Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Voice biometrics

It is possible today to automate a growing number of speaker-recognition tasks with such technologies as speaker verification and speaker identification. Like human listeners, voice biometrics use the features of a person’s voice to ascertain the speaker’s identity. Systems performing this function have been applied to real-world security applications for more than a decade. Their use is increasing rapidly in a broad spectrum of industries, including financial services, retail, corrections, even entertainment. Here, I provide an overview of speaker verification and speaker identification, focusing on deployed, real-world technologies and the types of applications being used today.
Structures of chitobiase mutants complexed with the substrate Di-N-acetyl-d-glucosamine: the catalytic role of the conserved acidic pair, aspartate 539 and glutamate 540.

The catalytic domain of chitobiase (beta-N-1-4 acetylhexosaminidase) from Serratia marcescens, is an alpha/beta TIM-barrel. This enzyme belongs to family 20 of glycosyl hydrolases in which a conserved amino acid pair, aspartate-glutamate, is present (Asp539-Glu540). It was proposed that catalysis by this enzyme family is carried out by glutamate 540 acting as a proton donor and by the acetamido group of the substrate as a nucleophile. We investigated the role of Asp539 and Glu540 by site-directed mutagenesis, biochemical characterization and by structural analyses of chitobiase -substrate co-crystals. We found that both residues are essential for chitobiase activity. The mutations, however, led to subtle changes in the catalytic site. Our results support the model that Glu540 acts as the proton donor and that Asp539 acts in several different ways. Asp539 restrains the acetamido group of the substrate in a specific orientation by forming a hydrogen bond with N2 of the non-reduced (-1) sugar. In addition, this residue participates in substrate binding. It is also required for the correct positioning of Glu540 and may provide additional negative charge at the active site. Thus, these biochemical and structural studies provide a molecular explanation for the functional importance and conservation of these residues.
On Spanish Loanwords and Loanblends in Hawai'i Creole English

Hawai'i Creole English (HCE) has been the object of much linguistic research. Virtually all researches agree that its principal lexical sources include English, Hawaiian, and Japanese. Other languages, such as Chinese and Portuguese, have also contributed. To date, however, few sources have considered Spansih as an important lexical source for HCE. The research reported herein attempts to remedy that oversight by considering ten putative loanwords and loanblends thought to derive from Spanish. These include ethnic markers associated with and local dishes brought by Filipino and Puerto Rican immigrants in the early twentieth century. By documenting cultural traditions and consulting authoritative sources, I conclude that eight of the ten items reported on are unquestionably of Spanish language origin. By also employing survey methodology, I observe that five of the ten terms are used or recognized by at least half of my thirty-three respondents, attesting to their vitality in HCE.
Adrenoleukodystrophy: Incidence, new mutation rate, and results of extended family screening

Utilizing the plasma very long chain fatty acid assay, supplemented by mutation analysis and immunofluorescence assay, we determined the number of X‐linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X‐ALD) hemizygotes from the United States identified each year in the two laboratories that perform most of the assays in this country: the Kennedy Krieger Institute between 1981 and 1998 and the Mayo Clinic Rochester from 1996 to 1998. The minimum frequency of hemizygotes identified in the United States is estimated to be 1:42,000 and that of hemizygotes plus heterozygotes 1:16,800. Our studies involved 616 pedigrees with a total of 12,787 identified at‐risk members. Diagnostic assays were performed in 4,169 at‐risk persons (33%) and included members of the extended family. Only 5% of male probands and 1.7% of X‐ALD hemizygotes were found to have new mutations. The extended family testing led to the identification of 594 hemizygotes and 1,270 heterozygotes. Two hundred fifty of the newly identified hemizygotes were asymptomatic and represent the group in which therapy has the greatest chance of success. Identification of heterozygotes provides the opportunity for disease prevention through genetic counseling. Diagnostic tests should be offered to all at‐risk relatives of X‐ALD patients and should include members of the extended family. Ann Neurol 2001;49:512–517
Glucose-6-phosphatase flux and the hepatic glucose balance model.

Mice were studied with the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic and the hyperglycemic clamp techniques after a 6-h fast: 1) euglycemic (6.7 +/- 0.2 mM) hyperinsulinemia (approximately 800 microU/ml); 2) hyperglycemic (15.3 +/- 0.4 mM) hyperinsulinemia (approximately 800 microU/ml). All mice received an infusion of [3-3H]glucose and [U-14C]lactate. Basal hepatic glucose production (HGP) averaged approximately 170 mumol.kg-1.min-1 in both groups. During euglycemic and hyperglycemic hyperinsulinemia, HGP decreased by 53% (to 76.7 +/- 11.1 mumol.kg-1.min-1; P < 0.01) and 74% (to 43.3 +/- 7.2 mumol.kg-1.min-1; P < 0.01), respectively. Hyperglycemia increased glucose cycling (by 2.1-fold; P < 0.01) and the contribution of gluconeogenesis to HGP (88 vs. 43%; P < 0.01) while decreasing that of glycogenolysis (12 vs. 57%; P < 0.01). The percentage of neosynthetized hepatic glycogen formed via the direct pathway was markedly increased during hyperglycemia (53 +/- 2% vs. 23 +/- 3%; P < 0.01). These data indicate that the assessment of hepatic glucose fluxes can be accomplished in conscious unrestrained mice and that, in the presence of hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia causes 1) a further inhibition of HGP mainly via inhibition of glycogenolysis and increase in hepatic glucose cycling; and 2) about a fivefold stimulation in the direct pathway of hepatic glycogen formation.
Plasmodium falciparum from Pará state (Brazil) shows satisfactory in vitro response to artemisinin derivatives and absence of the S769N mutation in the SERCA‐type PfATPase6

Objective To evaluate the in vitro efficacy of artesunate (ATN) and artemether (ATH) against Plasmodium falciparum isolates from the Brazilian Amazon state of Pará and to search for mutations and/or altered copy numbers in the putative resistance‐associated pfcrt, pfmdr1 and pfATPase6 genes.
High Ambient Glucose Levels Modulates the Production of MMP-9 and a5(IV) Collagen by Cultured Podocytes

Recent evidences have demonstrated an important role for glomerular visceral epithelial cell (podocyte) in the development and progression of diabetic nephropathy. We investigated the high-glucose (HG)-triggered signaling pathway and its role in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) production in murine podocytes. The activity of 92-kDa (MMP-9) gelatinase, but not of 72 kDa (MMP-2), in an HG medium significantly increased during incubation of 2 to 3 days and decreased during incubation of more than 5 days revealed by Gelatin zymography. Opposite to the increases in MMP-9 activity, HG medium produced significant decreases in the protein levels of a5(IV) collagen. Changes in MMP-9 activity were associated with the same pattern as MMP-9 mRNA levels in podocytes exposed to HG media. HG medium rapidly activated ERK1/2 MAPK in podocytes. Moreover, ERK1/2 activation was required for HG-induced enhancement of MMP-9 activity and a decrease in the level of a5(IV) collagen. HG incubation rapidly induced an increase in the nuclear accumulation of Ets-1 protein. Blocking the ERK pathway suppressed HG-induced expression and nuclear accumulation of transcriptional factor Ets-1, and MMP-9 mRNA expression. We suggest that short- or long-term exposure to HG concentrations increases or decreases MMP-9 production and a5(IV) collagen expression in podocytes, this may contribute to the GBM abnormality caused by an imbalance in extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis and degradation, and may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of proteinuria in diabetic nephropathy.
Distinct requirements for IL-6 in polyclonal and specific Ig production induced by microorganisms

Abstract The role of IL-6 in Ig production induced in the mouse by lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus (LDV), Toxoplasma gondii or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was assessed. Following infection with LDV, a strong activator of B cells, an early and transient IL-6 production was observed, that originated predominantly from macrophages. Whereas LDV-induced B lymphocyte proliferation appeared independent of IL-6, mice deficient for this cytokine showed a marked reduction in their total T-dependent IgG2a production when compared to their normal counterparts. By contrast, specific responses directed against either LDV or non-viral antigens administered at the time of infection were not decreased in the absence of IL-6. Similarly, polyclonal, but not anti-parasite IgG2a production triggered by T. gondii infection was strongly dependent on the presence of IL-6. Finally, T-independent total IgG3 secretion triggered by LPS was also markedly reduced in IL-6-deficient mice. These results suggest that IL-6 plays a major role in T-dependent and T-independent polyclonal Ig production following B lymphocyte activation by viruses, and parasites, but not in specific antibody responses induced by the same microorganisms.
A notch filter based active damping of llcl filter in shunt active power filter

Shunt Active Power Filter (APF) is a custom power device applied in electric grid system in order to compensate harmonic currents generated by nonlinear loads. Shunt APF operates by firing power electronic devices of voltage source inverter (VSI) to produce the compensation currents. The VSI also generates high frequency switching ripple harmonics that distorts the source current. High order filters, such as LCL and LLCL, have been recently used with shunt APF to decrease the ripple harmonics and to couple shunt APF with the grid. Compared with LCL filter, LLCL filter has more effective attenuation performance at switching frequency because of demonstrating nearly zero impedance. As other high order filters, LLCL filter has resonance problem that leads the system to unstable condition. Passive damping or active damping method is exploited to mitigate the resonance impact and make the system stable. AD methods have more widespread applications and research due to no damping power losses. AD is fulfilled through making improvment in the control system. The objective of this paper is to point out notch filter based AD for shunt APF with output LLCL filter. The proposed system is constructed in Matlab/Simulink and the performance of the proposed system is investigated through simulation cases.
Clinical Outcome Variables Scale: A retrospective validation study in patients after stroke.

OBJECTIVE The construct, predictive and longitudinal validity of the Clinical Outcome Variables Scale (COVS), an assessment of functional mobility, was examined in relation to measures of functional disability (Functional Independence Measure (FIMTM)), balance (Berg Balance Scale (BBS)) and length of stay in inpatient stroke rehabilitation. METHODS Associations between admission and discharge scores on each measure were examined retrospectively for 134 patients admitted for inpatient stroke rehabilitation. The association between admission scores and length of stay was tested using a simple linear regression. Paired t-tests and standardized response means were calculated to examine longitudinal validity. RESULTS COVS scores were correlated with FIM and BBS scores at admission (rho = 0.823 and 0.895, respectively) and discharge (rho = 0.771 and 0.895, respectively). Admission COVS, FIM and BBS scores were correlated with length of stay (rho = -0.61, -0.69 and -0.61, respectively; p < 0.01). A significant (p < 0.01) linear association was demonstrated between admission scores and length of stay. All measures demonstrated significant change over time. Standardized response means were 1.23, 1.16 and 1.36 for the COVS, BBS and FIM, respectively. CONCLUSION Within a subset of rehabilitation patients with stroke, the COVS demonstrated construct, predictive and longitudinal validity. The COVS provides a comprehensive assessment of functional mobility and should be evaluated further for its usefulness in stroke rehabilitation.
Replication Errors during In Vivo Ty1 Transposition Are Linked to Heterogeneous RNase H Cleavage Sites

ABSTRACT We previously identified a mutational hotspot upstream of the Ty1 U5-primer binding site (PBS) border and proposed a novel mechanism to account for this phenomenon during Ty1 replication. In this report, we verify key points of our model and show that in vivo RNase H cleavage of Ty1 RNA during minus-strand strong-stop synthesis creates heterogeneous 5′ RNA ends. The preferred cleavage sites closest to the PBS are 6 and 3 bases upstream of the U5-PBS border. Minus-strand cDNA synthesis terminates at multiple sites determined by RNase H cleavage, and DNA intermediates frequently contain 3′-terminal sequence changes at or near their template ends. These data indicate that nontemplated terminal base addition during reverse transcription is a real in vivo phenomenon and suggest that this mechanism is a major source of sequence variability among retrotransposed genetic elements.
VEGF gene polymorphisms and outcome of epithelial ovarian cancer patients.

AIM Since VEGF polymorphisms were associated with variable protein production, we analyzed herein their roles in outcome of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients. METHODS Genotypes of 85 patients with primary EOC were identified in DNA by real-time PCR. Progression-free survival and overall survival were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method, univariate Cox model and bootstrap resampling study. RESULTS At 60 months of follow-up, progression-free survival was shorter in patients with VEGF c. -2578 CC genotype compared with others (52.7 vs 82.2%; p = 0.04). Those patients had 2.15 more chance of presenting disease progression than others (p = 0.04); bootstrap study validated the result (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION Our data suggest that VEGF c. -2578C>A polymorphism acts as a prognostic factor in EOC.
Clinical overview of trimetazidine (Vastarel MR) in patients with heart failure

Myocardial energy metabolism may be normal in the early stages of heart failure but, as failure progresses, mitochondrial oxidative metabolism is reduced and glycolysis is increased, with downregulation of glucose oxidation. Reducing free fatty acid oxidation and a concomitant increase in glucose oxidation improve cardiac contraction and slow the progression of left ventricular failure. Trimetazidine (TMZ) acts as a partial inhibitor of fatty acid oxidation and in turn stimulates glucose oxidation. In several studies, treatment with TMZ was found to result in a significant improvement in functional ability, left ventricular function, and the remodeling process in non diabetic, diabetic, ischemic, and non ischemic left ventricular dysfunction. Therefore, there is a compelling argument to advocate the use of TMZ in addition to conventional evidence-based treatments in the management of heart failure. Heart Metab. 2010;47:23‐26.
Lumbar facet joint tropism does not accelerate degeneration of the facet joints.

PURPOSE To study the relationship of lumbar facet joint tropism to degeneration of the cartilage and subcortical bone in the facet joints and the effect of tropism in intervertebral disk degeneration. METHODS The orientation of 104 cadaveric lumbar facet joints with respect to sagittal plane was measured on CT scans, and the joints were classified as having no tropism, mild tropism, or severe tropism. On MR images, the severity of cartilage degeneration and bony sclerosis was measured. The correlation between tropism and degeneration was calculated, as was the relationship among age, spinal level, and degeneration. RESULTS We identified four spinal levels with severe tropism, six with moderate tropism, and 94 without tropism. Cartilage degeneration was not significantly more severe in the joints with tropism than in the joints without. Sclerosis was slightly greater in the joints with tropism than in the joints without it. Sclerosis and cartilage degeneration were significantly related to age and spinal level. CONCLUSION Age, spinal level, and overall facet joint angle are more important factors in facet joint degeneration than is tropism.
Microencapsulation of diclofenac sodium by non-solvent addition technique.

Purpose: To prepare, using non-solvent addition technique, diclofenac sodium-ethylcellulose microparticles with modified drug release properties. Methods: Microparticles were prepared by non-solvent addition phase separation method and characterized by micromeritics, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), x-ray diffraction (XRD), dissolution test and thermal analysis. Results: The microparticles were whitish, irregular, aggregated, and in the size range of 390 - 442 µm size. Drug embedment efficiency was 89 - 91 %. Characterisation studies indicate that there was no strong chemical interaction between the drug and the polymer in the microparticles. Polymer concentration and sustained release behavior were directly proportional. Conclusion: Non-solvent addition phase separation is a suitable method for preparing diclofenac sodium-ethylcellulose multi-unit controlled release drug delivery system.
In-service Science Teachers’ Dimensions of Knowledge in the Physical Properties of Gases using Concept Maps

In-service science teachers’ dimensions of prior knowledge about the physical properties of gases were studied using concept maps. Thirty science teachers, who were enrolled to a summer inservice undergraduate program in a university in Ethiopia, were guided to draw concept maps of the macroscopic and microscopic properties of gases. Qualitative framework thematic analysis method was used to analyse the concept maps. The analysis method utilized the ‘revised taxonomy for structure of the knowledge dimension’ to classify the themes. The results revealed three dimensions of knowledge with their related percentage extensiveness factual (43%), hierarchical conceptual (16%) and relational conceptual (22%). The results also showed a dimension of misconceptions (19%) about the physical properties of gases. It was shown that the in-service science teachers’ knowledge of gases was predominantly factual rather than conceptual, and that they also held misconceptions which needed to be corrected. The concept maps were found to be valuable in identifying the factual and conceptual knowledge as well as misconceptions. It is recommended that science teachers should develop their conceptual knowledge and minimize their misconceptions not to confuse students during their teaching in school. This method of identifying learners’ dimensions of knowledge can be applied to any knowledge content area in science education to facilitate and support learning.
Hypermethylation of GSTP1, CD44, and E‐cadherin genes in prostate cancer among US Blacks and Whites

In the US, the incidence and mortality of prostate cancer is about twofold higher among US Blacks compared to Whites, suggesting racial differences in prostate tumor occurrence and aggressiveness. The reason for these racial differences is unknown. Epigenetic events such as promoter‐region gene hypermethylation may be influenced by environmental exposures and have been implicated in prostate carcinogenesis (by the silencing of tumor suppressors and other regulatory genes).
Image-based Quantification of Endothelin A Receptor Translocation using the Opera

Endothelins (ETs) are a class of peptide hormones with strong vasoactive properties [Bagnato & Natali, 2004]. ETs function by interacting with their G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). There are two known ET subtypes, ETA and ETB [Bremnes et al., 2000]. The ETA receptor (ETAR) is localized on the plasma membrane until stimulated by endothelins such as endothelin-1 (ET-1), towards which ETAR shows the highest binding affinity. ET-1 triggers ETAR internalization into pericentriolar recycling endosomes. Cancer relevant processes such as proliferation and inhibition of apoptosis are regulated via the ET-1 / ETAR pathway, making this a suitable target for cancer therapies.
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF INSTAGRAM CAPTIONS TO TEACH WRITING (An Experimental Research on the Tenth Grade Students of SMA Muhammadiyah 1 Karanganyar in Academic Year 2017/2018)

Alfiyatun. 2018. The Effectiveness of Instagram Captions to Teach Writing (An Experimental Research on the Tenth Grade Students of SMA Muhammadiyah 1 Karanganyar in Academic Year 2017/2018). Thesis, English Education, Islamic Education and Teaching Training Faculty, IAIN Surakarta. Advisor : Muntaha, M. Pd. Keywords : Instagram, Effectiveness, Writing. The aim of the research is to know the significant differences of the students writing ability on descriptive text between the students who are taught by using Instagram captions and picture as a teaching media at the tenth grade students of SMA Muhammadiyah 1 Karanganyar in academic year 2017/2018. The research design in this research was quasi experimental research with quantitative approach. The population of this research was all of students at the tenth grade students of SMA Muhammadiyah 1 Karanganyar. From the entire population, two classes were chosen as the samples by using cluster random sampling technique. X MIA 2 ICP class was the experimental group and X MIPA 1 ICT was the control group. The researcher used writing test to collect data. To get the data the researcher conducted pre-test before giving the treatment, post-test after giving treatment, and tried them out first to analyze the readability of the test before applied to the experimental and control group. The pre-test was implemented to reveal the homogeneity as the starting point and post-test was conducted to reveal the students’ writing ability after the experimental group was given the treatment. In analyzing the data, the researcher used normality, homogeneity, and t-test formula to compare the difference post test scores between two groups. Furthermore, to analyze the data the researcher used normality test from chi-Square theory, homogeneity from F table theory, and t-test for hypothesis test. The result in this research, the average of students’ experimental group using Instagram captions was 85.88 and for the students’ control group using picture was 76. From the result of independent T-test is higher than T-table (18.7862> 2.060) on the significant level 0.05 with n = 25 students. Based on the result above, it can be concluded that students who are taught by using Instagram captions as teaching media have better writing ability than those who are taught using picture as teaching media. Therefore teaching writing for tenth grade students of SMA Muhammadiyah 1 Karanganyar in the academic year 2017/2018 by using Instagram captions is effective.