Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Speech perception and production abilities in a group of Italian preschoolers aged 72–78 months

Abstract Objectives The present work aims to contribute to the debate on the relationship between discrimination and production abilities in older pre-school-aged children and to fill a gap in the literature by providing evidence about this relationship in typically developing children speaking Italian, a language that is under-investigated. Methods Two novel tests, an AX ‘same/different’ phonological discrimination test and a phonetic test, were administered to a sample of Italian pre-school children aged 72–78 months. Discrimination was tested at the feature and the syllable levels. Production was analyzed for consonant repertoire and the presence of phonological processes, such as devoicing or consonant cluster reduction. Results In the AX test, significantly worse performance was found for syllables than for individual features. However, in production, no significant difference was found among phonological processes. No significant correlations were found between children’s performance in the two tests. Conclusion The current data suggest that children’s discrimination and production abilities for speech are still developing after age 6. There is no complete overlap between what children produce and what they discriminate. The implications of these findings for theories of language development are discussed.
Urinary Sulfate, Kidney Failure, and Death in CKD: The African American Study of Kidney Disease and Hypertension

Key Points Higher urine sulfate levels were associated with more favorable outcomes in Blacks with kidney disease attributed to hypertension. These findings are independent of dietary protein intake, suggesting that sulfate has an effect on health above and beyond protein intake. Visual Abstract Background Sulfur is an important mineral element whose principal source is animal protein. Animal protein contributes to the daily acid load, which is associated with poor outcomes in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We hypothesized that higher urinary sulfate, as a reflection of the daily acid load, is associated with a greater risk of death and CKD progression. Methods Urinary sulfate was measured in 1057 African American Study of Kidney Disease and Hypertension (AASK) participants at baseline. Participants were categorized by tertiles of daily sulfate excretion. The longitudinal outcome of interest was the composite of death, dialysis, or 50% reduction in measured glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Multivariable adjusted Cox regression models were fit to relate the composite outcome to daily sulfate excretion using the lowest tertile as the reference. Results Participants in the highest urinary sulfate tertile were more likely to be men and have a higher body mass index, protein intake, measured GFR, and urinary ammonium and phosphate excretion, and lower urinary protein/creatinine. Compared with those in the lowest tertile of sulfate, those in the highest tertile had a 44% lower hazard (95% CI, 0.37 to 0.84), and those in the middle tertile had a 27% lower hazard (95% CI, 0.55 to 0.96) of death, dialysis, or 50% reduction in measured GFR during follow-up after adjusting for demographics, GFR, protein intake, and other potential confounders. Protein intake was not associated with risk of these events. Conclusions Higher urinary sulfate excretion is associated with more favorable outcomes in Blacks who have CKD attributed to hypertension.
Automatic Quality Assessment of Digitized and Restored Sound Archives

Archiving digital audio is conducted to preserve and make records accessible. However, techniques for assessing the quality of experience (QoE) of sound archives are usually ne-glected. In this paper, we present a framework to assess the QoE of sound archives in an automatic fashion. We describe the QoE inﬂuence factors, stakeholders, and audio archive degradations and explore the above concepts through a case study on the NASA Apollo audio archive. Each component of the framework is described in the audio archive lifecycle based on digitization, restoration, and consumption. We provide insights and real-world examples on why digitized and restored audio archives beneﬁt from QoE assessment techniques similar to other multimedia applications such as video calling and streaming services. The reasons why stakeholders such as archivists, broadcasters, or public listeners would beneﬁt from our proposed framework are also provided.
Special Education Teachers’ Preservice Experience With Inclusive Postsecondary Education Programs: Impact on Professional Practices and Dispositions for Secondary Transition Professionals

Highly qualified and well-prepared transition professionals are arguably the most important piece to improve postsecondary outcomes for youth with diverse needs. A dearth of dynamic field placements for preservice teachers to connect coursework to practice has been identified as a gap in teacher training. This need could be potentially filled by facilitating opportunities for preservice teachers to work in an inclusive postsecondary education program for college students with disabilities as these programs become more prevalent across the country. Researchers used a mixed-methods sequential design to examine the perceptions of graduates from a special education program regarding their experience in working with an inclusive postsecondary education program (IPSE) while completing their coursework. Researchers found that all survey respondents indicated working within an IPSE had an important impact on their current professional lives working with individuals with disabilities. Specifically, four major themes emerged from interviews regarding practices and philosophy shifts. Furthermore, findings showed that building rapport with students, advocating for students and facilitating inclusive outcomes had an impact on them as professionals. Reported changes in overall beliefs before and after working with the IPSE were also found. These findings are discussed and implications are provided.
The impact of early versus late initiation of renal replacement therapy in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury on mortality and clinical outcomes: a meta-analysis

ABSTRACT Background Renal replacement therapy (RRT) is essential in the presence of life-threatening complications associated with acute kidney injury (AKI). In the absence of urgent indications, the optimal timing for RRT initiation is still under debate. This meta-analysis aims to compare the benefits between early and late RRT initiation strategies in critically ill patients with AKI. Methods Studies were obtained from three databases [Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and Scopus], searched from inception to May 2021. The selected primary outcome was 28-day mortality. Secondary outcomes included overall mortality, recovery of renal function (RRF) and RRT-associated adverse events. A random-effects model was used for summary measures. Heterogeneity was assessed through Cochrane I2 test statistics. Potential sources of heterogeneity for the primary outcome were sought using sensitivity analyses. Further subgroup analyses were conducted based on RRT modality and study population. Results A total of 13 randomized controlled trials including 5193 participants were analysed. No significant differences were found between early and late RRT initiation regarding 28-day mortality [risk ratio (RR) 1.00; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.89–1.12, I² = 30%], overall mortality (RR 1.00; 95% CI 0.90–1.12, I² = 42%) and RRF (RR 1.02; 95% CI 0.92–1.13, I² = 53%). However, early RRT initiation was associated with a significantly higher incidence of hypotensive (RR 1.34; 95% CI 1.17–1.53, I² = 6%) and infectious events (RR 1.83; 95% CI 1.11–3.02, I² = 0%). Conclusions Early RRT initiation does not improve the 28-day and overall mortality, nor the likelihood of RRF, and increases the risk for RRT-associated adverse events, namely hypotension and infection.
Using Arrays of Microelectrodes Implanted in Residual Peripheral Nerves to Provide Dexterous Control of, and Modulated Sensory Feedback from, a Hand Prosthesis

Abstract : The proposed research is focused on restoration of hand motor and sensory functions by utilizing a direct electrical interface with residual peripheral nerves. The direct connection with the residual nerves will enable the patient to have intuitive control over and receive touch sensation from a prosthetic hand that are not provided by current forearm prostheses. The improvement in intuitive control and the providing of sensory feedback will allow patients to use highly articulate prosthetic hands with improved long-term functional outcomes for military personnel and civilians with a forearm amputation. Based on preliminary studies in peripheral nerves it is possible to decode finger movements from electrophysiological signals recorded from peripheral nerves, and to evoke somatosensory perceptions through micro-stimulation of peripheral nerves. The proposed research will determine the type and complexity of movements that can be controlled by a direction connection to arm nerves, and will also determine the type and range touch sensations that can be provide through a direct connection to residual nerves.
Psychological and Physiological Effects of Japanese Cedar Indoors after Calculation Task Performance

In Japan, forest resources have not been used effectively, and much lumber from thinning has been left unused for a long time. These days, forest improvement has been reconsidered such that more wood will be used in public buildings and living spaces in Japan. Moreover, the arousing and/or sedative effects of wood extract fragrances have attracted increasing attention. We investigated the psychological and physiological effects of cedar’s appearance and emissions in an indoor environment. Three test rooms varied in cedar cues: Room 1 contained cedar paneling, which provided both visual and odor cues; Room 2 had air circulating from the adjoining Room 1 (i.e., odor cues only); and the detached Control Room had no cedar-related cues. Twelve subjects (six males and six females) moved to the test room after they performed simple calculations for 15 minutes in an anteroom and stayed there for 10 minutes. Odor intensity in Room 1 was rated significantly higher than that of either Room 2 or the Control Room. Cedrol and β-eudesmol were specifically detected in Rooms 1 and 2 through an indoor air quality analysis. The subjects reported a faster rate of fatigue perception reduction in Room 1 via a visual analog scale (VAS). No between-subjects differences were detected in terms of physiological responses. The results indicate that an interior room that contains Japanese cedar facilitates psychological rehabilitation and supports well-being.
Creation of Humorous Situation By Flouting Conversational Maxims Accompanied By Facial Expression in “Friends”

This study focused on analyzing the humorous situation created by flouting conversational maxims that were followed by facial expressions found in situated comedy Friends. The analysis included how humorous situation were generated by flouting conversational maxims and the relationship between humorous situation and facial expressions. The results of the study showed that the humorous situations categorized were generated by flouting Grice maxims in which satire and over/understatement were frequently created by means of the implicature from flouting the conversational maxims. In flouting quality, the characters tended not to employ direct lying to other people as it would influence the perspective of the audience about lying to other people as common things although hidden meanings were provided behind the utterances with joy facial expressions. In flouting quantity, the humorous situation was dominated by the creation of overstatement and understatement which were accompanied mostly by joyous facial expression as in line with the definition of overstatement and understatement. In flouting relation, the humorous situation was dominated by satire accompanied by anger facial expressions and clever replies to serious statement accompanied by joyous facial expressions. In flouting manner, satire and pun humorous situation was mostly generated by anger and contempt facial expression. In addition, there were close relationship between certain humorous situation created by flouting conversational maxims and facial expressions. For further study, it is recommended that the study of humorous situation could explore the other aspect of pragmatics elements such as how humor could be generated through the use of politeness strategies within a conversation.
Age-structured Delayed SIPCV Epidemic Model of HPV and Cervical Cancer Cells Dynamics II. Convergence of Numerical Solution

The numerical method for simulation of age-structured SIPCV epidemic model with age-structured sub-classes of susceptible, infectious, precancerous and cancer cells and unstructured population of human papilloma virus (HPV) dynamics with incubation period is developed. Convergence of the numerical approximations is studied both theoretically and numerically. We prove the stability and second rate of convergence of the approximate solutions to the exact solution of the SIPCV epidemic nonlinear system. The numerical experiments based on the grid refined method confirm and illustrate the second order of accuracy of the obtained numerical method and show the various dynamical regimes of population dynamics. Simulations for model parameters of the system reveal two unstable dynamical regimes of SIPCV population which correspond to the cancer tumor growth and formation of metastases in organism.
Spatial distribution and habitat assessment of Panoquina errans (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) in San Diego County, California

Panoquina errans (Skinner, 1892), commonly known as the wandering skipper, is restricted to a narrow band of disjunct salt marsh habitat extending along the west coast of North America from Santa Barbara Co., California to the southern tip of Baja California, Mexico. A determination by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service of whether it represents an endangered or threatened species could not be made owing to a paucity of information on its biological vulnerability and threat. Based on a three-year survey (2010-2012) in San Diego Co., California, the species was observed in nine coastal lagoons and a coastal bluff. At all sites within the study area there was a significant correlation between the maximum annual observations of P. errans and the total area occupied by the larval host plant Distichlis spicata (Poaceae). The primary habitat for P. errans is coastal lagoons and coastal bluffs (100% of observations); elevations less than 5 m above mean sea level (98% of observations); within 25 m of patches of D. spicata over 1 m 2 (75% of observations); and containing Frankenia , Cakile , or Heliotropium (95% of observations).
On the trail of medieval wolves: ancient DNA, CT-based analyses and palaeopathology of a 1000-year-old wolf cranium from the Po Valley (northern Italy)

ABSTRACT The Middle Ages represented a crucial period for the evolutionary history of wolves (Canis lupus), marked by both significant ecosystem changes, especially through the degradation of wooded landscapes and heavy persecution, that drove this species to a dramatic demographic decline. In Europe, informative and well-documented wolf remains from the Medieval Ages are exceptionally rare and are mostly represented by teeth and postcranial elements. In this study, we describe a well-preserved wolf cranium dated to ca. 967–1157 AD from the Po Valley (northern Italy). The specimen was analysed through a multidisciplinary approach including CT-based, ancient DNA, and palaeopathological analyses. Morphological and genetic data supported the assignment of this sample to Canis lupus species. CT-based analyses indicated a typical wolf-like morphology falling into the extant variability of the medium-sized subspecies C. lupus italicus, whereas palaeopathological analyses indicated a severe periodontitis. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the Po valley wolf had a unique and never described mtDNA control region haplotype, testifying variability in the ancient Italian wolf, which has now been lost. This study provides the first comprehensive description of a wolf from the Middle Ages, adding useful information for a deeper knowledge about population dynamics, variability, and diseases of this species.
Trajectories of childhood social isolation in a nationally representative cohort: Associations with antecedents and early adulthood outcomes

Abstract Background This study examined early life antecedents of childhood social isolation, whether these factors accounted for poor outcomes of isolated children, and how these associations varied according to patterns of stability and change in childhood isolation. Methods Participants included 2232 children from the Environmental Risk (E‐Risk) Longitudinal Twin Study. We conducted growth mixture modelling (GMM) on combined parent and teacher reports of children's social isolation when children were 5, 7, 10 and 12 years, and we assessed associations with age‐5 antecedents and age‐18 outcomes using regression analyses. Results We identified three linear developmental trajectories of increasing (4.75%), decreasing (5.25%) and low stable (90.00%) social isolation. Age‐5 attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, emotional problems, prosocial behaviours, maternal personality (openness) and size of school were associated with the decreasing trajectory of social isolation. When controlling for these antecedents, increasingly isolated children were still more likely to experience ADHD symptoms, loneliness, lower job optimism and lower physical activity at age 18. Conclusions Isolated children follow distinct patterns of change over childhood and isolation seems most detrimental to health at the time it is experienced. Social isolation can be a valuable indicator of co‐occurring problems and provide targets for mental health intervention in young people.
Temperature and pressure effects on microchannels dimensions in hot embossing

Hot embossing is a microfabrication technique for making microchannels and microfluidic devices. Temperature and pressure along with the material thermos-mechanical properties are the key parameters in controlling the shape of embossed channels. In this paper, experimental and numerical investigations of pressure and temperature effects on channel dimensions are presented. The material used as workpieces is poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA). The depth, upper width and lower width are the main dimensions of microchannel which are studied in this work. Experiments were performed at temperatures of 140 °C, 150 °C, 160 °C, 170 °C and 180 °C and pressures of 235, 295 and 340 kPa. Numerical and experimental results show a good agreement, i.e. 6.7% difference in dimensional length in the worst case and less than 0.3% in the best case. Based on width and depth values obtained via both experiments and simulations an optimum condition of temperature and pressure is presented in this paper for forming of microchannel on PMMA. Based on performed experiments, 150 °C with 295 kPa is found to be the nearest condition to the optimum point.
DOCKopathies: A systematic review of the clinical pathologies associated with human DOCK pathogenic variants

The Dedicator of Cytokinesis (DOCK) family (DOCK1−11) of genes are essential mediators of cellular migration, growth, and fusion in a variety of cell types and tissues. Recent advances in whole‐genome sequencing of patients with undiagnosed genetic disorders have identified several rare pathogenic variants in DOCK genes. We conducted a systematic review and performed a patient database and literature search of reported DOCK pathogenic variants that have been identified in association with clinical pathologies such as global developmental delay, immune cell dysfunction, muscle hypotonia, and muscle ataxia among other categories. We then categorized these pathogenic DOCK variants and their associated clinical phenotypes under several unique categories: developmental, cardiovascular, metabolic, cognitive, or neuromuscular. Our systematic review of DOCK variants aims to identify and analyze potential DOCK‐regulated networks associated with neuromuscular diseases and other disease pathologies, which may identify novel therapeutic strategies and targets. This systematic analysis and categorization of human‐associated pathologies with DOCK pathogenic variants is the first report to the best of our knowledge for a unique class in this understudied gene family that has important implications in furthering personalized genomic medicine, clinical diagnoses, and improve targeted therapeutic outcomes across many clinical pathologies.
Fault Pattern Recognition of Axle Box Bearings for High-speed EMU Based on Onboard Real-time Temperature Data

Axle box bearing a very vulnerable mechanical component because of its heavy load and unpleasant working environment. Once a fault occurs, it will develop rapidly and seriously threaten the safety of train operation. Therefore, fault pattern recognition of axle box bearing is of great significance. The traditional diagnosis method of axle box bearing is based on vibration signal processing technology and trackside acoustic diagnosis, while the axle box bearing of high-speed EMU in China has not been equipped with acceleration sensors and not every line has been equipped with trackside acoustic diagnosis equipment. Therefore, this paper establishes a fault pattern recognition method based on onboard real-time temperature data of axle box bearing, which can effectively recognize the abnormal condition of a high-speed EMU axle box bearing or an axle box bearing sensor failure.
Enhancing Reinforcement Learning Performance in Delayed Reward System Using DQN and Heuristics

This paper suggests and implements how to apply the reinforcement learning on delayed reward system which is known to be complex to apply the machine learning technology such as Q-learning. Such games as Tetris game is known to be a delayed reward system because of its characteristics of generating sparse reward in learning process. Tetris game requires the actor’s quick judgment ability and speed of response because the blocks must be stacked in an optimal location quickly, considering the random shape and rotation of appearing blocks. Also, since the number of cases is very large due to the various block types and order, if a human-being is playing the game, the performance is limited by simply relying on human memorization capability. Therefore, we applied a reinforcement learning implemented in this study for this delayed reward system. We find that the general legacy reinforcement learning method shows its limitation in improving the performance. Hence, we apply the heuristic to increase the decision accuracy as the weighting method of reward. As a result, we were able to obtain high scores in games. Although it is not yet possible to say that this heuristic(rule-based) approach has completely conquered the game. In several experiments, this hybrid reinforcement learning shows better playability than human in terms of learning speed, as well as high scores. In this paper, it is shown that general Q-learning is not suitable for delayed reward system. And a hybrid learning that adds prioritized experience replay tactics, and the related techniques and algorithms are introduced to increase the reinforcement learning performance.