Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Practical Approach to FM2 Motion Planner

The capability to plan a trajectory from a start to a goal position is essential for a mobile robot in order to obtain autonomy in navigation. The FM2 motion planner is a Fast Marching based algorithm that obtains the shortest geometric path between the safe possible ones. The safety, smoothness and reliability of the obtained trajectories have previously been theoretically demonstrated and make this planner suitable for applying it in a real robot. This paper attempts to measure the capabilities of the FM2 planner beyond theoretical results. As a previous step to apply it in our real robots, the FM2 planner is integrated as a plug-in driver in the Player/Stage multirobot simulation tool and the algorithm is tested under different environments and robot platforms. The results presented in this paper show the power of the FM2 method and the adequateness of the approach.
MicroRNA-based chemoresistance in glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant tumor of the central nervous system in adults. GBM is characterized by violent invasion and poor prognosis. Commonly, there are three main conventional methods to treat GBM, surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. GBM patients have a median survival ranging from 12 to 15 months, with all tumors developing, at some point, resistance to chemotherapy. There is recently growing interest in the relationship between microRNAs (miRNAs) and chemotherapy resistance in GBM. This paper aims to explore the molecular mechanism, by which miRNAs participate in the formation of chemotherapy resistance in GBM. Here, we summarize the published data relating miRNA to chemotherapy resistance in GBM. We discuss the relationship between mechanisms that miRNA impact upon and provide insight into potential future studies and clinical therapeutics.
Matrix reduction and numerical approximation during computation techniques for symbolic analog circuit analysis

A novel symbolic circuit analysis strategy, its matrix reduction, and its numerical approximation during computation methodologies are presented. These methods have been implemented in Sspice version 2.0. Together with the unique decomposition approach of Sspice 2.0, Sspice has successfully analyzed the full schematics of commercial op-amps and power regulators in developing their macro-models. The matrix reduction scheme and numerical approximation are presented in order to improve the efficiency of computation and memory consumption. <<ETX>>
Preliminary results of entire pleural intensity-modulated radiotherapy in a neoadjuvant setting for resectable malignant mesothelioma

Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the multimodality treatment with neoadjuvant intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for resectable clinical T1-3N0-1M0 malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Materials and Methods A total of eleven patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy between March 2016 and June 2018 were reviewed. Patients received 25 Gy in 5 fractions to entire ipsilateral hemithorax with helical tomotherapy. Results All of patients were men with a median age of 56 years. Epithelioid subtype was found in 10 patients. All patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy with pemetrexed-cisplatin regimen. Ten patients (90.9%) completed 25 Gy/5 fractions and one (9.0%) completed 20 Gy/4 fractions of radiotherapy. IMRT was well tolerated with only one acute grade 3 radiation pneumonitis. Surgery was performed 1 week (median, 8 days; range, 1 to 15 days) after completing IMRT. Extrapleural pneumonectomy was performed in 4 patients (36.3%), extended pleurectomy/decortication in 2 (18.2%) and pleurectomy/decortications in 5 (63.6%). There was no grade 3+ surgical complication except two deaths after EPP in 1 month. Based on operative findings and pathologic staging, adjuvant chemotherapy was delivered in 7 patients (63.6%), and 2 (18.2%) were decided to add adjuvant radiotherapy. After a median follow-up of 14.6 months (range, 2.8 to 30 months), there were 3 local recurrence (33.3%) and 1 distant metastasis (11.1%). Conclusion Neoadjuvant entire pleural IMRT can be delivered with a favorable radiation complication. An optimal strategy has to be made in resectable MPM patients who would benefit from neoadjuvant radiation and surgery. Further studies are needed to look at long-term outcomes.
Molecular Mobility and Stability Studies of Amorphous Imatinib Mesylate

The proposed study examined the characterization and stability of solid-state amorphous imatinib mesylate (IM) after 15 months under controlled relative humidity (60 ± 5%) and temperature (25 ± 2 °C) conditions. After 2 weeks, and 1, 3, 6, and 15 months, the samples were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray powder diffractometry (XRPD), attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Additionally, the amorphous form of imatinib mesylate was obtained via supercooling of the melt in a DSC apparatus, and aged at various temperatures (3, 15, 25 and 30 °C) and time periods (1–16 h). Glass transition and enthalpy relaxation were used to calculate molecular-relaxation-time parameters. The Kohlrausch–Williams–Watts (KWW) equation was applied to fit the experimental enthalpy-relaxation data. The mean molecular-relaxation-time constant (τ) increased with decreasing ageing temperature. The results showed a high stability of amorphous imatinib mesylate adequate to enable its use in solid dosage form.
Warm Ischemia Time at Vascular Anastomosis is an Independent Predictor for Delayed Graft Function in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

OBJECTIVES Delayed graft function after kidney transplant can affect patient and graft survival, resulting in prolonged hospital stay and need for dialysis. Ischemia times during organ procurement and reanastomosis at transplant are key factors in delayed graft function. MATERIALS AND METHODS We analyzed all living- and deceased-donor renal transplants in Ireland over a 33-month period, with effect of warm ischemia time during anastomosis on delayed graft function being the primary outcome. We performed statistical regression analyses to account for confounding variables. Patients had identical surgical technique and immunosuppression protocols. RESULTS Of 481 transplants during the study period, 20 patients were excluded because of paired-kidney exchange, nephron dosing transplant, or simul-taneous pancreas-kidney transplant. In the donor pool, 70% were donors after brainstem death, 3.6% were donors after cardiac death, and 26% were living donors. All living donors were direct altruistic donors and underwent stringent assessment via the ethics committee and multidisciplinary team meeting. Of living donors, 8% were not related. These were true altruistic donors who were acquaintances of the recipients and volunteered themselves for assessment. They were assessed in accordance with the declaration of Istanbul and received no compensation of any kind for donation. Of total patients, 18% had delayed graft function, defined as need for dialysis within 7 days of transplant. Warm ischemia time during anastomosis significantly affected risk of delayed graft function but not graft survival or function at 3 months. This factor did not correlate with hospital stay duration. Time on dialysis and recipient weight significantly correlated with risk of delayed graft function. CONCLUSIONS Our findings support a role for minimizing warm ischemia time during anastomosis to reduce delayed graft function and need for dialysis in the perioperative period. However, a longer time does not appear to affect creatinine levels and therefore graft function at 3 months.
'Hybrid Modeling': Advanced Scientific Investigations Linking Computer Models and Real-World Sensing (an interactive poster)

'Hybrid modeling' is an innovative technological platform that enables students to link multi-agent models ("in" the computer) and electronic sensors ("outside") in real time. The platform is designed for learners to validate, refine, and debug their computer models using real-world data. Also, the technology broadens the types of scientific explorations possible in classrooms. Pilot studies suggest a real-to-virtual reciprocity that catalyzes further inquiry toward deeper understanding.
Long noncoding RNA NEAT1 mediates neuronal histone methylation and age-related memory impairment

Aging-related expression of the lncRNA NEAT1 facilitates epigenetic inhibition of memory formation. On memory and aging It is an unfortunate aspect of aging that memory tends to decline. Butler et al. identified one way by which that happens. Using mice, mouse hippocampal neurons, and stem cell–derived human neurons, the authors found that the long noncoding RNA NEAT1—which is more commonly associated with cancer—was present in greater amounts in the aged hippocampus and facilitated histone methylation that suppressed the expression of c-FOS, a critical memory-associated gene. Depleting NEAT1 in old mice improved their performance in memory-associated behavior tests, whereas overexpressing NEAT1 in the hippocampus of younger mice impaired performance. These findings reveal a lncRNA-regulated epigenetic mechanism that contributes to age-associated cognitive impairment. Histone methylation is critical for the formation and maintenance of long-term memories. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are regulators of histone methyltransferases and other chromatin-modifying enzymes (CMEs), thereby epigenetically modifying gene expression. Here, we investigated how the lncRNA NEAT1 may epigenetically contribute to hippocampus-dependent, long-term memory formation using a combination of transcriptomics, RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation, CRISPR-mediated gene activation (CRISPRa), and behavioral approaches. Knockdown of the lncRNA Neat1 revealed widespread changes in gene transcription, as well as perturbations of histone 3 lysine 9 dimethylation (H3K9me2), a repressive histone modification mark that was increased in the hippocampus of aging rodents. We identified a NEAT1-dependent mechanism of transcriptional repression by H3K9me2 at the c-Fos promoter, corresponding with observed changes in c-Fos mRNA expression. Overexpression of hippocampal NEAT1 using CRISPRa was sufficient to impair memory formation in young adult mice, recapitulating observed memory deficits in old adult mice, whereas knocking down NEAT1 in both young and old adult mice improved behavior test–associated memory. These results suggest that the lncRNA NEAT1 is an epigenetic suppressor of hippocampus-dependent, long-term memory formation.
(Bio)Chemical strategies to modulate amyloid-β self-assembly.

Amyloid plaques are one of the two hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). They consist mainly of fibrils made of self-assembled amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides. Aβ is produced in healthy brains from proteolytic cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein. Aβ aggregates, in particular smaller, soluble aggregates, are toxic to cells. Hence modulating the self-assembly of Aβ became of very active field of research, with the aim to reduce the amount of the toxic aggregates of Aβ or to block their toxic action. A great variety of molecules, chemical and biological, are able to modify the aggregation of Aβ. Here we give an overview of the different mechanistic ways to modulate Aβ aggregation and on which step in the self-assembly molecules can interfere. We discuss the aggregation modulators according to different important parameters, including the type of interaction (weak interaction, coordination or covalent bonds), the importance of kinetics and thermodynamics, the size of the modulating molecules, and binding specificity.
Performance of frequency-hopping radio systems on interference-limited HF channels

A severe problem with HF transmission is the large amount of interfering signals from other users of the band. To carry out performance evaluations of HF communication systems, the impact of the narrow-band interfering signals therefore has to be considered. Thus, a statistical description of the interfering signals is needed. Based on an occupancy model by Laycock, Gott et al. (1988), the probability density function of the received interference power within 1 kHz bandwidth is derived. To cope with the interference problem on the HF channel, one can adopt frequency-hopping technique combined with error-correcting coding or diversity transmission. The derived statistical interference description is employed in the evaluation of the bit error probability of a frequency-hopping system with noncoherent binary frequency-shift keying. The results show that compared to a channel affected by white Gaussian noise only, the statistically modeled interference environment yields a considerable performance degradation.
Heart Rate Variability and Academic Performance of First-Year University Students

Background: Heart rate variability (HRV) measures have been shown to be positively associated with cognitive processing, while a positive association between cognitive processing and academic performance has been demonstrated. Objectives: To determine whether resting HRV or HRV marker response to either a cognitive or an orthostatic challenge is significantly associated with a first-year university student’s academic performance. Method: HRV markers used in the study included total power (TP) as a measure of overall HRV and the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) as a measure of parasympathetic influence on the heart. Academic performance was determined by standardized general mean scores. Results: Greater supine overall HRV (TP) was significantly associated with greater academic performance predominantly in females. Vagal (RMSSD) measures were not shown to be associated with academic performance. Conclusions: This, to our knowledge, is the first study to show that overall HRV has a significant positive association with academic performance of a first-year university student.
Building visual memories of video streams

A real-time method that automatically creates a visual memory of a scene using the growing neural gas (GNG) algorithm is described. The memory consists of a graph where nodes encode the visual information of a video stream as a limited set of representative images. GNG nodes are automatically generated and dynamically clustered. This method could be employed by robotic platforms in exploratory and rescue missions.
Aedes Vector Surveillance in the Southeastern United States Reveals Growing Threat of Aedes japonicus japonicus (Diptera: Culicidae) and Aedes albopictus

Abstract Mosquito-borne diseases are on the rise globally, and have the potential to thrive along the Gulf Coast of the United States, where subtropical conditions may facilitate the introduction or movement of mosquito vectors. Despite surveillance efforts, Aedes aegypti (L.) had not been detected in the Gulf state of Alabama for nearly three decades. The detection of Ae. aegypti in Alabama may suggest remnant or reemergent populations of this vector. We conducted adult sampling between May and August of 2018 to capture mosquitoes during a time frame when all species should be active. This was to ensure no species were missed due to overwintering and to identify the distributions of Aedes mosquitoes of medical importance. No Ae. aegypti were detected in Alabama over the period of this study. We detected Aedes albopictus (Skuse) in 65 counties and the recently invasive Aedes japonicus japonicus (Theobald) in 30 counties across the state. These results indicate that while Ae. aegypti was recently reported from parts of Alabama, the state is not experiencing a major resurgence of the species, whereas Ae. albopictus remains ubiquitous. Further, results indicate that a third wave of Aedes invasion may be occurring, that of Ae. japonicus japonicus. All three of these species are medically important vectors and may pose threats to the public health of the Gulf Coast of the United States.
Symptoms, Audiometric and Vestibular Laboratory Findings, and Imaging in a Concurrent Superior Canal Dehiscence Syndrome and Vestibular Schwannoma: A Case Report

Abstract Background: Dizziness is a common complaint that can arise from multiple systems in the body. Objective vestibular tests are used to understand the underlying function of the vestibular system and whether or not it may be contributing to the dizziness symptoms experienced by the patient. Even when comprehensive case history is consistent with an otologic etiology, audiometric and vestibular tests are ordered to objectively characterize inner ear function to help further refine the differential diagnoses and aid in guiding treatment options. Few reports in the literature describe audiometric and vestibular results in patients with multiple concurrent otologic etiologies. Purpose: This case provides a description of audiometric, vestibular, and imaging results in a case of concurrent bilateral superior canal dehiscence, right-sided vestibular schwannoma, and right-sided posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. The patient’s symptoms and laboratory findings are described in detail and, where appropriate, highlight challenges that may arise in interpretation. Research Design: A case report. Results: The patient presented for evaluation of dizziness, asymmetric hearing loss, and autophony. Comprehensive audiometric evaluation shows asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss and an air-bone gap at 250 Hz in the right ear. Vestibular evaluation shows right caloric asymmetry along with abnormal cervical vestibular– and ocular vestibular–evoked myogenic potentials, with the left ear showing results consistent with the third-window pathology. Conclusions: Comprehensive assessment of symptoms and critical thinking while performing testing are necessary when examining multiple concurrent otologic etiologies in a patient. Knowledge of anticipated test results and physiology may help the audiologist to synthesize results and make appropriate clinical recommendations as part of the multidisciplinary team.
Thermal Infrared Pedestrian Segmentation Based on Conditional GAN

A novel thermal infrared pedestrian segmentation algorithm based on conditional generative adversarial network (IPS-cGAN) is proposed for intelligent vehicular applications. The convolution backbone architecture of the generator is based on the improved U-Net with residual blocks for well utilizing regional semantic information. Moreover, cross entropy loss for segmentation is introduced as the condition for the generator. SandwichNet, a novel convolutional network with symmetrical input, is proposed as the discriminator for real–fake segmented images. Based on the c-GAN framework, good segmentation performance could be achieved for thermal infrared pedestrians. Compared to some supervised and unsupervised segmentation algorithms, the proposed algorithm achieves higher accuracy with better robustness, especially for complex scenes.
MODEL PENGENALAN TERBAIK DENGAN TREE-AUGMENTED NETWORK (TAN) DAN ESTIMATOR MAXIMUM LIKELIHOOD (ML) BERDASARKAN FITUR OBJEK

Pengenalan suatu objek sangat tergantung dari seberapa handal model yang digunakan serta parameter model tersebut. Tree-Augmented Network (TAN) adalah salah satu model yang handal dalam melakukan klasifikasi, yang dibangun dengan memperhatikan hubungan diantara pasangan fitur-fitur objek. Sedangkan Maximum Likellihood (ML) adalah salah satu estimator yang telah banyak digunakan dan telah teruji penggunaannya. Kehandalan model serta estimator yang digunakan pada kenyataan belum cukup untuk menghasilkan model pengenalan terbaik, akan tetapi ada faktor lain yang memberi kontribusi besar yaitu dimensi atau fitur objek yang digunakan dalam membangun model tersebut. Hasil eksperimen untuk data training yang terdiri dari 5 jenis objek ringan menunjukkan untuk dimensi objek 5x5 (25 fitur), 6x6 (36 fitur) dan 7x6 (42 fitur) menghasilkan model TAN terbaik karena memberikan tingkat akurasi sistem 100%, sedangkan untuk dimensi dibawah atau diatas tersebut menghasilkan tingkat akurasi sistem yang lebih rendah. Kondisi tersebut menunjukkan bahwa tidak selamanya semakin besar dimensi atau fitur objek yang digunakan dalam training akan menghasilkan model yang semakin baik, karena bisa jadi semakin besar dimensi atau fitur objek akan menghasilkan informasi overflow. Kata Kunci: Tree-Augmented Network, Maximum Likelihood, Dimensi (fitur) objek
A real-time communication protocol with contention-resolving algorithm for programmable controllers

In this paper, a communication protocol far real-time distributed programmable controllers is proposed. An architecture for the real-time distributed system which consists of small PCs is proposed. A basic execution cycle of the sequence control tasks executed by the PCs is defined. The workload model which includes the execution period and time constraints is proposed. A contention-resolving algorithm is suggested in order to provide deterministic communication delays. Based on the workload model, the response time characteristic of the proposed communication protocol is investigated and compared with those of three well-known communication protocols. It is shown that the proposed real-time communication protocol provides better performance than the other protocols. <<ETX>>
An analytical model of the demand for propulsion torque during manual wheelchair propelling

Abstract Purpose The objective of the study is to build a mathematical model that will be used to determine the value of the propulsions torque required to drive a human–wheelchair system under varied conditions. Materials and methods To this end, the mechanics of the system’s movement were described with equations taking into account forces acting on it. As a result forces acting on individual axles of the wheelchair’s wheels were determined. This formed a basis for solving the developed model. In the next step experimental and literature based research was performed in order to determine values of the developed model’s parameters. It was then introduced into the environment of numerical computation. As a result, we could carry out a number of simulations allowing us to trace propulsion torque curves for various driving conditions. Results This in turn was a basis on which a preliminary validation of the developed mathematical model was performed. Conclusions Presented the mathematical model can be applied during work related to the design of manually propelled wheelchairs. Implications for Rehabilitation Work related to development of innovative designs of manual wheelchairs is important because the physical activity associated with propelling is enriching the rehabilitation process. Wheelchairs equipped with electric drive do not have this advantage. The developed dependences and results of conducted work, described in this article, are an added value in the area of both, theoretical research and practical engineering design concerning wheelchairs and their drive systems. Therefore, they expand the design possibilities for better matching the wheelchair with the individual needs of the disabled people. The possibility of adjusting selected solutions to individual needs allows to increase the effectiveness of active rehabilitation, related for example, to the possibility of practicing sports and other physical activities.