Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Automatic Classification of Autistic Child Vocalisations: A Novel Database and Results

Humanoid robots have in recent years shown great promise for supporting the educational needs of children on the autism spectrum. To further improve the efficacy of such interactions, user-adaptation strategies based on the individual needs of a child are required. In this regard, the proposed study assesses the suitability of a range of speech-based classification approaches for automatic detection of autism severity according to the com- monly used Social Responsiveness Scale ™ second edition (SRS- 2). Autism is characterised by socialisation limitations including child language and communication ability. When compared to neurotypical children of the same age these can be a strong indi- cation of severity. This study introduces a novel dataset of 803 utterances recorded from 14 autistic children aged between 4 – 10 years, during Wizard-of-Oz interactions with a humanoid robot. Our results demonstrate the suitability of support vector machines (SVMs) which use acoustic feature sets from multiple Interspeech C OM P AR E challenges. We also evaluate deep spec- trum features, extracted via an image classification convolutional neural network (CNN) from the spectrogram of autistic speech instances. At best, by using SVMs on the acoustic feature sets, we achieved a UAR of 73.7 % for the proposed 3-class task.
Effects of the Fc‐III tag on activity and stability of green fluorescent protein and human muscle creatine kinase

The Fc‐III tag is a newly developed fusion tag that can be applied to protein purification and detection. In the present work, we use the Fc‐III‐tagged green fluorescent protein (GFP) and human muscle creatine kinase (CK) as model systems to investigate effects of the Fc‐III tag on activities and stabilities of the expressed multicysteine‐containing proteins. Our results show the Fc‐III tag has no adverse effects on the fluorescence of GFP and reduces the occurrence of GFP misfolding due to incorrect Cys oxidation compared with the His‐tagged protein. The activity and stability of the Fc‐III‐tagged CK is slightly lower than that of the tag‐free CK, but is higher than that of the His‐tagged CK as determined by the ratio of the oxidized versus reduced CK. A major portion of His‐tagged CK is in its oxidized form, while that of the Fc‐III‐tagged CK is in its reduced form. A folding model of CK with different tags was proposed, which may provide insights into the effect of the Fc‐III tag on the conformations of disulfide‐bridged proteins.
Low Plasma Cefepime Levels in Critically Ill Septic Patients: Pharmacokinetic Modeling Indicates Improved Troughs with Revised Dosing

ABSTRACT The pharmacokinetics of a 2-g bolus of cefepime were measured in critically ill patients with normal renal function. Variable and low trough plasma drug concentrations were found, and 8 of 10 patients had levels below the MIC at which 50% of the isolates are inhibited forPseudomonas aeruginosa. Computer simulations predicted that continuous infusion and shorter dosing intervals would increase trough levels.
Survivor's story.

"When they told me I had breast cancer, I was very emotional," she says. Brenda talked with her oncologist, Dr. Charles Catcher of New Hampshire Hematology/Oncology in Hooksett about treatment options including chemotherapy, radiation, and lumpectomy, but made the decision to have a mastectomy. "I just wanted it out of my body," she says. The time from her diagnosis to surgery was less than four weeks, but Brenda says it felt like much longer. "I cried all the time, because I thought I was dying. I was working at Cantin Chevrolet at the time, and they were wonderful. I worked with all men in the service department, and nobody knew what to say to me. But they were all there for me, even if I just needed a hug. "
Towards 5G Network Slicing over Multiple-Domains

One of the key objectives of 5G is to evolve the current mobile network architecture from “one-fit-all” design model to a more customized and dynamically scaling one that enables the deployment of parallel systems, tailored to the service requirements on top of a shared infrastructure. Indeed, the envisioned 5G servicesmay require different needs in terms of capacity, latency, bandwidth, reliability and security, which cannot be efficiently sustained by the same network infrastructure. Coming to address these customization challenges, network softwarization expressed through Software Defined Networking (SDN) programmable network infrastructures, Network Function Virtualization (NFV) running network functions as software and cloud computing flexibility paradigms, is seen as a possible panacea to addressing the variations in the network requirements posed by the 5G use cases. This will enable network flexibility and programmability, allow the creation and lifecycle management of virtual network slices tailored to the needs of 5G verticals expressed in the form of Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) for automotive, eHealth, massive IoT, massivemultimedia broadband. In this vein, this paper introduces a potential 5G architecture that enables the orchestration, instantiation and management of end-to-end network slices over multiple administrative and technological domains. The architecture is described from both the management and the service perspective, underlining the common functionality as well as how the response to the diversified service requirements can be achieved through proper software network components development. key words: softwarization, NFV, SDN, cloud computing, orchestration, multi-domain
Rapid climate change in the ocean west of the Antarctic Peninsula during the second half of the 20th century

The climate of the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) is the most rapidly changing in the Southern Hemisphere, with a rise in atmospheric temperature of nearly 3°C since 1951 and associated cryospheric impacts. We demonstrate here, for the first time, that the adjacent ocean showed profound coincident changes, with surface summer temperatures rising more than 1°C and a strong upper‐layer salinification. Initially driven by atmospheric warming and reduced rates of sea ice production, these changes constitute positive feedbacks that will contribute significantly to the continued climate change. Marine species in this region have extreme sensitivities to their environment, with population and species removal predicted in response to very small increases in ocean temperature. The WAP region is an important breeding and nursery ground for Antarctic krill, a key species in the Southern Ocean foodweb with a known dependence on the physical environment. The changes observed thus have significant ecological implications.
Using pharmacokinetics to predict the effects of pregnancy and maternal–infant transfer of drugs during lactation

Knowledge of pharmacokinetics and the use of a mechanistic-based approach can improve our ability to predict the effects of pregnancy for medications when data are limited. Despite the many physiological changes that occur during pregnancy that could theoretically affect absorption, bioavailability does not appear to be altered. Decreased albumin and α1-acid glycoprotein concentrations during pregnancy will result in decreased protein binding for highly bound drugs. For drugs metabolised by the liver, this can result in misinterpretation of total plasma concentrations of low extraction ratio drugs and overdosing of high extraction ratio drugs administered by non-oral routes. Renal clearance and the activity of the CYP isozymes, CYP3A4, 2D6 and 2C9, and uridine 5′-diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase are increased during pregnancy. In contrast, CYP1A2 and 2C19 activity is decreased. The dose of a drug an infant receives during breastfeeding is dependent on the amount excreted into the breast milk, the daily volume of milk ingested and the average plasma concentration of the mother. The lipophilicity, protein binding and ionisation properties of a drug will determine how much is excreted into the breast milk. The milk to plasma concentration ratio has large inter- and intrasubject variability and is often not known. In contrast, protein binding is usually known. An extensive literature review was done to identify case reports including infant concentrations from breast-fed infants exposed to maternal drugs. For drugs that were at least 85% protein bound, measurable concentrations of drug in the infant did not occur if there was no placental exposure immediately prior to or during delivery. Knowledge of the protein binding properties of a drug can provide a quick and easy tool to estimate exposure of an infant to medication from breastfeeding.
Development and evaluation of the liver disease quality of life instrument in persons with advanced, chronic liver disease—the LDQOL 1.0

OBJECTIVES:Assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes in studies of liver disease and liver transplantation is necessary. Reliable and valid disease-targeted HRQOL measures are thus needed. The objective of this study was to develop a reliable and valid self-report HRQOL instrument for ambulatory adults with chronic liver disease.METHODS:The Liver Disease Quality of Life instrument, LDQOL 1.0 (an HRQOL measure that uses the SF-36 as a generic core and 12 disease-targeted multi-item scales) was administered in a multicenter, cross-sectional field test to 221 ambulatory adults with advanced, chronic liver disease referred for primary liver transplantation evaluation. Disease-targeted scales included liver disease–related symptoms, liver disease–related effects on activities of daily living, concentration, memory, sexual functioning, sexual problems, sleep, loneliness, hopelessness, quality of social interaction, health distress, and self-perceived stigma of liver disease. We estimated the internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's α) for multi-item scales and construct validity.RESULTS:Internal consistency reliability coefficients were excellent, ranging from 0.62 to 0.95, with 19 of 20 scales >0.70. Multitrait scaling analysis provided strong support for item discrimination across scales, and exploratory factor analysis demonstrated distinguishable physical, mental, and social health dimensions. Significant associations were found between worse HRQOL and worse Child-Pugh class, worse self-rated liver disease severity, and increased number of disability days.CONCLUSIONS:The results of this multicenter field test provide support for the reliability and validity of the LDQOL 1.0 as an HRQOL outcome measure for individuals with chronic liver disease.
Plankton dynamics under different climatic conditions in space and time

1. Different components of the climate system have been shown to affect temporal dynamics in natural plankton communities on scales varying from days to years. The seasonal dynamics in temperate lake plankton communities, with emphasis on both physical and biological forcing factors, were captured in the 1980s in a conceptual framework, the Plankton Ecology Group (PEG) model. 2. Taking the PEG model as our starting point, we discuss anticipated changes in seasonal and long-term plankton dynamics and extend this model to other climate regions, particularly polar and tropical latitudes. Based on our improved post-PEG understanding of plankton dynamics, we also evaluate the role of microbial plankton, parasites and fish in governing plankton dynamics and distribution. 3. In polar lakes, there is usually just a single peak in plankton biomass in summer. Lengthening of the growing season under warmer conditions may lead to higher and more prolonged phytoplankton productivity. Climate-induced increases in nutrient loading in these oligotrophic waters may contribute to higher phytoplankton biomass and subsequent higher zooplankton and fish productivity. 4. In temperate lakes, a seasonal pattern with two plankton biomass peaks – in spring and summer – can shift to one with a single but longer and larger biomass peak as nutrient loading increases, with associated higher populations of zooplanktivorous fish. Climate change will exacerbate these trends by increasing nutrient loading through increased internal nutrient inputs (due to warming) and increased catchment inputs (in the case of more precipitation). 5. In tropical systems, temporal variability in precipitation can be an important driver of the seasonal development of plankton. Increases in precipitation intensity may reset the seasonal dynamics of plankton communities and favour species adapted to highly variable environments. The existing intense predation by fish on larger zooplankters may increase further, resulting in a perennially low zooplankton biomass. 6. Bacteria were not included in the original PEG model. Seasonally, bacteria vary less than the phytoplankton but often follow its patterns, particularly in colder lakes. In warmer lakes, and with future warming, a greater influx of allochthonous carbon may obscure this pattern. 7. Our analyses indicate that the consequences of climate change for plankton dynamics are, to a large extent, system specific, depending on characteristics such as food-web structure and nutrient loading. Indirect effects through nutrient loading may be more important than direct effects of temperature increase, especially for phytoplankton. However, with warming a general picture emerges of increases in bacterivory, greater cyanobacterial dominance and smaller-bodied zooplankton that are more heavily impacted by fish predation.
Deception, Detection, Demeanor, and Truth Bias in Face-to-Face and Computer-Mediated Communication

In an ultimatum game, participants were randomly assigned to the role of allocator or recipient and to interact face-to-face (FtF) or over computer text chat (computer-mediated communication [CMC]). The allocator was given money to divide. The recipient was unaware of the amount given, so the allocator could deceive the recipient. Perception of the allocator having a dishonest demeanor increased recipient suspicion of deception, but reduced detection accuracy for truths. Demeanor cues did not help detect deception. Recipients were better at detecting lies CMC than FtF. Overall, truth bias did not differ between CMC and FtF. Rates of deception did not differ between CMC and FtF, but type of deception marginally differed. There was more deceptive omission used in FtF and more deceptive commission (bald-faced lies) used in CMC. Results are discussed in terms of demeanor and truth bias.
Obstetric Observations in Eleven Cases of Neonatal Sepsis Due to the Group B β Hemolytic Streptococcus

Neonatal sepsis due to Group B streptococcus is reported to be increasing, but tbe reasons are unclear. Eleven cases from a single hospital Here reviewed for common obstetric factors. Frequent observations associated with 8 surviving infants were maternal infection, early evaluation and treatment of the newborn, and 4 + or 5+ growth on maternal cultures. In contrast, mothers of the 3 infants who died hud no clinical signs of infection, and cultures were not obtained. All 11 infants had direct monitoring during labor but the frequency of infection, 1/1600 live births, was lower than usually reported. Three surviving infants and 3 nonsurvivors were premature. Semiquantilative culture technics suggest that the predominance of Group B streptococcus in the vagina may be a more important etiologic factor than the frequency of its presence.
Modélisation et conception d'une plateforme pour l'interaction multimodale distribuée en intelligence ambiante. (Modeling and design of a distributed and multimodal interactive system for ambient intelligence)

Cette these s’inscrit dans le domaine de l’intelligence ambiante et de l’interaction homme-machine. Elle a pour theme la generation d’interfaces homme-machine adaptees au contexte d’interaction dans les environnements ambiants. Les travaux de recherche presentes traitent des problemes rencontres lors de la conception d’IHM dans l'ambiant et notamment de la reutilisation de techniques d’interaction multimodales et multi-peripheriques. Ce travail se divise en trois phases. La premiere est une etude des problematiques de l’IHM specifiques a l’Ambiant et des architectures logicielles adaptees a ce cadre theorique. Cette etude permet d’etablir les limites des approches actuelles et de proposer, dans la seconde phase, une nouvelle approche pour la conception d’IHM ambiante appelee DAME. Cette approche repose sur l’association automatique de composants logiciels qui construisent dynamiquement une IHM. Nous proposons deux modeles complementaires qui permettent de decrire les caracteristiques ergonomiques et architecturales des composants. La conception de ces derniers est guidee par une architecture logicielle composee de plusieurs couches qui permet d’identifier les differents niveaux d’abstraction reutilisables d’un langage d’interaction. Un troisieme modele, appele modele comportemental, permet de specifier des recommandations quant a l’instanciation de ces composants. Nous proposons un algorithme permettant de generer des IHM adaptees au contexte et d’evaluer la qualite de celles-ci par rapport aux recommandations du modele comportemental. Dans la troisieme phase, nous avons implemente une plateforme realisant la vision soutenue par DAME. Cette implementation est confrontee aux utilisateurs finaux dans une experience de validation qualitative. De ces travaux ressortent des resultats encourageants, ouvrant la discussion sur de nouvelles perspectives de recherche dans le cadre de l’IHM en informatique ambiante.
Zenon de Caunos, parepidemos, et le destin grec

Auteur : Claude Orireux Titre : Zenon de Caunos, parepidemos, et le destin grec Editeur : Universite de Franche-Comte Lieu de publication : Paris : Les belles lettres Annee de publication : 1985 Collection principale : Annales litteraires de l'Universite de Besancon ; 320 Collection : Centre de recherches d'histoire ancienne (ISSN 0768-3006) ; 64 Format : 1 vol. (324 p.) : ill. , cartes, couv. ill. en coul. ; 24 cm Annotations : Bibliogr. p. [289]-297. Notes bibliogr. Index. ISSN : 0523-0535 ISBN : 2-251-60320-4 DOI : 10.3406/ista.1985. 2193
Anthrax Vaccine Precipitated Induces Edema Toxin-Neutralizing, Edema Factor-Specific Antibodies in Human Recipients

ABSTRACT Edema toxin (ET), composed of edema factor (EF) and protective antigen (PA), is a virulence factor of Bacillus anthracis that alters host immune cell function and contributes to anthrax disease. Anthrax vaccine precipitated (AVP) contains low but detectable levels of EF and can elicit EF-specific antibodies in human recipients of AVP. Active and passive vaccination of mice with EF can contribute to protection from challenge with Bacillus anthracis spores or ET. This study compared humoral responses to ET in recipients of AVP (n = 33) versus anthrax vaccine adsorbed (AVA; n = 66), matched for number of vaccinations and time postvaccination, and further determined whether EF antibodies elicited by AVP contribute to ET neutralization. AVP induced higher incidence (77.8%) and titer (229.8 ± 58.6) of EF antibodies than AVA (4.2% and 7.8 ± 8.3, respectively), reflecting the reported low but detectable presence of EF in AVP. In contrast, PA IgG levels and ET neutralization measured using a luciferase-based cyclic AMP reporter assay were robust and did not differ between the two vaccine groups. Multiple regression analysis failed to detect an independent contribution of EF antibodies to ET neutralization in AVP recipients; however, EF antibodies purified from AVP sera neutralized ET. Serum samples from at least half of EF IgG-positive AVP recipients bound to nine decapeptides located in EF domains II and III. Although PA antibodies are primarily responsible for ET neutralization in recipients of AVP, increased amounts of an EF component should be investigated for the capacity to enhance next-generation, PA-based vaccines.
A kinase subdomain of transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) type I receptor determines the TGF‐β intracellular signaling specificity

Transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) signals through a heteromeric complex of related type I and type II serine/threonine kinase receptors. In Mv1Lu cells the type I receptor TβRI mediates TGF‐β‐induced gene expression and growth inhibition, while the closely related type I receptors Tsk7L and TSR1 are inactive in these responses. Using chimeras between TβRI and Tsk7L or TSR1, we have defined the structural requirements for TGF‐β signaling by TβRI. The extracellular/transmembrane or cytoplasmic domains of TβRI and Tsk7L were functionally not equivalent. The juxtamembrane domain, including the GS motif, and most regions in the kinase domain can functionally substitute for each other, but the αC–β4–β5 region from kinase subdomains III to V conferred a distinct signaling ability. Replacement of this sequence in TβRI by the corresponding domain of Tsk7L inactivated TGF‐β signaling, whereas its introduction into Tsk7L conferred TGF‐β signaling. The differential signaling associated with this region was narrowed down to a sequence of eight amino acids, the L45 loop, which is exposed in the three‐dimensional kinase structure and diverges highly between TβRI and Tsk7L or TSR1. Replacement of the L45 sequence in Tsk7L with that of TβRI conferred TGF‐β responsiveness to the Tsk7L cytoplasmic domain in Mv1Lu cells. Thus, the L45 sequence between kinase subdomains IV and V specifies TGF‐β responsiveness of the type I receptor.
The Practice of Puxa-Puxa among Mozambican Women: A Systematic Inventory of Motives

Puxa-puxa is the elongation of the labia minora of the genital organs. It is one of the most widespread genital practices among women in Mozambique, and the practice seems to be specific to this country. The motives underlying this practice and its abandonment were examined in a theory-driven way. A total of 616 women currently living in the provinces of Maputo, Zambezia, and Nampula, aged 18 to 62, were presented with one of two questionnaires that contained items about possible motives for practicing puxa-puxa or possible motives for not practicing it. Seven separable motives for practicing puxa-puxa were found, and the most highly rated were “Having a satisfying sexual life”; “Satisfying my sexual partner”; and “Gaining self-control. ” Five separable motives for not practicing puxa-puxa were found, and the most highly rated were “Disliking a painful practice”; “Affirming one's value as a person”; and “Avoiding contamination. ” The main findings of the study are that the practice of puxa-puxa is associated with deep psychological motives common to most women in most cultures, namely having a satisfying sexual life with a reliable partner, creating the conditions for having children, and being able to care for them. The abandonment of this practice is largely the result of personal decisions, which are not taken under constraint and which are not exclusively taken from fear of illness.