Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing Level-Dependent Segmental Contribution to the Intelligibility of Speech Processed by Single-Channel Noise-Suppression Algorithms

Most existing single-channel noise-suppression algorithms cannot improve speech intelligibility for normal-hearing listeners; however, the underlying reason for this performance deficit is still unclear. Given that various speech segments contain different perceptual contributions, the present work assesses whether the intelligibility of noisy speech can be improved when selectively suppressing its noise at high-level (vowel-dominated) or middle-level (containing vowelconsonant transitions) segments by existing single-channel noise-suppression algorithms. The speech signal was corrupted by speech-spectrum shaped noise and two-talker babble masker, and its noisy highor middle-level segments were replaced by their noise-suppressed versions processed by four types of existing single-channel noise-suppression algorithms. Experimental results showed that performing segmental noise-suppression at highor middle-level led to decreased intelligibility relative to noisy speech. This suggests that the lack of intelligibility improvement by existing noisesuppression algorithms is also present at segmental level, which may account for the deficit traditionally observed at full-sentence level.
The contemporary role of antioxidant therapy in attenuating liver ischemia‐reperfusion injury: A review

Oxidative stress is an important factor in many pathological conditions such as inflammation, cancer, ageing and organ response to ischemia‐reperfusion. Humans have developed a complex antioxidant system to eliminate or attenuate oxidative stress. Liver ischemia‐reperfusion injury occurs in a number of clinical settings, including liver surgery, transplantation, and hemorrhagic shock with subsequent fluid resuscitation, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. It is characterized by significant oxidative stress but accompanied with depletion of endogenous antioxidants. This review has 2 aims: firstly, to highlight the clinical significance of liver ischemia‐reperfusion injury, the underlying mechanisms and the main pathways by which the antioxidants function, and secondly, to describe the new developments that are ongoing in antioxidant therapy and to present the experimental and clinical evidence about the role of antioxidants in modulating hepatic ischemia‐reperfusion injury. (Liver Transpl 2005;11:1031–1047.)
Data and Control Flow Analysis of VDM++ Specifications

— Formal Specification languages are being widely used for system specification and testing. Highly critical systems such as real time systems, avionics, and medical systems are represented using Formal specification languages. Formal specifications based testing is mostly performed using black box testing approaches thus testing only the set of inputs and outputs of the system. The formal specification language such as VDM++ can be used for white box testing as they provide enough constructs as any other high level programming language. In this work, we perform data and control flow analysis of VDM++ class specifications. The proposed work is discussed with an example of SavingAccount.
Influencia de la Internet en niños, niñas y adolescentes desde el enfoque biopsicosocial

El proposito del presente estudio es analizar la influencia de Internet en ninos, ninas y adolescentes desde la perspectiva de la teoria biopsicosocial. La investigacion permitio responder la siguiente interrogante ? como influye el uso de Internet sobre el comportamiento de los actores en relacion con sus estudios, cualidades, aspectos biologicos, su conducta hacia los demas companeros y ante la sociedad, entre otros? Es descriptiva y correlacional y se realizo a traves de un diseno de campo segun Hernandez y otros (2003). La poblacion estuvo constituida por 655 ninos, ninas y adolescentes que cursan la II Etapa de Educacion Basica en la UE Los Laureles, Parroquia Punta Gorda, Municipio Cabimas, Estado Zulia y la muestra por 99.La metodologia utilizada se basa en la teoria biopsicosocial unificada de personalidad desarrollada por el genetista y psiquiatra norteamericano Robert Cloninger citado por Rothhammer (2005), la cual se define por ser un modelo de caracter multifactorial, constructivista e integrador (Leal, 2004; Velasco, 2006). Se aplico una encuesta dirigida a los ninos, ninas y adolescentes constituida por 59 de items tipo likert con 4 alternativas de respuestas y otros dicotomicos con una confiabilidad alta del 0,71%. Entre las conclusiones derivadas predominan que un 20% de los encuestados visitan paginas en Internet con contenido de guerra y de violencia. Alrededor del 70% navegan minimo 2 horas diarias en Internet. Tambien, un 73,7% navegan individualmente, asi como el 85,9% cuentan con horas de accesos autorizadas. Un 50,5% navegan en Internet en cyber y el 45,5% desde sus hogares. En cuanto al modelo biopsicosocial la investigacion revelo un pequeno indice de agresividad, ademas un porcentaje de los encuestados presentan afecciones oculares, cansancio, dolores de cabeza y perdida del apetito.
Accuracy of Intraoperative Gross Examination of Surgical Margin Status in Women Undergoing Partial Mastectomy for Breast Malignancy

Margin status is an important prognostic factor for local recurrence after partial mastectomy for breast malignancy. Options for intraoperative evaluation of margin status include gross examination of the specimen, frozen section, and “touch preparation” cytology. This study evaluates the accuracy of gross examination without other intraoperative pathological analysis as a method of determining margin status. Records of 254 consecutive patients undergoing partial mastectomy for 255 breast malignancies (199 invasive, 56 DCIS) over 6 years were analyzed retrospectively. All women underwent en bloc excision of the primary lesion with gross examination of margin status by the surgeon and pathologist. All suspicious areas were reexcised, and the specimen was inked, serially sectioned at 2–3 mm intervals and examined with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stains. Specimens with tumor <2 mm from a margin were considered margin-positive and those with all tumor ≥2 mm from the margin were designated margin-negative. One hundred fourteen (45%) of the 255 segmental resections were considered to have grossly tumor-free margins, and intraoperative reexcision was not performed. Ninety-six (84%) of these specimens had histologically negative margins. Gross examination prompted intraoperative reexcision in 141 (55%) cases. Ninety-five (67%) of these 141 resections had tumor-free margins on histopathology. Overall, the final margin was involved in 64 of the 255 partial mastectomies. Seventeen (27%) women with initially margin-positive resections underwent mastectomy, while 46 (72%) underwent reexcision, which was margin-negative in 41 (89%). After a median follow-up of 42 months, there have been eight (3.5%) local recurrences. The initial margin-positive rate was similar in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) (30%) and invasive carcinoma (24%). Margin status was correlated with nodal status; there was no correlation with age, tumor size, grade hormone receptor status, or type of diagnostic biopsy. Gross examination of the resection specimen does not reflect margin status in at least 25 per cent of women undergoing partial mastectomy for breast malignancy. Other techniques for evaluation of margin status should be considered to reduce the need for reexcision of involved margins. We are currently designing a prospective clinical trial to examine the efficacy of new techniques for intraoperative evaluation of margin status.
Effects of ouabain on ionic transfer across frog skin with a discussion of the nature of its electrical conductance.

Using the isolated frog skin, the effects of ouabain on active as well as on passive ion transport were investigated under short-circuit conditions. The drug decreased the short-circuit current and the electrical conductance, but it enhanced the Na and SO4 outfluxes. When the concentration of Na in the fluid outside the skin was low, the electrical conductance did not change by application of the drug. In some skins it was observed that before the addition of ouabain, the conductance for the passive Na transport was negligibly small compared with the total electrical conductance. These facts were explained by assuming that the electrical conductance of the frog skin depended on the active Na transport process as well as on the passive diffusion of ions.
Reported consumption of low-nutrient-density foods by American children and adolescents: nutritional and health correlates, NHANES III, 1988 to 1994.

OBJECTIVE To examine the contribution of foods of modest nutritional value to the diets of American children and adolescents. METHODS The data were from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988 to 1994, and included 4852 children and adolescents, aged 8 to 18 years. Foods reported in the 24-hour dietary recall were grouped into the following low-nutrient-density (LND) food categories: visible fat; table sweeteners, candy, and sweetened beverages; baked and dairy desserts; salty snacks; and miscellaneous. The independent association of the number of LND foods mentioned in the recall with intake of food groups, macronutrients, micronutrients, and body mass index was examined by means of regression procedures to adjust for multiple covariates. RESULTS The LND foods contributed more than 30% of daily energy, with sweeteners and desserts jointly accounting for nearly 25%. Intakes of total energy and percentage of energy from carbohydrate and fat related positively, but percentage of energy from protein and dietary fiber (in grams) related inversely to the reported number of LND foods (P<.05). The reported number of LND foods was a negative predictor (P<.001) of the amount of nutrient-dense foods reported. The mean amount of reported intake of several micronutrients-vitamins A, B6, and folate, and the minerals calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc-declined (P<.05) with increasing tertiles of reported number of LND foods. The LND food reporting was not a significant predictor of body mass index. CONCLUSION High LND food reporting was related to higher energy intake but lower amounts of the 5 major food groups and most micronutrients.
Active cancellation system of acoustic noise in MR imaging

Introduces a new neural-network architecture for reducing the acoustic noise level in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging processes. The proposed neural network (NN) consists of two cascaded time-delay NNs (TDNNs). This NN is used as the predictor of a feedback active noise control (ANC) system for reducing acoustic noises. Experimental results with real MR noises show that the proposed system achieved an average noise power attenuation of 18.75 dB, which compares favorably with previous studies. Preliminary results also show that with the proposed ANC system installed, acoustic MR noises are greatly attenuated while verbal communication during MRI sessions Is not affected.
EGFR antagonists in cancer treatment.

Functional activation of growth factors and receptors of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family occurs in most epithelial-cell cancers, rendering EGFR a target for cancer treatment. This article discusses the mechanisms of action of EGFR inhibitors, their anticancer activity, and clinical issues concerning their use in the treatment of patients with cancer.
Prevalencia y asociación de la dispepsia y el síndrome de intestino irritable en una comunidad de la Selva Peruana

Introduccion: La dispepsia y el sindrome del intestino irritable (SII) son dos de los sindromes mas frecuentes en la gastroenterologia. Sin embargo, existen muy pocos trabajos epidemiologicos en el Peru y ninguno realizado en la selva peruana. Objetivos: El objetivo del presente trabajo es determinar la prevalencia de la dispepsia y el SII en una comunidad de la selva peruana y el porcentaje de co-ocurrencia de estos sindromes. Material y metodos: Se tomo una muestra de 231 personas escogidas al azar mediante la modalidad "casa por casa" segun el mapa proporcionado por el Centro de Salud de Punta del Este (Tarapoto-Dpto San Martin) y considerada representativa de la poblacion general de esa ciudad, a las cuales se les aplicaron dos encuestas (Test de dispepsia y Test de Manning) validadas previamente durante los meses de Enero a Marzo de 1999). Resultados: La prevalencia de la dispepsia fue de 37.6%, y del SII de 22.0%. De los sujetos con dispepsia el 38% tuvieron SII. De los sujetos con SII el 65% reporto sintomas de dispepsia. La prevalencia del SII fue mayor en sujetos con dispepsia (37.9%) que en sujetos sin dispepsia (12.5%; p<0.01). La prevalencia tanto de la dispepsia como del SII disminuye conforme aumenta la edad. En las personas con SII se encontro una diferencia estadisticamente significativa en cuanto a la etnia. La dispepsia y el SII se asociaron en el 31.4% de las personas con ambas entidades (p<0.0001 y OR=4.28). La relacion dispepsia/SII fue de 1.7/1. Conclusion: Existe una alta prevalencia del SII y dispepsia en la poblacion estudiada. La alta asociacion encontrada entre ambos sindromes se puede deber a que comparten mecanismos etiopatogenicos comunes como son: hipersensibilidad visceral debida a mecanismos perifericos o centrales, disturbios en la motilidad intestinal o parasitosis. Nuestro estudio sugiere que tanto la dispepsia como el SII son manifestaciones de un mismo desorden digestivo, aun no dilucidado por completo.
Extraction of 3D hand shape and posture from image sequences for sign language recognition

We propose a novel method for extracting natural hand parameters from monocular image sequences. The purpose is to improve a vision-based sign language recognition system by providing detail information about the finger constellation and the 3D hand posture. Therefore, the hand is modelled by a set of 2D appearance models, each representing a limited variation range of 3D hand shape and posture. The single models are linked to each other according to the natural neighbourhood of the corresponding hand status. During an image sequence, necessary model transitions are executed towards one of the current neighbour models. The natural hand parameters are calculated from the shape and texture parameters of the current model, using a relation estimated by linear regression. The method is robust against large differences between subsequent frames and also against poor image quality. It can be implemented in real-time and offers good properties to handle occlusion and partly missing image information.
Optimal vitamin D status: a critical analysis on the basis of evidence-based medicine.

CONTEXT Public health authorities around the world recommend widely variable supplementation strategies for adults, whereas several professional organizations, including The Endocrine Society, recommend higher supplementation. METHODS We analyzed published randomized controlled clinical trials to define the optimal intake or vitamin D status for bone and extraskeletal health. CONCLUSIONS The extraskeletal effects of vitamin D are plausible as based on preclinical data and observational studies. However, apart from the beneficial effects of 800 IU/d of vitamin D3 for reduction of falls in the elderly, causality remains yet unproven in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The greatest risk for cancer, infections, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases is associated with 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels below 20 ng/mL. There is ample evidence from RCTs that calcium and bone homeostasis, estimated from serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and PTH, calcium absorption, or bone mass, can be normalized by 25OHD levels above 20 ng/mL. Moreover, vitamin D supplementation (800 IU/d) in combination with calcium can reduce fracture incidence by about 20%. Such a dose will bring serum levels of 25OHD above 20 ng/mL in nearly all postmenopausal women. Based on calculations of the metabolic clearance of 25OHD, a daily intake of 500-700 IU of vitamin D3 is sufficient to maintain serum 25OHD levels of 20 ng/mL. Therefore, the recommendations for a daily intake of 1500-2000 IU/d or serum 25OHD levels of 30 ng or higher for all adults or elderly subjects, as suggested by The Endocrine Society Task Force, are premature. Fortunately, ongoing RCTs will help to guide us to solve this important public health question.
The Rate of Improvement in Long-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy For Borderline Personality Disorder

Abstract Controlled trials of psychotherapy and follow-up studies of borderline personality disorder (BPD) have shown significant, but usually limited, improvement. We examined the hypothesis that BPD changes more slowly than nonborderline disorders. In a study of long-term dynamic psychotherapy, 16 subjects with BPD and 35 with non-BPD disorders were treated for a median of 3 years with a follow-up of 5 years. From periodic assessments, we calculated the rate of change for each subject over the course of the study on each measure of symptoms and functioning. At intake, borderline psychopathology was associated with higher levels on 76% of 17 measures of comorbid axis I disorders, symptoms, and functioning. BPD psychopathology was associated with faster (not slower) rates of improvement on three measures, but after controlling for the initial level of each measure, there were no significant associations. These findings counsel both optimism and patience in the long-term treatment of patients with BPD.
Design and evaluation of a computer-actuated mouse

Although interaction with computing systems has become remarkably diverse in recent years, the computer mouse remained the primary pointing device for daily computer use. Being solely an input device, the classical mouse decouples input from output. In this paper, we propose to extend the mouse to a device that can be actuated by the user and the computer. We developed a mouse that allows its position and button state to be actuated. In a technical evaluation, we test the spatial resolution of our system and how effectively feedback is communicated to the user. In a subjective assessment, we explore users' reactions to four use cases including games and office applications, highlighting the potential of the device. Through a quantitative assessment, we investigate whether perceiving the movement of the mouse helps to learn gestures. Finally, we discuss how a mouse providing feedback can be used to build novel interaction techniques.
A weak completeness theorem for infinite valued first-order logic

This paper contains some results concerning the completeness of a first-order system of infinite valued logic There are under consideration two distinct notions of completeness corresponding to the two notions of validity (see Definition 3) and strong validity (see Definition 4). Both notions of validity, whether based on the unit interval [0, 1] or based on linearly ordered MV-algebras, use the element 1 as the designated truth value. Originally, it was thought by many investigators in the field that one should be able to prove that the set of valid sentences is recursively enumerable. It was first proved by Rutledge in [9] that the set of valid sentences in the monadic first-order infinite valued logic is recursively enumerable.
Compensatory Growth of Pancreatic β-Cells in Adult Rats After Short-Term Glucose Infusion

The extent to which adult pancreatic β-cells can respond in vivo to a sustained glucose stimulus by increasing their mass through either hyperplasia or hypertrophy has remained unanswered. Therefore, we studied the in vivo effect of short-term (96-h) hyperglycemia on the growth of β-cells by infusing adult rats with 35 or 50% glucose or 0.45% saline. After 96 h of glucose infusion, the β-cell mass, quantified by point-counting morphometrics of immunoperoxidase-stained paraffin sections, showed a 50% increase (9.57 ± 0.87 mg, n = 5, 50% glucose infused; 9.50 ± 1.23, n = 7, 35% glucose infused; 6.15 ± 0.55, n = 6, 0.45% saline infused). This growth was selective for β-cells; the non-β-cell mass was unchanged. The mitotic index, measured by accumulated mitotic frequency after a 4-h colchicine treatment, increased fivefold in glucose-infused animals compared to saline-infused animals. This enhanced replication of β-cells provides evidence for increase in cell number or hyperplasia. In addition, hypertrophy of the β-cells was also quantified. Mean cell volume, determined from the mean cell cross-sectional area measured planimetrically from low-magnification electron micrographs, increased to 150% of control values after 96 h of 50% glucose infusion. Seven days after the 96-h infusion, in reversal experiments, the β-cell mass had not returned to saline-infused levels. In addition, the non-β-cell mass of glucose-infused animals had increased. The mitotic index of the β-cells of glucose-infused rats was, however, significantly lower than that of the saline controls, but the mean cell volume of the β-cells remained elevated. Thus, with a short-term in vivo stimulus, adultβ-cells have a far greater capacity to respond with compensatory growth by hyperplasia and hypertrophy than has been appreciated before. Even 7 days after discontinuation of the stimulus, β-cell mass remains elevated.
Continuous enteral nutrition during the early adaptive stage of the short bowel syndrome

Sixty‐two patients with the short bowel syndrome (30–150 cm) were managed by continuous enteral nutrition (CEN) in the early adaptive phase. In all, 82 per cent were referrals from other units and 85 per cent of referrals had failure of one or more organ systems on admission. There were intra‐abdominal abscesses in 41 per cent of patients and 37 per cent had an enterocutaneous fistula. The diet included polysaccharides, medium chain triglycerides and protein hydrolysates, mixed with a high‐viscosity tapioca suspension. An elemental diet was used initially in 15 per cent of patients. Thirty‐three patients had an interruption of the gastrointestinal tract by a temporary enterostomy. Chyme was re‐infused into the distal intestine in 20 cases. ‘Zero‐time’ was taken as the time of operation or, for referred patients treated conservatively, the date of admission. CEN was commenced at a mean of 14 days from zero‐time. Total parenteral nutrition could be discontinued at a mean of 36 days and exclusive oral alimentation was resumed at a mean of 87 days. Patients with small bowel longer than 80 cm attained enteral autonomy earlier than patients with a shorter length. Mean faecal volume did not increase following institution of CEN, suggesting tolerance to the high‐viscosity diet. In cases with re‐infusion of enteric content, the distal circuit (length of distal small intestine 46 cm) was able to absorb 70 per cent of the volume re‐infused (mean volume 2700 ml). Body weight and nutritional markers increased significantly during the course of CEN. This study suggests that enteral autonomy can be attained early in the short bowel syndrome, even under challenging conditions. Elemental formulae do not appear to offer a benefit over polymeric diets.