Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Context-aware Language Modeling for Conversational Speech Translation

Context plays a critical role in the understanding of language, especially conversational speech. However, few approaches exist to utilize the external contextual knowledge which is readily available to practical speech translation systems deployed in the field. In this work, we propose a novel framework to integrate context in the language models used for conversational speech translation. The proposed approach takes into account the contextual distance between a test utterance and the training corpus, a measure obtained from the external context in which the utterances were spoken. Language model probabilities are adjusted through a sentence-level weighting scheme based on this context-distance measure. When incorporated into our English-Iraqi Arabic speech-to-speech translation system, the proposed approach obtains improvements in both speech recognition accuracy and translation quality compared to the baseline system.
Functional Analysis of Interaction Sites on the N‐Terminal Domain of Clathrin Heavy Chain

In clathrin‐mediated membrane traffic, clathrin does not bind directly to cargo and instead binds to adaptors that mediate this function. For endocytosis, the main adaptor is the adaptor protein (AP)‐2 complex, but it is uncertain how clathrin contacts AP‐2. Here we tested in human cells the importance of the three binding sites that have been identified so far on the N‐terminal domain (NTD) of clathrin. We find that mutation of each of the three sites on the NTD, alone or in combination, does not block clathrin/AP‐2‐mediated endocytosis in the same way as deletion of the NTD. We report here the fourth and final site on the NTD that is required for clathrin/AP‐2‐mediated endocytic function. Each of the four interaction sites can operate alone to mediate endocytosis. The observed functional redundancy between interaction sites on the NTD explains how productivity of clathrin‐coated vesicle formation is ensured.
The Effects of Aerobic Activity on Brain Structure

Aerobic activity is a powerful stimulus for improving mental health and for generating structural changes in the brain. We review the literature documenting these structural changes and explore exactly where in the brain these changes occur as well as the underlying substrates of the changes including neural, glial, and vasculature components. Aerobic activity has been shown to produce different types of changes in the brain. The presence of novel experiences or learning is an especially important component in how these changes are manifest. We also discuss the distinct time courses of structural brain changes with both aerobic activity and learning as well as how these effects might differ in diseased and elderly groups.
Perturbed Optimization in Banach Spaces III: Semi-infinite Optimization

This paper is devoted to the study of perturbed semi-infinite optimization problems, i.e., minimization over $\er^n$ with an infinite number of inequality constraints. We obtain the second-order expansion of the optimal value function and the first-order expansion of approximate optimal solutions in two cases: (i) when the number of binding constraints is finite and (ii) when the inequality constraints are parametrized by a real scalar. These results are partly obtained by specializing the sensitivity theory for perturbed optimization developed in part I (cf.\ [SIAM J. Control Optim., 34 (1996), pp. 1151--1171]) and deriving specific sharp lower estimates for the optimal value function which take into account the curvature of the positive cone in the space $C(\Omega)$ of continuous real-valued functions.
Micro-expression recognition based on local binary patterns from three orthogonal planes and nearest neighbor method

Micro-expression is a very short and rapid involuntary facial expression, which reveals suppressed affect. Recognizing micro-expression can help to accurately grasp the real feelings of people, a result that can have an important practical impact. But the scholars' studies have demonstrated that real micro-expression is difficult to identify. There are two main restrictive factors, one is the need of a comprehensive and typical database, and the other one is the need of a suitable method. This paper proposes a combination of local binary patterns from three orthogonal planes (LBP-TOP) and the nearest neighbor method, and does experiments on a large database. At last, a reasonable result is obtained.
Dealing with Interpretation Errors in Tutorial Dialogue

We describe an approach to dealing with interpretation errors in a tutorial dialogue system. Allowing students to provide explanations and generate contentful talk can be helpful for learning, but the language that can be understood by a computer system is limited by the current technology. Techniques for dealing with understanding problems have been developed primarily for spoken dialogue systems in informationseeking domains, and are not always appropriate for tutorial dialogue. We present a classification of interpretation errors and our approach for dealing with them within an implemented tutorial dialogue system.
Designing an Efficient Retransmission Scheme for Wireless LANs: Theory and Implementation

Network coding is known to benefit the downlink retranmissions by the AP in a wireless LAN from exploiting overhearing at the client nodes. However, designing an efficient and practical retranmission scheme remains a challenge. We present an (asymptotically) optimal scheme, ECR, for reducing the downlink retransmissions by the AP in a wireless LAN from exploiting overhearing at the client nodes. The design of ECR, consisting of three components: batch-based operations, a systematic phase-based network coding decision policy, and smooth integration of inter-flow and intra-flow coding, is accompanied by a theoretical underpinning, yet enables practical implementation on off-the-shelf 802.11 hardware. We analytically show ECR can achieve much higher reduction in packet retransmissions than previous schemes, and validate its performance gain via simulations and testbed implementation. To our knowledge, ECR is the first protocol that leverages both intra-flow and inter-flow network coding to solve a real-world problem in single-hop wireless networks.
Λ < 0 quantum gravity in 2 + 1 dimensions: II. Black-hole creation by point particles

Using the proposed formalism for Λ < 0 quantum gravity in 2 + 1 dimensions, we study the process of black-hole production in a collision of two point particles. The creation probability for a BH with the simplest topology inside the horizon is given by the Liouville theory four-point function projected on an intermediate state. We analyse in detail the semi-classical limit of small AdS curvatures, in which the probability is dominated by the exponential of the classical Liouville action. The probability is found to be exponentially small. We then argue that the total probability of creating a horizon given by the sum of probabilities of all possible internal topologies is of order unity, so that there is no exponential suppression of the total production rate.
Sample Complexity of Risk-Averse Bandit-Arm Selection

We consider stochastic multiarmed bandit problems where each arm generates i.i. d. rewards according to an unknown distribution. Whereas classical bandit solutions only maximize the expected reward, we consider the problem of minimizing risk using notions such as the value-at-risk, the average value-at-risk, and the mean-variance risk. We present algorithms to minimize the risk over a single and multiple time periods, along with PAC accuracy guarantees given a finite number of reward samples. In the single-period case, we show that finding the arm with least risk requires not many more samples than the arm with highest expected reward. Although minimizing the multiperiod value-at-risk is known to be hard, we present an algorithm with comparable sample complexity under additional assumptions.
Surface flows for image-based shading design

We present a novel method for producing convincing pictures of shaded objects based entirely on 2D image operations. This approach, which we call image-based shading design, offers direct artistic control in the picture plane by deforming image primitives so that they appear to conform to specific 3D shapes. Using a differential analysis of reflected radiance, we identify the two types of surface flows involved in the depiction of shaded objects, which are consistent with recent perceptual studies. We then introduce two novel deformation operators that closely mimic surface flows while providing direct artistic controls in real-time.
Towards the improvement in stability of an anti-Aβ single-chain variable fragment, scFv-h3D6, as a way to enhance its therapeutic potential

Abstract ScFv-h3D6 is a single-chain variable fragment derived from the monoclonal antibody bapineuzumab that prevents Aβ-induced cytotoxicity by capturing Aβ oligomers. The benefits of scFv-h3D6 treatment in Alzheimer’s disease are known at the behavioural, cellular and molecular levels in the 3xTg-AD mouse model. Antibody-based therapeutics are only stable in a limited temperature range, so their benefit in vivo depends on their capability for maintaining the proper fold. Here, we have stabilized the scFv-h3D6 folding by introducing the mutation VH-K64R and combining it with the previously described elongation of the VL domain (C3). The stabilities of the different scFv-h3D6 constructs were calculated from urea and thermal denaturation followed by Trp-fluorescence, CD and DSC and resulted in the order C3 > K64R/C3 > VH-K64R ≥ scFv-h3D6; showing that the combination of both mutations was not additive, instead they partially cancelled each other. The three mutants assayed showed a decreased aggregation tendency but maintained their capability to aggregate in the form of worm-like fibrils, basis of the protective effect of scFv-h3D6. Cytotoxicity assays showed that all the mutants recovered cell viability of Aβ-treated neuroblastoma cell cultures in a dose-dependent manner and with efficiencies that correlated with stability, therefore improving the therapeutic ability of this antibody.
MatchDetectReveal: finding overlapping and similar digital documents

The Internet provides easy access to large collections of semi-structured digital documents. WWW browsers, search engines and the "cut & paste" technique are tempting to substitute one's creativity by simple compilation from appropriate digital resources. This paper discusses the problems of detecting plagiarism in large collections of semi-structured electronic texts. Overlaps in and similarity of digital documents and software code are in the focus of this project. The conceptual architecture of the MatchDetectReveal system is presented along with possible applications. The main component of the system is using the string matching algorithms and a suffix tree representation. Both sequential and parallel cluster-based processing issues are addressed. The implementation and performance issues are also discussed.
Right Ventricular Sex Differences in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Characterised by Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Pair-Matched Case Controlled Study

Purpose Sex differences exist in both the prevalence and survival of patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). Men are less frequently affected by the condition but have worse outcome as compared to females. We sought to characterise the sex related differences in right ventricular remodelling in age matched male and female patients with IPAH using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods A case controlled pair-matched study was conducted with patients matched by age and sex. Steady state free precession (SSFP) MRI of the heart was performed at 1.5T. Cardiac volume, function and mass measurements were corrected for age, sex and BSA according to reference data. Results 40 age and sex matched patients with IPAH were identified. The mean age was 57 (SD 17) in both male and female cohorts. Men had proportionally lower right ventricular (RV) ejection fraction, RV stroke volume and LV stroke volume than females, p=0.028, p=0.007 and p=0.013, respectively. However, there was no significant difference in RV mass or haemodynamic indices of mPAP and PVR between males and females. Conclusion Male patients with IPAH have proportionally worse RV function despite similar afterload. We hypothesise that adaptive remodelling of the RV in response to increased afterload in IPAH is more effective in females.
Comparison of the Association of Sac Growth and Coil Compaction with Recurrence in Coil Embolized Cerebral Aneurysms

Background and Purpose In recurrent cerebral aneurysms treated by coil embolization, coil compaction is regarded as the presumptive mechanism. We test the hypothesis that aneurysm growth is the primary recurrence mechanism. We also test the hypothesis that the coil mass will translate a measurable extent when recurrence occurs. Methods An objective, quantitative image analysis protocol was developed to determine the volumes of aneurysms and coil masses during initial and follow-up visits from 3D rotational angiograms. The population consisted of 15 recurrence and 12 non-recurrence control aneurysms initially completely coiled at a single center. An investigator sensitivity study was performed to assess the objectivity of the methods. Paired Wilcoxon tests (p<0.05, one-tailed) were performed to assess for aneurysm and coil growth. The translation of the coil mass center at follow-up was computed. A Mann Whitney U-Test (p<0.05, one-tailed) was used to compare translation of coil mass centers between recurrence and control subjects. Results Image analysis protocol was found to be insensitive to the investigator. Aneurysm growth was evident in the recurrence cohort (p=0.003) but not the control (p=0.136). There was no evidence of coil compaction in either the recurrence or control cohorts (recurrence: p=0.339; control: p=0.429). The translation of the coil mass centers was found to be significantly larger in the recurrence cohort than the control cohort (p=0.047). Conclusion Aneurysm sac growth, not coil compaction, was the primary mechanism of recurrence following successful coil embolization. The coil mass likely translates to a measurable extent when recurrence occurs and has the potential to serve as a non-angiographic recurrence marker.
An Analysis of Graph Coloring Register Allocation

Abstract : Graph coloring is the de facto standard technique for register allocation within a compiler. In this paper we examine the importance of the quality of the coloring algorithm and various extensions of the basic graph coloring technique by replacing the coloring phase of the GNU compiler s register allocator with an optimal coloring algorithm. We then extend this optimal algorithm to incorporate various extensions such as coalescing and preferential register assignment. We find that using an optimal coloring algorithm has surprisingly little benefit and empirically demonstrate the benefit of the various extensions.
Systemic Delivery of MeCP2 Rescues Behavioral and Cellular Deficits in Female Mouse Models of Rett Syndrome

De novo mutations in the X-linked gene encoding the transcription factor methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2) are the most frequent cause of the neurological disorder Rett syndrome (RTT). Hemizygous males usually die of neonatal encephalopathy. Heterozygous females survive into adulthood but exhibit severe symptoms including microcephaly, loss of purposeful hand motions and speech, and motor abnormalities, which appear after a period of apparently normal development. Most studies have focused on male mouse models because of the shorter latency to and severity in symptoms, yet how well these mice mimic the disease in affected females is not clear. Very few therapeutic treatments have been proposed for females, the more gender-appropriate model. Here, we show that self-complementary AAV9, bearing MeCP2 cDNA under control of a fragment of its own promoter (scAAV9/MeCP2), is capable of significantly stabilizing or reversing symptoms when administered systemically into female RTT mice. To our knowledge, this is the first potential gene therapy for females afflicted with RTT.
Introducing a Revised Lexical Approach to Study User Experience in Game Play by Analyzing Online Reviews

This paper proposes a revised lexical approach to understand user experience in game play by analyzing online game reviews. The lexical approach is originally used by psychologists to study personality traits [1]. We argue that game players have used natural languages to describe computer games and their experiences over time, and that the most important characteristics of game play experience would be reflected in player language. Therefore, user experience during game play can be studied by examining the vocabularies used by players in online reviews. Based on 696,801 reviews downloaded from three major game websites, the lexical approach was adapted to analyze textual content pertaining to computer games. Six major factors (playability, creativity, usability, competition, sensation, and strategy) were identified and ranked. While playability, creativity, and usability suggest how to measure success of a game, competition, sensation, and strategy provide three effective stimuli to game enjoyment. The implications of the revised lexical approach and findings from this study were discussed.
The Role of KRAS rs61764370 in Invasive Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: Implications for Clinical Testing

Purpose: An assay for the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs61764370, has recently been commercially marketed as a clinical test to aid ovarian cancer risk evaluation in women with family histories of the disease. rs67164370 is in a 3′-UTR miRNA binding site of the KRAS oncogene and is a candidate for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) susceptibility. However, only one published article, analyzing fewer than 1,000 subjects in total, has examined this association. Experimental Design: Risk association was evaluated in 8,669 cases of invasive EOC and 10,012 controls from 19 studies participating in the Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium, and in 683 cases and 2,044 controls carrying BRCA1 mutations from studies in the Consortium of Investigators of Modifiers of BRCA1/2. Prognosis association was also examined in a subset of five studies with progression-free survival (PFS) data and 18 studies with all-cause mortality data. Results: No evidence of association was observed between genotype and risk of unselected EOC (OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 0.95–1.10), serous EOC (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 0.98–1.18), familial EOC (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 0.78–1.54), or among women carrying deleterious mutations in BRCA1 (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 0.88–1.36). There was little evidence for association with survival time among unselected cases (HR = 1.10, 95% CI: 0.99–1.22), among serous cases (HR = 1.12, 95% CI = 0.99–1.28), or with PFS in 540 cases treated with carboplatin and paclitaxel (HR = 1.18, 95% CI: 0.93–1.52). Conclusions: These data exclude the possibility of an association between rs61764370 and a clinically significant risk of ovarian cancer or of familial ovarian cancer. Use of this SNP for ovarian cancer clinical risk prediction, therefore, seems unwarranted. Clin Cancer Res; 17(11); 3742–50. ©2011 AACR.
Improving automatic detection of acute myocardial infarction in the presence of confounders

Several ECG features are common electrocardiographic markers for manual interpretation of early repolarization (ER) and acute pericarditis (PCARD), both confounders for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We hypothesized these features could improve automated AMI detection in the presence of ER and PCARD. Method: The training set of ECGs included cardiologist reading of ER (n= 147), PCARD (n= 114), normal (n=239) and AMI (n=380). AMI was confirmed by reading infarct evolution in serial ECGs. The test set came from emergency department chest pain patients (n= 1806). The reference was discharge diagnosis of AMI. Positive ECGs (n=1023) were both STEMI and NSTEMI. ECGs not meeting STEMI criteria by algorithm were excluded from both the test and training sets leaving 430 and 581 ECGs respectively. Two logistic regression AMI classifiers were compared, one using traditional features, another using traditional plus additional features to help detect ER and PCARD. Additional features included J-waves, notches, slurs, PQ segment depression, ST-T concavity, spatial QRS-T angle, and T-wave PCA ratio. Results: As expected, the traditional ST-T features had the most discrimination power. However, the automatically-selected best features included T-wave PCA ratio and the mean anterior PQ segment depression. Total accuracy was higher for the additional feature classifier, 79% versus 70% . Conclusion: Additional ECG features aimed at ER and PCARD may improve automatic AMI classification when STEMI criteria are met.
Wavelets in Image Analysis : Motion and Displacement

This paper describes a generalisation of the conventional discrete wavelet transform (DWT) to use lters with complex coeecients. This provides the important advantage that the transform becomes approximately shift-invariant and becomes well suited to estimating motion in digital video signals. We present a hierarchical region-based matching algorithm, which operates on the coeecients of a separable DWT expansion of adjacent image pairs. The novel feature is that the DWT is complex-valued, with wavelets designed so that small translations produce predictable phase shifts in the complex subpixels. This relationship allows the displaced frame diierence to be approximated as a quadratic surface , whose parameters are a robust motion estimate with fractional-pel accuracy and a direction-dependent conndence measure. The conndence measure plays a critical role as the algorithm works from coarse to ne scales, reening and condensing the motion estimate eld at each stage. Initial testing on simulated sequences has shown performance superior to other hierarchical block matching algorithms. Possible applications include video coding, stereo-optics, and image registration.
A Parallel Artificial Immune Model for Optimization

This paper presents a parallel artificial immune model termed as tower master-slave model (TMSM) for solving optimising problems. Based on TMSM, the parallel immune memory clonal selection algorithm (PIMCSA) is also proposed. TMSM is a two level coarse-grained parallel artificial immune model with distributed immune response and distributed immune memory. In PIMCSA, vaccines are extracted and migrated between populations rather than individual migration as has been done in parallel genetic algorithms. It is a good balance between population diversity and the convergent speed. Experimental results on the numerical optimization and TSP problems show that PIMCSA achieves good performance in terms of both solution quality and computation time.
Modeling Regulatory Networks to Understand Plant Development: Small Is Beautiful

We now have unprecedented capability to generate large data sets on the myriad genes and molecular players that regulate plant development. Networks of interactions between systems components can be derived from that data in various ways and can be used to develop mathematical models of various degrees of sophistication. Here, we discuss why, in many cases, it is productive to focus on small networks. We provide a brief and accessible introduction to relevant mathematical and computational approaches to model regulatory networks and discuss examples of small network models that have helped generate new insights into plant biology (where small is beautiful), such as in circadian rhythms, hormone signaling, and tissue patterning. We conclude by outlining some of the key technical and modeling challenges for the future.