Blank Collapse: Compressing CTC emission for the faster decoding

Connectionist Temporal Classification (CTC) model is a very efficient method for modeling sequences, especially for speech data. In order to use CTC model as an Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) task, the beam search decoding with an external language model like n-gram LM is necessary to obtain reasonable results. In this paper we analyze the blank label in CTC beam search deeply and propose a very simple method to reduce the amount of calculation resulting in faster beam search decoding speed. With this method, we can get up to 78% faster decoding speed than ordinary beam search decoding with a very small loss of accuracy in LibriSpeech datasets. We prove this method is effective not only practically by experiments but also theoretically by mathematical reasoning. We also observe that this reduction is more obvious if the accuracy of the model is higher.Comment: Accepted in Interspeech 202

Building Efficient and Compact Data Structures for Simplicial Complexes

The Simplex Tree (ST) is a recently introduced data structure that can represent abstract simplicial complexes of any dimension and allows efficient implementation of a large range of basic operations on simplicial complexes. In this paper, we show how to optimally compress the Simplex Tree while retaining its functionalities. In addition, we propose two new data structures called the Maximal Simplex Tree (MxST) and the Simplex Array List (SAL). We analyze the compressed Simplex Tree, the Maximal Simplex Tree, and the Simplex Array List under various settings.Comment: An extended abstract appeared in the proceedings of SoCG 201

Sodium silicate stabilization of collapsible clayey calcareous soils

Ph. D. ThesisCollapsible soils have caused infrastructural damages resulting in several economic losses and loss of lives in certain cases. The prerequisite for collapse occurring is an open metastable structure; capable of developing in any soil type given the right placement or aging conditions. Natural and anthropogenic (engineered & non-engineered) collapsible soils exist in many regions of the world. In their unsaturated state, these soils exhibit high enough strength (provided by inter-particle bonds of either suction, clay, calcium carbonate or other salts) but upon wetting and/or loading they undergo repacking due to bond softening/weakening. Despite the large body of research in this subject, there is still poor understanding of the process of softening/weakening and the collapse mechanism of certain bond elements, particularly CaCO3, considering its low solubility in water. Because CaCO3 is common in natural soils, reaching 1-30 % contents in the most commonly known natural collapsible soil (loess), understanding its influence on the collapse phenomenon is crucial for geotechnical characterization of soils in order to design safe and economic earthworks with their long-term serviceability also in focus. In this thesis, an innovative method of simulating an open structure supported by calcite and/or clay bonding has been developed to study mainly the effect of calcite and clay content on the collapse potential (CP) and rate of collapse of calcareous silty-clay soils analogous to marls. A relationship between unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and CP was also examined. Collapsibility and UCS were examined using single and double oedometer techniques and unconfined compressive test (UCT), respectively. Additionally, the potential for a single-step application of sodium silicate solution (silicatization) to improve the soils was investigated. Silicatization was carried out by both impregnation of pre-formed specimens and mixing & kneading prior to specimen formation. Treated oedometer specimens were simply heat-cured (45 – 50 0C) for 24 hours whereas, some UCT specimens were heat-cured, and others cured under room ambience for 7, 14, and 28 day to assess the effect of curing method on UCS. CP was estimated by the percentage decrease in height of an oedometer specimen due to wetting. Different wetting fluids (distilled water and a 5% acid solution (AS)) were used in order to investigate the influence of pore fluid pH on CP. Several wetting stresses were adopted but 300 kPa (roughly equivalent to the self-weight of a 15m high embankment) was the main stress studied. The research found that UCS and stiffness increase with increasing calcite content and clay content, which is possibly due to an increasing in inter-particle bonding. It also reveals that the magnitude and rate of collapse are controlled mainly by the calcite content, pH of wetting fluid, clay content, dry density, and wetting stress. Both magnitude and rate of collapse decrease with increasing CaCO3 content and dry density but CP increases with increasing wetting stress: each sample reaching a maximum defined by their initial strength, beyond which CP decreases. Increasing clay content resulted in higher CP for non-calcareous samples but resulted in lower CP for calcareous samples. Wetting with acidic solution demonstrated higher CP and tends to prolong time to reach complete collapse resulting in long-term collapse known as subsidence settlement. Silicatization was found to reduce stiffness at early curing with minimal increase in UCS, but at later ages both UCS and stiffness progressively increased with curing time and drying. Silicatization was more effective at increasing strength and stiffness of specimens with higher clay and calcite contents. For each curing period, mixing & kneading produced higher UCS than impregnation by between 140% - 356%, 63% - 193%, and 16% - 71% at 7, 14, and 28 days curing, respectively. At 300kPa wetting stress, silicatization and heat-curing reduced CP by between 59% – 73% under distilled water wetting and 70% – 78% under AS wetting. Key Words: Calcareous, Collapsibility, Unconfined compressive strength, silicatization.The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Nigeri

On the crashworthiness performance of thin-walled energy absorbers: Recent advances and future developments

Over the past several decades, a noticeable amount of research efforts has been directed to minimising injuries and death to people inside a structure that is subjected to an impact loading. Thin-walled (TW) tubular components have been widely employed in energy absorbing structures to alleviate the detrimental effects of an impact loading during a collision event and thus enhance the crashworthiness performance of a structure. Comprehensive knowledge of the material properties and the structural behaviour of various TW components under various loading conditions is essential for designing an effective energy absorbing system. In this paper, based on a broad survey of the literature, a comprehensive overview of the recent developments in the area of crashworthiness performance of TW tubes is given with a special focus on the topics that emerged in the last ten years such as crashworthiness optimisation design and energy absorbing responses of unconventional TW components including multi-cells tubes, functionally graded thickness tubes and functionally graded foam filled tubes. Due to the huge number of studies that analysed and assessed the energy absorption behaviour of various TW components, this paper presents only a review of the crashworthiness behaviour of the components that can be used in vehicles structures including hollow and foam-filled TW tubes under lateral, axial, oblique and bending loading

Streetcorners, under the flyover: development of a civic promendade

Choy Pui Cheung Edman."Architecture Department, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Master of Architecture Programme 2000-2001, design report."Includes bibliographical references (leaf 95).prologue --- p.p. 1initiation --- p.p. 2short study --- p.p. 3-15issue --- p.p. 16-17hypothesis --- p.p. 18project goal --- p.p. 19user profile --- p.p. 20justification of the site --- p.p. 21-22site history --- p.p. 23site analysis --- p.p. 24-30program --- p.p. 31-34design concepts --- p.p. 35-38design strategies for environmental improvement --- p.p. 39design record on conceptual design --- p.p. 40-41design record on design development --- p.p. 42-63design record on final design --- p.p. 64-84precedents --- p.p. 85-93epilogue --- p.p. 94bibliography --- p.p. 9

Intertextuality reinterpreted : a cognitive linguistics approach with specific reference to conceptual blending

In this dissertation, I investigate the cognitive processes integral to intertextual readings by referring to the cognitive linguistics framework known as conceptual blending. I refer to different genres of intertextual texts and then explain these intertexts in terms of cognitive principles and processes, such as conceptual blending networks. By applying the framework of conceptual blending to intertexts within different genres, I suggest that the underlying cognitive processes are universal for the interpretation of any type of intertextual text. My findings indicate that conceptual blending underpins intertextuality which is cognitive, creative and dynamic in nature. This means that the meaning we construct from intertexts is dependent on the context in which they appear and cannot be studied in isolation. Investigating intertextual texts from a cognitive linguistics perspective reveals new inferences (such as the influence of implicit knowledge as a type of intertext) and the creativity involved in the meaning-making process.Linguistics and Modern LanguagesM.A. (Linguistics

Carlsbad Current, 07-29-1921

https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/cb_current_news/1468/thumbnail.jp

Functional group introduction and aromatic unit variation in a set of π‑conjugated macrocycles: revealing the central role of local and global aromaticity

π-Conjugated macrocycles are molecules with unique properties that are increasingly exploited for applications and the question of whether they can sustain global aromatic or antiaromatic ring currents is particularly intriguing. However, there are only a small number of experimental studies that investigate how the properties of π‑conjugated macrocycles evolve with systematic structural changes. Here, we present such a systematic experimental study of a set of [2.2.2.2]cyclophanetetraenes, all with formally Hückel antiaromatic ground states, and combine it with an in-depth computational analysis. The study reveals the central role of local and global aromaticity for rationalizing the observed optoelectronic properties, ranging from extremely large Stokes shifts of up to 1.6 eV to reversible fourfold reduction, a highly useful feature for charge storage/accumulation applications. A recently developed method for the visualization of chemical shielding tensors (VIST) is applied to provide unique insight into local and global ring currents occurring in different planes along the macrocycle. Conformational changes as a result of the structural variations can further explain some of the observations. The study contributes to the development of structure–property relationships and molecular design guidelines and will help to understand, rationalize, and predict the properties of other π‑conjugated macrocycles

Analytical Method Development and Validation of Lumefantrine by RP-HPLC

is considered accurate if the average recovery is not less than 98% and not more than 102%. Precision parameter RSD of six replicate injections should be NMT 2%. The linearity range of Lumefantrine was found to be 100-500 μg/ml in HPLC. Linear regression was not more than 0.999.the values of %RSD was <2 Robustness of assay method is demonstrated by changing the flow rate for 1.4ml/min and 1.8ml/min instead of 1.6ml/min by injecting the 6 replicate injections of standard in 1.4ml/min and 1.8ml/min flow rate and found that system suitability parameters are passed. By changing the column temperature for 30 �c and 40 �c instead of 35 �c by injecting the 6 replicate injections of standard in 30 �c and 40 �c temperature and found that system suitability parameters are passed Ruggedness parameter RSD for the assay values of 6 sample preparations of same batch should not be more than2.0%. The LOD are calculated from the calibration curve by using the formulas LOD = 3 x SD/ bWhere, SD- the estimate is the standard deviation of the peak area of the drugs. b -is slope of the corresponding calibration curvepassed.The LOQ are calculated from the calibration curve by using the formulas LOQ = 10 x SD/ where,limits. These results shows the method is accurate, precise, sensitive, economic & rugged. The HPLC method is more rapid. The proposed method is successfully applied to the bulk dosage form. The method was found to be having suitable application in routine laboratory analysis with high degree of accuracy and precision

Blood Heist

A novel of fiction. John Stick, along with his two best friends, Spartacus Rex and Leon Flowers, rob a blood bank with the intent to sell the blood in Mexico. On the way, the ice cream truck that they have converted to transport the blood breaks down, and they become stranded in the desert. Stick notices that one of the bags of blood belongs to his ex-girlfriend, Cryopathria Rex, with whom he is still in love. Stick tries to take the blood back to Albuquerque out of guilt. Rex and Flowers stop him. The three men have en escalating feud, which leads to Flowers and Rex tying Stick to a tree and soaking him with several bags of blood and leaving him to die. Flowers and Rex ride south on a team of ostriches that Flowers has stolen from Crazy Patti LeBeau. Stick is rescued by a woman from Mexico named Alma. Together they pursue Flowers and Rex. On the way they encounter an alpaca farm, an Apache policeman named Chuck, the chupacabras, a vengeful Patti LeBeau, before they finally confront Rex in the Rio Grande gorge on the border of Texas and Mexico. The novel explores themes of masculinity, trauma, betrayal, friendship, and the American-Mexican border. It is constructed with particular attention to character construction and imagery. It fits into the broad category of Post-Western literature