Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Flexible Biometric Online Speaker-Verification System Implemented on FPGA Using Vector Floating-Point Units

This paper presents the implementation of a speaker-verification system on field programmable gate array. The algorithm is executed by software over an embedded system that includes a MicroBlaze microprocessor connected to a vector floating-point unit (VFPU). The VFPU is designed to speed up the resolution of any vector floating-point operation involved in the verification algorithm, whereas the microprocessor manages the control of the process and executes the rest of operations. With a clock frequency of 40 MHz, the system is capable of executing the complete algorithm in real time, processing a voice frame in 9.1 ms. The same verification process was carried out for two different systems: 1) an ARM Cortex A8 microprocessor; and 2) configuring MicroBlaze with the scalar floating-point unit provided by Xilinx. The experimental results show that when comparing our proposed system against both systems, the number of clock cycles is reduced by a factor of 11.2× and 15.4×, respectively. The main advantage of the VFPU is its flexibility, which allows quick adaptation of the software to the potential changes produced in both the system and the user requirements. The algorithm was tested over a public database that contains the utterances of different users acquired under different environmental conditions, providing good recognition rates.
Separation of the individual contributions to the spin Hall effect in dilute alloys within the first-principles Kubo-Středa approach

We present a procedure for the separation of the intrinsic, side-jump, and skew-scattering contributions to the spin Hall conductivity within the ab initio Kubo-Středa approach. Furthermore, two distinct contributions to the side-jump mechanism, either independent of the vertex corrections or solely caused by them, are quantified as well. This allows for a detailed analysis of individual microscopic contributions to the spin Hall effect. The efficiency of the proposed method is demonstrated by a first-principles study of dilute metallic alloys based on Cu, Au, and Pt hosts.
Depletion and impaired interferon‐α‐producing capacity of blood plasmacytoid dendritic cells in human T‐cell leukaemia virus type I‐infected individuals

Dendritic cells (DCs) play an important role in innate and adaptive immunity. There are two major populations of blood DCs, myeloid DCs (myDCs) and plasmacytoid DCs (pcDCs). pcDCs are particularly important in antiviral as well as in general host defence, as they are the principal producers of type I interferons (IFNs). In this study, we analysed myDCs and pcDCs in healthy controls, human T‐cell leukaemia virus type I (HTLV‐I)‐infected asymptomatic carriers (ACs), and patients with adult T‐cell leukaemia (ATL). ATL patients had significantly decreased number of pcDCs and myDCs compared with controls. IFN‐α production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was markedly reduced in ATL patients. Purified pcDCs from ACs were found to have impaired IFN‐α‐producing capacity, suggesting a functional defect in pcDCs in HTLV‐I‐infected individuals. Interestingly, pcDCs were shown to be susceptible to HTLV‐I infection. Thus, impaired IFN‐α production by pcDCs may contribute to the immunodeficiency observed in ATL. Furthermore, IFN‐α‐producing capacity was inversely correlated with HTLV‐I proviral load in PBMCs from ACs, suggesting a role for pcDCs in maintaining the carrier state. Taken together, we hypothesize that the depletion and impaired IFN‐α‐producing capacity of blood DCs may contribute to the immunodeficiency in ATL and/or the development of ATL.
AutoDock-GIST: Incorporating Thermodynamics of Active-Site Water into Scoring Function for Accurate Protein-Ligand Docking

Water plays a significant role in the binding process between protein and ligand. However, the thermodynamics of water molecules are often underestimated, or even ignored, in protein-ligand docking. Usually, the free energies of active-site water molecules are substantially different from those of waters in the bulk region. The binding of a ligand to a protein causes a displacement of these waters from an active site to bulk, and this displacement process substantially contributes to the free energy change of protein-ligand binding. The free energy of active-site water molecules can be calculated by grid inhomogeneous solvation theory (GIST), using molecular dynamics (MD) and the trajectory of a target protein and water molecules. Here, we show a case study of the combination of GIST and a docking program and discuss the effectiveness of the displacing gain of unfavorable water in protein-ligand docking. We combined the GIST-based desolvation function with the scoring function of AutoDock4, which is called AutoDock-GIST. The proposed scoring function was assessed employing 51 ligands of coagulation factor Xa (FXa), and results showed that both scoring accuracy and docking success rate were improved. We also evaluated virtual screening performance of AutoDock-GIST using FXa ligands in the directory of useful decoys-enhanced (DUD-E), thus finding that the displacing gain of unfavorable water is effective for a successful docking campaign.
SORTALLER: predicting allergens using substantially optimized algorithm on allergen family featured peptides

UNLABELLED SORTALLER is an online allergen classifier based on allergen family featured peptide (AFFP) dataset and normalized BLAST E-values, which establish the featured vectors for support vector machine (SVM). AFFPs are allergen-specific peptides panned from irredundant allergens and harbor perfect information with noise fragments eliminated because of their similarity to non-allergens. SORTALLER performed significantly better than other existing software and reached a perfect balance with high specificity (98.4%) and sensitivity (98.6%) for discriminating allergenic proteins from several independent datasets of protein sequences of diverse sources, also highlighting with the Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC) as high as 0.970, fast running speed and rapidly predicting a batch of amino acid sequences with a single click. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION http://sortaller.gzhmc. edu.cn/.
OX40 Controls Functionally Different T Cell Subsets and Their Resistance to Depletion Therapy1

T cell depletion is a widely used approach in clinical transplantation. However, not all T cells are equally sensitive to depletion therapies and a significant fraction of T cells persists even after aggressive treatment. The functional attributes of such T cells and the mechanisms responsible for their resistance to depletion are poorly studied. In the present study, we showed that CD4+ T cells that are resistant to polyclonal anti-lymphocyte serum (ALS) mediated depletion exhibit phenotypic features of memory cells and uniformly express OX40 on the cell surface. Studies using the foxp3gfp knockin mice revealed that the remaining CD4+OX40+ cells consist of Foxp3+ Tregs and Foxp3− T effector/memory cells. The ALS-resistant CD4+OX40+ cells failed to mediate skin allograft rejection upon adoptive transferring into congenic Rag−/− mice, but removal of Foxp3+ Tregs from the OX40+ cells resulted in prompt skin allograft rejection. Importantly, OX40 is critical to survival of both Foxp3+ Tregs and T effector/memory cells. However, OX40 exhibits opposing effects on the functional status of Foxp3+ Tregs and T effector/memory cells, as stimulation of OX40 on T effector cells induced amplified cell proliferation but stimulation of OX40 on the Foxp3+ Tregs impaired their suppressor functions. Our study demonstrates that OX40 is a critical molecule in regulating survival and functions of depletion-resistant T cells; and these findings may have important clinical implications.
Isolation of leptospira Serovars Canicola and Copenhageni from cattle urine in the state of ParanÁ, Brazil

In 2001, 698 urine samples were randomly collected from cattle at a slaughterhouse in the State of Paraná, Brazil. Direct examination using dark field microscopy was carried out immediately after collection. Five putative positive samples were cultured in modified EMJH medium, yielding two positive cultures (LO-14 and LO-10). Typing with monoclonal antibodies revealed that the two isolates were similar to Canicola (LO-14) and Copenhageni (LO-10). Microscopic agglutination test results show that Hardjo is the most common serovar in cattle in Brazil. Rats and dogs are the common maintenance hosts of serovars Copenhageni and Canicola. The excretion of highly pathogenic serovars such as Copenhageni and Canicola by cattle can represent an increasing risk for severe leptospirosis is large populations, mainly living in rural areas.
Using TDR and Inverse Modeling to Characterize Solute Transport in a Layered Agricultural Volcanic Soil

Volcanic soils exhibit particular physical‐chemical properties (i.e., strong and stable natural aggregation and high content of variable‐charge minerals) that may influence solute transport. To determine if such techniques like TDR and inverse modeling are useful for analyzing solute transport in volcanic soils, we studied the governing transport processes by means of a miscible displacement experiment of Br− in a large undisturbed soil monolith. Bromide resident concentrations at several depths were monitored successfully with TDR technology, while parameters for the convective–dispersive (CDE) and mobile–immobile (MIM) transport models were estimated by inverse modeling. For the relatively high soil moisture conditions, typical of high frequency‐irrigation systems that we considered, Br− was found to move slowly by convection–dispersion. Simulations with the CDE and MIM transport models yielded very similar results. Although Br− is generally assumed to behave as a tracer, we found that this anion in our experiment was subject to adsorption at the bottom part of the monolith. This may be explained by the variable‐charge nature of the minerals (Fe and Al oxihydroxides) present in this volcanic soil, which exhibited anion exchange when the pH of the soil solution decreased below the zero point of charge.
The capsule and O antigen in Vibrio cholerae O139 Bengal are associated with a genetic region not present in Vibrio cholerae O1

Vibrio cholerae O139 Bengal, although closely related to V. cholerae O1 El Tor, produces a polysaccharide capsule and has a distinct O antigen. We have identified a chromosomal region of at least 11 kb, as defined by three TnphoA mutations, that is required for the expression of both polysaccharides. Electron microscopy and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis show that these TnphoA mutants have lost the abilities both to express capsule and to produce lipopolysaccharide beyond the core oligosaccharide. Reactivity with O139 typing serum and resistance to serum are also lost in the mutants. DNA probes for this region do not hybridize with O1 V. cholerae but do react with other vibrios, implying that the region was recently acquired.
Motivating children with autism to ride a stationary recumbent bicycle using contingent and delayed reinforcement

There are an increasing number of individuals being diagnosed with autism. The CDC reports that 1 in every 110 children has been diagnosed with some form of autism. With this increase, there are more and more children with autism participating in general physical education classes. Furthermore, research has indicated that children with autism are as likely to become obese as children who do not have autism. The purpose of this study was to see if children with autism would pedal a stationary recumbent bicycle for a greater duration of time using contingent reinforcement versus delayed reinforcement. Nine students from the Carmen B. Pingree Center for Children with Autism were recruited for this study. They were randomly selected to the order of treatment either contingent reinforcement or delayed reinforcement. In the contingent reinforcement phase, when the participant pedaled in his/her target heart rate zone (THRZ), the television would turn on and would remain on as long as they stayed in their THRZ. In a delayed reinforcement phase, the participant was told they could watch television after they pedaled in their THRZ. The split-middle technique was used to analyze and compare trends in and across both the contingent reinforcement phase and delayed reinforcement phase. Results indicated that there was a positive trend to increase pedal duration during the contingent phase in 7 of the 9 participants compared to only 2 of the 9 showing a positive trend to increase pedal duration during the delayed reinforcement phase. This
Interfollicular Hodgkin's lymphoma and Castleman's disease

reactive follicular hyperplasia of the lymphoid tissue and an epithelial inclusion, located immediately beneath the nodal capsule (Figure 1a). The inclusion consisted mainly of aggregates of tubular glands of variable size, lined by luminal cuboidal cells and a distinct outer layer of clear cells, consistent with myoepithelial cells (Figure 1b). Some glands were lined by apocrine epithelium consisting of cuboidal cells with eosinophilic granular cytoplasm, round nuclei and prominent nucleoli. Rare glands were appreciably enlarged and their lumina appeared almost entirely filled with cells showing abundant cytoplasm with indistinct borders and round to ovoid nuclei with uniform cromatin and inconspicuous nucleoli (Figure 1c). No mitoses, necrosis or cells with atypical features were detected. Finally, small cystic structures lined by squamous epithelium were also present. Immunostaining for actin revealed an intact layer of myoepithelial cells around all the glandular structures (Figure 1d), but not in the wall of the squamous microcysts. On the basis of cytological and architectural criteria and the immunohistochemical highlighting of the myoepithelial cells, the present case was interpreted as a nodal inclusion of ectopic breast tissue with focal florid ductal hyperplasia. To the best of our knowledge, there are only a few reports of proliferative lesions in nodal breast tissue inclusions. In most cases the authors described apocrine metaplasia of breast epithelium and proliferative changes with features resembling florid adenosis and sclerosing adenosis. In one case the ectopic breast tissue had features of a benign papilloma. The only previously reported example of axillary ectopic breast tissue with features of ductal hyperplasia, similar to the present one, is the case described by Maiorano et al. In this report, the authors describe ectopic breast tissue, consisting of duct-like structures with foci of intraductal hyperplasia showing complete obliteration of the lumen and formation of pseudo-cribriform spaces, similar to florid duct hyperplasia commonly encountered in proliferative fibrocystic disease of the breast. These cases support the accumulating evidence that ectopic breast tissue can undergo proliferative intraductal changes and consequently it appears reasonable to speculate on the possibility of a primary breast carcinoma of the axillary nodes.
Teachers' perspectives on grade retention: is it effective?

Joseph Terch IV Teachers' Perspectives on Grade Retention, is it Effective? 2002-2003 Dr. Xin Master of Arts in Special Education Grade retention has been a problem since the mid1 9th century when the concept of individual grades replaced the one room schoolhouse. Extensive research was reported on grade retention, its effect, and impact on the referral of students with learning disabilities, parent and teacher perspectives. The research findings on retention are inconclusive and questionable. The purposes of this study are (a) to evaluate the teacher attitudes towards grade retention, and (b) to compare the differences of teacher attitudes at elementary, middle and high school levels. A survey was developed and approximately 150 were distributed to teachers. Of these 150, 120 were returned and analyzed. In all 66% of teachers (N=73) agreed that grade retention is a necessary educational practice, and 55% of teachers (N=64) agreed that they have or would recommend retention to the principal or to parents. Significant differences were found among the elementary, middle and high school teachers on their responses to 6 questions/statements. Overall, teachers in this survey support retention and believed that it should be implemented in the early grades. The teachers suggest that the decision to retain should not be affected by student physical status, or standardized test scores; instead it should be influenced by the student's ability to complete assignments. Overall, the teachers do not feel that grade retention harms a student's self-concept instead it may help aid in student maturity.
The PSD95–nNOS interface

The stress-activated protein kinase p38 and nitric oxide (NO) are proposed downstream effectors of excitotoxic cell death. Although the postsynaptic density protein PSD95 can recruit the calcium-dependent neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) to the mouth of the calcium-permeable NMDA receptor, and depletion of PSD95 inhibits excitotoxicity, the possibility that selective uncoupling of nNOS from PSD95 might be neuroprotective is unexplored. The relationship between excitotoxic stress–generated NO and activation of p38, and the significance of the PSD95–nNOS interaction to p38 activation also remain unclear. We find that NOS inhibitors reduce both glutamate-induced p38 activation and the resulting neuronal death, whereas NO donor has effects consistent with NO as an upstream regulator of p38 in glutamate-induced cell death. Experiments using a panel of decoy constructs targeting the PSD95–nNOS interaction suggest that this interaction and subsequent NO production are critical for glutamate-induced p38 activation and the ensuing cell death, and demonstrate that the PSD95–nNOS interface provides a genuine possibility for design of neuroprotective drugs with increased selectivity.
Complex reflection coefficient determination via digital spectral analysis of multiprobe reflectometer output signals

The possibility of complex reflection coefficient value estimation via discrete Fourier transform of output signals of equidistant probes in multiprobe measuring line is considered. This approach provides linear problem and explanation of known previous results. The general features of this approach and the holography with colliding beams are under discussion. The influence of noise on accuracy of complex reflection coefficient estimation is analyzed.
Control of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (penz.) Sacc. In yellow passion fruit using Cymbopogon citratus essential oil

The use of antibiotics in agriculture is limited when compared to their applications in human and veterinary medicine. On the other hand, the use of antimicrobials in agriculture contributes to the drug resistance of human pathogens and has stimulated the search for new antibiotics from natural products. Essential oils have been shown to exert several biological activities including antibacterial and antifungal actions. The aim of this study was to determine the activity of 28 essential oils from medicinal plants cultivated at CPMA (Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Collection), CPQBA/UNICAMP, against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Sacc. , the anthracnose agent in yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa Deg), as well as evaluating their effect in the control of post-harvest decay. The oils were obtained by water-distillation using a Clevenger-type system and their minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) determined by the micro-dilution method. According to the results, 15 of the 28 essential oils presented activity against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, and the following four oils presented MIC values between 0.25 and 0.3 mg/mL: Coriandrum sativum, Cymbopogon citratus, Cymbopogon flexuosus and Lippia alba. The evaluation of Cymbopogon citratus essential oil in the control of post-harvest decay in yellow passion fruit showed that the disease index of the samples treated with the essential oil did not differ (P ≤ 0.05) from that of the samples treated with fungicide. The present study shows the potential of Cymbopogon citratus essential oil in the control of the anthracnose agent in yellow passion fruit.
Evaluating the impact of Attention Process Training (APT) on attention deficit in the early stages of recovery from stroke

Attention deficits are a prominent sequel of stroke and impact negatively on rehabilitation outcomes. However, rehabilitation efforts are almost entirely concerned with the remediation of physical impairments that result from the stroke despite the involvement of attention in physical functioning. Attention Process Training (APT) is a cognitive retraining programme originally designed for the remediation of attention deficit following traumatic brain injury. However, the efficacy of APT post-stroke is not yet known, as to date, few studies have been conducted with small sample sizes. This study evaluated the effectiveness of APT in improving attention in stroke survivors within the five to eight week period post-stroke. Seventy eight patients admitted to hospital with first-ever-stroke were identified as having an attention deficit by obtaining a score of one standard deviation below the normative mean on any of the following widely-used neuropsychological measures of attention; the Auditory Attention Quotient (AAQ) or Visual Attention Quotient (VAQ) of the Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test, (IVA-CPT), either trial of the Trail Making Test (TMT), the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT), or by three or more errors made on the left or right side of the Bells Cancellation Test. These measures were re-administered on completion of treatment. Participants were randomised to either the experimental group who received standard care and up to 30 hours of APT or to a control group that received standard care only. The primary outcome measure was the Full Scale Attention Quotient (FSAQ) of the IVA-CPT which is a measure of attention derived from both auditory and visual attention quotients. The secondary outcome measure was a health-related quality
Real-Time Wireless Sensor-Actuator Networks for Industrial Cyber-Physical Systems

With recent adoption of wireless sensor-actuator networks (WSANs) in industrial automation, industrial wireless control systems have emerged as a frontier of cyber-physical systems. Despite their success in industrial monitoring applications, existing WSAN technologies face significant challenges in supporting control systems due to their lack of real-time performance and dynamic wireless conditions in industrial plants. This article reviews a series of recent advances in real-time WSANs for industrial control systems: 1) real-time scheduling algorithms and analyses for WSANs; 2) implementation and experimentation of industrial WSAN protocols; 3) cyber-physical codesign of wireless control systems that integrate wireless and control designs; and 4) a wireless cyber-physical simulator for codesign and evaluation of wireless control systems. This article concludes by highlighting research directions in industrial cyber-physical systems.
The Secret Garden of Teacher Education.

It was the sweetest, most mysterious-looking place any one could imagine. The high walls which shut it in were covered with the leafless stems of climbing roses which were so thick that they were matted together. It was this hazy tangle from tree to tree which made it all look so mysterious. Mary had thought it must be different from other gardens which had not been left all by themselves so long; and indeed it was different from any other place she had ever seen in her life. (Burnett, 1962, pp. 71-72)