Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rejection of out-of-vocabulary words using phoneme confidence likelihood

The rejection of unknown words is important in improving the performance of speech recognition. The anti-keyword model method can reject unknown words with high accuracy in a small vocabulary and specified task. Unfortunately, it is either inconvenient or impossible to apply if words in the vocabulary change frequently. We propose a new method for task independent rejection of unknown words, where a new phoneme confidence measure is used to verify partial utterances. It is used to verify each phoneme while locating candidates. Furthermore, the whole utterance is verified by a phonetic typewriter. This method can improve the accuracy of verification in each phoneme, and improve the speed of candidate search. Tests show that the proposed method improves the recognition rate by 4% compared to the conventional algorithm at equal error rates. Furthermore, a 3% improvement is obtained by training acoustic models with the MCE algorithm.
Thyroid Follicular Carcinoma-like Tumor of Kidney: A Case Report With Morphologic, Immunohistochemical, and Genetic Analysis

We present an unusual renal tumor, which has not been classified under a known subtype of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and characteristically shows similar histology to thyroid follicular carcinoma. The patient was a 32-year-old asymptomatic woman who was found to have a kidney mass during her annual physical examination. She had no lesions in the thyroid during physical and ultrasound examinations, and there was no abnormal thyroid function test. Neither mediastinal nor ovarian abnormalities were observed. The resected kidney showed a well-defined nodular tumor measuring 11.8×8.0×8.0 cm. The mass was protruding into the pelvic cavity with areas of yellowish geographic necrosis. Histologically, the tumor showed follicular architectures with inspissated colloid-like material in their lumina. No conventional (clear cell) RCC or any other known subtypes of RCC component was observed. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells showed intensive staining for cytokeratin (CK) cocktail AE1/AE3 and CD10 and were not reactive to thyroid transcription factor-1 and thyroglobulin. The staining of CK35βH11 and vimentin revealed focal cytoplasmic reaction. The tumor cells were completely negative for CK7, CK19, CK20, CK34βE12, carcinoembryonic antigen, epithelial membrane antigen, and CD15. Chromosomal gains of 7q36, 8q24, 12, 16, 17p11-q11, 17q24, 19q, 20q13, 21q22.3, and Xp and losses of 1p36, 3, and 9q21-33 were detected by comparative genomic hybridization. These findings are dissimilar to previously classified renal neoplasm. Only a report that included three cases of primary thyroid-like renal tumor has been described in the abstract form. However, there is no fully documented case on this unusual form of RCC, which morphologically resembles that of thyroid follicular carcinoma. Herein, we present a new case of thyroid follicular carcinoma-like tumor of the kidney with a chromosomal study and review of the literature.
Meta-analysis of paternal age and schizophrenia risk in male versus female offspring.

INTRODUCTION Advanced paternal age (APA) is a reported risk factor for schizophrenia in the offspring. We performed a meta-analysis of this association, considering the effect of gender and study design. METHODS We identified articles by searching Pub Med, PsychInfo, ISI, and EMBASE, and the reference lists of identified studies. Previously unpublished data from the Northern Finland 1966 Birth Cohort (NFBC 1966) study were also included. RESULTS There were 6 cohort studies and 6 case-control studies that met the inclusion criteria. In both study designs, there was a significant increase in risk of schizophrenia in the offspring of older fathers (≥30) compared to a reference paternal age of 25-29, with no gender differences. The relative risk (RR) in the oldest fathers (≥50) was 1.66 [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.46-1.89, P < 0.01]. A significant increase in risk was also found for younger fathers (<25) in males (RR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02-1.14, P = 0.01) but not females (RR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.97-1.14, P = 0.28). The population attributable risk percentage (PAR%) was 10% for paternal age ≥30 and 5% for paternal age <25. DISCUSSION Both APA (≥30) and younger paternal age (<25) increase the risk of schizophrenia; younger paternal age may be associated with an increased risk in males but not females. This risk factor increases the risk of schizophrenia as much as any single candidate gene of risk. The mechanism of these associations is not known and may differ for older and younger fathers.
Valuation and Risk Assessment of Participating Life Insurance in the Presence of Credit Risk

In participating life insurance, management decisions regarding the asset composition can substantially impact the value of a policy from the policyholders’ perspective as well as the insurer’s risk situation. Due to the long-term guarantees often embedded in these contracts, life insurers typically invest a considerable portion of their capital in long-term assets such as corporate and government bonds. Besides interest rate risk, the value of these bond investments is thus particularly influenced by credit risk. Thus, the aim of this paper is to examine the impact of market risk associated with the asset composition on fair valuation and risk assessment with focus on credit risk and its interaction with equity risk and interest rate risk. Our analysis emphasizes that the consideration of credit risk associated with bonds has a strong impact on the fair valuation and risk measurement in the context of participating life insurance contracts, even in case of higher grade bond exposures.
Dissociation between cholesterol secretion and plasma lipid transfer activity in rabbits

Human and rabbit plasma contains a lipid transfer protein that transfers cholesteryl esters and triglycerides among the plasma lipoproteins and may also have a role in the movement of lipids into and out of cells. Little is known about the regulation of the activity of the lipid transfer protein, but in the rabbit, hypercholesterolemia is associated with increased plasma lipid transfer activity (LTA). Perfused rabbit livers secrete LTA, and hepatic cholesterol secretion is increased in rabbits with diet‐induced hypercholesterolemia. Thus, experiments were performed with rabbits to determine if LIA is regulated by a concerted hepatic secretion of lipoprotein cholesterol and LTA. Rabbits were fed chow or chow plus coconut oil (14% wt/wt), and plasma lipids, LTA, and the rate of secretion of cholesterol into plasma were determined. Coconut oil feeding increased plasma cholesterol by 68%, LTA by 42%, and hepatic cholesterol secretion by 69%. Mevinolin (75 mg/day), an inhibitor of cholesterol biosynthesis, lowered LTA and plasma cholesterol without affecting the rate of secretion of cholesterol into plasma. These studies provide further evidence that, in the rabbit, plasma cholesterol and LTA are closely related, and the association is not likely to be caused by a concerted hepatic secretion of cholesterol and LTA. —Quig, D. W. ; Zilversmit, D. B. Dissociation between cholesterol secretion and plasma lipid transfer activity in rabbits. FASEB J. 2: 2712‐2716; 1988.
Temperament and character modify risk of drug addiction and influence choice of drugs.

BACKGROUND Drug addiction and alcoholism involve a complex etiopathogenesis with a variable degree of risk contributions from the host (person), environment, and addictive substances. In this work, temperament and character features of individuals addicted to opiates or alcohol are compared with normal controls to study personality factors in the overall risk for drug addiction. METHODS The study was done in a permissive environment, with easy access to alcohol and heroin, which facilitated analyses of personality factors in drug choice. Participants included 412 consecutive patients (312 opiate addicts, 100 alcohol addicts) treated at the Specialized Hospital for Chemical Dependency in Belgrade, Serbia, and a community sample of 346 controls. RESULTS Opiate addicts manifested antisocial temperament configuration (high Novelty Seeking, low Reward Dependence) coupled with high Self-transcendence (ie, susceptibility to fantasy and imagination). Alcohol addicts manifested sensitive temperament configuration (high Novelty Seeking coexisting with high Harm Avoidance). Immature personality was observed far more frequently in opiate addicts than in alcoholics or normals. CONCLUSIONS Novelty Seeking appears to be a general risk factor for drug addiction. High Harm Avoidance appears to channel individuals with high Novelty Seeking towards alcoholism. Immature character traits and probable Personality Disorder increase the risk of illegal drugs. Based on equivalent research in nonpermissive environments, at least a portion of our opiate addicts could have developed alcoholism instead in environments with more limited access to opiates. Personality factors provide useful guidelines for preventive work with young individuals with personality risk factors for drug addiction.
Properties of the human Cdc45/Mcm2-7/GINS helicase complex and its action with DNA polymerase ε in rolling circle DNA synthesis

In eukaryotes, although the Mcm2-7 complex is a key component of the replicative DNA helicase, its association with Cdc45 and GINS (the CMG complex) is required for the activation of the DNA helicase. Here, we show that the CMG complex is localized to chromatin in human cells and describe the biochemical properties of the human CMG complex purified from baculovirus-infected Sf9 cells. The isolated complex binds to ssDNA regions in the presence of magnesium and ATP (or a nonhydrolyzable ATP analog), contains maximal DNA helicase in the presence of forked DNA structures, and translocates along the leading strand (3′ to 5′ direction). The complex hydrolyses ATP in the absence of DNA; unwinds duplex regions up to 500 bp; and either replication protein A or Escherichia coli single stranded binding protein increases the efficiency of displacement of long duplex regions. Using a 200-nt primed circular DNA substrate, the combined action of human DNA polymerase ε and the human CMG complex leads to the formation of products >10 kb in length. These findings suggest that the coordinated action of these replication complexes supports leading strand synthesis.
Differential CT features of intraductal biliary metastasis and double primary intraductal polypoid cholangiocarcinoma in patients with a history of extrabiliary malignancy.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to discern clinical and imaging features for differentiating intraductal metastasis from double primary intraductal cholangiocarcinoma in patients with a history of extrabiliary malignant disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS Over a 10-year period, the cases of 14 patients with histopathologically proven intraductal metastasis (n = 8) or double primary intraductal cholangiocarcinoma (n = 6) who had a history of extrabiliary malignancy were identified. Two radiologists retrospectively reviewed CT (n = 14) and MR (n = 6) images for the size and appearance of the intraductal lesion, presence of a parenchymal mass, multiplicity, attenuation on arterial and portal phase images, and presence of calcification. Clinical findings such as the location of extrabiliary malignancy and presence of Clonorchis sinensis infestation also were recorded. Univariate tests were used to differentiate the two disease entities. RESULTS Histopathologic confirmation was obtained by surgical resection (n = 12) or ultrasound-guided biopsy (n = 2). All intraductal metastatic lesions were of colorectal cancer, and all intraductal cholangiocarcinomas were associated with extracolonic malignant disease, including three cases of gastric cancer (p < 0.0001). All cholangiocarcinomas manifested themselves as purely intraductal masses, but five of the eight intraductal metastatic lesions were contiguous with parenchymal masses (p = 0.031). The appearance of the intraductal lesion was predominantly expansile in cases of metastasis (seven of eight cases) but not in cases of cholangiocarcinoma (one of six cases) (p = 0.026). Other findings were not statistically significant in differentiating the two disease entities. CONCLUSION When an intraductal lesion is found in a patient with extrabiliary malignancy, the presence of a contiguous parenchymal mass, an expansile nature of the intraductal lesion, and a history of colorectal cancer may suggest the presence of intraductal metastasis rather than double primary intraductal cholangiocarcinoma.
T2 Virtual PTSD Experience: A Virtual Worlds Environment to Educate Service Members and Veterans About Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Deploying Active Duty Service Members face multiple psychological health risks, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Despite a significant proportion of Service Members with psychological health needs, a number of barriers prevent access to education and treatment services available to them. These barriers include perceived stigma, physical access barriers, and psychological barriers. Web resources provide important information regarding psychological health issues and available resources but have limitations in the learning experience they can provide. Virtual worlds platforms, such as Second Life, offer unique affordances that may reduce some barriers to accessing psychological health education and care. They may allow for a unique immersive and interactive learning experience augmenting current web resources. One such virtual world environment, the T2 Virtual PTSD Experience, is described. The T2 Virtual PTSD Experience aims to educate military service members, veterans, family, and peers about the causes, symptoms, and help available for combat-related PTSD. Reactions from visitors have been positive, with many reporting improved understanding of PTSD and motivation to seek care. Future directions for leveraging virtual worlds in the service of psychological health care are discussed.
Membrane raft redox signalosomes in endothelial cells

Abstract Membrane rafts (MRs) are specialized microdomains in the cell membrane with an altered lipid composition. Upon various stimulations, MRs can be clustered to aggregate or recruit NADPH oxidase sub-units and related proteins to form MR redox signalosomes in the membrane of cells like vascular endothelial cells (ECs). Multiple protein complexes, like MR redox signalosomes, are now considered to play a crucial role in the regulation of cell function and in the development of different cell dysfunctions. To form such redox signalosomes, ceramide will be generated from the hydrolysis of sphingomyelin by lysosomal acid sphingomyelinase that has been translocated via lysosome fusion to the MR area. In this brief review, current information is provided to help understand the occurrence and function of MR redox signalosomes. This may increase enthusiasm of the scientific community for further studies on the molecular mechanisms and the functional significance of forming such MR redox signalosomes.
In utero and early childhood exposure to secondhand smoke in Taiwan: a population-based birth cohort study

Objectives This study provides secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure data in utero and after birth when children were at 18 months, 36 months and 66 months old, and it identifies risk factors for the early childhood SHS among 18-month-old infants living in smoker and non-smoker households. Study design The data come from the Taiwan Birth Cohort Study, a longitudinal survey of a birth cohort born in 2005. This study used the survey wave when children were 18 months old (n=18 845) for statistical analysis of early childhood SHS exposure. Logistic regression was used to identify the risk factors of the SHS exposure. Results Approximately 62% of the 18-month-old infants lived in a household with at least one smoker, with the father being the smoker in 84% of those households. Among these infants living in a smoker household, 70% were exposed to SHS and 36% were exposed to heavy SHS in utero, and the prevalence was approximately 66% and 17% after birth for SHS and heavy SHS, respectively. The number and the existence of smokers in the household, parents’ smoking status, father’s educational attainment and being a first-born baby are strong predictors of early childhood heavy SHS exposure. Conclusions Encouraging families to have a smoke-free home environment, empowering women to ensure their perspectives and rights are embedded into tobacco control efforts and educating families about the health risks from childhood SHS exposure, especially among people living in households with smokers, will protect non-smoking adults and children from SHS exposure.
French adults' cognitive performance after daily supplementation with antioxidant vitamins and minerals at nutritional doses: a post hoc analysis of the Supplementation in Vitamins and Mineral Antioxidants (SU.VI.MAX) trial.

BACKGROUND Antioxidant properties of some vitamins and trace elements may help to prevent cognitive decline. OBJECTIVE The aim of the current study was to estimate the long-term effects of antioxidant nutrient supplementation on the cognitive performance of participants in the Supplementation in Vitamins and Mineral Antioxidants (SU.VI.MAX) study 6 y after the end of the trial. DESIGN This study included 4447 French participants aged 45-60 y who were enrolled in the SU.VI. MAX study (1994-2002), which was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. From 1994 to 2002, participants received daily vitamin C (120 mg), β-carotene (6 mg), vitamin E (30 mg), selenium (100 μg), and zinc (20 mg) in combination or as a placebo. In 2007-2009, the cognitive performance of participants was assessed with 4 neuropsychological tests (6 tasks). Principal components analysis (PCA) was performed to identify cognitive-function summary scores. Associations between antioxidant supplementation and cognitive functions, in the full sample and by subgroups, were estimated through ANOVA and expressed as mean differences and 95% CIs. Subgroup analyses were performed according to baseline characteristics. RESULTS Subjects receiving active antioxidant supplementation had better episodic memory scores (mean difference: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.02, 1.20). PCA indicated 2 factors that were interpreted as showing verbal memory and executive functioning. Verbal memory was improved by antioxidant supplementation only in subjects who were nonsmokers or who had low serum vitamin C concentrations at baseline. CONCLUSION This study supports the role of an adequate antioxidant nutrient status in the preservation of verbal memory under certain conditions. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00272428.
Visualization of secreted Hrp and Avr proteins along the Hrp pilus during type III secretion in Erwinia amylovora and Pseudomonas syringae

Pili are required for protein and/or DNA transfer from bacteria to recipient plant or bacterial cells, based on genetic evidence. However, it has never been shown directly that the effector proteins or DNA are localized along or inside the pili in situ. Failure to visualize an association of effector proteins/DNA with pili is the central issue in the debate regarding the exact function of pili in protein and DNA transfer. In this study, a newly developed in situ immunogold labelling procedure enabled visualization of the specific localization of type III effector proteins of Erwinia amylovora and Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato along the Hrp pilus, but not along the flagellum or randomly in the intercellular space. In contrast, PelE, a pectate lyase secreted via the type II protein secretion system, was not associated with the Hrp pilus. These results provide direct evidence that type III secretion occurs only at the site of Hrp pilus assembly and that the Hrp pilus guides the transfer of effector proteins outside the bacterial cell, favouring the ‘conduit/guiding filament’ model.
Laparoscopy-assisted single-port appendectomy in children: is the postoperative infectious complication rate different?

AIM In childhood, laparoscopy-assisted single-port appendectomy (SPA), including the advantages of open and laparoscopic surgery, is not widely used. However, there is debate whether the retrieval of the infected appendix via the umbilicus results in a higher infection rate compared with other laparoscopic or open techniques. The aim of the study was to determine the postoperative infection rate and possible risk factors for infection after SPA in children. METHODS For this retrospective study, case notes of all children (n = 262) who underwent SPA between August 2005 and December 2008 were reviewed. Those children in whom the preoperative ultrasonography revealed suspected perforation were excluded from SPA and subsequently underwent open surgery. SPA was performed using a 12-mm trocar with one 5-mm working channel, introduced through a sub-umbilical incision. After grasping the appendix with atraumatic forceps, the appendix was exteriorized through the umbilicus and dissected outside the abdominal cavity as in open surgery. Preoperatively, each patient received one dose of Metronidazole and Cefuroxime, and the umbilicus was cleaned in particular. RESULTS Of the 262 children who underwent SPA, 146 were boys (55.7%) and 116 girls (44.3%). Median age at operation was 11.4 years (range, 1.1-15.9). Six obese (with a body mass index greater than the 95th percentile) children (2.3%) developed intra-abdominal abscess after perforated appendicitis that was treated with a course of antibiotics. One child required revisional surgery and drainage. The median length of antibiotic treatment was 3 days (range, 0-15). CONCLUSION In our institution, SPA is the method of choice for appendectomy in children with acute appendicitis, in whom preoperative ultrasound does not reveal signs of perforation. The infection rate (2.7%) after SPA is not increased compared with other laparoscopic or open techniques. Overweight (body mass index greater than the 95th percentile) and perforated appendicitis seem to increase the risk of postoperative infectious complications.
Reliability and validity of test concepts for the cross-country skiing sprint.

PURPOSE This study was conducted, first, to develop a test concept for the new cross-country (XC) skiing sprint and to check test reliability and validity, and, secondly, to test the hypothesis that short-duration maximal speed in double poling (DP) predicts DP sprint performance over race distance (1000-1500 m). METHODS A total of 31 elite XC skiers performed test-retest of a 50-m DP sprint test (DP50m) and a subgroup (N = 17) performed test-retest of a DP sprint speed test (DPVmax) and a 1000-m DP sprint test (DP1000m), both on a treadmill. Additionally, 17 subjects performed all three tests to check validity, whereas six subjects performed an additional 1000-m DP field test. All tests were performed on roller skis. RESULTS The DP50m, DPVmax, and DP1000m were reliable (r = 0.78-0.99, P < 0.001, CV = 0.79-6.18). The 50-m time (t50) and maximal velocity (Vmax50) of DP50m correlated to the maximal velocity (Vmax) in the DPVmax-test (r = -0.90; r = 0.86; P < 0.001), and time in the DPfield-test (tfield) correlated (r = 0.96, P < 0.01) to time in the DP1000m-test (t1000), showing validity of all treadmill tests. t50, Vmax50, Vmax, and fatigue index (FI) correlated to t1000 (r = 0.87; r = -0.85; r = -0.95; r = 0.86, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Cross-country skiing DP sprint tests appear reliable, valid, and standardizable. The relationship of maximal DP speed on DP sprint performance over race distance suggests (a) to integrate short-time sprint tests as predictors for XC sprint skiing performance, and (b) to reconsider the role of XC skiing specific speed training as an additional instrument to improve XC skiing sprint performance.