UM-DFKI Maltese speech translation

For the 2023 IWSLT Maltese Speech Translation Task, UM-DFKI jointly presents a cascade solution which achieves 0.6 BLEU. While this is the first time that a Maltese speech translation task has been released by IWSLT, this paper explores previous solutions for other speech translation tasks, focusing primarily on low-resource scenarios. Moreover, we present our method of fine-tuning XLS-R models for Maltese ASR using a collection of multi-lingual speech corpora as well as the fine-tuning of the mBART model for Maltese to English machine translation.peer-reviewe

Consumers’ value co-creation in sharing economy: The role of social support, consumers’ ethical perceptions and relationship quality

The ancient phenomenon of ‘sharing’ has become mainstream, and transformed the traditional consumer behavior due to proliferation of online sharing economy platforms. Millions of people participate in popular sharing economy platforms (SEPs) such as Airbnb and Uber. Although sharing economy research has gained interest, yet a holistic model that explains the formation of consumer value co-creation intentions on such platforms remains absent. The purpose of this study is to develop a model of the antecedents of consumers value co-creation intentions at SEPs and evaluate it empirically. Building on social support theory, relationship quality theory, value co-creation and marketing ethics literature, we propose a theoretical model that explains the formation of consumers’ value co-creation intentions. Empirical data was collected from 342 Generation Y consumers and analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results reveal that social support influences ethical perceptions, which further influences value co-creation. Ethical perceptions also influence consumers' trust, satisfaction and commitment with the SEP. However, trust and commitment do not influence value co-creation intentions. Our study contributes to the literature on sharing economy by providing a holistic model of the antecedents of consumers’ value co-creation intentions. We also detail theoretical and managerial implications

Prostanoid receptors of the EP(3) subtype mediate inhibition of evoked [(3)H]acetylcholine release from isolated human bronchi

1. The release of neuronal [(3)H]acetylcholine (ACh) from isolated human bronchi after labelling with [(3)H]choline was measured to investigate the effects of prostanoids. 2. A first period of electrical field stimulation (S(1)) caused a [(3)H]ACh release of 320±70 and 200±40 Becquerel (Bq) g(−1) in epithelium-denuded and epithelium-containing bronchi respectively (P>0.05). Subsequent periods of electrical stimulation (S(n), n=2, 3, and 4) released less [(3)H]ACh, i.e. decreasing S(n)/S(1) values were obtained (0.76±0.09, 0.68±0.07 and 0.40±0.04, respectively). 3. Cumulative concentrations (1–1000 nM) of EP-receptor agonists like prostaglandin E(2), nocloprost, and sulprostone (EP(1) and EP(3) selective) inhibited evoked [(3)H]ACh release in a concentration dependent manner with IC(50) values between 4–14 nM and maximal inhibition of about 70%. 4. The inhibition of evoked [(3)H]ACh release by prostaglandin E(2), nocloprost and sulprostone was not affected by the DP-, EP(1)- and EP(2)-receptor antagonist AH6809 at a concentration of 3 μM, i.e. a 3–30 times greater concentration than its affinity (pA(2) values) at the respective receptors. 5. Circaprost (IP-receptor agonist; 1–100 nM), iloprost (IP- and EP(1)-receptor agonist; 10-1000 nM) and U-46619 (TP-receptor agonist; 100–1000 nM) did not significantly affect [(3)H]ACh release. 6. Blockade of cyclooxygenase by 3 μM indomethacin did not significantly modulate evoked [(3)H]ACh release in epithelium-containing and epithelium-denuded bronchi. Likewise, the combined cyclo- and lipoxygenase inhibitor BW-755C (20 μM) did not affect evoked [(3)H]ACh release. 7. In conclusion, applied prostanoids appear to inhibit [(3)H]ACh release in epithelium-denuded human bronchi under the present in vitro conditions, most likely via prejunctional prostanoid receptors of the EP(3) subtype