Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Weighted Measure of Similarity for Speaker Tracking

In this paper, we present a speaker tracking system entirely based on anchor models approach. This speaker tracking system is combined with a speaker clustering module which improves speaker detection performances. However, speaker clustering errors generate new speaker detection errors due to segments grouped into wrong clusters. The aim of this article is to introduce a weighted measure of similarity between target speakers and segments based on a measure of similarity between segments belonging to a same cluster. Evaluation is done on the audio database of the ESTER evaluation campaign for the rich transcription of French broadcast news. Results show that the weighted measure of similarity improved the speaker tracking performances. This improvement manifests itself as an improved precision rate on segments grouped into wrong clusters
Agoraphobia and Melancholia

Milrod (2007) identifies persistent emptiness in agoraphobic patients whose symptoms of anxiety and avoidance have remitted. To this important identification, a number of critical considerations may be raised regarding the meanings of emptiness in the psychoanalytic clinic. Milrod’s admonishment to distinguish between an emptiness that indicates a deficit in the structure and stability of self-representation, and an emptiness that is strictly defensive, is a case in point. While much of the literature supports an interpretation of emptiness as a defense against overwhelming rage, these patients’ assertions and experiences of emptiness can be better explained by the presence of traumatic, unmourned losses. Several explanations are offered as to why agoraphobic patients, in particular, defend unconsciously against mourning.
'An Irish Empire'? Aspects of Ireland and the British Empire

Ireland, the empire and film, Jeffrey Richards Ireland, sport and empire, Alan Bairner Ireland and India, T.G. Fraser the Irish military tradition and the British empire, Keith Jeffery Irish unionists and the empire, 1880-1920 - classes and masses, Alvin Jackson Empire Day in Ireland, 1896-1962, David H. Hume businessmen in Northern Ireland and the imperial connection, 1886-1939, Philip Ollerenshaw Ulster resistance and loyalist rebellion in the empire, Donal Lowry.
Cell‐free fetal DNA in specimen from pregnant women is stable up to 5 days

Before noninvasive prenatal diagnosis on the fetal Rhesus D status (NIPD RhD) can be implemented on a mass‐scale, it is crucial to define requirements regarding sample transport. The aim of this study was to determine the relation between the transport time of samples for NIPD and the concentration of fetal DNA in maternal plasma.
Methods of Artificial Enlargement of the Training Set for Statistical Shape Models

Due to the small size of training sets, statistical shape models often over-constrain the deformation in medical image segmentation. Hence, artificial enlargement of the training set has been proposed as a solution for the problem to increase the flexibility of the models. In this paper, different methods were evaluated to artificially enlarge a training set. Furthermore, the objectives were to study the effects of the size of the training set, to estimate the optimal number of deformation modes, to study the effects of different error sources, and to compare different deformation methods. The study was performed for a cardiac shape model consisting of ventricles, atria, and epicardium, and built from magnetic resonance (MR) volume images of 25 subjects. Both shape modeling and image segmentation accuracies were studied. The objectives were reached by utilizing different training sets and datasets, and two deformation methods. The evaluation proved that artificial enlargement of the training set improves both the modeling and segmentation accuracy. All but one enlargement techniques gave statistically significantly (p < 0.05) better segmentation results than the standard method without enlargement. The two best enlargement techniques were the nonrigid movement technique and the technique that combines principal component analysis (PCA) and finite element model (FEM). The optimal number of deformation modes was found to be near 100 modes in our application. The active shape model segmentation gave better segmentation accuracy than the one based on the simulated annealing optimization of the model weights.
Serum thyroglobulin determination in the follow-up of patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

Thyroglobulin (Tg) is produced only by thyroid follicular cells. Following total thyroid ablation, it should be undetectable in serum and any detectable level then indicates the persistence or recurrence of neoplastic disease. This is the basis for the use of Tg as a postoperative tumor marker in the follow-up of thyroid cancer patients (1). The aim of follow-up is the early detection of persistent or recurrent disease, and this is made possible by the combined use of sensitive Tg measurement, neck ultrasound and a I total body scan (TBS) (2, 3). The results of Tg measurement are highly dependent on the method used. This paper therefore focuses ®rst on the methods used for the measurement of serum Tg level and then analyzes results obtained during the follow-up of patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma, mainly based on experience at the Institut Gustave-Roussy, Villejuif, France.
Probe-device detecting single carriers: A new method for deep level characterization with nanosecond resolution

Single carriers emitted by deep levels can be detected with high time resolution in a probe device. The probe is a suitable junction structure, in which a carrier can trigger a macroscopic avalanche current pulse. A new method, conceptually similar to those employed for fluorescent and nuclear decays, can thus be used for studying deep levels: time-correlated carrier counting TCC. The method is here introduced and results of experimental feasibility tests are reported. The features of TCC are discussed, showing that its sensitivity, resolution and dynamic range make possible to extend investigations to levels so far not measured; for instance, relatively shallow levels with nanosecond lifetimes.
Developmental role of the cell adhesion molecule Contactin-6 in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus

ABSTRACT The gene encoding the neural cell adhesion molecule Contactin-6 (Cntn6 a.k.a. NB-3) has been implicated as an autism risk gene, suggesting that its mutation is deleterious to brain development. Due to its GPI-anchor at Cntn6 may exert cell adhesion/receptor functions in complex with other membrane proteins, or serve as a ligand. We aimed to uncover novel phenotypes related to Cntn6 functions during development in the cerebral cortex of adult Cntn6−/− mice. We first determined Cntn6 protein and mRNA expression in the cortex, thalamic nuclei and the hippocampus at P14, which decreased specifically in the cortex at adult stages. Neuroanatomical analysis demonstrated a significant decrease of Cux1+ projection neurons in layers II-IV and an increase of FoxP2+ projection neurons in layer VI in the visual cortex of adult Cntn6−/− mice compared to wild-type controls. Furthermore, the number of parvalbumin+ (PV) interneurons was decreased in Cntn6−/− mice, while the amount of NPY+ interneurons remained unchanged. In the hippocampus the delineation and outgrowth of mossy fibers remained largely unchanged, except for the observation of a larger suprapyramidal bundle. The observed abnormalities in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of Cntn6−/− mice suggests that Cntn6 serves developmental functions involving cell survival, migration and fasciculation. Furthermore, these data suggest that Cntn6 engages in both trans- and cis-interactions and may be involved in larger protein interaction networks.
H∞ observer design for linear fractional-order systems in time and frequency domains

In this paper, the problem of robust fractional-order observer (RFO) design in time and frequency domains for disturbed fractional-order system is investigated. The main results include the formulation of robust observer design problems in time and frequency domains. In the time domain, we develop a sufficient condition for the existence of a robust observer design, and its construction is based on the Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMI) formulation. The frequency procedure design is derived from time domain results with the aid of the factorization approach, where we define some useful coprime factorization. An illustrating example is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Platelet Factor 4 Differentially Modulates CD4+CD25+ (Regulatory) versus CD4+CD25− (Nonregulatory) T Cells1

Active suppression mediated by CD4+CD25+ T regulatory (Tr) cells plays an important role in the down-regulation of T cell responses to both foreign and self-Ags. Platelet factor 4 (PF4), a platelet-derived CXC chemokine, has been shown to strongly inhibit T cell proliferation as well as IFN-γ and IL-2 release by isolated T cells. In this report we show that human PF4 stimulates proliferation of the naturally anergic human CD4+CD25+ Tr cells while inhibiting proliferation of CD4+CD25− T cells. In coculture experiments we found that CD4+CD25+ Tr cells exposed to PF4 lose the ability to inhibit the proliferative response of CD4+CD25− T cells. Our findings suggest that human PF4, by inducing Tr cell proliferation while impairing Tr cell function, may play a previously unrecognized role in the regulation of human immune responses. Because platelets are the sole source of PF4 in the circulation, these findings may be relevant to the pathogenesis of certain immune-mediated disorders associated with platelet activation, such as heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura.
Synaptic Impairment and Robustness of Excitatory Neuronal Networks with Different Topologies

Synaptic deficiencies are a known hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases, but the diagnosis of impaired synapses on the cellular level is not an easy task. Nonetheless, changes in the system-level dynamics of neuronal networks with damaged synapses can be detected using techniques that do not require high spatial resolution. This paper investigates how the structure/topology of neuronal networks influences their dynamics when they suffer from synaptic loss. We study different neuronal network structures/topologies by specifying their degree distributions. The modes of the degree distribution can be used to construct networks that consist of rich clubs and resemble small world networks, as well. We define two dynamical metrics to compare the activity of networks with different structures: persistent activity (namely, the self-sustained activity of the network upon removal of the initial stimulus) and quality of activity (namely, percentage of neurons that participate in the persistent activity of the network). Our results show that synaptic loss affects the persistent activity of networks with bimodal degree distributions less than it affects random networks. The robustness of neuronal networks enhances when the distance between the modes of the degree distribution increases, suggesting that the rich clubs of networks with distinct modes keep the whole network active. In addition, a tradeoff is observed between the quality of activity and the persistent activity. For a range of distributions, both of these dynamical metrics are considerably high for networks with bimodal degree distribution compared to random networks. We also propose three different scenarios of synaptic impairment, which may correspond to different pathological or biological conditions. Regardless of the network structure/topology, results demonstrate that synaptic loss has more severe effects on the activity of the network when impairments are correlated with the activity of the neurons.
Repair of Anomalous Aortic Origin of a Coronary Artery in 113 Patients

Background: Anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA) encompasses a wide morphologic spectrum, which has impeded consensus regarding indications for the diverse repair strategies. We constructed a profile of current surgical techniques and explore their application to morphologic variants. Methods: Patients <30 years old (n = 113) with isolated AAOCA who underwent operations at 29 Congenital Heart Surgeons Society (CHSS) institutions from 1998 to 2012 were identified from the CHSS AAOCA Registry. Operative findings were related to surgical techniques at index repairs by cross-tabulation. Results: Anomalous origin of the left main or left anterior descending coronary artery was present in 33 (29%) patients and of the right coronary artery in 78 (69%) patients; 2 arteries originated directly above the commissure between the left and right sinuses. There were 101 (89%) interarterial and intramural (IA/IM) arteries, 10 (9%) were interarterial but not intramural (IA/NIM) and 2 (2%) were neither interarterial nor intramural. Intramural arteries were unroofed in 100 (88%) operations, usually with intimal tacking after incision (n = 47) or excision (n = 25) of the common wall. Coronary reimplantation (n = 11), pulmonary artery relocation (n = 7; 5 for IA/NIM), simple ostioplasty (without unroofing; n = 3), coronary artery bypass grafting (n = 2), and ostial window (n = 1) were less common. In 37 (33%) operations, a valvar commissure was taken down; 33 were resuspended. Conclusion: Current surgical repair of AAOCA is individualized to morphology, particularly the presence of intramural and/or interarterial segments. This report is foundational for future planned CHSS studies that will examine interventional and noninterventional outcomes and ultimately guide management of AAOCA.
Derivation, Analysis, and Implementation of a Boost–Buck Converter-Based High-Efficiency PV Inverter

In this paper, a single-phase grid-connected transformerless photovoltaic inverter for residential application is presented. The inverter is derived from a boost cascaded with a buck converter along with a line frequency unfolding circuit. Due to its novel operating modes, high efficiency can be achieved because there is only one switch operating at high frequency at a time, and the converter allows the use of power MOSFET and ultrafast reverse recovery diode. It also features a robust structure because the phase leg does not have a shoot-through issue. This paper begins with theoretical analysis and modeling of this boost-buck converter-based inverter. And the model indicates that small boost inductance will lead to an increase in the resonant pole frequency and a decrease in the peak of Q, which results in easier control and greater stability. Thus, interleaved multiple phases structure is proposed to have small equivalent inductance; meanwhile, the ripple can be decreased, and the inductor size can be reduced as well. A two-phase interleaved inverter is then designed accordingly. Finally, the simulation and experiment results are shown to verify the concept and the tested efficiency under 1-kW power condition is up to 98.5%.
Characterization of Cryoglobu lins by I mmunoblotti

We adapted an immunoblotting technique for the immunochemical characterization of cryoglobulins. ,We first compared the results from 157 samples with results obtained by immunofixation and immunoelectrophoresis and then with clinical observations in 125 cases. Full identification was possible in 98% of the cases by immunoblotting, in 54% by immunofixation, and in 28% by immunoelectrophoresis. Novel microheterogeneity aspects were observed by immunoblothng and immunofixation in 13% and 6% of the casesstudied,respectively. Our results confirm the frequency of autoimmune and infectious diseases associated with mixed cryoglobulinemias, whereas a lymphoproliferative syndrome was observed only in cases of cryoglobulinemia with a monoclonal constituent or a microheterogeneity aspect, which was not always revealed by immunofixation or immunoelectrophoresis. The pathophysiological importance and classification of microheterogeneity aspects is not clear. These observations justify using a sensitive and specific method for identifying cryoglobulins, even when present at low concentrations, and call for long-term studies of these patients.
Family Medicine’s Identity: Being Generalists in a Specialist Culture?

Family medicine has been in conflict about whether it is a specialty or a generalist discipline. Although for a time the family was offered as a solution to family medicine being marginalized in biomedicine, a more biomedical focus prevailed. As a result, the practice of family medicine came more to resemble the world of biomedicine despite an insistence on the discipline’s distinctiveness. Ways to avoid identity pitfalls in the future might be to seek solutions that do not promise to solve our identity problem once and for all, to refrain from adopting generalized slogans that do not encourage critical thinking, to practice what we preach, to accept that specialization is part of the American cultural ethos, and to embrace reflective practice.
Soft symbol estimation and forward scheme for cooperative relaying

Relay transmission technique can be utilized to increase coverage or enhance throughput for conventional cellular communication systems. There are two typical relaying schemes, Amplify-and-Forward (AF) and Decode-and-Forward (DF). This paper presents a new scheme named Soft symbol Estimation and Forward (SEF), which holds the advantages of both AF and DF, i.e. keeping soft information and obtaining decoding gain. This scheme has similar operations as DF except that the operations are performed in a soft-input-soft-output (SISO) fashion. The relay performs SISO decoding, SISO re-encoding and then the key point soft symbol estimation, which is derived based on Maximum Likelihood (ML) criteria. Simulation results prove that the proposed SEF scheme much outperforms both AF and DF.
Biopsy Findings in Acute Pulmonary Histoplasmosis: Unusual Histologic Features in 4 Cases Mimicking Lymphomatoid Granulomatosis

Most examples of pulmonary histoplasmosis, including histoplasmoma and chronic histoplasmosis, are characterized by typical necrotizing granulomatous inflammation. Only disseminated histoplasmosis is recognized as causing a different reaction which consists of ingestion of organisms by macrophages without granuloma formation. The histologic features of acute pulmonary histoplasmosis are not well described as this form of the disease is rarely biopsied. We report the biopsy findings in 4 cases of acute pulmonary histoplasmosis, which seem to be unique to this form of Histoplasma infection. There were 3 men and 1 woman who ranged in age from 40 to 68 years. All presented acutely with fever and other flu-like symptoms. Radiographically, a solitary nodular infiltrate was present in 3 and bilateral reticulonodular infiltrates in one. Histologically, all 4 biopsies showed a nodular parenchymal inflammatory infiltrate composed of lymphocytes and histiocytes filling alveolar spaces and expanding the adjacent interstitium. Areas of parenchymal necrosis were additionally present in 3 cases. Vasculitis composed of lymphocytes and histiocytes was present in all, and was striking in 3, resulting in a resemblance to grade 1 lymphomatoid granulomatosis (LYG). Tip-offs to the correct diagnosis were small necrotizing granulomas scattered within the lymphohistiocytic infiltrate (3 cases), scattered histiocyte aggregates, and a few multinucleated giant cells. The diagnosis was confirmed in all by the presence of Histoplasma yeasts in Grocott methenamine silver-stained slides. Acute pulmonary histoplasmosis may cause a lymphohistiocytic infiltrate with necrosis and vasculitis that is suggestive of LYG. This observation emphasizes the importance of examining special stains for organisms before diagnosing grade 1 LYG.
Modélisation biogéochimique de la mer Méditerranée avec le modèle régional couplé NEMO-MED12/PISCES

La mer Mediterranee est consideree comme un point chaud du changement climatique. Cette region tres peuplee au climat aride devrait voir son climat devenir plus chaud et plus aride encore, tout en subissant une pression anthropique toujours plus forte. Dans ce contexte, de nombreuses donnees physiques et biogeochimiques sont actuellement relevees en mer Mediterranee, dans le cadre du projet MERMEX, afin de mieux etudier et comprendre les cycles biogeochimiques en mer Mediterranee. Complementaire aux mesures, la modelisation est un outil unique pour aider a comprendre et quantifier les processus controlant la biogeochimie marine de la Mediterranee, ses specificites et son evolution future. Dans cette etude, nous proposons la mise en place, et l’evaluation d’un modele regional couple dynamique - biogeochimie marine (NEMO-PISCES), a haute resolution, qui sera le premier modele couvrant l’integralite de la mer Mediterranee disponible pour la communaute MERMEX. Ainsi, apres avoir evalue la dynamique du modele NEMO-MED12, utilisee comme forcage, grâce a une simulation de traceurs passifs (CFC), nous effectuons les premieres utilisations de cet outil, avec lequel (i) nous evaluons la quantite de carbone anthropique en mer Mediterranee grâce a une approche par perturbation, ainsi que l’acidification associee des masses d’eau ; (ii) nous effectuons une etude des regimes trophiques en mer Mediterranee, tels que percus par le modele, sur differentes couches de la zone euphotique.
Jinn, Psychiatry and Contested Notions of Misfortune among East London Bangladeshis

This study examines understandings of misfortune among east London Bangladeshis, particularly with respect to the role of jinn spirits. It reports on the findings of ethnographic interviews among 40 members of this community. Appeal to jinn explanations is commonplace at times of psychological disturbance and unexplained physical symptoms. Resort to traditional healers is frequent. These explanations are contested by different groups in the community. The findings are examined within the context of a discourse on tradition and modernity with particular emphasis on Islam and modernity.
Inhibition of Adherence and Killing of Candida albicans with a 23-Mer Peptide (Fn/23) with Dual Antifungal Properties

ABSTRACT Candida albicans adheres to host tissue and then proliferates in order to establish a commensal as well as a pathogenic state. Specific adherence to proteins is provided by several surface adhesins of Candida. Two well-studied proteins, Als1p and Als5p, do not require energy for adherence to occur (dead as well as living cells adhere) and have a multiplier effect of cell-cell aggregation that mediates the formation of microcolonies of Candida cells. The entire process is spontaneous, reversible, and stable for physiologically relevant chemical and physical forces. This adherence process is inhibited by the addition of free peptide ligands, including a 23-mer derived from fibronectin (Fn/23) that binds to the adhesins through H bond formation. Adherence was measured by determining the number of yeast cells that adhered to 90-μm-diameter polyethylene glycol (PEG) beads with a 7-mer peptide (KLRIPSV) synthesized on the surfaces of the beads. The concentration of the Fn/23 peptide that inhibited the adherence of cells to the peptide-coated beads by 50% was 4 to 5 μM, and the magnitudes of adherence were similar regardless of the presence or absence of physiologic salt concentrations. The minimum fungicidal concentration of Fn/23 was 2 to 4 μM in water, but there was no killing in physiologic salt concentrations. Peptides from the C and N termini or the center sequence of Fn/23 had no effect on inhibition of adherence and little effect on fungal viability. The fungicidal effect was similar to that seen with 23-, 19-, and 18-mer peptides derived from porcine myeloid cells, a Helicobacter pylori ribosomal protein, and a hybrid of cecropin and magainin, respectively. However, these fungicidal peptides did not inhibit C. albicans adherence to the peptide-coated PEG beads. This dual property of Fn/23, i.e., inhibition of adherence and killing of C. albicans, may provide important adjuvant effects in the treatment of disease caused by this fungus.