Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Masked translation priming asymmetry in Chinese-English bilinguals: Making sense of the Sense Model

Masked translation priming asymmetry is the robust finding that priming from a bilingual's first language (L1) to their second language (L2) is stronger than priming from L2 to L1. This asymmetry has been claimed to be task dependent. The Sense Model proposed by Finkbeiner, Forster, Nicol, and Nakamura (2004) claims that the asymmetry is reduced in semantic categorization relative to lexical decision due to a category filtering mechanism that limits the features considered in categorization decisions to dominant, category-relevant features. This paper reports two pairs of semantic categorization and lexical decision tasks designed to test the Sense Model's predictions. The experiments replicated the finding of Finkbeiner et al. that L2-L1 priming is somewhat stronger in semantic categorization than lexical decision, selectively for exemplars of the category. However, the direct comparison of L2-L1 and L1-L2 translation priming across tasks failed to confirm the Sense Model's central prediction that translation priming asymmetry is significantly reduced in semantic categorization. The data therefore fail to support the category filtering account of translation priming asymmetry. Rather, they suggest that pre-activation of conceptual features of the target category provides feedback to lexical forms that compensates for the weak connections between the lexical and conceptual representations of L2 words.
Nonconverted, amino acid analog-modified proinsulin stays in a Golgi- derived clathrin-coated membrane compartment

The secretion of insulin by the pancreatic B-cell involves a passage of the newly synthetized (pro)insulin polypeptides across the Golgi apparatus, at the trans pole of which secretory proteins are released as a population of secretory granules characterized by a clathrinlike coat on segments of their limiting membrane. When the conversion of radiolabeled proinsulin to insulin was inhibited by replacing arginine and lysine with the aminoacid analogs, canavanine and thialysine, the nonconverted radioactive material remained associated with Golgi- derived, coated secretory granules. The coat was characterized as clathrin-containing by immunocytochemistry. Under analog treatment, the noncoated, storage secretory granules did not become markedly labeled during the pulse-chase experiment. These data are compatible with the hypothesis that in normal conditions, the maturation of the coated compartment into noncoated granules is linked to the effective conversion of the prohormone.
EMG-to-Speech: Direct Generation of Speech From Facial Electromyographic Signals

Silent speech interfaces are systems that enable speech communication even when an acoustic signal is unavailable. Over the last years, public interest in such interfaces has intensified. They provide solutions for some of the challenges faced by today's speech-driven technologies, such as robustness to noise and usability for people with speech impediments. In this paper, we provide an overview over our silent speech interface. It is based on facial surface electromyography (EMG), which we use to record the electrical signals that control muscle contraction during speech production. These signals are then converted directly to an audible speech waveform, retaining important paralinguistic speech cues for information such as speaker identity and mood. This paper gives an overview over our state-of-the-art direct EMG-to-speech transformation system. This paper describes the characteristics of the speech EMG signal, introduces techniques for extracting relevant features, presents different EMG-to-speech mapping methods, and finally, presents an evaluation of the different methods for real-time capability and conversion quality.
The atomic scale structure of saccharose-based carbons

Abstract Activated carbons (ACs) have a wide range of applications, in which the largely expanded specific surface plays a major role. The question of their structure came back to the limelight with the discovery of nanotubes fullerenes, which suggested that curved surfaces may be present in their structure and which incorporates well into the ideas of ACs porous structure. The source of those curved surfaces is atomic defects present inside the in-plane graphitic honeycomb lattice. Such defects have a crucial influence on the macroscopic morphology as well as physical properties of the material. The activated carbon (AC) in this work was derived from carbonised saccharose by activation with NaOH. Both materials – before and after activation were investigated. The main methods used in this study are wide angle neutron scattering and wide angle X-ray scattering combined with computer simulations. Confirmation of the proposed structures was sought with high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and Raman scattering. In this case, the use of classical crystallography to interpret experimental data was impossible due to the lack of periodic three-dimensional symmetry. Due to this fact, the data was analysed both in real and reciprocal space in the form of a pair correlation function and a structure factor. The experimental data were compared with calculated atomistic models. As a validation, the discrepancy factor between the theoretically and experimentally obtained functions was used. The presented innovative approach can be applied to different carbon materials with varying degrees of disorder.
Case of a miniature dachshund with a primitive neuroectodermal tumor confined to the forebrain region treated with a combination of surgery and chemotherapy

A miniature dachshund aged 9 years and 7 months with a history of polyuria/polydipsia and depression was referred. General physical and neurological examinations revealed no obvious abnormalities. MRI of the brain revealed a large space-occupying lesion in the left frontal lobe. This was surgically removed and pathologically diagnosed as a primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET). Although the clinical signs had been improved, follow-up MRI revealed recurrence of the tumor. Lomustine was administered, but 1 year after surgery, the dog exhibited cluster seizures and died. This is the first reported case of a dog with PNET confined to the forebrain region treated by surgical resection in combination with chemotherapy, as observed by repeated follow-up MRI.
Throughput analysis of TCP in multi-hop wireless networks with IEEE 802.11 MAC

We consider the problem of modeling TCP over multi-hop wireless networks using the IEEE 802.11 protocol. By identifying suitable regeneration instants, we are able to apply the standard technique of regenerative processes to compute the long term average throughput achieved by a single TCP session. Simulation results show that the proposed model predicts the TCP throughput to a very high level of accuracy. We then discuss how to extend this model to more general situations.
Approximation algorithms for stochastic and risk-averse optimization

We present improved approximation algorithms in stochastic optimization. We prove that the multi-stage stochastic versions of covering integer programs (such as set cover and vertex cover) admit essentially the same approximation algorithms as their standard (non-stochastic) counterparts; this improves upon work of Swamy & Shmoys that shows an approximability which depends multiplicatively on the number of stages. We also present approximation algorithms for facility location and some of its variants in the 2-stage recourse model, improving on previous approximation guarantees.
Web-based mini-games for language learning that support spoken interaction

Workshop on Speech and Language Technology in Education, Satellite Event of INTERSPEECH (SLaTE) 2015, Leipzig, September 4–5, 2015, 137-142.Due to copyright restrictions, the attached PDF file only contains the abstract of the full text item. For access to the full text item, please consult the publisher's website
Description of the Japanese NE System Used for MET-2

In this paper, experiments on the Japanese Named Entity task are reported. We employed a supervised learning mechanism. Recently, several systems have been proposed for this task, but many of them use hand-coded patterns. Creating these patterns is laborious work, and when we adapt these systems to a new domain or a new de nition of named entities, it is likely to need a large amount of additional work. On the other hand, in a supervised learning system, what is needed to adapt the system is to make new training data and maybe additional small work. While this is also not a very easy task, it would be easier than creating complicated patterns. For example, based on our experience, 100 training articles can be created in a day.
Clustering based Energy Efficient Protocol for Wireless Sensor Network Comparison Study

In last decade the utilization of wireless sensor network in various fields is growing enormously. These WSNs applications are used where human access and monitoring cannot easily handled. Due to this sensor nodes are deployed randomly in unattended area, where these nodes form a network in an adhoc manner. In addition, battery of deployed sensors cannot be charged, so it is desirable that network should be energy efficient. By considering above mentioned issue, many energy efficient routing protocols have been proposed. This paper presents an overview of routing protocols those are based on clustering technique. These protocols are used to increase network lifetime.
On a high order numerical method for functions with singularities

By splitting a given singular function into a relatively smooth part and a specially structured singular part, it is shown how the traditional Fourier method can be modified to give numerical methods of high order for calculating derivatives and integrals. Singular functions with various types of singularities of importance in applications are considered. Relations between the discrete and the continuous Fourier series for the singular functions are established. Of particular interest are piecewise smooth functions, for which various important applications are indicated, and for which numerous numerical results are presented.
Leslie G. Valiant. A theory of the learnable. Communications of the ACM,

We describe a generalization of the PAC learning model that is based on statistical decision theory. In this model the learner receives randomly drawn examples, each example consisting of an instance x 2 X and an outcome y 2 Y , and tries to nd a decision rule h : X ! A, where h 2 H, that speci es the appropriate action a 2 A to take for each instance x, in order to minimize the expectation of a loss l(y; a). Here X, Y , and A are arbitrary sets, l is a real-valued function, and examples are generated according to an arbitrary joint distribution on X Y . Special cases include the problem of learning a function from X into Y , the problem of learning the conditional probability distribution on Y given X (regression), and the problem of learning a distribution on X (density estimation). We give theorems on the uniform convergence of empirical loss estimates to true expected loss rates for certain decision rule spaces H, and show how this implies learnability with bounded sample size, disregarding computational complexity. As an application, we give distribution-independent upper bounds on the sample size needed for learning with feedforward neural networks. Our theorems use a generalized notion of VC dimension that applies to classes of real-valued functions, adapted from Vapnik and Pollard's work, and a notion of capacity and metric dimension for classes of functions that map into a bounded metric space.
Misconduct Policies, Academic Culture and Career Stage, Not Gender or Pressures to Publish, Affect Scientific Integrity

The honesty and integrity of scientists is widely believed to be threatened by pressures to publish, unsupportive research environments, and other structural, sociological and psychological factors. Belief in the importance of these factors has inspired major policy initiatives, but evidence to support them is either non-existent or derived from self-reports and other sources that have known limitations. We used a retrospective study design to verify whether risk factors for scientific misconduct could predict the occurrence of retractions, which are usually the consequence of research misconduct, or corrections, which are honest rectifications of minor mistakes. Bibliographic and personal information were collected on all co-authors of papers that have been retracted or corrected in 2010-2011 (N=611 and N=2226 papers, respectively) and authors of control papers matched by journal and issue (N=1181 and N=4285 papers, respectively), and were analysed with conditional logistic regression. Results, which avoided several limitations of past studies and are robust to different sampling strategies, support the notion that scientific misconduct is more likely in countries that lack research integrity policies, in countries where individual publication performance is rewarded with cash, in cultures and situations were mutual criticism is hampered, and in the earliest phases of a researcher’s career. The hypothesis that males might be prone to scientific misconduct was not supported, and the widespread belief that pressures to publish are a major driver of misconduct was largely contradicted: high-impact and productive researchers, and those working in countries in which pressures to publish are believed to be higher, are less-likely to produce retracted papers, and more likely to correct them. Efforts to reduce and prevent misconduct, therefore, might be most effective if focused on promoting research integrity policies, improving mentoring and training, and encouraging transparent communication amongst researchers.
THINK GLOBALLY, EAT LOCALLY

Did you know that our food now travels an average of 1,500 miles before ending up on our tables? The process imperils our environment, our health, our communities, and our taste buds! Eating locally is the best way to promote sustainability. Sustainability in its most general sense means eating in a way that maintains and promotes the health of the planet, the food supply and the people who steward it.
Stochastic crack growth simulation in reinforced concrete structures by means of coupled finite element and meshless methods

The complex failure process of concrete structures can not be described in detail by standard engineering design formulas. The numerical analysis of crack development in concrete is essential for several problems. In the last decades a large number of research groups have dealt with this topic and several models and algorithms were developed. However, most of these methods show some difficulties and are limited to special cases. The goal of this study was to develop an automatic algorithm for the efficient simulation of multiple cracking in plain and reinforced concrete structures of medium size. For this purpose meshless methods were used to describe the growth of crack surfaces. Two meshless interpolation schemes were improved for a simple application. The cracking process of concrete has been modeled using a stable criterion for crack growth in combination with an improved cohesive crack model which can represent the failure process under combined crack opening and crack sliding very well. This crack growth algorithm was extended in order to represent the fluctuations of the concrete properties by enlarging the single-parameter random field concept for multiple correlated material parameters.
A family of laboratory strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae carry rearrangements involving chromosomes I and III

In order to study meiotic segregation of chromosome length polymorphism in yeast, we analysed the progeny of a cross involving two laboratory strains FL100trp and YNN295. Analysis of the parental strains led us to detect an important length polymorphism of chromosomes I and III in FL100trp. A reciprocal translocation involving 80 kb of the left arm of chromosome III and 45 kb of the right arm of chromosome I was shown to be the cause for the observed polymorphism in this strain. The characterization of the translocation breakpoints revealed the existence of a transposition hot‐spot on chromosome I: the sequence of the translocation joints on chromosomes I and III suggests that the mechanism very likely involved homologous recombination between Ty2 transposable elements on each chromosome. Analysis of FL100, FL200 and FL100trp ura, which are related to FL100trp, shows that this reciprocal translocation is present in some of the strains of the FL series, whereas the parental strain FL100 does not carry the same rearrangement. We evidenced instead the duplication of 80 kb of chromosome III on chromosome I and a deletion of 45 kb of the right arm of chromosome I in this strain, indicating that secondary events might have taken place and that the strain currently named FL100 is not the common ancestor of the FL series. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis Induces Interleukin-32 Production through a Caspase- 1/IL-18/Interferon-γ-Dependent Mechanism

Background Interleukin (IL)–32 is a newly described proinflammatory cytokine that seems likely to play a role in inflammation and host defense. Little is known about the regulation of IL-32 production by primary cells of the immune system. Methods and Findings In the present study, freshly obtained human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated with different Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists, and gene expression and synthesis of IL-32 was determined. We demonstrate that the TLR4 agonist lipopolysaccharide induces moderate (4-fold) production of IL-32, whereas agonists of TLR2, TLR3, TLR5, or TLR9, each of which strongly induced tumor necrosis factor α and IL-6, did not stimulate IL-32 production. However, the greatest amount of IL-32 was induced by the mycobacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis and M. bovis BCG (20-fold over unstimulated cells). IL-32-induced synthesis by either lipopolysaccharide or mycobacteria remains entirely cell-associated in monocytes; moreover, steady-state mRNA levels are present in unstimulated monocytes without translation into IL-32 protein, similar to other cytokines lacking a signal peptide. IL-32 production induced by M. tuberculosis is dependent on endogenous interferon-γ (IFNγ); endogenous IFNγ is, in turn, dependent on M. tuberculosis–induced IL-18 via caspase-1. Conclusions In conclusion, IL-32 is a cell-associated proinflammatory cytokine, which is specifically stimulated by mycobacteria through a caspase-1- and IL-18-dependent production of IFNγ.
An Example-Based Approach to Ranking Multiple Dialog States for Flexible Dialog Management

This paper presents a new hybrid dialog management framework that integrates a statistical ranking algorithm into an example-based dialog management approach for chat-like dialogs. The proposed model uses ranking features that consider various aspects of dialogs, including the relative importance of speech acts, dialog history sequences, and the causal relationships among speech acts and slot-filling states. The ranking algorithm enables one to aggregate these feature scores systematically and to generate diverse system responses. Additionally, the model provides detailed feedback by analyzing the causal relationships among speech acts and predicting the user's possible intentions associated with a given dialog states. Simulated experimental results demonstrate that our approach is effective for task-oriented dialogs and chat-like dialogs. Additionally, a case study using elementary school students implies that the proposed system can be used for language learning purposes in addition to task-oriented services.
Fire performance of composites made from carbon/phenolic prepregs with nanoclays

This article describes the development of fire resistant composite materials based on phenolic resin and carbon fibers. Two types of composites were developed, with neat phenolic resin and with phenolic resin/modified bentonite. Composite materials were processed from prepregs by compression molding and were characterized by density, fiber content, cone calorimeter test, scanning electron microscope, and mechanical properties before and after the exposure to fire. In both cases, high fiber content materials were developed, about 75% by volume. The addition of clay improved some fire properties such as the peak of the heat release rate and the residual mass of the burned samples. Also, the bentonite-modified composite required higher time to develop the maximum of the heat release rate in the material; therefore, the addition of modified nanoclays improved the fire properties of the developed composites. Regarding to mechanical behavior the modified composites presented low modulus and flexural stiffness than the unmodified materials, and presented a higher decreased in the properties after fire, which could be related with the different fiber content in both composites.
Enhancing the performance of silicon photonic biosensors for clinical applications

Enhancing the performance of silicon photonic biosensors for clinical applications Shon Schmidt Chair of the Supervisory Committee: Associate Professor Daniel Ratner Dept. of Bioengineering (Advisor) Silicon photonic biosensors have the potential to transform medical diagnostics and healthcare delivery. Hundreds of these nano-scale sensors can be integrated onto a single millimeter-sized silicon substrate and fabricated in foundries to achieve economies of scale similar to modern day computer chips. These refractive index sensors operate using nearinfrared light that propagates through nano-scale silicon wires. A portion of the light resides outside the waveguide interacting with biomolecules on the waveguide’s surface, altering the refractive index sensed by the light. While silicon photonic biosensors have demonstrated performances approaching today’s gold-standard diagnostic, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), improving their performance expands their use for applications requiring enhanced sensitivities and detection limits. This dissertation describes efforts to develop biosensors with enhanced performance beyond what today’s commercially available silicon photonic platforms can achieve. In addition, system level simplifications involving capillary-driven networks and new clinically-relevant assays that expand its diagnostic use are demonstrated as well. These achievements were accomplished by improving the bulk and surface sensitivity, detection limit, and quality factor of transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) mode resonators in various waveguide topologies. Specifically, TM mode microring resonators, microdisk resonators, thin waveguide resonators, and sub-wavelength grating microring resonators that provide an order of magnitude sensitivity improvement over today’s commercially available ring resonators are presented. Furthermore, the use of novel TE mode slot-waveguide, TM mode strip waveguide, and suspended waveguide Bragg gratings which facilitate higher sensitivities and lower detection limits for biosensing applications are described. The detection of antibodies in undiluted human using porous membranes instead of pumps and flow cells is shown to achieve similar performnance while reducing overall system complexity. Finally, the comparative performance of red blood cell phenotyping and the detection of hemagglutinins in undiluted human plasma is demonstrated using TE and TM mode ring resonators. These significant accomplishments enable new biosensing applications ranging from small molecule detection to cell phenotyping with performance beyond what is possible with today’s commercially available platforms.