Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Distance Measures Between Gaussian Mixture Models of MFCCs

In music similarity and in the related task of genre classification, a distance measure between Gaussian mixture models is frequently needed. We present a comparison of the Kullback-Leibler distance, the earth movers distance and the normalized L2 distance for this application. Although the normalized L2 distance was slightly inferior to the Kullback-Leibler distance with respect to classification performance, it has the advantage of obeying the triangle inequality, which allows for efficient searching.
Development of a Lean Duplex Stainless Steel

The classic series of duplex stainless steels shows very high corrosion resistance and can be used for very demanding applications. A new lean duplex steel, LDX 2101® (EN 1.4162, UNS S32101), has been developed with corrosion resistance on a par with standard austenitic grades. Application areas include: structural components, chemical industry, tanks and containers. The steel was designed to have equal amounts of ferrite and austenite in annealed condition and with an austenite that is stable against strain‐induced martensite. Thanks to its high nitrogen content, the steel has a fast austenite reformation when subjected to thermal cycling, e.g. welding. Unlike conventional duplex grades, the formation of intermetallic phase is very sluggish, although precipitation of nitrides and carbides has a certain impact on material properties after exposure in the temperature range 600 to 800°C. The precipitation behaviour after different isothermal treatments is described and its influence on different product properties is shown. A good agreement was found between impact toughness and corrosion resistance for a wide range of thermal treatments.
In-vivo biological activity and glycosylation analysis of a biosimilar recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone product (Bemfola) compared with its reference medicinal product (GONAL-f)

Recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (r-hFSH) is widely used in fertility treatment. Although biosimilar versions of r-hFSH (follitropin alfa) are currently on the market, given their structural complexity and manufacturing process, it is important to thoroughly evaluate them in comparison with the reference product. This evaluation should focus on how they differ (e.g., active component molecular characteristics, impurities and potency), as this could be associated with clinical outcome. This study compared the site-specific glycosylation profile and batch-to-batch variability of the in-vivo bioactivity of Bemfola, a biosimilar follitropin alfa, with its reference medicinal product GONAL-f. The focus of this analysis was the site-specific glycosylation at asparagine (Asn) 52 of the α-subunit of FSH, owing to the pivotal role of Asn52 glycosylation in FSH receptor (FSHR) activation/signalling. Overall, Bemfola had bulkier glycan structures and greater sialylation than GONAL-f. The nominal specific activity for both Bemfola and GONAL-f is 13,636 IU/mg. Taking into account both the determined potency and the nominal amount the average specific activity of Bemfola was 14,522 IU/mg (105.6% of the nominal value), which was greater than the average specific activity observed for GONAL-f (13,159 IU/mg; 97.3% of the nominal value; p = 0.0048), although this was within the range stated in the product label. A higher batch-to-batch variability was also observed for Bemfola versus GONAL-f (coefficient of variation: 8.3% vs 5.8%). A different glycan profile was observed at Asn52 in Bemfola compared with GONAL-f (a lower proportion of bi-antennary structures [~53% vs ~77%], and a higher proportion of tri-antennary [~41% vs ~23%] and tetra-antennary structures [~5% vs <1%]). These differences in the Asn52 glycan profile might potentially lead to differences in FSHR activation. This, together with the greater bioactivity and higher batch-to-batch variability of Bemfola, could partly explain the reported differences in clinical outcomes. The clinical relevance of the differences observed between GONAL-f and Bemfola should be further investigated.
Mistrafficking of prenylated proteins causes retinitis pigmentosa 2

The retinitis pigmentosa 2 polypeptide (RP2) functions as a GTPase‐activating protein (GAP) for ARL3 (Arf‐like protein 3), a small GTPase. ARL3 is an effector of phosphodiesterase ± Δ (PDE6D), a prenylbinding protein and chaperone of prenylated protein in photoreceptors. Mutations in the human RP2 gene cause X‐linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP) and cone‐rod dystrophy (XL‐CORD). To study mechanisms causing XLRP, we generated an RP2 knockout mouse. The Rp2h–/– mice exhibited a slowly progressing rod‐cone dystrophy simulating the human disease. Rp2h–/– scotopic a‐wave and photopic b‐wave amplitudes declined at 1 mo of age and continued to decline over the next 6 mo. Prenylated PDE6 subunits and G‐protein coupled receptor kinase 1 (GRK1) were unable to traffic effectively to the Rp2h–/– outer segments. Mechanistically, absence of RP2 GAP activity increases ARL3‐GTP levels, forcing PDE6D to assume a predominantly “closed” conformation that impedes binding of lipids. Lack of interaction disrupts trafficking of PDE6 and GRK1 to their destination, the photoreceptor outer segments. We propose that hyperactivity of ARL3‐GTP in RP2 knockout mice and human patients with RP2 null alleles leads to XLRP resembling recessive rod‐cone dystrophy. —Zhang, H. , Hanke‐Gogokhia, C. , Jiang, L. , Li, X. , Wang, P., Gerstner, C. D. , Frederick, J. M. , Yang, Z. , Baehr, W. , Mistrafficking of prenylated proteins causes retinitis pigmentosa 2. FASEB J. 29, 932–942 (2015). www.fasebj. org
Polymerization Dynamics of the Prophage-Encoded Actin-Like Protein AlpC Is Influenced by the DNA-Binding Adapter AlpA

The Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 13032 prophage CGP3 encodes an actin-like protein, AlpC that was shown to be involved in viral DNA transport and efficient viral DNA replication. AlpC binds to an adapter, AlpA that in turn binds to specific DNA sequences, termed alpS sites. Thus, the AlpAC system is similar to the known plasmid segregation system ParMRS. So far it is unclear how the AlpACS system mediates DNA transport and, whether AlpA and AlpC functionally interact. We show here that AlpA modulates AlpC filamentation dynamics in a dual way. Unbound AlpA stimulates AlpC filament disassembly, while AlpA bound to alpS sites allows for AlpC filament formation. Based on these results we propose a simple search and capture model that explains DNA segregation by viral AlpACS DNA segregation system.
A Discrete Subpopulation of Dendritic Cells Transports Apoptotic Intestinal Epithelial Cells to T Cell Areas of Mesenteric Lymph Nodes

This study identifies a dendritic cell (DC) subset that constitutively transports apoptotic intestinal epithelial cell remnants to T cell areas of mesenteric lymph nodes in vivo. Rat intestinal lymph contains two DC populations. Both populations have typical DC morphology, are major histocompatibility complex class IIhi, and express OX62, CD11c, and B7. CD4+/OX41+ DCs are strong antigen-presenting cells (APCs). CD4−/OX41− DCs are weak APCs and contain cytoplasmic apoptotic DNA, epithelial cell–restricted cytokeratins, and nonspecific esterase (NSE)+ inclusions, not seen in OX41+ DCs. Identical patterns of NSE electrophoretic variants exist in CD4−/OX41− DCs, intestinal epithelial cells, and mesenteric node DCs but not in other DC populations, macrophages, or tissues. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling (TUNEL)-positive DCs and strongly NSE+ DCs are present in intestinal lamina propria. Peyer's patches and mesenteric but not other lymph nodes contain many strongly NSE+ DCs in interfollicular and T cell areas. Similar DCs are seen in the ileum and in T cell areas of mesenteric nodes in gnotobiotic rats. These results show that a distinct DC subset constitutively endocytoses and transports apoptotic cells to T cell areas and suggest a role for these DCs in inducing and maintaining peripheral self-tolerance.
How Can Steering Committees Manage Change Through Dynamic Capabilities to Increase System Satisfaction?

Enterprise-wide system implementations require organizations to think differently about how they approach project-based IT governance. Companies typically use executive steering committees to govern IT projects; yet, problems with user satisfaction linger. While scholars and practitioners have some understanding of what make steering committees successful, we do not fully understand what capability levers are available. This study contributes to the limited research on how project-based IT governance can manage change to achieve higher satisfaction with system usage. We find that steering committees can be more effective by stacking business IS capability with powerful antecedents of innovative culture and capable champions. Second, we find that business IS competence mediates the effects of innovative culture and capable champions on system quality. Third, we take a step forward in developing a change model based on dynamic capability for IT governance. We suggest several implications for practice and theory of project-based IT governance.
The Use of Exposure-Based Treatment Among Individuals With PTSD and Co-occurring Substance Use Disorders: Clinical Considerations

Integrative treatments for co-occurring posttraumatic stress (PTSD) and substance use disorders have been shown to be safe and effective. Improvement in PTSD symptoms can positively impact substance use outcomes. Interventions that include exposure-based techniques, which are considered the treatment of choice for PTSD, have not been well studied in substance-abusing populations. Concurrent treatment of PTSD and Substance Use Disorders with Prolonged Exposure (COPE) is a manualized psychotherapy that combines both imaginal and in vivo exposure techniques for PTSD with cognitive behavioral techniques for substance use disorders. Preliminary studies using COPE demonstrate promise and feasibility. In this article the authors explore the clinical considerations when implementing exposure-based therapy for PTSD in substance-abusing individuals.
End-point indicators of low-dose intra-tympanic gentamicin in management of Ménière’s disease

Abstract Conclusions: One-shot, low-dose intra-tympanic gentamicin (ITG) treatment was effective and safe for Ménière’s disease (MD) patients. Head thrust test (HTT) and vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) test could be used as endpoint indicators for vertigo control in MD patients. Objectives: The present study is to explore end-point indicators of ITG injection in MD. Methods: Patients with MD were reviewed from June 2012 to March 2014. Single-shot ITG at a concentration of 30 mg/ml was administered to patients. The sensitivity and specificity of HTT and VEMPs for vertigo control were measured. Results: All 37 patients with a median follow-up of 26 months were included. Of those 37 patients, 24 patients (64.9%) obtained class A vertigo control and seven patients (18.9%) obtained class B vertigo control. Only six patients had class C control (16.2%). The sensitivity and specificity of HTT for vertigo control were 74.2% and 50.0%. Meanwhile, the sensitivity and specificity of VEMPs threshold were 83.9% and 33.3%. When combined HTT and VEMPs, sensitivity and specificity were 93.5% and 66.7%. Based on the four-tone average thresholds at 0.5, 1, 2, 3 kHz, 78.4% patients had no significant change in PTA and 16.2% patients experienced significant improvement.
Prognostic value of soluble interleukin 2 receptor levels in Langerhans cell histiocytosis

Summary. We investigated the prognostic significance of soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL‐2r) levels in the pre‐ and post‐treatment serum of paediatric patients with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH). Serum levels of sIL‐2r from 32 LCH patients and 14 healthy controls were determined using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The LCH patients were classified, evaluated and treated according to the Histiocyte Society's protocols. The following clinical stages were considered: single‐system disease (A) divided into single‐site (A1; n=4), multiple‐site (A2; n=9), and multisystem disease (B) without organ dysfunction (B1; n=5) and with organ dysfunction (B2; n=14). Pretreatment concentrations of sIL‐2r were markedly increased at diagnosis in LCH patients compared with controls [in pg/ml, median (range) 9200 (1124–40000) versus 610 (343–800)], P < 0·0001. Levels differed significantly between stages A [3250 (1124–11000)] and B [22750 (3400–40000)], P < 0·05, and between substages A2 and B2, P < 0·05. There was a significant correlation between clinical stages and sIL‐2r serum levels, r=0·7996 (P < 0·0001). Patients with ≥ 17500 pg/ml of sIL‐2r had a 30‐month survival of 0·417 (SEM: 0·142) compared with those with levels < 17500 pg/ml, who presented a 30‐month survival of 0·848 (SEM: 0·100) (log‐rank, P < 0·0001). In multivariate analysis, sIL‐2r levels ≥ 17500 pg/ml were found to have greater predictive strength than other well‐known prognostic factors.
Speeding up safety verification by fault abstraction and simulation to transaction level

The need for safer and more robust hardware systems increased considerably in the automotive industry after the introduction of the safety standard ISO 26262. As a result, fault injection became a major verification milestone for safety-critical applications. However, safety-verification methods for gate level (GL) and RTL models suffer from long simulation time and large fault-injection campaigns due to the high complexity of large-scale SoCs. Virtual prototypes (VP) were employed to address the shortcomings of GL and RTL simulation, however fault injection into VPs usually leads to the observation of different failures than into GL and RTL models. In this paper, we present an approach which ensures 100% correlation of faults injected across VPs and GL models. Using a compiled-code approach, we transform GL net-lists into C++ code, which we then integrate into SystemC/TLM-based VPs. Thus, the new VPs have the same accuracy as the GL net-lists and are executed at near VP speed. Furthermore, since the new models share all fault-injection properties with the original GL net-lists, only realistic failures can be observed after fault injection.
Cytolethal Distending Toxin in Isolates of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans from Ghanaian Adolescents and Association with Serotype and Disease Progression

Background and Objectives The cytolethal distending toxin (Cdt) is a highly conserved exotoxin that are produced by a number of Gram negative bacteria, including Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, and affects mammalian cells by inhibiting cell division and causing apoptosis. A complete cdt-operon is present in the majority of A. actinomycetemcomitans, but the proportion of isolates that lack cdt-encoding genes (A, B and C) varies according to the population studied. The objectives of this study were to examine serotype, Cdt-genotype, and Cdt-activity in isolates of A. actinomycetemcomitans collected from an adolescent West African population and to examine the association between the carrier status of A. actinomycetemcomitans and the progression of attachment loss (AL). Materials and Methods A total of 249 A. actinomycetemcomitans isolates from 200 Ghanaian adolescents were examined for serotype and cdt-genotype by PCR. The activity of the Cdt-toxin was examined by DNA-staining of exposed cultured cells and documented with flow cytometry. The periodontal status of the participants was examined at baseline and at a two-year follow-up. Results Presence of all three cdt-encoding genes was detected in 79% of the examined A. actinomycetemcomitans isolates. All these isolates showed a substantial Cdt-activity. The two different cdt-genotypes (with and without presence of all three cdt-encoding genes) showed a serotype-dependent distribution pattern. Presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans was significantly associated with progression of AL (OR = 5.126; 95% CI = [2.994–8.779], p<0.001). Conclusion A. actinomycetemcomitans isolated from the Ghanaian adolescents showed a distribution of serotype and cdt-genotype in line with results based on other previously studied populations. Presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans was significantly associated with disease progression, in particular the b serotype, whereas the association with disease progression was not particularly related to cdt-genotype, and Cdt-activity.
Diverse Types of Interneurons Generate Thalamus-Evoked Feedforward Inhibition in the Mouse Barrel Cortex

Sensory information, relayed through the thalamus, arrives in the neocortex as excitatory input, but rapidly induces strong disynaptic inhibition that constrains the cortical flow of excitation both spatially and temporally. This feedforward inhibition is generated by intracortical interneurons whose precise identity and properties were not known. To characterize interneurons generating feedforward inhibition, neurons in layers IV and V of mouse somatosensory (“barrel”) cortex in vitro were tested in the cell-attached configuration for thalamocortically induced firing and in the whole-cell mode for synaptic responses. Identification as inhibitory or excitatory neurons was based on intrinsic firing patterns and on morphology revealed by intracellular staining. Thalamocortical stimulation evoked action potentials in ∼60% of inhibitory interneurons but in <5% of excitatory neurons. The inhibitory interneurons that fired received fivefold larger thalamocortical inputs compared with nonfiring inhibitory or excitatory neurons. Thalamocortically evoked spikes in inhibitory interneurons followed at short latency the onset of excitatory monosynaptic responses in the same cells and slightly preceded the onset of inhibitory responses in nearby neurons, indicating their involvement in disynaptic inhibition. Both nonadapting (fast-spiking) and adapting (regular-spiking) inhibitory interneurons fired on thalamocortical stimulation, as did interneurons expressing parvalbumin, calbindin, or neither calcium-binding protein. Morphological analysis revealed that some interneurons might generate feedforward inhibition within their own layer IV barrel, whereas others may convey inhibition to upper layers, within their own or in adjacent columns. We conclude that feedforward inhibition is generated by diverse classes of interneurons, possibly serving different roles in the processing of incoming sensory information.
Molecular Identification of the Most Prevalent Mutations of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) in Fars and Isfahan of Iran

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) in humans is in X-linked disorder, housekeeping enzyme and vital for the survival of every cell. It catalyses the oxidation of glucose-6-phosphate to 6-phospho Gluconat in the first committed step of the pentose phosphate pathway, which provides cells with pentoses and reducing power in the form of NADPH. NADPH is required to protect the cells against oxidative damage. The aim of this study was the molecular analysis of common G6PD mutations in the provinces of the Fars and Isfahan. The Study of G6PD deficiency was performed on 96 patients with a history of favism, consisted of 34 samples from Fars and 62 samples from Isfahan. Genomic DNA with specific oligonucleotide primers followed by digestion with restriction enzymes for known mutations such as; Mediterranean, Chatham, Cosenza, Aures, A-(202G-A/376A-G were carried out. The most common allele in Iran was found to be the G6PD Mediterranean (82.3%), followed by the G6PD Chatham (8.3%) and none of the samples had Cosenza or A-(G202A/A376G) mutation, and remained unknown (9.4%). Further sequencing required to search for the other mutations among the remained samples (9.4%).
The serotonin 5-HT3 receptor: a novel neurodevelopmental target

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), next to being an important neurotransmitter, recently gained attention as a key-regulator of pre- and postnatal development in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). Several receptors for 5-HT are expressed in the developing brain including a ligand-gated ion channel, the 5-HT3 receptor. Over the past years, evidence has been accumulating that 5-HT3 receptors are involved in the regulation of neurodevelopment by serotonin. Here, we review the spatial and temporal expression patterns of 5-HT3 receptors in the pre- and early postnatal rodent brain and its functional implications. First, 5-HT3 receptors are expressed on GABAergic interneurons in neocortex and limbic structures derived from the caudal ganglionic eminence. Mature inhibitory GABAergic interneurons fine-tune neuronal excitability and thus are crucial for the physiological function of the brain. Second, 5-HT3 receptors are expressed on specific glutamatergic neurons, Cajal–Retzius cells in the cortex and granule cells in the cerebellum, where they regulate morphology, positioning, and connectivity of the local microcircuitry. Taken together, the 5-HT3 receptor emerges as a potential key-regulator of network formation and function in the CNS, which could have a major impact on our understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders in which 5-HT plays a role.
Lightweight road manager: smartphone-based automatic determination of road damage status by deep neural network

Citizens in various locations can report local infrastructure issues to the government by posting reports on certain websites, such as Chiba Report and FixMyStreet. Recently, these systems have begun operating worldwide. In these systems, a large volume of information is collected on infrastructure problems that are identified by citizens (e.g., broken paving slabs, fly tipping, graffiti, potholes). This information is expected to be utilized for infrastructure maintenance. However, local problems (especially road defection) identified by citizens are sometimes not deemed an urgent matter for road managers. This is because it is difficult for an average person to determine road damage status. Furthermore, non-critical reports may be a burden for local government because each report requires visual confirmation. We therefore propose a smartphone application based on a deep neural network that can determine road damage status using only photographs of the road. This application is based on a deep neural network model trained by citizen reports and road manager inspection results, which are gathered daily on a government server. The application updates the model parameters each time it launches and thereby becomes increasingly more intelligent and effective. The proposed system enables average citizens to easily determine road damage status using only a smartphone application. In addition, because not only expert road managers but also local government officials without expert knowledge can inspect the road, the proposed system can be useful for local governments that lack expert road managers.
Development and evaluation of a biocompatible electroactive sensor for continuous blood pressure measurement.

s Published in Proceedings and Invited Presentations 1. Scott M. Berry, Scott D. Cambron, Sean P. Warren, Robert W. Cohn and Robert S. Keynton, “Direct-Write Fabrication of Polymer Fibers for Microscale Applications,” Proceedings of the 2008 IEEE-EDS UGIM Conf, Louisville, KY, July 13-16, 2008. 2. Michael Martin, Tom Schuman, Scott Cambron, Kevin Walsh and Robert S. Keynton, “MEMS Platform for Studying Planar Lipid Bilayers,” Proceedings of the 2008 IEEEEDS UGIM Conference, Louisville, KY, July 13-16, 2008.