Self-imitating Feedback Generation Using GAN for Computer-Assisted Pronunciation Training

Self-imitating feedback is an effective and learner-friendly method for non-native learners in Computer-Assisted Pronunciation Training. Acoustic characteristics in native utterances are extracted and transplanted onto learner's own speech input, and given back to the learner as a corrective feedback. Previous works focused on speech conversion using prosodic transplantation techniques based on PSOLA algorithm. Motivated by the visual differences found in spectrograms of native and non-native speeches, we investigated applying GAN to generate self-imitating feedback by utilizing generator's ability through adversarial training. Because this mapping is highly under-constrained, we also adopt cycle consistency loss to encourage the output to preserve the global structure, which is shared by native and non-native utterances. Trained on 97,200 spectrogram images of short utterances produced by native and non-native speakers of Korean, the generator is able to successfully transform the non-native spectrogram input to a spectrogram with properties of self-imitating feedback. Furthermore, the transformed spectrogram shows segmental corrections that cannot be obtained by prosodic transplantation. Perceptual test comparing the self-imitating and correcting abilities of our method with the baseline PSOLA method shows that the generative approach with cycle consistency loss is promising

Topologically Twisted SUSY Gauge Theory, Gauge-Bethe Correspondence and Quantum Cohomology

We calculate partition function and correlation functions in A-twisted 2d $\mathcal{N}=(2,2)$ theories and topologically twisted 3d $\mathcal{N}=2$ theories containing adjoint chiral multiplet with particular choices of $R$-charges and the magnetic fluxes for flavor symmetries. According to Gauge-Bethe correspondence, they correspond to Heisenberg XXX and XXZ spin chain models. We identify the partition function as the inverse of the norm of the Bethe eigenstates. Correlation functions are identified as the coefficients of the expectation value of Baxter $Q$-operators. In addition, we consider correlation functions of 2d $\mathcal{N}=(2,2)^*$ theory and their relation to equivariant quantum cohomology and equivariant integration of cotangent bundle of Grassmann manifolds. Also, we study the ring relations of supersymmetric Wilson loops in 3d $\mathcal{N}=2^*$ theory and Bethe subalgebra of XXZ spin chain model.Comment: 33 page

Resummation and renormalization of kinematical effects in inclusive PP-wave quarkonium production

We investigate the renormalization properties of the shape function formalism for inclusive production of $P$-wave heavy quarkonia, which arises from resumming a class of corrections coming from kinematical effects associated with the motion of the heavy quark and antiquark pair relative to the quarkonium. Such kinematical effects are encoded in the nonperturbative shape functions, which are normalized to the corresponding nonrelativistic QCD long-distance matrix elements. By using the known ultraviolet divergences in the matrix elements, we derive the large-momentum asymptotic behavior of the shape functions. This strongly constrains the form of the shape functions and significantly reduces the dependence on the nonperturbative model. Based on these results we show that the shape function formalism at loop level can be useful in taming the threshold logarithms at large transverse momentum, and at small transverse momentum the kinematical corrections reduce the sizes of $\chi_c$ and $\chi_b$ cross sections which may improve agreement with measurements.Comment: 51 pages, 11 figures, minor revisions, version published in JHE