Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bimodal Speech Emotion Recognition Using Pre-Trained Language Models

Speech emotion recognition is a challenging task and an important step towards more natural human-machine interaction. We show that pre-trained language models can be fine-tuned for text emotion recognition, achieving an accuracy of 69.5% on Task 4A of SemEval 2017, improving upon the previous state of the art by over 3% absolute. We combine these language models with speech emotion recognition, achieving results of 73.5% accuracy when using provided transcriptions and speech data on a subset of four classes of the IEMOCAP dataset. The use of noise-induced transcriptions and speech data results in an accuracy of 71.4%. For our experiments, we created IEmoNet, a modular and adaptable bimodal framework for speech emotion recognition based on pre-trained language models. Lastly, we discuss the idea of using an emotional classifier as a reward for reinforcement learning as a step towards more successful and convenient human-machine interaction.
The Evolution and Role of Solar Wind Turbulence in the Inner Heliosphere

The first two orbits of the Parker Solar Probe spacecraft have enabled the first in situ measurements of the solar wind down to a heliocentric distance of 0.17 au (or 36 ). Here, we present an analysis of this data to study solar wind turbulence at 0.17 au and its evolution out to 1 au. While many features remain similar, key differences at 0.17 au include increased turbulence energy levels by more than an order of magnitude, a magnetic field spectral index of −3/2 matching that of the velocity and both Elsasser fields, a lower magnetic compressibility consistent with a smaller slow-mode kinetic energy fraction, and a much smaller outer scale that has had time for substantial nonlinear processing. There is also an overall increase in the dominance of outward-propagating Alfvénic fluctuations compared to inward-propagating ones, and the radial variation of the inward component is consistent with its generation by reflection from the large-scale gradient in Alfvén speed. The energy flux in this turbulence at 0.17 au was found to be ∼10% of that in the bulk solar wind kinetic energy, becoming ∼40% when extrapolated to the Alfvén point, and both the fraction and rate of increase of this flux toward the Sun are consistent with turbulence-driven models in which the solar wind is powered by this flux.
Evaluation of nicotine and tobacco specific nitrosamines in Minnesota house dust

OF THE THESIS Evaluation of Nicotine and Tobacco Specific Nitrosamines in Minnesota House Dust by Amanda Paulette Gee Master of Public Health with a Concentration in Environmental Health San Diego State University, 2015 Tobacco is a major public health threat around the world. Toxic tobacco chemicals are distributed via mainstream, secondhand, and thirdhand smoke (THS). THS refers aged tobacco smoke residue, a mixture of gases and particles that deposit and adsorb onto surfaces and dust. This study analyzed Minnesota house dust samples for nicotine and tobacco specific nitrosamine (TSNA) concentrations and evaluated cancer risks associated with the TSNA carcinogens. Twenty-nine settled house dust samples were collected from known smoker's homes using a High Volume Small Surface Sampler (HVS3) vacuum. Twenty-two dust samples had detectable amounts of nicotine and at least 1 TSNA. Our study observed nicotine levels that were relatively lower than other THS studies. Nicotine levels were significantly larger than the most abundant TSNA (NNK) in both concentration (median 0.904ng/g vs. 0.741μg/g; p<0.005) and loading data (median 1.10ng/m2 vs. 0.961μg/m2; p<0.0005). Linear regression tests showed a positive association between nicotine and each individual TSNA (p<0.0005). The results suggest cigarette smoke is a source of TSNA and nicotine is a reliable predictor for TSNA in THS contaminated house dust. Cancer risks through non-dietary exposure to the observed TSNA concentrations did not exceed the upper-bound risk of one cancer case per one million people, set by the U.S. E.P.A. The highest risk was seen in non-dietary lifetime exposure to NNK (0.187 cancer cases per 1,000,000). However, the risk assessment did not include other exposure routes and other carcinogens present in tobacco smoke. Nicotine-to-TSNA ratios were lower in the Minnesota dust than in secondhand and mainstream smoke, suggesting TSNAs persist and become more potent over time. Results from this study provides strong evidence of the persistence of tobacco smoke in indoor environments and highlights the potential short-term and long-term health consequences of THS contaminated house dust.
Factors affecting the specialty choice of medical students at king Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Little is known about the factors that influence the choice of medical specialty by male and female senior medical students at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah so this study was conducted to investigate these factors . Methods: In this cross sectional study, data was collected through a questionnaire that was adapted to the Saudi culture from. It was distributed to three hundred male and female medical students in their sixth year and the response rate was 79.6%. Data analysis was carried out by using the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version during the years 2013-2014. The percentages and the significances of the most and the least factors that influence the choice of medical specialties by the sample of the study were computed. Results: Study showed that 91 out of 121 senior male students and 88 senior female students out of 118 agreed that joining medical school was their first interest. Results illustrated that helping patients is the most considerable reason to choose medicine by the majority of the students (93% of senior male students and 91% of senior female students) whereas family enforcement was the least influential reason to choose medicine (28% of senior male students and 23% of senior female students). Internal medicine was chosen by the majority of the sample of the study as their first interest after graduating from medical school (43 male and female senior students). While only one male medical student chose community medicine . Conclusions: Medicine was the first choice for the majority of both male and female medical students who entered university. Internal medicine was the most desirable specialty following graduation. Most of the graduates have no plan in pursuing a career in general practice. It is advocated to establish a career advising committee at KAU. The committee should focus on medical students during their final clinical years. The lack of physicians in some specialties and its effect on the community should be addressed.
Consistency in Physical Activity and Increase in Mental Health in Elderly over a Decade: Are We Achieving Better Population Health?

Objective : Over the past century, advances in medicine and public health have resulted in an extraordinary increase in life expectancy. As a result, focus has shifted from infectious to chronic diseases. Though current guidelines for healthy behaviors among the elderly exist, it remains unclear whether this growing segment of the population has shifted their behaviors in response to public health campaigns. The objective of this study was to investigate mental health and physical activity trends that may be leading indicators for healthier living and increased life expectancy. Methods: Using nearly a decade of continuous serial cross-sectional data collected in the nationwide Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, this study investigated trends of health behaviors and mental health in a population of nearly 750,000 who were 65 or older from 2003 through 2011. Weighted univariate and multivariable analyses were utilized including investigation of trend analyses over the decade, producing adjusted annual odds of physical activity and mental health. Results: A fter controlling for demographic and other factors, higher education and income, lower BMI, and current or previous smoking was associated with higher odds of adverse mental health and lower odds of physical activity engagement. Adjusted odds of adverse mental health climbed over the decade of observation whereas the odds of physical activity remained static. Conclusions: These data, encompassing a very large population over a decade of time, suggest that physical activity is stable though mental health challenges are on the rise in this older population. Public health campaigns may face greater barriers in an elderly population due to lifelong habits, dissemination and educational approaches, or decreasing gains. Further research should be conducted to identify more effective approaches towards increasing physical activity in this important and growing subset of the population and towards transforming behaviors earlier in life.
Production of renewable biofuels and chemicals by processing bio-feedstock in conventional petroleum refineries.

The influence of catalyst characteristics, i.e., acidity and porosity on the product distribution in the cracking of triglyceride-rich biomass under fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) conditions is reported. It has found that the degradation degree of triglyceride molecules is strongly dependent on the catalysts’ acidity. The higher density of acid sites enhances the conversion of triglycerides to lighter products such as gaseous products and gasoline-range hydrocarbons. The formation of gasoline-range aromatics and light olefins (propene and ethene) is favored in the medium pore channel of H-ZSM-5. On the other hand, heavier olefins such as gasoline-range and C4 olefins are formed preferentially in the large pore structure of zeolite Y based FCC catalyst (Midas-BSR). With both catalysts, triglyceride molecules are mainly converted to a mixture of hydrocarbons, which can be used as liquid fuels and platform chemicals. Hence, the utilization of the existing FCC units in conventional petroleum refineries for processing of triglyceride based feedstock, in particular waste cooking oil may open the way for production of renewable liquid fuels and chemicals in the near future.
π‐Conjugated Ligand Polymers Entwined around Copper Centres

We describe conjugated polymers entwined around Cu1 with alternating alpha-quaterthienyl (poly[Cu(T2)2]) or 3',4',3'''',4''''-tetrahexyl-alpha-sexythienyl (poly[Cu(T3)2]) moieties and 1,10-phenanthroline complexing sites. Our strategy is to synthesise the 2,9-bis(oligothienyl)-1,10-phenanthroline precursors, then to assemble these ligands by means of Cu1 templating followed by electropolymerisation. Poly[Cu(T2)2] shows separate electroactivities for Cu redox centres and conjugated backbones, whereas the electroactivities overlap in the case of poly[Cu(T3)2]. An X-ray absorption study on these polymers in their reduced state at the Cu-K edge identifies, in both cases, four nitrogen atoms as the closest copper(I) neighbours. For poly[Cu(T2)2], the Cu1 environment is a distorted tetrahedron similar to a monomer model compound, but with a slightly higher number of steric constraints. The Cu1 environment for poly[Cu(T3)2] is a less distorted tetrahedron with an unusually short Cu1-N average bond length. Cu1 removal in poly[Cu(T2)2] induces an irreversible collapse of the structure, whereas the reversibility of Cu1 binding is almost perfect for poly[Cu(T3)2], as the hexyl chains prevent irreversible gliding of the wires after copper removal. Combined electrochemical and resistance measurements reveal that the Cu centres in poly[Cu(T2)2] play the role of mechanical support for the structure with no significant electronic interactions with the conjugated backbone, whereas in the case of poly[Cu(T3)2] copper centres contribute to the conductivity of the structure.
Ankyloglossia: case report

Introduction: The lingual frenulum is an anatomic structure that plays an important role in the act of suction, speech and feeding. A short and adhered lingual frenulum obstructs the tongue movement. This can impair the diverse functions of this structure. This alteration is called ankyloglossia. Objective and case report: The aim of this article is to relate a case of ankyloglossia in a female child of two-years old who was examined in the Clinic of Child Care of the Department of Pediatrics, Federal University of Parana. The child was diagnosed with type II ankyloglossia and treated by frenectomy. Conclusion: The routine examination of the lingual frenulum permits the identification of insertion abnormalities and enables the establishment of preventive measures for complications during the period of breastfeeding. ISSN: Printed version: 1806-7727 Electronic version: 1984-5685 RSBO. 2011 Jan-Mar;8(1):93-8
Standard X-Ray Diffraction Powder Patterns from The JCPDS Research Associateship

The following new or updated patterns are submitted by the JCPDS Research Associateship at the National Bureau of Standards. The patterns are a continuation of the series of standard X-ray diffraction powder patterns published previously in the NBS Circular 539, the NBS Monograph 25, and in this journal. The methods of producing these reference patterns are described in this journal, Vol. 1, No. 1, p. 40 (1986). The data for each phase apply to the specific sample described. A sample was mixed with one or two internal standards: silicon (SRM640a), silver, tungsten, or fluorophlogopite (SRM675). Expected 2-theta values for these standards are specified in the methods described (ibid.). Data, from which the reported 2-theta values were determined, were measured with a computer controlled diffractometer. Computer programs were used to locate peak positions and calibrate the patterns as well as to perform variable indexing and least squares cell refinement.
Relation of Xmn-1 Polymorphism & Five Common Indian Mutations of Thalassaemia with Phenotypic Presentation in b-Thalassaemia

Xmn-1 polymorphism is a known factor, which increases foetal haemoglobin production. Among, b thalassaemics in India five mutations are common. Disease severity was assessed based on age of presentation, age when received first transfusion and blood transfusion in ml/kg/year. Data was divided into three Xmn-1 categories, (+/+), (-/+), (-/-) and intergroup correlation was made. Mutations were divided into 2 groups, (group I) IVS 1-1 as one of its variables and (group II) without IVS 1-1. They were correlated. In Xmn-1 +/+ category 66.66% were diagnosed after one year of age, in mutations (group I) 53.57% had age of diagnosis after 1 year. 77.77% in Xmn-1 +/+ received their first blood transfusion after 1 year of age, in mutations (group I) 64.28% received their first blood transfusion after 1 year of age. About 66.66% patients in Xmn-1 +/+ category received blood <200ml/kg/year as against 72.22% in Xmn-1 -/- category. In mutations group I 57.14% received blood transfusion <200 ml/kg/year as against 68.18% in group II. It is concluded that the presence of Xmn-1 polymorphism and IVS 1-1 mutation leads to a milder phenotypic presentation causing a delay in onset of blood transfusions but dose not effect the amount of blood received /kg/year.
Digestion characteristics of forages, including perennial ryegrass at different stages of maturity, and supplementary feeding for dairy cows grazing pasture

This thesis defines digestion kinetics for perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), which is the main component of diets fed to dairy cows in New Zealand. Chemical composition and digestion kinetics were measured in fresh minced ryegrass as it matured and leaf, stem and inflorescence of several grass species. In sacco and in vitro incubations were used to define rates of degradation and nutrient release. Two short-term grazing trials were used to evaluate contrasting silages as supplements for cows fed restricted amounts of summer pasture. The minced preparation of ryegrass resulted in a similar distribution of dry matter (DM) between particle size fraction and rumen digesta from cows fed pasture. Mincing released 0.46 – 0.80 of crude protein into the soluble fraction, with highest proportions for mature grasses which had low CP concentrations (about 8 g CP/100 g DM). In contrast, the majority of fibre remained in the insoluble fraction but rates of degradation (k) approximately halved as grass matured. In vitro yield of VFA was similar for immature and mature minced ryegrass (after 12 hours VFA was equivalent to about 30% of DM), even though ammonia concentration declined to very low values for stem and mature grass. This suggests the rapid initial microbial growth was able to sustain a high level of DM degradation to VFA with mature grass. The summer pasture used for silage supplementation was of uncharacteristically good quality so the expected contrasts between maize, pasture, sulla (Hedysarum coronarium), lotus (Lotus corniculatus) and sulla/maize silage mixtures were less than expected. Milk responses to lotus silage supplements were greater than other silages (e.g.: 290 g milksolids from 54 MJ ME by lotus versus 110 g milksolids from about 50 MJ ME supplied by other silages). Pasture substitution was low (0.06 – 0.33). The Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) was chosen for evaluation of cow trial data because it uses feed degradation parameters as input variables to estimate nutrient supply. Model prediction of milk yield matched observed values when cows maintained liveweight. Milk yield was underestimated at low intakes and overestimated at high intakes because no allowance is made for nutrient partitioning between milk production and liveweight change.
COPD treatment choices based on blood eosinophils: are we there yet?

Eosinophils are increasingly being recognised as an important characteristic feature of COPD. Patients with COPD and eosinophilic inflammation tend to respond to steroid therapy; however, many questions remain regarding the optimum measurement. Eosinophilic inflammation may be defined based on various sampling techniques, including eosinophil levels in blood, sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage or biopsy, which leads to inconsistencies in its definition. Blood eosinophils may increase in conjunction with sputum eosinophils during COPD exacerbations and therefore may be a good surrogate marker of airway eosinophilic inflammation. However, the timing of the blood eosinophil measurement, the stability of the eosinophil count and the threshold used in different studies are variable. The use of blood eosinophil count to direct biological therapies in COPD has also had variable outcomes. Eosinophilic inflammation has an important role in COPD management; however, its use as the optimum biomarker still needs further investigation. Key points Eosinophilia may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of COPD. Eosinophilic inflammation in COPD can be steroid responsive; however, eosinophilic inflammation is variable, and caution needs to be taken with measurements and the thresholds used. The long-term effects of reducing eosinophil levels in COPD is unclear. Educational aims To explore current knowledge of eosinophils in COPD. To explore the relationship between eosinophilia and corticosteroid use. To understand the limitations of assessing and using eosinophilia in COPD. Eosinophilia is common in COPD and has utility in predicting responses to inhaled or oral corticosteroids, but has limitations as a biomarker http://bit.ly/2lQcMpy
Abnormal Expression of ERα in Cholangiocytes of Patients With Primary Biliary Cholangitis Mediated Intrahepatic Bile Duct Inflammation

ERα, one of the classical receptors of estrogen, has been found to be abnormally up-regulated in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), which is an important factor leading to ductopenia. ERα-mediated signaling pathways are involved in proliferation of human intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells (HiBECs) and portal inflammation. Our previous studies have shown that the expression levels of ERα in the liver tissues of PBC patients are positively correlated with the levels of serum pro-inflammatory cytokines. The present study was designed to assess the relationship between abnormal ERα expression in small bile ducts and the progression of PBC. We examined the levels of multiple cytokines and analyzed their relationship with clinical parameters of livers functions in a cohort of 43 PBC patients and 45 healthy controls (HC). The levels of ERα expression and the relation with the levels of cytokines were further assessed. The localization of cytokines and ERα-mediated signaling pathways in liver were examined using immunohistochemistry. The possible underlying mechanisms of these alterations in PBC were explored in vitro. Our results demonstrated that the levels of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α were increased in PBC patients, and positively correlated with the serum AKP levels and ERα expression levels. Moreover, the expression of these cytokines were up-regulated in HiBECs that were stimulated with 17β-estradiol and PPT (an ERα agonist) and they also were positive in intrahepatic bile duct of PBC patients. The ERα-mediated expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines was induced by JNK, P38, and STAT3 phosphorylation in HiBECs. In addition, the CD54 expression was increased in HiBECs after ERα activation, which induced peripheral blood monouclear cells (PBMCs) recruitment. In conclusion, the present study highlighted a key role of abnormal ERα expression in inducing an inflammatory phenotype of HiBECs, which was critical in the development of inflammation and damage in small bile duct.
Treating the Different Phenotypes of Behçet's Syndrome

Behçet's syndrome (BS) is a multisystemic vasculitis, characterized by different clinical involvements, including mucocutaneous, ocular, vascular, neurological, and gastrointestinal manifestations. Based on this heterogeneity, BS can be hardly considered as a single clinical entity. Growing evidence supports that, within BS, different phenotypes, characterized by clusters of co-existing involvements, can be distinguished. Namely, three major BS phenotypes have been reported: (a) the mucocutaneous and articular phenotype, (b) the extra-parenchymal neurological and peripheral vascular phenotype, and (c) the parenchymal neurological and ocular phenotype. To date, guidelines for the management of BS have been focused on the pharmacological treatment of each specific BS manifestation. However, tailoring the treatments on patient's specific phenotype, rather than on single disease manifestation, could represent a valid strategy for a personalized therapeutic approach to BS. In the present literature review, we summarize current evidence on the pharmacological treatments for the first-, second-, and third-line treatment of the major BS phenotypes.