Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of Cross-Domain Architectures for Whisper-to-Normal Speech Conversion

Though whisper is a typical way of natural speech communication, it is different from normal speech w.r. t. to speech production and perception perspective. Recently, authors have proposed Generative Adversarial Network (GAN)-based architecture (namely, DiscoGAN) to discover such cross-domain relationships for whisper-to-normal speech (WHSP2SPCH) conversion. In this paper, we extend this study with detailed theory and analysis. In addition, Cycle-consistent Adversarial Network (CycleGAN) is also proposed for the cross-domain WHSP2SPCH conversion. We observe that the proposed systems yield objective results that are comparable to the baseline, and are superior in terms of fundamental frequency (i.e.,F0) prediction. Moreover, we observe that the proposed cross-domain architectures have been preferred 55.75% (on average) times more compared to the traditional GAN in the subjective evaluations. This reveals that the proposed method yields a more natural-sounding normal speech converted from whispered speech.
Furuncular myiasis in two Nigerian siblings – Case report and review of the literature

Myiasis is an infestation of the body of a mammal by fly larva that grows inside and feeds on the tissue of the host. It is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa, southeast Mexico, South America, and Central America. It can occur in any age group and has no sex predilection. It is mostly seen among the rural population with many cases unreported and undiagnosed. We report two otherwise healthy Nigerian siblings with furuncular myiasis, who were initially diagnosed with furunculosis and received antibiotics from various hospitals without improvement. The larvae were removed with forceps after application of petroleum jelly and had full healing of all lesions on follow-up. Furuncular myiasis should be considered a differential diagnosis of furunculosis that is not responding to antibiotics, especially in travellers to endemic areas.
Genitourinary tract cancers: Frequency and demographic characteristics

Context: As one of the most common cancers in clinical practice, genitourinary system tumors are reported to grow worldwide. Aims: We aimed to describe the frequency and demographic characteristics of such cancers' in Isfahan Province/Iran. Materials and Methods: Information related to the genitourinary system tumors was collected from the Isfahan Cancer Registry. The cancer sites studied were defined according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-O; Third Edition) and recorded by associating topography code. Statistical Analysis Used: The statistical analyses of d-Base were performed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS v. 20 (Chicago, IL, USA) for windows. Results: Among all registered patients with genitourinary cancers, there were 3024 cases with genital system cancers and 2117 cases with urinary system cancers. The frequency of males versus female genital system cancers was (n = 1808 vs. n = 1216; P = 0.01), respectively. The frequency of bladder and kidney cancer was 1655 and 404 cases, respectively. Conclusions: According to the analysis, there were higher frequency of ovary and prostate cancer in male and females correspondingly. Associated with the urinary system, cancers of bladder and kidney were higher than others. Further advanced study associated with drug therapy and surgical management seems to be advantageous.
Chemical Reactions Impede Thermal Transport Across Metal/β-Ga2O3 Interfaces.

The impact of chemical reactions on the thermal boundary conductance (TBC) of Au/metal contact/β-Ga2O3 layered samples as a function of contact thickness is investigated using high-throughput thermoreflectance measurements. A maximum in TBC of 530±40 (260±25) MW/m2-K is discovered for a Cr (Ti) contact at a thickness of 2.5 (5) nm. There is no local maximum for a Ni contact, for which the TBC saturates at 410±35 MW/m2-K for thicknesses greater than 3 nm. Relative to the Au/β-Ga2O3 interface, which has a TBC of 45±7 MW/m2-K, these nanoscale contacts enhance TBC by factors of six to twelve. The TBC maximum only exists for metals capable of forming oxides that are enthalpically favorable compared to β-Ga2O3. The formation of α-Cr2O3, via oxygen removal from the β-Ga2O3 substrate, is confirmed by TEM analysis. The reaction-formed oxide layer reduces the potential TBC and leads to the maximum, which is followed by a plateau at a lower value, as its thickness saturates due to passivation. Many advanced materials are prone to similar chemical reactions, impacting contact engineering and thermal management for a variety of applications.
The Tetraspanin CD53 Regulates Early B Cell Development by Promoting IL-7R Signaling

Key Points The tetraspanin CD53 is required for normal B cell development. CD53 promotes B cell development by maintaining IL-7R signaling. CD53 functions cell autonomously during B lymphopoiesis. The tetraspanin CD53 has been implicated in B cell development and function. CD53 is a transcriptional target of EBF1, a critical transcription factor for early B cell development. Further, human deficiency of CD53 results in recurrent infections and reduced serum Igs. Although prior studies have indicated a role for CD53 in regulating mature B cells, its role in early B cell development is not well understood. In this study, we show that CD53 expression, which is minimal on hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, increases throughout bone marrow B cell maturation, and mice lacking CD53 have significantly decreased bone marrow, splenic, lymphatic, and peripheral B cells. Mixed bone marrow chimeras show that CD53 functions cell autonomously to promote B lymphopoiesis. Cd53−/− mice have reduced surface expression of IL-7Rα and diminished phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase and JAK/STAT signaling in prepro- and pro-B cells. Signaling through these pathways via IL-7R is essential for early B cell survival and transition from the pro-B to pre-B cell developmental stage. Indeed, we find increased apoptosis in developing B cells and an associated reduction in pre-B and immature B cell populations in the absence of CD53. Coimmunoprecipitation and proximity ligation studies demonstrate physical interaction between CD53 and IL-7R. Together, these data, to our knowledge, suggest a novel role for CD53 during IL-7 signaling to promote early B cell differentiation.
NeuroEVs: Characterizing Extracellular Vesicles Generated in the Neural Domain

Intercellular communication has recently been shown to occur via transfer of cargo loaded within extracellular vesicles (EVs). Present within all biofluids of the body, EVs can contain various signaling factors, including coding and noncoding RNAs (e.g., mRNA, miRNA, lncRNA, snRNA, tRNA, yRNA), DNA, proteins, and enzymes. Multiple types of cells appear to be capable of releasing EVs, including cancer, stem, epithelial, immune, glial, and neuronal cells. However, the functional impact of these circulating signals among neural networks within the brain has been difficult to establish given the complexity of cellular populations involved in release and uptake, as well as inherent limitations of examining a biofluid. In this brief commentary, we provide an analysis of the conceptual and technical considerations that limit our current understanding of signaling mediated by circulating EVs relative to their impact on neural function. Dual Perspectives Companion Paper: Extracellular Vesicles and Neurodegenerative Diseases, by Andrew F. Hill
Variations in Prevalence and Number of Older Adults With Self-reported Hearing Trouble by Audiometric Hearing Loss and Sociodemographic Characteristics.

Variations in Prevalence and Number of Older Adults With Self-reported Hearing Trouble by Audiometric Hearing Loss and Sociodemographic Characteristics The estimated number of adults 60 years or older with hearing loss is anticipated to rise to 62.4 million by 2060.1 In many studies, self-reported hearing trouble is used as a proxy for audiometric measures of hearing. However, self-reported trouble may be influenced by sociodemographic characteristics2 leading to bias in prevalence estimates of hearing loss. How these characteristics may lead to systematic undercounts or overcounts of persons with hearing loss in the population remains unknown. The current study estimates the variations in prevalence and number of people in the United States with self-reported hearing trouble by audiometric hearing and sociodemographic characteristics.
Community-Based Programmes: Success Factors for Public Nutrition Derived from the Experience of Thailand

Thailand has faced the major nutritional problems of protein–energy malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies, notably iron, iodine, and vitamin A deficiencies. for decades, the problem was addressed through the national health planning system. Its alleviation was embedded in a service-driven approach, which not only consumed a disproportionate share of the government budget, but also restricted participation by the people and depended heavily on centralized planning. This approach failed, resulting in a paradigm shift to community-driven programmes, which were seen as investments for the health of the Thai population. Nutrition was framed as part of the National Economic and Social Development Plan. A comprehensive situation analysis was undertaken and the results were used for community mobilizing, organizing, and financing, using basic minimum needs indicators to guide the process. Critical to the success of the community-based approach was the village-level volunteer system, which featured manageable ratios of mobilizers, facilitators, and households, interacting to define the needs of the communities and propose solutions.
Experimental Examination of Social Transmission of Health Information using an Online Platform

ABSTRACT The “viral” nature of information transmission has the potential to transmit both accurate and inaccurate information. The present experiment examines the social transmission of health information, focusing on disorder etiology. Participants were placed in one of three generations of social transmission chains. The first generation read information concerning one of four fictitious disorders, pairing one disorder (Physiological or Psychological) with one etiology (Genetic or Environmental). Then, to ensure minimal loss of information (which is common in open-ended recollections), participants recalled key aspects of the disorders through multiple-choice questions. Their selections were used to modify the vignettes for the second generation and the third generation read the second’s recollections. All participants also evaluated diagnosed patients on social distance and disgust. Findings suggest that genetic etiology was better recalled when paired with a psychological disorder than a physiological one. Participants desired more social distance from psychological disorders’ patients (regardless of etiology) and showed higher disgust for environmental etiological patients (regardless of disorder). Implications focus on the role of content biases in the transmission of health information and misinformation.
The negativity bias, revisited: Evidence from neuroscience measures and an individual differences approach

ABSTRACT Past research has provided support for the existence of a negativity bias, the tendency for negativity to have a stronger impact than positivity. Theoretically, the negativity bias provides an evolutionary advantage, as it is more critical for survival to avoid a harmful stimulus than to pursue a potentially helpful one. The current paper reviews the theoretical grounding of the negativity bias in the Evaluative Space Model, and presents recent findings using a multilevel approach that further elucidate the mechanisms underlying the negativity bias and underscore the importance of the negativity bias for human functioning.
Fatherhood, egalitarianism, and child health in two small‐scale societies in the Republic of the Congo

The study goals were to (a) characterize the cultural model of fatherhood among the BaYaka, a community of egalitarian foragers in the Republic of the Congo; (b) test if BaYaka fathers' quality in relation to the cultural model predicts their children's energetic status; and (c) compare the variance in BaYaka children's energetic status to that of children of neighboring Bondongo fisher‐farmers, among whom there is less cooperative caregiving, less resource sharing, and greater social inequality.
A mail survey of the efficacy of prophylactic medication in feed and/or water of feedlot calves

Abstract A mail survey of feedlot owners was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic antimicrobials, given in the water, or in the ration at preventing illness and/or death. One hundred and twenty-seven farmers from southwestern Ontario collaborated in the study. The percentage of calves requiring individual antimicrobial treatment, for any reason within 28 days of arrival was 22.6% (median 17.8%) and 0.6% (median 0.2%) died in that period. The use of medicated starter rations was not associated with either treatment or mortality rates until the effects of a number of other variables were controlled, analytically. Thereafter, the use of medicated feed was associated with a decrease in mortality rate, but was unrelated to morbidity rate. Overall, the use of medicated water was not associated with treatment or mortality rates. The use of sulphonamides was associated with decreased morbidity, but increased mortality rates. After controlling, analytically using multiple regression, the effects of other variables, the use of medicated water was associated with a significant increase in mortality rates. The other major factors which influenced mortality rates were the number of calves per group, the number of subgroups of calves in each group and whether the group contained cattle from different sources; all were related to increased mortality rates. During a two year period, more feedlot owners appeared to be using medicated rations as opposed to medicated water, as a means of providing antimicrobials to their newly arrived calves.
Medico-ethnobotany: A study on the tribal people of Rajshahi division, Bangladesh

The paper deals with the results of Medico-ethnobotanical survey work carried out during 2005-2008. The information was collected from 12 Upazillas under six districts of Rajshahi division. Totally, 36 plant species under 29 genera of the family Asteraceae were collected and recorded for their use in various ailments. The species are short listed giving their botanical name, local name, part(s) used and treatment process.
Soil chemistry turned upside down: a meta-analysis of invasive earthworm effects on soil chemical properties

Recent studies have shown that invasive earthworms can dramatically reduce native biodiversity, both above and below the ground. However, we still lack a synthetic understanding of the underlying mechanisms behind these changes, such as whether earthworm effects on soil chemical properties drive such relationships. Here, we investigated the effects of invasive earthworms on soil chemical properties (pH, water content, and the stocks and fluxes of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus) by conducting a meta-analysis. Invasive earthworms generally increased soil pH, indicating that the removal of organic layers and the upward transport of more base-rich mineral soil caused a shift in soil pH. Moreover, earthworms significantly decreased soil water content, suggesting that the burrowing activities of earthworms may have increased water infiltration of and/or increased evapotranspiration from soil. Notably, invasive earthworms had opposing effects on organic and mineral soil for carbon and nitrogen stocks, with decreases in organic, and increases in mineral soil. Nitrogen fluxes were higher in mineral soil, whereas fluxes in organic soil were not significantly affected by the presence of invasive earthworms, indicating that earthworms mobilize and redistribute nutrients among soil layers and increase overall nitrogen loss from the soil. Invasive earthworm effects on element stocks increased with ecological group richness only in organic soil. Earthworms further decreased ammonium stocks with negligible effects on nitrate stocks in organic soil, whereas they increased nitrate stocks but not ammonium stocks in mineral soil. Notably, all of these results were consistent across forest and grassland ecosystems underlining the generality of our findings. However, we found some significant differences between studies that were conducted in the field (observational and experimental settings) and in the lab, such as that the effects on soil pH decreased from field to lab settings, calling for a careful interpretation of lab findings. Our meta-analysis provides strong empirical evidence that earthworm invasion may lead to substantial changes in soil chemical properties and element cycling in soil. Furthermore, our results can help explain the dramatic effects of invasive earthworms on native biodiversity, for example, shifts towards the dominance of grass species over herbaceous ones, as shown by recent meta-analyses.
Experience of Low Dose Perampanel to Add-on in Glioma Patients with Levetiracetam-uncontrollable Epilepsy

After introduction of levetiracetam (LEV), treatment of seizures in patients with malignant brain tumors has prominently improved. On the other hand, we still experience some cases with LEV-uncontrollable epilepsy. Perampanel (PER) is a noncompetitive α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoaxazolepropionate acid receptor antagonist that has recently been approved for treating focal epilepsy as a secondary drug of choice. Available literature reporting PER medication in patients with gliomas is still sparse. Here, we report our initial experience with glioma patients and report efficacy of adding low dose 2–4 mg PER to LEV in patients whose seizure were uncontrollable with LEV monotherapy. Clinical outcome data of 18 consecutive patients were reviewed. This included nine males and nine females aged 24–76 years (median, 48.5 years), treated for glioma between June 2009 to December 2018. We added PER to patients with LEV-uncontrollable epilepsy. Adverse effects, irritability occurred in two patients, but continuous administration was possible in all cases. Though epileptic seizures occurred in four cases receiving 2 mg PER, 17 cases achieved seizure freedom by dose increments; final dose, 2–4 mg PER added to LEV 500–3000 mg. Our study revealed anti-epileptic efficacy of low dose PER 2–4 mg as first add-on therapy to LEV in glioma patients who have failed or intolerable to LEV monotherapy. Low dose PER added on to LEV may have favorable efficacy with tolerable adverse effects in glioma patients with LEV-uncontrollable epilepsy.
Slow-paced inspiration regularizes alpha phase dynamics in the human brain.

The phase of low-frequency, rhythmic cortical activity is essential for organizing brain processes, as it provides a recurrent temporal frame for information coding. Nevertheless, low-frequency cortical phase exhibits great flexibility in response to external influences. Given that brain rhythms have been found to track respiratory inputs, we hypothesized that slow breathing, commonly associated with mental regulation, could reorganize the relationship between these two rhythmic systems through the adjustment of cortical phase to such a slow train of inputs. With simultaneous magnetoencephalography and respiratory measurements, we report that while participants performed paced breathing, slow relative to normal breathing modulated cortical phase activity in the alpha range across widespread brain areas. Such modulation effects were specifically locked to the middle of the inspiration stage and exhibited a well-structured pattern. At the single-subject level, the phase angles underlying the effects became more likely to be diametrically opposed across breaths, indicating unique and consistent phase adjustment to slow inspiratory inputs. Neither cardiac fluctuations nor breathing-unrelated task effects could account for the findings. We suggest that slow-paced inspiration could organize cortical phase in a regularized phase pattern, revealing a rhythmic but dynamic neural network integrated with different neurophysiological systems through volitional control.
Needlestick prevention devices: data from hospital surveillance in Piedmont, Italy—comprehensive analysis on needlestick injuries between healthcare workers after the introduction of safety devices

Objective Needlestick and sharps injuries (NSIs) involving healthcare workers (HCWs) are worldwide under surveillance since long time; the implementation of the European Directive 32/2010 regarding the mandatory use of safety-engineered devices (SEDs) seems to have reduced the number of these accidents. Our surveillance investigated the frequency and the modality of SED-related NSIs in the Piedmont region to verify changes in the epidemiology of these events. Methods We analysed the exposure records of NSIs, device usage data and structural data of 42 acute care hospitals and compared conventional and safety devices. We calculated the accident rates per 100 000 needles and, as a measure of SED efficacy, the relative risk between the use of safety and non-safety devices with a 95% CI. We also described the dynamics of the NSIs and the most involved professional groups of HCWs, procedures and devices. Results Total and specific device accident rates for 100 000 needles were lower with the use of SEDs. In 2015–2016, there were 1640 NSIs, with a decreasing absolute number during the observation period; 18% were SEDs related. Half of the total accidents with SEDs occurred in the patient’s room, and nurses were involved in 78% of the cases. The most involved devices were the butterfly needles and peripheral venous catheters, and the most involved procedures were venous sampling (40%) and phlebotherapy (16%). The exposures occurred mostly during the procedure, and 45% of the SED-related injuries occurred during the disposal of the device; 92% of the SEDs involved had a manual activation mechanism. Conclusion In agreement with the results of other European studies, our results show that SEDs reduce the risk of percutaneous exposure of HCWs, but in introducing SEDs, we must select those with a higher level of safety (with a passive activation mechanism) and improve the healthcare staff training programmes.
Blood-Modified Carbapenem Inactivation Method: a Phenotypic Method for Detecting Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae Directly from Positive Blood Culture Broths

A variant of the modified carbapenem inactivation method (mCIM) was developed to detect carbapenemase activity directly from positive blood culture broths. The method, termed “Blood-mCIM,” was evaluated using Bactec blood culture bottles (Becton, Dickinson and Company, Franklin Lakes, NJ) inoculated with 27 different carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) isolates and 34 different non-CPE isolates. ABSTRACT A variant of the modified carbapenem inactivation method (mCIM) was developed to detect carbapenemase activity directly from positive blood culture broths. The method, termed “Blood-mCIM,” was evaluated using Bactec blood culture bottles (Becton, Dickinson and Company, Franklin Lakes, NJ) inoculated with 27 different carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) isolates and 34 different non-CPE isolates. The assay was positive for all blood culture broths inoculated with CPE isolates and negative for all blood culture broths inoculated with non-CPE isolates, corresponding to a diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of 100%, respectively. This assay is inexpensive using “off the shelf” reagents, does not require centrifugation or mechanical lysis, and can be readily implemented in any clinical microbiology laboratory. The Blood-mCIM should facilitate expedient administration of antimicrobial therapy targeted toward CPE bloodstream infections and assist infection control and public health surveillance.