Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measuring the Effectiveness of Voice Conversion on Speaker Identification and Automatic Speech Recognition Systems

This paper evaluates the effectiveness of a Cycle-GAN based voice converter (VC) on four speaker identification (SID) systems and an automated speech recognition (ASR) system for various purposes. Audio samples converted by the VC model are classified by the SID systems as the intended target at up to 46% top-1 accuracy among more than 250 speakers. This encouraging result in imitating the target styles led us to investigate if converted (synthetic) samples can be used to improve ASR training. Unfortunately, adding synthetic data to the ASR training set only marginally improves word and character error rates. Our results indicate that even though VC models can successfully mimic the style of target speakers as measured by SID systems, improving ASR training with synthetic data from VC systems needs further research to establish its efficacy.
Matryoshka: Fuzzing Deeply Nested Branches

Greybox fuzzing has made impressive progress in recent years, evolving from heuristics-based random mutation to approaches for solving individual branch constraints. However, they have difficulty solving path constraints that involve deeply nested conditional statements, which are common in image and video decoders, network packet analyzers, and checksum tools. We propose an approach for addressing this problem. First, we identify all the control flow-dependent conditional statements of the target conditional statement. Next, we select the taint flow-dependent conditional statements. Finally, we use three strategies to find an input that satisfies all conditional statements simultaneously. We implemented this approach in a tool called Matryoshka and compared its effectiveness on 13 open source programs against other state-of-the-art fuzzers. Matryoshka has significantly higher cumulative line and branch coverage than AFL, QSYM, and Angora. We manually classified the crashes found by Matryoshka into 41 unique new bugs and obtained 12 CVEs. Our evaluation also uncovered the key technique contributing to Matryoshka's impressive performance: it collects only the nesting constraints that may cause the target conditional statement unreachable, which greatly simplifies the path constraints that it has to solve.
Atomic-SDN: Is Synchronous Flooding the Solution to Software-Defined Networking in IoT?

The adoption of software defined networking (SDN) within traditional networks has provided operators the ability to manage diverse resources and easily reconfigure networks as requirements change. Recent research has extended this concept to IEEE 802.15. 4 low-power wireless networks, which form a key component of the Internet of Things (IoT). However, the multiple traffic patterns necessary for SDN control makes it difficult to apply this approach to these highly challenging environments. This paper presents Atomic-SDN, a highly reliable and low-latency solution for SDN in low-power wireless. Atomic-SDN introduces a novel synchronous flooding (SF) architecture capable of dynamically configuring SF protocols to satisfy complex SDN control requirements, and draws from the authors’ previous experiences in the IEEE EWSN Dependability Competition: where SF solutions have consistently outperformed other entries. Using this approach, Atomic-SDN presents considerable performance gains over other SDN implementations for low-power IoT networks. We evaluate the Atomic-SDN through simulation and experimentation, and show how utilizing SF techniques provides latency and reliability guarantees to SDN control operations as the local mesh scales. We compare the Atomic-SDN against the other SDN implementations based on the IEEE 802.15. 4 network stack, and establish that the Atomic-SDN improves SDN control by orders-of-magnitude across latency, reliability, and energy-efficiency metrics.
On Lagrangian schemes for the multidimensional porous medium equations by a discrete energetic variational approach

In this paper, we present a systematic framework to derive a Lagrangian scheme for general diffusion equations in multiple spatial dimensions by employing a discrete energetic variational approach. Such discrete energetic variational approaches are analogous to energetic variational approaches in a semidiscrete level, which provide a basis of deriving the "semi-discrete equations" and can be applied to a large class of partial differential equations with energy-dissipation laws and the kinematic relations. The numerical schemes derived by this framework can inherit various properties from the continuous energy-dissipation law, such as conservation of mass and the dissipation of the discrete energy. As an illustration, we develop two numerical schemes for the multidimensional porous medium equations (PME), based on two different energy-dissipation laws. We focus on the numerical scheme based on the energy-dissipation law with $\frac{1}{2} \int_{\Omega} |\mathbf{u}|^2 \mathrm{d} \mathbf{x}$ as the dissipation. Several numerical experiments demonstrate the accuracy of this scheme as well as its ability in capturing the free boundary and estimating the waiting time for the PME in both 1D and 2D.
Configuration Testing: Testing Configuration Values Together with Code Logic

This paper proposes configuration testing as a key reliability engineering discipline for configuration management in large-scale production systems. We advocate that configuration changes should be systematically tested at the same level as code changes. Furthermore, we argue that configuration testing should be conducted by putting the configuration values under test in the context of the code that uses the values, in order to exercise the semantics and effects of the configuration. We demonstrate how to create configuration tests and show the promises of reusing and repurposing existing software tests by transforming them into configuration tests. We present the preliminary results that show the effectiveness of configuration testing in capturing real-world configuration errors. We also discuss the measures of test adequacy and quality, continuous configuration testing for incremental configuration changes, and a number of open problems towards effective configuration testing.
Incorporation and Individualization of Collective Voices : Public

Service user involvement’ is a widespread and well-known phenomenon within welfare policy and practice in Western countries and is usually perceived as a way of improving welfare services to better aid service users in managing their predicaments. However, the presented ethnographical study of service user involvement within a Swedish psychiatry organization shows that user involvement initiatives might also result in unintended and undesired effects on the collective user movement (i.e. the service user organizations involved in the activities). The analysis suggests that initiatives on user involvement might affect both the constitution of the user movement as well as the way the movement operates. Theoretically co-optation theory informs the analysis.
Thermal tensor network simulations of the Heisenberg model on the Bethe lattice

We have extended the canonical tree tensor network (TTN) method, which was initially introduced to simulate the zero-temperature properties of quantum lattice models on the Bethe lattice, to finite temperature simulations. By representing the thermal density matrix with a canonicalized tree tensor product operator, we optimize the TTN and compute accurately the thermodynamic quantities, including the internal energy, specific heat, spontaneous magnetization, etc., at various temperatures. By varying the anisotropic coupling constant $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}$, we obtain the phase diagram of the spin-1/2 Heisenberg XXZ model on the Bethe lattice, where three magnetic ordered phases, namely the ferromagnetic, XY, and antiferromagnetic phases, are found in low temperatures and separated from the high-$T$ paramagnetic phase by a continuous thermal phase transition at ${T}_{c}$. The XY phase is separated from the other two phases by two first-order phase transition lines at the symmetric coupling points $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}=\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1$. We have also carried out a linear spin wave calculation on the Bethe lattice, showing that the low-energy magnetic excitations are always gapped, and find the obtained magnon gaps in very good agreement with those estimated from the TTN simulations. Despite the gapped excitation spectrum, Goldstone-like transverse fluctuation modes, as a manifestation of spontaneous continuous symmetry breaking, are observed in the ordered magnetic phases with $|\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}|\ensuremath{\le}1$. One remarkable feature there is that the transverse correlation length reaches ${\ensuremath{\xi}}_{c}=1/ln(z\ensuremath{-}1)$ for $T\ensuremath{\le}{T}_{c}$, the maximal value allowed on a $z$-coordinated Bethe lattice.
How to iron out rough landscapes and get optimal performances: averaged gradient descent and its application to tensor PCA

In many high-dimensional estimation problems the main task consists in minimizing a cost function, which is often strongly non-convex when scanned in the space of parameters to be estimated. A standard solution to flatten the corresponding rough landscape consists in summing the losses associated to different data points and obtaining a smoother empirical risk. Here we propose a complementary method that works for a single data point. The main idea is that a large amount of the roughness is uncorrelated in different parts of the landscape. One can then substantially reduce the noise by evaluating an empirical average of the gradient obtained as a sum over many random independent positions in the space of parameters to be optimized. We present an algorithm, called averaged gradient descent, based on this idea and we apply it to tensor PCA, which is a very hard estimation problem. We show that averaged gradient descent over-performs physical algorithms such as gradient descent and approximate message passing and matches the best algorithmic thresholds known so far, obtained by tensor unfolding and methods based on sum-of-squares.
Misleading Authorship Attribution of Source Code using Adversarial Learning

In this paper, we present a novel attack against authorship attribution of source code. We exploit that recent attribution methods rest on machine learning and thus can be deceived by adversarial examples of source code. Our attack performs a series of semantics-preserving code transformations that mislead learning-based attribution but appear plausible to a developer. The attack is guided by Monte-Carlo tree search that enables us to operate in the discrete domain of source code. In an empirical evaluation with source code from 204 programmers, we demonstrate that our attack has a substantial effect on two recent attribution methods, whose accuracy drops from over 88% to 1% under attack. Furthermore, we show that our attack can imitate the coding style of developers with high accuracy and thereby induce false attributions. We conclude that current approaches for authorship attribution are inappropriate for practical application and there is a need for resilient analysis techniques.
Soliton stability in optical fibers with polarization-mode dispersion

This letter presents a detailed investigation of how solitons broaden in the presence of polarization-mode dispersion. For a given amount of polarization-mode dispersion and pulsewidth there exists an optimal choice of group-velocity dispersion, for which solitons are most resistant to the effect of polarization-mode dispersion. We also optimize the soliton power enhancement factor and find that solitons can propagate roughly twice the distance compared to linear pulses in the absence of group-velocity dispersion.
Inadequate nutrient intakes in Filipino schoolchildren and adolescents are common among those from rural areas and poor families

Background Adequate nutrition during childhood and adolescence is essential to promote growth and development. Objective This study evaluated usual energy and nutrient intakes of Filipino schoolchildren and adolescents. Design Food and beverage intakes were collected from a nationally representative sample of schoolchildren aged 6–9 and 10–12 years (n = 3,594 and n = 2,971, respectively) and adolescents aged 13–18 years (n = 5,447) using 24-h dietary recalls. The distributions of usual energy and nutrient intakes and the prevalence of inadequate intakes, which is defined as the percent of children with intakes less than estimated average requirements or acceptable macronutrient distribution ranges, were estimated using the Personal Computer Software for Intake Distribution Estimation (PC-SIDE) program. Results The results showed that the mean energy intakes were 19–35% lower than estimated energy requirement. High prevalence of inadequate intakes was found for most macro- and micronutrients. Prevalence of inadequacies was as follows: protein 12–47%, total fat (as percentage of energy) 38–52%, calcium 92–94%, iron 75–90%, vitamin C 68–96%, folate 61–93%, vitamin A 58–81%, riboflavin 58–91%, thiamin 27–75%, and phosphorus 18–91%. Conclusions Generally, prevalence of inadequacy of key nutrients were relatively high among adolescents and schoolchildren, especially those from poor families and rural areas. This study demonstrated that nutrient intakes of Filipino schoolchildren and adolescents were highly inadequate, particularly among the poor and those living in rural areas.
Assessment of cotinine in urine and saliva of smokers, passive smokers, and nonsmokers: Method validation using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry

Background: Self-report does not provide complete information about tobacco smoke exposure among users and is not relevant for secondhand exposure detection. Biochemical screening for primary metabolite of nicotine would be useful to validate the smoking status and exposure to secondhand smoke. Aims and Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the performance of a sensitive and rapid method to verify smoking status among smokers, passive smokers, and nonsmokers by quantification of cotinine in saliva and urine using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Materials and Methods: Cotinine (urine and saliva) levels were measured in 98 participants out of which active users (smoked tobacco users; n = 56) and persons exposed to tobacco smoke (passive smokers; n = 15). Values obtained were compared with nonusers (nonsmokers; n = 27). A simple, rapid, and sensitive method was developed and validated for this purpose. With minimal sample preparation, the current analytical procedure showed a wide detection range (1.1–1000 ng/mL) which made it suitable for analyzing various biological matrices. Results: The mean cotinine levels of urine for smokers, passive smokers, and nonsmokers were 1043.7, 36.63, and 13.6 ng/ml, respectively, while in saliva, it was 327.39, 18.31, and 9.53 ng/ml, respectively. Conclusion: Analysis of variance showed that cotinine levels (urine and saliva) of smokers were significantly higher levels than passive smokers and nonsmokers (P < 0.01). Similarly, passive smokers also had significantly higher cotinine levels (urine and saliva) than nonsmokers (P < 0.001).
Development of Immunoglobulin M Capture Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay To Differentiate Human Flavivirus Infections Occurring in Australia

ABSTRACT We report the development of a flavivirus immunoglobulin M (IgM) capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (MAC-ELISA) which improves the determination of an infecting flavivirus serotype over that by current serological methods. A panel of 165 IgM-positive sera from flavivirus patients with specific diagnostic results was tested by the flavivirus MAC-ELISA using a panel of 10 antigens. For 134 of these sera (81.2%), the highest reactivity was demonstrated against the infecting virus, which was consistent with the original diagnostic result. Specific antibody reactions inconsistent with the original diagnosis were found for six sera (3.6%). In our experience, the flavivirus-serotyping ELISA provides a rapid and accurate alternative to other serological tests, such as hemagglutination inhibition, for the specific diagnosis of flavivirus infections.
Traumatic Transection of Descending Thoracic Aorta Presenting as Pseudo- Coarctation

Background: Thoracic Aortic Injury (TAI) due to penetrating or blunt chest trauma is a critical life-threatening aortic injury. Its diagnosis and treatment always is challenging. An 18-year-old male was admitted due to blunt chest trauma after a high-impact road traffic collision. According to presenting dyspnea, an emergency chest-x-ray revealed left hemothorax for which chest tube was inserted. Hemodynamic monitoring demonstrated uncontrolled hypertension with systolic blood pressure of 200–220 mmHg despite multiple anti-hypertensive drugs. Trans-Thoracic Echocardiography (TTE) revealed abnormal Doppler flow pattern in proximal descending thoracic aorta suggestive for probable coarctation of aorta. Chest CT scan revealed pseudoaneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta just below the isthmus. Due to uncontrolled hypertension, persistent hemothorax and probable aortic pseudoaneurysm presenting as aortic luminal narrowing, surgical resection of the aneurysm was planned. The postoperative course was uneventful and blood pressure normalized without any drugs. Patient is normotensive after 8 years follow up.
Effects of water level fluctuation on thermal stratification in a typical tributary bay of Three Gorges Reservoir, China

Xiangxi River is a typical tributary of Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) in China. Based on field observations in 2010, thermal stratification was significant in most months of the year. Through field data analysis and numerical simulations, the seasonal and spatial variation of thermal stratification as related to the impact of the operation of TGR were investigated. Thermal stratification was most pronounced from April to September in the Xiangxi River tributary. Air temperature (AT) and water level (WL) were the two dominant variables impacting thermal stratification. AT affected the surface water temperature promoting the formation of thermal stratification, and high WLs in TGR deepened the thermocline depth and thermocline bottom depth. These results provide a preliminary description of the seasonal variation and spatial distribution of thermal stratification, which is important for better understanding how thermal stratification affects algae blooms in Xiangxi River.
Examination of the association between mental health, morbidity, and mortality in late life: findings from longitudinal community surveys

ABSTRACT Background: Physical health has been demonstrated to mediate the mental health and mortality risk association. The current study examines an alternative hypothesis that mental health mediates the effect of physical health on mortality risk. Methods: Participants (N = 14,019; women = 91%), including eventual decedents (n = 3,752), were aged 70 years and older, and drawn from the Dynamic Analyses to Optimise Ageing (DYNOPTA) project. Participants were observed on two to four occasions, over a 10-year period. Mediation analysis compared the converse mediation of physical and mental health on mortality risk. Results: For men, neither physical nor mental health was associated with mortality risk. For women, poor mental health reported only a small effect on mortality risk (Hazard Risk (HR) = 1.01; p < 0.001); more substantive was the risk of low physical health (HR = 1.04; p < 0.001). No mediation effects were observed. Conclusions: Mental health effects on mortality were fully attenuated by physical health in men, and partially so in women. Neither mental nor physical health mediated the effect of each other on mortality risk for either gender. We conclude that physical health is a stronger predictor of mortality risk than mental health.
PHYLOGEOGRAPHY OF THE TIDEWATER GOBY, EUCYCLOGOBIUS NEWBERRYI (TELEOSTEI, GOBIIDAE), IN COASTAL CALIFORNIA

Abstract The tidewater goby, Eucyclogobius newberryi, inhabits discrete, seasonally closed estuaries and lagoons along approximately 1500 km of California coastline. This species is euryhaline but has no explicit marine stage, yet population extirpation and recolonization data suggest tidewater gobies disperse intermittently via the sea. Analyses of mitochondrial control region and cytochrome b sequences demonstrate a deep evolutionary bifurcation in the vicinity of Los Angeles that separates southern California populations from all more northerly populations. Shallower phylogeographic breaks, in the vicinities of Seacliff, Point Buchon, Big Sur, and Point Arena segregate the northerly populations into five groups in three geographic clusters: the Point Conception and Ventura groups between Los Angeles and Point Buchon, a lone Estero Bay group from central California, and San Francisco and Cape Mendocino groups from northern California. The phylogenetic relationships between and patterns of molecular diversity within the six groups are consistent with repeated, and sometimes rapid, northward and southward range expansions out of central California caused by Quaternary climate change. Plio-Pleistocene tectonism, Quaternary coastal geography and hydrography, and historical human activities probably also influenced the modern geographic and genetic structure of E. newberryi. The phylogeography of E. newberryi is concordant with phylogeographic patterns in several other coastal California taxa, suggesting common extrinsic factors have had similar effects on different species. However, there is no evidence of a phylogeographic break coincident with a biogeographic boundary at Point Conception. Corresponding Editor: S. Karl
Complementary Feeding of Sorghum-Based and Corn-Based Fortified Blended Foods Results in Similar Iron, Vitamin A, and Anthropometric Outcomes in the MFFAPP Tanzania Efficacy Study

ABSTRACT Background Fortified blended foods (FBFs) are micronutrient-fortified food aid products containing cereals and pulses. It has been suggested to reformulate FBFs to include whey protein concentrate, use alternative commodities (e.g., sorghum and cowpea), and utilize processing methods such as extrusion to produce them. The Micronutrient Fortified Food Aid Pilot Project (MFFAPP) efficacy study was designed to test the efficacy of complementary feeding of newly formulated FBFs. Objectives The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of 5 newly formulated FBFs in combating iron deficiency anemia and vitamin A deficiency compared with traditionally prepared corn-soy blend plus (CSB+) and no intervention. A secondary aim was to determine the impact on underweight, stunting, wasting, and middle-upper arm circumference. Methods A 20-wk, partially randomized cluster study was completed. Two age groups (aged 6–23 and 24–53 mo) with hemoglobin status <10.3 g/dL, and weight-for-height z scores >−3 were enrolled and assigned to diet groups. Biochemical and anthropometric measurements were collected at 0, 10, and 20 wk. Results Both hemoglobin concentrations and anemia ORs were significantly improved in all intervention groups except for CSB+ and the no-intervention groups at week 20. Only extruded corn-soy blend 14 and the no-intervention age groups failed to significantly decrease vitamin A deficiency risk (P < 0.04). There were no consistent significant differences among groups in anthropometric outcomes. Conclusions FBFs reformulated with sorghum, cowpea, corn, and soy significantly improved anemia and vitamin A deficiency ORs compared with week 0 and with no intervention. Although newly formulated FBFs did not significantly improve vitamin A deficiency or anemia compared with CSB+, CSB+ was the only FBF not to significantly improve these outcomes over the study duration. Our findings suggest that newly formulated sorghum- and cowpea-based FBFs are equally efficacious in improving these micronutrient outcomes. However, further FBF refinement is warranted. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02847962.