Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Cross-Lingual Approach to the Development of an HMM-Based Speech Synthesis System for Malay

-,This research reports the development of an HMM-based speech synthesis system for Malay, which is an underresourced language with few resources including recorded speech and segmental labels. We propose the cross-lingual use of resources for developing a Malay HMM-based speech synthesis system. We used the Festival English speech synthesis system to generate time-aligned phone transcriptions for Malay using specially constructed Malay grapheme-tophoneme database and English CART. These transcriptions together with Malay recorded speech databases were used for training and synthesis of Malay speech. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is confirmed by intelligibility and naturalness tests on the synthetic speech.
Average Channel Capacity for a Power and Rate Adaptive DS / FFH CDMA Cellular System

The average channel capacity (in the Shannon sense) per user of a hybrid cellular directsequence/fast frequency hopping code-division multipleaccess (DS/FFH-CDMA) system operating in a Rayleigh fading environment is examined. The analysis covers the downlink of a cellular system assuming a static model of operation and leads to a novel expression for the average channel capacity available to each system’s user, under optimal power and rate adaptation, providing an optimistic upper bound, useful for practical modulation and coding schemes.
Mycobacterium and sarcoidosis: Old wine in a new bottle

Additionally, the demonstrations of mycobacterial antigen and characteristic immune responses provide further evidence of association between the two entities. Seibert, as early as in 1946, noted elevated γ‐globulin with remarkably similar spike in tuberculosis and sarcoidosis patients. [10] Historically, delayed hypersensitive immune reaction to Kveim‐Siltzbach reagent was hallmark in diagnosis of sarcoidosis. Moller extracted mKatG as one of the antigens from Kveim reagent using a limited proteomic approach and found similar IgG response in more than half of his sarcoidosis patients to recombinant mKatG DNA. [11] Sarcoidosis patients were also found to contain high antimycobacterial heat shock protein antibodies (hsp70). [12] Subsequently, Oswald‐Richter and coworkers demonstrated a CD4+ T‐cell immune response to various mycobacterial antigens like KatG, Early Secreted Antigenic Target 6 (ESAT 6), SodA, and HSP in bronchoalveolar lavage obtained from pulmonary sarcoidosis patients compared to PPD‐ and NTM‐control. [13] The same author later showed CD+ T‐cell response in sarcoidosis when antigens KatG and ESAT6 were presented by antigen presenting cells expressing DRB1*1101, a sarcoidosis susceptible MHC class II allele. [14] These studies have linked interaction between mycobacterial antigens and genetic susceptibility in sarcoidosis subjects. Over the last decade, other studies have also demonstrated many mycobacterial antigens inducing Th1 cell response and cytokine production in sarcoidosis patients. This variety of immunological reactions against mycobacterial antigens probably suggests prior exposure of antigens in vulnerable hosts leading to development of disease process in sarcoidosis.
Targeted Disruption of a B2 Bradykinin Receptor Gene in Mice Eliminates Bradykinin Action in Smooth Muscle and Neurons (*)

Mice that are homozygous for the targeted disruption of the gene encoding the B2 bradykinin receptor have been generated. The gene disruption results in a deletion of the entire coding sequence for the B2 receptor. The disruption of the B2 receptor gene has been confirmed by genetic, biochemical, and pharmacological analyses. Mice that are homozygous for the disruption of the B2 receptor gene are fertile and indistinguishable from their littermates by visual inspection. Bradykinin fails to produce responses in pharmacological preparations from ileum, uterus, and the superior cervical ganglia from these mice. Therefore, expression of a single gene appears to be responsible for conferring responsiveness to bradykinin in these tissues.
A Latent Trait Model of Simulated Combat Performance

Abstract : Military personnel perform many physically demanding tasks. Identifying the physical abilities that influence performance will contribute to the design of efficient physical training programs. Causal models were constructed to evaluate aerobic capacity (AC), anaerobic power (AP), and muscle endurance (ME) as potential causes of general performance (GP). Five simulated combat tasks defined GP. AP and AC, but not ME, influenced GP. The AP-AC combination contrasted with general strength (GS)-AC models found in earlier studies. No GS measures were available in this study, so the inclusion of AP in the final model may be a case of omitted variable bias. The models to date have consistently excluded ME as a cause. Further study of the importance of AP could be constructive.
Commentary: Direction of causation models

The ability to identify the direction of causality from cross-sectional twin data by using sophisticated statistical models is an appealing prospect for epidemiologists. The paper by Neale et a]. [ 19941 presents a clear and carefully reasoned exposition of how these new methods can be used to probe the relationship between depression and parental bonding. The Duffy and Martin 119941 paper applies the direction of causation models to a number of real-world examples to illustrate the strengths and limitations of the method. To many epidemiologists without training in the intricacies of the biometrical genetic analysis of twin data the approach may appear mysterious. These epidemiologists are likely to reject the approach without adequately considering the merits of the method. We feel that this would be a serious error since the direction of causation models are of potentially great value. The identification of causal factors in the development of disease is at the core of epidemiology. Our commentary frames the direction of causation models within the broader philosophical context of causal inference in epidemiology. We link this discussion of causality to a brief discussion of several distinctive features of study
Hardware implementation of discrete-time neural circuit of largest/smallest signal identification

A hardware implementation in FPGA based reconfigurable computing architecture of discrete-time neural circuit that is capable of identifying the K largest/smallest of any unknown finite value N distinct inputs, where N ≤ K <; N is presented. For N competitors, such circuit is composed of N feedforward and one feedback hardlimiting neurons, that is used to determine the dynamic shift of input signals. The circuit has low computational and hardware implementation complexity, high speed of signal processing, it can process signals of any finite range, possesses signal order preserving property and does not require resetting and corresponding supervisory circuit that increases a speed of signal processing. Described the hardware implementation, based on the results of mathematical modeling KWTA Neural Network, with the FPGA-based reconfigurable computing architectures. Discussed the issues involved in using hardware blocks combining VHDL coding. Simulation example demonstrating the circuit performance is presented.
Antiepileptic Effect of High-frequency Stimulation of the Subthalamic Nucleus (Corpus Luysi) in a Case of Medically Intractable Epilepsy Caused by Focal Dysplasia: A 30-month Follow-up: Technical Case Report

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE Currently, some forms of epilepsy are resistant to both pharmacological and surgical interventions. As a result, there is a need for new therapeutic strategies. Because the nigral system modulates neuronal excitability in animal models of epilepsy, we considered therapeutic high-frequency stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN). We were encouraged by the known relationship between the STN and the nigral system, as well as by our experience with high-frequency stimulation of the STN in Parkinsonian patients. CLINICAL PRESENTATION A 5-year-old girl with pharmacologically resistant, inoperable epilepsy caused by focal centroparietal dysplasia underwent implantation with a permanent electrode in the left STN and was chronically stimulated. To date, we have followed up this patient for 30 months postoperatively. TECHNIQUE High-frequency stimulation of the STN induced a significant voltage-dependent reduction (by 80%) in the number and severity of seizures. In addition, consistent improvement in both motor and cognitive functions was noted as a result of reduced postictal states. The effect was more prominent for seizures occurring in clusters (89% reduction) and during the day (88% reduction) than for those that occurred during sleep (53% reduction). CONCLUSION This is the first report of epilepsy control using chronic high-frequency stimulation of the STN. Preliminary observations in three other operated patients (at 2, 12, and 18 mo) confirm these data. We think that high-frequency stimulation of the STN may hold significant future potential as a treatment for epilepsy, similar to its established role in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. This finding opens completely new experimental and therapeutic avenues for the treatment of surgically and medically intractable epilepsy.
Single trial EEG classification of lower-limb movements using improved regularized common spatial pattern

Brain computer interface (BCI) is a direct communication pathway between the human central nervous system and external devices primarily aiming at restoring damaged functions such as sight, hearing and movement. Although great achievements have been made for the development of reliable BCI systems to assist people with upper-limb disabilities, researches on BCI development related to lower-limb are still rudimentary. In the current study, based on the regularized common spatial pattern analysis (R-CSP) method and statistical dependency, we have developed an improved feature selection method for lower-limb movement pattern classification. High-resolution electroencephalogram (EEG) signals were recorded from four healthy male subjects undergoing real lower-limb movements. Compared to the conventional CSP, R-CSP, and PCA methods, the proposed method achieved the best average accuracy of 83.5% for single trial classification of left and right lower-limb movement. Our findings thereby have insightful implications for developing practical BCI systems for lower-limb movement.
Armorican arrowhead biographies: Production and function of an Early Bronze Age prestige good from Brittany (France)

Brittany can pride itself on the Armorican arrowheads found in Early Bronze Age graves (2150-1700 BC). In the present state of knowledge, these are the only specialized craft products in knapped flint produced in this region at the western edge of continental Europe. Admired since the 19th century, these flint arrowheads have never really been studied. Due to the wealth of graves and grave-goods, a relatively precise study can be undertaken of the development of these craft products, despite the low number of reliable radiocarbon dates. These arrowheads are characterized by a well-defined type (pointed tang and oblique barbs) most often combined with ogival form. Raw materials show the selection of a high quality yellow translucent flint, of which the origin has to be sought at more than 400 kilometers (Lower Turonian flint from Cher Valley). From a technical point of view, Armorican arrowheads reveal a great mastery of retouch by pressure-flaking. This skill is written in stone by the perfection of forms, the extreme thinness (until 2,5 mm thick) and very long barbs (until 25 mm long). Such work could not have been done without the use of copper, even bronze, awls. Moreover, some marks may testify to the implication of these tools. On 549 arrowheads that have reached to us, none of them presents diagnostical impact features. However, use-wear analysis indicates that most of them were hafted (adhesive traces, bright spots, blunt edges). These facts suggest that they are less functional arrowheads than objects for the show. In the graves, Armorican arrowheads are frequently set down carefully in wooden boxes taking the shaft off. The Armorican arrowheads with their exotic raw materials, their high-degree of technicality, and their absence of use, have all features of a prestige good. They have been discovered by dozens in few graves under barrows with very rich funeral items (bronze daggers decorated with golden pins, precious bracers, silver beakers, etc.). According to these obvious facts, they symbolize the power of the elites. The genesis of Armorican arrowheads are in all likelihood explained by a climate of increasing social competition, which express itself in Brittany by an individualization of burial rites, a development of metalworking and a reorganization of territories. In this article, we will stress on raw materials selection, technology and know-how, as well as use-wear analyses. All these approaches will help us to trace the biographies of the Armorican arrowheads.
Does sticky blood predict a sticky end? Associations of blood viscosity, haematocrit and fibrinogen with mortality in the West of Scotland

Summary. There is increasing evidence that blood viscosity and its major determinants (haematocrit, plasma viscosity and fibrinogen) are associated with an increased risk of incident cardiovascular events; however, their associations with mortality are not established. We therefore studied the associations of these variables with cardiovascular events and total mortality in 1238 men and women aged 25–64 years, followed for 13 years in the first North Glasgow MONICA (MONItoring CArdiovascular disease) survey and West of Scotland centres in the Scottish Heart Health Study. After adjustment for age and sex, increasing whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, haematocrit and fibrinogen (analysed by both von Clauss and heat precipitation assays) were significantly associated with mortality. Only the association for fibrinogen (von Clauss assay) remained significant after adjustment for major cardiovascular risk factors. We conclude that clottable fibrinogen may be independently associated with mortality. However, the significance of this association, and the extent to which viscosity is associated with mortality, remain to be established in larger studies and meta‐analyses.
Heuristic Algorithm for Multicast Connections in Packet Networks

There have been many heuristic algorithms determining multicast connection trees proposed over the past few years. However, the proposed methods are only approximations of most favourable solutions and thus, a necessity for finding a better and more suitable algorithm is still topical and up-to-date. The present article aims at presenting the attempts of finding a two-criteria algorithm that would be more effective than those presented in relevant literature so far.
Development of a Wind Interior Permanent-Magnet Synchronous Generator-Based Microgrid and Its Operation Control

This paper presents the development of a wind interior permanent-magnet synchronous generator (IPMSG)-based dc microgrid and its operation control. First, the derated characteristics of PMSG systems with various ac/dc converters and operation controls are comparatively analyzed. Then, the IPMSG followed by a three-phase Vienna switch-mode rectifier is developed to establish the common dc bus of dc microgrid. Good developed power and voltage regulation characteristics are achieved via the proposed commutation tuning, robust current, and voltage controls. Second, a single-phase three-wire inverter is constructed to serve as the test load. Good ac 220 V/110 V output voltage waveforms under unknown and nonlinear loads are preserved by the developed robust waveform tracking control scheme. Third, a battery energy storage system is established, and the fast energy storage support response is obtained via the proposed droop control approach with adaptive predictive current control method. In addition, a chopped dump load is equipped to enhance the energy balance control flexibility.
Investment and the Cross-Section of Equity Returns

When the neoclassical model of investment is serious about investment, it fails to replicate elementary cross-sectional features of equity returns. Without leverage, the model produces a value discount - i.e. value firms earn lower returns than growth firms. With large enough operating leverage, a value premium emerges, but its magnitude is always smaller than the size premium's. Furthermore, when parameters are set to match key moments of the cross--sectional distribution of investment and the average book-to-market ratio, the value premium is minuscule -- about one order of magnitude smaller than found in the data. This result holds true for different specifications of the stochastic discount factor and does not depend upon the magnitude of capital adjustment costsInstitutional subscribers to the NBER working paper series, and residents of developing countries may download this paper without additional charge at www.nber. org.
Improving prescribing practices: A pharmacist‐led educational intervention for nurse practitioner students

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE To assess impact of a pharmacist-led educational intervention on family nurse practitioner (FNP) students' prescribing skills, perception of preparedness to prescribe, and perception of pharmacist as collaborator. METHOD Prospective pre-post assessment of a 14-week educational intervention in an FNP program in the spring semester of 2014. Students participated in an online module of weekly patient cases and prescriptions emphasizing legal requirements, prescription accuracy, and appropriate therapy. A pharmacist facilitator provided formative feedback on students' submissions. Participants completed a matched assessment on prescription writing before and after the module, and a retrospective postsurvey then presurvey to collect perceptions. CONCLUSION There was significant improvement in performance on error identification and demonstration of prescription elements from preassessment to postassessment (+17%, p < .001). The mean performance on both assessments was less than the 70% passing score. Students reported significant positive changes in perceptions, including all statements regarding their preparedness to prescribe and those addressing willingness to collaborate with pharmacists. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Formative education on prescribing enhanced students' understanding of safe and effective medication use with improved recognition and avoidance of prescribing errors, although it did not result in competency. Exposure to pharmacist expertise in this area may encourage collaboration in practice.
Block and decoded error probabilities of DPSK in AWGN

In this letter, we consider the error correlation in differential phase-shift keying (DPSK) demodulation in terms of its effects on the block and decoded error probabilities. The exact block and decoded error probabilities are derived and computed for additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN). Comparisons are made with the approximate block and decoded error probabilities based on a memoryless model which ignores the error correlation. The effectiveness of interleaving in improving the error performance is addressed under various conditions. Both binary and nonbinary DPSK are studied. >
Heavy metal induced physiological changes in the antioxidative response system

Heavy metal stress induced alterations in the activities of several representatives of the enzymatic antioxidant defense system such as guiacol peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) were comparatively studied in barley seedlings treated by Zn and Cd. Although roots were the main sites of metal accumulation, the oxidative damage was detrimental mainly in the leaves. Our experiments clearly show that the investigated heavy metals have quite different effects on plant metabolism and induce the protective enzymatic system in different ways. It is inevitable that we should cope with the environmental damages induced by increased concentration of heavy metals. One of the common characteristics of these events is the oxidative stress generating active oxygen species (AOS) (Salin 1987). Plants have evolved various protective mechanisms to eliminate or reduce AOS species. One of them is the enzymatic antioxidant system, including SOD, POD, CAT and APX. Each of these enzymes has physiological function under non-stressed conditions, but their activity/or quantity is increased under oxidative stress. The comparison of the the antioxidative enzymatic system in seedlings exposed to two essentially different heavy metals, namely Zn and Cd should reveal essential elements of this defense system. While Zn is an essential microelement that is indispensable for normal plant growth at low concentration and is toxic only at high concentration, Cd has no vital function in plants developing under “natural” conditions.
Behavior of chaotic inflation in anisotropic cosmologies with nonminimal coupling.

We review the behavior of the chaotic inflationary scenario in the minimally coupled anisotropic case and in the nonminimally coupled isotropic case. In the former, anisotropy enhances inflation. In the latter, positive nonminimal coupling introduces a singularity at a critical point \ensuremath{\varphi}${^}_{c}$ in the scalar field. The exact value of \ensuremath{\varphi}${^}_{c}$ depends on the coupling parameter \ensuremath{\xi}. This singularity cannot be exceeded, which precludes astrophysically sufficient inflation for \ensuremath{\xi}\ensuremath{\gtrsim}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2}$. We extend the analysis to anisotropic Bianchi models where a second singularity ${\ensuremath{\varphi}}_{c}$ appears, which further prevents inflation in these models for \ensuremath{\xi}\ensuremath{\gtrsim}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2}$.
Ubiquitous blood pressure monitoring using EEG and PPG signals

The Vita-H1 system represents an innovative way of accurately predicting systolic and diastolic blood pressures using PPG and ECG signals. As a cuff-less system, Vita-H1 allows convenient continuous BP monitoring throughout the day. Based on a test set of 90 people, the mean absolute bias for SBP (|H1 - true|) is 5.4mmHg and for DBP is 4.4mmHg, which complies with the IEEE1708--2014standard (MAD<=7mmHg). The Vita-H1 combines big data analytics based on a large training data and individual predictive analytics based on individual caliber data. The big data analytic is performed on a remote server and the results are downloaded to the smart-phone app. Individual updates can be computed off-line and real-time on the smart-phone.