Decoding auditory attention and neural language processing in adverse conditions and different listener groups

This thesis investigated subjective, behavioural and neurophysiological (EEG) measures of speech processing in various adverse conditions and with different listener groups. In particular, this thesis focused on different neural processing stages and their relationship with auditory attention, effort, and measures of speech intelligibility. Study 1 set the groundwork by establishing a toolbox of various neural measures to investigate online speech processing, from the frequency following response (FFR) and cortical measures of speech processing, to the N400, a measure of lexico-semantic processing. Results showed that peripheral processing is heavily influenced by stimulus characteristics such as degradation, whereas central processing units are more closely linked to higher-order phenomena such as speech intelligibility. In Study 2, a similar experimental paradigm was used to investigate differences in neural processing between a hearing-impaired and a normal-hearing group. Subjects were presented with short stories in different levels of multi-talker babble noise, and with different settings on their hearing aids. Findings indicate that, particularly at lower noise levels, the hearing-impaired group showed much higher cortical entrainment than the normal- hearing group, despite similar levels of speech recognition. Intersubject correlation, another global neural measure of auditory attention, however, was similarly affected by noise levels in both the hearing-impaired and the normal-hearing group. This finding indicates extra processing in the hearing-impaired group only on the level of the auditory cortex. Study 3, in contrast to Studies 1 and 2 (which both investigated the effects of bottom-up factors on neural processing), examined the links between entrainment and top-down factors, specifically motivation; as well as reasons for the 5 higher entrainment found in hearing-impaired subjects in Study 2. Results indicated that, while behaviourally there was no difference between incentive and non-incentive conditions, neurophysiological measures of attention such as intersubject correlation were affected by the presence of an incentive to perform better. Moreover, using a specific degradation type resulted in subjects’ increased cortical entrainment under degraded conditions. These findings support the hypothesis that top-down factors such as motivation influence neurophysiological measures; and that higher entrainment to degraded speech might be triggered specifically by the reduced availability of spectral detail contained in speech

Electrical characterization and modeling of random telegraph noise in MIM-like resistive switching devices

Metal-insulator-metal (MIM-like) resistive switching (RS) devices have been increasingly studied for several modern and traditional applications, such as information storage, stochastic computing, and bio-inspired computing. The Random Telegraph Noise (RTN) phenomenon is an important metric regarding the robustness of MIM-like RS devices, and it is intrinsic to any dielectric with defects (traps). In this work, a novel model for anomalous RTN (aRTN) is presented, accounting for the existence of coupling effect between multiple traps regarding current amplitude deviation. It was determined that the contribution of one defect to the current deviation leading to RTN is dependent on the state (i.e., occupied or vacant) of other defects, indicating the presence of coupling effects. A model is proposed to the describe the behavior at low reading voltages (∼ 0.1 V) for both low-resistance state (LRS) and high-resistance state (HRS). The model can be applied to help understanding the dynamics of filament distribution and trapping/de-trapping activity. Additionally, a novel observation of trap acitivity is presented, which results in giant random conductance fluctuations, up to 3 orders of mangnitude, resembling RTN in RS devices based on TiO2, HfO2 and hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) under reading voltages. Considering this behavior, presented for three different switching materials, we show that this is a quite general phenomenon and that this significant on/off ratio, in reading conditions, is reproducible and beneficial to ensure recognition of device’s two-state in applications such as stochastic computing integrated circuits (ICs). These events were reproducible for all the aforementioned RS device types in sequential measurements and under different bias conditions.Dispositivos de comutação resistiva (RS) estruturados em uma célula do tipo MIM (Metal Isolante Metal) são cada vez mais estudados para diversas aplicações como, por exemplo, no armazenamento de informações, na computação estocástica e na computação inspirada na atividade cerebral. Isso se deve à capacidade desses dispositivos de superar em performance e eficiência os dispositivos atuais, apesar dos desafios relacionados à confiabilidade. O Random Telegraph Noise é um parâmetro relevante para avaliar a robustez de dispositivos memresistivos, relativos à atividade de defeitos (armadilhas). Neste trabalho, um novo modelo para RTN anômalo (aRTN) é apresentado, indicando o acoplamento na amplitude da flutuação de corrente produzida por diferentes armadilhas no mesmo dispositivo. Determina-se que a contribuição de um defeito para o desvio de corrente que leva ao RTN depende do estado (ocupado ou vago) de outra armadilha, caracterizando, dessa forma, o efeito de acoplamento. Propõe-se um modelo elétrico capaz de descrever esse fenômeno para operação de leitura do dispositivo (∼ 0,1 V). Esse modelo pode ser aplicado para melhor compreensão da dinâmica da distribuição dos filamentos na célula e da atividade e interação das armadilhas presentes. Além disso, uma nova observação da atividade de defeitos é apresentada: verificou-se, experimentalmente e em condição de leitura do estado, flutuações significativas na condutância desses dispositivos, que alcançam até 3 ordens de magnitude, semelhantes ao RTNs. Os experimentos foram feitos em dispositivos RS baseados em dielétricos compostos por TiO2, HfO2 e nitreto de boro hexagonal (h-BN). Considerando este comportamento, apresentado para três diferentes materiais de comutação resistiva, verifica-se que este é um fenômeno bastante recorrente e que a significativa relação entre os estados (LRS/HRS), durante a operação de leitura, é reproduzível e benéfica para assegurar o reconhecimento de estados em aplicações como circuitos integrados de computação estocástica (ICs). Esses eventos se mostram reproduzíveis para todos os tipos de dispositivos RS acima mencionados, em medições sequenciais e sob diferentes condições de polarização de leitura

Passing in the L word

In meiner Arbeit analysiere ich, wie Passing als Strategie gegen Diskriminierung in der TVSerie THE L WORD filmisch inszeniert wird. Dabei konzentriere ich mich mit Bette Porter und Max Sweeney auf zwei Figuren, die durch ihre Identität als schwarze, lesbische Frau und FTM-Transgender abseits der heteronormativen Gesellschaft positioniert sind. Die Analyse einzelner Szenen erfolgt unter Zuhilfenahme von Queerer Intersektionalität, die durch Verknüpfung und Weiterentwicklung von Queer Theory und Intersektionalität eine strategische Verwendung von Identitätskategorien, wie Race, Gender und Sexualität möglich macht. (Abbildungen im Text

Estudo das propriedades de composto elastomérico fluorado contendo mesoporoso como carga

Foi investigada a utilização da MCM-41, uma peneira molecular mesoporosa a base de sílica, como carga inorgânica alternativa nas formulações da elastômeros fluoradas (FKM). Um estudo comparativo foi desenvolvido empregando cargas clássicas como o negro de fumo (Spheron 4000), sílica (Aerosil 972) e a carga inovadora uma Zeólita. O principal benefício, correspondente ao uso das cargas brancas, a MCM-41 e a Zeólita para o FKM, está relacionado ao aumento da resistência química e física do composto reticulado, sem que seus valores de viscosidade sejam aumentados, o que garante a conservação das propriedades de processabilidade para a confecção industrial de artefatos. A carga MCM-41 se destacou por conferir ao material o aumento significativo de sua resistência em relação ao ataque por produtos químicos líquidos como solventes orgânicos e gasolina. A MCM-41, tendo mesoporos, permite a permeação de cadeias poliméricas na sua porosidade que podem ser acessíveis aos ativadores. Não é o caso para a Zeólita, para qual cadeias poliméricas circulam isoladamente na sua microporosidade. A densidade particularmente baixa dos materiais que contém a MCM-41, em comparação ao uso das demais cargas, foi atribuída à sua mesoporosidade. Foi evidenciado que a MCM-41 é eficiente para atuar como um novo reforçador de tipo “carga branca” para o elastômero FKM, conferindo um aumento das propriedades químicas do composto sem prejudicar as propriedades de processamento que são equivalentes aquelas obtidas com o emprego de cargas usuais como o negro de fumo.The use of MCM-41, a mesoporous silica-based material, was investigated as an alternative inorganic filler for the manufacture of fluorinated rubbers formulations (FKM). A comparative study was developed employing classical fillers such as carbon black (Spheron 4000), silica (Aerosil 972) and innovative zeolite. The main benefit of using MCM-41 and zeolite as filler for FKM is the increase in the chemical and physical resistance of the vulcanized compound without its viscosity values being increased. This ensures that the ability to process is maintained for the industrial confectionery of artifacts. The addition of MCM-41 as filler gives the material a significant increase in its resistance to liquid chemicals such as organic solvents and gasoline. MCM-41, having mesopores, allows the of several polymer chains in its porosity that may be accessible to the activators. This is not the case for the zeolite, for which polymer chains circulate individually in their microporosity. The particularly low density of materials containing MCM-41, compared to the use of other fillers, was attributed to their mesoporosity. The MCM-41 proved to be efficient in acting as an innovative "white charge" type reinforcer for the FKM elastomer, yielding an increase in the chemical properties of the compound without impairing the processing properties which are equivalent to those obtained with the usual loads using carbon black

Caracterização elétrica temporal de transistores de filmes finos de nanopartículas de óxido de zinco

Neste trabalho, são discutidas as características de transistores de filmes finos (TFTs) nos quais nanopartículas de óxido de zinco (ZnO) são empregadas como material ativo na camada semicondutora. O crescimento contínuo do interesse por este componente está associado à busca pelo desenvolvimento da tecnologia de dispositivos eletrônicos flexíveis, transparentes e de baixo custo. TFTs integrados com nanopartículas de ZnO são apresentados, e uma extensa rotina de caracterização elétrica transiente é realizada para avaliar como estes dispositivos se comportam e degradam ao longo do tempo. Foram medidas, ao total, 80 amostras de transistores integrados em duas configurações distintas: inverted staggered e inverted coplanar. A partir das medidas analisadas foram identificados dois grupos de comportamentos elétricos dominantes, os quais foram classificados em: efeitos abruptos e efeitos de memória. A partir dos dados coletados, foram formuladas hipóteses para modelar o comportamento típico observado. Para tanto, utiliza-se dos mecanismos de atividade de traps, de interação da camada semicondutora com o meio ambiente, de polarização de dipolos e difusão de cargas móveis no dielétrico, de formação de caminhos percolados paralelos pelas nanopartículas e de difusão de vacâncias de oxigênio e íons metálicos que podem estar associados ao comportamento elétrico observado.In this work, the characteristics of thin-film transistors (TFTs) employing nanoparticulated zinc oxide (ZnO) as the active semiconductor channel layer are discussed. The growing interest in this component is associated to the development of low-cost, flexible and transparent electronic devices. The TFTs integrated with ZnO nanoparticles are presented and an extensive transient electrical characterization campaign was performed in order to evaluate how these devices behave and degrade over time. The measurement was performed for 80 samples of two different integration setups: inverted staggered and inverted coplanar. In the performed tests two main disturbances were identified, which were classified as abrupt and memory effects. From the collected data, hypothesis to model the observed typical behavior are formulated. Trapping activity, ambient interaction, dielectric dipoles, mobile charges, formed parallel-paths, oxygen vacancies and metallic ions diffusion are mechanisms that may be associated to the observed behavior

Characterizing self-driving tasks in general-purpose architectures

Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) have the potential to radically change the automotive industry. How- ever, computing solutions for AVs have to meet severe performance constraints to guarantee a safe driving experience. Current solutions either exhibit high cost or fail to meet the stringent latency constraints. Therefore, the popularization of AVs requires a low-cost yet effective computing sys- tem. Understanding the sources of latency is key in order to improve autonomous driving systems. Here, we present a detailed characterization of Autoware, a modern self-driving car system. We analyze the performance of the different components and leverage hardware counters to identify the main bottlenecks.This work has been supported by the the CoCoUnit ERC Advanced Grant of the EU’s Horizon 2020 program (grant No 833057), the Spanish State Research Agency under grant PID2020-113172RB-I00 (AEI/FEDER, EU), the ICREA Academia program, and the grant 2020 FPI-UPC_033.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

An electric-based model for coupling traps effect on random telegraph noise

In this work, we present a novel understanding about the anomalous Random Telegraph Noise (aRTN), asserting the existence of coupling effect among multiple traps regarding current amplitude deviation. Based on the examination in the literature of anomalous current fluctuation, we propose a model able to describe the equivalent filament resistance changes due to this process. Notwithstanding, the results obtained with our model fits with experimental current over time observations presented on literature. Given that RTN is still a concern for different technologies, such as MOSFETs, FinFets and ReRAMs, the model can be applied to understanding the dynamics of filament distribution and the trapping de-trapping activity

Zeólita e materiais mesoporosos organizados como carga para a formulação de compostos de borracha, borracha termoplástica, plástico e fabricação de produtos

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do SulFrenzel Indústria de Borracha e PlásticosQuímicaDepositad

Domestic violence victims in a hospital setting:prevalence, health impact and patients' preferences - results from a cross-sectional study

Background: Domestic violence (DV) is a widespread yet commonly underdetected problem with severe impact on physical and mental health. To date, only limited information is available on prevalence and detection-rates of victims of DV in hospital settings. Objective: The aim of this study was (a) to assess the prevalence and impact of DV on physical and mental health as well as risk-factors associated with it, (b) to determine how many patients had been asked directly about DV in the hospital and (c) to investigate patients' preferences about being asked about DV in a hospital setting. Methods: Adult inpatients and outpatients at seven somatic departments at the University Hospital Innsbruck (Austria) were included consecutively in this ad-hoc, cross-sectional paper-and-pencil questionnaire-based study. In total, n = 2,031 patients were assessed regarding their experiences with DV. They also reported on whether they had been asked about DV at the hospital and whether they would mind being asked about it. To evaluate the impact of DV on patients' self-reported physical and mental health, odds ratios were calculated using binary logistic regression. Results: DV was reported by 17.4% of patients, with 4.0% indicating current DV exposure. Lifetime DV exposure was associated with a significant risk for both physical and mental health-problems. Only 4.8% of patients with DV exposure had ever been asked about it by hospital staff. While patients with a history of DV were more open to being asked about DV than patients without DV (78.2% vs. 72.9%), overall acceptance was still high (74%). Conclusion: DV is a frequently overlooked problem with detrimental effects on physical and mental health. While high acceptance of DV assessment was found, only a small proportion of affected patients had indeed been assessed for DV. Screening for DV in hospitals may thus increase the number of identified patients