Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Experiments on automatic detection of filled pauses using prosodic features

This paper reports our first experiments on automatic detecting filled pauses from a corpus of university lectures using segmentation and prosodic features. This domain is informal, mostly spontaneous speech, and therefore difficult to process. Filled pauses correspond 1.8% of all the words in the corpus, and to 22.9% of all disfluency types, being the most frequent type. The detection of filled pauses has a great impact on the speech recognition task, since their detection has impact on the recognition of adjacent context and on the improvement of language models. We have performed a set of machine learning experiments using automatic prosodic features, extracted from the speech signal, and audio segmentation provided by the ASR output. For now, only force aligned transcripts were used, since the ASR system is not well adapted to this domain. The best results were achieved using J48, corresponding to about 61% F-measure. Results reported in the literature are scarce for this specific domain, and are significantly better for other languages. The proposed approach was compared with the approach currently in use by the in-house speech recognition system and promising results are achieved. This study is a step towards automatic detection of filled pauses for European Portuguese using prosodic features. Future work will extend this study for fully automatic transcripts, and will also tackle other domains, also exploring extended sets of linguistic features.
Corruption and the multi-national corporation : antecedents to bribery in a foreign country

This research aims at determining the host country-specific antecedents which prompt MNCs to break the hyper-norm of anti-corruption and pay bribes abroad. Using anomie theory conjectures, antecedents are divided into opportunities and conditions. Data on more than 1000 MNCs operating in 26 countries was obtained from the World Bank's Business Environment and Enterprise Performance Survey (BEEPS). A Multilevel model was constructed and hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) was used to determine the effect of country-level and firm-level antecedents on the MNC bribery activity. The results show that opportunities including achievement of competitive advantage, host countries' transition periods, and natural resource abundance have positive significant effects on MNCs' propensity to pay bribes. Additionally, host country conditions, such as the law's rigidity and legal system incompetence, also have a significant positive impact on an MNC's propensity to pay bribes. This study advances the literature on corruption in several directions. First, it studies the phenomenon from supply side (i.e. the bribe-payer). Second, it adopts the use of anomie theory which is still a novel approach for studying corruption. Third, it uses the MNC as the unit of analysis rather than country or local firms. Finally, it goes beyond recent studies by focusing on the host country's rather than home country's effect on a firm's bribery activity.
INVESTIGATION INTO THE EFFECT OF VARIATION OF pH ON THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF Cr x O y THIN FILMS SYNTHESIZED IN A POLYMER MATRIX BY CHEMICAL BATH DEPOSITION TECHNIQUE

Chromium oxide,Cr2O3, thin films have been successfully deposited on glass substrates using chromium II chloride CrCl2, Triethanolamine (TEA) and ammonium hydroxide in a solution bath. Optical studies were carried out with the aid of Unico–UV-2102PC spectrophotometer,and the effects of varying the pH values of the solution on the spectral properties were investigated. The films have high absorbance in the UV-VIS regions, but decreased progressively to the NIR region of the electromagnetic spectrum. They have low transmittance in the UVVIS regions, which increased to the NIR region. Their reflectance in the UV-VIS region was low, and decreased slightly to the NIR region. Their optical band gap energy ranges from 1.90eV – 2.18eV. The properties of their absorption coefficient, refractive index, extinction coefficient, and dielectric constants were also studied. The analyses show that these films could be applied in optical devices and in the fabrication of solar cell.
STRUCTURE-FROM-MOTION BASED 3D MAPPING OF LANDSLIDES & FAULT RUPTURE SITES DURING 2016 KAIKOURA EARTHQUAKE RECONNAISSANCE

Following the November 14 2016 Mw7.8 Kaikoura earthquake, field expeditions were undertaken using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to map 25 sites of scientific interest with a plan area of 7.2 km2. A total of 23,172 images collected by the UAVs were used as input in Structure-fromMotion (SfM) to create 3D models of the target areas with a focus on landslides and fault rupture. Two sites are presented in more detail as examples of the data generated; a section of the Kekerengu fault that ruptured during the earthquake, and the Limestone Hills landslide. The sites were mapped at high resolution with ground sampling distance that varied from 0.5 to 7.0 cm/pixel. The developed SfM models were compared to 1-m aerial LiDAR data and the results were found to be comparable. However, the higher resolution of the SfM digital surface model (DSM), paired with the imagery facilitated more detailed interpretations, highlighting the usefulness of the UAVenabled SfM as a mobile and effective technique for documenting perishable post-earthquake reconnaissance data. 1 Associate Professor, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan, 2350 Hayward Str. Ann Arbor, MI, 48109 (e-mail: zekkos@geoengineer.org) 2 Geomatics Engineer, Elxis Group, Dimitressa 7-9 Athens, 115 28, Greece. 3 Associate Professor, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan, 2350 Hayward Str. Ann Arbor, MI, 48109 4 Associate Professor, Dept. of Earth & Environmental Science, University of Michigan, 2534 C. C. Little Building 1100 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 5 Research Assistant, Dept. of Earth & Environmental Science, University of Michigan, 2534 C. C. Little Building,1100 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 6 Engineering Geologist, GNS Science, New Zealand 7 Engineering Geological Surveyor, GNS Science, New Zealand 8 PhD student, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan, 2350 Hayward Str. Ann Arbor, MI, 48109 9 Professor, Dept. of Geology, Humboldt State University, 1 Harpst St., Arcata, CA 95521 10 Associate Professor, Dept. of Civil, Architectural, and Environm. Eng, 301 E. Dean Keeton St. Stop C1700, Austin, Texas 78712 11 Fault Rupture Team, GNS Science, New Zealand 12 PhD student, Dept. of Earth & Environmental Science, University of Michigan, 2534 C. C. Little Building 1100 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 Eleventh U.S. National Conference on Earthquake Engineering Integrating Science, Engineering & Policy June 25-29, 2018 Los Angeles, California Structure-from-Motion based 3D mapping of landslides & fault rupture sites during 2016 Kaikoura earthquake reconnaissance Zekkos, D.1, Manousakis, J. 2, Athanasopoulos-Zekkos, A.3, Clark, M.4, Knoper, L.5, Massey, C.6, Archibald, G.7, Greenwood, W.8, Hemphill-Haley, M.9, Rathje, E.10, Litchfield, N.11, Medwedeff, W.12, Van Dissen, R.J.11, Kearse, J.11, Ries, W.11, Villamor, P.11& Langridge, R.M. 11
P o S ( Q N P 2 0 1 2 ) 0 1 4 Probing QCD at high energy

We review recent experimental work on probing QCD at high pT at the Tevatron and at the LHC. The Tevatron has just finished a long and illustrious career at the forefront of high energy physics, while the LHC now has its physics program in full swing and is producing results at a quick rate in a new energy regime. Many of the LHC measurements extend well into the TeV range, with potential sensitivity to new physics. The experimental systematics at the LHC are also becoming competitive with the Tevatron, making precision measurements of QCD possible. Measurements of inclusive jet, dijet and isolated prompt photon production can be used to test perturbative QCD predictions and to constrain parton distribution functions, as well as to measure the strong coupling constant. More exclusive topologies are used to constrain aspects of parton shower modeling, initial and final state radiation. Interest in boosted heavy resonances has resulted in novel studies of jet mass and subjet structure that also test perturbative QCD predictions and parton shower models. Studies of V+jets, including heavy flavor jets, constrain important backgrounds to single top, Higgs boson searches and new physics searches. At the highest mass scales, measurements of dijet mass and dijet angular distributions are sensitive probes of new physics.
Causes of electrical deaths and injuries among construction workers.

BACKGROUND Contact with electrical current is the fourth leading cause of deaths of construction workers. This study evaluates electrical deaths and injuries to construction workers. METHODS Two sources of data were analyzed in detail: (1) 1,019 electrical deaths identified by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) for the years 1992-1998; and (2) 61 electrical injuries identified between November 1, 1990 and December 31, 1998 from a George Washington University Emergency Department injury surveillance database. RESULTS Contact with "live" electrical wiring, equipment, and light fixtures was the main cause of electrical deaths and injuries among electrical workers, followed by contact with overhead power lines. Among non-electrical workers, contact with overhead power lines was the major cause of death. Other causes included contact with energized metal objects, machinery, power tools, and portable lights. Arc flash or blast caused 31% of electrical injuries among construction workers, but less than 2% of electrical deaths. CONCLUSION Adoption of a lockout/tagout standard for construction, and training for non-electrical workers in basic electrical safety would reduce the risk of electrical deaths and injuries in construction. Further research is needed on ways to prevent electrical deaths and injuries while working "live".
Protein and Oil Content of Soybeans Received at Country Elevators

Soybeans received at 12 central Iowa elevators in 1985-1987 were analyzed for protein and oil content. The standard deviation among deliveries to an individual elevator was 1.0 and 0.5 percentage points for protein and oil, respectively. About 15% of samples were above average in both nutrients. About 15% were below average in both nutrients. The rest were above average in one and below average in the other. Although the elevators were located within a 120-km (72-mile) diameter circle, some differences among locations in average protein and oil content were consistent over the three years of this study. Because 70% of the variability in protein and oil occurred at an individual elevator, it will be most important to identify protein and oil at the first point of sale. A near-infrared reflectance analyzer was capable of operating within the constraints of a large country elevator involved in corn and soybean trade.
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF INDOOR CONCENTRATIONS OF GREENHOUSE GASES AND AMMONIA IN A NATURALLY VENTILATED DAIRY BUILDING

Livestock buildings are a main source of gaseous emissions, such as ammonia (NH3), methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), and nitrous oxide (N2O). Determination of spatial distribution of indoor gaseous concentrations is a particularly difficult task. Therefore, this study aims is investigation indoor concentrations of NH3, CH4, CO2, and N2O and analyzing their spatial distribution. Continuous measurements of indoor gaseous concentrations were carried out in a naturally ventilated dairy building. Ventilation rates were estimated and emission rates were quantified. Consequently, the results were compared with each other by performing correlation and regression analysis to develop the functions that estimate relationships among these gases. A multiple t-test was conducted for all gases to detect whether the indoor concentrations at different measuring points vary significantly from each other. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the influence of the uncertainty of individual assumptions on the overall results of ventilation and emission rates. The results illustrated that spatial distribution of indoor gaseous concentrations is not uniform, where concentrations at the leeward side of the building were significantly higher than the concentrations at the windward side. The emissions factors were 1.8, 10.2, 351, and 0.1 g h-1 AU-1 for NH3, CH4, CO2, and N2O, respectively.
STUDY OF THE HF SEISMIC ATTENUATION IN KINKI REGION , JAPAN , USING THE RAY THEORY ELASTIC ATTENUATION EFFECT IN 3-D VELOCITY MODEL AND THE 3-D STRUCTURE OF Q-VALUE

We studied seismic waves attenuation in Kinki region, Japan, in high frequency range 1-10Hz. To do this it was assumed that observed amplitude Fourier spectrum is a product of source, elastic path attenuation, inelastic path attenuation and site effects. Inelastic path attenuation is described by the Q-value. Frequently, to estimate path attenuation effect, Q-value is inverted under simplified assumption that geometrical spreading is spherical. Actually, elastic attenuation is complex effect that includes geometrical spreading in non-uniform velocity model, reflection and conversion on major velocity discontinuities, free-surface effect. In this study, elastic path attenuation was calculated using the raytheory approach in 3-D velocity model. Source and Site effects were eliminated using the double-spectral ratio scheme. Travel times inside blocks were calculated by the 3-D ray tracing. After this, Q-values in blocked media were inverted using a tomography approach. For this study, we developed 3-D velocity model for Kinki area. This model includes: low-velocity layer (LV), upper crust (UC), lower crust (LC), subducted Philippine Sea plate (SP) and mantle wedge (MW). The whole media of the wave propagation were divided into blocks with constant Q-value according to the tectonic structure. For inversion we used borehole data of the Hi-net and Denkyoken networks and hard rock/stiff soil data of CEORKA network. Analysis of the results of inversion shows that largest Q~150f 0.8 was in UC block, smallest Q=70f 0.57 was in LC+MW block; for SP Q=175 f . In UC, Q-value is larger in central Kinki region: Q=220 f , than in the south: Q=120 f 0.55 or in northern part of Kinki region: Q=125 f . Based on results of inversion we calculated examples of attenuation correction factor: the difference between path attenuation calculated by the developed model and by the uniform model, for a set of sources.
The effect of an L-carnitine supplement on reproductive performance in sows

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of L-carnitine administered to sows in late pregnancy and during lactation on their fertility and rearing of offspring. The study involved 20 PIC sows assigned to control (K) and experimental (D) groups. From the 90th day of pregnancy to the end of lactation (day 28), sows from group D received a dietary supplement of L-carnitine (50 mg/kg feed). At weaning, sows from group D had greater litter size (by 0.9 piglets) and their piglets were 0.3 kg heavier than those of sows from group K. Supplementation of the diet of pregnant sows caused no changes in the chemical composition of their milk. However, milk somatic cell count was lower for D compared to K sows, which shows a positive effect of the supplement on the mammary gland of the sows. Supplementing the sows’ diet with L-carnitine reduced feeding costs by 0.52 PLN (14.1%) per kg of litter weight until weaning. The performance and economic results indicate that supplementation of sow diets with L-carnitine is advisable.
Inflammatory Role of Two Venom Components of Yellow Jackets (Vespula vulgaris): A Mast Cell Degranulating Peptide Mastoparan and Phospholipase A1

Background: Venom sac extract of yellow jackets Vespula vulgaris was toxic in mice when injected intraperitoneally but not toxic when injected subcutaneously. Necropsy showed the toxicity to be an inflammatory response. Methods: Venom peptide and protein fractions were tested to identify the inflammatory components. The active components were tested to establish whether they might function as adjuvant for venom protein-specific antibody response. Results: Venom toxicity required the synergistic action of two venom components, a mast cell degranulating peptide mastoparan and phospholipase A1. Both components stimulated prostaglandin E2 release from murine peritoneal cells and macrophages. Mastoparan showed a weak activity to enhance IgE and IgG1 responses to a yellow jacket venom protein Ves v 5 in BALB/c mice. It was not possible to assess the adjuvant activity of phospholipase A1 because of its suppression of Ves v 5-specific response. Melittin, a mast cell degranulating peptide from bee venom, was inactive as an adjuvant for Ves v 5-specific response. Conclusion: Yellow jacket venom contains two inflammatory components, mastoparan and phospholipase A1. Our findings suggest that mastoparan can function as a weak adjuvant for TH2 cell-associated antibody response.
Identification of a new analogue of sildenafil added illegally to a functional food marketed for penile erectile dysfunction

A new analogue of sildenafil was discovered to have been added illegally to a functional food marketed for penile erectile dysfunction. The structure of the analogue was established by various NMR spectroscopic techniques (including DEPT, COSY, TOCSY, HMQC, HMBC). Because of the addition of a methylene group to sildenafil, the main ingredient of Viagra®, it was given the name homosildenafil, and this has never been reported previously. An analytical method using HPLC was proposed. Homosildenafil was added as a new inspection item and other foods have since been discovered to contain it.
Sorafenib and pegylated interferon-α2b in advanced metastatic melanoma: a multicenter phase II DeCOG trial.

BACKGROUND The combination of sorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor, and pegylated interferon-α2b (Peg-IFN-α2b) could potentially lead to an improved antitumoral response. Previously, combinations of interferon and sorafenib have been used in renal cell cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with stage IV metastatic melanoma and no previous systemic therapies apart from adjuvant immunotherapy received Peg-IFN-α2b 3 μg/kg once per week, and sorafenib 400-mg b.i. d. for a minimum of 8 weeks. The primary study end point was disease control rate (DCR). RESULTS Between February 2008 and February 2009, 55 patients were enrolled with a median age of 64 years (20-85). At 8 weeks, 2 patients (3.6%) had a partial response (PR) and 14 patients a stable disease (25.5%), for a DCR of 29.1% in the intention-to-treat (ITT) population. The median progression-free survival in the ITT population was 2.47 months (95% confidence interval 1.22-3.72 months). The toxicity of sorafenib and Peg-IFN-α2b combination was characterized by mainly hematological side-effects, including one treatment-related bleeding complication with a fatal outcome. Other grade 3/4 toxic effects were fatigue and flu-like symptoms. CONCLUSION The combination of sorafenib and Peg-IFN-α2b showed modest clinical activity and some serious side-effects including fatal bleeding complications.
ff ects of the prebiotic mannan-oligosaccharide on the stress response of feed deprived zebra fi sh ( Danio rerio )

Feed deprivation has deleterious effects on fish behavior and stress physiology which may susceptible them to disease outbreak. Functional ingredients in diets may substantially impact the physiology and stress responses of host organisms. Here, we hypothesized that the administration of a dietary prebiotic might attenuate the negative influences of feed deprivation on the behavioral profile of anxiety and physiological responses to stress in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Fish were fed with either basal or mannan-oligosaccharide supplemented (0.4% MOS/kg diet) diets, once per day (normal-control: CN, and normal-prebiotic: PN) or once every other day (starvedcontrol: CS, and starved-prebiotic: PS) for 8 weeks. Afterwards, fish were subjected to a novel tank test to measure anxiety. Fish from the CS treatment exhibited more pronounced bottom-dwelling behavior than the other treatments. The number of transitions from the bottom to the top third of the novel tank was significantly higher in PN fish than the CS specimens. No significant differences were found between the CN and PS treatments in all of the anxiety behaviors. CS fish showed higher baseline cortisol levels than the other treatments, which was in line with higher expression of CRH gene in fish subjected to this treatment. Cortisol levels and CRH gene expression of the subjects were also measured after induction of two routine aquaculture stressors. CN and PS fish exhibited similar patterns of cortisol responses at most of the sampling times after stress, and PN specimens showed a significantly lower concentration of cortisol than the other treatments in most cases. Expression of the CRH gene was higher in feed deprived fish immediately after stress induction. Overall, the results show that feed deprivation in some cases influenced anxiety-like behaviors and elevated stress response in zebrafish juveniles; however, the addition of MOS to the diet helped deprived fish exhibit behaviors more typical of normally fed animals.
The Relationship between Childbirth Satisfaction and Motherhood Role

Background: Childbirth satisfaction of women is extremely important in terms of her and baby's health as well as being important for the positive family relationships. A positive childbirth experience leads a mother to perceive her baby positively and easily adapts the motherhood role by feeling positive emotions towards her baby. The study was conducted to investigate the relationship between childbirth satisfaction and motherhood role in Erzurum, Turkey. Methodology: The study was carried out with 509 healthy postpartum women. The data was collected by using Personal Information Form, Scale for Measuring Maternal Satisfaction (SMMS), and the Semantic Differential ScaleMyself as Mother (MMS) was used for collection of the study data. Results: In the comparison of the mean childbirth satisfaction and motherhood role scores of the mothers, the mean satisfaction and motherhood role scores of the c-section group was found to be higher than the normal-delivery group, with a significant difference between the groups. A positive and significant correlation was found between the mean motherhood role and childbirth satisfaction scores for both the c-section and normal groups. Conclusion: It was determined that childbirth satisfaction was at lower levels in both the normal and csection delivery, whereas the motherhood role score was found to be better in delivery by c-section. It was also found that the motherhood-role performance score increases as the level of childbirth satisfaction increases.