Modeling Speech Disfluency to Predict Conceptual Misalignment in Speech Survey Interfaces

Computer-based interviewing systems could use models of respondent disfluency behaviors to predict a need for clarification of terms in survey questions. We compare simulated speech interfaces that use two such models - a generic model and a stereotyped model that distinguishes between the speech of younger and older speakers - to several non-modeling speech interfaces in a task where respondents provided answers to survey questions from fictional scenarios. Our modeling procedure found that the best predictor of conceptual misalignment was a critical Goldilocks range for response latency, outside of which responses are more likely to be conceptually misaligned. Different Goldilocks ranges are effective for younger and older speakers

High RBM3 expression in prostate cancer independently predicts a reduced risk of biochemical recurrence and disease progression

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>High expression of the RNA-binding protein RBM3 has previously been found to be associated with good prognosis in breast cancer, ovarian cancer, malignant melanoma and colorectal cancer. The aim of this study was to examine the prognostic impact of immunohistochemical RBM3 expression in prostate cancer.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Immunohistochemical RBM3 expression was examined in a tissue microarray with malignant and benign prostatic specimens from 88 patients treated with radical prostatectomy for localized disease. While rarely expressed in benign prostate gland epithelium, RBM3 was found to be up-regulated in prostate intraepithelial neoplasia and present in various fractions and intensities in invasive prostate cancer. High nuclear RBM3 expression was significantly associated with a prolonged time to biochemical recurrence (BCR) (HR 0.56, 95% CI: 0.34-0.93, <it>p </it>= 0.024) and clinical progression (HR 0.09, 95% CI: 0.01-0.71, <it>p = </it>0.021). These associations remained significant in multivariate analysis, adjusted for preoperative PSA level in blood, pathological Gleason score and presence or absence of extracapsular extension, seminal vesicle invasion and positive surgical margin (HR 0.41, 95% CI: 0.19-0.89, <it>p </it>= 0.024 for BCR and HR 0.06, 95% CI: 0.01-0.50, <it>p = </it>0.009 for clinical progression).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results demonstrate that high nuclear expression of RBM3 in prostate cancer is associated with a prolonged time to disease progression and, thus, a potential biomarker of favourable prognosis. The value of RBM3 for prognostication, treatment stratification and follow-up of prostate cancer patients should be further validated in larger studies.</p

Motor signature of autism spectrum disorder in adults without intellectual impairment

Motor signs such as dyspraxia and abnormal gait are characteristic features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, motor behavior in adults with ASD has scarcely been quantitatively characterized. In this pilot study, we aim to quantitatively examine motor signature of adults with ASD without intellectual impairment using marker-less visual-perceptive motion capture. 82 individuals (37 ASD and 45 healthy controls, HC) with an IQ > 85 and aged 18 to 65 years performed nine movement tasks and were filmed by a 3D-infrared camera. Anatomical models were quantified via custom-made software and resulting kinematic parameters were compared between individuals with ASD and HCs. Furthermore, the association between specific motor behaviour and severity of autistic symptoms (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule 2, Autism Spectrum Quotient) was explored. Adults with ASD showed a greater mediolateral deviation while walking, greater sway during normal, tandem and single leg stance, a reduced walking speed and cadence, a greater arrhythmicity during jumping jack tasks and an impaired manual dexterity during finger tapping tasks (p  0.48) compared to HC. Furthermore, in the ASD group, some of these parameters correlated moderately to severity of ASD symptoms. Adults with ASD seem to display a specific motor signature in this disorder affecting movement timing and aspects of balance. The data appear to reinforce knowledge about motor signs reported in children and adolescents with ASD. Also, quantitative motor assessment via visual-perceptive computing may be a feasible instrument to detect subtle motor signs in ASD and perhaps suitable in the diagnosis of ASD in the future

Emergent Dirac carriers across a pressure-induced Lifshitz transition in black phosphorus

The phase diagram of correlated systems like cuprate or pnictide high-temperature superconductors is likely defined by a topological change of the Fermi surface under continuous variation of an external parameter, the so-called Lifshitz transition. However, a number of low-temperature instabilities and the interplay of multiple energy scales complicate the study of this phenomenon. Here we identify the optical signatures of a pressure-induced Lifshitz transition in a clean elemental system, black phosphorus. By applying external pressures above 1.5 GPa, we observe a change in the pressure-dependent Drude plasma frequency due to the appearance of massless Dirac fermions. At higher pressures, optical signatures of two structural phase transitions are also identified. Our findings suggest that a key fingerprint of the Lifshitz transition, in the absence of structural transitions, is a Drude plasma frequency discontinuity due to a change in the Fermi surface topology

Влияние моделей обратного тока насыщения диода на выходные характеристики двух-диодной модели солнечной батареи в среде Matlab Simulink

В работе проводилось моделирование солнечной батареи в программном обеспечении MATLAB Simulink. Изучались выходные параметры солнечной батареи в зависимости от модели обратного тока насыщения диода. Полученными результатами являются вольт-амперные и вольт-ваттные характеристики, показывающие влияние модели обратного тока насыщения диода на выходные параметры солнечной батареи.The work was carried out modeling of the solar battery in the software MATLAB Simulink. The output parameters of the solar battery were studied depending on the model of the reverse current saturation of the diode. The results are current-voltage and voltage-watt characteristics, showing the influence of the model of the inverse diode saturation current on the output parameters of the solar battery

Bioinformatic identification of proteins with tissue-specific expression for biomarker discovery

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is an important need for the identification of novel serological biomarkers for the early detection of cancer. Current biomarkers suffer from a lack of tissue specificity, rendering them vulnerable to non-disease-specific increases. The present study details a strategy to rapidly identify tissue-specific proteins using bioinformatics.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Previous studies have focused on either gene or protein expression databases for the identification of candidates. We developed a strategy that mines six publicly available gene and protein databases for tissue-specific proteins, selects proteins likely to enter the circulation, and integrates proteomic datasets enriched for the cancer secretome to prioritize candidates for further verification and validation studies.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Using colon, lung, pancreatic and prostate cancer as case examples, we identified 48 candidate tissue-specific biomarkers, of which 14 have been previously studied as biomarkers of cancer or benign disease. Twenty-six candidate biomarkers for these four cancer types are proposed.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We present a novel strategy using bioinformatics to identify tissue-specific proteins that are potential cancer serum biomarkers. Investigation of the 26 candidates in disease states of the organs is warranted.</p

Can we improve outcome of congenital diaphragmatic hernia?

This review gives an overview of the disease spectrum of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Etiological factors, prenatal predictors of survival, new treatment strategies and long-term morbidity are described. Early recognition of problems and improvement of treatment strategies in CDH patients may increase survival and prevent secondary morbidity. Multidisciplinary healthcare is necessary to improve healthcare for CDH patients. Absence of international therapy guidelines, lack of evidence of many therapeutic modalities and the relative low number of CDH patients calls for cooperation between centers with an expertise in the treatment of CDH patients. The international CDH Euro-Consortium is an example of such a collaborative network, which enhances exchange of knowledge, future research and development of treatment protocols