Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CASA FOR IMPROVING SPEECH INTELLIGIBILITY IN MONAURAL SPEECH SEPARATION

Speech separation is the process of separating the target speech and noise from the noisy speech mixture. Speech separation algorithms are useful in improving the quality and intelligibility of the speech. The various traditional speech separation algorithms such as spectralsubtractive algorithms, Wiener filtering, statistical model-based methods and subspace algorithms are mainly focus on improving the speech quality. But there are applications such as mobile communication, air ground communication and hearing aids, needs speech intelligibility than speech quality. In order to satisfy the requirements of intelligibility, this work proposes an algorithm using Computational Auditory Scene Analysis (CASA) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) to separate the noisy speech into target speech and noise and at the same time improves the speech intelligibility. The proposed algorithm decomposes the clean speech and noise into timefrequency units (T-F) and computes the energy from each frame of clean speech and noise to train the SVM. Latter in the testing phase, the trained SVM is used to estimate the binary mask from the energy of the noisy speech based on whether each T-F unit is dominated by speech or noise. The estimated mask by SVM is used to synthesize the speech signal and is presented to normal-hearing listeners with different age groups to measure the performance of the proposed algorithm. The experimental results show substantial improvements in recognition score because the separated speech has reasonable speech intelligibility.
Arguments for the presence of a distant large undiscovered Solar system planet

Aphelion distances of long-period comets show a slight excess around 30 000 to 50 000 au from the Sun. Positions of cometary aphelia within these distance limits are aligned along a great circle inclined to both the ecliptic and the Galactic plane. This paper examines one of the possible explanations for this non-random clustering: that it is due to orbital perturbations by an undiscovered object orbiting within the above-mentioned distances. A model consistent with the observations gives a retrograde orbit (inclination 120°) for the object with a longitude of the ascending node at 77° ± 13°, a period of 5.8 × 106 yr and a radius of 32 000 au. The same model gives a present position for the undiscovered object of RA 20h 35m, Dec. +5°, with an error ellipse semimajor axis of 14° and a semiminor axis of 7°. The magnitude is likely to be fainter than 23. Such a distant object would almost certainly not remain bound for the age of the Solar system, and recent capture into the present orbit, although also of low probability, remains the least unlikely origin for this hypothetical planet.
The impact of Lyman α trapping on the formation of primordial objects

Numerous cosmological simulations have been performed to study the formation of the first objects. We present the results of high-resolution 3D cosmological simulations of the formation of primordial objects using the adaptive mesh refinement code FLASH by including in an approximate manner the radiative transfer effects of Lyman alpha photons. We compare the results of a Lyman a trapping case inside gas clouds with atomic and molecular hydrogen cooling cases. The principal objective of this research is to follow the collapse of a zero metallicity halo with an effective equation of state ( that accounts for the trapping) and to explore the fate of a halo in each of the three cases, specifically the impact of thermodynamics on the fragmentation of haloes. Our results show that in the case of Lyman alpha trapping, fragmentation is halted and a massive object is formed at the centre of a halo. The temperature of the gas remains well above 10(4) K and the halo is not able to fragment to stellar masses. In the atomic cooling case, gas collapses into one or two massive clumps in contrast to the Lyman alpha trapping case. For the molecular hydrogen cooling case, gas cools efficiently and fragments. The formation of massive primordial objects is thus strongly dependent on the thermodynamics of the gas. A salient feature of our results is that for the formation of massive objects, e. g. intermediate-mass black holes, feedback effects are not required to suppress H-2 cooling, as molecular hydrogen is collisionally dissociated at temperatures higher than 10(4) K as a consequence of Lyman a trapping.
Low cost diagnostics system dedicated to rolling bearings

This article presents low cost diagnostic system, dedicated to rolling bearings. This system can be widely used in existing machines, to improve their reliability and reduce the costs of maintenance. Low cost electronics sensors, a few microchips, a multi-meter and a programmable micro-controller, which can send data to a computer, were selected. A computer is not necessary in this system, because data can be directly presented on LCD displays; moreover, alarm levers can be signaled with flashing lights and buzzers. This shows that an operational system can be produced with low cost, which is not obvious for managers and mechanical engineers.
Petri Itäranta WNT 4 AND WNT 6 SECRETED GROWTH AND DIFFERENTIATION FACTORS AND NEURAL CREST IN THE CONTROL OF KIDNEY DEVELOPMENT

Secreted signalling molecules are important for the regulation of developmental cell responses. In the developing kidney, signalling occurs between epithelial ureteric bud and metanephric mesenchyme and in between their derivatives. Wnt6 gene activity was localized to the ureteric bud and newly formed branches of the ureteric tree during early stages of kidney development. In a classic organ culture system, Wnt6 signalling induced the activation of marker genes for early nephrogenesis. The metanephric mesenchymes isolated from the Wnt4 deficient embryos were also induced, and the Wnt4 gene became activated in the presence of a Wnt6 signalling source. We propose that Wnt-6 is involved as a metanephric inducer and controls nephrogenesis. Wnt4 is essential for nephrogenesis in mouse and we indicate an additional role for Wnt4 in the control of periureteric stromal differentiation. A failure in vascular development was also found. Bmp4 expression in the medullar stroma of the Wnt4-deficient kidneys was absent concomitantly with a loss of expression of the smooth muscle marker, α-SMA. In vitro Wnt4 signalling induced Bmp4 expression and local α-SMA production. Hence, we conclude that lack of Wnt4 signalling leads to a loss of the periureteric smooth muscle cells, and Wnt4 may locally regulate this cell population in normal kidneys via regulation of Bmp4 signalling. The pluripotent neural crest cells are proposed to play regulatory roles in the early metanephros. Here, the use of transgenic animals allowed visualisation of the lumbo-sacral neural crest (NC) cells in close proximity to the early metanephros. The NC cells, however, disappeared in most part of the kidney by E12.5. The Splotch embryos lack the NCs from the early urogenital region. A developmental defect in the kidneys of Splotch embryos was not observed in vivo or in vitro. The results suggest that the neural crest is not essential for early embryonic kidney development. In sum, the work presented indicates an important role for Wnt6 in the induction of kidney tubules in vitro, for Wnt4 in the specification of kidney smooth muscle cells and for endothelial development in kidney. The neural crest cells apparently have no active morphogenetic role in early kidney development.
Evaluation of the BACTEC MGIT 960 TB with Solid Media for Recovery of Mycobacteria from Extrapulmonary Specimens in South Tunisia

The slow growth of M. tuberculosis complex is a major challenge for TB diagnosis, hence the importance of using media to obtain quick results. We compared the system MGIT960 to solid media: LJ and Coletsos in the diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. A total of 634 extrapulmonary samples were processed for direct AFB smear examination, and culture on MGIT960 and solid media. 98 strains were isolated by the three media (15.4%). The mycobacterial recovery rate was 93.8%, 77.5% and 70.4% respectively for MGIT960, LJ and Coletsos media. The mean turnaround time for mycobacterial growth for MGIT960 was 18.5 ± 7.6 days. It was respectively 44.8 ± 19.3 and 42.8 ± 19 days for LJ and Coletsos media. Unlike most studies, the MGIT960 contamination rate (1.7%) was lower than that of solid media (2.2% for LJ and 2.5% for Coletsos). The MGIT 960 offers several advantages: speed, sensitivity and ease of use.
Estimating marine species richness: an evaluation of six extrapolative techniques

The number of species in an assemblage at a given point in time is a fundamental prop- erty of ecological systems, yet it is hard to quantify for many marine systems. We studied the perfor- mance of 6 techniques ('estimators') for extrapolating species richness from limited numbers of sam- ples, using 3 datasets for which an absolute value for total species richness could be determined. We propose that the ideal estimator should always slightly overestimate species richness compared to any observed maximum species richness derived from sampling, as sampling error will always lead to underestimation of true richness. We quantified performance of the estimators relative to the sam- pled total richness in the assemblage across a range of efforts up to 80% of that required to achieve the asymptote of the species accumulation. We used 3 measures: bias (mean deviation of an estimate from the known richness), precision (variance of repeated estimates based upon a subset of the avail- able pool of samples), and overall accuracy (a combination of bias and precision). No single estima- tor performed best in all cases, and estimator performance was affected by sampling effort. The esti- mator Chao1 performed best at intermediate sampling efforts, with LAG S∞ also performing well at high relative effort. S∞ consistently underestimated, whilst Chao2 and ICE both overestimated and displayed poor precision and accuracy, especially at intermediate sampling efforts and in datasets with uneven patterns of species incidence. Species abundance and incidence amongst samples of a dataset were shown to affect performance of most of the estimators, with the exception of the recently proposed S∞ family of techniques. We conclude that Chao1 represents the best compromise choice of estimator, and that such nonparametric techniques may represent useful tools for rapid estimation of species richness for some marine assemblages, based on limited sampling effort.
ALMA observations of the Th 28 protostellar disk A new example of counter-rotation between disk and optical jet

Aims. Recently, differences in Doppler shifts across the base of four close classical T Tauri star jets have been detected with the HST in optical and near-ultraviolet (NUV) emission lines, and these Doppler shifts were interpreted as rotation signatures under the assumption of steady state flow. To support this interpretation, it is necessary that the underlying disks rotate in the same sense. Agreement between disk rotation and jet rotation determined from optical lines has been verified in two cases and rejected in one case. Meanwhile, the near-ultraviolet lines, which may trace faster and more collimated inner spines of the jet than optical lines, either agree or show no clear indication. We propose to perform this test on the fourth system, Th 28. Methods. We present ALMA high angular resolution Band 7 continuum, 12 CO(3−2) and 13 CO(2−1) observations of the circumstellar disk around the T Tauri star Th 28. Results. The sub-arcsecond angular resolution (0.46′′× 0.37′′) and high sensitivity reached enable us to detect, in CO and continuum, clear signatures of a disk in Keplerian rotation around Th 28. The 12 CO emission is clearly resolved, allowing us to derive estimates of disk position angle and inclination. The large velocity separation of the peaks in 12 CO, combined with the resolved extent of the emission, indicate a central stellar mass in the range 1−2 M ⊙ . The rotation sense of the disk is well detected in both 13 CO and 12 CO emission lines, and this direction is opposite to that implied by the transverse Doppler shifts measured in the optical lines of the jet. Conclusions. The Th 28 system is now the second system, among the four investigated so far, where counter-rotation between the disk and the optical jet is detected. These findings imply either that optical transverse velocity gradients detected with HST do not trace jet rotation or that modeling the flow with the steady assumption is not valid. In both cases jet rotation studies that rely solely on optical lines are not suitable to derive the launching radius of the jet.
Effect of collection techniques on cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) recovery, in vitro maturation and fertilization of goat oocytes

The experiment was undertaken to study the effect of collection techniques on cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) recovery, in vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) of goat oocytes. COCs were collected by three techniques viz. puncture, slicing and aspiration of goat ovaries obtained at slaughterhouse. It was observed that, the total number of COCs/ovary as well as the number of abnormal COCs/ovary were significantly higher (p 0.05) on in vitro maturation and fertilization of goat oocytes as long as normal quality COCs was used. Key words : Collection techniques, cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs), in vitro maturation (IVM), in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Calcium-vitamin D supplementation; does it affect lipid profile of menopaused women with normal renal function?

Introduction: The association between dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease in women has been proposed and many studies investigated calcium-vitamin D (CaD) supplementation and their effect on lipid concentrations. Objectives: This randomized single-blind study aimed to evaluate the effect of CaD supplementation on serum lipid levels of menopaused women with normal renal function. Patients and Methods: In this study, 100 women 50-75 years old with cholesterol of 200-239 mg/dL, triglyceride (TG) of 150-199 mg/dL, low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) of 100-159 mg/dL and vitamin D level less than 30 ng/mL and normal glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (>90 mL/min/1.73 m2) were investigated. First, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were calculated. The patients were given CaD supplement tablets made by Tehran Shimi Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Co. twice-daily (containing 500 mg calcium and 200 IU vitamin D) before breakfast and before lunch for 6 months. Then, blood lipid levels were collected after 3 and 6 months and were compared with initial data. Results: One hundred women with average age of 62.76 ± 7.02 years and BMI of 27.98 ± 3.44 kg/m2 were enrolled. FBS, cholesterol, HDL-C and LDL-C of the patients significantly increased (P < 00.001) but the mean TG and LDL/HDL ratio significantly decreased (P < 00.001). Also, the difference in LDL/HDL ratio was not significant after 3 months, but it was significant after 6 months (P = 00.155 and P < 00.001, respectively). Conclusion: Supplemental CaD significantly increased HDL-C and decreased TG and LDL/HDL ratio. Thus, it is recommended in menopaused women.
Comparative Social Policy Analysis in the EU at the Brink of a New Era

Abstract Comparative policy analysis plays an important role in the EU: European social policy, as it developed from the 2000s, is intrinsically interwoven with comparative social policy analysis, notably in the context of the Open Method of Coordination (OMC). A review of the role of comparative social policy analysis in the OMC highlights a number of long-standing challenges, which are discussed in the first section of the paper. Do EU member states commit themselves to a real “burden sharing” with regard to the agreed objectives? How can we effectively mainstream social policy objectives into the EU’s economic and budgetary governance? How can we assess the comparative efficiency of EU welfare states? These challenges have a political, a scientific and a technical (data-related) nature. They underscore the necessity of in-depth, shared and validated comparative social policy analysis of member states’ policies. The second section of the paper explains that we may be entering a new era, given the reform agenda for the Economic and Monetary Union set out by the so-called Five Presidents’ Report; these reforms, if implemented, may lead to important spill-over effects in the domain of European social policy, with new demands for comparative social policy analysis. The third section zooms in on the related challenges for the statistical capacity of the EU and the need to invest in the development of reliable and comparable data.
Krishna, Rajesh and He, Hongwei (2015) Managing team innovation in the research and development (R&D) organization : critical determinants

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DEVELOPMENT OF LOW FAT EMULSION BASED SMOKED SAUSAGES USING DIFFERENT HUMECTANTS

Emulsion based smoked sausages were developed using skim milk power (SMP) and sodium casienate at 2, 3, 4 and 5% levels as humectants and refined oil at 5, 10, 15 and 20% levels to improve the products acceptability. The selected levels of fat and humectants were used in combinations for further improvement in meat emulsions. The developed product was stored at ambient (25±2 0C) and refrigeration (4±1 0C) temperatures. However, smoked sausages prepared with 4% SMP, 2% sodium casienate and 10% fat individually got significantly higher sensory scores. The sausages developed with combination of fat (10%) and SMP (4%) showed highest sensory scores, percent moisture retention, cooking and smoking yields with lowest diameter shrinkage, water activity and shear press value. The shelf life of the developed product was improved 3 days in refrigeration and 2 day at ambient temperature as compare to control. It is concluded that the quality and shelf life of smoked sausages can be improved by making them emulsion based using a combination of fat (10%) and SMP (4%) as humectants.
ASSESSMENT OF GROUNDWATER VULNERABILITY USING INDEX BASED METHOD. CASE OF SEBAOU RIVER AQUIFER (NORTHERN ALGERIA)

The intrinsic vulnerability map of Sebaou groundwater system was drawn as part of a research work developed to characterize and evaluate the pollution risks for the coastal aquifers of northern Algeria. Established using "DRASTIC" model in a Geographical Information System (GIS) environment, this map (in 1/50,000 th ) shows that the study area is characterized by three vulnerability zones: low (5.4%), moderate (91.9%) and high (2.7%). The localization, with the same map, of existing and foreseeable potential pollution sources, allows water resource managers and land managers to develop the best choices on regard to the sustainable management of resources and environment.
A New Routing Algorithm for Multi-path Transmission

A new multi-path routing algorithm called MA* algorithm is proposed which combines the path similarity objective with the heuristic method. A new evaluation function construction method is devised for the MA* algorithm, which is proved feasible through theoretical analysis. The simulation experiments are carried out to compare the MA* algorithm with other multi-path routing algorithms applying the network topology generation tool. The results show that the MA* algorithm can find multiple paths with reasonable path cost and path similarity at quite low search times. Streszczenie. W artykule zaproponowano algorytm MA*, do routowania wielościezkowego, uwzgledniający zalozenie podobienstwa ściezek i metodyke heurystyczną. Opracowano nową metode oceny budowy dla algorytmu MA*, ktorej wykonalnośc zostala udowodniona teoretycznie. Badania dowodzą, ze algorytm MA* w krotkim czasie potrafi wyszukac ściezki mnogie o uzasadnionych kosztach ściezek i podobienstwie. (Nowy algorytm routowania do transmisji wielościezkowej).
Human Capital, R&D and Competition in Macroeconomic Analysis. ENEPRI Working Paper No. 38, August 2005

Long-run per capita economic growth is driven by productivity growth. Major determinants of productivity are investments in education and research, and the intensity of competition in product markets. While these ideas have been incorporated into modern growth theories and tested in empirical analyses, they have not yet found their way to applied macroeconomic models used to forecast economic developments. In this paper, the authors discuss various options to include human capital, R&D and product market competition in a macroeconomic framework. They also study how policy can affect the decisions to build human capital or to perform research, and how competition policy impacts on macroeconomic outcomes.
Technical Innovations and Banking in a Quantum Economy

The economy often moves in large jumps. For example, bank runs can quickly cause an economy to suddenly drop into a deep recession. In this paper, bank approval of loans to a genius entrepreneur may cause an economy to jump to a higher income level or growth rate. In a simple model, this implies that the economy has the possibility to exist in discrete states, a ground state (lowest production level) or an excited state (higher production levels). In a more dynamic model, bank approval of the loan causes an apparent technology shock that temporarily increases economic growth. In this paper, the economy is modeled as a regime switching model, i.e. a Markov-Switching model.
Controlled Traffic Farming and Wide Span Tractors

Plants require a relatively mechanically weak, open soil condition, conducive to easy and extensive root development, good aeration and water supply, when subsurface drainage is satisfactory. Conversely, much more compact conditions are desirable for good traction and the support of wheels and tracks. There are three primary ways of reducing the overall compaction of field soils by agricultural vehicles: (1) Reduction of the number of passes of conventional machinery, (2) Reduction of the vehicle mass and the contact pressure of wheel systems. (3) Confinement of the traffic to permanent or temporary wheel tracks (controlled traffic). The objectives of this study are: to define the optimum soil compaction, to explain the effects of excessive soil compaction on plant growth and soil physical conditions; to examine the methods of preventing and reducing of excessive soil compaction hazards; to present the the application of wide span tractor.
A resource-based analysis of bankruptcy 1 law, SMEs and corporate recovery

The UK Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) is an early example of a bankruptcy regime designed to aid the rescue of financially distressed SMEs. Its efficacy hinges on its application to aid only viable companies with liquidation as the preferred option for companies that are not viable. This article proposes the resource-based view as a theoretical means to assess the viability of bankrupt SMEs. Seven hypotheses are tested and provide support for the central proposition, that a company which has resource strength, but is pushed into bankruptcy by temporary factors, is more likely to succeed in a CVA. The article concludes that the resource-based view is useful for analysing the viability of bankrupt companies and that well-designed bankruptcy law can promote SMEs and entrepreneurship.