Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Recognition of Noisy Speech: Using Minimum-Mean Log-Spectral Distance Estimation

A model-based spectral estimation algorithm is derived that improves the robustness of speech recognition systems to additive noise. The algorithm is tailored for filter-bank-based systems, where the estimation should seek to minimize the distortion as measured by the recognizer's distance metric. This estimation criterion is approximated by minimizing the Euclidean distance between spectral log-energy vectors, which is equivalent to minimizing the nonweighted, nontruncated cepstral distance. Correlations between frequency channels are incorporated in the estimation by modeling the spectral distribution of speech as a mixture of components, each representing a different speech class, and assuming that spectral energies at different frequency channels are uncorrelated within each class. The algorithm was tested with SRI's continuous-speech, speaker-independent, hidden Markov model recognition system using the large-vocabulary NIST "Resource Management Task. " When trained on a clean-speech database and tested with additive white Gaussian noise, the new algorithm has an error rate half of that with MMSE estimation of log spectral energies at individual frequency channels, and it achieves a level similar to that with the ideal condition of training and testing at constant SNR. The algorithm is also very efficient with additive environmental noise, recorded with a desktop microphone.
Vitamin D is associated with cardiopulmonary exercise capacity: results of two independent cohorts of healthy adults

Abstract Vitamin D has an important role in calcium homeostasis and is known to have various health-promoting effects. Moreover, potential interactions between vitamin D and physical activity have been suggested. This study aims to investigate the relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and exercise capacity quantified by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). For this, 1377 participants from the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP-1) and 750 participants from the independent SHIP-TREND cohort were investigated. Standardised incremental exercise tests on a cycle ergometer were performed to assess exercise capacity by VO2 at anaerobic threshold, peakVO2, O2 pulse and peak power output. Serum 25(OH)D levels were measured by an automated chemiluminescence immunoassay. In SHIP-1, 25(OH)D levels were positively associated with all considered parameters of cardiopulmonary exercise capacity. Subjects with high 25(OH)D levels (4th quartile) showed an up to 25 % higher exercise capacity compared with subjects with low 25(OH)D levels (1st quartile). All associations were replicated in the independent SHIP-TREND cohort and were independent of age, sex, season and other interfering factors. In conclusion, significant positive associations between 25(OH)D and parameters of CPET were detected in two large cohorts of healthy adults.
Ipsilateral and Cross‐Over Elongation of the Motor Nerve by Nerve Grafting: An Experimental Study in Sheep

In difficult reconstructions, ipsilateral or cross-over nerve grafting is sometimes necessary to achieve reinnervation and motor function. This experimental study in sheep was to answer the question of limitation of elongation of a motor nerve by grafting, the question of the optimal time for suturing the nerve graft to the muscle nerve, and the question of the successful application of this surgical technique in extremities. In 18 sheep, the vastus nerve was elongated by a saphenous nerve graft as long as possible up to 30 cm (step 1). In 10 animals the nerve graft was applied ipsilaterally, and in 8 animals it was used as a cross-over nerve graft to the contralateral limb. The time between nerve grafting and connection of the distal end of the nerve graft to the freshly cut rectus nerve supplying the rectus femoris muscle (step 2) was variable: 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. In all animals, the final experiments (step 3) were performed 6 months after the last operation (step 2). Muscle force measurements in the rectus femoris muscle and quantitative analysis of the number and diameter of myelinated nerve fibers in cross sections of the nerve biopsies at different levels showed that elongation of a motor nerve by nerve grafting is principally not limited. The functional results were rather inhomogeneous and therefore unpredictable (ipsilateral group: maximum tetanic tension = 27 to 172 N; cross-over group: 0 to 227.5 N). Nevertheless, crossover nerve grafting is recommended for selected cases even in extremities. There was no correlation between the time interval between the two operations and the functional or morphologic results, although better functional results were obtained when the distal nerve suture (step 2) was performed some months after nerve grafting (step 1). A clear correlation was found only between the number of regenerated axons in the rectus nerve behind the second suture line and the muscle function.
Conservation of biotrophy in Hygrophoraceae inferred from combined stable isotope and phylogenetic analyses

The nutritional modes of genera in Hygrophoraceae (Basidiomycota: Agaricales), apart from the ectomycorrhizal Hygrophorus and lichen-forming taxa, are uncertain. New δ15N and δ13C values were obtained from 15 taxa under Hygrophoraceae collected in central Massachusetts and combined with isotopic datasets from five prior studies including a further 12 species using a data standardization method to allow cross-site comparison. Based on these data, we inferred the probable nutritional modes for species of Hygrophorus, Hygrocybe, Humidicutis, Cuphophyllus and Gliophorus. A phylogeny of Hygrophoraceae was constructed by maximum likelihood analysis of nuclear ribosomal 28S and 5.8S sequences and standardized δ15N and δ13C values were used for parsimony optimization on this phylogeny. Our results supported a mode of biotrophy in Hygrocybe, Humidicutis, Cuphophyllus and Gliophorus quantitatively unlike that in more than 450 other fungal taxa sampled in the present and prior studies. Parsimony optimization of stable isotope data suggests moderate conservation of nutritional strategies in Hygrophoraceae and a single switch to a predominantly ectomycorrhizal life strategy in the lineage leading to Hygrophorus. We conclude that Hygrophoraceae of previously unknown nutritional status are unlikely to be saprotrophs and are probably in symbiosis with bryophytes or other understory plants.
Cloning Your Gadgets: Complete ROP Attack Immunity with Multi-Variant Execution

In this paper, we present disjoint code layouts (DCL), a technique that complements multi-variant execution <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref1">[1]</xref> and W<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\oplus$ </tex-math><alternatives><inline-graphic xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="volckaert-ieq1-2411254.gif"/></alternatives></inline-formula>X protection to effectively immunize programs against control flow hijacking exploits such as return oriented programming (ROP) <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref2">[2]</xref> and return-to-libc attacks <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref3">[3]</xref>. DCL improves upon address space partitioning (ASP), an earlier technique presented to defeat memory exploits. Unlike ASP, our solution keeps the full virtual address space available to the protected program. Additionally, our combination of DCL with Multi-Variant Execution is transparent to both the user and the programmer and incurs much less overhead than other ROP defense tools, both in terms of run time and memory footprint.
An overview of the Sulu programming language

A model and a taxonomy to characterize pointer manipulations are introduced, along with an instrumentation technology that leverages them to provide students with immediate reports of their pointer errors in C++ programs. A key innovation is that not only does the student get feedback about pointer errors; so does the instructor. The method used to provide students with feedback also permits logging of student errors for analysis by the instructor, thereby facilitating both empirical research into students’ understanding of pointers and new possibilities for improved pedagogy. Preliminary data collected using this infrastructure, and other possible uses of it, are discussed.
The Timing of Conscious Experience: A Critical Review and Reinterpretation of Libet's Research

An extended examination of Libet's works led to a comprehensive reinterpretation of his results. According to this reinterpretation, the Minimum Train Duration of electrical brain stimulation should be considered as the time needed to create a brain stimulus efficient for producing conscious sensation and not as a basis for inferring the latency for conscious sensation of peripheral origin. Latency for conscious sensation with brain stimulation may occur after the Minimum Train Duration. Backward masking with cortical stimuli suggests a 125-300 ms minimum value for the latency for conscious sensation of threshold skin stimuli. Backward enhancement is not suitable for inferring this latency. For determining temporal relations between stimuli that correspond to subjects' reports, the end of cerebral Minimum Train Duration should be used as reference, rather than its onset. Results of coupling peripheral and cortical stimuli are explained by a latency after the cortical Minimum Train Duration, having roughly the same duration as the latency for supraliminal skin stimuli. Results of coupling peripheral stimuli and stimuli to medial lemniscus (LM) are explained by a shorter LM latency and/or a longer peripheral latency. This interpretation suggests a 230 ms minimum value for the latency for conscious sensation of somatosensory near-threshold stimuli. The backward referral hypothesis, as formulated by Libet, should not be retained. Long readiness potentials preceding spontaneous conscious or nonconscious movements suggest that both kinds of movement are nonconsciously initiated. The validity of Libet's measures of W and M moments (Libet et al., 1983a) is questionable due to problems involving latencies, training, and introspective distinction of W and M. Veto of intended actions may be initially nonconscious but dependent on conscious awareness.
Persistent ischemia impairs myofibroblast development in wound granulation tissue: A new model of delayed wound healing

We describe a new animal model designed to assess the impact of ischemia on wound healing. Eight patterns of arterial lesion in the limb were first tested in 24 Wistar rats. Resection of the external iliac artery down to the femoral artery at the level of the knee was chosen as the reference model and performed on the left limb of 45 rats; the right limb was used as the control. Skin wounds measuring 1.2 × 0.8 cm were created on both feet. Ischemia was assessed by blood flow measurement, which decreases dramatically in the ischemic limb. A significant delay in wound closure with a decrease in wound contraction was observed in the ischemic limb. Myofibroblast quantification showed a significant delay in appearance as well as a decrease in the number of these cells in the ischemic wound. Vascular endothelial growth factor‐A appearance and evolution were qualitatively similar in both situations. However, collagen type I mRNA was markedly decreased in ischemic granulation tissue 10 days after wounding. These findings suggest that decreased wound contraction plays an important role in delayed ischemic wound healing, probably due to reduced myofibroblast development and activity.
Novel Device-to-Device Discovery Scheme Based on Random Backoff in LTE-Advanced Networks

Device-to-device (D2D) discovery is a key enabler of D2D communications for the direct exchange of local area traffic between proximity users (UEs) to improve spectral efficiency. The direct D2D discovery relies on the capabilities of the D2D UEs to autonomously indicate their presence to proximity D2D UEs. Despite its potential of reducing energy and signaling burden, the direct D2D discovery has not drawn adequate attention. In this paper, we propose a direct D2D discovery scheme based on the random backoff procedure, where D2D UEs randomly choose a backoff interval and retransmit a beacon. Compared with existing schemes, the performance of the proposed scheme can be significantly enhanced in terms of the discovery probability and the discovery delay. Several useful guidelines for its design are proposed based on our analysis. Finally, numerical results provide valuable insights on the performance tradeoff inherent to the proposed D2D discovery scheme.
Distinct biophysical mechanisms of focal adhesion kinase mechanoactivation by different extracellular matrix proteins

Significance Mechanical forces, which guide cellular functions, can be sensed and translated into biochemical information at focal adhesions, where cells physically connect to extracellular matrix (ECM) through transmembrane receptor integrins. Our results have identified that different ECM proteins, type 1 collagen (Col I) and fibronectin (FN), can either transmit or shield from mechanical forces when regulating crucial intracellular signaling, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), with their different accessibility to the corresponding integrin receptors. Whereas the integrin α2 binding site in Col I is constitutively accessible, mechanical tension is required to expose the integrin α5 binding motif in FN. This finding should advance our understanding on how cells perceive extracellular mechanical cues through natural surface materials. Matrix mechanics controls cell fate by modulating the bonds between integrins and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. However, it remains unclear how fibronectin (FN), type 1 collagen, and their receptor integrin subtypes distinctly control force transmission to regulate focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activity, a crucial molecular signal governing cell adhesion/migration. Here we showed, using a genetically encoded FAK biosensor based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer, that FN-mediated FAK activation is dependent on the mechanical tension, which may expose its otherwise hidden FN synergy site to integrin α5. In sharp contrast, the ligation between the constitutively exposed binding motif of type 1 collagen and its receptor integrin α2 was surprisingly tension-independent to induce sufficient FAK activation. Although integrin α subunit determines mechanosensitivity, the ligation between α subunit and the ECM proteins converges at the integrin β1 activation to induce FAK activation. We further discovered that the interaction of the N-terminal protein 4.1/ezrin/redixin/moesin basic patch with phosphatidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate is crucial during cell adhesion to maintain the FAK activation from the inhibitory effect of nearby protein 4.1/ezrin/redixin/moesin acidic sites. Therefore, different ECM proteins either can transmit or can shield from mechanical forces to regulate cellular functions, with the accessibility of ECM binding motifs by their specific integrin α subunits determining the biophysical mechanisms of FAK activation during mechanotransduction.
Anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities of Fumaria indica whole plant extract in experimental animals

Anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities of Fumaria indica whole plant extract in experimental animals The 50% ethanolic extract of Fumaria indica was investigated for its anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive potential in animal models. Oral administration of F. indica dry extract (100, 200 and 400 mg kg-1) exhibited dose dependent and significant anti-inflammatory activity in acute (carrageenean and histamine induced hind paw oedema, p < 0.05) and chronic cotton pellet granuloma models of inflammation, p < 0.01). The extract (400 mg kg-1) exhibited maximum anti-inflammatory effects of 42.2 and 42.1% after 3 h with carrageenean and histamine, respectively. The same dose of extract showed 38.9% reduction in granuloma mass in a chronic condition. A significant anti-nociceptive activity was evidenced in mice; 6.6-67.7% (p < 0.01) protection in mechanical, 33.9-125.1% (p < 0.05) protection in thermal induced pain and 22.2-73.9% (p < 0.05) protection in acetic acid-induced writhing. Protuupalno i analgetsko djelovanje ekstrakta cijele biljke Fumaria indica na eksperimentalnim životinjama Na animalnom modelu ispitivano je protuupalno i analgetsko djelovanje ekstrakta biljke Fumaria indica sa 50%-tnim etanolnom. Peroralna primjena suhog ekstrakta F. indica (100, 200 i 400 mg kg-1) pokazuje značajno i o dozi ovisno protuupalno djelovanje na akutni (edem šape uzrokovan karagenom i histaminom, p < 0.05) i kronični upalni proces (granulomi uzrokovani pamučnim peletama, p < 0.01). Najveći protuupalni učinak u karagenskom, odnosno histaminskom testu od 42,2 i 42,1% dobiven je s dozom 400 mg kg-1 nakon 3 h. Ista doza ekstrakta pokazala je 38,9% smanjenje mase granuloma. Značajno analgetsko djelovanje dokazano je pokusima na miševima: 6,6-67,7% (p < 0,01) zaštita od mehanički izazvane boli, 33,9-125,1% (p < 0,05) zaštita od termički izazvane boli i 22,2-73,9% (p < 0,05) zaštita od kemijski izazvane boli octenom kiselinom.
Pharmacokinetics of tinidazole and metronidazole in women after single large oral doses.

Serum concentrations of tinidazole and metronidazole have been measured in healthy female volunteers who received a single dose of 2 g. of each drug in a cross-over study. Bioassays against T. vaginalis showed that metronidazole achieved higher peak concentrations (mean 81 mug./ml.) than did tinidazole (mean 67 mug./ml.), while assays for unchanged drug showed higher peak concentrations of tinidazole )mean 51 mug. /ml;) than of metronidazole (mean 40 mug./ml9). This discrepancy is probably due to the presence in the serum of active metabolites of metronidazole. The longer half-life of tinidazole led to significantly higher serum concentrations (by bioassay and chemical assay) of tinidazole than of metronidazole from 6 hrs onwards.
Feature Sensitive Sampling for Interactive Remeshing

We present a technique for remeshing irregular triangles meshes where the distribution and alignment can be adapted to the underlying geometry. Following the interactive virtual range scanner approach we overcome aliasing problems by introducing a special sampling technique. A sampling grid that can be aligned to the local features of the mesh is constructed interactively in an intuitive way and without adding reasonable overhead to the virtual scanning process.
FREQUENCY BAND SEPARATION FOR EPILEPSY DETECTION USING EEG

Epilepsy Detection using EEG requires feature extraction from the acquired signal in specific frequency range of delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma. Though some researchers have mentioned the use of DWT decomposition to obtain these bands, the method given is inadequate to achieve these. This paper explicitly describes the method of up-sampling and recombining of several decomposed subbands to achieve the required frequencies.
Video Paper: a paper-based interface for skimming and watching video

A paper-based method for browsing, retrieving, and viewing video programs is described. A printed form of the transcript for a TV program is provided that is formatted for easy browsing. The printout is annotated with bar codes that provide links to the corresponding position in the video recording. A remote control device is used for scanning the bar codes and controlling the replay of the video either on the remote control itself or on a video monitor. This paper describes an implementation of this method using a Pocket PC with a bar code reader as the remote control device and an archive of TV programs on the Pocket PC or an external server.
The Visual Causality Analyst: An Interactive Interface for Causal Reasoning

Uncovering the causal relations that exist among variables in multivariate datasets is one of the ultimate goals in data analytics. Causation is related to correlation but correlation does not imply causation. While a number of casual discovery algorithms have been devised that eliminate spurious correlations from a network, there are no guarantees that all of the inferred causations are indeed true. Hence, bringing a domain expert into the casual reasoning loop can be of great benefit in identifying erroneous casual relationships suggested by the discovery algorithm. To address this need we present the Visual Causal Analyst - a novel visual causal reasoning framework that allows users to apply their expertise, verify and edit causal links, and collaborate with the causal discovery algorithm to identify a valid causal network. Its interface consists of both an interactive 2D graph view and a numerical presentation of salient statistical parameters, such as regression coefficients, p-values, and others. Both help users in gaining a good understanding of the landscape of causal structures particularly when the number of variables is large. Our framework is also novel in that it can handle both numerical and categorical variables within one unified model and return plausible results. We demonstrate its use via a set of case studies using multiple practical datasets.
Strict thermal threshold identified by quantitative PCR in the sponge Rhopaloeides odorabile

In light of increasing sea surface temperatures, quantifying the expression of stress- inducible genes in coastal organisms is imperative to identify early biomarkers of thermal stress. In the present study we developed a quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay to test the molecular response to heat stress in the Great Barrier Reef sponge Rhopaloeides odorabile. Suitable reference genes (cod- ing for α-tubulin, 28S rRNA and ubiquitin) were identified among 5 candidates and then used to nor- malise expression of target genes (actin-related protein, calmodulin, ferritin, ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme, heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) and heat shock protein 40 (Hsp40)) in samples exposed to high temperatures (31 and 32°C) for 1, 3, 14 and 15 d. A rapid down-regulation of most genes (actin- related protein, ferritin, calmodulin and Hsp90) was observed at both temperatures within 24 h, indi- cating an initial shut-down of the sponge's molecular systems in response to thermal stress. The increased expression of Hsp40 and Hsp90 in sponges at 32°C after 1 and 3 d respectively indicates an activation of the heat shock response system and is consistent with their role as chaperones for direct- ing degraded proteins to proteolysis, this last process being sustained by an induction of the ubiqui- tin-conjugating enzyme gene at this temperature. While sponges kept at 32°C only survived for the first 3 d, none of the genes in sponges kept at 31°C were significantly different from those in the 27°C controls after 14 d. This indicates a very strict thermal threshold for R. odorabile between 31 and 32°C and is consistent with previous findings based on sponge necrosis and symbiotic disruptions in this species.
Wafer positioning apparatus

PURPOSE: A wafer positioning apparatus is provided to improve detection accuracy of an optical sensor by matching the center of the wafer with the center of a mount stage. CONSTITUTION: A mount stage(22) horizontally holds a wafer(W). A rotation driver(20) rotates the mount stage around a vertical axis. A wafer guide device(30) guides the periphery of the wafer held on the mount stage. The wafer guide device approaches or separates from the mount stage. A gas discharge unit is formed on the mount stage and discharges to raise the wafer of the wafer guide device from the mount stage. A peripheral position detector detects the peripheral position of the wafer on the mount stage. A controller rotates the wafer by controlling the rotation driver when the gas is not discharged from the gas discharge unit.