Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neural Dubber: Dubbing for Silent Videos According to Scripts

Dubbing is a post-production process of re-recording actors' dialogues, which is extensively used in filmmaking and video production. It is usually performed manually by professional voice actors who read lines with proper prosody, and in synchronization with the pre-recorded videos. In this work, we propose Neural Dubber, the first neural network model to solve a novel automatic video dubbing (AVD) task: synthesizing human speech synchronized with the given video from the text. Neural Dubber is a multi-modal text-to-speech (TTS) model that utilizes the lip movement in the video to control the prosody of the generated speech. Furthermore, an image-based speaker embedding (ISE) module is developed for the multi-speaker setting, which enables Neural Dubber to generate speech with a reasonable timbre according to the speaker's face. Experiments on the chemistry lecture single-speaker dataset and LRS2 multi-speaker dataset show that Neural Dubber can generate speech audios on par with state-of-the-art TTS models in terms of speech quality. Most importantly, both qualitative and quantitative evaluations show that Neural Dubber can control the prosody of synthesized speech by the video, and generate high-fidelity speech temporally synchronized with the video. Our project page is at https://tsinghua-mars-lab.github. io/NeuralDubber/ .
Antimicrobial resistance, virulence genes and biofilm formation in Enterococcus species isolated from milk of sheep and goat with subclinical mastitis

This study is designed to discuss the antimicrobial resistance, virulence determinants and biofilm formation capacity of Enterococcus spp. isolated from milk of sheep and goat with subclinical mastitis in Qena, Egypt. The obtained isolates were identified by the VITEK2 system and 16S rDNA sequencing as E. faecalis, E. faecium, E. casseliflavus and E. hirae. Overall, E. faecalis and E. faecium were the dominant species recovered from mastitic milk samples. The antimicrobial susceptibility test evidenced multidrug resistance of the isolates against the following antimicrobials: oxacillin (89.2.%), followed by vancomycin (75.7%) and linezolid (70.3%). Also, most of these isolates (73%) could form biofilms. For example, 18.9% of Enterococcus strains formed strong biofilm, whereas 32.4% of isolates formed moderate biofilm and 21.6% of isolates formed weak biofilm. The most prevalent resistance genes found in our isolates were blaZ (54%), vanA (40%), ermB (51.4%), tetM (13.5%) and optrA (10.8%). Moreover, asa1 (37.8%), cylA (42.3%), gelE (78.4%), esp (32.4%), EF3314(48.6%) and ace (75.5%) were the most common virulence genes. A significant correlation was found between biofilm formation, multidrug resistance and virulence genes of the isolates. This study highlights several aspects of virulence and harmfulness of Enterococcus strains isolated from subclinical mastitic milk, which necessitates continuous inspection and monitoring of dairy animals.
Work and everyday life in a digitalized time: Experiences of people with subjective cognitive difficulties related to neurological disorders

Introduction Digitalization has changed working life and increased cognitive demands on employees in general. Nevertheless, the consequences for employees with cognitive impairments and subjective cognitive difficulties are to a large extent unexplored. The aim of this study was to explore and describe how employees with subjective cognitive difficulties who are performing digital work tasks experience their vocational situation and how this situation influences their everyday life. Methods A qualitative, descriptive, multiple-case study was designed. Self-reports, assessments and qualitative interviews were used to collect data from the seven participants with neurological disorders. The data were analysed using pattern matching. Findings The analysed data formed four categories conceptualized as “Working to my full potential”, “Working, but it is largely up to me”, “Working at the expense of everyday life” and “Working without known difficulties”, and these categories included one to four subcategories. Conclusion Managing subjective cognitive difficulties in vocational situations and everyday life was challenging in a digitalized working life for participants with neurological disorders. To provide equal access to preventive measures and rehabilitation and a sustainable working life, it is important to investigate the influence of subjective cognitive difficulties systematically on work, everyday life and management strategies in people with neurological disorders in digitalized work.
Ketamine for critically ill patients with severe acute brain injury: Protocol for a systematic review with meta-analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis of randomised clinical trials

Introduction Intensive care for patients with severe acute brain injury aims both to treat the immediate consequences of the injury and to prevent and treat secondary brain injury to ensure a good functional outcome. Sedation may be used to facilitate mechanical ventilation, for treating agitation, and for controlling intracranial pressure. Ketamine is an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist with sedative, analgesic, and potentially neuroprotective properties. We describe a protocol for a systematic review of randomised clinical trials assessing the beneficial and harmful effects of ketamine for patients with severe acute brain injury. Methods and analysis We will systematically search international databases for randomised clinical trials, including CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, and trial registries. Two authors will independently review and select trials for inclusion, and extract data. We will compare ketamine by any regimen versus placebo, no intervention, or other sedatives or analgesics for patients with severe acute brain injury. The primary outcomes will be functional outcome at maximal follow up, quality of life, and serious adverse events. We will also assess secondary and exploratory outcomes. The extracted data will be analysed using Review Manager and Trials Sequential Analysis. Evidence certainty will be graded using GRADE. Ethics and dissemination The results of the systematic review will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication. With the review, we hope to inform future randomised clinical trials and improve clinical practice. PROSPERO no CRD42021210447.
Mesenchymal stromal cell-derived extracellular vesicles reduce lung inflammation and damage in nonclinical acute lung injury: Implications for COVID-19

Mesenchymal stem cell derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) are bioactive particles that evoke beneficial responses in recipient cells. We identified a role for MSC-EV in immune modulation and cellular salvage in a model of SARS-CoV-2 induced acute lung injury (ALI) using pulmonary epithelial cells and exposure to cytokines or the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD). Whereas RBD or cytokine exposure caused a pro-inflammatory cellular environment and injurious signaling, impairing alveolar-capillary barrier function, and inducing cell death, MSC-EVs reduced inflammation and reestablished target cell health. Importantly, MSC-EV treatment increased active ACE2 surface protein compared to RBD injury, identifying a previously unknown role for MSC-EV treatment in COVID-19 signaling and pathogenesis. The beneficial effect of MSC-EV treatment was confirmed in an LPS-induced rat model of ALI wherein MSC-EVs reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion and respiratory dysfunction associated with disease. MSC-EV administration was dose-responsive, demonstrating a large effective dose range for clinical translation. These data provide direct evidence of an MSC-EV-mediated improvement in ALI and contribute new insights into the therapeutic potential of MSC-EVs in COVID-19 or similar pathologies of respiratory distress.
Local action plan to promote access to the health system by indigenous Venezuelans from the Warao ethnic group in Manaus, Brazil: Analysis of the plan´s development, experiences, and impact through a mixed-methods study (2020)

Background The provision of care and monitoring of health are essential for indigenous Venezuelans from the Warao ethnic group, who are at risk of decimation. Objective Analyze a Local Action Plan (LAP) to promote access to the health system of indigenous Venezuelans from the Warao ethnic group (IVWEG) in Manaus, Brazil. Method A mixed-methods study was performed. Quantitative data were collected to assess the provision of care and monitoring of health conditions in IVWEG through a survey that was self-completed by healthcare providers. Qualitative narrative data were collected to gain insight into IVWEG that seek care. We applied descriptive statistics, grouping analysis (GA) by hierarchical levels, and multiple correspondence analysis (MCA). Content analysis was applied to qualitative data. Results 106 healthcare providers participated in the study, with the following characteristics: 94 (88.7%) females, 67 (63.2%) pardo race/color, 40 (37.7%) working in primary healthcare, and 49 (46.2%) nurses. In addition, 43 (40.6%) of the healthcare providers reported providing care to IVWEG. Among the providers, 89 (84%) had received training for assisting IVWEG. Additionally, 30 IVWEG were enrolled for interviews in the qualitative phase. The barriers to seeking care were language, distance to health units, and lack of money for transportation. The LAP proved to facilitate access to the health system by indigenous Venezuelans from the Warao ethnic group in Manaus. The study contributed to knowledge on a LAP addressed to IVWEG and helped improved their access to the health system, providing appropriate training for healthcare providers and other relevant actors by implementing a coherent and consistent public health policy at the local level.
A multi-patient analysis of the center of rotation trajectories using finite element models of the human mandible

Studying different types of tooth movements can help us to better understand the force systems used for tooth position correction in orthodontic treatments. This study considers a more realistic force system in tooth movement modeling across different patients and investigates the effect of the couple force direction on the position of the center of rotation (CRot). The finite-element (FE) models of human mandibles from three patients are used to investigate the position of the CRots for different patients’ teeth in 3D space. The CRot is considered a single point in a 3D coordinate system and is obtained by choosing the closest point on the axis of rotation to the center of resistance (CRes). A force system, consisting of a constant load and a couple (pair of forces), is applied to each tooth, and the corresponding CRot trajectories are examined across different patients. To perform a consistent inter-patient analysis, different patients’ teeth are registered to the corresponding reference teeth using an affine transformation. The selected directions and applied points of force on the reference teeth are then transformed into the registered teeth domains. The effect of the direction of the couple on the location of the CRot is also studied by rotating the couples about the three principal axes of a patient’s premolar. Our results indicate that similar patterns can be obtained for the CRot positions of different patients and teeth if the same load conditions are used. Moreover, equally rotating the direction of the couple about the three principal axes results in different patterns for the CRot positions, especially in labiolingual direction. The CRot trajectories follow similar patterns in the corresponding teeth, but any changes in the direction of the force and couple cause misalignment of the CRot trajectories, seen as rotations about the long axis of the tooth.
Integrative analyses of metabolome and transcriptome reveals metabolomic variations and candidate genes involved in sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) fruit quality during development and ripening

Sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.), one of the most appreciated and most important commercial temperate fruits, has high sensory quality and nutritional value. Investigating its metabolic variations provides valuable information on the formation of fruit quality. In this study, widely targeted LC-MS/MS based metabolomics was used to identify and quantify metabolic changes during ‘Black Pearl’ sweet cherry development and ripening. A total of 263 significant differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) were detected during the four fruit-development stages. Significant differences were observed in the composition and content of compounds in the four stages of cherry development, especially sugars, organic acids, and flavonoids. Moreover, transcriptome analysis provided a molecular basis for metabolic variations during fruit development. A total of 6724 significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Further correlation analysis of major DEMs and DEGs showed that 19 key DEGs were involved in sugar metabolism, 23 key DEGs in organic acid metabolism, and 13 key DEGs in flavonoid metabolism. The upregulated genes involved in the flavonoid pathway probably play an important role in regulating the rapid increase of anthocyanin content during fruit development. These comprehensive analysis data provide a better understanding to improve fruit quality traits based on molecular and metabolic levels.
Data-Driven Inpatient Bed Assignment Using the P Model

Problem definition: Emergency department (ED) boarding refers to the practice of holding patients in the ED after they have been admitted to hospital wards, usually resulting from insufficient inpatient resources. Boarded patients may compete with new patients for medical resources in the ED, compromising the quality of emergency care. A common expedient for mitigating boarding is patient overflowing, i.e., sending patients to beds in other specialties or accommodation classes, which may compromise the quality of inpatient care and bring on operational challenges. We study inpatient bed assignment to shorten boarding times without excessive patient overflowing. Methodology: We use a queue with multiple customer classes and multiple server pools to model hospital wards. Exploiting patient flow data from a hospital, we propose a computationally tractable approach to formulating the bed assignment problem, where the joint probability of all waiting patients meeting their respective delay targets is maximized. Results: By dynamically adjusting the overflow rate, the proposed approach is capable not only of reducing patients' waiting times, but also of mitigating the time-of-day effect on boarding times. In numerical experiments, our approach greatly outperforms both early discharge policies and threshold-based overflowing policies, which are commonly used in practice. Managerial implications: We provide a practicable approach to solving the bed assignment problem. This data-driven approach captures critical features of patient flow management, while the resulting optimization problem is practically solvable. The proposed approach is a useful tool for the control of queueing systems with time-sensitive service requirements.
Torque distribution strategy for a front and rear wheel driven electric vehicle

Electric vehicles (EVs) with a distributed drive train configuration offer great potential and flexibility for improving the system efficiency, performance, reliability as well as safety. This paper investigates a torque distribution scheme for a front and rear wheel driven EV in order to improve the drive train efficiency over a wide torque and speed range as a part of the EU funded P-MOB project. It has been shown the maximum efficiency is achieved if the total torque required by the vehicle is shared equally between the two identical motors. In addition, the distribution of the energy consumption over a New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) is analyzed and the regions of high speed, low torque are identified to have a high level of energy consumption, where the motor efficiency improvement in these regions is the most important. Therefore, this paper further proposes to operate just one motor to provide the total required torque in the low torque region. A clutch may be employed between one motor and gearbox (differential), thus “switching off” its idle loss (no-load loss, flux-weakening loss), and improving the drive train efficiency. An online optimized torque distribution algorithm has been devised based on the motor efficiency map to determine whether the second motor should be disengaged by the clutch in the low torque region. With the proposed optimization scheme, the drive train efficiency can be improved by 4% over the NEDC cycle. Experimental test results validate the proposed torque distribution strategy.
Proposal for tool-based method of product cost estimation during conceptual design

Abstract The undertaken project aims at offering a support for the manufacturing cost estimation of products in the conceptual design phase. This need for dedicated tools for designers emerges from the lack of means to determinate the best technical solution that permits one to save costs and to reach safe quality. The main objective of this tool is to assist the designer in the process of manufacturing cost calculation of a product that is defined by little and inaccurate information in the preliminary design. This paper presents a procedure to develop such a tool.
Ev maket expansion based on BASS model

The popularization of electric vehicle (EV), which will be significant in reducing vehicle emission and easing the excessive consumption of oil resources on traffic and transport, is a key solution for the current transport energy and environmental problems. In this paper, the target market of EV is defined based on the analysis of technical and economic characteristics of EV. Through a comparative analysis on the traditional vehicles and EV, a forecast model based on BASS is developed to study the market expansion of EV in different fields. Finally, this model is adopted to investigate the expansion of EV in Shanghai.
SARS‐CoV‐2 spike evolutionary behaviors; simulation of N501Y mutation outcomes in terms of immunogenicity and structural characteristic

Since the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), a large number of mutations in its genome have been reported. Some of the mutations occur in noncoding regions without affecting the pathobiology of the virus, while mutations in coding regions are significant. One of the regions where a mutation can occur, affecting the function of the virus is at the receptor‐binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein. RBD interacts with angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and facilitates the entry of the virus into the host cells. There is a lot of focus on RBD mutations, especially the displacement of N501Y which is observed in the UK/Kent, South Africa, and Brazilian lineages of SARS‐CoV‐2. Our group utilizes computational biology approaches such as immunoinformatics, protein–protein interaction analysis, molecular dynamics, free energy computation, and tertiary structure analysis to disclose the consequences of N501Y mutation at the molecular level. Surprisingly, we discovered that this mutation reduces the immunogenicity of the spike protein; also, displacement of Asn with Tyr reduces protein compactness and significantly increases the stability of the spike protein and its affinity to ACE2. Moreover, following the N501Y mutation secondary structure and folding of the spike protein changed dramatically.
α2δ-2 is Required for Depolarization-induced Suppression of Excitation in Purkinje cells

α2δ proteins (CACNA2D1-4) are required for normal neurological function, although how they control neuronal output remains unclear. Using whole-cell recordings of mouse Purkinje cells, we show α2δ-2 is required for functional coupling of postsynaptic voltage-dependent calcium entry with effector mechanisms controlling two different outputs, depolarization-induced suppression of excitation mediated by endocannabinoid signaling, and spike afterhyperpolarization generated by calcium-dependent potassium channels. Our findings indicate an important role for α2δ-2 proteins in regulating functional postsynaptic calcium channel-coupling in neurons. Significance Statement Calcium influx via membrane voltage-dependent calcium channels drives numerous neuronal processes by signaling through calcium-dependent effector molecules. Signal precision is achieved in part by calcium channel-effector coupling. In mouse Purkinje cell neurons, we show that neuronal α2δ-2 protein functionally couples calcium entry to two different postsynaptic calcium-dependent signals, retrograde endocannabinoid signaling and the action potential afterhyperpolarization. Our findings provide new insights about the control of calcium channel-effector coupling as well as new roles for α2δ-2 proteins in neurons.
The importance of 1.5°C warming for the Great Barrier Reef

Tropical coral reefs are among the most sensitive ecosystems to climate change and will benefit from the more ambitious aims of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change's Paris Agreement, which proposed to limit global warming to 1.5° rather than 2°C above pre‐industrial levels. Only in the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change focussed assessment, the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 (CMIP6), have climate models been used to investigate the 1.5° warming scenario directly. Here, we combine the most recent model updates from CMIP6 with a semi‐dynamic downscaling to evaluate the difference between the 1.5 and 2°C global warming targets on coral thermal stress metrics for the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). By ~2080, severe bleaching events are expected to occur annually under intensifying emissions (shared socioeconomic pathway SSP5‐8.5). Adherence to 2° warming (SSP1‐2.6) halves this frequency but the main benefit of confining warming to 1.5° (SSP1‐1.9) is that bleaching events are reduced further to 3 events per decade. Attaining low emissions of 1.5° is also paramount to prevent the mean magnitude of thermal stress from stabilizing close to a critical thermal threshold (8 Degree Heating Weeks). Thermal stress under the more pessimistic pathways SSP3‐7.0 and SSP5‐8.5 is three to fourfold higher than the present day, with grave implications for future reef ecosystem health. As global warming continues, our projections also indicate more regional warming in the central and southern GBR than the far north and northern GBR.