Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Large Vocabulary Continuous Speech Recognition With Reservoir-Based Acoustic Models

Thanks to research in neural network based acoustic modeling, progress in Large Vocabulary Continuous Speech Recognition (LVCSR) seems to have gained momentum recently. In search for further progress, the present letter investigates Reservoir Computing (RC) as an alternative new paradigm for acoustic modeling. RC unifies the appealing dynamical modeling capacity of a Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) with the simplicity and robustness of linear regression as a model for training the weights of that network. In previous work, an RC-HMM hybrid yielding very good phone recognition accuracy on TIMIT could be designed, but no proof was offered yet that this success would also transfer to LVCSR. This letter describes the development of an RC-HMM hybrid that provides good recognition on the Wall Street Journal benchmark. For the WSJ0 5k word task, word error rates of 6.2% (bigram language model) and 3.9% (trigram) are obtained on the Nov-92 evaluation set. Given that RC-based acoustic modeling is a fairly new approach, these results open up promising perspectives.
An On-Line Calibration Technique for Mismatch Errors in High-Speed DACs

In this paper a novel online calibration technique for high-speed DACs is presented. The approach consists of two elements. The first element is the use of a redundant signed digit (RSD) scheme for the selection of the current sources. This enables a fully digital correction. The second element consists of an adaptive estimation of the correction terms by an LMS algorithm. For this purpose the DAC output signal is low-pass filtered and digitized by an accurate but low-speed calibration ADC. By replicating this analog signal path in the digital domain, the errors can be calculated and used to update the correction weights. The dynamic behavior and the accuracy of the adaptive calibration loop are analyzed both theoretically and through computer simulations, and it is shown that this way a greatly improved accuracy can be obtained.
Disk-Locality in Datacenter Computing Considered Irrelevant

Data center computing is becoming pervasive in many organizations. Computing frameworks such as MapReduce [17], Hadoop [6] and Dryad [25], split jobs into small tasks that are run on the cluster’s compute nodes. Through these frameworks, computation can be performed on large datasets in a fault-tolerant way, while hiding the complexities of the distributed nature of the cluster. For these reasons, a considerable work has been done to improve the efficiency of these frameworks.
Fluctuation-dissipation relations in driven granular gases.

We study the dynamics of a two-dimensional driven inelastic gas, by means of direct simulation Monte Carlo techniques, i.e., under the assumption of molecular chaos. Under the effect of a uniform stochastic driving in the form of a white noise plus a friction term, the gas is kept in a nonequilibrium steady state characterized by fractal density correlations and non-Gaussian distributions of velocities; the mean-squared velocity, that is the so-called granular temperature, is lower than the bath temperature. We observe that a modified form of the Kubo relation, which relates the autocorrelation and the linear response for the dynamics of a system at equilibrium, still holds for the off equilibrium, though stationary, dynamics of the systems under investigation. Interestingly, the only needed modification to the equilibrium Kubo relation is the replacement of the equilibrium temperature with an effective temperature, which results equal to the global granular temperature. We present two independent numerical experiments, where two different observables are studied: (a) the staggered density current, whose response to an impulsive shear is proportional to its autocorrelation in the unperturbed system and (b) the response of a tracer to a small constant force, switched on at time t(w), which is proportional to the mean-square displacement in the unperturbed system. Both measures confirm the validity of Kubo's formula, provided that the granular temperature is used as the proportionality factor between response and autocorrelation, at least for not too large inelasticities.
Incidence and Variation of Discrepancies in Recording Chronic Conditions in Australian Hospital Administrative Data

Diagnostic data routinely collected for hospital admitted patients and used for case-mix adjustment in care provider comparisons and reimbursement are prone to biases. We aim to measure discrepancies, variations and associated factors in recorded chronic morbidities for hospital admitted patients in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Of all admissions between July 2010 and June 2014 in all NSW public and private acute hospitals, admissions with over 24 hours stay and one or more of the chronic conditions of diabetes, smoking, hepatitis, HIV, and hypertension were included. The incidence of a non-recorded chronic condition in an admission occurring after the first admission with a recorded chronic condition (index admission) was considered as a discrepancy. Poisson models were employed to (i) derive adjusted discrepancy incidence rates (IR) and rate ratios (IRR) accounting for patient, admission, comorbidity and hospital characteristics and (ii) quantify variation in rates among hospitals. The discrepancy incidence rate was highest for hypertension (51% of 262,664 admissions), followed by hepatitis (37% of 12,107), smoking (33% of 548,965), HIV (27% of 1500) and diabetes (19% of 228,687). Adjusted rates for all conditions declined over the four-year period; with the sharpest drop of over 80% for diabetes (47.7% in 2010 vs. 7.3% in 2014), and 20% to 55% for the other conditions. Discrepancies were more common in private hospitals and smaller public hospitals. Inter-hospital differences were responsible for 1% (HIV) to 9.4% (smoking) of variation in adjusted discrepancy incidences, with an increasing trend for diabetes and HIV. Chronic conditions are recorded inconsistently in hospital administrative datasets, and hospitals contribute to the discrepancies. Adjustment for patterns and stratification in risk adjustments; and furthermore longitudinal accumulation of clinical data at patient level, refinement of clinical coding systems and standardisation of comorbidity recording across hospitals would enhance accuracy of datasets and validity of case-mix adjustment.
Quantitative Assessment of P-Glycoprotein Expression and Function Using Confocal Image Analysis

Abstract P-glycoprotein is implicated in clinical drug resistance; thus, rapid quantitative analysis of its expression and activity is of paramout importance to the design and success of novel therapeutics. The scope for the application of quantitative imaging and image analysis tools in this field is reported here at “proof of concept” level. P-glycoprotein expression was utilized as a model for quantitative immunofluorescence and subsequent spatial intensity distribution analysis (SpIDA). Following expression studies, p-glycoprotein inhibition as a function of verapamil concentration was assessed in two cell lines using live cell imaging of intracellular Calcein retention and a routine monolayer fluorescence assay. Intercellular and sub-cellular distributions in the expression of the p-glycoprotein transporter between parent and MDR1-transfected Madin–Derby Canine Kidney cell lines were examined. We have demonstrated that quantitative imaging can provide dose–response parameters while permitting direct microscopic analysis of intracellular fluorophore distributions in live and fixed samples. Analysis with SpIDA offers the ability to detect heterogeniety in the distribution of labeled species, and in conjunction with live cell imaging and immunofluorescence staining may be applied to the determination of pharmacological parameters or analysis of biopsies providing a rapid prognostic tool.
Vacuolar sequestration capacity and long-distance metal transport in plants

The vacuole is a pivotal organelle functioning in storage of metabolites, mineral nutrients, and toxicants in higher plants. Accumulating evidence indicates that in addition to its storage role, the vacuole contributes essentially to long-distance transport of metals, through the modulation of Vacuolar sequestration capacity (VSC) which is shown to be primarily controlled by cytosolic metal chelators and tonoplast-localized transporters, or the interaction between them. Plants adapt to their environments by dynamic regulation of VSC for specific metals and hence targeting metals to specific tissues. Study of VSC provides not only a new angle to understand the long-distance root-to-shoot transport of minerals in plants, but also an efficient way to biofortify essential mineral nutrients or to phytoremediate non-essential metal pollution. The current review will focus on the most recent proceedings on the interaction mechanisms between VSC regulation and long-distance metal transport.
A Quantum-Statistical Approach Towards Robot Learning by Demonstration

—Statistical machine learning approaches have been in the epicenter of the ongoing research work in the ﬁeld of robot learning by demonstration in the last years. One of the most successful methodologies used for this purpose is Gaussian mixture regression (GMR). In this paper, we propose an extension of GMR-based learning by demonstration models, to incorporate concepts from the ﬁeld of quantum mechanics. Indeed, conventional GMR models are formulated under the notion that all the observed data points can be assigned to a distinct number of model states (mixture components). In this work, we reformulate GMR models, introducing some quantum states constructed by superposing conventional GMR states by means of linear combinations. The so-obtained quantum statistics-inspired mixture regression algorithm is subsequently applied to obtain a novel robot learning by demonstration methodology, offering a signiﬁcantly increased quality of regenerated trajectories for computational costs comparable to currently state-of-the-art trajectory-based robot learning by demonstration approaches. We experimentally demonstrate the efﬁcacy of the proposed approach.
Flexural fatigue and failure probability analysis of polypropylene-glass hybrid fibres reinforced epoxy composite laminates

Flexural fatigue tests have been conducted on polypropylene/epoxy composite and its hybrids with glass fibre. Specimens were fabricated in intraply and inter-intraply configurations using the hand lay-up technique. Fatigue tests were performed at a frequency of 25 Hz and zero mean stress. A 20% reduction of the flexural stiffness was taken as a failure criterion. The effects of fibre hybridisation, hybrid configuration and stacking sequence on S–N curves were investigated. The fractured specimens were examined using SEM. Weibull distribution function was used to obtain the failure probabilities and the scatter in the results. Results indicated that hybridising polypropylene fibre with glass improves the flexural fatigue resistance. The fabricated hybrids have economical and specific fatigue strength benefits. The stacking sequence has a great effect on the composite's fatigue resistance. The inter-intraply hybrid laminate with glass fibre layers skin and polypropylene fibre layers core presents the most favourable flexural fatigue behaviour.
Special-Purpose Hardware for Solving the Elliptic Curve Discrete Logarithm Problem

The resistance against powerful index-calculus attacks makes Elliptic Curve Cryptosystems (ECC) an interesting alternative to conventional asymmetric cryptosystems, like RSA. Operands in ECC require significantly less bits at the same level of security, resulting in a higher computational efficiency compared to RSA. With growing computational capabilities and continuous technological improvements over the years, however, the question of the security of ECC against attacks based on special-purpose hardware arises. In this context, recently emerged low-cost FPGAs demand for attention in the domain of hardware-based cryptanalysis: the extraordinary efficiency of modern programmable hardware devices allow for a low-budget implementation of hardware-based ECC attacks---without the requirement of the expensive development of ASICs. With focus on the aspect of cost-efficiency, this contribution presents and analyzes an FPGA-based architecture of an attack against ECC over prime fields. A multi-processing hardware architecture for Pollard's Rho method is described. We provide results on actually used key lengths of ECC (128 bits and above) and estimate the expected runtime for a successful attack. As a first result, currently used elliptic curve cryptosystems with a security of 160 bit and above turn out to be infeasible to break with available computational and financial resources. However, some of the security standards proposed by the Standards for Efficient Cryptography Group (SECG) become subject to attacks based on low-cost FPGAs.
Urinary dysfunction and orthostatic hypotension in multiple system atrophy: which is the more common and earlier manifestation?

OBJECTIVES Urinary dysfunction and orthostatic hypotension are the prominent autonomic features in multiple system atrophy (MSA). A detailed questionnaire was given and autonomic function tests were performed in 121 patients with MSA concerning both urinary and cardiovascular systems. METHODS Replies to the questionnaire on autonomic symptoms were obtained from 121 patients including three clinical variants; olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA) type in 48, striatonigral degeneration (SND) type in 17, and Shy-Drager type in 56. Urodynamic studies comprised measurement of postmicturition residuals, EMG cystometry, and bethanechol injection. Cardiovascular tests included head up tilt test, measurement of supine plasma noradrenaline (norepinephrine,NA), measurement of R-R variability (CV R-R), and intravenous infusions of NA and isoproterenol. RESULTS Urinary symptoms (96%) were found to be more common than orthostatic symptoms (43%) (p<0.01) in patients with MSA, particularly with OPCA (p<0.01) and SND (p<0.01) types. In 53 patients with both urinary and orthostatic symptoms, patients who had urinary symptoms first (48%) were more common than those who had orthostatic symptoms first (29%), and there were patients who developed both symptoms simultaneously (23%). Post-micturition residuals were noted in 74% of the patients. EMG cystometry showed detrusor hyperreflexia in 56%, low compliance in 31%, atonic curve in 5%, detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia in 45%, and neurogenic sphincter EMG in 74%. The cystometric curve tended to change from hyperreflexia to low compliance, then atonic curve in repeated tests. Bethanechol injection showed denervation supersensitivity of the bladder in 19%. Cardiovascular tests showed orthostatic hypotension below –30 mm Hg in 41%, low CV R-R below 1.5 in 57%, supine plasma NA below 100 pg/ml in 28%, and denervation supersensitivity of the vessels (α in 73%; β2 in 60%) and of the heart (β1 in 62%). CONCLUSION It is likely that urinary dysfunction is more common and often an earlier manifestation than orthostatic hypotension in patients with MSA, although subclinical cardiovascular abnormalities appear in the early stage of the disease. The responsible sites seem to be central and peripheral for both dysfunctions.
Prognostic factors for survivals from first relapse in breast cancer patients: analysis of deceased patients

Purpose This study was performed to evaluate prognostic factors for survival from first relapse (SFFR) in stage I-III breast cancer patients. Materials and Methods From June 1994 to June 2008, 3,835 patients were treated with surgery plus postoperative radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy for stage I-III breast cancer at Samsung Medical Center. Among them, a total of 224 patients died by June 2009, and 175 deaths were of breast cancer. Retrospective review was performed on medical records of 165 patients who met the inclusion criteria of this study. Univariate and multivariate analysis were done on survivals according to variables, such as age, stage, hormone status of tumor, disease-free interval (DFI), sites of first failure, number of organs involved by recurrent disease (NOR), application of salvage treatments, and existence of brain or liver metastasis (visceral metastasis). Results Patients' median overall survival time was 38 months (range, 8 to 123 months). Median SFFR was 17 months (range, 5 to 87 months). Ninety percent of deaths occurred within 40 months after first recurrence. The patients with SFFR ≤1 year had tendency of triple-negativity, shorter DFI (≤2 years), larger NOR (>3), visceral metastasis for first relapse than the patients with SFFR >1 year. In multivariate analysis, longer DFI (>2 vs. ≤2 years), absence of visceral metastasis, and application of salvage treatments were statistically significant prognosticators for longer SFFR. Conclusion The DFI, application of salvage treatments, and visceral metastasis were significant prognostic factors for SFFR in breast cancer patients.
ASSESSING RISK THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE EXPOSURES

We discuss risk and return implications of incorporating environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations in an investment strategy and argue that ESG exposures may be informative about the risks of individual firms. We show empirically that stocks with worst ESG exposures have volatility that is up to 15% higher, and betas up to 3% higher, than stocks with the best ESG exposures. We also find that ESG scores may help forecast future changes to risk estimates from a traditional risk model. Controlling for the contemporaneous risk model estimates, we show that poor ESG exposures predict increased future statistical risks.
Fatigue as Presenting Symptom and a High Burden of Premature Ventricular Contractions Are Independently Associated With Increased Ventricular Wall Stress in Patients With Normal Left Ventricular Function

Background—High idiopathic premature ventricular contractions (PVC) burden has been associated with PVC-induced cardiomyopathy. Patients may be symptomatic before left ventricular (LV) dysfunction develops. N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and circumferential end-systolic wall stress (cESS) on echocardiography are markers for increased ventricular wall stress. This study aimed to evaluate the relation between presenting symptoms, PVC burden, and increased ventricular wall stress in patients with frequent PVCs and preserved LV function. Methods and Results—Eighty-three patients (41 men; 49±15 years) with idiopathic PVCs and normal LV function referred for PVC ablation were included. Type of symptoms (palpitations, fatigue, and [near-]syncope), PVC burden on 24-hour Holter, NT-proBNP levels, and cESS on echocardiography were assessed before and 3 months after ablation. Sustained successful ablation was defined as ≥80% PVC burden reduction during follow-up. Patients were symptomatic for 24 months (Q1–Q3, 16–60); 73% reported palpitations, 47% fatigue, and 30% (near-)syncope. Baseline PVC burden was 23±13%, median NT-proBNP 92 pg/mL (Q1–Q3 50–156), and cESS 143±35 kdyne/cm2. Fatigue was associated with higher baseline NT-proBNP and cESS (P<0.001, P=0.011, respectively). After sustained successful ablation, achieved in 81%, NT-proBNP and cESS decreased significantly (P<0.001 and P=0.036, respectively). Fatigue was independently associated with a significantly larger reduction in NT-proBNP. In patients with nonsuccessful ablation, NT-proBNP and cESS remained unchanged. Conclusions—In patients with frequent PVCs and preserved LV function, fatigue was associated with higher baseline NT-proBNP and cESS, and with a significantly larger reduction in NT-proBNP after sustained successful ablation. These findings support a link between fatigue and PVC-induced increased ventricular wall stress, despite preserved LV function.
Measuring speech-in-noise intelligibility for spontaneous speech: The effect of native and non-native accents

Previous research has found that listeners understand talkers who speak with the same accent as themselves better than others. The aim of the current study was to investigate how speech intelligibility is modulated by this talker-listener accent interaction when native and non-native listeners hear spontaneous speech. To this end, native Southern British English listeners and native Korean listeners were tested on the recognition of read and spontaneous speech spoken with a native English accent (Standard Southern British English) and non-native English accents (Finnish and Koreanaccented English). The results demonstrated that native listeners have an intelligibility benefit for their own accent over non-native accents when they listen to spontaneous speech as well as read speech. However, native Korean listeners had a trend for them to have higher intelligibility for Korean-accented speech only in the spontaneous speech condition.
Alimentary tract andpancreas Effects ofnutrient liquids onhumangastroduodenal motoractivity

SUMMARY The effects of intragastric infusion of 10% Intralipid and 10% dextrose on the intraluminal pressures in the antrum, pylorus and duodenal bulb have been examined. Ten studies with each infusate have been performed in 10 normal subjects and the results compared with those obtained previously in 22 studies during intragastric infusion of isotonic saline. During saline infusion, contractile activity varied. In six studies fasting motor activity persisted; in the remainder, variable activity, without recognisable pattern was recorded. With saline, the gastroduodenal region usually functioned as a unit and the pylorus was the least autonomous part. Neither a sustained rise of basal pressure nor rhythmic, independent contractions were recorded from the pylorus. The contractile activity of the gastroduodenal region with Intralipid and dextrose was more uniform than with saline. Fasting motor activity was always abolished. The gastroduodenal region ceased to contract as a unit and the pylorus acquired autonomous activity. Rhythmic, independent contractions of the pylorus were recorded in nine of 10 studies during Intralipid infusion and six of 10 studies with dextrose. In addition, a sustained rise in pyloric basal pressure was recorded in eight of 10 studies with Intralipid and three of 10 studies with dextrose. Pyloric motility indices were significantly greater with fat than with dextrose. The observed differences in gastroduodenal motility are consistent with a role for the pylorus in the control of emptying of liquid from the stomach. Disagreement persists
Language Dynamics in Structured Form and Meaning Spaces

This paper reviews how the structure of form and meaning spaces influences the nature and the dynamics of the form-meaning mappings in language. In general, in a structured form or meaning space, not all forms and meanings are equivalent: some forms and some meanings are more easily confused with each other than with other forms or meanings. We first give a formalization of this idea, and explore how it influences robust form-meaning mappings. It is shown that some fundamental properties of human language, such as discreteness and combinatorial structure as well as universals of sound systems of human languages follow from optimal communication in structured form and meaning spaces. We also argue that some properties of human language follow less from these fundamental issues, and more from cognitive constraints.We then show that it is possible to experimentally investigate the relative contribution of functional constraints and of cognitive constraints. We illustrate this with an example of one of our own experiments, in which experimental participants have to learn a set of complex form-meaning mappings that have been produced by a previous generation of participants. Theoretically predicted properties appear in the sets of signals that emerge in this iterated learning experiment.