Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spectral Subtraction With Variance Reduced Noise Spectrum Estimates

Spectral subtraction has the drawback that it introduces an unpleasant residual noise. This noise is a result of under-subtraction which occurs due to high variance of noise magnitude spectrum estimates. In this study we investigate a number of smoothing techniques that can be employed to reduce this variability. We extend the scope of this paper by using the phase spectrum in a novel manner along with the processed magnitude spectrum. This is based on recent findings which suggest that estimation of the phase spectrum using low dynamic range analysis windows (at 20-40ms window durations) is beneficial for speech enhancement. Using an objective speech quality measure and spectrogram analysis we show that the smoothing of noise magnitude spectrum estimates is an effective method of suppressing musical noise. We also show that the use of a low dynamic range analysis window for estimation of the phase spectrum of noisy speech results in a reduction of background noise. However, we found that combining the two techniques offers no advantage over spectral subtraction alone.
Cyber Physical System for Continuous Evaluation of Fall Risks to Enable Aging-In-Place

Every year, one out of three adults over the age of 65 falls, and about 30% of the falls result in moderate to severe injuries. The high rate of fall-related hospitalizations and the fact that falls are a major source of morbidity and mortality in older adults have motivated extensive interdisciplinary clinical and engineering research with a focus on fall prevention. This research is aimed at developing a medical Cyber Physical System (CPS) composed of a human supervised mobile robot and ambient intelligence sensors to provide continuous evaluation of environmental risks in the home. As a preventive measure to avoid falls, we propose use of mobile robots to detect possible fall risks inside a house. As a stepup to that, we also define a control framework for intelligent, networked mobile robots to semi-autonomously perform assistive and preventive tasks. This framework is integrated in a smart home that provides monitoring and control capabilities of environmental conditions such as objects blocking pathways or uneven surfaces. The main outcome of this work is the realization of this system at Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s (WPI) @Home testbed.
Training-Induced Changes in Neural Function

AAGAARD, P. Training-induced changes in neural functions. Exerc. Sport Sci. Rev., Vol. 31, No. 2, pp. 61–67, 2003. Adaptive changes can occur in the nervous system in response to training. Electromyography studies have indicated adaptation mechanisms that may contribute to an increased efferent neuronal outflow with training, including increases in maximal firing frequency, increased excitability and decreased presynaptic inhibition of spinal motor neurons, and downregulation of inhibitory pathways.
Reconstruction of Dynamics of SO2 Concentration in Troposphere Based on Results of Direct Measurements

Abstract A method for the reconstruction of the dynamics of processes with discrete time, developed in our previous papers, has been applied for study the dynamics of concentration of sulfur dioxide in lower troposphere. For the analysis, recordings of sulfur dioxide concentration from four measurement stations located in Poland (two of them has been located in huge cities and two in rarely inhabited regions) were used. We managed to obtain the deterministic and stochastic component of this dynamics. In result, we estimate the lifetime of sulfur dioxide in troposphere and the increase of sulfur dioxide concentration influenced by anthropogenic sources.
A framework for evaluating physical-layer network coding gains in multi-hop wireless networks

We investigate the potential gains of Physical-Layer Network Coding (PLNC) in multi-hop wireless networks. Physical-Layer Network Coding was first introduced as a solution to increase the throughput of a two-way relay channel communication. Unlike most wireless communications techniques which try to avoid collisions, PLNC allows two simultaneous transmissions to a common receiver. Such transmitted messages are summed at signal level and then decoded at packet level. In basic topologies, Physical-Layer Network Coding has been shown to significantly enhance the throughput performance compared to classical communications. However, the impact of PLNC in large multi-hop networks remains an open question. We therefore exploit Linear Programming to evaluate the impact of this paradigm in large realistic radio deployments. Our numerical results show that PLNC can increase the throughput in large multi-hop topologies by 30%. Such gains set theoretical benchmarks for designing new access methods and routing protocols to efficiently exploit the Physical-Layer Network Coding concept.
Reconciling WhiteBox and Black-Box Perspectives on Behavioural Self-Adaptation ?

This paper propose to reconcile two perspectives on behavioural adaptation commonly taken at different stages of the engineering of autonomic computing systems. Requirements engineering activities often take a black-box perspective: A system is considered to be adaptive with respect to an environment whenever the system is able to satisfy its goals irrespectively of the environment disturbations. Modelling and programming engineering activities often take a white-box perspective: A system is equipped with suitable adaptation mechanisms and its behaviour is classified as adaptive depending on whether the adaptation mechanisms are enacted or not. The proposed approach reconciles blackand white-box perspectives by proposing several notions of coherence between the adaptivity as observed by the two perspectives: These notions provide useful criteria for the system developer to assess and possibly modify the adaptation requirements, models and programs of an autonomic system.
Calcium-Dependent Persistent Facilitation of Spike Backpropagation in the CA1 Pyramidal Neurons

Sodium-dependent action potentials initiated near the soma are known to backpropagate over the dendrites of CA1 pyramidal neurons in an activity-dependent manner. Consequently, later spikes in a train have smaller amplitude when recorded in the apical dendrites. We found that depolarization and resultant Ca2+ influx into dendrites caused a persistent facilitation of spike backpropagation. Dendritic patch recordings were made from CA1 pyramidal neurons in mouse hippocampal slices under blockade of fast excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs. Trains of 10 backpropagating action potentials induced by antidromic stimulation showed a clear decrement in the amplitude of later spikes when recorded in the middle apical dendrites. After several depolarizing current pulses, the amplitude of later spikes increased persistently, and all spikes in a train became almost equal in size. BAPTA (10 mm) contained in the pipette or low-Ca2+ perfusing solution abolished this depolarization-induced facilitation, indicating that Ca2+ influx is required. This facilitation was present in Gαq knock-out mice that lack the previously reported muscarinic receptor-mediated enhancement of spike backpropagation. Therefore, these two forms of facilitation are clearly distinct in their intracellular mechanisms. Intracellular injection of either calmodulin binding domain (100 μm) or Ca2+/calmodulin-kinase II (CaMKII) inhibitor 281–301 (10 μm) blocked the depolarization-induced facilitation. Bath application of a membrane-permeable CaMKII inhibitor KN-93 (10 μm) also blocked the facilitation, but KN-92 (10 μm), an inactive isomer of KN-93, had no effect. These results suggest that increases in [Ca2+]i cause persistent facilitation of spike backpropagation in the apical dendrite of CA1 pyramidal neuron by CaMKII-dependent mechanisms.
Economic Impact of Type I Test Errors at System and Board Levels

The economic impact of Type I test errors that fail good product in electronic systems and PC boards is evaluated. Data show that an average of 46 percent of all valid component failures at the board and system level are, in fact, not failures. Data are given in several formats and a model is presented showing the impact on quality of bonepile testing. A model that predicts the impact on quality of bonepile testing is presented. This model is used to predict quality impact for three different cases. The data also show that accurate diagnostic techniques should be designed into the product.
Attackboard: A novel dependency-aware traffic generator for exploring NoC design space

Network-on-chip (NoC) is very important for many applications, such as many-core architectures and application-specific usages. For exploring the design space, several approaches have been proposed with different considerations. In this paper, inspired by bloom filters, we propose Attackboard, a novel design for exploring the design space of NoC, which satisfies accuracy, space efficiency, and simplicity. To justify the usage of Attackboard, a parallel object detection program is used as the benchmark program to evaluate the performance of a specific NoC. By comparing the results with an execution-based simulator, it shows that Attackboard simultaneously achieves the requirements of fast speed, simplicity, and accuracy.
Insect-Foraging in Captive Owl Monkeys (Aotus nancymaae)

Whereas the diets of diurnal primate species vary greatly, almost all nocturnal primate species consume insects. Insect-foraging has been described in nocturnal prosimians but has not been investigated in owl monkeys (Aotus spp.). We studied 35 captive owl monkeys (Aotus nancymaae) in order to describe their foraging behavior and to determine if there were any age or sex differences in their ability to capture insect prey. Because owl monkeys cooperate in parental care and in food-sharing, we expected social interactions involving insect prey. We found that owl monkeys most often snatched flying insects from the air and immobilized crawling insects against a substrate using their hands. Immatures and adult female owl monkeys attempted to capture prey significantly more often than did adult males; however, there was no difference in the proportion of attempts that resulted in capture. Social interactions involving prey appeared similar to those with provisioned food, but possessors of prey resisted begging attempts more so than did possessors of other food. Owl monkeys attempted to capture prey often (mean = 9.5 ± 5.8 attempts/h), and we speculate that the protein and lipid content of captured prey is important for meeting the metabolic demands for growth and reproduction.
CONTENT BASED IMAGE RETRIEVAL USING SEMANTIC GROUPING AND LINEAR DISCRIMINANT ANALYSIS

The biggest problem in content-based image retrieval (CBIR) is bridging the gap between low-level features and high-level semantics. Relevance feedback is a popular method for incorporating semantic information in CBIR. This paper discusses an improvement upon a relevance feedback approach that utilizes semantic grouping and linear discriminant analysis to close the gap between lowlevel features and high-level semantics. Specifically, the prior system is improved by incorporating the images in the same group as the query image in the collection of retrieved images. The experimental results show that this significantly improves the performance of the second and later retrievals in each session.
Oxygenation of human tumors: evaluation of tissue oxygen distribution in breast cancers by computerized O2 tension measurements.

Direct oxygen partial pressure (pO2) readings in breast cancers, in fibrocystic disease, and in the normal breast have been obtained using a novel technique which allows for the systematic evaluation of the oxygenation status as a function of pathological staging and histological grading. Measurements were performed in awake pre- and postmenopausal patients with well-defined arterial blood gas status. The measuring procedure encompasses a computerized electrode movement in the tissue which avoids significant compression artifacts and allows routine measurement in human tumors before, during, and after treatment. Using this reliable technique, pO2 measurements in the normal breast and in fibrocystic disease resulted in oxygenation patterns which were characteristic for normal, adequately supplied tissues. The median pO2 values were 65 and 67 mm Hg, respectively, with no pO2 readings below 12.5 mm Hg in the normal breast, and less than or equal to 5 mm Hg in fibrocystic disease, respectively. In contrast, in breast cancers the median pO2 value was 30 mm Hg (pooled data for pathological stages T1-T4). To date, 6 of 15 breast cancers exhibited pO2 values between zero and 2.5 mm Hg, i.e., tissue areas with less than half-maximum radiosensitivity. The oxygenation pattern in breast cancers and the occurrence of hypoxia and/or anoxia did not correlate with either the pathological stages and histological grades or with a series of clinically relevant parameters. No significant differences were found between pre- and postmenopausal tumors and between lobular and ductal carcinomas. Tumor-to-tumor variability in the oxygenation pattern was more pronounced than intra-tumor heterogeneity. pO2 variations within a tumor cannot be predicted, e.g., as a function of the measuring site (tumor center versus periphery).
A Strategic Analysis of Electronic Marketplaces

Information systems can serve as intermediaries between the buyers and the sellers in a vertical market, thus creating an "electronic marketplace" A major impact of these electronic market systems is that they typically reduce the search costs buyers must pay to obtain information about the prices and product offerings available in the market. Economic theory suggests that this reduction in search costs plays a major role in determining the implications of these systems for market efficiency and competitive behavior. This article draws on economic models of search and examines how prices, seller profits, and buyer welfare are affected by reducing search costs in commodity and differentiated markets. This reduction results in direct efficiency gains from reduced intermediation costs and in indirect but possibly larger gains in allocational efficiency from better-informed buyers. Because electronic market systems generally reduce buyers' search costs, they ultimately increase the efficiency of interorganizational transactions, in the process affecting the market power of buyers and sellers. The economic characteristics of electronic marketplaces, in addition to their ability to reduce search costs, create numerous possibilities for the strategic use of these systems.
SINGLE STAGE CEMENTLESS BILATERAL TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT SURGERY: CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Two staged bilateral total hip replacement (THR) is commonly performed for bilateral hip end stage arthritis and is preferred as THR is a complex planned surgery and performing both sides simultaneously may be fraught with risks and complications. However, many studies now indicate that in carefully selected patients , single stage or simultaneous bilateral THR can be performed with successful and cost effective results. We report a case of one-stage bilateral THR performed in a 22 year old with bilateral severe arthritis due to ankylosing spondylitis. Patient was severely disabled due to pain and was only ambulating on wheelchair. After a successful single stage bilateral THR, patient recovered fully and after 6 weeks was walking independently without any pain, with full function of both hips and performing his occupation normally. The surgical costs to the patient and hospital were both economical. We conclude that single stage bilateral THR is a better surgical option for young and fit patients with bilateral hip arthritis. Vikas Trivedi, Yashasvi Goel, Robin Singh, Yasir Khan, A N Mishra, Shakeel Qidwai Department of Orthopaedics Era’s Lucknow Medical College & Hospital, Sarfarazganj Lucknow, U.P., India-226003 ERA’S JOURNAL OF MEDICAL RESEARCH SINGLE STAGE CEMENTLESS BILATERAL TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT SURGERY: CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF LITERATURE VOL.5 NO.2 Case Report Page: 201 ERA’S JOURNAL OF MEDICAL RESEARCH, VOL.5 NO.2 Dr. Vikas Trivedi Department of Orthopaedics Era’s Lucknow Medical College & Hospital, Lucknow-226003 Email: drorthovt@hotmail.com Contact No: +91-9718891415 Address for correspondence Received on : 08-09-2018 Accepted on : 21-12-2018
A formal total synthesis of racemic sesquiterpenoid sativene.

Several key reactions involving intramolecular cyclization, Grignard reaction, and ionic hydrogenation have been employed in a formal synthesis of sativene. The synthesis affords 3-isopropyl-6-methyltricyclo[4.4. 0.0(2,8)]decan-7-one, 12, McMurry's penultimate precursor to sativene, in 28% overall yield in eight steps starting with the commercially available racemic Wieland--Miescher ketone.
Mineração de Dados Educacionais: um estudo da evasão no ensino médio com base nos indicadores do Censo Escolar

O emprego de técnicas de Mineração de Dados proporciona obter conhecimentos úteis com o intuito de melhorar a proposta educacional. Com o uso dos indicadores educacionais disponibilizados pelo INEP e utilizando a metodologia CRISP-DM, foram aplicadas as técnicas de correlação e regressão linear a fim de analisar as variáveis que se relacionam com a evasão escolar. Como resultados, foi possível verificar que a taxa de distorção idade-série apresentou a maior correlação positiva, sendo r=0,59. Em seguida, foi obtido o modelo preditivo no qual o resultado da Raiz do Erro Médio Quadrático foi de 5.06. Contudo, pode-se verificar que a Mineração de Dados Educacionais pode ser aplicada para exploração dos dados e gerar conhecimento de modo a servir como auxílio para soluções de problemas e suporte a mecanismos em apoio ao ensino.
Use of the Internet by Women with Breast Cancer

Background Recently, many cancer patients have been using the Internet for information with which to make informed choices. We are not aware of any studies that investigate this Internet use among breast cancer patients or women. Objective We investigate the prevalence and predictors of Internet use for medical information among women with breast cancer. Methods We used a cross-sectional design and approached 251 women with breast cancer being treated at a university-based hospital. We successfully interviewed 188 (74.9%), through mailed self-report questionnaires. Medical information was obtained from the hospital tumor registry. We used t tests and chi-square tests to assess differences in Internet use for breast health issues and binary logistic regression to estimate the odds ratio (OR) for predictors of Internet use for breast health issues. Results In our sample, 41.5% of patients used the Internet for medical information. Internet users differed from nonusers on income level, educational level, and by race/ethnicity. After controlling for the other predictors, Internet users had a higher income (OR = 3.10; 95% CI = 1.09-8.85) and tended to be more educated (OR = 2.59; 95% CI = 0.87-7.74) than nonusers. There was also a suggestion that those of nonwhite ethnicity were less likely to use the Internet (OR = 0.39; 95% CI = 0.14-1.11). Increasing age, length of time since diagnosis, and breast cancer stage had no effect. Conclusions A substantial proportion of breast cancer patients used the Internet as a source of information. Patients with higher income or education, and patients of white race/ethnicity are more likely to use the Internet for breast health issues.
Calculating a next-hop metric in multiradio networks

With the proliferation of multiple radio devices, simply choosing to send all traffic over the one next-hop radio link with the lowest metric is foolish. Unfortunately, this behavior is what exists today. In this paper, we describe how to combine multiple radio links¿ metrics to a particular next-hop device. The combined next-hop metric allows a multiple radio device to choose the best next-hop device for traffic considering all the radio opportunities available. By considering all radio opportunities, performance may be improved significantly.
Interaction of isoflavonoids with human liver microsomal cytochromes P450: inhibition of CYP enzyme activities

Abstract 1. The possibility of interaction of isoflavonoids with concomitantly taken drugs to determined isoflavonoids safety was studied. Inhibition of nine forms of cytochrome P450 (CYP3A4, CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, CYP2D6 and CYP2E1) by 12 isoflavonoids (daidzein, genistein, biochanin A, formononetin, glycitein, equol and six glucosides, daidzin, puerarin, genistin, sissotrin, ononin and glycitin) was studied systematically. 2. The most potent inhibitors were genistein and daidzein inhibiting noncompetitively the CYP2C9 with Ki of 35.95 ± 6.96 and 60.56 ± 3.53 μmol/l and CYP3A4 (inhibited by genistein with Ki of 23.25 ± 5.85 μmol/l also by a noncompetitive mechanism). Potent inhibition of CYP3A4 was observed also with biochanin A (Ki of 57.69 ± 2.36 μmol/l) and equol (Ki of 38.47 ± 2.32 μmol/l). 3. Genistein and daidzein inhibit noncompetitively CYP3A4 and CYP2C9. With plasma levels in micromolar range, a clinically important interaction with concomitantly taken drugs does not seem to be probable.
Kompetencer i produktionen af intermodal bane-vej transport

Dette paper omhandler ressourcer og kompetencer i forbindelse med forskellige kerneaktiviteter i produktionen af intermodale banebaserede godstransportydelser. Antagelsen er at disse ressourcer og kompetencer har afgorende indflydelse pa konkurrencen i og organiseringen af sektoren. Paperet er baseret pa en ph.d. afhandling (Aastrup, 2002) om hvordan aktorernes ressourcer og interorganisatoriske forankring pavirker deres evne til at organisere og opbygge de aktiviteter som producerer intermodal banebaseret transport.