Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The RWTH/UPB/FORTH System Combination for the 4th CHiME Challenge Evaluation

This paper describes automatic speech recognition (ASR) systems developed jointly by RWTH, UPB and FORTH for the 1ch, 2ch and 6ch track of the 4th CHiME Challenge. In the 2ch and 6ch tracks the final system output is obtained by a Confusion Network Combination (CNC) of multiple systems. The Acoustic Model (AM) is a deep neural network based on Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (BLSTM) units. The systems differ by front ends and training sets used for the acoustic training. The model for the 1ch track is trained without any preprocessing. For each front end we trained and evaluated individual acoustic models. We compare the ASR performance of different beamforming approaches: a conventional superdirective beamformer [1] and an MVDR beamformer as in [2], where the steering vector is estimated based on [3]. Furthermore we evaluated a BLSTM supported Generalized Eigenvalue beamformer using NN-GEV [4]. The back end is implemented using RWTH? s open-source toolkits RASR [5], RETURNN [6] and rwthlm [7]. We rescore lattices with a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) based language model. The overall best results are obtained by a system combination that includes the lattices from the system of UPB? s submission [8]. Our final submission scored second in each of the three tracks of the 4th CHiME Challenge.
Quantitative evaluation of first, second, and third generation hairpin systems reveals the limit of mammalian vector-based RNAi

ABSTRACT Incorporating miRNA-like features into vector-based hairpin scaffolds has been shown to augment small RNA processing and RNAi efficiency. Therefore, defining an optimal, native hairpin context may obviate a need for hairpin-specific targeting design schemes, which confound the movement of functional siRNAs into shRNA/artificial miRNA backbones, or large-scale screens to identify efficacious sequences. Thus, we used quantitative cell-based assays to compare separate third generation artificial miRNA systems, miR-E (based on miR-30a) and miR-3G (based on miR-16-2 and first described in this study) to widely-adopted, first and second generation formats in both Pol-II and Pol-III expression vector contexts. Despite their unique structures and strandedness, and in contrast to first and second-generation RNAi triggers, the third generation formats operated with remarkable similarity to one another, and strong silencing was observed with a significant fraction of the evaluated target sequences within either promoter context. By pairing an established siRNA design algorithm with the third generation vectors we could readily identify targeting sequences that matched or exceeded the potency of those discovered through large-scale sensor-based assays. We find that third generation hairpin systems enable the maximal level of siRNA function, likely through enhanced processing and accumulation of precisely-defined guide RNAs. Therefore, we predict future gains in RNAi potency will come from improved hairpin expression and identification of optimal siRNA-intrinsic silencing properties rather than further modification of these scaffolds. Consequently, third generation systems should be the primary format for vector-based RNAi studies; miR-3G is advantageous due to its small expression cassette and simplified, cost-efficient cloning scheme.
Cloudinar hall — An extended study

Cloud storage is the most prominent technology which is quite scalable that provides various services in the internet based community. In order to leverage the means of computing in educational sector, this technology is widely used. The framework of today's educational environment is much more complex and it is quite similar and there is no peculiar effectiveness especially in training activities. Even though there is a good emergence of technology evolving within these generation, the educational sector does not implement much of its factors, in which the students are compelled to carry burdens which cost more than their original weight. With respect to student community scholarly persons and other literature activities which is held by means of the same procedure. In order to solve this issue and also to solve the lack of visualized effects in teaching perspective cloudinar halls promotes a good relationship between the tutor as well as the listener, by using a projector that can be paired with a tablet or smart phones of the learners, to access projector's data, using wireless technique. This is much related to the popular environment which promotes the quality of education as well as the quality of service in delivering data in a more effective manner in which the interaction between the teacher and the students will be bridged in a beneficial way.
GPU-based parallel collision detection for fast motion planning

We present parallel algorithms to accelerate collision queries for sample-based motion planning. Our approach is designed for current many-core GPUs and exploits data-parallelism and multi-threaded capabilities. In order to take advantage of the high number of cores, we present a clustering scheme and collision-packet traversal to perform efficient collision queries on multiple configurations simultaneously. Furthermore, we present a hierarchical traversal scheme that performs workload balancing for high parallel efficiency. We have implemented our algorithms on commodity NVIDIA GPUs using CUDA and can perform 500, 000 collision queries per second with our benchmarks, which is 10 times faster than prior GPU-based techniques. Moreover, we can compute collision-free paths for rigid and articulated models in less than 100 ms for many benchmarks, almost 50–100 times faster than current CPU-based PRM planners.
Sirius PSB: a Generic System for Analysis of Biological Sequences

Computational tools are essential components of modern biological research. For example, BLAST searches can be used to identify related proteins based on sequence homology, or when a new genome is sequenced, prediction models can be used to annotate functional sites such as transcription start sites, translation initiation sites and polyadenylation sites and to predict protein localization. Here we present Sirius Prediction Systems Builder (PSB), a new computational tool for sequence analysis, classification and searching. Sirius PSB has four main operations: (1) Building a classifier, (2) Deploying a classifier, (3) Search for proteins similar to query proteins, (4) Preliminary and post-prediction analysis. Sirius PSB supports all these operations via a simple and interactive graphical user interface. Besides being a convenient tool, Sirius PSB has also introduced two novelties in sequence analysis. Firstly, genetic algorithm is used to identify interesting features in the feature space. Secondly, instead of the conventional method of searching for similar proteins via sequence similarity, we introduced searching via features' similarity. To demonstrate the capabilities of Sirius PSB, we have built two prediction models - one for the recognition of Arabidopsis polyadenylation sites and another for the subcellular localization of proteins. Both systems are competitive against current state-of-the-art models based on evaluation of public datasets. More notably, the time and effort required to build each model is greatly reduced with the assistance of Sirius PSB. Furthermore, we show that under certain conditions when BLAST is unable to find related proteins, Sirius PSB can identify functionally related proteins based on their biophysical similarities. Sirius PSB and its related supplements are available at: http://compbio.ddns. comp.nus. edu.sg/~sirius.
Prevalence and molecular profiling of Epstein Barr virus (EBV) among healthy blood donors from different nationalities in Qatar

Background The Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is the causative agent of infectious mononucleosis. EBV is highly prevalent lymphotropic herpesvirus and has been linked to several malignancies. Transmission is generally by oral secretions, but can be through blood transfusions and organ transplantations. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence, viremia rates, and circulating genotypes of EBV in healthy blood donors in Qatar. Methods Blood samples from 673 blood donors of different nationalities residing in Qatar (mainly Qatar, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Pakistan, and India) were collected and tested for anti-EBV capsid (VCA; IgG & IgM), nuclear (EBNA; IgG), and early (EA-D; IgG) antigens. Avidity testing was determined when active infection was suspected. DNA was extracted from the buffy coat and subjected to EBV-DNA quantification using qRT-PCR. Genotyping was performed using nested-PCR targeting EBV-EBNA2 gene, and phylogeny by sequence analysis of the LMP-1 gene. Results 97.9% (673/659) of the samples were seropositive as indicated by the presence VCA-IgG, while 52.6% (354/673) had detectible EBV-DNA. EBV seroprevalence and viremia rates increased significantly with age. Genotyping of 51 randomly selected samples showed predominance of Genotype 1 (72.5%, 37/51) as compared to genotype 2 (3.5%), and mixed infections were detected in 4% of the samples. Sub-genotyping for these samples revealed that the Mediterranean strain was predominant (65.3%), followed by B95.8 prototype and North Carolina strains (12.2% each), and China1 strain (6%). Conclusion As a first study to evaluate EBV infection in highly diverse population in Qatar, where expatriates represent more than 85% of the population, our results indicated high seroprevalence and viremia rate of EBV in different nationalities, with genotype 1 and Mediterranean strain being predominant. Clinical significance of these finding have not been investigated and shall be evaluated in future studies.
Remarkable enhancement of cytotoxicity of onconase and cepharanthine when used in combination on various tumor cell lines

Onconase (Onc), a ribonuclease from oocytes or early embryos of Northern Leopard frog (Rana pipiens), is cytostatic and cytotoxic to a variety of tumor lines in vitro, inhibits growth of tumors in animal in vivo models and is currently in Phase IIIb clinical trials for malignant mesothelioma where it displays antitumor activity with minor overall toxicity to the patient. One of the characteristic features of Onc is a synergism with a variety of other antitumor modalities. Cepharanthine (Cep), a biscoclaurine alkaloid from Stephania cepharantha Hayata, is widely used in Japan to treat variety of ailments. It also shows low toxicity to patients. The aim of the present study was to assess the interaction of these two drugs on different tumor cell lines. When human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60, histiomonocytic lymphoma U937, multiple myeloma RPMI-8228, prostate carcinoma DU 145 and prostate adenocarcinoma LNCaP cells were exposed to relatively low concentrations of Onc or Cep their growth rates were somewhat suppressed but the cells were still able to proliferate. Cell growth, however, was totally abolished in each of these cell lines when treated with Onc and Cep combined. The frequency of apoptosis was also many-fold higher in cultures treated with a combination of Onc and Cep than in respective cultures treated with Onc or Cep alone. The mechanism of the observed synergism is unclear but it may be associated with the Onc activity in targeting microRNAs and/or NFkappaB and Cep activity also targeting NFkappaB. The data suggest that the combination of these two drugs, that individually express a low toxic profile, may have strong antitumor potential.
Animal Studies Repository Animal Studies Repository Familiarity with the Test Environment Improves Escape Responses in the Crimson Spotted Rainbowfish, Melanotaenia Duboulayi Familiarity with the Test Environment Improves Escape Responses in the Crimson Spotted Rainbowfish, Melanotaenia Duboulayi

Animals that are familiar with their environment have been reported to have greater survivorship for a number of reasons related to their knowledge of the terrain, which they recall from memory. In an initial experiment rainbowfish significantly improved their escape response towards a novel trawl apparatus over a sequence of five runs. Escape latencies were still low during a subsequent exposure 11 months after the initial exposure. While part of the improvement in escape success was certainly due to learning associated with the location of the escape route, it is likely that this was aided by habituation to the tank environment and the experimental protocol. In a follow-up experiment, fish that had been kept in the experimental tank for 3 weeks prior to testing, and had become familiar with the test tank, showed significantly lower escape latencies and escaped more often than fish that were not familiar with the test environment. It is suspected that familiarity with the testing arena decreased stress and enabled individuals to detect novel stimuli and devote more attention to them. These findings have significant implications for experimenters studying aspects of animal cognition, such as learning and memory, in laboratory situations.
Qualitative and Quantitative Aspects of the k-core Structure : Choosing the Length Distribution of the Promoter Regions Supporting Information for The Information Coded in the Yeast Response Elements Accounts for most of the Topological Properties of its Transcriptional Regulation Network

In this supplement we would like to discuss certain qualitative and quantitative aspects of the k-core decomposition, how these are related to the other global topological features of the network and how we have used them in deciding upon a length distribution for the PR regions. We would also like to warn, here against an undue emphasis on the visual appearance of the k-core decomposition, which may obscure more subtle differences between networks with respect to such properties as the distribution of the nodes over the different k-shells.
Homomorphic factorization of BRDF-based lighting computation

Several techniques have been developed to approximate Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Functions (BRDF) with acceptable quality and performance for realtime applications. The recently published Homomorphic Factorization by McCool et al. is a general approximation approach that can be used with various setups and for different quality requirements.In this paper we propose a new technique based on the Homomorphic Factorization. Instead of approximating the BRDF, our technique factorizes the full lighting computation of an isotropic BRDF in a global illumination scenario. With this method materials in complex lighting situations can be simulated with only two textures by using commonly available computation capabilities of current graphics hardware.The new technique can also be considered as a generalized approach to several environment map prefiltering techniques. Existing prefiltering techniques are usually limited to specific BRDFs or require advanced hardware capabilities like 3D texturing. With the factorization only common 2D textures are required.
Novel Strategies for Breast Cancer Imaging: New Imaging Agents to Guide Treatment

The development of molecular therapies for cancer treatment has created a need to image biochemical and molecular processes to appropriately select tumors that express the drug target, thereby predicting a positive response to therapy. Biomarker-driven molecular imaging is complementary to pathologic analysis and offers a more direct measure of drug efficacy and treatment response, potentially providing early insight into therapeutic futility and allowing response-adapted treatment strategies. Imaging also allows a unique means of assessing the heterogeneity of both intra- and intertumoral targets as well as a mixed response to therapy; this information is important in the setting of metastatic disease. Here we review the development of novel molecular imaging probes and combinations of probes to guide therapy for two new targets and associated therapeutic agents: cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors and poly(adenosine diphosphate–ribose) polymerase inhibitors.
Fertility Rate Trends Among Adolescent Girls With Major Mental Illness: A Population-Based Study

OBJECTIVE: Fertility rates among adolescents have decreased substantially in recent years, yet fertility rates among adolescent girls with mental illness have not been studied. We examined temporal trends in fertility rates among adolescent girls with major mental illness. METHODS: We conducted a repeated annual cross-sectional study of fertility rates among girls aged 15 to 19 years in Ontario, Canada (1999–2009). Girls with major mental illness were identified through administrative health data indicating the presence of a psychotic, bipolar, or major depressive disorder within 5 years preceding pregnancy (60 228 person-years). The remaining girls were classified into the comparison group (4 496 317 person-years). The age-specific fertility rate (number of live births per 1000 girls) was calculated annually and by using 3-year moving averages for both groups. RESULTS: The incidence of births to girls with major mental illness was 1 in 25. The age-specific fertility rate for girls with major mental illness was 44.9 per 1000 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 43.3–46.7) compared with 15.2 per 1000 (95% CI: 15.1–15.3) in unaffected girls (rate ratio: 2.95; 95% CI: 2.84–3.07). Over time, girls with major mental illness had a smaller reduction in fertility rate (relative rate: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.78–0.96) than did unaffected girls (relative rate: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.76–0.79). CONCLUSIONS: These results have key clinical and public policy implications. Our findings highlight the importance of considering major mental illness in the design and implementation of pregnancy prevention programs as well as in targeted antenatal and postnatal programs to ensure maternal and child well-being.
Measurement Properties of Instruments for Measuring of Lymphedema: Systematic Review

Background Lymphedema is a common complication of cancer treatment, resulting in swelling and subjective symptoms. Reliable and valid measurement of this side effect of medical treatment is important. Purpose The purpose of this study was to provide best evidence regarding which measurement instruments are most appropriate in measuring lymphedema in its different stages. Data Sources The PubMed and Web of Science databases were used, and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Study Selection Clinical studies on measurement instruments assessing lymphedema were reviewed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 (QUADAS-2) scoring instrument for quality assessment. Data Extraction Data on reliability, concurrent validity, convergent validity, sensitivity, specificity, applicability, and costs were extracted. Data Synthesis Pooled data showed good intrarater intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) (.89) for bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) in the lower extremities and high intrarater and interrater ICCs for water volumetry, tape measurement, and perometry (.98–.99) in the upper extremities. In the upper extremities, the standard error of measurement was 3.6% (σ=0.7%) for water volumetry, 5.6% (σ=2.1%) for perometry, and 6.6% (σ=2.6%) for tape measurement. Sensitivity of tape measurement in the upper extremities, using different cutoff points, varied from 0.73 to 0.90, and specificity values varied from 0.72 to 0.78. Limitations No uniform definition of lymphedema was available, and a gold standard as a reference test was lacking. Items concerning risk of bias were study design, patient selection, description of lymphedema, blinding of test outcomes, and number of included participants. Conclusions Measurement instruments with evidence for good reliability and validity were BIS, water volumetry, tape measurement, and perometry, where BIS can detect alterations in extracellular fluid in stage 1 lymphedema and the other measurement instruments can detect alterations in volume starting from stage 2. In research, water volumetry is indicated as a reference test for measuring lymphedema in the upper extremities.
Improved spike-timed mappings using a tri-phasic spike timing-dependent plasticity rule

Reservoir computing and the liquid state machine model have received much attention in the literature in recent years. In this paper we investigate using a reservoir composed of a network of spiking neurons, with synaptic delays, whose synapses are allowed to evolve using a tri-phasic spike timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) rule. The networks are trained to produce specific spike trains in response to spatio-temporal input patterns. The results of using a tri-phasic STDP rule on the network properties are compared to those found using the more common exponential form of the rule. It is found that each rule causes the synaptic weights to evolve in significantly different fashions giving rise to different network dynamics. It is also found that the networks evolved with the tri-phasic rule are more capable of mapping input spatio-temporal patterns to the output spike trains.
Realtime tracking and grasping of a moving object from range video

In this paper we present an automated system that is able to track and grasp a moving object within the workspace of a manipulator using range images acquired with a Microsoft Kinect sensor. Realtime tracking is achieved by a geometric particle filter on the affine group. Based on the tracked output, the pose of a 7-DoF WAM robotic arm is continuously updated using dynamic motor primitives until a distance measure between the tracked object and the gripper mounted on the arm is below a threshold. Then, it closes its three fingers and grasps the object. The tracker works in realtime and is robust to noise and partial occlusions. Using only the depth data makes our tracker independent of texture which is one of the key design goals in our approach. An experimental evaluation is provided along with a comparison of the proposed tracker with state-of-the-art approaches, including the OpenNI-tracker. The developed system is integrated with ROS and made available as part of IRI's ROS stack.
Prion Protein Alleles Showing a Protective Effect on the Susceptibility of Sheep to Scrapie and Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy

ABSTRACT The susceptibility of sheep to classical scrapie and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is mainly influenced by prion protein (PrP) polymorphisms A136V, R154H, and Q171R, with the ARR allele associated with significantly decreased susceptibility. Here we report the protective effect of the amino acid substitution M137T, I142K, or N176K on the ARQ allele in sheep experimentally challenged with either scrapie or BSE. Such observations suggest the existence of additional PrP alleles that significantly decrease the susceptibility of sheep to transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, which may have important implications for disease eradication strategies.
DEVELOPMENT OF A QUESTIONNAIRE TO ASSESS AURA LIFE COLOUR

The purpose of this study is to develop a questionnaire for determining aura life colours and test the reliability of the developed ‘Aura Life Colour’ instrument. Questionnaire was framed from 7 aura colours consisted of 91 questions grouped under 5 components based on previous work and literatures, which are spiritual, psychological, physical, interpersonal attraction and interpersonal communication, such that each component consists of questions from all the seven colours. Data from 104 respondents was drawn from four prominent service sectors in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu (India), which are Academic, Banking, Hospital and Spiritual Centers. Respondents gave suggestions to change ambiguous, lengthy, sensitive and intimate questions. It was found that the questions, which were suggested for change, were identified to have negative or low CITC values. These questions were modified for the main study. ‘Aura Life Colour Questionnaire’ developed from the study has its application in research to determine every individual’s ‘Aura Life Colour’. In an industry, the tool helps Human Resource managers to determine employees ‘Aura Life Colour’ and enhance the effectiveness of individual’s performance.