Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How auditory and visual prosody is used in end-of-utterance detection

In this paper, we describe a series of perception studies using visual and auditory cues to end-of-utterance. Fragments were taken from a recorded interview session, consisting of the parts in which speakers provided answers. Final and non-final parts of these fragments were used, varying in length. The subjects had to assess whether the speaker had finished his or her turn, based upon these fragments. The fragments were presented in 3 modalities: either a bimodal presentation mode (both auditory and visually), or in only the auditory or the visual mode. Results show that the audio-visual condition evoked the highest proportion of correct classifications and the auditory condition the lowest. Thus, the combination of modalities clearly works best. Also, non-final fragments are classified better than final ones, and longer fragments are classified better than short ones. It furthermore appears that these factors are different for different modalities: longer fragments are better classified in the auditory modality, while for short fragments the visual modality works better. This suggests that people may make more use of global cues in the auditory modality, while for the visual modality local cues are sufficient.
Red Blood Cell Mechanical Stability

It has been well documented that shear forces effective above a certain magnitude under flow conditions causes damage in blood cells. This damage ranges from slight morphological alteration to the destruction of red blood cells (RBC). The hemolytic trauma to RBC can easily be detected by measuring free hemoglobin level in plasma, however there are no standardized protocols to quantitate subhemolytic trauma. Ektacytometry has been used to study the alterations in RBC mechanical properties induced by the application of shear stress at various levels. Additionally, a protocol for measuring the hemolytic threshold as an indicator of subhemolytic damage to RBC has been developed based on ektacytometry. These standardized protocols may find applications in the pre-clinical and clinical evaluation of artificial organs and biomedical devices contacting with blood.
GES-2, a Class A β-Lactamase fromPseudomonas aeruginosa with Increased Hydrolysis of Imipenem

ABSTRACT Pseudomonas aeruginosa GW-1 was isolated in 2000 in South Africa from blood cultures of a 38-year-old female who developed nosocomial pneumonia. This isolate harbored a self-transferable ca. 100-kb plasmid that conferred an expanded-spectrum cephalosporin resistance profile associated with an intermediate susceptibility to imipenem. A β-lactamase gene, blaGES-2, was cloned from whole-cell DNA of P. aeruginosa GW-1 and expressed in Escherichia coli. GES-2, with a pI value of 5.8, hydrolyzed expanded-spectrum cephalosporins, and its substrate profile was extended to include imipenem compared to that of GES-1, identified previously in Klebsiella pneumoniae. GES-2 activity was less inhibited by clavulanic acid, tazobactam and imipenem than GES-1. The GES-2 amino acid sequence differs from that of GES-1 by a glycine-to-asparagine substitution in position 170 located in the omega loop of Ambler class A enzymes. This amino acid change may explain the extension of the substrate profile of the plasmid-encoded β-lactamase GES-2.
Inferring ancestry from population genomic data and its applications

Ancestry inference is a frequently encountered problem and has many applications such as forensic analyses, genetic association studies, and personal genomics. The main goal of ancestry inference is to identify an individual’s population of origin based on our knowledge of natural populations. Because both self-reported ancestry in humans or the sampling location of an organism can be inaccurate for this purpose, the use of genetic markers can facilitate accurate and reliable inference of an individual’s ancestral origins. At a higher level, there are two different paradigms in ancestry inference: global ancestry inference which tries to compute the genome-wide average of the population contributions and local ancestry inference which tries to identify the regional ancestry of a genomic segment. In this mini review, I describe the numerous approaches that are currently available for both kinds of ancestry inference from population genomic datasets. I first describe the general ideas underlying such inference methods and their relationship to one another. Then, I describe practical applications in which inference of ancestry has proven useful. Lastly, I discuss challenges and directions for future research work in this area.
Internet-based self-help for depression: randomised controlled trial

Background Major depression can be treated by means of cognitive–behavioural therapy but as skilled therapists are in short supply there is a need for self-help approaches. Many individuals with depression use the internet for discussion of symptoms and to share their experience. Aims To investigate the effects of an internet-administered self-help programme including participation in a monitored, web-based discussion group, compared with participation in web-based discussion group only. Method A randomised controlled trial was conducted to compare the effects of internet-based cognitive–behavioural therapy with minimal therapist contact (plus participation in a discussion group) with the effects of participation in a discussion group only. Results Internet-based therapy with minimal therapist contact, combined with activity in a discussion group, resulted in greater reductions of depressive symptoms compared with activity in a discussion group only (waiting-list control group). At 6 months' follow-up, improvement was maintained to a large extent. Conclusions Internet-delivered cognitive–behavioural therapy should be pursued further as a complement or treatment alternative for mild-to-moderate depression.
Network-on-Chip Synchronization

Technology scaling has enabled the number of cores within a System on Chip (SoC) to increase significantly. Globally Asynchronous Locally Synchronous (GALS) systems using Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling (DVFS) operate each of these cores on distinct and dynamic clock domains. The main communication method between these cores is increasingly more likely to be a Network-on-Chip (NoC). Typically, the interfaces between these clock domains experience multi-cycle synchronization latencies due to their use of " brute-force " synchronizers. This thesis aims to improve the performance of NoCs and thereby SoCs as a whole by reducing this synchronization latency. First, a survey of NoC improvement techniques is presented. One such improvement technique: a multi-layer NoC, has been successfully simulated. Given how one of the most commonly used techniques is DVFS, a thorough analysis and simulation of brute-force synchronizer circuits in both current and future process technologies is presented. Unfortunately, a multi-cycle latency is unavoidable when using brute-force synchronizers, so predictive synchronizers which require only a single cycle of latency have been proposed. v To demonstrate the impact of these predictive synchronizer circuits at a high level, multi-core system simulations incorporating these circuits have been completed. Multiple forms of GALS NoC configurations have been simulated, including multi-synchronous, NoC-synchronous, and single-synchronizer. Speedup on the SPLASH benchmark suite was measured to directly quantify the performance benefit of predictive synchronizers in a full system. Additionally, Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) has been calculated for each NoC synchronizer configuration to determine the reliability benefit possible when using predictive synchronizers.
Inhibition of HDM2 and Activation of p53 by Ribosomal Protein L23

ABSTRACT The importance of coordinating cell growth with proliferation has been recognized for a long time. The molecular basis of this relationship, however, is poorly understood. Here we show that the ribosomal protein L23 interacts with HDM2. The interaction involves the central acidic domain of HDM2 and an N-terminal domain of L23. L23 and L11, another HDM2-interacting ribosomal protein, can simultaneously yet distinctly interact with HDM2 together to form a ternary complex. We show that, when overexpressed, L23 inhibits HDM2-induced p53 polyubiquitination and degradation and causes a p53-dependent cell cycle arrest. On the other hand, knocking down L23 causes nucleolar stress and triggers translocation of B23 from the nucleolus to the nucleoplasm, leading to stabilization and activation of p53. Our data suggest that cells may maintain a steady-state level of L23 during normal growth; alternating the levels of L23 in response to changing growth conditions could impinge on the HDM2-p53 pathway by interrupting the integrity of the nucleolus.
THE ASSOCIATION OF ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE AND MEMBRANE IN SUBCELLULAR FRACTIONS OF THE ELECTRIC TISSUE OF ELECTROPHORUS

Subcellular fractions of the electric tissue of the main organ of the eel Electrophorus electricus were prepared in sucrose media by differential centrifugation and differential discontinuous gradient centrifugation. The distributions of acetylcholinesterase, cytochrome oxidase, DNA, and protein were determined. The appearance of the fractions was determined by phase contrast microscopy and by electron microscopy. A fraction prepared by differectial centrifugation at 30,000 g for 20 minutes in 0.89 M sucrose contained 63 per cent of the total acetylcholinesterase activity at 4 times the specific activity of that of the tissue homogenate. A subfraction prepared by centrifugation in a discontinuous density gradient showed a peak of total and relative specific acetylcholinesterase activity of 35 per cent and 1.9, respectively. The average over-all purification was 7 times. The acetylcholinesterase peak was below the cytochrome oxidase peak and above the DNA peak in the density gradient. The presence of acetylcholinesterase in the fractions was correlated with the presence of large fragments of the cell membrane; however, the presence of other tissue components was noted. The acetylcholinesterase associated with membrane was found to be activated by incubation with sodium deoxycholate. The possible use of the peak fraction containing membranes rich in acetylcholinesterase for the investigation of other components of the acetylcholine system and of other properties of the membrane is discussed.
Influenza A Virus Replication Induces Cell Cycle Arrest in G0/G1 Phase

ABSTRACT Many viruses interact with the host cell division cycle to favor their own growth. In this study, we examined the ability of influenza A virus to manipulate cell cycle progression. Our results show that influenza A virus A/WSN/33 (H1N1) replication results in G0/G1-phase accumulation of infected cells and that this accumulation is caused by the prevention of cell cycle entry from G0/G1 phase into S phase. Consistent with the G0/G1-phase accumulation, the amount of hyperphosphorylated retinoblastoma protein, a necessary active form for cell cycle progression through late G1 into S phase, decreased after infection with A/WSN/33 (H1N1) virus. In addition, other key molecules in the regulation of the cell cycle, such as p21, cyclin E, and cyclin D1, were also changed and showed a pattern of G0/G1-phase cell cycle arrest. It is interesting that increased viral protein expression and progeny virus production in cells synchronized in the G0/G1 phase were observed compared to those in either unsynchronized cells or cells synchronized in the G2/M phase. G0/G1-phase cell cycle arrest is likely a common strategy, since the effect was also observed in other strains, such as H3N2, H9N2, PR8 H1N1, and pandemic swine H1N1 viruses. These findings, in all, suggest that influenza A virus may provide favorable conditions for viral protein accumulation and virus production by inducing a G0/G1-phase cell cycle arrest in infected cells.
Homo naledi, a new species of the genus Homo from the Dinaledi Chamber, South Africa

Homo naledi is a previously-unknown species of extinct hominin discovered within the Dinaledi Chamber of the Rising Star cave system, Cradle of Humankind, South Africa. This species is characterized by body mass and stature similar to small-bodied human populations but a small endocranial volume similar to australopiths. Cranial morphology of H. naledi is unique, but most similar to early Homo species including Homo erectus, Homo habilis or Homo rudolfensis. While primitive, the dentition is generally small and simple in occlusal morphology. H. naledi has humanlike manipulatory adaptations of the hand and wrist. It also exhibits a humanlike foot and lower limb. These humanlike aspects are contrasted in the postcrania with a more primitive or australopith-like trunk, shoulder, pelvis and proximal femur. Representing at least 15 individuals with most skeletal elements repeated multiple times, this is the largest assemblage of a single species of hominins yet discovered in Africa. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.09560. 001
DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERSTICS OF ACTIVATED CARBONS FROM JATROPHA HUSK, AN AGRO INDUSTRIAL SOLID WASTE, BY CHEMICAL ACTIVATION METHODS

Jatropha curcus is a drought-resistant perennial species that grows well in marginal/poor soil. The bio-diesel obtained from its seeds is used as fuel for automobiles. Huge volumes of Jatropha husk is generated in the bio-diesel industries. The present study deals with the preparation of a variety of activated carbons from Jatropha husk, an agro industrial solid waste by chemical activation methods. The physico-chemical characteristics of activated Jatropha husk carbon (AJHC) and surface morphology are reported. Preliminary study shows that the low-cost AJHC is capable of removing organics and inorganics from water.
[Comparison of different stool tests for the detection of cancer of the colon].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Colonoscopy is the gold standard for the diagnosis of colonic neoplasia. Because of the low compliance, the discomfort of bowel preparation and the procedure itself and the (albeit small) risk of perforation or bleeding alternative procedures such as stool tests are being focused on. PATIENTS AND METHODS After informed consent stool samples of 116 patients (44 male, 72 female, median age 47 years), scheduled for colonoscopy and 22 patients (17 m, 5 f, 69 y) with known colorectal cancer stool samples were collected. The samples were investigated by three methods: a biochemical (Guajak) test for fecal occult blood, an immunological test for fecal occult blood and a test determining the dimer pyruvat kinase M2 (tumor M2-PK). RESULTS Sensitivity for detection of colorectal cancer or polyps was 27 % and 10 % for the biochemical test, 91 % and 19 % for the immunological test and 77 % and 48 % for the M2-PK-test, respectively. Specificity was 89 %, 94 % and 72 %, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Both methods for detection of occult blood had a similar specificity. The sensitivity of the immunological test for the detection of colorectal cancer was significantly higher. The M2-PK-test had a markedly lower specificity in diagnosing cancer. Because of the low sensitivity for polyps the usefulness of stool tests is questionable. Reducing incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer should be achieved by colonoscopy, a recommendation that requires specific communication to the public.
IDENTIFICATION OF ALLOY LATENT HEAT ON THE BASIS OF MOULD TEMPERATURE (PART 2)

SUMMARY In the paper the numerical solutions of inverse problem consisting in the identification of volumetric latent heat of Al-Si alloy are presented, at the same time two versions concerning the substitute thermal capacity (STC) of mushy zone are taken into account. The first version corresponds to the constant value of STC, while the second corresponds to the linear approximation of parameter discussed. The additional information necessary in order to solve the inverse problem results from knowledge of heating curves at the selected set of points from mould sub-domain. The 1D system casting-sand mould is considered, but the problem can be similarly solved for more complex objects. The details concerning theoretical considerations can be found in the first part of the paper.
Effects of Free Fatty Acids on Human Salivary Gland Epithelial Cells

Obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are characterized by decreased insulin sensitivity and higher concentrations of free fatty acids (FFAs) in plasma. Among FFAs, saturated fatty acids (SFAs), such as palmitate, have been proposed to promote inflammatory responses. Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory mononuclear cell infiltration and destruction of epithelial cells in the salivary and lacrimal glands. IL-6 production and α-fodrin degradation are increased in salivary gland epithelial cells of patients with primary SS. Although previous studies have shown a link between SS and either dyslipidemia or T2D, little is known about the clinical significance of FFAs in primary SS. Here we report that SFAs, but not unsaturated fatty acids, induced IL-6 production via NF-κB and p38 MAPK activation in human salivary gland epithelial cells. Moreover, palmitate induced apoptosis and α-fodrin degradation by caspase-3 activation. Unlike salivary gland epithelial cells, induction of IL-6 production and the degradation of α-fodrin in response to palmitate were undetectable in squamous carcinoma cells and keratinocytes. Taken together, SFAs induced IL-6 production and α-fodrin degradation in salivary gland epithelial cells, implicating a potential link between the pathogenesis of primary SS and SFAs level in plasma.
Wavelength Multicasting in Silicon Photonic Nanowires References and Links

We demonstrate a scalable, energy-efficient, and pragmatic method for high-bandwidth wavelength multicasting using FWM in silicon photonic nanowires. We experimentally validate up to a sixteen-way multicast of 40-Gb/s NRZ data using spectral and temporal responses, and evaluate the resulting data integrity degradation using BER measurements and power penalty performance metrics. We further examine the impact of this wavelength multicasting scalability on conversion efficiency. Finally, we experimentally evaluate up to a three-way multicast of 160-Gb/s pulsed-RZ data using spectral and temporal responses, representing the first on-chip wavelength multicasting of pulsed-RZ data. 1. M. Saruwatari, " All-optical signal processing for terabit/second optical transmission, " IEEE Sel. Third-order nonlinearities in silicon at telecom wavelengths, " Appl. Phys. Optical dispersion, two-photon absorption and self-phase modulation in silicon waveguides at 1.5 µm wavelength, " Appl. Self-phase-modulation in submicron silicon-on-insulator photonic wires, " Opt. Cross-phase modulation-induced spectral and temporal effects on co-propagating femtosecond pulses in silicon photonic wires, " Opt. Frequency conversion over two-thirds of an octave in silicon nanowaveguides, " Opt. compression using a time-domain telescope, " Nat. Ultralong continuously tunable parametric delays via a cascading discrete stage, " Opt. Ultra-low power parametric frequency conversion in a silicon microring resonator, " Opt. Broad-band continuous-wave parametric wavelength conversion in silicon nanowaveguides, " Opt. Signal regeneration using low-power four-wave mixing on silicon chip, " Nat. Broad-band optical parametric gain on a silicon photonic chip, Ultrabroadband parametric generation and wavelength conversion in silicon waveguides, " Opt.band wavelength conversion in silicon photonic wire waveguides, " Opt. " 160-Gb/s broadband wavelength conversion on chip using dispersion-engineered silicon waveguides, " Proc. " Demonstration of broadband wavelength conversion at 40 Gb/s in silicon waveguides, " IEEE Photon. Technol. Bit-error-rate characterization of silicon four-wave-mixing wavelength converters at 10 and 40 Gb/s, " Proc. All-optical spatial multicasting using cascaded silicon photonic devices, " Proc. Tailored anomalous group-velocity dispersion in silicon channel waveguides, " Opt. Group index and group velocity dispersion in silicon-on-insulator photonic wires, " Opt. All-optical wavelength conversion and broadcasting to eight separate channels by a single semiconductor optical amplifier delay interferometer, " Proc. Two-hop all-optical label swapping with variable length 80 Gb/s packets and 10 Gb/s labels using nonlinear fiber wavelength converters, unicast/multicast output and a single EAM for 80-to 10 Gb/s packet demultiplexing, " Proc. Wavelength multicasting of 320-Gb/s channel in self-seeded parametric amplifier, " IEEE Photon.
Communication optimizations for global multi-threaded instruction scheduling

The recent shift in the industry towards chip multiprocessor (CMP) designs has brought the need for multi-threaded applications to mainstream computing. As observed in several limit studies, most of the parallelization opportunities require looking for parallelism beyond local regions of code. To exploit these opportunities, especially for sequential applications, researchers have recently proposed global multi-threaded instruction scheduling techniques, including DSWP and GREMIO. These techniques simultaneously schedule instructions from large regions of code, such as arbitrary loop nests or whole procedures, and have been shown to be effective at extracting threads for many applications. A key enabler of these global instruction scheduling techniques is the Multi-Threaded Code Generation (MTCG) algorithm proposed in [16], which generates multi-threaded code for any partition of the instructions into threads. This algorithm inserts communication and synchronization instructions in order to satisfy all inter-thread dependences. In this paper, we present a general compiler framework, COCO, to optimize the communication and synchronization instructions inserted by the MTCG algorithm. This framework, based on thread-aware data-flow analyses and graph min-cut algorithms, appropriately models andoptimizes all kinds of inter-thread dependences, including register, memory, and control dependences. Our experiments, using a fully automatic compiler implementation of these techniques, demonstrate significant reductions (about 30% on average) in the number of dynamic communication instructions in code parallelized with DSWP and GREMIO. This reduction in communication translates to performance gains of up to 40%.