Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Use of Psychophysical Tuning Curves to Explore Dead Regions in the Cochlea

Objective “Dead regions” are regions in the cochlea with no functioning inner hair cells (IHCs) and/or neurons. Amplification (using a hearing aid) over a frequency range corresponding to a dead region may not be beneficial and may even impair speech intelligibility. The objective of this article is to illustrate the use of psychophysical tuning curves (PTCs) as a tool for investigating dead regions and to illustrate the variety of audiogram configurations that can be associated with dead regions. We explore the influence of signal level and signal frequency to test the hypothesis that the frequency at the tip of the tuning curve defines the boundary of the dead region. Design PTCs were measured for five subjects with sensorineural hearing loss who were suspected of having dead regions. One had a relatively “flat” loss, one had a mild mid-frequency loss and three had high-frequency losses, varying in severity from 70 dB to more than 120 dB. For each PTC, the level and frequency of the sinusoidal signal were fixed, and the level of a narrowband noise masker needed just to mask the signal was determined as a function of the masker frequency. When the signal falls in a frequency region that is not “dead,” the signal is detected via IHCs with characteristic frequencies (CFs) at or close to the signal frequency. In such a case, the tip of the PTC (the masker frequency at which the masker level is lowest) lies at or close to the signal frequency. When a dead region is present, the signal is detected via IHCs with CFs different from that of the signal frequency. In such a case, the tip of the PTC is shifted away from the signal frequency. Results PTCs with frequency-shifted tips (indicative of dead regions) were found for all subjects. The frequencies at the tips sometimes decreased slightly with increasing signal level. For the subject with a relatively flat loss, PTCs with tips close to 3000 Hz were obtained for signal frequencies of 400, 1000 and 1500 Hz. A PTC with a tip at 5000 Hz was found for a signal frequency of 6000 Hz. These results suggest that this subject had an “island” of surviving IHCs and neurons with CFs ranging from 3000 to 5000 Hz, with extensive dead regions on either side. For the subject with a mid-frequency loss, the pattern of results suggested a mid-frequency dead region. For the subjects with high-frequency loss, the results suggested the presence of high-frequency dead regions, in one case starting at a frequency where absolute thresholds were only slightly higher than normal. Conclusions PTCs can be used to detect and delimit dead regions. Often, the frequency at the tip of the PTC can be used to define approximately one boundary of the dead region. However, the detection of beats can affect the shape of the PTC around the tip when the signal frequency lies just inside the dead region. The level of the signal can also have some effect on the frequency at the tip of the PTC. Very low signal levels can lead to variable results. Dead regions can start at frequencies where absolute thresholds are near normal.
The impact of network impairment on quality of experience (QoE) in H.265/HEVC video streaming

Users of modern portable consumer devices (smartphones, tablets etc.) expect ubiquitous delivery of high quality services, which fully utilise the capabilities of their devices. Video streaming is one of the most widely used yet challenging services for operators to deliver with assured service levels. This challenge is more apparent in wireless networks where bandwidth constraints and packet loss are common. The lower bandwidth requirements of High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) provide the potential to enable service providers to deliver high quality video streams in low-bandwidth networks; however, packet loss may result in greater damage in perceived quality given the higher compression ratio. This work considers the delivery of HEVC encoded video streams in impaired network environments and quantifies the effects of network impairment on HEVC video streaming from the perspective of the end user. HEVC encoded streams were transmitted over a test network with both wired and wireless segments that had imperfect communication channels subject to packet loss. Two different error concealment methods were employed to mitigate packet loss and overcome reference decoder robustness issues. The perceptual quality of received video was subjectively assessed by a panel of viewers. Existing subjective studies of HEVC quality have not considered the implications of network impairments. Analysis of results has quantified the effects of packet loss in HEVC on perceptual quality and provided valuable insight into the relative importance of the main factors observed to influence user perception in HEVC streaming. The outputs from this study show the relative importance and relationship between those factors that affect human perception of quality in impaired HEVC encoded video streams. The subjective analysis is supported by comparison with commonly used objective quality measurement techniques. Outputs from this work may be used in the development of quality of experience (QoE) oriented streaming applications for HEVC in loss prone networks.
The Escherichia coli chromosome is organized with the left and right chromosome arms in separate cell halves

We have developed a system for the simultaneous labelling of two specific chromosomal sites using two different fluorescent ParB/parS systems. Using this, we demonstrate that the two chromosome arms are spatially arranged in newborn cells such that markers on the left arm of the chromosome lie in one half of the cell and markers on the right arm of the chromosome lie in the opposite half. This is achieved by reorganizing the chromosome arms of the two nucleoids in pre‐division cells relative to the cell quarters. The spatial reorganization of the chromosome arms ensures that the two replication forks remain in opposite halves of the cell during replication. The relative orientation of the two reorganized nucleoids in pre‐division cells is not random. Approximately 80% of dividing cells have their nucleoids oriented in a tandem configuration.
CRISPR/Cas9-mediated targeted mutagenesis in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha L.

Targeted genome modification technologies are key tools for functional genomics. The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated endonuclease Cas9 system (CRISPR/Cas9) is an emerging technology for targeted genome modification. The CRISPR/Cas9 system consists of a short guide RNA (gRNA), which specifies the target genome sequence, and the Cas9 protein, which has endonuclease activity. The CRISPR/Cas9 system has been applied to model animals and flowering plants, including rice, sorghum, wheat, tobacco and Arabidopsis. Here, we report the application of CRISPR/Cas9 to targeted mutagenesis in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha L. , which has emerged as a model species for studying land plant evolution. The U6 promoter of M. polymorpha was identified and cloned to express the gRNA. The target sequence of the gRNA was designed to disrupt the gene encoding auxin response factor 1 (ARF1) in M. polymorpha. Using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, we isolated stable mutants in the gametophyte generation of M. polymorpha. CRISPR/Cas9-based site-directed mutagenesis in vivo was achieved using either the Cauliflower mosaic virus 35S or M. polymorpha EF1α promoter to express Cas9. Isolated mutant individuals showing an auxin-resistant phenotype were not chimeric. Moreover, stable mutants were produced by asexual reproduction of T1 plants. Multiple arf1 alleles were easily established using CRIPSR/Cas9-based targeted mutagenesis. Our results provide a rapid and simple approach for molecular genetics in M. polymorpha, and raise the possibility that CRISPR/Cas9 may be applied to a wide variety of plant species.
Articulatory Speech Synthesis with Parallel Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm

Within the context of Articulatory Speech Synthesis, human speech is representable through a set of time-varying articulatory parameters (eg: constriction of oropharyngeal sections). The extraction of the conﬁguration of articulatory parameters from speech sound is called Vocal Tract Area Function (VTAF) estimation. Vocal Tract Area Function Inversion is a well known problem in the ﬁeld of speech synthesis and recognition, and it is generally accepted that a stable method to perform acoustical-to-articulatory mapping does not exist yet. Pioneering work by Atal showed that the problem is an inverse ill-posed problem. In this study we present a novel inversion method based on Multi Objective Evolutionary Algorithms: Lacov-NSGA-II. The system is an adaptation of NSGA-II for VTAF extraction. A number of modiﬁcations to the original NSGA-II algorithm are proposed, such as a problem-speciﬁc evolutionary operator design and a time-varying search space. Good results obtained from a serial prototype encouraged the development of a parallel version of the algorithm. Experimental tests showed good performance with respect to the intelligibility of the re-synthesised speech signal as well as the objective error measurements.
Impact of a rheumatology expert nurse on the wellbeing of patients attending a drug monitoring clinic.

AIM This paper reports a study to test the hypothesis that consultation with a clinical nurse specialist in a drug monitor clinic has a measurable impact on the well-being of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. METHOD A single blinded randomized controlled trial was carried out with 71 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who were starting new disease-modifying anti-rheumatic therapy at a district general hospital. Patients were randomized into two groups over a 3-year recruitment period. Intervention group patients were monitored by a rheumatology clinical nurse specialist using Pendelton's framework to assess patient needs alongside safety monitoring. Control group patients were seen by an outpatient staff nurse for safety monitoring only over a 1-year period. The primary outcome measures were the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales and the Rheumatology Attitude Index. Data were also collected on the Disease Activity Score, number of consultations with healthcare professionals and changes in drug therapy. Data were collected at baseline, 3, 7 and 12 months between 1999 and 2002. RESULTS The Intervention group had greater change scores than the Control group for the Arthritis Impact Scale, with statistical significance shown at 7 months (P = 0.03). At 12 months the Rheumatology Attitude Index had improved by a mean of 1.8 in the Intervention group and deteriorated by 0.3 in the Control group. Changes in the Disease Activity Score were greater in the Intervention group at all time points, with statistical significance at 12 months (P = 0.048). There was little difference in the number of consultations or changes in drug therapy between the two groups. CONCLUSION Consultation with an expert rheumatology nurse in a drug monitor clinic may add value in terms of improving patients' perceived ability to cope with the arthritis.
Offline and online broadcast scheduling algorithms for file broadcast in mobile WiMAX

Designing a promising online broadcast scheduling algorithm is a necessity in any disseminate-based system. Nevertheless, without having a well-designed and robust offline algorithm, no good and comparable online algorithm emerges. In this paper, we propose both offline and online broadcast scheduling algorithms with throughput maximization objective while our application in-hand is a file broadcast. Both algorithms are analytically evaluated. Besides, partial file requests are allowed and implemented. Afterwards, for a file broadcast system based on mobile WiMAX network a simulation is conducted. Simulation results using NS-3 simulator reveal better throughput for online proposed algorithm compared to three other implemented ones. Furthermore, comparing the proposed online algorithm with its offline version shows acceptable level of performance for online algorithm.
Parents' perceptions of the meaning of quality nursing care

Quality care is a major issue currently facing the delivery of health care services yet little research has been conducted on what parents of hospitalized children perceive as quality nursing care. A qualitative approach was used to identify the meaning of quality nursing care from parents' perspective and to identify concepts inherent in the process of receiving quality nursing care. Four stages in the process were identified: maneuvering, process of knowing, relationship, and quality care. The concepts suggested a similar experience for all participants, even though the individual stories of the process of receiving quality nursing care were different for each child and parent.
Adaptive tracking control of a nonholonomic mobile robot

A mobile robot is one of the well-known nonholonomic systems. The integration of a kinematic controller and a torque controller for the dynamic model of a nonholonomic mobile robot has been presented (Fierro and Lewis, 1995). In this paper, an adaptive extension of the controller is proposed. If an adaptive tracking controller for the kinematic model with unknown parameters exists, an adaptive tracking controller for the dynamic model with unknown parameters can be designed by using an adaptive backstepping approach. A design example for a mobile robot with two actuated wheels is provided. In this design, a new kinematic adaptive controller is proposed, then a torque adaptive controller is derived by using the kinematic controller.
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα)-mediated regulation of multidrug resistance 2 (Mdr2) expression and function in mice

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) is a nuclear receptor that controls expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism and is activated by fatty acids and hypolipidaemic fibrates. Fibrates induce the hepatic expression of murine multidrug resistance 2 (Mdr2), encoding the canalicular phospholipid translocator. The physiological role of PPARα in regulation of Mdr2 and other genes involved in bile formation is unknown. We found no differences in hepatic expression of the ATP binding cassette transporter genes Mdr2, Bsep (bile salt export pump), Mdr1a}1b, Abca1 and Abcg5}Abcg8 (implicated in cholesterol transport), the bile salt-uptake systems Ntcp (Na+-taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide gene) and Oatp1 (organic aniontransporting polypeptide 1 gene) or in bile formation between wild-type and Pparα(−/−) mice. Upon treatment of wild-type mice with ciprofibrate (0.05%, w}w, in diet for 2 weeks), the expression of Mdr2 (­3-fold), Mdr1a (­6-fold) and Mdr1b (­11-fold) mRNAs was clearly induced, while that of Oatp1 (®5-fold) was reduced. Mdr2 protein levels were increased, whereas Bsep, Ntcp
Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support for neonatal and pediatric refractory septic shock

Objective: To report our institutional experience of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) in children with refractory septic shock. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our ECMO database to identify patients who received VA ECMO for septic shock from January 2004 to June 2013 at our Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in Armand-Trousseau Hospital. We included all neonates and children up to the age of 18 years who received VA ECMO for septic shock. For each patient, we collected the pre-ECMO inotrope score, clinical circulatory and ventilatory parameters, infecting organism, ECMO duration and complications, and length of hospital stay. Main Results: The study included 14 neonates and 8 older children (the pediatric population, with a mean age of 30 months, range: 1–113 months). Survival was 64% among newborns and 50% among pediatric patients. Multiorgan failure or severity scores did not show any correlation with mortality (Pediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction score, P = 0.94; the score for neonatal acute physiology-perinatal extension II, P = 0.34). In the pediatric population, the inotrope score was higher in the survivor group (127.5 vs. 332.5, P = 0.07). Blood samples taken shortly before cannulation showed that pH (P = 0.27), lactate level (P = 0.33), PaO2/FiO2 ratio (P = 0.49), or oxygenation index (P = 0.35) showed no correlation to success or failure of ECMO. Conclusion: ECMO can be safely used to resuscitate and support children with refractory septic shock. We recommend that patients with oliguria whose lactate level has not decreased within 6 h of starting maximum drug therapy be transferred to an ECMO referral center.
A INFLUÊNCIA DE CULTIVARES DE AMOREIRAS ADUBADAS SOBRE CARACTERÍSTICAS BIOLÓGICAS E PRODUTIVAS DO BICHO-DA-SEDA (Bombyx mori L.)

A cultura da amoreira (Morus alba L.) e essencial para a manutencao dos barracoes de criacao do bicho-da-seda (Bombyx mori L.). A qualidade nutricional das folhas relaciona-se diretamente com a producao dos casulos, e consequentemente na renda final do produtor. Este artigo tem como objetivo avaliar a influencia da adubacao quimica e orgânica, sobre o desenvolvimento das plantas de amora de tres diferentes genotipos quanto a caracteres biologicos e produtivos de bicho-da-seda. Para isso, foi aplicado adubo quimico NPK, esterco de galinha e uma testemunha para cada um dos genotipos avaliados. Foram coletadas informacoes referentes a biomassa fresca, biomassa seca das amoreiras, peso e comprimento da lagarta, peso da glândula sericigena, peso e teor de seda dos casulos. A cultivar FM 86 apresentou maior desempenho produtivo, independentemente do tipo de adubacao. Os caracteres biologicos e produtivos foram influenciados pelos tratamentos, no entanto, a variavel que apresenta maior importância economica, o teor liquido de seda nos casulos obteve medias estatisticamente semelhantes entre os genotipos de amoreiras submetidas aos diferentes tratamentos.
A real-time stereo depth extraction hardware for intelligent home assistant robot

One of the fastest growing next generation consumer products is a robot technology industry and it is rapidly forming a huge market. A depth extraction is one of the key techniques to adopt a home assistant robot for avoiding obstacles and looking for a transfer route. However, a home assistant robot mounted stereo vision systems produce unpredictable changes in video sequences when the robot is walking and needs hard computation to produce an accurate estimation. In this paper, we propose hardware based realtime stereo depth extraction method for an intelligent home assistant robot. For fast adaption of the external environment, we present depth map extraction algorithm by using preprocessing, parallel prediction searching employing median filter. Experimental results show that the proposed method reduces the processing time and the energy consumption compared to the conventional methods. This implementation is suitable for adaptive real-time depth extraction that is compatible with current robot applications.
Nonlinear Gulf Stream Interaction with Deep Currents: A Numerical Simulation

A two-way-coupled duo grid primitive-equations-based ocean model is used in a 75-year simulation of the North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico region between 10 � N and 73 � N. All advection and horizontal pressure gradient terms are fourth-order accurate on a semi-Collocated control volume grid. By construction of surface freshwater and heat fluxes, the model multi-year ensemble mean annual cycle surface layer temperature and salinity converge to the climatological cycle. Hellerman annual cycle wind forcing is used. The duo grid resolutions are: 1/2 � east of 60 � W; 1/6 � west of 60 � W; 30 z-levels. Upwind-based fluxes across 60 � W give nearly seamless grid coupling. Open boundary conditions derived from a one degree resolution global model are applied at 10 � N. Model results show: total Gulf Stream (GS) separation at Cape Hatteras (CH) as observed, and a mean separated GS path close to the observed mean path. The model Deep Current System (DCS: the shelf slope and deep western boundary current) strongly affects the GS separation and path. Only after � 10 years of simulation, when the Labrador-Seamodified dense DCS water arrives in the Grand Banks shelfbreak area, does the GS separation and path come into close agreement with observations. The wedge shaped region between the separated Gulf Stream and continental shelf slope is filled with eddies, including intense warm cores that pinch off the northern tips of Gulf Stream meanders. The isopycnal surfaces have a strikingly small slope in this region’s interior in both Yashayaev’s climatology (2002) and time mean model results, indicating eddy dynamics characteristic of baroclinic instability rather than diffusive lateral mixing between the GS and DCS.
RNA polymerase: regulation of transcript elongation and termination

Expanded interest in studying the mechanisms of elongation and termination during transcription has come as a result of several recent findings that highlight the importance of the regulation of these processes in human health. Several cellular proto‐oncogenes contain regulated blocks to elongation (1), and the human immunodeficiency viruses also control gene expression in part by regulating the efficiency of elongation in response to the trans‐activating protein, TAT (2). This review considers these recent findings and compares potential mechanisms of regulation used by prokaryotic and eukaryotic RNA polymerases during elongation and termination. In all these systems, many of the detailed mechanisms of transcription elongation and termination are still to be defined; however, we have tried to group examples that may share some common regulatory elements into simplified categories. —Kerppola, T. K. ; Kane, C. M. RNA polymerase: regulation of transcript elongation and termination. FASEB J. 5: 2833‐2842; 1991.
Interactive Deep Colorization With Simultaneous Global and Local Inputs

Colorization methods using deep neural networks have become a recent trend. However, most of them do not allow user inputs, or only allow limited user inputs (only global inputs or only local inputs), to control the output colorful images. The possible reason is that it's difficult to differentiate the influence of different kind of user inputs in network training. To solve this problem, we present a novel deep colorization method, which allows simultaneous global and local inputs to better control the output colorized images. The key step is to design an appropriate loss function that can differentiate the influence of input data, global inputs and local inputs. With this design, our method accepts no inputs, or global inputs, or local inputs, or both global and local inputs, which is not supported in previous deep colorization methods. In addition, we propose a global color theme recommendation system to help users determine global inputs. Experimental results shows that our methods can better control the colorized images and generate state-of-art results.