Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance analysis of the adjusted step size NLMS algorithm

An adaptive noise canceller is a well-known method for removing noise from noise-corrupted speech. The problem arises in many situations such as airplane cockpits and automobiles. Tire adjusted step size NLMS (normalized least mean squares) algorithm incorporating a variable step size parameter whose values are based on the ratio of signal-to-noise power has very good convergence speed and low steady-state misadjustment. This paper extends the results of the adjusted step size NLMS algorithm [J. Kim et al., 2003] by investigating the adjusted step size NLMS algorithm approaches when large and abrupt changes of the desired signal as well as the noise signal are present. Simulation results are presented to compare the performance of the adjusted step size NLMS algorithm with the fixed step size LMS algorithm and other commonly used variable step size LMS algorithms.
Testosterone decreases reactive astroglia and reactive microglia after brain injury in male rats: role of its metabolites, oestradiol and dihydrotestosterone

Previous studies have shown that the neuroprotective hormone, testosterone, administered immediately after neural injury, reduces reactive astrogliosis. In this study we have assessed the effect of early and late therapy with testosterone or its metabolites, oestradiol and dihydrotestosterone, on reactive astroglia and reactive microglia after a stab wound brain injury in orchidectomized Wistar rats. Animals received daily s.c. injections of testosterone, oestradiol or dihydrotestosterone on days 0–2 or on days 5–7 after injury. The number of vimentin immunoreactive astrocytes and the volume fraction of major histocompatibility complex‐II (MHC‐II) immunoreactive microglia were estimated in the hippocampus in the lateral border of the wound. Both early and delayed administration of testosterone or oestradiol, but not dihydrotestosterone, resulted in a significant decrease in the number of vimentin‐immunoreactive astrocytes. The volume fraction of MHC‐II immunoreactive microglia was significantly decreased in the animals that received testosterone or oestradiol in both early and delayed treatments and in animals that received early dihydrotestosterone administration. Thus, both early and delayed administration of testosterone reduces reactive astroglia and reactive microglia and these effects may be at least in part mediated by oestradiol, while dihydrotestosterone may mediate part of the early effects of testosterone on reactive microglia. In conclusion, testosterone controls reactive gliosis and its metabolites, oestradiol and dihydrotestosterone, may be involved in this hormonal effect. The regulation of gliosis may be part of the neuroprotective mechanism of testosterone.
Large‐Scale Management Experiments and Learning by Doing

Even unmanaged ecosystems are characterized by combinations of stability and instability and by unexpected shifts in behavior from both internal and external causes. That is even more true of ecosystems managed for the production of food or fiber. Data are sparse, knowledge of processes limited, and the act of management changes the system being managed. Surprise and change is inevitable. Here we review methods to develop, screen, and evaluate alternatives in a process where management itself becomes partner with science by designing probes that produce updated understanding as well as economic product. See full-text article at JSTOR
Clustering based multi-object positioning system

Acoustic source positioning plays an important role in military tracking unwelcome objects. A system for this application must be capable of dealing with the input recorded convolved mixture signals while minimizing the high communication and computation cost. This paper describes a distributed system for positioning multiple independent moving sources relying on acoustic signals. The sensors pre-process the sensed data to obtain the frequency features before compressing and sending it to the base. At the base, the source positioning are carried out via two clustering stages and an optimization method. Analysis and simulation results show that our system provides high accuracy and needs neither much communication nor complex computation in a distributed manner. It is robust even when there exists high noise with Rayleigh multi-path fading under Doppler effect and when the number of independent sources is greater than the microphone number.
Anomalous diffusion and Lévy walks in optical lattices.

We study theoretically the spatial diffusion (transport) of two-level atoms in one- and two-dimensional optical molasses derived from counterpropagating laser beams. We use both quantum Monte Carlo and semiclassical methods to study the microscopic characteristics of the atomic motion and their effect on the macroscopic behavior of the spatial distribution. We find that there exists a certain critical depth of the optical potential below which the atomic trajectories show L\'evy flights in space that last on a definite time scale (L\'evy walks). This behavior leads to a transition from Gaussian spatial diffusion to anomalous diffusion while crossing this critical potential depth. We show that only atoms with very high momentum are responsible for these L\'evy walks. This observation allows us to predict the critical parameters via a semiclassical Fokker-Planck equation approach. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Clonal relationships and cell patterning in the root epidermis of Arabidopsis

The development of the post-embryonic root epidermis of Arabidopsis thaliana is described. Clonal analysis has identified three sets of initials that give rise to the columella root cap cells, epidermis and lateral root-cap cells, and the cells of the cortex and endodermis respectively. The mature epidermis is composed of two cell types, root hair cells (derived from trichoblasts) and non- hair cells (derived from atrichoblasts). These cells are arranged in sixteen or more discrete files. Each hair cell file overlies the anticlinal (radial) wall of the underlying cortical cells and is separated from the next by one or two non-hair files. The root hair forms as a tip-growing projection from the basal end of the trichoblast i.e. the end nearest the root meristem. The non-hair epidermal cells are significantly longer than the hair forming cells and are located over the outer periclinal (tangential) wall of the underlying cortical cells. The size difference between the two cell types is apparent in the cell division zone before hairs form. This suggests that the signals required for the differentiation of the root epidermis function in the meristem itself. Ectopic hairs are present in the ctr1 root epidermis suggesting that a Raf protein kinase may play a role in pattern formation/differentiation in the root epidermis and that ethylene may be a diffusible signal involved in specifying pattern in the root epidermis.
PIAS Proteins Modulate Transcription Factors by Functioning as SUMO-1 Ligases

ABSTRACT PIAS (protein inhibitor of activated STAT) proteins interact with and modulate the activities of various transcription factors. In this work, we demonstrate that PIAS proteins xα, xβ, 1, and 3 interact with the small ubiquitin-related modifier SUMO-1 and its E2 conjugase, Ubc9, and that PIAS proteins themselves are covalently modified by SUMO-1 (sumoylated). PIAS proteins also tether other sumoylated proteins in a noncovalent fashion. Furthermore, recombinant PIASxα enhances Ubc9-mediated sumoylation of the androgen receptor and c-Jun in vitro. Importantly, PIAS proteins differ in their abilities to promote sumoylation in intact cells. The ability to stimulate protein sumoylation and the interaction with sumoylated proteins are dependent on the conserved PIAS RING finger-like domain. These functions are linked to the activity of PIASxα on androgen receptor-dependent transcription. Collectively, our results imply that PIAS proteins function as SUMO-1-tethering proteins and zinc finger-dependent E3 SUMO protein ligases, and these properties are likely to explain their ability to modulate the activities of various transcription factors.
Auxilary material for : 1 Decreased monsoon precipitation in the 2 Northern Hemisphere due to anthropogenic aerosols

Figure S2 shows spatial linear trend patterns for MJJAS precipitation for observations 14 (GPCC) and the multi-model mean for each individual forcing. The spatial pattern of ALL 15 and ANT are more consistent with the AA than the GHG multi-model mean. GHG multi16 model mean shows increasing precipitation over most of the NHSM region, while the AA 17 multi-model means shows mostly drying trends. The observed trends show an increase in 18 precipitation over the whole period over South America and parts of Asia, while the ALL 19 multi-model mean shows a decrease in precipitation in these regions. Conversely, in parts of 20 Africa, the ALL multi-model mean has increasing precipitation while the observations show 21 an overall decrease, though the models do not tend to show much consistency in the sign of 22 the trends (less than 2/3 of simulations have trends of the same sign). However the timeseries 23 for the observed mean precipitation in the NHSM region (Figs S3-S6) show that precipitation 24
Differentiation of Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma Multiforme and Intracranial Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma Using 11C-Methionine and 18F-FDG PET

Purpose The aim of our study was to examine the usefulness of PET with 11C-methionine (MET) and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in the differentiation of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and intracranial diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Materials and Methods We evaluated 22 patients retrospectively with an enhancing brain tumor on MRI, including 15 GBM and 7 DLBCL, which was confirmed by histopathology. Dynamic PET scans with MET and FDG were performed for preoperative differential diagnosis. We assessed the images qualitatively and quantitatively. In quantitative assessment, the SUVmax was used on FDG PET and both late and early phases on MET PET. In addition, the ratio of SUVmax in the late and early phases on MET-PET was evaluated (&Dgr;SUVmax). Results SUVmax on FDG PET of DLBCL was significantly higher than that of GBM. Setting an SUVmax of 12.0 as the cutoff for differentiating DLBCL from GBM, 1 GBM and 1 DLBCL were found to be false-positive and false-negative, respectively. SUVmax in the late and early phases of MET-PET was not significantly different between DLBCL and GBM; however, we also found significant differences in &Dgr;SUVmax on MET-PET. Using &Dgr;SUVmax 1.17 as the cutoff, we could differentiate DLBCL from GBM completely. In the present study, &Dgr;SUVmax on MET-PET was slightly superior to SUVmax on FDG PET. Conclusions Both SUVmax on FDG PET and &Dgr;SUVmax on MET-PET were considered to be good diagnostic tests when encountering difficulties in this differential diagnosis.
An expressional simplified mechanism in anthropomorphic face robot design

SUMMARY The goal of this research is to develop a low-cost face robot which has a lower degree-of-freedom facial expression mechanism. Many designs of facial robots have been announced and published in the past. Face robots can be classified into two major types based on their respective degrees of freedom. The first type has various facial expressions with higher degrees of freedom, and the second has finite facial expressions with fewer degrees of freedom. Due to the high cost of the higher-degree-of-freedom face robot, most commercial face robot products are designed in the lower-degrees-of-freedom form with finite facial expressions. Therefore, a face robot with a simplified facial expression mechanism is proposed in this research. The main purpose of this research is to develop a device with a lower degree-of-freedom mechanism that is able to generate many facial expressions while keeping one basic mouth shape variation. Our research provides a new face robot example and development direction to reduce costs and conserve energy.
Measurement of bronchial and alveolar nitric oxide production in normal children and children with asthma.

RATIONALE Airway inflammation is characteristic of asthma. Distal inflammation may be particularly important. OBJECTIVE To calculate alveolar nitric oxide (NO) concentration (C(alv)) and bronchial flux NO (J(NO)) in children. METHODS We measured C(alv) and J(NO) from the fractional exhaled NO (FeNO(50)) measured at multiple exhalation flow rates in 132 children (aged 4-18 yr) with known atopic status, medication, and asthma control. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Of participants, 85% (112/132) completed all measurements. In 20 of 112, the result did not fit the linear model. Thus, J(NO) and C(alv) were assessed in 92 (70%) subjects. The median (range) values of asthmatic (n = 52), normal (n = 20), and nonasthmatic atopic (n = 20) children were as follows: FeNO(50): 28.1 (4.3-190), 10.35 (3.3-29), 21.8 (8.7-69) ppb, respectively; J(NO): 1,230 (204-9,236), 480 (196-1,913), 1,225 (486-4,119) pl/s, respectively; C(alv): 2.22 (0.44-6.63), 1.63 (0.44-3), 1.21 (0.03-2.85) ppb, respectively. A reproducibility study in 18 other children gave intraclass correlation coefficients (single measures) of 0.99 (J(NO)) and 0.81 (C(alv)). J(NO) and C(alv) were higher in children with asthma than normal children (p = 0.0004 and p = 0.0002, respectively). Children with poorly controlled asthma (n = 27) had higher FeNO(50) measurements than children with good symptom control (n = 25): C(alv): mean (+/- SD), 3.17 +/- 1.62 versus 2.26 +/- 1.30 ppb, p = 0.03; J(NO): mean (+/- SD), 2,634 +/- 2,255 versus 1,193 +/- 1,294 pl/s, p = 0.007, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Measurement of J(NO) and C(alv) is feasible in 70% of school-age children. FeNO(50) and J(NO) give the same information (r = 0.97, p < 0.0001), C(alv) is higher in asthmatic children than in normal children and is affected by asthma control, but not by atopy. C(alv) may possibly reflect alveolar inflammation in asthma.
Reference charts for arm, chest and head circumferences of south Iranian infants.

The reference charts for mid upper ann (MUAC), chest (CHC) and head (HC) circumferences of a cohort of 317 healthy infants (153 boys and 164 girls) born in Shiraz (Southern Iran) and monitored from birth for 2 years are presented. Centiles for MUAC and HC lie below the Netherlands and US subjects respec­ tively. However, there is no suggestion of ill health for Iranian subjects. The use of locally based MUAC, HC, and CHC charts are essential for clinical work in Iran. Operational simplicity and measurement validity and accuracy suggest that monitoring these measurements should be performed both by health workers in the Iran primary health care system and by mothers for preventive measures as well as child health promotion and development. The paper concludes that the charts presented here are likely to be applied to the urban infant population of Iran due to its structural representativeness and sophisticated methodology. MJIRI, Vol. 14, No.4, 321-327, 2001. Volume 14 Number 4 Winter 1379 February 200
Immunogenicity of trinitrophenyl-hemocyanin: production of primary and secondary anti-hapten precipitins.

The ability of soluble TNP-KLH conjugates to induce production of precipitating antibody was studied in rabbits early in the immune response. A hapten/carrier mole ratio of 800 to 1000:1 was found optimal. Such conjugates induced an average of 375 µg of anti-TNP antibody and up to 2.5 mg of anti-KLH antibody per ml serum within a week after second injection. Some rabbits produced nearly a mg of anti-hapten antibody/ml. Antibody titers obtained here without adjuvants are thus comparable to those obtained to other haptenated proteins when adjuvants are employed. Primary precipitins also were obtained both to hapten and to carrier, but the frequency of primary anti-hapten precipitin detection was only one-fourth that of the anti-carrier response. Less heavily haptenated conjugates failed to induce anti-hapten precipitins while heavily substituted KLH was only poorly antigenic for either type of determinant. Preimmunization with KLH appeared to reduce the anti-hapten response subsequent to injections of TNP-KLH. The depressed anti-hapten response in this case was accompanied by a normal secondary response to the carrier.
Infant Feeding Buddies

Background: Prior to 2010, the World Health Organization recommended that HIV-positive mothers exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months of life unless replacement feeding was acceptable, feasible, affordable, sustainable, and safe. Community pressure to practice mixed feeding, lack of knowledge on safe feeding, and shame regarding HIV status discourage mothers from breastfeeding exclusively and contribute to South Africa’s low exclusive breastfeeding prevalence of 7% for infants under 6 months. Objective: This pilot study explored the feasibility of implementing a feeding buddy system to provide a mother with support to achieve her infant feeding goal. Methods: A convenience sample of 14 HIV-positive mothers and their buddies was recruited from the Butterworth Gateway Clinic in South Africa. HIV-positive mothers selected a buddy who accompanied them on clinic visits and counseling sessions on safe infant feeding. The research team conducted in-depth interviews to gather qualitative information on participants’ experiences at 3 points in time. Results: Buddy selection was influenced by the mother’s relationship to the buddy, trust, and previous disclosure of HIV status. The 3 most cited forms of support were the buddy’s accountability, teaching, and help in feeding the infant correctly. Conclusions: Buddies were successfully integrated into routine Prevention of Maternal-to-Child Transmission visits. Study participants confirmed that having a buddy was a helpful support for HIV-positive mothers.
Quantum-well and tight-binding analyses of spin-polarized photoemission from Ag/Fe(001) overlayers.

Spin-polarized photoemission experiments on expitaxial Ag overlayers on Fe(001) have shown that a minority-spin surface state of the bare substrate evolves into an interface state, moves to higher energies, and crosses the Fermi level [ital E][sub [ital F]] between 3 and 4 Ag monolayers. Application of a phase accumulation model shows that this state is a quantum-well (QW) state characterized by the quantum number [nu]=1, where [nu]=[ital m][minus][ital n], and where [ital n] and [ital m] are the number of wave-function nodes and number of layers, respectively. Higher members of the QW series cross [ital E][sub [ital F]] with a periodicity [Delta][ital m]=(1[minus][ital k][sub [ital F]]/[ital k][sub BZ])[sup [minus]1] identical with that in recent theories for the alternation between ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic coupling in magnetic multilayers. The QW model fails at low coverages. A tight-binding model captures the behavior at low coverages while reproducing QW behavior at high coverages.
Duty-Related Stressors and PTSD Symptoms in Suburban Police Officers

This study examined the effects of duty-related stress on police officers. Using a sample of 100 suburban police officers, an anonymous questionnaire requested demographic information and included a measure of duty-related stressors, SCL-90–R, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder scale of the Impact of Events Scale-Revised, and a locus of control scale. Also assessed was whether Critical Incident Stress Debriefing was experienced. The results showed significant correlations between scores on duty-related stress, somatization, and symptoms of PTSD. 13% of the sample met the DSM-IV (1994) diagnostic criteria for PTSD. Results of the regression analysis showed the best predictors for the diagnosis of PTSD were associated with the factor of Exposure to Death and Life Threat, which corresponds to the DSM-IV AI criteria. Finally, 63% of the respondents stated that a critical incident debriefing would be beneficial following an extremely stressful event related to duty.
Clustering and Density Estimation for Streaming Data using Volume Prototypes

The authors have proposed volume prototypes as a compact expression of a huge data or a data stream, along with a one-pass algorithm to find them. A reasonable number of volume prototypes can be used, instead of an enormous number of data, for many applications including classification, clustering and density estimation. In this paper, two algorithms using volume prototypes, called VKM and VEM, are introduced for clustering and density estimation. Compared with the other algorithms for such a huge data, we showed that our algorithms were advantageous in speed of processing, while keeping the same degree of performance, and that both applications were available from the same set of volume prototypes.
BAILAMOS©

Older Latinos have low rates of physical activity (PA) and poor health outcomes. Focus groups and a single group, pre–post 3-month pilot of a culturally appropriate Latin dance program (BAILAMOS©) were conducted among older, inactive Latinos with a self-identified mobility limitation. Nine themes emerged from focus groups, including cultural influences of dance and barriers to dancing. In the pilot intervention, 9 of 13 older Latinos completed the program and attended 85% of the sessions. Self-reported PA significantly increased (p < .05; d = 1.39), but daily accelerometer-assessed PA decreased for moderate-intensity PA (p = .18; d = 0.29). Participants reported significantly greater enjoyment of PA (p < .05; d = 0.61) and improved physical quality of life (p = .23; d = 0.31). Improvements in mobility (p = .15; d = 0.56) and aspects of cognition were demonstrated. The BAILAMOS program appears to be feasible, culturally appropriate, and has the potential to improve psychosocial determinants of PA, self-reported PA, and aspects of health.
Gender identification of a speaker using MFCC and GMM

The gender of a speaker, which is the most distinctive characteristics of a speech, can easily be recognized by a person who hears it. Automatic identification of gender information from speech signal is substantially important for many applications. With the identification of gender, gender-dependent systems are defined and accuracy and robustness of systems can be increased. In this study, a system identifying the gender of a speaker independent from a text is developed. The proposed system is based on the classification of MFCC coefficients obtained from speech signals with GMM. In the study, the effect of Gaussian mixture number and MFCC coefficients to the system success is investigated. In the experiments by using TIMIT database, for the 760 sentences of 76 speakers 100 percent success, and for the 6100 sentences of 610 speakers 97.76 percent success is achieved.