Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Robust mandarin speech recognition in car environments for embedded navigation system

A low-cost robust Mandarin speech recognition system is investigated for embedded car navigation application. In the front-end, log-spectral minimum mean-square error (LogMMSE) estimation algorithm is applied to suppress the background noise, and a piece-wise linear function is used to approximate the traditional Taylor expansion in its gain function calculation to reduce the computational complexity. After speech enhancement, spectral smoothing is implemented in both time and frequency indexes with geometric sequence weights to further compensate the spectral components distorted by noise over-reduction. In acoustic model training, an immunity learning scheme is applied, in which pre-recorded car noise is artificially added to clean training utterances to simulate the in-car environment. In the context of Mandarin speech recognition, a special difficulty is the diversity of Chinese dialects, i.e. the pronunciation difference among accents degrades the recognition performance if the acoustic models are trained with a mismatched accented database. We propose to train the models with multiple accented Mandarin databases to deal with this problem. Evaluation results of isolated phrase recognition confirm the effectivity of the proposed technologies.
Causal Relationships between Public Sector Agricultural Research Expenditures and Output

Allocative decisions concerning public sector agricultural research appear to be driven by both supply and politically mediated demand forces. In-sample Granger tests, along with post-sample predictive tests, suggest that simultaneity issues should not be ignored when modeling the research expenditure-output relationship. The results also provide strong evidence that the impact of research expenditures on agricultural output may persist for as long as thirty years. These lags are substantially longer than those commonly used for agricultural research to date. The lagged effect of output on research appears to be shorter, though still between ten and twelve years.
Money, Sticky Wages, and the Great Depression

This paper examines the ability of a simple stylized general equilibrium model that incorporates nominal wage rigidity to explain the magnitude and persistence of the Great Depression in the United States. The impulses to our analysis are money supply shocks. The Taylor contracts model is surprisingly successful in accounting for the behavior of major macroaggregates and real wages during the downturn phase of the Depression, i.e., from 1929:3 through mid-1933. Our analysis provides support for the hypothesis that a monetary contraction operating through a sticky wage channel played a significant role in accounting for the downturn, and also provides an interesting refinement to this explanation. In particular, both the absolute severity of the Depression's downturn and its relative severity compared to the 1920-21 recession are likely attributable to the price decline having a much larger unanticipated component during the Depression, as well as less flexible wage-setting practices during this latter period. Another finding casts doubt on explanations for the 1933-36 recovery that rely heavily on the substantial remonetization that began in 1933.
Phases of the Adoption of Innovation in Organizations: Effects of Environment, Organization and Top Managers

Multidimensional empirical examinations of the adoption of innovations in organizations, and the influence of factors within each dimension on the phases of adoption, are scarce. This study examines the effects of environmental, organizational and top managers' characteristics on the initiation, adoption decision and implementation of innovation. Using a sample of approximately 1200 public organizations in the United States, we found that while each dimension accounts for unique variance in the adoption of innovation, organizational characteristics and top managers' attitudes toward innovation have a stronger influence than environmental and top managers' demographic characteristics. We also found no difference in the direction of effects of any antecedent, but did find differences in the significance of effects of several antecedents, on the phases of innovation adoption. We discuss the implications of these findings and suggest ideas for future research.
Cross-country spillovers in the renewable energy sector

This paper investigates the role of cross-country spillovers in renewable energy technologies. The balance between international and domestic knowledge sourcing in energy innovation is still an open question. Recent studies show that a few countries develop new high-quality technologies, but follower countries cannot limit to import them, as they should also undertake adaptive and absorptive R&D efforts. Relying on a knowledge production function, we model the innovation dynamics of 18 OECD countries throughout the period 1990-2006. Our findings show that, after controlling for climate-energy policies, domestic R&D determines renewable energy innovations, but international knowledge spillovers are also relevant. Additionally, the latter are more likely to occur the stronger the connections/linkages among countries. Jelcodes:O33,F20
Audit Committee Member Investigation of Significant Accounting Decisions

In the post-Enron environment, audit committee (AC) members are under increased scrutiny to demonstrate effectiveness in resolving significant accounting issues. However, prior research suggests that AC members are not involved in material auditor-client negotiations and that they are often not adequately informed of the issue resolution process. Therefore, AC members may not be effective in their oversight of the financial reporting process unless an accounting decision is clearly aggressive or adequate information about the decision is provided. In this study, I examine AC members’ investigation of accounting decisions when they are (or not) adequately informed of the negotiation process that led to the decision and when the decision results in an aggressive (versus conservative) financial reporting outcome. The hypotheses are developed from social psychology and research on corporate governance practice suggesting that AC members investigate accounting decisions to reduce discomfort in the financial reporting process by asking probing questions of the auditors and management. The results indicate that negotiation knowledge increases AC discomfort but has no effect on AC investigation, perhaps because potential questions were adequately addressed by the available information. I also find that AC members investigate more extensively as accounting decisions become increasingly aggressive and AC members with accounting experience are particularly thorough in their investigations when accounting decisions are aggressive. The results of this research have important implications to practice and future research.
Social Osmosis and Patterns of Crime

Crime and the fear of crime have a deep negative impact on personal and societalwell-being. Several observed patterns regarding criminal behavior, however, remain inadequately understood. In this analysis, individuals' perceptions (concerning their probabilities of punishment) and choices are determined endogenously, while incorporating the information available to them and how this information is generated within the economy. The resulting dynamic relationships are then studied to examine how criminality might evolve over time, why crime participation rates might differ among societal groups even when they face similar economic fundamentals, and how the features of the economy might affect these rates.
Reduction of High-Grade Slips (Grades Hi—V) with VSP® Instrumentation: Report of a Series of 41 Cases

Records of 41 patients were reviewed for early complications resulting from reduction of high-grade spondylolisthesis. Blood loss averaged 1,427 ml. There were no cases of infection, dural tears, or bladder or bowel dysfunction. Two cases of transient foot drop and one case of permanent foot drop developed. A lumbar plexus stretch palsy occurred in one patient. Long-term results were evaluated in 20 patients followed up 2 or more years after surgery. Three of the 20 did not have interbody fusions and lost their reductions. All 20 patients went on to fuse with no pseudoarthrosis. One case of broken plate and two cases of broken screws occurred. Patient satisfaction ranged from good to excellent. Results suggest that reduction of high-grade slips with interbody fusion is a safe and effective procedure.
Adeno-Associated Virus Type 6 (AAV6) Vectors Mediate Efficient Transduction of Airway Epithelial Cells in Mouse Lungs Compared to That of AAV2 Vectors

ABSTRACT Although vectors derived from adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV2) promote gene transfer and expression in many somatic tissues, studies with animal models and cultured cells show that the apical surface of airway epithelia is resistant to transduction by AAV2 vectors. Approaches to increase transduction rates include increasing the amount of vector and perturbing the integrity of the epithelia. In this study, we explored the use of vectors based on AAV6 to increase transduction rates in airways. AAV vectors were made using combinations ofrep, cap, and packaged genomes from AAV2 or AAV6. The packaged genomes encoded human placental alkaline phosphatase and contained terminal repeat sequences from AAV2 or AAV6. We found that transduction efficiency was primarily dependent on the source of Cap protein, defined here as the vector pseudotype. The AAV6 and AAV2 pseudotype vectors exhibited different tropisms in tissue-cultured cells, and cell transduction by AAV6 vectors was not inhibited by heparin, nor did they compete for entry in a transduction assay, indicating that AAV6 and AAV2 capsid bind different receptors. In vivo analysis of vectors showed that AAV2 pseudotype vectors gave high transduction rates in alveolar cells but much lower rates in the airway epithelium. In contrast, the AAV6 pseudotype vectors exhibited much more efficient transduction of epithelial cells in large and small airways, showing up to 80% transduction in some airways. These results, combined with our previous results showing lower immunogenicity of AAV6 than of AAV2 vectors, indicate that AAV6 vectors may provide significant advantages over AAV2 for gene therapy of lung diseases like cystic fibrosis.
Estimation of a complete system of nonlinear Engel curves: further evidence from Box–Cox Engel curves for Sri Lanka

The specification and estimation of Engle curves has drawn much attention over many years since the earliest attempt of Working (1943). Among the many approaches, a complete system of Engel curves stood out as more appealing as it explicitly imposes the important budget constraint in the allocation of family budgets. Further, extended researches were undertaken on nonlinear specifications as they are likely to produce results that are closer to the reality than the linear systems. Beneito (2003) attempted Box–Cox form of nonlinear specification but ended up estimating a set of linear equations using seemingly unrelated regression equations method. The present research extends the previous work on Engle curves in two ways; first by incorporating key demographic characteristics into the determination of expenditures in the specification of the Box–Cox form of nonlinear system, and second by using primary micro data from large household surveys to estimate the system by nonlinear estimation methods. Our estimations have produced robust results; the expenditure patterns are significantly nonlinear and the expenditure patterns are significantly different for different demographic groups.
The Association between Big 6 Auditor Industry Expertise and the Asymmetric Timeliness of Earnings

The accounting profession is facing a credibility crisis precipitated by the failure of several high-profile companies and the alleged failure of their auditors to detect and persuade their clients to recognize economic losses in earnings in a timely fashion. Investors, regulators, analysts, and the public are interested in identifying factors that enhance the timeliness of earnings, particularly about bad news. This study provides empirical evidence on one such factor—auditors' industry expertise. Using a large sample of clients of Big 6 auditors, this research examines the association between auditor industry expertise, measured in terms of an industry's share in the auditor's portfolio of client industries, and the speed with which publicly available bad news about future cash flows is recognized in earnings. The findings indicate that the earnings of clients of specialist auditors are more timely in reflecting bad news than earnings of clients of nonspecialist auditors. This finding is consistent with the notion that auditors' industry expertise moderates the tendency of auditees to delay the recognition of economic losses in earnings.
Public library intervention in conflict resolutions in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria: Librarians perspectives

The paper discussed public library intervention in conflict resolution in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria: Librarians perspectives. The design was a descriptive survey and the population comprised librarians in public and focus group discussion. The sample was made up of 198 respondents including 108 people, 12 each selected from the nine states studied and 90 accessible librarians. Questionnaire and focus group discussion was used to generate data while mean and bar chart were used to analyse the data generated. It was found that struggle for the control of the region by different factions, non provision of jobs and infrastructure are some of the causes of conflict in the region. Destruction of lives and properties and displacement from homes are some of the consequences of lack of adequate information to the people and their extent of awareness of conflict resolution strategies is low. Public libraries can make information freely available to the people, organise workshops and seminars on conflict resolution and collaborate with non governmental organisations (NGOs) to resolve conflict in the region. Cultural heritage preservation and transmission by the public library is a veritable means of unity, peace and conflict resolution among the three ethnic groups of the Niger Delta. Public libraries, information and cultural value system are interrelated and can be used as object of conflict resolution in Niger Delta communities. It was recommended that public libraries should be adequately funded and encouraged to enable them perform this intervention role in conflict resolution in the region. Key words: Public libraries, conflict resolution, Niger Delta, information, librarians, cultural heritage.
A Dynamic Analysis of Land Prices

A dynamic model of land prices is developed. It derives arbitrage asset prices under nonadditive dynamic preferences, risk aversion, and transaction costs. The model nests as special cases risk neutrality, time-additive preferences, the static capital asset pricing model (CAPM), as well as the dynamic consumption-based CAPM. The model is applied to the analysis of U.S. land prices for the period 1950–96. The econometric results provide evidence showing that U.S. land price patterns are inconsistent with risk neutrality or with the static CAPM model. No strong evidence was found against time-additive preferences. The econometric findings indicate that both risk aversion and transaction costs have significant effects on land prices. Copyright 1999, Oxford University Press.
High-performance HR practices and OCB: a cross-level investigation of a causal path

This study investigates the relationships between high-performance human resource (HR) practices and individual outcome variables from a cross-level perspective. It also identifies the mediating role of job satisfaction in the relationship between psychological climate and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). Drawing on a sample of 576 employees from 11 manufacturing plants in Taiwan, our results show that psychological climate perceptions are positively and significantly associated with job satisfaction and OCB, and job satisfaction mediates the relationship between psychological climate perceptions and OCB at the individual level. At the plant level, high-performance HR practices have a positive and significant relationship only with job satisfaction. The theoretical and managerial implications and contributions of these findings are discussed.
The Performance of Hedge Funds: Risk, Return, and Incentives

Hedge funds display several interesting characteristics that may influence performance, including: flexible investment strategies, strong managerial incentives, substantial managerial investment, sophisticated investors, and limited government oversight. Using a large sample of hedge fund data from 1988-1995, we find that hedge funds consistently outperform mutual funds, but not standard market indices. Hedge funds, however, are more volatile than both mutual funds and market indices. Incentive fees explain some of the higher performance, but not the increased total risk. The impact of six data-conditioning biases is explored. We find evidence that positive and negative survival-related biases offset each other. Copyright The American Finance Association 1999.
Oxidized low‐density lipoprotein inhibits hepatitis C virus cell entry in human hepatoma cells

Cell entry of hepatitis C virus, pseudoparticles (HCVpp) and cell culture grown virus (HCVcc), requires the interaction of viral glycoproteins with CD81 and other as yet unknown cellular factors. One of these is likely to be the scavenger receptor class B type I (SR‐BI). To further understand the role of SR‐BI, we examined the effect of SR‐BI ligands on HCVpp and HCVcc infectivity. Oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (oxLDL), but not native LDL, potently inhibited HCVpp and HCVcc cell entry. Pseudoparticles bearing unrelated viral glycoproteins or bovine viral diarrhea virus were not affected. A dose‐dependent inhibition was observed for HCVpp bearing diverse viral glycoproteins with an approximate IC50 of 1.5 μg/mL apolipoprotein content, which is within the range of oxLDL reported to be present in human plasma. The ability of lipoprotein components to bind to target cells associated with their antiviral activity, suggesting a mechanism of action which targets a cell surface receptor critical for HCV infection of the host cell. However, binding of soluble E2 to SR‐BI or CD81 was not affected by oxLDL, suggesting that oxLDL does not act as a simple receptor blocker. At the same time, oxLDL incubation altered the biophysical properties of HCVpp, suggesting a ternary interaction of oxLDL with both virus and target cells. In conclusion, the SR‐BI ligand oxLDL is a potent cell entry inhibitor for a broad range of HCV strains in vitro. These findings suggest that SR‐BI is an essential component of the cellular HCV receptor complex. (HEPATOLOGY 2006;43:932–942.)
Policy Innovation, Decentralised Experimentation, and Laboratory Federalism

Decentralised experimentation and mutual learning of public policies is seen as one of the important advantages of federal systems (Oates: laboratory federalism). Based upon Hayekian ideas of the advantages of decentralised experimentation (as a discovery procedure), we analyse the long-term benefits of parallel experimentation in a federal system from an evolutionary economics perspective. We present a simulation model in which the lower-level jurisdictions in a federal system experiment with randomly chosen policy innovations and can imitate the relatively best solutions. The simulations confirm our hypotheses that a higher degree of decentralisation has positive effects on the long-term accumulation of knowledge of suitable policy solutions and also limits risks through better protection against erroneous policies. Also problems of policy learning and trade offs with (static and dynamic) advantages of centralisation are taken into account.
Ireland's Foreign Direct Investment Competitive Advantage and Japanese Outward Foreign Direct Investment

This article addresses Ireland's record in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). FDI has been identified as one of the key factors that has spurred the growth of the Celtic Tiger. An adaptation of Porter's Diamond is offered to explain the determinants of Ireland's competitive advantage in attracting FDI. The overall trends in FDI inflows to Ireland are considered. The study then focuses on Japanese FDI into Europe and Ireland in particular. The pattern of Japanese FDI flows into Ireland is analysed in the context of Ireland's determinants of FDI competitive advantage. Future considerations around Ireland's model of competitive advantage are addressed.
Influence of Enzyme Loading and Physical Parameters on the Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Steam‐Pretreated Softwood

Softwood is an interesting raw material for the production of fuel ethanol as a result of its high content of hexoses, and it has attracted attention especially in the Northern hemisphere. However, the enzymatic hydrolysis of softwood is not sufficiently efficient for the complete conversion of cellulose to glucose. Since an improvement in the glucose yield is of great importance for the overall economy of the process, the influence of various parameters on the cellulose conversion of steam‐pretreated spruce has been investigated. The addition of β‐glucosidase up to 50 IU g−1 cellulose to the enzymatic hydrolysis process resulted in increased cellulose conversion at a cellulase loading up to 48 FPU g−1 cellulose. Despite very high enzyme loading (120 FPU g−1 cellulose) only about 50% of the cellulose in steam‐pretreated spruce was converted to glucose when all of the material following pretreatment was used in the hydrolysis step. The influence of temperature, residence time, and pH were investigated for washed pretreated spruce at a dry matter (DM) content of 5% and a cellulase activity of 18.5 FPU g−1 cellulose. The optimal temperature was found to be dependent on both residence time and pH, and the maximum degree of cellulose conversion, 69.2%, was obtained at 38 °C and pH 4.9 for a residence time of 144 h. However, when the substrate concentration was changed from 5% to 2% DM, the cellulose conversion increased to 79.7%. An increase from 5% to 10% DM resulted, however, in a similar degree of cellulose conversion, despite a significant increase in the glucose concentration from 23 g L−1 to 45 g L−1. The deactivation of β‐glucosidase increased with increasing residence time and was more pronounced with vigorous agitation.
Indifference Pricing of Weather Derivatives

Weather derivatives are difficult to price due to the nontradability of weather and the absence of liquid secondary markets for these contracts. We use the concept of indifference pricing to develop a model for calculating the willingness to pay for weather insurance. Compared with other approaches, indifference pricing is less ambitious since it does not attempt to predict a transacted market price. The application of indifference pricing in the case of German crop producers shows that their willingness to pay for weather insurance depends on the production program and varies regionally. This suggests the development of tailored insurance products. Copyright 2008, Oxford University Press.