How Phonotactics Affect Multilingual and Zero-shot ASR Performance

The idea of combining multiple languages' recordings to train a single automatic speech recognition (ASR) model brings the promise of the emergence of universal speech representation. Recently, a Transformer encoder-decoder model has been shown to leverage multilingual data well in IPA transcriptions of languages presented during training. However, the representations it learned were not successful in zero-shot transfer to unseen languages. Because that model lacks an explicit factorization of the acoustic model (AM) and language model (LM), it is unclear to what degree the performance suffered from differences in pronunciation or the mismatch in phonotactics. To gain more insight into the factors limiting zero-shot ASR transfer, we replace the encoder-decoder with a hybrid ASR system consisting of a separate AM and LM. Then, we perform an extensive evaluation of monolingual, multilingual, and crosslingual (zero-shot) acoustic and language models on a set of 13 phonetically diverse languages. We show that the gain from modeling crosslingual phonotactics is limited, and imposing a too strong model can hurt the zero-shot transfer. Furthermore, we find that a multilingual LM hurts a multilingual ASR system's performance, and retaining only the target language's phonotactic data in LM training is preferable.Comment: Accepted for publication in IEEE ICASSP 2021. The first 2 authors contributed equally to this wor

Altered vascular smooth muscle function in the ApoE knockout mouse during the progression of atherosclerosis

Objectives: Relaxation of vascular smooth muscle (VSM) requires re-uptake of cytosolic Ca2+ into the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) via the Sarco/Endoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA), or extrusion via the Plasma Membrane Ca2+ ATPase (PMCA) or sodium Ca2+ exchanger (NCX). Peroxynitrite, a reactive species formed in vascular inflammatory diseases, upregulates SERCA activity to induce relaxation but, chronically, can contribute to atherogenesis and altered vascular function by escalating endoplasmic reticulum stress. Our objectives were to determine if peroxynitrite-induced relaxation and Ca2+ handling processes within vascular smooth muscle cells were altered as atherosclerosis develops.<p></p> Methods: Aortae from control and ApoE−/− mice were studied histologically, functionally and for protein expression levels of SERCA and PMCA. Ca2+ responses were assessed in dissociated aortic smooth muscle cells in the presence and absence of extracellular Ca2+.<p></p> Results: Relaxation to peroxynitrite was concentration-dependent and endothelium-independent. The abilities of the SERCA blocker thapsigargin and the PMCA inhibitor carboxyeosin to block this relaxation were altered during fat feeding and plaque progression. SERCA levels were progressively reduced, while PMCA expression was upregulated. In ApoE−/− VSM cells, increases in cytosolic Ca2+ [Ca2+]c in response to SERCA blockade were reduced, while SERCA-independent Ca2+ clearance was faster compared to control.<p></p> Conclusion: As atherosclerosis develops in the ApoE−/− mouse, expression and function of Ca2+ handling proteins are altered. Up-regulation of Ca2+ removal via PMCA may offer a potential compensatory mechanism to help normalise the dysfunctional relaxation observed during disease progression

Study of elastic and inelastic scattering of 7Be + 12C at 35 MeV

6 pags., 5 figs., 2 tabs.The elastic and inelastic scattering of Be from C have been measured at an incident energy of 35 MeV. The inelastic scattering leading to the 4.439 MeV excited state of C has been measured for the first time. The experimental data cover an angular range of θ = 15-120. Optical model analyses were carried out with Woods-Saxon and double-folding potential using the density dependent M3Y (DDM3Y) effective interaction. The microscopic analysis of the elastic data indicates breakup channel coupling effect. A coupled-channel analysis of the inelastic scattering, based on collective form factors, shows that mutual excitation of both Be and C is significantly smaller than the single excitation of C. The larger deformation length obtained from the DWBA analysis could be explained by including the excitation of Be in a coupled-channel analysis. The breakup cross section of Be is estimated to be less than 10% of the reaction cross section. The intrinsic deformation length obtained for the C (4.439 MeV) state is δ = 1.37 fm. The total reaction cross section deduced from the analysis agrees very well with Wong's calculations for similar weakly bound light nuclei on C target.D. Gupta acknowledges research funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no. 654002 (ENSAR2) and ISRO, Government of India under grant no. ISRO/RES/2/378/15-16. O. Tengblad would like to acknowledge the support by the Spanish Funding Agency (AEI / FEDER, EU) under the project PID2019-104390GB-I00. I. Martel would like to acknowledge the support by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities of Spain (Grant No. PGC2018-095640-B-I00). J. Cederkall acknowledges grants from the Swedish Research Council (VR) under contract numbers VR-2017-00637 and VR-2017-03986 as well as grants from the Royal Physiographical Society. J. Park would like to acknowledge the support by Institute for Basic Science (IBS-R031-D1). S. Szwec acknowledges support by the Academy of Finland (Grant No. 307685). A.M.M. is supported by the I+D+i project PID2020-114687GB-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033, by the grant Group FQM-160 and by project P20_01247, funded by the Consejería de Economía, Conocimiento, Empresas y Universidad, Junta de Andalucía (Spain) and by “ERDF A way of making Europe”

Study of elastic and inelastic scattering of 7^7Be + 12^{12}C at 35 MeV

The elastic and inelastic scattering of $^7$Be from $^{12}$C have been measured at an incident energy of 35 MeV. The inelastic scattering leading to the 4.439 MeV excited state of $^{12}$C has been measured for the first time. The experimental data cover an angular range of $\theta_{cm}$ = 15$^{\circ}$-120$^{\circ}$. Optical model analyses were carried out with Woods-Saxon and double-folding potential using the density dependent M3Y (DDM3Y) effective interaction. The microscopic analysis of the elastic data indicates breakup channel coupling effect. A coupled-channel analysis of the inelastic scattering, based on collective form factors, show that mutual excitation of both $^7$Be and $^{12}$C is significantly smaller than the single excitation of $^{12}$C. The larger deformation length obtained from the DWBA analysis could be explained by including the excitation of $^7$Be in a coupled-channel analysis. The breakup cross section of $^7$Be is estimated to be less than 10$\%$ of the reaction cross section. The intrinsic deformation length obtained for the $^{12}$C$^*$ (4.439 MeV) state is $\delta _2$ = 1.37 fm. The total reaction cross section deduced from the analysis agrees very well with Wong's calculations for similar weakly bound light nuclei on $^{12}$C target.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure

Integrable extended van der Waals model

Inspired by the recent developments in the study of the thermodynamics of van der Waals fluids via the theory of nonlinear conservation laws and the description of phase transitions in terms of classical (dissipative) shock waves, we propose a novel approach to the construction of multi-parameter generalisations of the van der Waals model. The theory of integrable nonlinear conservation laws still represents the inspiring framework. Starting from a macroscopic approach, a four parameter family of integrable extended van der Waals models is indeed constructed in such a way that the equation of state is a solution to an integrable nonlinear conservation law linearisable by a Cole–Hopf transformation. This family is further specified by the request that, in regime of high temperature, far from the critical region, the extended model reproduces asymptotically the standard van der Waals equation of state. We provide a detailed comparison of our extended model with two notable empirical models such as Peng–Robinson and Soave’s modification of the Redlich–Kwong equations of state. We show that our extended van der Waals equation of state is compatible with both empirical models for a suitable choice of the free parameters and can be viewed as a master interpolating equation. The present approach also suggests that further generalisations can be obtained by including the class of dispersive and viscous-dispersive nonlinear conservation laws and could lead to a new type of thermodynamic phase transitions associated to nonclassical and dispersive shock waves

Non-genomic effects of PPARgamma ligands: inhibition of GPVI-stimulated platelet activation

BACKGROUND: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-(gamma) (PPAR(gamma)) is expressed in human platelets although in the absence of genomic regulation in these cells, its functions are unclear. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we aimed to demonstrate the ability of PPAR(gamma) ligands to modulate collagen-stimulated platelet function and suppress activation of the glycoprotein VI (GPVI) signaling pathway. METHODS: Washed platelets were stimulated with PPAR(gamma) ligands in the presence and absence of PPAR(gamma) antagonist GW9662 and collagen-induced aggregation was measured using optical aggregometry. Calcium levels were measured by spectrofluorimetry in Fura-2AM-loaded platelets and tyrosine phosphorylation levels of receptor-proximal components of the GPVI signaling pathway were measured using immunoblot analysis. The role of PPAR(gamma) agonists in thrombus formation was assessed using an in vitro model of thrombus formation under arterial flow conditions. RESULTS: PPAR(gamma) ligands inhibited collagen-stimulated platelet aggregation that was accompanied by a reduction in intracellular calcium mobilization and P-selectin exposure. PPAR(gamma) ligands inhibited thrombus formation under arterial flow conditions. The incorporation of GW9662 reversed the inhibitory actions of PPAR(gamma) agonists, implicating PPAR(gamma) in the effects observed. Furthermore, PPAR(gamma) ligands were found to inhibit tyrosine phosphorylation levels of multiple components of the GPVI signaling pathway. PPAR(gamma) was found to associate with Syk and LAT after platelet activation. This association was prevented by PPAR(gamma) agonists, indicating a potential mechanism for PPAR(gamma) function in collagen-stimulated platelet activation. CONCLUSIONS: PPAR(gamma) agonists inhibit the activation of collagen-stimulation of platelet function through modulation of early GPVI signalling

Early life ambient air pollution, household fuel use, and under-5 mortality in Ghana

INTRODUCTION: Environmental exposures, such as ambient air pollution and household fuel use affect health and under-5 mortality (U5M) but there is a paucity of data in the Global South. This study examined early-life exposure to ambient particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 µm or less (PM2.5), alongside household characteristics (including self-reported household fuel use), and their relationship with U5M in the Navrongo Health and Demographic Surveillance Site (HDSS) in northern Ghana. METHODS: We employed Satellite-based spatiotemporal models to estimate the annual average PM2.5 concentrations with the Navrongo HDSS area (1998 to 2016). Early-life exposure levels were determined by pollution estimates at birth year. Socio-demographic and household data, including cooking fuel, were gathered during routine surveillance. Cox proportional hazards models were applied to assess the link between early-life PM2.5 exposure and U5M, accounting for child, maternal, and household factors. FINDINGS: We retrospectively studied 48,352 children born between 2007 and 2017, with 1872 recorded deaths, primarily due to malaria, sepsis, and acute respiratory infection. Mean early-life PM2.5 was 39.3 µg/m3, and no significant association with U5M was observed. However, Children from households using "unclean" cooking fuels (wood, charcoal, dung, and agricultural waste) faced a 73 % higher risk of death compared to those using clean fuels (adjusted HR = 1.73; 95 % CI: 1.29, 2.33). Being born female or to mothers aged 20-34 years were linked to increased survival probabilities. INTERPRETATION: The use of "unclean" cooking fuel in the Navrongo HDSS was associated with under-5 mortality, highlighting the need to improve indoor air quality by introducing cleaner fuels

Early life ambient air pollution, household fuel use, and under-5 mortality in Ghana

INTRODUCTION: Environmental exposures, such as ambient air pollution and household fuel use affect health and under-5 mortality (U5M) but there is a paucity of data in the Global South. This study examined early-life exposure to ambient particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 µm or less (PM 2.5), alongside household characteristics (including self-reported household fuel use), and their relationship with U5M in the Navrongo Health and Demographic Surveillance Site (HDSS) in northern Ghana. METHODS: We employed Satellite-based spatiotemporal models to estimate the annual average PM 2.5 concentrations with the Navrongo HDSS area (1998 to 2016). Early-life exposure levels were determined by pollution estimates at birth year. Socio-demographic and household data, including cooking fuel, were gathered during routine surveillance. Cox proportional hazards models were applied to assess the link between early-life PM2.5 exposure and U5M, accounting for child, maternal, and household factors. FINDINGS: We retrospectively studied 48,352 children born between 2007 and 2017, with 1872 recorded deaths, primarily due to malaria, sepsis, and acute respiratory infection. Mean early-life PM 2.5 was 39.3 µg/m 3, and no significant association with U5M was observed. However, Children from households using "unclean" cooking fuels (wood, charcoal, dung, and agricultural waste) faced a 73 % higher risk of death compared to those using clean fuels (adjusted HR = 1.73; 95 % CI: 1.29, 2.33). Being born female or to mothers aged 20-34 years were linked to increased survival probabilities. INTERPRETATION: The use of "unclean" cooking fuel in the Navrongo HDSS was associated with under-5 mortality, highlighting the need to improve indoor air quality by introducing cleaner fuels