Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Automatic detection of discourse structure for speech recognition and understanding

We describe a new approach for statistical modeling and detection of discourse structure for natural conversational speech. Our model is based on 42 dialog acts (DAs), (question, answer, backchannel, agreement, disagreement, apology, etc.). We labeled 1155 conversations from the Switchboard (SWBD) database (Godfrey et al., 1992) of human-to-human telephone conversations with these 42 types and trained a dialog act detector based on three distinct knowledge sources: sequences of words which characterize a dialog act; prosodic features which characterize a dialog act; and a statistical discourse grammar. Our combined detector, although still in preliminary stages, already achieves a 65% dialog act detection rate based on acoustic waveforms, and 72% accuracy based on word transcripts. Using this detector to switch among the 42 dialog-act-specific trigram LMs also gave us an encouraging but not statistically significant reduction in SWBD word error.
Wilson Loops, D-Branes, and Reparametrization Path-Integrals

We study path-integrals over reparametrizations of the world-sheet boundary. Such integrals arise when string propagates between fixed space-time contours. In gauge/string duality they are needed to describe gauge theory Wilson loops. We show that (1) in AdS/CFT, the integral is well defined and gives a finite 1-loop correction to the Wilson loop; (2) in critical string theory, the integral is UV divergent, and fixed contour amplitudes are off shell. In the second case, we show that the divergences can be removed by renormalizing the contour. We calculate the 2-loop contour beta-function and explain how it is related to the D0-brane effective action. We also apply this method to compute the first alpha' correction to the effective action of higher dimensional branes.
Floating-gate-programmable and reconfigurable, digital and mixed-signal systems

This body of work as whole has the theme of using floating-gates and reconfigurable systems to explore and implement non-traditional computing solutions to difficult problems. Various computational methodologies are used simultaneously to solve problems by mapping pieces of them to the appropriate type of computer. There exists no systematic approach to simultaneously apply analog, digital, and neuromorphic techniques to solving general problems. Typically, this is a very difficult task, and one that few attempt to undertake. However, when done right, solutions can be found with orders-of-magnitude improvement over existing solutions restricted to using only one type computational domain. To that end, I have helped build large and complicated reconfigurable systems (and software tools for helping to use these systems) capable of implementing solutions to problems in all three of those domains simultaneously. These systems are used to explore and implement these cross domain solutions to difficult problems. The earlier work was involved with simply applying floating-gate technology to improving the building blocks of digital systems. Through that early work a new logic family built from floating-gate transistors was discovered, a Logical Effort compatible power analysis technique was developed, and low power floating-gate based FPGA was implemented. This work was then merged with existing research in the group involving solving problems using reconfigurable analog, and neuromorphic techniques. Thus converging on the mentioned systems that allow one to solve problems using techniques from all three domains: analog, neuromorphic, and digital.
A timing-based schema for stabilizing information exchange

The paradigm of information exchange provides a basis for nodes in a network to stay up-to-date with the recent information in the network. In this paradigm, nodes cooperate with each other to share their current information. We present a simple and uniform schema for building information exchange protocols that are stabilizing, in the following strong sense. Starting from arbitrary state, the protocols reach within bounded real-time a state from where all nodes remain up-to-date with recent information in the network. The ability to stabilize in bounded time is achieved by using timing-based actions. The timing constraints on these actions can be systematically adapted to suit a variety of network loads, delay requirements, and scheduling restrictions and to tolerate out-of-phase and drift-prone node clocks. Our schema also tolerates any number of topological changes in the network. Moreover, it accommodates information that is time-varying as well as it does information that is fixed. It is thus well-suited to dynamic high speed networks.
Interference of Drug-Eluting Stents With Endothelium-Dependent Coronary Vasomotion: Evidence for Device-Specific Responses

Background—There is evidence that endothelial coverage of drug-eluting stents might be delayed or absent, a risk factor for late thrombotic events. We studied the effects of different drug-polymer-device iterations on endothelium-dependent coronary vasomotion. Systemic markers of endothelial inflammation were correlated with coronary vasomotor changes. Methods and Results—Patients with paclitaxel-eluting stents (n=11), sirolimus-eluting stents (n=21), biolimus A9-eluting stents (n=28), zotarolimus-eluting stents (n=10), and bare-metal stents (n=13) were studied 10, 9, 9, 9, and 12 months after implantation, respectively. Endothelium-dependent coronary vasomotion was tested proximally and distally to the stent and at a reference vessel segment during atrial pacing at increasing heart rates by quantitative coronary angiography. Indexes of platelet-monocyte binding and other biomarkers were studied in a subgroup of 19 patients. The baseline characteristics and hemodynamics of the patients in the different stent groups were comparable. Significant differences were observed across the 5 stent groups, concerning the vasomotion of segments proximal (P=0.006) and distal (P=0.003) to the stent. Normal vasomotion (vasodilatation) was maintained in the biolimus A9-eluting stent, zotarolimus-eluting stent, and bare-metal stent groups, whereas vasoconstriction was observed in the sirolimus-eluting stent and paclitaxel-eluting stent groups. Platelet-monocyte binding in whole blood showed a significant inverse correlation with vasomotion in reference but not in segments adjacent to the stent (r=−0.57; P=0.01). Conclusions—Paclitaxel-eluting stents and sirolimus-eluting stents seem to cause endothelial dysfunction of the implanted vessel, whereas biolimus A9-eluting stents and zotarolimus-eluting stents behave more closely to bare-metal stents, with preserved endothelial vasomotor response. Coronary vasoconstriction was not associated with detectable systemic endothelial activation.
STUDIES OF L FORMS AND PROTOPLASTS OF GROUP A STREPTOCOCCI

Intact bacterial membranes have been isolated from protoplasts prepared from Group A streptococci by a cell wall-dissolving enzyme. A membrane fraction with identical chemical and serological properties has been obtained by differential centrifugation of mechanically disrupted streptococci. The membrane is chemically distinct from the cell wall and is composed of 72 per cent protein, 26 per cent lipid, and 2 per cent carbohydrate. Capillary precipitin tests and analysis by microdiffusion have demonstrated that the membrane contains antigens distinct from those of the cell wall and from those of the cytoplasm which it envelops. Evidence is presented which demonstrates that this antigenic material is common to the membranes of Group A streptococci, and that it can be distinguished by immunodiffusion from related antigenic substances present in membranes of several other serological groups of hemolytic streptococci. This antigenic material does not cross-react with the membrane antigens of other Gram-positive cocci.
Efficient Storage for XML Databases: Vertical View Model with Signature-Based Approach

Accessing geomedia (i.e. geographic multimedia) documents is becoming a major application area where new information management strategies are needed. The concept of multidimensional data is an effective approach to reduce the complexity of structural access management. As XML becomes a key point both for data representation and transactions, it is necessary to investigate all improvements related to DBMS’s that pertain to these areas. The data used in our research is taken from the geomedia world, where the content is a mix of geographic and cultural multimedia information. We add multidimensional features into XML in order to be able to deal with, and take advantage of, various user properties, such as language. This technique enables us, for instance, to offer efficient multilingual support. Focusing on XML, this paper investigates multidimensional indexing methods and introduces a new operator to include these new models into the Phasme information engine prototype.
Work ability in midlife as a predictor of mortality and disability in later life: a 28-year prospective follow-up study

Background Poor work ability correlates with increased morbidity and early retirement from the workforce, but the association in old age is not known. We investigated work ability in midlife among white-collar and blue-collar employees as a predictor of mortality and disability 28 years later. Methods A total of 5971 occupationally active people aged 44–58 years participated in the Finnish Longitudinal Study of Municipal Employees (FLAME) in 1981. Perceived work ability relative to lifetime best was categorized as excellent, moderate or poor. In 2009, the ability to perform activities of daily living was assessed among 2879 respondents (71.0% of the survivors). Mortality data were available up to July 2009. Results At the 28-year follow-up, 1918 of the 5971 participants had died and 1403 had some form of disability. Rates of death per 1000 person-years among white-collar men were 7.7 for those with excellent work ability, 14.7 for those with moderate work ability and 23.5 for those with poor work ability. Among blue-collar men, the corresponding rates were 15.5, 20.2 and 25.3. In women, rates ranged between 6.3 and 10.6 per 1000 person-years. The age-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for mortality were two to three times higher among blue-collar male employees with lower work ability than among white-collar male employees with excellent work ability in midlife (i.e., the reference group). The odds of death or disability at follow-up compared with white-collar workers with excellent work ability were highest among blue-collar employees with poor work ability in midlife (odds ratio [OR] 4.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.82–7.37 for men; OR 3.37, 95% CI 2.28–4.98 for women). Among the survivors, similar but slightly lower risks of disability 28 years later were found. Interpretation Perceived poor work ability in midlife was associated with accelerated deterioration in health and functioning and remains evident after 28 years of follow-up.
Evaluation of Program Specification and Verification Tools for High Assurance Development

Abstract : A key decision in the development of high assurance software is that of choosing a formal methods tool. This paper describes a methodology to select a formal methods tool for use in the development of high assurance software. Some of the factors that make a tool suitable to the task can be evaluated with a desk check, while others can only be appreciated by "hands on" testing. We describe the application of our methodology to a broad set of currently available formal methods tools, including a hands-on evaluation of one of the tools. The impact of the tools on the project development is also discussed.
Application Utility-Based Bandwidth Allocation Scheme for Data Center Networks

The key infrastructure of Cloud Computing is data center which is shared by many tenants. Each tenant's application competes for acquiring more network bandwidth in order to maximize its utility. However, this may cause interference among these diverse applications. Malicious competition not only degrades its performance, but also makes the overall performance of the data center poor and ineffective. To ensure the Quality of Services (QoS) and achieve high network utilization, in this paper, we propose a bandwidth allocation scheme for data center networks (DCNs), which is based on an application utility-based model. In our scheme, multi-path feature of DCN is leveraged to improve the network utilization, and utility functions are constructed to differentiate the throughput and delay sensibilities of different applications. Moreover, our scheme is suitable for arbitrary DCN topologies and without modification on current hardware. The numerical simulation shows that our scheme can provide bandwidth guarantee, fine-grained service differentiation and achieve high network utilization.
Local Gene Transfer of phVEGF-2 Plasmid by Gene-Eluting Stents: An Alternative Strategy for Inhibition of Restenosis

Background—Drug-eluting stents represent a useful strategy for the prevention of restenosis using various antiproliferative drugs. These strategies share the liability of impairing endothelial recovery, thereby altering the natural biology of the vessel wall and increasing the associated risk of stent thrombosis. Accordingly, we tested the hypothesis that local delivery via gene-eluting stent of naked plasmid DNA encoding for human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-2 could achieve similar reductions in neointima formation while accelerating, rather than inhibiting, reendothelialization. Methods and Results—phVEGF 2-plasmid (100 or 200 μg per stent)–coated BiodivYsio phosphorylcholine polymer stents versus uncoated stents were deployed in a randomized, blinded fashion in iliac arteries of 40 normocholesterolemic and 16 hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Reendothelialization was nearly complete in the VEGF stent group after 10 days and was significantly greater than in control stents (98.7±1% versus 79.0±6%, P <0.01). At 3 months, intravascular ultrasound analysis revealed that lumen cross-sectional area (4.2±0.4 versus 2.27±0.3 mm2, P <0.001) was significantly greater and percent cross-sectional narrowing was significantly lower (23.4±6 versus 51.2±10, P <0.001) in VEGF stents compared with control stents implanted in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Transgene expression was detectable in the vessel wall along with improved functional recovery of stented segments, resulting in a 2.4-fold increase in NO production. Conclusions—Acceleration of reendothelialization via VEGF-2 gene–eluting stents provides an alternative treatment strategy for the prevention of restenosis. VEGF-2 gene–eluting stents may be considered as a stand-alone or combination therapy.
Delegation of Computation without Rejection Problem from Designated Verifier CS-Proofs

We present a designated verifier CS proof system for polynomial time computations. The proof system can only be verified by a designated verifier: one who has published a public-key for which it knows a matching secret key unknown to the prover. Whereas Micali’s CS proofs require the existence of random oracles, we can base soundness on computational assumptions: the existence of leveled fully homomorphic encryption (FHE) schemes, the DDH assumption and a new knowledge of exponent assumption. Using our designated verifier CS proof system, we construct two schemes for delegating (polynomial-time) computation. In such schemes, a delegator outsources the computation of a function F on input x to a polynomial time worker, who computes the output y = F (x) and proves to the delegator the correctness of the output. Let T be the complexity of computing F on inputs of length n = |x| and let k be a security parameter. Our first scheme calls for an one-time off-line stage where the delegator sends a message to the worker, and a non-interactive on-line stage where the worker sends the output together with a certificate of correctness to the prover per input x. The total computational complexity of the delegator during off-line and on-line stages is poly(k, n, log T ). Compared with previous constructions by Gennaro-Gentry-Parno and Chung-Kalai-Vadhan [GGP10, CKV10] based on FHE, their on-line stage consists of two messages and their off-line stage has (delegator’s) complexity of poly(k, n, T ). Thus, they achieve delegator complexity poly(k, n, log T ) only in an amortized sense. Compared with the construction of [GKR08] based on poly-log PIR, our first construction can handle any polynomial-time computable F rather than being restricted to NC computable F . Our second scheme requires no off-line stage and has a two-message “online” stage with complexity of poly(k, n, log T ). Most importantly, it achieves robust soundness that guarantees that it is infeasible for a cheating worker to convince the delegator of an invalid output even if the worker learns whether the delegator accepts or rejects previous outputs and proofs. Previously the only two-round protocol that achieves robust soundness under a computational assumption appeared in [GKR08] and is restricted to only NC computations. ∗This material is based on research sponsored in part by NSF Contract CCF-1018064, NSF Contract CCF0729011, and the Air Force Research Laboratory under agreement number FA8750-11-2-0225. The U.S. Government is authorized to reproduce and distribute reprints for Governmental purposes notwithstanding any copyright notation thereon. The views and conclusions contained herein are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as necessarily representing the official policies or endorsements, either expressed or implied, of the Air Force Research Laboratory or the U.S. Government. †MIT, E-Mail: shafi@theory.csail.mit.edu. ‡MIT, E-Mail: huijia@csail.mit.edu. §Tel Aviv University aviadrub@mail.tau. ac.il
Comprehensive Evaluation of Inflammatory and Noninflammatory Sequelae of Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomoses

BACKGROUND AND AIMS:Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) improves quality of life (QOL) for ulcerative colitis patients who require surgery. Crohn's disease (CD) of the pouch, pouchitis, cuffitis, and irritable pouch syndrome (IPS) have an adverse impact on physical and psychological well-being, which can compromise the gain in QOL after the surgery. Their clinical, endoscopic, and histologic features have not been fully characterized. The aim of this study was to compare demographic, clinical, endoscopic, and histologic features between CD of the pouch, pouchitis, cuffitis, IPS, and normal pouches.METHODS:We enrolled 124 patients: normal pouches (N = 26), CD of the pouch (N = 23), pouchitis (N = 22), cuffitis (N = 21), and IPS (N = 32). Symptomatology, endoscopy, histology, and the Cleveland Global QOL and the Irritable Bowel Syndrome-QOL scores were compared among the groups.RESULTS:Univariate analysis of demographic and clinical data showed a possible association between NSAID use and pouchitis, extraintestinal manifestation and cuffitis, and antidepressant use and IPS. There were no differences in the Pouchitis Disease Activity Index symptom scores between the disease groups, with an exception of bleeding, which occurred almost exclusively in cuffitis. Endoscopy was useful in discriminating between CD of the pouch, pouchitis, cuffitis, and normal pouches or IPS. Patients with diseased IPAA had worse QOL scores.CONCLUSIONS:Symptoms largely overlapped among the disease groups of IPAA. Endoscopy is valuable for diagnosis. Inflammatory or noninflammatory sequelae of IPAA adversely affected patients' QOL.
Agent based Monitoring and Scheduling Technique Framework for Backup Configurations

In Multi Route Configurations (MRC) protocol when failure is detected, it forwards the packets over preconfigured alternative next-hops and immediately recovers from single or multiple failures. Multipath routing provides multipath communication and improves network transmission reliability. However, when there is a huge amount of traffic in the network existing MRC follows default scheduling which results in large transmission delay for high priority packet. Hence it is a challenging problem, and highly influences the performance of MRC. In this paper, we propose an Agent based Monitoring and Scheduling Technique (AMST) algorithm which provides a generic framework for packet scheduling. The main idea of AMST algorithm is to schedule the packets based on its priority and by selecting the transmission path with lowest transmission delay.
Enhancing safety messages dissemination over 802.11p/DSRC

Direct radio-based vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication can be used to prevent accidents and to provide accurate information on road state or surrounding vehicles intention. Both kinds of information can be used to enable drivers to react in time and avoid hazardous situations. While the IEEE 802.11p standard has specifically been adopted for vehicular communications, its Distributed Coordination Function (DCF) operation can cause poor delivery rates when the communication channel is congested or when messages need to be transmitted over distances higher than 300 meters. In this paper, we propose MORS, a technique for transmission power adjustment to avoid channel congestion, combined with an efficient multi-hop data dissemination scheme. The purpose is to ensure low delays and high delivery rates for V2V communications at distances higher than it would normally be possible with the same effectiveness with 802.11p alone. The power adjustment technique is fully distributed and asymmetrical, and the multi-hop data dissemination scheme is based on a newly designed multi-metric which characterizes the available links capacity. MORS determines, at each hop, the best available link choice to ensure both reliable transmissions and a minimum delivery delay while reducing congestion and network load though adaptive power adjustment. Simulation results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed transmit-power adaptation and multi-hop relaying schemes under various realistic traffic constraints.
Genetic polymorphisms variants in interleukin-6 and interleukin-1beta patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in East Northern Turkey.

AIM To investigate the relationship of IL-1β and IL-6 cytokine gene polymorphisms with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in 61 patients admitted to the neurology clinic in Kafkas University Hospital with insomnia problem who were diagnosed with OSAS in sleeping labs, and 80 healthy subjects not associated with the syndrome. METHODS :Blood samples were taken to isolate DNA from patients diagnosed with OSAS based on polysomnography results and healthy controls. DNA amplification of the genes was performed with PCR. Amplification products were cut with the restriction enzymes in order to determine IL-1 gene (TaqI) and IL-6 gene (Lwel) polymorphisms. The cut DNA fragments were carried out in agarose gel electrophoresis, and RFLP analysis was performed by utilizing the images with gel imaging system. PCR products were sequenced with an Applied Biosystems Automated Sequencer. RESULTS Polymorphic changes were observed for IL-1β gene in 26 of 62 patients (41.9%), and 16 of the 80 (25.8%) in the control group. The incidence of polymorphic changes in IL-6 gene was in seen in seven (of the 62 patients) (11.3%), and in the 16 (20%) controls. CONCLUSION The findings on the genomic level in OSAS may provide an important contribution to diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in clinical practice, as well as it helps to obtain the results easily about environmental and genetic interaction of OSAS patients.