Towards Machine Learning-Based FPGA Backend Flow: Challenges and Opportunities

Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is at the core of System on Chip (SoC) design across various Industry 5.0 digital systems—healthcare devices, farming equipment, autonomous vehicles and aerospace gear to name a few. Given that pre-silicon verification using Computer Aided Design (CAD) accounts for about 70% of the time and money spent on the design of modern digital systems, this paper summarizes the machine learning (ML)-oriented efforts in different FPGA CAD design steps. With the recent breakthrough of machine learning, FPGA CAD tasks—high-level synthesis (HLS), logic synthesis, placement and routing—are seeing a renewed interest in their respective decision-making steps. We focus on machine learning-based CAD tasks to suggest some pertinent research areas requiring more focus in CAD design. The development of open-source benchmarks optimized for an end-to-end machine learning experience, intra-FPGA optimization, domain-specific accelerators, lack of explainability and federated learning are the issues reviewed to identify important research spots requiring significant focus. The potential of the new cloud-based architectures to understand the application of the right ML algorithms in FPGA CAD decision-making steps is discussed, together with visualizing the scenario of incorporating more intelligence in the cloud platform, with the help of relatively newer technologies such as CAD as Adaptive OpenPlatform Service (CAOS). Altogether, this research explores several research opportunities linked with modern FPGA CAD flow design, which will serve as a single point of reference for modern FPGA CAD flow design

Oral Ulcers Presentation in Systemic Diseases: An Update

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of oral ulceration is always challenging and has been the source of difficulty because of the remarkable overlap in their clinical presentations. AIM: The objective of this review article is to provide updated knowledge and systemic approach regarding oral ulcers diagnosis depending upon clinical picture while excluding the other causative causes. METHODS: For this, specialised databases and search engines involving Science Direct, Medline Plus, Scopus, PubMed and authentic textbooks were used to search topics related to the keywords such as oral ulcer, oral infections, vesiculobullous lesion, traumatic ulcer, systematic disease and stomatitis. Associated articles published from 1995 to 2019 in both dental and medical journals including the case reports, case series, original articles and reviews were considered. RESULTS: The compilation of the significant data reveals that ulcers can be classified according to (i) duration of onset, (ii) number of ulcers and (iii) etiological factors. Causation of oral ulcers varies from slight trauma to underlying systemic diseases and malignancies. CONCLUSION: Oral manifestations must be acknowledged for precise diagnosis and appropriate treatment

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Aphthous Ulceration – Risk Factors Among Dental Students at Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the risk factors of aphthous ulceration (AU) among dental students. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar in March 2021 among dental students of all four professional years. It was a questionnaire-based study. Questionnaire comprised of demographics and questions about aphthous positivity, risk factors. Risk factors were stress, family history, menstruation (hormonal changes), food allergy, gastrointestinal diseases and medication. Most questions were closed ended. Hospital Anxiety, and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to assess anxiety and depression. RESULTS: Total of 245 dental students responded to questionnaire. Out of 245 dental students, 117 (47.8%) gave a positive history of AU. Mean age in AU positive subjects was 23±1.5 years. AU was seen in males (48.7%) and females (51.3%) with no association between them. Among risk factors, 69 (28.2%) had positive family history, 93 (38%) had stress and 8 (3.3%) reported menstruation. Present study included spice (3.7%), fast food (0.4%), sweets (0.4%), dry fruit (0.4%) and walnut (0.4%) as food allergies related to AU. Only 13 (5.3%) reported a gastrointestinal disease. Medication like NSAIDS and antihypertensive were not involved in any AU case. Anxiety and depression was present in 65% and 38.5% with AU positivity. CONCLUSION: Stress was the most common risk factor and positive family history turned out to be the second common risk factor for AU among dental students

Pakistan's Next Industrial Revolution: The Case of Industrial Estates in Hazara Region

Objective: This research paper aims to identify the major hurdles in the industrial development of Pakistan. Hazara division being located on China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) route is one of the important hubs and is, therefore, the universe of this study. Method: The relevant data needed for the research was collected from Abbottabad and Haripur industrial estates using snowball sampling. An in-depth personal interview with seven industrialists in the targeted area was conducted to get an insight into the underlying causes of industrial sickness. Interviews were recorded using smart phones, were then transcribed and analyzed. The themes were deducted after listening to the recording multiple times.  Result: The themes we deduced from the interviews were Location Disadvantage and Supply Chain disruptions, Technological backwardness and low-skilled workforce, Complicated System of Taxes, Inefficient and unhelpful governmental policies, power shortage, and Threats from Cheap Chinese Goods. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this research it is concluded that the government needs to revise its policy making it more supportive for industrial development. Concrete power supply policy and preparing skilled laborers will enhance industrial development. Similarly, the industry needs to adopt a proactive policy and introduce a collective solution rather than working individually as a unit. A university-industry collaboration is needed to be developed for ensuring the technical and skilled workforce as well as keeping in pace with the advanced countries

Reasons for Lack of Research In Dentistry; A Cross Sectional Survey on Dentists and Students in Teaching Hospitals of Pakistan: Lack of research in dentistry

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the barriers or factors preventing dentists from engaging in research in teaching institutes of Pakistan. METHODOLOGY: The descriptive, cross sectional online survey was conducted at the department of Prosthodontics, Rehman College of Dentistry, Peshawar over a period of six months. Sample size of 780 was taken in the descriptive study and questionnaires were communicated through emails and the response was noted. The data was analyzed using the IBM SPSS statistic version 20. Statistical analysis was done using counts and percentages and the results were further analyzed statistically by the Chi square test. RESULTS: Completed surveys were collected from 280 participants. Completed surveys were collected from 780 dentists, 40.7% were male and 59.3% were female. Participants’ age ranged between 20-50 years; about half of them (55%) were younger than 30 years of age. Other demographic characteristics of the participants such as designation, work experience, and qualification given in Table 1 were also recorded. Majority of the participants were dentists (35%), followed by senior registrar (10%) and assistant (10.7%), associate (and professors (4.3%). Details are depicted in Table 1. Overall, 47.9% participants were found to be involved in research and having publications. Simple graduates were more in number as compared to postgraduates. When inquired about publication published in an indexed journal or not 22.1% responded with yes and 46.4% responded with No. 65% participants had received workshops for writing papers and only 34.3% institute conducted continuous training programs. The main reason reported for lack of research was lack of motivation and don’t know how to do it. Other less common factors were lack of funds and no professional benefits as depicted in Table 2. CONCLUSION: Identifying and minimizing all the barriers in the way of research may help dental authorities to intervene for enhancing research friendly environments

Novel mutations in genes of the IL-12/IFN-γ axis cause susceptibility to tuberculosis

Background: The IL-12/23/ISG15-IFN-γ pathway is the main immunological pathway for controlling intra-macrophagic microorganisms such as Mycobacteria, Salmonella, and Leishmania spp. Consequently, upon mutations in genes of the IL-12/23/ISG15-IFN-γ pathway cause increased susceptibility to intra-macrophagic pathogens, particularly to Mycobacteria. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to characterize the mutations in genes of the IL-12/23/ISG15-IFN-γ pathway in severe tuberculosis (TB) patients. Methods: Clinically suspected TB was initially confirmed in four patients (P) (P1, P2, P3, and P4) using the GeneXpert MTB/RIF and culturing techniques. The patients' Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were then subjected to ELISA to measure Interleukin 12 (IL-12) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ). Flow cytometry was used to detect the surface expressions of IFN-γR1 and IFN-γR2 as well as IL-12Rβ1and IL-12Rβ2 on monocytes and T lymphocytes, respectively.The phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1(STAT1) on monocytes and STAT4 on T lymphocytes were also detected by flow cytometry. Sanger sequencing was used to identify mutations in the IL-12Rβ1, STAT1, NEMO, and CYBB genes. Results: P1's PBMCs exhibited reduced IFN-γ production, while P2's and P3's PBMCs exhibited impaired IL-12 induction. Low IL-12Rβ1 surface expression and reduced STAT4 phosphorylation were demonstrated by P1's T lymphocytes, while impaired STAT1 phosphorylation was detected in P2's monocytes. The impaired IκB-α degradation and abolished H2O2 production in monocytes and neutrophils of P3 and P4 were observed, respectively. Sanger sequencing revealed novel nonsense homozygous mutation: c.191 G>A/p.W64 * in exon 3 of the IL-12Rβ1 gene in P1, novel missense homozygous mutation: c.107 A>T/p.Q36L in exon 3 of the STAT1 gene in P2, missense hemizygous mutation:: c.950 A>C/p.Q317P in exon 8 of the NEMO gene in P3, and nonsense hemizygous mutation: c.868 C>T/p.R290X in exon 8 of CYBB gene in P4. Conclusion: Our findings broaden the clinical and genetic spectra associated with IL-12/23/ISG15-IFN-γ axis anomalies. Additionally, our data suggest that TB patients in Pakistan should be investigated for potential genetic defects due to high prevalence of parental consanguinity and increased incidence of TB in the country

Insights into the Protective Effects of Thymoquinone against Toxicities Induced by Chemotherapeutic Agents

The drugs used to treat cancer not only kill fast-growing cancer cells, but also kill or slow the growth of healthy cells, causing systemic toxicities that lead to altered functioning of normal cells. Most chemotherapeutic agents have serious toxicities associated with their use, necessitating extreme caution and attention. There is a growing interest in herbal remedies because of their pharmacological activities, minimal side effects, and low cost. Thymoquinone, a major component of the volatile oil of Nigella sativa Linn, also known as black cumin or black seeds, is commonly used in Middle Eastern countries as a condiment. It is also utilized for medicinal purposes and possesses antidiabetic, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, anti-microbial, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant properties. This review attempts to compile the published literature demonstrating thymoquinone’s protective effect against chemotherapeutic drug-induced toxicities