Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An evaluation of a spoken document retrieval baseline system in finish

This paper presents a baseline spoken document retrieval system in Finnish. Due to its agglutinative structure, Finnish speech can not be adequately transcribed using the standard large vocabulary continuous speech recognition approaches. The definition of a sufficient lexicon and the training of the statistical language models are difficult, because the words appear transformed by many inflections and compounds. In this work we apply a recently developed unlimited vocabulary speech recognition system that allows the use of n-gram language models based on morpheme-like subword units discovered in an unsupervised manner. In addition to word-based indexing, we also propose an indexing based on the subword units provided directly by our speech recognizer. In an initial evaluation of newsreading in Finnish, we obtained a fairly low recognition error rate and average document retrieval precisions close to that from human reference transcripts.
Robust and Fast Similarity Join of Large Sets of Moving Object Trajectories

We address the problem of performing efficient similarity join for large sets of moving objects trajectories. Unlike previous approaches which use a dedicated index in a transformed space, our premise is that in many applications of location-based services, the trajectories are already indexed in their native space, in order to facilitate the processing of common spatio-temporal queries, e.g., range, nearest neighbor etc. We introduce a novel distance measure adapted from the classic Frechet distance, which can be naturally extended to support lower/upper bounding using the underlying indices of moving object databases in the native space. This, in turn, enables efficient implementation of various trajectory similarity joins. We report on extensive experiments demonstrating that our methodology provides performance speed-up of trajectory similarity join by more than 50% on average, while maintaining effectiveness comparable to the well-known approaches for identifying trajectory similarity based on time-series analysis. Northrop Grumman Corp., contract: P.O. 8200082518 NSF grant IIS-0325144/003
Characterization of autoantibodies against the platelet glycoprotein antigens llb/llla in childhood idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura

The majority of children with idiopathic thrombocytopenia (ITP) have an acute self‐limiting course and no diagnostic test has been identified which will predict the course of thrombocytopenia and detect those with the chronic autoimmune form. The detection of autoantibodies directed against the platelet glycoprotein complex llB/llla, may identify patients with chronic ITP. Serum anti‐GP llb/llla antibodies were assessed by the indirect MAIPA assay in 54 children with immune thrompocytopenla at initial presentation along with an additional 7 children previously diagnosed with chronic ITP, to determine if there was a difference in antibody positivity between acute and chronic ITP patients, and whether the identification of antibodies could be used as a predictive test at diagnosis. There was no significant difference in the percentage of antibodies detected in children classified with acute ITP (27/40–68%) compared to children with chronic ITP (13/21‐62%, P > 0.05). Patients with acute ITP had significantly lower mean platelet counts at diagnosis compared to the chronic ITP group (16,225/mm3 vs. 32,250/mm3, P < 0.05), though there was no significant difference in the bleeding manifestations between the acute and chronic ITP groups. Serum anti‐GP llb/llla antibodies are detected in a high percentage of children with ITP and autoantibodies appear to be involved in the pathogenesis of both acute and chronic ITP. The detection of anti‐GP llb/llla antibodies at diagnosis, however, does not appear to be a useful prognostic test in childhood ITP. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
On the BIBO Stability Condition of Adaptive Recursive FLANN Filters With Application to Nonlinear Active Noise Control

In this paper, a bounded-input bounded-output (BIBO) stability condition for the recursive functional link artificial neural network (FLANN) filter, based on trigonometric expansions, is derived. This filter is considered as a member of the class of causal shift-invariant recursive nonlinear filters whose output depends linearly on the filter coefficients. As for all recursive filters, its stability should be granted or, at least, tested. The relevant conclusion we derive from the stability condition is that the recursive FLANN filter is not affected by instabilities whenever the recursive linear part of the filter is stable. This fact is in contrast with the case of recursive polynomial filters where, in general, specific limitations on the input range are required. The recursive FLANN filter is then studied in the framework of a feedforward scheme for nonlinear active noise control. The novelty of our study is due to the simultaneous consideration of a nonlinear secondary path and an acoustical feedback between the loudspeaker and the reference microphone. An output error nonlinearly Filtered-U normalized LMS adaptation algorithm, derived for the elements of the above-mentioned class of nonlinear filters, is then applied to the recursive FLANN filter. Computer simulations show that the recursive FLANN filter, in contrast to other filters, is able to simultaneously deal with the acoustical feedback and the nonlinearity in the secondary path.
Studies on Molecular Characterization of DREB Gene in Indica Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Number of potential candidate genes (CGs) has been identified by transcriptome and transgenic approaches involved in the adaptive responses to drought in cereals. One of these genes conferring tolerance to drought is DREB gene family. The exploration of genetic/allelic variation within the DREB gene family is an important prerequisite towards a better understanding of stress tolerance. The present investigation aims to study allelic variation in nucleotide sequence within DREB gene of different rice cultivars need for crop improvement programme. Ten upland as well as lowland rice cultivars was used for molecular characterization and allele mining. The results showed that the DREB gene was found in all the tested germplasm and submitted to NCBI GenBank (accession numbers KF 545561 to KF 545569). Bioinformatics analysis showed that 100 percent identity with AP2 DNA binding domain of 59 amino acids which showed conserved three sheets with 14th valine and 19th glutamic acid conserved residues. AP2 domain of putative DREB protein were found rich in alanine (17.6%) and arginine (15.7%) amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 5.89 kDa and iso-elecric point (pI) 10.38. It is observed that DREB gene nucleotide sequences were verified with DNA polymorphism analysis, out of which 196 invariable (monomorphic) and 8 variable (polymorphic) i.e. segregating sites were identified including 9 number of mutation and 5 haplotypes. The haplotypes (gene) diversity was 0.756; the variance and standard deviation diversity were 0.01678 and 0.130 respectively. The result showed that the variety ‘Khandagiri’ showed 97.5% similarity with all accessions DREB gene of rice and 0.036% evolutionary divergence with AK121956 accession present in the database. This might have enhanced the capability of DREB gene as a transcription factor and that lead to provide better adoption and tolerance capability of the cultivar during drought.
The Impact of Regulation-Driven Environmental Innovation on Innovation Success and Firm Performance

The impact of environmental innovations on firm performance is ambiguous. On the one hand, regulatory-driven environmental innovation may impose additional costs to firms and lower their profits. On the other hand, eco-innovators could profit from lower uncertainty in innovation due to regulatory standards and demand-generating effects of regulation. In this paper we analyse (a) whether regulation-driven environmental innovation generates similar innovation success compared to other types of product and process innovation, and (b) whether regulation-driven environmental innovation increases or decreases firm success (as measured by return on sales). Using firm data from the German innovation survey, we find that both product and process innovations driven by environmental regulation generate similar success in terms of sales with new products and cost savings as other innovations do. However, we find different effects when looking at the field of environmental regulation that triggered innovations. Regulations in favour of sustainable mobility contribute to higher sales with market novelties while regulations in the field of water management lower this type of innovation success. With regard to a firm's price–cost margin, new processes implemented in order to comply with environmental regulation requirements lower profitability, indicating higher costs for this type of innovation which cannot be passed on through prices. Higher profit margins can be observed for firms with innovations triggered by regulations on recycling and waste management as well as on resource efficiency.
Anatomical Description of the Muscles of the Pelvic Limb in the Ostrich (Struthio camelus)

Dissections of 12 formalin‐fixed ostriches were performed to give anatomical descriptions of the muscles and tendons of the pelvic, femoral, tibiotarsal, tarsometatarsal and digital regions. In the pelvic limb of the ostrich, 36 muscles can be determined. The ostrich lacks those muscles to the first and second toes (with exception of the M. flexor hallucis longus), which can be found in birds with four toes. The Mm. iliotrochantericus medius, plantaris, extensor proprius digiti IV and adductor digiti IV, which are present in other birds, are also absent, whereas the Mm. pectineus and femorotibialis accessorius additionally occur in the ostrich. The Pars supramedialis is a tendineous part of the M. gastrocnemius, on which the Mm. flexor cruris lateralis and flexor cruris medialis insert by means of a fascial sheet. The caudal part of the M. iliofibularis terminates within the caudal aspect of the superficial fascia cruris. The caudal heads of the Mm. flexor perforatus digiti III and flexor perforatus digiti IV as well as the M. flexor hallucis longus have a common origin on the Fossa poplitea of the femur. The lateral head of the M. flexor perforatus digiti IV and the femoral head of the M. flexor perforans et perforatus digiti III originate on the tendon of origin of the Caput laterale of the M. flexor perforatus digiti III. Furthermore, the last named tendon fuses with the tendon of insertion of the M. ambiens. The M. extensor proprius digiti III originates on a plate‐like fascial sheet part of the dorsal joint capsule of the intertarsal joint.
Kinematically quiet haloes around z ∼ 2.5 radio galaxies. Keck spectroscopy

We present the results of the kinematic study of the extended gas in a sample of 10 high-redshift radio galaxies (z ∼ 2.5) based on high signal-to-noise ratio Keck II and Very Large Telescope (VLT) long-slit spectroscopy. In addition to the typical high surface brightness kinematically perturbed regions (FWHM and velocity shifts > 1000 km s - 1 ), we find in all objects giant low surface brightness haloes that show quieter kinematics with typical emission-line FWHM and velocity shifts of ∼several hundred km s - 1 . The giant haloes often extend for more than 100 kpc and sometimes beyond the radio structures. They emit lines other than Lya (C IV, He II and Nv in some cases), typically found in the spectra of high-redshift active galaxies. Continuum is also often detected. The haloes are enriched with heavy elements at tens of kpc from the active nucleus. Typical Lya luminosities and surface brightness (within the slit) are in the range 10 4 3 - 4 4 erg s - 1 and several × 10 - 1 7 t o - 1 6 erg cm - 2 s - 1 arcsec - 2 , respectively. Estimated densities are in the range ∼17-150 cm - 3 . The quasar continuum is the dominant source of ionization of the quiescent haloes along the radio axis. The implied total quasar ionizing luminosities are in the range ∼ several × 10 4 5 -10 4 7 erg s - 1 , in the same range as radio-loud quasars at comparable redshift. The detection of giant quiescent haloes in all objects suggests that they could be a common ingredient of high-redshift radio galaxies. The radio galaxies seem to be embedded within the haloes. The nature and the origin of the haloes, together with the cosmological implications, are also discussed.
A National, Detailed Map of Forest Aboveground Carbon Stocks in Mexico

A spatially explicit map of aboveground carbon stored in Mexico’s forests was generated from empirical modeling on forest inventory and spaceborne optical and radar data. Between 2004 and 2007, the Mexican National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR) established a network of ~26,000 permanent inventory plots in the frame of their national inventory program, the Inventario Nacional Forestal y de Suelos (INFyS). INFyS data served as model response for spatially extending the field-based estimates of carbon stored in the aboveground live dry biomass to a wall-to-wall map, with 30 × 30 m2 pixel posting using canopy density estimates derived from Landsat, L-Band radar data from ALOS PALSAR, as well as elevation information derived from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) data set. Validation against an independent set of INFyS plots resulted in a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.5 with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 14 t∙C/ha in the case of flat terrain. The validation for different forest types showed a consistently low estimation bias ( 15°) with an R2 of 0.34. A comparison of the average carbon stocks computed from: (a) the map; and (b) statistical estimates from INFyS, at the scale of ~650 km2 large hexagons (R2 of 0.78, RMSE of 5 t∙C/ha) and Mexican states (R2 of 0.98, RMSE of 1.4 t∙C/ha), showed strong agreement.
Nurse staffing levels and teamwork: a cross-sectional study of patient care units in acute care hospitals.

PURPOSE To determine if nurse staffing predicts teamwork. DESIGN A cross-sectional, descriptive design with a sample of nursing staff (N = 2,545) on 52 patient care units in four hospitals was utilized. METHODS The Nursing Teamwork Survey was utilized to collect data on the level of perceived nursing teamwork on each of the study units. In addition, nursing staffing data were collected for each study unit. FINDINGS Higher levels of nurse staffing were related to better teamwork. Specifically, the greater the hours per patient day, the higher the level of overall teamwork on the unit (β = 0.417, p = .033). Also the greater the skill mix, the higher the level of overall teamwork on the unit (β = 0.436, p = .009). CONCLUSIONS Adequate levels of staffing are needed to ensure nursing teamwork. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The ability to provide quality and safe care is associated with teamwork, which in turn requires adequate staffing.
3c-index: Research Contribution across Communities as an Influence Indicator

This paper proposes a new influence metric (called 3c-index ) derived from bibliographic data and social networks analysis. Given a set of communities defined by publication venues, the goal is to measure the degree of influence of researchers by evaluating the links they establish between communities. Specifically, each researcher has a base community where he/she presents greater influence. Then, when such researcher works on a different community (besides the base community), he/she takes new knowledge to that community and transfers influence, which improves the global quality of the communities. By pondering such transfer, we measure the influence of researchers in their and across communities. We also experimentally evaluate the performance of the new index against well known metrics (volume of publications, number of citations and h-index). The results show 3c-index outperforms them in most cases and can be employed as a complementary metric to assess researchers’ productivity.
COPE: an accurate k-mer-based pair-end reads connection tool to facilitate genome assembly

MOTIVATION The boost of next-generation sequencing technologies provides us with an unprecedented opportunity for elucidating genetic mysteries, yet the short-read length hinders us from better assembling the genome from scratch. New protocols now exist that can generate overlapping pair-end reads. By joining the 3' ends of each read pair, one is able to construct longer reads for assembling. However, effectively joining two overlapped pair-end reads remains a challenging task. RESULT In this article, we present an efficient tool called Connecting Overlapped Pair-End (COPE) reads, to connect overlapping pair-end reads using k-mer frequencies. We evaluated our tool on 30× simulated pair-end reads from Arabidopsis thaliana with 1% base error. COPE connected over 99% of reads with 98.8% accuracy, which is, respectively, 10 and 2% higher than the recently published tool FLASH. When COPE is applied to real reads for genome assembly, the resulting contigs are found to have fewer errors and give a 14-fold improvement in the N50 measurement when compared with the contigs produced using unconnected reads. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION COPE is implemented in C++ and is freely available as open-source code at ftp://ftp.genomics.org.cn/pub/cope. CONTACT twlam@cs.hku. hk or luoruibang@genomics.org.cn
Serotonin inhibits Ca2+ currents in porcine melanotrophs by activating 5‐HT1C and 5‐HT1A receptors.

1. We have investigated the effect of serotonin (5‐HT) on Ca2+ currents in cultured porcine pituitary intermediate lobe (IL) cells. Electrophysiological recordings were performed in the whole‐cell configuration of the patch‐clamp technique. All membrane currents other than Ca2+ currents were blocked pharmacologically and by ionic substitution. 2. Two types of Ca2+ currents were recorded in IL cells, differing by their activation and inactivation properties. The first type of Ca2+ current was activated at membrane potentials more positive than ‐60 mV and had a transient time course during the 100 ms depolarizing voltage steps. The properties of this current correspond to those of the T‐type or low‐voltage‐activated Ca2+ current. The second type of Ca2+ current had a threshold for activation between ‐30 and ‐20 mV and showed no sign of inactivation with time during the voltage steps. The properties of this current are similar to those of the L‐type or high‐voltage‐activated Ca2+ current. 3. Current to voltage (I‐V) relationships obtained either by conventional 100 ms voltage steps from a holding potential (VH) of ‐100 mV to various test potentials or by 800 ms voltage ramps from ‐100 to +50mV matched one another closely and showed two inward current humps corresponding to the activation of the T‐type and L‐type Ca2+ currents respectively. The ramp protocol was used to characterize the effect of 5‐HT on the Ca2+ current I‐V relationship. 4. 5‐HT (100nM to 50 microM) reversibly inhibited the amplitude of the Ca2+ current triggered by 100 ms voltage jumps from a Vh of ‐100 mV to a test potential of 0 mV. 5. The effect of 5‐HT was dose dependent with a threshold between 10 and 100 nM and a maximal effect at 10 microM. At a concentration of 10 microM, the average inhibition of Ca2+ current by 5‐HT was 18.3 +/‐ 6.5% (n = 27). 5‐HT inhibited Ba2+ current in a similar fashion. 6. When examining the effect of 5‐HT on Ca2+ current I‐V relationships, we observed a reversible inhibition of the high‐threshold component corresponding to the L‐type Ca2+ current. We never observed any effect of 5‐HT on the T‐type current. 7. The effect of 5‐HT (10 microM) was antagonized to various extents by mianserin (1 microM) but not by ketanserin (0.1 microM), suggesting the involvement of 5‐HT1C receptors. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Wavelet lossless compression of ultraspectral sounder data

This paper provides a study concerning the suitability of well-known image coding techniques originally devised for lossy compression of still natural images when applied to lossless compression of ultraspectral sounder data. An ultraspectral sounder generates an unprecedented amount of 3D data, consisting of two spatial and one spectral dimensions; with ultraspectral sounder data, better inference of atmospheric, cloud and surface parameters is feasible. Here we present the experimental results of five widespread wavelet-based coding techniques, namely EZW, IC, SPIHT, JPEG2000 and CCSDS-IDC. Since the considered still image coding techniques are 2D in nature, but the ultraspectral data is 3D, a preprocessing step is applied to convert the two spatial dimensions into a single one. We are also interested in analyzing the benefits of applying some pre-processing step (e.g., linear prediction or bias adjusted reordering) prior to the coding process in order to further exploit the spectral correlation, which is much stronger than the spatial correlation.
Sequence similarity of the amino-terminal domain of Drosophila beta spectrin to alpha actinin and dystrophin

We used chicken alpha spectrin as a ligand probe to isolate Drosophila beta spectrin cDNA sequences from a lambda gt11 expression library. Analysis of 800 residues of deduced amino acid sequence at the amino- terminal end revealed a strikingly conserved domain of integral of 230 residues that shows a high degree of sequence similarity to the amino- terminal domains of alpha actinin and dystrophin. This conserved domain constitutes a new diagnostic criterion for spectrin-related proteins and allows the known properties of one of these proteins to predict functional properties of the others. The conservation of the amino- terminal domain, and other regions in spectrin, alpha actinin, and dystrophin, demonstrates that a common set of domains were linked in different combinations through evolution to generate the distinctive members of the spectrin superfamily.
The importance of handling multivariate attributes in the identification of heart valve diseases using heart signals

Automated detection of heart valve disease through heart sound has a great requirement due to its inexpensive and non-invasive availability. Extensive research has been conducted recently on applying different classification and features selection techniques. Heart sound data sets represent a real life data that contains continuous attributes and a large number of features that could be hardly classified by most of classification techniques. Data mining techniques including the feature evaluation and classification techniques that ignore the important characteristics that may exist in the heart sound data set may not be applicable on this case. In this context, the present paper initially surveys the research that has been conducted concerning the exploitation of heart sound signals for automated detection of heart conditions. Then, A comparative study is applied to determine the most effective data mining techniques that are capable for the detection of heart valve disease with a high accuracy. The results shows that the techniques that are capable of the handling the multivariate data sets that has continuous nature show the highest classification accuracy.
Computer-aided diagnosis in chest radiography: a survey

The traditional chest radiograph is still ubiquitous in clinical practice, and will likely remain so for quite some time. Yet, its interpretation is notoriously difficult. This explains the continued interest in computer-aided diagnosis for chest radiography. The purpose of this survey is to categorize and briefly review the literature on computer analysis of chest images, which comprises over 150 papers published in the last 30 years. Remaining challenges are indicated and some directions for future research are given.