Spoof detection using time-delay shallow neural network and feature switching

Detecting spoofed utterances is a fundamental problem in voice-based biometrics. Spoofing can be performed either by logical accesses like speech synthesis, voice conversion or by physical accesses such as replaying the pre-recorded utterance. Inspired by the state-of-the-art \emph{x}-vector based speaker verification approach, this paper proposes a time-delay shallow neural network (TD-SNN) for spoof detection for both logical and physical access. The novelty of the proposed TD-SNN system vis-a-vis conventional DNN systems is that it can handle variable length utterances during testing. Performance of the proposed TD-SNN systems and the baseline Gaussian mixture models (GMMs) is analyzed on the ASV-spoof-2019 dataset. The performance of the systems is measured in terms of the minimum normalized tandem detection cost function (min-t-DCF). When studied with individual features, the TD-SNN system consistently outperforms the GMM system for physical access. For logical access, GMM surpasses TD-SNN systems for certain individual features. When combined with the decision-level feature switching (DLFS) paradigm, the best TD-SNN system outperforms the best baseline GMM system on evaluation data with a relative improvement of 48.03\% and 49.47\% for both logical and physical access, respectively

Development and testing of artificial membranes for rearing of Rhipicephalus microplus, the Southern Cattle Fever Tick

The southern cattle fever tick, Rhipicephalus microplus, is a livestock pest worldwide in tropical and subtropical climates, including South Texas, and can vector Babesia spp., the causal agents of bovine babesiosis. Artificial rearing methods for R. microplus are needed, especially for rearing specialist tick parasitoids that are under evaluation for classical biological control. In this study, we tested the efficiency of artificial feeding of R. microplus larvae, nymphs, and adults on a siliconized substrate (goldbeater’s membrane, lens paper, or Hemotek), or on nonsiliconized goldbeater’s membrane or Hemotek. Other variables tested were a warm water bath, incubator, positioning blood above or below ticks, using various attractants to stimulate attachment to membrane, incubating with or without 5% CO2, changing static blood once a day versus peristaltic pumping of blood, and using heparinized versus defibrinated blood. Peristaltic pumping of blood across the membrane inside the incubator significantly increased larval attachment. We found that up to 25% percent of these life stages would attach to the siliconized goldbeater’s membrane and feed, although none molted or completed their entire life cycle. A red color observable in the “fed” ticks’ legs seemed to indicate that bovine hemoglobin had penetrated the gut and entered the hemolymph of the ticks. We were successful rearing unfed nymphs to the engorged stage, which is the pre-requisite for rearing Ixoidiphagus tick parasitoids. Suggestions for future experimentation for rearing R. microplus on artificial membranes are discussed

Comparison of oral fibre optic intubation using parker flex tip tracheal tube and unoflex reinforced tracheal tube during general anaesthesia

Background: The choice of endotracheal tube (ETT) is important for the success of orotracheal fibreoptic intubation (OFI). The aim of the study was to compare the use of Parker Flex Tip® (PFT) ETT with Unoflex™ Reinforced (UFR) ETT during oral fibreoptic intubation. Method: A total of 58 patients who underwent elective surgery under general anaesthesia were randomised into two groups for OFI after successful induction and application of rigid cervical collar for difficult airway simulation. Group A (n=29) was intubated with PFT ETT and Group B (n=29) was intubated with UFR ETT. All patients were induced with standard dose of intravenous (IV) Fentanyl 2 μg/kg and IV Propofol 2 mg/kg, and were paralysed with IV Rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg. OFI and railroading were performed by a single operator. Ease of insertion, degree of manipulation (Jones Classification), post-operative sore throat, bleeding from oral cavity, haemodynamic changes and time to successful intubation were recorded and compared between the two groups. Results: There were no significant differences between ease of insertion (p=0.599), degree of manipulation (p=0.849), post-operative sore throat (p=0.15), bleeding from oral cavity (p=0.227) and time to intubation (p=488) between the two groups. Mean arterial pressure and heart rate changes were also not significant between the two groups (p=0.361 and p=0.152 respectively). Conclusion: Parker Flex Tip® ETT was comparable to Unoflex Reinforced™ ETT for orotracheal fibreoptic intubation in simulated difficult airway patients

Strategies for improving early detection and diagnosis of neovascular age-related macular degeneration

Treatment of the neovascular form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has been revolutionized by the introduction of such agents as ranibizumab, bevacizumab, and aflibercept. As a result, the incidence of legal blindness occurring secondary to AMD has fallen dramatically in recent years in many countries. While these agents have undoubtedly been successful in reducing visual impairment and blindness, patients with neovascular AMD typically lose some vision over time, and often lose the ability to read, drive, or perform other important activities of daily living. Efforts are therefore under way to develop strategies that allow for earlier detection and treatment of this disease. In this review, we begin by providing an overview of the rationale for, and the benefits of, early detection and treatment of neovascular AMD. To achieve this, we begin by providing an overview of the pathophysiology and natural history of choroidal neovascularization, before reviewing the evidence from both clinical trials and "real-world" outcome studies. We continue by highlighting an area that is often overlooked: the importance of patient education and awareness for early AMD detection. We conclude the review by reviewing an array of both established and emerging technologies for early detection of choroidal neovascularization, ranging from Amsler chart testing, to hyperacuity testing, to advanced imaging techniques, such as optical coherence tomography

Incidence of the Brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus and its parasitoid, Ixodiphagus hookeri on dogs in South Texas

The southern cattle fever tick, Rhipicephalus microplus, is a livestock pest worldwide, including South Texas, and can vector Babesia spp.; the causal agents of bovine babesiosis. Its congener, the brown dog tick, Rhipicepha-lus sanguineus, is also common worldwide and is frequently parasitized by a wasp, Ixodiphagus hookeri. To better understand the life history and host location cues of parasitic wasps of ticks, which supports the cattle fever tick eradication program for R. microplus, we examined the incidence of R. sanguineus and its parasitoid I. hookeri. Dogs in Hidalgo County, TX were observed (n=624) from Oct 2018 to April 2019. Our results show that the sampled dogs had very low levels of R. sanguineus (1.89%) with 219 nymphs, and no parasitoids were recovered. We also found that R. sanguineus nymph incidence is significantly higher on female dogs and puppies than other classes of dogs

Sociodemographic profile of patients and prescribing trend of drugs in organophosphate poisoning at tertiary care teaching hospital in Central India: a descriptive study

Background: India is an agrarian country, where pesticides are most widely used in farming. Monsoon dependent agricultural practices are common in India. In present study socioeconomic class and prescribing pattern of commonly used drugs in organophosphate poisoning in indoor setting at tertiary care hospital is evaluated. The aim of the study was to evaluate prescribing trend of drugs and socioeconomic class of patients in organophosphate poisoning in monsoon season.Methods: Prospective observational study was conducted at Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) and Medicine Wards for 4 months at 540 bedded tertiary care teaching hospital.Results: Total 64 diagnosed cases were enrolled and analyzed in present study (n=64). Maximum number of cases (57.81%) were male followed by female (42.18%). Most of the cases (37.50%) were from the age group of 21-30 years. 49 (76.56%) patients were of primary intentional poisoning followed by 15 (23.43%) patients of accidental poisoning. Most common drugs prescribed were atropine, pralidoxime, cefotaxime and ranitidine. The average amount of atropine and pralidoxime used per patient/day were 37.89±63.63 mg and 10.07±26.87 gm respectively.Conclusions: Present study revealed that young male adults with low socioeconomic class from rural background were prone for intentional organophosphate poisoning in central India

Prescribing trends of HMG Co-A reductase inhibitors in outdoor patients at tertiary care teaching hospital of central India: a retrospective observational study

Background: To analyze the prescribing patterns of statins a hypolipidemic agents by using HMIS database in outdoor patients at tertiary care teaching hospital of central India.Methods: In this retrospective study Using HMIS database, 1000 prescriptions were analyzed for statin use for various WHO prescription indicators using ATC code of statins, the ratio of prescribed daily dose (PDD) and defined daily dose (DDD) was calculated.Results: Atorvastatin was the only statin which was prescribed as monotherapy (61.1%), whereas as combination with aspirin (38.9%). While analyzing the prescriptions, it was found that patients having abnormal lipid profiles (51.8%) and normal lipid profiles (48.2%) were prescribed atorvastatin. Hypertension with diabetes (37%) was the most common disease followed by hypertension (21.2%) and diabetes mellitus (21%) for which atorvastatin was prescribed. The average number of drugs per prescription were 3.8±1.65.Conclusions: This study depicts the use of atorvastatin in various disease conditions, both as primary and secondary preventive measures. There was no polypharmacy. Such studies should be done to educate the physicians on good prescribing practices and to rationalize use of hypolipidemic drugs

Development of Nucleic Acid Targeting Molecules: Molecular Docking Approaches and Recent Advances

Molecular docking is a widely used and effective structure-based computational strategy for predicting dynamics between ligands and receptors. Until now the docking software were developed for the protein-ligand interactions and very few docking tools were developed exclusively for the docking of small molecules on the nucleic acid structures like the DNA and RNA. The progress in algorithms and the need for deeper understanding of ligand-nucleic acid interactions more focused, and specialized tools are being developed to explore this hindered area of drug discovery. This chapter is focused on and discus in details about various tools available for docking with nucleic acids and how the rejuvenation of machine learning methods is making its impact on the development of these docking programs

Simply-supported multi-layered beams for energy harvesting

This paper develops an analytical model for predicting the performance of simply-supported multi-layered piezoelectric vibrating energy harvesters. The model includes the effects of material and geometric nonlinearities, as well as axial pre-tension/compression, and is validated against experimental devices for a large range of base accelerations. Numerical and experimental investigations are performed to understand the benefits of using simply supported devices compared to cantilevered devices. Comparisons are made in an unbiased manner by tuning the resonant frequency to the same value by modifying the geometry, and the results obtained indicate that simply supported devices are capable of generating higher voltage levels than cantilever devices. The model is also used to investigate the benefits of using multi-layered devices to improve power density. Depending on harvester composition, power-per-unit-volume of piezoelectric material for a device is increased through the stacking of layers

Importation and Preliminary Evaluation of the Stem Boring Moth Buakea kaeuae as a Potential Biological Control Agent of Invasive Guineagrass, Megathyrsus maximus

Abstract. Guineagrass, Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B.K.Simon & S.W.L.Jacobs, is an African grass that is invasive in Florida, Hawaii, southern Texas, and northeastern Mexico. Buakea kaeuae Moyal et al., a stem-boring African moth found only on M. maximus, was imported from Kenya and evaluated for its ability to feed and develop on Guineagrass naturalized in southern Texas. Neither larvae nor adults developed or reproduced on Texas Guineagrass. Resumen. El zacate Guinea (Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B.K.Simon & S.W.L.Jacobs), originario de África, es considerado invasivo en Florida, Hawaii, sur de Texas, y noreste de México. Buakea kaeuae Moyal et al. es una palomilla especifica de M. maximus que ataca a los tallos de esta maleza. Esta palomilla fue importada de Kenia y ha sido evaluada por su habilidad para alimentarse y desarrollar su ciclo biológico solo en plantas de zacate guinea, naturalizadas en el sur de Texas. Ni las larvas ni los adultos de B. kaeuae, se desarrollan y reproducen en especies de zacate Guinea de Texas