Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Investigating the usefulness of i-vectors for automatic language characterization

Work done in recent years has shown the usefulness of using automatic methods for the study of linguistic typology. How-ever, the majority of proposed approaches come from natural language processing and require expert knowledge to predict typological information for new languages. An alternative would be to use speech-based methods that do not need extensive linguistic annotations, but considerably less work has been done in this direction. The current study aims to reduce this gap, by investigating a promising speech representation, i-vectors, which by capturing suprasegmental features of language, can be used for the automatic characterization of languages. Employing data from 24 languages, covering several linguistic families, we computed the i-vectors corresponding to each sentence and we represented the languages by their centroid i-vector. Analyzing the distance between the language centroids and phonological, inventory and syntactic distances between the same languages, we observed a signiﬁcant correlation between the i-vector distance and the syntactic distance. Then, we explored in more de-tailed a number of syntactic features and we proposed a method for predicting the value of the most promising feature, based on the i-vector information. The obtained results, an 87% classiﬁcation accuracy, are encouraging and we envision to extend this method further.
The Impacts of Gender-Related Factors on the Adoption of Anti-Human Trafficking Laws in Sub-Saharan African Countries

Human trafficking is an imminent problem not limited to certain regions of the globe. Although the problem of human trafficking is severe over the world, Sub-Saharan African countries are some of the most vulnerable to human trafficking. Despite the severity of human trafficking in Sub-Saharan Africa, only 23 countries, less than half of Sub-Saharan African countries, have introduced domestic statutory laws addressing human trafficking. Why do some African countries adopt laws for combating human trafficking, while others do not? Focusing on the role of gender-related factors in the introduction of laws addressing human trafficking, this article aims to fill this academic lacuna by conducting time-series cross-national analysis on 49 African countries from 1960 to 2016. The empirical results from this study demonstrate that increases in the percentage of women in legislative branches and in women’s participation in civil society organizations lead countries to introduce anti-human trafficking laws.
Consensus Enolase of Trypanosoma Cruzi: Evaluation of Their Immunogenic Properties Using a Bioinformatics Approach

There is currently no vaccine against American trypanosomiasis, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. This is due to the genomic variation observed in the six DTUs of T. cruzi. This work aims to propose a consensus sequence of the enolase protein from different strains of T. cruzi and mainly evaluate its immunogenic properties at the bioinformatic level. From specialized databases, 15 sequences of the enolase gene were aligned to obtain a consensus sequence, where this sequence was modeled and then evaluated and validated through different bioinformatic programs to learn their immunogenic potential. Finally, chimeric peptides were designed with the most representative epitopes. The results showed high immunogenic potential with six epitopes for MHC-I, and seven epitopes for MHC-II, all of which were highly representative of the enolase present in strains from the American continent as well as five epitopes for B cells. Regarding the computational modeling, molecular docking with Toll-like receptors showed a high affinity and low constant of dissociation, which could lead to an innate-type immune response that helps to eliminate the parasite. In conclusion, the consensus sequence proposed for enolase is capable of providing an ideal immune response; however, the experimental evaluation of this enolase consensus and their chimeric peptides should be a high priority to develop a vaccine against Chagas disease.
The effect of habit on preventive behaviors: a two-wave longitudinal study to predict COVID-19 preventive behaviors

ABSTRACT Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic is a continuing global threat. This study examined the effect of habit on the motivational aspects of COVID-19 preventive behaviors using a dual-motivation model, which hypothesizes that intentional and reactive motivations determine behavior. This study assumes that habit influences behaviors through the antecedents of the model and the interaction effects of intentional motivation × habit and reactive motivation × habit. Design: This study conducted a longitudinal survey of 300 Japanese participants to predict preventive behaviors two weeks after the first survey. Moreover, it measured past and future COVID-19 self-reported preventive behaviors, attitudes, behavioral intentions, behavioral willingness, subjective and descriptive norms, self-efficacy, behavioral controls, and habits. Results: The results showed the interaction effects of behavioral intention × habit and behavioral willingness × habit on preventive behaviors in addition to the effect of past behavior. The stronger the effect of habit, the stronger is the effect of behavioral intention and the weaker the effect of behavioral willingness. Conclusion: The habituation of preventive behaviors strengthens the behavioral intention–behavior consistency. This study suggested that habit is an important factor for overcoming psychological barriers and for establishing preventive behaviors in daily life.
Evolution of Microstructural and Mechanical Properties during Cold-Rolling Deformation of a Biocompatible Ti-Nb-Zr-Ta Alloy

In this study, a Ti-32.9Nb-4.2Zr-7.5Ta (wt%) titanium alloy was produced by melting in a cold crucible induction in a levitation furnace, and then deforming by cold rolling, with progressive deformation degrees (thickness reduction), from 15% to 60%, in 15% increments. The microstructural characteristics of the specimens in as-received and cold-rolled conditions were determined by XRD and SEM microscopy, while the mechanical characteristics were obtained by tensile and microhardness testing. It was concluded that, in all cases, the Ti-32.9Nb-4.2Zr-7.5Ta (wt%) showed a bimodal microstructure consisting of Ti-β and Ti-α″ phases. Cold deformation induced significant changes in the microstructural and the mechanical properties, leading to grain-refinement, crystalline cell distortions and variations in the weight-fraction ratio of both Ti-β and Ti-α″ phases, as the applied degree of deformation increased from 15% to 60%. Changes in the mechanical properties were also observed: the strength properties (ultimate tensile strength, yield strength and microhardness) increased, while the ductility properties (fracture strain and elastic modulus) decreased, as a result of variations in the weight-fraction ratio, the crystallite size and the strain hardening induced by the progressive cold deformation in the Ti-β and Ti-α″ phases.
The effects of stock market crises shocks on market liquidity, market volatility and exchange rate volatility: Case of the Tunisian stock market

Purpose: This paper is conducted to investigate the response of market liquidity, market volatility and exchange rate volatility to stock market crises shocks. Methodology: First, the CMAX approach is used to detect stock market crises. Then, the Vector Auto Regression (VAR) approach is applyed to study the transmission effect of stock market crises shocks on market liquidity, market volatility and exchange rate volatility. Results: According to the empirical study based on evidence from Tunisia, we obtain the following results: The impulse response analysis underlines that there is a deterioration in market liquidity and market volatility in the months after the occurrence of stock market crises. In contrast, the response of EUR/TND exchange rate volatility to stock market crises shocks is not significant during the whole period. In addition, the variance decomposition results highlight that market liquidity and Tunindex index volatility are more sensitive to stock market crises shocks. However, stock market crises shocks explain a smaller portion of the EUR/TND exchange rate volatility. Unique contribution to theory, policy and practice: This research contributes to this debate by investigating the impact of stock market crises shocks on liquidity market, volatility of stock returns and exchange rate volatility. A better understanding of these topics has become the key to investors, academics and policymakers.
Transient-state analysis of hydropower plants with cross-flow turbines

Transients in hydropower plants can result in serious disturbances in a plant operation and damage of mechanical and civil components. The best way to prevent such adverse outcomes is to conduct a transient-state analysis using a mathematical model of the hydropower plant system. Based on the collected data on 270 hydropower plants with cross-flow turbines, regression equations were derived that relate a cross-flow turbine specific speed, rated speed, runner diameter and runner width to the rated turbine head and discharge. The obtained equations were used to estimate the turbine performance characteristics using available unit hill charts of three different cross-flow turbines. Finally, the estimated performance characteristics were used to form the boundary condition ‘cross-flow turbine’ within the unsteady 1D mathematical model. The model was validated through case studies by comparing calculated and measured changes in the turbine speed and inlet pressure, induced by sudden load rejection. The difference between the calculated and measured peak pressures was up to 5% during the most critical period, that is, from the moment of load rejection up to the guide vanes closure. In the case of turbine speed, the difference between the peak values was less than 10% in the same period.
Effect of chronic alcoholism on morphology and cell proliferation in salivary glands of Wistar rats

Several disorders which affect the oral cavity, salivary composition and, flow have been described in alcoholics chronic, thus this study aimed to evaluate the effects of chronic alcoholism on the salivary glands of Wistar rats. It was used 18 animals randomly subdivided into two groups: control (C) and treated with ethanol (T). C group (n=9) received water ad libitum and T group (n=9) received alcoholic solution ad libitum: 5% ethanol (1st week), 10% ethanol (2nd week) and 20% ethanol (for 9 weeks). After the treatment period, the animals were anesthetized and euthanized by decapitation. The parotid, submandibular and sublingual salivary glands of both groups were dissected, fixed and processed for paraffin. Histological sections were stained with hematoxylin/eosin and Picro-Sirius red stained, and the rate of cell proliferation was determined by immunohistochemistry with the marker KI-67. The salivary glands of group C showed preserved parenchyma, while the parotid and submandibular glands of group T showed hydropic degeneration, atypical nuclei, non-evident nucleolus and condensed chromatin in serous acini. The intercalated, striated and excretory ducts were seen with punctual areas of degeneration and nuclear atypia. In the submandibular glands there was a 73% increase in proliferative cells in T, when compared to C (p<0.05). However, in the parotid glands, there was no significant difference in the rate of cell proliferation. The results suggest that there is an increase in the rate of cell proliferation in submandibular glands of Wistar rats subjected to chronic alcohol consumption, and also show that chronic alcohol consumption promotes morphological changes in the salivary glands of these rats, causing a deleterious effect on cellular structures.
Work-Family Role Conflict and its Impact on Job Performance of Academicians: A Case Study of Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan

The purpose of this study was to explain how work-family role conflict impacted the lecturers, assistant professors, associate professors, professors differently and how much it affected their job performance. Following the simple random sampling technique, 160 academicians were selected from Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, and the final data analysis was based on the data of 120 academicians. The data was collected using two adopted tools, i. e. , the work-family role conflict scale and the individual work performance scale. SPSS was used for data analysis. The study used Independent Sample t-Test and One-Way analysis of the variance to measure the impact of work-family role conflict on academicians and their work performance. The results showed that work-family role conflict affected female academicians more than male academicians, and lecturers were more impacted by work-family role conflict than assistant professors, associate professors, and professors. Furthermore, results indicated that work-family role conflict impacted female job performance more than male academicians, and lecturers’ job performance affected more than assistant professors, associate professors, and professors.
Mechanical ageing performance of minimalist and traditional footwear foams

The aim of this study was to obtain a fundamental understanding of how running shoe midsole foam thickness contributes to footwear degradation using the heel and forefoot regions of traditional (TS) and minimalist (MS) running shoes. We hypothesized that ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam midsole material properties and footwear degradation performance under a biofidelic mechanical ageing protocol would differ as a function of shoe type and thickness. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectra indicated that the foam chemical compositions were similar and confirmed that all midsoles were composed of EVA copolymer. Differences in density and cell size were detected between shoes and thicknesses. MS foam was uniformly high density (ρMS = 240 kg/m3), while TS foam consisted of two co-molded layers with forefoot density (ρTS-FF = 250 kg/m3) greater than heel (ρTS-H = 160 kg/m3). Relative density and cell size values were generally proportional and inversely proportional to density, respectively. Degradation from mechanical ageing was greatest in the first 2 km of ageing, with the full ageing (21 km) resulting in an average 54% loss of energy absorption. Regardless of shoe type or foam microstructure, thicker and softer heel foams absorbed 83% more energy but degraded at a 49% faster rate. The fact that the heel degraded more rapidly than forefoot caused the drop to decrease at an equivalent rate for both shoe types. Overall, thickness was a greater predictor of average performance than microstructure variables for the present footwear conditions. However, the apparent drawback of thicker foam was exemplified by heel samples, which underwent a 1.4 mm greater loss of thickness and lost 550 mJ more energy absorption than forefoot samples.
Seasonal and diel influences on bottlenose dolphin acoustic detection determined by whistles in a coastal lagoon in the southwestern Gulf of California

Marine mammals in subtropical coastal habitats are sentinels of the health of the ecosystem and offer important ecosystem services. They rely on prey that pursues feeding opportunities, while both avoid unfavorable conditions. In many cases, these predator-prey dynamics fluctuate seasonally and are regulated by lunar, tidal, and/or diel cycles (hour). However, these rhythmical patterns may vary under different seasonal conditions. Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Ensenada de La Paz in Baja California Sur, Mexico, were detected acoustically over the course of an annual cycle on 21 separate occasions, covering 640 h from June 2017 to May 2019. The presence of bottlenose dolphins was examined using Generalized Additive Models (GAM) including variables that are related directly to their habitat (direct variables: hour, distance, depth) and to their prey (indirect variables: SST, moon phase and tides). Seasonal differences in the presence of bottlenose dolphins were influenced more by indirect variables (explained deviance: 34.8% vs. 37.7%). Hourly acoustic detections occurred less frequently when SST exceeded 27.4 °C (Aug–End of Nov.) and more frequently at moderate temperatures (22.7 °C to 26.3 °C) in May through July. Moreover, bottlenose dolphins were detected more frequently during waning and new moon phases, at the onset of flood and ebb tides, and during day (04:00 to 20:00). The seasonal differences in acoustic detections rates were highlighted by the global GAM and hierarchical clustering. The strong seasonal pattern indicated possible interactions with rhythmic pattern of bottlenose dolphins. Four candidate variables (SST, moon, tide, and hour) were tested for plausible interaction terms additional to their individual consideration, out of which only hour changed significantly between seasons. The patterns of presence likely increase feeding opportunities or may favor other behaviors such as socializing, resting, or nursing. These might prove responsible for the distinct occurrence and hourly patterns of bottlenose dolphins.
Impurity temperatures measured via line shape analysis in the island scrape-off-layer of Wendelstein 7-X

Impurity temperatures have been determined by a spectroscopic line shape analysis for several species in the divertor scrape-off-layer of the stellarator Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X). Examples include spectral lines from intrinsic elements (C II and C III, He I) as well as from seeded impurities (Ar II, N II) through the divertor gas inlet system. Both Doppler broadening and Zeeman splitting are found to contribute significantly to the impurity line shapes. Zeeman splitting arises due to the confining magnetic field in W7-X and complicates the line shape appearance. By attributing Doppler widths to each of the various Zeeman components, however, we demonstrate that reliable ion temperature values can be derived provided that the presence of the magnetic field is properly accounted for. The spectrally highly resolved lines are analyzed by means of a multi-parameter, least-squares fit routine, which accounts for Doppler broadening, Zeeman splitting, as well as the instrumental broadening of the spectrometer used to measure the spectral line shapes. By spectral fitting of the Zeeman features, it is also found that the line shape analysis can yield values for the local magnetic field, which can be used to localize the impurity radiation approximately provided that the line emission is dominant in a small area intersected by the lines of sight of the spectrometer.
From composite material technologies to composite products: A cross-sectorial reflection on technology transitions and production capability

Materials, since the dawn of time, have played a crucial role in the development of civilization. Pre-history ages are fundamentally characterized by the material humans mastered, while the transitions to new materials have always marked a different socio-technical order. In this work we are going to investigate a relatively new material class, composites, in order to explain the issues the industry is currently facing. We are going to discuss material in the context of developing products that take full advantage of the benefits that composites can offer. The main idea behind this work is to understand how composite material technologies create growth and how the properties of those materials influence production capability and manufacturability. This work is the result of the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Composites Platform research in the UK. It started with the bold intention to go beyond conventional research in composite material and explore the mechanisms of industrial change and growth through material. An examination of cases from a diverse range of sectors, acted as a platform to initiate a conversation on the issues practitioners are facing when adapting their products, or processes, to composite technologies, or when moving from a craftsman approach to state-of-theart material and process technologies. This paper presents insights from a sector/market agnostic point of view to probe the socio-technical considerations related to the diffusion of manufacturing innovation concerning composites and their production capabilities. The paper makes three main contributions. First, it presents a discussion on the capability issues regarding composites. Second, it presents empirical evidence on industrializing in composite material technologies. Finally, building on empirical evidence and previous literature, it describes the feedback loops during the composite product development process. The paper concludes with a reflection on current theories of innovation management on composite material technologies.
Estimation of empty body and carcass chemical composition of lactating and growing cattle: comparison of imaging, adipose cellularity, and rib dissection methods

Abstract The aim of present study was to compare in vivo and post mortem methods for estimating the empty body (EB) and carcass chemical compositions of Simmental lactating and growing cattle. Indirect methods were calibrated against the direct post mortem reference determination of chemical compositions of EB and carcass, determined after grinding and analyzing the water, lipid, protein, mineral masses, and energy content. The indirect methods applied to 12 lactating cows and 10 of their offspring were ultrasound (US), half-carcass and 11th rib dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans, subcutaneous and perirenal adipose cell size (ACS), and dissection of the 11th rib. Additionally, three-dimensional (3D) images were captured for 8 cows. Multiple linear regressions with leave-one-out-cross-validations were tested between predictive variables derived from the methods tested, and the EB and carcass chemical compositions. Partial least square regressions were used to estimate body composition with morphological traits measured on 3D images. Body weight (BW) alone estimated the EB and carcass composition masses with a root mean squared error of prediction (RMSEP) for the EB from 1 kg for minerals to 12.4 kg for lipids, and for carcass from 0.9 kg for minerals to 7.8 kg for water. Subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness measured by US was the most accurate in vivo predictor when associated with BW to estimate chemical composition, with the EB lipid mass RMSEP = 11 kg and R2 = 0.75; carcass water mass RMSEP = 6 kg and R2 = 0.98; and carcass energy content RMSEP = 236 MJ and R2 = 0.91. Post mortem, carcass lipid mass was best estimated by half-carcass DXA scan (RMSEP = 2 kg, R2 = 0.98), 11th rib DXA scan (RMSEP = 3 kg, R2 = 0.96), 11th rib dissection (RMSEP = 4 kg, R2 = 0.92), and perirenal ACS (RMSEP = 6 kg, R2 = 0.79) in this respective order. The results obtained by 11th rib DXA scan were accurate and close to the half-carcass DXA scan with a reduction in scan time. Morphological traits from 3D images delivered promising estimations of the cow EB and carcass chemical component masses with an error less than 13 kg for the EB lipid mass and than 740 MJ for the EB energy. Future research is required to test the 3D imaging method on a larger number of animals to confirm and quantify its interest in estimating body composition in living animals.