Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A New Speech Enhancement Method Based on Nonnegative Low-rank and Sparse Decomposition

Enhancement of speech degraded by strong noises is a highly difficult task. In this paper, a nonnegative low-rank and sparse matrix decomposition (NLSMD) based speech enhancement method is given to address this problem. The proposed method is motivated with assumptions that in time-frequency (T-F) domain, since power spectrum of many types of noise with different frame are often correlative, noise can be assumed with a low-rank structure, while speeches are often sparse in T-F units. Based on these assumptions, we formulate the speech enhancement as a NLSMD problem, and design an objective function to recover speech component. Compared with traditional methods, the NLSMD-based method does not require a speech activity detector for noise density estimation. Experimental results show the proposed method can achieve better performance over many traditional methods in strong noise conditions, in terms of yielding less residual noise and lower speech distortion.
Effect of Built Environment Factors on Pedestrian Safety in Portuguese Urban Areas

This paper identifies and analyzes variables that influence pedestrian safety based on the definition of models of pedestrian crash frequency for urban areas in Portugal. It considers three groups of explanatory variables, namely: (i) built environment; (ii) pedestrian infrastructure, and (iii) road infrastructure, as well as exposure variables combining pedestrian and vehicular traffic volumes. Data on the 16 variables considered were gathered from locations in the counties of Braga and Guimarães. The inclusion of pedestrian infrastructure variables in studies of this type is an innovation that allows for measuring the impacts of the dimensions recommended for this type of infrastructure and assessing the implementation of policies to support the mobility of vulnerable users, especially pedestrians. Examples of such variables are unobstructed space for pedestrian mobility and the recommendable distance separating regulated crossings. Zero-Truncated Negative Binomial Regression Models (ZTNB) and Generalized Estimation Equations (GEE) are used to develop crash prediction models. Results show that in addition to the variables identified in similar studies such as carriageway width, other statistically significant variables like longitudinal slope and distance between crosswalks have a negative influence on pedestrian safety. On-street parking places, one-way streets, and the existence of raised medians have an opposite contribution to safety.
Identification of Common Oncogenic Genes and Pathways Both in Osteosarcoma and Ewing's Sarcoma Using Bioinformatics Analysis

This study was aimed at exploring common oncogenic genes and pathways both in osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma. Microarray data were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using the limma package. Then, protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed and hub genes were identified. Furthermore, functional enrichment analysis was analyzed. The expression of common oncogenic genes was validated in 38 osteosarcoma and 17 Ewing's sarcoma tissues by RT-qPCR and western blot compared to normal tissues. 201 genes were differentially expressed. There were 121 nodes and 232 edges of the PPI network. Among 12 hub genes, hub genes FN1, COL1A1, and COL1A2 may involve in the development of osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma. And they were reduced to expression both in osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma tissues at mRNA and protein levels compared to normal tissues. Knockdown of FN1, COL1A1, and COL1A2 enhanced the cell proliferation and migration of U2OS under the restriction of cisplatin. Our findings revealed the common oncogenic genes such as FN1, COL1A1, and COL1A2, which may act as antioncogene by enhancing cisplatin sensitivity in osteosarcoma cells, and pathways were both in osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma.
Pollination ecology of Symplocarpus foetidus (Araceae) in a seasonally flooded bog in Québec, Canada

ABSTRACT The pollination ecology of Symplocarpus foetidus (L.) W. Salisbury was studied in a seasonally forested flooded bog in Québec (Canada) in 2008 and 2009. The protogynous anthesis duration ranged from 15 to 20 days with, chronologically, a female phase of about 5 days, a bisexual phase of 2 days, and a male phase of 9 days. The spadix temperature differences with ambient air were higher during the female phase (mean: 13.6°C) than during the bisexual and male phases (mean: 4.5°C). The air inside the floral chamber was warmed by the heating spadix, particularly during the female phase (~6°C warmer than ambient air). High temperatures were maintained through nighttime during the female phase, whereas they occurred only during the daytime during the bisexual and male phases. The average natural fruit and seed sets were relatively low (18.2% and 14%), and the fruit set varied between years (13% in 2008 vs. 31% in 2009). Since spontaneous self-pollination is a rare reproductive event, sexual reproduction in Symplocarpus foetidus relies mainly on insect cross-pollination. Pollination is probably generalist considering the large variety of Coleoptera and Diptera families attracted to the plant, such as Chironomidae, Sphaeroceridae, Mycetophilidae, Phoridae, Drosophilidae, Chloropidae, and Anthomyiidae. Since many different insect types visit the inflorescences, it is unclear whether this pollination system is a deceptive interaction (its unpleasant floral scent is typical of other deceptive Araceae), a breeding site mutualism (developing larvae have been observed on the inflorescences), or a combination of the two.
Rayleigh surface wave at an impedance boundary of an incompressible micropolar solid half-space

Abstract Linear theory of micropolar elasticity has potential applications in exploration of materials made from bar-like molecules with micro-rotational effects. This theory is employed to investigate the Rayleigh surface waves in an incompressible micropolar solid half-space whose surface is subjected to the Tiersten’s impedance boundary conditions. An implicit secular equation is derived in non-dimensional material parameters, non-dimensional impedance parameters and non-dimensional frequency ratio. The speed of the Rayleigh wave is illustrated graphically against these non-dimensional parameters. The numerical results are compared with those for stress free boundary case. It is noticed that the presence of impedance boundary affects significantly the speed of Rayleigh wave. The Rayleigh wave speed also varies considerably due to the changes in micropolar material parameters and frequency ratio.
Climate-Biogeochemistry Interactions in the Tropical Ocean: Data Collection and Legacy

From 2008 to 2019, a comprehensive research project, ‘SFB 754, Climate – Biogeochemistry Interactions in the Tropical Ocean,’ was funded by the German Research Foundation to investigate the climate-biogeochemistry interactions in the tropical ocean with a particular emphasis on the processes determining the oxygen distribution. During three 4-year long funding phases, a consortium of more than 150 scientists conducted or participated in 34 major research cruises and collected a wealth of physical, biological, chemical, and meteorological data. A common data policy agreed upon at the initiation of the project provided the basis for the open publication of all data. Here we provide an inventory of this unique data set and briefly summarize the various data acquisition and processing methods used.
A Comparison of Instructional Methods on Clinical Reasoning in Entry-Level Physical Therapy Students: A Pilot Study

Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. Introduction. The primary aim of this study was to provide a comparison of the effects of 2 commonly used pedagogical approaches (paper-based case studies vs authentic patient experiences) on clinical reasoning and critical thinking of second-year entry-level physical therapy students. Current literature reveals a lack of consistency in how clinical reasoning is taught and assessed in physical therapist education. There is a need for evidence-based approaches to develop clinical reasoning in entry-level physical therapy students in the United States. Subjects. Twenty-three students in their second year of a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree program participated in this study. Methods. Participants were randomly assigned to a control group or to receive 1 of 2 supplemental learning activities (paper-based case studies or authentic patient experiences). Outcomes measured preintervention and postintervention included the Health Science Reasoning Test with Numeracy (HSRT-N) and the Self-Assessment of Clinical Reasoning and Reflection (SACRR). Data analysis included a comparison of effect sizes of change scores between groups and correlational analysis of pretest scores and student factors. Results. Authentic patient experiences demonstrated a moderate to large effect size for improved HSRT-N scores on 5 of 8 subscales, compared with paper-based case studies. Authentic patient experiences demonstrated a moderate effect size for improved SACRR scores compared with the control group. Discussion and Conclusion. The use of authentic patient experiences may be more effective than paper-based case studies for improving critical thinking and clinical reasoning in an entry-level DPT curriculum.
Numerical Simulation and the Underlying Mechanism of a Severe Hail‐Producing Convective System in East China

A severe convective system that produced egg‐sized hail in Jiangsu province in eastern China on April 28, 2015 was simulated using a cloud‐resolving Weather Research and Forecasting model with the spectral bin microphysics scheme. The simulation reproduced the two stages of the convective system: the linear convective system (LCS) and the bow echo system (BES) stages. During the LCS stage, the intensity of updrafts was slightly stronger than that in the BES stage, with abundant supercooled water above the −20°C layer, and graupel and hail mainly generated in this period. The microphysical budget analyses and size distribution characteristics of hail were studied within one cell that produced hail during the LCS. It was suggested that hail mainly formed through water‐graupel collision and increased in size by collecting liquid water. Hail particles with smaller diameter were located around the perimeter of the main updrafts, while larger ones were distributed at the left edge of the updrafts. Trajectories and size growth processes of hailstones within the chosen cell were calculated by a three‐dimensional hail growth model, and it was found that hail originated from the middle levels on the east side of the updrafts, and were transformed westward and downward to the lower levels. They continued to ascend along the left edge of the updrafts and experienced one or more up‐down recycles and fell down to the ground on the west side of the updrafts.
Multi-unmanned aerial vehicle swarm formation control using hybrid strategy

This study proposes a novel hybrid strategy for formation control of a swarm of multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). To enhance the fitness function of the formation, this research offers a three-dimensional formation control for a swarm using particle swarm optimization (PSO) with Cauchy mutant (CM) operators. We use CM operators to enhance the PSO algorithm by examining the varying fitness levels of the local and global optimal solutions for UAV formation control. We establish the terrain and the fixed-wing UAV model. Furthermore, it also models different control parameters of the UAV as well. The enhanced hybrid algorithm not only quickens the convergence rate but also improves the solution optimality. Lastly, we carry out the simulations for the multi-UAV swarm under terrain and radar threats and the simulation results prove that the hybrid method is effective and gives better fitness function.
Eef2k is not required for fertility in male mice

Background Eukaryotic elongation factor-2 kinase (Eef2k) is a protein kinase associated with the calmodulin-induced signaling pathway and an atypical alpha-kinase family member. Eef2k-mediated phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation elongation factor 2 (Eef2) can inhibit the functionality of this protein, altering protein translation. Prior work suggests Eef2k to be overexpressed in breast, pancreatic, brain, and lung cancers wherein it may control key processes associated with apoptosis, autophagy, and cell cycle progression. The functional importance of Eef2k in the testes of male mice, however, has yet to be clarified. Methods A CRISPR/Cas9 approach was used to generate male Eef2k-knockout mice, which were evaluated for phenotypic changes in epididymal or testicular tissues through histological and immunofluorescent staining assays. In addition, TUNEL staining was conducted to assess the apoptotic death of cells in the testis. Fertility, sperm counts, and sperm motility were further assessed. Results Male Eef2k-knockout mice were successfully generated, and exhibited normal fertility and development. No apparent differences were observed with respect to spermatogenesis, sperm counts, or germ cell apoptosis when comparing male Eef2k−/− and Eef2k+/+ mice. Conclusions Male Eef2k-knockout mice remained fertile and were free of any evident developmental or spermatogenic abnormalities, suggesting Eef2k to be dispensable in the context of male fertility.
EVALUATION OF ANTIHYPERGLYCEMIC AND ANTIHYPERLIPIDEMIC ACTIVITIES OF AN EDIBLE GASTROPOD (ACHATINA FULICA) IN ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC MICE

Objective: The main purpose of this study was to evaluate antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic activities of methanolic extracts of an edible gastropod (Achatina fulica) in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Methods: Alloxan (150 mg/kg, intraperitoneally [IP]) induced diabetic mice were treated with a methanolic extract of A. fulica (0.5 mg/dose/animal/IP) for a period of 10-day. The effect of the extract on body weight, organ indices, blood glucose levels, total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoproteincholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, very LDL (VLDL) cholesterol, triglycerides (TGs), serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), serum urea, and creatinine were assessed to divulge their activity in controlling diabetes-related metabolic alterations. Results: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of aqueous A. fulica extract lead to the identification of 7 bioactive compounds, and the major constituents of the extract were found to exert hypoglycemic activity. Diabetic animals with the treatment of A. fulica extract showed a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose concentration (222.0±0.9 mg/dl) and a decrease in the levels of TC (105±32.3 mg/dl), LDL (31.6±25.8 mg/dl), VLDL (22.76±0.27 mg/dl), and TG (113±3.3 mg/dl) and a potent elevation in the level of serum HDL-C (64.3±8.5 mg/dl) in the extract treated animals when compared with the untreated. Liver marker enzymes such as SGPT and SGOT levels were further reduced in the treated group (SGPT - 0.86 ±0.004 IU/L, SGOT - 0.04±0.004 IU/L) after the IP administration of the gastropod extract. The levels of serum urea (6.1±0.94 mg/dl) and creatinine (9.08±2.9 mg/dl) were also significantly decreased after treatment with the extract, respectively, compared to the mean values of the diabetic group (6.31±1.38 mg/dl, 11.4±2.9 mg/dl). Conclusion: This confirms the antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic activity of A. fulica extract in alloxan-induced diabetic animals. From the present study, it can be concluded that the gastropod extract seems promising for the management of diabetes mellitus. Keywords: Diabetes, Antihyperglycemic, Antihyperlipidemic, Alloxan, Achatina fulica.
A Survey of Audio Synthesis and Lip-syncing for Synthetic Video Generation

The ﬁelds like Media, Education and Corporations etc have started focusing on content creation. This has led to the huge demand for synthetic media generation using less data. To synthesize a high-grade artiﬁcial video, the lip must be synchronized with the audio. Here we have compared the various methods for voice-cloning and lip synchronization. Voice cloning procedure include state of the art methods like wavenet and other text-to-speech approaches. Lip synchronization methods describe constrained and unconstrained methods. Various recent research like LipGan, Wav2Lip are discussed. The methods are compared and the best method is suggested. Apart from studying and comparing the various methods, their drawbacks, future scopes, and application are also there. Di ﬀ erent social and ethical issues are also discussed.
Pedigree analysis applied to an endangered buffalo population: possible management strategy

The Carabao breed (Bubalus bubalis kerebao) in Brazil may be endangered and at risk of losing specific qualities. This makes preservation and population studies extremely important. In this pedigree analysis on a Brazilian herd, low values for populational parameters and high mean endogamy were found. Mating optimization based on bulls of lesser kinship improves populational parameters and reduces inbreeding rates. Use of this tool, in addition to conservation programs, will help to mitigate genetic variability losses in the Brazilian Carabao herd, thus allowing its future enrollment in genetic improvement programs.
Can Russian Research Policy be Called Neoliberal? A Study in the Comparative Sociology of Quantification

Abstract National research evaluation systems that use metrics for the assessment of academic institutions are usually regarded as exemplifying the same neoliberal model of governance that, with minor variations, is implemented worldwide. This essay argues, however, that despite apparent similarities, metrics are used for different aims in different national cases. It compares the use of figures in the UK RAE/REF, a prototypical neoliberal framework, with various schemas of assessment that have been used to evaluate Russian universities in recent decades. It argues that in the RAE/REF, the principal role of statistics is to solve ‘the lazy agent’ problem by creating a prisoner's dilemma for academic institutions, while in the Russian case, statistics serve to solve ‘the corrupt knower’ problem, preventing collusion between the assessor and the assessed. The essay concludes by putting forward some hypotheses on the origins of different approaches to quantification.
Simultaneous accessing of multiple SRAM subregions forming configurable and automatically generated memory fields

A novel SRAM architecture that simultaneously accesses multiple and non‐overlapped memory subregions, located even inside the same memory page, is presented in this work. This new memory architecture is called multi‐field SRAM, and the multiple selection of its subregions—referred to as the memory fields—is succeeded using special designed intra‐encoders, placed as one for every memory field. The block diagram of the typical SRAM model is extended in order to support the addressing of the multi‐field SRAM using a modified crossbar addressing approach. The support of this new memory is based on the automated generation of intra‐encoders that are adjacent to the memory fields. A test circuit, consisting of 16 memory fields, is developed in order to prove the correct operation of this new memory. Each memory storage cell uses an 8T model in order to support the crossbar addressing scheme, which is also presented. Finally, the simulation results of the test circuit are shown, verifying the successful and simultaneous multi‐field access of the memory.
Phenotypic response to a major hurricane in Anolis lizards in urban and forest habitats

Little is known about the synergistic impacts of urbanization and hurricanes on synanthropes. We compared morphological traits of the lizard Anolis cristatellus on Puerto Rico sampled before the 2017 category 5 Hurricane Maria and 4 and 11 months after the hurricane. We measured limb lengths, toepad size and the number of subdigital scales, termed lamellae, that facilitate adhesion. We hypothesized that the hurricane should have selected for longer limbs and larger toepads with more lamellae, which are traits that other research has suggested to increase clinging performance. Given prior work demonstrating that urban lizards of this species tend to share this phenotype, we also predicted increased phenotypic overlap between post-hurricane urban–forest pairs. Instead, we found that forest and urban populations alike had smaller body sizes, along with a small size-adjusted decrease in most traits, at 4 months after the hurricane event. Many traits returned to prehurricane values by 11 months post-hurricane. Toe morphology differed in the response to the hurricane between urban and forest populations, with significantly decreased trait values in forest but not in urban populations. This difference could be attributable to the different biomechanical demands of adhesion to anthropogenic substrates compared with natural substrates during intense winds. Overall, more research will be required to understand the impacts of hurricanes on urban species and whether differential natural selection can result.
BIM data management using smart contracts

The introduction of blockchain technology has sparked interest from different stakeholders from industry and academia of the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction domain. The challenges that this industry faces can be partly tackled by using blockchain’s immutable ledger, which provides a very high degree of trust on the data. This thesis aims to narrow the gap between the theoretical research and technical implementations in the context of facility management. The presented software system serves as a proof-of-concept for change tracking and management in facility management that uses a decentralized architecture. It stores the data generated during the facility management processes in a peer-to-peer file system and the proof of origin of the data in the blockchain. In addition, the data is linked to BIM elements that are part of the building model. A smart contract is used to encode the business logic and perform checks on the validity of the data. The blockchain’s ledger stores permanently and immutably the historical data and therefore facilitates data traceability. The results show the benefits of such a blockchain-based system that utilizes a decentralised architecture in the facility management environment.
Number needed to treat for interleukin inhibitors approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in Italy

ABSTRACT Background: Interleukin (IL) inhibitors achieve greater levels of efficacy than older systemic therapies. We calculated the number needed to treat (NNT) of ixekizumab compared with other IL inhibitors approved in Italy for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Methods: The clinical efficacy was evaluated in terms of NNT, based on the results of a recent network meta-analysis (NMA) by the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. The NMA investigated many systemic and biological treatments, but this analysis compared only the efficacy of the following IL inhibitors – brodalumab, guselkumab, ixekizumab, risankizumab, secukinumab, tildrakizumab and ustekinumab – for patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Drugs were compared and ranked according to effectiveness considering the PASI (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index) 90 score. Results: One-hundred and forty trials (51,749 patients) were included in the NMA. Considering the proportion of patients who achieve PASI90, ixekizumab showed the lowest NNT among all comparators (ixekizumab 2.01 [2.46-3.00]; risankizumab 2.05 [2.50-3-05]; guselkumab 2.16 [2.68-3.36]; secukinumab 2.40 [2.90-3.51]; brodalumab 2.61 [3.18-3.88]; ustekinumab 3.44 [4.12-4.95]; tildrakizumab 3.10 [4.15-5.59]. Conclusion: The findings show that ixekizumab is the most effective option (NNT) for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.