User friendly signal processing web services for annotators in AVATecH and AUVIS

User friendly signal processing web services: The joint Max Planck Fraunhofer project AVATecH aims to support the very time intensive work of annotating audio and video recordings, letting signal processing modules (recognizers) assist annotators. -*- We designed a small, flexible framework where XML metadata describes input, output and settings of recognizers. Building blocks are audio and video files, annotation tiers and numerical data, packaged in simple formats. Text pipes allow flexibility in implementation details. The popular TLA ELAN software even lets the user control recognizers directly in their annotation environment: It generates consistent user interfaces for all installed recognizers based on their metadata. -*- We realized that full recognizers can be inconvenient to install for the user. Hardware, operating system and license requirements can add complexity. AVATecH supported intranet recognizers early, but those are limited by the need for shared network drives between user and server. -*- Recently, we developed a system where recognizers are run on a server using the free open source CLAM software. With suitable configuration, CLAM can run any command line tool, controlled by remote REST requests. On the user side, only a small proxy tool is installed instead of a real recognizer: The tool dynamically mimicks a recognizer based on the same metadata as before, but actually transfers data to a remote server and back where the real recognizer is installed. -*- We present details of our setup and workflow, with an outlook towards future extensions within the successor project, AUVIS

A composition analyzer for microparticles using a spark ion source

Iron microparticles were fired onto a capacitor-type microparticle detector which responded to an impact with a spark discharge. Ion currents were extracted from the spark and analyzed in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The mass spectra showed the element of both detector and particle materials. The total extracted ion currents was typically 10A within a period of 100ns, indicating very efficient vaporization of the particle and ionization of the vapor. Potential applications include research on cosmic dust, atmospheric aerosols and cloud droplets, particles ejected by rocket or jet engines, by machining processes, or by nuclear bomb explosions

A Neural Networks Committee for the Contextual Bandit Problem

This paper presents a new contextual bandit algorithm, NeuralBandit, which does not need hypothesis on stationarity of contexts and rewards. Several neural networks are trained to modelize the value of rewards knowing the context. Two variants, based on multi-experts approach, are proposed to choose online the parameters of multi-layer perceptrons. The proposed algorithms are successfully tested on a large dataset with and without stationarity of rewards.Comment: 21st International Conference on Neural Information Processin

A conjugate gradient method for the solution of the non-LTE line radiation transfer problem

This study concerns the fast and accurate solution of the line radiation transfer problem, under non-LTE conditions. We propose and evaluate an alternative iterative scheme to the classical ALI-Jacobi method, and to the more recently proposed Gauss-Seidel and Successive Over-Relaxation (GS/SOR) schemes. Our study is indeed based on the application of a preconditioned bi-conjugate gradient method (BiCG-P). Standard tests, in 1D plane parallel geometry and in the frame of the two-level atom model, with monochromatic scattering, are discussed. Rates of convergence between the previously mentioned iterative schemes are compared, as well as their respective timing properties. The smoothing capability of the BiCG-P method is also demonstrated.Comment: Research note: 4 pages, 5 figures, accepted to A&

Japans Maritime Self-Defense Force: An Appropriate Maritime Strategy?

Of all the principles of Japan\u27s national defense policy, perhaps the most significant principles for the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) charges the state with developing gradually an effective defensive. Power within the bounds of national capabilities

Shrinkage estimators for multiple parameters

The estimation of a parameter vector for multivariate distributions has been studied extensively in the classical, Bayesian, empirical Bayes, and James-Stein framework. Shrinkage estimation procedures of Thompson and Albert are extended to form new estimators of such parameter vectors. These estimators are given for the normal, Poisson and gamma setting and the consequences of varying the focus and flexibility of the shrinkers are studied. When possible, the resulting estimators are given an empirical Bayes interpretation;These estimators are also utilized in estimating the mean of a stratified normal population;Using the method of moments technique, an empirical Bayes estimator of a multivariate scale parameter vector is developed and studied;Also, multivariate estimators are proposed that improve upon the simultaneous estimation procedures of Brown and Shinozaki. The major tool is the use of integration by parts techniques in solving basic differential inequalities;When possible, the estimators are evaluated through simulation studies

The Effects of Including Physical Activity in Classrooms with Children with Language Disorders

As obesity becomes a rising concern in the United States and the importance of high test scores continues to add stress to students, physical activity opportunities are beginning to become less frequent in schools. The Center for Disease Control reports a total of 12.7 million children were classified as obese from 2011 to 2012 (CDC, 2015). While many researchers have also acknowledged this trend, the majority of studies focus on the correlation of physical activity in the classroom with increases in fitness and cognitive functioning levels among average population students, much like the research done by Webster, Russ, Vazou, Goh, and Erwin (2015). Little research targets special populations, let alone specifically those with language disorders. The objective of this study was to address the perceptions of both the students and teachers in a school for those with language disorders regarding including physical activity interventions within the classroom setting. A sample population of 23 students, 4 teachers, and 4 teaching assistants from the DuBard School for Language Disorders was obtained. The teachers and their assistants completed pre- intervention questionnaires before being oriented to the intervention activities that they would implement in their classrooms. The students also completed a short interview prior to the intervention activities. For one week, the students in the participating classrooms performed brain break activities three times a day during normal classroom instruction time. At the end of the intervention week, the teachers answered another questionnaire and the students were interviewed. This study revealed the majority of teachers felt that taking breaks from instruction time to perform some physical activity benefitted the students by improving their energy and focus. Most of the students enjoyed the opportunity to take a break from schoolwork, to move about the classroom and be active. Some of the students even felt it made it easier to focus and learn when they returned to their classroom activities. Based on the results of this study, including physical activity in classrooms with students with language disorders could benefit the learning experience of the students. Future research is needed to further examine the direct effects increased activity has on students’ fitness and cognitive functioning levels