Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cross-language bootstrapping based on completely unsupervised training using multilingual A-stabil

This paper presents our work on rapid language adaptation of acoustic models based on multilingual cross-language bootstrapping and unsupervised training. We used Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) systems in English, French, German, and Spanish to build a Czech ASR system from scratch. System building was performed without using any transcribed audio data by applying three consecutive steps, i.e. cross-language transfer, unsupervised training based on the “multilingual A-stabil” confidence score [1], and bootstrapping. Based on the confidence score we selected 72% (16.6 hours) of the available audio data with a transcription WER of less than 14.5%. The cross-language bootstrap achieves a word error rate of 23.3% on the Czech development set and 22.4% on the evaluation set. These results are very promising as the performance compares favorably to the Czech ASR system which was trained on 23 hours of manually transcribed data (21.8% on the development set and 21.3% on the evaluation set).
Biomolecular corona on nanoparticles: a survey of recent literature and its implications in targeted drug delivery

Achieving controlled cellular responses of nanoparticles (NP) is critical for the successful development and translation of NP-based drug delivery systems. However, precise control over the physicochemical and biological properties of NPs could become convoluted, diminished, or completely lost as a result of the adsorption of biomolecules to their surfaces. Characterization of the formation of the “biomolecular” corona has thus received increased attention due to its impact on NP and protein structure as well as its negative effect on NP-based targeted drug delivery. This review presents a concise survey of the recent literature concerning the importance of the NP-biomolecule corona and how it can be utilized to improve the in vivo efficacy of targeted delivery systems.
Computing kernels in graphs with a clique-cutset

In a directed graph, a kernel is a subset of the vertices that is both independent and absorbing. Not all directed graphs have a kernel, and finding classes of graphs having always a kernel or for which deciding the existence of a kernel is polynomial has been the topic of many works in graph theory. We formalize some techniques to build a kernel in a graph with a clique-cutset, knowing kernels in the pieces with respect to the clique-cutset. As a consequence, we obtain for instance that computing a kernel in a clique-acyclic orientation of a chordal graph can be done in polynomial time. We enlighten some consequences in the theory of hedonic games.
Integrating Heterogenous Overlapping Databases through Object-Oriented Transformations

Integration of data from autonomous and heterogeneous data sources often requires means to mediate and reconcile overlaps and con icts between the integrated data. It is also desirable that the mediator system stores local data associated with the data from the sources. Achieving acceptable query response time for a mediator system has been a known research problem. This work presents a mediator query processing framework based on a representation of the data mediation and reconciliation by a number of auxiliary system-de ned object-oriented (OO) views and overloaded functions (queries). The framework is supported by de ning an overloading and late binding mechanism for the OO views through declarative queries. A query over the mediated OO views will have late bound subquery invocations which are transformed into disjunctive query expressions. Consistency and completeness of the queries are guaranteed by expanding the queries with validation subqueries. Performance is improved by type aware query rewrites and selective OID generation in the mediators. Experiments show that the proposed query optimization dramatically improves the query execution time compared to a naive instance-oriented query strategy or partial strategies.
Implementation of ultrasound time-domain cross-correlation blood velocity estimators

The implementation of real-time blood velocity estimators using time-domain cross-correlation is investigated. The basic algorithm for stationary echo canceling, cross-correlation estimation and subsequent velocity estimation is presented. Sampled data acquired at rates of approximately 20 MHz are used in the algorithm, imposing a heavy burden on the signal processing hardware. The algorithm is analyzed with regard to the high sampling frequency, and a method for performing real-time high-speed-movement and cross-correlation is suggested. Implementation schemes based on using the sign of the data as well as the full precision are proposed. From an analysis of the process it is concluded that the sign data implementation can attain real-time processing. This can also be obtained for the full precision data, but at the expense of using a number of dedicated signal processing chips. Both implementations suggested can handle the estimation of velocities for A-lines acquired from multiple directions. <<ETX>>
Enhancement of Epidemiological Models for Dengue Fever Based on Twitter Data

Epidemiological early warning systems for dengue fever rely on up-to-date epidemiological data to forecast future incidence. However, epidemiological data typically requires time to be available, due to the application of time-consuming laboratorial tests. This implies that epidemiological models need to issue predictions with larger antecedence, making their task even more difficult. On the other hand, online platforms, such as Twitter or Google, allow us to obtain samples of users' interaction in near real-time and can be used as sensors to monitor current incidence. In this work, we propose a framework to exploit online data sources to mitigate the lack of up-to-date epidemiological data by obtaining estimates of current incidence, which are then explored by traditional epidemiological models. We show that the proposed framework obtains more accurate predictions than alternative approaches, with statistically better results for delays greater or equal to 4 weeks.
Improving the Efficiency of Content-Based Multimedia Exploration

Visual exploration systems enable users to search, browse, and explore voluminous multimedia databases in an interactive and playful manner. Whether users know the database's contents in advance or not, these systems guide the user's exploration process by visualizing the database contents and allowing him or her to issue queries intuitively. In order to improve the efficiency of content-based visual exploration systems, we propose an efficient query evaluation scheme which aims at reducing the total number of costly similarity computations. We evaluate our approach on different state-of-the-art image databases.
Application of a conceptual change approach to teach the Quantitative aspects of chemical change

The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of a conceptual change approach to improve learners‟ understanding of the quantitative aspects of chemical change. The poor performance in physical science in the National Senior Certificate examination in the Eastern Cape was the catalyst for the study. This study is underpinned by the theories of constructivism and conceptual change. A purposive sample of a Grade 11 physical science class of 50 learners was selected. Twelve learners from the class were selected to be interviewed. A case study and mixed approach with qualitative and quantitative instruments were used in the data collection process. A pre-test was used as a baseline evaluation of the misconceptions. Intervention in the form of a lesson presentation was administered to address the four stages of the conceptual change approach. A post-test was given immediately after the lesson presentation to evaluate whether conceptual change had occurred. Analysis of the pre-test and post-test results showed an improvement on learners‟ scientific understanding of the concept quantitative aspect of chemical change. This study provided evidence that a Conceptual Change Framework was effective in changing learners‟ misconceptions and facilitated greater conceptual understanding. Thus, syllabi should be developed and implemented to ensure that all learners have the opportunity to learn and understand difficult concepts using the conceptual change framework. This key recommendation promotes the use of a well-designed Conceptual Change instructional approach that leads to significantly better acquisition of scientific concepts.
Pacific Asia Conference on Information Systems ( PACIS ) 2014 PERFORMANCE AS A SIGNAL TO INFORMATION ASYMMETRY PROBLEM IN ONLINE PEER-TO-PEER LENDING

The online peer-to-peer (P2P) lending market, in which it is the practice of making unsecured microloans to other individual borrowers, is becoming more and more popular worldwide. In this market, information asymmetry between lenders and borrowers may create the adverse selection problem -the lenders may fund sub-prime borrowers with high risk of defaulting. In this study, we propose a model to evaluate how performance – individual and group can be used as signals to reduce information asymmetry problems. We also propose these performance signals can interact with lenders risk attitude to affect funding success. Data from PaiPaiDai will be collected to evaluate our research model, along with our proposed research hypotheses.
Weighted support vector echo state machine for multivariate dynamic system modeling

Support vector echo state machine (SVESM) is a promising dynamic system modeling tool, which performed linear support vector regression (SVR) in the high dimension “reservoir” state space. A variant of SVESM, weighted support vector echo state machine (WSVESM) is proposed in this paper to deal with the multivariate dynamic system modeling problem. The historical observed data of the dynamic system are treated as multivariate time series, and the proposed WSVESM model is used to predict the time series. Different weights are allocated to the training data, and a multi-parameter solution path algorithm is introduced to determine the solution of WSVESM. Simulation results based on artificial and real-world examples show the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Domain One of the High Affinity IgE Receptor, FcεRI, Regulates Binding to IgE through Its Interface with Domain Two*

The high affinity receptor for IgE, FcεRI, binds IgE through the second Ig-like domain of the α subunit. The role of the first Ig-like domain is not well understood, but it is required for optimal binding of IgE to FcεRI, either through a minor contact interaction or in a supporting structural capacity. The results reported here demonstrate that domain one of FcεRI plays a major structural role supporting the presentation of the ligand-binding site, by interactions generated within the interdomain interface. Analysis of a series of chimeric receptors and point mutants indicated that specific residues within the A′ strand of domain one are crucial to the maintenance of the interdomain interface, and IgE binding. Mutation of the Arg15 and Phe17 residues caused loss in ligand binding, and utilizing a homology model of FcεRI-α based on the solved structure of FcγRIIa, it appears likely that this decrease is brought about by collapse of the interface and consequently the IgE-binding site. In addition discrepancies in results of previous studies using chimeric IgE receptors comprising FcεRIα with either FcγRIIa or FcγRIIIA can be explained by the presence or absence of Arg15 and its influence on the IgE-binding site. The data presented here suggest that the second domain of FcεRI-α is the only domain involved in direct contact with the IgE ligand and that domain one has a structural function of great importance in maintaining the integrity of the interdomain interface and, through it, the ligand-binding site.
RSA Signature: Behind the Scenes

ABSTRACT In this paper, we present a complete digital signature message stream, just the way the RSA digitalsignature scheme does it. We will focus on the operations with large numbers due to the fact that operatingwith large numbers is the essence of RSA that cannot be understood by the usual illustrative examples withsmall numbers[1]. KEYWORDS Cryptography, Data Integrity, Digital Signature, Example 1. INTRODUCTION The idea of RSA is based on the belief that it is difficult to factor the number that is the productof two large prime numbers. Because of that it is necessary to develop the arithmetic of largenumbers operations, as well as to encode the algorithm for number primality test, a hash functionand many more auxiliary functions that are necessary for developing of the own digital signaturesoftware[4]. Many people have heard about a digital signature and read a notice saying that a document isdigitally signed, but few of them have a real idea of what a digital signature is and how it lookslike.Below, we will present in detail how to generate a digital signature. We are sure that this will bean inspiring step for many people to try to develop their own tools for the protection of their dataintegrity.
Neural system interactions underlying human transitive inference

Human problem solving relies on multiple strategies supported by dynamic neural network interactions. The transitive inference (TI) problem solving task can be accomplished by the extraction of relations among stimuli or by responding to reinforcement histories of items using associative learning. Relational and associative strategies are assumed to rely on the hippocampus and caudate nucleus, respectively; which compete to control behavior. However, we found that increased recruitment of both systems in TI is correlated with greater accuracy and awareness, and reduced associative responding to single items. Contrary to prior assumptions, the hippocampus and caudate interact cooperatively to facilitate successful TI. We suggest that the dynamics of the relationship between the hippocampus and caudate depends critically upon task demands. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Retinal ganglion cell death in experimental glaucoma and after axotomy occurs by apoptosis.

PURPOSE To investigate whether retinal ganglion cell death in experimental glaucoma and after axotomy occurs by apoptosis. METHODS Chronic elevated eye pressure was produced in 20 monkey eyes, and the optic nerve was transected unilaterally in the orbit of 10 monkeys and 14 rabbits. Sixteen monkey and 14 rabbit eyes were studied as normal controls. Analytic methods included light and electron microscopy, histochemistry for DNA fragmentation (TUNEL method), and DNA electrophoresis in agarose gels. RESULTS Dying ganglion cells in the experimental retinas exhibited morphologic features of apoptosis, including chromatin condensation and formation of apoptotic bodies. Cells with a positive reaction for DNA fragmentation were observed in eyes subjected to axotomy and experimental glaucoma but were only rarely encountered in control eyes. No evidence of internucleosomal fragmentation was detected electrophoretically, possibly because of the small proportion of cells that were dying at any given time. CONCLUSION Some retinal ganglion cells injured by glaucoma and by axotomy die by apoptosis.
A Novel Circuit Design Technique to Minimize Sleep Mode Power Consumption due to Leakage Power in the Sub-100nm Wide Gates in CMOS Technology

With the rapid scaling down of CMOS manufacturing technology, the reduction in leakage power has become an important concern in low voltage, low power and high performance applications. In this paper a novel circuit design technique is presented which minimizes sub-threshold leakage current by zeroing drain-source voltage. This results in a reduction of leakage power consumption in sleep mode especially in wide gates. Since leakage power due to sub-threshold current in sub-100nm technologies increases dramatically the proposed circuit design technique is designed to be less dependent on technology scale and temperature. Since there is no additional circuitry needed for power reduction in this circuit design technique, there is no additional circuitry needed for power reduction. Thus, circuit complexity and dies area cost is much less than existing logic families. Moreover, the switching time between sleep mode and active mode is shorter.
Evaluation of the anti-trypanosoma activity of alkaloids from Pilocarpus microphyllus by molecular docking: A search for new drugs for Chagas disease

Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma brucei, respectively, transmit the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) Chagas disease and sleeping sickness. They cause symptoms that are harmful to public health. Treatment often has adverse effects, including high toxicity and neurosensory disorders. Studies aimed at developing pharmacological technologies are essential. In this study, we performed computational simulations based on in silico predictions. The amino acid sequence of the proteins for both parasites, T. cruzi and T. brucei, and their three-dimensional (3D) structures were obtained and drawn using the UniProt and Swiss model servers, respectively; later, they were used for in silico molecular docking studies. The GaussView software was used to get the two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) ligands of epiisopiloturine, epiisopilosine, pilosine, isopilosine, macaubine, and pilocarpine. To perform the optimization and frequency calculations of the alkaloids, the Gaussian 09w software and the Density Functional Theory (DFT) method were used with the hybrid functional B3LYP and the STO-3G support base. All the output files generated after the calculations were used to create the input files for the bond energy calculations. For the molecular docking studies, we have evaluated the side-ligands protein interactions and antiparasitic activity of the ligands. The anti-Trypanosomatidae potential of alkaloids extracted from Pilocarpus microphyllus “jaborandi” were evaluated by molecular docking. The results of the interactions of the 6 alkaloids: isopilosine, epiisopiloturine, epiisopilosine, pilocarpine, macubine and pilosine, with the proteins trypanothione reductase, sterol 14-alpha demethylase, phosphoinositide phospholipase c, farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase, nitroreductase, from the parasites T. cruzi and T. brucei, demonstrated that for 5 of them, the simulations showed minimums energy to be characterized as reactions that occur in biological systems spontaneously. For trypanothione reductase-epiisopilosine for both parasites, the alkaloid was observed to bind to the amino acid Glu467 through hydrogen bonds. For phosphoinositide phospholipase C-epiisopilosine, parameter values found were -8.2 Kcal.mol-1, only the amino acid Asn262 had interaction through hydrogen bonding. Other hydrophobic interactions were also observed between the proteins and epiisopilosine. Regarding the results of the alignment of amino acid sequences for both parasites, it was found a similarity of 83.30% and 52.38% between the nucleotide sequences of T. cruzi and T. brucei for trypanothione reductase and phosphoinositide phospholipase C, concluding that the best candidate for therapy against Chagas disease and sleeping sickness would be epiisopilosine alkaloid.
The Impact of PCSK9 Gene Polymorphisms on Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) gene are known to be associated with susceptibility to several cerebrovascular diseases, including ischemic stroke (IS). The aims of this study was to evaluate associations between PCSK9 gene polymorphisms and the risk of IS. Based on previous reports linking PCSK9 SNPs to plasma lipid levels and to atherosclerosis, and to inconsistencies in the reported associations between the SNPs, plasma lipid levels and IS risk, we choose the PCSK9 rs505151, rs529787, and rs17111503 to performe the association analysis. METHODS Using multiple databases, all relevant case-control and cohort studies that matched our search criteria were collected. Quality assessment of included studies was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Demographic and genotype data were extracted from each study, and meta-analysis was performed using Stata/MP 17.0. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using fixed and random effects models. RESULTS A critical evaluation was conducted on ten case-control studies, involving a total of 2426 cases and 2424 controls. Pooled results from the allelic models indicated the PCSK9 rs505151 G allele (OR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.06-1.87, p = 0.019, I2 = 53.9%) and the PCSK9 rs17111503 A allele (OR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.22-1.55, p < 0.001, I2 = 43.5%) were significantly associated with IS. Study qualities ranged from moderate (n = 4) to good (n = 6). Begg's and Egger's tests results indicated there was no evidence of publication bias in the findings (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS This meta-analysis demonstrated that G allele variant of PCSK9 rs505151 and A allele variant of PCSK9 rs17111503 were associated with an increased risk of IS. Based on our findings, these SNPs could serve as potential targets for the diagnosis and treatment of IS. The integration of information on genetic polymorphism into IS risk prediction model may be beneficial in routine clinical practice.
Gender Classification of Facial Images Based on Multiple Facial Regions

In this paper, we describe an experimental investigation to evaluate the significance of different facial regions of a person in the task of gender classification. For this purpose we use a Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier on face images for gender classification. We perform experiments using different facial regions of varying resolution so that the significance of facial regions in this application can be assessed. According to the results obtained, the upper region of the face proved to be the most significant for the task of gender classification. Moreover, the changes in the resolution of the facial region images do not produce significant changes in the result. Based on the significance of different facial regions, we propose a gender classification method based on fusion of multiple facial regions and show that this method is able to compensate for facial expressions and lead to better overall performance.
Haemodynamic and metabolic effects of resuscitation with Ringer’s ethyl pyruvate in the acute phase of porcine endotoxaemic shock

Background: Ethyl pyruvate has been shown to possess anti‐inflammatory and free radical scavenging properties. However, the haemodynamic effects of ethyl pyruvate have not been studied in detail. We investigated the systemic, regional and microcirculatory haemodynamic and metabolic effects of resuscitation with Ringer’s ethyl pyruvate solution (REPS) vs. Ringer’s acetate (RA) in an acute model of porcine endotoxaemic shock.