Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
YOLO and K-Means Based 3D Object Detection Method on Image and Point Cloud

Lidar based 3D object detection and classification tasks are essential for automated driving(AD). A Lidar sensor can provide the 3D point coud data reconstruction of the surrounding environment. But the detection in 3D point cloud still needs a strong algorithmic challenge. This paper consists of three parts. (1)Lidar-camera calib. (2)YOLO, based detection and PointCloud extraction, (3) k-means based point cloud segmentation. In our research, Camera can capture the image to make the Real-time 2D Object Detection by using YOLO, I transfer the bounding box to node whose function is making 3d object detection on point cloud data from Lidar. By comparing whether 2D coordinate transferred from the 3D point is in the object bounding box or not, and doing a k-means clustering can achieve High-speed 3D object recognition function in GPU.
An Unfolded Pipelined Polar Decoder With Hybrid Number Representations for Multi-User MIMO Systems

Next generation wireless communication introduces ultra high speed and low latency requirements to baseband processors, especially for multi-user multiple-input-multiple-output (MU-MIMO) systems. Polar codes, as the channel coding scheme in the control plane of 5G eMBB scenario, still cannot satisfy the hardware implementation requirements of polar decoders for MU-MIMO systems. In this brief, a high throughput and low latency polar decoder is proposed for MU-MIMO systems. The decoding architecture is fully unfolded to maximize hardware parallelism, and is fully pipelined by decoupling the round-trip scheduling datapath to enable simultaneous processing of multiple codewords. Besides, a hybrid decoding datapath is introduced by proposing complementary decoding units with mixed data representations to reduce hardware complexity. For (1024, 512) polar codes, a decoding throughput of 100.6 Gbps is achieved, and the latency is 0.43 us when 36 users are processed simultaneously.
Health Coaches: An Innovative and Effective Approach for Identifying and Addressing the Health Needs of Justice Involved Youth

We present the background, formulation, and implementation of an innovative health service at the front end of the juvenile justice system serving the serious, growing public health needs of justice involved youth-who bear a high burden of STD/HIV and other health problems. Involving multi-agency collaboration, the Health Coach Service seeks to address the youth health needs through health risk assessment and biological testing-with indicated followup testing, prevention, and neighborhood based treatment services. Through continuous monitoring of the Health Coach Service, we will be equipped to assess its feasibility, efficacy, and its real-world effectiveness and utility as a health-risk detection, prevention, and treatment paradigm.
Finding a balance: participatory action research with primary health care nurse practitioners on the relevance of collaboration to nurse practitioner role integration

Supervisory Committee Dr. Marjorie MacDonald (School of Nursing) Supervisor Dr. Budd Hall (Department of Curriculum and Instruction) Co-Supervisor or Departmental Member Dr. Marcia Hills (School of Nursing) Departmental Member Dr. Irving Rootman (Human and Social Development) Additional Member This health services study employed a participatory action research (PAR) approach to engage nurse practitioners (NPs) from two health authorities in British Columbia in separate and concurrent inquiry groups to examine the research question: How does collaboration advance NP role integration within primary health care (PHC)? The inquiry with NPs is significant and timely, because the introduction of the NP role was only recently formalized in BC, supported by the passage of legislation and regulation, and the introduction of graduate education programs. For this PAR study, a first-, second-, third-person action research framework was adapted and applied to facilitate graduate student research. PAR fostered an iterative process of social investigation, education, and action, in which NPs strengthened their relations, shared and generated practice and policy knowledge, and engaged in collective visioning and action to improve health care delivery. The findings of this PAR study include design and substantiation of an ecological framework about collaborative health care culture. This collaborative culture framework was applied to and substantiated by the NP inquiry discussions. NP practice patterns were examined and found to parallel the PHC principles, indicating the importance of the NP role to PHC renewal efforts. The meaning of role integration was explicated and collaboration was found to be foundational to NP practice. The study revealed the political nature of the NP role and the extent to which NPs are reliant on collaborative relations at all levels of the health system to attain role integration. Given that NP role development is still at an early stage in this province, this study provides important information about the current progress of role implementation and direction for future role advancement.
LUT Input Reordering to Reduce Aging Impact on FPGA LUTs

In this article, we propose a fine-grained FPGA aging mitigation method. Our method focuses on Look Up Tables (LUTs) on which Boolean functions are mapped. Based on our observations, for any configuration, even if it is carefully selected, a number of LUT transistors experience severe stress rates. Therefore, an algorithm is presented to select several alternative configurations for each LUT. Alternative configurations are obtained by LUT input reordering. These alternative configurations are rotationally loaded into the FPGA. Experimental results shows that our method achieves 263 and 14.1 percent Mean Time To Failure (MTTF) improvement for Hot Carrier Injection (HCI) and Bias Temperature Instability (BTI), respectively. Additionally, due to changing only local routings, our method imposes up to 1 percent performance overhead to the systems.
Neuropathic pain and its treatment with ARA 290 and ketamine : overlapping pathways

Neuropathic pain is a disabling disease with a mechanism consisting of several pathways that ultimately converge in the development and persistence tactile and cold allodynia. Pharmacological treatment is often inadequate and coincides with intolerable side effects. The spared nerve injury animal model of neuropathic pain was employed as a method for evaluating the effect of the 11-amino acid tissue protective peptide ARA 290, and the NMDA receptor antagonist ketamine on behavioral and cellular responses after nerve injury and comparison of these two drugs. Clinically, pain is a subjective outcome that can be measured by numerical rating scales or questionnaires. Due to this subjectiveness it is not reliable for diagnosing small fiber neuropathy (SFN). Therefore, SFN is being diagnosed by invasive method of intra-epidermal nerve fiber density evaluated with microscopy. Alternatively, the cornea has a high density of small nerve fibers that can be evaluated by the non-invasive method of corneal confocal microscopy. Finally, the effect of ARA 290 on nerve fiber loss and corneal nerve fiber density in sarcoidosis patients in a double-blind-randomized clinical study was evaluated that showed that ARA 290 is a potential disease modifying agent for treatment of sarcoidosis-associated SNFLD.
Understanding the Differences between a Quasi-Reference Electrode and a Reference Electrode

The terms “pseudo-reference electrode” and “quasireference electrode” are widely mentioned in the literature and used interchangeably or as synonyms. However, it is not clear about its meaning or the characteristics a system should have to be considered as a quasi-reference electrode. For example, if we search the Internet for a meaning we can find the following definition of quasi-reference electrode at the Royal Society of Chemistry web page: “An electrode based on a ferrocene or cobaltocene redox couple internal standard through which no appreciable current is allowed to flow and is used to observe or control the potential at a working electrode” [1]. Meanwhile, Bard and Faulkner define in their book a quasi-reference electrode as “just a metal wire, Ag or Pt, used with the expectation that in experiments where there is essentially no change in the bulk solution, the potential of this wire, although unknown, will not change during a series of measurements” [2]. Finally, a reference electrode designed for its use in non-aqueous solvents (e.g., an Ag metal wire immersed in an AgNO3 acetonitrile solution) is also named in some literature as a pseudo-reference electrode. All these definitions are describing completely different systems under the same name. Therefore, new researchers initiating in the electrochemistry field, in particular, and those initiating in the chemistry field, in general, may not understand the difference between these definitions, and more importantly, the differences between a pseudo-reference electrode (or a quasireference electrode) and an actual reference electrode.
Learning Localized Representations of Point Clouds With Graph-Convolutional Generative Adversarial Networks

Point clouds are an important type of geometric data generated by 3D acquisition devices, and have widespread use in computer graphics and vision. However, learning representations for point clouds is particularly challenging due to their nature as being an unordered collection of points irregularly distributed in 3D space. Recently, supervised and semisupervised problems for point clouds leveraged graph convolution, a generalization of the convolution operation for data defined over graphs. This operation has been shown to be very successful at extracting localized features from point clouds. In this paper, we study the unsupervised problem of a generative model exploiting graph convolution. Employing graph convolution operations in generative models is not straightforward and it poses some unique challenges. In particular, we focus on the generator of a GAN, where the graph is not known in advance as it is the very output of the generator. We show that the proposed architecture can learn to generate the graph and the features simultaneously. We also study the problem of defining an upsampling layer in the graph-convolutional generator, proposing two methods that respectively learn to exploit a multi-resolution or self-similarity prior to sample the data distribution.
Cost-effective and accurate palm vein recognition system based on multiframe super-resolution algorithms

Palm vein recognition (PVR) refers to the contactless biometric identification method that uses palm vein patterns to confirm the identity of a person. Compared with other methods, PVR has received a wide attention because it provides more secure results. The veins, being located inside the human body, make PVR robust against tempering and changes in morphology of body features. Most PVR systems integrate four stages: image acquisition, pre-processing, feature extraction, and decision. The first two stages determine accuracy of the final identification results. Focusing on the pre-processing component, we discovered that the available approaches fail to generate more informative vein patterns by simultaneously suppressing noise and blur, and also by recovering semantically useful features (edges, contours, and lines) from the acquired images. This weakness calls for sophisticated acquisition devices that make PVR systems costly. In this work, we have proposed multiframe super-resolution (MSR) as a pre-processing stage to improve performance of the traditional PVR systems. MSR exploits information from multiple images of the same scene to reconstruct a high-resolution image. This technique signals the possibility of using inexpensive low-resolution imaging devices demanded by the traditional PVR systems. Experiments show that our method outperforms most classical methods.
CamCutter: Impromptu Vision-Based Cross-Device Application Sharing

As the range of handheld, mobile and desktop devices expands and worldwide demand for collaborative application tools increases, there is a growing need for higher speed impromptu cross-device application sharing to keep up with workplace requirements for on-site or remote collaborations. To address this, we have developed CamCutter, a cross-device interaction technique enabling a user to quickly select and share an application running on another screen using the camera of a handheld device. This technique can accurately identify the targeted application on a display using our adapted computer vision algorithm, system architecture and software implementation, allowing impromptu real-time and synchronized application sharing between devices. For desktop and meeting room set-ups, we performed a technical evaluation, measuring accuracy and speed of migration. For a single-user reading task and a collaborative composition task, we carried out a user study comparing our technique with commercial screen sharing applications. The results of this study showed both higher performance and preference for our system. Finally, we discuss CamCutter’s limitations and present insights for future vision-based cross-device application sharing.
SOCIAL NETWORKS IN THE CARE OF DRUGS USERS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Due to configurations in society, it is important to think of the care of users of alcohol and other drugs from a comprehensive perspective. In this way, current policies point to the importance of social networks (SNs) in the care process. Thus, this study aims to understand the use of SNs in the treatment of users of alcohol and other drugs within the Brazilian context. It is a systematic review conducted on the MEDLINE, LILCAS, IBECS and Scielo databases. Nine articles met the inclusion criteria, composing the review sample. Results show: heterogeneous conceptualizations about SNs; the importance of assistance services and families; and need for integration of different levels of care and the community context. Further studies about SNs and their implementation in the care of drug users need to be conducted, comprehending health promotion, prev ention and treatment, with a greater conceptual and practical systematization of this strategy.
Haematological Parameters by Age and Sex of Asymptomatic Indigenous Cattle and Sheep Infected with Gastrointestinal Parasites in Kerio Valley, Kenya

Gastro-intestinal parasites are prevalent and directly impede livestock production causing impaired productivity. Haematological parameters, which are likely to be influenced by parasites, are generally indicators of healthy status in an animal. The effect of gastrointestinal infections on the health of indigenous cattle and sheep in semi-arid areas is still not clear. The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in apparently healthy cattle and sheep kept under free-range management in upper Kerio Valley Kenya and determine any associations between intestinal parasite infections and haematological parameters. Blood and stool samples of 214 indigenous cattle and 82 sheep were evaluated. Haematological parameters from the parasite-infected and non-parasite livestock were compared. Analyses of lymphocytes, polymorphonuclear white blood cells, packed cell volume, red blood cell count and distribution width, white blood cell count (WBC) and platelet count were performed. Strongyloides and Fasciola hepatica species were the most frequently isolated. Overall, 37 (17.3%), 31 (14.5%) of cattle and 32 (39%), 8 (9.3%) of sheep faecal samples were positive for Strongyloides and Fasciola hepatica infections respectively. Haematological variations significantly (p < 0.05) existed for blood values (WBC, lymphocytes, monocytes, granulocytes, RBC, MCH, MCHC, RDW, PLT, and MPV) in sheep between those infected and those uninfected with intestinal parasites. In cattle, the white blood cell (WBC) (mean 15.10) and MPV (mean 8.9) were significantly higher compared with standard reference values (4-12 and 3.5-6.5, respectively). The blood parameters significantly lower (p < .05) in nematode infected sheep were monocytes, granulocytes, HGB and HCT while WBC, Lymphocytes, platelets and MPV were significantly (p < .05) elevated in infected compared with uninfected sheep. The finding of Trichostrongyloides species and trematode parasites among livestock in Kerio Valley is essential in understanding the epidemiology of gastrointestinal parasitic infection for better comprehensive treatment and control strategies. The changes in haematological values as observed in infected and non-infected livestock, can applied as an alternative means of diagnosis and understanding disease prognosis of animal disease and status. The haematological values reported in this study, can also serve as baseline information for selection of livestock that are genetically resistant to certain diseases and prevailing environmental conditions as found in Kerio Valley, Kenya.
Assessment of Adiponectin as a Marker for Severity of Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Background:To evaluate the serum levels of adiponectin in patients with both active and old pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB) and their possible relation with the severity of the disease, forty patients of both sexes suffering from pulmonary TB (20 cases active and 20 cases old) were matched with 20 healthy control volunteers in this study from February 2014 to June 2014. Body mass index (BMI) and serum levels of adiponectin were measured in all subjects. Results: Both BMI and serum levels of adiponectin were significantly different between active TB patients and control. Comparing old TB patients with controls also have the same results. No correlation between BMI and serum adiponectin level in old TB patients was found, while adiponectin levels in active TB patients show a significant negative correlation. Conclusion: Increased adiponectin in serum of TB patients may be a promising marker for severity of the disease independent of BMI.
Avicins: A Novel Class of Anti-Myeloma Agents.

Multiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable neoplasia, despite recent development of several novel therapies. As part of our efforts to identify new compounds with anti-MM activity, we evaluated the class of avicins, which are triterpenoid saponins that have been shown to induce apoptosis of neoplastic cells by affecting mitochondrial function independently of membrane-bound death receptors. Because we have previously shown that mitochondria constitute key regulators of MM cell responsiveness to diverse anti-tumor agents, (e.g. the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib), we evaluated the in vitro anti-MM effects of this class of compounds. Our vitro drug-sensitivity studies showed that Avicin D and Avicin G, the main members of this class of compounds, are active against a broad panel of MM cell lines and primary tumor cells, including tumor cells resistant to conventional (e.g. dexamethasone, alkylating agents, anthracyclines) or novel (e.g. thalidomide, immunomodulatory thalidomide derivatives, proteasome inhibitor PS-341[bortezomib], Apo2L/TRAIL) anti-MM agents. Using MTT survival assays, we confirmed that the IC 50 values for both Avicins were highly concordant and were less than 250 nM for the overwhelming majority of MM cell lines tested. Importantly, this potent in vitro anti-MM activity was triggered by concentrations of Avicins which had minimal, if any, effect on the viability of normal hematopoietic cells or bone marrow stromal cells. Furthermore these IC 50 values were comparable with the in vitro activity of this agent among the most Avicin-sensitive tumor models that have been previously tested. This potent anti-MM effect was not inhibited by transfection of MM cells with construct for constitutively active Akt. Although cytokine- or cell adhesion-mediated interactions of the local bone marrow (BM) microenvironment (e.g. BM stromal cells) protects MM cells from conventional therapies (e.g. dexamethasone or cytotoxic chemotherapy), avicins were able to overcome this protective effect in co-culture models of MM cells with BM stromal cells and sensitized MM cells to cytotoxic chemotherapy-induced cell death. Using hierarchical clustering analyses and relevance network algorithms, we compared the patterns of MM cell sensitivity to Avicin D vs Avicin G vs. other anti-cancer drugs and found that the pattern of dose-response relationships of the 2 main members of this class of compounds are very similar to each other, but clearly distinct from the patterns of sensitivity or resistance to other drugs, either conventional or investigational. This further supports the notion that the anti-MM properties of Avicins are mediated by molecular mechanisms distinct from those of currently available anti-MM drugs, and also suggests that Avicins may have anti-tumor activity even against subgroups of MM which may be resistant to other novel therapies that are currently in clinical development. These results have provided the framework for ongoing in vivo studies of anti-tumor activity of these agents, to evaluate the feasibility of future clinical trials of Avicins to improve patient outcome in MM.
Insight into the Fermentation of Chinese Horse Bean-chili-paste

ABSTRACT Chinese horse bean-chili-paste (CHCP) is a very popular semi-solid condiment with centuries of history in southwestern China. The consumption and international trade have ascended sharply in the past few years; CHCP industry, however, is facing the challenges of modernization and standardization for the product quality and safety. In the current review, an overview of the traditional fermentation procedures and characteristics, together with the present research progress on flavor chemistry, microbial diversity and succession, and mycotoxin detection and control methods of CHCP is presented. Furthermore, application techniques and requirements for future study needs and industrial improvement are proposed. Here, the detailed and systematic review could lay a foundation for conferring enhanced organoleptic attributes, improving food safety, and also achieving intelligent production.
Second line erlotinib therapy in a non-smoking patient with metastatic non-small-cel lung cancer harbouring EGFR mutation

Rak niedrobnokomorkowy pluca (NDRP) najcześciej jest rozpoznawany w stadium miejscowo zaawansowanym lub uogolnionym. Wyniki badan randomizowanych wykazaly, ze w wybranej grupie pacjentow z uogolnionym NDRP zastosowanie terapii celowanych molekularnie wydluza czas wolny od progresji choroby w porownaniu z chemioterapią paliatywną, przy korzystniejszym profilu toksyczności oraz lepszej jakośc zycia chorych. Gefitynib i erlotynib — drobnocząsteczkowe inhibitory kinazy tyrozynowej (TKI) receptora dla naskorkowego czynnika wzrostu (EGFR) mogą byc stosowane w praktyce klinicznej w leczeniu pierwszego rzutu u chorych na uogolnionego NDRP z mutacją aktywującą w genie EGFR oraz w kolejnych liniach leczenia po niepowodzeniu co najmniej jednego schematu chemioterapii. Celem pracy jest przedstawienie przypadku wielomiesiecznej terapii erlotynibem prowadzonej u niepalącej pacjentki z uogolnionym NDRP z obecnością mutacji aktywującej w genie EGFR , po niepowodzeniu chemioterapii paliatywnej pierwszej linii.