Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficient integration of hierarchical knowledge sources and the estimation of semantic confidences for automatic speech interpretation

This thesis presents a system for the interpretation of natural speech which serves as input module for a spoken dialog system. It carries out the task of extracting application-specific pieces of information from the user utterance in order to pass them to the control module of the dialog system. By following the approach of integrating speech recognition and speech interpretation, the system is able to determine the spoken word sequence together with the hierarchical utterance structure that is necessary for the extraction of information directly from the recorded speech signal. The efficient implementation of the underlying decoder is based on the powerful tool of weighted finite state transducers (WFSTs). This tool allows to compile all involved knowledge sources into an optimized network representation of the search space which is constructed dynamically during the ongoing decoding process. In addition to the best-matching result, the integrated decoder architecture allows to determine grammatical alternatives which are exploited to estimate semantic confidence values for the extracted pieces of information. This new method improves the robustness against interpretation errors without requiring any additional knowledge source.
Novel 6p21.3 Risk Haplotype Predisposes to Acute Coronary Syndrome

Background—The HLA-DRB1*01 allele of the human leukocyte antigen has been associated with acute coronary syndrome. Genome-wide association studies have revealed associations with human leukocyte antigen and non–human leukocyte antigen genes of 3 major histocompatibility complex gene classes but not at allelic level. Methods and Results—We conducted a large-scale genetic analysis on a case–control cohort comprising 5376 acute coronary syndrome cases and 4852 unrelated controls from 4 populations of 2 European countries. We analyzed the risk candidate allele of HLA-DRB1*01 by genomic real-time polymerase chain reaction together with high-density single nucleotide polymorphisms of the major histocompatibility complex to precisely identify risk loci for acute coronary syndrome with effective clinical implications. We found a risk haplotype for the disease containing single nucleotide polymorphisms from BTNL2 and HLA-DRA genes and the HLA-DRB1*01 allele. The association of the haplotype appeared in 3 of the 4 populations, and the direction of the effect was consistent in the fourth. Coronary samples from subjects homozygous for the disease-associated haplotype showed higher BTNL2 mRNA levels (r=0.760; P<0.00001). We localized, with immunofluorescence staining, BTNL2 in CD68-positive macrophages of the coronary artery plaques. In homozygous cases, BTNL2 blocking, in T-cell stimulation assays, enhanced CD4+FOXP3+ regulatory T cell proliferation significantly (blocking versus nonblocking; P<0.05). Conclusions—In cases with the risk haplotype for acute coronary syndrome, these results suggest involvement of enhanced immune reactions. BTNL2 may have an inhibitory effect on FOXP3+ T cell proliferation, especially in patients homozygous for the risk alleles. Clinical Trial Registration—https://www.clinicaltrials. gov; Unique Identifier: NCT00417534.
ULTRA-DEEP MID-INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY OF LUMINOUS INFRARED GALAXIES AT z∼ 1 AND z ∼ 2

We present ultra-deep mid-infrared spectra of 48 infrared-luminous galaxies in the GOODS-south field obtained with the Infrared Spectrograph on the Spitzer Space Telescope. These galaxies are selected among faint infrared sources (0.14–0.5 mJy at 24 μm) in two redshift bins (0.76–1.05 and 1.75–2.4) to sample the major contributors to the cosmic infrared background at the most active epochs. We estimate redshifts for 92% of the sample using polycyclic aromatic (PAH) and Si absorption features obtaining, in particular, eight new redshifts difficult to measure from ground-based observations. Only a few of these galaxies (5% at z ∼ 1 and 12% at z ∼ 2) have their total infrared luminosity dominated by emission from active galactic nuclei (AGNs). The averaged mid-IR spectrum of the z ∼ 1 luminous infrared galaxies (LIRGs) is a very good match to the averaged spectrum of local starbursts. The averaged spectrum of the z ∼ 2 ultra-luminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs), because of a deeper Si absorption, is better fitted by the averaged spectrum of H ii-like local ULIRGs. Combining this sample with other published data, we find that 6.2 μm PAH equivalent widths (EW) reach a plateau of ∼ 1 μm for L24 μm ≲ 1011 L☉. At higher luminosities, EW6.2 μm anti-correlates with L24 μm. Intriguingly, high-z ULIRGs and sub-millimeter galaxies (SMGs) lie above the local EW6.2 μm–L24 μm relationship suggesting that, at a given luminosity, high-z ULIRGs have AGN contributions to their dust emission lower than those of local counterparts. A quantitative analysis of their morphology shows that most of the luminous IR galaxies have morphologies similar to those of IR-quiet galaxies at the same redshift. All z ∼ 2 ULIRGs of our sample are IR-excess BzK galaxies and most of them have LFIR/L1600 Å ratios higher than those of starburst galaxies at a given UV slope. The “IR excess” is mostly due to strong 7.7 μm PAH emission and underestimation of UV dust extinction. On the basis of the AGN-powered L6 μm continuum measured directly from the mid-IR spectra, we estimate an average intrinsic X-ray AGN luminosity of L2−10 keV = (0.1± 0.6)× 1043 erg s−1, a value substantially lower than the prediction by Daddi et al.
A Deep Learning-Based Satellite Target Recognition Method Using Radar Data

A novel satellite target recognition method based on radar data partition and deep learning techniques is proposed in this paper. For the radar satellite recognition task, orbital altitude is introduced as a distinct and accessible feature to divide radar data. On this basis, we design a new distance metric for HRRPs called normalized angular distance divided by correlation coefficient (NADDCC), and a hierarchical clustering method based on this distance metric is applied to segment the radar observation angular domain. Using the above technology, the radar data partition is completed and multiple HRRP data clusters are obtained. To further mine the essential features in HRRPs, a GRU-SVM model is designed and firstly applied for radar HRRP target recognition. It consists of a multi-layer GRU neural network as a deep feature extractor and linear SVM as a classifier. By training, GRU neural network successfully extracts effective and highly distinguishable features of HRRPs, and feature visualization technology shows its advantages. Furthermore, the performance testing and comparison experiments also demonstrate that GRU neural network possesses better comprehensive performance for HRRP target recognition than LSTM neural network and conventional RNN, and the recognition performance of our method is almost better than that of other several common feature extraction methods or no data partition.
SYMPLECTIC FIELD THEORY APPROACH TO STUDYING ERGODIC MEASURES RELATED WITH NONAUTONOMOUS HAMILTONIAN SYSTEMS

An approach to studying ergodic properties of time-dependent periodic Hamiltonian flows on symplectic metric manifolds is developed. Such flows have applications in mechanics and mathematical physics. Based both on J. Mather’s results [9] about homology of probability invariant measures minimizing some Lagrangian functionals and on the symplectic field theory devised by A. Floer and others [3]–[8],[12, 15] for investigating symplectic actions and Lagrangian submanifold intersections, an analog of Mather’s β–function is constructed subject to a Hamiltonian flow reduced invariantly upon some compact neighborhood of a Lagrangian submanifold. Some results on stable and unstable manifolds to hyperbolic periodic orbits having applications in the theory of adiabatic invariants of slowly perturbed integrable Hamiltonian systems are stated within the Gromov-SalamonZehnder [3, 5, 12] elliptic techniques in symplectic geometry. Introduction. The past years have given rise to several exciting developments in the field of symplectic geometry and dynamical systems [3]–[12], which introduced new mathematical tools and concepts suitable for solving numerous problems wich were earlier intractable. When studying periodic solutions to non-autonomous Hamiltonian systems, Salamon & Zehnder [3] developed a proper Morse theory for infinite dimensional loop manifolds based on previous results on symplectic geometry of Lagrangian submanifolds of Floer [4, 6]. Investigating at the same time ergodic measures related with Lagrangian dynamical systems on tangent spaces to configuration manifolds, Mather [9] 1991 Mathematics Subject Classification. 37A05, 37B35, 37C40, 37C60, 37J10, 37J40, 37J45.
Sox genes regulate type 2 collagen expression in avian neural crest cells

Neural crest cells give rise to a wide variety of cell types, including cartilage cells in the cranium and neurons and glial cells in the peripheral nervous system. To examine the relationship of cartilage differentiation and neural crest differentiation, we examined the expression of Col2a1, which encodes type 2 collagen often used as a cartilage marker, and compared it with the expression of Sox transcription factor genes, which are involved in neural crest development and chondrogenesis. We found that Col2a1 is expressed in many neural crest‐derived cell types along with combinations of Sox9, Sox10 and LSox5. Overexpression studies reveal the activation of Col2a1 expression by Sox9 and Sox10, and cross‐regulation of these Sox genes. Luciferase assay indicates a direct activation of the Col2a1 enhancer/promoter both by Sox9 and Sox10, and this activation is further enhanced by cAMP‐dependent kinase (PKA) signaling. Our study suggests that the regulatory mechanisms are similar in cartilage and neural crest differentiation.
Antimony-Based Antileishmanial Compounds Prolong the Cardiac Action Potential by an Increase in Cardiac Calcium Currents

Antimonial agents are a mainstay for the treatment of leishmaniasis, a group of protozoal diseases that includes visceral leishmaniasis, or Kala Azar. Chemotherapy with trivalent potassium antimony tartrate (PAT) and, more importantly, pentavalent antimony-carbohydrate complexes, such as sodium stibogluconate (SSG), has been reported to prolong the QT interval and produce life-threatening arrhythmias. PAT is chemically related to As2O3, which alters cardiac excitability by inhibition of human ether a-go-go related gene (hERG) trafficking and an increase of cardiac calcium currents. In this study, we report that PAT does not block hERG currents on short-term exposure but reduces current density on long-term exposure (IC50, 11.8 μM) and inhibits hERG maturation on Western blots (IC50, 62 μM). Therapeutic concentrations of 0.3 μM PAT increase cardiac calcium currents from -4.8 ± 0.7 to -7.3 ± 0.5 pA/pF at 10 mV. In marked contrast, pentavalent SSG, the drug of choice for the treatment of leishmaniasis, did not affect hERG/IKr or any other cardiac potassium current at therapeutic concentrations. However, both cardiac sodium and calcium currents were significantly increased on long-term exposure to 30 μM SSG in isolated guinea pig ventricular myocytes. We propose that the increase in calcium currents from -3.2 ± 0.3 to -5.1 ± 0.3 pA/pF at 10 mV prolongs APD90 from 464 ± 35 to 892 ± 64 ms. Our data suggest that conversion of Sb(V) into active Sb(III) in patients produces a common mode of action for antimonial drugs, which define a novel compound class that increases cardiac risk not by a reduction of hERG/IKr currents but—for the first time—by an increase in cardiac calcium currents.
A CMOS photodiode array with in-pixel data acquisition system for computed tomography

A CMOS photodetector array with in-pixel electronics has been developed for computed tomography (CT) applications. Current CT detectors are based on two discrete components: a photodiode array and a data acquisition system (amplifier). Both elements have to fulfill a series of severe requirements. CT scanners are moving toward larger detectors and higher speed, and yet lowering costs and improving performance. This contribution relates to the integration of both elements into a standard CMOS process to fulfill future CT scanner specifications and for a cost-effective solution. A series of limitations have been overcome to integrate both the photodiode and a charge-sensing amplifier at pixel level. In order to balance the limited responsivity of standard CMOS photodiodes, a new low-capacitance device has been devised so that low-noise design is possible while providing enough gain in the amplifier. Since a good geometric detective quantum efficiency is desired (>60%), the available area for electronics is very limited. In order to achieve a necessary dynamic range of 17 bits in such reduced area, a single-stage amplifier with automatic gain-switching has been devised. Consisting of a 10/spl times/20 pixel array, in-pixel electronics has been designed to achieve a quantum limited system under CT operating conditions.
The identification of trans-associations between prostate cancer GWAS SNPs and RNA expression differences in tumor-adjacent stroma

Here we tested the hypothesis that SNPs associated with prostate cancer risk, might differentially affect RNA expression in prostate cancer stroma. The most significant 35 SNP loci were selected from Genome Wide Association (GWA) studies of ~40,000 patients. We also selected 4030 transcripts previously associated with prostate cancer diagnosis and prognosis. eQTL analysis was carried out by a modified BAYES method to analyze the associations between the risk variants and expressed transcripts jointly in a single model. We observed 47 significant associations between eight risk variants and the expression patterns of 46 genes. This is the first study to identify associations between multiple SNPs and multiple in trans gene expression differences in cancer stroma. Potentially, a combination of SNPs and associated expression differences in prostate stroma may increase the power of risk assessment for individuals, and for cancer progression.
Cloning of pcB and pcA Gene from Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis and Expression of a Fluorescent Phycocyanin in Heterologous Host

In order to study the assembly mechanism of phycocyanin in red algae, the apo-phycocyanin genes (pcB and pcA) were cloned from Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis. The full length of phycocyanin β-subunit (pcB) contained 519 nucleotides encoding a protein of 172 amino acids, and the full length of phycocyanin α-subunit(pcA) contained 489 nucleotides encoding a protein of 162 amino acids. Expression vector pACYCDuet-pcB-pcA was constructed and transformed into E. coli BL21 with pET-ho-pcyA (containing ho and pcyA gene to synthesize phycocyanobilin). The recombinant strain showed fluorescence activity, indicating the expression of optically active phycocyanin in E. coli. To further investigate the possible binding sites between phycocyanobilin and apo-phycocyanin, Cys-82 and Cys-153 of the β subunit and the Cys-84 of the α subunit were respectively mutated, and four mutants were obtained. All mutant strains had lower fluorescence intensity than the non-mutant strains, which indicated that these mutation sites could be the active binding sites between apo-phycocyanin and phycocyanobilin (PCB). This research provides a supplement for the comprehensive understanding of the assembly mechanism of optically active phycocyanin in red algae.
RCC1 isoforms differ in their affinity for chromatin, molecular interactions and regulation by phosphorylation

RCC1 is the guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Ran GTPase. Generation of Ran-GTP by RCC1 on chromatin provides a spatial signal that directs nucleocytoplasmic transport, mitotic spindle assembly and nuclear envelope formation. We show that RCC1 is expressed in human cells as at least three isoforms, named RCC1α, RCC1β and RCC1γ, which are expressed at different levels in specific tissues. The β and γ isoforms contain short inserts in their N-terminal regions (NTRs) that are not present in RCC1α. This region mediates interaction with chromatin, binds importin α3 and/or importin β, and contains regulatory phosphorylation sites. RCC1γ is predominantly localised to the nucleus and mitotic chromosomes like RCC1α. However, compared to RCC1α, RCC1γ has a greatly reduced interaction with an importin α3-β and a stronger interaction with chromatin that is mediated by the extended NTR. RCC1γ is also the isoform that is most highly phosphorylated at serine 11 in mitosis. Unlike RCC1α, RCC1γ supports cell proliferation in tsBN2 cells more efficiently when serine 11 is mutated to non-phosphorylatable alanine. Phosphorylation of RCC1γ therefore specifically controls its function during mitosis. These results show that human RCC1 isoforms have distinct chromatin binding properties, different molecular interactions, and are selectively regulated by phosphorylation, as determined by their different NTRs.
OVERWINTERING AND ESTABLISHMENT POTENTIAL OF BAGOUS AFFINIS ( COLEOPTERA : CURCULIONIDAE ) ON HYDRILLA VERTICILLATA ( HYDROCHARITACEAE ) IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Bagous affinis Hustache (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) has potential as a biological control agent for subterranean turions (also called tubers) of hydrilla ( Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle; Hydrocharitaceae). The ability of B. affinis to overwinter and establish was investigated at 2 sites in northern California; a pond in Calaveras County and the Chowchilla River in Madera County. In cage studies conducted at the pond, B. affinis survived the winter for 2 seasons. After releases at the pond, B. affinis successfully reproduced and survived during the summer of 1992. Weevil larvae had damaged both sentinel and native tubers at the site. In the spring, following the
Chironomus ramosus larvae exhibit DNA damage control in response to gamma radiation

Purpose: Chironomus ramosus is one of the recently reported radiotolerant insects. Salivary gland cells of fourth instar larvae respond to ionizing radiations with increases in the levels of antioxidant enzymes and chaperone proteins. Here we made an attempt to study the state of nuclear DNA after exposure of larvae to a lethal dose for 20% of the population (LD20) of gamma radiation (2200 Gy, at a dose rate 5.5 Gy/min). Materials and methods: Genomic DNA preparations were subjected to competitive ELISA (Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) for detection of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) to monitor any radiation-induced damage. Single salivary gland cells were subjected to alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (ASCGE), comet assay and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to check for DNA double-strand breaks. Results: Results from all four experimental procedures confirmed damage of nucleobases and fragmentation of nuclear DNA immediately after radiation. Some 48 h after radiation exposure, modified 8-oxodG residues returned to basal level, homodispersity of genomic DNA reappeared, the length of comet tail regressed significantly (ASCGE) and PFGE pattern matched with that of high molecular weight unirradiated DNA. Conclusion: Chironomus ramosus larvae showed control of DNA damage as observed over 48 h in post irradiation recovery which could be attributed to their ability to tolerate gamma radiation stress.
Secondary Lymphoid Tissue Chemokine Mediates T Cell-Dependent Antitumor Responses In Vivo1

Secondary lymphoid tissue chemokine (SLC, also referred to as Exodus 2 or 6Ckine) is a recently identified high endothelial-derived CC chemokine. The ability of SLC to chemoattract both Th1 lymphocytes and dendritic cells formed the rationale to evaluate this chemokine in cancer immunotherapy. Intratumoral injection of recombinant SLC evidenced potent antitumor responses and led to complete tumor eradication in 40% of treated mice. SLC-mediated antitumor responses were lymphocyte dependent as evidenced by the fact that this therapy did not alter tumor growth in SCID mice. Studies performed in CD4 and CD8 knockout mice also revealed a requirement for both CD4 and CD8 lymphocyte subsets for SLC-mediated tumor regression. In immunocompetent mice, intratumoral SLC injection led to a significant increase in CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes and dendritic cells, infiltrating both the tumor and the draining lymph nodes. These cell infiltrates were accompanied by the enhanced elaboration of Th1 cytokines and chemokines monokine induced by IFN-γ and IFN-γ-inducible protein 10 but a concomitant decrease in immunosuppressive cytokines at the tumor site. In response to irradiated autologous tumor, splenic and lymph node-derived cells from SLC-treated tumor-bearing mice secreted significantly more IFN-γ, GM-CSF, and IL-12 and reduced levels of IL-10 than did diluent-treated tumor-bearing mice. After stimulation with irradiated autologous tumor, lymph node-derived lymphocytes from SLC-treated tumor-bearing mice demonstrated enhanced cytolytic capacity, suggesting the generation of systemic immune responses. These findings provide a strong rationale for further evaluation of SLC in tumor immunity and its use in cancer immunotherapy.
VPAP: VBR Pattern Aware Playback Buffering for video streaming

When media is streamed over networks that only provide best-effort delivery, playback interruptions caused by variations of network throughput can be largely eliminated by using techniques such as client-side playback buffering. A larger buffer generally provides stronger protection against playback interruptions, since it accommodates a wider range of download rate variability. However, larger buffers also incur longer start-up delays, and longer delays in re-buffering, should a playback interruption occur. In this paper, we propose a scheme that enables the client-side player to dynamically calculate the minimum possible playback buffer that it needs given an estimation of network throughput, and may thus allow an earlier start to playback, while avoiding buffer under-runs. We have confirmed that a number of popular, real-world videos—encoded using Variable bitrate (VBR) schemes—contain bitrate patterns that allow them to safely start playback earlier than their average bitrate metadata would suggest. Our scheme augments each video stream so that client-side software can use a model of the network throughput to determine whether it can safely start playback early. We tested the proposed scheme against two popular media players using real video sequences. Among the tested videos, in the best case, our scheme could start playback with less than 1% of the delay incurred by one of the tested players, while still avoiding buffer under-runs.
Embracing wireless interference: analog network coding

Traditionally, interference is considered harmful. Wireless networks strive to avoid scheduling multiple transmissions at the same time in order to prevent interference. This paper adopts the opposite approach; it encourages strategically picked senders to interfere. Instead of forwarding packets, routers forward the interfering signals. The destination leverages network-level information to cancel the interference and recover the signal destined to it. The result is analog network coding because it mixes signals not bits. So, what if wireless routers forward signals instead of packets? Theoretically, such an approach doubles the capacity of the canonical 2-way relay network. Surprisingly, it is also practical. We implement our design using software radios and show that it achieves significantly higher throughput than both traditional wireless routing and prior work on wireless network coding.