Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Past review, current progress, and challenges ahead on the cocktail party problem

The cocktail party problem, i.e., tracing and recognizing the speech of a specific speaker when multiple speakers talk simultaneously, is one of the critical problems yet to be solved to enable the wide application of automatic speech recognition (ASR) systems. In this overview paper, we review the techniques proposed in the last two decades in attacking this problem. We focus our discussions on the speech separation problem given its central role in the cocktail party environment, and describe the conventional single-channel techniques such as computational auditory scene analysis (CASA), non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) and generative models, the conventional multi-channel techniques such as beamforming and multi-channel blind source separation, and the newly developed deep learning-based techniques, such as deep clustering (DPCL), the deep attractor network (DANet), and permutation invariant training (PIT). We also present techniques developed to improve ASR accuracy and speaker identification in the cocktail party environment. We argue effectively exploiting information in the microphone array, the acoustic training set, and the language itself using a more powerful model. Better optimization objective and techniques will be the approach to solving the cocktail party problem.
The pathophysiology of arterial vasodilatation and hyperdynamic circulation in cirrhosis

Patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension often develop complications from a variety of organ systems leading to a multiple organ failure. The combination of liver failure and portal hypertension results in a hyperdynamic circulatory state partly owing to simultaneous splanchnic and peripheral arterial vasodilatation. Increases in circulatory vasodilators are believed to be due to portosystemic shunting and bacterial translocation leading to redistribution of the blood volume with central hypovolemia. Portal hypertension per se and increased splanchnic blood flow are mainly responsible for the development and perpetuation of the hyperdynamic circulation and the associated changes in cardiovascular function with development of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy, autonomic dysfunction and renal dysfunction as part of a cardiorenal syndrome. Several of the cardiovascular changes are reversible after liver transplantation and point to the pathophysiological significance of portal hypertension. In this paper, we aimed to review current knowledge on the pathophysiology of arterial vasodilatation and the hyperdynamic circulation in cirrhosis.
Financial barriers to health care and outcomes after acute myocardial infarction.

CONTEXT The prevalence and consequences of financial barriers to health care services and medications are not well documented for patients with an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). OBJECTIVE To measure the baseline prevalence of self-reported financial barriers to health care services or medication (as defined by avoidance due to cost) among individuals following AMI and their association with subsequent health care outcomes. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS The Prospective Registry Evaluating Myocardial Infarction: Event and Recovery (PREMIER), an observational, multicenter US study of patients with AMI over 12 months in 2498 individuals enrolled from January 2003 through June 2004. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Health status symptoms (Seattle Angina Questionnaire [SAQ]), overall health status function (Short Form-12), and rehospitalization. RESULTS The prevalence of self-reported financial barriers to health care services or medication was 18.1% and 12.9%, respectively. Among individuals who reported financial barriers to health care services or medication, 68.9% and 68.5%, respectively, were insured. At 1-year follow-up, individuals with financial barriers to health care services were more likely to have lower SAQ quality-of-life score (77.9 vs 86.2; adjusted mean difference= -4.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], -6.3 to -1.8), and increased rates of all-cause rehospitalization (49.3% vs 38.1%; adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1-1.5) and cardiac rehospitalization (25.7% vs 17.7%; adjusted HR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.0-1.6). At 1-year follow-up, individuals with financial barriers to medication were more likely to have angina (34.9% vs 17.9%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.1-2.2), lower SAQ quality-of-life score (74.0 vs 86.1; adjusted mean difference = -7.6; 95% CI, -10.2 to -4.9), and increased rates of all-cause rehospitalization (57.0% vs 37.8%; risk-adjusted HR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.2-1.8) and cardiac rehospitalization (33.7% vs 17.3%; adjusted HR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.3-2.2). CONCLUSION Financial barriers to health care services and medications are associated with worse recovery after AMI, manifested as more angina, poorer quality of life, and higher risk of rehospitalization.
Effect of Phosphorus Levels through Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) Packages on Nutrient Content in Various Parts of the Crop

Groundnut is also known as peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) belongs to family of Fabaceae, it is considered as one of the most important oil seed crop and dominant annual crop widely cultivated in India (Rathore and Kamble, 2008). India ranks second in the world in groundnut production with a total sowing area during kharif season have been estimated to be 136,000 hectares in 2015-16. In India, Gujarat has the largest groundnutproducing state followed by Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Groundnut being an important oilseed crop of the Karnataka, growing in an area of 7.25 Lakh hectares with the production of 6.58 Lakhs tonnes and productivity of 908 kg ha -1 during 2013-14. The major groundnut growing districts in Karnataka are Chitradurga, Dharwad, Belgaum, Bijapur, Raichur, Bellary and Bidar (Anon., 2015).
Portal Vein Thrombosis in Patients With Cirrhosis Undergoing Elective Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt: Risk Factors, Warfarin Efficacy, and Clinical Outcomes

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a common complication in cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to determine risk factors for PVT, assess the efficacy of anticoagulant therapy, and evaluate the effects of PVT on patients with cirrhosis undergoing elective transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPSS). A total of 101 patients with cirrhosis undergoing elective TIPSS were prospectively studied. After TIPSS, all patients received preventive therapy for PVT and were followed up at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. Clinical outcomes were compared between patients who developed PVT after TIPSS and those who did not. Multivariate analysis showed that white blood cell count (relative risk [RR]: 0.377; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.132-0.579; P = .001), Child-Turcotte-Pugh score (RR: 1.547; 95% CI: 1.029-2.365; P = .032), and ascites (RR: 1.264; 95% CI: 1.019-1.742; P = .040) were independent predictors for PVT. Warfarin treatment within 12 months achieved significantly higher rates of complete recanalization than aspirin or clopidogrel in patients with PVT (54.5% vs 31.3%; P = .013), although adverse events were similar between the 2 groups (P > .05). Patients without PVT had significantly lower 2-year cumulative rates of variceal rebleeding (15.9% vs 36.6%; P = .023), shunt dysfunction (27.0% vs 46.8%; P = .039), hepatic encephalopathy (24.1% vs 42.6%; P = .045), and hepatocellular carcinoma (11.4% vs 31.2%; P = .024) and markedly higher 2-year cumulative survival rates (89.8% vs 72.9%; P = .041) than those with PVT. The PVT is associated with poorer clinical outcomes in TIPSS-treated patients, and warfarin is both safe and more effective in recanalizing PVT than aspirin or clopidogrel.
Endoscopic DCR using bipedicled interlacing mucosal flaps

Obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct is a relatively common condition that affects patients of all ages, races, and sexes. The surgical gold standard for complete nasolacrimal duct obstruction and dacryocystitis is dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). The purpose of this study was to describe a novel, bipedicled interlacing mucosal sparing flap technique for endoscopic DCR (eDCR).
Assessment of serum bile acid profiles as biomarkers of liver injury and liver disease in humans

To assess the potential of individual bile acids (IBA) and their profiles as mechanistic biomarkers of liver injury for humans in real world situations, we interrogated samples collected under minimum controlled conditions (ie subjects were not fasted). Total bile acids (TBA) have been considered to be biomarkers of liver injury for decades, and more recently, monitoring of IBA has been proposed for differentiation of variety of etiologies of liver injury. We established a LC-MS/MS methodology to analyze nine IBA, generated reference ranges, and examined effects of age, gender, and ethnicity for each IBA. Furthermore, we evaluated the ability of IBA and their profiles to detect hepatic injury in subjects with a broad range of liver impairments. To date, our study utilized the largest total cohort of samples (N = 645) that were divided into 2 groups, healthy or liver impaired, to evaluate IBA as biomarkers. The TBA serum levels in the Asian ethnic group trended higher when compared to other ethnic groups, and the serum concentrations of IBA, such as glycocholic acid (GCA), glycochenodeoxycholic acid (GCDCA), chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), and taurochenoxycholic acid (TCDCA) were significantly increased. To our knowledge, this report is the first to describe ethnic differences in serum concentrations of IBAs. In patients with hepatic impairments, with the exception of deoxycholic acid (DCA), the concentrations of IBAs were significantly elevated when compared with healthy subjects. The conjugated bile acids displayed greater differences between healthy subjects and subjects with hepatic impairments than non-conjugated bile acids. Furthermore, the subjects with hepatic impairments exhibited distinct profiles (signatures) of IBAs that clustered subjects according the nature of their liver impairments. Although additional studies are needed, our data suggested that the analysis of IBA has the potential to become useful for differentiation of various forms of liver injury.
Species-specific differences in the fine structure of learning walk elements in Cataglyphis ants

ABSTRACT Cataglyphis desert ants are famous navigators. Like all central place foragers, they are confronted with the challenge to return home, i.e. relocate an inconspicuous nest entrance in the ground, after their extensive foraging trips. When leaving the underground nest for the first time, desert ants perform a striking behavior, so-called learning walks that are well structured. However, it is still unclear how the ants initially acquire the information needed for sky- and landmark-based navigation, in particular how they calibrate their compass system at the beginning of their foraging careers. Using high-speed video analyses, we show that different Cataglyphis species include different types of characteristic turns in their learning walks. Pirouettes are full or partial rotations (tight turns about the vertical body axis) during which the ants frequently stop and gaze back in the direction of the nest entrance during the longest stopping phases. In contrast, voltes are small walked circles without directed stopping phases. Interestingly, only Cataglyphis ant species living in a cluttered, and therefore visually rich, environment (i.e. C. noda and C. aenescens in southern Greece) perform both voltes and pirouettes. They look back to the nest entrance during pirouettes, most probably to take snapshots of the surroundings. In contrast, C. fortis inhabiting featureless saltpans in Tunisia perform only voltes and do not stop during these turns to gaze back at the nest – even if a set of artificial landmarks surrounds the nest entrance. Summary: Different Cataglyphis desert ant species include distinct types of turn, namely voltes and pirouettes, in their learning walks that may serve different navigational purposes.
Ways of Seeing

Therapeutic interventions for SEBD are often concerned with attempts to help individuals adjust their ways of seeing themselves and/or the world in which they live. Dysfunctional ways of interpreting the social environment, and other aspects of everyday life, can shape thoughts and feelings in ways that lock the individual into a downward spiral of negativity. In these circumstances, behavioural choices can become limited by a sense of hopelessness and an increasing acceptance of the impossibility of positive change. Psychological interventions, such as psychotherapy, counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy, are often used as a means of halting this spiral and leading the individual to develop ways of thinking that enable positive behavioural change. In this issue of Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties, the role of perceptions in generating and alleviating SEBDs is approached from a different angle. A common thread through the articles is a concern with the ways in which professionals’ knowledge and perceptions can influence understanding, intervention and outcomes for people experiencing SEBDs. In one of this issue’s four empirically-based papers, Sandra CooleyNichols (USA) deals with the debated issue of research-based theoretical training in SEBD for trainee teachers. The pre-service teachers in this study appear to have benefited from the training in a number of ways, illustrated in their self-reported experiences of implementing the training in their work in schools. The data presented also suggest that the students experienced a sense of increased confidence as a result of this knowledge base. These findings may give us pause for thought in relation to the increasing use of untrained or minimally trained adults in classrooms in some parts of the world. Following on from the paper by Cooley-Nichols, Efthymios Kakouros et al. (Greece) conclude their paper with recommendations for teacher training. They describe a study that they use to support the argument that teachers’ attitudes to AD/HD are strongly influenced by culturally-based values and attitudes. In this study, they reveal the different ways in which 
Assessment of the quality of primary care for the elderly according to the Chronic Care Model

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate the quality of care provided to older people with diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension in the Primary Health Care (PHC) according to the Chronic Care Model (CCM) and identify associations with care outcomes. Method: cross-sectional study involving 105 older people with diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension. The Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC) questionnaire was used to evaluate the quality of care. The total score was compared with care outcomes that included biochemical parameters, body mass index, pressure levels and quality of life. Data analysis was based on descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression. Results: there was a predominance of females and a median age of 72 years. The median PACIC score was 1.55 (IQ 1.30-2.20). Among the PACIC dimensions, the “delivery system design/decision support” was the one that presented the best result. There was no statistical difference between the medians of the overall PACIC score and individual care outcomes. However, when the quality of life and health satisfaction were simultaneously evaluated, a statistical difference between the medians was observed. Conclusion: the low PACIC scores found indicate that chronic care according to the CCM in the PHC seems still to fall short of its assumptions.
Assessment of phototoxicity, skin irritation, and sensitization potential of polystyrene and TiO2 nanoparticles

The human skin equivalent model (HSEM) is well known as an attractive alternative model for evaluation of dermal toxicity. However, only limited data are available on the usefulness of an HSEM for nanotoxicity testing. This study was designed to investigate cutaneous toxicity of polystyrene and TiO2 nanoparticles using cultured keratinocytes, an HSEM, and an animal model. In addition, we also evaluated the skin sensitization potential of nanoparticles using a local lymph node assay with incorporation of BrdU. Findings from the present study indicate that polystyrene and TiO2 nanoparticles do not induce phototoxicity, acute cutaneous irritation, or skin sensitization. Results from evaluation of the HSEMs correspond well with those from animal models. Our findings suggest that the HSEM might be a useful alternative model for evaluation of dermal nanotoxicity.
Silencing of the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (MAPK) Fus3 and Slt2 in Pseudocercospora fijiensis Reduces Growth and Virulence on Host Plants

Pseudocercospora fijiensis, causal agent of the black Sigatoka disease (BSD) of Musa spp. , has spread globally since its discovery in Fiji 1963 to all the banana and plantain growing areas across the globe. It is becoming the most damaging and economically important disease of this crop. The identification and characterization of genes that regulate infection processes and pathogenicity in P. fijiensis will provide important knowledge for the development of disease-resistant cultivars. In many fungal plant pathogens, the Fus3 and Slt2 are reported to be essential for pathogenicity. Fus3 regulates filamentous-invasion pathways including the formation of infection structures, sporulation, virulence, and invasive and filamentous growth, whereas Slt2 is involved in the cell-wall integrity pathway, virulence, invasive growth, and colonization in host tissues. Here, we used RNAi-mediated gene silencing to investigate the role of the Slt2 and Fus3 homologs in P. fijiensis in pathogen invasiveness, growth and pathogenicity. The PfSlt2 and PfFus3 silenced P. fijiensis transformants showed significantly lower gene expression and reduced virulence, invasive growth, and lower biomass in infected leaf tissues of East African Highland Banana (EAHB). This study suggests that Slt2 and Fus3 MAPK signaling pathways play important roles in plant infection and pathogenic growth of fungal pathogens. The silencing of these vital fungal genes through host-induced gene silencing (HIG) could be an alternative strategy for developing transgenic banana and plantain resistant to BSD.
Model choice: A minimum posterior predictive loss approach

SUMMARY Model choice is a fundamental and much discussed activity in the analysis of datasets. Nonnested hierarchical models introducing random effects may not be handled by classical methods. Bayesian approaches using predictive distributions can be used though the formal solution, which includes Bayes factors as a special case, can be criticised. We propose a predictive criterion where the goal is good prediction of a replicate of the observed data but tempered by fidelity to the observed values. We obtain this criterion by minimising posterior loss for a given model and then, for models under consideration, selecting the one which minimises this criterion. For a broad range of losses, the criterion emerges as a form partitioned into a goodness-of-fit term and a penalty term. We illustrate its performance with an application to a large dataset involving residential property transactions.
Attachment of Salmonella on cantaloupe and effect of electron beam irradiation on quality and safety of sliced cantaloupe

Attachment of Salmonella on Cantaloupe and Effect of Electron Beam Irradiation on Quality and Safety of Sliced Cantaloupe. (December 2004) Mangesh Prafull Palekar, B.S., University of Mumbai (India); M.S., University of Mumbai Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Alejandro Castillo Increase in consumption of fresh produce over the past decade has resulted in a rise in incidents of foodborne outbreaks due to pathogens. Chemical sanitizers have been extensively used in the industry for decontamination of fresh produce. However, they are ineffective in certain commodities and under certain processing conditions, necessitating the evaluation of alternative technologies. Electron beam irradiated sliced cantaloupe were tested for 21 days of storage for total aerobic bacterial counts, texture, color and sensory parameters as a function of irradiation doses 0, 0.7 and 1.4 kGy and the wash treatments, water and 200 mg/L chlorine applied to the melons before cutting. Melons washed only with water prior to cutting had total aerobic bacterial counts of 4.0, 2.0 and 0.8 log cfu/g on day 0 at irradiation doses of 0, 0.7 and 1.4 kGy respectively. On day 0, melons washed with chlorine prior to cutting had total aerobic bacterial counts of 2.7, and 0.7 log cfu/g at irradiation doses of 0 and 0.7 kGy and below detection limit at 1.4 kGy. Texture measured as compression force was lower only for cantaloupe irradiated at 1.4 kGy. Irradiation did not affect objective color and descriptive attribute flavor and texture sensory attributes of cantaloupe. Irradiation reduced Salmonella Poona by 1.1 log
Illness management and recovery in community practice.

OBJECTIVE To examine provider competence in providing Illness Management and Recovery (IMR), an evidence-based self-management program for people with severe mental illness, and the association between implementation supports and IMR competence. METHOD IMR session recordings, provided by 43 providers/provider pairs, were analyzed for IMR competence using the IMR Treatment Integrity Scale. Providers also reported on receipt of commonly available implementation supports (e.g., training, consultation). RESULTS Average IMR competence scores were in the "needs improvement" range. Clinicians demonstrated low competence in several IMR elements: significant other involvement, weekly action planning, action plan follow-up, cognitive-behavioral techniques, and behavioral tailoring for medication management. These elements were commonly absent from IMR sessions. Competence in motivational enhancement strategies and cognitive-behavioral techniques differed based on the module topic covered in a session. Generally, receipt of implementation supports was not associated with increased competence; however, motivational interviewing training was associated with increased competence in action planning and review. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE IMR, as implemented in the community, may lack adequate competence and commonly available implementation supports do not appear to be adequate. Additional implementation supports that target clinician growth areas are needed. (PsycINFO Database Record
A threonyl-tRNA synthetase-like protein has tRNA aminoacylation and editing activities

Abstract TARS and TARS2 encode cytoplasmic and mitochondrial threonyl-tRNA synthetases (ThrRSs) in mammals, respectively. Interestingly, in higher eukaryotes, a third gene, TARSL2, encodes a ThrRS-like protein (ThrRS-L), which is highly homologous to cytoplasmic ThrRS but with a different N-terminal extension (N-extension). Whether ThrRS-L has canonical functions is unknown. In this work, we studied the organ expression pattern, cellular localization, canonical aminoacylation and editing activities of mouse ThrRS-L (mThrRS-L). Tarsl2 is ubiquitously but unevenly expressed in mouse tissues. Different from mouse cytoplasmic ThrRS (mThrRS), mThrRS-L is located in both the cytoplasm and nucleus; the nuclear distribution is mediated via a nuclear localization sequence at its C-terminus. Native mThrRS-L enriched from HEK293T cells was active in aminoacylation and editing. To investigate the in vitro catalytic properties of mThrRS-L accurately, we replaced the N-extension of mThrRS-L with that of mThrRS. The chimeric protein (mThrRS-L-NT) has amino acid activation, aminoacylation and editing activities. We compared the activities and cross-species tRNA recognition between mThrRS-L-NT and mThrRS. Despite having a similar aminoacylation activity, mThrRS-L-NT and mThrRS exhibit differences in tRNA recognition and editing capacity. Our results provided the first analysis of the aminoacylation and editing activities of ThrRS-L, and improved our understanding of Tarsl2.