Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
State-Clustering Based Multiple Deep Neural Networks Modeling Approach for Speech Recognition

The hybrid deep neural network (DNN) and hidden Markov model (HMM) has recently achieved dramatic performance gains in automatic speech recognition (ASR). The DNN-based acoustic model is very powerful but its learning process is extremely time-consuming. In this paper, we propose a novel DNN-based acoustic modeling framework for speech recognition, where the posterior probabilities of HMM states are computed from multiple DNNs (mDNN), instead of a single large DNN, for the purpose of parallel training towards faster turnaround. In the proposed mDNN method all tied HMM states are first grouped into several disjoint clusters based on data-driven methods. Next, several hierarchically structured DNNs are trained separately in parallel for these clusters using multiple computing units (e.g. GPUs). In decoding, the posterior probabilities of HMM states can be calculated by combining outputs from multiple DNNs. In this work, we have shown that the training procedure of the mDNN under popular criteria, including both frame-level cross-entropy and sequence-level discriminative training, can be parallelized efficiently to yield significant speedup. The training speedup is mainly attributed to the fact that multiple DNNs are parallelized over multiple GPUs and each DNN is smaller in size and trained by only a subset of training data. We have evaluated the proposed mDNN method on a 64-hour Mandarin transcription task and the 320-hour Switchboard task. Compared to the conventional DNN, a 4-cluster mDNN model with similar size can yield comparable recognition performance in Switchboard (only about 2% performance degradation) with a greater than 7 times speed improvement in CE training and a 2.9 times improvement in sequence training, when 4 GPUs are used.
Proof of concept of an artificial muscle: Theoretical model, numerical model, and hardware experiment

Recently, the hyperbolic Hill-type force-velocity relation was derived from basic physical components. It was shown that a contractile element CE consisting of a mechanical energy source (active element AE), a parallel damper element (PDE), and a serial element (SE) exhibits operating points with hyperbolic force-velocity dependency. In this paper, the contraction dynamics of this CE concept were analyzed in a numerical simulation of quick release experiments against different loads. A hyperbolic force-velocity relation was found. The results correspond to measurements of the contraction dynamics of a technical prototype. Deviations from the theoretical prediction could partly be explained by the low stiffness of the SE, which was modeled analog to the metal spring in the hardware prototype. The numerical model and hardware prototype together, are a proof of this CE concept and can be seen as a well-founded starting point for the development of Hill-type artificial muscles. This opens up new vistas for the technical realization of natural movements with rehabilitation devices.
rd Congress of the Alps Adria Acoustics Association 27 – 28 September 2007 , Graz – Austria CHIRP-RATE ESTIMATION FOR TIME-FREQUENCY REASSIGNED SPECTROGRAMS

Spectrogram analysis frequently suffers from inadequate time or frequency resolution, respectively. However, time-frequency reassigned spectrograms offer an attractive extension regarding the resolution trade-off. Specifically, this method deduces an improved time-frequency localization from the derivatives of the spectrogram phase, with respect to time and frequency. For high-quality images of reassigned spectrograms, however, there is a requirement for inconveniently short hop-sizes. Recently, the information of the cross-derivatives was introduced as local indicator for sinusoidal vs. impulsive signal characteristics. In this contribution, we try to extend the reassigned spectrogram points to lines, in order to allow for bigger hop-sizes. To this end, the second-order derivatives give coarse intermediate estimates of the chirp-rate. Using the cross-derivative indicator, we combine these intermediate estimates to a more accurate chirp-rate estimator. The properties of the novel time-frequency distribution is demonstrated in several examples.
10 µm fine pitch Cu/Sn micro-bumps for 3-D super-chip stack

We develop novel micro-bumping technology to realize small size, fine pitch and uniform height Cu/Sn bumps. Electroplated-evaporation bumping (EEB) technology, which is a combination of Cu electroplating and Sn evaporation, is developed to achieve uniform height of Cu/Sn bumps. We develop CMOS compatible dry etching processes for removing sputtered Cu/Ta layers to achieve small size and fine pitch Cu/Sn bump. 5 µm square and 10 µm pitch Cu/Sn micro-bumps are successfully fabricated for the first time. Bump height variation is 5 µm ±3 % (95%, 2σ), which is uniform compared to electroplated Cu/Sn bumps. We evaluate micro-joining characteristics of Cu/Sn micro-bumps. Good I–V characteristics are measured from the daisy chain consisting of 1500 bumps with 10 µm square and 20 µm pitch. Resistance of Cu/Sn bump is 35 mΩ/bump, which is very low value compared to electroplated Cu/Sn bumps.
OPCA: robust interdomain policy routing and traffic control

An increasing number of ASes have been connecting to the Internet through the BGP inter-domain routing protocol. With increasing stress on the scale of this system and increasing reliance on Internet connectivity, more participants demand additional functionality from interdomain routing that BGP cannot handle. For example, we believe that the recent trend towards multihomed stub networks exhibits a likely intent to achieve fault tolerant and load balanced connectivity to the Internet. However, BGP today offers route fail-over times as long as 15 minutes, and very limited control over incoming traffic across multiple wide area paths. More research literature and news media are calling for stemming malicious or erroneous routing announcements. We propose a policy control architecture, OPCA, that runs as an overlay network on top of BGP. OPCA allows an AS to make route change requests at other, remote ASes to achieve faster route fail-over and provide capabilities to control traffic entering the local AS. The proposed architecture and protocol will co-exist and interact with the existing routing infrastructure and will allow for a scalable rollout of the protocol.
A Subnetting Mechanism with Low Cost Deadlock-Free Design for Irregular Topologies in NoC-based Manycore Processors

In this paper, we propose a high performance broadcasting mechanism for irregular topologies in NoC based processors with low hardware cost in deadlock-free design. Subnetting is an efficient method to restrict the area of broadcasts in manycore processors. For the topologies of application mappings are usually irregular during a sustained scheduling, recent researches mainly focus on the subnetting mechanism for irregular topology. The existing subnetting mechanisms divide the NoC into subnets according to the topology of application mappings precisely, which we denote as the most fitted subnetting (MFS). In MFS, however, only a few of links in subnet are fully utilized, which means the average load on links are higher than expected. In this paper, we propose a subnetting mechanism for any irregular topologies, using physical subnet to supply routing paths for broadcasts in logical subnet. The design of deadlock-free algorithm is also simplified due to our subnetting mechanism, in which only two bits of registers are required in router of NoC. Simulation shows that the mechanism we propose could reduce the latency in NoC by 11%, comparing with the existing subnetting scheme.
Relative Impact of Stratospheric Photochemical Production on Tropospheric Nay Levels : A Mod ( ~ l Study

The II-level Geophysical Fluid Dynamics 4boratory (GFDL) global chemical transport model has been used to assess the impact of stratospheric NOx production on tropospheric reactive nitrogen (Nay) concentrations. A temporally varying source function was constructed using specified twodimensional, monthly average a), N20, temperature, and surface pressure data generated by the GFDL "SKYHI" model. The calculated yearly Nay production rate is 0.64 Tg N (0.64 X 1012 g N). A wet removal scheme, which distinguishes between stable and convective rain based on the bulk Richardson number, is introduced. Simulations have been performed with a simplified chemical mechanism which fractionates Nay into soluble and insoluble species. The roil: of peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) in determining the impact of stratospheric injection on the tropospheri<; Nay budget is studied by comparing results of simulations with and without PAN chemistry. WI: conclude that (1) the stratospheric source is too small to account for background surface Nay concentrations observed in the remote (i.e., regions a few thousand kilometers from continental sourcl~ regions) troposphere. Surface Nay mixing ratios seldom exceed 10 parts per trillion by volurrJe (pptv) in the model northern hemisphere and are always below 20 pptv. Together, fossil fuel colnbustion emissions and stratospheric injection account for less than 10% of observed surface nitrate concentrations in the remote tropical Pacific. (2) The impact of the stratospheric source is companlble to that of the fossil fuel combustion source in terms of Nay mixing ratios in the northern hemisphere at the 500 mbar model level and is more important in the middle and high latitudes of the southern hemisphere. At the 315 mbar model level the stratospheric source contribution to Nay levels is mlore important than that of the fossil fuel source at all latitudes, except in the tropics. However, substantial contributions from other Nay sources are needed to explain observations in the remote middle and upper troposphere. (3) Inclusion of PAN chemistry has the effect of increasing model-calculated surface Nay mixing ratios in the northern hemisphere middle and high latitudes by factors of 1.5-3 during winter/spring and by factors of 2-4 during summer/fall. Surface Nay mixing ratios in the southc:rn hemisphere show a smaller increase due to slower rates of PAN formation. This is a direct result of lower hydrocarbon concentrations in the southern hemisphere.
Investigating the Role of Information Technology in Building Buyer-Supplier Relationships

A widely held position observed through the lens of transaction cost theory (TCT) has been the role of information technology in decreasing transaction costs between buyers and suppliers and in creating more market based governance structures. However, observations have not supported this contention. In particular, buyer-supplier dyads often engage in cooperative behavior that could offset opportunistic tendencies espoused by TCT. The role of IT in this structure is unclear. This paper examines the relationship between perceived transaction costs and the concept of relationalism within buyer-supplier dyads. The role of IT in mediating this relationship is also examined. Survey data from 203 buyers in the OEM electronics industry is used to test proposed hypotheses. All major constructs, transaction costs, relationalism, and IT use are operationalized using validated multidimensional scales. The results suggest a positive role of IT in partially offsetting the negative relationship between transaction costs and relationalism. The results suggest that the decision to use IT within the dyad can encourage a commitment to establishing relational behavior.
TP53 gene mutation profile in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is a form of cancer occurring most commonly in males, particularly those living in some areas of Asia, Africa, and western Europe. In some of these tumors, a sequence alteration has been identified in the coding region of the TP53 gene which is known to inactivate the tumor suppressor function of its product. Using a GC clamp (i.e., a GC rich domain) denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis assay we have been able to identify sequence modifications in 27 of the 32 tumor samples analyzed (84%). Most of the mutations occur in exon 6, a region of the gene which has not previously been reported as being a hot spot for the mutations of other cancers. Twelve of the mutations reported here have not been described in other types of tumors and these consist mostly of frameshift or splice mutations. The distribution of mutations [transitions (45%), transversions (34%), and frameshift (21%)] suggests that the etiological contribution of genotoxic factors might be complex and might associate different exogenous and endogenous mutagen exposures.
Integrated analysis of genome-wide DNA methylation and gene expression profiles in molecular subtypes of breast cancer

Aberrant DNA methylation of CpG islands, CpG island shores and first exons is known to play a key role in the altered gene expression patterns in all human cancers. To date, a systematic study on the effect of DNA methylation on gene expression using high resolution data has not been reported. In this study, we conducted an integrated analysis of MethylCap-sequencing data and Affymetrix gene expression microarray data for 30 breast cancer cell lines representing different breast tumor phenotypes. As well-developed methods for the integrated analysis do not currently exist, we created a series of four different analysis methods. On the computational side, our goal is to develop methylome data analysis protocols for the integrated analysis of DNA methylation and gene expression data on the genome scale. On the cancer biology side, we present comprehensive genome-wide methylome analysis results for differentially methylated regions and their potential effect on gene expression in 30 breast cancer cell lines representing three molecular phenotypes, luminal, basal A and basal B. Our integrated analysis demonstrates that methylation status of different genomic regions may play a key role in establishing transcriptional patterns in molecular subtypes of human breast cancer.
Development of the Predict Observe Explain (POE)-based on Thematic Teaching Materials for IV Grade Students of Elementary School

The Learning process cannot be separated from the use of teaching materials that play important roles in achieving the competencies that must be achieved by the learners. The purpose of this research is to identify the importance of the development of thematic teaching materials based on the Predict Observe Explain (POE) technique for the IV grade students of elementary school. This study uses the research and development method. The product development is done through the steps of the design model of ADDIE learning system, including (1) analysis, (2) design, (3) development, (4) implementation and (5) evaluation. This research is conducted within three steps, i.e. (1) analysis, (2) design and (3) development. The data collection techniques used are observation, interviews and questionnaires. The results of the POE-based thematic teaching materials have excellent quality and are appropriate to be applied for the IV grade students. This is based on the validation results from media experts, materials experts, three one-on-one learner trials, ten trials of small group participants, and twenty trials of field learners. The results are shown from the average score of the product as much as 4.37 in terms of graphics, 4.66 from the material aspect and 4.75 from the aspects of legibility, linguistic and presentation taken from the IV grade students as the product users. Keywords— teaching materials; thematic; POE
S-Nitrosylation of Surfactant Protein-D Controls Inflammatory Function

The pulmonary collectins, surfactant proteins A and D (SP-A and SP-D) have been implicated in the regulation of the innate immune system within the lung. In particular, SP-D appears to have both pro- and anti-inflammatory signaling functions. At present, the molecular mechanisms involved in switching between these functions remain unclear. SP-D differs in its quaternary structure from SP-A and the other members of the collectin family, such as C1q, in that it forms large multimers held together by the N-terminal domain, rather than aligning the triple helix domains in the traditional “bunch of flowers” arrangement. There are two cysteine residues within the hydrophobic N terminus of SP-D that are critical for multimer assembly and have been proposed to be involved in stabilizing disulfide bonds. Here we show that these cysteines exist within the reduced state in dodecameric SP-D and form a specific target for S-nitrosylation both in vitro and by endogenous, pulmonary derived nitric oxide (NO) within a rodent acute lung injury model. S-nitrosylation is becoming increasingly recognized as an important post-translational modification with signaling consequences. The formation of S-nitrosothiol (SNO)-SP-D both in vivo and in vitro results in a disruption of SP-D multimers such that trimers become evident. SNO-SP-D but not SP-D, either dodecameric or trimeric, is chemoattractive for macrophages and induces p38 MAPK phosphorylation. The signaling capacity of SNO-SP-D appears to be mediated by binding to calreticulin/CD91. We propose that NO controls the dichotomous nature of this pulmonary collectin and that posttranslational modification by S-nitrosylation causes quaternary structural alterations in SP-D, causing it to switch its inflammatory signaling role. This represents new insight into both the regulation of protein function by S-nitrosylation and NO's role in innate immunity.
Bridging HIV-1 Cellular Latency and Clinical Long-Term Non-Progressor: An Interactomic View

Development of an effective HIV management is enticed by the fact that long-term non-progressors (LTNP) restrict viral replication spontaneously, but is hindered by HIV-1 latency. Given that the most overlapping characteristics found between HIV-1 LTNP and latency, detailed analysis of the difference would disclose the essentials of latency. In this study, microarray data from our previous study was combined with HIV-1 latency and LTNP data obtained from NCBI GEO database. Principal variance component analysis and hierarchical clustering verified the removal of batch effect across platform. The analysis revealed a total of 456 differential expressed genes with >2-fold change and B-statistic >0. Bayesian inference was used to reconstitute the transcriptional network of HIV-1 latency or LTNP, respectively. Gene regulation was reprogrammed under different disease condition. By network interference, KPNA2 and ATP5G3 were identified as the hubs in latency network which mediate nuclear export and RNA processing. These data offer comparative insights into HIV-1 latency, which will facilitate the understanding of the genetic basis of HIV-1 latency in vivo and serve as a clue for future treatment dealing with key targets in HIV-1 latency.
Studies in Data Intensive Computing : Large Scale DNA Sequence Analysis as the Million Sequence Challenge and Biomedical Computing

Many areas of science are seeing a data deluge coming from new instruments, myriads of sensors and exponential growth in electronic records. We take two examples – one the analysis of gene sequence data (35339 Alu sequences) and other a study of medical information (over 100,000 patient records) in Indianapolis and their relationship to Geographic and Information System and Census data available for 635 Census Blocks in Indianapolis. We look at initial processing (such as Smith Waterman dissimilarities), clustering (using robust deterministic annealing) and Multi Dimensional Scaling to map high dimension data to 3D for convenient visualization. We show how scaling pipelines can be produced that depending on data set size, either use multicore laptop or desktop clients or supercomputer or modest clusters for the computer intensive sections. This study illustrates challenges in integrating data exploration tools with a variety of different architectural requirements and natural programming models. We present preliminary results for end to end study of two complete applications.
A Two-Stage Image Segmentation Method Using a Convex Variant of the Mumford-Shah Model and Thresholding

The Mumford--Shah model is one of the most important image segmentation models and has been studied extensively in the last twenty years. In this paper, we propose a two-stage segmentation method based on the Mumford--Shah model. The first stage of our method is to find a smooth solution $g$ to a convex variant of the Mumford--Shah model. Once $g$ is obtained, then in the second stage the segmentation is done by thresholding $g$ into different phases. The thresholds can be given by the users or can be obtained automatically using any clustering methods. Because of the convexity of the model, $g$ can be solved efficiently by techniques like the split-Bregman algorithm or the Chambolle--Pock method. We prove that our method is convergent and that the solution $g$ is always unique. In our method, there is no need to specify the number of segments $K$ ($K\geq2$) before finding $g$. We can obtain any $K$-phase segmentations by choosing $(K-1)$ thresholds after $g$ is found in the first stage, and in the second.
A Consideration of the Seven Sins of Memory in the Context of Creative Cognition

Schacter’s (2001) work on The Seven Sins of Memory conceptualized and communicated many of the failures of memory and their critical role in cognition. At the heart of the framework is the idea that memory often fails not because it is dysfunctional or maladaptive, but because it prioritizes flexibility and the ability to think and behave adaptively over the ability to retain and remember veraciously. This article adapts the 7 sins framework to a new domain—that of creative cognition. Each of the 7 sins are discussed in relation to how they might play a role in allowing people to generate new ideas, solve problems, and overcome the various barriers that hinder creative thought. Expanding upon the creative cognition approach, it is argued that memory and creativity are intrinsically interconnected and that one’s ability to think and behave creatively relies in part on the ability to forget and misremember.