Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Low complexity Bayesian single channel source separation

We propose a simple Bayesian model for performing single channel speech separation using factorized source priors in a sliding window linearly transformed domain. Using a one dimensional mixture of Gaussians to model each band source leads to fast tractable inference for the source signals. Simulations with separation of a male and a female speaker using priors trained on the same speakers show comparable performance with the blind separation approach of G. -J. Jang and T. -W. Lee (see NIPS, vol.15, 2003) with a SNR improvement of 4.9 dB for both the male and female speaker. Mixing coefficients can be estimated quite precisely using ML-II, but the estimation is quite sensitive to the accuracy of the priors as opposed to the source separation quality for known mixing coefficients, which is quite insensitive to the accuracy of the priors. Finally, we discuss how to improve our approach while keeping the complexity low using machine learning and CASA (computational auditory scene analysis) approaches (Jang and Lee, 2003; Roweis, S.T., 2001; Wang, D.L. and Brown, G.J., 1999; Hu, G. and Wang, D., 2003).
Visual Object Representation: Interpreting Neurophysiological Data within a Computational Framework

Significant progress has been made in understanding vision by combining computational and neuroscientific constraints. However, for the most part these integrative approaches have been limited to low-level visual processing. Recent advances in our understanding of high-level vision in the two separate disciplines warrant an attempt to relate and integrate these results to extend our understanding of vision through object representation and recognition. This paper is an attempt to contribute to this goal, by using a computational framework arising out of computer vision research to organize and interpret human and primate neurophysiology and neuropsychology.
Complete Nucleotide Sequence and Molecular Characterization of Bacillus Phage TP21 and its Relatedness to Other Phages with the Same Name

Three different Bacillus bacteriophages designated TP21 are known from the literature. We have determined the sequence and structure of the TP21-L genome, and compared it to the other phages. The genome is 37.5 kb in size, possesses fixed invariable genome ends and features the typical modular organization of a temperate siphovirus. TP21-L is neither identical to TP21 isolated by Thorne (TP21-T), as shown by a PCR-based approach nor to TP21 isolated by He et al. (TP21-H), as estimated from phage dimensions. For reasons of clarity, we suggest renaming the different TP21 isolates.
Foo's To Blame: Techniques For Mapping Performance Data To Program Variables

Title of dissertation: FOO’S TO BLAME: TECHNIQUES FOR MAPPING PERFORMANCE DATA TO PROGRAM VARIABLES Nickolas Jon Rutar, Doctor of Philosophy, 2011 Dissertation directed by: Professor Jeffrey K. Hollingsworth, Department of Computer Science Traditional methods of performance analysis offer a code centric view, presenting performance data in terms of blocks of contiguous code (statement, basic block, loop, function, etc.). Existing data centric techniques allow various program properties to be mapped directly to variables. Our approach extends these data centric mappings. Just as code centric techniques allow lower level objects like source lines be mapped up to functions, our inclusive technique allows low level data centric operations like computations on scalars to be mapped up to complex data structures like those found in scientific frameworks. Our system utilizes static analysis to collect information about the program that can be combined with runtime information to perform data centric program analysis. By pushing most of the analysis to pre-run and post-mortem, we can minimize the amount of data collected at runtime. This allows us to perform less instrumentation and also minimizes program perturbation. It also allows us to collect information that would not be possible with existing techniques. We present two applications of this analysis. The first application of our analysis is targeted at mapping performance data to high level data structures with multiple levels of abstraction. We create extended data centric mappings, which we call variable blame, that relates data centric information to these variables. The second application is a method for mapping cache miss information to variables. Existing approaches for this analysis rely on explicit hardware support and extensive program instrumentation. By utilizing our analysis and applying software heuristics, we are able to lessen those requirements. We apply both of these analyses to applications and show what performance information can be provided by our analysis that can not currently be determined. We also discuss how we can use that information to improve program performance. FOO’S TO BLAME: TECHNIQUES FOR MAPPING PERFORMANCE DATA TO PROGRAM VARIABLES
Privee: An Architecture for Automatically Analyzing Web Privacy Policies

Privacy policies on websites are based on the notice-and-choice principle. They notify Web users of their privacy choices. However, many users do not read privacy policies or have difficulties understanding them. In order to increase privacy transparency we propose Privee--a software architecture for analyzing essential policy terms based on crowdsourcing and automatic classification techniques. We implement Privee in a proof of concept browser extension that retrieves policy analysis results from an online privacy policy repository or, if no such results are available, performs automatic classifications. While our classifiers achieve an overall F-1 score of 90%, our experimental results suggest that classifier performance is inherently limited as it correlates to the same variable to which human interpretations correlate--the ambiguity of natural language. This finding might be interpreted to call the notice-and-choice principle into question altogether. However, as our results further suggest that policy ambiguity decreases over time, we believe that the principle is workable. Consequently, we see Privee as a promising avenue for facilitating the notice-and-choice principle by accurately notifying-Web users of privacy practices and increasing privacy transparency on the Web.
Patient preferences for early discharge after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

UNLABELLED Patients may have concerns about their ability to manage postoperative symptoms at home after ambulatory surgery. We assessed patients' attitudes toward postoperative care at home or in the hospital after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Thirty-eight patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were pre- and postoperatively (within a week each) presented with scenarios describing symptoms of differing severity in either a home or hospital setting and were asked to rank and rate the relative desirability of the scenarios using rating scale, standard gamble, and willingness-to-pay techniques. Preoperatively, 16 (42%), 21 (55%), and 30 (79%) patients ranked pain of mild, moderate, and severe levels, respectively, as worse than the respective levels of nausea and vomiting. Of 24 patients, 19 (79%) preferred home care to hospital care for mild symptoms, and 12 of 22 patients (55%) preferred home care to hospital care for moderate symptoms. The average ratings were 20, 53, and 90 for mild, moderate, and severe symptoms, respectively, where 0 = no symptoms and 100 = the worst symptoms possible. Patients who preferred care outside the home indicated that they were willing to pay a mean of $142 (maximum $410) as a maximal copayment to have postoperative care in the hospital and a mean of $255 to receive care in a medical hotel-like facility. Postoperative assessment correlated highly with the preoperative assessment (correlation coefficient >0.6 for rating, standard gamble, and willingness-to-pay assessments). We conclude that patients vary in their attitudes toward where they would like to receive postoperative care. Attitudes assessed preoperatively may predict their attitudes postoperatively. IMPLICATIONS Patients preferred to be at home for mild postoperative symptoms but in the hospital for worse postoperative symptoms. Preferences did not change with different methods of asking and were the same pre- and postoperatively. If patients made choices for their care before their procedure, they would still be happy with those decisions postoperatively.
CELLULAR INTERACTIONS IN MORPHOGENESIS OF EPITHELIAL MESENCHYMAL SYSTEMS

The family of epithelio-mesenchymal systems consists of a variety of related forms. Common to all is the formation of epithelial-bounding membranes. These may be external to the mesenchyme as in skin, or internal to the mesenchyme as in ducted glands. We show how the formation of epithelial-bounding membranes can be accounted for in terms of the contact interactions between the cells. We have studied the behavior of epithelial outgrowths, dissociated epithelial cells, and dissociated mesenchymal cells on different noncellular and cellular substrata. The crucial observation is that neither mesenchyme nor epithelial cells can attach to, or move upon, the free surface of an attached epithelium. This observation and others, on the continuity within epithelial and mesenchymal associations, suggest that a discontinuity is obligatory at the epithelial surface, the epithelium necessarily forming bounding membranes.
Active Pedestrian Safety by Automatic Braking and Evasive Steering

Active safety systems hold great potential for reducing accident frequency and severity by warning the driver and/or exerting automatic vehicle control ahead of crashes. This paper presents a novel active pedestrian safety system that combines sensing, situation analysis, decision making, and vehicle control. The sensing component is based on stereo vision, and it fuses the following two complementary approaches for added robustness: 1) motion-based object detection and 2) pedestrian recognition. The highlight of the system is its ability to decide, within a split second, whether it will perform automatic braking or evasive steering and reliably execute this maneuver at relatively high vehicle speed (up to 50 km/h). We performed extensive precrash experiments with the system on the test track (22 scenarios with real pedestrians and a dummy). We obtained a significant benefit in detection performance and improved lateral velocity estimation by the fusion of motion-based object detection and pedestrian recognition. On a fully reproducible scenario subset, involving the dummy that laterally enters into the vehicle path from behind an occlusion, the system executed, in more than 40 trials, the intended vehicle action, i.e., automatic braking (if a full stop is still possible) or automatic evasive steering.
Sedimentary Environment and Relative Sea Level Changes of the Asmari Formation Deposited in Lurestan Basin, Southwest of Zagros

Asmari Formation is deposited in the Zagros Foreland basin during Oligo-Miocene time. In the presented research, Sheykh Makan (north of Kabir-Kuh Anticline) section located at Lurestan Basin is studied to achieve an understanding of facies changes, paleoenvironment and also sequence stratigraphic framework (relative sea level changes) of the Asmari Formation. Results of this study revealed that 15 microfacies grouped to four facies belts named as tidal flat, lagoon, barrier and open marine are the main constituents. A homoclinal ramp is determined as the depositional setting of the Asmari Formation. In Sheykh Makan Section, studied interval contains three third-order sequences aging oligmiocene. It overlies gradually shaly Pabdeh Formation and is overlain by evaporitic Gachsaran Formatin.
Risk Factors for 30-Day Unplanned Readmission and Major Perioperative Complications After Spine Fusion Surgery in Adults: A Review of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database

Study Design. Retrospective review of a prospective cohort. Objective. The aim of the study was to determine the patient characteristics and surgical procedure factors related to increased rates of 30-day unplanned readmission and major perioperative complications after spinal fusion surgery, and the association between unplanned readmission and major complications. Summary of Background Data. Reducing unplanned readmissions can reduce the cost of healthcare. Payers are implementing penalties for 30-day readmissions after discharge. There is limited data regarding the current rates and risk factors for unplanned readmission and major complications related to spinal fusion surgery. Methods. Spine fusion patients were identified using the 2012 and 2013 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Participant User File. Rates of readmissions within 30 days after spine fusion surgery were calculated using the person-years method. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the independent associations of spine surgical procedure types, diagnoses, patient profiles, and major perioperative complications with unplanned related readmissions. Independent risk factors for major complications were assessed by multivariable logistic regression. Results. Of the 18,602 identified patients, there was a 5.2% overall major perioperative complication rate. There was a rate of 4.4% per 30 person-days for unplanned readmissions related to index surgery. Independent risk factors for both readmissions and major perioperative complications included combined anterior and posterior surgery, diagnosis of solitary tumor, older age, and higher American Society of Anesthesiologists class. Patients with deep/organ surgical site infection carried higher risk of having unplanned readmission, followed by pulmonary embolism, acute renal failure, and stroke/cerebral vascular accident with neurological deficit. Conclusion. This study provides benchmark rates of 30-day readmission based on diagnosis and procedure codes from a high-quality database for adult spinal fusion patients and showed increased rates of 30-day unplanned readmission and major perioperative complications for patients with specific risk factors. Targeted preoperative planning on modifiable risk factors with proportional reimbursement may promote higher-quality healthcare. Level of Evidence: 3
A haemodynamic response function model in spatio-temporal diffuse optical tomography

Diffuse optical tomography (DOT) is a new and effective technique for functional brain imaging. It can detect local changes in both oxygenated and deoxygenated haemoglobin concentrations in tissue based on differential absorption at multiple wavelengths. Traditional methods in spatio-temporal analysis of haemoglobin concentrations in diffuse optical tomography first reconstruct the spatial distribution at different time instants independently, then look at the temporal dynamics on each pixel, without incorporating any temporal information as a prior in the image reconstruction. In this work, we present a temporal haemodynamic response function model described by a basis function expansion, in a joint spatio-temporal DOT reconstruction of haemoglobin concentration changes during simulated brain activation. In this joint framework, we simultaneously employ spatial regularization, spectral information and temporal assumptions. We also present an efficient algorithm for solving the associated large-scale systems. The expected improvements in spatial resolution and contrast-to-noise ratio are illustrated with simulations of human brain activation.
Charm parton content of the nucleon

We investigate the charm sector of the nucleon structure phenomenologically, using the most up-to-date global QCD analysis. Going beyond the common assumption of purely radiatively generated charm, we explore possible degrees of freedom in the parton parameter space associated with nonperturbative (intrinsic) charm in the nucleon. Specifically, we explore the limits that can be placed on the intrinsic charm (IC) component, using all relevant hard-scattering data, according to scenarios in which the IC has a form predicted by light-cone wave function models; or a form similar to the light sea-quark distributions. We find that the range of IC is constrained to be from zero (no IC) to a level 2-3 times larger than previous model estimates. The behaviors of typical charm distributions within this range are described, and their implications for hadron collider phenomenology are briefly discussed.
Distinguishing between Nitrification and Denitrification as Sources of Gaseous Nitrogen Production in Soil

The source of N2O produced in soil is often uncertain because denitrification and nitrification can occur simultaneously in the same soil aggregate. A technique which exploits the differential sensitivity of these processes to C2H2 inhibition is proposed for distinguishing among gaseous N losses from soils. Denitrification N2O was estimated from 24-h laboratory incubations in which nitrification was inhibited by 10-Pa C2H2. Nitrification N2O was estimated from the difference between N2O production under no C2H2 and that determined for denitrification. Denitrification N2 was estimated from the difference between N2O production under 10-kPa C2H2 and that under 10 Pa. Laboratory estimates of N2O production were significantly correlated with in situ N2O diffusion measurements made during a 10-month period in two forested watersheds. Nitrous oxide production from nitrification was most important on well-drained sites of a disturbed watershed where ambient NO3− was high. In contrast, denitrification N2O was most important on poorly drained sites near the stream of the same watershed. Distinction between N2O production from nitrification and denitrification was corroborated by correlations between denitrification N2O and water-filled pore space and between nitrification N2O and ambient NO3−. This technique permits qualitative study of environmental parameters that regulate gaseous N losses via denitrification and nitrification.
Analysis of solvent central nervous system toxicity and ethanol interactions using a human population physiologically based kinetic and dynamic model.

The effect of acute ethanol-mediated inhibition of m-xylene metabolism on central nervous system (CNS) depression in the human worker population was investigated using physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models and probabilistic random (Monte Carlo) sampling. PBPK models of inhaled m-xylene and orally ingested ethanol were developed and combined by a competitive enzyme (CYP2E1) inhibition model. Human interindividual variability was modeled by combining estimated statistical distributions of model parameters with the deterministic PBPK models and multiple random or Monte Carlo simulations. A simple threshold pharmacodynamic model was obtained by simulating m-xylene kinetics in human studies where CNS effects were observed and assigning the peak venous blood m-xylene concentration (C(V,max)) as the dose surrogate of toxicity. Probabilistic estimates of an individual experiencing CNS disturbances given exposure to the current UK occupational exposure standard (100 ppm time-weighted average over 8 h), with and without ethanol ingestion, were obtained. The probability of experiencing CNS effects given this scenario increases markedly and nonlinearly with ethanol dose. As CYP2E1-mediated metabolism of other occupationally relevant organic compounds may be inhibited by ethanol, simulation studies of this type should have an increasingly significant role in the chemical toxicity risk assessment.
On the Group of Alternating Colored Permutations

The group of alternating colored permutations is the natural analogue of the classical alternating group, inside the wreath product $\mathbb{Z}_r \wr S_n$. We present a 'Coxeter-like' presentation for this group and compute the length function with respect to that presentation. Then, we present this group as a covering of $\mathbb{Z}_{\frac{r}{2}} \wr S_n$ and use this point of view to give another expression for the length function. We also use this covering to lift several known parameters of $\mathbb{Z}_{\frac{r}{2}} \wr S_n$ to the group of alternating colored permutations.
Occupational health risks in veterinary nursing: an exploratory study.

OBJECTIVES The aims of this exploratory study were to survey the prevalence of certain exposures and health problems among a group of veterinary nurses attending the International Veterinary Nurses' Conference in Brisbane, Australia, 2003 and to identify the main concerns among those veterinary nurses with regard to occupational health hazards they may face. METHODS AND MATERIALS An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was distributed among all attendees of the International Veterinary Nurses' Conference 2003, Brisbane, Australia (N=147 respondents among 215 surveyed). RESULTS The prevalence of exposure to X-radiation (97%), anaesthetics (96%), disinfectants (96%) and vaccines (85%) was high. More than 70% of the nurses were exposed to formaldehyde (76%) and pesticides/insecticides (71%). For all exposures except vaccines, about 50% of the nurses exposed were worried about negative health consequences. Acute injuries were common with 98% of the nurses experiencing dog/cat bites/scratches, 71% experiencing needle stick injuries and 43% experiencing lacerations. More than half of the nurses (52%) suffered from chronic back/neck pain and 39% reported having allergy or hay fever. Sixteen cases (11%) of Cat Scratch Fever were reported. Job related affective well-being was similar to a large sample of workers in comparable level jobs. CONCLUSION Among attendees of a veterinary nurses conference, the proportion of this group of nurses exposed to hazards in their work environment was high and acute and chronic injuries were common. Considering that nurses account for more than 40% of total employment in the veterinary service industry, the results of this study show that the occupational health hazards of this professional group require further study.
Candida Colonization on the Denture of Diabetic and Non-diabetic Patients

Background: Oral candidiasis is a common opportunistic infection in diabetic patients. Presence of denture in the oral cavity of diabetic patients can promote Candida colonization and results in the higher incidence of oral and systemic candidiasis. The general purpose of the present study was to evaluate and compare Candida colonization in denture of diabetic patients and non-diabetic control group. Methods: In current case-control study, samples for mycological examinations were collected from the palatal impression surface of maxillary dentures from 92 edentulous patients including 46 dia-betic and 46 non-diabetic denture wearers. All samples were cultured directly on sabouraud agar me-dium and isolated colonies were counted and identified based on specific tests. Data were statistically analyzed using Mann-Whitney and Spearman correlation tests. Results: The higher density of isolated colonies was seen in diabetic group in compare with control group (P = 0.0001). There was a statistically significant correlation between the blood glucose level (P = 0.0001) and the duration of denture usage (P = 0.022) with the colonization of Candida on denture of diabetic patients. C. albicans was the most common isolated Candida species in both groups, though diabetic patients with dentures had more non-albicans Candida isolated from their dentures compared to non-diabetic patients. Conclusions: Mycological findings from the present study revealed that diabetes mellitus can in-crease colonization of Candida in denture and mouth. By elimination of local and systemic factors in diabetic patients and improving their oral health care, Candida colonization and the risk of oral and systemic candidiasis will be decreased.