Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
VAE-based Domain Adaptation for Speaker Verification

Deep speaker embedding has achieved satisfactory performance in speaker verification. By enforcing the neural model to discriminate the speakers in the training set, deep speaker embedding (called ‘x-vectors') can be derived from the hidden layers. Despite its good performance, the present embedding model is highly domain sensitive, which means that it often works well in domains whose acoustic condition matches that of the training data (in-domain), but degrades in mismatched domains (out-of-domain). In this paper, we present a domain adaptation approach based on Variational Auto-Encoder (VAE). This model transforms x-vectors to a regularized latent space; within this latent space, a small amount of data from the target domain is sufficient to accomplish the adaptation. Our experiments demonstrated that by this VAE-adaptation approach, speaker embeddings can be easily transformed to the target domain, leading to noticeable performance improvement.
Model theory of proalgebraic groups

We lay the foundations for a model theoretic study of proalgebraic groups. Our axiomatization is based on the tannakian philosophy. Through a tensor analog of skeletal categories we are able to consider neutral tannakian categories with a fibre functor as many-sorted first order structures. The class of diagonalizable proalgebraic groups is analyzed in detail. We show that the theory of a diagonalizable proalgebraic group $G$ is determined by the theory of the base field and the theory of the character group of $G$. Some initial steps towards a comprehensive study of types are also made.
Non-detection of fast radio bursts from six gamma-ray burst remnants with possible magnetar engines

The analogy of the host galaxy of the repeating fast radio burst (FRB) source FRB 121102 and those of long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and superluminous supernovae (SLSNe) has led to the suggestion that young magnetars born in GRBs and SLSNe could be the central engine of repeating FRBs. We test such a hypothesis by performing dedicated observations of the remnants of six GRBs with evidence of having a magnetar central engine using the Arecibo telescope and the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope (GBT). A total of ∼20 h of observations of these sources did not detect any FRB from these remnants. Under the assumptions that all these GRBs left behind a long-lived magnetar and that the bursting rate of FRB 121102 is typical for a magnetar FRB engine, we estimate a non-detection probability of 8.9 × 10−6. Even though these non-detections cannot exclude the young magnetar model of FRBs, we place constraints on the burst rate and luminosity function of FRBs from these GRB targets.
Unsupervised Domain-Adaptive Person Re-Identification Based on Attributes

Pedestrian attributes, e. g. , hair length, clothes type and color, locally describe the semantic appearance of a person. Training person re-identification (ReID) algorithms under the supervision of such attributes have proven to be effective in extracting local features which are important for ReID. Unlike person identity, attributes are consistent across different domains (or datasets). However, most of ReID datasets lack attribute annotations. On the other hand, there are several datasets labeled with sufficient attributes for the case of pedestrian attribute recognition. Exploiting such data for ReID purpose can be a way to alleviate the shortage of attribute annotations in ReID case. In this work, an unsupervised domain adaptive ReID feature learning framework is proposed to make full use of attribute annotations. We propose to transfer attribute-related features from their original domain to the ReID one: to this end, we introduce an adversarial discriminative domain adaptation method in order to learn domain invariant features for encoding semantic attributes. Experiments on three large-scale datasets validate the effectiveness of the proposed ReID framework.
A Search for MeV to TeV Neutrinos from Fast Radio Bursts with IceCube

We present two searches for IceCube neutrino events coincident with 28 fast radio bursts (FRBs) and 1 repeating FRB. The first improves on a previous IceCube analysis—searching for spatial and temporal correlation of events with FRBs at energies greater than roughly 50 GeV—by increasing the effective area by an order of magnitude. The second is a search for temporal correlation of MeV neutrino events with FRBs. No significant correlation is found in either search; therefore, we set upper limits on the time-integrated neutrino flux emitted by FRBs for a range of emission timescales less than one day. These are the first limits on FRB neutrino emission at the MeV scale, and the limits set at higher energies are an order-of-magnitude improvement over those set by any neutrino telescope.
On the Effectiveness of Low-Rank Matrix Factorization for LSTM Model Compression

Despite their ubiquity in NLP tasks, Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks suffer from computational inefficiencies caused by inherent unparallelizable recurrences, which further aggravates as LSTMs require more parameters for larger memory capacity. In this paper, we propose to apply low-rank matrix factorization (MF) algorithms to different recurrences in LSTMs, and explore the effectiveness on different NLP tasks and model components. We discover that additive recurrence is more important than multiplicative recurrence, and explain this by identifying meaningful correlations between matrix norms and compression performance. We compare our approach across two settings: 1) compressing core LSTM recurrences in language models, 2) compressing biLSTM layers of ELMo evaluated in three downstream NLP tasks.
Blended Convolution and Synthesis for Efficient Discrimination of 3D Shapes

Existing models for shape analysis directly learn feature representations on 3D point clouds. We argue that 3D point clouds are highly redundant and hold irregular (permutation-invariant) structure, which makes it difficult to achieve inter-class discrimination efficiently. In this paper, we propose a two-pronged solution to this problem that is seamlessly integrated in a single blended convolution and synthesis layer. This fully differentiable layer performs two critical tasks in succession. In the first step, it projects the input 3D point clouds into a latent 3D space to synthesize a highly compact and inter-class discriminative point cloud representation. Since, 3D point clouds do not follow a Euclidean topology, standard 2/3D convolutional neural networks offer limited representation capability. Therefore, in the second step, we propose a novel 3D convolution operator functioning inside the unit ball to extract useful volumetric features. We derive formulae to achieve both translation and rotation of our novel convolution kernels. Finally, using the proposed techniques we present an extremely light-weight, end-to-end architecture that achieves compelling results on 3D shape recognition and retrieval.
Combining Bioimpedance and EMG Measurements for Reliable Muscle Contraction Detection

Muscle contractions are commonly detected by performing EMG measurements. The major disadvantage of this technique is that mechanical disturbances to the electrodes are in the same frequency and magnitude range as the desired signal. In this work we propose an approach and a realized measurement system to combine EMG and bioimpedance measurements for higher reliabilities of muscle contraction detections. Methods: We propose the development of a modular four-channel measurement system, whereat each channel is capable of acquiring EMG, the bioimpedance magnitude and phase, simultaneously. The modules are synchronized by an additional interface board, which communicates with a PC. A graphical user interface enables to control the bioimpedance excitation current in a range from 100 $\mu \text{A}$ to 1 mA in a frequency range from 50 kHz to 333 kHz. Results: A system characterization demonstrated that bioimpedance magnitude changes of less than 250 ppm and phase changes below 0.05° can be detected reliably. Measurements from a subject have shown the timing relationship between EMG and bioimpedance signals as well as their robustness against mechanical disturbances. A measurement of five exemplary hand gestures has demonstrated the increase of usable information for detecting muscle contractions. Conclusion: Bioimpedance measurements of muscles provide useful information about contractions. Furthermore, the usage of a known high-frequency excitation current enables a reliable differentiation between the actual information and disturbances. Significance: By combining EMG and bioimpedance measurements, muscle contractions can be detected much more reliably. This setup can be adopted to prostheses and many other human-computer interfaces.
Assessing Usability Evaluation Methods for Smartwatch Applications

Though there have been studies exploring usability evaluation methods for mobile applications, there is little documented research comparing evaluation methods for smartwatch applications. The purpose of this study was to explore how usability evaluation of smartwatch applications can be conducted. This was done by discussing what usability attributes are appropriate for the evaluation of smartwatch applications and by exploring what unique insights, strengths and weaknesses the results of the different methods of usability evaluation offer. As there are many different methods that could have been explored, after interviewing four user experience designers, the decision to focus on context and type of evaluator was made. Four types of tests were chosen that matched these variables: heuristic walkthrough, heuristic contextual walkthrough, laboratory test with end users, and in-situ tests with end users. A total of 18 participants were recruited and the results showed that the heuristic walkthrough was the most effective in terms of identifying the most and highest severity usability issues in the least amount of time. In general, the expert-based evaluations fared better than the user-based ones, revealing higher severity, more frequent, and most unique usability issues. Meanwhile, the in-situ tests revealed the least number of usability issues, as well as the least severe ones. Furthermore, the interviews and usability testing suggest that readability and comprehensibility are legitimate usability attributes to consider for smartwatch application usability evaluation.
Complementary-Similarity Learning using Quadruplet Network

We propose a novel learning framework to answer questions such as "if a user is purchasing a shirt, what other items will (s)he need with the shirt? " Our framework learns distributed representations for items from available textual data, with the learned representations representing items in a latent space expressing functional complementarity as well similarity. In particular, our framework places functionally similar items close together in the latent space, while also placing complementary items closer than non-complementary items, but farther away than similar items. In this study, we introduce a new dataset of similar, complementary, and negative items derived from the Amazon co-purchase dataset. For evaluation purposes, we focus our approach on clothing and fashion verticals. As per our knowledge, this is the first attempt to learn similar and complementary relationships simultaneously through just textual title metadata. Our framework is applicable across a broad set of items in the product catalog and can generate quality complementary item recommendations at scale.
Customized OCT images compression scheme with deep neural network

We customize an end-to-end image compression framework for retina OCT images based on deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs). The customized compression scheme consists of three parts: data Preprocessing, compression CNNs, and reconstruction CNNs. Data preprocessing module reduces the speckle noise of the OCT images and the segments out the region of interest. We added customized skip connections between the compression CNNs and the reconstruction CNNs to reserve the detail information and trained the two nets together with the semantic segmented image patches from data preprocessing module. To train the two networks sensitive to both low frequency information and high frequency information, we adopted an objective function with two parts: A PatchGAN discriminator to judge the high frequency information and a differentiable MS-SSIM penalty to evaluate the low frequency information. The proposed framework was trained and evaluated on a publicly available OCT dataset. The evaluation showed above 99% similarity in terms of multi-scale structural similarity (MS-SSIM) when the compression ratio is as high as 40. Furthermore, the reconstructed images of compression ratio 80 from the proposed framework even have better quality than that of compression ratio 20 from JPEG by visual comparison. The testing result outperforms JPEG in term of both of MS-SSIM and visualization, which is more obvious as the increase of compression ratio. Our preliminary result indicates the huge potential of deep neural networks on customized medical image compression.
Carbon, oxygen, and iron abundances in disk and halo stars

The abundances of carbon, oxygen, and iron in late-type stars are important parameters in exoplanetary and stellar physics, as well as key tracers of stellar populations and Galactic chemical evolution. However, standard spectroscopic abundance analyses can be prone to severe systematic errors, based on the assumption that the stellar atmosphere is one-dimensional (1D) and hydrostatic, and by ignoring departures from local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE). In order to address this, we carried out three-dimensional (3D) non-LTE radiative transfer calculations for C I and O I, and 3D LTE radiative transfer calculations for Fe II, across the STAGGER-grid of 3D hydrodynamic model atmospheres. The absolute 3D non-LTE versus 1D LTE abundance corrections can be as severe as − 0.3 dex for C I lines in low-metallicity F dwarfs, and − 0.6 dex for O I lines in high-metallicity F dwarfs. The 3D LTE versus 1D LTE abundance corrections for Fe II lines are less severe, typically less than + 0.15 dex. We used the corrections in a re-analysis of carbon, oxygen, and iron in 187 F and G dwarfs in the Galactic disk and halo. Applying the differential 3D non-LTE corrections to 1D LTE abundances visibly reduces the scatter in the abundance plots. The thick disk and high-α halo population rise in carbon and oxygen with decreasing metallicity, and reach a maximum of [C/Fe] ≈ 0.2 and a plateau of [O/Fe] ≈ 0.6 at [Fe/H] ≈ −1.0. The low-α halo population is qualitatively similar, albeit offset towards lower metallicities and with larger scatter. Nevertheless, these populations overlap in the [C/O] versus [O/H] plane, decreasing to a plateau of [C/O] ≈ −0.6 below [O/H] ≈ −1.0. In the thin-disk, stars having confirmed planet detections tend to have higher values of C∕O at given [O/H]; this potential signature of planet formation is only apparent after applying the abundance corrections to the 1D LTE results. Our grids of line-by-line abundance corrections are publicly available and can be readily used to improve the accuracy of spectroscopic analyses of late-type stars.
Intestinal Controlled Delivery of Diclofenac Sodium through pH-Sensitive Hydrogel Beads

pH-sensitive hydrogel beads of hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (PAAm) grafted locust bean gum (LBG) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) were prepared by ionotropic gelation and covalent cross-linking method for the controlled delivery of diclofenac sodium. The developed hydrogel beads are to survive the harsh acidity of stomach and preferably release drugs in intestine. The results showed that hydrogel beads are pH responsive. The release of diclofenac sodium (DS) from hydrogel beads was slower for the pH 1.2 solution than that of the pH 6.8 buffer solution. It has been observed that an increase in alluminium chloride (AlCl3) concentration causes a decrease in the drug release from the hydrogel beads. Moreover, hydrogel beads developed showed a consistent swelling pattern, high entrapment efficiency and promoting sustained release profiles of the drug. Keywords— pH sensitive, locust bean gum, hydrogel, graft copolymer, in-vitro release, controlled delivery.
DOA Estimation for Coherent Signals with Symmetric Virtual Array

A new direction of arrival (DOA) estimation method for the uniform linear array is proposed for correlated non-circular source signals. The new DOA estimation method applies a Toeplitz matrix reconstruction method to decorrelate the signals directly without using spatial smoothing. The method makes full use of the array aperture and achieves complete decorrelation. Therefore, the algorithm is suitable for DOA estimation for real-valued coherent signals with a small number of snapshots or low SNR. Simulation results demonstrate the validity and efficiency of the proposed method.
The Changing Epidemiology of Invasive Haemophilus influenzae Disease in Metropolitan Atlanta during the Hib Vaccine Era , 1989-2008

The Changing Epidemiology of Invasive Haemophilus influenzae Disease in Metropolitan Atlanta during the Hib Vaccine Era, 1989-2008 By Daniel Livorsi, MD Background: An effective Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccine was licensed in the U.S. for use in young children in 1987 and infants in 1990. We describe changes in the epidemiology of invasive H. influenzae (HI) disease after Hib vaccine introduction and evaluate predictors of mortality. Methods: Population-based, active surveillance was conducted for HI in metropolitan Atlanta, GA between 1/1/89 and 12/31/08. Results: A total of 1207 cases of HI were identified during 1989-2008. The incidence of HI decreased significantly between 1989 and 2008 (5.1 to 1.1 cases per 100K, χ2 trend p<0.001). Rates of HI decreased significantly in all age groups except those ≥ 65 yrs. The largest absolute decline of HI was in infants < 2 yrs (90.9 to 6.4 cases per 100K, χ2 trend p<0.001). Rates of Hib disease decreased in children (99% decrease, χ2 trend p<0.001) and adults (96% decrease, χ2 trend p<0.001). Rates of capsule type f increased in adults (205% increase, χ2 trend p=0.04). The median age for HI cases was 10 months in children and 60 years in adults. Seventyone percent of adults and 23% of children had underlying conditions. The relative risk of HI was higher in blacks than whites: 1.5 (95% CI 1.3-1.7). Children accounted for 73% of cases in 1989-1990 but only 24% in 2000-2008. In 1989-1990, Hib caused 85% of HI disease in children and 56% in adults. During 2000-2008, the most common isolates were either nontypeable (66%) and type f (24%). Overall in-hospital mortality rate was 12% (7% in children, 16% in adults). On multivariate analysis of cases from 2000-2008, risk factors for in-hospital death included age < 2 years, age ≥ 40 years, bacteremia without an identified focus, and nontypeable disease. Conclusion: Since introduction of the Hib conjugate vaccine, the incidence of HI disease has significantly decreased in all age groups except ≥ 65 years. Hib disease has declined in children and non-immunized adults. HI is now primarily a disease of adults with chronic diseases due to nontypeable and type f strains. In-hospital death with invasive HI infection was associated with the extremes of age and infection with nontypeable strains.
IDENTIFICATION OF HEAT TOLERANT LINES AND GENETIC DIVERSITY IN WHEAT ( Triticumaestivum L . ) USING MOLECULAR MARKERS IN GUINEA SAVANNA , NIGERIA

Field trials were conducted at Lake Chad Research Institute Research Farm at Dadinkowa, Gombe State-Nigeria, during 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 dry seasons. The objectives of this study was undertaken to identify and evaluate heat tolerant lines and genetic diversity from bread wheat and to explore the potential of molecular markers in improving wheat heat tolerance. 24 wheat lines were used; heat stress was imposed through staggered sowing. Normal sowing (15th November) was non-stress and late sowing (6th January) resulted in terminal heat stress. The lines were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in triplicates during 2015/2016 dry season in plots measuring 3x2 m with 6 rows and 30 cm row spacing. The analysis of variance was computed using the General Linear Model (GLM) SAS version 9.2. Wizard Genomic DNA Purification Kit was used for DNA extraction. DNA was extracted by Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide (CTAB) method. The result of means square indicated significant difference between genotypes. The results also indicated that the number of alleles range from 1(Dreb-B1) to 9(Xgwm577), genetic diversity index varied greatly among the loci from 0.0000 in case of DrebB1 to 0.8471 in case of Xgwm577. The Polymorphic Information Content (PIC) value were from 0.0000 (DrebB1) to 0.8296 (Xgwm577). The lowest and highest genetic distances level were 0.083 and 0.750, respectively. Cluster analysis had grouped the accessions into 5 groups at a genetic distance level of 0.15. In conclusion, genotypes 4404, 4408, 4410, 4411, 4413, 4414, and 4420 were identified as top yielder as such could be explored for resistance lines against heat stress.
REMARK ON THE PAPER “SHARP WELL-POSEDNESS AND ILL-POSEDNESS RESULTS FOR A QUADRATIC NON-LINEAR SCHRÖDINGER EQUATION” BY I. BEJENARU AND T. TAO

In the present paper, we consider the paper “Sharp well-posedness and ill-posedness results for a quadratic non-linear Schrödinger equation,” J. Funct. Anal. 233 (2006), 228–259. The argument in it is very clever, but there seem to be a few errors in the proof. The purpose of this paper is to give a corrected proof.
Government intervention and corporate M & A transactions : Evidence from China

This study examines the impact of government intervention on mergers and acquisitions (M&A) decisions and post-M&A performance of Chinese listed firms. We documents that government intervention through majority ownership distorts M&A decisions in SOEs. In order to fulfill its social responsibilities, SOEs conduct more socially desired M&As, i.e., they are more likely to acquire local and politically connected targets and targets controlled state. These M&As reduce firm value which are indicated by the worse market reactions around the announcement of M&As. Our results further indicate that government strengthens its control power over SOEs by appointing politically affiliated managers in SOEs. The impact of government intervention is enhanced when local governments have a stronger intervening motivation. Overall, our results illustrate that the ‘grabbing hand’ of government reduces firm value in listed SOEs in China. The M&As is one of the possible channels through which government extracts resources from listed SOEs to accomplish social and political objectives.
Crucial parameters for PPP projects successful planning and implementation

*Lecturer, University of Thessaly, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Volos, Greece, bkanakoud@civ.uth. gr **Production & Management Eng., Euroconsultants S.A, Thessaloniki, Greece, A.Papotis@euroconsultants.com. gr ***Regional & Urban Planner, Vienna, Austria, sanopoulos@plannersatwork.net ****Region of West Macedonia, R.O. P. Managing Authority, Programming & Evaluation Unit, Kozani, Greece, vgkoutzios@mou.gr