Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of methods to combine different speech recognizers

The paper deals with the problem of improving speech recognition by combining outputs of several different recognizers. We are presenting our results obtained by experimenting with different classification methods which are suitable to combine outputs of different speech recognizers. Methods which were evaluated are: k-Nearest neighbors (KNN), Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), Quadratic Discriminant Analysis (QDA), Logistic Regression (LR) and maximum likelihood (ML). Results showed, that highest accuracy (98.16 %) was obtained when k-Nearest neighbors method was used with 15 nearest neighbors. In this case accuracy was increased by 7.78 % compared with best single recognizer result. In our experiments we tried to combine one native (Lithuanian language) and few foreign speech recognizers: Russian, English and two German recognizers. For the adaptation of foreign language speech recognizers we used text transcribing method which is based on formal rules. Our experiments proved, that recognition accuracy improves when few speech recognizers are combined.
Prognostic Value of Histological Response to Chemotherapy in Osteosarcoma Patients Receiving Tumor-Bearing Frozen Autograft

Background A variety of surgical procedures are now available for tissue reconstruction after osteosarcoma excision, and an important prognostic factor is the evaluation of response to chemotherapy using histology. Although tumor-bearing autografts are useful tools for reconstruction, re-use of the primary tumor may make it difficult to assess the histological response to chemotherapy, since the entire tumor cannot be analyzed. Here, we analyzed the prognostic value of the histological response in the patients who received frozen tumor-bearing autografts for reconstruction. Method Retrospective analysis of the medical records of 51 patients with high-grade osteosarcoma of the extremities was performed. All patients received reconstruction using frozen tumor-bearing autografts. Tumor necrosis was evaluated in extraskeletal masses and cancellous bone. Results Five-year overall survival of patients with good and poor response to chemotherapy was 82.9% and 46.4%, respectively (P = 0.044), and 5-year event-free survival was 57.7% and 36.0%, respectively (P = 0.329). Multivariate analysis revealed that a poor histological response to chemotherapy was a significant prognostic factor for overall survival (P = 0.033). Conclusion Histological response is an important and reliable prognostic factor in patients undergoing reconstruction using frozen tumor-bearing autografts.
Pronounced platelet hyperfunction in patients with cardiac arrest achieving restoration of spontaneous circulation*

Objective:Markers of platelet activation are increased in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Hyperfunctional platelets may contribute to impairment of microcirculatory function and overall poor outcome despite restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Patients with myocardial infarction have hyperfunctional platelets, which predict the degree of myocardial necrosis. Thus, we hypothesized that platelets may be even more activated in patients whose myocardial infarction leads to cardiac arrest and compared them with patients whose cardiac arrest was due to a noncardiac origin. Design:Prospective observational study. Setting:Emergency department of a tertiary care hospital. Patients:One hundred four patients with witnessed cardiac arrest who achieved ROSC. Interventions:Blood sampling. Measurements and Main Results:We assessed collagen adenosine diphosphate closure time with the platelet function analyzer-100, and measured plasma levels of von Willebrand factor: ristocetin cofactor activity levels by turbidometry. Independent physicians diagnosed the origin of cardiac arrest. The majority of cardiac arrests were caused by myocardial ischemia. Invariably, collagen adenosine diphosphate closure time values (55 seconds; 95% confidence interval: 52–58 seconds) were much shorter in these patients compared with patients with other causes of cardiac arrest (110 seconds; 95% confidence interval: 84–135 seconds, p < 0.001). von Willebrand factor: ristocetin cofactor activity plasma levels were more than three-fold above normal values in both groups. Conclusions:Patients with myocardial ischemia-triggered cardiac arrest had the highest degree of platelet hyperfunction under high shear rates, which was not solely due to increased von Willebrand factor. Future trials are necessary to clarify whether rapid, more aggressive antiplatelet therapy improves outcome after cardiac arrest.
Pitch Perception of Medium-Rank Harmonic Complex Tones Based on Temporal Analysis

Fundamental frequency difference limens were measured for a target harmonic complex tone (HCT) in the absence and presence of a masker HCT, which were filtered into the same bandpass frequency region and were gated on and off synchronously. There were three kinds of nominal fundamental frequencies (F0s) for target (200, 400, and 800 Hz), five kinds of F0 separations between target and masker (0, ±3, and ±6 semitones), and four kinds of phase combinations. Results found significant effects of nominal F0, phase combination, and F0 separation between target and masker. Analysis based on temporal profile proved that the significant effect of nominal F0 could be explained by peak height of target, and that the significant effects of F0 separation and phase combination could be explained by the ratio of temporal peak heights between target and masker. Thus it is suggested that F0 discrimination of medium-rank harmonics probably depends on the use of temporal fine structure information.
Portfolio Optimization with Reward-Risk Ratio Measure based on the Conditional Value-at-Risk

In several problems of portfolio selection the reward-risk ratio criterion is optimized to search for a risky portfolio offering the maximum increase of the mean return, compared to the risk-free investment opportunities. We analyze such a model with the CVaR type risk measure. Exactly the deviation type of risk measure must be used, i.e. the so-called conditional drawdown measure. We analyze both the theoretical properties (SSD consistency) and the computational complexity (LP models).
A Novel Nonpedicular Screw-Based Fixation in Lumbar Spondylolisthesis

Objective. The authors present the clinical results obtained in patients who underwent interspinous fusion device (IFD) implantation following posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF). The purpose of this study is investigating the feasibility of IFD with PLIF in the treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis. Methods. Between September 2013 and November 2014, 39 patients underwent PLIF and subsequent IFD (Romeo®2 PAD, Spineart, Geneva, Switzerland) implantation. Medical records of these patients were retrospectively reviewed to collect relevant data such as blood loss, operative time, and length of hospital stay. Radiographs and clinical outcome were evaluated 6 weeks and 12 months after surgery. Results. All 39 patients were followed up for more than one year. There were no major complications such as dura tear, nerve injuries, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, or deep infection. Both interbody and interspinous fusion could be observed on radiographs one year after surgery. However, there were 5 patients having early retropulsion of interbody fusion devices. Conclusion. The interspinous fusion device appears to achieve posterior fixation and facilitate lumbar fusion in selected patients. However, further study is mandatory for proposing a novel anatomic and radiological scoring system to identify patients suitable for this treatment modality and prevent postoperative complications.
Fine-Mapping, Gene Expression and Splicing Analysis of the Disease Associated LRRK2 Locus

Association studies have identified several signals at the LRRK2 locus for Parkinson's disease (PD), Crohn's disease (CD) and leprosy. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms mediating these effects. To further characterize this locus, we fine-mapped the risk association in 5,802 PD and 5,556 controls using a dense genotyping array (ImmunoChip). Using samples from 134 post-mortem control adult human brains (UK Human Brain Expression Consortium), where up to ten brain regions were available per individual, we studied the regional variation, splicing and regulation of LRRK2. We found convincing evidence for a common variant PD association located outside of the LRRK2 protein coding region (rs117762348, A>G, P = 2.56×10−8, case/control MAF 0.083/0.074, odds ratio 0.86 for the minor allele with 95% confidence interval [0.80–0.91]). We show that mRNA expression levels are highest in cortical regions and lowest in cerebellum. We find an exon quantitative trait locus (QTL) in brain samples that localizes to exons 32–33 and investigate the molecular basis of this eQTL using RNA-Seq data in n = 8 brain samples. The genotype underlying this eQTL is in strong linkage disequilibrium with the CD associated non-synonymous SNP rs3761863 (M2397T). We found two additional QTLs in liver and monocyte samples but none of these explained the common variant PD association at rs117762348. Our results characterize the LRRK2 locus, and highlight the importance and difficulties of fine-mapping and integration of multiple datasets to delineate pathogenic variants and thus develop an understanding of disease mechanisms.
Membrane immersion allows rhomboid proteases to achieve specificity by reading transmembrane segment dynamics

Rhomboid proteases reside within cellular membranes, but the advantage of this unusual environment is unclear. We discovered membrane immersion allows substrates to be identified in a fundamentally-different way, based initially upon exposing ‘masked’ conformational dynamics of transmembrane segments rather than sequence-specific binding. EPR and CD spectroscopy revealed that the membrane restrains rhomboid gate and substrate conformation to limit proteolysis. True substrates evolved intrinsically-unstable transmembrane helices that both become unstructured when not supported by the membrane, and facilitate partitioning into the hydrophilic, active-site environment. Accordingly, manipulating substrate and gate dynamics in living cells shifted cleavage sites in a manner incompatible with extended sequence binding, but correlated with a membrane-and-helix-exit propensity scale. Moreover, cleavage of diverse non-substrates was provoked by single-residue changes that destabilize transmembrane helices. Membrane immersion thus bestows rhomboid proteases with the ability to identify substrates primarily based on reading their intrinsic transmembrane dynamics. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.00173. 001
Enhanced ductility in round tensile bars produced by cladding a ductile ring

The effect of cladding a ductile ring on necking and fracture in round bars under tension is studied numerically using the finite element method based on the Gurson damage model. It is demonstrated that the cladding increases both the necking strain and the fracture strain. The effects of topological arrangement of cladding ring on necking and fracture are numerically investigated. It is indicated that while a topological arrangement of cladding has no noticeable effect on necking, it significantly influences the fracture strain. For a given volume fraction of cladding, the fracture strain could increase about 11% if the ductile ring is moved from the outmost to the innermost. It is also found that the subtle appearance of fracture surface due to cladding displays strong mesh sensitivity and may even be an artefact of the mesh.
Kinematics of the North American–Caribbean‐Cocos plates in Central America from new GPS measurements across the Polochic‐Motagua fault system

The Polochic‐Motagua strike‐slip fault system in Guatemala marks the on‐land plate boundary between the North American (NA) and the Caribbean (CA) plates. GPS observations in 1999 and 2003 show that the far‐field velocity across the system (NA‐CA relative velocity) is ∼20 mm/yr. This is significantly higher than the NUVEL‐1A velocity but is consistent with the GPS based CA‐NA velocity proposed by DeMets et al. (2000). The observations are modeled by a fault centered on the Motagua fault, locked at a depth of 20 km, with a slip‐rate decreasing from eastern to central Guatemala from 20 to 12 mm/yr towards the NA‐CA‐Cocos triple junction. This decrease is accommodated by ∼8 mm/yr of E‐W extension in the westernmost part of CA south of the Motagua fault. About 10 mm/yr of dextral slip is observed across the Mid‐American Volcanic Arc. The NA‐CA‐Cocos triple junction is thus a complex, ∼400 km‐wide wedge‐shaped area.
A distinct Toll‐like receptor repertoire in human tonsillar B cells, directly activated by Pam3CSK4, R‐837 and CpG‐2006 stimulation

Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) recognize specific pathogen‐associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), which subsequently trigger innate immunity. Recent data also suggest a role for TLRs in the direct activation of adaptive immune cells. In the present study, the expression and function of TLR1–TLR10 were characterized in purified human tonsillar B cells, focusing on differences among CD19+ CD38– CD27– (naïve B cells), CD19+ IgD– CD27–[germinal centre (GC) B cells] and CD19+ CD38– CD27+ (memory B cells) cells. The study was also designed to compare the TLR expression in B cells obtained from infected and hyperplastic tonsils that served as controls. The results demonstrated a distinct repertoire of TLRs, in which TLR1, TLR2, TLR7, TLR9 and TLR10 predominated. No differences were found among naïve, GC and memory B cells. Tonsillar infection did not substantially alter the TLR expression profile in ex vivo‐isolated B‐cell subsets. Purified CD19+ B cells stimulated with Pam3CSK4, R‐837 and CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) 2006, via TLR1/TLR2, TLR7 and TLR9, respectively, showed an induction of interleukin‐6 secretion and an up‐regulated expression of human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐DR. Collectively, the present study demonstrates that B cells exhibit constitutively high levels of specific TLRs, which are not developmentally regulated during the B‐cell differentiation process. Ongoing microbial infections, such as chronic tonsillitis, do not appear to affect the TLR profile in B cells. Furthermore, the distinct expression of TLRs allows B cells to respond directly to the cognate PAMPs. This further emphasizes the role of TLRs in directly activating adaptive immune cells.
Prevention of Diabetes in Nonobese Diabetic Mice Mediated by CD1d-Restricted Nonclassical NKT Cells1

A role for regulatory lymphocytes has been demonstrated in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes in the NOD mouse but the nature of these cells is debated. CD1d-restricted NKT lymphocytes have been implicated in this process. Previous reports of reduced diabetes incidence in NOD mice in which the numbers of NKT cells are artificially increased have been attributed to the enhanced production of IL-4 by these cells and a role for classical NKT cells, using the Vα14-Jα18 rearrangement. We now show that overexpression in NOD mice of CD1d-restricted TCR Vα3. 2+Vβ9+ NKT cells producing high levels of IFN-γ but low amounts of IL-4 leads to prevention of type 1 diabetes, demonstrating a role for nonclassical CD1d-restricted NKT cells in the regulation of autoimmune diabetes.
Factors influencing internet addiction tendency among middle school students in Gyeong-buk area.

PURPOSE This study was conducted to understand the degree of internet addiction tendency and to find out the factors influencing this addiction tendency among middle school students in Gyeong-buk area. METHODS A total of 450 middle school students in the Daegu and Gyeong-buk area were surveyed in this study. Data collection was conducted through the use of questionnaires. RESULTS Internet addiction among middle school students was relatively low (Average user). In the overall ratio distribution, however, students who were classified as either addicted or at risk of addiction accounted for a high percentage, 27%. A positive correlation was found between Internet addiction and Internet expectation, depression and parent control over Internet use. A negative correlation was found between Internet addiction and interpersonal relationship, parent support and self-control. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the most powerful predictor of Internet addiction tendency was depression. CONCLUSION Through the above results, it would be necessary to develop an Internet addiction prevention program for adolescents taking into account for the psychological factors such as depression and Internet use habits. In the future study, the need assessment will be useful for developing this prevention program.
Education & Training

Many studies recently have highlighted the role of neuroimaging in the diagnosis and management of patients with psychiatric disorders (Lewis, 1996; Costa et al, 1999; Longworth et al, 1999). In old age psychiatry, a diagnosis of dementia is facilitated by structural and functional imaging, both of which have been shown to increase the accuracy with which a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease can be made (Zakzanis et al, 2003). There is also a role for neuroimaging in the differential diagnosis of organic brain syndromes, which are often referred to the old age and liaison psychiatric services. The usefulness of neuroimaging has extended further into the area of the major functional psychiatric disorders by contributing to our understanding of the aetiology and pathophysiology of these illnesses. Despite this, image interpretation has not yet been incorporated into the training of psychiatrists, at junior or senior level. In this, we differ from other specialist areas of medicine where the ability to interpret images is an integral part of training. At present, the Royal College of Psychiatrists is developing a competency-based curriculum for senior trainees that will lead to the certificate of completion of training (CCT). This will replace the existing CCST (certificate of completion of specialist training; http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/ traindev/postgrad/ccst.htm). In order to obtain the CCT, a series of ‘general competencies’ will be recommended for all senior trainees, which will involve the trainee developing expertise in a number of roles identified by the College. These include the roles of clinician, researcher and educator, among others. Specific key competencies will be further recommended in the development of these general competencies, with variations in some key competencies according to the sub-specialty. We propose that an understanding of the neuroimaging modalities and interpretation of brain scans should become a vital part of acquiring the key competencies of using appropriate investigations and making accurate diagnoses of mental disorder in older people and for those pursuing careers in neuropsychiatry, liaison psychiatry and for those with specific research interests.
In vivo accumulation of a turnip crinkle virus defective interfering RNA is affected by alterations in size and sequence

Turnip crinkle virus is one of several single-stranded RNA plant viruses associated with defective interfering (DI) RNAs. A complete cDNA copy of a 344-base DI RNA (DI RNA G) was cloned downstream from a T7 RNA polymerase promoter. Transcripts synthesized in vitro were infectious when inoculated with helper virus on turnip plants. Studies of the infectivity of DI transcripts containing deletions, insertions, and single-base changes suggest that (i) in general, only the 5' two-thirds of the molecule can tolerate mutations; (ii) between 52 and 67 bases of terminal 5' sequence are required for infectivity; (iii) nucleotides in positions 68 to 138 are not specifically involved in RNA infectivity; (iv) DI RNA G molecules smaller than 327 bases are not amplified efficiently in plants.
Three genes coding for subunits of the membrane sector (F0) of the Escherichia coli adenosine triphosphatase complex

Two mutant unc alleles, unc-469 and unc-476, have been characterized as affecting a previously undescribed gene, designated uncF. The uncF gene is part of the unc operon (with the gene order being uncBFEAGDC), although some uncertainty remains as to the relative order of the uncF and uncE genes. Mutant strains carrying the uncF469 or uncF476 allele lack the 18,000-molecular-weight component of the F0 sector of the adenosine triphosphatase in the cell membrane but retain the dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-binding protein (molecular weight, 8,400). Conversely, strains carrying mutations in the uncE gene lack the dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-binding protein but retain the 18,000-molecular-weight protein in the cell membrane. Strains carrying mutations in the uncB gene have both the 18,000-molecular-weight protein and the dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-binding protein present in the cell membranes. The three proteins of the F0 portion of the adenosine triphosphatase, viz., 24,000, 18,000, and 8,400 molecular weights, became membrane associated after in vitro transcription-translation with plasmid pAN51 as template. Plasmids carrying deletions which affected the UncBFE region were isolated from plasmid pAN51 and characterized genetically. A comparison of the genes that were absent from the various deletion plasmids with the membrane-associated products formed after in vitro transcription-translation indicated that the uncB gene coded for the 24,000-molecular-weight protein and that the gene order was probably uncBFE. A correlation between length of deoxyribonucleic acid, genes present, and their products is presented in relation to plasmid pAN51.
Cost effectiveness analysis of intensive versus conventional follow up after curative resection for colorectal cancer

Abstract Objective To determine the cost effectiveness of intensive follow up compared with conventional follow up in patients with colorectal cancer. Design Incremental cost effectiveness analysis recognising differences in follow up strategies, based on effectiveness data from a meta-analysis of five randomised trials. Setting United Kingdom. Main outcome measures Taking a health service perspective, estimated incremental costs effectiveness ratios for each life year gained for five trials and four trials designed for early detection of extramural recurrences (targeted surveillance). Results Based on five year follow up, the numbers of life years gained by intensive follow up were 0.73 for the five trial model and 0.82 for the four trial model. For the five trials, the adjusted net (extra) cost for each patient was £2479 (€3550; $4288) and for each life year gained was £3402, substantially lower than the current threshold of NHS cost acceptability (£30 000). The corresponding values for the four trial model were £2529 and £3077, suggesting that targeted surveillance is more cost effective. The main predictor of incremental cost effectiveness ratios was surveillance costs rather than treatment costs. Judged against the NHS threshold of cost acceptability, the predicted incremental cost threshold was ninefold and the effectiveness threshold was 3%. Conclusions Based on the available data and current costs, intensive follow up after curative resection for colorectal cancer is economically justified and should be normal practice. There is a continuing need to evaluate the efficacy of specific surveillance tools: this study forms the basis for economic evaluations in such trials.