Automatic speaker segmentation using multiple features and distance measures: a comparison of three approaches

This paper addresses the problem of unsupervised speaker change detection. Three systems based on the Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) are tested. The first system investigates the AudioSpectrumCentroid and the AudioWaveformEnvelope features, implements a dynamic thresholding followed by a fusion scheme, and finally applies BIC. The second method is a real-time one that uses a metric-based approach employing the line spectral pairs and the BIC to validate a potential speaker change point. The third method consists of three modules. In the first module, a measure based on second-order statistics is used; in the second module, the Euclidean distance and T2 Hotelling statistic are applied; and in the third module, the BIC is utilized. The experiments are carried out on a dataset created by concatenating speakers from the TIMIT database, that is referred to as the TIMIT data set. A comparison between the performance of the three systems is made based on t-statistics

A Complex Case of Cholestasis in a Patient with ABCB4 and ABCB11 Mutations

The low-phospholipid-associated cholelithiasis (LPAC) syndrome is a form of symptomatic cholelithiasis occurring in young adults, characterized by recurrence of symptoms after cholecystectomy and presence of hepatolithiasis. The case refers to a healthy 39-year-old Caucasian male who presented with abdominal pain and jaundice. His blood tests showed conjugated hyperbilirubinemia and elevated liver enzymes (total bilirubin 6.65 mg/dL, γ-glutamyltransferase 699 IU/L) and abdominal computed tomography revealed dilation of common bile duct and left intrahepatic ducts. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography identified choledocholithiasis, retrieved by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, after which there was a worsening of jaundice (total bilirubin 23 mg/dL), which persisted for several weeks, possibly due to ciprofloxacin toxicity. After an extensive workup including liver biopsy, the identification of two foci of hepatolithiasis on reevaluation abdominal ultrasound raised the hypothesis of LPAC syndrome and the patient was started on ursodeoxycholic acid, with remarkable improvement. Genetic testing identified the mutation c.1954A>G (p.Arg652Gly) in ABCB4 gene (homozygous) and c.1331T>C (p.Val444Ala) in ABCB11 gene (heterozygous). In conclusion, we describe the unique case of an adult male with choledocholithiasis, hepatolithiasis, and persistent conjugated hyperbilirubinemia after retrieval of stones, fulfilling the criteria for LPAC syndrome and with possible superimposed drug-induced liver injury, in whom ABCB4 and ABCB11 mutations were found, both of which had not been previously described in association with LPAC.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Evaluation of clusters of credit cards holders

This work is focused on the evaluation of a clustering of credit card holders of a Portuguese financial organization, using a cross-validation procedure which is imported from supervised learning and used for evaluating results yielded by cluster analysis (an unsupervised technique). The proposed approach is conceived to deal with the particular sample characteristics – it handles a large data set and mixed (numerical and categorical) variables. This approach provides both the evaluation of the clustering solution and helps characterizing the clusters. Furthermore, it provides classification rules for new credit card holders. According to the obtained results, the internal stability is verified for a solution with five clusters. Finally, this work presents the profiles of the credit card holders’ clusters and suggests some possible strategies to study in each of them, in the business context

Biosensors for On-Farm Diagnosis of Mastitis

Bovine mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland caused by a multitude of pathogens with devastating consequences for the dairy industry. Global annual losses are estimated to be around €30 bn and are caused by significant milk losses, poor milk quality, culling of chronically infected animals, and occasional deaths. Moreover, mastitis management routinely implies the administration of antibiotics to treat and prevent the disease which poses serious risks regarding the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Conventional diagnostic methods based on somatic cell counts (SCC) and plate-culture techniques are accurate in identifying the disease, the respective infectious agents and antibiotic resistant phenotypes. However, pressure exists to develop less lengthy approaches, capable of providing on-site information concerning the infection, and in this way, guide, and hasten the most adequate treatment. Biosensors are analytical tools that convert the presence of biological compounds into an electric signal. Benefitting from high signal-to-noise ratios and fast response times, when properly tuned, they can detect the presence of specific cells and cell markers with high sensitivity. In combination with microfluidics, they provide the means for development of automated and portable diagnostic devices. Still, while biosensors are growing at a fast pace in human diagnostics, applications for the veterinary market, and specifically, for the diagnosis of mastitis remain limited. This review highlights current approaches for mastitis diagnosis and describes the latest outcomes in biosensors and lab-on-chip devices with the potential to become real alternatives to standard practices. Focus is given to those technologies that, in a near future, will enable for an on-farm diagnosis of mastitisinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Respect and sympathy in Portuguese preschoolers and middle-school children

Abstract: Recent research has revealed theorical and empirical links between respect and socioemotional outcomes such as moral emotions and prosociality, as well as negative associations with aggression. The ability to sympathize, feel concern, and be aware of other’s states has also been hypothesized to influence how children conceptualize respect and evaluate behaviors as worthy of respect. The development of respect derives from the ability to recognize others as individuals with unique needs, feelings, and desires. Similarly, like respect, sympathy has also been associated with more altruistic and kinder interactions. The present study aims to explore the link between these two socioemotional constructs – respect and sympathy – while considering possible cultural nuances. Fifty-three children answered the Respect Interview which delved into their conceptualizations, evaluations, and reasonings behind respect (the concept, expressions, and examples of feeling respect from others), and the Sympathy Scale. Parents also reported on their children’s sympathy and sociodemographic data. A positive effect between sympathy and respect was only partially confirmed. Sympathy revealed a positive effect on prosocial conceptualizations of respect (χ2=3.85, p<.05;b=.90). In contrast, children who used authority themes to define expressions of respect, were less sympathetic [t(51)=-1.86, p<.05]. Sociodemographic differences were considered and discussed when analysing both variables. Our results are in line with previous literature and contribute to knowledge in this field by replicating the study in a different culture and age range.Respeito e simpatia em crianças portuguesas do pré-escolar e do 1º ciclo do ensino básico Resumo: Investigações recentes têm revelado ligações teóricas e empíricas entre o respeito e aspetos socio-emocionais, tais como as emoções morais, a pró-socialidade, bem como, associações negativas com a agressão. A capacidade de simpatizar, de sentir preocupação e de estar consciente das circunstâncias e dos estados do outro, também tem sido considerada um potencial influenciador na forma como as crianças conceptualizam o respeito e avaliam os comportamentos enquanto dignos de respeito. O desenvolvimento do respeito deriva da capacidade de reconhecer o outro como indivíduo com necessidades, sentimentos e desejos únicos. Do mesmo modo, tal como o respeito, a simpatia também tem sido associada a interações mais altruístas e mais amáveis. O presente estudo tem como objetivo explorar a ligação entre estes dois construtos socio-emocionais – respeito e simpatia – tendo em conta possíveis nuances culturais. Cinquenta e três crianças responderam à Entrevista sobre o Respeito, que se debruçava sobre as suas conceptualizações, avaliações e raciocínios subjacentes ao respeito (o conceito, as expressões e os exemplos de sentimentos de respeito por parte dos outros), e à Escala de Simpatia. Os pais também reportaram sobre a simpatia e os dados sociodemográficos dos seus filhos. O efeito positivo entre a simpatia e o respeito só foi parcialmente confirmado. A simpatia revelou um efeito positivo nas conceptualizações pró-sociais do respeito (χ2=3,85, p<.05;b=.90). Em contrapartida, as crianças que utilizaram temas de autoridade para definir expressões de respeito foram menos simpáticas [t(51)=-1,86, p<.05]. As diferenças sociodemográficas foram consideradas e discutidas aquando da análise de ambas as variáveis. Os nossos resultados estão de acordo com a literatura anterior e contribuem para o conhecimento neste domínio ao replicar o estudo numa cultura e numa faixa etária diferentes.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Ocorrência de ferrugem em folhas de ata e atemóia no Estado do Ceará.

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Doenças emergentes da ata ou pinha (Annona squamosa L.) no estado do Ceará.

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Galactosemia: genotipo y fenotipo de siete pacientes

Rev Neurol. 2004 Jun 16-30;38(12):1132-5. [Galactosemia: the genotype and phenotype of seven patients]. [Article in Spanish] Martins E, Teixeira J, Cardoso ML, Lima MR, Briones-Godino P, Barbot C. SourceUnidad de Metabolismo, Hospital de Niños Maria Pia, Oporto, Portugal. [email protected] Abstract INTRODUCTION: Despite early dietary therapy, many patients with galactosemia show a neurodegenerative disease specially evident in speech impairment and movement disorders. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, show cerebral white matter changes with hypomielinization bilateral and symetrical periventricular hypersignal in T2. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We presented clinical and neuroradiological data of seven children (3 to 12 years of age) with classical galactosemia. All had a typical presentation in neonatal period. Two children had normal development (10 and 12 years-old), four presented developmental delay (10, 7, 4 and 3 years-old), and one showed a dystonic cerebral palsy (kernicterus). RESULTS: The brain MRI showed the typical involvement of white matter, in five children, and basal ganglia abnormalities in the kernicterus patient. Three patients are homozygous for Q188R mutation and two are compound heterozygous. CONCLUSION: We found a positive correlation among developmental delay, white matter involvement and Q188R mutation