CLIENT / WORLD MODEL SYNCHRONOUS ALIGNEMENT FOR SPEAKER VERIFICATION

In speaker verification, two independent stochastic models, i.e. a client model and a non-client (world) model, are generally used to verify the claimed identity using a likelihood ratio score. This paper investigates a variant of this approach based on a common hidden process for both models. In this framework, both models share the same topology, which is conditioned by the underlying phonetic structure of the utterance. Then, two different output distributions are defined corresponding to the client vs. world hypotheses. Based on this idea, a synchronous decoding algorithm and the corresponding training algorithm are derived. Our first experiments on the SESP telephone database indicate a slight improvement with respect to a baseline system using independent alignments. Moreover, synchronous alignment offers a reduced complexity during the decoding process. Interesting perspectives can be expected. Keywords : Stochastic Modeling, HMM, Synchronous Alignment, EM algorith

Semantic discovery and reuse of business process patterns

Patterns currently play an important role in modern information systems (IS) development and their use has mainly been restricted to the design and implementation phases of the development lifecycle. Given the increasing significance of business modelling in IS development, patterns have the potential of providing a viable solution for promoting reusability of recurrent generalized models in the very early stages of development. As a statement of research-in-progress this paper focuses on business process patterns and proposes an initial methodological framework for the discovery and reuse of business process patterns within the IS development lifecycle. The framework borrows ideas from the domain engineering literature and proposes the use of semantics to drive both the discovery of patterns as well as their reuse

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN ROMANIA

The purpose of this paper is to identify the main opportunities and limitations of corporate social responsibility (CSR). The survey was defined with the aim to involve the highest possible number of relevant CSR topics and give the issue a more wholesome perspective. It provides a basis for further comprehension and deeper analyses of specific CSR areas. The conditions determining the success of CSR in Romania have been defined in the paper on the basis of the previously cumulative knowledge as well as the results of various researches. This paper provides knowledge which may be useful in the programs promoting CSR.Corporate social responsibility, Supportive policies, Romania

Nuclear Power Plants

This book covers various topics, from thermal-hydraulic analysis to the safety analysis of nuclear power plant. It does not focus only on current power plant issues. Instead, it aims to address the challenging ideas that can be implemented in and used for the development of future nuclear power plants. This book will take the readers into the world of innovative research and development of future plants. Find your interests inside this book

Factors Influencing Customer Satisfaction towards E-shopping in Malaysia

Online shopping or e-shopping has changed the world of business and quite a few people have decided to work with these features. What their primary concerns precisely and the responses from the globalisation are the competency of incorporation while doing their businesses. E-shopping has also increased substantially in Malaysia in recent years. The rapid increase in the e-commerce industry in Malaysia has created the demand to emphasize on how to increase customer satisfaction while operating in the e-retailing environment. It is very important that customers are satisfied with the website, or else, they would not return. Therefore, a crucial fact to look into is that companies must ensure that their customers are satisfied with their purchases that are really essential from the ecommerce’s point of view. With is in mind, this study aimed at investigating customer satisfaction towards e-shopping in Malaysia. A total of 400 questionnaires were distributed among students randomly selected from various public and private universities located within Klang valley area. Total 369 questionnaires were returned, out of which 341 questionnaires were found usable for further analysis. Finally, SEM was employed to test the hypotheses. This study found that customer satisfaction towards e-shopping in Malaysia is to a great extent influenced by ease of use, trust, design of the website, online security and e-service quality. Finally, recommendations and future study direction is provided. Keywords: E-shopping, Customer satisfaction, Trust, Online security, E-service quality, Malaysia

Client / World Model Synchronous Alignement For Speaker Verification

In speaker verification, two independent stochastic models, i.e. a client model and a non-client (world) model, are generally used to verify the claimed identity using a likelihood ratio score. This paper investigates a variant of this approach based on a common hidden process for both models. In this framework, both models share the same topology, which is conditioned by the underlying phonetic structure of the utterance. Then, two different output distributions are defined corresponding to the client vs. world hypotheses. Based on this idea, a synchronous decoding algorithm and the corresponding training algorithm are derived. Our first experiments on the SESP telephone database indicate a slight improvement with respect to a baseline system using independent alignments. Moreover, synchronous alignment offers a reduced complexity during the decoding process. Interesting perspectives can be expected. Keywords : Stochastic Modeling, HMM, Synchronous Alignment, EM algorithm. 1 INTRODUC..