Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Infant cry sound; developmental features.

The breath group was employed as the unit of analysis in measures of longitudinal samples of infant cry. Developmental trends were seen in decreased durations of intra‐utterance silences. Small but reliable increases in intra‐utterance pitch variability were observed for both longitudinal and independent samples of cry. Measures of the cries of a six‐months‐old hearing impaired child suggested that the above features merit further investigation as possible functions of both audition and maturation.Subject Classification: 70.20.
Gender Decision through Brain Economics

The emergence of behavioural economics has certainly led to much greater realism in the description of human gender decision making. There is the common questions which arise commonly in minds. The human brain is a highly complex organ. Studies of perception, cognition, memory and neural functions have found apparent gender differences. In this paper we review how gender difference arose from brain structure.
Distributed diagnosis of wireless sensor networks

In wireless sensor networks deployed in a harsh environment, sensor nodes are prone to have faults. It is thus desirable to detect and locate faulty sensor nodes to ensure the quality of service of the sensor networks. This paper presents an efficient distributed algorithm for isolating faulty sensor nodes. It is based on local comparisons of sensed data and dissemination of the test results to neighboring nodes. Time redundancy is used to tolerate some transient faults in sensing and communication. Computer simulation shows that faulty sensor nodes are identified with a high accuracy for a wide range of fault rates.
A Self-Stabilizing Algorithm for Detecting Fundamental Cycles in a Graph

This paper presents a self-stabilizing algorithm for detecting a set of fundamental cycles of a connected undirected graph on an asynchronous distributed or network model of computation. The output of the algorithm is available in a distributed manner; i.e., when the algorithm terminates each node of the graph knows exactly how many fundamental cycles are passing through it and also a unique identifier for each of these fundamental cycles. The algorithm is resilient to transient faults and does not require initialization. It has been proved that the algorithm is correct and requires O(n2) time if the depth-first search spanning tree of the graph is known, or else it requires O(n3) time, where n is the number of nodes in the graph.
Energy consumption evaluation framework for passive RFID tag anti-collision algorithms

In passive RFID systems, tag receives energy for communication from the reader, in the absence of on-chip energy source. Hence, a good amount of energy is needed to be transmitted by the transceiver circuit to provide energy to the transponder. Hence, circuit-level energy consumption cannot be ignored in the total energy consumption evaluation of passive RFID systems. Previously, energy consumption evaluation for passive tag anti collision algorithm has been done ignoring circuit-level energy consumption values. This may provide inaccurate results. Here in this paper, an energy consumption evaluation framework for EPC class 1 Gen 2 (passive) based tag anti-collision algorithm has been proposed. This proposed framework includes energy consumed by transceiver and transponder circuits, in total energy consumption estimation for better accuracy.
Regeneration of nitric oxide chelate absorption solution by two heterotrophic bacterial strains

Ferrous chelate absorption is deemed a promising method for NO removal from flue gas, but the key problem is the difficulty to regenerate the absorption solution, i.e. the complexes of FeII(EDTA)NO and FeIII(EDTA) in the solution. Two bacterial strains isolated recently from the sludge of the denitrification step of a municipal wastewater treatment plant could be applied effectively to regenerate the absorbent werePseudomonas sp. andklebsiella trevisan sp. Pseudomonas sp. exhibited high reduction ability on FeII(EDTA)NO and theklebsiella trevisan sp. was more suitable for FeIII(EDTA) reduction.
Periodicity-Enhanced Plasmon Resonances in the Scattering of Light by Sparse Finite Gratings of Circular Silver Nanowires

We consider the H -polarized plane wave scattering by a finite linear grating of circular silver wires using the angular field expansions in local coordinates and addition theorems for cylindrical functions. The study is focused on the influence of the plasmon and the grating resonances on each other. It demonstrates that the scattering per one silver cylinder can be dramatically enhanced if the grating period is tuned to the plasmon-resonance wavelength value.
Microwave Active Inductors

In this letter, the experimental proofs of two microwave active inductors with very high quality factor, namely Differential Boot-Strapped Inductor (D-BSI) and Cross-Coupled Differential Boot-Strapped Inductor (CCD-BSI), are presented. These circuits can be effectively implemented in modern RF-CMOS processes for high-Q equivalent integrated inductors at high frequency. The cases of study at 13 GHz have been designed and implemented in a modern standard 90 nm bulk CMOS process. The measurements on the test-chips show an equivalent inductance close to 3.2 nH with an associated quality factor up to 400 and a wide linearity range.
New control strategy for variable speed wind turbine with DC-DC converters

The paper studies the performance of variable speed wind turbine (VSWT) configuration with non-inverting buck-boost converter. The wind turbine systems consist of permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) connected to diode rectifier, DC chopper and load. New control strategy, based on the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) and limited power point tracking (LPPT) algorithms is used to improve the system operation. When necessary to limit the power injected to the grid, due to system operator demands, a control unit is implementing to switch between two regimes of wind turbine operation: at maximum power and at limited power. The MPP tracker is simple perturb and observation (P&O) controller in combination with two optimum wind turbines power/torque versus speed characteristics. Two control loops: inner feed forward current control loop and outer voltage control closed loop are applied for the non-inverting buck-boost converter. The performance of the dynamic models and the control loops is tested under various wind conditions. The simulation results are shown. The results prove the strategy and models reliability.
Alternative macrophage activation-associated CC-chemokine-1, a novel structural homologue of macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha with a Th2-associated expression pattern.

We have cloned a novel human CC-chemokine, alternative macrophage activation-associated CC-chemokine (AMAC)-1. The isolated cDNA clone (803 bp) shows a single open reading frame of 267-bp coding for 89 amino acid residues; mature AMAC-1 protein is predicted to consist of 69 amino acids with a m.w. of 7855. Sequence alignment and 3D-modeling show the typical structural characteristics of CC-chemokines with special features in the receptor-activating domain. AMAC-1 is most closely related to MIP-1 alpha with a cDNA and protein sequence homology of 55% and 59%, respectively. However, the expression pattern of AMAC-1 is directly opposite to that of MIP-1 alpha. While MIP-1 alpha is induced by classical macrophage mediators such as LPS and is inhibited by IL-4 and glucocorticoids, AMAC-1 is specifically induced in macrophages by alternative macrophage mediators such as IL-4, IL-13, and IL-10. Expression of AMAC-1 is inhibited by IFN-gamma while glucocorticoids exert a slightly positive synergistic effect in combination with IL-4. Peripheral blood monocytes do not express AMAC-1; time course experiments show that monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation is a prerequisite for AMAC-1 expression. Expression of AMAC-1 by granulocyte-macrophage CSF/IL-4-induced, monocyte-derived dendritic cells is complex; in mature adherent dendritic cells, however, only minor AMAC-1 mRNA expression was found. In vivo, AMAC-1 is expressed by alveolar macrophages from healthy persons, smokers, and asthmatic patients. In conclusion, AMAC-1 is a novel CC-chemokine whose expression is induced in alternatively activated macrophages by Th2-associated cytokines; thus, AMAC-1 may be involved in the APC-dependent T cell development in inflammatory and immune reactions.
Attribute based Encryption for Multi-level Access Control Policies

The economy and security of modern society relies on increasingly remote and distributed infrastructures. This trend increases both the complexity of access control to outsourced data and the need of privacy-preserving mechanisms. Indeed, access control policies should be flexible and distinguishable among users with different privileges. Also, privacy preservation should be ensured against curious storage system administrators, for outsourced data, as well as access requestors identities if needed. In this paper, we propose a multi-level access control mechanism based on an original use of attribute based encryption schemes. Our construction has several advantages. First, it ensures fine-grained access control, supporting multi-security levels with respect to different granted access rights for each outsourced data file. Second, relying on an attribute based mechanism, key management is minimized, such that users sharing the same access rights are not required to collaborate to extract the secret enciphering key. Third, our proposal is proven to provide efficient processing and communication overhead, compared to classical usage of attribute based encryption schemes.
Web Search - Challenges and Opportunities

As Udi Manber, currently a VP of Engineering at Google, likes to say: ”Search is hard! ” Yet, it is possible to build a rather powerful search engine that provides rather accurate answers most of the time. In the talk, I briefly discuss some of the fundamental concepts and technologies behind search engines, starting with a quick review of Information Retrieval and then moving through 15 years of search engines evolution. Following, I discuss some of the current challenges related to the search task, as well as open opportunities for research. 1 From IR to Search Engines An Information Retrieval (IR) system deals with the storage, indexing, organization, and access to information items, where an item is a reference to a full document or book, a book chapter, a paper, or even a simple Web page. For simplicity of notation and convenience, we will refer to an information item simply as a document, to the set of all documents stored as the collection, and to the set of all distinct words in the collection as the vocabulary [1]. Once the documents have been stored and indexed, the task of the system is to answer user queries written as a query, i.e., as a sequence of a few words. In its most common form, the answer set constitutes of a list of documents of the collection. We say that the system is operating well if it returns relevant documents to the user, while returning as few non-relevant documents as possible. The impreciseness in our definition is due to the inherent nature of the problem, i.e., finding relevant answers involves interpreting the query and inferring user intention, which is difficult because it is tied to the semantics of the world. To determine the answers to a user query, the IR system implements a retrieval model, i.e., a similarity function that takes a query and assigns a numeric score do each pair query-document in the collection. The most fundamental retrieval model is the vector space model, which associates with the queries and the documents weighted vectors in an orthonormal space, in which the basis of the space is composed of unit vectors associated with the terms of the vocabulary [3]. Given that queries and documents are represented as weighted vectors, natural similarity functions are vector comparison functions. Thus, the vector space model adopts as similarity function the cosine of the angle between the vector representing the user query and the vector representing a document in the answer set. This simple retrieval model works with small collections, but
Harmonic and Interharmonic Measurement According to IEEE 519 and IEC 61000-4-7

IEEE Standard 519 is presently under revision and is expected to recommend that harmonic and interharmonic measurements be performed according to the method defined in IEC 61000-4-7. This summary paper and the associated presentation describe important aspects of the 61000-4-7 standard in the context of its intended use in the draft IEEE 519 standards
Molecular analysis of hepatitis D virus infection in Miyako Island, a small Japanese island

The present investigation attempted to determine the exact prevalence of hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection among inhabitants of Miyako Island (a remote island in the Okinawa Prefecture) and the molecular characteristics of the HDV genome that was isolated. Among the 4728 inhabitants, 375 (7.9%) were hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive. Antibody to HDV (anti‐HDV) was present in 32 (8.5%) of these 375 subjects, and liver function tests were normal in most subjects. The presence of HDV RNA was analysed by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Thirteen out of the 32 anti‐HDV antibody‐positive subjects were HDV RNA positive. Thus, 3.5% of HBsAg‐positive subjects on Miyako Island were HDV RNA positive. Among the HDV RNA‐positive subjects, liver function tests were within normal limits or were mildly abnormal. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed that the HDV genomes on Miyako Island were similar to the Japanese and Taiwan isolates of HDV genotype II. Taiwan is geographically close to Miyako Island. Even though the races are different, a geographical factor was revealed to be significant with regard to HDV infection, which was spread in a closed environment.
Statins: potentially useful in therapy of systemic sclerosis-related Raynaud's phenomenon and digital ulcers.

OBJECTIVE Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by fibrosis and widespread vascular pathology. Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) and digital ulceration are prominent manifestations of vascular involvement in SSc. Digital ulcers (DU) remain a serious complication, and effective therapy remains elusive. Statins display pleiotropic effects on endothelial function that may potentially retard vascular injury. We evaluated the potential efficacy of statin therapy in endothelial dysfunction and in management of RP and DU. METHODS Eighty-four SSc patients who fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology criteria for classification of SSc with secondary RP despite ongoing vasodilator therapy were randomized into 2 groups; the first group (n = 56) received 40 mg/day atorvastatin for 4 months; the second group (n = 28) received placebo. Seventy-five healthy volunteers served as controls. Assessment of RP and DU was performed monthly. The primary outcome measure was the number of DU. Secondary endpoints included the modified Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (SHAQ-DI), safety, and tolerability. Measurement of functional status in relation to RP included the SHAQ-DI, visual analog scale (VAS) for RP, DU and pain scales, and VAS for physician's global assessment for health. Endothelial damage markers were also assessed. Endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilatation was measured by high-resolution echo-Doppler ultrasonography. RESULTS The overall number of DU was significantly reduced in the statin group. Among patients in the statin group a mean of 1.6 new ulcers developed per patient compared to 2.5 new ulcers per patient in the placebo group. There was a statistically significant improvement in SHAQ-DI score in patients receiving statin versus those on placebo. VAS for RP, DU severity, and pain scales and the VAS for physician global assessment improved significantly in the statin group compared to the placebo group. Endothelial markers of activation showed statistically significant improvement from baseline values in the statin versus the placebo group. CONCLUSION Our results showed that statins retarded vascular injury and improved patient function. The findings suggest that statins may aid in treating RP and DU in SSc patients. Given the safety and relative low cost of statins and good patient tolerability to this class of drugs, statins may be of clinical benefit in SSc patients.
Light Therapy in the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris

BACKGROUND Over the past decade, lasers and light-based systems have become a common modality to treat a wide variety of skin-related conditions, including acne vulgaris. In spite of the various oral and topical treatments available for the treatment of acne, many patients fail to respond adequately or may develop side effects. Therefore, there is a growing demand by patients for a fast, safe, and side-effect–free novel therapy. OBJECTIVES To address the role of light therapy in the armamentarium of treatments for acne vulgaris, to discuss photobiology aspects and biomedical optics, to review current technologies of laser/light-based devices, to review the clinical experience and results, and to outline clinical guidelines and treatment considerations. RESULTS Clinical trials show that 85% of the patients demonstrate a significant quantitative reduction in at least 50% of the lesions after four biweekly treatments. In approximately 20% of the cases, acne eradication may reach 90%. At 3 months after the last treatment, clearance is approximately 70% to 80%. The nonrespondent rate is 15% to 20%. CONCLUSIONS Laser and light-based therapy is a safe and effective modality for the treatment of mild to moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris. Amelioration of acne by light therapy, although comparable to the effects of oral antibiotics, offers faster resolution and fewer side effects and leads to patient satisfaction.
Detection of Hydrogen Bonds in Dynamic Regions of RNA by NMR Spectroscopy

NMR spectroscopy is a powerful tool to study the structure and dynamics of nucleic acids. In this unit, we give an overview of important experiments to determine and characterize hydrogen bonds in nucleic acids and provide detailed instructions for setting up recently developed sensitivity‐improved NMR pulse sequences, i.e., BEST selective long‐range HNN‐COSY, selective BEST‐TROSY‐HNNCOSY, and Py H(CC)NN‐COSY. The strengths and limitations of these experiments will also be discussed. Detailed step‐by‐step protocols are provided for each of the three pulse sequences, with special emphasis on adjusting and setting of delays and shaped pulses. The NMR pulse sequences with example datasets and optimized, nonstandard adiabatic pulse shapes used for selective 15N magnetization transfer are provided. These experiments enable NMR analysis of a broad variety of RNAs ranging from low to high molecular weight and complexity. © 2014 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Antimicrobial peptides

Complicated schemes of classical breeding and their drawbacks, environmental risks imposed by agrochemicals, decrease of arable land, and escalating damages of pests and pathogens have accentuated the necessity for highly efficient measures to improve crop protection. During co-evolution of host-microbe interactions, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have exhibited a brilliant history in protecting host organisms against devastation by invading pathogens. Since 1980s, a plethora of AMPs has been isolated from and characterized in different organisms. Nevertheless the AMPs expressed in plants render them more resistant to diverse pathogens, a more orchestrated approach based on knowledge of their mechanisms of action and cellular targets, structural toxic principle, and possible impact on immune system of corresponding transgenic plants will considerably improve crop protection strategies against harmful plant diseases. This review outlines the current knowledge on different modes of action of AMPs and then argues the waves of AMPs' ectopic expression on transgenic plants immune system.
The Effect of “Anatomical Plausibility” of Hand Angle on the Rubber-Hand Illusion

In the rubber-hand illusion (RHI), when an actual hand hidden from view and a rubber hand in view are simultaneously stimulated, participants mistakenly perceive tactile sensation as arising from the rubber hand, not from the actual hand. Some studies have revealed that the magnitude of RHI decreases when the actual and rubber hand are incongruent in terms of hand angle. However, the acceptable range of angular deviations between the actual and rubber hand and its determination factor has not been investigated so far. I attempt to examine the angle-congruency effect between the actual and rubber hands on RHI. The left rubber hand simulated by 3-D computer graphics was rotated at 8 angles. Participants perceived higher ownership of the stimulated rubber hand when the angles were at 0°, 45°, 90°, and 315° (these are easy to mimic with the actual hand) than at 180°, 225°, and 270° (these are difficult to mimic with the actual hand). The perceived location of the actual hand became closer to that of the simulated rubber hand with increased perception of ownership of the rubber hand. Moreover, the onset duration of RHI became shorter, especially for the angles of 0°, 45°, and 315°. These results suggest that RHI occurs mainly within the range where people usually rotate their hand and that body representation might include the knowledge of “anatomical plausibility”.
Trends of Antibiotic Use Among the Indoor Patients of Medicine and Pediatric Ward at A Tertiary Care Hospital

: Introduction: Antibiotics are one of the most frequently used drugs in outpatient and inpatient care, and their irrational use is considered to be an important risk factor for the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance. Material and methods: A cross sectional study was conducted where information about patient's age, gender, and different groups of antibiotics was collected from the medicine and pediatric indoor wards in a tertiary care hospital and was analysed. Results: Analysis was carried out on 367 patients. Number of antibiotics prescribed per patient was 1.2. A total of 19 types of antibiotics were prescribed to 323 patients. Conclusion: The study has provided baseline knowledge about the ongoing trends of antibiotic prescription among the indoor patients. It highlights the need to introduce guidelines for prescribing antibiotics based on high prescribing rates calculated in the study
Stochastic pulse coded arithmetic

Among the different pulse codification techniques, stochastic pulse codification has its own arithmetic based on the similarity between Boolean algebra and statistical algebra. Summation and multiplication are the two basic arithmetic operations treated in depth in the literature. In this paper we present two digital stochastic circuits that extend traditional stochastic algebra: a division circuit and a square-root circuit, and the interfaces between the analog and stochastic domain. As a result, we are able to process analog input signals with a simple and complete processing system. These circuits can be implemented in low-cost and low-power digital programmable devices.