Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Speech / music classification using Vocal Tract Constriction aspect of speech

This work explores the vocal tract constriction aspect of speech for speech / music classification. During speech production, the vocal tract is closed for voiced bars and open for low vowels. For high vowels, semivowels, laterals, voiced fricatives and other sounds the vocal tract is in the intermediate position of the closed and open cases. Music signal, in particular the instrumental and non-vocal music, is produced in a completely different manner compared to speech and varies according to different instruments. The differences in the production of speech and music is exploited in this work for deriving a vocal tract constriction feature which is purely based on the concept of speech production and the behavior of this feature is expected to be different in the music regions thus achieving a kind of discrimination between speech and music. This feature called the Vocal Tract Constriction (VTC) feature is classified initially using a threshold based approach and also using classifiers like Support Vector Machines (SVM) and Gaussian Mixture Models (GMM). The effectiveness of this feature is tested either individually or in combination with other existing state of the art features for the speech / music classification task, where it is observed that when this feature is used in combination with the existing features, an additional improvement is obtained.
Relationship of Plasma Gelsolin Levels to Outcomes in Critically Ill Surgical Patients

Objective:To examine the relationship between plasma gelsolin levels and mortality following surgery or trauma. Background:Few simple predictive diagnostic tests are available to predict mortality following surgery or trauma. We hypothesize that plasma concentrations of gelsolin, a protein that responds to injured tissue, might be a predictor of patient outcomes. Methods:We conducted a prospective, observational study in the surgical intensive units (ICU) at a tertiary care teaching hospital. A total of 31 patients were enrolled in the study. Chart abstraction was used to gather data about patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and clinical outcomes. Plasma gelsolin concentrations were assessed serially on day 0 through day 5. Results:Low plasma gelsolin levels were associated with increased risk of death occurring in the ICU. Plasma gelsolin levels lower than 61 mg/L predicted longer ICU stay, prolonged ventilator dependence, and increased overall in-hospital mortality. Conclusion:Plasma gelsolin is a potential prognostic biomarker for critically ill surgical patients. Plasma gelsolin replacement may have therapeutic application.
The Effects of Health, Wealth, and Wages on Labour Supply and Retirement Behaviour

This paper analyzes the effects of wages and the Social Security System on labor supply over the life cycle. I present a model of labor supply and retirement behavior that includes a saving decision, uncertainty, and a non-negativity constraint on assets. Using data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, I estimate life cycle profiles for labor force participation rates, hours worked, and assets. Using the Method of Simulated Moments, I match the estimated profiles to profiles simulated by a dynamic structural model. Estimated parameters produce simulated profiles that match many aspects of the estimated profiles, including the high job exit rates at ages 62 and 65. Simulations suggest that a 20% reduction in Social Security benefits would cause individuals to delay job exit from the labor market in order to develop sufficient financial assets, increasing labor force participation rates from 28% to 35 % at age 62.
Real-Time Signal Processing of Infrasound Data Using 1D Wavelet Transform on FPGA Device

Infrasound is a low frequency acoustic phenomenon typically in the frequency range 0.01 to 20 Hz. Data collected from infrasound microphones are presented online by the infrasound monitoring system operating in Northern Europe,Swedish-Finnish Infrasound Network (SFIN). Processing the continuous flow of data to extract optimal feature information is important. Using wavelet decomposition as a tool for removing noise from the real-time signals is an alternative. The purpose of this paper is to present the design and FPGA implementation of Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) for real-time infrasound data processing, in which only two FIR filters, a high-pass and a low-pass filter, are used. With the filter reuse method and techniques such as pipeline, basic operations, by the language VHDL on the platform QUARTUS II,FPGA simulation and implementation are fulfilled. This implementation takes advantage from the low sampling rate used by the infrasound monitoring system that is only 18 Hz.
Accessory myocardial pathway mimicking an inferior myocardial infarction after major vascular surgery.

EDITOR: Pre-excitation syndromes are characterised by a shortening of the PR interval, a widening of the QRS complex and the presence of a delta-wave. These electrocardiographical changes in association with clinical symptoms define Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome. We report a patient who underwent major vascular surgery and whose electrocardiographical changes mimicked inferior myocardial infarction. These changes fall within the framework of preexcitation syndromes.
Seasonal Variation of Agility, Speed and Endurance Performance in Young Elite Soccer Players

The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the linear running speed (LRS) for 30 m, change of direction speed (CODS), and endurance in young elite Czech soccer players. The following tests were conducted to assess CODS and endurance: Agility 505 turning toward the dominant (A505DL) and non-dominant lower limb (A505NL); Illinois Agility Test (IAT); and intermittent test (Yo-Yo IRT1). During the soccer season, we investigated performance at the following time periods: the start (t1) and the end of the pre-season period (t2); during (t3) and at the end of the competitive period (t4). Repeated measurement analysis of variance revealed a significant effect of time period on selected fitness parameters (p < 0.05). Post hoc analysis for test A505DL revealed significant improvements of performance at t3 (2.71 ± 0.08 s) and t4 (2.72 ± 0.06 s) compared to t1 (2.81 ± 0.09 s). A505NL was significantly different between t1 (2.83 ± 0.09 s) and t2 (2.76 ± 0.09 s), t3 (2.7 ± 0.07 s) and t4 (2.71 ± 0.09 s). Performance of CODS at t1 for the IAT (18.82 ± 0.56 s) was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than any other time period (t2 = 18.52 ± 0.63 s, t3 = 17.94 ± 0.51 s, t4 = 17.89 ± 0.66 s). The power of LRS was significantly different at t3 (4.99 ± 0.15 s), and t4 (4.98 ± 0.17 s) compared to t1 (5.15 ± 0.21 s), and t2 (5.07 ± 0.14 s). For the Yo-Yo IRT1 test, we observed a significant increase in performance between t1 (625.26 ± 170.34 m), t2 (858.95 ± 210.55 m), and t3 (953.68 ± 229.88 m). These results show the impact of soccer season time period on young soccer player performance and may further serve as a basis for comparison with similar research conducted by peers. These results may aid sports practice for clinicians, conditioning coaches, soccer coaches and physiotherapeutic coaches.
Vision-based trajectory tracking for mobile robots using Mirage pose estimation method

Unmanned vehicles are autonomous robotic systems that are fully or partially controlled by an operator remotely from a station. In the last two decades, massive amount of advancements have been observed regarding unmanned vehicles for both military and civilian purposes. Today majority of these vehicles require human guidance even for basic missions, thus, minimising the human intervention on such systems is one of the emerging research topics. To serve this purpose, this study proposes a new trajectory tracking algorithm using Mirage pose estimation method. Mirage employs target pixel errors in two-dimensional image plane and analytically calculates the robot's pose in three-dimensional Euclidean space. Therefore, complex computations are not needed and undesirable Euclidean trajectories are avoided since the vehicle's pose is directly controlled. Both simulations and real experiments were performed to verify the effectiveness of the method. The results show that the proposed method is a feasible alternative for vision-based Euclidean trajectory tracking with high accuracy and low complexity.
Adaptive interactive online course on Computer Architecture and Organization

In the last 10 years we have provided an interactive online course on Computer Architecture and Organization, which uses Online Learning and Interactive e-Assessment technology to support easier learning. The technology enabled an interactive environment which, checks student's knowledge and enables continuation to the next learning environment based on decision making criteria to check if sufficient knowledge is acquired by the student for a given learning objective. The system works in such a way, that the decision is made based on three correct answers in a row for questions set in a given area. Our experience shows that establishing interactive environment for online learning helps the students to gain knowledge and skills more easily, and improves the overall understanding and knowledge discovery and construction for the given course.
Morphological characteristics of Echinococcus granulosus derived from buffalo in Iran

SUMMARY Cystic echinococcosis is a significant parasitic disease in Iran, where a variety of animals act as intermediate hosts. In this study, 25 isolates of Echinococcus granulosus obtained from water buffalo from various parts of Iran were characterized on the basis of the morphology of the metacestode and the adult worm. The characteristics of protoscoleces from the different studied areas were nearly similar. They showed 2 rows of alternating large and small hooks and their shapes were smooth in outline. In contrast to the protoscoleces, the adult rostellar hooks showed a rough outline. The results showed that the total length, the blade lengths of the large and small hooks and the number of hooks are almost similar to those isolated from sheep but significantly different from those isolated from camels. The growth rates of adult E. granulosus (total worm length, segmentation and maturation) of buffalo origin, at 35 and 41 days post-infection of dogs, were nearly comparable to the common sheep strain. The form of the strobila and the morphology of the reproductive system were also similar to those of sheep origin. This suggests that the common sheep strain (G1) of E. granulosus may also use buffaloes as its intermediate host.
Characterization of CGRP1 and CGRP2 Receptor Subtypes a

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a 37-amino acid peptide generated from the alternate tissue-specific processing of the calcitonin gene mRNA. '. Various forms (a and p ) of CGRP have been characterized from human tissue^. ^-^ In the periphery, CGRP is co-localized and co-released with calcitonin in the parafollicular C cell of the thyroid gland,' with substance P in sensory nerves' and with acetylcholine in motoneurons. * In the brain, CGRP-like immunoreactivity is broadly distributed and especially concentrated in hypothalamic areas and some brainstem nuclei.9 A variety of biological effects have been claimed for CGRP, including the modulation of nicotinic receptor activities at the neuromuscularjunction'o*ll and of substance P in inflammation," a reduction of gastric acid s e c r e t i ~ n , ' ~ . ' ~ peripheral blood vessel dilation,Is cardiac a~celeration, '" '~ a regulation of calcium metabolismh and insulin secretion", an increase in body temperature, and a decrease in food intake. Iy-? ' In spite of the various biological actions induced by CGRP, relatively little is known concerning the characteristics of its receptor~. '~,? '-? ~ Consequently, a few years ago, our group undertook the development of selective agonists and antagonists which prove to be most useful for the identification of the existence of CGRP receptor s ~ b t y p e s . ' ~ ~ ~ ~ " ' T h e various criteriaused to classify these receptor classes are reviewed here.
Auditory Masking Patterns in Bottlenose Dolphins from Anthropogenic and Natural Noise Sources

Abstract : The long-term goals of this project are to better understand and predict auditory masking in odontocetes with realistic, environmental noise types. Current predictions based on Gaussian noise masking will be improved upon. The objectives of this effort are to understand and predict how environmental noise (both anthropogenic and natural) affects detection, discrimination, and recognition abilities of odontocete cetaceans. The specific objectives for FY12 were to: *Develop and test hypotheses to describe auditory masking patterns from FY10 and FY11; *Develop predictive quantitative models to describe masking with environmental noise; *Estimate auditory recognition thresholds with different noise types.
The Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor Seliciclib (R-roscovitine; CYC202) Decreases the Expression of Mitotic Control Genes and Prevents Entry into Mitosis

The cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor seliciclib (R-roscovitine, CYC202) shows promising antitumor activity in preclinical models and is currently undergoing phase II clinical trials. Inhibition of the CDKs by seliciclib could contribute to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis seen with the drug. However, it is common for drugs to exert multiple effects on gene expression and biochemical pathways. To further our understanding of the molecular pharmacology of seliciclib, we employed cDNA microarrays to determine changes in gene expression profiles induced by the drug in HT29 human colon cancer cells. Concentrations of seliciclib were used that inhibited RB phosphorylation and cell proliferation. An increase in the mRNA expression for CJUN and EGR1 was confirmed by Western blotting, consistent with activation of the ERK1/2 MAPK pathway by seliciclib. Transcripts of key genes required for the progression through mitosis showed markedly reduced expression, including Aurora-A/B (AURK-A/B), Polo-like kinase (PLK), cyclin B2 (CCNB2), WEE1 and CDC25C. Reduced expression of these mitotic genes was also seen at the protein level. siRNA-mediated depletion of Aurora-A protein led to an arrest of cells in the G2/M phase, consistent with the effects of seliciclib treatment. Inhibition of mitotic entry following seliciclib treatment was indicated by a reduction of histone H3 phosphorylation, which is catalyzed by Aurora-B, and by decreased expression of mitotic markers, including phospho-protein phosphatase 1α. The results indicate a potential mechanism through which seliciclib prevents entry into mitosis. Gene expression profiling has generated hypotheses that led to an increase in our knowledge of the cellular effects of seliciclib and could provide potential pharmacodynamic or response biomarkers for use in animal models and clinical trials.
Reformulating the hazard ratio to enhance communication with clinical investigators

Background: Clinical trials with time to event outcomes are often designed utilizing the Cox [1] proportional hazard model with a hazard ratio parameter Δ. Purpose: The purpose of this article is to demonstrate that a Cox proportional hazard model with a hazard ratio parameter is equivalent to a Cox proportional hazard model with a parameter equal to the probability that a patient given one treatment will have an event earlier than if the same patient were given a different treatment. This probability will subsequently be referred to as θ. Clinically interesting differences between the treatment arms are easier for researchers to quantify in terms of θ in situations where they have a difficult time with the hazard ratio, allowing better communication between the statistician and the researcher. Methods: The problem and its solution are demonstrated mathematically. The utility of the Cox proportional hazard model in terms of θ is illustrated through a Lymphoma clinical trial example. Results: The Cox proportional hazard model with parameter θ is shown to be equivalent to the Cox proportional hazard model with a hazard ratio parameter Δ. A table of typical hazard ratios Δ is presented with their equivalent θ values. In the appendix the mathematical derivations are developed and an unbiased estimate of θ is provided using Gehan's [2] generalization of the Wilcoxon statistic. Limitations: The equivalence of the Cox proportional hazard model in terms of the probability θ and the hazard ratio Δ is established only for continuous failure times with a single binary covariate. Conditions under which approximate equivalence holds with multiple covariates are discussed in the Appendix. Conclusions: The probability θ provides a natural parameterization for the Cox proportional hazard model, affords a tool to conceptualize treatment differences, and provides a method to improve communication between statisticians and researchers. Clinical Trials 2008; 5: 248—252. http://ctj.sagepub. com
Fakesong: The Manufacture of British Folksong 1700 to the Present Day

The early mediators, 1700-1725 from Thomas Percy to Joseph Ritson, 1760-1800 from Walter Scott to Robert Chambers, 1800-1830 from Thomas Wright to John Harland, 1830-1870 Francis James Child the "ballad" consensus the strong men and women before Agamemnon Cecil James sharp the "folksong" consensus Alfred Owen Williams and the upper Thames Albert Lancanster Lloyd - the one that got away?
Core Level Utilization for Achieving Energy Efficiency in Heterogeneous Systems

Energy budget is becoming a constraint in all computing systems. From mobile systems to supercomputers, the focus has shifted from performance to energy and power efficiency. Design metrics are not anymore solely based on performance, as the energy efficiency of application executions is becoming a predominant design requirement. In addition to established voltage and frequency scaling techniques, several semiconductor chip manufactures introduced heterogeneous multi-core processors to increase the level of energy efficiency. The usage of this heterogeneity is complicated by the scheduling and mapping decisions needed to be made at run-time for application execution. In order to exploit the full potential of such architectures we need to make the right decisions, because parameters such as type of core, frequency and utilization usually affect the power dissipation and performance. This paper analyses achievable energy gains when exploiting core level utilization in addition to other control techniques such as: heterogeneity, voltage and frequency scaling. We build an energy efficiency model based on platform configurations defined by core types, the different voltage and frequency levels and the core utilization rate. Based on the built model, we analyze the energy efficiency variations for different platform configurations providing the same level of performance. We show that trading the number and type of core with frequency and voltage level and core utilization rate can lead to substantial energy efficiency gains.
A verification approach for the optimization of mild hybrid electric vehicles

Optimization of systems is a challenging task. During this process adjustments of the model and the optimization algorithm will influence its success. Therefore, this paper introduces an analytical approach to verify the results achieved by an optimization process. This is done by pushing the observed mild hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) into the recuperation mode and the generator mode of the electrical machine. Now physical equations enable a verification approach to calculate the additional CO2 emission due to a variation of the efficiency of the electrical machine used in the power train of the HEV. The efficiency variation of the electrical machine is done on a measured efficiency map by increasing and reducing it by ±10% for the optimization process. The analytical verification approach should be easy to implement and enable to verify the results of the optimization process therefore a mid efficiency of the electrical machine is used. Compared to other approaches only changes of the CO2 emission are considered. This enables to model the internal combustion engine (ICE) in an easy way. Finally, the results of the analytical verification approach are compared to the results achieved by the optimization process.
Design classification algorithm in data mining prototype system and application in unit's bidding ability of electricity market

Design and implementation of classification algorithm in data mining prototype system is described in this paper. This function analyzes a set of training data, constructs a model for each class based on the features in the data, and adjusts the model based on the test data. The architecture of data mining prototype system is defined and the algorithms including ID3, C4.5, SLIQ and Bayesian is discussed. A method based on Naive Bayesian classification is applied to the generation unit's bidding decision system of electricity market. The knowledge that the ability of unit bidding is gained, Taking the market's demand, bidding price and the capacity of bidding unit into consideration. This knowledge is very useful in supporting the generating bidding unit to make decisions and the electric agency, PX and ISO to design an optimal trade project.
Stability of AdS_p x M_q Compactifications Without Supersymmetry

We study the stability of Freund-Rubin compactifications, AdS_p x M_q, of p+q-dimensional gravity theories with a q-form field strength and no cosmological term. We show that the general AdS_p x S^q vacuum is classically stable against small fluctuations, in the sense that all modes satisfy the Breitenlohner-Freedman bound. In particular, the compactifications used in the recent discussion of the proposed bosonic M-theory are perturbatively stable. Our analysis treats all modes arising from the graviton and the q-form, and is completely independent of supersymmetry. From the masses of the linearized perturbations, we obtain the dimensions of some operators in possible holographic dual CFT's. Solutions with more general compact Einstein spaces need not be stable, and in particular AdS_p x S^n x S^{q-n} is unstable for q = 9. We also study the AdS_4 x S^6 compactification of massive type IIA supergravity, which differs from the usual Freund-Rubin compactification in that there is a cosmological term already in ten dimensions. This nonsupersymmetric vacuum is unstable.