Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chinese Multimodal Resources for DA Analysis

: Interactive speech constitutes a large proportion of human communication and represents a full repertoire of communicative strategies and mechanisms, the understanding of which has proved to be key to the proper management of spoken resources. In the light of this, recently, spoken corpora and multimodal resources have offered an especially powerful instrument that enables the extraction of linguistic information to help deepen our understanding about human speech and language, especially in the interpretation and exploration of communicative strategies and dialogue mechanisms. Increasingly, attention has gone beyond the lexical and syntactic information and focused on semantic and pragmatic properties in dialogues. In particular, the international research community has tapped into dialogue acts (DAs) that primarily pinpoint speaker intentions in specific contexts for practical applications in dialogue systems. In this context, the compilation of corpora of interactive spoken Chinese and the exploration of dialogue acts based thereupon have become an emergent requirement that is yet to be fruitfully met with. This article is a survey of the Chinese multimodal resources in general and interactive spoken corpora in particular, focusing on the existing coding schemes of dialogue acts.
A comparative study of smart passive piezoelectric structures interacting with electric networks: Timoshenko beam theory versus finite element plane stress calculations

The present paper is devoted to the coupling between mechanical, piezoelectric and electric fields in piezoelastic beams whose electrodes are connected by electric circuits with arbitrary impedances. Taking advantage of the linear piezoelectric constitutive relations, the kinematic assumptions according to Timoshenko, the Gauss law of electrostatics as well as Kirchhoff’s voltage rule, the equations of motion for lateral vibrations are derived in the Laplace domain considering the direct and converse piezoelectric effects. For beams with layerwise constant width, the governing equations are similar to the well-known Timoshenko beam equations, but the bending moment is extended by a so-called induced electric moment, which is influenced by the electric circuits. In order to demonstrate the interaction of mechanical and electrical fields, the theory that we develop is compared against plane stress finite element computations using ANSYS. For flexural vibrations with various mechanical boundary conditions and electric impedances, an eigenfrequency analysis is performed and mechanical and electrical field variables are compared for different harmonic excitations.
Comparing Machine Learning and Optimization Approaches for the N - k Interdiction Problem Considering Load Variability

—In order to achieve reliable electric service, engineers must design power grids such a small number of line failures will not result in signiﬁcant amounts of load shedding. To identify problematic failure combinations, the N − k interdiction problem seeks the set of k failed lines (out of the N total lines in the system) that result in the largest amount of load shedding. This problem is formulated as a bilevel optimization where the upper-level selects the worst-case set line failures and the lower-level redispatches the system to minimize the load shedding. This problem becomes challenging due to the discrete variables associated with the failure selection in the upper-level problem and nonconvexities from the AC power ﬂow equations in the lower-level problem. We compare the performance of (1) a state-of-the-art optimization approach based on a network ﬂow relaxation of the power ﬂow equations, (2) a newly developed reinforcement learning approach based on a deep-Q-network algorithm, and (3) a newly developed algorithm based on a neural network formulated as a mixed-integer linear program. We evaluate the effectiveness of each approach in ﬁnding the contingencies that produce the largest shedding. The results show the proposed approaches produce competitive results in identifying worst-case contingencies.
Maximum Likelihood Estimation for Score-Driven Time Series Models

We establish strong consistency and asymptotic normality of the maximum likelihood estimator for stochastic time-varying parameter models driven by the score of the predictive conditional likelihood function. For this purpose, we formulate primitive conditions for global identification, invertibility, strong consistency, and asymptotic normality both under correct specification and misspecification of the model. A detailed illustration is provided for a conditional volatility model with disturbances from the Student’s t distribution.
Investigating Chinese University EFL Learners’ Self-Efficacy in a Blended Learning Environment

: This study examined the effect of a blended learning mode on students’ English self-efficacy and self-regulation in a Chinese university, and further explored factors associated with their English listening self-efficacy. Results showed that after 16-week blended learning implementation, students’ English listening self-efficacy, Task Strategies and Self-Evaluation have significantly improved. Students from more developed places reported higher level of English self-efficacy as well as the sources of English self-efficacy. Further OLS regression models identified Social Persuasion as a strong predictor of students’ listening self-efficacy. The implications of the study are also discussed.
Multimodal analgesia for postoperative pain in Asia: a review of evidence with clinical focus on dexketoprofen and tramadol/dexketoprofen ﬁxed-dose combination

The majority of patients who have undergone surgery experience moderate-to-severe postoperative pain. Asian patients tend to under-report pain and are consequently under-treated. Poor postoperative pain management increases the risk of morbidity, prolonged opioid use, lower quality of life outcomes and the risk of chronic post-surgical pain. Multimodal analgesia is the cornerstone of postoperative pain management. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are considered a core component of multimodal analgesia due to their anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Use of a consistent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory throughout the postoperative period can help to achieve and maintain adequate pain relief. This review investigates the use of multimodal analgesia in postoperative pain management in Asia, with a focus on clinicians’ experience with dexketoprofen as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory therapy throughout the postoperative period and its combination as fixed dose with Tramadol, a centrally acting synthetic opioid analgesic, in Asian patients, when necessary.
The Implementation of the Intelligent Exoskeleton Robot Arm Using ElectroMiogram(EMG) vital Signal

The purpose of this study is to estimate a validity of control signal through a design of Exoskeleton Robot Arm`s capable of intelligent recognition as a human arm`s motion by using realtime processed data of generated EMG signals. By an intelligent algorithm, the EMG output value of human biceps and triceps muscles contraction can be recognized and used for the control over exoskeleton arm corresponding to human`s recognition and judgement. The EMG sensing data of muscles contraction and relaxation are used as the input signal from human`s body to operate the Exoskeleton Robot Arm thus copying human arm motion. An intelligent control of Exoskeleton Robot Arm is to design the analog control circuit which processes the input data, and then to manufacture an integrated control board. And then abstracted signal is passed by DSP signal processing, Fuzzy logic algorithm is designed for a accurate prediction of weight or load through the intelligent algorithm, and design an Exoskeleton Robot Arm to express a human`s intention.
Recommendations on presenting LHC searches for missing transverse energy signals using simplified sss-channel models of dark matter Recommendations on presenting LHC searches for missing transverse energy signals using simplified-channel models of dark matter

This document summarises the proposal of the LHC Dark Matter Working Group on how to present LHC results on s-channel simplified dark matter models and to compare them to direct (indirect) detection experiments. © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Development of a Pattern Recognition System Based on Image Processing Implemented on a Safety Critical Embedded System for Accident Prevention

Irresponsible driving is one of the leading causes of mishaps & deaths in the world today. The present work aims at developing a preventive solution to this problem in the form of a driving aid for drunk drivers or people who are not in a fit state to drive. The said system proposes to enhance certain existing frameworks using image processing. Haar-wavelet classifiers & Speeded Up Robust Features (SURF) algorithm are used to analyze images of the drivers' eyes & patterns of movement to judge if they are eligible to drive. These complement the existing sensors, like the odor sensor, and help the system reach a confident decision. We plan to take this system further by creating collaborative MANETs among vehicles for preventing potential harm to other drivers as well.
Quality and Asymmetry of Information in the Capital Markets of Emerging Countries

We investigate the relationship between the quality of accounting information and information asymmetry at the firm level and how this relationship is influenced by the quality of the information environment at the country level. Our sample comprises over 15,000 publicly traded firms from 22 countries that make up the MSCI Emerging Markets Index between the years 2000 and 2016. We construct an Information Asymmetry Index (IAI) using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) based on a set of firm characteristics usually associated with the degree of firm-level information asymmetry. We relate the IAI to five proxies for earnings quality in both the preand post-IFRS adoption periods. We also include in the analysis two proxies for the quality of the information environment, based on country governance and sovereign risk ratings. We show that a better information environment at the country level is associated with a lower degree of information asymmetry and with higher accounting information quality at the firm level. Lower information asymmetry is associated with higher information quality. However, this relationship is usually stronger in emerging countries with weaker information environment, suggesting that in these countries firm-level characteristics may be particularly relevant to investors.
A Metaheuristic Approach for the α -separator Problem

Most of the critical infrastructures can be easily modeled as a network of nodes interconnected among them. If one or more nodes of the network fail, the connectivity of the network can be compromised, to the point of completely disconnecting the network. Additionally, discon-necting the network can result in cascade failures, because the remaining nodes may be overloaded because of heavy tra ﬃ c in the network. One of the main objectives of an attacker is to isolate the nodes whose removal disconnect the network in minimum size subnetworks. On the contrary, a defender must identify those weak points in order to maintain the network integrity. This work is focused on solving the α separator problem, whose main objective is to ﬁnd a minimum set of nodes that disconnect a network in isolated subnetworks of size smaller than a given value. The problem is tackled from a metaheuristic point of view, analyzing the solutions given by a Greedy Randomized Adaptive Search Procedure over di ﬀ erent network topologies. The results obtained are compared with the best algorithm found in the literature.
Treated HfO2 based rram devices with ru, tan, tin as top electrode for in-memory computing hardware

TREATED HfO2 BASED RRAM DEVICES WITH Ru, TaN, TiN AS TOP ELECTRODE FOR IN-MEMORY COMPUTING HARDWARE by Yuvraj Dineshkumar Patel The scalability and power efficiency of the conventional CMOS technology is steadily coming to a halt due to increasing problems and challenges in fabrication technology. Many non-volatile memory devices have emerged recently to meet the scaling challenges. Memory devices such as RRAMs or ReRAM (Resistive Random-Access Memory) have proved to be a promising candidate for analog in memory computing applications related to inference and learning in artificial intelligence. A RRAM cell has a MIM (Metal insulator metal) structure that exhibits reversible resistive switching on application of positive or negative voltage. But detailed studies on the power consumption, repeatability and retention of during multi-level operation have not been undertaken previously. Transition metal oxide-based RRAMs, using HfO2, executes change in resistance (switching behavior) via electrochemical migration of oxygen vacancies. This thesis investigates the role of extra oxygen vacancies, introduced by plasma exposure (treated), in HfO2 to reduce the power consumption of RRAM. In addition to oxygen vacancy rich HfO2, various top metal electrodes including Ruthenium (Ru) are explored to enhance the switching behavior and power consumption. Use of Ru as a top metal reduced the switching energy of the treated HfO2 RRAM device. TREATED HfO2 BASED RRAM DEVICES WITH Ru, TaN, TiN AS TOP ELECTRODE FOR IN-MEMORY COMPUTING HARDWARE by Yuvraj Dineshkumar Patel A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of New Jersey Institute of Technology in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Computer Engineering Helen and John C. Hartmann Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Impact Of Toposequence On Soil Chemical Properties In Floodplain Irrigated Soils Of Gadabiyu Area Of Kwali Area Council, Abuja Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

This study assessed the effect of topo sequence position on soil chemical properties in flood plain irrigated soils of GADA BIYU area of KWALI Area Council, Abuja, FCT. Two catanas (A and B) and three slope segments were identified. Soil samples were collected from each profile pit in accordance with horizons starting from lower horizons to avoid contaminating samples. Transect placement and sampling intervals along transects were determined subjectively to capture the full range of soil variability within landforms. The depth of the auger borings was 0-15 and 1530 cm (surface and sub-surface respectively). The soils were analyzed forSoil pH, Organic Carbon, Total Nitrogen, Available Phosphorus, CEC, Exchangeable Cations and Percentage base saturation, Exchangeable acidity in the soil. Descriptive statistics and a One-way Analysis of Variance were used to analyze the data. Findings revealed that values gotten for soil pH shows that the soil in the study area is moderately acidic, in the same vein ANOVA result showed that there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the pH values of the soil determined in H2O and in KCl, The study further revealed that the EC values were rated low to moderate, also Organic carbon and soil organic matter showed the same trend in the soils, the values gotten indicated a moderate to very high distribution within the profiles and along the toposequence with much higher values in the middle and lower slope sections. Furthermore, The total nitrogen values within the profiles decreased with increasing soil depth, however, the distribution of nitrogen within the profile. Also findings show that the value of P recorded in the soil was rated as being high with a mean value of 15.83 mgkg-1in the upper slope, 16.02mgkg-1 in the middle slope and 20.92mgkg-1 respectively in the same vein findings revealed that the distribution of the basic cations in the soil showed that Ca and Mg were the most abundant in the soil. Also the the cation exchange capacity of the soils along the topo sequence recorded was very low. Based on the findings the study recommended that organic matter should be continuously applied to the soil as a means of improving soil structure, and the nutrient capital reserve of the soil. Keywords-Toposequence, Catena, Irrigation, Physical Properties.
Host Countries: Evidence from International Construction Companies

5 Construction businesses expanding internationally often need to devise corporate social responsibility 6 (CSR) as an indispensable component of their competitive strategies. Companies will customize their 7 CSR programs in line with host countries’ institutional environments, meanwhile, this customization 8 will be unavoidably influenced by the institutions at home countries. This research aims to explore 9 whether the institutional distance between home and host countries matters to CSR, in particular its 10 related environmental and social practices. Data regarding the CSR practices in host countries are 11 extracted from CSR/sustainability reports by using content analysis and text mining. Logistic regression 12 models are then applied to test the roles of institutional distance and host country contexts on the two 13 types of CSR practices. It is found that the institutional distance has no impact on environmental 14 practices in host countries, but the embedded contexts of host countries positively affect the practices. 15 It is also found that the institutional distance is positively correlated with social practices; however, the 16 positive relationship is less pronounced when the host country’s development level is higher. The 17 novelty of this research lies in considering both host countries’ contexts and the institutional distance. 18 The findings offer companies new insights on how to engage in environmental and social practices and 19 develop CSR strategies in international construction markets. 20 21
CHARACTERISTICS OF BIOADHESIVE POLYMERS AND THEORIES OF BIOADHESION

Mucoadhesion is defined as a condition in which two elements, one of which is biological in origin, are bound together for a long time via interfacial adhesion. The study aims to shed some light on the fundamentals of mucoadhesion, including the advantages of bioadhesive systems, characteristics of bioadhesive polymers, theories of bioadhesion, factors affecting bioadhesion, mechanism of bioadhesion and the polymers and systems employed in the design of bioadhesive delivery systems with key outcomes.
Reliability of Electronic Devices at Early Stages of Life Cycle

Early stages of existence of electronic devices are considered: design stage and stage of early failures. At the design stage, works on evaluation of reliability of various variants of structure of electronic devices are carried out. At performance of the given works, help data by manufacturers of components are used. The important question is definition of failure rate of components during the moments of time further from time of publication of help data. The method of forecasting of reliability of components is offered. The method considers data by the manufacturer on change of failure rate of components during the moments of time after publication of help data. The stage of early failures of electronic devices is considered. Two models of dependence of failure rate on time for the given stage are analyzed. Methods of estimation of parameters of considered models and method of estimation of conformity of models with statistical data on failures are offered. Models of reliability of electronic devices are nonlinear, the numerical method of finding the parameters of models is therefore considered. The method provides carrying out of computing experiment. Bibl. 9 (in English; abstracts in English and Lithuanian). http://dx.doi. org/10.5755/j01.eee. 112.6. 445
Political Islam, Clash of Civilizations, U.S. Dominance and Arab Support of Attacks on America: A Test of a Hierarchical Model

This study examines two theses used to explain Arab support of the 11 September attacks on the United States: clash of civilizations and anti-dominance reaction to perceived American hegemony in the Middle East. Huntington's clash-of-civilizations thesis has been widely challenged, but rarely tested on the basis of individual-level data. In this study data were obtained from a random sample consisting of 805 male and female respondents representing 7 Arab nations: Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Saudi Arabia. Results from structural equation modeling show strong support for the anti-dominance thesis and essentially no support for the clash-of-civilizations thesis. These findings suggest a lack of fit between “civilization” and political values contrary to what Huntington had originally posited.
USING FAST MULTIDIMENSIONAL PROJECTIONS TO REVEAL BAND AND CIRCUMPLEX PATTERNS IN REORDERABLE MATRICES

Matrix reordering techniques are essential to reveal patterns in tabular visualizations (such as heatmaps). Polar Sort is a state-of-the-art, pattern-focused reordering method that uses a multidimensional projection technique – Classical MDS – to reveal Band and Circumplex patterns in reorderable matrices. However, Polar Sort is not scalable due to Classical MDS’ asymptotic time complexity (O( n ³)). In this paper, we explore the use of a fast multidimensional projection technique – FastMap (O( n )) – as an alternative to Classical MDS inside Polar Sort. The new reordering algorithm – PSF – reorders rows and columns of a matrix according to bidimensional projections projected by FastMap (instead of Classical MDS), and uses a barycenter-based ordering identical to Polar Sort’s approach. The results of an experiment with synthetic matrices point out that PSF maintained the output quality of its predecessor (according to minimal span loss function, Moore stress, and circular correlation) and had lower execution time than other compared methods. We present the results of these experiments and also some examples of real-world matrices that show patterns similar to Band and Circumplex when reordered by PSF.
On the selection of a two-dimensional signal constellation in the presence of phase jitter and Gaussian noise

A long-standing communications problem is the efficient coding of a block of binary data into a pair of in-phase and quadrature components. This modulation technique may be regarded as the placing of a discrete number of signal points in two dimensions. Quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) and combined amplitude and phase modulation (AM-PM) are two familiar examples of this signaling format. Subject to a peak or average power constraint, the selection of the signal coordinates is done so as to minimize the probability of error. In the design of high-speed data communication systems this problem becomes one of great practical significance since the dense packing of signal points reduces the margin against Gaussian noise. Phase jitter, which tends to perturb the angular location of the transmitted signal point, further degrades the error rate. Previous investigations have considered the signal evaluation and design problem in the presence of Gaussian noise alone and within the framework of a particular structure, such as conventional amplitude and phase modulation. We present techniques to evaluate and optimize the choice of a signal constellation in the presence of both Gaussian noise and carrier phase jitter. The performance of a number of currently used or proposed signal constellations are compared. The evaluation and the optimization are based upon a perturbation analysis of the probability density of the received signal given the transmitted signal. Laplace's asymptotic formula is used for the evaluation. Discretizing the signal space reduces the optimal signal design problem under a peak power constraint to a tractable mathematical programming problem. Our results indicate that in Gaussian noise alone an improvement in signal-to-noise ratio of as much as 2 dB may be realized by using quadrature amplitude modulation instead of conventional amplitude and phase modulation. New modulation formats are proposed which perform very well in Gaussian noise and additionally are quite insensitive to moderate amounts of phase jitter.