Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Frame-level AnyBoost for LVCSR with the MMI Criterion

This paper propose a variant of AnyBoost for a large vocabulary continuous speech recognition (LVCSR) task. AnyBoost is an efficient algorithm to train an ensemble of weak learners by gradient descent for an objective function.We present a novel training procedure that trains acoustic models via the MMI criterion using data that is weighted proportional to the summation of the posterior functions of previous round of weak learners. Optimized for system combination by n-best ROVER at runtime, data weights for a new weak learner are computed as a weighted summation of posteriors of previous weak learners. We compare a frame-based version and a sentence-based version of our proposed algorithm with a frame-based AdaBoost algorithm. We will present results on a voice search task trained with different amounts of data with gains of 5.1% to 7.5% relative in WER can be obtained by three rounds of boosting.
LET dependence of GafChromic films and an ion chamber in low-energy proton dosimetry

Dosimetry using a PMMA phantom was performed in 15 and 29 MeV proton beams from the Birmingham cyclotron, with a Markus parallel-plate ionization chamber and GafChromic EBT and MD-V2-55 film. Simulations of the depth–dose curves were performed with FLUKA 2008.3 and MCNPX 2.5. 0, which agreed almost perfectly with each other in range and only differed by 2% in the Bragg peak (BP) region. FLUKA was also used to calculate kQ factors for Markus chamber measurements as an improvement to the IAEA TRS-398 values in low-energy beams. FLUKA depth–dose simulations overestimate the BP height measured by ion chamber by about 10%, where the initial proton energy spread was estimated by fitting to the slope of the measured BP distal edge. Both GafChromic films showed an under-response in the BP compared to ion chamber; however, EBT exhibits this effect at lower energies than MD-V2-55. A possible reason for this is attributed to the shape and arrangement of the monomer particles being different in the active components of EBT and MD-V2-55. Relative effectiveness (RE) of both films is presented as functions of residual range Rres in water and peak proton energy determined by FLUKA, with considerations for the spatial separation of the two active layers in each film. The proton energies at which RE reduces to 90% of maximum film response are 6.7 and 3.2 MeV for MD-V2-55 and EBT, respectively. Additionally, a beam quality correction factor () is suggested for both GafChromic films, involving water-to-film stopping power ratios evaluated using ICRU recommendations, and a polymer yield factor . RE in this work is equated to the reciprocal of the polymer yield factor. The calculated values of are constant within 2.1% and 1.2% across the proton energy range of 1–300 MeV for EBT and MD-V2-55, respectively, so it is concluded that the polymer yield factor is the dominant factor causing the LET quenching effect.
Information retrieval theory and design based on a model of the user's concept relations

Viewing information retrieval (IR) systems as models of human assessment of the similarity between requests and documents (SRD)t contributes to development of theory for IR and can aid in development of IR systems. This chapter reports the development and testing of a theory of IR based on this system-as· model (SAM) view;:. Implications for IR research and development are then considered. The SAM theory of IR is an expansion of the present model used in IR research. That model, and its expansion into a theory of IR, are described in the two sections below§.
Some coumarins and benzoxazinones as potent paraoxonase 1 inhibitors

Abstract In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of some coumarin and benzoxazinone derivatives on the activity of human PON1. Human serum paraoxonase 1 was purified from fresh human serum blood by two-step procedures that are ammonium sulfate precipitation (60–80%) and then hydrophobic interaction chromatography (Sepharose 4B, L-tyrosine and 1-napthylamine). The enzyme was purified 232-fold with a final specific activity of 27.1 U/mg. In vitro effects of some previously synthesized ionic coumarin or benzoxazinone derivatives (1–21) on purified PON1 activity were investigated. Compound 14 (1-(2,3,4,5,6)-pentamethylbenzyl-3-(6,8-dimethyl-2H-chromen-2-one-4-yl))benzimidazolium chloride was found out as the strongest inhibitor (IC50 = 7.84 μM) for PON1 among the compounds. Kinetic investigation and molecular docking study were evaluated for one of the most active compounds (compound 12) and obtained data showed that this compound is competitive inhibitor of PON1 and interact with Leu262 and Ser263 in the active site of PON1. Moreover, coumarin derivatives were found out as the more potent inhibitors for PON1 than benzoxazinone derivatives.
Serrated lesions in colorectal cancer screening: detection, resection, pathology and surveillance

### Key messages A strong evidence base supports colorectal cancer screening. Interruption of the adenoma-carcinoma sequence by endoscopic polypectomy has been considered the key step in preventing the development of colorectal cancer.1 Higher adenoma detection rates (ADR) at colonoscopy have a linear correlation with lower postcolonoscopy colorectal cancer (PCCRC) rates and death from PCCRC.2 However, colonoscopy is not as effective in prevention of colorectal cancer in the right colon as in the left.3–5 Interval cancers are often right-sided and hypermethylated, not consistent with an origin in conventional adenomas.4 Recent molecular approaches to colorectal cancer indicate there are three or more distinct molecular pathways to colorectal cancer, including a pathway arising through serrated lesions.6 ,7 Serrated lesions pose multiple challenges in clinical …
The Nimrod computational workbench: a case study in desktop metacomputing

The coordinated use of geographically distributed computers, or metacomputing, can in principle provide more accessible and cost- effective supercomputing than conventional high-performance systems. However, we lack evidence that metacomputing systems can be made easily usable, or that there exist large numbers of applications able to exploit metacomputing resources. In this paper, we present work that addresses both these concerns. The basis for this work is a system called Nimrod that provides a desktop problem-solving environment for parametric experiments. We describe how Nimrod has been extended to support the scheduling of computational resources located in a wide-area environment, and report on an experiment in which Nimrod was used to schedule a large parametric study across the Australian Internet. The experiment provided both new scientific results and insights into Nimrod capabilities. We relate the results of this experiment to lessons learned from the I-WAY distributed computing experiment, and draw conclusions as to how Nimrod and I-WAY- like computing environments should be developed to support desktop metacomputing.
Collapse of a fish population after exposure to a synthetic estrogen

Municipal wastewaters are a complex mixture containing estrogens and estrogen mimics that are known to affect the reproductive health of wild fishes. Male fishes downstream of some wastewater outfalls produce vitellogenin (VTG) (a protein normally synthesized by females during oocyte maturation) and early-stage eggs in their testes, and this feminization has been attributed to the presence of estrogenic substances such as natural estrogens [estrone or 17β-estradiol (E2)], the synthetic estrogen used in birth-control pills [17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2)], or weaker estrogen mimics such as nonylphenol in the water. Despite widespread evidence that male fishes are being feminized, it is not known whether these low-level, chronic exposures adversely impact the sustainability of wild populations. We conducted a 7-year, whole-lake experiment at the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) in northwestern Ontario, Canada, and showed that chronic exposure of fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) to low concentrations (5–6 ng·L−1) of the potent 17α-ethynylestradiol led to feminization of males through the production of vitellogenin mRNA and protein, impacts on gonadal development as evidenced by intersex in males and altered oogenesis in females, and, ultimately, a near extinction of this species from the lake. Our observations demonstrate that the concentrations of estrogens and their mimics observed in freshwaters can impact the sustainability of wild fish populations.
Meiotic chromosomes: it takes two to tango.

Meiosis is a special type of cell division that produces haploid gametes from diploid parental cells. Chromosome number is reduced during meiosis because a single round of DNA replication is followed by two rounds of chromosome segregation (Fig. 1). Fusion of two gametes during sexual reproduction restores the diploid chromosome complement. The second division of meiosis (the equational division) resembles mitosis: Sister chromatids separate and segregate. The first division, however, is unique. Reductional chromosome segregation at meiosis I differs from mitosis and meiosis II in a number of respects. First, sister chromatids remain associated with each other. Second, the two copies of the same chromosome (called homologous chromosomes or homologs) behave in a coordinate fashion, such that one chromosome moves to one pole of the spindle apparatus and its homolog moves to the opposite pole. This coordination in chromosome behavior depends on complex processes and elaborate structures that bring homologs together during meiotic prophase and hold them together until the transition between metaphase I and anaphase I. In most organisms, the relevant processes include alignment of homologs, assembly of the synaptonemal complex (SC, described below), genetic recombination, and the formation of chiasmata (stable connections between homologs formed at the sites of crossovers). These events occur during a very lengthy prophase that is divided into a series of substages based on changes in chromosome morphology (Table 1). This article reviews our current knowledge of the processes and structures that promote and maintain interactions between homologs and thereby ensure proper reductional chromosome segregation. Emphasis is placed on observations made in recent years, particularly those that have enhanced our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying meiotic chromosome behavior.
Cost of dementia care in US to double by 2040

The cost of dementia care in the United States is currently estimated to be as high as $215bn (£141bn; €166bn) per year and can be expected to double by 2040, according to a study in the current issue of the New England Journal of Medicine . 1 The findings suggest that the cost of dementia care in the US is far higher than the cost of care for heart disease or cancer. The main component of the cost of …
Repetitive N-WASP–Binding Elements of the Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli Effector EspFU Synergistically Activate Actin Assembly

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) generate F-actin–rich adhesion pedestals by delivering effector proteins into mammalian cells. These effectors include the translocated receptor Tir, along with EspFU, a protein that associates indirectly with Tir and contains multiple peptide repeats that stimulate actin polymerization. In vitro, the EspFU repeat region is capable of binding and activating recombinant derivatives of N-WASP, a host actin nucleation-promoting factor. In spite of the identification of these important bacterial and host factors, the underlying mechanisms of how EHEC so potently exploits the native actin assembly machinery have not been clearly defined. Here we show that Tir and EspFU are sufficient for actin pedestal formation in cultured cells. Experimental clustering of Tir-EspFU fusion proteins indicates that the central role of the cytoplasmic portion of Tir is to promote clustering of the repeat region of EspFU. Whereas clustering of a single EspFU repeat is sufficient to bind N-WASP and generate pedestals on cultured cells, multi-repeat EspFU derivatives promote actin assembly more efficiently. Moreover, the EspFU repeats activate a protein complex containing N-WASP and the actin-binding protein WIP in a synergistic fashion in vitro, further suggesting that the repeats cooperate to stimulate actin polymerization in vivo. One explanation for repeat synergy is that simultaneous engagement of multiple N-WASP molecules can enhance its ability to interact with the actin nucleating Arp2/3 complex. These findings define the minimal set of bacterial effectors required for pedestal formation and the elements within those effectors that contribute to actin assembly via N-WASP-Arp2/3–mediated signaling pathways.
Integrated approach of cognitive maps and neural networks using qualitative information on the World Wide Web: the KBNMiner

Abstract: In this paper, we propose a method for integrating cognitive maps and neural networks to gain competitive advantage using qualitative information acquired from news information on the World Wide Web. We have developed the KBNMiner, which is designed to represent the knowledge of domain experts with cognitive maps, to search and retrieve news information on the Internet according to the knowledge and to apply the information to a neural network model. In addition, we investigate ways to train neural networks more effectively by separating the learning data into two groups on the basis of event information acquired from news information. To validate our proposed method, we applied 180,000 news articles to the KBNMiner. The experimental results are found to support our proposed method through tenfold cross‐validation.
A Logic for Reasoning about Probabilities *

We consider a language for reasoning about probability which allows us to make statements such as "the probability of El is less than f" and "the probability of E , is at least twice the probability of E,," where E, and E, are arbitrary events. We consider the case where all events are measurable (i.e., represent measurable sets) and the more general case, which is also of interest in practice, where they may not be measurable. The measurable case is essentially a formalization of (the propositional fragment of) Nilsson's probabilistic logic. As we show elsewhere, the general (nonmeasurable) case corresponds precisely to replacing probability measures by Dempster-Shafer belief functions. In both cases. we provide a complete axiomatization and show that the problem of deciding satisfiability is NP-complete, no worse than that of propositional logic. As a tool for proving our complete axiomatizations, we give a complete axiomatization for reasoning about Boolean combinations of linear inequalities, which is of independent interest. This proof and others make crucial use of results from the theory of linear programming. We then extend the language to allow reasoning about conditional probability and show that the resulting logic is decidable and completely axiomatizable, by making use of the theory of real closed fields. C 1990 Acddemlc Press, Inc
Antibakterijski učinak Er:YAG lasera u korijenskom kanalu

Svrha je rada ispitati antibakterijski uËinak Er:YAG lasera u korijenskome kanalu sluæeÊi se bakterijama roda Enterococcus i Staphylococcus. Jedanaest jednokorijenskih zuba instrumentirano je, sterilizirano te ih deset inokulirano bakterijskom suspenzijom koncentracije 106 CFU/ml u srËano-moædanom bujonu. Devet je uzoraka obasjavano Er:YAG laserom (220 mJ/ 40 Hz/10 s) u dva ciklusa sa stankom od 15 s. Uzorak s bakterijskom suspenzijom bez laserskog obasjavanja bio je pozitivna kontrola, a jedan sterilni uzorak negativna kontrola. Nakon obasjavanja uzorci su uronjeni u boËice s bujonom te je bakterioloπkom raπËlambom utvren broj naraslih koloniformnih bakterija (CFU/ml) nakon jednog i dva tjedna. Ni jedan uzorak nije steriliziran Er:YAG laserom, ali je u tri sluËaja potpuno uniπten Staphylococcus aureus, πto upuÊuje da bi se usavrπavanjem sustava za prenoπenje energije mogli postiÊi mnogo bolji antibakterijski uËinci.
Enhanced TLR4 endothelial cell immunohistochemical expression in symptomatic carotid atherosclerotic plaques

Background and Purpose: Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) has been linked to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Carotid atheroma endothelial cells (ECs) express TLR4, nevertheless correlations with cerebrovascular symptomatology, epidemiological and clinical variables remain unresolved. Methods: Carotid atherosclerotic plaques were obtained by standard carotid endarterectomy from 157 patients with carotid artery disease (84 asymptomatic – Group A, 73 symptomatic – Group B). TLR4 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry and TLR4 positivity, overexpression and intensity of immunostaining in ECs were correlated with cerebrovascular symptomatology, epidemiological and clinical variables. Results: A significant association was found between TLR4 positivity in ECs and the occurrence of any cerebrovascular event (overall response (OR): 2.85, 95% CI 1.33 – 6.11, p = 0.009). TLR4 overexpression and staining intensity in ECs were both significantly enhanced in symptomatic patients (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.003, respectively). These associations were stronger for the occurrence of a major cerebrovascular accident (CVA) compared with a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or amaurosis fugax. TLR4 expression in ECs was less prominent in statin users (OR: 0.25, 95%CI 0.1 – 0.58, p = 0.001], while it was enhanced in restenotic plaques compared with primary atherosclerotic lesions (p = 0.012). Conclusions: TLR4 expression in ECs of carotid atheroma was enhanced in symptomatic patients with most commonly ‘unstable’ – ‘more prone to rupture’ carotid plaques.
Interaction of Nanoparticles with Blood Components and Associated Pathophysiological Effects

Nanotechnology currently plays a pivotal role in several fields and has enabled substan - tial advances in a relatively short time. In biomedicine, nanomaterials can be potentially employed as a tool for early diagnosis and an innovative mode of drug delivery. Novel nanomaterials are currently widely manipulated without a full assessment of their poten tial health risks. It is commonly thought that nanomaterials’ first contact with the organism is through the different components of the immune system. However, if the entry route is intravenous, the first contact will be with the blood’s components (erythrocytes, platelets, white cells, plasma and complement proteins). The presence of nanomaterials within a dynamic environment such as the bloodstream can produce potential harmful effects fol - lowing interaction with several blood components. The design of innovative strategies leading to the development of more hemocompatible nanomaterials is also necessary.
Impact of Software Modeling on the Accuracy of Perfusion MRI in Glioma

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Relative cerebral blood volume, as measured by T2*-weighted dynamic susceptibility-weighted contrast-enhanced MRI, represents the most robust and widely used perfusion MR imaging metric in neuro-oncology. Our aim was to determine whether differences in modeling implementation will impact the correction of leakage effects (from blood-brain barrier disruption) and the accuracy of relative CBV calculations as measured on T2*-weighted dynamic susceptibility-weighted contrast-enhanced MR imaging at 3T field strength. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 52 patients with glioma undergoing DSC MR imaging. Thirty-six patients underwent both non-preload dose– and preload dose–corrected DSC acquisitions, with 16 patients undergoing preload dose–corrected acquisitions only. For each acquisition, we generated 2 sets of relative CBV metrics by using 2 separate, widely published, FDA-approved commercial software packages: IB Neuro and nordicICE. We calculated 4 relative CBV metrics within tumor volumes: mean relative CBV, mode relative CBV, percentage of voxels with relative CBV > 1.75, and percentage of voxels with relative CBV > 1.0 (fractional tumor burden). We determined Pearson (r) and Spearman (ρ) correlations between non-preload dose– and preload dose–corrected metrics. In a subset of patients with recurrent glioblastoma (n = 25), we determined receiver operating characteristic area under the curve for fractional tumor burden accuracy to predict the tissue diagnosis of tumor recurrence versus posttreatment effect. We also determined correlations between rCBV and microvessel area from stereotactic biopsies (n = 29) in 12 patients. RESULTS: With IB Neuro, relative CBV metrics correlated highly between non-preload dose– and preload dose–corrected conditions for fractional tumor burden (r = 0.96, ρ = 0.94), percentage > 1.75 (r = 0.93, ρ = 0.91), mean (r = 0.87, ρ = 0.86), and mode (r = 0.78, ρ = 0.76). These correlations dropped substantially with nordicICE. With fractional tumor burden, IB Neuro was more accurate than nordicICE in diagnosing tumor versus posttreatment effect (area under the curve = 0.85 versus 0.67) (P < .01). The highest relative CBV–microvessel area correlations required preload dose and IB Neuro (r = 0.64, ρ = 0.58, P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Different implementations of perfusion MR imaging software modeling can impact the accuracy of leakage correction, relative CBV calculation, and correlations with histologic benchmarks.
Conformalized Kernel Ridge Regression

General predictive models do not provide a measure of confidence in predictions without Bayesian assumptions. A way to circumvent potential restrictions is to use conformal methods for constructing non-parametric confidence regions, that offer guarantees regarding validity. In this paper we provide a detailed description of a computationally efficient conformal procedure for Kernel Ridge Regression (KRR), and conduct a comparative numerical study to see how well conformal regions perform against the Bayesian confidence sets. The results suggest that conformalized KRR can yield predictive confidence regions with specified coverage rate, which is essential in constructing anomaly detection systems based on predictive models.
Pig‐to‐baboon heterotopic heart transplantation – exploratory preliminary experience with pigs transgenic for human thrombomodulin and comparison of three costimulation blockade‐based regimens

Three costimulation blockade‐based regimens have been explored after transplantation of hearts from pigs of varying genetic backgrounds to determine whether CTLA4‐Ig (abatacept) or anti‐CD40mAb+CTLA4‐Ig (belatacept) can successfully replace anti‐CD154mAb.
Pathophysiology of itching in urticaria and atopic dermatitis

Itching, or pruritus, is defined as an unpleasant sensation which provokes the desire to scratch (1). From a phylogenetic point of view, itching can be regarded as a “physiological” and well-adapted nociceptive sensation that induces scratching in order to remove potentially noxious or damaging stimuli, such as ectoparasites, fibres or chemicals from the skin surface. When itching occurs as a symptom of skin disease or internal disorder, its nociceptive function is dubious, as scratching can lead to further damage of the skin, increasing the inflammation and pruritus, i.e. a vicious “itch-scratch” circle is initiated. Mild pruritus may occur in people’s everyday life and therefore it is often overlooked as a trivial phenomenon, but intense itching can be extremely distressing and as disabling as severe pain. Today’s knowledge of the pathophysiology of itching is based on studies of human subjects, as no research models for the investigation of itching in animals are established (2). Although scratching often occurs in animals, there is no definite proof that it always reflects the sensation of itching (3). The highly subjective nature of pruritus makes it an intricate task for the investigator to evaluate. To circumvent the problem of measuring such a subjective symptom, some investigators have developed methods for measurement of scratching, as this is the objective correlate to itching. The methods have included various nocturnal movement-sensitive C J . Wahlgren