Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tracking the pseudo-pitch of unvoiced sounds: a hand-free interface modality for disabled users

We developed a prototype of interface for persons with severe motor disabilities based on a new entry modality, namely unvoiced sounds like hissing, inspiration or expiration. Unlike sip-and-puff sensors, this modality uses the height of the sound as an analog parameter. Unvoiced sounds have no fundamental frequency (pitch). However they present a formant (pseudo-pitch), i.e., a peak of energy (typically above 800 Hz) that is perceived as the height of the sound. The pseudo-pitch can be partially controlled even in case of speech impairment. In our prototype, the pseudo-pitch is tracked in real time. Commands are entered by stabilizing the pseudo-pitch at the desired frequency. A voice-detection algorithm shuts off the entry during speech and strong noises, e.g., cough. It is possible to enter commands at a low volume and to speak aloud in the same microphone. Preliminary tests indicate that with the help of visual feedback, it is possible to produce 4 different commands and attain throughput above that throughputs above 166 bits/minute can be attained
Effects of body position, imaging plane, and observer on computed tomographic measurements of the lumbosacral intervertebral foraminal area in dogs.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate effects of imaging plane, flexion and extension, patient weight, and observer on computed tomographic (CT) image measurements of the area of the lumbosacral (L7-S1) intervertebral foramen (LSIF) in dogs. SAMPLE 12 dog cadavers (2 were excluded because of foraminal stenosis). PROCEDURES In each cadaver, sagittal, sagittal oblique, transverse oblique, and double oblique CT images were obtained at 3 zones (entrance, middle, and exit zones) of the region of the lateral lumbar spinal canal that comprises the LSIF while the lumbosacral junction (LSJ) was positioned in flexion or extension. Barium-impregnated polymethylmethacrylate was used to fill the intervertebral foramina to aid boundary detection. Measurements of interest were obtained. RESULTS Among the dog cadavers, there was large variability in LSIF cross-sectional areas (range, 0.12 to 0.44 cm2; SD, 0.1 cm2) and in foraminal angles required to obtain a double oblique plane in LSJ extension (SD, 8 ° to 9 °). For LSIF area measurements in standard sagittal CT images, interobserver variability was 23% to 44% and intraobserver variability was 4% to 5%. Sagittal oblique images obtained during LSJ extension yielded smaller mean LSIF areas (0.30 cm2), compared with findings in sagittal images (0.37 to 0.52 cm2). The exit and middle zone areas were smaller than the entrance zone area in sagittal images obtained during LSJ extension. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Repeated measurements of the LSIF area in images obtained during LSJ extension may be unreliable as a result of interobserver variability and the effects of dog positioning and CT slice orientation.
Partial deletion of 18p and partial duplication of 18q caused by a paternal pericentric inversion

Here we report on a boy with both a partial deletion of chromosome 18p and a partial duplication of chromosome 18q, caused by a paternal pericentric inversion (46, XY, rec(18), dup q, inv(18)(p11.2q21.1)pat). The findings in the patient are compared to those in the literature. The symptoms in the described patient can be explained for the major part by the 18p—and 18q+ syndromes separately. A specific 18p‐/18q+ syndrome cannot be clearly delineated yet. Inspiratory stridor is a symptom that has not been described before in either 18p—or 18q +, but has been found twice before in patients with the combined 18p—/18q+ syndrome.
Predictors of credit card use and perceived financial well-being in female college students: a Brazil-United States comparative study

This article examines predictors of the financial well-being of female college students living in Sao Paulo or New York, focusing upon the relationship with their credit card use behaviour. The results of structural equation models, based on 784 participants, suggest that financial self-confidence and social comparison have an impact on the use of credit cards and exercise an influence on financial well-being. Despite the fact that social comparison is more strongly predictive of credit card use among Brazilian women, credit card use behaviour has a greater impact on the well-being of American women.
Ca2+ Pools and Cell Growth

The present study demonstrates for the first time that intracellular calcium-ATPases and calcium pool content are closely associated with prostate cancer LNCaP cell growth. Cell growth was modulated by changing the amount of epidermal growth factor, serum, and androgene in culture media. Using the microspectrofluorimetric method with Fura-2 and Mag Fura-2 as probes, we show that in these cells, the growth rate is correlated with intracellular calcium pool content. Indeed, an increased growth rate is correlated with an increase in the calcium pool filling state, whereas growth-inhibited cells show a reduced calcium pool load. Using Western blotting and immunocytochemistry, we show that endoplasmic reticulum calcium pump expression is closely linked to LNCaP cell growth, and are a common target of physiological stimuli that control cell growth. Moreover, we clearly demonstrate that inhibition of these pumps, using thapsigargin, inhibits LNCaP cell growth and prevents growth factor from stimulating cell proliferation. Our results thus provide evidence for the essential role of functional endoplasmic reticulum calcium pumps and calcium pool in control of prostate cancer LNCaP cell growth, raising the prospect of new targets for the treatment of prostate cancer.
Global mindset – A cognitive driver of small and medium-sized enterprise internationalization: The case of Croatian Exporters

Purpose – Global mindset has gained the respectable attention of international business scholars. Global mindset is a multidisciplinary concept comprised of cognitive and cultural dimensions which both influence the international behavior and decision making of the firm. The key purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that global mindset is a crucial cognitive driver of the small and medium‐sized enterprise (SME) internationalization process. In order to do so, it aims to establish the link between global mindset and export performance outcomes.Design/methodology/approach – Using a literature review, the conceptual model was developed. Data were obtained through survey questionnaire and analyzed using partial least squares (PLS) path modeling on the sample of 121 exporting SMEs in Croatia.Findings – Findings of this study suggest that global mindset is positively, directly and significantly related to the export performance. Furthermore, the link between global mindset and export performance was assessed .
Factors for Improving the Level of Knowledge Generation in New Product Development

Globalization and other rapid changes in markets and technologies increasingly require companies to generate new knowledge in order to remain competitive. In order to innovate successfully, firms must generate knowledge faster than their rivals. This study develops and tests a conceptual model that focuses on how managerial controllable variables influence the level of knowledge generation in new product development. Based on literature and ‘theory-in-use’ field research in seven knowledge-intensive organizations, the authors developed research hypotheses and tested the hypotheses using data collected from 277 firms in high technology industries. The findings suggest that information technologies, organizational crisis, individual commitment, the R&D budget, and job rotation increase levels of knowledge generation, whereas lead user and supplier networks are negatively associated with the level of knowledge generation in new product development, and the influence of co-location of R&D staff is not significant.
Proton-Induced Single-Event Degradation in SDRAMs

Retention time and cell functionality degradation under proton irradiation is studied for SDRAM references that exhibit in-flight faulty behavior on satellites. Proton irradiation, with an adapted test protocol, allows to reproduce these effects and to gain a valuable insight on this phenomenon. Data acquired allow for a physical interpretation of the degradation, which results of one or more damage clusters created by a single particle.
Child and adolescent mental health service use. HoNOSCA as an outcome measure.

BACKGROUND HoNOSCA (Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for Children and Adolescents) is a recently developed measure of outcome for use in child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). AIMS To examine HoNOSCA's sensitivity to change, convergent validity and clinical usefulness. METHOD Prospective study of new CAMHS attenders. Questionnaires completed by clinicians, parents and referrers at initial assessment and after 6 months. RESULTS Follow-up HoNOSCAs on 203 children indicated statistically significant change. There were significant associations between change in HoNOSCA scores, changes in other clinician- and parent-rated scales (r = 0.51 to 0.32) and in global outcome ratings by referrers, parents and clinicians. Intraclass correlation coefficients for the summated HoNOSCA scores were high. HoNOSCA change was positively correlated with initial HoNOSCA score (r = 0.46, P < 0.001) and it was linked to psychiatric diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS HoNOSCA is a sensitive, valid measure of change among CAMHS attenders.
Post-viraemic detection of bovine ephemeral fever virus by use of autogenous lymphoid tissue-derived bovine primary cell cultures.

BACKGROUND The potential tissue replication sites and specific cell types that support in vivo virus survival beyond the acute phase of bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) infection have not been fully defined in cattle. To clarify the knowledge gap, tissue specimens were tested after collection from an adult steer necropsied 1 week after acute BEF. CASE REPORT Significant necropsy findings included fibrinoproliferative synovitis in the stifle joints and fibrin clot-laden fluid in serous body cavities. Moderate numbers of infiltrating neutrophils were demonstrated in sections of the prefemoral lymph nodes and haemal node, and lymphoid hyperplasia in the spleen, haemal node and prefemoral lymph nodes. Viral RNA was detected by qRT-PCR in fresh spleen, haemal node, prefemoral lymph node, synovial fluid and in several spleen-derived cell cultures. BEFV was isolated from autogenously derived splenic primary cell cultures 6 days after cessation of viraemia, and characteristic bullet-shaped virions were confirmed by electron microscopy of an ultrathin haemal node section. In sections of the spleen, haemal node and other tissues, immunohistochemistry demonstrated BEFV antigens that were intracellularly associated with probable histiocytic cells. CONCLUSION BEFV has preferential tropism for bovine lymphoid tissues and the spleen and haemal node may be potential sites for post-viraemic virus replication.
Polarization functions for the modified m6‐31G basis sets for atoms Ga through Kr

The 2df polarization functions for the modified m6‐31G basis sets of the third‐row atoms Ga through Kr (Int J Quantum Chem, 2007, 107, 3028; Int J. Quantum Chem, 2009, 109, 1158) are proposed. The performances of the m6‐31G, m6‐31G(d,p), and m6‐31G(2df,p) basis sets were examined in molecular calculations carried out by the density functional theory (DFT) method with B3LYP hybrid functional, Møller‐Plesset perturbation theory of the second order (MP2), quadratic configuration interaction method with single and double substitutions and were compared with those for the known 6‐31G basis sets as well as with the other similar 641 and 6‐311G basis sets with and without polarization functions. Obtained results have shown that the performances of the m6‐31G, m6‐31G(d,p), and m6‐31G(2df,p) basis sets are better in comparison with the performances of the known 6‐31G, 6‐31G(d,p) and 6‐31G(2df,p) basis sets. These improvements are mainly reached due to better approximations of different electrons belonging to the different atomic shells in the modified basis sets. Applicability of the modified basis sets in thermochemical calculations is also discussed. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Integrated Tree Crops–Ruminants Systems

The integration of ruminants with tree crops (such as coconuts, oil palm and rubber) is neglected and undervalued among ruminant production systems. As a consequence, a potential means of increasing productivity from animals is being overlooked at a time when the supplies of animal proteins lag well behind projected requirements throughout the developing countries. The principal advantage of integration is the demonstration of total farm productivity and sustainable agriculture in the context of efficient natural resource management, together with attendant benefits of reduced weeding and fertilizer costs, improved soil fertility due to the return of dung and urine and value addition to the tree crop. These aspects are discussed with particular reference to the potential of integrating ruminants with oil-palm cultivation. Past research and development efforts indicate that these have focused mainly on characterization of the environment under oil palm and agronomic evaluation of herbage, suggesting the need for a major shift towards improved animal performance, assessment of the beneficial effects on soil and oil-palm yields, management regimes, and analyses of economic benefits. A major advantage of oil-palm cultivation is the availability of native herbage in the understorey of the trees, which provides a large proportion of the maintenance needs of the grazing animal in addition to a variety of principal and by-product feeds, promoting sustained in situ feeding and intensive production, reduced cost of production, and the expansion of feed-milling operations. Among these, oil-palm fronds, palm-press fibre, palm-oil mill effluent and palm-kernel cake are especially important for feeding ruminants. Discussion focuses on factors influencing improved integrated oil-palm production systems, development implications, business model, and economic considerations that relate to national and regional opportunities for marketing beef. Wider application of integrated systems will require interdisciplinary approaches, institutional and policy support that can enhance increased animal productivity, value addition to oil-palm production, expansion of the area under integrated systems, demonstrable economic impact and sustainable agricultural production.
Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction by Region: Chile 1990-96

This article examines the evolution of poverty in Chile during 1990‐96, a period of rapid economic growth. It shows that Chile has embarked on a significant poverty‐reduction trajectory. The robustness of this result is examined by using nonparametric estimates of the income distribution and a stochastic dominance test. Growth is an important factor in explaining the poverty reduction that has occurred. Using the Datt‐Ravallion decomposition, it accounts for over 85% of poverty reduction at the national level. However, the pattern varies significantly across regions. Both growth, and its contribution to poverty reduction, vary significantly among regions. This seems to reflect the sectoral composition of growth across regions, with export‐oriented activities producing a larger poverty‐reduction impact.
RhoGDI‐3 Regulates RhoG and Targets This Protein to the Golgi Complex Through its Unique N‐Terminal Domain

Guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitors (GDIs) regulate both GDP/GTP and membrane association/dissociation cycles of Rho/Rac and Rab proteins.RhoGDI‐3 is distinguishable from other rhoGDI proteins by its partial association with a detergent‐resistant subcellular fraction. Here, we investigate the activity of this unusual rhoGDI using confocal laser scanning microscopy, immuno‐isolation, and rhoGDI‐3 mutants. We establish that the noncytosolic fraction of rhoGDI‐3 is associated with the Golgi apparatus. The domain involved in this association is the unique N‐terminal segment of rhoGDI‐3 predicted to form an amphipathic α helix. This peptide is indispensable for Golgi association of rhoGDI‐3 and sufficient to address a green fluorescent protein to the Golgi apparatus. Site‐directed mutations, decreasing the hydrophobic surface of the helix, localize rhoGDI‐3 into the cytoplasm. We establish that rhoGDI‐3 is able to inhibit activation of the RhoG protein and to target this protein to the Golgi apparatus. Furthermore, we demonstrate the importance of the rhoGDI‐3 N‐terminal segment for both Golgi targeting and stability of the cytoplasmic RhoG/rhoGDI‐3 complex. RhoGDI‐3 is the first example of a GDI directly involved in the delivery of a Rho protein to a specific subcellular compartment.
Effective Treatment of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Pain with Intravenous Followed by Oral COX-2 Specific Inhibitor

In this multicenter, double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled study we evaluated the analgesic and opioid-sparing efficacy of a preoperative dose of IV parecoxib followed by oral valdecoxib in treating pain associated with elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Patients were randomized to receive a single IV dose of parecoxib 40 mg (n = 134) or placebo (n = 129) 30–45 min before induction of anesthesia. Six to 12 h after the IV dose, the parecoxib group received a single oral dose of valdecoxib 40 mg, followed by valdecoxib 40 mg qd on postoperative days 1–4, then 40 mg qd prn days 5–7. The placebo IV group received oral placebo on an identical schedule. All patients were allowed supplemental IV fentanyl as needed during the first 4 h postoperatively (T0–240 min) followed by hydrocodone 5 mg/acetaminophen 500 mg (Vicodin®; 1–2 tablets orally every 4–6 h as needed). Patients taking parecoxib used 21% less fentanyl than those receiving placebo (P = 0.011). The mean area under the curve of pain intensity (PI) scores over time from T0–240 min was 55.2 for parecoxib and 61.2 for placebo (P = 0.083). At T180 and T240 min, mean PI score was 7.0 and 7.6 points lower in the parecoxib group, respectively (P < 0.02). Fewer patients on valdecoxib required supplemental analgesics (P < 0.05) after discharge. At T240 min and at day 7, Patient’s and Physician’s/Nurse’s Global Evaluations were significantly better in the parecoxib/valdecoxib group (P < 0.05). Incidences of adverse events, adverse events causing withdrawal, and serious adverse events were less for parecoxib/valdecoxib than for placebo. The authors conclude that preoperative parecoxib is a valuable opioid-sparing adjunct to the standard of care for treating pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and subsequent treatment with oral valdecoxib extends this clinical benefit.
Exchange rate regimes and the Feldstein-Horioka puzzle: the French evidence

This paper investigates whether the Feldstein and Horioka (Economic Journal, 90, 314-329, 1980) argument on domestic saving-investment relationship is supported by the French data when an endogenous structural break corresponding to a major policy regime change is taken into account. The evidence suggests that the saving-investment cointegration disappears after the estimated endogenous structural break point in 1973 coinciding with the end of the Bretton Woods system of fixed exchange rates. Consistent with a current account targeting policy, an investment-driven saving process appears to be the case for the fixed exchange rate regime period.
Mycobacteriosis due to Mycobacterium genavense in six pet birds

Six cases of mycobacteriosis due to Mycobacterium genavense in three budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus), one orange-winged amazon (Amazona amazonica), one flycatcher (Cyanoptila cyanomelana), and one zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) are discussed. Gross lesions associated with the infection included a high degree of muscular wasting (five cases), hepatomegaly (four cases), and thickening of the wall of the small intestine (four cases). Granulomas were found in the lung (one case) and the subcutis (one case). Acid-fast bacilli were detected in the liver of all six birds. Only the use of acidic BACTEC mediums consistently led to growth, whereas the egg-based medium failed. These findings point to a possible role of the environment as a reservoir for M. genavense.
Copper‐dependent reciprocal transcriptional regulation of methane monooxygenase genes in Methylococcus capsulatus and Methylosinus trichosporium

The methanotrophic bacteria Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) and Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b convert methane to methanol using the enzyme, methane monooxygenase (MMO). These bacteria are able to express two distinct MMOs: a cytoplasmic or soluble form (sMMO) and a membrane‐bound or particulate form (pMMO). Differential expression of sMMO and pMMO is regulated by the amount of copper ions available to the cells; sMMO is expressed at low copper–biomass ratios, whereas pMMO is expressed at high copper–biomass ratios. In both methanotrophs, transcription of the sMMO gene cluster is negatively regulated by copper ions. Data suggest that transcription of the M. trichosporium OB3b sMMO gene cluster is directed from a σ54‐like and a σ70‐like promoter. The pMMO (pmo ) genes of M. capsulatus (Bath) are transcribed into a polycistronic mRNA of 3.3 kb. The synthesis of this mRNA was activated by copper ions. Activation of pmo transcription by copper ions was concomitant with repression of sMMO gene transcription in both methanotrophs. This suggests that a common regulatory pathway may be involved in the transcriptional switch between sMMO and pMMO gene expression.
Pre-attentive Features in Natural Augmented Reality Visualizations

The movement towards cyberphysical systems and Industry 4.0 promises to imbue each and every stage of production with a myriad of sensors. The open question is how people are to comprehend and interact with data originating from industrial machinery. We propose a metaphor that compares machines with natural beings that appeal to people by representing machine states with patterns occurring in nature. Our approach uses augmented reality (AR) to represent machine states as trees of different shapes and colors (BioAR). We performed a study on pre-attentive processing of visual features in AR to determine if our BioAR metaphor conveys fast changes unambiguously and accurately. Our results indicate that the visual features in our BioAR metaphor are processed pre-attentively. In contrast to previous research, for the BioAR metaphor, variations in form induced less errors than variations in hue in the target detection task.
Insects turn up their noses at sweating plants

Green plants are now being widely touted in both the popular press and scientific literature as factories for biofuels. However, like many factories, plants emit a variety of gaseous byproducts directly into the atmosphere. Besides carbon dioxide, oxygen, and water vapor, a host of terpenes are released, ranging from the simple 5-carbon compound isoprene (2-methyl-1,3-butadiene) to the 10-carbon monoterpenes and the 15-carbon sesquiterpenes (1). Terpene emission from plants has been widely studied by atmospheric chemists because of its prominent effects on ozone levels and aerosol formation (2). Plant biologists have also joined in to determine what roles emitted terpenes might have in the lives of the plants that release them. Two main lines of inquiry have been followed.