Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Emotion recognition in spontaneous and acted dialogues

In this work, we compare emotion recognition on two types of speech: spontaneous and acted dialogues. Experiments were conducted on the AVEC2012 database of spontaneous dialogues and the IEMOCAP database of acted dialogues. We studied the performance of two types of acoustic features for emotion recognition: knowledge-inspired disfluency and nonverbal vocalisation (DIS-NV) features, and statistical Low-Level Descriptor (LLD) based features. Both Support Vector Machines (SVM) and Long Short-Term Memory Recurrent Neural Networks (LSTM-RNN) were built using each feature set on each emotional database. Our work aims to identify aspects of the data that constrain the effectiveness of models and features. Our results show that the performance of different types of features and models is influenced by the type of dialogue and the amount of training data. Because DIS-NVs are less frequent in acted dialogues than in spontaneous dialogues, the DIS-NV features perform better than the LLD features when recognizing emotions in spontaneous dialogues, but not in acted dialogues. The LSTM-RNN model gives better performance than the SVM model when there is enough training data, but the complex structure of a LSTM-RNN model may limit its performance when there is less training data available, and may also risk over-fitting. Additionally, we find that long distance contexts may be more useful when performing emotion recognition at the word level than at the utterance level.
Catalytic Oxidation of Methane into Methanol over Copper-Exchanged Zeolites with Oxygen at Low Temperature

The direct catalytic conversion of methane to liquid oxygenated compounds, such as methanol or dimethyl ether, at low temperature using molecular oxygen is a grand challenge in C–H activation that has never been met with synthetic, heterogeneous catalysts. We report the first demonstration of direct, catalytic oxidation of methane into methanol with molecular oxygen over copper-exchanged zeolites at low reaction temperatures (483–498 K). Reaction kinetics studies show sustained catalytic activity and high selectivity for a variety of commercially available zeolite topologies under mild conditions (e.g., 483 K and atmospheric pressure). Transient and steady state measurements with isotopically labeled molecules confirm catalytic turnover. The catalytic rates and apparent activation energies are affected by the zeolite topology, with caged-based zeolites (e.g., Cu-SSZ-13) showing the highest rates. Although the reaction rates are low, the discovery of catalytic sites in copper-exchanged zeolites will accelerate the development of strategies to directly oxidize methane into methanol under mild conditions.
Changes in adipose tissue gene expression with energy-restricted diets in obese women.

BACKGROUND The effect of energy restriction and macronutrient composition on gene expression in adipose tissue is not well defined. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of different low-energy diets on gene expression in human adipose tissue. DESIGN Forty obese women were randomly assigned to a moderate-fat, moderate-carbohydrate diet or a low-fat, high-carbohydrate hypoenergetic (-600 kcal/d) diet for 10 wk. Subcutaneous adipose tissue samples were obtained before and after the diet period. High-quality RNA samples were obtained from 23 women at both time points, and these samples were hybridized to microarrays containing the 8500 most extensively described human genes. The results were confirmed by separate messenger RNA measurements. RESULTS Both diets resulted in weight losses of approximately 7.5% of baseline body weight. A total of 52 genes were significantly up-regulated and 44 were down-regulated as a result of the intervention, and no diet-specific effect was observed. No major effect on lipid-specific transcription factors or genes regulating signal transduction, lipolysis, or synthesis of acylglycerols was observed. Most changes were modest (<25% of baseline), but all genes regulating the formation of polyunsaturated fatty acids from acetyl-CoA and malonyl-CoA were markedly down-regulated (35-60% decrease). CONCLUSIONS Macronutrients have a secondary role in changes in adipocyte gene expression after energy-restricted diets. The most striking alteration after energy restriction is a coordinated reduction in the expression of genes regulating the production of polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Effect of vitamin D insufficiency treatment on fertility outcomes in frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles: A randomized clinical trial

Background: Frozen- thawed embryo transfer is an essential part of ART treatment and outcomes of this procedure are associated with several clinical factors. Several studies have showed an increase level of IVF outcomes in women with sufficient vitamin D. Objective: whether treatment of vitamin D insufficiency can improve pregnancy rates in frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles. Materials and Methods: This is an interventional, randomized clinical trial. Serum 25-(OH) vitamin D level of 128 women who had undergone IVF/ICSI with cryopreservation of embryos was checked. One hundred fourteen infertile women with insufficient serum vitamin D (less than 30 ng/ml) were included in the study. Fifty seven women were treated with supplementary vitamin D, 50000 IU weekly, for 6-8 weeks and fifty seven women were received no supplementation. One hundred six women completed frozen thawed embryo transfer cycles and included in the final analysis. Primary and secondary outcomes were chemical and clinical pregnancy respectively. Results: Our study did not show any significant difference between vitamin D insufficient and treated women in term of chemical (29.40% vs. 29.10% respectively, p=1.00) or clinical (25.50% vs. 21.80% respectively, p=0.81) pregnancy rates. Conclusion: Vitamin D insufficiency treatment is not associated with higher pregnancy rate in frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles.
SHAO'S THEOREM ON THE MAXIMUM OF STANDARDIZED RANDOM WALK INCREMENTS FOR MULTIDIMENSIONAL ARRAYS

We generalize a theorem of Shao [Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 123 (1995) 575–582] on the almost-sure limiting behavior of the maximum of standardized random walk increments to multidimensional arrays of i.i. d. random variables. The main difficulty is the absence of an appropriate strong approximation result in the multidimensional setting. The multiscale statistic under consideration was used recently for the selection of the regularization parameter in a number of statistical algorithms as well as for the multiscale signal detection.
A new species of Meligethes (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae: Meligethinae) of the M. lugubris complex from Sardinia

A combined morphological and bionomical analysis was performed to clarify the position of a problematic species of the Meligethes lugubris group from Sardinia and Corsica (Coleoptera, Nitidulidae, Meligethinae). This species-group is represented by a dozen anthophagous species associated with Lamiaceae, and distributed from North Africa to Japan. The analysis was mainly focused on the specific distinction and formal description of a new species, M. foddaii Audisio, De Biase & Trizzino sp. nov., from Sardinia and Corsica. The species is morphologically scarcely distinguishable from the allopatric M. lugubris Sturm and M. gagathinus Erichson (both widespread in southern Europe). An identification key to Euro-Mediterranean members of the M. lugubris complex is provided. Combined morphological, ecological, phenological, and preliminary molecular data are presented to support the distinction of the new species. The palaeogeographical scenario explaining the likely Plio-Pleistocene differentiation of the three species, which are all associated with the related Lamiaceae genera Mentha and Thymus, is also briefly discussed.
Oral Bilateral Collagenous Fibroma: A previously unreported case and literature review

Collagenous fibroma, also known as desmoplastic fibroblastoma, is a rare benign slow growing tumor particularly uncommon in the oral cavity. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical and histopathological features of an oral collagenous fibroma as well as to compare this data with those reported in an English-literature review. The thirteenth case of collagenous fibroma in the oral cavity and the first to present clinically as a bilateral mass was described. A 48-years-old female patient was referred to a School of Dentistry, complaining about an asymptomatic swelling on the hard palate, lasting around ten years. The intraoral examination revealed two well-defined mass, bilaterally in the hard palate. An excisional biopsy was performed. Microscopically, the connective tissue consisted of dense collagen bundles in which were seen scarcely distributed spindle-shaped to stellate fibroblastic cells. Blood vessels were few, as well as inflammatory cells. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for vimentin, α-smooth muscle actin and factor XIIIa and negative for S-100, CD68, CD34, HHF35, desmin and AE1/AE3. The patient remains disease-free 24 months after excision. In conclusion, oral collagenous fibroma should be included in the differential diagnosis of bilateral sessile nodules in the oral cavity. Key words:Connective tissue, mouth diseases, mouth neoplasms, oral diagnosis, oral pathology.
On the Complexity of Economic Reality and the History of the use of Mathematics in Economics

The role of mathematics in modern economics has been a topic of periodic dispute, which took on a new life with accusations concerning the limitations of mathematical models after the global crash of 2008. This article adds a historical dimension by considering some key past debates over the use of mathematics, including important statements by Alfred Marshall and John Maynard Keynes. It is proposed that the complexities of economic systems and of human motivation do not themselves constitute arguments against the use of mathematics, but they should affect the kinds of mathematical approaches employed and the purposes to which it is oriented. Given this complexity, mathematics is less useful as a predictive tool and more useful for heuristic purposes. Economists should also pay attention to guiding metaphors and analogies that guide the uses of particular kinds of mathematics.
ASKING SENSITIVE QUESTIONS THE IMPACT OF DATA COLLECTION MODE, QUESTION FORMAT, AND QUESTION CONTEXT

This study compared three methods of collecting sur- vey data about sexual behaviors and other sensitive topics: com- puter-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI), computer-assisted self-administered interviewing (CASI), and audio computer- assisted self-administered interviewing (ACASI). Interviews were conducted with an area probability sample of more than 300 adults in Cook County, Illinois. The experiment also compared open and closed questions about the number of sex partners and varied the context in which the sex partner items were embed- ded. The three mode groups did not differ in response rates, but the mode of data collection did affect the level of reporting of sensitive behaviors: both forms of self-administration tended to reduce the disparity between men and women in the number of sex partners reported. Self-administration, especially via ACASI, also increased the proportion of respondents admitting that they had used illicit drugs. In addition, when the closed answer op- tions emphasized the low end of the distribution, fewer sex part- ners were reported than when the options emphasized the high end of the distribution; responses to the open-ended versions of the sex partner items generally fell between responses to the two closed versions.
Insulin-sensitizing effects of dietary resistant starch and effects on skeletal muscle and adipose tissue metabolism.

BACKGROUND Resistant starch may modulate insulin sensitivity, although the precise mechanism of this action is unknown. OBJECTIVE We studied the effects of resistant starch on insulin sensitivity and tissue metabolism. DESIGN We used a 4-wk supplementation period with 30 g resistant starch/d, compared with placebo, in 10 healthy subjects and assessed the results by using arteriovenous difference methods. RESULTS When assessed by euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp, insulin sensitivity was higher after resistant starch supplementation than after placebo treatment (9.7 and 8.5 x 10(-2) mg glucose x kg(-1) x min(-1) x (mU insulin/L)(-1), respectively; P = 0.03); insulin sensitivity during the meal tolerance test (MTT) was 33% higher (P = 0.05). Forearm muscle glucose clearance during the MTT was also higher after resistant starch supplementation (P = 0.03) despite lower insulin concentrations (P = 0.02); glucose clearance adjusted for insulin was 44% higher. Subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA; P = 0.02) and glycerol (P = 0.05) release were lower with resistant starch supplementation, although systemic NEFA concentrations were not significantly altered. Short-chain fatty acid concentrations (acetate and propionate) were higher during the MTT (P = 0.05 and 0.01, respectively), as was acetate uptake by adipose tissue (P = 0.03). Fasting plasma ghrelin concentrations were higher with resistant starch supplementation (2769 compared with 2062 pg/mL; P = 0.03), although postprandial suppression (40-44%) did not differ significantly. Measurements of gene expression in adipose tissue and muscle were uninformative, which suggests effects at a metabolic level. The resistant starch supplement was well tolerated. CONCLUSION These results suggest that dietary supplementation with resistant starch has the potential to improve insulin sensitivity. Further studies in insulin-resistant persons are needed.
Brain-Gut Interactions in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Bruno

Psycho-neuro-endocrine-immune modulation through the brain-gut axis likely has a key role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The brain-gut axis involves interactions between the neural components including; a) the autonomic nervous system, b) the central nervous system c) the stress system (hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis, HPA) and d) the (i.e. gastro-intestinal) corticotropin-releasing factor system and e) the intestinal response (including the intestinal barrier, the luminal microbiota and the intestinal immune response). Animal models suggest that the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway through an anti-TNF effect of the efferent vagus nerve could be a therapeutic target in IBD either through a pharmacological, nutritional or neurostimulating approach. In addition, the psychophysiological vulnerability of IBD patients, secondary to the potential presence of any of mood disorders, distress, increased perceived stress or maladaptive coping strategies underscores the psychological needs of IBD patients. Clinicians need to address these issues with patients since there is emerging evidence that stress or other negative psychological attributes may impact on disease course. Future research may include exploration of markers of brain-gut interactions, including serum/salivary cortisol (as a marker of the HPA axis), heart rate variability (as a marker of the sympatho-vagal balance) or brain imaging studies. The widespread use and potential impact of complementary and alternative medicine, and positive response to placebo (in clinical trials) is further evidence that exploring other psychointerventions may be important therapeutic adjuncts to the conventional therapeutic approach in IBD.
Risk factors for urinary tract infection in children with urinary urgency

ABSTRACT Purpose To identify which independent variable would be strong predictor of febrile urinary tract infection (UTI) in children and adolescents with overactive bladder. Materials and Methods A search was made of the institute's database for all patients diagnosed with overactive bladder over the preceding four years. Children and adolescents under 18 years of age with overactive bladder and no neurological or anatomical alterations of the lower urinary tract were included in the study. The independent variables were: sex, age, ethnicity (Brazilians of African descendence/others), the presence of urinary urgency, daytime incontinence, enuresis, frequent urination, infrequent voiding (≤3 voids/day), nocturia, holding maneuvers, straining to void, intermittent urinary flow, constipation and encopresis. An analysis was conducted to identify patients with febrile UTI and subsequently determine predictors of this condition. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results Overall, 326 patients (214 girls/112 boys) were evaluated. The mean age of the patients was 7.7±3.19 years (± standard deviation). The incidence of febrile UTI was 39.2%. Being female and infrequent voiding were factors significantly associated with febrile UTI, both in the univariate and multivariate analyses. Conclusions These results show that being female and infrequent voiding constituted significant risk factors for a diagnosis of febrile UTI in these children.
Measurement of drift mobility in AlGaN/GaN heterostructure field-effect transistor

Low-field mobilities for electrons in the channel of an Al0.15Ga0. 85N/GaN heterostructure field-effect transistor are derived from direct current transistor characteristics. The dependencies of mobility on gate bias, sheet carrier concentration, and temperature are obtained. For negative gate bias voltages, mobility is found to increase monotonically with increasing sheet carrier concentration, which we interpret as a consequence of increased screening of carrier scattering. For positive gate bias voltages, mobility is found to decrease with increasing gate bias due to the onset of parallel conduction in the AlGaN barrier layer. The mobility varies approximately as T−α with α≈1.6–1.8 for temperature ranging from 200 to 400 K, indicating that phonon scattering is dominant in the two-dimensional electron gas in this temperature range.
Oxidative phosphorylation gene transcription in whitefish species pairs reveals patterns of parallel and nonparallel physiological divergence

Across multiple lakes in North America, lake whitefish ( Coregonus clupeaformis) have independently evolved ‘dwarf’ and ‘normal’ sympatric species pairs that exhibit pronounced phenotypic and genetic divergence. In particular, traits associated with metabolism have been shown to be highly differentiated between whitefish species. Here, we examine the transcription of genes associated with the five mitochondrial and nuclear genome‐encoded oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) complexes, the primary physiological mechanism responsible for the production of ATP, in whitefish species pairs from Cliff Lake and Webster Lake in Maine, USA. We observed OXPHOS gene transcription divergence between dwarf and normal whitefish in each of the two lakes, with the former exhibiting transcription upregulation for genes associated with each of the OXPHOS complexes. We also observed a significant influence of lake on transcription levels for some of the genes, indicating that inter‐lake ecological or genetic differences are contributing to variation in OXPHOS gene transcription levels. Together, our results support the hypothesis that metabolic divergence is a critical adaptation involved in whitefish speciation and implicate OXPHOS gene upregulation as a factor involved in meeting the enhanced energetic demands of dwarf whitefish. Further studies are now needed to evaluate the contribution of genetically vs. plasticity driven variation in transcription associated with this critical physiological pathway.
Do Deaf Children Delay in Their Executive Functioning Due to Their Delayed Language Abilities

Language use during daily interactions plays a key role in executive functioning. Given that increasingly sophis- ticated language is required for effective executive functioning as an individual matures, it is likely that children with delayed language skills will have difficulties in performing tasks which are related to executive functioning. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between language ability and executive functioning in a group of deaf students who communicate using spoken Turkish, as measured by their performance on WSCT (Wisconsin Card Sorting Test). For that purpose, 82 children who are deaf were tested by means of their lan- guage skills and executive functioning abilities. Results show that, language skills have significant impact on the executive functioning of the children. Gender was found to be another factor affecting the executive functions. Results were discussed with the relevant literature.
Knowledge, practices, and attitudes of women toward breast cancer in Lebanon

Introduction Breast cancer is a major public health concern that affects both developed and developing countries. Its annual incidence is rising globally, accounting for 12% of all new cancer cases and 25% of all cancers in women as of 2012. Annually, around 1.7 million women worldwide are diagnosed with breast cancer. As such, breast cancer is responsible for the most frequent malignancy-causing deaths and cancer-related mortality and morbidity in women, an epidemiological profile mirrored in almost every country. However, in developing countries, where health literacy, access to care, and resources are all scarce, these numbers become particularly alarming. They contribute to major health disparities between the developed and developing world, especially in that most women in developing nations who develop breast cancer seek healthcare only when the cancer is at an advanced stage. Breast cancer incidence is projected to rise in developing countries due to continued lack of awareness and resources for screening for women. Conversely, in developed countries, research and awareness campaigns have emphasized the necessity and importance of breast cancer screening. Successful efforts have also taken religious and cultural considerations into account to ensure the effectiveness and appropriateness of the teaching language and methods used.3 One country epitomizing an environment in urgent need of promoting knowledge about breast cancer to women, and how to detect it early, is Lebanon. This nation has a rising incidence of breast cancer, a fact compounded by political turmoil, religious specificities, decreased access to healthcare, and lack of sustained public health awareness campaigns. In Lebanon, breast cancer accounts for 42% of all cancers in women, with a median age at diagnosis of 52.5 years. Lebanese data show that 1 in 5 cancers nationally is breast cancer but, even more significantly, breast cancer occurring in women aged younger than 40 years represents approximately 22% of the cases, while such scenarios represent about 6% of cases in Western populations. These findings further emphasize the disparity between developing and developed nations in this area, and the need for breast cancer screening efforts in Lebanon.