A Review of Audio Features and Statistical Models Exploited for Voice Pattern Design

Audio fingerprinting, also named as audio hashing, has been well-known as a powerful technique to perform audio identification and synchronization. It basically involves two major steps: fingerprint (voice pattern) design and matching search. While the first step concerns the derivation of a robust and compact audio signature, the second step usually requires knowledge about database and quick-search algorithms. Though this technique offers a wide range of real-world applications, to the best of the authors' knowledge, a comprehensive survey of existing algorithms appeared more than eight years ago. Thus, in this paper, we present a more up-to-date review and, for emphasizing on the audio signal processing aspect, we focus our state-of-the-art survey on the fingerprint design step for which various audio features and their tractable statistical models are discussed.Comment: http://www.iaria.org/conferences2015/PATTERNS15.html ; Seventh International Conferences on Pervasive Patterns and Applications (PATTERNS 2015), Mar 2015, Nice, Franc

Modified sunflower optimization for network reconfiguration and distributed generation placement

This paper proposed modified sunflower optimization (MSFO) for the combination of network reconfiguration and distributed generation placement problem (NR-DGP) to minimize power loss of the electric distribution system (EDS). Sunflower optimization (SFO) is inspired form the ideal of sunflower plant motion to get the sunlight and its reproduction. To enhance the performance of SFO, it is modified to MSFO wherein, the pollination and mortality techniques have been modified by using Levy distribution and mutation of the best solutions. The results are evaluated on two test systems. The efficiency of MSFO is compared with that of the original SFO and other algorithms in literature. The comparisons show that MSFO outperforms to SFO and other methods in obtained optimal solution. Furthermore, MSFO demonstrates the better statistical results than SFO. So, MSFO can be a powerful approach for the NR-DGP problem

AN INVESTIGATION INTO ASSESSMENT CRITERIA OF THE CONTENT CONTEXT AND FORMS OF EXTRACURRICULAR SPORTS ACTIVITIES FOR STUDENTS AT SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN TAY NINH PROVINCE, VIETNAM

After using the conventional scientific research methods, observing the steps of document synthesis, interviewing, and checking the reliability of the questionnaire through Cronbach's Alpha, the paper has come up with five quantitative assessment criteria and eight qualitative assessment questions of the content and forms of extracurricular sports activities for students at secondary schools in Tay Ninh province. This research has contributed to renewing the content and forms of extracurricular sports activities for students at secondary school.  Article visualizations

How Foreign Ownership and Competition Affect the Credit Growth of Commercial Banks: Evidence from A Transitional Economy

This study examines the relationship between foreign ownership and market competition, proxied by bank market power, affecting the credit growth of 32 commercial banks in Vietnam from 2010 to 2020. The Random Effects Model and the Dynamic System Generalized Method of Moments were used to analyze an unbalanced panel of 278 annual observations. The findings report that foreign ownership reduces credit growth, with each percentage increase in foreign ownership reducing credit growth by 0.74%. The results indicate an inverse U-shaped relationship between competitive advantage and credit growth, with a turning point of 0.46. The main findings were found to be robust after employing an alternative market power proxy. The study recommends that bank managers and policymakers limit foreign ownership and control commercial banks’ market power to promote sustainable credit growth

Factors affecting farmers' decisions to participate in agricultural tourism activities: a case study in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Agricultural tourism, or agritourism, creates jobs for household members, diversifies farming activities and sources of revenue, and lowers the household's reliance on nature. This study uses Binary Logistic regression analysis to conduct a direct survey of 450 agricultural households in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. The findings indicate that influencing factors include the following: support for local government policies; membership in farmer associations, unions, and extension clubs; awareness of the benefits of agritourism; a variety of production models; Internet access; education level; and membership in tourism associations, travel organisations. Distance between farms and agritourism destinations.Ho Phi Dinh (Phan Thiet University), Phuoc Huu Vo (Academy of Politics Region II), Duong Ngoc Pham (University of Finance and Marketing), Thanh Quang Ngo (School of Government, University of Economics)Includes bibliographical references

THE CONTENT AND METHODS OF CONDUCTING EXTRA-CURRICULAR SPORTS FOR LOWER SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN TAY NINH PROVINCE, VIETNAM

The paper aims to provide a comprehensive, scientific and thorough description of the content and methods of how extra-curricular sports activities are conducted for lower secondary school students in Tay Ninh province. To investigate the dependable data, the research employed a range of trustworthy approaches including document synthesizing, interviewing the students and PE teachers in some lower secondary schools, and evaluating the gathered data. The results indicate that the most popular sports among the PE teachers and students are football, badminton, and volleyball which are mostly organized in group, class, and club practice, without an instructor. About the practice durations, it generally ranges from thirty minutes to two hours, equating to two or three sessions at school. Moreover, these activities usually take place in school, and it is mainly held in the afternoon or after theoretical learning.   Article visualizations

Organisational Baseline Study: Overview report for Tra Hat CSV, Vietnam (VN03)

This report covers the Organisational Baseline Study (OBS) for the CCAFS Climate-Smart Village Tra Hat in the South Viet Nam. During October 2014 interviews were conducted with local stakeholders at ten organisations who are working or collaborating with farmers and/or the community in Vinh Loi district, Bac Lieu province. The Tra Hat CSV is located near the coastal area, at tail end of a primary canal of Quan Lo Phung Hiep system (QLPH), the Mekong Delta of Vietnam, it usually causes lack of fresh water in from QLPH in dry season. There are two distinct dry season (December to April) and rainy season (May to November) which typhoon happens seldom in rainy season. Protected by dyke and sluice system of QLPH in Bac Lieu province, Tra Hat has not been affected by saline intrusion for last 15 years. The main farming systems in the village comprise two or three rice crops per year, small livestock as pig, chicken and ducks. Besides, mixed fruit garden and cash crop are often blended in residential area. Ground water and water in ponds is popular in household to provide domestic water, raising fish or garden irrigation and livestock, especially in dry season. The objectives of the OBS study are to: Provide indicators to monitor changes in behaviours and practices of locally relevant organisations that have climate change related activities in Bac Lieu over time Understand the provision of information/services at the local level that informs farmers’ decision making about their livelihood strategies in response to climate change This OBS report also supplements to the quantitative Household Baseline Survey (HBS) and the qualitative Village Baseline Studies (VBS) in Tra Hat CSV and surrounding villages

Spondylolysis-induced Multilevel Lumbar Spondylolisthesis; Challenges in Lumbar Spine Surgery

Lumbar spondylolysis and multilevel lumbar spondylolysis account for 4.4-5.8% and 0.3% of the general population, and multilevel lumbar spondylolysis resulting in spondylolisthesis is even rarer. Herein, we report two cases of three-level lumbar spondylolisthesis because of spondylolysis: A 49-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital for dull lower back pain over the past 8 months, with exacerbating symptoms when standing and walking. Spasticity at lumbar region and radiculopathy at S1 nerve root was found on examination and a 63-year-old man was admitted to the hospital because of numbness and perianal sensory disturbances with difficulty urinating 2 weeks ago, the symptoms gradually increased to the time of examination. Both patients were diagnosed with multilevel lumbar spondylolisthesis because of spondylolysis and were indicated for posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF). After surgery, both patients recovered well without any significant complications. The improved treatment results suggest the application of PLIF technique to treat spondylolysis-induced multilevel lumbar spondylolisthesis