Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Voice Activity Detection based on Combination of Weighted Sub-band Features using AutoCorrelation Function

This paper shows the voice activity detection (VAD) based on combination of weighted sub-band features using autocorrelation function. According to the fact that the noise corruption on each sub-band is different from each other, so the estimated signal to noise ratio (SNR) is employed to weight utility rate of each frequency sub-band. Furthermore, a strategy of sub-band features combination is used to integrate all of weighted sub-band auto-correlation function feature parameter and to develop the combined feature parameter. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed VAD achieves better performance than existing standard VADs at any noise level.
Responses of thenar muscles to transcranial magnetic stimulation of the motor cortex in patients with incomplete spinal cord injury

OBJECTIVE To investigate changes in electromyographic (EMG) responses to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the motor cortex after incomplete spinal cord injury in humans. METHODS A group of 10 patients with incomplete spinal cord injury (motor level C3-C8) was compared with a group of 10 healthy control subjects. Surface EMG recordings were made from the thenar muscles. TMS was applied with a 9 cm circular stimulating coil centred over the vertex. The EMG responses to up to 50 magnetic stimuli were rectified and averaged. RESULTS Thresholds for compound motor evoked potentials (cMEPs) and suppression of voluntary contraction (SVC) elicited by TMS were higher (p<0.05) in the patient group. Latency of cMEPs was longer (p<0.05) in the patient group in both relaxed (controls 21.3 (SEM 0.5) ms; patients 27.7 (SEM 1.3) ms) and voluntarily contracted (controls 19.8 (SEM 0.5) ms; patients 27.6 (SEM 1.3) ms) muscles. The latency of SVC was longer (p<0.05) in the patients (51.8 (SEM 1.8) ms) than in the controls (33.4 (SEM 1.9) ms). The latency difference (SVC−cMEP) was longer in the patients (25.3 (SEM 2.4) ms) than in the controls (13.4 (SEM 1.6) ms). CONCLUSION The longer latency difference between cMEPs and SVC in the patients may reflect a weak or absent early component of cortical inhibition. Such a change may contribute to the restoration of useful motor function after incomplete spinal cord injury.
Distinct Glycoprotein O Complexes Arise in a Post-Golgi Compartment of Cytomegalovirus-Infected Cells

ABSTRACT Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) glycoproteins H, L, and O (gH, gL, and gO, respectively) form a heterotrimeric disulfide-bonded complex that participates in the fusion of the viral envelope with the host cell membrane. During virus maturation, this complex undergoes a series of intracellular assembly and processing events which are not entirely defined (M. T. Huber and T. Compton, J. Virol. 73:3886-3892, 1999). Here, we demonstrate that gO does not undergo the same posttranslational processing in transfected cells as it does in infected cells. We further determined that gO is modified by O-linked glycosylation and that this terminally processed form is highly enriched in virions. However, during studies of gO processing, novel gO complexes were discovered in CMV virions. The newly identified gO complexes, including gO-gL heterodimers, were not readily detected in CMV-infected cells. Further characterization of the trafficking of gO through the secretory pathway of infected cells localized gH, gL, and gO primarily to the Golgi apparatus and trans-Golgi network, supporting the conclusion that the novel virion-associated gO complexes arise in a post-Golgi compartment of infected cells.
A multistate outbreak of hepatitis A caused by the consumption of raw oysters.

BACKGROUND In August 1988 we investigated a multistate outbreak of hepatitis A caused by Panama City, Florida, raw oysters. METHODS Cases of hepatitis A (HA) with onset in July-August 1988 were identified among persons who ate seafoods harvested in the coastal waters of Panama City, Florida. We conducted a case-control study, using eating companions of case-patients, and calculated attack rate (AR) per 1000 dozen raw oysters served. Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique were performed on samples of raw shellfish obtained from Panama City coastal waters. RESULTS Sixty-one case-patients were identified in five states: Alabama (23), Georgia (18), Florida (18), Tennessee (1), and Hawaii (1). We found an increased risk of HA for raw oyster eaters (odds ratio = 24.0; 95% confidence interval = 5.4-215.0; P less than .001). The AR of HA in seafood establishments was 1.9/1000 dozen raw oysters served. The EIA and PCR revealed HA virus antigen and nucleic acid in oysters from both unapproved and approved oyster beds, in confiscated illegally harvested oysters, and in scallops from an approved area. CONCLUSIONS The monitoring of coastal waters and the enforcement of shellfish harvesting regulations were not adequate to protect raw oyster consumers. More emphasis should be placed on increasing public awareness of health hazards associated with eating raw shellfish.
Aplicación del OLEOZÓN® en el tratamiento de las pericoronaritis

La atencion primaria se orienta hacia los principales problemas de salud de la comunidad, entre ellos los de urgencias estomatologicas, donde es atendida la pericoronaritis, siendo el tratamiento indicado la aplicacion de sustancias causticas (acido tricloroacetico), que pueden ocasionar danos en los tejidos dentarios. Teniendo en cuenta las caracteristicas de la pericoronaritis, se utilizo la ozonoterapia, realizando un ensayo clinico fase III, aleatorizado, controlado y abierto, lo cual permitio estudiar la evolucion microbiologica despues de aplicado el OLEOZON® en el tratamiento de la pericoronaritis, en la Clinica Estomatologica Docente Cesar Escalante, del municipio Matanzas, de enero 2003 a enero 2008. El universo de estudio fueron los pacientes con pericoronaritis, y la muestra abarco 90 pacientes, conformandose dos grupos, uno experimental, tratado con Oleozon, y otro control, donde se empleo el tratamiento convencional. La eficacia del OLEOZON® resulto ser alta en los pacientes tratados.
Intracoronary beta-radiation therapy inhibits recurrence of in-stent restenosis.

BACKGROUND Intracoronary gamma-radiation therapy reduces recurrent in-stent restenosis (ISR). This study, BETA WRIST (Washington Radiation for In-Stent restenosis Trial) was designed to examine the efficacy and safety of the beta-emitter 90-yttrium for the prevention of recurrent ISR. METHODS AND RESULTS A total of 50 consecutive patients with ISR in native coronaries underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, laser angioplasty, rotational atherectomy, and/or stent implantation. Afterward, a segmented balloon catheter was positioned and automatically loaded with a 90-yttrium, 0.014-inch source wire that was 29 mm in length to deliver a dose of 20.6 Gy at 1.0 mm from the balloon surface. In 17 patients, manual stepping of the radiation catheter was necessary for lesions >25 mm in length. The radiation was delivered successfully to all patients, with a mean dwell time of 3.0+/-0.4 minutes. Fractionation of the dose due to ischemia was required in 11 patients. At 6 months, the binary angiographic restenosis rate was 22%, the target lesion revascularization rate was 26%, and the target vessel revascularization rate was 34%; all rates were significantly lower than those of the placebo group of gamma-WRIST. CONCLUSIONS beta-Radiation with a 90-yttrium source used as adjunct therapy for patients with ISR results in a lower-than-expected rate of angiographic and clinical restenosis.
Smad 3 regulates proliferation of the mouse ovarian surface epithelium.

Smad 3 is a signaling intermediate for the transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) family; however, little is known about the role this protein plays in the regulation of the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE). Using a transgenic mouse model, we found that in the absence of Smad 3 there was a distinct morphological alteration of OSE cells. Wild-type (WT) OSE was flat with thin cells, while Smad 3-deficient (Smad 3 -/-) OSE was thick with plump cuboidal cells. WT OSE had less immunostaining for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) than Smad 3 -/- OSE. However, there were no differences in the number of apoptotic cells or Bax and Bcl-2 levels between WT and Smad 3 -/- OSE. Although WT mice had higher levels of serum estradiol than Smad 3 -/- mice, WT and Smad 3 -/- mice had similar levels of progesterone. These data suggest that Smad 3 regulates OSE morphological appearance and proliferation in the absence of high serum estradiol levels or alterations in progesterone levels.
Sperm penetration assay and its correlation with semen analysis parameters

Background: Aim of current study was to determine whether the Sperm Penetration Assay (SPA) can be used as a test to discriminate the infertile male from fertile one. We have also correlated the SPA with semen analysis. Methods: Sperm characteristics namely Semen analysis and the sperm penetration assay were tested in 44 infertile and 10 fertile men. Sperm penetration assay was determined by using zona free hamster eggs. Results: With decreasing spermatozoa concentration in the semen there was significant decrease in percentage penetration of zona free Hamster eggs (p 0.05). Conclusions: The Sperm penetration assay could discriminate the infertile group from fertile group significantly (p<0.001). The test appeared to be highly reproducible and probably identifies a truly infertile male.
Design Optimization and Analysis of Single-Sided Linear Induction Motor, Considering All Phenomena

Regarding the different capabilities, linear motors have been employed in many applications in industry. Among different linear motors, single-sided linear induction motors (SLIMs) have been widely used due to their simplicity and low construction cost. However, these types of motors suffer from low efficiency and power factor and also, existence of so called end effect. The end effect produces braking force that deteriorates the performance of the motor, especially at high speeds. In this paper, analytical equations are derived for end effect braking force, efficiency, power factor, and output thrust. Employing the derived equations and considering all phenomena involved in the single-sided SLIM, a simple design procedure is presented and the effect of different design variables on the performance of the motor is analyzed. A multiobjective optimization method based on genetic algorithm is introduced to maximize efficiency and power factor, as well as to reduce primary weight and end effect braking force, simultaneously. All effective design variables are considered in optimization. The results show significant improvements in the objective function. Finally, the 2-D and 3-D finite element method is employed to validate the results obtained by the analytical method.
Quantitative measures for evaluating the radiographic outcome of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease.

BACKGROUND Large sample sizes are needed if discrete outcome measures are used to perform outcome studies, whereas more practicable sample sizes are sufficient if continuous outcome measures are used. Recognizing the need to devise reliable continuous outcome measures for assessing the outcomes of treatment of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, we evaluated a method of quantifying the shape and size of the femoral head and the femoral-acetabular relationship from computer images of anteroposterior and lateral radiographs with the help of image-analysis software. METHODS Radiographs of 121 skeletally mature individuals with healed Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease were analyzed, and the sphericity deviation score, femoral head enlargement, femoral neck growth inhibition, and composite femoral congruency arc were calculated. RESULTS Each of these measurements was reproducible, with distinctly different values for hips in each of the Stulberg classes. Measures of sphericity and congruence (the sphericity deviation score and the composite femoral congruency arc) could very clearly discriminate between spherical and aspherical hips, and there was a strong correlation between these two measurements. CONCLUSIONS The study shows that it is possible to have reliable quantitative measures of the outcome of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease at skeletal maturity.
Dual-Band Microstrip Circular Patch Antenna With Monopolar Radiation Pattern

A novel dual-band microstrip monopolar patch antenna with zeroth-order resonance is proposed and analyzed in this letter. The antenna is a combination of circular patch antenna with center-fed and circularly periodic mushroom units. With the zeroth-order resonant (ZOR) mode and TM02 mode, the proposed antenna can create horizontal magnetic loop currents on the patch, which lead to a low profile of 0. 02λ at the low frequency band. The radiation mechanism of the proposed antenna is discussed. The antenna is fabricated on a double-layered printed circuit board (PCB) and center-fed by a 50- Ω SMA connector. Simulated and measured results show that the proposed antenna produces a stable monopole-like radiation pattern in two working frequency bands. The corresponding impedance bandwidths and gains are 0.75% and 5.1 dBi for the low frequency band and 20% and a range of 5.8-8 dBi for the high frequency band.
Survey of prevalence and control of ectoparasites in caged poultry in China

To investigate the prevalence and control of ectoparasites in China, 1200 questionnaires were delivered to caged commercial layer or parent hen keepers. Of the 860 respondents, 785 (91.3 per cent) claimed they found suspected ectoparasites in their birds and 833 samples were received. Ectoparasites of the species Dermanyssus gallinae, Ornithonyssus sylviarum or Menacanthuss stramineus were found in 736 (88.4 per cent) samples. For caged commercial layers, D gallinae was the most common ectoparasite (64.1 per cent). For caged parent hens, O sylviarum was the most common ectoparasite (46.9 per cent). Most bird keepers (95.0 per cent of commercial layer keepers and 74.9 per cent of parent hen keepers) used pyrethroids, organophosphates or other insecticides or acaricides to control ectoparasites. However, 34.6 per cent of layer keepers and 25.7 per cent of parent hen keepers did not re-treat their birds with insecticides or acaricides within two weeks after the first treatment. Sanitation procedures, including cleaning, washing and disinfection, were conducted in empty houses between flocks and on most commercial layer farms and parent hen farms. However, insecticides or acaricides were used in empty houses between flocks only in 24.8 per cent of commercial layer farms and in 36.1 per cent of parent hen farms.
Insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity in diabetic and non-diabetic subjects with hepatic nuclear factor-1alpha (maturity-onset diabetes of the young-3) mutations.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate insulin secretion and sensitivity in affected (diabetes mellitus or impaired glucose tolerance; n=7) and in unaffected (normal glucose tolerance; n=3) carriers of hepatocyte nuclear factor-1alpha (maturity-onset diabetes of the young-3 (MODY3)) gene mutations. METHODS Insulin secretion was assessed by an i.v. glucose tolerance test (IVGTT), hyperglycemic clamp and arginine test, and insulin sensitivity by an euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp. Results were compared with those of diabetic MODY2 (glucokinase-deficient) and control subjects. RESULTS The amount of insulin secreted during an IVGTT was decreased in affected MODY3 subjects (46+/-24 (s.d.) pmol/kg body weight (BW)) as compared with values in MODY2 (120+/-49pmol/kg BW) and control (173+/-37pmol/kg BW; P=0.0004) subjects. The amount of insulin secreted during a 10mmol/l glucose clamp was decreased in affected MODY3 subjects (171+/-78pmol/kg BW) and MODY2 subjects (302+/-104pmol/kg BW) as compared with control subjects (770+/-199pmol/kg BW; P=0.0001). Insulin secretion in response to arginine was decreased in affected MODY3 subjects. Milder and heterogeneous defects were observed in the unaffected MODY3 subjects; the amount of insulin secreted during the hyperglycemic clamp was 40-79% of that of controls. The response to arginine was abnormally delayed. Insulin sensitivity was decreased in diabetic but not in non-diabetic MODY3 subjects. CONCLUSIONS Beta-cell dysfunction in response to glucose and arginine is observed in affected and unaffected MODY3 subjects. The MODY3 and MODY2 subtypes present different insulin secretion profiles. Secondary insulin resistance might contribute to the chronic hyperglycemia of MODY3 patients and modulate their glucose tolerance.
Fabrication of carbon nanocoils based tactile sensor

This study investigated the high sensitivity tactile sensors which were fabricated using carbon nanocoil mats (CNCs) and PDMS (polydimethyl siloxane). Tactile sensor is the sandwiched structure that the CNCs were inserted between two PDMS layers. The sensing principle is based on the piezoresistivity effect of the CNCs. We first synthesized the CNCs using the chemical vapor deposition technique using two components of the catalyst. The yield of CNCs growth reaches 95 % at the mass ratio of the catalyst Fe:Sn at 95:5. To investigate the effect of the composition ratio of carbon nanocoils and carbon fibers, the tactile sensors with different ratio of the CNC composition were fabricated for experimental comparison. It is found that the ratio of carbon fibers and carbon nanocoils in the sensor dramatically affected the sensing characterization. Finally, the tactile pressure can achieve the sensitivity of 0.99 %/KPa.
Biochemical events accompanying macrophage activation and the inhibition of colony‐stimulating factor‐1‐induced macrophage proliferation by tumor necrosis factor‐α, interferon‐γ, and lipopolysaccharide

Agents that can arrest cellular proliferation are now providing insights into mechanisms of growth factor action and how this action may be controlled. It is shown here that the macrophage activating agents tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNFα), interferon‐γ (IFNγ), and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can maximally inhibit colony stimulating factor‐1 (CSF‐1)‐induced, murine bone marrow‐derived macroohage (BMM) DNA synthesis even when added 8–12 h after the growth factor, a period coinciding with the G1/S‐phase border of the BMM cell cycle. This inhibition was independent of autocrine PGE2 production or increased cAMP levels. In order to compare the mode of action of these agents, their effects on a number of other BMM responses in the absence or presence of CSF‐1 were examined. All three agents stimulated BMM protein synthesis; TNFα and LPS, but not IFNγ, stimulated BMM Na+/H+ exchange and Na+, K+‐ATPase activities, as well as c‐fos mRNA levels. IFNγ did not inhibit the CSF‐1‐induced Na+, K+‐ATPase activity. TNFα and LPS inhibited both CSF‐1‐stimulated urokinase‐type plasminogen activator (u‐PA) mRNA levels and u‐PA activity in BMM, whereas IFNγ lowered only the u‐PA activity. In contrast, LPS and IFNγ, but not TNFα, inhibited CSF‐1‐induced BMM c‐myc mRNA levels, the lack of effect of TNFα dissociating the inhibition of DNA synthesis and decreased c‐myc mRNA expression for this cytokine. These results indicate that certain biochemical responses are common to both growth factors and inhibitors of BMM DNA synthesis and that TNFα, IFNγ, and LPS, even though they all have a common action in suppressing DNA synthesis, activate multiple signaling pathways in BMM, only some of which overlap or converge. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Strategic approaches to simulation-based education: A case study from Australia

This paper addresses some of the challenges met when developing widely distributed, broad spectrum, simulation-based education (SBE) for health professionals, such as resource duplication, inconsistent facilities utilization, discipline-specific silos, and the intersection of academic institutions and health services sectors. We examine three primary contributors to successful simulation-based practices - strategic planning, program development, and professional networks. Further, we provide examples of how each of these contributors function at different levels to assure comprehensive, yet sustainable approaches to implementing SBE for greatest impact at national, state, regional, and institutional levels. We draw on the example of Australia and its state and regional government structures, including the challenges in providing health services across a widely variable geography and population distribution. The types of health services and issues relating to health provision and management reflect those found in many western countries. Our hope is that the experiences gained at each level of governance within Australia may inform similar, successful development in other countries. We emphasize the importance of leadership and investment at the national level that serves to inform state, regional, and institutional efforts through a trickle down effect. Although evaluation of the strategic planning, program development, and professional networks described in this case study is still ongoing, their preliminary coordination has resulted in significant investment and support at all levels.
Bacteriophage K1-5 Encodes Two Different Tail Fiber Proteins, Allowing It To Infect and Replicate on both K1 and K5 Strains of Escherichia coli

ABSTRACT A virulent double-stranded DNA bacteriophage, ΦK1-5, has been isolated and found to be capable of infecting Escherichia coli strains that possess either the K1 or the K5 polysaccharide capsule. Electron micrographs show that the virion consists of a small icosohedral head with short tail spikes, similar to members of thePodoviridae family. DNA sequence analysis of the region encoding the tail fiber protein showed two open reading frames encoding previously characterized hydrolytic phage tail fiber proteins. The first is the K5 lyase protein gene of ΦK5, which allows this phage to specifically infect K5 E. coli strains. A second open reading frame encodes a protein almost identical in amino acid sequence to the N-acetylneuraminidase (endosialidase) protein of ΦK1E, which allows this phage to specifically infect K1 strains ofE. coli. We provide experimental evidence that mature phage particles contain both tail fiber proteins, and mutational analysis indicates that each protein can be independently inactivated. A comparison of the tail gene regions of ΦK5, ΦK1E, and ΦK1-5 shows that the genes are arranged in a modular or cassette configuration and suggests that this family of phages can broaden host range by horizontal gene transfer.