Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Online adaptative zero-shot learning spoken language understanding using word-embedding

Many recent competitive state-of-the-art solutions for understanding of speech data have in common to be probabilistic and to rely on machine learning algorithms to train their models from large amount of data. The difficulty remains in the cost and time of collecting and annotating such data, but also to update the existing models to new conditions, tasks and/or languages. In the present work an approach based on a zeroshot learning method using word embeddings for spoken language understanding is investigated. This approach requires no dedicated data. Large amounts of un-annotated and unstructured found data are used to learn a continuous space vector representation of words, based on neural network architectures. Only the ontological description of the target domain and the generic word embedding features are then required to derive the model used for decoding. In this paper, we extend this baseline with an online adaptative strategy allowing to refine progressively the initial model with only a light and adjustable supervision. We show that this proposition can significantly improve the performance of the spoken language understanding module on the second Dialog State Tracking Challenge (DSTC2) datasets.
xlinkit: a consistency checking and smart link generation service

xlinkit is a lightweight application service that provides rule-based link generation and checks the consistency of distributed Web content. It leverages standard Internet technologies, notably XML, XPath, and XLink. xlinkit can be used as part of a consistency management scheme or in applications that require smart link generation, including portal construction and management of large document repositories. In this article we show how consistency constraints can be expressed and checked. We describe a novel semantics for first-order logic that produces links instead of truth values and give an account of our content management strategy. We present the architecture of our service and the results of two substantial case studies that use xlinkit for checking course syllabus information and for validating UML models supplied by industrial partners.
An Efficient Resource Allocation Approach Based on a Genetic Algorithm for Composite Services in IoT Environments

As various types of Internets of Things (IoT) are deployed in a wide range of areas, the need arises to utilize various IoT resources dynamically to accomplish user tasks. We call this environment an urban-scale IoT environment, where various IoT resources that are necessary to accomplish user tasks are directly connected to each other via users' mobile devices, such as their smart phones. IoT resources are utilized as resources with which to run a composite service that supports user tasks. In this urban-scale IoT environment, it is essential to create efficient binding between a service and an IoT resource so as to execute a composite service for a task successfully. In this paper, we propose a service resource allocation approach which minimizes data transmissions between users' mobile devices and which effectively deal with the constraints of these types of environments. We transformed the resource allocation problem into a variant of the degree-constrained minimum spanning tree problem and applied a genetic algorithm to reduce the time needed to produce a near-optimal solution. We also defined a fitness function and an encoding scheme to apply the genetic algorithm in an efficient manner. The proposed approach shows a 97% success rate on average when used to find near-optimal solutions. In addition, it takes significantly less time than the brute force approach.
The politics of gender in the UN Security Council resolutions on women, peace and security

ABSTRACT Women’s groups have worked diligently to place gender and women’s vulnerability on the transnational security agenda. This article departs from the idea that negotiating and codifying gender and women’s vulnerability in terms of security represent a challenge to mainstream security contexts. By contrasting the UN Security Council resolutions on women, peace and security with feminist theory, this article aims to analyze what is considered to be threatened when women’s vulnerability is negotiated. The article identifies two approaches to the gender/security nexus: gendering security, which involves introducing ideas regarding gender-sensitive policies and equal representation, and securitizing gender, which proceeds by locating rape and sexual violence in the context of war regulations. We demonstrate that, although these measures are encouraged with reference to women’s vulnerability, they serve to legitimize war and the male soldier and both approaches depoliticize gender relations.
Setting Response Time Thresholds for a CAT Item Pool: The Normative Threshold Method

Identification of rapid-guessing test-taking behavior is important because it indicates the presence of noneffortful item responses that can negatively bias examinee proficiency estimates. Identifying rapid guesses requires the specification of a time threshold for each item. This requirement can be practically challenging for computerized adaptive tests (CATs), which use item pools that may contain thousands of items. This study investigated a new method—termed the normative threshold method—for identifying item thresholds. The results showed that the normative threshold method could markedly outperform a common three-second threshold (which has been used in previous research) in identifying non-effortful behavior.
On Optimal Distributed Joint Source-Channel Coding for Correlated Gaussian Sources over Gaussian Channels

We consider the problem of distributed joint source-channel coding of correlated Gaussian sources over a Gaussian Multiple Access Channel (GMAC). There may be side information at the decoder and/or at the encoders. First we specialize a general result (for transmission of correlated sources over a MAC with side information) to obtain sufficient conditions for reliable transmission over a Gaussian MAC. This system does not satisfy the source-channel separation. We study and compare three joint source-channel coding schemes available in literature. We show that each of these schemes is optimal under different scenarios. One of the schemes, Amplify and Forward (AF) which simplifies the design of encoders and the decoder, is optimal at low SNR but not at high SNR. Another scheme is asymptotically optimal at high SNR. The third coding scheme is optimal for orthogonal Gaussian channels. We also show that AF is close to the optimal scheme for orthogonal channels even at high SNR.
The role of prosody in parsing ambiguous sentences

This paper tests whether listeners are able to use the prosodic characteristics of speech to differentiate between alternative interpretations of syntactically ambiguous stimuli. Most existing research has either employed off-line tasks or provided adequate syntactic information for the listener to recognise ambiguity but inadequate prosodic information to resolve it. In incorporating controls for these limitations, my experiment was able to show that prosodic cues are able to guide initial processing of input irrespective of any putative syntactic parsing preferences.
Risk Aversion , the Demand for Risky Assets , and Recoveries on Defaulted Corporate Debt Securities

In this paper we examine whether variation in investors’ demand for risky assets is associated with recoveries on defaulted debt securities. Our examination is motivated by the prediction of standard portfolio separation theorems that an increase in aggregate investor risk aversion is associated with a decrease in the demand for the market portfolio of risky assets. Motivated by this prediction, we hypothesize that, holding all else constant, the value of defaulted corporate debt securities and the value of the collateral backing these securities should be negatively associated with an increase in the risk free asset’s weight in the aggregate investment portfolio. Using data on outstanding U.S. government debt securities, corporate debt securities and equity market capitalization, we present evidence that proxies for changes in the risk-free assets’ (Treasury Bills) weight in the aggregate investment portfolio is negatively associated with recoveries on defaulted corporate debt. J.E. L. Classification Codes: G33, G34, C25, C15, C52.
Hyperthyroidism and Risk of Ischemic Stroke in Young Adults: A 5-Year Follow-Up Study

Background and Purpose— Case reports or case series have reported the association between hyperthyroidism and cerebrovascular disease. However, hyperthyroidism has never been considered as a potential risk factor for stroke in young people. The aim of the present study is to estimate the risk for ischemic stroke among hyperthyroidism patients aged 18 to 44 years during a 5-year period after the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism as compared to a cohort of patients without hyperthyroidism during the same period. Methods— A total of 3176 patients with hyperthyroidism were included as the study cohort and 25 408 patients without hyperthyroidism were included as comparison cohort. Each patient was individually tracked for 5 years from their index ambulatory visit to identify those in whom ischemic stroke developed. Cox proportional hazard regressions were performed to compute the 5-year stroke-free survival rate between these 2 cohorts. Results— Of the total sample of 28 584 patients, 198 patients (0.7%) had ischemic strokes during the 5-year follow-up period (31 [1.0% of the hyperthyroidism patients] from the study cohort and 167 [0.6% of comparison patients] from the comparison cohort). After adjusting for the patient's age, gender, income, level of urbanization, hypertension, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, hyperlipidemia, coronary heart disease, and whether they were using antiarrhythmics, the hazard of having ischemic stroke during the 5-year follow-up period was 1.44-times greater (95% CI, 1.02-2.12; P=0.038) for patients with hyperthyroidism than for patients in the comparison cohort. Conclusions— We conclude that hyperthyroidism is associated with an increased risk for ischemic stroke among young adults.
Optimal control of a semilinear parabolic equation with singular arcs

This paper develops a theory of singular arc, and the corresponding second-order necessary and sufficient conditions, for the optimal control of a semilinear parabolic equation with scalar control applied on the r.h. s. We obtain in particular an extension of Kelley's condition, and the characterization of a quadratic growth property for a weak norm.
The Effect of Match Quality and Specific Experience on Career Decisions and Wage Growth

This paper constructs and estimates a career decision model where individuals search for both careers and firms that are a good match for their idiosyncratic skills using the NLSY79. It departs from previous papers in that career mobility decisions and participation decisions are explicitly modeled. I find substantial returns to career-specific experience. However, college graduates' wage grows little through career-match upgrading, which results in a lower incidence of career changes than high school graduates. The finding suggests that college graduates learn about their suitable careers before they enter a labor market.
TGF-β1 As Possible Link between Loss of Bone Mineral Density and Chronic Inflammation

Background The TGF family plays a key role in bone homeostasis. Systemic or topic application of proteins of this family apparently positively affects bone healing in vivo. However, patients with chronic inflammation, having increased TGF-β1 serum-levels, often show reduced bone mineral content and disturbed bone healing. Therefore, we wanted to identify intracellular mechanisms induced by chronic presence of TGF-β1 and their possible role in bone homeostasis in primary human osteoblasts. Methodology/Principal Findings Osteoblasts were isolated from femur heads of patients undergoing total hip replacement. Adenoviral reporter assays showed that in primary human osteoblasts TGF-β1 mediates its signal via Smad2/3 and not Smad1/5/8. It induces proliferation as an intermediate response but decreases AP-activity and inorganic matrix production as a late response. In addition, expression levels of osteoblastic markers were strongly regulated (AP↓; Osteocalcin↓; Osteopontin↑; MGP↓; BMP 2↓; BSP2↓; OSF2↓; Osteoprotegerin↓; RANKL↑) towards an osteoclast recruiting phenotype. All effects were blocked by inhibition of Smad2/3 signaling with the Alk5-Inhibitor (SB431542). Interestingly, a rescue experiment showed that reduced AP-activities did not recover to base line levels, even 8 days after stopping the TGF-β1 application. Conclusions/Significance In spite of the initial positive effects on cell proliferation, it is questionable if continuous Smad2/3 phosphorylation is beneficial for bone healing, because decreased AP-activity and BMP2 levels indicate a loss of function of the osteoblasts. Thus, inhibition of Smad2/3 phosphorylation might positively influence functional activity of osteoblasts in patients with chronically elevated TGF-β1 levels and thus, could lead to an improved bone healing in vivo.
Adaptive multicast topology inference

The use of end-to-end multicast traffic measurements has been recently proposed as a means to infer network internal characteristics as packet link loss rate and delay. We propose an algorithm that infers the multicast tree topology based on these end-to-end measurements. It is different from previous approaches which make only partial use of the available information, this algorithm adaptively combines different performance measures to reconstruct the topology. We establish its consistency and evaluate its accuracy through simulation. We show that in general it requires many fewer probes to correctly identify the topology than other methods.
In search of a new perspective: Cross-linguistic influence in the acquisition of third language phonology

Wrembel Magdalena. In search of a new perspective: Cross-linguistic influence in the acquisition of third language phonology. Adam Mickiewicz University Press. Poznan 2015. Seria Filologia Angielska nr 48. Pp. 430, 94 Figs., 190 Tabs. ISBN 978-83-232-2977-3. ISSN 0554-8144. Text in English with a summary in Polish. The book explores the phenomenon of cross-linguistic influence (CLI) in phonological acquisition from a multilingual perspective. A distinction is made between the second vs. third language acquisition and the complexity of the latter process as well as its conditioning factors are elaborated on. The contribution aims to test the tenets of the current theoretical models of multilingual acquisition including the L2 Status Model, the Cumulative Enhancement Model and the Typological Primacy Model. To this end, three studies were conducted in parallel on four groups of participants with complementary language combinations (i.e. mirrored L2 and L3 sets). The studies involved (1) accentedness, comprehensibility and accuracy ratings assessing the perceived phonetic performance in the L3, (2) acoustic measurements of voice onset time (VOT) in the L1, L2 and L3 as a correlate of foreign accentedness, and (3) the degree of metaphonological awareness generated from oral protocols. The results were analysed separately for each study as well as globally by means of across groups and across studies comparisons. The findings indicate that CLI in the L3 phonological acquisition may have multiple sources including both the native and non-native languages, that it is gradual and structure dependent and that the proposed models can account only partially for its specificity.
Tolerance to air exposure of the New Zealand mudsnail Potamopyrgus antipodarum (Hydrobiidae, Mollusca) as a prerequisite to survival in overland translocations.

Spreading throughout a new ecosystem is the last step of an exotic species to become invasive. In the case of invasive aquatic molluscs, tolerance to air exposure is one of the main mechanisms allowing overland translocation and spreading. The mudsnail Potamopyrgus antipodarum (Hydrobiidae, Mollusca) is native to New Zealand but it has spread worldwide, invading ecosystems in Europe, Australia, America and Asia. The aim of our study is to assess mudsnail tolerance to air exposure, which may contribute to the successful overland translocation of this species. We conducted a laboratory experiment with four levels of air exposure (9, 18, 24 and 36 hours in a controlled climatic chamber). Snails were placed for 60 seconds in a laboratory paper filter to remove surface snail water. Then they were placed back in empty vessels during the four periods of air exposure, except the control group, which was immediately returned to water. At the end of each period of air exposure all vessels were filled with water and the cumulative mortality was monitored after 24, 96, 168 and 264 hours of rehydration. The calculated Lethal Times (i.e. the time of air exposure (in hours) necessary to cause the death of 50% (LT50) or 99% (LT99) of the population) and their 95% confidence limits at 24, 96, 168 and 264 hours were 28.1 (25.2–31.9), 26.9 (24.2–30.1), 25.9 (23.4–28.9) and 25.9 (23.4–28.9) hours, respectively for LT50, and 49.6 (42.7–63.3), 45.6 (39.9–56.5), 43.2 (38.0–53.0) and 43.2 (38.0–53.0) hours, respectively for LT99. Therefore an air exposure time over 43 hours caused the death of all studied individuals during all monitoring periods. Extending the monitoring period beyond 24 hours did not significantly change lethal times. Therefore, we recommend exposing fishing tools or boats at open air during at least 53 hours as a low cost measure to control mudsnail spread in early stages of invasion.
Frailty status can be accurately assessed using inertial sensors and the TUG test.

BACKGROUND frailty is an important geriatric syndrome linked to increased mortality, morbidity and falls risk. METHODS a total of 399 community-dwelling older adults were assessed using Fried's frailty phenotype and the timed up and go (TUG) test. Tests were quantified using shank-mounted inertial sensors. We report a regression-based method for assessment of frailty using inertial sensor data obtained during TUG. For comparison, frailty was also assessed using the same method based on grip strength and manual TUG time. RESULTS using inertial sensor data, participants were classified as frail or non-frail with mean accuracy of 75.20% (stratified by gender). Using TUG time alone, frailty status was classified correctly with mean classification accuracy of 71.82%. Similarly, using grip strength alone, the frailty status was classified correctly with mean classification accuracy of 77.65%. Stratifying sensor data by gender yielded significantly (p<0.05) increased accuracy in classifying frailty when compared with equivalent manual TUG time-based models. CONCLUSION results suggest that a simple protocol involving assessment using a well-known mobility test (Timed Up and Go (TUG)) and inertial sensors can be a fast and effective means of automatic, non-expert assessment of frailty.
Effects of the Project Approach on Preschoolers With Diverse Abilities

Mixed methods were used to study the impact of the Project Approach, a curriculum component that can engage and motivate children to participate in learning activities, on the play behaviors and language development of preschoolers. Participants included 4 children with disabilities and 4 children identified as at-risk. Six adults received support to implement the Project Approach. Choice time was videotaped over 14 weeks to assess the impact of the Project Approach on play levels and MLUm. Results showed that play behavior and language development were positively affected following implementation of the Project Approach. In addition, adults perceived the Project Approach as having a positive impact on children's vocabulary development and play behavior. Limitations and suggestions for research and practice are discussed.
1 Auditory Sparse Coding

1.1 Summary . 3 1.2 Introduction . 4 1.2. 1 The stabilized auditory image . 6 1.3 Algorithm . 7 1.3. 1 Pole–Zero Filter Cascade . 7 1.3. 2 Image Stabilization . 8 1.3. 3 Box Cutting . 9 1.3. 4 Vector Quantization . 9 1.3. 5 Machine Learning . 10 1.4 Experiments . 11 1.4. 1 Sound Ranking . 11 1.4. 2 MIREX 2010 . 14 1.5 Conclusions . 17
The Nutritional Status of South Africans: A Review of the Literature From 1975-1996

PREFACE In this review, the Nutrition Research Group provides a timely and useful overview of the state of knowledge about nutritional status and the causes of malnutrition in South Africa. The review covers a period of 21 years, from 1975 to 1996. Due to shortcomings in the data, it is unfortunately not possible to analyse trends over this period. The review should prove useful to policy makers and programme directors, to establish the key nutritional problems we need to address. The data shows that nutrition problems occur in specific groups and geographical areas. Targeting interventions is therefore critical. The review is as illuminating regarding the gaps in our knowledge. For effective policy development and planning, researchers are challenged to focus on conducting research in these areas. Overall, there is an absence of definitive work on the underlying causes of malnutrition in various circumstances. In depth, small scale studies, linked to planned interventions could make an important contribution in this regard. There are gaps in our knowledge regarding the dietary practices of certain groups, including rural black children under two years of age, and rural adults, particularly in some provinces. The nutritional status and dietary practices of teenage girls, a potentially vulnerable group, also appears as an area in need of study. Nutrition researchers have an opportunity to ensure that the gaps identified in this study are filled. When a review is done, in five or ten years time, we must have the data to be able to indicate improvements in key indicators. Researchers should also seize the opportunity to use the available information to advocate for immediate action to improve the nutritional status of the population. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The research, writing and publication of this report were made possible by a grant from the Health Systems Trust. Dr. LA Greyvenstein assisted with the language editing of the report, and Mrs. JM van Rensburg did the typing. Dr. HM McLachlan reviewed the manuscript. Her useful recommendations were incorporated into the text with the hope that it will contribute to a widespread application of the report in the planning of nutrition strategies and programmes in South Africa. We would like to thank all our colleagues (Dr. ARP Walker, Dr. AJS Benade, Prof. N Cameron and members of the SANSS group) for assistance in the collection of the relevant literature. 1. The problem of malnutrition As in most other developing countries, recent literature indicates …