Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fast computation of speaker characterization vector using MLLR and sufficient statistics in anchor model framework

Anchor modeling technique has been shown to be useful in reducing computational complexity for speaker identiﬁcation and indexing of large audio database. In this technique, speakers are projected onto a talker space spanned by a set of pre-deﬁned anchor models which are usually represented by Gaussian Mixture Models (GMMs). The characterization of each speaker involves calculation of likelihood with each of the anchor models, and is therefore expensive even in the GMM Uni-versal Background model (GMM-UBM) frame work using top-C mixtures per feature vector. In this paper, we propose a computationally efﬁcient (Fast) method to calculate the likelihood of the speech utterances using anchor speaker-speciﬁc Maximum Likelihood Linear Regression (MLLR) matrices and sufﬁcient statistics estimated from the utterance. We show that the proposed method is faster by an order of magnitude for eval-uating the speaker characterization vector. Since anchor models use simple distance measures to identify speakers, they are used as a ﬁrst stage to select N probable speakers and then cascaded by a conventional GMM-UBM stage which ﬁnally identiﬁes the speaker from this reduced set. We show that the proposed method in cascade combination perform 4 . 21 × faster than the conventional cascade anchor model system with comparable performance. The experiments are performed on NIST 2004 SRE in core condition.
Intellectual Disability

Throughout time, many terms have been used to describe the condition now we currently call intellectual disability (ID). Wikipedia describes the evolution of these many terms, including mental retardation (United States) and mental handicap (United Kingdom) and how each, in turn, becomes incorporated into normal language in a derogatory way. There is a general consensus on the concept of ID. It requires the presence of three criteria based on the definition derived after extensive consultation in the United States (Luckasson et al., 1992). These criteria have been carried forwards in DSM‐5.
The reliability of Form 90: an instrument for assessing alcohol treatment outcome.

OBJECTIVE Project MATCH is a randomized clinical trial consisting of five outpatient and five aftercare units at nine sites. Of importance in this multisite trial examining the efficacy of client-treatment matching was the cross- and within-site reliability of the structured interview used to assess alcohol treatment outcomes, the Form 90. Evaluation of the reliability of Form 90 is the subject of this article. METHOD The reliability of Form 90 was evaluated in two test-retest studies. The cross-site reliability study consisted of 70 paired test-retest interviews conducted by different interviewers. Clients for this study were recruited from inpatient, outpatient and college settings. The within-site reliability study had a total of 108 paired test-retest interviews, with 54 of the retests conducted by different interviewers and 54 by the same interviewer. Clients for this study were most often presenting for alcohol treatment at the nine sites and were selected to be representative of the larger Project MATCH sample. RESULTS Good-to-excellent reliability was found for all key summary measures of alcohol consumption and psychosocial functioning, and most frequently used illicit drugs had moderate reliability. No decay in consistency of self-reported drinking was found at more distal points from dates of test-retest interviews. Application of 68% confidence intervals for primary alcohol consumption measures suggests that trained researchers and clinicians can obtain consistent information regarding client drinking. CONCLUSIONS Form 90 appears to be a reliable instrument for alcohol treatment assessment research when interviewers have received careful training and supervision in its use.
Layered Context Modeling in Situated Information Processing

In this paper I propose a model for situated information processing based on a set of layers, each related to a different processing phase and to a different context type. The model is illustrated with reference to a system for processing semantically rich documents, typical of business and juridical domains. Starting from the conceptual level of document definition, through operations of selection, specialization, instantiation and presentation document are adapted to the situation to which they apply and to the local context in which they are issued.
Dynamic queries: database searching by direct manipulation

INTRODUCTION This video explores the application of direct manipulation to information exploration. Specifically, it introduces the idea of a dynamic query, which empowers the user to search a database of information in the task domain while requiring minimal syntax or computer knowledge. Key features that separate a dynamic query from current information retreival systems are its direct manipulative nature, providing immediate search feedback with object interaction, and a harmonious display of the query and results in a graphical environment appropriate for the task domain [3].
Compact Electrothermal Reliability Modeling and Experimental Characterization of Bipolar Latchup in SiC and CoolMOS Power MOSFETs

In this paper, a compact dynamic and fully coupled electrothermal model for parasitic BJT latchup is presented and validated by measurements. The model can be used to enhance the reliability of the latest generation of commercially available power devices. BJT latchup can be triggered by body-diode reverse-recovery hard commutation with high dV/dt or from avalanche conduction during unclamped inductive switching. In the case of body-diode reverse recovery, the base current that initiates BJT latchup is calculated from the solution of the ambipolar diffusion equation describing the minority carrier distribution in the antiparallel p-i-n body diode. For hard commutation with high dV/dt, the displacement current of the drain-body charging capacitance is critical for BJT latchup, whereas for avalanche conduction, the base current is calculated from impact ionization. The parasitic BJT is implemented in Simulink using the Ebers-Moll model and the temperature is calculated using a thermal network matched to the transient thermal impedance characteristic of the devices. This model has been applied to CoolMOS and SiC MOSFETs. Measurements show that the model correctly predicts BJT latchup during reverse recovery as a function of forward-current density and temperature. The model presented, when calibrated correctly by device manufacturers and applications engineers, is capable of benchmarking the robustness of power MOSFETs.
Keep Your Enemies Close: Distance Bounding Against Smartcard Relay Attacks

Modern smartcards, capable of sophisticated cryptography, provide a high assurance of tamper resistance and are thus commonly used in payment applications. Although extracting secrets out of smartcards requires resources beyond the means of many would-be thieves, the manner in which they are used can be exploited for fraud. Cardholders authorize financial transactions by presenting the card and disclosing a PIN to a terminal without any assurance as to the amount being charged or who is to be paid, and have no means of discerning whether the terminal is authentic or not. Even the most advanced smartcards cannot protect customers from being defrauded by the simple relaying of data from one location to another. We describe the development of such an attack, and show results from live experiments on the UK's EMV implementation, Chip & PIN. We discuss previously proposed defences, and show that these cannot provide the required security assurances. A new defence based on a distance bounding protocol is described and implemented, which requires only modest alterations to current hardware and software. As far as we are aware, this is the first complete design and implementation of a secure distance bounding protocol. Future smartcard generations could use this design to provide cost-effective resistance to relay attacks, which are a genuine threat to deployed applications. We also discuss the security-economics impact to customers of enhanced authentication mechanisms.
Equivalent Capacity in Carrier Aggregation-Based LTE-A Systems: A Probabilistic Analysis

In this paper, we analyze the user accommodation capabilities of LTE-A systems with carrier aggregation for the LTE users and LTE-A users, respectively. The adopted performance metric is equivalent capacity (EC), defined as the maximum number of users allowed in the system given the user QoS requirements. Specifically, both LTE and LTE-A users are divided into heterogeneous user classes with different QoS requirements, traffic characteristics and bandwidth weights. Two bandwidth allocation strategies are studied, i.e., the fixed-weight strategy and the cognitive-weight strategy, where the bandwidth weights of different user classes are prefixed under the former and dynamically changing with the cell load conditions under the latter. For each strategy, closed-form expressions of ECs of different user classes are derived for LTE and LTE-A users, respectively. A net-profit-maximization problem is further formulated to discuss the tradeoff among the bandwidth weights. Extensive simulations are conducted to corroborate our analytical results, and demonstrate an interesting discovery that only a slightly higher spectrum utilization of LTE-A users than LTE users can result in a significant EC gain when the user traffic is bursty. Moreover, the cognitive-weight strategy is shown to outperform considerably the fixed-weight one due to stronger adaptability to the cell load conditions.
Good High Schools for Students with Disabilities

This special issue presents findings from Good High Schools, a 3–year study of high schools that have strong participation and positive results for their students with disabilities. In this introductory article, we describe the national search for three “good high schools” and the final selection of schools in Virginia, New York, and Florida. We review the goals and research questions that guided the research and describe the mixed methods research approach used to study the three high schools. Methods included individual and focus group interviews of school administrators, department heads, community representatives, teachers, parents, and students; classroom observations; shadowing of students throughout a school day; surveys of students and teachers; collection of documents on the school mission, course offerings, and students’ rights and responsibilities; achievement test scores; and 4–year transcripts of courses taken by senior students with disabilities. We foreshadow the finding from the three case studies that follow, that a theory of action underlies the approach to educating students with disabilities in the three schools.
Asymmetric multiagent reinforcement learning

A novel method for asymmetric multiagent reinforcement learning is introduced in this paper. The method addresses the problem where the information states of the agents involved in the learning task are not equal; some agents (leaders) have information on how their opponents (followers) will select their actions and based on this information leaders encourage followers to select actions that lead to improved payoffs for the leaders. This kind of configuration arises, e.g. in semi-centralized multiagent systems with an external global utility associated to the system. We present a brief literature survey of multiagent reinforcement learning based on Markov games and then construct an asymmetric learning method that utilizes the theory of Markov games. Additionally, we test the proposed method with a simple example application.
Say Hello Again: Privacy Preserving Matchmaking Using Cloud in Encounter Based Mobile Social Networks

Mobile social networks (MSNs) are getting increasingly popular day by day. With the help of MSNs people can connect with each other online as well as offline. One of the famous applications of MSNs is profile matchmaking in which users share their interests in order to find mutual friends. However, the user of such application can be a victim of various privacy related attacks due to the revelations of user's personal interests during profile matchmaking. More recent dimension of MSN is encounter-based social networks. In this scenario, the users make social contacts while sharing a common location and time. Mobile devices record the encounter information when two users are within physical proximity and at a later time, their encounter history should be matched when they try to find each other again. In this paper, we propose a privacy preserving matchmaking protocol in which users share the encounter information and later utilize a cloud server to post encounter information in order to privately match their profiles with unknowns to whom they shared the encounter. In our protocol, neither the users nor the cloud server is able to discover the interests of either participants during matchmaking. To the best of our knowledge, this approach is the first attempt that combines encounter based social networks and fine-grained profile matchmaking. Towards the end of the paper, we present security analysis as well as performance evaluation that shows the effectiveness and feasibility of our protocol.
Optimal Sidelobe Reduction of Matched Filter for Bistatic Sonar

For bistatic sonar, the weak signal of target is often buried by the side lobes of strong direct blast after pulse compression. A method is proposed in this paper to suppress the side lobes of matched filter output. The basic idea is to design an FIR filter at the output of matched filter, so that to minimize the ISL (Integrated Side lobe Level), while keeping the main lobe unchanged. The optimal solution is achieved utilizing the convex optimization method. In numerical simulation, the performance of the method is compared with conventional matched filter plus Hamming window methods. The performance is improved 30dB with output gain unchanged simultaneously. The method is also used to design a close-in side lobe-free filter. The close-in side lobe level could achieve-80dB in the simulation.
Family Management, Family Ownership, and Downsizing: Evidence from S&P 500 Firms

Little is known about the relationship between family firms and downsizing. This study aims to close this gap. The study distinguishes between family management and family ownership as two distinct dimensions of family firms and analyzes their respective influences on downsizing. The findings suggest that the extent of family ownership decreases the likelihood of deep job cuts, whereas family management has no impact. However, family management is found to moderate the relationship between firm profitability and the likelihood of downsizing. It is suggested that family owners care more about their reputation for social responsibility than do other owners, motivating them to avoid deep job cuts.
Magnetic field imaging with nitrogen-vacancy ensembles

We demonstrate a method of imaging spatially varying magnetic fields using a thin layer of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers at the surface of a diamond chip. Fluorescence emitted by the two-dimensional NV ensemble is detected by a CCD array, from which a vector magnetic field pattern is reconstructed. As a demonstration, ac current is passed through wires placed on the diamond chip surface, and the resulting ac magnetic field patterns are imaged using an echo-based technique with sub-micron resolution over a 140 μm×140 μm field of view, giving single-pixel sensitivity . We discuss ongoing efforts to further improve the sensitivity, as well as potential bioimaging applications such as real-time imaging of activity in functional, cultured networks of neurons.
The cognitive bases of mental state reasoning in adults

An individual differences study with 154 adult participants was used to investigate the relationship between inhibitory control and theory of mind (ToM), using structural equation modelling. The battery of executive function tasks was found to tap two separate inhibitory components, response inhibition and response selection. This went against the literature suggesting one inhibitory factor or two components of response inhibition. The two ToM tasks used were both level-1 perspective taking tasks with similar demands, so were expected to tap the same latent variable. The results showed no correlation, suggesting that the tasks might tap separate components of ToM. These were characterised as a fast, inflexible component and a slower flexible component. The relationships between the response inhibition factor and the two ToM tasks were similar, suggesting that they also had executive requirements in common. Additional dual-task studies suggested that response inhibition was required for resolving conflict resolution between perspectives. Altogether it is argued that the results are more consistent with the existence of two distinct systems for theory of mind, than with one system that makes varying demands on executive function in a task-specific manner. This two-system interpretation provides a parsimonious explanation for findings that infants and primates are able to pass perspective taking tasks and that adults reliably make errors in simple ToM tasks.
Animal colour vision — behavioural tests and physiological concepts

Over a century ago workers such as J. Lubbock and K. von Frisch developed behavioural criteria for establishing that non‐human animals see colour. Many animals in most phyla have since then been shown to have colour vision. Colour is used for specific behaviours, such as phototaxis and object recognition, while other behaviours such as motion detection are colour blind. Having established the existence of colour vision, research focussed on the question of how many spectral types of photoreceptors are involved. Recently, data on photoreceptor spectral sensitivities have been combined with behavioural experiments and physiological models to study systematically the next logical question: ‘what neural interactions underlie colour vision ? ‘This review gives an overview of the methods used to study animal colour vision, and discusses how quantitative modelling can suggest how photoreceptor signals are combined and compared to allow for the discrimination of biologically relevant stimuli.
The Modernist Road to the Unconscious

© Oxford University Press 2010. All rights reserved. This article examines the relation between psychoanalysis and modernism. It highlights the shift in the understanding of the encounters between modernism and psychoanalysis, which was based on the views of Sigmund Freud. The article discusses the focus of recent work on psychoanalysis and modernism in the works of Melanie Klein, who published throughout the 1920s and who, by the early to mid-1930s, had begun to develop a conceptual focus on mourning and anxiety in the earliest years of infancy. It suggests that while the psychoanalytic criticism of modernist literary texts in classical Freudian terms has long seemed to be in eclipse, new psychoanalytic readings of modernism and archaeologies of modernist contact with psychoanalysis are still in the process of unfolding.
A Systematic Approach for Learner Group Composition Utilizing U-Learning Portfolio

Context-aware ubiquitous learning environment, which embeds various ubiquitous computing technologies, allows applications to acquire diverse learning behaviors of each u-learner. Those behaviors that were collected and recorded by the u-learning system can be quite useful to enhance the analysis of learner characteristics which can be utilized to distinguish and group learners for further instruction strategy design, for instance, a ubiquitous collaborative learning strategy. This needs a systematical method to analyze learner behaviors and utilize learner characteristics for the group composition. This paper attempts to propose an effective learner grouping scheme which contains processes of the transformation from uportfolio to our proposed Portfolio Grid, the creation of learner similarity matrix, and the group composition. The aim of this paper is to propose a systematical manner of dividing learners into groups based on the analysis of previously collected u-learning portfolios. The analysis outcome, which has implied the similarity of various behaviors of learners, will facilitate obtaining an expected grouping result for the use of further learning activities such as ubiquitous collaborative learning and team working.
The Effects of Need for Uniqueness and Uniqueness Relevant Feedback on Mood, Recall, and Perceptions of Peers and the Self.

One of the major premises and a logical extension of Uniqueness Theory was tested in a two-part study involving sixty undergraduate Psychology students who were randomly assigned to three feedback conditions (Uniqueness-Depriving, Uniqueness-Enhancing, and No Feedback). Participants completed the Need for Uniqueness Scale and were classified as being high or low in the Need for Uniqueness. The findings partially supported the prediction that uniqueness-relevant feedback induces a negative affective state in recipients. The prediction that uniqueness-relevant feedback is more likely to cause modification in attributions of peers rather than in self-attributions also received some support. Further evidence that the Need for Uniqueness Scale is valid was generated by the investigation. The Effects of Need for Uniqueness and Uniqueness Relevant Feedback On Mood, Recall, and Perceptions of Peers and the Self The major premises of Uniqueness Theory were initially outlined by H. L. Fromkin in 1968. According to this theory, individuals characteristically possess a desire to perceive themselves as being moderately different (neither extremely similar nor extremely dissimilar) from others. The strength of this desire, however, is postulated to differ across individuals. That is, s'me individuals (referred to by Fromkin as persons with a strong need for uniqueness) have a stronger desire to perceive themselves as being moderately different or unique while other individuals (those with a weaker need for uniqueness) are less concerned with perceiving themselves as being moderately different from others. Fromkin also theorized that environmental feedback whch is inconsistent with the perception that one is moderately different (i.e., information indicating extreme similarity or dissimilarity from others) would sensitize individuals to opportunities restore the perception of being moderately different and may cause them to engage in behaviors which would restore the image of being moderately (dis)similar. Fromkin discusses two different types of environmental feedback and two different types of reactions to such feedback. Uniqueness-depriving feedback, according to Fromkin, is feedback which indicates that the individual is extremely similar to (e.g. indicating that one is virtually identical to or a "clone" of) others. According to Fromkin, the reception of this type of feedback should influence individuals to be sensitive to opportunities to engage in behaviors which would make them "stand out"