Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Edinburgh Research Explorer SLAM: Automatic Stylization and Labelling of Speech Melody

This paper presents SLAM : a simple method for the automatic Stylization and LAbelling of speech Melody. This main contributions over existing methods are : the alphabet of me-lodic contours is fully data-driven, an explicit time-frequency representation is used to derive complex melodic contours, and melodic contours can be determined over arbitrary prosodic/syntactic units. Additionally, the system can handle some speciﬁcities of spontaneous speech (e.g., multi speakers, speech turns and speech overlaps). A preliminary experiment conducted on 3 hours of spoken French indicates that a small number of contours is sufﬁcient to explain most of the observed contours. The method can be easily adapted to other stressed languages. The implementation is open-source and freely available † .
Vaccine Adduct Microneedle Fabrication through 3D Printing Technology: A State-of-Art Review

The use of attractive, minimally invasive puncture devices called microneedles (MNs) penetrates the skin without discomfort and enables the transdermal administration of active substances, including drugs and vaccines. MNs are also significant in disease diagnosis, monitoring, and cosmetics. MN geometry and shape are essential factors in affecting performance and therapeutic efficacy, whereas traditional manufacturing techniques including molding might not be able to enable fast design changes. In this regard, the manufacturing of MNs through the use of 3D printing technology allows for the quick and precise development of complicated MN prototypes as well as the availability of MN devices that may be con figured to have the appropriate shape and dimension. Additionally, by combining MNs with 3D printing exhibits significant promise for the production of efficient transdermal drugs and vaccine delivery systems as well as medical devices. Unlike traditional intramuscular or subcutaneous delivery using hypodermic needles, MN-based vaccine created by 3D printing technology distributes vaccine directly into the skin, which is thought to be an immunologically far more relevant vaccination location than underlying tissue. The purpose of this review is to convey the benefits of using 3D printing technology as a novel tool for MN fabrication. Different 3D printing techniques are shown, and typical MNs produced using such techniques are highlighted in detail.
Traditional Chinese medicine for Helicobacter pylori infection

Abstract Background: Helicobacter pylori (Hp) is the only bacterium in the stomach. It is characterized by its ability to adhere to gastric mucosa and cause a series of pathological changes in the gastric mucosa. Modern research shows that Hp is an important pathogenic factor for chronic gastritis, gastroduodenal ulcer, and gastric cancer. Triple, quadruple, and triple combinations of antibacterial drugs, proton pump inhibitors, and bismuth aluminate preparations have been developed in modern medical research. Sequential therapy is used to treat Hp, but antibiotic resistance and repeated infections still exist. A large number of clinical trials have proved that traditional Chinese medicine has a good therapeutic effect on Hp. In this systematic review, we aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of Hp. Methods and analysis: We will search for publications from Web of Science, PubMed, Science Direct, Wan Fang Data Knowledge Service Platform, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP database), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and EMBASE, which should be published from inception to December 2020. Two researchers will independently perform the selection of the studies, data extraction, and synthesis. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool will be used to evaluate the risk of bias in the randomized controlled trials. Statistical analysis will be performed by using the Cochrane Review Manager (RevMan 5.3) software. The I2 test will be used to identify the extent of heterogeneity. We will use the Egger funnel chart to evaluate possible publication biases, in addition, when possible we will perform a subgroup/meta-regression analysis. The strength of the evidence will be assessed according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). Results and conclusions: This study will systematically evaluate the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of Hp infection, and provide evidence for the clinical application of this treatment. The results of the research will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. Ethics: This systematic review will evaluate the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine for Hp infection. Because all data used in this systematic review and meta-analysis have been published, this review does not require ethical approval. Trial registration number: INPLASY2020120057.
Probabilistic methods for multi-source and temporal biomedical data quality assessment

Nowadays, biomedical research and decision making depend to a great extent on the data stored in information systems. As a consequence, a lack of data quality (DQ) may have significant effects in the interpretation of data, which may lead to suboptimal decisions, or hinder the derived research processes and outcomes. Generally, DQ is assessed by means of evaluating DQ dimensions for fundamental problems such as incomplete, inconsistent or incorrect data. However, the successful development of Big Data and large-scale biomedical repositories, based on multiinstitutional, cross-border, data-sharing infrastructures is requiring new approaches for a broad and efficient DQ assessment. This thesis aims to the research and development of methods for assessing two DQ problems of special importance in large-scale multi-site repositories acquired during long periods of time: (1) the variability of data probability distributions among different data sources or sites—multi-source variability—and (2) the variability of data probability distributions over time—temporal variability. This variability may be caused by differences in data acquisition methods, protocols or health care policies; systematic or random errors during data input and management; geographic and demographic differences in populations; or even falsified data. This variability, if unmanaged, may complicate data analyses, bias the results, or weaken the generalization of hypothesis or models based on the data. To date, multi-source and temporal variability issues have received little attention as DQ problems nor, to our knowledge, count with adequate assessment methods. This thesis contributes with methods to measure, detect and characterize variability. The methods have been specially designed to overcome the problems that classical statistical approaches may have when dealing with large-scale biomedical data, namely to multi-type, multivariate, multi-modal data, and not affected by large sample sizes such as in Big Data environments. To this end, we have defined an Information Theory and Geometry probabilistic framework supporting the methods. It is based on the inference of non-parametric statistical manifolds from normalized probabilistic distances between distributions among data sources and over time. Based on this probabilistic framework, a number of contributions have been generated. For the multi-source variability assessment we have designed two metrics: (1) the Global Probabilistic Deviation (GPD), which measures the degree of global variability among the distributions of multiple sources—as an estimator equivalent to the standard deviation among distributions; and (2) the Source Probabilistic Outlyingness (SPO), which measures the dissimilarity of the distribution of a single data source to a global latent average. These metrics are based on the construction of a simplex geometrical
Precipitation–temperature changes and evolution of a small glacier in the southeastern European Alps during the last 90 years

Very small glaciers (area <0.1 km2) have received increased scientific attention during recent years, both for their rapid responses to the climate forcing and because they are characterized by microclimatic conditions, often marginal to glacier formation. They are particularly sensitive to climate changes and characterized by a great mass turnover, particularly evident in maritime areas with high precipitation. Here we consider the evolution from 1920 of the ‘Canin Eastern Glacier’ (Italian Southeastern Alps) in order to correlate its evolution to the precipitation–temperature trends. We reconstructed a precipitation–temperature record at the altitude of the glacier, filling a lack of knowledge in this alpine sector. We observed a decrease in the mean annual precipitation of 10% in 90 years and a warming trend of 0.1°C decade−1 since 1851, and of 0.7°C decade−1 in the last 20 years. An inverse correlation between precipitation and mean air temperature during summer and ablation periods was also observed. Glacier dynamics revealed a phase of stability between 1945 and 1985 that seems to be a peculiar characteristic of this area. Moreover, through a general regression model the glacial terminus variations seem to be statistically influenced only by winter precipitation. This fact opens interesting perspectives for the possible future evolution of this small glacier and, more in general, to other small glaciers in maritime areas in regard to climate change scenarios.
Merging of a massive binary due to ejection of bound stars

From the results of numerical scattering experiments and simulations of a massive black hole binary in spherically symmetric and shallow cores it has been deduced that most likely the shrinking process stalls due to loss-cone depletion before emission of gravitational radiation becomes important. Here we follow a different approach and focus on the population of stars which is bound to the binary and so far has not received much attention. With simple assumptions which should not be sensitive to initial conditions we derive a lower limit for the mass of stars which needs to be ejected by the binary in order to coalesce. We also compute this mass in dependence on the steepness of the density profile according to which the stars are distributed. Our results are not as pessimistic as earlier conclusions and actually suggest that the BHs merge.
Characterization of intra-annual reflectance properties of land cover classes in southeastern South Dakota using Landsat TM and ETM+ data

Landsat-7 and Landsat-5 have orbits that are offset from each other by 8 days. During the time that the sensors on both satellites are operational, there is an opportunity for conducting analyses that incorporate multiple intra-annual high spatial resolution data sets for characterizing the Earth's land surface. In the current study, nine Landsat thematic mapper (TM) and enhanced thematic mapper plus (ETM+) data sets, covering the same path and row on different dates, were acquired during a 1-year time interval for a region in southeastern South Dakota and analyzed. Scenes were normalized using pseudoinvariant objects, and digital data from a series of test sites were extracted from the imagery and converted to surface reflectance. Sunphotometer data acquired on site were used to atmospherically correct the data. Ground observations that were made throughout the growing season by a large group of volunteers were used to help interpret spectroradiometric patterns and trends. Normalized images were found to be very effective in portraying the seasonal patterns of reflectance change that occurred throughout the region. Many of the radiometric patterns related to plant growth and development, but some also related to different background properties. The different kinds of land cover in the region were spectrally and radiometrically characterized and were found to have different seasonal patterns of reflectance. The degree to which the land cover classes could be separated spectrally and radiometrically, however, depended on the time of year during which the data sets were acquired, and no single data set appeared to be adequate for separating all types of land cover. This has practical implications for classification studies because known patterns of seasonal reflectance properties for the different types of land cover within a region will facilitate selection of the most appropriate data sets for producing land cover classifications.
Classifying silvicultural systems (coppices vs. high forests) in Mediterranean oak forests by Airborne Laser Scanning data

Abstract Forest classification by silvicultural systems (coppices vs. high forests) is important for forest resource assessment as such systems relate to a wide variety of ecosystem services. In this paper the potential of Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) data for Mediterranean oak forests classification of coppices with standards vs. high forests was investigated in three study areas in Italy. We addressed the following issues: can coppices and high forests be distinguished using a raster Canopy Height Model (CHM)? Which are the most efficient CHM-derived metrics? Does the scale of analysis influence the classification potential of CHM metrics? Our results show that CHM in grid format (1-m2 pixel) provides support information to classify silvicultural systems.
A phase unwrapping method based on network programming

Phase unwrapping is the reconstruction of a function on a grid given its values modulo 2π. A new phase unwrapping method, which is a significant advance from existing techniques, is described and tested. The method starts from the fact that the neighboring pixel phase differences can be estimated with possibly an error which is an integer multiple of 2π. This suggest the formulation of the phase unwrapping problem as a minimization problem with integer variables. In fact, it is possible to equate this to the problem of finding the minimum cost flow on a network, for the solution of which there exist very efficient techniques. The tests performed confirm the validity of this approach.
Inhibition of calpain blocks pancreatic (cid:1) -cell spreading and insulin secretion

Inhibition of calpain blocks pancreatic (cid:1) -cell spreading and insulin secretion. Am J Physiol Endocrinol E313–E321, addition to promoting insulin secretion, an increase in cytosolic Ca 2 (cid:2) triggered by glucose has been shown to be crucial for spreading of (cid:1) -cells attached on extracellular matrix (804G matrix). Calpains are Ca 2 (cid:2) -dependent cysteine proteases involved in an extended spectrum of cellular responses, including cytoskeletal rearrangements and vesicular trafﬁcking. The present work aimed to assess whether calpain is also implicated in the process of Ca 2 (cid:2) -induced insulin secretion and spreading of rat pancreatic (cid:1) -cells. The results indicate calpain dependency of (cid:1) -cell spreading on 804G matrix. Indeed, treatment with three distinct calpain inhibitors (N-Ac-Leu-Leu-norleucinal, calpeptin, and ethyl( (cid:2) )-(2S,3S)-3-[(S)-3-methyl-1-(3-methylbutylcarbamoyl)butyl-carbamoyl]-2-ox-iranecarboxylate)inhibitedcellspreadinginducedbyglucoseandKCl,whereascellattachmentwasnotsigniﬁcantlymodiﬁed. Calpaininhibitorsalsosuppressedglucose-andKCl-stimulatedinsulinsecre-tionwithoutaffectinginsulinsynthesis.Washingtheinhibitoroutofthecellculturerestoredspreadingon804Gmatrixandinsulinsecre-toryresponseafter24h.Inaddition,incubationwithcalpeptindidnotaffectinsulinsecretoryresponsetomastoparanthatactsonexocytosisdownstreamofintracellularcalcium[Ca 2 (cid:2) ] i . Finally, calpeptin was shown to affect the [Ca 2 (cid:2) ] i response to glucose but not to KCl. In summary, the results show that inhibition of calpain blocks spreading and insulin secretion of primary pancreatic (cid:1) -cells. It is therefore suggested that calpain could be a mediator of Ca 2 (cid:2) -induced-insulin secretion and (cid:1) -cell spreading.
THE CLASSIFICATION OF HIGH DIMENSIONAL INDICES FOR SPATIAL DATA SIMILARITY SEARCH

The applications of spatial data similarity search are increasingly needed nowadays, and accordingly high dimensional index becomes one key technology to solve the problem of spatial data similarity search. Firstly, the distribution of high dimensional data is in-depth analyzed, and then high dimensional data retrieval for spatial data similarity search is also discussed. Secondly, based on the research, the classification of high dimensional indices for spatial data similarity search is presented, which initially makes a clear distinction of the relationship between the high dimensional index and the application of spatial data similarity search. Finally, the principle of high dimensional indices and the state of the applications in spatial data similarity search are analyzed with an example of typical index structure respectively, which lays a foundation for the research on index technology in spatial data similarity search. * geoxy@126.com
Development and application of the field imaging spectrometer system

This paper describes the field imaging spectrometer system(FISS) based on a cooling area CCD,describing its imaging principle,structural design,main technology parameters,and data processing flow.Geometric rectification of the FISS was implemented using precise indoor markers and outdoor measured data.Spectral calibration of the FISS was conducted using self-programmed spectral calibration software which determined the center wavelength and the full width at half maximum of each band.An integrating sphere was used to achieve absolute radiometric calibration of the FISS with less than 5% calibration error for each band.In addition,a look-up table of radiometric calibration coefficients for various measured conditions was generated and various laboratory and field tests were carried out.Crop-weed discrimination,offshore marine environment monitoring,milk discrimination,and estimation of vegetation biochemical information were studied using previously acquired data.The FISS provided successful results for all of the above examples,suggesting its potential application in other fields,including geo-logy,food science,agriculture,forestry,and urban research.
Phosphate Level in Some Selected Surface and Ground Water Bodies of Rajshahi City Corporation

Optimum PO 4 -P level in surface and ground water is essential for maintaining good health and environment. In this study, the PO 4 -P level was measured for 148 different water samples collected from ponds, supply tape and tube-well of 8 different areas of Rajshahi City Corporation. All the sites of surface water bodies crossed the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) criterion of 0.01-0.03 mg L -1 PO 4 –P to be free from eutrophication. Among the samples, 4.2% were within the range (0.025-0.1 mg L -1 ) of onset of eutrophication while 95.8% crossed the hyper-eutrophication level (> 0.10 mg L -1 ). However, most of the ground (83.1%) and tap (92.7%) water were excellent in quality for drinking with respect to PO 4 –P level (<1 mg L -1 ). Only 15.3% of ground water and 7.3% of tap water were good quality and a negligible amount (1.6%) of ground water was fair quality. J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 8(1): 129-133 2015
Synoptic‐scale flow structures associated with extreme precipitation events in northern Switzerland

This article presents a climatological analysis of upper‐level synoptic‐scale flow structures and low‐level moisture signatures associated with extreme precipitation events in north‐eastern (NE) and north‐western (NW) Switzerland. Extreme daily precipitation events between 1961 and 2010 are identified using a gridded observation‐based precipitation data set. ERA‐Interim and ERA‐40 fields are used to characterize the flow. Large‐scale flow configurations over Europe that are common to extreme precipitation events are identified by a K‐means clustering approach. For each area, five large‐scale flow classes are defined. These flow classes include zonally oriented flows over western Europe accompanied by a ridge over the east Atlantic, amplified upper‐level troughs over western Europe, strong westerly or south‐westerly flows, wave‐breaking events and a broad trough over the Mediterranean. For each class, the main forcing mechanism behind the ascent of moist air, the magnitude of the total precipitable water and the seasonal distribution are presented. The way in which the location and structure of the defined upper‐level classes affect the local distribution of precipitation is analysed. Moreover, we analyse the directions of the moisture flux that interacts with the topography and results in extreme precipitation events. The flow conditions range from advective situations in which large amounts of moisture are transported towards the orographic obstacle to flow situations in which heavy precipitation occurs on the lee side of the Alps and ascent is mostly driven by large‐scale forcing. The co‐occurrence of events between NE and NW Switzerland is presented. Approximately 30% of the events occurred in both areas on the same day or differed in timing by 1 day.
Analysis of environmental and biological controls on soil respiration in boreal deciduous and coniferous stands

This thesis examines the environmental and biological controls on respiration processes in mature trembling aspen (established in 1919) and black spruce (established in 1879) stands located at the southern edge of the boreal forest in Saskatchewan, Canada. The seasonality of soil (Rs) and bole respiration (Rb) in the aspen stand was primarily driven by temperature. Rs and the maintenance component of Rb (Rbm) were also strongly reduced during drought conditions. The annual and Rbm at 10 °C (Rs\o and i? bmio) and the annual temperature sensitivity of Rs and Rbm (2IORS and gioRbm) decreased in response to drought from 2001 to 2003. Daily Rs\o and gioRs values derived from half-hourly measurements of Rs and soil temperature during individual nights in 2001 differed from the annual parameters and were also reduced during the late summer drought conditions. On average over the three years, Rs, Rb and estimated foliage respiration (Rf) accounted for 70, 13 and 16% of scaled-up chamber estimates of ecosystem respiration (Re). The integrated scaled-up chamber estimates of Re were 23% higher than the estimates obtained from the eddy covariance technique. On average, drought resulted in a 26% reduction in Rs from 2001 to 2003 and explained most of the interannual variability in Re. The exclusion of live roots in the black spruce stand in 2003 caused a gradual reduction in Rs that reached 25% three weeks after the application of the treatment. Annual estimates of rhizospheric (Rr) and heterotrophic respiration (Rb) were 324 and 230 g C m" y" in 2004, which accounted for 53 and 38% of Rs, respectively, the remainder originating from feather moss respiration. Rb dominated during winter, spring and fall when soil temperature was low. Rr dominated in summer when trees were fully active. Soil temperature and precipitation were the dominant climate variables controlling the seasonality of Rs in the black spruce stand. However, a lagged correlation was observed between gross ecosystem photosynthesis measured with the eddy covariance technique and RT at seasonal and diurnal time scales, which suggests a link between photosynthate production, transport and Rs. Overall, the results from this study clearly showed that respiration processes in forest stands are not only driven by the physical climate system but also incorporate a strong biological control.