Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
What are the contextual phonetic variants of in colloquial Spanish?

Abstract Intensity differences were used to measure the degree of lenition of the voiced approximants in various contexts in order to contrast them with their stop variants [b, d, g], and in order to investigate the contexts in which they are traditionally thought to appear. 3,011 instances were taken from telephone conversations of eight native Spanish speakers from seven countries. The influence of phonetic context (post-pausal, post-nasal, post-lateral, etc.), stress, word frequency, appearance in a suffix (e.g., -ado, -aba) was determined using multiple regression. In line with traditional analyses, the results show that the voiced approximants are most lenited intervocalically and least lenited after a pause. However, post-nasal and post-lateral instances fall between these extremes. In addition, /β/, , and /γ/ are also more stop-like when following [s] or [h]. Traditional analyses do not factor in the influence of stress, word frequency, word boundaries, or appearance in a suffix, yet these emerge as significant predictors. Although the distribution of the variants of these three approximants is generally thought to be due to a unitary rule, significant differences between the three suggest otherwise. When followed by a stressed syllable, /β/ and exhibit more constriction when compared to /γ/, while all three phones are less lenited when they fall between two stressed syllables. /β/ and are also more constricted when they appear intervocalically in word-initial position when compared to word-internal intervocalic tokens, while the same is not true for /γ/. Contra traditional descriptions, is no less lenited than /β/ or /γ/ following a lateral. Instances of are also more lenited when they appear in high frequency words and less lenited in low frequency words. On the other hand, frequency is not a factor for /β/ and /γ/.
Crystal structure of the M1 protein‐binding domain of the influenza A virus nuclear export protein (NEP/NS2)

During influenza virus infection, viral ribonucleoproteins (vRNPs) are replicated in the nucleus and must be exported to the cytoplasm before assembling into mature viral particles. Nuclear export is mediated by the cellular protein Crm1 and putatively by the viral protein NEP/NS2. Proteolytic cleavage of NEP defines an N‐terminal domain which mediates RanGTP‐dependent binding to Crm1 and a C‐ terminal domain which binds to the viral matrix protein M1. The 2.6 Å crystal structure of the C‐terminal domain reveals an amphipathic helical hairpin which dimerizes as a four‐helix bundle. The NEP–M1 interaction involves two critical epitopes: an exposed tryptophan (Trp78) surrounded by a cluster of glutamate residues on NEP, and the basic nuclear localization signal (NLS) of M1. Implications for vRNP export are discussed.
A CHROMOSOMAL CLINE IN THE GRASSHOPPER PODISMA PEDESTRIS

Narrow clines, especially those which involve chromosomal differentiation, have excited a great deal of interest recently, primarily because they are suggestive of incipient speciation (see Endler, 1977; White, 1978). Hewitt (1975), following on the work of John and Hewitt (1970), and Hewitt and John (1972), described a narrow interface between two chromosome races of the alpine grasshopper, Podisma pedestris. Over most of its range, which extends over Siberia, the European Alps, the northern Appennines, and the Pyrenees, this insect has (as far as we can tell) an XO sex chromosome system. In the Alpes Maritimes, however, a Robertsonian fusion between an acrocentric autosome and the X chromosome has led to the fixation over a wide area of a neo-XY sex chromosome system. The two races meet in the high mountain ridge which runs from east to west along the FrenchItalian border, and on into France (Fig. 1). Six areas were found in which the two races approached each other closely. At four of these, mixed populations, which included heterozygous females, were found. A detailed study has been made of the easternmost end of the cline, near Col de Tende (Fig. 2). This paper presents the results of the intensive mapping of karyotypic frequencies in this region, and discusses the ways in which the chromosomal cline might be maintained.
Integral crystalline cohomology over very ramified valuation rings

In this paper we intend to show how Fontaine's comparison-theory ([Fol], [Fo2]) between crystalline and p-adic etale cohomology can be extented to very ramified base rings. So far it had been developed either for Qp-coefficients, or Zp-coefficients if the base is unramified over the Witt-vectors (see [Fa2]). For example it states that for any p-adic discrete valuation-ring V there exists a ring B(V) with the following property: If X denotes a smooth and proper V-scheme, the p-adic etale cohomology of the generic fiber X Xv K is related to the crystalline cohomology of X/V0 (Vo defined below) by an isomorphism
Heterogeneous architecture for the optimization of large-scale graph processing data centres

Con el auge del Cloud Computing, las aplicaciones de proceso de datos han sufrido un incremento de demanda, y por ello ha cobrado importancia lograr m�as eficiencia en los Centros de Proceso de datos. El objetivo de este trabajo es la obtenci�on de herramientas que permitan analizar la viabilidad y rentabilidad de disenar Centros de Datos especializados para procesamiento de datos, con una arquitectura, sistemas de refrigeraci�on, etc. adaptados. Algunas aplicaciones de procesamiento de datos se benefician de las arquitecturas software, mientras que en otras puede ser m�as eficiente un procesamiento con arquitectura hardware. Debido a que ya hay software con muy buenos resultados en el procesamiento de grafos, como el sistema XPregel, en este proyecto se realizara una arquitectura hardware en VHDL, implementando el algoritmo PageRank de Google de forma escalable. Se ha escogido este algoritmo ya que podr��a ser m�as eficiente en arquitectura hardware, debido a sus caracteristicas concretas que se indicaraan m�as adelante. PageRank sirve para ordenar las p�aginas por su relevancia en la web, utilizando para ello la teori��a de grafos, siendo cada pagina web un vertice de un grafo; y los enlaces entre paginas, las aristas del citado grafo. En este proyecto, primero se realizara un an�alisis del estado de la tecnica. Se supone que la implementaci�on en XPregel, un sistema de procesamiento de grafos, es una de las m�as eficientes. Por ello se estudiara esta �ultima implementaci�on. Sin embargo, debido a que Xpregel procesa, en general, algoritmos que trabajan con grafos; no tiene en cuenta ciertas caracteri��sticas del algoritmo PageRank, por lo que la implementaci�on no es �optima. Esto es debido a que en PageRank, almacenar todos los datos que manda un mismo v�ertice es un gasto innecesario de memoria ya que todos los mensajes que manda un vertice son iguales entre si e iguales a su PageRank. Se realizara el diseno en VHDL teniendo en cuenta esta caracter��istica del citado algoritmo,evitando almacenar varias veces los mensajes que son iguales. Se ha elegido implementar PageRank en VHDL porque actualmente las arquitecturas de los sistemas operativos no escalan adecuadamente. Se busca evaluar si con otra arquitectura se obtienen mejores resultados. Se realizara un diseno partiendo de cero, utilizando la memoria ROM de IPcore de Xillinx (Software de desarrollo en VHDL), generada autom�aticamente. Se considera hacer cuatro tipos de modulos para que as�� el procesamiento se pueda hacer en paralelo. Se simplificar�a la estructura de XPregel con el fin de intentar aprovechar la particularidad de PageRank mencionada, que hace que XPregel no le saque el m�aximo partido. Despu�es se escribira el c�odigo, realizando una estructura escalable, ya que en la computacion intervienen millones de paginas web. A continuacion, se sintetizar�a y se probara el codigo en una FPGA. El �ultimo paso sera una evaluaci�on de la implementaci�on, y de posibles mejoras en cuanto al consumo.
Anafilaxis, estado del arte

La anafilaxis se puede definir como un sindrome constituido por una variedad de sintomas, que usualmente atentan contra la vida y que puede ser causado por varios mecanismos, los cuales son generalmente de indole inmunologico. Las reacciones causadas por mecanismos no inmunologicos que desencadenan los mismos fenomenos fisiopatologicos se denominan reacciones anafilactoideas. Las manifestaciones clinicas pueden aparecer entre 5 y 30 minutos despues de la exposicion al agente causal, sin embargo, existen pacientes en los que los signos y sintomas se manifiestan hasta horas despues. Todos los eventos moleculares que ocurran se traducen en dano a organos blancos. Los organos mas afectados durante una reaccion anafilactica varian entre especies. En el ser humano, el corazon y el pulmon son los mas afectados. Cualquier agente es capaz de activar y producir degranulacion de mastocitos y basofilos para culminar en una crisis anafilactica o anafilactoidea, al menos potencialmente. Para lograr un adecuado tratamiento de una crisis anafilactica, debemos comprender que no todos los casos se presentan de una misma manera. El progreso puede ser muy veloz y severo en un paciente. Adrenalina es el medicamento de eleccion. Mantener las vias aereas expeditas y garantizar una homeostasis del sistema cardiovascular son los objetivos del tratamiento farmacologico. Palabras clave: Anafilaxis, angioedema, urticaria, tratamiento.
Drive motor designs for electric motorcycles

This paper addresses the design of motors for electric motorcycle racing. These tend to be high torque-dense brushless permanent-magnet machines (either DC or AC) operating over a very wide speed range with an extended maximum power range above base speed. The thermal design and operation are key to their successful utilization and this is a major focus of this paper. The motors can operate at very high current density for a short time during acceleration.
Cysteine: a potential biomarker for obstructive sleep apnea.

OBJECTIVE Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a risk factor for a number of cardiovascular conditions. Although homocysteine (Hcy) and cysteine (Cys) are regarded as cardiovascular risk factors, few studies have analyzed Hcy and Cys plasma concentrations in patients with OSA. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of Hcy and Cys in OSA in comparison with subjects without OSA and to determine the possible influence of obesity on these variables. METHODS Patients who submitted to polysomnography studies were recruited to engage in an 8-h fasting period for blood sample withdrawal, physical examination, ECG, and echocardiogram. A subgroup of lean patients with OSA (BMI < 25 kg/m(2)) were analyzed to rule out the influence of obesity. Fifteen patients were randomly assigned to participate in a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) protocol to assess the influence of OSA treatment on the obtained measurements. RESULTS A total of 75 patients and 75 control subjects matched for age and sex were analyzed. The Cys plasma levels were higher in patients with OSA compared with control subjects (490.16 ± 67.00 μmol/L vs 439.81 ± 76.12 μmol/L, respectively, P < .01); however, the Hcy plasma levels did not differ between groups. Cys plasma levels were also higher in the OSA lean subgroup when compared with lean control subjects (484.21 ± 71.99 μmol/L vs 412.01 ± 70.73 μmol/L, respectively, P = .009). There was a significant decrease of Cys plasma levels after 6 months of CPAP effective therapy. CONCLUSION Cys is a potential biomarker of OSA in obese and nonobese patients and is reduced after effective OSA treatment.
Manipulating Tabletop Objects to Interactively Query a Database

We present a prototype for a Tangible User Interface designed for interactive data visualization, which we believe will be useful for facilitating collaborative work in data analytics. Our hybrid system combines a tabletop graspable user interface with a two-dimensional screen display; the users interrogate the data by manipulating tokens on the tabletop and the screen displays the results of the user's query. The objects are tagged using fiducial markers, which are identified with open-source ReacTIVision computer vision software, and the visualization code is written in Processing. In this demonstration, we use radio station listener demographic data, but the system can be used to query various data sets.
Carbon Footprint and Sulphur Emissions for International Wine Distribution using Alternative Routeing and Packaging Scenarios

There is a large body of research related to carbon footprint reduction in supply chains and logistics from a wide range of sectors where the decarbonisation of freight transport is frequently explored from a single mode perspective and at domestic/regional level (Jardine, 2009; Maersk, 2013; Wiesmann, 2010). The decarbonisation of global freight transport chains needs to take into account a range of alternative transport modes and routes in addition to the decisions related to the alternative product packaging at source or closer to the demand points. This paper intends to address these shortcomings and the research presents a “gate to gate” carbon footprint and sulphur calculations methodology related to the distribution of wine from Australia and Italy to the UK.
Biodistribution of gadolinium‐based contrast agents, including gadolinium deposition

The biodistribution of approved gadolinium (Gd)‐based contrast agents (GBCAs) is reviewed. After intravenous injection GBCAs distribute in the blood and the extracellular space and transiently through the excretory organs. Preclinical animal studies and the available clinical literature indicate that all these compounds are excreted intact. Elimination tends to be rapid and, for the most part, complete. In renally insufficient patients the plasma elimination half‐life increases substantially from hours to days depending on renal function. In patients with impaired renal function and nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), the agents gadodiamide, gadoversetamide, and gadopentetate dimeglumine have been shown to result in Gd deposition in the skin and internal organs. In these cases, it is likely that the Gd is no longer present as the GBCA, but this has still not been definitively shown. In preclinical models very small amounts of Gd are retained in the bone and liver, and the amount retained correlates with the kinetic and thermodynamic stability of the GBCA with respect to Gd release in vitro. The pattern of residual Gd deposition in NSF subjects may be different than that observed in preclinical rodent models. GBCAs are designed to be used via intravenous administration. Altering the route of administration and/or the formulation of the GBCA can dramatically alter the biodistribution of the GBCA and can increase the likelihood of Gd deposition. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:1259–1267. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Digital media, the developing brain and the interpretive plasticity of neuroplasticity

The use and misuse of digital technologies among adolescents has been the focus of fiery debates among parents, educators, policy-makers and in the media. Recently, these debates have become shaped by emerging data from cognitive neuroscience on the development of the adolescent brain and cognition. “Neuroplasticity” has functioned as a powerful metaphor in arguments both for and against the pervasiveness of digital media cultures that increasingly characterize teenage life. In this paper, we propose that the debates concerning adolescents are the meeting point of two major social anxieties both of which are characterized by the threat of “abnormal” (social) behaviour: existing moral panics about adolescent behaviour in general and the growing alarm about intense, addictive, and widespread media consumption in modern societies. Neuroscience supports these fears but the same kinds of evidence are used to challenge these fears and reframe them in positive terms. Here, we analyze discourses about digital media, the Internet, and the adolescent brain in the scientific and lay literature. We argue that while the evidential basis is thin and ambiguous, it has immense social influence. We conclude by suggesting how we might move beyond the poles of neuro-alarmism and neuro-enthusiasm. By analyzing the neurological adolescent in the digital age as a socially extended mind, firstly, in the sense that adolescent cognition is distributed across the brain, body, and digital media tools and secondly, by viewing adolescent cognition as enabled and transformed by the institution of neuroscience, we aim to displace the normative terms of current debates.
Interleukin gene polymorphisms in age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE To investigate polymorphisms in a candidate gene of interleukin (IL) in unrelated Taiwan Chinese patients with late age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and control subjects without AMD. METHODS In this retrospective, case-control study, 312 unrelated Taiwan Chinese patients with late AMD and 180 age- and sex-matched control subjects were enrolled. Late AMD was classified as either atrophic (dry) or neovascular (wet) according to the International ARM Epidemiologic Study. Genomic DNA was prepared from peripheral blood obtained from all patients with AMD and control subjects. Polymerase chain reactions were used to analyze 14 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in candidate genes of 5 ILs: IL-1beta(2q14): -511 T/C; IL-6 (7p21): -572 C/G and -596 G/A; IL-8 (4q13-q21): -251 A/T, +781 C/T, +1633 T/C, and +2767 A/T; IL-10 (1q31-q32): -592 A/C, -819 C/T, and -1082 G/A; and IL-18 (11q22.2-q22.3): +105 A/C, -137 C/G, -607 A/C, and -656 T/G. RESULTS In the 312 patients with late AMD, dry AMD was diagnosed in 136 and wet AMD in 176. Among the 14 SNPs in the 5 IL genes studied, only the IL-8 +781 C/T SNP was significantly associated with wet AMD (T allele: 46% in wet AMD versus 28% in the control subjects, P = 1.03 x 10(-6), OR = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.58-2.94). The association analysis based on genotypes at both IL-8 +781 C/T and the CFH Y402H demonstrated that the IL-8 +781 C/T to AMD was not significant when analyzed conditional on the presence of the CFH Y402H C risk allele and vice versa. The IL-8 +781 C/T was in low linkage disequilibrium with CFH Y402H (D' = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS The data suggest that Taiwan Chinese carriers of the IL-8 +781 T allele, independent of the CFH Y402H polymorphism, are at increased risk of developing wet AMD.
FMRP Mediates Chronic Ethanol-Induced Changes in NMDA, Kv4.2, and KChIP3 Expression in the Hippocampus.

BACKGROUND Exposure to chronic ethanol (EtOH) results in changes in the expression of proteins that regulate neuronal excitability. This study examined whether chronic EtOH alters the hippocampal expression and function of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) and the role of FMRP in the modulation of chronic EtOH-induced changes in the expression of NMDA receptors and Kv4.2 channels. METHODS For in vivo studies, C57BL/6J mice underwent a chronic intermittent EtOH (CIE) vapor exposure procedure. After CIE, hippocampal tissue was collected and subjected to immunoblot blot analysis of NMDA receptor subunits (GluN1, GluN2B), Kv4.2, and its accessory protein KChIP3. For in vitro studies, hippocampal slice cultures were exposed to 75 mM EtOH for 8 days. Following EtOH exposure, mRNAs bound to FMRP was measured. In a separate set of studies, cultures were exposed to an inhibitor of S6K1 (PF-4708671 [PF], 6 μM) in order to assess whether EtOH-induced homeostatic changes in protein expression depend upon changes in FMRP activity. RESULTS Immunoblot blot analysis revealed increases in GluN1 and GluN2B but reductions in Kv4.2 and KChIP3. Analysis of mRNAs bound to FMRP revealed a similar bidirectional change observed as reduction of GluN2B and increase in Kv4.2 and KChIP3 mRNA transcripts. Analysis of FMRP further revealed that while chronic EtOH did not alter the expression of FMRP, it significantly increased phosphorylation of FMRP at the S499 residue that is known to critically regulate its activity. Inhibition of S6K1 prevented the chronic EtOH-induced increase in phospho-FMRP and changes in NMDA subunits, Kv4.2, and KChIP3. In contrast, PF had no effect in the absence of alcohol, indicating it was specific for the chronic EtOH-induced changes. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate that chronic EtOH exposure enhances translational control of plasticity-related proteins by FMRP, and that S6K1 and FMRP activities are required for expression of chronic EtOH-induced homeostatic plasticity at glutamatergic synapses in the hippocampus.
Investigations and treatment of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy and other inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathies

Purpose of reviewThe evaluation of demyelinating polyneuropathies and the data for treatment of inflammatory demyelinating peripheral neuropathies, particularly chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP), will be discussed. Recent findingsA large clinical trial showed short and long-term efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) for the treatment of CIDP and the US Food and Drug Administration approved the use of IVIG (Gamunex) as a treatment for CIDP. Recent trials for other agents for CIDP treatment have not proved as promising, with a large study of methotrexate failing to show significant benefit. There are recent cases of monoclonal antibodies (e.g. rituximab, alemtuzumab) showing benefit in patients with CIDP, but the side effect profiles can be worrisome. SummaryClinical history, neurological exam, spinal fluid examination, and electrophysiological evaluation remain mainstays for the diagnosis of demyelinating inflammatory polyradiculoneuropathy. Genetic testing and nerve biopsy are important diagnostic tools in some patients. Potential treatments for immune-mediated demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathies are varied, with the authors generally favoring IVIG and/or corticosteroids as first-line agents. Plasma exchange can be helpful in selected patients. Data for efficacy of other oral immunomodulatory agents are based primarily on case reports and case series, and have not been uniformly positive. The use of monoclonal antibodies (particularly rituximab) may have promise, but further research needs to be done, and the risks need to be carefully considered.
Energy Analysis of Contention Tree-Based Access Protocols in Dense Machine-to-Machine Area Networks

Machine-to-Machine (M2M) area networks aim at connecting an M2M gateway with a large number of energy-constrained devices that must operate autonomously for years. Therefore, attaining high energy efficiency is essential in the deployment of M2M networks. In this paper, we consider a dense M2M area network composed of hundreds or thousands of devices that periodically transmit data upon request from a gateway or coordinator. We theoretically analyse the devices’ energy consumption using two Medium Access Control (MAC) protocols which are based on a tree-splitting algorithm to resolve collisions among devices: the Contention Tree Algorithm (CTA) and the Distributed Queuing (DQ) access. We have carried out computer-based simulations to validate the accuracy of the theoretical models and to compare the energy performance using DQ, CTA, and Frame Slotted-ALOHA (FSA) in M2M area networks with devices in compliance with the IEEE 802.15. 4 physical layer. Results show that the performance of DQ is totally independent of the number of contending devices, and it can reduce the energy consumed per device in more than 35% with respect to CTA and in more than 80% with respect to FSA.