Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of speaking styles in assessing intonation in foreign accent syndrome

Abstract Purpose. This paper evaluates the role of different speaking styles in defining intonation patterns in speakers with foreign accent syndrome. The methodological investigation aimed at establishing to what extent scripted and unscripted speech influence the phonological realization of intonation in disordered speech. Method. Four individuals with foreign accent syndrome and four gender-, age- and original dialect-matched control speakers were asked to perform a series of scripted and unscripted speech tasks including short sentences, a reading passage, a picture description and a monologue task. The speech data were analysed within the autosegmental-metrical framework of intonational analysis in relation to inventory, distribution, realization and functional use of intonational elements. Result. Findings revealed that the unscripted speaking styles provided a more comprehensive picture of the inventory and distribution of intonation contours, whereas differences in the functional use were more prominently reflected in the scripted data sets, in particular the short sentences. Conclusion. The findings highlight that the type of speaking style influences how intonation patterns are realized in disordered as well as healthy speech. A combination of scripted as well as unscripted data is, thus, required to obtain a comprehensive picture of the intonation abilities of a speaker with foreign accent syndrome.
Effect of Body Weight and Lifestyle Changes on Long-Term Course of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Koreans

Background:Although the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been increasing, there have been few studies of long-term changes in NAFLD in large numbers of subjects. This study was performed to assess the long-term changes in severity of fatty liver and to analyze the association with changes in body weight and lifestyle factors. Methods:We analyzed lifestyle factors, biochemical data, and abdominal ultrasonography in subjects who underwent voluntary medical checkups at a 5-year interval. Fatty liver on ultrasonography was graded as normal, mild, moderate, or severe by the degree of echogenicity. Results:The analyzed population consisted of 2895 subjects of age 47 ± 8.7 years (range, 20-79 years). Among the 1938 subjects who had normal livers at baseline, 374 subjects (19%) developed fatty liver 5 years later. Those who developed fatty liver showed more weight gain, increase of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma glutamyl transferase (&ggr;-GT), and glucose levels during the 5-year period. Among the 930 subjects who had fatty liver at baseline, 263 (28%) subjects showed a decrease in grade and 209 (22%) progressed to a higher grade of fatty liver after 5 years. The group with a lower grade lost −2.2 ± 4.3 kg of body weight from baseline, and reduction in hepatic steatosis grade was associated with decreased serum AST, ALT, triglycerides, &ggr;-GT, and fasting glucose levels. Conclusions:Even a small weight reduction was associated with improvements in NAFLD and related metabolic abnormalities such as dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia. Subjects with fatty liver should be advised to lose weight through lifestyle modifications.
Structural Alterations of Human Serum Albumin Caused by Glycative and Oxidative Stressors Revealed by Circular Dichroism Analysis

The aim of this work was to evaluate the ability of oxidative and glycative stressors to modify properties of human serum albumin (HSA) by analyzing markers of glycation (pentosidine) and oxidation (advanced oxidative protein products (AOPPs)) and assessing fluorescence and circular dichroism. HSA was incubated for up to 21 days with ribose, ascorbic acid (AA) and diethylenetriamine pentacetate (DTPA) in various combinations in order to evaluate influences of these substances on the structure of HSA. Ribose was included as a strong glycative molecule, AA as a modulator of oxidative stress, and DTPA as an inhibitor of metal-catalyzed oxidation. Ribose induced a significant increase in pentosidine levels. AA and DTPA prevented the accumulation of pentosidine, especially at later time points. Ribose induced a mild increase in AOPP formation, while AA was a strong inducer of AOPP formation. Ribose, in combination with AA, further increased the formation of AOPP. DTPA prevented the AA-induced generation of AOPP. Ribose was also a potent inducer of fluorescence at 335nm ex/385nm em, which is typical of pentosidine. AA and DTPA prevented this fluorescence. Circular dichroism showed complex results, in which AA and DTPA were strong modifiers of the percentages of the alpha-helical structure of HSA, while ribose affected the structure of HSA only at later time points.
Performance analysis of an adaptive backoff scheme for Ad Hoc networks

Based on the protocol of IEEE 802.11 for ad hoc networks, the distributed coordination function (DCF) of ad hoc networks was modified, and an adaptive minimum contention window binary exponential backoff algorithm (AWBEB algorithm) was presented. We use a 2D Markov chain model to educe the stationary distribution probabilities and the probability that a given node will transmit in an arbitrary time slot of AWBEB algorithm. The throughput, the stationary throughput and the system delay of AWBEB algorithm were analyzed theoretically, and then the performance of AWBEB algorithm were simulated and calculated. The results show that AWBEB is simpler, and it can more throughput and less delay. Moreover, the results of simulation are agreed with those of mathematical analysis.
Fault-based attacks on the Bel-T block cipher family

We present the first fault-based attack on the Bel-T block cipher family which has been adopted recently as a national standard of the Republic of Belarus. Our attack successfully recovers the secret key of the 128-bit, 192-bit and 256-bit versions of Bel-T using 4, 7 and 10 fault injections, respectively. We also show the results from our comprehensive simulation-based experiments.
Computer-Assisted Proofs in Solving Linear Parametric Problems

Consider a linear system A(p)x = b(p) whose input data depend on a number of uncertain parameters p = (p1,.,pk) varying within given intervals [p]. The objective is to verify by numerical computations monotonic (and convexity/concavity) dependence of a solution component xi(p) with respect to a parameter pj over the interval box [p], or more general, to prove if some boundary inf / sup xi(p) for all p isin [p] is attained at the end-points of [p]. Such knowledge is useful in many applications in order to facilitate the solution of some underlying linear parametric problem involving uncertainties. In this paper we present a technique, for proving the desired properties of the parametric solution, which is alternative to the approaches based on extreme point computations. The proposed computer-aided proof is based on guaranteed interval enclosures for the partial derivatives of the parametric solution for all p isin [p]. The availability of self-validated methods providing guaranteed enclosure of a parametric solution set by floating-point computations is a key for the efficiency and the expanded scope of applicability of the proposed approach. Linear systems involving nonlinear parameter dependencies, and dependencies between A(p) and b(p), as well as non-square linear parametric systems can be handled successfully. Presented are details of the algorithm design and mathematica tools implementing the proposed approach. Numerical examples from structural mechanics illustrate its application.
Chirurgische Therapie des malignen Pleuraergusses

Symptomatic malignant pleural effusions are common in patients with neoplastic disease (50 %). Frequently, they are a sign of advanced disease. These patients have an average life expectancy of 3 to 12 months. The therapeutic aim should be an efficient treatment with a short hospital stay. Chest tube drainage gives rapid relief of symptoms and information on the expansion of the lungs. When complete expansion of the lung is possible, VATS insufflation of talc is recommended. Talc is the most effective sclerosant (80 %) followed by doxycycline (70 %). VATS pleurodesis has a higher complication rate but is more effective than a talc slurry instilled through the chest tube. When the lung is trapped, long-term indwelling pleural drainage and pleuroperitoneal shunts are alternatives.
Greta: an interactive expressive ECA system

We have developed a general purpose use and modular architecture of an Embodied Conversational Agent (ECA) called Greta. Our 3D agent is able to communicate using verbal and nonverbal channels like gaze, head and torso movements, facial expressions and gestures. It follows the SAIBA framework [10] and the MPEG4 [6] standards. Our system is optimized to be used in interactive applications.
The Influence of Service Interactions on Individual Service Reliability in a Composition Scenario

Selecting an optimal service from a group of functionally equivalent ones is non-trivial. This is more so when the service to be selected is part of a composite application. Research in the past has resolved this issue making use of the Quality of Service (QoS) attributes of the services to determine the most optimal from the functionally equivalents. This paper too attempts to tackle this problem using one of the more important QoS attributes, reliability. The novelty of the technique proposed here is due to the fact that while papers in the past have looked upon the reliability of individual services in a service composition in isolation, we take into account the influence that the interaction among services in a composition has on individual reliabilities. The service domain along with the interactions is represented as a continuous time Markov chain, and through appropriate procedure the reliability of individual services is calculated in the form of ‘failure distance’. The services selected are the ones with the largest values of failure distance. The results of experiments conducted by us have also been included to validate this technique.
Spin coating: One‐dimensional model

The model of the spin‐coating process presented here accounts for variations of concentration, viscosity, and diffusivity across the thickness of the spin‐coated film. The flow of the liquid is governed by a balance between centrifugal driving force and viscous resisting force. Radial variations in film thickness and concentration are neglected. The Galerkin/finite‐element method is employed to solve the equation set. Film thinning slows initially due to decreasing film thickness and ceases finally due to dramatically increasing viscosity of the coating liquid as solvents evaporate. The formation of a region of extremely low solvent concentration and correspondingly high viscosity and low binary diffusivity at the free surface, i.e., a solid ‘‘skin,’’ is predicted. Coating defects can occur if convective flow has not completely ceased when this skin forms. Skin formation can be eliminated or delayed by partially saturating the overlying gas with solvent or by using mixed solvents (having both high and low.
Ricochet: Lateral Error Correction for Time-Critical Multicast

Ricochet is a low-latency reliable multicast protocol designed for time-critical clustered applications. It uses IP Multicast to transmit data and recovers from packet loss in end-hosts using Lateral Error Correction (LEC), a novel repair mechanism in which XORs are exchanged between receivers and combined across overlapping groups. In datacenters and clusters, application needs frequently dictate large numbers of fine-grained overlapping multicast groups. Existing multicast reliability schemes scale poorly in such settings, providing latency of packet recovery that depends inversely on the data rate within a single group: the lower the data rate, the longer it takes to recover lost packets. LEC is insensitive to the rate of data in any one group and allows each node to split its bandwidth between hundreds to thousands of fine-grained multicast groups without sacrificing timely packet recovery. As a result, Ricochet provides developers with a scalable, reliable and fast multicast primitive to layer under high-level abstractions such as publish-subscribe, group communication and replicated service/object infrastructures. We evaluate Ricochet on a 64-node cluster with up to 1024 groups per node: under various loss rates, it recovers almost all packets using LEC in tens of milliseconds and the remainder with reactive traffic within 200 milliseconds.
Critical values of physical attributes of an Ultisol under uses in South of Brazil

Changes in the soil structural quality have caused alterations in root growth and agricultural yield. With the purpose of finding critical values of physical parameters and alternative, viable and suitable ways of minimize the soil degradation, this study aimed at quantifying aggregate tensile strength (TS), friability (F), bull density (Bd), total porosity (Tp), macroporosity (Ma), penetration resistance (PR) and total organic carbon (TOC). Relations were established to estimate the structural quality of some parameters of an Ultisol under different uses. The study was carried out on a farm, in the rural area of RS, inserted in the Arroio Moreira waterbasin, Brazil. Disturbed and undisturbed samples were collected from the 0.00 to 0.10 m layer. Regarding TS and soil use, 900 samples were selected, totalling 2700 aggregates. Undisturbed samples (135) were collected for the evaluation of Bd, porosity and PR. The TOC was quantified using 45 aggregates through the dry combustion method. All physical parameters with exception of F are important in monitoring the structural quality.The lowest values of TS, PR and Bd were verified in the soil under fallow, and the highest ones in the soil under pasture. An inverse relation between TS and TOC and between Bd and TOC was verified. Critical values of Bd and TS to crop development might be estimated from the PR.
Detrimental Impact of Microbiota-Accessible Carbohydrate-Deprived Diet on Gut and Immune Homeostasis: An Overview

Dietary fibers are non-digestible polysaccharides functionally known as microbiota-accessible carbohydrates (MACs), present in inadequate amounts in the Western diet. MACs are a main source of energy for gut bacteria so the abundance and variety of MACs can modulate gut microbial composition and function. This, in turn, impacts host immunity and health. In preclinical studies, MAC-deprived diet and disruption of gut homeostasis aggravate the development of inflammatory diseases, such as allergies, infections, and autoimmune diseases. The present review provides a synopsis on the impact of a low-MAC diet on gut homeostasis or, more specifically, on gut microbiota, gut epithelium, and immune cells.
A simmer circuit for flash-lamp pumping of solid-state lasers

The simmer circuit in the flash lamp-pumped solid-state lasers allows maintaining a low DC current in the lamp. Otherwise, the use of the high trigger voltage would be necessary. This considerably reduces the flash lifetime. With the simmer, just a single triggering for the initial ionization of the gas is needed. For this purpose we use a simple piezoelectric ignitor. A commercial switching power supply with a 200 Vac and 64 kHz output is used, to which is added a voltage multiplier designed to maintain the flash ionization and ensure its stable operation during the laser pumping. The experimental results on a linear xenon flash-lamp allow the validation of the multiplier model and previous optimization simulation. The tests of the developed simmer circuit, in the case of a Nd: YAG laser, have been successful for several hours of operation without cooling, at 1 Hz repetition rate and 20 joules as pumping energy.
Corticosteroid and progesterone transactivation of mineralocorticoid receptors from Amur sturgeon and tropical gar.

The response to a panel of steroids by the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) from Amur sturgeon and tropical gar, two basal ray-finned fish, expressed in HEK293 cells was investigated. Half-maximal responses (EC50s) for transcriptional activation of sturgeon MR by 11-deoxycorticosterone, corticosterone, 11-deoxycortisol, cortisol and aldosterone, and progesterone (Prog) were between 13 and 150 pM. For gar MR, EC50s were between 8 and 55 pM. Such low EC50s support physiological regulation by these steroids of the MR in sturgeon and gar. Companion studies with human and zebrafish MRs found higher EC50s compared with EC50s for sturgeon and gar MRs, with EC50s for zebrafish MR closer to gar and sturgeon MRs than was human MR. For zebrafish MR, EC50s were between 75 and 740 pM; for human MR, EC50s were between 65 pM and 2 nM. In addition to Prog, spironolactone (spiron) and 19nor-progesterone (19norP) were agonists for all three fish MRs, in contrast with their antagonist activity for human MR, which is hypothesized to involve serine-810 in human MR because all three steroids are agonists for a mutant human Ser810Leu-MR. Paradoxically, sturgeon, gar, and zebrafish MRs contain a serine corresponding to serine-810 in human MR. Our data suggest alternative mechanism(s) for Prog, spiron, and 19norP as MR agonists in these three ray-finned fishes and the need for caution in applying data for Prog signaling in zebrafish to human physiology.
Reducing the Abstraction and Optimality Gaps in the Allocation and Scheduling for Variable Voltage/Frequency MPSoC Platforms

This paper proposes a novel approach to solve the allocation and scheduling problems for variable voltage/frequency multiprocessor systems-on-chip, which minimizes overall system energy dissipation. The optimality of derived system configurations is guaranteed, while the computation efficiency of the optimizer allows for solving problem instances that were traditionally considered beyond reach for exact solvers (optimality gap). Furthermore, this paper illustrates the development- and run-time software infrastructures that assist the user in developing applications and implementing optimizer solutions. The proposed approach guarantees a high level of power, performance, and constraint satisfaction predictability as from validation on the target platform, thus bridging the abstraction gap.
The Case for Angioplasty in Patients with Symptomatic Intracranial Atherosclerosis

Intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) is likely the most common cause of stroke worldwide and remains highly morbid even with highly monitored medical therapy. Recent results of the SAMMPRIS trial, which randomized patients to stenting plus aggressive medical management versus aggressive medical management alone have shown that additional treatment of intracranial atherosclerotic lesions with the Wingspan stent is inferior to aggressive medical management alone. In light of these results, there has been renewed interest in angioplasty alone to treat symptomatic ICAD. This article will briefly review the natural history of ICAD and discuss the possible future for endovascular treatment of ICAD with primary intracranial angioplasty in appropriately selected patients.
Lipoxin A4 (LXA4) as a potential first trimester biochemical marker of intrauterine growth disorders

Abstract Objective: To evaluate first trimester maternal serum levels of lipoxin A4 (LXA4) in prediction of intrauterine fetal growth. Methods: Study group of 185 patients in singleton pregnancy was divided into three subgroups according to neonatal birthweight: ≤10th percentile (SGA), 11–89th percentile (AGA) and ≥90 percentile (LGA). Results: We observed decreased values of LXA4 concentrations, both in SGA- and LGA groups, when compared to AGA (68.91 ± 33.72 and 68.30 ± 23.49 versus 102.13 ± 121.90, respectively). Conclusions: Lipoxin A4 may become an biochemical marker in the prediction of intrauterine fetal growth disturbances; however, more studies need to be undertaken to investigate LXA4’s role in pregnancy.
Temporal association of the appearance of mucoid strains of Streptococcus pyogenes with a continuing high incidence of rheumatic fever in Utah.

OBJECTIVE Our objective was to confirm an observed temporal association of increased numbers of rheumatic fever cases concomitant with the appearance of an increased prevalence of mucoid strains of Streptococcus pyogenes. During the resurgence of rheumatic fever (RF) that has occurred in the Intermountain area surrounding Salt Lake City, Utah, since 1985, the largest number of cases occurred in 1985 and 1986 and 12 years later in 1997 and 1998. During the initial outbreak and the later exacerbation of the resurgence, an increased number of mucoid strains of S pyogenes were present in the community. METHODS The referred cases of RF that fulfilled Jones criteria have been systematically reviewed by the medical staff at Primary Children's Medical Center yearly since 1985. Before the resurgence of RF, a program was initiated by the microbiology laboratory at Primary Children's Medical Center to store frozen isolates of S pyogenes. All frozen specimens were randomly selected and entered into a log; the coded entry allowed for comments regarding the origin of the isolate and whether the isolate had a mucoid appearance on the blood agar culture plate. This log was reviewed in October 2002 to determine whether the percentage of frozen mucoid isolates stored during the resurgence of RF would support the clinical and epidemiologic suspicion that mucoid isolates seemed to be present with a higher frequency during the 2 periods of high incidence of RF. The percentage of mucoid isolates was compared with the yearly number of cases of RF. A Pearson r correlation analysis was completed to determine whether there was a significant association between the percentage of mucoid isolates and the number of cases of RF. RESULTS The highest number of cases of RF was temporally associated with the highest percentage of mucoid isolates. There was statistically significant correlation between percentage of mucoid strains and the number of RF cases. CONCLUSIONS The Utah experience with the resurgence of RF in a civilian population during the last decade and a half of the 20th century confirmed the temporal association of mucoid strains of S pyogenes, primarily M-type 18, with a high incidence of RF.
A decision-tree model to estimate the impact on cost-effectiveness of a venous thromboembolism prophylaxis guideline

Background and objective: The impact of clinical guidelines (GL) on venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis was evaluated in a large Italian hospital with a before/after study. GL were effective in increasing the appropriateness of prophylaxis and in reducing VTE. Following this study, the aim was to estimate the impact of the adopted GL on costs and benefits through a cost-effectiveness analysis. Methods: A decision-tree model was used to compare prophylaxis costs and effects before and after GL implementation. All patients were classified into four risk profiles (low, moderate, high, very high). Outcomes considered were: no event, asymptomatic VTE, symptomatic VTE, fatal pulmonary embolism and major bleeding. Patient risks and the probability of receiving prophylaxis were defined using data from the previous study. Outcome probabilities were derived from the literature. Regional Drg reimbursements and hospital figures were used for costing the events. Results: Despite a marked increase in the number of patients receiving some form of prophylaxis, it was estimated that the introduction of GL reduced the average cost per patient related to VTE from €210 to €181 (−14%), with a parallel absolute decrease in VTE complications (−5%). Results are particularly relevant in the very-high-risk group. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the overall cost savings and gains in effectiveness. Conclusions: The implementation of locally adapted GL on VTE prophylaxis may lead to a benefit in terms of both costs and effects, especially for the highest-risk patients.