Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Extensive Review of Feature Extraction Techniques, Challenges and Trends in Automatic Speech Recognition

Speech is the natural mode of communication between humans. Human-to-machine interaction is gaining importance in the past few decades which demands the machine to be able to analyze, respond and perform tasks at the same speed as performed by human. This task is achieved by Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) system which is typically a speech-to-text converter. In order to recognize the areas of further research in ASR, one must be aware of the current approaches, challenges faced by each and issues that needs to be addressed. Therefore, in this paper human speech production mechanism is discussed. The various speech recognition techniques and models are addressed in detail. The performance parameters that measure the accuracy of the system in recognizing the speech signal are described.
Driving data generation using affinity propagation, data augmentation, and convolutional neural network in communication system

In vehicle‐driving simulation‐based communication systems, vehicles are always driven according to predefined driving styles. However, in the real world, various driving styles exist. To simulate various types of drivers in driving simulation systems, a new driving‐data generation method is required. This paper proposes a method that generates a realistic vehicle‐driving model. The data augmentation method is utilized to expand the driving dataset, and then the expanded driving data are clustered into several groups. The clustered driving data are inputted into a convolutional neural network to train a driving model. The driving model is utilized to classify another driving dataset into some categories. The driving data within the same categories are utilized to generate new driving data by combining the properties of the driving data. The new driving data thus generated is applied to a vehicle, which can be utilized in virtual driving simulation systems.
The effect of prolonged Riluzole exposure on cultured 1 motoneurons in a mouse model of ALS 2 3 Abbreviated title : Prolonged Riluzole exposure on mSOD 1 motoneurons

46 Riluzole is the only FDA approved drug to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, but its 47 long term effects on motoneurons are unknown. Therefore, we treated primary 48 mouse spinal cord cultures with 2μм riluzole for 4-9 days and then used whole cell 49 patch clamp to record the passive and active properties of both wild type and 50 SOD1 motoneurons. At this concentration, riluzole blocks more than 50% of the 51 sodium component of a persistent inward current that plays a major role in 52 determining motoneuron excitability. Prolonged riluzole treatment significantly 53 decreased the amplitude of the persistent inward current. This effect was specific 54 for SOD1 motoneurons where the amplitude decreased by 55.4%. In addition, 55 prolonged treatment hyperpolarized the resting membrane potential as well as the 56 voltage onset and voltage maximum of the persistent inward current (~2-3mV in 57 each case). These effects appeared to offset one another and resulted in no change 58 in the firing properties. In a subset of cells, acute reapplication of 2μм riluzole 59 during the recording decreased repetitive firing and the persistent inward current 60 which is consistent with the normal effects of riluzole. The downregulation of the 61 persistent inward current in response to prolonged riluzole administration is in 62 contrast to the strong upregulation of this same current after descending 63 neuromodulatory drive to the cord is lost following spinal injury. This dichotomy 64 suggests that decreased activation of g-protein coupled pathways can induce 65 upregulation in the persistent inward current but that direct channel block is 66 ineffective. 67 68
mitoXplorer, a visual data mining platform to systematically analyze and visualize mitochondrial expression dynamics and mutations

Background Mitochondria produce cellular energy in the form of ATP and are involved in various metabolic and signaling processes. However, the cellular requirements for mitochondria are different depending on cell type, cell state or organism. Information on the expression dynamics of genes with mitochondrial functions (mito-genes) is embedded in publicly available transcriptomic or proteomic studies and the variety of available datasets enables us to study the expression dynamics of mito-genes in many different cell types, conditions and organisms. Yet, we lack an easy way of extracting these data for gene groups such as mito-genes. Results Here, we introduce the web-based visual data mining platform mitoXplorer, which systematically integrates expression and mutation data of mito-genes. The central part of mitoXplorer is a manually curated mitochondrial interactome containing ∼1200 genes, which we have annotated in 35 different mitochondrial processes. This mitochondrial interactome can be integrated with publicly available transcriptomic, proteomic or mutation data in a user-centric manner. A set of analysis and visualization tools allows the mining and exploration of mitochondrial expression dynamics and mutations across various datasets from different organisms and to quantify the adaptation of mitochondrial dynamics to different conditions. We apply mitoXplorer to quantify expression changes of mito-genes of a set of aneuploid cell lines that carry an extra copy of chromosome 21. mitoXplorer uncovers remarkable differences in the regulation of the mitochondrial transcriptome and proteome due to the dysregulation of the mitochondrial ribosome in retinal pigment epithelial trisomy 21 cells which results in severe defects in oxidative phosphorylation. Conclusions We demonstrate the power of the visual data mining platform mitoXplorer to explore expression data in a focused and detailed way to uncover underlying potential mechanisms for further experimental studies. We validate the hypothesis-creating power of mitoXplorer by testing predicted phenotypes in trisomy 21 model systems. MitoXplorer is freely available at http://mitoxplorer.ibdm. univ-mrs.fr. MitoXplorer does not require installation nor programming knowledge and is web-based. Therefore, mitoXplorer is accessible to a wide audience of experimental experts studying mitochondrial dynamics.
Effectiveness and implementation of health games targeting implicit attitudes towards food and food choice

Objective: Improving diets by stimulating fruit and vegetable consumption might be beneficial, in particular when they substitute energy-dense products. The aim of present study was to investigate whether a health game can be used to positively affect healthy implicit attitudes (IAs) towards food and subsequent food choice behaviour of young adults. Design: A 2 (Time: baseline vs. post-test) x 2 (Condition: health game vs. control game) x 2 (Baseline IAs: healthy IAs vs. less healthy IAs) mixed-subjects design was used with 125 participants (age: M = 20.17, SD = 1.88). Main Outcome Measures: IAs towards food were assessed at baseline and post-test using an Implicit Association Test (IAT). Additionally, food choice behaviour was assessed after game play. Results: At baseline, the majority of participants had healthy IAs (i.e., favouring fruit over chocolate snacks). At post-test, significantly less healthy IAs were observed in the control condition, while this reduction was not significant in the health game condition. Regarding food choice behaviour, participants with healthy baseline IAs were more likely to select fruit in the health game condition than participants with healthy baseline IAs in the control game condition. However, participants with less healthy baseline IAs were less likely to select fruit in the health game condition than in the control condition. We found tentative support that health games can be used to influence IAs towards food and positively affect food choice behaviour. However, this influence was only observed for those with healthy baseline IAs. Conclusion: The current version of the health game would primarily benefit those already healthy and could negatively affect those that need the intervention most, so modifications are
INFLUENCE OF GREEN PROCUREMENT TRAINING ON ORGANIZATION PERFORMANCE ON STAR RATED HOTELS IN KISUMU CITY

Increased demand on energy supply, an increased burden on solid waste management and the pollution of water bodies, soil and air are among the high level of negative environmental effects in the hospitality sector of the tourism industry. In Kisumu City, hotels operate twenty four hours a day and seven days in a week round the year generating larger quantities of solid and liquid waste, consuming a lot of water and energy. Green Procurement is one of the emerging issues in procurement. It entails taking social and environmental factors into consideration alongside financial factors in making procurement decisions. Green procurement involves looking beyond the traditional economic parameters and making decisions based on the whole life cost, the associated risks, measures of success and implications on society and the environment. This study sought to examine influence of green procurement training on organization performance on star rated hotels in Kisumu City. The study adopted descriptive survey design. The study targeted 95 respondents from 17 star rated hotels in Kisumu City. Census sampling was used to consider the whole population. Data was collected using structured questionnaire administered through drop and pick method. Validity was achieved through content validity while reliability was achieved through Cronbach alpha. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were used during data analysis with aid of SPSS version 21. The results were presented in tables and models. Results indicated that green procurement training has significant positive influence on organization performance. The study recommended that hotels should recruit professional environmentalists to guide the organization on green awareness. Key Words: Green Procurement Training, Organization Performance, Hotels in Kisumu County CITATION: Mulati, E. K. , & Juma, D. (2019). Influence of green procurement training on organization performance on star rated hotels in Kisumu City. The Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management, 6 (2), 1763 –1775.
Techno‐economic analysis of metal hydride‐based energy storage system in microgrid

Hydrogen can be a promising option as an energy storage medium in renewable power generator‐based microgrid. However, the technologies used for the hydrogen storage such as high pressure in gaseous form and solid storages can significantly affect the cost performance of the hydrogen‐based microgrid. In this study, a techno‐economic assessment for solid hydrogen storage (metal hydride [MH])‐based microgrid in Indian operating conditions has been carried out in terms of levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), net present cost, and avoided environmental emissions. In the present microgrid, excess photovoltaic (PV) generator electricity is used to generate hydrogen using the alkaline water electrolyzer (EL). This generated hydrogen is stored in the MH cylinder. The stored hydrogen is converted back into electricity by fuel cell (FC) in case of insufficiency of PV electricity. The sizing of the microgrid components such as PV, FC, EL, and hydrogen storage tank are obtained for given load profile using HOMER optimization tool. An attempt has been made for the cost evaluation of the solid and high‐pressure gaseous storages in the microgrid. A comparative study between two energy storage mediums such as battery and hydrogen in microgrid is also performed. In case of battery and hydrogen storages, the LCOE is found to be 0.1293 and 0.383 $/kWh, respectively. It was found that battery storage system is more economical than hydrogen storage in microgrid. Nonetheless, the difference between the LCOE in hydrogen‐based microgrid is reduced considerably with optimized cost scenario of the EL, FC, and H2 storage tank as compared to the battery storage. Such technical, economic, and environmental assessment of the MH‐based microgrid system provides a firm basis to policymakers for shaping energy and environment policies for hydrogen activities.
Aromatherapy in mental health: A brief review

Aromatherapy uses essential oils as the main therapeutic agents. In the present work a brief review was made on the aromatherapy used in mental health. It describes evidence for and against the use of aromatherapy in stress, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, cognitive disorders and other disorders; as well as data related to its safety, adverse effects, contraindications and mechanisms of action. In conclusion, aromatherapy can be considered as an option that can be used as a complement to treatments aimed to restore mental health and associated disorders.
Alleviating Motion Sickness through Presentations on Interior Panels of Autonomous Vehicles

This study investigated the possibility of alleviating motion sickness in passengers of autonomous vehicles through visual stimuli on interior car panels. Past research has demonstrated that persons being driven in an autonomous vehicle are considerably more at risk of developing symptoms of motion sickness, which forms a major hindrance for their broad implementation. The sensory conflict theory suggests that a conflict between expected and felt motion is what triggers sickness. In line with this, anticipation has been attributed a major role in sickness prevention. We implemented motion cueing stimuli that were providing information about either current or near future heading direction and velocity on interior presents in our experiment. There was a significant effect of both conditions on motion sickness, indicating that these implementations can effectively be used to alleviate sickness.
Changes of lysosomal membrane permeabilization and lipid metabolism in sidt2 deficient mice

The SID1 transmembrane family member 2 (sidt2) deficient mouse model was used to investigate the function of sidt2 in lysosomal membrane permeabilization and lipid metabolism of liver tissue. The mouse model was established by Cre/LoxP technology. Enzymatic methods were used to analyze the sidt2−/− mouse serum lipids, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and serum bilirubin, compared with sidt2+/+ mice. Defective lipid metabolism and damaged liver functions were observed in the sidt2−/− mice. By using hematoxylin and eosin and Oil Red O staining, changes of morphology were observed in sidt2−/− mice with optical microscopy. Transmission electron microscopy was also used. Hepatic steatosis and partial liver tissue apoptosis were observed. The tissue distribution of sidt2 protein and mRNA was measured in knockout mice. The results indicated that negligible sidt2 mRNA and protein expression were observed in sidt2−/− mice, and that sidt2−/− mice had abnormal liver functions. Transmission electron microscopy revealed membrane lipid droplets in the liver cell cytoplasm, and some apoptotic body formation. These results demonstrated that absence of the lysosomal membrane protein sidt2 led to changes in lysosomal membrane permeabilization and lipid metabolism.
Future warming increases probability of globally synchronized maize production shocks

Significance Climate-induced shocks in grain production are a major contributor to global market volatility, which creates uncertainty for cereal farmers and agribusiness and reduces food access for poor consumers when production falls and prices spike. Our study, by combining empirical models of maize production with future warming scenarios, shows that in a warmer climate, maize yields will decrease and become more variable. Because just a few countries dominate global maize production and trade, simultaneous production shocks in these countries can have tremendous impacts on global markets. We show that such synchronous shocks are rare now but will become much more likely if the climate continues to warm. Our results underscore the need for continued investments in breeding for heat tolerance. Meeting the global food demand of roughly 10 billion people by the middle of the 21st century will become increasingly challenging as the Earth’s climate continues to warm. Earlier studies suggest that once the optimum growing temperature is exceeded, mean crop yields decline and the variability of yield increases even if interannual climate variability remains unchanged. Here, we use global datasets of maize production and climate variability combined with future temperature projections to quantify how yield variability will change in the world’s major maize-producing and -exporting countries under 2 °C and 4 °C of global warming. We find that as the global mean temperature increases, absent changes in temperature variability or breeding gains in heat tolerance, the coefficient of variation (CV) of maize yields increases almost everywhere to values much larger than present-day values. This higher CV is due both to an increase in the SD of yields and a decrease in mean yields. For the top four maize-exporting countries, which account for 87% of global maize exports, the probability that they have simultaneous production losses greater than 10% in any given year is presently virtually zero, but it increases to 7% under 2 °C warming and 86% under 4 °C warming. Our results portend rising instability in global grain trade and international grain prices, affecting especially the ∼800 million people living in extreme poverty who are most vulnerable to food price spikes. They also underscore the urgency of investments in breeding for heat tolerance.
Impact of Referral Sources and Waiting Times on the Failure to Quit Smoking: One-Year Follow-Up of an Italian Cohort Admitted to a Smoking Cessation Service

In Italy, the National Health Service offers specialized evidence-based support to smokers who would like to quit through smoking cessation (SC) services. We conducted a two-year prospective study, involving all 288 subjects treated for smoking cessation at the SC service of Reggio Emilia, to assess the association of referral sources and waiting times with the risk of treatment failure, by following participants up to one year after the quit date. We performed Cox-regression analysis, including demographic and smoking-related characteristics as confounding variables. The treatment failure rate at 12 months was 59.4% (171/288), including only 12 subjects lost to follow-up. The main mode of entry was self-referral (42.4%), followed by 32.6% from general practice, 17.4% from hospital and 7.6% from other sources. Only 27.8% participants were involved in the SC-program within 60 days of the first contact, as the guidelines suggest. The risk of treatment failure at 12 months showed little association with the type of referral source, while it correlated with waiting times ≥ 60 days (hazard ratio = 1.59; 95% confidence interval 1.10–2.29). This study provides evidence of long-term high quit rates from a SC service, with few subjects lost to follow-up and biochemical verification of almost all abstinent subjects. Timeliness in care provision could further improve the outcome.
Separation of speech and music sources from a single-channel mixture using discrete energy separation algorithm

In this paper, we address the problem of monaural source separation of a mixed signal containing speech and piano components. We use Discrete Energy Separation Algorithm (DESA) to estimate frequency-modulating (FM) signal energy. We design a time-varying filter in the time-frequency domain for rejecting the interfering signal. An estimation of the FM signal energy employs instantaneous signal properties that are localized both in time and frequency. We present experimental results which demonstrate the advantages of the proposed method using real audio signals.
The Discrete and Continuous Brain: From Decisions to Movement—And Back Again

To act upon the world, creatures must change continuous variables such as muscle length or chemical concentration. In contrast, decision making is an inherently discrete process, involving the selection among alternative courses of action. In this article, we consider the interface between the discrete and continuous processes that translate our decisions into movement in a Newtonian world—and how movement informs our decisions. We do so by appealing to active inference, with a special focus on the oculomotor system. Within this exemplar system, we argue that the superior colliculus is well placed to act as a discrete-continuous interface. Interestingly, when the neuronal computations within the superior colliculus are formulated in terms of active inference, we find that many aspects of its neuroanatomy emerge from the computations it must perform in this role.
Interventions that Foster Healing Among Sexually Exploited Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review

ABSTRACT Sexual exploitation of children and adolescents is a pressing, yet largely under-recognized form of child abuse. The goals of this review were to identify interventions that have been implemented with sexually exploited children and adolescents and to better understand their effectiveness for fostering healing with this population. Our systematic search generated 4,358 publications of which 21 met our inclusion criteria. Based on their objectives and delivery, we organized the interventions into five categories: (a) focused health and/or social services, (b) intensive case management models, (c) psychoeducational therapy groups, (d) residential programs, and (e) other. Most programs were gender-specific, targeting girls and young women with just one being for boys and young men only. Studies reported on a range of outcomes including psychosocial outcomes, risky behaviors, trauma responses, mental health, protective factors, and public health outcomes. Despite differences in delivery, most of the interventions did, to some degree, appear to foster healing among sexually exploited children and adolescents. Findings from this review have implications for researchers, policy and program developers, and frontline practitioners who, through partnerships with one another, can advocate for the creation of evidence-informed, purpose-built, and thoughtfully delivered interventions.
Twitch or swim: towards the understanding of prokaryotic motion based on the type IV pilus blueprint

Abstract Bacteria and archaea are evolutionarily distinct prokaryotes that diverged from a common ancestor billions of years ago. However, both bacteria and archaea assemble long, helical protein filaments on their surface through a machinery that is conserved at its core. In both domains of life, the filaments are required for a diverse array of important cellular processes including cell motility, adhesion, communication and biofilm formation. In this review, we highlight the recent structures of both the type IV pilus machinery and the archaellum determined in situ. We describe the current level of functional understanding and discuss how this relates to the pressures facing bacteria and archaea throughout evolution.