Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A voice activated dialogue system for fast-food restaurant applications

We present a preliminary version of a voice dialogue system suitable to deal with client orders and questions in fast-food restaurants. The system consists of two main sub-systems, namely a dialogue sub-system and a voice interface. The dialogue sub-system is a natural language processing system that may be considered a rule-based expert system, whose behaviour is decided from a recorded dialogue corpus obtained at a real restaurant. In this paper we present a general description of both sub-systems, and focus on knowledge representation, grammar, and module structure of the dialogue sub-system. An introduction to the natural language generation mechanism used is introduced, and future work is mentioned. Finally some conclusions are shown.
New methods for the surveillance of HIV drug resistance in the resource poor world

Purpose of review As antiretroviral therapy scale-up proceeds in developing countries, simple and inexpensive procedures are required to monitor the prevalence and transmission of drug-resistant HIV strains to ensure optimal use of antiviral therapy. This article reviews new surveillance methods and practices used to monitor drug resistance in the developing world. Recent findings Several recently published studies report the successful development of methods using dried blood spots, collected on filter paper, for HIV drug resistance genotyping tests. In concert to antiretroviral therapy rollout, the WHO has developed a laboratory network and sought to implement surveillance of transmitted drug resistance in developing countries. A small number of developing world prevalence studies have thus far been published using dried blood spots. These studies reveal low rates of transmitted drug resistance. Other studies indicate that the use of dried blood spots for HIV drug resistance surveillance may possibly lead to overestimates. Summary The use of dried blood spots as a method of specimen collection and storage is simple, inexpensive and is an appropriate technique for the surveillance of transmitted HIV drug resistance.
Degraded two-message multicast over graphs

We consider communication of two degraded message sets over graphs where a common source sends two prioritized messages (a common and a private message) to several receivers. All receivers require the common message and a subset of the receivers require both the common and private messages. In this paper, we consider the case where all but two of the receivers require both messages. We provide an outer-bound on the rate region that depends on graph properties. We prove that this bound is achievable by using carefully selected linear operations at the network nodes. The achievability proof is built on our result in [14] and is illustrating potential connections of communication over deterministic channels and communication over graphs.
Short paths in ε-regular pairs and small diameter decompositions of dense graphs

Since its discovery in ∧ the late 1970s, the Szemerédi Regularity Lemma has been a powerful tool in modern graph theory. 2 Roughly speaking, this deep result from [1] provides a decomposition of every large graph into bipartite subgraphs most of 3 which are ε-regular pairs. Thus, naturally, there has been a growing interest in studying the properties of such graphs (see, 4 e.g., [2–9]). 5 The goal of this paper is two-fold. First, in Section 3 we broaden our knowledge on ε-regular pairs by determining the 6 minimum degree of vertices that guarantees small diameter. It is quite easy to show (cf. Observation 3.1) that in an ε7 regular pair of order 2n and density d ≥ ε every two vertices of degree at least εn are connected by a short path. However, 8 our main result in this direction (Theorem 3.5) shows that this bound can be replaced by a quantity of order (ε2/d)n, which 9 is essentially optimal. 10 The other result proved in this paper deals with graph decomposition into subgraphs of small diameter. Such 11 decompositions have a potential application in distributed computing (see, e.g., [10]). Here we approximate a given graph 12 by a union of subgraphs with small diameter. It is easy to prove (cf. Proposition 4.1), that for every γ > 0, the set of all but 13 at most γ n2 edges of every n-vertex graph G can be split into no more than 1/γ subgraphs with diameter bounded from 14 above by 3/γ . In Theorem 4.5, using the Szemerédi Regularity Lemma, we push the diameter down to four ∧ at the cost of an 15 increase in the number of parts of the decomposition. 16 Similar results for quasi-random 3-uniform hypergraphs have been proved in [11]. 17
Urban change detection in the Helsinki metropolitan region using Radarsat-1 fine beam SAR images

This paper describes the potential of Radarsat-1 fine beam intensity SAR images in urban mapping and change detection. The main objective was to determine the possibility of building detection e.g. as a function of height, orientation, roof material and roof type in the Helsinki metropolitan region. Altogether, 22235 buildings were used to estimate the effect of height, and then 14270 buildings were used to estimate the effect of orientation. Additionally, a smaller and more detained set of buildings was selected from various environments e.g. from forested and dense urban areas. It was shown that height and orientation were the main factors affecting on the detectability of the buildings. The results indicate that approximately 39% of the buildings can be detected using the Radarsat-1 SAR; densely build up areas are clearly visible in Radarsat fine beam images, but in small-house areas buildings that are surrounded by forest are visible only in very rare cases.
Manipulation of cholesterol levels in rod disk membranes by methyl-beta-cyclodextrin: effects on receptor activation.

The effect of cholesterol on rod outer segment disk membrane structure and rhodopsin activation was investigated. Disk membranes with varying cholesterol concentrations were prepared using methyl-beta-cyclodextrin as a cholesterol donor or acceptor. Cholesterol exchange followed a simple equilibrium partitioning model with a partition coefficient of 5.2 +/- 0.8 in favor of the disk membrane. Reduced cholesterol in disk membranes resulted in a higher proportion of photolyzed rhodopsin being converted to the G protein-activating metarhodopsin II (MII) conformation, whereas enrichment of cholesterol reduced the extent of MII formation. Time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy measurements using 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene showed that increasing cholesterol reduced membrane acyl chain packing free volume as characterized by the parameter f(v). The level of MII formed showed a positive linear correlation with f(v) over the range of 4 to 38 mol % cholesterol. In addition, the thermal stability of rhodopsin increased with mol % of cholesterol in disk membranes. No evidence was observed for the direct interaction of cholesterol with rhodopsin in either its agonist- or antagonist-bound form. These results indicate that cholesterol mediates the function of the G protein-coupled receptor, rhodopsin, by influencing membrane lipid properties, i.e. reducing acyl chain packing free volume, rather than interacting specifically with rhodopsin.
Transposition of a Rice Mutator-Like Element in the Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In this system, modification of the transposase alters the transposition frequency of Mutator-like elements, and the element size and target site duplication affect the frequency of precise excision. Mutator-like transposable elements (MULEs) are widespread in plants and are well known for their high transposition activity as well as their ability to duplicate and amplify host gene fragments. Despite their abundance and importance, few active MULEs have been identified. In this study, we demonstrated that a rice (Oryza sativa) MULE, Os3378, is capable of excising and reinserting in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), suggesting that yeast harbors all the host factors for the transposition of MULEs. The transposition activity induced by the wild-type transposase is low but can be altered by modification of the transposase sequence, including deletion, fusion, and substitution. Particularly, fusion of a fluorescent protein to the transposase enhanced the transposition activity, representing another approach to manipulate transposases. Moreover, we identified a critical region in the transposase where the net charge of the amino acids seems to be important for activity. Finally, transposition efficiency is also influenced by the element and its flanking sequences (i.e., small elements are more competent than their large counterparts). Perfect target site duplication is favorable, but not required, for precise excision. In addition to the potential application in functional genomics, this study provides the foundation for further studies of the transposition mechanism of MULEs.
Analog parameters on pMOS SOI Ω-gate nanowire down to 10 nm width for different back gate bias

This paper shows for the first time, the influence of back gate bias (VB) in some analog parameters on pMOS Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI) omega-gate nanowire (ΩG-NW) devices down to 10 nm width (W). An excellent electrostatic control is observed in devices down to 40 nm of channel length. The saturated transconductance slightly increase while the output conductance slightly decrease with VB increment, resulting in an increase of intrinsic voltage gain (AV) up to 30% for wider devices.
Modeling of negative bias temperature instability

Negative bias temperature instability is regarded as one of the most important reliability concerns of highly scaled PMOS transistors. As a consequence of the continuous downscaling of semiconductor devices this issue has become even more important over the last couple of years due to the high electric fields in the oxide and the routine incorporation of nitrogen. During negative bias temperature stress a shift in important parameters of PMOS transistors, such as the threshold voltage, subthreshold slope, and mobility is observed. Modeling efforts date back to the reaction-diffusion model proposed by Jeppson and Svensson thirty years ago which has been continuously refined since then. Although the reaction-diffusion model is able to explain many experimentally observed characteristics, some microscopic details are still not well understood. Recently, various alternative explanations have been put forward, some of them extending, some of them contradicting the standard reaction-diffusion model. We review these explanations with a special focus on modeling issues. Keywords— reliability, negative bias temperature instability, modeling, simulation, hydrogen, silicon dioxide, defects, interface states, semiconductor device equations.
Fixed vs. self-adaptive crossover first differential evolution

Although the Differential Evolution (DE) algorithm is a powerfuland commonly used stochastic evolutionary-based optimizer for solvingnon-linear, continuous optimization problems, it has a highly uncon-ventional order of genetic operations when compared against canonicalevolutionary-based optimizers whereby in DE, mutation is conductedfirst before crossover. This has led us to investigate both a fixed aswell as self-adaptive crossover-first version of DE, of which the fixedversion has yielded statistically significant improvements to its perfor-mance when solving two particular classes of continuous optimizationproblems. The self-adaptive version of this crossover-first DE was alsoobserved to be producing optimization results which were superior thanthe conventional DE.
Association between renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system blockade and future osteoporotic fracture risk in hypertensive population

Abstract Tissue renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) activation in sites of osteoporosis had been demonstrated in animal studies; however, the possibility of RAAS blockade to prevent future osteoporotic fracture had rarely been verified in clinical studies. We Used the Taiwan Longitudinal Health insurance database 2000 to 2008, the cohort study comprised patients age over 40 with a recorded new diagnosis of hypertension between January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2008, in addition, patients who had diagnosis of osteoporosis before the date of cohort enter were excluded. After the definite diagnosis of hypertension, each patient was followed until osteoporotic fracture happened or the end of 2008. The occurrence of osteoporotic fracture was evaluated in patients who either were or without taking RAAS blockade agents. Cox proportional hazard regressions were used to evaluate the osteoporotic fracture incidence after adjusting for known confounding factors. In total, 57,132 hypertensive patients comprised the study cohort. Our study results showed that the incidence of osteoporosis fracture in the whole cohort was significantly higher in the RAAS blockade non-user group than the user group. This phenomenon was observed in both sex and all age categories. Sensitivity analysis further showed the concordant lower osteoporosis fracture risk in patients with various RAAS blockers usage durations; the risk of osteoporosis fracture was the lowest in those drug use >365 days when compared with the non-user cohort. In conclusion, our study result demonstrated the lower future osteoporotic fracture risk in hypertensive subjects who received long term RAAS blocker treatment.
Nondiversification Traps in Catastrophe Insurance Markets

We develop a model for markets for catastrophic risk. The model explains why insurance providers may choose not to offer insurance for catastrophic risks and not to participate in reinsurance markets, even though there is a large enough market capacity to reach full risk sharing through diversification in a reinsurance market. This is a “nondiversification trap. ” We show that nondiversification traps may arise when risk distributions have heavy left tails and insurance providers have limited liability. When they are present, there may be a coordination role for a centralized agency to ensure that risk sharing takes place.
Reducing surface cracking in hot charged HSLA cast slabs by surface quenching prior to hot charging – experimental study on heat transfer behaviour

Surface quenching of cast slabs between casting and hot charging to prevent the occurrence of surface cracks in high strength low-alloy steel slabs has been investigated. In order to accurately control the quenching process and obtain the desired cooling rate, an experimental study on the heat transfer behaviour of a high temperature slab cooled by a water nozzle was performed. The surface temperature and heat transfer flux were calculated using a two-dimensional transient inverse heat conduction model, based on the finite element method. The effect of the water flowrate and inclination of the spray on the heat transfer is discussed. Based on a regression analysis of the experimental data, the heat transfer coefficient is provided as a function of slab temperature and water flow density. A surface quenching trial with a water flowrate of 46 m3 h−1 was conducted in a steel mill. Good correlation was found between the temperature predicted using the proposed heat transfer coefficient and the temperature measured during the surface quenching process.
A high directivity patch antenna using a PBG cover together with a PBG substrate

A high directivity patch antenna using a photonic bandgap (PBG) cover together with a PBG substrate is designed. The input return loss, radiation pattern and directivity of this antenna are studied by the finite-difference time-domain method. The directivity of the PBG antenna is greatly improved. Experimental results are also reported to verify the design.
Thermal behavior of thermoplastic polymer nanocomposites containing graphene nanoplatelets

Polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) nanocomposites filled with 5 wt % of two different kinds of commercially available graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) were prepared. Composites materials were characterized in terms of thermal properties (thermal conductivity and thermal stability) in order to study the effect of different fillers within different thermoplastic matrices. The exfoliation process and the mechanical properties were also investigated. We chose three different thermoplastic polymers (polyolefin, copolymer and elastomer) to cover a wide range of thermoplastic materials and identify a guideline in the use of GNPs for nanocomposite materials. No drastic differences were observed in terms of mechanical properties when the same matrices were filled with different GNPs. Concerning thermal conductivity, it was observed that the GNPs plane dimensions play a crucial role in the increase of conductive properties. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44814.
Indoor wLAN Planning with a QoS constraint based on a Markovian Performance Evaluation Model

This paper proposes an automatic base station planning approach. This approach does not only try to assess usual objectives such as radio coverage, but further implements a quality of service (QoS) constraint. This criterion is here defined as the mean available bandwidth per user. Its computation takes the medium access control (MAC) layer behavior, the multiple bit rates of IEEE 802.11b and the coverage area of each access point (AP) into account. A Markov chain is used to evaluate the available bandwidth of each cell independently. This is sensible because a non-overlapping criterion between cells is used during the planning phase to avoid interference between adjacent cells. The planning process estimates an optimal number of APs and their placement minimizing an aggregate criterion using a Tabu meta-heuristic. The AP's coverage is estimated with a powerful multi-resolution radio propagation simulator previously described. This paper presents results for a QoS oriented planning process providing a predefined minimum peruser throughput. The example provided herein applies for 100 users distributed over a 12600 m 2 building floor
Two-dimensional large-scale bandgap-tunable monolayer MoS2(1−x)Se2x/graphene heterostructures for phototransistors

Tuning the bandgap of thin-layered two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide (2D TMDCs) nanocrystals by controlling their composition or structure is considered to be an important method of tailoring light absorption, electron transition and carrier mobility. However, the large-scale synthesis of TMDs with a tunable bandgap on graphene remains challenging owing to the difficulty in controlling the uniformity of the layer thickness. Herein, we report the large-area synthesis of a uniform monolayer MoS2(1−x)Se2x film on a monolayer graphene using low-pressure chemical vapour deposition to realize a 2D heterostructure. The resultant centimetre-scale monolayer MoS2(1−x)Se2x film on graphene showed a highly crystalline structure and a tunable bandgap from 1.82 eV to 1.66 eV, which could be controlled by tuning the atomic ratio of S to Se. A phototransistor with the MoS2(1−x)Se2x/graphene heterostructure exhibited a high responsivity of 40.64 mA W−1 under light irradiation of 465 nm with good stability up to 50 cycles. A high photocurrent arose from the efficient charge transfer from MoS2(1−x)Se2x to graphene with a high carrier mobility based on the good electronic interaction. Thus, the large-scale high-quality bandgap-tunable MoS2(1−x)Se2x/graphene heterostructure with controllable structures and electronic properties could be developed and integrated into advanced optoelectronic devices.
Effects of biphasic calcium phosphate bone substitute on circumferential bone defects around dental implants in dogs.

PURPOSE Resolution of defects surrounding dental implants can be achieved through the placement of rough-surfaced implants with bone substitutes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of biphasic calcium phosphates (BCP) on the healing of circumferential bone defects surrounding dental implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS The premolars were removed in four mongrel dogs, and three different types of experimental sites were created: BCP, control, and ungrafted sites. In all groups, implants were placed in the edentulous area. In the BCP group, gap defects with 2-mm diameters were surgically created around each implant and the defects were filled with BCP bone substitute. In the control group, gap defects were not made around the implants. In the sham surgery group, gap defects were prepared but were not filled with BCP bone substitute. The defects were evaluated histologically and histometrically after 8 and 16 weeks. One-way analysis of variance and the independent t test were used for statistical analysis (α = .01). RESULTS Histometric measurements in the groups after 8 weeks showed the smallest remaining defect depths (RDDs) in the control group (17%). The RDD in the BCP group (39%) was greater than in the control group, and the ungrafted sites group had the greatest RDD (62%). There was no difference in bone-to-implant contact among the groups. Histometric measurements at 16 weeks showed that the RDD in the ungrated sites group (57%) was greater than in both the control (12%) and the BCP (31%) groups. CONCLUSION Within the limitations of this study, BCP bone substitute contributed to defect resolution and maintained space for new bone ingrowth before 8 weeks. No additional contribution to defect resolution by BCP was found after 8 weeks.
Coordination of Diabetes Care in Four Delivery Models Using an Electronic Health Record

Background:Care coordination is essential to effective chronic care, but knowledge of processes by which health care professionals coordinate their activities when caring for chronically ill patients is limited. Electronic health records (EHRs) are expected to facilitate coordination of care, but whether they do so completely—and under what conditions—is not well understood. Objectives:To identify processes by which providers worked together to provide care using an EHR and to examine factors supporting coordination of care. Design:Qualitative multiple case study in 4 sites with diverse care delivery models, using semi-structured in-person interviews with 46 physicians and staff and telephone interviews with 65 adult patients with diabetes. Setting:Four Kaiser Permanente medical centers. Results:Across all care models, physicians and staff acted sequentially as loosely coupled links in a chain, relying on EHR-enabled informational continuity to coordinate care. Of providers, 94% were highly satisfied with the availability of patient information, and 89% of patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the coordination of their care. However, 6 of 65 patients described experiences of uncoordinated care, and 5 of 12 primary care providers identified coordination issues. These pertained to unreconciled differences of opinion, conflicting role expectations, and discipline-specific views of patient needs. Conclusions:Diabetes care can be coordinated across providers, but some coordination issues persist despite the informational continuity provided by an EHR. Multidisciplinary care teams should be alert to potential coordination challenges, and possible solutions should be explored, including longitudinal care planning with structured communications at key points in care.
DNA methyl transferases are differentially expressed in the human anterior eye segment

DNA methylation is an epigenetic mark involved in the control of genes expression. Abnormal epigenetic events have been reported in human pathologies but weakly documented in eye diseases. The purpose of this study was to establish DNMT mRNA and protein expression levels in the anterior eye segment tissues and their related (primary or immortalized) cell cultures as a first step towards future in vivo and in vitro methylomic studies.