Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oriented PCA method for blind speech separation of convolutive mixtures

This paper deals with blind speech separation of convolutive mixtures of sources. The separation criterion is based on Oriented Principal Components Analysis (OPCA) in the frequency domain. OPCA is a (second order) extension of standard Principal Component Analysis (PCA) aiming at maximizing the power ratio of a pair of signals. The convolutive mixing is obtained by modeling the Head Related Transfer Function (HRTF). Experimental results show the efficiency of the proposed approach in terms of subjective and objective evaluation, when compared to the Degenerate Unmixing Evaluation Technique (DUET) and the widely used C-FICA (Convolutive Fast-ICA) algorithm .
Advanced glycation end‐products induce calpain‐mediated degradation of ezrin

Advanced glycation end‐products (AGEs) are important mediators of diabetic complications via incompletely understood pathways. AGEs bind to intracellular ERM proteins (ezrin, radixin and moesin) that modulate cell shape, motility, adhesion and signal transduction. AGEs bind to the N‐terminal domain of ezrin but not full‐length ezrin. The AGE binding site may be made accessible either by proteolysis releasing an N‐terminal fragment or ezrin activation by phosphorylation. Increased intracellular calcium is a primary event in cell activation by high glucose or AGEs. Calpain activity is increased concomitantly, and ezrin is a calpain substrate. The present study assessed whether glycated proteins affect ezrin cleavage and activation in renal tubule epithelial cells. After 7 days, AGE‐BSA decreased ezrin levels in MDCK renal tubular cells to 66 ± 4% of control. AGE‐RNAse, ribosylated fetal bovine serum and methylglyoxal‐BSA all had similar effects. The AGE‐BSA‐induced decrease in ezrin was abolished by calpastatin peptide, a specific calpain inhibitor, and 1,2‐bis‐aminophenoxyethane‐tetraacetic acid acetoxymethyl ester (BAPTA‐AM), a calcium chelator. Ezrin breakdown products were increased in AGE‐BSA‐treated cells, with a main fragment of ∼ 43 kDa. In vitro, calpain 1 cleaved recombinant human ezrin, generating breakdown fragments including an N‐terminal fragment of ∼ 43 kDa. Studies with ezrin mutants showed that non‐phosphorylated ezrin was more susceptible to calpain cleavage. AGE‐BSA decreased phosphorylated ERM levels to 31 ± 12% in MDCK cells. Thus, AGE‐BSA promotes calpain‐mediated proteolysis of ezrin in MDCK cells by both increasing calpain activity and reducing phosphorylation. Therapies targeting both glycated proteins and calpain may provide protection against diabetic complications.
Scalable multicast MPLS protocol for next generation broadband service convergence network

With explosive dissemination of broadband IP access services, like xDSL and FTTH, many service providers seek a chance for deploying new IP based broadband services networks for their customers. Among multiple candidates, content distribution (CD), interactive multi-media (IMM) and virtual private network (VPN) services are the most attractive broadband services for service provider and their customers. The quality of service (QoS) control and traffic engineering (TE) mechanism with strict reliability are essential functions to differentiate these services from conventional best effort IP access service and to make this broadband services network as a new communication infrastructure. Because MPLS already has all of these mechanisms in its protocol architecture, it is assumed that developing broadband IP service network by MPLS technology is the most promising way. But many of these services, such as video broadcasting, video conference and VPN multicast service require not only point-to-point (P2P) transmission capability but also point-to-multipoint (P2MP) transmission capability with much stricter QoS control, more sophisticated TE and more stable reliability control requirement. Therefore, P2MP capability extension is required to conventional MPLS. This paper proposes a scalable multicast MPLS protocol that can establish P2P and P2MP LSP simultaneously. The P2MP extension is realized on RSVP-TE (RFC3209). By introducing tree explicit route object (TERO) and enhancing conventional Path/Resv signaling procedures to enable tree based LSP setup, the proposed protocol can set any kind of P2MP LSPs; cost minimum (Steiner) P2MP LSP, delay-constrained P2MP LSP according to application demands. The proposed protocol also supports dynamic partial tree modification mechanism; Grafting and Pruning to handle dynamic multicast traffic. Therefore, P2MP LSP is modified easily. Several scalability and performance evaluations are conducted in this paper to prove its feasibility. This paper also proposes a multicast constrained shortest path fast (CSPF) mechanism to support dynamic QoS constrained P2MP LSPs setup. We confirmed that proposed schemes are scalable and has enough performance to be applied to future large scale IP service convergence network.
Sediment characteristics affecting desorption kinetics of select PAH and PCB congeners for seven laboratory spiked sediments.

Measures of desorption are currently considered important as potential surrogates for bioaccumulation as measures of the bioavailability of sediment-sorbed contaminants. This study determined desorption rates of four laboratory spiked compounds, benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), 2,4,5,2',4',5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (HCBP), 3,4,3',4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (TCBP), and pyrene (PY), to evaluate the effect of sediment characteristics. The compounds were sorbed onto seven sediments with a broad range of characteristics. Desorption was measured by Tenax-TA extraction from aqueous sediment suspensions. Desorption rates were modeled using an empirical three compartment model describing operationally defined rapid, slow, and very slow compartments. The sediments were characterized for plant pigments, organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN), lipids, NaOH extractable residue, lignin, amino acids, soot carbon, and particle size fractions. Desorption from the rapid compartment for each of the planar compounds BaP, PY, and TCBP was significantly correlated to sediment characteristics that could be considered to represent younger (i.e., less diagenetically altered) organic matter, e.g., plant pigment, lipid, and lignin contents. However, for these compounds there were no significant correlations between desorption and OC, TN, soot carbon, or amino acid contents. HCBP desorption was different from the three planar molecules. For HCBP, the flux from the rapid compartment was negatively correlated (0.1 > p > 0.05) with the OC content of the sediment. Overall, HCBP desorption was dominated by the amount of OC and the particle size distribution of the sediments, while desorption of the planar compounds was dominated more by the compositional aspects of the organic matter.
A Hybrid Approach for Power System Security Enhancement via Optimal Installation of Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) Devices

Increasing demand for electricity has placed heavy stress on power system security. Therefore, this paper focuses on the problem of how to maximize power system static security in terms of branch loading and voltage level under normal operation and even the most critical single line contingency conditions. This paper proposes a hybrid approach to find out the optimal locations and settings of two classical types of flexible AC transmission system (FACTS) devices, namely thyristor-controlled series compensators (TCSCs) and static var compensators (SVCs) for solving this problem. Our proposed approach requires a two-step strategy. Firstly, the min cut algorithm (MCA) and tangent vector technique (TVT) are applied to determine the proper candidate locations of TCSC and SVC respectively so as to reduce the search scope for a solution to the problem, and then the cuckoo search algorithm (CSA) is employed to solve this problem by simultaneously optimizing the locations and settings for TCSC and SVC installation. The proposed hybrid approach has been verified on the IEEE 6-bus and modified IEEE 14-bus test systems. The results indicate that CSA outperforms particle swarm optimization (PSO), proving its effectiveness and potential, and they also show that our proposed hybrid approach can find the best locations and settings for TCSC and SVC devices as an effective way for enhancing power system static security by removing or alleviating the overloads and voltage violations under normal operation and even the most critical single line contingency conditions. Using this hybrid approach, the search space for solution to the problem becomes limited hence the computational burden will be decreased.
Pyrrolysine Encoded by UAG in Archaea: Charging of a UAG-Decoding Specialized tRNA

Pyrrolysine is a lysine derivative encoded by the UAG codon in methylamine methyltransferase genes of Methanosarcina barkeri. Near a methyltransferase gene cluster is thepylT gene, which encodes an unusual transfer RNA (tRNA) with a CUA anticodon. The adjacent pylS gene encodes a class II aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase that charges the pylT-derived tRNA with lysine but is not closely related to known lysyl-tRNA synthetases. Homologs of pylS and pylT are found in a Gram-positive bacterium. Charging a tRNACUA with lysine is a likely first step in translating UAG amber codons as pyrrolysine in certain methanogens. Our results indicate that pyrrolysine is the 22nd genetically encoded natural amino acid.
Self Organizing Sensor Network to Enhance Event Coverage

Abstract We are proposing a self deploying mobile sensor network which is empowered with event based relocation of redundant sensors for enhancing the quality of event sensing. Energy efficient Cell quorum based protocol is used for communication between event location and redundant sensors. Computationally light cascaded reorganization of sensor is suggested for relocation of sensors. The proposed method provides good coverage as it dynamically relocates the sensors either for avoiding coverage hole or for improving the quality of event sensing.
Recommendations of the Sardinian public for the treatment of depression

Background: Public beliefs about appropriate treatment impact, help-seeking and treatment adherence. Aim: To determine the recommendations of the Sardinian public for the treatment of depression. Methods: In 2012, a population-based survey was conducted by phone in Sardinia (N = 1,200). In the context of a fully structured interview, respondents were presented with a vignette depicting a case of depression. Subsequently, they were asked about their treatment recommendations. The results are contrasted with findings from a similar survey which had been conducted in Vienna 3 years before. Results: In Sardinia as in Vienna, psychotherapy was the uncontested favorite, while antidepressant medication was recommended by relatively few respondents. In Sardinia, there were also no marked differences between urban and rural areas with regard to these two treatments. However, between Sardinia and Vienna, as well as within Sardinia, great differences were found with regard to autogenic training and ‘alternative’ methods like homeopathic medicines and acupuncture. Conclusion: Cross-cultural comparisons may help better understand treatment preferences of the public. In Sardinia, as in Vienna, there seems to be a need for improving the public’s knowledge about the appropriate treatment of depression.
A Survey of Software Packages in Power System Analysis

: Size and complexity of power systems impose signiﬁcant challenges for the power system analysis and control. As the power system becomes more complex there is a great need to develop improved and sophisticated tools for power system analysis and simulation. These tools should be able to accurately replicate real events that occur in electric power network and help to understand dynamics of changes. A number of software packages have been developed for power system research, analysis, planning, designing and teaching. Over the years, power networks have become more complex and complicated for the analysis and control. To manage such networks, simulation tools are needed due to their possibility to create accurate simulation and replicate of all the physical effects that are running in the network. the development of In a rapid very when to step, use of of a stabilizer for a One-Machine Inﬁnite Bus
DETERMINING SOFTWARE MAINTAINABILITY OF JAVA INTERFACES USING QUANTITATIVE APPROACH

Software maintainability is one important aspect in the evolution of a software product. Several coupling measures have been introduced to identify and measure the design complexity of an object oriented (OO) systems. The coupling metrics proposed in this paper recognizes the complexity between inheritance and interface programming. This paper presents measurements of Coupling between Object (CBO) in object oriented programming. The metric values of class and interface inheritance diagrams have been compared to prove whether maintainability is improved to use and beneficial for the software developers.
Identification of influential nodes in network of networks

The network of networks(NON) research is focused on studying the properties of n interdependent networks which is ubiquitous in the real world. Identifying the influential nodes in the network of networks is theoretical and practical significance. However, it is hard to describe the structure property of the NON based on traditional methods. In this paper, a new method is proposed to identify the influential nodes in the network of networks base on the evidence theory. The proposed method can fuse different kinds of relationship between the network components to constructed a comprehensive similarity network. The nodes which have a big value of similarity are the influential nodes in the NON. The experiment results illustrate that the proposed method is reasonable and significant
A new method of motion error extraction from radar raw data for SAR motion compensation

Due to the presence of atmospheric turbulences, airborne SAR raw data may be affected by deviations of the platform from an ideal straight line. Additionally, being rather expensive, the inertial navigation system (IMS) and the global position system (GPS) do not always provide desired accuracy and reliability. This paper presents a solution for aircraft motion error extraction from radar raw data. Based on the derived model, the acceleration in line of sight (LOS) direction is separated into range space invariant and variant components. The main idea is to extract these components of the acceleration from radar raw data. Then the displacement of the platform in LOS direction can be extracted and compensated. In addition, since the system under consideration in this paper operates with a constant pulse repetition frequency (PRF), the motion error introduced by forward velocity variation should be considered. This paper also presents a solution for compensating this motion error. Finally, we present results on real data aimed at validating the proposed methods
WHY IS THE MINARET SO SHORT? EVIDENCE FOR EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE ON MT ZION

Abstract On top of King David's Sepulchre at Mt Zion there is an Ottoman minaret known as al-Nabi Da'ud. Compared with other minarets in Jerusalem, al-Nabi Da'ud seems to be somewhat shorter, and has a squat-like appearance. To track why it is shorter than other minarets, we inspected written historical sources, a sequence of old drawings dated between the mid-eighteenth and mid-nineteenth centuries and analysed the minaret's metric proportions. In drawings dated to and before 1833, the minaret is portrayed much higher than in drawings and photographs dated to and after 1838. Furthermore, comparative height-diameter ratio of various parts of the minaret does not fit those of its counterpart, the al-Qal'a minaret. Thus, we suggest that the minaret was originally built higher but damaged during the 1834 earthquake, and reconstructed to a lower height sometimes afterwards.
Grapefruit juice markedly increases the plasma concentrations and antiplatelet effects of ticagrelor in healthy subjects.

AIM This study examined the effects of grapefruit juice on the new P2Y12 inhibitor ticagrelor, which is a substrate of CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein. METHODS In a randomized crossover study, 10 healthy volunteers ingested 200 ml of grapefruit juice or water thrice daily for 4 days. On day 3, they ingested a single 90 mg dose of ticagrelor. RESULTS Grapefruit juice increased ticagrelor geometric mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax ) to 165% (95% confidence interval 147, 184%) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC(0,∞)) to 221% of control (95% confidence interval 200, 245%). The Cmax and AUC(0,34 h) (P < 0.05) but not the AUC(0,∞) of the active metabolite C12490XX were decreased significantly. Grapefruit juice had a minor effect on ticagrelor elimination half-life prolonging it from 6.7 to 7.2 h (P = 0.036). In good correlation with the elevated plasma ticagrelor concentrations, grapefruit juice enhanced the antiplatelet effect of ticagrelor, assessed with VerifyNow® and Multiplate® methods, and postponed the recovery of platelet reactivity. CONCLUSIONS Grapefruit juice increased ticagrelor exposure by more than two-fold, leading to an enhanced and prolonged ticagrelor antiplatelet effect. The grapefruit juice-ticagrelor interaction seems clinically important and indicates the significance of intestinal metabolism to ticagrelor pharmacokinetics.
Evaluation of Packaging Film Mechanical Integrity Using a Standardized Scratch Test Instrument

A new method for evaluating the mechanical integrity of food packaging films is developed. The standardized linear increasing load scratch test (ASTM D7027‐05/ISO 19252:2008) approach has been successfully utilized to evaluate the mechanical integrity of a set of model packaging films. Mechanical clamp and vacuum fixtures were considered for securing the films to a set of backing materials and tested under various testing rates and film orientation conditions. Film performance was evaluated according to their puncture load. Based on the aforementioned study, the vacuum fixture offers the most consistent and meaningful results by providing a more intimate contact between film and backing and minimizing extraneous motion of the film during testing. Additional testing was also carried out on a commercial film to confirm similarity between damages observed in the scratched films and that from the field. The scratch test gives good correlation between field performance and scratch test results on a set of commercial films. The usefulness of the scratch test methodology for packaging film mechanical integrity evaluation is discussed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of power in dynamic comparators

The need for ultra low-power, area efficient and high speed analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) is pushing towards the use of dynamic comparators to maximize speed, power efficiency and re-configurability. In this paper an analysis on the power of the dynamic comparators will be presented and analytical expressions are derived. From the analytical expressions, designers can obtain an intuition about the main contributors to the comparator power consumption and also fully explore the tradeoffs in dynamic comparator design such as offset voltage, power and speed. To validate the analytical expressions, the power is first derived analytically and then will be compared to the result of simulating a conventional dynamic comparator in 0. 18μm CMOS. A good agreement between these two verifies the effectiveness of the presented analysis.
Clinical Significance of Hepatitis C Virus Genotypes

SUMMARY On the basis of phylogenetic analysis of nucleotide sequences, multiple genotypes and subtypes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) have been identified. Characterization of these genetic groups is likely to facilitate and contribute to the development of an effective vaccine against infection with HCV. Differences among HCV genotypes in geographic distributions have provided investigators with an epidemiologic marker that can be used to trace the source of HCV infection in a given population. HCV genotype 1 may represent a more aggressive strain and one that is less likely to respond to interferon treatment than HCV genotype 2 or 3. However, these observations require confirmation before HCV genotyping can be used in clinical settings.
A Secure Framework for Software Product Line Development

In today’s marketing scenario, the software companies have the challenge to provide a vast variety of customized software products option to satisfy diversified customers’ requirements. Although increasing product varieties increase sales volume and profits, but it also raises development complexity, time and cost. In order to address the issues, companies are moving towards Software Product Line Engineering (SPLE) which helps in providing large varieties of products with minimum development effort and cost. This approach amalgamate component based development and feature based development, both of which are based on the concept of reusability and facilitate the development of a family of products. This paper tries to propose an improved framework for software product line. Cross-cutting concerns such as security and configurability are addressed in this framework. Further, the proposed framework is compared with selected state of art frameworks.
Increased Membrane Cholesterol Might Render Mature Hippocampal Neurons More Susceptible to β-Amyloid-Induced Calpain Activation and Tau Toxicity

A growing body of evidence suggests that β-amyloid (Aβ), the main component of senile plaques, induces abnormal posttranslational processing of the microtubule-associated protein tau. We have recently described that, in addition to increasing tau phosphorylation, Aβ enhanced calpain activity leading to the generation of a toxic 17 kDa tau fragment in cultured hippocampal neurons. How aging, the greatest Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk factor, might regulate this proteolytic event remains unknown. In this study, we assessed the susceptibility of cultured hippocampal neurons to Aβ-dependent 17 kDa tau production at different developmental stages. Our results revealed that mature neurons were more susceptible to Aβ-induced calpain activation leading to the generation of this fragment than young neurons. In addition, the production of this fragment correlated with a decrease in cell viability in mature hippocampal neurons. Second, we determined whether membrane cholesterol, a suspect player in AD, might mediate these age-dependent differences in Aβ-induced calpain activation. Filipin staining and an Amplex Red cholesterol assay showed that mature neuron membrane cholesterol levels were significantly higher than those detected in young ones. Furthermore, decreasing membrane cholesterol in mature neurons reduced their susceptibility to Aβ-dependent calpain activation, 17 kDa tau production, and cell death, whereas increasing membrane cholesterol in young neurons enhanced these Aβ-mediated cellular processes. Finally, fura-2 calcium imaging indicated that membrane cholesterol alterations might change the vulnerability of cells to Aβ insult by altering calcium influx. Together these data suggested a potential role of cholesterol in linking aging to Aβ-induced tau proteolysis in the context of AD.
Role of Ca2+‐dependent potassium channels in in vitro anandamide‐mediated mesenteric vasorelaxation in rats with biliary cirrhosis

Background/Aim: Anandamide can activate potassium (K+) channels to induce an endothelium‐dependent vasorelaxation in normal rat mesenteric arteries. Cannabinoids contribute partly to the splanchnic vasodilation in cirrhosis. This study investigated the roles of vascular K+ channels in anandamide‐induced mesenteric vasorelaxation in isolated rat cirrhotic vessels.