Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Learners' Prosodic Control in the Task of Expressive Storytelling and Predicted Native Listeners' Impressions of the Learners' Speech

Various kinds of L1 transfer are found in L2 speech, which often inﬂuence transmission of both linguistic and para-linguistic information. In this study, we focus on how adequately Japanese learners of English can transmit para-linguistic expressions in the task of storytelling. For this aim, we analyze 1) how learners control the prosodic features to express speciﬁed emotions and 2) what kind of impressions native listeners perceive from the learners’ expressions. For the ﬁrst analysis, the learners’ prosodic control is compared with the corresponding native control. For the second analysis, with speech emotion recognition technology, L2 speech is converted to its emotion poste-riorgram. Then, the intended emotions are compared with the perceived emotions. Experiments show the learners have difﬁ-culty in imitating the native intensity control, especially when expressing sadness, and distinction among perceived emotions is remarkably reduced.
Autistic clinical profiles, age at first concern, and diagnosis among children with autism spectrum disorder

Background To explore the relationship between autistic clinical profiles and age at first concern and diagnosis among children with autism spectrum disorder. The clinical profiles included the severity of autism, cognition, adaptability, language development, and regression. Methods The multivariate linear regression model was used to examine the association of diagnostic age and first-concern age with autistic clinical profiles and with further stratification analysis. Results A total of 801 autistic children were included. Language delay and regression were associated with earlier diagnostic age (language delay: crudeβ: −0.80, 95%CI%: −0.92–−0.68; regression: crudeβ: −0.21, 95%CI%: −0.43–−0.00) and the age of first concern of autistic children (language delay: crudeβ: −0.55, 95%CI%: −0.65–−0.45; regression: crudeβ: −0.17, 95%CI%: −0.34–−0.00). After stratification by sex, language delay tended to be more associated with the earlier diagnostic age among boys (crudeβ: −0.85, 95%CI%: −0.98–−0.72) than among girls (crudeβ: −0.46, 95%CI%: −0.77–−0.16). After stratification by maternal education level or family income level, language delay was most associated with the earlier diagnostic age in autistic children from families with higher socioeconomic levels. Conclusion Language delay, rather than other symptoms, promoted an earlier diagnostic age. Among male autistic children or children from families with higher socioeconomic levels, language delay was most significantly associated with an earlier age of diagnosis. Cognitive delay, or adaptive delay, was associated with a later age at diagnosis and presented only in autistic children from families with lower socioeconomic levels. There may be sex or socioeconomic inequality in the diagnostic age for autistic children. More publicity and public education about the diversity of autistic symptoms are urgently needed in the future, especially for low-socioeconomic families.
Influences of Increasing Pedicle Screw Diameter on Widening Vertebral Pedicle Size during Surgery in Spinal Deformities in Children and Adolescents without Higher Risk of Pedicle and Vertebral Breaches

Background: A very common technique for treating spinal deformities in children and adolescents is the use of segmental screws. In order to obtain proper stability and the best possible correction, the screws must first be precisely inserted. Additional factors influencing the quality and success of the operation are the size and quality of the bone, the skills of the surgeon, and biomechanical factors, i.e., the width and length of the screws used during surgery. Our study was focused on evaluating the effect of increasing the diameter of the instrumented pedicles by pedicle screws and assessing the safety of expanding these pedicles with screws of various sizes in children with spinal deformities during the growth period, using preoperative magnetic resonance imaging and postoperative computed tomography (CT) to assess and compare preoperative size measurements from MRI to postoperative CT measurements. Methods: We obtained data for evaluation from the available medical records and treatment histories of patients aged 2 to 18 who underwent surgical treatment of spinal deformities in the years 2016–2023. In 230 patients (28 male and 202 female), 7954 vertebral bodies were scanned by preoperative MRI, and 5080 pedicle screws were inserted during surgery, which were then assessed by postoperative CT scan. For the most accurate assessment, patients were classified into three age groups: 2–5 years (Group 1), 6–10 years (Group 2), and 11–18 years (Group 3). In addition, we studied implant subgroups: vertebral bodies with inserted pedicles of screw sizes 5.0 mm and 5.5 mm (Group S), and pedicles of screw sizes 6.0 mm, 6.5 mm, and 7.0 mm (Group L). Results: The morphology of pedicles (Lenke classification) analyzed before surgery using MRI was 55.2% type A, 33.8% type B, 4.7% type C, and 6.3% type D. The postoperative lateral and medial breaches were noted, and these did not cause any complications requiring revision surgery. The mean pedicle diameter before surgery for T1–L5 vertebral pedicles was between 3.79 (1.44) mm and 5.68 (1.64) mm. The mean expanding diameter of pedicles after surgery for T1–L5 vertebral pedicles ranged from 1.90 (0.39) mm to 2.92 (0.28) mm, which corresponds to the extension of the pedicle diameter in the mean range of 47% (4.1)–71% (3.0). We noted that the mean vertebral pedicle expansion was 49% in Group 1, 52% in Group 2, and 62% in Group 3 (N.S.), and the mean expansion for 7.0 mm screw pedicles was 78%. Conclusions: Our study confirms that there is a wide range of expansion of the vertebral pedicle during screw insertion (up to 78%) with a low risk of lateral or medial breaches and without an increased risk of complications. The larger the diameter of the screw inserted into the pedicle, the more the pedicle expands. Pedicle measurements by preoperative MRI may be helpful for sufficient reliability in preoperative planning.
Fabricating niosomal-PEG nanoparticles co-loaded with metformin and silibinin for effective treatment of human lung cancer cells

Background Despite current therapies, lung cancer remains a global issue and requires the creation of novel treatment methods. Recent research has shown that biguanides such as metformin (MET) and silibinin (SIL) have a potential anticancer effect. As a consequence, the effectiveness of MET and SIL in combination against lung cancer cells was investigated in this study to develop an effective and novel treatment method. Methods Niosomal nanoparticles were synthesized via the thin-film hydration method, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) techniques were used to evaluate their physico-chemical characteristics. The cytotoxic effects of free and drug-loaded nanoparticles (NPs), as well as their combination, on A549 cells were assessed using the MTT assay. An apoptosis test was used while under the influence of medication to identify the molecular mechanisms behind programmed cell death. With the use of a cell cycle test, it was determined whether pharmaceutical effects caused the cell cycle to stop progressing. Additionally, the qRT-PCR technique was used to evaluate the levels of hTERT, BAX, and BCL-2 gene expression after 48-h medication treatment. Results In the cytotoxicity assay, the growth of A549 lung cancer cells was inhibited by both MET and SIL. Compared to the individual therapies, the combination of MET and SIL dramatically and synergistically decreased the IC50 values of MET and SIL in lung cancer cells. Furthermore, the combination of MET and SIL produced lower IC50 values and a better anti-proliferative effect on A549 lung cancer cells. Real-time PCR results showed that the expression levels of hTERT and BCL-2 were significantly reduced in lung cancer cell lines treated with MET and SIL compared to single treatments (p< 0.001). Conclusion It is anticipated that the use of nano-niosomal-formed MET and SIL would improve lung cancer treatment outcomes and improve the therapeutic efficiency of lung cancer cells.
Designing optical negative curvature hollow-core fibers with rotated elliptical cladding elements

We propose a unique design of negative curvature optical fibers utilizing rotational elliptical cladding structures. The silica-based fibers were numerically characterized using a finite element method-based electromagnetic solver. Different topologies consisting of rotational cladding elements with different tube thicknesses and core diameters were studied. The investigation focused on confinement losses, birefringence, and higher-order mode extinction based on varying tube sizes and rotational angles. Results showed up to 20% improvement in confinement losses for rotated structures, with minimum losses of 4.47*10-4 dB/m at 1.5 μm wavelength. The designed fibers possess polarization-dependent characteristics, and higher-order mode extinction analysis showed dominant single-mode transmission.
Conservation of cultural heritage buildings: Methodology and application to case studies.

ABSTRACT Modern societies understand built cultural heritage as a landmark of culture and diversity. Only during the last decades the idea that ancient buildings could be conserved and reused became appealing. Still, a large part of this heritage is affected by structural problems which menace the safety of buildings and people. The developments in the areas of inspection, non-destructive testing, monitoring and structural analysis of historical constructions, together with recent guidelines for reuse and conservation, allow for safer, economical and more adequate remedial measures. The paper addresses the issues of the methodology to adopt, of different cases studies and of present challenges. In particular, recent interventions in Portuguese cases studies (the Cathedral of Porto and a theological school in Braga) are analyzed in detail. Keywords: Cultural heritage buildings; Conservation and rehabilitation; Earthquakes and seismic engineering; Case studies. RESUMEN Las sociedades modernas entienden su patrimonio cultural como un hito de cultura y diversidad. Solo durante las ultimas decadas la idea de que edificios antiguos podrian ser conservados y reutilizados se ha convertido en atractiva. Sin embargo, una gran parte de este patrimonio es afectado por problemas estructurales lo cual amenaza la seguridad de los edificios y personas. Los desarrollos en el area de inspeccion, ensayos no destructivos, seguimiento y analisis estructural de construcciones historicas, bien como recientes normas para reutilizacion y conservacion, permiten medidas correctivas mas seguras, economicas y adecuadas. El articulo aborda las metodologias adoptadas, en diferentes casos de estudio asi como presentes desafios. En particular, intervenciones recientes en casos de estudio en Portugal (Catedral de Porto y Seminario de Braga) son analizadas con detalle. Palabras Clave: Edificios de patrimonio cultural; Conservacion y rehabilitacion; Terremotos e ingenieria sismica; Casos de estudio.
A New Exopolysaccharide from a Wood-Decaying Fungus Spongipellis borealis for a Wide Range of Biotechnological Applications

Fungi are a unique natural resource rich in polysaccharides, proteins, and other components. Polysaccharides are considered one of the most important bioactive components in fungi. Increasing numbers of studies have confirmed that fungal polysaccharides have various biological activities. Given these facts, the main aim of this investigation was to carry out isolation, identification, and structural characterisation of a new polysaccharide (EPS) derived from laboratory-cultured vegetative mycelium of a new Spongipellis borealis strain isolated from the environment. The examination of monosaccharides in the EPS demonstrated that the isolated biopolymer was composed mainly of glucose, galactose, and mannose monomers. The analysis of the methylation of the studied polymer indicated that it contained mainly terminal, →3)-linked, →4)-linked, and →2,4)-linked hexoses. The effect of fungal polysaccharides on S. borealis proteolytic enzymes (pepsin, trypsin, and pycnoporopepsin) and laccase activity was determined for the first time. Incubation of the enzyme preparation and EPS showed an influence of EPS on the stability of these enzymes, compared to the control values (without EPS).
Molecular Interplay between Non-Host Resistance, Pathogens and Basal Immunity as a Background for Fatal Yellowing in Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) Plants

An oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) bud rod disorder of unknown etiology, named Fatal Yellowing (FY) disease, is regarded as one of the top constraints with respect to the growth of the palm oil industry in Brazil. FY etiology has been a challenge embraced by several research groups in plant pathology throughout the last 50 years in Brazil, with no success in completing Koch’s postulates. Most recently, the hypothesis of having an abiotic stressor as the initial cause of FY has gained ground, and oxygen deficiency (hypoxia) damaging the root system has become a candidate for stress. Here, a comprehensive, large-scale, single- and multi-omics integration analysis of the metabolome and transcriptome profiles on the leaves of oil palm plants contrasting in terms of FY symptomatology—asymptomatic and symptomatic—and collected in two distinct seasons—dry and rainy—is reported. The changes observed in the physicochemical attributes of the soil and the chemical attributes and metabolome profiles of the leaves did not allow the discrimination of plants which were asymptomatic or symptomatic for this disease, not even in the rainy season, when the soil became waterlogged. However, the multi-omics integration analysis of enzymes and metabolites differentially expressed in asymptomatic and/or symptomatic plants in the rainy season compared to the dry season allowed the identification of the metabolic pathways most affected by the changes in the environment, opening an opportunity for additional characterization of the role of hypoxia in FY symptom intensification. Finally, the initial analysis of a set of 56 proteins/genes differentially expressed in symptomatic plants compared to the asymptomatic ones, independent of the season, has presented pieces of evidence suggesting that breaks in the non-host resistance to non-adapted pathogens and the basal immunity to adapted pathogens, caused by the anaerobic conditions experienced by the plants, might be linked to the onset of this disease. This set of genes might offer the opportunity to develop biomarkers for selecting oil palm plants resistant to this disease and to help pave the way to employing strategies to keep the safety barriers raised and strong.
BFBE-Net: deep bilateral fusion and bilateral embedded network for real-time semantic segmentation

Abstract. Real-time semantic segmentation has been challenging, and the fusion of features from different branches remains crucial to improvement. The two-branch structure has shown promising results in real-time semantic segmentation. However, upsampling feature maps from the semantic branch to match the detail branch leads to a loss of object feature information and compromises segmentation accuracy. We propose a deep bilateral fusion and bilateral embedded network (BFBE-Net) based on the encoder–decoder structure for real-time semantic segmentation to address these issues. The BFBE-Net adopts a two-branch design in the encoder, with a top-down fusion module and a bottom-up fusion module designed to integrate multi-scale context information in the channel dimension, and assigns different weights to detailed information and semantic information to enhance information characteristics. In the decoder, a bilateral embedded attention module under the guidance of spatial and channel attention integrates semantic and spatial features, gradually upsampling feature maps to reduce the loss of feature information. In addition, an enhanced aggregation pyramid pooling module is designed to efficiently extract contextual information by combining depth-wise asymmetric convolution. The proposed algorithm is evaluated on two benchmark datasets, Cityscapes and CamVid, achieving 78.5% mean intersection over union (mIoU) at 82 frames per second (FPS) on the Cityscapes test set and 79.2% mIoU at 131 FPS on the CamVid test set. The proposed BFBE-Net not only improves segmentation accuracy but also ensures real-time performance.
Cost-Effectiveness of Glucosamine in Osteoarthritis Treatment: A Systematic Review

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic condition that most frequently affects older adults. It is currently the most common disability. The cost of treating an aging population places pressure on the healthcare budget. As a result, it is imperative to evaluate medicines’ cost-effectiveness and, accordingly, their influence on health resource allocation. Our study aims to summarize the cost and outcome of utilizing glucosamine in OA treatment. Databases like Medline, Cochrane, and Scopus were searched as part of the identification process up until April 2023. Our primary inclusion criteria centered on the economic evaluation of glucosamine in OA treatments, providing an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). The Quality of Health Economic Studies (QHES) instrument was applied to grade the quality of the studies. Seven qualified studies that discussed the cost-effectiveness of glucosamine with or without other formulations were selected. All of them demonstrated that glucosamine was cost-effective. There was an increase in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) when incorporating glucosamine in conventional care. Moreover, patented crystalline glucosamine sulfate (pCGS) was more cost-effective than the other formulations of glucosamine (OFG). Overall, utilizing pCGS was more beneficial than using OFG in terms both of cost and quality of life.
Applying Self-Optimised Feedback to a Learning Management System for Facilitating Personalised Learning Activities on Massive Open Online Courses

Web-based educational systems collect tremendous amounts of electronic data, ranging from simple histories of students’ interactions with the system to detailed traces of their reasoning. However, less attention has been given to the pedagogical interaction data of customised learning in a gamification environment. This study aims to research user experience, communication methods, and feedback and survey functionalities among the existing learning management system; understand the data flow of the online study feedback loop; propose the design of a personalised feedback system; and conclude with a discussion of the findings from the collected experiment data. We will test the importance of gamification learning and analytics learning, as well as conduct a literature review and laboratory experiment to examine how they can influence the effectiveness of monetary incentive schemes. This research will explain the significance of gamification learning and personalised feedback on motivation and performance during the learning journey.
Traditional Medicine as a part of Indian healthcare system: Challenges and Recommendations

Traditional Medicine (TM) is a system of medicine which is a combination of medicine theories of various cultures, which can help in health maintenance, diseases prevention and diagnostics. But this system of medicine has not been globally recognized and accepted, due to numerous reasons including, lack of research, technology, funding etc, the present review focuses on discussing the gaps and limitations at both academic and administrative level in acceptance of TM as a part of Indian Healthcare system. Certain in vivo and in vitro studies have been discussed in the present review which have shown the beneficial effects of TM of various heath conditions. Based on the discussed studies and limitations, the authors have further proposed certain recommendations which includes documentation, national policies and academics that can be helpful in implementation of TM as a part of Indian healthcare system. Through the present study the authors have proposed that TM is an important healthcare system, and this can be combined with the conventional medicine to reduce the burden on healthcare system in India.
Using neural networks for dimensioning and certification of mechanical systems: model precision and accuracy

Neural networks show impressive performance in lots of domains to handle problems of high complexity. They are universal approximators and can, in principle, be used to learn any type of model. Their use would be of a great benefit as they can be intended to automate major tasks within an engineering project (such as system dimensioning, certification, and criteria verification). However, it is not yet customary to use these technics for lack of competitiveness against forward engineering calculations. One major issue is the robustness and the difficulty to ensure high precisions for deterministic predictions. In this work, we investigate the ability of neural networks to be used to approximate engineering models and their performance in terms of precision and accuracy per target relative error. Increasing accuracy requires understanding how these models work in a deeper way. Applications on use-cases of mechanical structures are used to understand the behaviour of neural networks for this type of problems and illustrate the encountered constraints.
Effects of Oral Alpha-Lipoic Acid Treatment on Diabetic Polyneuropathy: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) was found to improve the symptoms in patients with diabetic sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy (DSPN) by reducing oxidative stress and ameliorating microcirculation. Our meta-analysis is aimed at evaluating the effects of oral-administered ALA versus a placebo in patients with DSPN and determining the optimal dosage for this treatment. We systematically reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases to determine the efficacy of oral ALA for patients with DSPN. The primary outcome was total symptoms’ score (TSS), and secondary outcomes were the neurological disability score (NDS), neuropathy impaired score (NIS), NIS-lower limb (NIS-LL), vibration perception threshold (VPT), nerve conduction study (NCS) results, and global satisfaction. A subgroup analysis of the ALA dosage (600, 1200, and 1800 mg/day) was also conducted. Ten RCTs (1242 patients) were included. ALA treatment produced favorable results for TSS (a dose-related trend was observed), NDS, and the global satisfaction score. For VAS, VPT, NIS-LL, and NCS results, ALA did not produce favorable results. ALA treatment had favorable effects on DSPN by reducing sensory symptoms, and it resulted in a dose-dependent response relative to the placebo for TSS and the global satisfaction score. The use of ALA to prevent neurological symptoms should be further researched.