Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Morphology-based language modeling for arabic speech recognition

Abstract : Language modeling is a difficult problem for languages with rich morphology. In this paper we investigate the use of morphology-based language models at different stages in a speech recognition system for conversational Arabic. Class-based and single-stream factored language models using morphological word representations are applied within an N-best list rescoring framework. In addition, we explore the use of factored language models in first-pass recognition, which is facilitated by two novel procedures: the data-driven optimization of a multi-stream language model structure, and the conversion of a factored language model to a standard word-based model. We evaluate these techniques on a large-vocabulary recognition task and demonstrate that they lead to perplexity and word error rate reductions.
Light propagation in atomic Mott Insulators

We study radiation-matter interaction in a system of ultracold atoms trapped in an optical lattice in a Mott insulator phase. We develop a fully general quantum model, and we perform calculations for a one-dimensional geometry at normal incidence. Both two- and three-level $\Lambda$ atomic configurations are studied. The polariton dispersion and the reflectivity spectra are characterized in the different regimes, for both semi-infinite and finite-size geometries. We apply this model to propose a photon energy lifter experiment: a device which is able to shift the carrier frequency of a slowly travelling wavepacket without affecting the pulse shape nor its coherence.
Video Denoising, Deblocking, and Enhancement Through Separable 4-D Nonlocal Spatiotemporal Transforms

We propose a powerful video filtering algorithm that exploits temporal and spatial redundancy characterizing natural video sequences. The algorithm implements the paradigm of nonlocal grouping and collaborative filtering, where a higher dimensional transform-domain representation of the observations is leveraged to enforce sparsity, and thus regularize the data: 3-D spatiotemporal volumes are constructed by tracking blocks along trajectories defined by the motion vectors. Mutually similar volumes are then grouped together by stacking them along an additional fourth dimension, thus producing a 4-D structure, termed group, where different types of data correlation exist along the different dimensions: local correlation along the two dimensions of the blocks, temporal correlation along the motion trajectories, and nonlocal spatial correlation (i.e., self-similarity) along the fourth dimension of the group. Collaborative filtering is then realized by transforming each group through a decorrelating 4-D separable transform and then by shrinkage and inverse transformation. In this way, the collaborative filtering provides estimates for each volume stacked in the group, which are then returned and adaptively aggregated to their original positions in the video. The proposed filtering procedure addresses several video processing applications, such as denoising, deblocking, and enhancement of both grayscale and color data. Experimental results prove the effectiveness of our method in terms of both subjective and objective visual quality, and show that it outperforms the state of the art in video denoising.
Real-World Single-Center Experience with Sofosbuvir-Based Regimens for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Genotype 1 Patients

Background/Aims The approval of sofosbuvir (SOF), a direct-acting antiviral, has revolutionized the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV). Methods We assessed the sustained virological response (SVR) of SOF-based regimens in a real-world single-center setting for the treatment of chronic HCV genotype 1 (G1) patients. This was a retrospective review of chronic HCV G1 adult patients treated with a SOF-based regimen at Virginia Mason Medical Center between December 2013 and August 2015. Results The cohort comprised 343 patients. Patients received SOF+ledipasvir (LDV) (n=155), SOF+simeprevir (SIM) (n=154), or SOF+peginterferon (PEG)+ribavirin (RBV) (n=34). Of the patients, 50.1% (n=172) had cirrhosis. The SVR rate was 92.2% for SOF/LDV, 87.0% for SOF/SIM, and 82.4% for SOF/PEG/RBV. Compared with the cirrhotic patients, the patients without cirrhosis had a higher SVR (96.8% vs 85.5%, p=0.01, SOF/LDV; 98.2% vs 80.6%, p=0.002, SOF/SIM; 86.4% vs 75.0%, p=0.41, SOF/PEG/RBV). In this study, prior treatment experience adversely affected the response rate in subjects treated with SOF/PEG/RBV. Conclusions In this single-center, real-world setting, the treatment of chronic HCV G1 resulted in a high rate of SVR, especially in patients without cirrhosis.
Pregnancy in Chronic Dialysis: A Review and Analysis of the Literature

Pregnancy is uncommon in end-stage renal failure, particularly in patients requiring dialysis. We reviewed the literature from 1965 to date, seeking an optimal way of dialyzing pregnant women after encountering one such patient. Methods We searched the English literature by cross-referencing “pregnancy” with “hemo-” or “peritoneal dialysis” and “renal failure”. Eighty-six pregnancies worldwide were found to which we added one case of our own. Various independent factors were studied against gestational age at delivery using uni- and multivariate analysis. These factors included mother's age, previous delivery, diagnoses of renal disease, dialysis duration prior to pregnancy, gestational age at onset of dialysis, dialysis type, level of hemoglobin during pregnancy, BUN and creatinine targets, BUN/creatinine ratio, dialysis intensity at the beginning and end of pregnancy, influence of erythropoietin and dialysis complications. Results Of the 87 pregnancies, 12% resulted in stillbirths, 9% of neonates died prior to discharge. The mean gestational age at delivery was 32 ± 5 weeks, and the mean birth weight 1604 ± 652 g. Two congenital abnormalities and one twin pregnancy were reported. 48% of deliveries were premature. Pre-eclampsia was reported in 11%, and worsening hypertension in 17%. CAPD was used in 25 and hemodialysis in 62 patients. Fetal survival was similar in both cases (72% vs 82%), although incidence of various dialysis complications differed. The conventional dialysis goals of a low target BUN level and hemoglobin for pregnant patients were not factors in predicting fetal outcome. The number of hemodialyses/week were negatively correlated (R = -0.35, P = 0.061), but the hours of dialysis positively correlated (R = 0.42, p = 0.035) to gestational age. Fetal survival was independently influenced by creatinine level [564 µmol/L when baby survived vs 788 µmol/L when baby died (p = 0.021)], BUN/creatinine ratio (50 vs 30, p = 0.053), and hours of dialysis (5.6 hrs vs 3.6 hrs, p=0.013). There was no relation of either frequency or volume of peritoneal dialysis exchanges to gestational age or fetal survival. Conclusions Greater attention to a high intake of protein (>1.5 g/kg) and higher dose of hemodialysis, achieved by longer, every other day dialysis, may be the optimal approach to pregnant patients on hemodialysis. Our first attempt to define the goal of hemodialysis is to keep the predialysis creatinine below 600 mmol/L and the protein intake high enough so the predialysis BUN level is >25 mmol/L. There are no clear guidelines on how to best perform CAPD.
Responses to Children's Sadness: Mothers' and Fathers' Unique Contributions and Perceptions

Parental socialization of children's sadness was examined through self-report, spouse report, and a parent-child sadness discussion task. A total of 79 two-parent, predominantly White, middle-class families participated with one child in grades 2-5 (44 sons; M = 9 years, 8 months). Analyses revealed that mothers and fathers respond differently to their sons' and daughters' expressions of sadness. Based on spouse report, mothers provide more support for their sons' sadness expressivity, whereas fathers provide more support for their daughters' sadness expressivity. Agreement between self-report and spouse report was observed for fathers but not mothers. Concordance between parents' socialization practices was found for self-reports of supportive behaviors. For both parents, the strongest predictor of observed sadness support was spouse report of supportiveness. Results are discussed with implications for emotion-socialization processes and emotion assessment highlighted.
The Protective Effect of Curcumin on Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

Background and Objectives: Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is one of the major causes of cardiac mortality. Curcumin, an active component extracted from turmeric in curry, inhibits inflammatory responses. This study was designed to investigate whether curcumin can exert beneficial effects on myocardial I/R injury. Materials and Methods: Sprague-Dawley male rats received a normal diet or a curcumin diet (80 mg/kg/d) for one week, and I/R injury was induced by ligating the left anterior descending artery (LAD) for 30 min followed by release. After 24 hours, the myocardium was extracted to evaluate the myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and the vascular cellular adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 protein level. The apoptotic cardiomyocytes and neutrophils were counted and quantified by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining at 14 days after I/R. Results: In the infarcted myocardium of the curcumin-fed rats, the MPO activity (32.9±2.2% of the control, p=0.001) and the VCAM-1 protein (28.7±2.9% of control, p=0.001) level were significantly attenuated. The number of neutrophils was lower in the curcumin-fed rats (57±12% of the control, p=0.024). A reduction of the apoptotic cardiomyocytes was also observed in the curcumin-fed I/R rats (36± 9.2% of the control, p=0.032). Conclusion: The cardioprotective effects of curcumin on an I/R injury rat model could include anti-inflammation activities and inhibition of apoptosis that occurred in the cardiomyocytes. Our findings suggest that curcumin has a positive contribution as a dietary supplement for the prevention of heart disease. (Korean Circ J 2008;38:353-359)
Adductor Strain and Hip Range of Movement in Male Professional Soccer Players

Purpose. To determine whether hip range of movement (ROM) can predict the occurrence of adductor strain among male professional soccer players. Methods. 120 subjects were prospectively selected from 6 professional soccer clubs in Australia. Internal rotation, external rotation, and ROM of the hip were measured using a goniometer before and during the course of a soccer season (2003–2004). When adductor strain occurred, further assessments of the hip were performed. Injured subjects' hip ROMs were measured again at the end of the season. Results. Eight of the 120 subjects had 9 adductor strains (one bilateral). There was a correlation between preseason decreased hip ROM and occurrence of adductor strain. The mean preseason hip ROM was 44.7 degrees in the injured group and 53.7 degrees in the uninjured group. Once the subjects were able to resume playing soccer, their hip ROM increased to near pre-injury levels. Conclusion. Decreased hip ROM may be considered an aetiological factor in the occurrence of adductor strain in male professional soccer players.
A Proposed Leadership Competency Model for Effective Organizational Change Intervention

Abstract There are still several myths around leadership in spite of the fact that it is one of the most topical issues in modern organisations. The importance thereof and contributions of leadership in high performing organisations can never be underestimated. Leaders play an important role in an organisation as social architects by creating vision and strategic direction, building relationships, establishing culture and values and leading change. This article attempts to address specific requirements, by referring to relevant leadership competencies and providing more empowering views on the essence of leadership when dealing with organisational change issues. By referring to various models of leadership, emphases have been place on the evolution of change leadership. This article also attempts to provide a new framework applicable to leading change successfully by applying a mixed method. The existing framework in the relevant company was reviewed in order to develop a new framework.
Predicting User Replying Behavior on a Large Online Dating Site

Online dating sites have become popular platforms for people to look for potential romantic partners. Many online dating sites provide recommendations on compatible partners based on their proprietary matching algorithms. It is important that not only the recommended dates match the user's preference or criteria, but also the recommended users are interested in the user and likely to reciprocate when contacted. The goal of this paper is to predict whether an initial contact message from a user will be replied to by the receiver. The study is based on a large scale real-world dataset obtained from a major dating site in China with more than sixty million registered users. We formulate our reply prediction as a link prediction problem of social networks and approach it using a machine learning framework. The availability of a large amount of user profile information and the bipartite nature of the dating network present unique opportunities and challenges to the reply prediction problem. We extract user-based features from user profiles and graph-based features from the bipartite dating network, apply them in a variety of classification algorithms, and compare the utility of the features and performance of the classifiers. Our results show that the user-based and graph-based features result in similar performance, and can be used to effectively predict the reciprocal links. Only a small performance gain is achieved when both feature sets are used. Among the five classifiers we considered, random forests method outperforms the other four algorithms (naive Bayes, logistic regression, KNN, and SVM). Our methods and results can provide valuable guidelines to the design and performance of recommendation engine for online dating sites.
A Guide to Gender-Analysis Frameworks

A variety of frameworks to analyse gender relations are used in development work. They can be helpful tools in planning gender-sensitive research projects, or in designing development interventions which address gender inequalities. Drawing on the experience of trainers and practitioners, this book contains step-by-step instructions for using different gender-analysis frameworks, and summaries of their advantages and disadvantages in particular situations. An introductory section explains the importance of gender analysis, and the role of the frameworks in development initiatives and research.
Body mass index, waist circumference, and waist-to-height ratio as predictors of cardiometabolic risk in childhood obesity depending on pubertal development.

CONTEXT The predictive value of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-height ratio (WtHR) to define cardiometabolic risk is unclear in childhood obesity. OBJECTIVE [corrected] The associations between BMI, WtHR, or WC and cardiometabolic risk markers were analyzed in a multicenter data collection of obese youth. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS BMI, WtHR, and WC were retrospectively evaluated in 1278 patients (11-18 years, 53% boys) from the German/Austrian/Swiss Adiposity Patients Registry. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Parameters were correlated with homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance, fasting insulin, blood pressure, transaminases, lipids and uric acid, applying adjusted regression models, with age group, pubertal stage and gender as covariates. RESULTS Homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance and fasting insulin were most strongly correlated with BMI, independent of age group or gender. Lipids, transaminases, and uric acid were most strongly correlated with WC with stronger associations for boys. Correlations between BMI and WC as well as metabolic markers and systolic blood pressure showed only minor differences. The pattern of relationship changed during the course of pubertal development with the strongest associations for pubertal children. None of the parameters showed a dependency on WtHR that was superior to BMI or WC. CONCLUSIONS There is only small additional benefit in using WC measurements for routine pediatric care in addition to BMI for predicting metabolic risk. For all parameters, the relationship is strongest during midpuberty, emphasizing that among obese pubertal adolescents, anthropometric measures (BMI and WC) best predict cardiometabolic comorbidities. WtHR does not seem to be superior to BMI or WC in predicting metabolic or cardiovascular risk related to childhood obesity.
Total Mismatch: Negative Diffusion-Weighted Imaging but Extensive Perfusion Defect in Acute Stroke

Background and Purpose— The perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI)/diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) mismatch may identify patients who benefit from thrombolysis. However, some patients exhibit a “total mismatch,” ie, negative DWI but extensive PWI defect. We aimed to assess clinical and MRI data of these patients. Methods— From June 2007 to December 2008, patients with anterior circulation ischemic stroke were evaluated for a “total mismatch” profile. MRI was performed at admission and at day 1. The score was assessed at baseline and the modified Rankin scale score was assessed at day 30. Results— Among 52 patients, 3 showed a total mismatch with arterial occlusion confirmed on magnetic resonance angiography. All had fluctuating symptoms (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores, 0 to 10) and received intravenous tissue plasminogen activator. Day 1 DWI disclosed minimal changes in all patients. Outcome was favorable in all patients (day 30 modified Rankin scale, 0–1). Conclusion— PWI may be helpful for treatment decisions in patients without DWI damage and fluctuating clinical course.
Arm Trajectories in Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy Have Increased Random Variability

Dyskinetic cerebral palsy results from injury to the basal ganglia early in life. Symptoms can include hyperkinetic or dystonic arm movements that impair function. It is not known whether these movements comprise a small number of specific abnormal motor patterns or whether they are random and variable. We hypothesize that injury to the basal ganglia leads to impaired filtering and removal of undesired neural signals and that lack of appropriate removal of noisy or irrelevant neural signals leads to random and variable arm movements. To test this hypothesis, we quantified the variability in arm trajectories while seven children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy between the ages of 4 and 13 years old made repeated outward reaching movements. We compared the results with those of 21 healthy children between the ages of 5 and 16 years. The best-fit trajectory to the set of reaching movements for each child was taken as the predictable component of movement. We calculated the ratio of the power in the best-fit trajectory to the total variance. This measure is the signal-to-noise ratio, and it quantifies the extent to which trajectories are predictable. We found that children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy had a significantly reduced signal-to-noise ratio compared with healthy children at similar ages. This result shows that there is increased movement variability, and it is consistent with the hypothesis that inadequate removal of noisy signals could be a cause of the movement disorder in dyskinetic cerebral palsy. (J Child Neurol 2006;21:551–557; DOI 10.2310/7010.2006.00113).
Genetic Contributions to Long-Range Temporal Correlations in Ongoing Oscillations

The amplitude fluctuations of ongoing oscillations in the electroencephalographic (EEG) signal of the human brain show autocorrelations that decay slowly and remain significant at time scales up to tens of seconds. We call these long-range temporal correlations (LRTC). Abnormal LRTC have been observed in several brain pathologies, but it has remained unknown whether genetic factors influence the temporal correlation structure of ongoing oscillations. We recorded the ongoing EEG during eyes-closed rest in 390 monozygotic and dizygotic twins and investigated the temporal structure of ongoing oscillations in the alpha- and beta-frequency bands using detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA). The strength of LRTC was more highly correlated in monozygotic than in dizygotic twins. Statistical analysis attributed up to ∼60% of the variance in DFA to genetic factors, indicating a high heritability for the temporal structure of amplitude fluctuations in EEG oscillations. Importantly, the DFA and EEG power were uncorrelated. LRTC in ongoing oscillations are robust, heritable, and independent of power, suggesting that LRTC and oscillation power are governed by distinct biophysical mechanisms and serve different functions in the brain. We propose that the DFA method is an important complement to classical spectral analysis in fundamental and clinical research on ongoing oscillations.
Vowel Identification by Monolingual and Bilingual Listeners: Use of Spectral Change and Duration Cues

vi Chapter 1: Introduction . 1 Vowel Acoustics . 4 Synthesis. 6 Formant Speech Synthesis. 6 Speech Resynthesis. 8 Speech Perception and Synthesis. 10 Silent Center. 10 Formant Contours and Synthesis. 11 Second Language Acquisition and Foreign Accent . 15 Perceptual Assimilation Model. 17 Speech Learning Model . 19 American Vowels. 25 Studies on L2 Acquisition. 27 Purpose of Study . 33 Chapter 2: Method . 35 Participants. 35 Speakers. 35 Potential Listener Screening and Language Background Questionnaire. 35 Listeners. 36 Materials and Instrumentation for Speaker Recording . 40 Instrumentation. 40 Speech materials. 41 Stimulus Creation Procedures. 42 Word Extraction. 42 Vowel Isolation. 44 ii Preparatory Acoustic Measurements for Formant Flattening. 45 Resynthesis Method for Natural Preserved Vowel Tokens. 47 Resynthesis of Altered Vowel Conditions. 48 Chapter 3: Procedure. 51 Testing Procedure of Subjects . 51 Calibration. 51 Testing. 51 Trials. 53 Data Manipulation. 54 Chapter 4: Results . 55 Explanation of Percent Correct Analysis . 55 Whole Word versus Original Vowel. 55 Original versus Natural Preserved Vowel. 57 Natural Preserved Vowel versus Natural Neutral Vowel . 58 Natural Preserved versus Flat Preserved Vowel. 58 Flat Preserved versus Flat Neutral. 58 Overall Patterns. 58 Analysis of Vowels by Condition. 60 Statistical Analyses . 62 Main Effects. 63 Two-way Interaction of Group and Listening Condition. 64 Two-way Interaction of Vowel and Listening Condition. 65 Three-way Interaction. 67 Confusion Matrices. 72 Whole Word Confusion Matrix. 73 Original Vowel Confusion Matrix. 75 Natural Preserved Vowel Confusion Matrix. 76 Natural Neutral Vowel Confusion Matrix. 78 Flat Preserved and Flat Neutral Vowel Confusion Matrix. 79 Confusion Patterns. 82 Chapter 5: Discussion . 83 Question 1: Effects of Vowel Isolation. 83 Question 2: Effects of Straight Resynthesis . 85 Question 3: Effects of Formant and Duration Cues for HP and LP Bilingual Listeners . 86 Question 4: Effects of Vowel and Listening Condition . 88 Question 5: Confusion Patterns of Listener Groups. 91 iii Summary . 92 References. 95 Appendix A. Monolingual Language Questionnaire . 100 Appendix B. Bilingual Language Questionnaire . 101 Appendix C. Steady State Replication. 104 Appendix D.1. Results for the vowel /i/ by listening conditions by listener group. 107 Appendix D.2. Results for the vowel /I/ by listening conditions by listener group. 108 Appendix D.3. Results for the vowel /Q/ by listening conditions by listener group. 109 Appendix D.4. Results for the vowel /e/ by listening conditions by listener group. 110 Appendix D.5. Results for the vowel /E/ by listening conditions by listener group. 111 Appendix D.6. Results for the vowel /A/ by listening conditions by listener group. 112