Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Siamese Networks for Speaker Identification on Resource-Constrained Platforms

This paper investigates the implementation of a lightweight Siamese neural network for enhancing speaker identification accuracy and inference speed in embedded systems. Integrating speaker identification into embedded systems can improve portability and versatility. Siamese neural networks achieve speaker identification by comparing input voice samples to reference voices in a database, effectively extracting features and classifying speakers accurately. Considering the trade-off between accuracy and complexity, as well as hardware constraints in embedded systems, various neural networks could be applied to speaker identification. This paper compares the incorporation of CNN architectures targeted for embedded systems, MCUNet, SqueezeNet and MobileNetv2, to implement Siamese neural networks on a Raspberry Pi. Our experiments demonstrate that MCUNet achieves 85% accuracy with a 0.23-second inference time. In comparison, the larger MobileNetv2 attains 84.5% accuracy with a 0.32-second inference time. Additionally, contrastive loss was superior to binary cross-entropy loss in the Siamese neural network. The system using contrastive loss had almost 68% lower loss scores, resulting in a more stable performance and more accurate predictions. In conclusion, this paper establishes that an appropriate lightweight Siamese neural network, combined with contrastive loss, can significantly improve speaker identification accuracy, and enable efficient deployment on resource-constrained platforms.
Long-term coupled behaviour of cemented paste backfill in load cell experiments

ABSTRACT A pressure cell apparatus has been developed in this research work to study the long-term hydro-mechanical behaviour of cemented paste backfill (CPB) cured under applied stress. The samples are cured for 7, 28, 90 and 150 days and the evolution of their mechanical, hydraulic, physical and microstructural properties is studied. Also, the suction, temperature and electrical conductivity are monitored for a period of 150 days of curing. The testing and monitoring programmes are conducted in undrained conditions, with and without pressure application. The obtained results show that the curing stress affects the hydro-mechanical behaviour of CPB for up to 28 days. Within this curing period, the CPB exhibits enhanced hydro-mechanical performance. However, application of sustained excessive curing stress onto the CPB samples induces the propagation of microcracks in the backfill structure, thus causing lower mechanical strength and higher fluid permeability at the more advanced ages. Furthermore, the mineralogical and chemical compositions of the tailings (e.g., sulfidic tailings) can significantly alter the mechanical strength properties (uniaxial compressive strength and elastic modulus) and the permeability of the CPB. The evolution of coupled factors and characteristics of the CPB at an early age control and influence its long-term behaviour and performance.
EL ESPACIO Y LA GLOBALIZACIÓN EN EL CONTACTO DE LENGUAS: EL CRIOLLO LIMONENSE EN ESPAÑOL-HABLANTE COSTA RICA SPACE AND GLOBALIZATION IN LANGUAGE CONTACT: LIMONESE CREOLE IN SPANISH-SPEAKING COSTA RICA

This paper is based on the most recent theories of scales of socialization and spatial analysis, both concepts focused within the framework of sociolinguistic ideology. According to these theories, space must not be conceived as neutral background, but as an active agent in the sociolinguistic processes. For a speaker the change of space results in a permutation of the connection between his/her linguistic repertoire and the linguistic competence required to act in that space. Speakers express themselves in and from a space which projects certain values, a certain social order, a certain authority, and affective attributes. I will present here the results of applying the socialization scales and spatial analysis in an empiric investigation on linguistic micro-variants in Limonese Creole, based on English in contact with Spanish in Costa Rica. I will explore the construction of individual identities, in the context of globalization and the Diaspora.
Prior Knowledge-guided Hierarchical Action Quality Assessment with 3D Convolution and Attention Mechanism

Recently, there has been a growing interest in the field of computer vision and deep learning regarding a newly emerging problem known as action quality assessment (AQA). However, most researchers still rely on the traditional approach of using models from the video action recognition field. Unfortunately, this approach overlooks crucial features in AQA, such as movement fluency and degree of completion. Alternatively, some researchers have employed the transformer paradigm to capture action details and overall action integrity, but the high computational cost associated with transformers makes them impractical for real-time tasks. Due to the diversity of action types, it is challenging to rely solely on a shared model for quality assessment of various types of actions. To address these issues, we propose a novel network structure for AQA, which is the first to integrate multi-model capabilities through a classification model. Specifically, we utilize a pre-trained I3D model equipped with a self-attention block for classification. This allows us to evaluate various categories of actions using just one model. Furthermore, we introduce self-attention mechanisms and multi-head attention into the traditional convolutional neural network. By systematically replacing the last few layers of the conventional convolutional network, our model gains a greater ability to sense the global coordination of different actions. We have verified the effectiveness of our approach on the AQA-7 dataset. In comparison to other popular models, our model achieves satisfactory performance while maintaining a low computational cost.
Monitoring of genetically modified food products in South Africa

Genetically modified (GM) crops currently account for 29% of crop production worldwide. South Africa is currently the only country in Africa to commercially grow GM crops. Despite a lack of regulations to provide for food labelling that allows for consumer preference, many products carry negative or positive labels with regard to genetic modification. The aim of this study was to test different maize and soybean products to determine the uptake of GM food into the human food chain as well as the validity of “non-GMO” (genetically modified organisms), “GMO free” or “organic” labels, on local as well as imported products. Of the 58 products selected and sampled randomly, 44 tested positive for the presence of GM. Furthermore, of the 20 products with a GM related label, 14 tested positive for GM. These results demonstrate the extent of GM in the human food chain in South Africa and highlight the need for effective regulations to protect consumers against misleading claims. 3 This study was undertaken prior to the development of the Consumer Protection Act that mandates GM labelling. This paper served to inform the discussions regarding the introduction of GM labelling in South Africa. Although I am not the first author of this publication, I played an integral role in the formulation and execution of this research. 4 Viljoen CD, Dajee BK and Botha GM (2006) Detection of GMOs in food products in South Africa: Implications of GMO labeling. African Journal of Biotechnology 5(2): 73-82. Chapter 2 Detection of GMOs in food products in South Africa
The Establishment of a Humanitarian Assistance Force in the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP)

The study seeks to identify advances in Defense Cooperation in the Community of Portuguese-speaking countries (CPLP, in Portuguese) by creating a Humanitarian Assistance Force (HAF). The research problem analyzes the opportunities and challenges of creating a HAF in the Community. The hypothesis indicates that the CPLP’s cooperation in Defense, since 1998, has had an extraordinary development since it is consolidated as a dynamic and committed Defense Architecture among all Member States, whose expertise in human resources and equipment are the main potential opportunities. However, the challenge lies in materializing this involvement into concrete resultsthat can respond, first, to the needs of each country and the CPLP and, second, to provide further vitality and operationality to the Defense cooperation under the guidelines for strategic collaboration in the organization and aligned with the CPLP’s New Strategic Vision. Therefore, it is understood that the CPLP, by proposing an HAF, seeks to become an organization with more capacity to react purposefully and positively to disasters in the Member States. Furthermore, risk management is essential to assess and analyze risks and plan and execute specific actions to prevent and reduce destruction. Based on hypothetical and deductive methods, the study applies the qualitative researchprotocol. Regarding the objectives, the study is characterized as descriptive explanatory and uses bibliographic and documentary surveys (which mainly originated in the CPLP).
Operations Strategy 4.0 – What Will It Be Like and How Will It Lead to the Ideal of an Integrated Organisation?

Operations Strategy (OS) gained a new perspective after the introduction of the Malcolm Baldrige Model for Business Excellence (MBM), in 1987. Many companies adopted the MBM framework, along with Balanced Score Cards (BSC) and the Annual Quality Improvement Plans (AQUIP) methodology, to achieve world class performance through the creation of ‘integrated organisations’ using Quality Operations Strategy (QOS) as a key driver. With the advent of Industry 4.0 (I 4.0), the possibility of creating a truly integrated organisation appears to have gained momentum. Quality Operations Strategy 4.0 (QOS 4.0) is expected to drive Business Excellence (BE) in digitalised companies in the near future, by creating integrated organisations using MBM and I 4.0 techniques. This paper traces the evolution of the QOS, and its possible evolution in the era of I 4.0.
Implications of compositions of plagioclase and olivine on the formation of the Panzhihua V-Ti magnetite deposit, Sichuan Province

Mineral assemblages and associated textures in the low and middle part of the Panzhihua intrusion indicate that plagioclase, olivine and Fe-Ti oxides were crystallized at a similar temperature range. Thus, it is possible to estimate variation of temperature, oxygen fugacity (fO2) and magma composition during the formation of the magnetite gabbro and gabbro in different cycles of the Panzhihua layered intrusion by means of compositions of plagioclase and olivine. Electron microprobe data indicate that plagioclase has small compositional variation (An58.0-52.5) from the low zone to the middle zone. Whereas, forsterite percentages of olivine (Fo) decrease significantly upwards from magnetite gabbro to gabbro within a single cycle unit. These features indicate that the Panzhihua intrusion was developed by replenishment of many pulses of Fe-Ti enriched magmas. Small and regular composition variations of plagioclase suggest that variations of fO2 and Fe3+/Fe2+ of the magma have little effect on crystallization of plagioclase. Therefore, compositions of plagioclase can be used to estimate temperature of crystallization of Fe-Ti oxides. In contrast, large variations of Fo of olivine within a cycle unit suggest that the compositions of olivine depend on values of Fe3+/Fe2+ and Fe2+/Mg of the magma, from which the olivine crystallized. Thus, Fo of olivine was used to rebuild variation of fO2during the formation of the magnetite gabbro and gabbro. Crystallizations of plagioclase of the lower and middle zones of the Panzhihua intrusion occurred between 1079℃ and 1121℃, we estimate that Fe-Ti oxide probably crystallized at the same temperature range as well. On the other hand, decrease of Fo of olivine from magnetite gabbro to gabbro within a cycle unit indicate that fO2 decreased during fractional crystallization of a new replenished magma. This conclusion is consistent with previous experimental studies about the fO2 variations during fractional crystallization process at a system closed to oxygen.
ARCTIC OCEAN SYNTHESIS : ANALYSIS OF CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS IN THE CHUKCHI AND BEAUFORT SEAS WITH STRATEGIES FOR FUTURE RESEARCH

Project Summary: The environmental conditions in the Arctic Ocean are changing, with the likelihood of profound impacts on the organisms living there, and the peoples dependent on them. There is an urgency to integrate and synthesize the present state of knowledge of the biology and oceanography of this region as required baseline information to observe and understand ongoing changes. The multidisciplinary team assembled at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, including core members of the Census of Marine Life’s Arctic Ocean Diversity project, is uniquely qualified and appropriately connected to undertake such an activity. We propose to synthesize past, present and future research programs in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas and to hold an interdisciplinary workshop in the fall of 2005 to bring together experts from the United States, Russia, Canada, Japan and China. We hope to publish the results in special issue of a peer-reviewed journal, plus a separate report to NPRB identifying: (1) the most crucial information gaps, (2) ‘pulse points’ in the biological/physical environment that require monitoring, and (3) how climate change might impact biota through its influence on: sea ice extent/characteristics, shelf currents and transport through Bering Strait, coastal currents along Alaska’s north coast and their relationship to various biological processes and life histories
Lenvatinib-Loaded Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) Nanoparticles with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Antibody Conjugation as a Preclinical Approach to Therapeutically Improve Thyroid Cancer with Aggressive Behavior

Background: Lenvatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) approved for the treatment of progressive and radioactive iodine (RAI)-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), is associated with significant adverse effects that can be partially mitigated through the development of novel drug formulations. The utilization of nanoparticles presents a viable option, as it allows for targeted drug delivery, reducing certain side effects and enhancing the overall quality of life for patients. This study aimed to produce and assess, both in vitro and in vivo, the cytotoxicity, biodistribution, and therapeutic efficacy of lenvatinib-loaded PLGA nanoparticles (NPs), both with and without decoration using antibody conjugation (cetuximab), as a novel therapeutic approach for managing aggressive thyroid tumors. Methods: Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (NPs), decorated with or without anti-EGFR, were employed as a lenvatinib delivery system. These NPs were characterized for size distribution, surface morphology, surface charge, and drug encapsulation efficiency. Cytotoxicity was evaluated through MTT assays using two cellular models, one representing normal thyroid cells (Nthy-ori 3-1) and the other representing anaplastic thyroid cells (CAL-62). Additionally, an in vivo xenograft mouse model was established to investigate biodistribution and therapeutic efficacy following intragastric administration. Results: The NPs demonstrated success in terms of particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, morphology, encapsulation efficiency, and cetuximab distribution across the surface. In vitro analysis revealed cytotoxicity in both cellular models with both formulations, but only the decorated NPs achieved an ID50 value in CAL-62 cells. Biodistribution analysis following intragastric administration in xenografted thyroid mice demonstrated good stability in terms of intestinal barrier function and tumor accumulation. Both formulations were generally well tolerated without inducing pathological effects in the examined organs. Importantly, both formulations increased tumor necrosis; however, decorated NPs exhibited enhanced parameters related to apoptotic/karyolytic forms, mitotic index, and vascularization compared with NPs without decoration. Conclusions: These proof-of-concept findings suggest a promising strategy for administering TKIs in a more targeted and effective manner.
Heavy water coupling gel for short-wave infrared photoacoustic imaging

Abstract. Significance Changes in lipid, water, and collagen (LWC) content in tissue are associated with numerous medical abnormalities (cancer, atherosclerosis, and Alzheimer’s disease). Standard imaging modalities are limited in resolution, specificity, and/or penetration for quantifying these changes. Short-wave infrared (SWIR) photoacoustic imaging (PAI) has the potential to overcome these challenges by exploiting the unique optical absorption properties of LWC > 1000 nm. Aim This study’s aim is to harness SWIR PAI for mapping LWC changes in tissue. The focus lies in devising a reflection-mode PAI technique that surmounts current limitations related to SWIR light delivery. Approach To enhance light delivery for reflection-mode SWIR PAI, we designed a deuterium oxide (D2O, “heavy water”) gelatin (HWG) interface for opto-acoustic coupling, intended to significantly improve light transmission above 1200 nm. Results HWG permits light delivery >1 mJ up to 1850 nm, which was not possible with water-based coupling (>1 mJ light delivery up to 1350 nm). PAI using the HWG interface and the Visualsonics Vevo LAZR-X reveals a signal increase up to 24 dB at 1720 nm in lipid-rich regions. Conclusions By overcoming barriers related to light penetration, the HWG coupling interface enables accurate quantification/monitoring of biomarkers like LWC using reflection-mode PAI. This technological stride offers potential for tracking changes in chronic diseases (in vivo) and evaluating their responses to therapeutic interventions.
BAYESIAN MODEL FOR SPATIAL DEPENDANCE AND PREDICTION OF TUBERCULOSIS

In the Disease analysis, there is an interest to find the spatial pattern of disease in specific regions and whether this pattern has any spatial dependence. Kriging is one method used to find the spatial dependence and extrapolate the location of cases from unmeasured locations. But Bayesian Kriging would be more appropriate in the case of tuberculosis risk where we know that other factors are strong predictors in tuberculosis disease. The aim is to study the spatial pattern and spatial dependence of tuberculosis within a Chennai ward population to gain insight into the disease spread and also, to extrapolate the disease location from the unmeasured disease locations. SAS and WinBUGS software were used for spatial analysis of tuberculosis spread. Data was obtained from National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis for Chennai district. The result reveals that Kriging has significantly improved the prediction of tuberculosis risk in parts of the Chennai city. The GIS system proves to be a friendly interface for spatial and a spatial information retrieval, which supports users with all type of statistical analysis GIS model.
Hubungan Pola Asuh Orang Tua dengan Masalah Perilaku Anak Usia Sekolah di SDN 02 Tribungan Situbondo

Perilaku adalah sebuah respon yang muncul dari diri sendiri terhadap obyek atau benda yang berada disekitarnya. Namun, apabila anak melakukan perilaku yang tidak sesuai dengan harapan masyarakat, maka anak itu dianggap mengalami masalah. Masalah perilaku tidak memiliki etiologi yang tunggal melainkan kombinasi dari berbagai masalah, seperti pengasuhan orang tua. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah mengetahui ada tidaknya hubungan antara pola asuh orang tua dengan masalah perilaku pada anak usia sekolah. Penelitian ini menggunakan desain correlation research dengan pendekatan cross sectional study. Pengambilan sampel dilakukan dengan teknik simple random sampling dengan besar sampel 104 dari 140 orang tua siswa-siswi di SDN 02 Tribungan Situbondo. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian didapatkan pola asuh yang paling banyak diterapkan oleh responden adalah pola asuh permisif dengan persentase 76% dan sebanyak 78 anak mengalami masalah perilaku. Uji korelasi yang digunakan adalah Spearman rho dengan ketentuan ɑ ≤ 0,05. Hasil analisis hubungan antara pola asuh orang tua dengan masalah perilaku anak usia sekolah didapatkan r= 0,324 dan p=0,001. Kesimpulan, terdapat hubungan yang signifikan antara pola asuh orang tua dengan masalah perilaku pada anak usia sekolah. Arah hubungan negatif dengan kekuatan lemah. Pola asuh orang tua yang kurang tepat dapat berisiko menimbulkan masalah perilaku pada anak. Oleh karena itu, upaya edukasi terhadap orang tua dan deteksi dini perlu dilakukan.
expedition.nationalpark.2022 – Dialogue as a method for a transdisciplinary format

In the unique ecosystem of the Hohe Tauern National Park (HTNP), balancing agricultural activities with conservation efforts presents a complex challenge. This study addresses the critical issue of communication between the national park and the agricultural sector, aiming to bridge the gap between these two vital stakeholders. Two primary research questions guide this inquiry: firstly, the evaluation of participants' perspectives on the developed transdisciplinary citizen science approach; secondly, the identification of specific aspects crucial to agriculture within the HTNP. These research questions employed a transdisciplinary citizen science format that took place for the first time in Mallnitz (Austria) in 2022. Local actors and researchers met for visits to ten agricultural hosts, engaging in discussions that were recorded and subsequently subjected to content analysis. The results indicated a high positive assessment of the transdisciplinary format. Key factors identified as pivotal in the agricultural context of the HTNP include grants, contracts, and notifications, appreciation and recognition, time constraints, the entrepreneurial spirit within the region, and the return of wolves. The study concludes that the transdisciplinary citizen science format is effective and adaptable for similar settings. Additionally, the findings serve as a foundational resource for the ongoing development of the national park and its management plans, providing invaluable insights