Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Activating knowledge of fictional characters' emotional states

One of Kintsch's most prominent contributions to the understanding of discourse comprehension is his proposal that comprehenders build situational models. Kintsch introduced his theoretical concept of situational models in the following way: "A major feature of our model [of discourse comprehension] is the assumption that discourse understanding involves not only the representation of a text base in episodic memory, but at the same time, the activation, updating, and other uses of a so-called situation model in episodic memory: This is the cognitive representation of the events, actions, persons, and in general the situation, a text is about" (van Dijk & Kintsch, 1983, p. 337). Kintsch (van Dijk & Kintsch, 1983) argued for the necessity of situational models during discourse comprehension by writing:
Improved Acoustic Feature Combination for LVCSR by Neural Networks

This paper investigates the combination of different acoustic features. Several methods to combine these features such as concatenation or LDA are well known. Even though LDA improves the system, feature combination by LDA has been shown to be suboptimal. We introduce a new method based on neural networks. The posterior estimates derived from the NN lead to a significant improvement and achieve a 6% relative better word error rate (WER). Results are also compared to system combination. While system combination has been reported to outperform all other combination techniques, in this work the proposed NN-based combination outperforms system combination. We achieve a 2% relative better WER, resulting in an improvement of 7% relative to the baseline system. In addition to giving better recognition performance w.r. t. WER, NN-based combination reduces both, training and testing complexity. Overall, we use a single set of acoustic models, together with the training of the NN.
Improved Alignment Models for Statistical Machine Translation

In this paper, we describe improved alignment models for statistical machine translation. The statistical translation approach uses two types of information: a translation model and a language model. The language model used is a bigram or general m-gram model. The translation model is decomposed into a lexical and an alignment model. We describe two different approaches for statistical translation and present experimental results. The first approach is based on dependencies between single words, the second approach explicitly takes shallow phrase structures into account, using two different alignment levels: a phrase level alignment between phrases and a word level alignment between single words. We present results using the Verbmobil task (German-English, 6000word vocabulary) which is a limited-domain spoken-language task. The experimental tests were performed on both the text transcription and the speech recognizer output. 1 S t a t i s t i c a l M a c h i n e T r a n s l a t i o n The goal of machine translation is the translation of a text given in some source language into a target language. We are given a source string f / = fl.fj. fJ, which is to be translated into a target string e{ = el.ei. ex. Among all possible target strings, we will choose the string with the highest probability: = argmax {Pr(ezIlflJ)}
DesignMinders: Preserving and Sharing Informal Software Design Knowledge

Software design is a knowledge-intensive activity. Knowledge is both generated and used when making crucial design decisions, and it is important to capture and share the knowledge in order to take advantage of the valuable insights gained. A particularly challenging setting for knowledge reuse is during informal software design sessions when developers are gathered at the whiteboard working to solve a design problem. It is during this activity that many existing approaches fail to address the needs of the developer to remain “in the moment” while engaged in discussion and sketching. In this paper we introduce DesignMinders, a tool currently being developed to address these issues by augmenting an electronic whiteboard with the ability to capture, refine and explore design knowledge in the form of notecards. This paper describes the problem of knowledge reuse during informal software design, and our decisions and progress with respect to DesignMinders so far.
Communication With Disturbance Constraints

Motivated by the broadcast view of the interference channel, the new problem of communication with disturbance constraints is formulated. The rate-disturbance region is established for the single constraint case and the optimal encoding scheme turns out to be the same as the Han-Kobayashi scheme for the two user-pair interference channel. This result is extended to the Gaussian vector (multiple-input and multiple-output) case. For the case of communication with two disturbance constraints, inner and outer bounds on the rate-disturbance region for a deterministic model are established. The inner bound is achieved by an encoding scheme that involves rate splitting, Marton coding, and superposition coding, and is shown to be optimal in several nontrivial cases. This encoding scheme can be readily applied to discrete memoryless interference channels and motivates a natural extension of the Han-Kobayashi scheme to more than two user pairs.
Post-transcriptional regulation of CD83 expression by AUF1 proteins

Mature dendritic cells (DC), activated lymphocytes, mononuclear cells and neutrophils express CD83, a surface protein apparently necessary for effective DC-mediated activation of naïve T-cells and T-helper cells, thymic T-cell maturation and the regulation of B-cell activation and homeostasis. Although a defined ligand of CD83 remains elusive, the multiple cellular subsets expressing CD83, as well as its numerous potential implications in immunological processes suggest that CD83 plays an important regulatory role in the mammalian immune system. Lately, nucleocytoplasmic translocation of CD83 mRNA was shown to be mediated by direct interaction between the shuttle protein HuR and a novel post-transcriptional regulatory element (PRE) located in the CD83 transcript’s coding region. Interestingly, this interaction commits the CD83 mRNA to efficient nuclear export through the CRM1 protein translocation pathway. More recently, the cellular phosphoprotein and HuR ligand ANP32B (APRIL) was demonstrated to be directly involved in this intracellular transport process by linking the CD83 mRNA:HuR ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex with the CRM1 export receptor. Casein kinase II regulates this process by phosphorylating ANP32B. Here, we identify another RNA binding protein, AUF1 (hnRNP D) that directly interacts with CD83 PRE. Unlike HuR:PRE binding, this interaction has no impact on intracellular trafficking of CD83 mRNA-containing complexes; but it does regulate translation of CD83 mRNA. Thus, our data shed more light on the complex process of post-transcriptional regulation of CD83 expression. Interfering with this process may provide a novel strategy for inhibiting CD83, and thereby cellular immune activation.
BCB: A Buffered CrossBar Switch Fabric Utilizing Shared Memory

Todays' highly complex systems-on-chip require highspeed switching interconnects. Advances on signaling technology on the other hand allows the building of high-degree switching fabrics. Buffered crossbars are receiving increasing attention in these areas since they allow efficient high-performance distributed scheduling by decoupling inputs from outputs. However, the requirements in memory storage scale quadratically with the number of ports. An efficient architecture is presented to maximize system performance and memory utilization at the same time. The proposed solution is to integrate a shared memory buffer per row in addition to a minimum-sized dedicated buffer per crosspoint. An efficient novel architecture of an 8times8 crossbar switch is described, that is feasible and provides 100 Gbps throughput implemented in a 0.18 um CMOS technology
Metaphor and Thought: Some problems with the notion of literal meanings

In his paper, Professor Sadock brings to the fore a fundamental dilemma of semantic analysis as practiced by many linguists and modern philosophers. The approach adopted by these workers is committed to the existence of a sharp distinction between what an utterance might mean (that is, its literal meaning) and what that utterance is, or can be, used to convey . (See, for example, Searle's chapter [this volume] which emphasizes the distinction between “sentence meaning” and “utterance meaning.”) To a linguist interested in form-meaning pairs, or to a philosopher interested in truth conditions on expressions, this distinction might be crucial. In these cases, the concern is to build a theory of literal meaning and to assign conveyed meanings to the application of unspecified psychological processes not specific to language. As a psychologist I find myself primarily interested in the mechanisms whereby meanings are conveyed. Whatever role “literal meanings” (as defined by these linguists and philosophers) might play in the comprehension of language (that is, in the determination of what some utterance conveys), psychological theory must concern itself with conveyed meanings. Sadock, arguing from a linguistic perspective, makes an interesting comparison between what he calls figurative and what he calls conventional language use. His analysis leads him to conclude that “conventional” and “figurative” do not form two well-defined categories of utterances as implied by most theories of language. Rather a particular utterance may be more-or-less figurative and more-or-less conventional.
A simple conducting wire for decoupling neighbouring antennas

This communication deals with the radio-electric compatibility of antennas installed on a same platform, more precisely, on a same wall plane. These antennas, associated with various communication systems on board a vehicle (such as a ship) have to be compact and installed in a limited area. Antennas's ground plane is a limiting factor since a too small one may limit antenna performances. On the other hand, antennas must be appropriately separated to avoid coupling between them. First, we examine the design of a compact ground plane of a monopole antenna and then of a patch antenna Then, this paper investigates the role of a simple conducting wire as a solution to decouple patch antennas without significantly influencing their radiation pattern.
P2Y2 receptors induced cell surface redistribution of αv integrin is required for activation of ERK 1/2 in U937 cells

Nucleotides released from cells due to stress, injury or inflammation, induce mitogenic effects in monocytes via activation of P2Y2 nucleotide receptors (P2Y2Rs). Here we show that P2Y2 nucleotide receptors in U937 monocytic cells regulate the activation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK 1/2) by inducing the clustering of αv integrins. The activation of phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase by P2Y2R ligands was required for αv clustering, suggesting a means whereby two different classes of receptors communicate to induce mitogenic responses in monocytic cells. P2Y2R‐induced αv clustering was also associated with a flattened phenotype of the U937 cells, consistent with the role of the P2Y2R in regulating early events in cell migration. J. Cell. Physiol. 211: 410–422, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Automatic Image Annotation Using Global and Local Features

Automatic image annotation methods require a quality training image dataset, from which annotations for target images are obtained. At present, the main problem with these methods is their low effectiveness and scalability if a large-scale training dataset is used. Current methods use only global image features for search. We proposed a method to obtain annotations for target images, which is based on a novel combination of local and global features during search stage. We are able to ensure the robustness and generalization needed by complex queries and significantly eliminate irrelevant results. In our method, in analogy with text documents, the global features represent words extracted from paragraphs of a document with the highest frequency of occurrence and the local features represent key words extracted from the entire document. We are able to identify objects directly in target images and for each obtained annotation we estimate the probability of its relevance. During search, we retrieve similar images containing the correct keywords for a given target image. For example, we prioritize images where extracted objects of interest from the target images are dominant as it is more likely that words associated with the images describe the objects. We tailored our method to use large-scale image training datasets and evaluated it with the Corel5K corpus which consists of 5000 images from 50 Corel Stock Photo CDs.
Random Boolean network models and the yeast transcriptional network

The recently measured yeast transcriptional network is analyzed in terms of simplified Boolean network models, with the aim of determining feasible rule structures, given the requirement of stable solutions of the generated Boolean networks. We find that, for ensembles of generated models, those with canalyzing Boolean rules are remarkably stable, whereas those with random Boolean rules are only marginally stable. Furthermore, substantial parts of the generated networks are frozen, in the sense that they reach the same state, regardless of initial state. Thus, our ensemble approach suggests that the yeast network shows highly ordered dynamics.
Quantum effects on tachyon dynamics

We investigate the relevance of quantum effects in the study of bulk tachyon dynamics. We analyze the behavior of a system which consists of a tachyon, the graviton and the dilaton through the use of the Wheeler-DeWitt equation in the mini-superspace approximation. The singular behavior of the classical solution for the system is modified so that the quantum behavior seems to be regular.
Online Learning Without Prior Information

The vast majority of optimization and online learning algorithms today require some prior information about the data (often in the form of bounds on gradients or on the optimal parameter value). When this information is not available, these algorithms require laborious manual tuning of various hyperparameters, motivating the search for algorithms that can adapt to the data with no prior information. We describe a frontier of new lower bounds on the performance of such algorithms, reflecting a tradeoff between a term that depends on the optimal parameter value and a term that depends on the gradients' rate of growth. Further, we construct a family of algorithms whose performance matches any desired point on this frontier, which no previous algorithm reaches.
Automatic building of a visual interface for content-based multiresolution retrieval of paleontology images

In this article we present research work in the field of content-based image retrieval in large databases applied to the paleontology image database of the Universite´ de Bourgogne, Dijon, France, called ‘‘TRANS’TYFIPAL. ’’ Our indexing method is based on multiresolution decomposition of database images using wavelets. For each family of paleontology images we try to find a model image that represents it. The K-means automatic classification algorithm divides the space of parameters into several clusters. A model image for each cluster is computed from the wavelet transform of each image of the cluster. Then a search tree is built to offer users a graphic interface for retrieving images. So users have to navigate through this tree of model images to find an image similar to that they are requesting. Our contribution in the field is the building of the model and of the search tree to make user access easier and faster. At the end of this article we give experimental results and a description of future work that will be done to enhance our indexing and retrieval method.
(Re)configuration using Answer Set Programming

Reconfiguration is an important activity for companies selling configurable products or services which have a long life time. However, identification of a set of required changes in a legacy configuration is a hard problem, since even small changes in the requirements might imply significant modifications. In this paper we show a solution based on answer set programming, which is a logic-based knowledge representation formalism well suited for a compact description of (re)configuration problems. Its applicability is demonstrated on simple abstractions of several real-world scenarios. The evaluation of our solution on a set of benchmark instances derived from commercial (re)configuration problems shows practical applicability.
Simulation Model of a Military HEV With a Highly Redundant Architecture

The six-driven-wheel Electric Propulsion Demonstrator (DPE 6 × 6) is a military hybrid vehicle. Due to reliability demands, high redundancy is required, and the architecture is quite complex. A simulation model of this vehicle is proposed in this paper. The simulation model must allow the analysis of various power flows of the system. Moreover, this model has to be used to develop an efficient energy-management strategy. For these reasons, a graphical description [energetic macroscopic representation (EMR)] is used to develop the model in a systemic approach. The simulation model is, thus, described and validated from experimental results.
Criteria and methodology for identifying respiratory denitrifiers

Respiratory denitrification is not always adequately established when bacteria are characterized. We have tested a simple method that allows one to evaluate whether the two necessary criteria to claim denitrification have been met, namely, that N(inf2) or N(inf2)O is produced from nitrate or nitrite and that this reduction is coupled to a growth yield increase. Microorganisms were cultured in sealed tubes under a helium headspace and in the presence of 0, 2, 4, 7, and 10 mM nitrate or nitrite. After growth had ceased, N(inf2) and N(inf2)O were quantified by gas chromatography and the final protein concentration was measured. Net protein production was linearly related to nitrate concentration for all denitrifiers tested and ranged from 2 to 6 g of protein per mol of electron equivalent reduced. Nitrogen recovery as N(inf2) plus N(inf2)O from nitrate and nitrite transformed exceeded 80% for all denitrifiers. We also suggest that a rate of N gas production of >10 (mu)mol/min/g of protein can be used as an additional characteristic definitive of denitrification since this process produces gas more rapidly than other processes. These characteristics were established after evaluation of a variety of well-characterized respiratory denitrifiers and other N(inf2)O-producing nitrate reducers. Several poorly characterized denitrifiers were also tested and confirmed as respiratory denitrifiers, including Aquaspirillum itersonii, Aquaspirillum fasciculus, Bacillus azotoformans, and Corynebacterium nephridii. These criteria distinguished respiratory denitrifiers from other groups that reduce nitrate or produce N(inf2)O. Furthermore, they correctly identified respiratory denitrification in weak denitrifiers, a group in which the existence of this process may be overlooked.
Maternal and child's vitamin D supplement use and vitamin D level in relation to childhood lung function: the KOALA Birth Cohort Study

Background Vitamin D is associated with lung function in adults, but its relation with childhood lung function is still unclear. Objective To investigate whether prenatal and postnatal vitamin D supplementation and plasma level is associated with childhood lung function. Methods In the KOALA Birth Cohort Study, children's lung function (n=436) was measured at age 6–7 years by means of spirometry and presented as forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) z scores and forced vital capacity z scores. The mother and child's 25-hydroxyvitamin D plasma level was determined around 36 weeks of pregnancy and at age 2 years. Vitamin D supplement intake during pregnancy was defined based on the amount of vitamin D in supplements, and trimester and duration of use. Data on child's vitamin D supplement use were collected through questionnaires at ages 1, 2 and 6–7 years. Results 25-Hydroxyvitamin D level and vitamin D supplement use in childhood were not associated with lung function. Maternal use of vitamin D at <10 μg/day (adjusted beta (AdjB −0.37; 95% CI −0.69 to −0.05)), vitamin D containing multivitamin use in the second and/or third trimester (AdjB −0.26; 95% CI −0.49 to −0.03), and use for two trimesters (AdjB −0.25; 95% CI −0.49 to −0.02) were associated with a significantly lower FEV1 z score compared with no supplements. Maternal use of vitamin D at ≥10 μg/day and use in the first or all trimesters was not associated with significantly lower lung function levels. Conclusion The authors found no association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, vitamin D supplementation in childhood or recommended vitamin D dosage of ≥10 μg/day during pregnancy and lung function in children aged 6–7 years.
Essays on social capital and coordination

My dissertation explores social capital and coordinated investment using experimental methods. Chapter 1 is motivated by the observed relationship between trust attitudes and economic growth (Knack and Keefer, 1997; La Porta et al., 1997; Algan and Cahuc, 2010). I hypothesize that trust as measured in standard survey questions may be capturing the ability of people to coordinate in situations where they both stand to gain if they overcome the risk that the other will not follow suit. This result may help explain (by providing a potential mechanism) the relationship between these survey measures of trust and macroeconomic performance. Chapter 2 examines the importance that expectations of behavior are commonly understood in a coordinated investment setting. That is, how does knowing what others think about what I will do affect what I think about them, and how should I respond to these second order beliefs? Chapter 3 is a field study in collaboration with Professor Randall Walsh. We explore the causal impact of trust on investment. We study how quasi-experimental shifts in trust attitudes caused by proximity to crime affect survey respondents' trust attitudes and investment behavior in incentivized tasks.