Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tumor and Constitutional Sequencing for Neurofibromatosis Type 1

PURPOSE NF1 variants in tumors are important to recognize, as multiple mechanisms may give rise to biallelic variants. Both deletions and copy-neutral loss of heterozygosity (LOH) are potential mechanisms of NF1 loss, distinct from point mutations, and additional genes altered may drive different tumor types. This study investigates whether tumors from individuals with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) demonstrate additional gene variants and detects NF1 second hits using paired germline and somatic sequencing. In addition, rare tumor types in NF1 may also be characterized by tumor sequencing. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sequences of 529 cancer driver genes were analyzed in 6,381 tumors, yielding 391 NF1-mutated tumors in which NF1 LOH analysis was performed. Driver genes were evaluated by tumor type including malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors and gliomas. RESULTS NF1 LOH was seen in 133 of 391 tumor samples in the cohort. Individuals with NF1 had more prevalent copy-neutral LOH (P < .0001), suggesting somatic intrachromosomal recombination. Osteosarcoma in NF1 also had NF1 LOH and additional p53 alteration. NF1 second hit data from tumors were informative for inferring deleteriousness of missense variants that were conflicting in ClinVar, potentially helping to add to NF1 annotation. Although criteria for evaluating germline and somatic variants are different, deleterious effects on NF1 function may be shared. CONCLUSION Sequencing of NF1-associated tumors demonstrated a spectrum of second hits in NF1 and the prevalence of copy-neutral LOH. Future work may be aimed at further understanding of LOH mechanisms and strategies to mitigate tumor risk. NF1 second hits are primarily copy-neutral LOH and offer opportunity for variant interpretation
The need for multicomponent gas standards for breath biomarker analysis

Exhaled breath is a non-invasive, information-rich matrix with the potential to diagnose or monitor disease, including infectious disease. Despite significant effort dedicated to biomarker identification in case control studies, very few breath tests are established in practice. In this topical review, we identify how gas standards support breath analysis today and what is needed to support further expansion and translation to practice. We examine forensic and clinical breath tests and discuss how confidence has been built through unambiguous biomarker identification and quantitation supported by gas calibration standards. Based on this discussion, we identify a need for multicomponent gas standards with part-per-trillion to part-per-million concentrations. We highlight National Institute of Standards and Technology gas standards developed for atmospheric measurements that are also relevant to breath analysis and describe investigations of long-term stability, chemical reactions, and interactions with gas cylinder wall treatments. An overview of emerging online instruments and their need for gas standards is also presented. This review concludes with a discussion of our ongoing research to examine the feasibility of producing multicomponent gas standards at breath-relevant concentrations. Such standards could be used to investigate interference from ubiquitous endogenous compounds and as a starting point for standards tailored to specific breath tests.
To Analyse the Critical Success Factors in Successful Deployment of Lean six Sigma Methodologies- A Case Study of Pharmaceutical Organizations of Pakistan

The endeavour of this research paper is to explore the challenges and critical success factors that are creating hindrance in successful achievement of benefits of Lean Six Sigma in Pharmaceuticals organization of Pakistan. The organization are looking for the manner for the improvement in efficiency and effectiveness of manufacturing and an operational process by enhancement of efficiency, optimization of resources, reduction of waste and rejection and controlling of inventory. The concepts of LSS are not much recognized in Pakistan, and a misconception is prevailing that it can be applied in only larger companies. However, it is found that application and use of LSS are limited to multinational companies only that are running internal six sigma programs on global levels. This research project adopts a deductive approach, exploratory research design; quantitative research methods and positivism philosophy. The deployment of LSS is selected as a dependent variable, and independent variables are continuous improvement, Project selection, continuous education and training, employee involvement, Knowledge sharing, people mindset, Quality Improvement, Top executive commitment, understanding of tools of Six Sigma, Customer needs, Culture. A questionnaire survey was conducted with the management people of local as well as global pharmaceuticals with 200 sample size. The regression results have shown that statistically significant variables are a Top executive commitment, continuous education, and training as well as People mindset. It is concluded that since its inception the concepts of LSS are linked with the larger pharmaceutical companies. However, gradually small and medium size organizations have started to realize and reap out the financial advantageous of this program. The eventual objective of Lean Six Sigma is to revolutionize the overall culture and organizational mindset for the creation of processes and systems to assure their effective functioning on the best possible level of performance.
COVID-19 infodemic on Facebook and containment measures in Italy, United Kingdom and New Zealand

The COVID-19 pandemic has been characterized by a social media “infodemic”: an overabundance of information whose authenticity may not always be guaranteed. With the potential to lead individuals to harmful decisions for the society, this infodemic represents a severe threat to information security, public health and democracy. In this paper, we assess the interplay between the infodemic and specific aspects of the pandemic, such as the number of cases, the strictness of containment measures, and the news media coverage. We perform a comparative study on three countries that employed different managements of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020—namely Italy, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. We first analyze the three countries from an epidemiological perspective to characterize the impact of the pandemic and the strictness of the restrictions adopted. Then, we collect a total of 6 million posts from Facebook to describe user news consumption behaviors with respect to the reliability of such posts. Finally, we quantify the relationship between the number of posts published in each of the three countries and the number of confirmed cases, the strictness of the restrictions adopted, and the online news media coverage about the pandemic. Our results show that posts referring to reliable sources are consistently predominant in the news circulation, and that users engage more with reliable posts rather than with posts referring to questionable sources. Furthermore, our modelling results suggest that factors related to the epidemiological and informational ecosystems can serve as proxies to assess the evolution of the infodemic.
Utility of the ALSFRS‐R for predicting ALS and comorbid disease neuropathology: The Veterans Affairs Biorepository Brain Bank

The amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) functional rating scale‐revised (ALSFRS‐R) is commonly used to track ALS disease progression; however, there are gaps in the literature regarding the extent to which the ALSFRS‐R relates to underlying central nervous system (CNS) pathology. The current study explored the association between ALSFRS‐R (total and subdomain) scores and postmortem neuropathology (both ALS‐specific and comorbid disease).
Research of smart antenna transmit digital multi-beaming method

Smart antenna may reduce coggege of Electronic Engineering of UESTC, the cochannel interferences (CCI), enhance the user capacity and spectrum efficiency, reduces the transmit power and electromagnetic interferences, enhance the transmit efficiency, dynamically divide cells in third generation cellular. The digital beamforming (DBF) of the phased array antenna is a key technology of the smart antenna. There are many reports about the receive digital multi beaming process, but the report about transmit digital multi beaming is very few. This paper introduces two methods about the transmit digital multi beaming and obtains the result of computer simulation. This method may use in the SDMA and cell location system.
A Multifunctional Grid-Tied Solar Energy Conversion System With ANF-Based Control Approach

This paper presents a two stage three-phase grid-interfaced solar photovoltaic (SPV) energy conversion system with an adaptive notch filter (ANF)-based control algorithm. The proposed SPV system is a multifunction grid-interfaced SPV energy conversion system, which along with the conversion of dc-power from SPV to ac mains is capable of reactive power compensation, harmonics currents elimination, and load balancing in a three-phase ac distribution system. Compared with multiple devices with different functionalities, a multifunction grid-interfaced SPV energy conversion system is capable of saving substantially capital investment, space, and maintenance cost on behalf of multifunctional features. The ANF successfully extracts a single sinusoid of a possibly nonstationary nature from harmonics corrupted load currents at point of common coupling. The control algorithm is adaptive with respect to the fundamental frequency of the system as compared with other methods, and provides instantaneous values of the fundamental signals. Simulation and experimental results verify the validity of the presented algorithm and confirms its desirable transient and steady state performances. The total harmonics distortion of grid currents is found well under IEEE-519 standard, even under nonlinear loads.
Policybased networking in a mobile, multiconnected environment

In classic networking, sessions are ordered communication between two xed end-points. In this thesis we introduce the concept of session migration where one of the end-points of the session can change without losing the integrity of the session. We examine if session migration can be used to increase the user perceived quality of service in heterogeneous, mobile networks. We introduce the concept of session migration into the research eld of service centric networking. In service centric networks, the services are located using a discovery and lookup system which allows the application layer to view the network as a collection of services rather than as a collection of hosts. All these services will have attributes describing them, and di erent applications will have di erent opinions of which attributes a service should have to be well suited for the application. We propose to use a separate policy language to allow applications to easily de ne what it considers a well suited service. In session migration enabled service centric networking systems, a service user can start a session using one service provider and continue it on another. In this manner, the service user can select the best suited service provider when the session is initiated. If a better suited service provider becomes available, the service user can migrate the session to the new service provider. We propose an architecture called Embouchure which includes middleware that provides support for policy controlled session migration. We use Embouchure to show that policy controlled service migration is one possible way to harness the heterogeneous mobile networks in the future.
Rock Trap Experience in Unlined Tunnels

Where unlined tunnels are a part of a hydraulic power conduit, properly designed rock traps are required to collect the transported material and prevent excessive abrasion of turbine components. Performance of the trap system for the Jaybird Development during the initial 2 yrs of operation is examined, the results of a hydraulic model testing program are presented, and the consequent modifications of the Jaybird trap system are outlined. Also presented is a new concept for the design of rock traps.
Serial Entrepreneurship in China

This paper studies entrepreneurship and the creation of new ﬁrms in China through the lens of serial entrepreneurs, i.e. entrepreneurs who establish more than one ﬁrm, and their diﬀerences with non-serial entrepreneurs. Drawing on data on the universe of all ﬁrms in China, we document key facts about serial entrepreneurship in China since the early 1990s and develop a theoretical framework to rationalize the role of endowments, ability, and capital market frictions in their behavior. We also examine the key determinants of the sectoral choice for serial entrepreneurs’ second ﬁrms. Quantitatively, serial entrepreneurs are more productive, raise more capital, and operate larger ﬁrms than non-serial entrepreneurs. Moreover, serial entrepreneurs with greater liquidity and whose ﬁrms have relatively similar productivity are more likely to operate these ﬁrms concurrently rather than sequentially. We also ﬁnd that less productive serial entrepreneurs are more likely to switch sectors when establishing new ﬁrms, with the choice of sector inﬂuenced by considerations of risk diversiﬁcation, upstream and downstream linkages, and sectoral complementarities.
Comparative Analysis of Two Methods of Assessment Wear of Dental Materials

Abstract Wear of dental materials used for permanent dental fillings has a significant impact on their lifetime. Wear products generated during chewing process involving direct tribological contact between a composite and tooth enamel can cause damage not only to enamel itself but also to the entire tooth structure thus affecting the patient’s the health. It is essential therefore to assess the process of wear rates as well as the usefulness and effectiveness of the method used to measure these values. As there are a number of different methods used to quantify the loss of dental materials subjected to friction, eg. : scanning digital 3D models of dental casts, confocal microscope scanning or profilographometer measurements, the authors chose to analyze two selected research methods using confocal microscopy and profilographometer to assess their effectiveness. Two commercially available composite dental materials, i.e. ES and FFE previously subjected to friction tests in contact with human dental enamel, were used for the analysis.
Simultaneous Localization Auto-Calibration and Mapping of Ground Vehicles

This dissertation advances the state of the art of sensor auto-calibration by presenting a generic solution and analysis to the 3D sensor auto-calibration problem, as well as to the 2D simultaneous localization and auto-calibration (SLACAM) problem . Proper sensor calibration can be key to mission success when attempting to navigate robots in challenging environments. It allows for maximum information correlation between two sensors leading to higher fidelity representations of the environment thereby facilitating more precise navigation and obstacle avoidance, without which sub-optimal solutions such as taking longer paths to avoid obstacles to account for sensor error and other similar work arounds are employed. Additionally the ability to calibrate on the fly can greatly increase the robustness of a robot operating in challenging environments where canceling a mission prematurely is simply infeasible or not an option. The ability to auto-calibrate two rigidly mounted sensors while on a moving platform will be validated using a rigidly mounted lidar and an inertial navigation system (INS) on a sport utility vehicle (SUV) while driving through an urban center. The presented technique will be compared to an independent party’s static laboratory calibration, which will show agreement to within tenths of degrees in angular accuracy and centimeter level translational accuracies. Additionally, the observability of this technique will be assessed and unobservable maneuvers will be highlighted. Additionally the three (DOF) alignment of an inertial measurement unit (IMU), lidar, and odometer system on a ground robot that is performing simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) will be assessed. Additionally the performance of the SLAM algorithm will be assessed as well as the observability of this system. This technique will demonstrate the ability to produce a navigation solution that accurately navigates the ground robot through a structured environment to within a robots
Bringing in the Tech: Using Outside Expertise to Enhance Technology Learning in Youth Programs.

Without the curricular constraints of school, afterschool has great potential to expose youth to new ideas or to old ideas in novel, engaging ways. As Freeman, Dorph, and Chi (2009) suggest, afterschool can “generate interest, engagement, and capacity to know and do science” (p. 2). One area where afterschool may contribute to novel and engaging education is new technologies. Digital literacy skills—the ability to navigate, evaluate, analyze, communicate, and create information using digital technologies—are increasingly critical for success (Jenkins, 2009). Technology, the “T” of STEM, is broadly applicable in today’s world and will only grow in importance as innovation continues. Regardless of how many youth enter technology jobs—one primary rationale for the STEM education push—enhancing digital literacies is good for the populace. Thomas Akiva, Kaleen Tison Povis, and Ani Martinez
Lagrangian method for deriving electrically dual power converters applicable to nonplanar circuit topologies

This paper proposes a novel method for deriving dual converters, namely deriving current‐source converters from voltage‐source counterparts, and vice versa. The conventional derivation method is based on the transformation of circuit topology, in which series connections are converted into parallel connections, and vice versa. However, this method cannot be directly applied to nonplanar circuits because they do not allow perfect topological transformation, although many of them are known to have duals. Lagrangian dynamics does not depend on the topological relation to transform a system into another equivalent system; therefore, it possibly avoids problems related to topological transformation and may provide a universal and systematic method that can be consistently applied to nonplanar circuits. This paper discusses the derivation of duals using Lagrangian dynamics. Along with the theory, this paper presents two examples of Lagrangian derivation of duals. One derives a dual of a planar circuit, to which the topological transformation is applicable. The other derives two duals of a nonplanar circuit. Consequently, these examples suggest that the proposed method is a prospective candidate for universal and systematic derivation of duals. © 2016 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A sequential approach using convolutional neural networks for motion artifacts reduction with a fast CT scan mode

In our previous work, we proposed to reduce motion artifacts in computed tomography (CT) using an image-based convolutional neural network (CNN). However, its motion compensation performance was limited when the degree of motion was large. We note that a fast scan mode can reduce the degree of motion but also cause streak artifacts due to sparse view sampling. In this study, we aim to initially reduce motion artifacts using a fast scan mode, and to reduce both the streak and motion artifacts using a CNN-based two-phase approach. In the first phase, we focus on reducing streak artifacts caused by sparse projection views. To effectively reduce streak artifacts in the presence of motion artifacts, a CNN with the U-net architecture and residual learning scheme was used. In the second phase, we focus on compensating motion artifacts in output image of the first phase. For this task, the attention blocks with global average pooling were used. To generate datasets, we used extended cardiac-torso phantoms and simulated sparse-view CT using half, quarter, and one-eighth of full projection views with corresponding 6-degree of freedom rigid motions. The results showed that the proposed two-phase approach effectively reduced both the motion and streak artifacts and taking fewer projection views down to one-eighth views (thus improving a scanning speed) provided the better image quality in our simulation study.
A paddle-wheel phantom for geometric calibration of cone-beam CT with offset detector

In many cone-beam CT (CBCT) designs (linac-mounted and C-arms), source and detector trajectories are reproducible but deviate from their nominal paths due to mechanical flex. Since accurate knowledge of the scan geometry is crucial for CBCT image quality, angle-dependent geometric calibration is required, generally using phantoms with bearing balls (BBs) at known positions. However, when tangentially offsetting the detector to increase the field-of-view, multi-BB calibration is not ideal because: (a) the same BBs are not visible in opposite views, negatively affecting the robustness in matching opposing projections, and (b) the calibration becomes more sensitive to deviations from nominal BB positions, e.g. from manufacturing tolerances or post-manufacturing deformation. We present a novel calibration method for scanners with significantly offset detector. Inspired by checkerboard camera calibration, it uses circuit boards with etched copper patterns, readily available to micrometre precision. The method offers full nine-degrees-of-freedom calibration, is robust to phantom assembly and positioning inaccuracies, and uses patterns that cover a large portion of the detector and extend across the overlap region to improve matching of opposing views. For quantitative evaluation was used the smallest sphere intersected by rays back-projected from a 360-degree scan of BBs 100 mm from the isocentre. For a linac-mounted CBCT, the average radius was decreased from 0.48 mm (with single-BB calibration) to 0.14 mm. Corresponding improvements were seen in off-centre slices of Catphan phantom reconstructions. We propose the method as an easy-to-manufacture, simple-to-use, robust alternative to multi-BB calibration for CBCT systems with offset detector, suitable also for noncircular orbits.
Streak artifacts reduction algorithm using an implicit neural representation in sparse-view CT

Sparse-view computed tomography (CT) has been attracting attention for its reduced radiation dose and scanning time. However, analytical image reconstruction methods such as filtered back-projection (FBP) suffer from streak artifacts due to sparse-view sampling. Because the streak artifacts are deterministic errors, we argue that the same artifacts can be reasonably estimated using a prior image (i.e., smooth image of the same patient) with known imaging system parameters. Based on this idea, we reconstruct an FBP image with sparse-view projection data, regenerate the streak artifacts by forward and back-projection of a prior image with sparse views, and then subtract them from the original FBP image. For the success of this approach, the prior image needs to be patient specific and easily obtained from given sparse-view projection data. Therefore, we introduce a new concept of implicit neural representations for modeling attenuation coefficients. In the implicit neural representations, neural networks output a patient-specific attenuation coefficient value for an input pixel coordinate. In this way, network’s parameters serve as an implicit representation of a CT image. Unlike conventional deep learning approaches that utilize a large, labeled dataset, an implicit neural representation is optimized using only sparse-view projection data of a single patient. This avoids having a bias toward a group of patients in the dataset and helps to capture unique characteristics of the individual properly. We validated the proposed method using fan-beam CT simulation data of an extended cardiac-torso phantom and compared the results with total variation-based iterative reconstruction and an image-based convolutional neural network.