Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Towards Speech-only Opinion-level Sentiment Analysis

The growing popularity of various forms of Spoken Dialogue Systems (SDS) raises the demand for their capability of implicitly assessing the speaker’s sentiment from speech only. Mapping the latter on user preferences enables to adapt to the user and individualize the requested information while increasing user satisfaction. In this paper, we explore the integration of rank consistent ordinal regression into a speech-only sentiment prediction task performed by ResNet-like systems. Furthermore, we use speaker verification extractors trained on larger datasets as low-level feature extractors. An improvement of performance is shown by fusing sentiment and pre-extracted speaker embeddings reducing the speaker bias of sentiment predictions. Numerous experiments on Multimodal Opinion Sentiment and Emotion Intensity (CMU-MOSEI) databases show that we beat the baselines of state-of-the-art unimodal approaches. Using speech as the only modality combined with optimizing an order-sensitive objective function gets significantly closer to the sentiment analysis results of state-of-the-art multimodal systems.
On the Importance of Including Cohesive Zone Models in modelling mixed-mode Aneurysm Rupture

The precise mechanism of rupture in AAAs has not yet been uncovered. The phenomenological failure criterion of the coefficient of proportionality between von Mises stress and tissue strength does not account for any mechanistic foundation of tissue fracture. Experimental studies have shown that arterial failure is a stepwise process of fibrous delamination (mode II) and kinking (mode I) between layers. Such a mechanism has not previously been considered for AAA rupture. In the current study we consider both von Mises stress in the wall, in addition to interlayer tractions and delamination using cohesive zone models. Firstly, we present a parametric investigation of the influence of a range of AAA anatomical features on the likelihood of elevated interlayer traction and delamination. We observe in several cases that the location of peak von Mises stress and tangential traction coincide. Our simulations also reveal however, that peak von Mises and intramural tractions are not coincident for aneurysms with Length/Radius less than 2 (short high-curvature aneurysms) and for aneurysms with symmetric ILT. Additionally, we present three patient-specific AAA models derived directly from CT scans, which also illustrate that the location of von Mises stress does not correlate with the point of interlayer delamination, suggesting that incorporating cohesive zone models into clinical based FE analyses may capture a greater proportion of ruptures in-silico . delamination in AAAs. Firstly, we present a parametric investigation of the influence of a range of AAA anatomical features on the likelihood of elevated interlayer traction and delamination.
Kann die Peptid-Radiorezeptortherapie bei diffuser Knochenmetastasierung noch sicher angewendet werden?

Aim: Highly advanced metastatic bone disease with extensive osseous infiltration of neuroendocrine tumours (NET) may preclude patients from treatment with peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) in concern about haematotoxicity. This study aims to assess the safety and efficacy of PRRT with 177Lu-octreotate in a patient cohort with this condition. Patients, methods:41 PRRT courses were performed in 11 patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (GEP-NET) and florid bone metastases (severely advanced widespread metastatic bone disease). A mean activity of 6.95 GBq 177Lu-octreotate was administered per treatment cycle, aimed at four courses with standard intervals of 3 months. Haematological parameters were determined prior to each treatment course, in 2–4 weeks intervals between the courses, 8–12 weeks after the last course of PRRT and in 3 monthly intervals thereafter. Toxicity was recorded using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v3.0. Restaging was performed 3 months after termination of PRRT with CT/MRI and functional imaging (modified MDA criteria). Results: Significant (grade III-IV), reversible haematotoxicity occurred in 4 (35%) patients and after 10 (24%) administrations. It either resolved spontaneously (1 patient) or was controlled by supportive measures (3 patients), such as blood transfusions (3 patients) or deferral of the subsequent therapy cycle (1 patient). Patients returned to baseline blood values within up to 23 months after termination of PRRT. The observed treatment response of bone metastases consisted of a partial response in 2, a minor response in 1, stable disease in 7, and progressive disease in 1 patient. Of the 4 patients with metastatic bone pain, 1 experienced complete and 3 partial resolution of symptoms within 3–10 weeks after commencement of PRRT. Conclusion:These preliminary data indicate that PRRT with 177Lu-octreotate can be safely applied even in florid bone metastases with extensive, severely advanced osseous replacement. The higher myelosuppression rate was not associated with serious complications and should not preclude patients from being treated and potentially experiencing remarkable treatment efficacy despite the very advanced stage.
Effect of Height Ratio and Mass Ratio on Structure—Soil—Structure Interaction of Two Structures Using Centrifugal Experiment

: In a megacity, structure response during an earthquake could be increased or decreased due to effects from neighboring structures, through structure-soil-structure interaction (SSSI). In the present study, a series of dynamic geotechnical centrifuge tests are carried out to investigate SSSI effects on responses of structure with various characteristics of mass, height, and natural frequency. Experimental observations are focused on the effects of the distance between two structures, type, and peak acceleration of input excitation. A period lengthening is observed in the soil-foundation-structure interaction (SFSI) effects of all structures. It is monitored that an increment in response of smaller structure and a decrement in response of larger structure, compared to isolated structure, due to SSSI effects. Unfavorable distance reveals that the most significant increment in response of S2 structure occurred at approximately one-fourth of wavelength transmitted from the vibrating adjacent structure. More severe SSSI effects are found under a lower input earthquake acceleration. It is found that both height and mass ratios, between two adjacent structures, are particular parameters on SSSI, resulting in increment or reduction of structure response.
Analysis and Diagnosis of Open-Circuit Faults in Matrix Converters

The monitoring of power converters is critical for obtaining systems with self-diagnostic capabilities and fault-tolerant features. This paper presents an analytical work concerning the operation of matrix converters (MCs) under the presence of open-circuit faults and discusses the applicability of a method for the diagnosis of this type of failures. The proposed method uses the absolute values of nine modulated error voltages for the continuous monitoring of the condition of the bidirectional switches of an MC. This method allows a fast detection and location of the faulty switches, independent of the modulation strategy of the converter, its voltage transfer ratio, output frequency, or type of load connected to it, both in steady-state and transient regimes. The theory, validated by simulation and experimental results, demonstrates the applicability of the proposed technique for the diagnosis of faults in MCs.
Reproducibility Natural Disasters and Financial Stress: Can Macroprudential Regulation Tame Green Swans?

We empirically investigate the impact of natural disasters on the external finance premium (EFP), conditional on the stringency of macroprudential regulation. The intensity of natural disasters is measured through an original set of geophysical indicators for a sample of 88 countries over the period 1996-2016. Using local projections, we show that, following storms, the EFP significantly rises (drops) when macroprudential regulation is lax (stringent). This suggests that regulated financial systems could foster favorable financing conditions to replace destroyed capital with more productive capital. Macroprudential stringency seems less crucial in the case of floods, which are more predictable and thus may prompt self-discipline.
LRP1B mutation associates with increased tumor mutation burden and inferior prognosis in liver hepatocellular carcinoma

Background: Liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) is the most common primary liver cancer and the main cause of death in patients with cirrhosis. LRP1B is found to involve in a variety of cancers, but the association of LRP1B mutation with tumor mutation burden (TMB) and prognosis of LIHC is rarely studied. Methods and Results: Herein, we analyzed the somatic mutation data of 364 LIHC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and found that LRP1B showed elevated mutation rate. Calculation of the TMB in LRP1B mutant and LRP1B wild-type groups showed that LRP1B mutant group had higher TMB compared with that in LRP1B wild-type group. Then survival analysis was performed and the survival curve showed that LRP1B mutation was associated with poor survival outcome, and this association remained to be significant after adjusting for multiple confounding factors including age, gender, tumor stage, mutations of BRCA1, BRCA2, and POLE. Conclusion: Collectively, our results revealed that LRP1B mutation was related to high TMB value and poor prognosis in LIHC, indicating that LRP1B mutation is probably helpful for the selection of immunotherapy and prognosis prediction in LIHC.
Rotational thromboelastometry in patients with type 2 diabetes and mild COVID-19 pneumonia: A pilot prospective study

Background: It was repeatedly demonstrated that patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia, as well as patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) have higher risk of thromboembolic complications. Rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM®) is a viscoelastic hemostatic assay which allows complex assessment of hemostasis in whole blood. The aim of this study was to compare changes in hemostasis measured by ROTEM® in diabetic and nondiabetic patients with mild COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods: We performed a pilot, prospective, observational study and enrolled 33 consecutive patients (14 with T2D and 19 nondiabetic ones) admitted to regular ward with mild COVID-19 pneumonia. The control group consisted from 11 healthy, nondiabetic blood donors. Blood samples were tested with ROTEM® using INTEM® and EXTEM® reagents. Results: We detected significant differences in EXTEM® clotting time (CT), clot formation time (CFT), and maximum clot firmness (MCF) comparing patients with mild COVID-19 pneumonia and healthy donors. However, there were no significant differences in EXTEM®, INTEM®, and HEPTEM® parameters (CT, CFT, and MCF) according to diabetes status. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated hypercoagulation in patients with mild COVID-19 pneumonia. T2D did not affected ROTEM® parameters in patients with mild COVID-19 pneumonia.
Comparing neural responses between action execution and action perception

The goal of this master’s thesis is to give insight into the neural mechanisms that allow us to perceive and understand actions of others, which is critical to engage in social interactions. Many studies suggest that mirror neurons are at stake when it comes to action perception. However, this is still up to debate and this matter hasn’t been studied rigorously in humans using intracranial techniques. To further study the question of mirror neurons at intracranial level in humans, power modulations of local ﬁeld potentials recorded from SEEG responses in patients with in-tractable epilepsy were analyzed during action execution and compared to the visual responses during action perception of the same action. We observed three frequency ranges that encode important information both for motor and visual responses. High frequencies (between 45 and 70 Hz-gamma band) and low to mid frequencies (0.1 to 8Hz- delta and alpha bands) induce a power peack related to movement. A power drop between 15 Hz to 25 Hz (beta band) is associated with movement preparation and execution. These modulations in neural responses were ﬁnd similar between action execution and action perception in the low to mid frequency band, but signiﬁcantly diﬀerent in the beta and gamma bands. The grip types are encoded in gamma bands. Even though this study was only conducted on one patient and the signiﬁcance can be questioned, this gives a ﬁrst understanding of the comparison between action execution and observation of three diﬀerent types of grips and opens the door for exciting ﬁndings.
Rank degeneracy and least squares problems

This paper is concerned with least squares problems when the least squares matrix A is near a matrix that is not of full rank. A definition of numerical rank is given. It is shown that under certain conditions when A has numerical rank r there is a distinguished r dimensional subspace of the column space of A that is insensitive to how it is approximated by r independent columns of A. The consequences of this fact for the least squares problem are examined. Algorithms are described for approximating the stable part of the column space of A.
Effects of Electromagnetic Radiation on Honey Bees in the United States

This paper examines the current state of the research literature regarding electromagnetic radiation and its possible impacts on honey bees ( Apis mellifera) and its potential role in the development of colony collapse disorder. Through a meta-analysis of peer reviewed findings, it is the conclusion of this paper that the decline in the population of honey bees can be attributed, at least in part, to the advancements in telecommunications and the inundation of our ecosystem with new sources of electromagnetic radiation. Electromagnetic waves are appear to cause discomfort to the honey bees and may contribute to abandoning of their hives, which eventually results in dead colonies.
Paper The impact of conflict on B2B relationships in services

: The aim of the research is to investigate the impact that inter-organisational conflict has on a B2B buyer-seller relationship. B2B conflict has been largely studied from a channel marketing perspective and there is little research on B2B conflict in the service industry. In order to fully investigate B2B conflict, the study shall seek to address several key facets of B2B relationships which include the concepts of uncertainty and opportunism in B2B relationship in the service sector. These elements when present could threaten to undermine the whole relationship. Examining the existing literature reveals a lack of a clear definition for what constitutes conflict in a B2B relationship. Current definitions for conflict vary from field to field. This provides an opportunity to develop a definition for B2B conflict. Beyond identifying a definition of conflict, the research will attempt to assess the impact of the types of conflict that exist and how, if at all, the relationship is affected. In order to establish an understanding of existing literature addressing conflict, the research will analyse material from a variety of disciplines, mainly from sociology, psychology and B2B. Some of the key research from established authors such as; Gaski (1984), Pondy (1967), Deutsch (1990), Wilson (1995) and Håkansson (1982). In order to satisfy the question mixed methods are to be employed. The primary research is currently entering its exploratory stage and suitable firms are being identified for the initial interviews to be conducted. These interviews will be semi-structured to encourage an open discussion on the interview subjects own conflict experiences. On completion of the interviews and evaluation of the data, a larger scale survey will be conducted targeting a wider segment of service sector firms. Their findings indicate that perceived conflict
Foreign Ownership and Robot Adoption

This paper shows that multinational enterprises (MNEs) spur the adoption of industrial robots. First, I document a positive and robust correlation between multinational production and robot adoption using a new cross-country industry-level panel. Second, using detailed data about Spanish manufacturing, I combine a difference-in-differences approach with a propensity score reweighing estimator and provide evidence that firms switching from domestic to foreign ownership become about 10% more likely to employ robots. In terms of mechanism, increased foreign market access via the parental network generates incentives to scale-up production, and robot adoption is one way to achieve this goal. An empirical model of firm investment reveals that multinational-induced robot adoption raises productivity but decreases the labor share at the industry level. These results provide new evidence about the efficiency versus equity trade-off that policymakers face when attracting MNEs.
Influence of blanching and guar gum pretreatments on total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of cabinet - dried white bitter gourd

Currently, the global food industry is experiencing a shift in consumer preference towards natural sources of antioxidants de-rived from edible fruits and vegetables. In view of this, white skinned bitter gourd with bioactive properties has great potential. Additionally, guar gum has the characteristic ability to form strong hydrogen bonds with water molecules, thereby reducing shrinkage during dehydration. Thus, the present investigation was carried out to study the influence of blanching and guar gum pretreatment on the retention of the total phenolic content (TPC) stability and antioxidant activity (AA) of white Momordica charantia L. when cabinet dried at 60±5 °C. The results are indicative of a significant (P values of < 0.05) impact of using guar gum along with blanching before dehydration of white Momordica charantia . The findings obtained clearly show the positive impact of guar gum on the stability and retention of TPC (Folin Ciocalteau) and AA (percentage of 2,2 - diphenyl - 1 - picrylhydrazyl DPPH scavenging activity) in the dried product in comparison to the untreated control. Water Blanching + 1% Guar gum (T 5 ) and 2% Salt Blanching + 0.2% Potassium meta bisulphite + 1%Sodium carbonate + 1% Guar gum (T 16 ) showed higher AA [20.29% (T 5 ) and 40.13% (T 16 )] and TPC [30.8 (T 5 ) and 39.5 (T 16 ) GAE per 100 g of dried weight (DW)]. Therefore, the application of guar gum as a pretreatment with blanching turns out to be beneficial for higher retention of TPC and AA, thereby maintaining product quality as a whole.
OAJC_A_259978 113..123

1Department of Midwifery, College Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Hawassa, Hawassa, Ethiopia; 2School of Public Health, College of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Haramaya, Harar, Ethiopia Background: Despite improvement in the availability and use of reversible long-acting contraception, discontinuation is becoming a public health concern. A significant proportion of women discontinuing the service before its due date, which is of concern in the health system with regard to its consequences, may lead to a program failure. In addition, there is a paucity of information on discontinuation of reversible long-acting contraceptives and associated factors in the study area. Therefore, this study aimed to assess discontinuation of reversible long-acting contraceptives and associated factors among female users in health facilities of Hawassa city, southern Ethiopia, 2019. Methods: Institution-based cross-sectional design was used. Systematic sampling was used to select study participants. Women who were users of long-acting contraceptives and had come to selected health facilities for method-related reasons were included in the study. Data collectors approached and recruited participants before they contacted their care providers. Data were collected from study subjects using a pretested, structured questionnaire through face-to-face interviews after participants had contacted care providers. Results are presented using the crude and adjusted ORs with corresponding 95% CIs. Results: The overall proportion of reversible long-acting contraceptive discontinuation was 56.6% (95% CI 52.30%, 61.10%). Maternal education at primary level (AOR 2.33, 95% CI 1.15–4.74), lack of counseling (AOR 2.50, 95% CI 1.01–6.18), side effects (AOR 2.10, 95% CI 1.31–3.34), and desire to be pregnant (AOR 2.22; 95CI 1.50–3.30) were the major factors in discontinuation. Conclusion: In this study, the overall proportion of discontinuation of reversible long-acting contraceptives was high. Maternal education at primary level, lack of counseling, side effects, and desire to be pregnant were the key factors associated with discontinuation of the contraceptives. Health professionals should provide counseling on the side effects before insertion.
Energy Efficiency in the Supply Chains of the Aluminium Industry: The Cases of Five Products Made in Sweden

Improved energy efficiency in supply chains can reduce both environmental impact and lifecycle costs, and thus becomes a competitive advantage in the work towards a sustainable global economy. Viewing the supply chain as a system provides the holistic perspective needed to avoid sub-optimal energy use. This article studies measures relating to technology and management that can increase energy efficiency in the supply chains of five aluminium products made in Sweden. Additionally, energy efficiency potentials related to the flows of material, energy, and knowledge between the actors in the supply chains are studied. Empirical data was collected using focus group interviews and one focus group per product was completed. The results show that there are several areas for potential energy efficiency improvement; for example, product design, communication and collaboration, transportation, and reduced material waste. Demands from other actors that can have direct or indirect effects on energy use in the supply chains were identified. Despite the fact that companies can save money through improved energy efficiency, demands from customers and the authorities would provide the additional incentives needed for companies to work harder to improve energy efficiency.