Synthetic Voice Detection and Audio Splicing Detection using SE-Res2Net-Conformer Architecture

Synthetic voice and splicing audio clips have been generated to spoof Internet users and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies such as voice authentication. Existing research work treats spoofing countermeasures as a binary classification problem: bonafide vs. spoof. This paper extends the existing Res2Net by involving the recent Conformer block to further exploit the local patterns on acoustic features. Experimental results on ASVspoof 2019 database show that the proposed SE-Res2Net-Conformer architecture is able to improve the spoofing countermeasures performance for the logical access scenario. In addition, this paper also proposes to re-formulate the existing audio splicing detection problem. Instead of identifying the complete splicing segments, it is more useful to detect the boundaries of the spliced segments. Moreover, a deep learning approach can be used to solve the problem, which is different from the previous signal processing techniques.Comment: Accepted by the 13th International Symposium on Chinese Spoken Language Processing (ISCSLP 2022

Computably enumerable Turing degrees and the meet property

Working in the Turing degree structure, we show that those degrees which contain computably enumerable sets all satisfy the meet property, i.e. if a is c.e. and b < a, then there exists non-zero m < a with b ^m = 0. In fact, more than this is true: m may always be chosen to be a minimal degree. This settles a conjecture of Cooper and Epstein from the 80s

Lynch Syndrome Associated with Two MLH1 Promoter Variants and Allelic Imbalance of MLH1 Expression

© 2015 The Authors. **Human Mutation published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Lynch syndrome is a hereditary cancer syndrome caused by a constitutional mutation in one of the mismatch repair genes. The implementation of predictive testing and targeted preventative surveillance is hindered by the frequent finding of sequence variants of uncertain significance in these genes. We aimed to determine the pathogenicity of previously reported variants (c.-28A > G and c.-7C > T) within the MLH1 5â²untranslated region (UTR) in two individuals from unrelated suspected Lynch syndrome families. We investigated whether these variants were associated with other pathogenic alterations using targeted high-throughput sequencing of the MLH1 locus. We also determined their relationship to gene expr ession and epigenetic alterations at the promoter. Sequencing revealed that the c.-28A > G and c.-7C > T variants were the only potentially pathogenic alterations within the MLH1 gene. In both individuals, the levels of transcription from the variant allele were reduced to 50% compared with the wild-type allele. Partial loss of expression occurred in the absence of constitutional epigenetic alterations within the MLH1 promoter. We propose that these variants may be pathogenic due to constitutional partial loss of MLH1 expression, and that this may be associated with intermediate penetrance of a Lynch syndrome phenotype. Our findings provide further evidence of the potential importance of noncoding variants in the MLH1 5â²UTR in the pathogenesis of Lynch syndrome.Link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Perspectives of people in Mali toward genetically-modified mosquitoes for malaria control

Background: Genetically-modified (GM) mosquitoes have been proposed as part of an integrated vector control strategy for malaria control. Public acceptance is essential prior to field trials, particularly since mosquitoes are a vector of human disease and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) face strong scepticism in developed and developing nations. Despite this, in sub-Saharan Africa, where the GM mosquito effort is primarily directed, very little data is available on perspectives to GMOs. Here, results are presented of a qualitative survey of public attitudes to GM mosquitoes for malaria control in rural and urban areas of Mali, West Africa between the months of October 2008 and June 2009. Methods: The sample consisted of 80 individuals - 30 living in rural communities, 30 living in urban suburbs of Bamako, and 20 Western-trained and traditional health professionals working in Bamako and Bandiagara. Questions were asked about the cause of malaria, heredity and selective breeding. This led to questions about genetic alterations, and acceptable conditions for a release of pest-resistant GM corn and malaria-refractory GM mosquitoes. Finally, participants were asked about the decision-making process in their community. Interviews were transcribed and responses were categorized according to general themes. Results: Most participants cited mosquitoes as one of several causes of malaria. The concept of the gene was not widely understood; however selective breeding was understood, allowing limited communication of the concept of genetic modification. Participants were open to a release of pest-resistant GM corn, often wanting to conduct a trial themselves. The concept of a trial was reapplied to GM mosquitoes, although less frequently. Participants wanted to see evidence that GM mosquitoes can reduce malaria prevalence without negative consequences for human health and the environment. For several participants, a mosquito control programme was preferred; however a transgenic release that satisfied certain requirements was usually acceptable. Conclusions: Although there were some dissenters, the majority of participants were pragmatic towards a release of GM mosquitoes. An array of social and cultural issues associated with malaria, mosquitoes and genetic engineering became apparent. If these can be successfully addressed, then social acceptance among the populations surveyed seems promising

Current-Density Functional Theory of the Response of Solids

The response of an extended periodic system to a homogeneous field (of wave-vector $q=0$) cannot be obtained from a $q=0$ time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculation, because the Runge-Gross theorem does not apply. Time-dependent {\em current}-density functional theory is needed and demonstrates that one key ingredient missing from TDDFT is the macroscopic current. In the low-frequency limit, in certain cases, density polarization functional theory is recovered and a formally exact expression for the polarization functional is given.Comment: 5 pages, accepted in PR

A risk- and complexity-rating framework for investment products

Sim Kee Boon Institute for Financial Economics SKB

Appropriateness of metformin prescription for type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with chronic kidney disease (Stages 3-5)

Introduction: Metformin is the first-line pharmacological therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Guidelines recommend metformin to be given at reduced dosages for those with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73m2 and omitted in those with eGFR<30 mL/min/1.73m2. Lactic acidosis is a known complication of those on metformin. This study aimed to determine the appropriateness of metformin prescription in T2DM patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 3-5 in a tertiary centre in Malaysia. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional design using retrospective secondary data of T2DM patients on metformin attending nephrology and diabetic clinics in the year 2017. eGFR calculated using the CKD-EPI formula identified those in CKD stage 3-5 defined using the National Kidney Foundation-Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative criteria. Metformin prescription was considered appropriate when the metformin maximum daily dosage does not exceed 1500 mg in CKD stage 3a and 1000 mg in CKD stage 3b and metformin stopped in CKD stages 4 and 5. Results: A total of 143 patients were included. Majority were in the elderly age group (62.9%), male (60.8%) and had concurrent hypertension (85.3%). Median HbA1c was 8.3% (67 mmol/mol) with most patients (88.8%) having HbA1c above 6.5% (48 mmol/ mol). Majority (92.3%) were categorised as stage 3 CKD. Eleven (7.7%) subjects had inappropriate metformin prescription. Seven of nine (78%) subjects in CKD stage 4 were on metformin with a maximum daily dose of 500 mg to1000 mg. Three patients had serum lactate measured. Conclusion: The majority of CKD patients had appropriate metformin prescription. However, a considerable number of CKD stage 4 patients continued to be on metformin. The many benefits of metformin may be a reason why it is still continued against recommendations. Only three patients had lactate measured which, although may suggest that lactic acidosis is not a common occurrence, the potential for metformin-associated lactic acidosis especially in those at risk should be considered

Brevi spunti sul d.lgs. n. 150/2009 e sulla sua applicabilità agli Enti locali

© 2014 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. Gene silencing in cancer frequently involves hypermethylation and dense nucleosome occupancy across promoter regions. How a promoter transitions to this silent state is unclear. Using colorectal adenomas, we investigated nucleosome positioning, DNA methylation, and gene expression in the early stages of gene silencing. Genome-wide gene expression correlated with highly positioned nucleosomes upstream and downstream of a nucleosome-depleted transcription start site (TSS). Hypermethylated promoters displayed increased nucleosome occupancy, specifically at the TSS. We investigated 2 genes, CDH1 and CDKN2B, which were silenced in adenomas but lacked promoter hypermethylation. Instead, silencing correlated with loss of nucleosomes from the -2 position upstream of the TSS relative to normal mucosa. In contrast, permanent CDH1 silencing in carcinoma cells was characterized by promoter hypermethylation and dense nucleosome occupancy. Our findings suggest that silenced genes transition through an intermediary stage involving altered promoter nucleosome positioning, before permanent silencing by hypermethylation and dense nucleosome occupancy.Link_to_subscribed_fulltex