Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Speech segmentation and speaker diarisation for transcription and translation

This dissertation outlines work related to Speech Segmentation – segmenting an audio recording into regions of speech and non-speech, and Speaker Diarization – further segmenting those regions into those pertaining to homogeneous speakers. Knowing not only what was said but also who said it and when, has many useful applications. As well as providing a richer level of transcription for speech, we will show how such knowledge can improve Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) system performance and can also benefit downstream Natural Language Processing (NLP) tasks such as machine translation and punctuation restoration. While segmentation and diarization may appear to be relatively simple tasks to describe, in practise we find that they are very challenging and are, in general, illdefined problems. Therefore, we first provide a formalisation of each of the problems as the sub-division of speech within acoustic space and time. Here, we see that the task can become very difficult when we want to partition this domain into our target classes of speakers, whilst avoiding other classes that reside in the same space, such as phonemes. We present a theoretical framework for describing and discussing the tasks as well as introducing existing state-of-the-art methods and research. Current Speaker Diarization systems are notoriously sensitive to hyper-parameters and lack robustness across datasets. Therefore, we present a method which uses a series of oracle experiments to expose the limitations of current systems and to which system components these limitations can be attributed. We also demonstrate how Diarization Error Rate (DER), the dominant error metric in the literature, is not a comprehensive or reliable indicator of overall performance or of error propagation to subsequent downstream tasks. These results inform our subsequent research. We find that, as a precursor to Speaker Diarization, the task of Speech Segmentation is a crucial first step in the system chain. Current methods typically do not account for the inherent structure of spoken discourse. As such, we explored a novel method which exploits an utterance-duration prior in order to better model the segment distribution of speech. We show how this method improves not only segmentation, but also the performance of subsequent speech recognition, machine translation and speaker diarization systems. Typical ASR transcriptions do not include punctuation and the task of enriching transcriptions with this information is known as ‘punctuation restoration’. The benefit is not only improved readability but also better compatibility with NLP systems that expect sentence-like units such as in conventional machine translation. We show
Long Term Outcomes of Total Hip Replacement in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis

Background: Total hip replacement (THR) is a reliable therapeutic intervention for patients with severe hip involvement. The aim of our study was to determine the long term outcome and associated risk factors of THR in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was performed. Patients ≥ 18 years diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) according to modified NY criteria from the ESPAXIA (Estudio de Espondiloartritis Axial IREP Argentina) cohort were included. Demographic, clinical and data related to THR were recorded. Pain, patient global assessment (VAS), disease activity (BASDAI), functional capacity (BASFI), enthesitis (MASES), axial mobility (BASMI) and radiological damage (mSASSS) were assessed. Hips functional capacity was evaluated by the Merle d`Aubigné and Postel method and pelvis x rays were taken to determine: presence of periprosthesic osteolysis of the femoral and acetabular components, fracture, luxation and heterotopic ossification (HO). Results: 190 patients were evaluated and 25 (14,53%) underwent THR. 16 patients were included in the analysis. Nine (56,2%) had bilateral THR with a median time of THR`s evolution of 12,5 years (IQR 8.7-16.7). 25 prosthesis were evaluated. 3 (12%) prosthesis had surgery complications, 3 (12%) had revision surgery. Pain and functional capacity significantly improved after surgery (median VAS for pain previous to surgery was 10 cm (IQR 9.7-10) vs 0 cm (IQR 0-1.2) after surgery). Twenty twopelvis x-rays were taken, 15 prosthetis had heterotopic ossification, 15 femoral osteolysis, 11 acetabularosteolysis, 3 subluxation and 1 peri-prosthesis fracture. Younger age at disease onset was the main variable associated to THR in multivariate analysis [OR 0,91 (95% CI 0,85-0,97) p=0,001]. Conclusion: A substantial relief in pain and improvement of functional capacity were seen inASpatients who underwent THR. Younger age at disease onset was the only predictor associated to THR.
Tularemia with brain abscesses

We analyzed the frequency of cardiac embolic sources in 62 patients with acute lacunar stroke vs 50 controls. In post hoc analysis, 11 patients with lacunar stroke having neither hypertension nor diabetes mellitus (non-HDM group) had a higher frequency of right-to-left shunt (RLS) (82%) than patients with risk factors for lacunar stroke. RLS was also independently associated with the non-HDM group. Thus, RLS may contribute to lacunar stroke in patients without risk factors for lacunar stroke.
Serving persons with severe mental illness in primary care-based medical homes.

OBJECTIVE Primary care-based medical homes are rapidly disseminating through populations with chronic illnesses. Little is known about how these models affect the patterns of care for persons with severe mental illness who typically receive much of their care from mental health specialists. This study examined whether enrollment in a primary care medical home alters the patterns of care for Medicaid enrollees with severe mental illness. METHODS The authors conducted a retrospective secondary data analysis of medication adherence, outpatient and emergency department visits, and screening services used by adult Medicaid enrollees with diagnoses of schizophrenia (N=7,228), bipolar disorder (N=13,406), or major depression (N=45,000) as recorded in North Carolina Medicaid claims from 2004-2007. Participants not enrolled in a medical home (control group) were matched by propensity score to medical home participants on the basis of demographic characteristics and comorbidities. Those dually enrolled in Medicare were excluded. RESULTS Results indicate that medical home enrollees had greater use of both primary and specialty mental health care, better medication adherence, and reduced use of the emergency department. Better rates of preventive lipid and cancer screening were found only for persons with major depression. CONCLUSIONS Enrollment in a medical home was associated with substantial changes in patterns of care among persons with severe mental illness. These changes were associated with only a modest set of incentives, suggesting that medical homes can have large multiplier effects in primary care of persons with severe mental illness.
Silent cerebral infarction, income, and grade retention among students with sickle cell anemia

Children with sickle cell anemia have a higher‐than‐expected prevalence of poor educational attainment. We test two key hypotheses about educational attainment among students with sickle cell anemia, as measured by grade retention and use of special education services: (1) lower household per capita income is associated with lower educational attainment; (2) the presence of a silent cerebral infarct is associated with lower educational attainment. We conducted a multicenter, cross‐sectional study of cases from 22 U.S. sites included in the Silent Infarct Transfusion Trial. During screening, parents completed a questionnaire that included sociodemographic information and details of their child's academic status. Of 835 students, 670 were evaluable; 536 had data on all covariates and were used for analysis. The students' mean age was 9.4 years (range: 5–15) with 52.2% male; 17.5% of students were retained one grade level and 18.3% received special education services. A multiple variable logistic regression model identified that lower household per capita income (odds ratio [OR] of quartile 1 = 6.36, OR of quartile 2 = 4.7, OR of quartile 3 = 3.87; P = 0.001 for linear trend), age (OR = 1.3; P < 0.001), and male gender (OR, 2.2; P = 0.001) were associated with grade retention; silent cerebral infarct (P = 0.31) and painful episodes (P = 0.60) were not. Among students with sickle cell anemia, household per capita income is associated with grade retention, whereas the presence of a silent cerebral infarct is not. Future educational interventions will need to address both the medical and socioeconomic issues that affect students with sickle cell anemia. Am. J. Hematol. 89:E188–E192, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Can Agents Influence Property Perceptions Through Their Appearance and Use of Pathos?

This study takes 1594 potential homebuyers on a Web-based audio/visual tour of a typically priced home in their area. Using a voice-altering software as well as before and after extreme makeover photos, we are able to isolate the effect of real estate agent characteristics—attractiveness, gender, and pathos—on their ability to change the opinions of potential homebuyers. We find that attractive female agents who employ pathos are significantly able to alter the impression of the property in the minds of respondents. Furthermore, agents using pathos are not viewed as less trustworthy than agents not using pathos.
Levels of DNAJB family members (HSP40) correlate with disease onset in patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type 3

In polyglutamine disorders, the length of the expanded CAG repeat shows a strong inverse correlation with the age at disease onset, yet up to 50% of the variation in age of onset is determined by other additional factors. Here, we investigated whether variations in the expression of heat shock proteins (HSP) are related to differences in the age of onset in patients with spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA)3. Hereto, we analysed the protein expression levels of HSPA1A (HSP70), HSPA8 (HSC70), DNAJB (HSP40) and HSPB1 (HSP27) in fibroblasts from patients and healthy controls. HSPB1 levels were significantly upregulated in fibroblasts from patients with SCA3, but without relation to age of onset. Exclusively for expression of DNAJB family members, a correlation was found with the age of onset independent of the length of the CAG repeat expansion. This indicates that DNAJB members might be contributors to the variation in age of onset and underlines the possible use of DNAJB proteins as therapeutic targets.
Prosiding Seminar nasional Matematika dan Pendidikan Matematika

Teknik analisis statistika yang sering digunakan untuk menganalisis hubungan antar variabel dependent dan independent adalah analisis regresi, yang hasilnya dinyatakan dalam satu model persamaan. Tetapi apabila hubungan antar variabel itu melibatkan variabel endogen dan eksogen, dan tidak hanya membentuk satu model persamaan, melainkan beberapa persamaan yang saling terkait yang membentuk persamaan berstruktur, maka diperlukan analisis untuk model persamaan struktural (structural equation models). Permasalahan seperti ini banyak ditemukan dalam bidang penelitian ekonomi khususnya manajemen, dimana variabel-variabelnya tidak dapat diukur secara langsung atau yang disebut sebagai variabel laten. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk membentuk model struktural yang menyatakan hubungan kausal dari variabel bauran promosi sebagai variabel eksogen dan citra perusahaan serta kepuasan konsumen sebagai variabel intervening terhadap loyalitas pelanggan. Penelitian ini dilakukan terhadap 206 konsumen minyak pelumas mobil di Kota Palembang dengan teknik sampel area (area sampling design). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa hubungan kausal yang terbentuk adalah: (1) Bauran promosi berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap citra perusahaan, (2) Bauran promosi berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap kepuasan konsumen, tetapi citra perusahaan tidak berpengaruh secara signifikan terhadap kepuasan konsumen, dan (3) Bauran promosi, citra perusahaan, dan kepuasan konsumen berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap loyalitas pelanggan. Dalam hal ini citra perusahaan dan kepuasan konsumen merupakan variabel intervening bagi bauran promosi.
Regional cerebral blood flow during object naming and word reading

By several accounts, reading single words may be accomplished either by sequentially transcribing orthographic units into their corresponding sounds (an indirect route), or by directly associating a visual word form to the semantic or articulatory representation (a direct route). By contrast, the similar task of naming objects must rely only on a direct route, since objects cannot be “sounded out. ” To study the localization of cognitive processes specific to reading, we used positron emission tomography (PET) to measure regional cerebral blood flow while subjects named words and pictures of objects silently or aloud. Group averages of blood flow changes were obtained for experimental vs. control tasks. Object and word presentations elicited similar blood flow increases in extra‐striate visual cortices compared with a visual noise control. Silent reading invoked a neural network very similar to that seen when subjects named objects silently, consistent with a “direct” route. Naming objects aloud produced the addition of motor output regions to this network. By contrast, oral reading produced a markedly different pattern of activated regions, suggesting reliance on a separate phonological pathway. These results provide support for the dual coding hypothesis in reading and challenge the use of strict hierarchical models of cognitive operations in PET activation studies. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Role of Axial Length-Corneal Radius of Curvature Ratio in Refractive State Categorization in a Nigerian Population

The aim of this study was to investigate the association of axial length (AL)/corneal radius of curvature (CRC) ratio (AL/CRC) with spherical equivalent refractive state (SER) in young adults. A total of seventy (n = 70) subjects consisting of 31 males and 39 females participated in this study. Subjects were categorized into emmetropia, hyperopia and myopia using the spherical equivalent refraction. The axial length was measured with I-2100 A-Scan ultrasonography/Biometer (CIMA Technology, USA), the corneal radius of curvature with Bausch & Lomb H-135A (Bausch & Lomb Corp., USA), and the refractive state by static retinoscopy and subjective refraction. The mean AL, CRC and AL/CRC ratio of all subjects were 23.74 ± 0.70 mm, 7.84 ± 0.19 mm, and 3.03 ± 0.14, respectively. Myopes had significantly longer AL, steeper CRC and higher AL/CRC ratio than the emmetropes and hyperopes. There was statistically significant inverse correlation between AL and CRC (r = −0.53, P < 0.0001), SER (r = −0.64, P < 0.0001), and between SER and AL/CRC (r = −0.78, P < 0.0001). A significant positive correlation was found between CRC and SER (r = −0.69, P < 0.0001). The categorization of the refractive state of an individual is better done by using the AL/CRC ratio index.
Remaining consistent with method? An analysis of grounded theory research in accounting

Purpose - The paper revisits the intellectual roots of grounded theory and aims to analyze the consistency of the method used in grounded theory research in accounting. About 23 papers are identified and analysed. Design/methodology/approach - The paper is an analytical review of the research literature. It uses four fundamental canons of grounded theory to analyze accounting research. Findings - Some accounting researchers who have used the label “grounded theory” for their research have misunderstood or not applied the core canons of grounded theory established by Glaser and Strauss and developed with diversity in other disciplines. Most claim to follow the specific approach of Strauss and Corbin, but the published research shows limited explication of method. Originality/value - Since Parker and Roffey in 1997, there has been no analysis and re-evaluation of the burgeoning academic accounting literature using grounded theory. While celebrating the growth of this research, the paper does raise concerns about the lack of consistency of grounded theory research in accounting with the central canons of grounded theory, and it provides some directions for future grounded theory research by encouraging accounting researchers who wish to use grounded theory to engage more strongly in understanding the method and providing transparent explanations of their data collection and analysis methods.
Substrate-Driven Convergence of the Microbial Community in Lignocellulose-Amended Enrichments of Gut Microflora from the Canadian Beaver (Castor canadensis) and North American Moose (Alces americanus)

Strategic enrichment of microcosms derived from wood foragers can facilitate the discovery of key microbes that produce enzymes for the bioconversion of plant fiber (i.e., lignocellulose) into valuable chemicals and energy. In this study, lignocellulose-degrading microorganisms from the digestive systems of Canadian beaver (Castor canadensis) and North American moose (Alces americanus) were enriched under methanogenic conditions for over 3 years using various wood-derived substrates, including (i) cellulose (C), (ii) cellulose + lignosulphonate (CL), (iii) cellulose + tannic acid (CT), and (iv) poplar hydrolysate (PH). Substantial improvement in the conversion of amended organic substrates into biogas was observed in both beaver dropping and moose rumen enrichment cultures over the enrichment phases (up to 0.36–0.68 ml biogas/mg COD added), except for enrichments amended with tannic acid where conversion was approximately 0.15 ml biogas/mg COD added. Multiplex-pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA genes revealed systematic shifts in the population of Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Chlorobi, Spirochaetes, Chloroflexi, and Elusimicrobia in response to the enrichment. These shifts were predominantly substrate driven, not inoculum driven, as revealed by both UPGMA clustering pattern and OTU distribution. Additionally, the relative abundance of multiple OTUs from poorly defined taxonomic lineages increased from less than 1% to 25–50% in microcosms amended with lignocellulosic substrates, including OTUs from classes SJA-28, Endomicrobia, orders Bacteroidales, OPB54, and family Lachnospiraceae. This study provides the first direct comparison of shifts in microbial communities that occurred in different environmental samples in response to multiple relevant lignocellulosic carbon sources, and demonstrates the potential of enrichment to increase the abundance of key lignocellulolytic microorganisms and encoded activities.
Molecular cloning and biochemical characterization of Xaa-Pro dipeptidyl-peptidase from Streptococcus mutans and its inhibition by anti-human DPP IV drugs.

Streptococcus mutans harbours an intracellular, human DPP IV-analogous enzyme Xaa-Pro dipeptidyl-peptidase (EC 3.4.14.11). According to previous reports, an extracellular isozyme in S. gordonii and S. suis has been associated with virulence. Speculating that even an intracellular form may aid in virulence of S. mutans, we have tried to purify, characterize and evaluate enzyme inhibition by specific inhibitors. The native enzyme was partially purified by ion-exchange and gel filtration chromatography. Owing to low yield, the enzyme was overexpressed in Lactococcus lactis and purified by affinity chromatography. The recombinant enzyme (rSm-XPDAP) had a specific activity of 1070 U mg(-1), while the Vmax and Km were 7 μM min(-1) and 89 ± 7 μM (n = 3), respectively. The serine protease inhibitor phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride and a DPP IV-specific inhibitor diprotin A proved to be active against rSm-XPDAP. As a novel approach, the evaluation of the effect of anti-human DPP IV (AHD) drugs on rSm-XPDAP activity found saxagliptin to be effective to some extent (Ki = 129 ± 16 μM), which may lead to the synthesis and development of a new class of antimicrobial agents.
Fruit Quality, Fermentation Products, and Activities of Associated Enzymes During Elevated CO2 Treatment of Strawberry Fruit at High and Low Temperatures

The effects of postharvest treatments of air and 20 kPa CO2 (in air) at 2 or 20 °C on color, fi rmness, accumula- tions of acetaldehyde, ethanol, and ethyl acetate, activities of pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity, and expression of an ADH gene were studied in strawberry fruit (Fragaria ×ananassa Duch. cv. Jewel). CO2 treatment enhanced strawberry fruit fi rmness at 2 °C but not 20 °C, while the rate of color changes was affected by CO2 treatment at 20 °C but not at 2 °C. Temperature also affected the accumulation of acetaldehyde, ethanol and ethyl acetate in CO2-treated fruit. All three compounds accumulated in fruits at 2 °C. At 20 °C, ethanol accumulated slightly by day 6, although ethyl acetate accumulated in fruit from both atmospheres. PDC enzyme activity was higher in CO2-treated fruit than their air-treated control at 2 °C but not at 20 °C. ADH activity and ADH mRNA accumulation of the CO2-treated berries were higher than in air at 20 °C but not 2 °C. The results, overall, indicate that patterns of change among gene expression, enzyme activities, and fermentation product accumulation were not consistent. The postharvest tolerances of most commercially important fruit and vegetables to low O2 and elevated CO2, and the optimum atmosphere combinations to achieve maximum product storability, have been established. However, wide variations in tolerances to storage atmospheres exist within and among species, cultivars, organ types, and developmental stages, these variations being a function of both metabolic and physical factors (Beaudry, 2000; Watkins, 2000). When a harvested product is subjected to atmo- spheres outside safe limits at any temperature/time combination, certain physiological disorders may develop. Off-fl avor, usually associated with accumulation of the fermentation products, acet- aldehyde and ethanol, is often detected before visible damage and sometimes results in rejection of produce in the marketplace. Accumulation of acetaldehyde and ethanol is a major metabolic response of plant tissues to anoxia or severe hypoxia. When O2 is limited, electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation are inhibited (Kennedy et al., 1992), and fermentation then provides a mechanism for pyruvate oxidation. In the fermentation pathway, acetaldehyde is produced by pyruvate decarboxylation via pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC), and is then converted to ethanol by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). In plant systems, such as fruit, esters also are produced by esterifi cation of alcohols, e.g., ethyl acetate is