Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A maximum-likelihood approach to stochastic matching for robust speech recognition

Presents a maximum-likelihood (ML) stochastic matching approach to decrease the acoustic mismatch between a test utterance and a given set of speech models so as to reduce the recognition performance degradation caused by distortions in the test utterance and/or the model set. We assume that the speech signal is modeled by a set of subword hidden Markov models (HMM) /spl Lambda//sub x/. The mismatch between the observed test utterance Y and the models /spl Lambda//sub x/ can be reduced in two ways: 1) by an inverse distortion function F/sub /spl nu//(.) that maps Y into an utterance X that matches better with the models /spl Lambda//sub x/ and 2) by a model transformation function G/sub /spl eta//(.) that maps /spl Lambda//sub x/ to the transformed model /spl Lambda//sub x/ that matches better with the utterance Y. We assume the functional form of the transformations F/sub /spl nu//(.) or G/sub /spl eta//(.) and estimate the parameters /spl nu/ or /spl eta/ in a ML manner using the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm. The choice of the form of F/sub /spl nu//(.) or G/sub /spl eta//(.) is based on prior knowledge of the nature of the acoustic mismatch. The stochastic matching algorithm operates only on the given test utterance and the given set of speech models, and no additional training data is required for the estimation of the mismatch prior to actual testing. Experimental results are presented to study the properties of the proposed algorithm and to verify the efficacy of the approach in improving the performance of a HMM-based continuous speech recognition system in the presence of mismatch due to different transducers and transmission channels.
Use of the computer-retargeted group II intron RmInt1 of Sinorhizobium meliloti for gene targeting

Gene-targeting vectors derived from mobile group II introns capable of forming a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex containing excised intron lariat RNA and an intron-encoded protein (IEP) with reverse transcriptase (RT), maturase, and endonuclease (En) activities have been described. RmInt1 is an efficient mobile group II intron with an IEP lacking the En domain. We performed a comprehensive study of the rules governing RmInt1 target site recognition based on selection experiments with donor and recipient plasmid libraries, with randomization of the elements of the intron RNA involved in target recognition and the wild-type target site. The data obtained were used to develop a computer algorithm for identifying potential RmInt1 targets in any DNA sequence. Using this algorithm, we modified RmInt1 for the efficient recognition of DNA target sites at different locations in the Sinorhizobium meliloti chromosome. The retargeted RmInt1 integrated efficiently into the chromosome, regardless of the location of the target gene. Our results suggest that RmInt1 could be efficiently adapted for gene targeting.
Affibody Molecules for In vivo Characterization of HER2-Positive Tumors by Near-Infrared Imaging

Purpose: HER2 overexpression has been associated with a poor prognosis and resistance to therapy in breast cancer patients. We are developing molecular probes for in vivo quantitative imaging of HER2 receptors using near-infrared (NIR) optical imaging. The goal is to provide probes that will minimally interfere with the studied system, that is, whose binding does not interfere with the binding of the therapeutic agents and whose effect on the target cells is minimal. Experimental Design: We used three different types of HER2-specific Affibody molecules [monomer ZHER2:342, dimer (ZHER2:477)2, and albumin-binding domain-fused-(ZHER2:342)2] as targeting agents and labeled them with Alexa Fluor dyes. Trastuzumab was also conjugated, using commercially available kits, as a standard control. The resulting conjugates were characterized in vitro by toxicity assays, Biacore affinity measurements, flow cytometry, and confocal microscopy. Semiquantitative in vivo NIR optical imaging studies were carried out using mice with s.c. xenografts of HER2-positive tumors. Results: The HER2-specific Affibody molecules were not toxic to HER2-overexpressing cells and their binding to HER2 did interfere with neither binding nor effectives of trastuzumab. The binding affinities and specificities of the Affibody-Alexa Fluor fluorescent conjugates to HER2 were unchanged or minimally affected by the modifications. Pharmacokinetics and biodistribution studies showed the albumin-binding domain-fused-(ZHER2:342)2-Alexa Fluor 750 conjugate to be an optimal probe for optical imaging of HER2 in vivo. Conclusion: Our results suggest that Affibody-Alexa Fluor conjugates may be used as a specific NIR probe for the noninvasive semiquantitative imaging of HER2 expression in vivo.
Evaluation of a Long-Term, Physical Therapy Service-Learning Partnership in Ecuador: Inclusion of the Community Voice

Background and Purpose. International service learning (ISL) is an instructional method used by physical therapist educators to increase the global perspective of students. Research exploring student experiences with ISL is plentiful, but evaluation of service outcomes from the community partner perspective is lacking. e purposes of this work were to evaluate the impact of a long-term community partnership through: (1) identification of benefits, drawbacks, and suggestions for sustaining the partnership and (2) gathering feedback on the immediate and short-term perspective of training provided to orphanage staff. Method/Model Description and Evaluation. e model consisted of a curriculum-based ISL experience involving a US-based physical therapy program and a service site at an Ecuadorian orphanage. For the current work, an evaluation component was added to the model. ree complementary approaches: the SOFAR Model, Exchange theory, and the partnership qualities of closeness, equity, and integrity informed the evaluation. Data consisted of 6 interviews conducted and 17 surveys administered to Ecuadorian community partner staff/ administration. Data were analyzed using qualitative thematic content analysis, descriptive statistics, and paired t tests. Outcomes. Partnership benefits included: iterative pre-trip communication, a respectful and mutually beneficial relationship, capacity building through education, and physical therapy that positively affected the children’s quality of life. Drawbacks were the potential for host site dependency due to lack of local capacity, negative impact of new technology on staffworkload, and poor treatment carryover. Continued training was identified as critical for building capacity within orphanage staff. Discussion and Conclusion. As more US student teams deliver clinical services abroad, intentional evaluation approaches must include the community partner voice to maximize benefits, minimize burdens, build capacity, and addresses issues of vital importance to the service site.
Reexamining microRNA Site Accessibility in Drosophila: A Population Genomics Study

Kertesz et al. (Nature Genetics 2008) described PITA, a miRNA target prediction algorithm based on hybridization energy and site accessibility. In this note, we used a population genomics approach to reexamine their data and found that the PITA algorithm had lower specificity than methods based on evolutionary conservation at comparable levels of sensitivity. We also showed that deeply conserved miRNAs tend to have stronger hybridization energies to their targets than do other miRNAs. Although PITA had higher specificity in predicting targets than a naïve seed-match method, this signal was primarily due to the use of a single cutoff score for all miRNAs and to the observed correlation between conservation and hybridization energy. Overall, our results clarify the accuracy of different miRNA target prediction algorithms in Drosophila and the role of site accessibility in miRNA target prediction.
Primary Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma of the Stomach: Clinicopathological Characteristics and Prognostic Factors in Iranian Patients

Background Primary Gastric Lymphoma (PGL) is an uncommon malignancy with various histological subtypes and treatment outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential prognostic factors and clinicopathological characteristics of Iranian patients with PGL. Methods The clinicopathological characteristics of 60 patients with PGL were retrospectively reviewed from 2001 to 2012. The patients underwent various combinations of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. We evaluated multiple potential prognostic factors and their associations with patient survival rate. Results According to the results, Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) and Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT) were two predominant histological subtypes. The majority of cases were diagnosed with stage I tumor in the distal part of the stomach. The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 60% and 70%, respectively. It was revealed that poor World Health Organization (WHO) performance status, presence of B symptoms, and International Prognostic Index (IPI) score≥3 were significantly associated with decreased patient survival. Conclusion Most of the patients with PGL in early stage have a favorable prognosis.
Is Positive Sentiment in Corporate Annual Reports Informative? Evidence from Deep Learning

We use a novel text classification approach from deep learning to more accurately measure sentiment in a large sample of 10-Ks. In contrast to most prior literature, we find that positive and negative sentiments predict abnormal returns and abnormal trading volume around the 10-K filing date and future firm fundamentals and policies. Our results suggest that the qualitative information contained in corporate annual reports is richer than previously found. Both positive and negative sentiments are informative when measured accurately, but they do not have symmetric implications, suggesting that a net sentiment measure advocated by prior studies would be less informative. (JEL C81, D83, G10, G14, G30, M41) Received February 12, 2020; editorial decision January 5, 2021 by Editor Hui Chen
Land Suitability Analysis for Solar Farms Exploitation Using GIS and Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP)—A Case Study of Iran

Considering the geographical location and climatic conditions of Iran, solar energy can provide a considerable portion of the energy demand for the country. This study develops a two-step framework. In the first step, the map of unsuitable regions is extracted based on the defined constraints. In the next step, in order to identify the suitability of different regions, 11 defined criteria, including solar radiation, average annual temperatures, distance from power transmission lines, distance from major roads, distance from residential area, elevation, slope, land use, average annual cloudy days, average annual humidity and average annual dusty days, are identified. The relative weights of defined criteria and sub-criteria are also determined applying fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP) technique. Next, by overlaying these criteria layers, the final map of prioritization of different regions of Iran for exploiting solar photovoltaic (PV) plants is developed. Based on Iran’s political divisions, investigation and analysis of the results have been presented for a total of 1057 districts of the country, where each district stands in one of the five defined classes of excellent, good, fair, low, and poor level. The obtained data indicate that 14.7% (237,920 km2), 17.2% (278,270 km2), 19.2% (311,767 km2), 11.3% (183,057 km2), 1.8% (30,549 km2) and 35.8% (580,264 km2) of Iran’s area are positioned as excellent, good, fair, low, poor and unsuitable areas, respectively. Moreover, Kerman, Yazd, Fars, Sisitan and Baluchestan, Southern Khorasan and Isfahan are included in the regions as the most excellent suitable provinces for exploiting solar PV plants.
Bringing people (back) into risk analysis

Abstract This paper explores the different ways in which people (i.e. human factors) have been incorporated in extant studies of risk. A preliminary scan of the literature shows that people are not just passive maleficiaries of risk but are also active participants in its inception. People are actors whose biases and behaviors give rise to risk and make an impact on both the degree of its likelihood and the severity of its consequences. Because people themselves undertake risk analysis (either as experts and/or stakeholders), the risk analysis process itself is subject to biases and human error. Therefore, it is argued that human factors must be explicitly brought into risk conceptualization, analysis, and theory development in order to enrich and extend the frontiers of the field. Scholarly contributions by members of the Society for Risk Analysis Australia and New Zealand (SRA-ANZ) investigating the challenges and complexities of incorporating people in risk analysis are introduced in this issue.
Reconstruction of volume data with quadratic super splines

We propose a new approach to reconstruct nondiscrete models from gridded volume samples. As a model, we use quadratic trivariate super splines on a uniform tetrahedral partition. We discuss the smoothness and approximation properties of our model and compare to alternative piecewise polynomial constructions. We observe, as a nonstandard phenomenon, that the derivatives of our splines yield optimal approximation order for smooth data, while the theoretical error of the values is nearly optimal due to the averaging rules. Our approach enables efficient reconstruction and visualization of the data. As the piecewise polynomials are of the lowest possible total degree two, we can efficiently determine exact ray intersections with an isosurface for ray-casting. Moreover, the optimal approximation properties of the derivatives allow us to simply sample the necessary gradients directly from the polynomial pieces of the splines. Our results confirm the efficiency of the quasiinterpolating method and demonstrate high visual quality for rendered isosurfaces.
Homeostatic Model and Job-Organization Related Factors as Predictors of Subjective Wellbeing of Mizan-Tepi University Teachers

The aim of this study was to examine factors that affect the subjective wellbeing (SWB) of university teachers, at Mizan – Tepi University (MTU), Ethiopia. Accordingly, the study employed the homeostasis theory of SWB as a theoretical framework and tested two major hypotheses. First, it was hypothesized that the homeostatic model of SWB (extraversion, emotional stability, experiential input, perceived control, self-esteem and optimism) would significantly predict the SWB of teachers. The second hypothesis was that Job- and organization-related factors (job satisfaction and organizational culture), as additional aspects of experiential input, would contribute significant unique variance in SWB above homeostatic model predictors. A sample of 162 teachers participated in this study by responding to questionnaires that included measures of the abovementioned variables. Hierarchical linear regression was used to test the hypotheses. According to the results, the homeostatic model of SWB was a significant predictor of teachers’ SWB. In this case, perceived control and optimism made unique contributions while extraversion, emotional stability and self-esteem did not make unique contributions but shared variance with one another. Besides, Job- and organization-related factors were found to be significant predictors of teachers’ SWB. Both job satisfaction and organizational culture contributed significant unique variance above the homeostatic model predictors. Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that job- and organization- related factors join forces with homeostatic model factors in contributing to or affecting the SWB of teachers.
Functional dichotomy (symmetry – asymmetry) of physical development in men who are engaged in triathlon

Purpose : explore the dichotomy of the physical development of men who are engaged in triathlon and long-distance running on the highway. Material & Methods: under the conditions of the exercise test with a hip strength of 94 physically active men, the reaction of the cardio-respiratory system to physical activity was investigated. Body composition was determined using the bioelectric impedance method. For paired signs, the asymmetry coefficient was calculated. (C АS ). Results : largest groups of work at the level of maximum oxygen consumption were allocated groups assess the level of fitness of athletes. With an increase in the level of physical performance, individual indicators of the maximum response of the cardiorespiratory system to stress have a multidirectional tendency. The development of the muscles of the lower extremities is characterized by right-sided asymmetry for all groups of athletes. At the same time, the value of C АS increases with the increase in the level of physical performance from the 1st to the 4th group. In amateur with a high level of preparedness, a decrease in this coefficient is observed. Conclusion : most amateur athletes who practice triathlon or long-distance runner on the highway have an asymmetry in their lower limbs. The most pronounced asymmetry has athletes with a performance at the level of maximum oxygen consumption of 4,0–4,5 W∙kg –1 . In the first to fourth groups, an increase in the asymmetry of the lower extremities is observed, whereas in the group with high performance (4,6–5,5 W∙kg –1 ), the asymmetry decreases, which may be a necessary condition for achieving high results.
How does anxiety sensitivity increase risk of chronic medical conditions?

Correspondence Richard G. Heimberg, Adult Anxiety Clinic of Temple, Department of Psychology, Temple University, 1701 North 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122-6085. Email: heimberg@temple.edu Abstract Anxiety sensitivity (AS; fear of anxiety-related symptoms) is an established transdiagnostic risk factor for psychiatric disorders and is related to a variety of chronic medical conditions. However, AS has not been established as a risk factor for chronic medical conditions. In this study, we review studies on AS and chronic medical conditions (and symptoms/behaviors related to chronic medical conditions) and propose four pathways through which AS may increase risk of chronic medical conditions: (a) increasing fear of medical condition-specific symptoms, (b) perpetuating avoidance of healthy activities, (c) promoting engagement in unhealthy behaviors, and (d) increasing risk of detrimental pathophysiological and pathomechanical alterations. We also discuss the potential utility of using AS reduction interventions as a means of reducing risk of chronic medical conditions.
Early-Onset Thrombocytopenia in Small-For-Gestational-Age Neonates: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Thrombocytopenia is a common finding in small for gestational age (SGA) neonates and is thought to result from a unique pathophysiologic mechanism related to chronic intrauterine hypoxia. Our objective was to estimate the incidence and severity of early-onset thrombocytopenia in SGA neonates, and to identify risk factors for thrombocytopenia. We performed a retrospective cohort study of all consecutive SGA neonates admitted to our ward and a control group of appropriate for gestational age (AGA) neonates matched for gestational age at birth. Main outcome measures were incidence and severity of thrombocytopenia, hematological and clinical risk factors for thrombocytopenia, and bleeding. A total of 330 SGA and 330 AGA neonates were included, with a mean gestational age at birth of 32.9 ± 4 weeks. Thrombocytopenia (<150x109/L) was found in 53% (176/329) of SGA neonates and 20% (66/330) of AGA neonates (relative risk (RR) 2.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) [2.1, 3.4]). Severe thrombocytopenia (21-50x109/L) occurred in 25 neonates (8%) in the SGA and 2 neonates (1%) in the AGA group (RR 12.5, 95% CI [3.0, 52.5]). Platelet counts <20x109/L were not recorded. Within the SGA group, lower gestational age at birth (p = <0.01) and erythroblastosis (p<0.01) were independently associated with a decrease in platelet count. Platelet count was positively correlated with birth weight centiles. In conclusion, early-onset thrombocytopenia is present in over 50% of SGA neonates and occurs 2.7 times as often as in AGA neonates. Thrombocytopenia is seldom severe and is independently associated with lower gestational age at birth and erythroblastosis.
Neural network based intelligent local face recognition using local pattern averaging

This paper presents a brief review of known face recognition methods such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA) (Turk & Pentland, 1991), Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) (Belhumeur et al., 1997) and Locality Preserving Projections (LPP) (He et al., 2005), in addition to intelligent face recognition systems that use neural networks such as (Khashman, 2006) and (Khashman, 2007). There are many works emerging every year suggesting different methods for face recognition (Delac & Grgic, 2007); these methods are mostly appearance. This paper will also provide a detailed case study on intelligent local face recognition, where a neural network is used to identify a person upon presenting his/her face image. Local pattern averaging is used for face image preprocessing prior to training or testing the neural network. Averaging is a simple but efficient method that creates "fuzzy" patterns as compared to multiple "crisp" patterns, which provides the neural network with meaningful learning while reducing computational expense.
Effects of freeze-dried cranberry powder on serum lipids and inflammatory markers in lipopolysaccharide treated rats fed an atherogenic diet

This study investigated the effects of freeze-dried cranberry powder on anti-inflammation and lipid profiles of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated rats fed an atherogenic diet for 6 weeks. Forty Sprague-Dawley male rats (6-weeks-old) were equally divided into the following five groups: 1) normal diet group + saline (NC); 2) atherogenic diet + saline (HFC); 3) atherogenic diet + LPS (HL); 4) atherogenic diet with 5% cranberry power + LPS (C5); 5) atherogenic diet with 10% cranberry power + LPS (C10). LPS (0.5 mg/kg) was injected into the abdominal cavities of rats 18 hours prior to sacrifice. At the end of the experimental period, we measured serum lipid profiles as well as levels of serum C-reactive protein (CRP), nitric oxide (NO), and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 as an anti-inflammatory cytokine. The mean serum high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol level in C5 rats was significantly higher than that in NC and HL rats (P < 0.05). The mean serum levels of CRP and IL-1β were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the cranberry powder groups compared to those in HL rats. Additionally, mean serum IL-6 levels tended to be lower in the cranberry groups than that in the HL group, whereas serum IL-10 and NO showed 29% and 88% higher mean values in the C5 group and 49% and 24% higher in the C10 group than those in the HL group, respectively. These results suggest that freeze-dried cranberry powder may have beneficial effects on cardiovascular diseases by modifying serum lipids and the early inflammatory response.