presentation. A higher neutrophil and eosinophil count was associated with benign diagnoses, whereas a higher lymphocyte count was associated with malignant diagnoses. Conclusions: LS analysis may identify haematological malignancy in a specific cohort of patients with undiagnosed pleural effusions. A pleural fluid differential cell count provides useful additional information to streamline patient pathway decisions.
Comparative transcriptomics of cyprinid minnows and carp in a common wild setting: a resource for ecological genomics in freshwater communities

Abstract Comparative transcriptomics can now be conducted on organisms in natural settings, which has greatly enhanced understanding of genome–environment interactions. Here, we demonstrate the utility and potential pitfalls of comparative transcriptomics of wild organisms, with an example from three cyprinid fish species (Teleostei:Cypriniformes). We present extensively filtered and annotated transcriptome assemblies that provide a valuable resource for studies of genome evolution (e.g. polyploidy), ecological and morphological diversification, speciation, and shared and unique responses to environmental variation in cyprinid fishes. Our results and analyses address the following points: (i) ‘essential developmental genes’ are shown to be ubiquitously expressed in a diverse suite of tissues across later ontogenetic stages (i.e. juveniles and adults), making these genes are useful for assessing the quality of transcriptome assemblies, (ii) the influence of microbiomes and other exogenous DNA, (iii) potentially novel, species-specific genes, and (iv) genomic rearrangements (e.g. whole genome duplication). The data we present provide a resource for future comparative work in cypriniform fishes and other taxa across a variety of sub-disciplines, including stress response, morphological diversification, community ecology, ecotoxicology, and climate change.
Alternative Surgical Methods in Patients with Recurrent Palmar Hyperhidrosis and Compensatory Hyperhidrosis

Recurrent hyperhidrosis after thoracic sympathectomy is an uncomfortable condition, and compensatory hyperhidrosis (CH) is one of the most troublesome side effects. Here, we describe two patients with recurrent palmar hyperhidrosis (PH) and CH over the whole body simultaneously. They were treated with bilateral T4 sympathetic clipping and reconstruction of the sympathetic nerve from a T5 to T8 sympathetic nerve graft, which was transferred to the resected T3 sympathetic bed site. They reported improvements in sweating and were fully satisfied with the results. Our method can be considered as an alternative approach for patients with recurrent PH and CH.
Assessment of power output in jump tests for applicants to a sports sciences degree.

AIM Our study aimed: 1) to describe the jump performance in a population of male applicants to a Faculty of Sports Sciences, 2) to apply different power equations from the literature to assess their accuracy, and 3) to develop a new regression equation from this population. METHODS The push off phases of the counter-movement jumps (CMJ) on a force platform of 161 applicants (age: 19+/-2.9 years; weight: 70.4+/-8.3 kg) to a Spanish Faculty of Sports Sciences were recorded and subsequently analyzed. Their hands had to be placed on the hips and the knee angle during the counter movement was not controlled. Each subject had 2 trials to reach a minimum of 29 cm of jump height, and when 2 jumps were performed the best trial was analyzed. Multiple regression analysis was performed to develop a new regression equation. RESULTS Mean jump height was 34.6+/-4.3 cm, peak vertical force 1 663.9+/-291.1 N and peak power 3524.4+/-562 W. All the equations underestimated power, from 74% (Lewis) to 8% (Sayers). However, there were high and significant correlations between peak power measured on the force platform, and those assessed by the equations. CONCLUSIONS The results of the present study support the development of power equations for specific populations, to achieve more accurate assessments. The power equation from this study [Power = (62.5 x jump height (cm)) + (50.3 x body mass (kg)) 2184.7] can be used accurately in populations of male physical education students.
Returns to Consumer Search: Evidence from eBay

A growing body of empirical literature finds that consumers are relatively limited in how much they search over product characteristics. We assemble a dataset of search and purchase behavior from eBay to quantify the returns, and thus implied costs, to consumer search on the internet. The extensive nature of the eBay data allows us to examine a rich and detailed set of questions related to search in a way that previous structural models cannot. In contrast to the literature, we find that consumers search a lot: on average 36 times per purchase over 3 (distinct) days, with most sessions ending in no purchase. We find that search costs are relatively low, in the region of 25 cents per search page. We pursue the analysis further by, i) examining how users refine their search, ii) how search behavior spans multiple search sessions, and iii) how the amount of search relates to finding lower prices.
Gender-Confirmation Surgery Using the Pedicle Transverse Colon Flap for Vaginal Reconstruction: A Clinical Outcome and Sexual Function Evaluation Study

Summary: Vaginal reconstruction and vaginoplasty are indicated in vaginal agenesis, following pelvic tumor resection, trauma, and for gender-confirmation surgery. In this article, the authors present the clinical outcomes and sexual function evaluation when using the pedicle transverse colon flap for gender-confirmation surgery in transgender women. This is a retrospective chart review of all transgender women who underwent gender-confirmation surgery using the pedicle transverse colon flap. Demographics, procedure specifics, and surgical outcomes were recorded and analyzed. Sexual function was measured using the Female Sexual Function Index and the Female Genital Self-Image Scale 1 year after surgery. Fifteen patients underwent gender-confirmation surgery using the aforementioned technique. The average age of the patients was 20 years (range, 18 to 32 years), and the average operating room time was 10.1 hours (range, 8 to 12.5 hours). The average length and width of the flaps were 15 and 2.8 cm, respectively. During a 12-year follow-up, two complications were reported: one patient had pain caused by narrowing at the introitus, which required intervention, and one patient had an excessive amount of secretions in the first month, which subsided 3 months after surgery. The mean Female Sexual Function Index score was 28.6 (range, 24 to 31). All patients achieved normal sexual function as indicated by a Female Sexual Function Index score of 25 or more. For the Female Genital Self-Image Scale, the mean total score was 20.0 ± 4.5 (range, 7 to 28). The pedicle transverse colon flap is another valuable alternative method for vaginoplasty with promising results and minor complications. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.
Population Genetics of Plasmodium vivax in Four High Malaria Endemic Areas in Thailand

Recent trends of malaria in Thailand illustrate an increasing proportion of Plasmodium vivax, indicating the importance of P. vivax as a major causative agent of malaria. P. vivax malaria is usually considered a benign disease so the knowledge of this parasite has been limited, especially the genetic diversity and genetic structure of isolates from different endemic areas. The aim of this study was to examine the population genetics and structure of P. vivax isolates from 4 provinces with different malaria endemic settings in Thailand using 6 microsatellite markers. Total 234 blood samples from P. vivax mono-infected patients were collected. Strong genetic diversity was observed across all study sites; the expected heterozygosity values ranged from 0.5871 to 0.9033. Genetic variability in this study divided P. vivax population into 3 clusters; first was P. vivax isolates from Mae Hong Son and Kanchanaburi Provinces located on the western part of Thailand; second, Yala isolates from the south; and third, Chanthaburi isolates from the east. P. vivax isolates from patients having parasite clearance time (PCT) longer than 24 hr after the first dose of chloroquine treatment had higher diversity when compared with those having PCT within 24 hr. This study revealed a clear evidence of different population structure of P. vivax from different malaria endemic areas of Thailand. The findings provide beneficial information to malaria control programme as it is a useful tool to track the source of infections and current malaria control efforts.
Finding Consensus Without Computation

A canonical problem for swarms of agents is to collectively choose one of multiple options in their environment. We present a novel control strategy for solving this problem—the first to be free of arithmetic computation. The agents do not communicate with each other nor do they store run-time information. They have a line-of-sight sensor that extracts one ternary digit of information from the environment. At every time step, they directly map this information onto constant-value motor commands. We evaluate the control strategy with both simulated and physical e-puck robots. By default, the robots are expected to choose, and move to, one of two options of equal value. The simulation studies show that the strategy is robust against sensory noise, scalable to large swarm sizes, and generalizes to the problems of choosing between more than two options or between unequal options. The experiments—<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{50}$</tex-math></inline-formula> trials conducted with a group of <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mathbf{20}$</tex-math></inline-formula> e-puck robots—show that the group achieves consensus in <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{96}\%$ </tex-math></inline-formula> of the trials. Given the extremely low hardware requirements of the strategy, it opens up new possibilities for the design of swarms of robots that are small in size (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mathbf{\ll\text{10}^{-3}}$</tex-math></inline-formula> m) and large in numbers ( <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mathbf{\gg \text{10}^3}$</tex-math></inline-formula>).
Low loss and low noise gate driver for SiC-MOSFET with gate boost circuit

This paper presents low-switching-loss and low-switching-noise gate driver for Silicon-Carbide (SiC) - Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect-Transistor (MOSFET) with gate boost circuit which is very simple and cost-effective. Compared to a conventional gate drive circuit, the proposed gate driver has capability of reducing the switching losses and switching time without increasing switching noise. SiC power devices have attracted huge interest as next generation power devices. Normally, switching losses and switching noise have some trade-off each other, SiC devices are expected to switch fast for low switching losses but fast switching might cause switching noise problem such as electromagnetic interferences (EMI). We have confirmed that the proposed gate driver makes it possible to drive SiC-MOSFET fast and energy efficiently without increasing switching noise and break the trade-off of switching characteristics.
Electromagnetic Differential Measuring Method: Application in Microstrip Sensors Developing

Electromagnetic radiation is energy that interacts with matter. The interaction process is of great importance to the sensing applications that characterize material media. Parameters like constant dielectric represent matter characteristics and they are identified using emission, interaction and reception of electromagnetic radiation in adapted environmental conditions. How the electromagnetic wave responds when it interacts with the material media depends on the range of frequency used and the medium parameters. Different disciplines use this interaction and provides non-intrusive applications with clear benefits, remote sensing, earth sciences (geology, atmosphere, hydrosphere), biological or medical disciplines use this interaction and provides non-intrusive applications with clear benefits. Electromagnetic waves are transmitted and analyzed in the receiver to determine the interaction produced. In this work a method based in differential measurement technique is proposed as a novel way of detecting and characterizing electromagnetic matter characteristics using sensors based on a microstrip patch. The experimental results, based on simulations, show that it is possible to obtain benefits from the behavior of the wave-medium interaction using differential measurement on reception of electromagnetic waves at different frequencies or environmental conditions. Differential method introduce advantages in measure processes and promote new sensors development. A new microstrip sensor that uses differential time measures is proposed to show the possibilities of this method.
Detailed deposition analysis of inertial and diffusive particles in a rat nasal passage

Abstract Rats have been widely used as surrogates for evaluating the health effects of inhaled airborne particulate matter. To provide a thorough understanding of particle transport and deposition mechanisms in the rat nasal airway, this article presents a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study of particle exposure in a realistic rat nasal passage under a resting flow condition. Particles covering a diameter range from 1 nm to 4 µm were passively released in front of the rat’s breathing zone, and the Lagrangian particle tracking approach was used to calculate individual particle trajectories. Detailed particle deposition analysis shows the deposition of inertial particles >2 µm is high in the rat nasal vestibule and more than 70% of all inhaled inertial particles were trapped in this region. While for diffusive nanoparticles, the vestibule filtration effect is reduced, only less than 60% of inhaled nanoparticles were blocked by the anterior nasal structures. The particle exposure in the olfactory region only shows notable deposition for diffusive nanoparticles, which peaks at 9.4% for 5 nm particles. Despite the olfactory deposition remains at a low level, the ratio between the olfactory and the main passage is kept around 30–40% for 10–800 nm particles, which indicates a particle-size-independent distribution pattern in the main nasal passage and olfactory. This study provides a deep understanding of particles deposition features in a rat nasal passage, and the research findings can aid toxicologist in inter-species exposure-response extrapolation study.