Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Statistical normalisation of phase-based feature representation for robust speech recognition

In earlier work we have proposed a source-filter decomposition of speech through phase-based processing. The decomposition leads to novel speech features that are extracted from the filter component of the phase spectrum. This paper analyses this spectrum and the proposed representation by evaluating statistical properties at various points along the parametrisation pipeline. We show that speech phase spectrum has a bell-shaped distribution which is in contrast to the uniform assumption that is usually made. It is demonstrated that the uniform density (which implies that the corresponding sequence is least-informative) is an artefact of the phase wrapping and not an original characteristic of this spectrum. In addition, we extend the idea of statistical normalisation usually applied for the magnitudebased features into the phase domain. Based on the statistical structure of the phase-based features, which is shown to be super-gaussian in the clean condition, three normalisation schemes, namely, Gaussianisation, Laplacianisation and table-based histogram equalisation have been applied for improving the robustness. Speech recognition experiments using Aurora-2 show that applying an optimal normalisation scheme at the right stage of the feature extraction process can produce average relative WER reductions of up to 18.6% across the 0–20 dB SNR conditions.
Genome engineering in Bacillus anthracis using tyrosine site-specific recombinases

Tyrosine site-specific recombinases (T-SSR) are polynucleotidyltransferases that catalyze cutting and joining reactions between short specific DNA sequences. We developed three systems for performing genetic modifications in Bacillus anthracis that use T-SSR and their cognate target sequences, namely Escherichia coli bacteriophage P1 Cre-loxP, Saccharomyces cerevisiae Flp-FRT, and a newly discovered IntXO-PSL system from B. anthracis plasmid pXO1. All three tyrosine recombinase systems were used for creation of a B. anthracis sporulation-deficient, plasmid-free strain deleted for ten proteases which had been identified by proteomic analysis as being present in the B. anthracis secretome. This strain was used successfully for production of various recombinant proteins, including several that are candidates for inclusion in improved anthrax vaccines. These genetic tools developed for DNA manipulation in B. anthracis were also used for construction of strains having chromosomal insertions of 1, 2, or 3 adjacent atxA genes. AtxA is a B. anthracis global transcriptional regulator required for the response of B. anthracis virulence factor genes to bicarbonate. We found a positive correlation between the atxA copy number and the expression level of the pagA gene encoding B. anthracis protective antigen, when strains were grown in a carbon dioxide atmosphere. These results demonstrate that the three T-SSR systems described here provide effective tools for B. anthracis genome editing. These T-SSR systems may also be applicable to other prokaryotes and to eukaryotes.
Thermoelastic analysis of 2D-FGM hollow circular cylinder with finite length by finite element method

This paper studies the thermoelastic analysis of thick hollow cylinder made of two-dimensional functionally graded material FGM by finite element method. The FGM cylinder with finite length is simply supported and subjected to thermal and mechanical loading. The mechanical and thermal properties are graded in the radial and axial directions. The rule of mixtures and a power law distribution in terms of the volume fractions of the constituents are used to model the material properties. Temperature dependency of the material properties is taken into consideration. The temperature, displacement and stress distributions within the cylinder are found by finite element method. Variation of two-dimensional temperature and components of stresses through the cylinder are analysed. The effect of power index parameters on thermal stresses, displacement and temperature distributions are investigated.
Developing Novel Services for the Railway Station Area through Experience-Driven Design

Supporting end-users’ practical and emotional needs is an important goal in the design of novel smart services. We present a design research study with the experience-driven design approach to create concept ideas for smart city services. We present current challenges in the context of use and results of a two-phased user study of traveler experiences in the railway station area of the city of Tampere. Results show how experience-driven approach utilizing playful experience (PLEX) cards enables users to ideate experience-oriented concepts. As an outcome of the study, we describe one of the concepts selected for development, the smart community info wall concept. Our findings on the use of PLEX cards show that PLEX cards work with the amateur participants and support their idea generation. Furthermore, with the help of the PLEX cards, users were able to think on the subject more extensively and presented ideas on the experience-oriented categories.
A proposed control strategy of PMSM for deep field-weakening and square-wave mode

In order to achieve higher speed range over base speed, a proposed field-weakening control method of PMSMs is introduced in this paper. Only one current regulator based on controlling the amplitude of current vector is used for deep flux-weakening control. At the same time, the proposed control can be applied in square-wave mode where output voltage of inverter is constant. Its stability analysis is presented by small signal model. The proposed control method is verified by simulations and experiments.
Measurement of myoglobin diffusivity in the myoplasm of frog skeletal muscle fibres.

1. Experiments were carried out on intact, single skeletal muscle fibres from frog in order to estimate the apparent diffusion constant of myoglobin (denoted DAPP) in the myoplasm of living muscle cells. An optical technique was employed to measure myoglobin concentration along the fibre axis following injection of metmyoglobin (denoted metMb) at a point source. The concentration profiles were fitted by the one‐dimensional diffusion equation to give estimates of DAPP. The method relied on the fact that myoglobin is normally absent from these frog fibres, thus permitting resolution of the myoglobin‐related absorbance above the intrinsic absorbance of the fibre. 2. One complication in the method was that metMb became significantly reduced to oxymyoglobin (denoted MbO2) during the elapsed time before measurement of the concentration profile. The rate of reduction was evaluated by fitting myoglobin‐related absorbance spectra, measured at different times following injection of metMb, with in vitro absorbance spectra of metMb and MbO2. Results from four experiments indicated that reduction could be described by a first‐order, irreversible reaction having an average rate constant of 0.0164 min‐1 (22 degrees C). The effect of reduction on the fitting of DAPP was taken into account. 3. DAPP was determined under three fibre conditions: (1) long sarcomere spacing (3.6‐3.8 microns) at 16 degrees C, (2) long sarcomere spacing at 22 degrees C, and (3) normal sarcomere spacing (2.4‐2.7 microns) at 22 degrees C. The average values for DAPP under these conditions were: (1) 0.12 (n = 5); (2) 0.17 (n = 5); and (3) 0.15 (n = 7) x 10(‐6) cm2 s‐1. The average value at 22 degrees C, 0.16 x 10(‐6) cm2 s‐1, is about 4 times smaller than values for myoglobin diffusivity at 20 degrees C commonly assumed in models of facilitated transport of oxygen by myoglobin. 4. In order to test the possibility that the unexpectedly low value of DAPP found in intact fibres might be due to the binding of myoglobin to relatively immobile sites in myoplasm, experiments were carried out in a cut‐fibre preparation using a technique described by Maylie, Irving, Sizto & Chandler (1987 b) for determining the diffusion constants and degree of myoplasmic binding of absorbance dyes. Values for DAPP and the factor (denoted 1 + beta) by which the total myoglobin concentration exceeded the free myoglobin concentration were obtained by fitting the absorbance data by solutions of the one‐dimensional diffusion equation. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Structural and antigenic characteristics of Campylobacter coli FlaA flagellin

The polar flagellar filament of Campylobacter coli VC167 is composed of two highly related (98%) flagellin subunit proteins, FlaA and FlaB, whose antigenic specificities result from posttranslational modification. FlaA is the predominant flagellin species, and mutants expressing only FlaA form a full-length flagellar filament. Although the deduced M(r) of type 2 (T2) FlaA is 58,884 and the apparent M(r) by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis is 59,500, the solution weight-average M(r) by sedimentation analysis was 63,000. Circular dichroism studies in the presence or absence of 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate or 50% trifluorethanol showed that the secondary structure of T2 FlaA flagellin was altered, with alpha-helix structure being increased to 25% in the nonpolar environment. The molecule also contained 35 to 48% beta-sheet and 11 to 29% beta-turn structure. Mimeotope analysis of octapeptides representing the sequence of FlaA together with immunoelectron microscopy and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with a panel of antisera indicated that many residues in presumed linear epitopes were inaccessible or nonepitopic in the assembled filament, with the majority being in the N-terminal 337 residues of the 572-residue flagellin. Residues at the carboxy-terminal end of the T2 FlaA subunit also become inaccessible upon assembly. Digestion with trypsin, chymotrypsin, and endoproteinase Glu-C revealed a protease-resistant domain with an approximate M(r) of 18,700 between residues 193 and 375. Digestion with endoproteinase Arg-C and endoproteinase Lys-C allowed the mapping of a segment of surface-exposed FlaA sequence which contributes serospecificity to the VC167 T2 flagellar filament at residues between 421 and 480.
Implementation of an INR self-testing and self-management programme in common ambulatory private practice: our experience with 90 patients.

QUESTIONS UNDER STUDY INR self-testing devices allow patients on vitamin K antagonists (VKA) to determine their INR and then have their VKA dose adapted by a physician (INR self-testing, ST) or adapt it themselves according to pre-established guidelines (INR self-management, SM). The safety, efficacy and advantages of ST and SM have been demonstrated, but their use remains limited. In an effort to improve the availability of ST and SM, we tested the hypothesis that implementing a teaching programme for ST and SM in a small structure in common ambulatory private practice is feasible, safe and can lead to high patient satisfaction. METHODS Patients on long-term anticoagulation were assigned to a specific training programme. Patients used the CoaguChek (S then XS) INR testing system. Technical problems, adverse events and INR values were then recorded during the first year of follow-up and analysed. Patient satisfaction data were obtained via a specific questionnaire. RESULTS 169 patients were referred and 90 included in the teaching programme. 80 performed SM and 10 performed ST. 54 patients (60%) returned the 1-year questionnaire with complete INR data available for 35 patients. The percentage of INR in the target range (target ± 0.5) was 60.6%. The rate of major adverse clinical events (MACE) was 3.7 per 100 patient-years. The main reported advantages were a reduction in visits to the INR testing facility and increased autonomy. There was better venous to capillary INR correlation with the CoaguChek XS than with the S (p <0.025). CONCLUSIONS The development in a small structure in common ambulatory practice of a specific teaching programme made ST and SM available to a new patient population. It led to high patient satisfaction, significantly reducing the burden of VKA monitoring. These results were obtained while preserving the safety and efficacy standards of VKA treatment and favour greater expansion of ST and SM programmes.
Multiobjective Optimization Through a Series of Single-Objective Formulations

This work deals with bound constrained multiobjective optimization (MOP) of nonsmooth functions for problems where the structure of the objective functions either cannot be exploited, or are absent. Typical situations arise when the functions are computed as the result of a computer simulation. We first present definitions and optimality conditions as well as two families of single-objective formulations of MOP. Next, we propose a new algorithm called for the biobjective optimization (BOP) problem (i.e., MOP with two objective functions). The property that Pareto points may be ordered in BOP and not in MOP is exploited by our algorithm. generates an approximation of the Pareto front by solving a series of single-objective formulations of BOP. These single-objective problems are solved using the recent (mesh adaptive direct search) algorithm for nonsmooth optimization. The Pareto front approximation is shown to satisfy some first order necessary optimality conditions based on the Clarke calculus. Finally, is tested on problems from the literature designed to illustrate specific difficulties encountered in biobjective optimization, such as a nonconvex or disjoint Pareto front, local Pareto fronts, or a nonuniform Pareto front.
Genome‐scale data reveal that endemic Poecilia populations from small sulphidic springs display no evidence of inbreeding

Populations with limited ranges can be highly vulnerable to changes in their environment and are, thus, of high conservation concern. Populations that experience human‐induced range reductions are often highly inbred and lack genetic diversity, but it is unknown whether this is also the case for populations with naturally small ranges. The fishes Poecilia sulphuraria (listed as critically endangered) and Poecilia thermalis, which are endemic to small hydrogen sulphide‐rich springs in southern Mexico, are examples of such populations with inherently small habitats. We used geometric morphometrics and population genetics to quantify phenotypic and genetic variation within and among two populations of P. sulphuraria and one population of P. thermalis. Principal component analyses revealed phenotypic and genetic differences among the populations. Evidence for inbreeding was low compared to populations that have undergone habitat reduction. The genetic data were also used to infer the demographic history of these populations to obtain estimates for effective population sizes and migration rates. Effective population sizes were large given the small habitats of these populations. Our results imply that these three endemic extremophile populations should each be considered separately for conservation purposes. Additionally, this study suggests that populations in naturally small habitats may have lower rates of inbreeding and higher genetic diversity than expected, and therefore may be better equipped to handle environmental perturbations than anticipated. We caution, however, that the inferred lack of inbreeding and the large effective population sizes could potentially be a result of colonization by genetically diverse ancestors.
Iterative reconstruction techniques in emission computed tomography

In emission tomography statistically based iterative methods can improve image quality relative to analytic image reconstruction through more accurate physical and statistical modelling of high-energy photon production and detection processes. Continued exponential improvements in computing power, coupled with the development of fast algorithms, have made routine use of iterative techniques practical, resulting in their increasing popularity in both clinical and research environments. Here we review recent progress in developing statistically based iterative techniques for emission computed tomography. We describe the different formulations of the emission image reconstruction problem and their properties. We then describe the numerical algorithms that are used for optimizing these functions and illustrate their behaviour using small scale simulations.
Optimum operation planning of controllable loads in smart house

From the perspective of global warming suppression and depletion of energy resources, renewable energy such as wind generation and photovoltaic generation (PV) are getting attention in distribution systems. Additionally, all electrification apartment house or residence such as DC smart-house have increase in recent years. However, due to fluctuating power from renewable energy sources and loads, supply-demand balancing fluctuation of power system become problematic. Therefore, smart-grid has become very popular in the worldwide. This paper presents a methodology for optimal operation of a DC smart-house with putting controllable loads as smart grid. The DC smart-house consists of PV system, solar collector (SC) system, heat pump, electrical vehicle (EV), and battery. The heat pump, the battery, and the EV are used as the controllable loads. The proposed method has been developed with the aim of power supply from power system within the acceptable range and reduction of max-min interconnection point power flow error as low as possible to smooth supply power from distribution system. Power consumption of controllable load determines to optimize the max-min interconnection point power flow error based on information from power system with communication.
Protocol for the measurement of fatty acid and glycerol turnover in vivo in baboons[S]

Recognition of the strength of nonhuman primate models in investigating metabolic disorders has resulted in an expanded need for in vivo research techniques. We studied adipose metabolism in 10 baboons (13.0 ± 4.2 years old, 29.5 ± 5.5 kg). Part 1 evaluated the effect of different sedatives on the rate of appearance of plasma free fatty acids (RaFFA), assessed using 13C4-labeled palmitate infusion (7 µmol/kg/min). Animals, were studied with no sedation, with complete isoflurane sedation, and with minimal midazolam infusion (0.04 mg/kg/h), with the last scheme allowing for the most consistent values and animals that were visually more calm. In Part 2, RaFFA and RaGlycerol (D5-glycerol, 5 mg/kg lean body mass/h) were measured. From midnight to 0300, flux fell and came to a steady state between 0500 and 0700 h (RaFFA, 39.4 ± 29.8 μmol/kg fat mass/min; and RaGlycerol, 26.9 ± 7.3 μmol/kg/min). The RaFFA-to-RaGlycerol ratio was 1.5 ± 0.8 (49% reesterification). The decline in turnover throughout the night reflects natural circadian processes and was mirrored by reductions in FFA and glycerol to 0.62 and ± 0.14 and 0.16 and ± 0.03 mmol/l, respectively. The concurrent changes in both FFA and glycerol kinetics indicate physiologic validity of the method. These techniques will support needed research to determine mechanisms by which treatments act upon the adipocyte in vivo.
Capsule of Streptococcus pyogenes Is Essential for Delayed Death of Mice in a Model of Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome

We have previously reported a mouse model of severe group A streptococcal infection (Microbiol. Immunol. 45: 777–786, 2001). When we injected Streptococcus pyogenes strains intramuscularly, the mice suffered from acute phase of infection for a few days but recovered from the illness and gained body weight. These mice, however, began to die after 3 weeks of infection, which we called ‘delayed death. ’ Bacterial strains isolated from organs of the dead mice showed thick capsules. We, therefore, constructed a hyaluronic acid capsule gene, hasA, knockout mutant by homologous recombination and the effect of capsule on the death was observed. hasA knockout strain did not cause delayed death, though it caused acute death at high doses of infection. According to this result, the capsule is a critical pathogenic factor for causing the delayed death in our mouse model.
Black-box characterization of soft connective biological tissues

The present work deals with discrete-time models for the relaxation of soft biological connective tissues. Those are living materials composed of living cells embedded in a mainly organic intercellular substance. Wiener models, consisting of a linear dynamical model followed by a polynomial static function are used for identification of stress relaxation curves, drawn from experiments performed on samples of bovine pericardium. The experimental protocol and results are briefly described. In order to identify the parameters of a Wiener model a simple but effective two-steps iterative algorithm is proposed.
Improvements of Local Descriptor in HOG/SIFT by BOF Approach

SUMMARY Numerous studies have been focusing on the improvement of bag of features (BOF), histogram of oriented gradient (HOG) and scale invariant feature transform (SIFT). However, few works have attempted to learn the connection between them even though the latter two are widely used as local feature descriptor for the former one. Motivated by the re-semblance between BOF and HOG / SIFT in the descriptor construction, we improve the performance of HOG / SIFT by a) interpreting HOG / SIFT as a variant of BOF in descriptor construction, and then b) introducing recently proposed approaches of BOF such as locality preservation, data-driven vocabulary, and spatial information preservation into the descriptor construction of HOG / SIFT, which yields the BOF-driven HOG / SIFT. Experimental results show that the BOF-driven HOG / SIFT outperform the original ones in pedestrian detection (for HOG), scene matching and image classiﬁcation (for SIFT). Our proposed BOF-driven HOG / SIFT can be easily applied as replacements of the original HOG / SIFT in current systems since they are generalized versions of the original ones.
Sketches and computation – II: dynamic evaluation and applications

In the first part of this paper (Duval and Reynaud 1994), we defined a categorical framework, based on the notion of sketch, for specification and evaluation in the senses of algebraic specifications and algebraic programming. Static evaluation in quasi-projective sketches was defined in Part I; in this paper, dynamic evaluation is introduced. It deals with more general structures, which may have no initial model. Until now, this process has not been used in algebraic specification systems, but computer algebra systems are beginning to use it as a basic tool. Finally, we give some applications of dynamic evaluation to computation in field extensions.
Respiratory pathogens in non-human primates with special refererence to Corynebacterium ulcerans

An investigation of 272 non-human primates (75 Macacca cynomolgus, 97 Macacca mulatta and 100 Cercopithecus aethiops) revealed a high incidence of respiratory disease caused by Corynebacterium ulcerans, Staphylococci, Diplococci and Streptococci. Escherichia coli was also found as a secondary invader. Most of the infections occurred during winter in Macaca cynomolgus and were caused by Corynebacterium ulcerans and Diplococcus pneumoniae. The C. ulcerans strains were phage type VI G. A phage type III C strain was isolated from a Macacca mulatta. The high incidence of C. ulcerans suggests that this organism plays a significant role in the pathology of respiratory disease in the non-human primate.
Helminth Parasites of Hertfordshire Birds I.—Trematoda

Re-descriptions are given of the following species :— 1. Lyperosomum longicauda (Rudolphi, 1809) Looss, 1899. 2. Lutztrema monenteron (Price and Mclntosh, 1935) Travassos, 1941. 3. Dicrocoelioides petiolatum (Railliet, 1900) Dollfus, 1954. 4. Brachylaemus fuscatus (Rudolphi, 1819) var. nicolli (Witenberg 1925). Previous host records for these trematodes are given. A list is given of the host records made during the survey.