Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vocal tract length normalization and sub-band spectral subtraction based robust assamese vowel recognition system

In this paper, vocal tract length normalization (VTLN) and sub-band spectral subtraction (SSS) have been used for speaker adaptation and noise reduction to develop an Assamese vowel recognition system which is robust to the speaker and environment variabilities. In the present work VTLN has been implemented to reduce the effects of inter speaker variabilities and sub-band spectral subtraction has been used to reduce the effects of environmental variabilities. The effectiveness of VTLN in noisy and noise-free environment has been evaluated for Assamese vowel recognition system. The Assamese vowel recognition system has been implemented using Hidden Markov Model (HMM). Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficient (MFCC) has been used as feature vector. Experimented result shows that the performance of the system improved considerably after applying VTLN technique in noise-free and some of the noisy conditions.
Distal Femoral Valgus and Recurrent Traumatic Patellar Instability: Is an Isolated Varus Producing Distal Femoral Osteotomy a Treatment Option?

Background: Genu valgum, a risk factor for recurrent patellofemoral instability, can be addressed with a varus producing distal femoral osteotomy (DFO). The purpose of this study is to report 3-year clinical and radiographic outcomes on a series of skeletally mature adolescents with traumatic patellofemoral instability and genu valgum who underwent a varus producing DFO. Methods: Consecutive patients (n=11) who underwent an isolated DFO for recurrent traumatic patellar instability over a 4-year study period (2009 to 2012) were reviewed. All patients were below 19 years of age, skeletally mature, had ≥2 patellar dislocations, genu valgum (≥ zone II mechanical axis) and failed nonoperative treatment. Exclusion criteria included less than three-year follow-up, congenital or habitual patellar instability, osteotomy indicated for pathology other than patellar instability, or biplanar osteotomies. Demographic, clinical, and radiographic data were retrospectively analyzed. Recurrence of instability and outcome measures (Kujala and Tegner Activity Scale) were collected at final followed-up prospectively. Results: Ten of 11 patients (average age, 16 y; range, 14 to 18 y; 4 male individuals: 7 female individuals) with an average follow-up of 4.25 years (range, 3.2 to 6.0 y) met inclusion criteria. The average body mass index (BMI) of all patients was 31.3 (range, 19.7 to 46.8) with 91% considered overweight (BMI>25) and 55% obese (BMI>30). The average preoperative lateral distal femoral angle was 75.4 degrees with an average correction of 10.4 degrees (range, 7 to 12 degrees) (P<0.001). Mean patellar height ratios were reduced; with Caton-Deschamps Index significantly reduced to 1.08 (range, 0.86 to 1.30) (P<0.005). The average postoperative Kujala score was 83.6 (range, 49 to 99) with 7 subjects (70%) reporting good to excellent function (Kujala > 80) and 8 (80%) having no further episodes of instability. The mean postoperative Tegner activity score was 5.5 (range, 3 to 7). Conclusions: A distal femoral varus producing osteotomy may change radiographic parameters associated with patellar instability and improve clinical outcomes by reducing symptomatic patellofemoral instability in this patient population. Level of Evidence: Level IV.
Structure and function of TSPY, the Y-chromosome gene coding for the “testis-specific protein”

The TSPY genes are arranged in clusters on the Y chromosome of many mammalian species. TSPY is believed to function in early spermatogenesis and is a candidate for GBY, the putative gonadoblastoma-inducing gene on the Y. The TSPY family forms part of a superfamily, TTSN, with autosomal representatives, highly conserved in mammals and beyond.
A Systematic Review of Mammography Educational Interventions for Low-Income Women

Objective. We conducted a systematic review to examine the effectiveness of educational interventions in increasing mammography screening among low-income women. Data Sources. Bibliographic databases, including MEDLINE, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and the ISI Web of Science, were searched for relevant articles. Study Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria. Randomized, community-based trials targeting low-income women and published between January 1980 and March 2003 were included. Data Extraction. The search yielded 242 studies; 24 met all inclusion criteria. Data Synthesis. Three studies used mammography vans, three used low-cost vouchers or provided free mammograms, three used home visits, one used community education alone, one provided referrals, five incorporated multiple intervention strategies, two used phone calls, one used videos and print material, and five used primarily print material. Results. Of nine studies that reduced barriers to care via mammography vans, cost vouchers, or home visits, eight showed statistically significant increases in mammography screening. Seven of the eight studies that used peer educators had significant increases in screening, as did four of the five studies that used multiple (intervention) components. Conclusions. Interventions that used peer educators, incorporated multiple intervention strategies, or provided easy access via vans, cost vouchers, or home visits were effective in increasing screenings. Mailed letter or telephone reminders were not effective in trials involving low-income women, which is contrary to findings from middle/upper-income studies.
Video play: playful interactions in video conferencing for long-distance families with young children

Long-distance families are increasingly staying connected with free video conferencing tools. However research has highlighted a need for shared activities for long-distance family communication. While video technology is reportedly superior to audio-only tools for children under age 7, the tools themselves are not designed to accommodate children's or families needs. This paper introduces games for intergenerational families to play with young children during a video chat. We build on research in CSCW and child development to create opportunities for silliness and open-ended play between adults and young children. Our goal is to create a space for shared activities that scaffold interaction across distance and generations.
Colour balancing using sclera colour

Colour balancing is an image processing step employed in image signal processing pipeline to adjust colouration of images captured under different illuminations. Most of the existing colour balancing methods that make use of human faces and facial features use skin colour to estimate the chromaticity of the illuminant. This study examines how colour balancing can be performed exploiting the sclera colour extracted from the face automatically detected in the image. Sclera colour can provide enough and correct information to estimate the scene illuminant and reliably perform automatic colour balancing for face images. Experimental results suggest that, in terms of accuracy, the proposed method outperforms most other colour constancy methods on the experimental dataset collected as part of this research, which is a significant result.
The sexual behavior of a confined troop of Japanese macaques.

The sexual behavior of a confined troop of 69 Japanese macaques was observed throughout its 5 months breeding season. Males 2 ¼ years of age and older mounted adult females but only males 4½ years and older ejaculated. All females 3 ½ years of age and older were sexually receptive and all but two of the adult females conceived. The frequency and intensity of mating was somewhat related to dominance in males, to age in both sexes and to the recency of an offspring in females. All males mated, some of the most active being low in rank; however, the most dominant males ejaculated more frequently. Middle-aged females were very active throughout the season; females with recent infants were least active. The frequency, the intensity, and the types of behaviors exhibited by females during the season showed no consistent cyclic fluctuations. The continued sexual activity of pregnant females, the higher numbers of ejaculations and the displays of high-ranking males, and the repeated mounting of mature females by nonejaculating males demonstrate the social nature and essentially nonprocreative functions of much breeding season activity. The interaction between hormonal and social factors must be considered in the approach to an eventual understanding of sexual behavior in primate species.
Differences in nutrient composition and choice of side dishes between red meat and fish dinners in Norwegian adults

Background Food-based dietary guidelines often recommend increased consumption of fish and reduced intake of red and processed meat. However, little is known about how changing the main protein source from red meat to fish may influence the choice of side dishes. Objective To investigate whether side dish choices differed between red meat and fish dinners. Moreover, to compare intakes of macronutrients and selected micronutrients in red meat and fish dinners and to see whether whole-day intakes of these nutrients differed between days with red meat dinners and days with fish dinners. Design Data were collected in a cross-sectional nationwide Norwegian dietary survey using two non-consecutive telephone-administered 24-h recalls. The recalls were conducted approximately 4 weeks apart. In total, 2,277 dinners from 1,517 participants aged 18–70 were included in the analyses. Results Fish dinners were more likely to include potatoes and carrots than red meat dinners, whereas red meat dinners more often contained bread, tomato sauce, and cheese. Red meat dinners contained more energy and iron; had higher percentages of energy (E%) from fat, saturated fat, and monounsaturated fat; and a lower E% from protein and polyunsaturated fat than fish dinners. Fish dinners contained more vitamin D, β-carotene, and folate than red meat dinners. Similar differences were found when comparing whole-day intakes of the same nutrients on days with red meat versus fish dinners. Conclusion Fish dinners were accompanied by different side dishes than red meat dinners. With regard to nutrient content, fish dinners generally had a healthier profile than red meat dinners. However, iron intake was higher for red meat dinners. Information about associated foods will be useful both for developing public health guidelines and when studying associations between dietary factors and health outcomes.
Neuropsychological outcomes in CHD beyond childhood: a meta-analysis

Abstract Background Risk for neurodevelopmental delay in infants and children with CHD is well established, but longer-term outcomes are equivocal. A meta-analysis was conducted to establish whether cognitive deficits remain beyond childhood – into teenage and young adult years. Methods and results A total of 18 unique samples, involving adolescents, teenagers, and adults with CHD significant enough to require invasive intervention, and sourced through searches of Web of Science, MEDLINE, CINAHL Plus, and PsychInfo, met the inclusion criteria. These included the use of standardised neuropsychology tests across 10 domains of cognitive functioning and the reporting of effect size differences with controls. Reports of patients with chromosomal or genetic abnormalities were excluded. Pooled effect sizes suggested no significant differences between CHD samples and controls in terms of general intellectual ability and verbal reasoning. However, small–medium effects sizes were noted (0.33–0.44) and were statistically significant within the domains of non-verbal reasoning, processing speed, attention, auditory–verbal memory, psychomotor abilities, numeracy, and literacy with executive functioning also emerging as significant when one study outlier was excluded. We also included quality assurance statistics including Cochran’s Q, T, and I2 statistics, leave-one-out analyses, and assessment of publication bias. These often suggested study variability, possibly related to the heterogeneity of diagnostic groups included, and different tests used to measure the same construct. Conclusions Heterogeneity indicated that moderators affect cognitive outcomes in CHD. Nevertheless, deficits across cognitive domains were discerned, which are likely to have functional impact and which should inform practice with this clinical population.
A Gamified Approach for Hand Rehabilitation Device

This work details developments made in a system for hand rehabilitation, that aims to improve recovery of fine motor control, mostly for those recovering from stroke. The system consists of an instrumented device that is used to interact with a variety of games designed to improve fine motor control, enhancing rehabilitation practices. These games were tested with actual disabled individuals and therapists, having received overall positive feedback.
A modified exponential pulse-decay modulation technique based on CMOS analog multiplier

A new EPDM multiplier circuit based on the dynamic charge technique has been introduced in this paper. We proposed an alternative EPDM multiplier scheme with double MOS-differential configuration resistor. This active resistor has matched devices biased in the triode region, and enables the multiplier to enhance the output linearity. Since the proposed technique removes the influences of bulk-source and drain-source voltages on circuit resistance with taken into account the effects of channel length modulation. It makes the developed new multiplier suitable enough for the architectures implementation of several analog VLSI neural networks.
A Site-Specific Literature Review of Policy and Environmental Interventions That Promote Physical Activity and Nutrition for Cardiovascular Health: What Works?

Objective. To review the literature to determine whether policy and environmental interventions can increase people's physical activity or improve their nutrition. Data Sources. The following databases were searched for relevant intervention studies: Medline, Chronic Disease Prevention File, PsychInfo, Health Star, Web of Science, ERIC, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Study Selection. To be included in the review, studies must have (1) addressed policy or environmental interventions to promote physical activity and/or good nutrition; (2) been published from 1970 to October 2003; (3) provided a description of the intervention; and (4) reported behavioral, physiological, or organizational change outcomes. Studies that had inadequate intervention descriptions or that focused on determinants research, individual-level interventions only, the built environment, or media-only campaigns were excluded. Data Extraction. We extracted and summarized studies conducted before 1990 (n = 65) and during 1990–2003 (n = 64). Data Synthesis. Data were synthesized by topic (i.e., physical activity or nutrition), by type of intervention (i.e., point-of-purchase), and by setting (i.e., community, health care facility, school, worksite). Current studies published during 1990–2003 are described in more detail, including setting and location, sample size and characteristics, intervention, evaluation period, findings, and research design. Findings are also categorized by type of intervention to show the strength of the study designs and the associations of policy and environmental interventions with physical activity and nutrition. Conclusions. The results of our review suggest that policy and environmental strategies may promote physical activity and good nutrition. Based on the experimental and quasi-experimental studies in this review, the following interventions provide the strongest evidence for influencing these behaviors: prompts to increase stair use (N = 5); access to places and opportunities for physical activity (N = 6); school-based physical education (PE) with better-trained PE teachers, and increased length of time students are physically active (N = 7); comprehensive work-site approaches, including education, employee and peer support for physical activity, incentives, and access to exercise facilities (N = 5); the availability of nutritious foods (N = 33), point-of-purchase strategies (N = 29); and systematic officer reminders and training of health care providers to provide nutritional counseling (N = 4). Further research is needed to determine the long-term effectiveness of different policy and environmental interventions with various populations and to identify the steps necessary to successfully implement these types of interventions.
Characterization of the Histo-Blood Group O2 Gene and Its Protein Product

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to show the full sequence and function of the O2 allele, and investigate whether it accounts for the incompatible expression of A antigens in gastric carcinomas of blood group O persons. Materials and Methods: By PCR, we determined the ABO genotype of group O subjects (76 gastric carcinoma patients and 165 blood donors). Two expression constructs, encoding either the putative soluble or full-length O2 protein, were used to transfect Sf9 cells. The expression and the activity of the O2 protein were analysed by immunohistochemistry and enzymatic assays, respectively. Results: No significant difference was detectable between the O2 allele frequency in gastric carcinoma patients (3.9%) and blood donors (4.2%). Sequencing analysis of the O2 allele revealed an intact reading frame identical to that of A transferase except for four nucleotide substitutions. O2-transfected Sf9 cells and gastric carcinomas genotyped as O1O2 both expressed a protein recognized by anti-A/B transferase monoclonal antibodies. In enzymatic assays, the O2 protein failed to show measurable A transferase activity. Conclusion: The O2 allele has an intact reading frame encoding a protein immunologically related to A/B transferases and enzymatically inactive. Further, our data gave no indication that the O2 allele is related to the phenomenon of incompatible A antigen expression in gastric cancer.
Aromatic Thioethers as Novel Luminophores with Aggregation-Induced Fluorescence and Phosphorescence.

Here we report on a novel system based on aromatic thioethers with unique luminescence properties. Fifteen different compounds were investigated in detail on their luminescence properties using UV/Vis absorption and steady-state and time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy. Excited state lifetimes as well as quantum yields were determined, and the toxicity towards HeLa cells was investigated. Besides X-ray analyses also quantum chemical calculations were performed to gain deeper insights in the unique behavior of this facile system. The studied compounds reveal remarkable fluorescence emission ranging from 437 to 588 nm as well as phosphorescence (up to 5 μs).
Bayesian-poisson based modeling of cyber attacks in cloud computing networks

The security inadequacies echoed in cloud computing have continued to pose as a challenge to security analysts. Unlike traditional computing systems, cloud computing system components such as hypervisors host multiple instances of operating systems and services which might harbor a wide range of vulnerabilities. Attackers are now using complex methodologies to exploit and remotely breach the otherwise secured data. All this has been facilitated by the fact that attackers are able to exploit not only the vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the system components but also the relationships exhibited amongst them. In this paper, we endeavor to characterize attack paths in cloud computing networks whilst taking into consideration the interdependencies amongst vulnerabilities in a given attack path. We identify pivot and critical nodes in a network and elaborate the influence they exert on overall success of the attack chain. We decompose the state of the target node into instances dependent on the types of services being hosted and the associated vulnerabilities. We further model the attack processes of the Bayesian attack network as Poisson variables and derive the associated probability density curves.
The effects of resveratrol on hepatic oxidative stress in metabolic syndrome model induced by high fructose diet.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to evaluate probable protective effects of resveratrol treatment on hepatic oxidative events in a rat model of metabolic syndrome (MetS). METHODS Thirty-two male adult rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control, fructose, resveratrol, and fructose plus resveratrol. To induce MetS, fructose solution (20 % in drinking water) was used. Resveratrol (10 mg/kg/day) was given by oral gavage. All treatments were given for 8 weeks. Serum lipid profile, glucose and insulin levels, liver total oxidant status (TOS) levels and paraoxonase (PON), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were analyzed. RESULTS Fructose-fed rats displayed statistically significant increases in TOS levels, and decreases in PON activity compared to the control group. Resveratrol treatment moderately prevented the decrease in liver PON activity caused by fructose. On the other hand, resveratrol, alone or in combination with fructose, did not change the TOS levels when compared to the fructose group. The SOD and CAT activities in all groups did not change. CONCLUSION In this experimental design, high-fructose consumption led to elevated TOS levels and low PON activities. The resveratrol therapy shown beneficial effects on PON activity. However, it was found to behave like a prooxidant when administered together with fructose and alone in some parameters. Our results can inspire the development of new clinical therapy in patients with MetS (Tab. 2, Ref. 34).
Effect of Glutamate Receptor Agonists on Catecholamine Secretion in Bovine Chromaffin Cells

In this study, the effects of glutamate and glutamate receptor agonists in cultured chromaffin cells from bovine adrenal medulla were investigated. It was found that glutamate increases basal catecholamine (CA) secretion in a dose-dependent manner. This effect is mimicked by specific agonists of the four known glutamate receptors N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), quisqualate/(RS)-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA), kainate (KA), and trans-(+)-1-amino-1,3-cyclopentane dicarboxylic acid (t-ACPD), which increased both basal and nicotine-evoked CA secretion. The NMDA receptor antagonist 2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid, 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione, an antagonist of KA and AMPA receptors, and L-(+)-2-amino-3-phosphonopropionic acid, an antagonist of the t-ACPD receptor, inhibited the stimulatory effect of related glutamate agonists. Hexamethonium, an antagonist of the nicotinic receptor, failed to influence glutamate agonists except for a 15% inhibition of KA. The increase in CA secretion produced by a 100 µM concentration of glutamate agonists was about 20–60% of that obtained with 10 µM of nicotine, an agonist of the physiological stimulatory cholinergic receptor. The increase in CA secretion produced by glutamate was accompanied by both an increase in bisoxonol fluorescence, suggesting membrane depolarization, and by an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentrations. Results obtained with image analysis on single cells indicated that the percentage of cells which respond to the stimulation of 50 µM of glutamate is 42%. From these results, we conclude that glutamate, through its four known glutamate receptors, can increase both basal and nicotine-evoked CA secretion in chromaffin cells by a process which involves membrane depolarization and an increase in intracellular calcium levels.