Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Causal speech enhancement using dynamical-weighted loss and attention encoder-decoder recurrent neural network

Speech enhancement (SE) reduces background noise signals in target speech and is applied at the front end in various real-world applications, including robust ASRs and real-time processing in mobile phone communications. SE systems are commonly integrated into mobile phones to increase quality and intelligibility. As a result, a low-latency system is required to operate in real-world applications. On the other hand, these systems need efficient optimization. This research focuses on the single-microphone SE operating in real-time systems with better optimization. We propose a causal data-driven model that uses attention encoder-decoder long short-term memory (LSTM) to estimate the time-frequency mask from a noisy speech in order to make a clean speech for real-time applications that need low-latency causal processing. The encoder-decoder LSTM and a causal attention mechanism are used in the proposed model. Furthermore, a dynamical-weighted (DW) loss function is proposed to improve model learning by varying the weight loss values. Experiments demonstrated that the proposed model consistently improves voice quality, intelligibility, and noise suppression. In the causal processing mode, the LSTM-based estimated suppression time-frequency mask outperforms the baseline model for unseen noise types. The proposed SE improved the STOI by 2.64% (baseline LSTM-IRM), 6.6% (LSTM-KF), 4.18% (DeepXi-KF), and 3.58% (DeepResGRU-KF). In addition, we examine word error rates (WERs) using Google’s Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR). The ASR results show that error rates decreased from 46.33% (noisy signals) to 13.11% (proposed) 15.73% (LSTM), and 14.97% (LSTM-KF).
Mining Association Rules using Lattice Theory

The problem of discovering nontrivial association rules from large databases has recently become critical, especially 01 data mining area where there exists a substantial need to develop ecient mining al- gorithms for complex data. In this paper, we consider the situation where items are constrained, i.e., some taxonomies (or hierarchies) on the items are known. We first show how taxonomies can be generalized using lattices, which are ordered structures, to represent constraints on items. Then, we propose a new approach to find association rules, based on the notion of biclosures introduced by the first author.
Phenotype based clustering, and diversity of common bean genotypes in seed iron concentration and cooking time

Common bean is the world’s most important directly consumed legume food crop that is popular for calories, protein and micronutrients. It is a staple food in sub-Saharan Africa, and a significant source of iron for anemic people. However, several pests, soil and weather challenges still impede its production. Long cooking time, and high phytic acid and polyphenols that influence bioavailable iron also limit the health benefits. To inform population improvement strategies and selection decisions for resilient fast cooking and iron biofortified beans, the study determined diversity and population structure within 427 breeding lines, varieties, or landraces mostly from Alliance Uganda and Columbia. The genotypes were evaluated for days to flowering and physiological maturity, yield, seed iron (FESEED) and zinc (ZNSEED) and cooking time (COOKT). Data for all traits showed significant (P≤0.001) differences among the genotypes. Repeatability was moderate to high for most traits. Performance ranged from 52 to 87 ppm (FESEED), 23–38 ppm (ZNSEED), 36–361 minutes (COOKT), and 397–1299 kg/ha (yield). Minimal differences existed between the gene pools in the mean performance except in yield, where Mesoamerican beans were better by 117 kg/ha. The genotypes exhibited high genetic diversity and thus have a high potential for use in plant breeding. Improvement of FESEED and ZNSEED, COOKT and yield performance within some markets such as red and small white beans is possible. Hybridization across market classes especially for yellow beans is essential but this could be avoided by adding other elite lines to the population. Superior yielding and fast cooking, yellow and large white beans were specifically lacking. Adding Fe dense elite lines to the population is also recommended. The population was clustered into three groups that could be considered for specific breeding targets based on trait correlations.
A Method of LSB substitution based on image blocks and maximum entropy

In this paper we introduce an algorithm of digital watermarking based on embedding watermark into sub images with LSB technique. The watermark is embedded into specifics blocks of the host image, the selection of blocks are based on entropy value. The simulation results show that the visual quality of the watermarked image and the extracted watermark is good, this result is presented and proved by a high PSNR value.
Understanding carnivore interactions in a cold arid trans‐Himalayan landscape: What drives co‐existence patterns within predator guild along varying resource gradients?

Abstract Predators compete for resources aggressively, forming trophic hierarchies that shape the structure of an ecosystem. Competitive interactions between species are modified in the human‐altered environment and become particularly important where an introduced predator can have negative effects on native predator and prey species. The trans‐Himalayan region of northern India has seen significant development in tourism and associated infrastructure over the last two decades, resulting in many changes to the natural setting of the landscape. While tourism, combined with unmanaged garbage can facilitate red fox (Vulpes vulpes), it also allows free‐ranging dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), an introduced mesopredator to thrive, possibly more than the native red fox. We look at the little‐known competitive dynamics of these two meso‐carnivores, as well as their intra‐guild interactions with the region's top carnivores, the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) and the Himalayan wolf (Canis lupus chanco). To study interactions between these four carnivores, we performed multispecies occupancy modeling and analyzed spatiotemporal interactions between these predators using camera trap data. We also collected scat samples to calculate dietary niche overlaps and determine the extent of competition for food resources between these carnivores. The study found that, after controlling for habitat and prey covariates, red fox site use was related positively to snow leopard site use, but negatively to dog and wolf site use. In addition, site use of the dog was associated negatively with top predators, that is, snow leopard and Himalayan wolf, while top predators themselves related negatively in their site use. As anthropogenic impacts increase, we find that these predators coexist in this resource‐scarce landscape through dietary or spatiotemporal segregation, implying competition for limited resources. Our research adds to the scant ecological knowledge of the predators in the region and improves our understanding of community dynamics in human‐altered ecosystems.
Influencing factors of early dramatic recovery of neurological function after intravenous thrombolysis in patients with branch atheromatous disease

Background: Intravenous thrombolysis can significantly improve the neurological function of patients with acute ischemic stroke. However, the expected early dramatic recovery (EDR) of neurological function after thrombolysis is not achieved in some patients with branch atheromatous disease (BAD). Here we evaluated the factors associated with EDR after thrombolysis in BAD patients. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on 580 consecutive BAD patients. All patients met the diagnostic criteria of BAD and received intravenous recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA). EDR was defined when the improvement of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was >8 points within 2 or 24 hours after rt-PA, or the total NIHSS score was 0 or 1. The factors associated with EDR were analyzed with multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: Among 580 patients, the incidence of EDR was 35.2% (204 cases). Compared with patients without EDR, patients with EDR had lower incidence of diabetes (15.7% vs 29.3%, P < .001), lower NIHSS scores at 2 and 24 hours after rt-PA (P < .001), less cerebral hemorrhage (0% vs 5.3%, P = .001), and shorter onset to treatment time (OTT) (P < .001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis in propensity score-matched cohort showed that EDR was associated with OTT (adjusted OR = 0.994; 95% CI, 0.989–0.999) and NIHSS score after rt-PA (adjusted OR = 0.768; 95% CI, 0.663–0.890). Notably, diabetes (adjusted OR = 0.477, 95% CI, 0.234–0.972) was an independent factor related to EDR of neurological function in BAD patients. In the subgroup analysis, a lower incidence of diabetes (adjusted OR = 0.205, 95% CI: 0.059–0.714, P = .013) and a lower NIHSS score after thrombolysis in patients with paramedian pontine infarction (adjusted OR = 0.809, 95% CI: 0.656–0.997, P = .047) were significantly associated with EDR. Conclusion: Diabetes is not conducive to EDR of neurological function in patients with BAD, especially in patients with paramedian pontine infraction. Low NIHSS score and short OTT after thrombolysis may be closely related to EDR after intravenous thrombolysis.
Adsorption of SARS-CoV-2 Spike (N501Y) RBD to Human Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 at a Lipid/Water Interface

The receptor binding domain (RBD) of spike proteins plays a crucial role in the process of severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) attachment to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). The N501Y mutation and later mutations introduced extra positive charges on the spike RBD and resulted in higher transmissibility, likely due to stronger binding with the highly negatively charged ACE2. Consequently, many studies have been devoted to understanding the molecular mechanism of spike protein binding with the ACE2 receptor. Most of the theoretical studies, however, have been done on isolated proteins. ACE2 is a transmembrane protein; thus, it is important to understand the interaction of spike proteins with ACE2 in a lipid matrix. In this study, the adsorption of ACE2 and spike (N501Y) RBD at a lipid/water interface was studied using the heterodyne-detected vibrational sum frequency generation (HD-VSFG) technique. The technique is a non-linear optical spectroscopy which measures vibrational spectra of molecules at an interface and provides information on their structure and orientation. It is found that ACE2 is effectively adsorbed at the positively charged 1,2-dipalmitoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane (DPTAP) lipid monolayer via electrostatic interactions. The adsorption of ACE2 at the DPTAP monolayer causes a reorganization of interfacial water (D2O) from the D-down to the D-up orientation, indicating that the originally positively charged DPTAP interface becomes negatively charged due to ACE2 adsorption. The negatively charged interface (DPTAP/ACE2) allows further adsorption of positively charged spike RBD. HD-VSFG spectra in the amide I region show differences for spike (N501Y) RBD adsorbed at D2O, DPTAP, and DPTAP/ACE2 interfaces. A red shift observed for the spectra of spike RBD/DPTAP suggests that spike RBD oligomers are formed upon contact with DPTAP lipids.
The fractional chromatic number of the direct product of graphs

This paper discusses the fractional chromatic number of the direct product of graphs. It is proved that if H is a circulant graph G^k_d, or a Kneser graph, or a direct sum of such graphs, then for any graph G, \chi_f{\hskip1}(G\times H{\hskip1}) = {\text min}\{\chi_f{\hskip1}(G), \chi_f{\hskip1}(H{\hskip1})\}.
Creatine metabolism at the uterine–placental interface throughout gestation in sheep

Abstract The placenta requires high levels of adenosine triphosphate to maintain a metabolically active state throughout gestation. The creatine–creatine kinase–phosphocreatine system is known to buffer adenosine triphosphate levels; however, the role(s) creatine–creatine kinase–phosphocreatine system plays in uterine and placental metabolism throughout gestation is poorly understood. In this study, Suffolk ewes were ovariohysterectomized on Days 30, 50, 70, 90, 110 and 125 of gestation (n = 3–5 ewes/per day, except n = 2 on Day 50) and uterine and placental tissues subjected to analyses to measure metabolites, mRNAs, and proteins related to the creatine–creatine kinase–phosphocreatine system. Day of gestation affected concentrations and total amounts of guanidinoacetate and creatine in maternal plasma, amniotic fluid and allantoic fluid (P < 0.05). Expression of mRNAs for arginine:glycine amidinotransferase, guanidinoacetate methyltransferase, creatine kinase B, and solute carrier 16A12 in endometria and for arginine:glycine amidinotransferase and creatine kinase B in placentomes changed significantly across days of gestation (P < 0.05). The arginine:glycine amidinotransferase protein was more abundant in uterine luminal epithelium on Days 90 and 125 compared to Days 30 and 50 (P < 0.01). The chorionic epithelium of placentomes expressed guanidinoacetate methyltransferase and solute carrier 6A13 throughout gestation. Creatine transporter (solute carrier 6A8) was expressed by the uterine luminal epithelium and trophectoderm of placentomes throughout gestation. Creatine kinase (creatine kinase B and CKMT1) proteins were localized primarily to the uterine luminal epithelium and to the placental chorionic epithelium of placentomes throughout gestation. Collectively, these results demonstrate cell-specific and temporal regulation of components of the creatine–creatine kinase–phosphocreatine system that likely influence energy homeostasis for fetal–placental development. Summary Sentence Creatine is abundant in maternal plasma and fetal fluids, and enzymes required for metabolism of creatine are expressed in uteri and placentomes throughout gestation in sheep, indicating a role for creatine metabolism in fetal–-placental development. Graphical Abstract
Factors influencing recurrence after an ischemic stroke vary by sex

ABSTRACT Objectives To determine the factors that affect recurrent stroke after acute ischemic stroke, specifically between male and female groups. Methods We examined relative factors associated with recurrent stroke in Chinese patients with first-ever ischemic stroke. LASSO (least absolute shrinkage and selection operator) Cox regression were used to determine the predictors of recurrent stroke in the male and female groups. Next, We used Kaplan-Meier survival curves and interactions among these predictors to assess the association between relapse-related factors and recurrent stroke. Results During one year of follow-up, we documented 42 incidents of recurrent stroke in males and 15 in females. There was no significant difference in the overall recurrence rate between men and women. We finally identified three variables in males and one variable in females associated considerably with recurrent stroke by LASSO Cox regression. In females, good sleep appeared to be the most significant protective factor against recurrent stroke(hazard ratio [HR], 0.21; 95% CI, 0.08–0.57). In the male group, we found two risk factors: atherosclerotic burden (HR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.30–4.51) and coronary heart disease (HR, 2.98; 95% CI, 1.16–7.66); and one protective factor: domestic/physical activities (HR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.24–0.83). We also found an interaction between good sleep and domestic/physical activities in males (P interaction = 0.016). Discussion Our data indicate that the factors for recurrent stroke may differ by sex. Engaging in domestic/physical activities may substantially lower recurrent strokes in Chinese adult males. And good sleep in females appears to be more important in preventing stroke recurrence.
‘Against everything that got you into the job’: experiences of potentially morally injurious events among Canadian public safety personnel

ABSTRACT Background: Moral injury (MI) has become a research and organizational priority as frontline personnel have, both during and in the years preceding the COVID-19 pandemic, raised concerns about repeated expectations to make choices that transgress their deeply held morals, values, and beliefs. As awareness of MI grows, so, too, does attention on its presence and impacts in related occupations such as those in public safety, given that codes of conduct, morally and ethically complex decisions, and high-stakes situations are inherent features of such occupations. Objective: This paper shares the results of a study of the presence of potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs) in the lived experiences of 38 public safety personnel (PSP) in Ontario, Canada. Method: Through qualitative interviews, this study explored the types of events PSP identify as PMIEs, how PSP make sense of these events, and the psychological, professional, and interpersonal impacts of these events. Thematic analysis supported the interpretation of PSP descriptions of events and experiences. Results: PMIEs do arise in the context of PSP work, namely during the performance of role-specific responsibilities, within the organizational climate, and because of inadequacies in the broader healthcare system. PMIEs are as such because they violate core beliefs commonly held by PSP and compromise their ability to act in accordance with the principles that motivate them in their work. PSP associate PMIEs, in combination with traumatic experiences and routine stress, with adverse psychological, professional and personal outcomes. Conclusion: The findings provide additional empirical evidence to the growing literature on MI in PSP, offering insight into the contextual dimensions that contribute to the sources and effects of PMIEs in diverse frontline populations as well as support for the continued application and exploration of MI in the PSP context. HIGHLIGHTS The objective of this study was to understand the types of events that Canadian public safety personnel (PSP) experience as potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs) as well as the impacts that they associate with these events. The findings illuminate that contextual dimensions are significant in the origin of PMIEs, which PSP experience in the completion of routine duties, because of the organizational culture, or as a result of issues in the broader healthcare system, which led to many negative consequences in their personal and professional lives. PMIEs reduced the trust PSP had in their leadership and the healthcare system to protect the public and themselves, were associated with feelings of anger, frustration, resignation, and helplessness, and connected to internal struggles marked by inner conflict and the erosion of self-concept.
Typewriter Tinnitus: Value of ABR as a Diagnostic and Prognostic Indicator

Introduction: Typewriter tinnitus refers to a special kind of staccato tinnitus, which is mostly described by patients as Morse code, popcorn, or machine-gun. It has been accepted that the mechanism of typewriter tinnitus is caused by the neurovascular compression of the cochleovestibular nerve. Patients who suffered from typewriter tinnitus have exhibited a good response to carbamazepine or oxcarbazepine, but there is a risk of recurrence after treatment cessation. The present study aims to determine the value of auditory brainstem response (ABR) in diagnosing typewriter tinnitus and predicting relapse after drug withdrawal. Methods: Patients who presented with typewriter tinnitus from March 2019 to March 2022 were included for the present retrospective study. The auditory and vestibular test results and drug treatment effects were collected and analyzed. Patients with idiopathic unilateral subjective tinnitus, who were matched by age to patients with typewriter tinnitus at a ratio of 2:1, were consecutively recruited for the control group. Results: Eighteen patients with typewriter tinnitus and 38 controls were included. Ears with typewriter tinnitus had longer interpeak latency (IPL) I-III, and wave III and V latencies, and a higher ratio of IPL I-III ≥2.3 ms based on ABR, when compared to the unaffected side and controls (p<0.05). Seventeen patients with typewriter tinnitus responded positively to medication. Among these patients, seven patients had a relapse after drug cessation, while 10 patients did not have a relapse. The relapse group had significantly longer IPL I-III and wave V latency, older age, and poorer hearing, when compared to the nonrelapse group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, IPL I-III had the largest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, and the optimal cutoff was 2.4 ms (sensitivity, 100.0%; specificity, 66.7%). There were no significant differences in other demography or other clinical test results between the relapse and nonrelapse groups (p > 0.05). Ramsay Hunt syndrome and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders were identified in two cases. Conclusion: Prolonged IPL I-III based on ABR can help in the diagnosis of typewriter tinnitus and its prognosis after treatment cessation. Patients with IPL I-III greater than 2.4 ms, older age and poorer hearing are more likely to relapse. In addition to the neurovascular conflict of the cochleovestibular nerve, the etiologies of neuroinflammation and demyelinating diseases are also possible for typewriter tinnitus.
Association between apelin-12 and creatine kinase-MB, depending on success of reperfusion in STEMI patients.

BACKGROUND Acute myocardial infarction is characterised by an imbalance in the supply and demand of oxygen in the heart. It requires urgent reperfusion, and poor outcomes are attributed to myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion injury. We aimed to evaluate the association between apelin-12 levels and creatine kinase-MB activity in predicting the effectiveness of reperfusion therapy in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. METHODS In this study we included 72 patients with the following criteria: chest pain suggestive of myocardial ischaemia for at least 30 minutes, an electrocardiogram with ST-segment elevation (measured at the J-point) ≥ 2 mm in leads V2-V3 and/or ≥ 1 mm in the other leads, rise of specific biomarkers such as cardiac troponin and the MB fraction of creatine kinase (CK-MB), and those who underwent reperfusion therapy. Blood samples for the measurement of apelin-12 and creatine kinase-MB were collected 12 hours after the reperfusion therapy. RESULTS In patients with thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade ≤ 2, the median of the apelin-12 level was 1.80 ng/ml (0.46-9.20), and with TIMI flow 3, it was 5.76 ng/ml (1.14-15.2). Variability was observed in the apelin values (Mann-Whitney test) based on TIMI flow grade (p < 0.001), while no variability was observed for creatine kinase-MB (p < 0.18). The degree of association between apelin-12 and creatine kinase-MB levels was analysed with Pearson's correlation, enabling us to determine patients with successful reperfusion (determined as TIMI flow 3) (p < 0.004), and those with unsuccessful reperfusion (with TIMI flow ≤ 2) (p = 0.86). CONCLUSION In STEMI patients undergoing reperfusion therapy, Apelin-12 level was associated with creatine kinase-MB activity according to the success of the reperfusion.