A Bayesian predictive classification approach to robust speech recognition

We introduce a new Bayesian predictive classification (BPC) approach to robust speech recognition and apply the BPC framework to Gaussian mixture continuous density hidden Markov model based speech recognition. We propose and focus on one of the approximate BPC approaches called quasi-Bayesian predictive classification (QBPC). In comparison with the standard plug-in maximum a posteriori decoding, when the QBPC method is applied to speaker independent recognition of a confusable vocabulary namely 26 English letters, where a broad range of mismatches between training and testing conditions exist, the QBPC achieves around 14% relative recognition error rate reduction. While the QBPC method is applied to cross-gender testing on a less confusable vocabulary, namely 20 English digits and commands, the QBPC method achieves around 24% relative recognition error rate reduction.published_or_final_versio

Non-surgical treatment of dentin caries in preschool children - systematic review

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Chemical constituent analysis of the crown-of-thorns starfish Acanthaster planci and potential utilization value of the starfish as feed ingredient for animals

The crown-of-thorns starfish Acanthaster planci is a major management issue on coral reefs and the exploring of effective control methods to the starfish is an interesting goal. In this study, the chemical constituent of the starfish were analyzed and the toxicity of the starfish was tested when it was used as mice diet. The results showed that protein content of the starfish was 19.8 to 22.0% of dry weight and the amino acid composition was similar to that of fish meal. Though the starfish had little fatty acids (<1%), the fatty acids contained rich variety and unsaturated fatty acids on average accounted for more than 60% of total fatty acids. In addition, per gram (dry weight) of the starfish contained 65.4 to 97.4 μg astaxanthin, which was higher than that of shrimps. The starfish used as the feed for mice did not have negative influence on the growth and the health of the mice. Based on these results, we consider that the crown-of-thorns starfish A. planci has the potential to be an ingredient for animal feeds, thus reducing the usage of fish meal, fish oil and carotenoids. Hence, a method for resource utilization and control of A. planci was suggested.Key words: Chemical constituents, Acanthaster planci, astaxanthin, resource utilization, feed ingredient

PACF: A precision-adjustable computational framework for solving singular values

Singular value decomposition (SVD) plays a significant role in matrix analysis, and the differential quotient difference with shifts (DQDS) algorithm is an important technique for solving singular values of upper bidiagonal matrices. However, ill-conditioned matrices and large-scale matrices may cause inaccurate results or long computation times when solving singular values. At the same time, it is difficult for users to effectively find the desired solution according to their needs. In this paper, we design a precision-adjustable computational framework for solving singular values, named PACF. In our framework, the same solution algorithm contains three options: original mode, high-precision mode, and mixed-precision mode. The first algorithm is the original version of the algorithm. The second algorithm is a reliable numerical algorithm we designed using Error-free transformation (EFT) technology. The last algorithm is an efficient numerical algorithm we developed using the mixed-precision idea. Our PACF can add different solving algorithms for different types of matrices, which are universal and extensible. Users can choose different algorithms to solve singular values according to different needs. This paper implements the high-precision DQDS and mixed-precision DQDS algorithms and conducts extensive experiments on a supercomputing platform to demonstrate that our algorithm is reliable and efficient. Besides, we introduce the error analysis of the inner loop of the DQDS and HDQDS algorithms

Robust natural nanocomposites realizing unprecedented ultrafast precise molecular separations

Synthetic polymer membranes can potentially reduce the large energy and carbon footprints that are typically associated with traditional chemical separation technologies. Unfortunately, current production protocols negate the green benefits of membrane separation. To address this bottleneck, here we report the use of natural materials monosaccharide – glucose and polydopamine and Zr-based metal organic frameworks (MOFs) to fabricate ultrathin nanocomposite membranes via interfacial polymerization reaction. The synergistic effect of these three materials on angstrom-scale molecular transport both in organic solvent and aqueous environment was elucidated using a series of complementary techniques. We demonstrate such nature-inspired nanocomposite membranes enable structural stability even in polar aprotic solvents, and unparalleled ultra-fast, low-pressure, precise separations in both nanofiltration modes, which easily surpass state-of-the-art membranes relying on unsustainable materials. The multi-functionality of saccharide nanocomposites was elegantly harnessed to impact separation applications that contribute towards a better living environment

A new mib allele with a chromosomal deletion covering foxc1a exhibits anterior somite specification defect

mibnn2002, found from an allele screen, showed early segmentation defect and severe cell death phenotypes, which are different from previously known mib mutants. Despite distinct morphological phenotypes, the typical mib molecular phenotypes: her4 down-regulation, neurogenic phenotype and cold sensitive dlc expression pattern, still remained. The linkage analysis also indicated that mibnn2002 is a new mib allele. Failure of specification in anterior 7-10 somites is likely due to lack of foxc1a expression in mibnn2002 homozygotes. Somites and somite markers gradually appeared after 7-10 somite stage, suggesting that foxc1a is only essential for the formation of anterior 7-10 somites. Apoptosis began around 16-somite stage with p53 up-regulation. To find the possible links of mib, foxc1a and apoptosis, transcriptome analysis was employed. About 140 genes, including wnt3a, foxc1a and mib, were not detected in the homozygotes. Overexpression of foxc1a mRNA in mibnn2002 homozygotes partially rescued the anterior somite specification. In the process of characterizing mibnn2002 mutation, we integrated the scaffolds containing mib locus into chromosome 2 (or linkage group 2, LG2) based on synteny comparison and transcriptome results. Genomic PCR analysis further supported the conclusion and showed that mibnn2002 has a chromosomal deletion with the size of about 9.6 Mbp.published_or_final_versio

A spatial publish subscribe overlay for massively multiuser virtual environments

Proceedings of the International Conference on Electronics and Information Engineering, 2010, v. 2, p. 314-318Peer-to-peer (P2P) architectures have become popular for designing scalable virtual environments (VEs) in recent years. However, one question that remains is whether a single overlay can be flexible enough to support different types of VEs. We present S-VON, a P2P overlay that attempts this goal by providing spatial publish / subscribe (SPS) services. Besides flexibility, S-VON also aims to be practical and efficient by utilizing super-peers and considering the physical topology (i.e., network distance) to reduce latencies. Our simulations show that super-peers provide a unique design space where both bandwidth usage and latencies can be effectively reduced, such that even a crowded Second Life region can be hosted with residential ADSL. © 2010 IEEE.published_or_final_versio