Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anchored Speech Detection

We propose two new methods of speech detection in the context of voice-controlled far-field appliances. While conventional detection methods are designed to differentiate between speech and nonspeech, we aim at distinguishing desired speech, which we define as speech originating from the person interacting with the device, from background noise and interfering talkers. Our two proposed methods use the first word spoken by the desired talker, the “anchor” word, as a reference to learn characteristics about that speaker. In the first method, we estimate the mean of the anchor word segment and subtract it from the subsequent feature vectors. In the second, we use an encoder-decoder network with features that are normalized by applying conventional log amplitude causal mean subtraction. The experimental results reveal that both techniques achieve around 10% relative reduction in frame classification error rate over a baseline feedforward network with conventionally normalized features.
MAPK‐pathway activity, Lrrk2 G2019S, and Parkinson's disease

The 6055G>A mutation in the leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene results in a G2019S substitution in the mixed‐lineage kinase domain of Lrrk2, causing autosomal dominant Parkinson's disease (PD). We hypothesized the mutation alters cellular mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling cascades, and might be detectable in tissues other than in the brain. We therefore compared total levels and activation of the signalling proteins Src, HSP27, p38 MAPK, JNK, and ERK, in extracts of leukocytes isolated from patients with PD carrying the G2019S mutation, healthy mutation carriers, patients with idiopathic PD, and healthy controls. Phosphorylation of Src, HSP27, and JNK was reduced significantly in cell extracts from patients with G2019S‐associated PD compared to healthy controls. Similarly, phosphorylation was reduced significantly in Src and HSP27 in the group of healthy carriers of the mutation, as well as in patients with idiopathic PD. Significant reductions in total Src were also observed in these three groups compared to the controls. The results of this pilot project therefore indicate significant alterations in key signalling proteins in leukocytes from patients with PD, and were most pronounced in G2019S‐associated PD. Changes in MAPK‐signalling may thus be common to PD pathophysiology, regardless of aetiology. Such changes may also be shown in blood samples during the preclinical stage of LRRK2‐associated PD, which could be particularly important for the development of neuroprotective strategies to delay onset, or slow progression of PD. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Functional characterization of adherent synovial fluid cells in rheumatoid arthritis: destructive potential in vitro and in vivo.

OBJECTIVE To characterize the morphologic and immunologic features of adherent synovial fluid cells derived from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to explore their potential function in vitro and in vivo by focusing on cartilage destruction. METHODS Synovial fluid adherent cells obtained from patients with RA and from control subjects were characterized by immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and electron microscopy. In vitro, these cells were cultured in the presence of cartilage particles. Cartilage destruction was monitored by the release of sulfated glycosaminoglycans (sGAG) into the medium, and the level of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) in the cell culture supernatant was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. To inhibit cartilage destruction in vitro, the MMP inhibitor marimastat was tested in this system. In vivo, in the SCID mouse coimplantation model, RA synovial fluid adherent cells and RA synovial fibroblasts (as positive controls) were coimplanted with human cartilage under the kidney capsule and maintained there for 60 days. RESULTS In vitro, the synovial fluid adherent cells consisted of 2 subpopulations, large round-shaped macrophage-like cells (CD68+) and spindle-shaped fibroblast-like cells (Thy-1+). When passaged, the latter cells proliferated and organized themselves into 3-dimensional formations. This allowed them to reach collagen particles fixed with agarose. Fibroblasts derived from synovial tissues could not be used in this assay because they grew only in monolayers and not on agarose. The majority (>90%) of passaged RA synovial fluid adherent cells expressed the Thy-1+,CD45-,CD68-,CD86- phenotype. Electron microscopy did not reveal important morphologic differences between the 2 types of fibroblasts, those from synovial tissue or those from synovial fluid. However, synovial fluid adherent cells expressed lower levels of adhesion molecules, including CD54 and galectin 3, as well as the complement-regulatory molecule CD55. The in vitro release of sGAG associated with cell activity was 2.5-fold higher from RA synovial fluid adherent cells in comparison with that from negative control cells. The release of sGAG correlated with the concentration of MMP-1 and was inhibited by the broad-range MMP inhibitor marimastat in a dose-dependent manner. RA synovial fluid adherent cells coimplanted with cartilage in SCID mice showed the same invasive behavior as that displayed by tissue-derived RA synovial fibroblasts. CONCLUSION Similar to tissue-derived RA synovial fibroblasts, RA synovial fluid adherent cells, which contain "floating" anchorage-independent fibroblast-like cells, mediate cartilage destruction independent of the hyperplastic synovial tissue.
Consumers’ Willingness to Pay for Foods with Traceability Information: Ex-Ante Quality Assurance or Ex-Post Traceability?

In this study, traceability in pork profile information with ex-ante quality assurance and ex-post traceability are constructed. Consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for traceability information is investigated in Wuxi, China, by combining the Multiple Price Lists method and the Becker–DeGroot–Marschak (BDM) experimental auction. The main factors affecting consumers’ WTP are also analyzed using a Tobit model. The results demonstrate that consumers have higher WTP for ex-ante quality assurance than for ex-post traceability. The highest WTP is for the ex-ante quality assurance attribute of pork quality inspection. Consumers’ WTP for traceability information is influenced by their individual characteristics, including age, education and income, as well as their concern and satisfaction about food safety and confidence in food safety labeling. The contribution of this paper is that it improves the meaning of traceable food information attributes and measures the significance of attributes to consumers. Furthermore, this paper introduces a Becker–DeGroot–Marschak experimental auction method which amends the measurement deviation of hypothetical experiments.
Residual capacitive coupling and the measurement of permittivity in magnetic induction tomography

In an ideal magnetic induction tomography (MIT) system, the coupling between the coils and the sample is entirely by the magnetic field. In a practical system, unwanted electric-field (capacitive) coupling can also exist and cause large errors in the MIT measurements unless the hardware is designed carefully. A series of tests was carried out to assess the magnitude of capacitive coupling present in a 10 MHz MIT system designed for biomedical use and other applications involving low-conductivity samples (⩽10 S m−1). The tests indicated that, even with the individual coils left unscreened, the signal contamination from capacitive coupling was very small compared with the true MIT signal. Because the contamination was small, it was demonstrated possible to derive the permittivity of the sample from the real part of the MIT signal. This was shown to work well when the conductivity of the sample was less than about 0.5 S m−1, but for higher conductivities, when the skin depth became comparable with the width of the sample, the commonly used theoretical expression for the MIT signal began to break down. This implies that the measurement of permittivity (and permeability) in real biological tissues (which have conductivities of up to 2 S m−1) will require a more detailed derivation taking into account both the real and imaginary parts of the signals.
Compensation of DC-link voltage oscillations in grid-connected PV systems based on high order dc/dc converters

The development on PV applications along with recent breakthroughs in power electronics has became in a strong research area especially in modeling and control techniques. This paper presents an analysis of grid-connected photovoltaic systems using three different high-order dc/dc topologies: Cuk converter, SEPIC converter and Zeta converter. This work considers ideal PV systems and a voltage load model is used, which is a common model for large DC-links. A technique for compensation of voltage oscillations is introduced as an alternative to the common use of electrolytic capacitors which introduce reliability problems. The systems are tested through simulation to validate the analysis performed and finally some conclusions about results are given.
Psychosocial risk factors during pregnancy. What do family physicians ask about?

OBJECTIVE To determine whether physician characteristics affect attitudes or practices regarding assessment of psychosocial risk factors during pregnancy, and to evaluate whether an antenatal psychosocial risk factor assessment form would help family physicians. DESIGN AND SETTING A questionnaire asking physicians to rate the importance of information on a scale of one to five was mailed to all active members of the University of Toronto Department of Family and Community Medicine's Survey Network of Attitudes and Practice (SNAP). PARTICIPANTS A volunteer sample of physicians doing prenatal and intrapartum obstetrics who are active members of SNAP. The network is made up of full-time faculty in the University of Toronto's family practice units and teaching practice physicians (rural, suburban, and urban) who are interested in participating in research projects. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Response rate was 78%. Responses of the 45 SNAP members who did not practise obstetrics were excluded; 125 of 218 questionnaires mailed were analyzed. RESULTS Women family physicians rated the form potentially helpful more frequently than their male colleagues. Urban and suburban physicians' concerns differed from those of rural physicians. Alcohol and drug abuse, abuse in the relationship, and acceptance of the pregnancy were rated highly important by physicians. Of the physicians surveyed, 77% thought that an antenatal psychosocial risk assessment form would be of some benefit or very helpful. Only 15% indicated it would be useless or not helpful. CONCLUSION The importance respondents accorded to risk factors showed little correspondence to the frequency of inquiry about them. The survey confirmed our plan to design an antenatal psychosocial risk factor assessment form.
Renal Dysfunction on Admission Predicts No-Reflow Phenomenon in Patients Undergoing Manual Thrombus Aspiration during Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND No-reflow is a frequent complication during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Available data is limited regarding its impact on short-term outcomes in patients undergoing manual thrombus aspiration. Renal impairment is also associated with higher complication rates in STEMI. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the impact of baseline renal dysfunction on the no- reflow phenomenon and the association of no-reflow phenomenon with early clinical outcomes. METHODS A total of 94 consecutive STEMI patients who underwent primary stent-based PCI and thrombus aspiration were enrolled. No-reflow was established by the use of angiographic and electrocardiographic reperfusion criteria, respectively. Additionally angiographic and clinical follow-up data were also recorded. RESULTS In our study, the no-reflow phenomenon was observed in 10 patients (11%) angiographically and in 23 patients (24%) electrocardiographically. Whereas, the the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) [odds ratio (OR) 10.4], hypertension (OR 6.2), previous MI (OR 6.5), previous PCI history, (OR 4.2), predilatation (OR 7.2), final balloon pressure (OR 0.9) were found to be the significant predictors of angiographic no-reflow, only reperfusion time was the predictor of electrocardiographic no-reflow (OR 1.12) at univariate analysis. After adjustment, lower eGFR (OR 14.8) was found to be the independent predictor for angiographic no-reflow. In-hospital mortality was more common in patients with either no-reflow condition separately. CONCLUSIONS Longer ischemic time and lower initial eGFR values were associated with no-reflow phenomenon. Irrespective of poor reperfusion criteria, no-reflow phenomenon is associated with in-hospital outcome. Future efforts should be made to reduce the incidence of no-reflow especially in patients with lower initial eGFR values. KEY WORDS Acute myocardial infarction • Glomerular filtration rate • No-reflow phenomenon • Primary percutaneous coronary intervention.
Neurotrophins Stimulate the Release of Dopamine from Rat Mesencephalic Neurons via Trk and p75Lntr Receptors*

We analyzed the short term effect of neurotrophins on mesencephalic neuronal cultures of embryonic (E14) rats with respect to which receptors mediate the actions. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) or neurotrophin-3 enhanced within minutes in a dose-dependent manner (2, 20, 100 ng/ml for 5 min) depolarization-induced (KCl, 30 m 5 min) and basal dopamine release, but nerve growth factor (NGF) was only effective at high doses (100 ng/ml). The effect of BDNF, but not of NGF, was blocked by K252a or K252b. BDNF, but not NGF, phosphorylated trkB receptors. The NGF-induced, but not the BDNF-induced effect upon the release of dopamine was blocked by anti-p75 antibody MC192. C2-ceramide, an analogue of ceramide, the second messenger of the sphingomyelin pathway, and sphingomyelinase itself induced a release of dopamine comparable with the effect of NGF. NGF, but not BDNF, increased ceramide production. In addition, simultaneous treatment with BDNF and NGF led to a partial prevention of the NGF-stimulated, p75Lntr-mediated effect. We conclude that BDNF stimulates the release of dopamine by activation of the trkB receptor, whereas NGF affects the release via the p75Lntr receptor inducing the sphingomyelin pathway.
Eight weeks of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir is effective for selected patients with genotype 1 hepatitis C virus infection

Eight weeks duration of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (LDV/SOF) can be considered in genotype 1 hepatitis C virus–infected patients who are treatment‐naive, do not have cirrhosis, and have a pretreatment viral load <6,000,000 IU/mL. The effectiveness of this regimen, however, has not been fully confirmed by real‐world experience. Using data from real‐world cohorts, we aimed to determine the effectiveness of 8 weeks of LDV/SOF treatment, examine variables associated with relapse after treatment with this regimen, and compare the effectiveness of 8 weeks and 12 weeks of LDV/SOF treatment. To evaluate the effectiveness of 8 weeks of therapy and characteristics associated with relapse, we used individual patient data from the IFI (Institut für Interdisziplinäre Medizin), Burman's Pharmacy, and Kaiser Permanente Southern California. All patients had fibrosis staging assessed with biopsy, transient elastography, or serum biomarkers. We also performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis of six additional real‐world cohorts, to compare effectiveness of 8 weeks to 12 weeks duration. In our pooled data analysis, 634 patients were treated for 8 weeks with LDV/SOF, of whom all had outcomes of cure or relapse without loss to follow‐up. Per protocol rates of sustained virologic response at 12 weeks were 98.1% (622/634) in the full cohort and 97.9% (571/583) among treatment‐eligible patients. Exact logistic regression revealed no specific patient characteristics associated with relapse. Our meta‐analysis of six additional real‐world cohorts, comprised of 5,637 patients, demonstrated similar risk for relapse between 8 weeks and 12 weeks of LDV/SOF (relative risk = 0.99, 95% confidence interval 0.98‐1.00). Conclusion: An 8‐week duration of treatment with LDV/SOF is highly effective in properly selected patients; greater use of this regimen is recommended. (Hepatology 2017;65:1094‐1103)
Improvement of the Tissue-adhesive and Sealing Effect of Fibrin Sealant Using Polyglycolic Acid Felt

Although fibrin sealant (FS) has an advantage of high biocompatibility, its adhesive force and sealing effect have been generally considered to be inadequate. In the present study, a high adhesive force and sealing effect were obtained by first rubbing fibrinogen solution into the target tissue, attaching polyglycolic acid (PGA) felt to the treated area, and finally spraying it with FS. This method was compared with three conventional FS application methods and a method using fibrin glue-coated collagen fleece. The adhesive force resulting from the present method was 12 times higher than that for the sequential application method, 4.5 times higher than the spray method, 2.5 times higher than the rubbing and spray method, and 2.2 times higher than the use of fibrin glue-coated collagen fleece. The high adhesive force of FS with PGA felt seemed to be due the high fibrin content of the fibrin gel (FG). Light and electron microscopic observations suggested that the formation of FG in closer contact with the muscle fibers was a factor contributing to this superior adhesive force. Comparison of the sealing effect of the present method with other methods using various biomaterials in combination with FS showed that the sealing effect of FS with PGA felt was 1.4 times higher that of polyglactin 910, 1.8 times that of polytetrafluoroethylene, and 6.7 times that of oxidized regenerated cellulose.
A comparison of hip fracture incidence rates among elderly in Sweden by latitude and sunlight exposure

Background: Research has shown that hip fracture risk increases with latitude; hypothetically due to reduced sunlight exposure and its effect on bone quality. Sweden, with large differences in latitude and UV radiation, is ideal to study in order to analyse the association between latitude and UV radiation on age- and sex-specific hip fracture rates among elderly. Method: Aggregated (2006–2008) age- and sex-specific hip fracture data was obtained for each Swedish municipality as well as the municipality’s latitudinal coordinates and aggregated (2006–2008) UV radiation levels. Pearson correlations were calculated between hip fracture incidence rates, latitude and UV radiation. Independent t tests were calculated on tertile-categorized latitudinal data in order to investigate the difference in hip fracture risk between these categories. Results: Statistically significant correlations were seen in all groups between hip fracture incidence rates and latitude as well as UV radiation. The independent t tests showed that this correlation was mainly due to high incidence rates in high latitude municipalities. Conclusions: Statistically significant correlations are seen between hip fracture incidence rates and latitude as well as UV radiation in Sweden and the northern parts of Sweden have an increased risk of hip fractures compared to the middle and southern parts. To our knowledge this is the first study using a national discharge register that shows this relationship and provides a starting point for further research to investigate why populations in northern Sweden have a higher risk of hip fractures compared to other Swedish regions.
The 5′-Terminal Region of the Aichi Virus Genome Encodes cis-Acting Replication Elements Required for Positive- and Negative-Strand RNA Synthesis

ABSTRACT Aichi virus is a member of the family Picornaviridae. It has already been shown that three stem-loop structures (SL-A, SL-B, and SL-C, from the 5′ end) formed at the 5′ end of the genome are critical elements for viral RNA replication. In this study, we further characterized the 5′-terminal cis-acting replication elements. We found that an additional structural element, a pseudoknot structure, is formed through base-pairing interaction between the loop segment of SL-B (nucleotides [nt] 57 to 60) and a sequence downstream of SL-C (nt 112 to 115) and showed that the formation of this pseudoknot is critical for viral RNA replication. Mapping of the 5′-terminal sequence of the Aichi virus genome required for RNA replication using a series of Aichi virus-encephalomyocarditis virus chimera replicons indicated that the 5′-end 115 nucleotides including the pseudoknot structure are the minimum requirement for RNA replication. Using the cell-free translation-replication system, we examined the abilities of viral RNAs with a lethal mutation in the 5′-terminal structural elements to synthesize negative- and positive-strand RNAs. The results showed that the formation of three stem-loops and the pseudoknot structure at the 5′ end of the genome is required for negative-strand RNA synthesis. In addition, specific nucleotide sequences in the stem of SL-A or its complementary sequences at the 3′ end of the negative-strand were shown to be critical for the initiation of positive-strand RNA synthesis but not for that of negative-strand synthesis. Thus, the 5′ end of the Aichi virus genome encodes elements important for not only negative-strand synthesis but also positive-strand synthesis.
STRATEJİK YÖNETİM ARAŞTIRMALARINDAKİ İLERLEMELER VE GÜNCEL TARTIŞMA KONULARI - PROGRESS IN STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT RESEARCHES AND CURRENT DISCUSSION CONDITIONS

Bu calismanin amaci, gunumuzun yogun rekabet ortaminda daha da onemli hale gelen strateji ve stratejik yonetim dusuncesinin gelisimini ve gunumuzdeki stratejik yonetim konularindaki arastirma konularinin yonunu ortaya koymaktir. Bu cercevede calismamizda konuyu genis ve derin bir bakis acisi ile irdeleyerek, yorum yapma ve yeni sentezlere ulasmak icin literatur incelemesi yapilmistir. Makale konusu ile ilgili kaynaklarin gozden gecirilmesi, gorusler, tutumlar ve betimlemelerin bulunmasi saglanmistir. Bu makalemizde, gecmisten gunumuze stratejik yonetim dusuncesinin ve felsefesinin onculeri ve tarihsel gelisim sureci, gunumuze kadar ortaya cikan stratejik yonetim okullari ve arastirma konulari literatur taramasi ile ortaya konulmaya calisilmistir. Calismamizda, stratejik yonetim dusuncesinin sagladigi ilerleme ve gelismeler incelenmistir. Yapilan literatur taramasi sonucunda, oncelikle stratejik yonetimin bir bagimsiz bilim dali olarak bilimlesme surecinin 1980’lerde basladigi, 1990’larda bilimselligin sorgulandigi, 2000’lerde disiplinlesme tartismalari, 2010’larda toparlayici kuram arayislari oldugu gorulmustur. Gunumuzdeki stratejik yonetim arastirmalarinin yonunun tespitine yonelik, akademik makalelerde yer alan stratejik yonetime dair arastirma konularinin tespiti ve listelenmesi saglanmistir. Literatur taramasi yontemiyle stratejik yonetim arastirmalarina konu edinen arastirmalarin temel, icerik, surec, bilissel ve baglamsal arastirmalar olarak siniflandirildigi sonucuna ulasilmistir.