Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Three ways to adapt a CTS recognizer to unseen reverberated speech in BUT system for the ASpIRE challenge

This paper describes several strategies tested in BUT’s sub-mission to the IARPA ASpIRE challenge. The ASpIRE task was to develop an automatic speech recognition (ASR) system for wide-band noisy reverberant speech, while only clean CTS (Fisher) data was allowed for ASR training. To solve this task, we have started with augmenting Fisher data with artiﬁcially noised and reverberated versions. The most obvious adaptation was (1) to re-train the whole GMM/HMM-based ASR sys-tem. Then, two techniques were designed and tested to make the adaptation easier and overcome retraining the whole ASR on large amount of speech: (2) we trained a speech enhancement DNN (also called de-noising auto-encoder), and (3) we adapted the feature extraction based on stacked bottle-neck networks (SBN). While re-training the whole system works the best, only slightly inferior results were obtained with the auto-encoder denoising followed by retraining of the ﬁrst layers of the SBN hierarchy, letting most of the ASR system trained on clean Fisher unchanged. This shows a promising, efﬁcient and fast way to port ASR systems to new conditions.
l-Kynurenine, an amino acid identified as a sex pheromone in the urine of ovulated female masu salmon

Many animals employ sex pheromones to find mating partners during their reproductive seasons. However, most sex pheromones of vertebrates remain to be identified. Over the past 20 years, steroids and prostaglandins have been identified as sex pheromones in several fishes. These pheromones are broadly termed “hormonal pheromones” because they or their precursors act as hormones in these fishes. Hitherto, no other type of sex pheromone has been unambiguously identified in teleost fish. Here we report the identification of a “nonhormonal pheromone” in teleost fish. The urine of the reproductively mature female masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou) contains a male-attracting pheromone. Bioassay-guided fractionation yielded an active compound that was identical to l-kynurenine in spectral and chromatographic properties. l-Kynurenine is a major metabolite of l-tryptophan in vertebrates. This pheromone elicits a male-specific behavior at even picomolar concentrations; its electrophysiological threshold is 10−14 M. l-Kynurenine is a reasonable substance for female masu salmon to advertise their readiness for mating.
PROJECTS IN SCHOOL LEARNING: TEACHER EXPERIENCES

According to recent curricular policies guided by National Curriculum Framework 2005, projects have been incorporated in students' formative assessment. However, little care has been taken to survey the teachers' actual project practices and ideas about projects before making it mandatory for all school subjects. Our study explored four teachers' views about projects and some aspects of their project practices through semi-structured interviews and reported here. It is found that although teachers primarily dictated by policy guidelines to conduct projects in their respective subjects, teachers' own views on projects and understanding about learning decides the way projects are structured and implemented. It is observed that teachers do not use projects to teach textbook content. They face several difficulties to implement meaningful projects, however, they also miss some potential opportunities due to their limited view towards projects and learning. The insights from the study helped researchers to structure a series of workshops for teachers from all subjects to develop Project Based Learning module for middle and high school students.
Objective VEP Perimetry in Glaucoma: Asymmetry Analysis to Identify Early Deficits

Purpose: The multifocal visual evoked potential (VEP) shows markedly symmetrical responses between the two eyes of control subjects. Patients with glaucoma and patients considered at high risk for glaucoma were examined to determine if VEP asymmetry could be identified and used for diagnosis and detection of early damage. Methods: Multifocal pattern VEP recordings were performed using a single channel bipolar occipital electrode position and the Visual Evoked Response Imaging System (VERIS). There were 125 subjects: 24 control subjects, 70 patients with glaucoma, and 31 patients considered at high risk for glaucoma. A between‐eye relative asymmetry coefficient (RAC) was determined for each of the 60 test points in the VEP field. The RAC for patients with glaucoma and patients considered at risk for glaucoma were compared with values from control subjects. Correlation between Humphrey thresholds and RAC scores was performed. Results: Patients with glaucoma and patients considered at risk for glaucoma both showed significantly larger mean quadrant RAC values. When point by point analysis was performed, 69 out of 70 scotomas were identified with a cluster of at least 3 points of P < 0.05. For those considered at high risk for glaucoma, 10 out of 31 patients had abnormal areas in the VEP field. There was a strong correlation (r = 0.82) between quadrantic RAC mean values and Humphrey quadrant threshold scores in an asymmetric glaucoma subgroup. Abnormal VEP responses were identified in parts of the visual field that were still normal on perimetry. Conclusions: Asymmetry analysis correctly identifies patients with glaucomatous field loss and shows abnormalities in many patients considered at high risk for glaucoma who still have normal fields. Asymmetry analysis is able to identify objectively the extent of glaucomatous damage and may be able to detect changes before subjective field loss occurs.
Collective dynamics in water by high energy resolution inelastic X-ray scattering.

A propagating excitation with a velocity of sound of $3200\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}100$ $\mathrm{m}/\mathrm{s}$ is measured in ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}\mathrm{O}$ at 294 $\mathrm{K}$ between 4 and 14 ${\mathrm{nm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, using inelastic x-ray scattering with 5 $\mathrm{meV}$ energy resolution. The existence of fast sound is therefore demonstrated in an energy-momentum region much wider than that of previous neutron measurements on ${\mathrm{D}}_{2}\mathrm{O}$. The equivalence of the fast sound velocity in ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}\mathrm{O}$ and in ${\mathrm{D}}_{2}\mathrm{O}$ rules out models where this mode propagates only on the hydrogen network. These results show the ability of inelastic x-ray scattering to study the collective dynamics of liquids.
A quality improvement project aimed at adapting primary care to ensure the delivery of evidence-based psychotherapy for adult anxiety

Primary care patients frequently present with anxiety with prevalence ratios up to 30%. Brief cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) has been shown in meta-analytic studies to have a strong effect size in the treatment of anxiety. However, in surveys of anxious primary care patients, nearly 80% indicated that they had not received CBT. In 2010, a model of CBT (Coordinated Anxiety Learning and Management (CALM)) adapted to primary care for adult anxiety was published based on results of a randomised controlled trial. This project aimed to integrate an adaptation of CALM into one primary care practice, using results from the published research as a benchmark with the secondary intent to spread a successful model to other practices. A quality improvement approach was used to translate the CALM model of CBT for anxiety into one primary care clinic. Plan-Do-Study-Act steps are highlighted as important steps towards our goal of comparing our outcomes with benchmarks from original research. Patients with anxiety as measured by a score of 10 or higher on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 item scale (GAD-7) were offered CBT as delivered by licensed social workers with support by a PhD psychologist. Outcomes were tracked and entered into an electronic registry, which became a critical tool upon which to adapt and improve our delivery of psychotherapy to our patient population. Challenges and adaptations to the model are discussed. Our 6-month response rates on the GAD-7 were 51%, which was comparable with that of the original research (57%). Quality improvement methods were critical in discovering which adaptations were needed before spread. Among these, embedding a process of measurement and data entry and ongoing feedback to patients and therapists using this data are critical step towards sustaining and improving the delivery of CBT in primary care.
The Ossification of the Pelvic Girdle and Leg Skeleton of the Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

The onset of ossification centres of the pelvic girdle and leg skeleton of the quail in embryos and juvenile birds were studied. Specimens, which were cleared and were stained with Alcian Blue and Alizarin Red S, were examined at the stereomicroscope. The ilium and the pubis began to ossify at the 8th day (E8), whereas the ischium at E9. Perichondral ossification was observed at E6 in the femur, tibia and fibula. A secondary ossification centre was detected in the proximal epiphysis of the tibiotarsus at the 15th post‐hatching day (P15). The patella began to ossify at P30. Regarding the tarsal bones tibiale, pre‐tibiale and fibulare, ossification was observed at the E15, E12 and E16, respectively. The metatarsals II, III, IV ossified at E7, whereas the metatarsal I at E11. The centres of ossification of the 1st phalanges of all digits were observed at E9. At the same day, the ossification centres of the 2nd phalanx of digits II and III as well as the 3rd phalanx of digit III appeared. At E10, ossification was observed in the 2nd phalanx of digit I, in the 3rd phalanx of digit II and in the 2nd and 3rd phalanx of digit IV. In the 4th phalanx of digit III and in the terminal phalanges of digit IV, ossification was observed at E11. The data presented here provide useful baseline information on the normal sequential pattern of ossification in the pelvic girdle and leg skeleton in this species.
Comprehensive evaluation of ten deformable image registration algorithms for contour propagation between CT and cone-beam CT images in adaptive head & neck radiotherapy

Deformable image registration (DIR) is a critical technic in adaptive radiotherapy (ART) for propagating contours between planning computerized tomography (CT) images and treatment CT/cone-beam CT (CBCT) images to account for organ deformation for treatment re-planning. To validate the ability and accuracy of DIR algorithms in organ at risk (OAR) contour mapping, ten intensity-based DIR strategies, which were classified into four categories—optical flow-based, demons-based, level-set-based and spline-based—were tested on planning CT and fractional CBCT images acquired from twenty-one head & neck (H&N) cancer patients who underwent 6~7-week intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Three similarity metrics, i.e., the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), the percentage error (PE) and the Hausdorff distance (HD), were employed to measure the agreement between the propagated contours and the physician-delineated ground truths of four OARs, including the vertebra (VTB), the vertebral foramen (VF), the parotid gland (PG) and the submandibular gland (SMG). It was found that the evaluated DIRs in this work did not necessarily outperform rigid registration. DIR performed better for bony structures than soft-tissue organs, and the DIR performance tended to vary for different ROIs with different degrees of deformation as the treatment proceeded. Generally, the optical flow-based DIR performed best, while the demons-based DIR usually ranked last except for a modified demons-based DISC used for CT-CBCT DIR. These experimental results suggest that the choice of a specific DIR algorithm depends on the image modality, anatomic site, magnitude of deformation and application. Therefore, careful examinations and modifications are required before accepting the auto-propagated contours, especially for automatic re-planning ART systems.
LacZ β‐galactosidase: Structure and function of an enzyme of historical and molecular biological importance

This review provides an overview of the structure, function, and catalytic mechanism of lacZ β‐galactosidase. The protein played a central role in Jacob and Monod's development of the operon model for the regulation of gene expression. Determination of the crystal structure made it possible to understand why deletion of certain residues toward the amino‐terminus not only caused the full enzyme tetramer to dissociate into dimers but also abolished activity. It was also possible to rationalize α‐complementation, in which addition to the inactive dimers of peptides containing the “missing” N‐terminal residues restored catalytic activity. The enzyme is well known to signal its presence by hydrolyzing X‐gal to produce a blue product. That this reaction takes place in crystals of the protein confirms that the X‐ray structure represents an active conformation. Individual tetramers of β‐galactosidase have been measured to catalyze 38,500 ± 900 reactions per minute. Extensive kinetic, biochemical, mutagenic, and crystallographic analyses have made it possible to develop a presumed mechanism of action. Substrate initially binds near the top of the active site but then moves deeper for reaction. The first catalytic step (called galactosylation) is a nucleophilic displacement by Glu537 to form a covalent bond with galactose. This is initiated by proton donation by Glu461. The second displacement (degalactosylation) by water or an acceptor is initiated by proton abstraction by Glu461. Both of these displacements occur via planar oxocarbenium ion‐like transition states. The acceptor reaction with glucose is important for the formation of allolactose, the natural inducer of the lac operon.
On the capacity of MIMO system operating in multi-access scenario

This paper reports on the capacity of a MIMO system operating in a multi-access scenario. The investigations take into account co-channel interference as well as spatial correlation and mutual coupling (MC) present in array antennas. A closed-form expression for the upper bound of the mutual information is presented. An optimal signal transmission scheme is proposed to maximize the MIMO capacity. The presented simulation results report on the effect of interference and mutual coupling for the cases of non-optimized and optimized signal transmission schemes. Also shown is performance comparison between the cases of peer-to-peer single user and multi-access MIMO system.
A Novel Natural Inhibitor of Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinases and Human Breast Cancer Cell Growth

Water-soluble extracts of edible Vernonia amygdalitis leaves were recently reported as potent inhibitors of cultured MCF-7 cells. The mechanism by which V. amygdalina inhibits MCF-7 cell growth has not been previously studied. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of V. amygdalina on the activities, DNA synthesis, and subsequent cell growth of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (ERKs 1/2). Treatment of cells with various concentrations (3-100 μg/ml) of water-soluble V. amygdalina extract potently inhibited ERK activities, DNA synthesis (P < 0.005), and cell growth (P < 0.01) in a concentration-dependent fashion, both in the absence and presence of serum. The growth rate of cells pretreated with 10 μg/ml V. amygdalina for 48 hrs before transfer to V. amygdalina-free medium was not significantly different (P > 0.05) from untreated cells. These results suggest that V. amygdalina, at least at concentrations up to 10 μg/ml, exhibits cytostatic action to retard the growth of human breast cancer cells. In addition, the ERK signaling pathways may be one or more of the intracellular targets for V. amygdalina antineoplastic actions.
Born to Die: The Ogbanje Phenomenon and its Implication on Childhood Mortality in Southern Nigeria

Abstract Despite government efforts to curb the ravaging menace of childhood diseases in Nigeria by providing health services and encouraging mothers to utilize the same, the mortality rate of children below five is still significantly high. Various scholars have observed that although the problems confronting maternal and child health are multiplex, the socio-cultural dimension seems to be overwhelming. This article is the result of a study conducted in 2004 and 2005 to investigate the cultural notion of the ogbanje phenomenon, which is pervasive in most parts of southern Nigeria. The paper analyzes the results of the study within the Health Belief Model and discusses how the lives of children below five hang precariously on this cultural belief.
Engagement of millennial students using web-based screen movies to replace traditional lecture in lecture/lab courses

An emerging literature focuses on differences in learning style between the so-called millennial generation and preceding generations of students. Concurrently, engineering educators have developed a number of intuitions about millennial students, most with the common theme of lowered tolerance for lecture settings. Two current threads addressing the “lower attention span problem” are (a) approaches under the rubric active learning and (b) technology developments such as web-enabled screen movies and pod-casts. The second thread is often aimed at a technology “fix. ” Experience shows that any technology fix is of itself minimal value. Specifically, our research question is the following: In traditional lecture/laboratory courses what is the effect of replacing lecture sessions with web-based, voice-over slide presentations punctuated with full screen demonstrations and interactive quizzes? We report results from a side-by-side study that replaces lecture with screen movies for three of ten lab sections in a high enrollment, computer tools and problem solving course. Results generally indicate no significant difference between the treatments for learning outcomes, attitudes towards engineering, and attitudes towards the screen movies. Student survey data indicates very favorable attitudes towards the screen movies in general. The results are encouraging given the early state of screen movie development.
Psychosocial Functioning in Youth With Barth Syndrome

This pilot study assessed the quality of life and psychosocial functioning of pediatric patients with Barth Syndrome. Thirty-four boys with Barth Syndrome and 22 healthy male controls were administered a measure of verbal ability and completed measures of quality of life, loneliness, perceived peer support, and sibling relationship quality. Parents completed measures of parental distress, parenting stress, child academic functioning, child adaptive behavior, and child emotional and behavioral functioning. Quality of life ratings were consistently lower in youth with Barth Syndrome relative to both healthy controls and a previously reported sample of youth with cardiac disease. Compared to healthy controls, children with Barth Syndrome were rated as having more internalizing and externalizing symptoms, social problems, loneliness, and lower independent functioning. Parents of boys with Barth Syndrome reported greater distress and parenting stress relative to healthy controls. In addition, parents reported a significant need for academic accommodations, given their son's illness and associated impairments. Boys with Barth Syndrome and their parents appear to be affected by the presence of the illness in numerous ways. Results suggest the need for interventions aimed at helping children and families cope with illness-related stressors to enhance quality of life and overall functioning.
Yoga and Health

In recent decades, yoga has been studied for its potential to treat current epidemic diseases such as mental stress, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Individual studies have found that yoga has a therapeutic impact on certain disorders, indicating that it may be used as a nonpharmaceutical strategy or as a supplement to pharmacological therapy for these conditions. However, for therapeutic objectives, these research have only employed yoga asana, pranayama, and/or brief durations of meditation. Yoga's general view is likewise the same, which is incorrect. Yoga actually refers to the merging of individual consciousness with the divine awareness. Yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi are the eight rungs or limbs of yoga.
Lysosomal Aspartic and Cysteine Proteinases Serum Levels in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer or Pancreatitis

Lysosomal cathepsins D (CD), B (CB), and L (CL) serum levels were determined by immunoassays in patients with chronic (CHP) or acute (AP) pancreatitis and in patients with ductal pancreatic carcinoma (DPC) and correlated with some biological and clinical parameters of this tumor. CB serum concentrations significantly higher than those measured in healthy subjects (NS) were observed in CHP, AP, and DPC patients (p < 0.01). However, no significant difference was noted among these groups. Increased CL serum levels were evident only in cancer patients compared to NS, AP, or CHP groups (p < 0.05), while no difference was observed among these groups. Elevated CD serum values were observed in CHP and AP patients compared to healthy subjects or cancer patients (p < 0.01). In cancer patients no correlation between CD, CB, and CL and clinical stage or tumor size was found. However, significant correlations were observed only between serum CD and CA50 (p < 0.02) and between CD and CL (p < 0.05). No further relationship among the biochemical parameters examined was observed. The present data suggest that the different serum patterns of CD, CB, and CL in patients with pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer may be of clinical interest as additional biochemical parameters for the differential diagnosis of these diseases. However, further prospective clinical studies are needed to assess better their potential value as prognostic parameters to identify patients with pancreatitis at increased risk to develop pancreatic cancer.
Bayesian phylogeographic inferences reveal contrasting colonization dynamics among European groundwater isopods

The potentially important role of northern microrefugia during postglacial dispersal is challenging the view of southern Europe as a refuge and source area of European biota. In groundwaters, large geographic ranges of presumably good dispersers are increasingly suspected to consist of assemblages of cryptic species with narrow ranges. Moreover, a large species range, even when confirmed by molecular evidence, tells us little about the spatiotemporal dynamics of dispersal. Here, we used phylogenetic inferences, species delineation methods and Bayesian phylogeographic diffusion models to test for the likelihood of postglacial colonization from distant refugia among five morphospecies of Proasellus (Isopoda, Asellidae). All morphospecies except one were monophyletic, but they comprised a total of 15–17 cryptic species. Three cryptic species retained ranges that spanned a distance >650 km, similar to that of the nominal morphospecies. Bayesian diffusion models based on mitochondrial markers revealed considerable spatiotemporal heterogeneity in dispersal rates, suggesting that short‐time dispersal windows were instrumental in shaping species ranges. Only one species was found to experience a recent, presumably postglacial, range expansion. The Jura and Alpine foothills probably played a major role in maintaining diversity within Proasellus in northern regions by acting both as diversification hotspots and Pleistocene refugia. Gaining insight into the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of dispersal rates revealed contrasting colonization dynamics among species that were not consistent with a global postglacial colonization of Europe from distant refugia.