Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Survey: Exploring Disﬂuencies for Speech To Text Machine Translation

Spoken language is different from the written language in its style and structure. Disﬂuen-cies that appear in transcriptions from speech recognition systems generally hamper the performance of downstream NLP tasks. Thus, a disﬂuency correction system that converts dis-ﬂuent to ﬂuent text is of great value. This survey paper talks about disﬂuencies present in speech and its transcriptions. Later, we describe methodologies to correct disﬂuencies present in the transcriptions of a spoken ut-terance via various approaches viz, a) style transfer for disﬂuency correction b) transfer learning and language model pretraining. We observe that disﬂuency inherent speech phenomenon and its correction is crucial for down-stream NLP tasks.
Robustness and resilience of supply chains during the COVID‐19 pandemic

Abstract Using a unique firm‐level data set from Asia, this study examines what determined the robustness and resilience of supply chain links, that is, the ability of maintaining links and recovering disrupted links by substitution, respectively, when firms faced economic shocks due to the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID‐19). We find that a supply chain link was likely to be robust if the link was between a foreign‐owned firm and a firm located in the foreign‐owned firm's home country, implying that homophily on a certain dimension generates strong ties and thus supply chain robustness. We also find that firms with geographic diversity of customers and suppliers tended to increase their transaction volume with one partner while decreasing the volume with others. This evidence shows that firms with diversified customers and suppliers are resilient, mitigating the damage from supply chain disruption through the substitution of partners. Furthermore, the robustness and resilience of supply chains are found to have led to higher performance.
Photosynthesis, Growth and Dry Biomass Production in Euglena gracilis Klebs as Affected by Three Growth Irradiance Levels

Aims: The research aimed to investigate the shade response of E. gracilis Klebs while making the irradiance a crucial factor for photosynthesis based physiological activities and its applicability for industrial level culture conditions. Study Design: Euglena was cultured at three different light intensities of 30, 90, and 210 mol m-2s-1 photoautotrophically and axenically in modified Cramer-Meyer medium at 25 ˚C as batch cultures. Methodology: The photosynthesis O2 evaluation of Euglena cultures was measured under exponential (EP), transitional (TP), and stationary phases (SP). The light compensation point (LCP), light saturation point (LSP), and dark respiration rate (DRR) were obtained. Cell volume and cell number in each culture were measured simultaneously. Cells were collected and obtained dry mass (DM) after drying aliquots at 80˚C. Specific growth rate (SGR) and relative growth rate (RGR) were calculated. Tests for homogeneity of variance were performed on all parameters and LSDs were used for the mean separation. Results: In the TP, the lowest LCP was achieved in the higher light culture. The values of both the DRR and the LSP were the same as in EP. The DRR, LCP and LSP are lower in lower PFD cultures and decreased with increasing cell titers. The cellular growth levels were lower in lower light culture and decreased as each culture grew. Cellular DM was maintained constant in the EP, where SGR almost equaled RGR. In the EP, SGR was maintained constant in each culture, SGR displayed a saturation phenomenon. In the later TP, SGR became equal to RGR and all the cultures revealed constant DM. Conclusion: Euglena photoautotrophic cultures can tolerate low light intensities. With the SGR and RGR behavior under the shade conditions, they can maintain the constant photosynthesis rate and constant dry matter level.
Optimization of Silver Nanoparticles Production using Aspergillus niger and Study of Antimicrobial Activity

Silver nanoparticles have attracted high attention worldwide for their various applications. The physiochemical parameters such as temperature, media, mixing ratio affect the rate of synthesis of silver nanoparticles and their yield. Thus, optimization of these physiochemical parameters is needed to enhance the production of silver nanoparticles. In this study, silver nanoparticles were synthesized using Aspergillus niger culture supernatant. The produced silver nanoparticles were characterized using UV-visible Spectrophotometer at 200 nm to 700 nm, which had a peak at 450 nm, indicates the formation of silver nanoparticles. Itwas found that SabouraudDextroseBroth (SDB) as o ptimum media, 40 ml of supernatant and 10 ml of silver nitrate as optimum mixing ratio and 65 ◦C as optimum temperature to produce silver nanoparticles. The optimized silver nanoparticles were subjected to antimicrobial activity, and it was found that it is highly effective towards gram-negative bacteria than grampositive bacteria where the zone of inhibition for Escherichia coliwas 7± 2.7 mm and 5.3± 2.1 mm for Staphylococcus aureus.
A network pharmacology approach to explore the mechanism of action of Shengqi Fuzheng Injection in treating ischemic stroke

Objective: To investigate the potential active ingredients in Shengqi Fuzheng Injection (SFI) and the drug’s potential mechanism of action in the treatment of ischemic stroke (IS) based on network pharmacology. The active ingredients of SFI and the associated genes were obtained by retrieving the database of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). Methods: The IS-associated targets were identified as the intersection of differentially expressed genes (DEG) from GSE122709 and GSE140275 profiles. The intersection of SFIand IS-associated genes were used as the potential targets. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network among 24 potential targets was constructed using the STRING database. The functional annotation was performed to obtain the pathways of potential targets using the Gene ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis which enriches the function of genes. GO semantic similarity was employed to identify the targeted hub genes of SFI related to the treatment of IS. To unravel the regulation among the potential targets, the transcription factor-targets-pathway network was identified using the Transcription Regulatory Relationships Unraveled Sentence-based Text (TRRUST). Results: There were 28 active compounds identified in SFI. Among them, 24 potential targets of SFI which were related to the treatment of ischemic stroke and involved in various functions and pathways were explored. Analysis of PPI and transcription factor target prediction indicated that JUN, NOS3 and PTGS2 were the key genes responsible for the treatment ischemic stroke. These genes were simultaneously enriched in the oxytocin signaling pathway. Twelve compounds were predicted to target JUN, NOS3 and PTGS2, while formononetin was the only compound associated with all the hub genes. Conclusion: SFI protects nervous system probably via the the regulation of JUN, NOS3 and PTGS2 in the oxytocin signaling pathway by formononetin. Further biological and clinical studies are warranted to validate the above findings.
Miniaturized MIMO Antenna with Low Inter-radiator Transmittance and Band Rejection Features

In this article, compact a multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) system with flag-shaped radiators and a mountain-shaped ground plane is presented. Isolation is enhanced with the help of a decoupling stub placed between radiators, where two bands are stopped with the help of slits etched into the radiators. The overall size of the proposed antenna is 15 mm ×25 mm ×1.6 mm. The reflection coefficients are less than -10 dB between 3–10.9 GHz, except the bands WiMAX (3.2–3.7 GHz) and WLAN (5–6 GHz); similarly, measured and simulated transmission coefficients are less than -20 dB across the entire band of UWB. The envelope correlation coefficient (ECC) is less than 0.02 and the diversity gain is greater than 9.9 dB. The gain, ECC, radiation pattern, multiplexing efficiency, diversity gain and various other parameters are discussed and evaluated in detail.
The Effect of Modified Diabetes Self-management Education and Support on Self-care and Quality of Life among Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers in Rural Area of Indonesia

BACKGROUND: Diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) programs are patient-centered, holistic solution that enables it one of the best approaches for improving medication adherence enhanced coping, empowerment and self-efficacy, quality of life (QoL), and lower rates of depression, in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In isolation, DSME strategies have not shown significant improvements to self-care and/or reduction of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). AIM: This study sought to determine the effect of modified DSMES on self-care, DFU severity, and QoL in rural Indonesian patients with DFUs. METHODS: A quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test control group design, in Singkawang, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, with a total sample of 60 patients consisting of 30 patients in the intervention group and 30 patients in the control group. The DSMES has been adapted to cover 2 h of content for a period of 8 weeks and the eight-core components of DSMES. The curriculum was culturally adapted revised to incorporate culturally appropriate nature similarities, such as a prominent change to represent changes in glucose counts; to incorporate photos; to incorporate culturally relevant eating habits, such as fish and fruit; to communicate in detail the significance of medication adherence, with an emphasis on metformin’s organic, plant-based characteristics; and to emphasize engagement. Intention-to-treat analyses were conducted to determine the effect of modified DSMES on self-care, DFU severity, and QoL. RESULTS: The DSMES program improved outcomes in three of the three outcome indicators when compared to the control group at T1: In this study, (1) the DFU degree increased by 3.3% points (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.018–0.194), (2) the diabetes foot self-care behavior score increased by a modest 8.8% points (95% CI: 0.021–0.203), and (3) the QoL increased by 32.7% points (95% CI: 00.075–0.689). The degree of DFU (difference-in-difference [DID] coef. 0.350, 95% CI 0.084–0.572), diabetes foot self-care behavior (DID coef. 0.085, 95% CI 0.065–0.405), and QoL (DID coef. 0.343, 95% CI 0.078–0.436) are all still significantly improved compared to the control at T2. CONCLUSION: The primary outcome analyses indicate that the adapted DSMES was more effective than standard care at improving self-care and QoL and decreasing DFU degree in this sample of Indonesians with DFU, both immediately after and 3 months after the intervention. As nurse educators, it is our responsibility to ensure that we evaluate all of the support options accessible to the patients in our care.
Enhancement of Immunogenicity and Protective Efficacy against Bovine Respiratory Disease Viruses (BVD, BoHV1, PI3, and BRS) Vaccine.

A highly potent pneumo-4 vaccine of combined inactivated Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus, Infectious Bovine Rhinotracitis Virus, Parainfluenza-3 Virus and Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus could play a valuable role in respiratory disease control program in calves. In this study we determined the influence of virus concentration by polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation, and the use of montanide oil & gel as adjuvants on the immune response of calves to the inactivated Pneumo-4 vaccine. Two batches of concentrated viruses’ vaccine were prepared, one adjuvanted with aluminum hydroxide gel and the other adjuvanted with oil. Both batches administered twice to six-month-old seronegative calves through intramuscular (IM) route. Different doses, 2ml, 2.5ml, and 3ml of the concentrated gel adjuvanted & 2.5ml,3ml and 3.5ml of concentrated oil vaccine were tested compared with 5ml for the commercial un-concentrated Pneumo-4 vaccine. The induced BVDV, IBRV, PI-3V and BRSV antibodies were followed up in the sera of vaccinated calves up to12M post vaccination (M.P.V.) using Serum Neutralization Test (SNT). The result revealed that concentration of viruses by PEG improve the quality of antigen used in the vaccine formulation to produce a good quality combined inactivated vaccine. Also, both concentrated adjuvanted vaccines gave a significant effect on all vaccinated animals but the oil adjuvanted vaccine was particularly better and effective than gel adjuvanted where oil adjuvanted vaccine induced early protective immune response and showed prolongation of antibody secretion in comparison to the Aluminum Hydroxide gel.
A Review of Morphological and Chemical Properties of Porous Asphalt

Porous asphalt mixture is also known as gap graded mixture with less amount of fine aggregate has led the mixture contains high air voids, tends to make the mixture less durable and high porousity. Hence, past researchers has investigate on how to increase the strength of porous asphalt mixture by the addition of additive such as fiber and nanomaterials. The chemical and physical properties of porous asphalt mixture was highlighted in this paper to compare its structure, the bonding between the materials and its chemical composition that exist. This paper reviews on how additive affect the asphalt mixture in terms of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Diffractions (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). These tests are selected to improve the asphalt mixture according to the morphological and chemical properties of porous asphalt. This study is expected to identify the morphological and chemical composition of the materials in asphalt mixture.
Patient Participation in Pro Re Nata Medication in Forensic Psychiatric Inpatient Care

Patient participation is highlighted in mental health care from the viewpoint of both human rights and quality of care. The purpose of this study is to describe and explain patient participation in all pro re nata (PRN, “as-needed”) medication in forensic psychiatric inpatient care. The knowledge produced can be used to develop peoplecentered forensic psychiatric care. The study was conducted in three phases. The first phase involved an integrative review of previous knowledge conducted using electronic and manual searches. The data were analysed with the constant comparison method. The second phase was a document analysis of nursing documents over the one-year period. Statistical methods were used in the data analysis. The third phase consisted of individual interviews with patients and group interviews with registered nurses. The data were analysed with inductive content analysis. The empirical phases were carried out in a forensic psychiatric hospital in Finland in 2018–2020. Based on the studies included in integrative review (n=16), patient participation refers to the shared decision-making of patients and professionals in PRN administration. To participate, patients had to have the motivation and capability. Previous knowledge on patient participation in planning and evaluating PRN and the viewpoint of forensic psychiatric care was lacking. Based on the document analysis (67 patients), PRN was frequently used for both psychiatric and physical reasons, mostly at the patients’ request and usually administered in agreement. Patients had named several alternative methods for PRN in advance, but they were rarely documented as being used. Documented feedback, especially from the viewpoint of patients, was often missing. Interviewed patients (n=34) and registered nurses (n=19) perceived forensic psychiatric inpatient care to be a special context for patient participation in PRN. Patients had individual preferences on their PRN. Their role in collaboration with professionals in PRN was undetermined. Patients wanted to decide for themselves about PRN use, and nurses limited discussions to avoid conflicts. More research and systematic approaches are needed to promote patient participation, especially in planning and evaluating their PRN. The expertise of both patients and professionals are important in providing good quality care.
A method for estimating the probability distribution of the lifetime for new technical equipment based on expert judgement

Managing the exploitation of technical equipment under conditions of uncertainty requires the use of probabilistic prediction models in the form of probability distributions of the lifetime of these objects. The parameters of these distributions are estimated with the use of statistical methods based on historical data about actual realizations of the lifetime of examined objects. However, when completely new solutions are introduced into service, such data are not available and the only possible method for the initial assessment of the expected lifetime of technical objects is expert methods. The aim of the study is to present a method for estimating the probability distribution of the lifetime for new technical facilities based on expert assessments of three parameters characterizing the expected lifetime of these objects. The method is based on a subjective Bayesian approach to the problem of randomness and integrated with models of classical probability theory. Due to its wide application in the field of maintenance of machinery and technical equipment, a Weibull model is proposed, and its possible practical applications are shown. A new method of expert elicitation of probabilities for any continuous random variable is developed. A general procedure for the application of this method is proposed and the individual steps of its implementation are discussed, as well as the mathematical models necessary for the estimation of the parameters of the probability distribution are presented. A practical example of the application of the developed method on specific numerical values is also presented.
Cooperative Vehicle Platoon Intra-communications over Space-Time Correlated Rice fading Channels with co-channel Interference

This paper investigates the performance of vehicle platoon intra-communications in the presence of node relaying cooperation. In the proposed scenario, all nodes are allowed to relay the signals of other entities towards the next/final destination. This improves channel conditions by mimicking large scale (virtual) antennas, thereby achieving the concept of cooperative diversity. The scenario considers a platoon of J vehicles assisted by a set of relay nodes. These potential relays include the same vehicles of the platoon, as well as base stations (BSs) and/or road-side units (RSUs). The objective is to evaluate the delay experienced by a packet transmitted by the leader towards all the vehicles of the formation. Each vehicle and each relayingable node is considered to relay the correctly received message to the remaining entities, but most importantly to all the vehicles of the platoon. We consider that if a given transmission attempt is not successfully received by all entities, then the transmitter and relays with a correct copy of the transmission engage in a persistent retransmission scheme that stops only when the packet has been correctly received by all the vehicles. Instantaneous and ideal feedback is used in all calculations. The criterion used to consider a packet correctly received by the destination is that the instantaneous signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) surpasses a reception threshold. It is assumed that the destination nodes store a copy of all the received transmissions over consecutive time slots and antenna elements. These signals are processed using ideal maximum-ratio combining (MRC) to obtain a more reliable copy of the information (i.e. using time and/or retransmission diversity). Multiple antennas are used by all the vehicles and nodes of the network under analysis. Novel spatial and temporal correlation tools are introduced in the channel model with Rice fading statistics and co-channel interference. Results suggest that RSUs can considerably reduce delay of platoons with large numbers of vehicles or large distances between elements. The degree of improvement also depends on channel correlation and the number of co-located antennas.
POWER FACTOR CORRECTION USING AN IMPROVED SINGLE-ST AGE SINGLE- SWITCH (S) TECHNIQUE

editor@tjprc.org POWER FACTOR CORRECTION USING AN IMPROVED SINGLE-ST AGE SINGLESWITCH (S) TECHNIQUE K. VINOD KUMAR , B. PRAVEENA 2 & NKV. SAI SUNIL 3 Assistant Professor, Department of EEE, GITAM Universit y, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India Assistant Professor, Department of EEE, GVP CEW Visakhap tn m, Andhra Pradesh, India Research Scholar, GITAM University, Visakhapatnam, An dhra Pradesh, India ABSTRACT
The Effects of the Macroeconomy on the Labor Supply and Mortality in Long-term Care Institutions in Japan

The numbers and types of workers in long-term care facilities may affect the quality of care in these facilities. Recent research has demonstrated that the supply of workers in nursing homes changes in response to macroeconomic conditions. Our study examines how staffing rates and mortality in long-term care institutions are affected by unemployment rates using data from public long-term care institutions in Japan. We find that the supply of skilled nursing care workers is sensitive to the macroeconomy and that mortality in long-term care institutions varies with these cyclic variations. These findings imply that cyclic fluctuations in mortality in longterm care institutions depend partially on cyclic fluctuations in the number of skilled nursing care workers.
Association of Pulse Pressure Difference and Diabetes Mellitus in Chinese People: A Cohort Study

Purpose Here, we sought to determine the association between pulse pressure difference and the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Chinese people. Methods This study involved 211,814 participants among whom 4156 had been diagnosed with T2DM. The correlation between pulse pressure difference and T2DM incidence in Chinese people was determined by multivariate analysis. A smooth curve fitting diagram was then used to explore correlation between pulse pressure difference and T2DM incidence. Finally, the inflection point in the correlation between pulse pressure difference and the T2DM incidence was located by piecewise linear regression. Results To understand the relationship, adjustments were made for sex, age, total serum cholesterol (TC), fasting blood glucose (FPG), triglyceride (TG), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), family history of diabetes, body mass index (BMI), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), drinking status, and smoking status. Diabetes incidence increased by 0.3% [HR 1.003 (1.001, 1.005), p = <0.05] for every 1mmHg increase in pulse pressure difference. Smooth curve analysis showed that, when pulse pressure difference was ≤35mmHg, diabetes incidence negatively correlated to pulse pressure difference [HR 0.972 (0.953, 0.972) p = 0.053]. However, when pulse pressure difference was >35mmHg, diabetes incidence increased with increasing pulse pressure difference [HR 1.044 (1.042, 1.047) p = <0.001]. And between pulse pressure difference and fasting blood glucose in the final visit, the blood glucose level increased with the elevation of pulse pressure. Conclusion The risk of diabetes was lowest at about 35mmHg pulse pressure difference.