Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A NOVEL APPROACH FOR SIMULTANEOUS GENDER AND HINDI VOWEL RECOGNITION USING A MULTIPLE-INPUT MULTIPLE-OUTPUT CO-ACTIVE NEURO-FUZZY INFERENCE SYSTEM

Human beings can simultaneously recognize vowels in speech as well as gender of a speaker inspite of high variability. However, machines have not been able to simultaneously overcome both gender variability and vowel variability existing in speech due to gender. This paper uses a Multiple-Input Multiple-Output CoActive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System to recognize both these patterns in speech simultaneously. The features used as input for the recognition is the pitch and the set of first three formant frequencies extracted from speech samples recorded from 70 Indian speakers, 33 male and 37 female. The individual recognition of either gender or vowel has been achieved at a rate of 68% and 95%, respectively, whereas the simultaneous recognition of both patterns has been attained upto 66% for the training set. Thus, this combined approach is a consolidated single-step novel approach which can replace the two-step method in automatic speech recognition systems where gender recognition is being used as the first step as part of hierarchical decision tree based vowel recognition. This can prove significant in enhancing the performance of an automated speech recognition system by eliminating an additional step.
The Systemic Effect of Burn Injury and Trauma on Muscle and Bone Mass and Composition

Background: By understanding the global inflammatory effects on distant myopathies, surgeons can better guide the rehabilitative process for burn patients. The authors tested the systemic effect of burn injury on distant injured muscle and native bone using immunohistochemistry and validated a new morphometric analytic modality to reproducibly quantify muscle atrophy using computed tomographic imaging. Methods: In vivo studies were performed on C57/BL6 mice using an Achilles tenotomy with concurrent burn injury model. Total muscle and bone (tibia and fibula) volume/density were quantified near the site of Achilles tenotomy using micro–computed tomography at 5, 7, and 9 to 12 weeks after surgery. The impact of burn injury on the inflammatory cascade [nuclear factor (NF)-&kgr;B, p-NF-&kgr;B] and the interconnected protein catabolism signaling pathway (Atrogin-1) was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Results: Muscle volume and density at the site of Achilles tenotomy in burned mice were significantly diminished compared with nonburned mice at 5 weeks and 9 to 12 weeks. Similar decreases in muscle volume and density were observed when comparing tenotomy to no tenotomy. Cortical bone health remained stable in burn/tenotomy mice compared with tenotomy. Muscle atrophy was associated with up-regulation of p-NF-&kgr;B, NF-&kgr;B, and Atrogin-1 assessed by immunohistochemistry. Conclusions: Burn injury significantly decreases muscle volume and density. Increased muscle atrophy using our computed tomographic morphometric analysis correlated with a significant increase in intramuscular inflammatory markers and proteolysis enzymes. This study demonstrates a unique characterization of how burn injuries may worsen local myopathy. Moreover, it provides a novel approach for quantifying muscle atrophy over an expanded period.
Experimental and micromechanical investigation of T300/7901 unidirectional composite strength

We experimentally find mechanical properties in uniaxial tension/compression and torsional deformations of the 7901 epoxy resin used as a matrix to fabricate T300/7901 unidirectional (UD) fiber-reinforced composite. A series of off-axis tensile tests on the composite were conducted, and micrographs of the fiber–matrix interface at different load levels, using a Scanning Electron Microscope, taken to ascertain their ultimate tensile strengths. Values of the elasto-plastic parameters for the epoxy determined from the tests, and the handbook values of the fiber parameters were used in a micromechanicsbased bridging model to predict ultimate tensile strengths of off-axis loaded composite by considering stress concentration effects due to debonding at the fiber/matrix interface. For the 30 off-axis loaded laminate, the predicted ultimate strength is found to agree well with that determined experimentally, and the interface debonding occurs before the ultimate failure. The UD composite is assumed to fail when either the fiber or the matrix failure criterion is satisfied. POLYM. COMPOS. , 40:2639–2652, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Towards Usable Privacy Policy Display & Management - The PrimeLife Approach

This paper discusses the approach taken within the PrimeLife project for providing userfriendly privacy policy interfaces for the PrimeLife Policy Language (PPL). We present the requirements, design process and usability testing of the “Send Data? ” prototype, a browser extension designed and developed to deal with the powerful features provided by PPL. Our interface introduces the novel features of “on the fly” privacy management, predefined levels of privacy settings, and simplified selection of anonymous credentials. Results from usability tests showed that users find some of these features useful and privacy-friendly, and they are therefore suggested as a good approach towards usable privacy policy display and management.
Band gap and strain engineering of pseudomorphic Ge1−x−ySixSny alloys on Ge and GaAs for photonic applications

The authors report the compositional dependence of the direct and indirect band gaps of pseudomorphic Ge1−x−ySixSny alloys on Ge and GaAs with (001) surface orientation determined from deformation potential theory and spectroscopic ellipsometry measurements. The effects of alloying Ge with Si and Sn and the strain dependence of the band gaps at the Γ, Δ, and L conduction band minima are discussed. Deformation potential theory predicts an indirect to direct crossover in pseudomorphic Ge1−y−xSixSny alloys on Ge or GaAs only for very high Sn concentrations between 15% and 20%. No indirect to direct cross-over in pseudomorphic Ge1−ySny alloys (x = 0) on Ge or GaAs was found for practically approachable Sn compositions (y < 25%). The predictions for the compositional dependence of the E0, E1, and E1 + Δ1 band gaps were validated for pseudomorphic Ge1−ySny alloys on Ge using spectroscopic ellipsometry. The complex pseudodielectric functions of pseudomorphic Ge1−ySny alloys grown on Ge by molecular beam epitaxy .
Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibition attenuates liver fibrosis and development of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most rapidly increasing cause of cancer‐related mortality in the United States. Because of the lack of viable treatment options for HCC, prevention in high‐risk patients has been proposed as an alternative strategy. The main risk factor for HCC is cirrhosis and several lines of evidence implicate epidermal growth factor (EGF) in the progression of cirrhosis and development of HCC. We therefore examined the effects of the EGF receptor (EGFR) inhibitor erlotinib on liver fibrogenesis and hepatocellular transformation in three different animal models of progressive cirrhosis: a rat model induced by repeated, low‐dose injections of diethylnitrosamine (DEN), a mouse model induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), and a rat model induced by bile duct ligation (BDL). Erlotinib reduced EGFR phosphorylation in hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and reduced the total number of activated HSC. Erlotinib also decreased hepatocyte proliferation and liver injury. Consistent with all these findings, pharmacological inhibition of EGFR signaling effectively prevented the progression of cirrhosis and regressed fibrosis in some animals. Moreover, by alleviating the underlying liver disease, erlotinib blocked the development of HCC and its therapeutic efficacy could be monitored with a previously reported gene expression signature predictive of HCC risk in human cirrhosis patients. Conclusion: These data suggest that EGFR inhibition using Food and Drug Administration‐approved inhibitors provides a promising therapeutic approach for reduction of fibrogenesis and prevention of HCC in high‐risk cirrhosis patients who can be identified and monitored by gene expression signatures. (Hepatology 2014;59:1577‐1590)
H2S mediates O2 sensing in the carotid body

Gaseous messengers, nitric oxide and carbon monoxide, have been implicated in O2 sensing by the carotid body, a sensory organ that monitors arterial blood O2 levels and stimulates breathing in response to hypoxia. We now show that hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a physiologic gasotransmitter of the carotid body, enhancing its sensory response to hypoxia. Glomus cells, the site of O2 sensing in the carotid body, express cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), an H2S-generating enzyme, with hypoxia increasing H2S generation in a stimulus-dependent manner. Mice with genetic deletion of CSE display severely impaired carotid body response and ventilatory stimulation to hypoxia, as well as a loss of hypoxia-evoked H2S generation. Pharmacologic inhibition of CSE elicits a similar phenotype in mice and rats. Hypoxia-evoked H2S generation in the carotid body seems to require interaction of CSE with hemeoxygenase-2, which generates carbon monoxide. CSE is also expressed in neonatal adrenal medullary chromaffin cells of rats and mice whose hypoxia-evoked catecholamine secretion is greatly attenuated by CSE inhibitors and in CSE knockout mice.
Effect of insulation core type on thermal conductivity of sandwich structure

The influence of the layer thickness on the thermal conductivity of a sandwich structure containing an insulation material as the core layer was investigated by developing a corresponding finite element model simulating the structure. The insulation core studied included expanded polystyrene foam, polyurethane and mineral wool core. It was found that an increase in the ratio of core thickness to total surface layer thickness (shelling ratio) resulted in the decrease in the thermal conductivity of the sandwich structure. This change was significant when the shelling ratio was less than one. Regression analysis was conducted to describe the relationships among shelling ratio and thermal conductivities of the sandwich structure and each of its components. The evaluation of the thermal transmittance of the window system containing the sandwich structure used in window or other building components can be more accurate and simple.
Modeling Disordered Regions in Proteins Using Rosetta

Protein structure prediction methods such as Rosetta search for the lowest energy conformation of the polypeptide chain. However, the experimentally observed native state is at a minimum of the free energy, rather than the energy. The neglect of the missing configurational entropy contribution to the free energy can be partially justified by the assumption that the entropies of alternative folded states, while very much less than unfolded states, are not too different from one another, and hence can be to a first approximation neglected when searching for the lowest free energy state. The shortcomings of current structure prediction methods may be due in part to the breakdown of this assumption. Particularly problematic are proteins with significant disordered regions which do not populate single low energy conformations even in the native state. We describe two approaches within the Rosetta structure modeling methodology for treating such regions. The first does not require advance knowledge of the regions likely to be disordered; instead these are identified by minimizing a simple free energy function used previously to model protein folding landscapes and transition states. In this model, residues can be either completely ordered or completely disordered; they are considered disordered if the gain in entropy outweighs the loss of favorable energetic interactions with the rest of the protein chain. The second approach requires identification in advance of the disordered regions either from sequence alone using for example the DISOPRED server or from experimental data such as NMR chemical shifts. During Rosetta structure prediction calculations the disordered regions make only unfavorable repulsive contributions to the total energy. We find that the second approach has greater practical utility and illustrate this with examples from de novo structure prediction, NMR structure calculation, and comparative modeling.
Investigation of aqueous and non-aqueous phase liquid migration in double-porosity soil using digital image analysis

The development activity of the country has played a part in climate change and natural disasters, which lead to a negative influence on the geo-environment and health. The issues of leakage and spillage of Non- Aqueous Phase Liquids (NAPLs) and Aqueous Phase Liquids (APLs) contribute to groundwater contamination, resulting in groundwater pollution and rendering the quality of groundwater unsafe for drinking and agriculture. Ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all were the goal and target of the 2030 United Nations agenda for sustainable development, consisting of a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity. This paper investigates the aqueous and non-aqueous phase liquid migrations in the deformable double-porosity soil, which has become important for sustainability of groundwater utilisation and a comprehensive understanding of the behaviour of liquid migration into the groundwater. An experiment model was conducted to study the pattern and behaviour of aqueous and non-aqueous phase liquid migration in deformable double-porosity soil using digital image processing technique. The results of the experiments show that the flow of the APL and NAPL migration was not uniformly downward. Faster migration occurs at the cracked soil surface condition compared to other locations on the soil surface that were not cracked, even when not using liquid such as toluene. The factors that significantly influence the APL and NAPL migration are the structure of the soil sample, fracture pattern of the soil sample, physical interaction bonding between the liquid and soil sample, and the capillary pressure of the fluid. This study indicates that digital image analysis provides detailed information to facilitate researchers to better understand and simulate the pattern of liquids migration characteristics as well as to ensure sustainable consumption of groundwater.
Risk Factors for Infection With Carbapenem‐Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae After Liver Transplantation: The Importance of Pre‐ and Posttransplant Colonization

Improved understanding of risk factors associated with carbapenem‐resistant‐Klebsiella pneumoniae (CR‐KP) infection after liver transplantation (LT) can aid development of effective preventive strategies. We performed a prospective cohort study of all adult patients undergoing LT at our hospital during 30‐month period to define risk factors associated with CR‐KP infection. All patients were screened for CR‐KP carriage by rectal swabs before and after LT. No therapy was administered to decolonize or treat asymptomatic CR‐KP carriers. All patients were monitored up to 180 days after LT. Of 237 transplant patients screened, 41 were identified as CR‐KP carriers (11 at LT, 30 after LT), and 20 developed CR‐KP infection (18 bloodstream‐infection, 2 pneumonia) a median of 41.5 days after LT. CR‐KP infection rates among patients non‐colonized, colonized at LT, and colonized after LT were 2%, 18.2% and 46.7% (p < 0.001). Independent risk factors for CR‐KP infection identified by multivariate analysis, included: renal‐replacement‐therapy; mechanical ventilation > 48 h; HCV recurrence, and colonization at any time with CR‐KP. Based on these four variables, we developed a risk score that effectively discriminated patients at low versus higher risk for CR‐KP infection (AUC 0.93, 95% CI 0.86–1.00, p < 0.001). Our results may help to design preventive strategies for LT recipients in CR‐KP endemic areas.
Clinical Neuromuscular Pharmacology of Pancuronium

The neuromuscular effects of pancuronium were studied in 65 patients anesthetized with nitrous oxide supplemented by thiopental and/or meperidine. There was a marked variation among patients in their responses to pancuronium. A dose of 0.02 mg/kg depressed twitch height 44 per cent. Recovery to 90 per cent of control twitch height took 16 minutes. With repeated doses a cumulative effect was observed. A dose of 0.04 mg/kg produced an 88 per cent block. Twitch height recovered to 90 per cent of control in 58 minutes. After a dose of 0.08 mg/kg the twitch response was markedly depressed (>98 per cent) or abolished, and the trachea could be intubated with ease. Recoveries to 10 and 25 per cent of control took 65 and 86 minutes, respectively. During a partial block, tetanus was usually poorly sustained and posttetanic facilitation was observed.
Chaos Caused by Hysteresis and saturation Phenomenon in 2-DOF vibrations of the Rotor Supported by the magneto-hydrodynamic bearing

2-DOF nonlinear dynamics of the rotor supported by the magneto-hydrodynamic bearing is investigated using the perturbation analysis. The two modes corresponding to the vertical and horizontal vibrations of the rotor are coupled. The nonresonant case and the various resonant cases (with and without an internal resonance) are considered. The frequency-response curves are obtained. When the amplitude of the external harmonic excitation is near to one of the natural frequency of the vibrations and the system experiences conditions of an internal resonance, a saturation phenomenon occurs. When the amplitude of the external excitation increases, after some critical value the energy pumping between various submotions of the rotor occurs for each mode. Further, it was shown, that in the case of rigid magnetic materials, hysteresis may be a cause of chaotic vibrations of the rotor. Chaotic regions and the amplitude level contours of the rotor vibrations have been obtained in various control parameter planes.
Numerical analysis of ultra-high strength fibre-reinforced concrete slabs

Reactive Powder Concrete (RPC) is one the latest developments in concrete technology, also known as ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC). It is characterised by the use of high cement content, with very high mechanical strength, high durability, in most cases, a quantity of steel fibres. A hollow core slab, also known as a void slab, hollow core plank, or simply a concrete slab is a precast concrete slab frequently used in the construction of floors in multi-story apartment buildings. The presence of holes in the reinforced concrete is necessary to act as ducts for services as well as having the structural purpose of reducing the weight of the slabs. This study examines previous experimental research results for 26 slabs in terms of examining the behaviours of reactive powder concrete slabs with longitudinal hollow cores of various sizes under various loading situations by changing the a/d ratio. The ANSYS computer program was used to investigate the behaviours of some of these slabs, and parametric studies were used to study the effects of the compressive strength of the concrete, types of support, and different steel reinforcement diameters. The results obtained using finite element solutions showed good agreement with experimental results.
Correlates of Upper and Lower Body Muscular Strength in Children

Milliken, LA, Faigenbaum, AD, Loud, RL, and Westcott, W. Correlates of upper and lower body muscular strength in children. J Strength Cond Res 22: 1339-1346, 2008- Despite the widespread use of and acceptance of muscular fitness field tests in national youth fitness test batteries, little is known about how these field tests compare to 1 repetition maximum (1RM) strength in children. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize and identify correlates of muscular strength in children 7 to 12 years of age. Ninety children (39 girls and 51 boys) between the ages of 6.7 and 12.3 years volunteered to participate in this study. Children were tested on 1RM chest press (CP) strength, 1RM leg press (LP) strength, handgrip strength, vertical jump, long jump, sit and reach flexibility, and height and weight (used to determine body mass index [BMI]). For the combined sample, LP 1RM ranged from 75% to 363% of body weight and CP 1RM ranged from 25% to 103% of body weight. Multiple regression analyses predicting LP 1RM showed that BMI and long jump were significant (R2 = 44.4% with age and gender not significant) and BMI and vertical jump were significant (R2 = 40.8% with age and gender not significant). Multiple regression analyses predicting CP 1RM showed that BMI and handgrip strength were significant (R2 = 58.6% with age and gender not significant). Age and gender alone accounted for 4.6% (not significant) of the variation in LP 1RM and 15.4% (significant) in CP 1RM. In summary, these data indicate that BMI, handgrip strength, long jump, and vertical jump relate to 1RM strength in children and therefore may be useful for assessing muscular fitness in youths.
Efficient multiple genome alignment

MOTIVATION To allow a direct comparison of the genomic DNA sequences of sufficiently similar organisms, there is an urgent need for software tools that can align more than two genomic sequences. RESULTS We developed new algorithms and a software tool 'Multiple Genome Aligner' (MGA for short) that efficiently computes multiple genome alignments of large, closely related DNA sequences. For example, it can align 85% percent of the complete genomes of six human adenoviruses (average length 35305 bp.) in 159 seconds. An alignment of 74% of the complete genomes of three of strains of E. coli (lengths: 5528445; 5498450; 4639221 approximately bp.) is produced in 30 minutes.
Value-cognizant Admission Control Strategies for Real-Time DBMS

We propose and evaluate an admission control paradigm for RTDBS in which a transaction is submitted to the system as a pair of processes a primary task and a recovery block The execution requirements of the primary task are not known a priori whereas those of the recovery block are known a priori Upon the submission of a transaction an Admission Control Mechanism is employed to decide whether to admit or reject that transaction Once admitted a transaction is guaranteed to nish executing before its deadline A trans action is considered to have nished executing if exactly one of two things occur Either its primary task is completed successful commitment or its recovery block is completed safe termination Committed transactions bring a pro t to the system whereas a terminated transaction brings no pro t The goal of the admission control and scheduling protocols e g concurrency control I O scheduling mem ory management employed in the system is to maximize system pro t We describe a number of admission control strategies and contrast through simulations their relative performance
Spam Filtering using Contextual Network Graphs

This document describes a machine-learning solution to the spam-filtering problem. Spam-filtering is treated as a text-classification problem in very high dimension space. Two new text-classification algorithms, Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) and Contextual Network Graphs (CNG) are compared to existing Bayesian techniques by monitoring their ability to process and correctly classify a series of spam and non-spam documents. LSI and CNG algorithms have an advantage over the Naïve Bayes classifier in the domain of natural language processing as they include a representation of ‘context’, or relations between terms. Both LSI and CNG take advantage of these relations to offer a conceptual or semantic-based search, which has been adapted in this paper to the domain of spamfiltering.