Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Robust Feature Extraction for Continuous Speech Recognition Using the MVDR Spectrum Estimation Method

This paper describes a robust feature extraction technique for continuous speech recognition. Central to the technique is the minimum variance distortionless response (MVDR) method of spectrum estimation. We consider incorporating perceptual information in two ways: 1) after the MVDR power spectrum is computed and 2) directly during the MVDR spectrum estimation. We show that incorporating perceptual information directly into the spectrum estimation improves both robustness and computational efficiency significantly. We analyze the class separability and speaker variability properties of the features using a Fisher linear discriminant measure and show that these features provide better class separability and better suppression of speaker-dependent information than the widely used mel frequency cepstral coefficient (MFCC) features. We evaluate the technique on four different tasks: an in-car speech recognition task, the Aurora-2 matched task, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) task, and the Switchboard task. The new feature extraction technique gives lower word-error-rates than the MFCC and perceptual linear prediction (PLP) feature extraction techniques in most cases. Statistical significance tests reveal that the improvement is most significant in high noise conditions. The technique thus provides improved robustness to noise without sacrificing performance in clean conditions
Non‐parametric short‐term forecasts of the Great Salt Lake using atmospheric indices

A multivariate, non‐parametric model for approximating the non‐linear dynamics of hydroclimatic variables is developed and applied for forecasting the volume of the Great Salt Lake (GSL) of Utah. The monthly volume of the GSL is presumed to depend on recent volumes of the lake, and on three atmospheric circulation indices. The indices considered are the Southern oscillation index (SOI), the pacific/North America (PNA) climatic index, and the central North Pacific (CNP) climatic index. Locally weighted polynomials with automatically and locally chosen parameters are used for developing a non‐linear forecasting model. Estimated average mutual information (M.I) is used to select appropriate lags across each time series. Iterated and direct multi‐step predictions of lake volumes for up to 2 years in the future with and without the atmospheric indices are compared. The atmospheric circulation information can lead to significant improvements in the predictability of the lake. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society
The Prevalence and Co-Occurrence of the Forms of Violence Against Women

ABSTRACT To examine the relative risk of the multiple forms of violence against women as well as the incidence and co-occurrence rates of self-reported childhood sexual assault (CSA), childhood physical assault (CPA), intimate partner violence (IPV), and witnessing family violence. The sample included 1,069 female undergraduates who completed measures of childhood trauma exposure (CPA, CSA, and exposure to family violence) and IPV victimization. Fifty-four percent of women in the sample experienced one or more forms of violence. Nearly 30% of participants reported IPV, 23% reported witnessing violence as a child, 13% reported experiencing CPA, and 11% reported experiencing CSA. Regarding co-occurrence, 31% experienced only one form of violence, 16% reported two forms, 6% reported three forms, and just over 1% of the sample reported experiencing all four forms of violence. For all forms of violence, the relative risk of experiencing another form of violence was significant at p < . 0001, with witnessing violence and CPA being associated with the highest risks. This study highlights the importance of more carefully describing the violence experiences of participants used in violence research and accounting for poly-victimization in explanatory models of these forms of aggression and abuse.
Ensuring Connectivity via Data Plane Mechanisms

We typically think of network architectures as having two basic components: a data plane responsible for forwarding packets at line-speed, and a control plane that instantiates the forwarding state the data plane needs. With this separation of concerns, ensuring connectivity is the responsibility of the control plane. However, the control plane typically operates at timescales several orders of magnitude slower than the data plane, which means that failure recovery will always be slow compared to data plane forwarding rates. In this paper we propose moving the responsibility for connectivity to the data plane. Our design, called Data-Driven Connectivity (DDC) ensures routing connectivity via data plane mechanisms. We believe this new separation of concerns -- basic connectivity on the data plane, optimal paths on the control plane -- will allow networks to provide a much higher degree of availability, while still providing flexible routing control.
The central processing bottleneck during word production: Comparing simultaneous interpreters, bilinguals and monolinguals

Are simultaneous interpreters subject to the central processing bottleneck, which can postpone the reaction time and impair the performance of another concurrent task, during word production? Moreover, is there any difference between interpreters, bilinguals and monolinguals in the word production bottleneck? In this study, professional simultaneous interpreters, proficient bilinguals and monolinguals performed a dual task consisting of a picture naming task in sentence context (Task 1) and a pitch tone discrimination task (Task 2). The results show that interpreters are also subject to the central processing bottleneck during word production, and there is no significant difference between the three groups in the duration of the word production bottleneck. Unexpected differences in performance were found between English–Asian language and English–European language pairs within the interpreter group, but not within the bilingual group, showing that European-language interpreters were as fast as monolinguals in lexical access, and faster than Asian-language interpreters and bilinguals.
Endocrine Complications after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation during Childhood and Adolescence

Long-term survivors of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) during childhood and adolescence are at risk of developing endocrine complications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term endocrine complications and their associated risk factors among such patients. We reviewed the data from 111 patients (59 males and 52 females) who underwent HSCT at the mean age of 8.3±4.1 yr. Thirty patients (27.0%) had growth impairment, and seven (21.2%) out of 33 patients who attained final height reached final height below 2 standard deviation (SD). The final height SD score of the patients conditioned with total body irradiation (TBI) was significantly lower than that of the patients conditioned without TBI (-1.18±1.14 vs. -0.19±0.78, P=0.011). Thirteen patients (11.7%) developed hypothyroidism (11 subclinical, 2 central) 3.8±1.8 (range 1.6-6.2) yr after HSCT. Nineteen (65.5%) out of 29 females had evidence of gonadal dysfunction, and 18 (64.3%) out of 28 males had evidence of gonadal dysfunction. The risk for gonadal dysfunction was significantly higher in females conditioned with busulfan/cyclophosphamide (P=0.003). These results suggest that the majority of patients treated with HSCT during childhood and adolescence have one or more endocrine complications. Therefore, multiple endocrine functions should be monitored periodically after HSCT until they reach adult age.
Assessment of CT numbers in limited and medium field-of-view scans taken using Accuitomo 170 and Veraviewepocs 3De cone-beam computed tomography scanners

Purpose To assess the influence of anatomic location on the relationship between computed tomography (CT) number and X-ray attenuation in limited and medium field-of-view (FOV) scans. Materials and Methods Tubes containing solutions with different concentrations of K2HPO4 were placed in the tooth sockets of a human head phantom. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were acquired, and CT numbers of the K2HPO4 solutions were measured. The relationship between CT number and K2HPO4 concentration was examined by linear regression analyses. Then, the variation in CT number according to anatomic location was examined. Results The relationship between K2HPO4 concentration and CT number was strongly linear. The slopes of the linear regressions for the limited FOVs were almost 2-fold lower than those for the medium FOVs. The absolute CT number differed between imaging protocols and anatomic locations. Conclusion There is a strong linear relationship between X-ray attenuation and CT number. The specific imaging protocol and anatomic location of the object strongly influence this relationship.
Searching for the silver linings of techno-invasion

Current research has established a clear negative impact of technological sources of stress on work-related outcomes. This study proposes that the invasion of technology into the private sphere is not always perceived negatively by individuals per se. The authors used structural equation modeling with a sample of 479 employees in Germany to test whether techno-invasion (technology invading personal life) can lead to emotional exhaustion as well as eustress (positive stress). In doing so, we advance our understanding of the dual effects technology has on an individual's life. The study further examines to what extent individuals themselves and their resources are responsible for the effects of technological stressors on stress responses. Our empirical results confirm that techno-invasion increases both positive and negative stress responses. Individual resources as mediators are shown to play a key role in the stressor-response relationship. Unexpectedly, the six tested resources do not have similar effects on stress responses. The authors discuss practical implications and future research directions.
Study between neurophysiological aspects and regulation documents on preschool in Italy

In recent years Italian pres-chool, or as called commonly pre-primary, infant, kindergarten or childhood school that goes between 2 years old to 6, has been updated in the ministerial documents relating to the educational activities. At the same time, recent discoveries about the brain have changed the scientific bases on which are based educational psycho-pedagogy theories concerning movement learning on motor control system such as closed loop, open loop and motor imagery. The purpose of this work is to identify into the ministerial documents regarding the educational activities such as aspects of psycho-pedagogy in the field of body and movement research that relates to neurological and scientific discoveries on motor control and movement learning. The method of research is mixed: theoretical-argumentative approach about scientific paradigms regarding the motor learning in the early years of life and historical-documentary one about the ministerial documents relating to the teaching activities. The results did not carry out particular aspects of education and didactics that can be connected to the new neuro-scientific theories and suggest to update theirs. All ministerial documents published do not provide any reference to recent discoveries related to the theory of movement and to correlate these according to didactics of motor activities. It might be useful to deepen further the study and deliver the results to the governmental Experts for the necessary updates to fill up the vacuum.
Systematic defects in deep sub-micron technologies

Defects due to process-design interaction have a systematic nature. Therefore they can have a profound impact on yield. The capability to detect (and correct) them is a requirement to continue to follow Moore's law. Most of the systematic defects are detected during the process development. These defects are detectable with test structures or visual inspection tools. However some process marginalities are only show-up in the topology of 'real' designs. Moreover, these defects are often not detectable with stuck-at testing. We show two examples of process related defects which could only be detected with more advanced test methods such as transition fault testing and low voltage testing. To correct systematic problems, however, one should not only have the capability to detect defects but also to identify them. Our examples show that other tests could have been far more sensitive in detecting systematic issues. Therefore the detection of systematic defects gives new requirements to test suites and can only be achieved with a shift in the position of manufacturing test.
Vulnerability Of "secure" Web Browsers

Today the World Wide Web is considered to be a platform for building distributed applications. This evolution is made possible by browsers with processing capabilities and by programming languages that allow web designers to embed real programs into HTML documents. Downloading and executing code from anywhere on the Internet brings security problems along with it. A systematic and thorough analysis of security aws in the browsers and related technology is necessary to reach a suucient level of conndence. This paper presents some preliminary results of ongoing research that has the nal goal of developing properties for secure browsers and procedures for secure browsing. The research started by investigating features provided by the standard environment. The paper describes some experimental attacks that have been carried out by exploiting features of Java and JavaScript executed by Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Explorer browsers.
Interoperability in fingerprint recognition: A large-scale empirical study

Biometric systems are widely deployed in governmental, military and commercial/civilian applications. There are a multitude of sensors and matching algorithms available from different vendors. This creates a competitive market for these products, which is good for the consumers but emphasizes the importance of interoperability. Interoperability is the ability of a biometric system to handle variations introduced in the biometric data due to the deployment of different capture devices. The use of different biometric devices may increase error rates. In this paper, we perform a large-scale empirical study of the status of interoperability between fingerprint sensors and assess the performance consequence when interoperability is lacking.
Influence of Problem Solving Based on Multiple Representations Model on Teaching and Learning of Chemistry on Student’s Academic Self-efficacy and Student’s Cognitive Achievement

The aim of the research was to investigate the difference of the mean value of student's academic self-efficacy and student's cognitive achievement between the application of problem-solving based on multiple representations model and problem-solving model regarding topic related chemical equilibrium. The method of research was quasi-experimental. The design of research was posttest only design with equivalent control group. Fifty students of State Senior High School in Yogyakarta, Indonesia were recruited for participation (sample) in the study which were divided into two groups. The experimental group consisted of 26 students (11 male and 15 female) and a control group consisted of 24 students (15 male and 9 female). The experimental group applied the problem-solving based on multiple representations model, while the control group applied the problem-solving model. The data were analyzed by using MANOVA-test statistics. Hypothesis test showed that there were differences of the mean value of student's academic self-efficacy and student's cognitive achievement between the experimental group and the control group on topic related chemical equilibrium. This result presented that the mean value of student's academic self-efficacy and student's cognitive achievement taught by the problem solving based on multiple representations model was better than by the problem solving model.
The effect of Ipomoea batatas (Caiapo) on glucose metabolism and serum cholesterol in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized study.

There is considerable and growing interest in neutraceutical products for the treatment of diabetes (1). Recently, it has been shown that caiapo, the extract of white-skinned sweet potato ( Ipomoea batatas ), improves glycemic control in rodents by reducing insulin resistance (2). The aim of our study was to assess the effect of caiapo on glucose metabolism and its tolerability and mode of action in male Caucasian type 2 diabetic patients in a randomized, double-blind prospective study in parallel groups controlled with placebo. A total of 18 male type 2 diabetic patients (age: 58 ± 8 years; weight: 88 ± 3 kg; BMI: 27.7 ± 2.7 kg/m2; means ± SEM) treated by diet alone were randomized to receive placebo or 2 (low dose) or 4 g (high dose) caiapo (four tablets each containing 168 or 336 mg powdered white-skinned sweet potato [ I. batatas ], respectively) before breakfast, lunch, and dinner for 6 weeks. The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Vienna, and informed consent was obtained from all patients before inclusion into the study. Safety parameters (hematology and blood chemistry, including hepatic enzymes and urinanalysis) were controlled before and at the end of the study, and patients were asked to report any adverse events. Patients were seen weekly during the 6-week trial, and fasting blood glucose was measured. Each subject underwent a frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIGT) …
A CF patient with progressive proteinuric renal disease: a CF-specific nodular glomerulosclerosis?

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a multisystemic disease but without a classical disease-specific renal phenotype. A 32-year-old male patient with CF (ΔF508/ΔF508) presented with a nephrotic syndrome. Renal biopsy revealed nodular glomerulosclerosis (NGS) occurring in the absence of diabetes mellitus, amyloidosis and any other known common cause of NGS. He had a progressive decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) to chronic kidney disease stage V (eGFR <15 mL/min/1.73 m2) over a 3-year period despite optimal medical management. This is the fourth reported case of NGS in a patient with CF without diabetes and is the first to originate from a European country. This case supports the concept of a CF-related NGS.
Reading and Language Performance of Low-Income, African American Boys in Grades 1–5

Abstract This investigation examined the gender gap in language and reading skills in a sample of low-income African American boys compared to African American girls from the same neighborhoods and schools. Using a longitudinal, accelerated cohort design, we used individual growth curve models to evaluate the reading and language performance of 1st through 5th graders. We analyzed data for 7 outcomes: (a) language, (b) letter-word identification, (c) passage comprehension, (d) decoding, (e) reading fluency, (f) reading vocabulary, and (g) intelligence. Descriptive statistics revealed no statistically significant differences in performance on language or intelligence measures between boys and girls at any grade level. Conversely, all 5 reading skills measured (e.g., decoding, fluency, and reading vocabulary) showed significant differences in performance by gender favoring girls, but only in 4th and 5th grades. Growth models revealed no differences in the growth trajectories of boys and girls for language or intelligence. However, we observed gender differences in growth trajectories for 2 reading measures—passage comprehension and reading fluency—with girls demonstrating slightly faster growth compared to boys on a measure of passage comprehension and boys showing significant deceleration in reading fluency at 5th grade. We discuss the results relative to African American boys and expected patterns of achievement in language and reading during elementary school.
Skepticism as a political orientation factor: A moderated mediation model of online opinion expression

ABSTRACT This study examines the role of skepticism as a source of news media use and online opinion expression. Data from a national online panel of participants show that skepticism is related to increases in news media use, which in turn positively predicts online opinion expression. Data further indicate that this indirect link between skepticism and online opinion expression via news media use differs by age, such that this indirect link is stronger for younger respondents in the current sample. Implications are discussed for the role of skepticism in producing an engaged citizenry.
Value of Serum-Soluble Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 for the Noninvasive Risk Assessment of Transplant Coronary Artery Disease, Posttransplant Ischemic Events, and Cardiac Graft Failure

BackgroundAdhesion molecules on arterial endothelium have been implicated in spontaneous atherosclerosis and transplant coronary artery disease (CAD). We studied whether elevated serum-soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) during the immediate posttransplant period was a risk factor for CAD, posttransplant ischemic events, or cardiac graft failure. Methods and ResultsWe initially studied serum sICAM-1 in a subset of 16 cardiac allograft recipients (5.5±0.7 samples per patient) to determine a cutoff point that best correlated with presence of arterial and arteriolar endothelial ICAM-1 in matching endomyocardial biopsies. The cutoff value was 308 ng/mL. Subsequently, we prospectively evaluated serum sICAM-1 in serial samples (5.3±0.1 per patient) obtained during the first 3 months after transplantation in a validation subset of 130 recipients and correlated early sICAM-1 levels with long-term outcome. Serum sICAM-1 >308 ng/mL correlated significantly with ICAM-1 on arterial and arteriolar endothelium (P =0.02). Cardiac allograft recipients with serum sICAM-1 >308 ng/mL had 2.67 (95% CI, 1.28 to 5.59, P =0.009) times greater risk of CAD and 3.63 (95% CI, 1.05 to 12.5, P =0.04) times greater risk of graft failure. Recipients with sICAM-1 >308 ng/mL also developed more severe CAD (P =0.009) and more ischemic events (P =0.03) after transplantation. ConclusionsSerum sICAM-1 levels can be used to noninvasively assess risk of transplant CAD, posttransplant ischemic events, and cardiac graft failure.
“Drama” in Interpersonal Conflict and Interactions Among Emerging Adults: A Qualitative Focus Group Study

Drama is a term used in popular culture to refer to interpersonal conflict that arises when individuals overreact to events and are overly emotional. The current study investigated emerging adults’ perspectives of drama, the context in which it occurs, and how drama relates to similar social interactions such as conflict, bullying, and relational aggression. University students (N = 53; 18–25 years old) participated in eight same-sex focus groups. Using thematic analysis, seven main themes were found, suggesting that “drama” (a) refers to a wide range of situations, (b) is often associated with negative social interactions, and (c) harm and consequences, (d) is generally perceived as unnecessary, (e) exaggerated, and (f) involving females, and (g) frequently offers a learning experience. Findings suggest that future research should continue to explore drama as its own construct and that drama should be addressed more formally given how youth may be impacted by such incidents.