Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clustering Monolingual Vocabularies to Improve Cross-Lingual Generalization

Multi-lingual language models based on multi-lingual BERT (mBERT) have made it possible to perform linguistic tasks on virtually any language for which some raw text data is available. Through a particular type of transfer learning, these models exploit the large amount of data available for resource-rich languages like English and then apply what they learn when handling low-resource languages. This happens both in the pre-training phase, where low-resource languages’ data would not be enough for the model to train, and in the fine-tuning phase, where labeled data is often available only for a few languages. Multi-lingual language models, however, exhibit better performance for some languages than for others, and many languages do not seem to benefit from multi-lingual sharing at all. The broad goal of this thesis is to improve the performance of multi-lingual models on low-resource languages. We focus on two issues: First, to create a better multi-lingual representational space where text tokens are represented independently of the language to which they belong. Second, to improve multi-lingual segmentation. In current work, indeed, low-resource languages are segmented with a tokenizer mainly trained on resourcerich languages text, thus yielding sub-optimal segmentation for low-resource languages. Instead, we use a dedicated tokenizer and a large subword vocabulary for better segmentation of each language. We then use a clustering algorithm to discover sensible multi-lingual groupings of segments across languages. A multilingual Bert model is then trained on the obtained clusters. Not only does this allows to use the aforementioned large vocabularies, without increasing the multi-lingual model capacity, but it also yields a truly interlingual model, which learns how to represent language-neutral semantic clusters, instead of language-specific text tokens as in traditional Bert-like models. We called this model ICEBERT, standing for Interlingual-Clusters Enhanced BERT. We show significant improvements over standard multi-lingual segmentation and training in a question answering task covering nine languages, both in a small model regime and in a BERT-base training regime, thus demonstrating the effectiveness of our clustering. The proposed approach could be easily expanded to more languages, or applied to model architectures different from mBERT.
STUDY OF LAND USE CHANGES AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH TEMPERATURE AND DENGUE FEVER IN 2003 AND 2016 OVER JAKARTA PROVINCE USING LANDSAT 7+ETM AND LANDSAT 8 OLI

Land use changes over Jakarta caused by urbanization affected the increasing of infrastructure and decreasing vegetation from 2003 to 2016. This condition reduced water infiltration and caused inundation when heavy rainfall coming. Then Aedes aegypti would breed.and increased which brought dengue fever desease. This study was about analyzing the land use change in Jakarta Province using Landsat image, and its relationship with land surface temperature and dengue fever distribution. The effects of land use change also analysed by this study which including the effects from temperature and dengue fever that analysed by indices of land use in Jakarta at 2003 and 2016. The temperature analysis could be obtained by TIR band in Landsat and using some algortitma which calculated in band math of ENVI software. Vegetation index value’s average decreased from 0.652 in 2003 to 0.647 2016 in 2016. Built up index value’s average increased from -0.03 in 2003 to -0.02 in 2016. While Bareland index value’s average decreased from 0.16 in 2003 to -0.46 in 2016. Land surface temperature increased 3? C from 2003 to 2016. Vegetation area decreased 27.929 ha, bare land area decreased 6.012 ha, while built up area increased 34.278 ha from 2003 to 2016. Increasing of land surface temperature proportional to increasing dengue fever patients 1.187 patients. Increasing of land surface temperature increasing dengue fever cases 1.187 patients. To review and monitor more about the relationship between landuse changes and temperature changes required image with high resolution so that the results obtained more accurate. Complete data of dengue fever per subdistricts also required to analyse further more about relationship between landuse changes, temperature changes, and dengue fever.
Title: Using game authoring platforms to develop screen-based simulated functional assessments in persons with executive dysfunction following traumatic brain injury

The assessment of functional status is a critical component of clinical neuropsychological evaluations used for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in patients with cognitive brain disorders. There are, however, no widely adopted neuropsychological tests that are both ecologically valid and easily administered in daily clinical practice. This discrepancy is a roadblock to the widespread adoption of functional assessments. In this paper, we propose a novel approach using a serious game authoring platform (eAdventure) for creating screenbased simulated functional assessments. We created a naturalistic functional task that consisted of preparing a cup of tea (SBS-COT) and applied the assessment in a convenience sample of eight dyads of therapists/patients with mild executive dysfunction after traumatic brain injury. We had three main aims. First, we performed a comprehensive review of executive function assessment in activities of daily living. Second, we were interested in measuring the feasibility of this technology with respect to staffing, economic and technical requirements. Third, a serious game was administered to patients to study the feasibility of this technology in the clinical context (pre-screening test). In addition, quantitative (Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) questionnaires) and qualitative (semistructured interviews) evaluations were applied to obtain user input. Our results suggest that the staffing, economic and technical requirements of the SBS-COT are feasible. The outcomes of the pre-screening test provide evidence that this technology is useful in the functional assessment of patients with executive dysfunction. In relation to subjective data, the TAM questionnaire showed good user acceptability from a professional perspective. Interview analyses with professionals and patients showed positive experiences related to the use of the SBS-COT. Our work indicates that the use of these types of authoring platforms could have positive long-term implications for neuropsychological research, opening the door to more reproducible, cooperative and efficient research by allowing the facilitated production, reuse and sharing of neuropsychological assessment tools.
Utility Accrual Real-Time Scheduling under Variable Cost Functions

We present a utility accrual real-time scheduling algorithm called CIC-VCUA for tasks whose execution times are functions of their starting times (and, potentially, other factors). We model such variable execution times using variable cost functions (or VCFs). The algorithm considers application activities that are subject to time/utility function time constraints, execution times described using VCFs, and mutual exclusion constraints on concurrent sharing of non-CPU resources. We consider the twofold scheduling objective of 1) assuring that the maximum interval between any two consecutive, successful completions of job instances in an activity must not exceed the activity period (an application-specific objective) and 2) maximizing the system's total accrued utility while satisfying mutual exclusion resource constraints. Since the scheduling problem is intractable, CIC-VCUA is a polynomial-time heuristic algorithm. The algorithm statically computes worst-case task sojourn times, dynamically selects tasks for execution based on their potential utility density, and completes tasks at specific times. We establish that CIC-VCUA achieves optimal timeliness during underloads, and tightly upper bounds inter and intratask completion times. Our simulation experiments confirm the algorithm's effectiveness and superiority
Look into my Eyes! Can you guess my Password?

Authentication systems for public terminals – and thus public spaces – have to be fast, easy and secure. Security is of utmost importance since the public setting allows manifold attacks from simple shoulder surﬁng to advanced manipulations of the terminals. In this work, we present Eye-PassShapes , an eye tracking authentication method that has been designed to meet these requirements. Instead of using standard eye tracking input methods that require precise and expensive eye trackers, EyePassShapes uses eye gestures. This input method works well with data about the relative eye movement, which is much easier to detect than the precise position of the user’s gaze and works with cheaper hardware. Diﬀerent evaluations on technical aspects, usability, security and memorability show that EyePassShapes can signiﬁcantly increase security while being easy to use and fast at the same time.
Monitoring Sea Level Change in Arctic using GNSS-Reflectometry

Long- and short-term variation of water level is critical in the Arctic as this region significantly affects the global climate and ecosystems. The water level changes are conventionally monitored by a tidal gauge. However, installing and maintaining tide gauges for continuous and seamless water level data in the Arctic is challenging due to the extreme environment. In this study, we investigate GNSS-Reflectometry (GNSS-R) as an alternative water level monitoring method in the Arctic, which measures the water levels based on remote sensing technique. Since GNSS performance at high latitudes is degraded due to satellite geometry and ionospheric effects on GNSS signals, an enhanced GNSS-R algorithm is applied, which accurately determines sea levels through enhanced spectrum analysis based on GNSS - including GPS and Galileo - multiple frequencies and statistical reliability verification. In addition, by including Galileo, the number of visible satellites is also increased that tackles another challenge of lack of available observations at high latitudes. The suggested algorithms are validated by analyzing water level changes in St. Michael, Alaska in June 2018. The water levels derived by GNSS-R based tide gauge are compared to independent data from the two neighboring NOAA’s St. Michael and Unalakleet tide gauges (ID: 9468132 and 9468333) about 1.5 km and 74 km of GNSS-R based tide gauge, respectively. As a result, a good agreement is confirmed with a high correlation coefficient of up to 0.87. In addition, from a spectral analysis, meaningful harmonic constituents, M2, K1, and O1 are founded from the sea level changes measured by GNSS-R based tide gauge. In addition, the temporal resolution of the output was significantly increased by adding the Galileo satellites. By implementing the advanced algorithms of GNSS-R, the proposed study successfully measured the highly accurate and precise water level variation in an environmentally challenging region. The experimental results show many promising applications for the Arctic GNSS-R based tide gauge.
SME barriers to electronic commerce adoption: nothing changes-everything is new

In this chapter we look into earlier empirical research on the barriers to e-commerce (EC) adoption and diffusion for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). We explore research conducted in the context of information and communications technologies (ICT) in general, as well as EDI and Internet-based e-commerce. What we are interested in is whether these barriers are something new created by the new wave of Internet based technologies. We divide the barriers, inhibitors, or factors slowing down the diffusion of new technologies found in previous literature into those internal to an organization and those imposed by external forces. The basic premise of this chapter is that technologies advance or change, but the barriers for SMEs to adopt them do not. The authors hope that understanding this will help researchers, small companies, and policy makers to move on and do something active to reduce such barriers.
Fusing two cytochromes b of Rhodobacter capsulatus cytochrome bc1 using various linkers defines a set of protein templates for asymmetric mutagenesis

Cytochrome bc1 (mitochondrial complex III), one of the key enzymes of biological energy conversion, is a functional homodimer in which each monomer contains three catalytic subunits: cytochrome c1, the iron–sulfur subunit and cytochrome b. The latter is composed of eight transmembrane α-helices which, in duplicate, form a hydrophobic core of a dimer. We show that two cytochromes b can be fused into one 16-helical subunit using a number of different peptide linkers that vary in length but all connect the C-terminus of one cytochrome with the N-terminus of the other. The fusion proteins replace two cytochromes b in the dimer defining a set of available protein templates for introducing mutations that allow breaking symmetry of a dimer. A more detailed comparison of the form with the shortest, 3 amino acid, linker to the form with 12 amino acid linker established that both forms display similar level of structural plasticity to accommodate several, but not all, asymmetric patterns of mutations that knock out individual segments of cofactor chains. While the system based on a fused gene does not allow for the assessments of the functionality of electron-transfer paths in vivo, the family of proteins with fused cytochrome b offers attractive model for detailed investigations of molecular mechanism of catalysis at in vitro/reconstitution level.
Author ' s personal copy The influence of stress hormones on emotional memory : Relevance for psychopathology

Substantial progress within recent years has led to a better understanding of the impact of stress on emotional memory. These effects are of relevance for understanding and treating psychopathology. The present selective review describes how emotional memory is modulated through stress hormones. Acute as well as chronic effects are discussed and information from rodent models is compared to human experimental studies and clinical observations. Finally, the relevance of these findings for emotional memory disturbances in psychiatric disorders is exemplified by discussions on neuroendocrine alterations in depression, post traumatic stress disorder and phobias. 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. PsycINFO classification: 2343; 2560
Learning predictive cognitive maps with spiking neurons during behaviour and replays

We describe a framework where a biologically plausible spiking neural network mimicking hippocampal layers learns a cognitive map known as the successor representation. We show analytically how, on the algorithmic level, the learning follows the TD(λ) algorithm, which emerges from the underlying spike-timing dependent plasticity rule. We then analyze the implications of this framework, uncovering how behavioural activity and experience replays can play complementary roles when learning the representation of the environment, how we can learn relations over behavioural timescales with synaptic plasticity acting on the range of milliseconds, and how the learned representation can be flexibly encoded by allowing state-dependent delay discounting through neuromodulation and altered firing rates.
Efficacy of certain insecticides and alternative agrochemicals in controlling aphids and their side effects on the predator Coccinella undecimpunctata in Eggplant fields

Five common insecticides (imidacloprid, emamectin benzoate, abamectin, thiamethoxam and Lambada-cyhalothrin), their mixtures with mancozeb and certain non-synthetic agrochemicals (Hydrogen Peroxide 35%, Calcium aluminum sulphate (Alum), Palm oil, lime sulphur and mixture from lime sulphur + Boric acid were evaluated to control Aphids in Egg plants under field conditions. Their selectivity against Coccinella undeciumpunctata were also studied during 2023 season. The results showed that insecticide and non-synthetic agrochemicals were highly effective in controlling Aphis gossypii , Also, the mancozeb gave an additive effect for all tested insecticide. Insecticide and non-synthetic agrochemicals were highly safe on C. undeciumpunctata except lambda-cyhalothrin. Average maximum reduction (%) of A. gossypii were achieved by imidacloprid (80.9%) followed by acetamiprid and lambada-cyhalothrin (73.7 and 73.7%) followed by abamectin (72.6%) and the last one was emamectin benzoate by (68.7%), respectively in 2023 seasons.
Niño indices for two types of ENSO

El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which dominates variability on interannual timescale in the climate system, is known to exhibit various spatio‐temporal characteristics. Recent studies show that in additional to a canonical El Niño with its major center of sea surface temperatures (SST) anomalies in the equatorial Pacific cold‐tongue region, a different type of El Niño with its major action center shifted to the warm‐pool edge has emerged and become more common during the past two decades. Because the SST patterns of these two types of El Niño events are highly correlated, neither of the traditional Niño3 and Niño4 SST indices alone is effective in representing the new‐type El Niño. Through a simple transformation of the Niño3 and Niño4 indices, we devised two new indices that separately identify the two types of ENSO events. Unlike the Niño3 and Niño4 indices, the two new indices are of little simultaneous correlation. The SST patterns associated with these new indices capture SST characteristics of the two types of ENSO. Their running lagged‐correlations capture different ENSO‐phase propagations and ENSO regime changes associated with the climate shift in 1976/77.
Carbon and Nitrogen Resorption of Needles As Affected by Compound Fertilizer in a Red Pine Stand

Abstract This study aimed to examine carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) resorption efficiency between green needles and needle litter in response to compound fertilizer types in a red pine stand. Green needles and needle litter were collected during the growing season (July, September) and during the heavy litterfall season (November) from two compound fertilizer (N3P4K1, P4K1) and control treatments. The C concentration of green needles and needle litter was not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by compound fertilizer, whereas the N concentration in green needles was significantly higher in the N3P4K1 than in the P4K1 and control treatments. C and N resorption efficiency was not significantly affected by compound fertilizer, but N resorption efficiency was significantly affected by sampling month (P < 0.05). N resorption efficiency was significantly higher in November, followed by September and July. In addition, N resorption efficiency was lower in the current-year needles than in the 1- or 2-year-old needles. These results demonstrate a lack of clear relation between C or N resorption efficiency and N availability in response to the compound fertilizer.
Texture Analysis as a Discriminating Tool: Unmasking Rodlet Cell Degranulation in Response to a Contaminant of Emerging Concern.

BACKGROUND Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) have garnered significant attention due to their potential impacts on ecology, wildlife, and human health. The interest in these contaminants arises from their inadequate regulation or lack of routine monitoring in natural environments. Among them, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are of particular concern due to their notable propensity to accumulate within the kidney, significantly influencing the excretion of these pollutants. Rodlet cells (RCs) have emerged as promising indicators of immunotoxicity in response to chemical stressors. A prior comprehensive study extensively detailed the effects of sub-chronic exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a well-known PFAS compound, on RCs located in the hematopoietic tissue of the common carp kidney. Even at concentrations commonly found in the environment, PFOA exhibited a significant impact on the distribution patterns of RCs, concurrently enhancing exocytosis activity. METHODS The assessment of PFOA-induced RC degranulation employed texture analysis combined with linear discriminant analysis (LDA) to differentiate between various experimental exposure groups. The investigation encompassed three fish groups: an unexposed group, a group exposed to an environmentally relevant PFOA concentration (200 ng L-1), and a group exposed to a higher PFOA concentration (2 mg L-1). Texture analysis was conducted on high-resolution color (RGB) images obtained from light microscopy of ultrathin sections from five fish per experimental group, stained with toluidine blue. RESULTS This analysis facilitated the quantification of potential cytoplasmic alterations associated with degranulation, encompassing all three RGB channels. The data subjected to LDA enabled the identification of the most distinctive texture characteristics, providing a reliable, objective, and reproducible method to differentiate between experimental groups. Remarkably, 98.0% of both the original and cross-validated cases were correctly classified. However, only one unexposed case was misclassified as a fish exposed to a 200 ng L-1 PFOA concentration, constituting the single false positive in the analysis. CONCLUSIONS Utilizing texture analysis and LDA to quantify RC degranulation offers a dependable approach for assessing immunotoxicity within experimental models of toxicological and environmental pathology. This underscores the scientific significance of employing a morphological approach in such investigations.
Detailed Insight into Photocatalytic Inactivation of Pathogenic Bacteria in the Presence of Visible-Light-Active Multicomponent Photocatalysts

The use of heterogeneous photocatalysis in biologically contaminated water purification processes still requires the development of materials active in visible light, preferably in the form of thin films. Herein, we report nanotube structures made of TiO2/Ag2O/Au0, TiO2/Ag2O/PtOx, TiO2/Cu2O/Au0, and TiO2/Cu2O/PtOx obtained via one-step anodic oxidation of the titanium-based alloys (Ti94Ag5Au1, Ti94Cu5Pt1, Ti94Cu5Au1, and Ti94Ag5Pt1) possessing high visible light activity in the inactivation process of methicillin-susceptible S. aureus and other pathogenic bacteria—E. coli, Clostridium sp. , and K. oxytoca. In the samples made from Ti-based alloys, metal/metal oxide nanoparticles were formed, which were located on the surface and inside the walls of the NTs. The obtained results showed that oxygen species produced at the surface of irradiated photocatalysts and the presence of copper and silver species in the photoactive layers both contributed to the inactivation of bacteria. Photocatalytic inactivation of E. coli, S. aureus, and Clostridium sp. was confirmed via TEM imaging of bacterium cell destruction and the detection of CO2 as a result of bacteria cell mineralization for the most active sample. These results suggest that the membrane ruptures as a result of the attack of active oxygen species, and then, both the membrane and the contents are mineralized to CO2.