Reverberation: models, estimation and application

The use of reverberation models is required in many applications such as acoustic measurements, speech dereverberation and robust automatic speech recognition. The aim of this thesis is to investigate different models and propose a perceptually-relevant reverberation model with suitable parameter estimation techniques for different applications. Reverberation can be modelled in both the time and frequency domain. The model parameters give direct information of both physical and perceptual characteristics. These characteristics create a multidimensional parameter space of reverberation, which can be to a large extent captured by a time-frequency domain model. In this thesis, the relationship between physical and perceptual model parameters will be discussed. In the first application, an intrusive technique is proposed to measure the reverberation or reverberance, perception of reverberation and the colouration. The room decay rate parameter is of particular interest. In practical applications, a blind estimate of the decay rate of acoustic energy in a room is required. A statistical model for the distribution of the decay rate of the reverberant signal named the eagleMax distribution is proposed. The eagleMax distribution describes the reverberant speech decay rates as a random variable that is the maximum of the room decay rates and anechoic speech decay rates. Three methods were developed to estimate the mean room decay rate from the eagleMax distributions alone. The estimated room decay rates form a reverberation model that will be discussed in the context of room acoustic measurements, speech dereverberation and robust automatic speech recognition individually

On-Farm Benchmarking: How to Do It and How to Do It Better

Benchmarking is the practice of establishing the relative performance of a business or enterprise against an appropriate standard, generally industry standards derived from a survey of farms. The Policy Commission into the Future of Farming and Food (2002) highlighted a need to spread and improve benchmarking on farms. The requirements of effective benchmarking are illustrated in a ten step framework. The ten steps illustrate the range of expertise and resources a manager requires before being able to justify allocating resources to benchmarking. A comparison of alternative farm surveys and methodologies used to collect, analyse and report industry standards illustrates the difficulties farmers can have in identifying appropriate, robust and accurate industry standards. It is concluded that there needs to be a thorough rationalisation of farm surveys and agreement on methodologies to make benchmarking more effective and more efficient.benchmarking, comparative analysis, processes, industry standards, methodology, techniques, Farm Management,

The Malawi Religion Project:

Scholars have recently become increasingly interested in the role religion plays in the responses to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa. Here, we present the Malawi Religion Project (MRP), which provides data to examine the relationship between religion and HIV/AIDS through surveys and in-depth interviews with denominational leaders, congregational leaders and congregation members in three districts of rural Malawi. In the paper, we outline existing perspectives on the religion-HIV/AIDS link describe the MRP’s design, implementation and subsequent data; provide initial evidence for a series of general research hypotheses; and describe how these data can be used both to extend explorations of these relationships further and as a model for gathering similar data in other contexts. In particular we highlight the unique possibilities this project provides for analyses that link MRP data to the Malawi Diffusion and Ideational Change Project. These linked data produce a multi-level data set covering individuals, congregations and their communities allowing empirical research on religion, HIV/AIDS risk, related behaviors, attitudes and norms.AIDS/HIV, data collection, Malawi, religion

Pengaruh Luas Pengungkapan Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Terhadap Kinerja Keuangan Pada Perusahaan Manufaktur

The purpose of this study is to make a broad impact on corporate social responsibility (CSDI) on corporate financial performance (ROA). The population in this study is manufacturing companies listed on the BEI in 2014 to 2016. The sample used in the study were 18 companies determined by purposive sampling method. This research uses the help of IBM SPSS 24 version program to propose hypothesis. The test results show the first hypothesis against CSA significant to ROA

Elektroniikan ja ohjelmiston kehittäminen spektrometrimoduulia varten

A spectrometer is a device that measures properties of light at selected wavelengths. In this thesis, electronics and software are prototyped for a Hamamatsu C12880MA spectrometer module. The aim of the thesis was to design a spectrometer that is customizable according to customer's needs. This was met by designing and building a device and a software that interfaces with the spectrometer module, digitizes the measured spectrum, and transfers it to a computer. Software on the computer displays the spectrum and colorimetric values related to it. The capabilities of the device were tested by measuring various reference light sources, and the results showed that, for the most part, the device was working as expected.Spektrometri on laite, joka mittaa valon ominaisuuksia tietyillä aallonpituuksilla. Tässä työssä kehitettiin elektroniikka ja ohjelmisto Hamamatsu C12880MA -spektrometrimoduulia varten. Työn tavoitteena oli suunnitella spektrometri, joka on mukautettavissa asiakkaan tarpeiden mukaisesti. Työssä suunniteltiin ja rakennettiin laite ja ohjelmisto, jotka toimivat spektrometrimoduulin kanssa, digitoivat mitatun spektrin ja siirtävät sen tietokoneelle. Tietokoneohjelma näyttää mitatun spektrin ja siihen liittyviä kolorimetrisiä arvoja. Laitteen suorituskykyä testattiin mittaamalla eri mittanormaalivalolähteitä, ja saatujen tulosten perusteella laite toimi pääosin odotetulla tavalla

Disruption of mitochondrial folate transporter gene (Slc25a32) induces embryonic lethality and neural tube defects in mice

Neural tube defects (NTDs) represent the most common class of structural congenital malformations in humans. While periconceptional supplementation with folic acid (FA) may prevent up to 70% of NTDs, a well-developed intervention strategy is required to address the remaining 30±% of NTDs that are non-responsive to folate intervention. During pregnancy, FA provides essential one carbon (1C) units for nucleotide and methyl group biosynthesis through folate mediated 1C metabolism to proper neural tube closure (NTC). Mitochondrial folate transporter (MFT, encoded by the SLC25A32 gene) transports tetrahydrofolate (THF), the bioactive form of FA, into mitochondria. We characterized a novel folate mitochondrial transport mouse model by inactivating the Slc25a32 gene. Inactivation of the Slc25a32 gene resulted in embryo-fetal lethality, as the Slc25a32[subscript gt/gt] fetuses die in utero by E12.5. Perturbation of the Slc25a32 allele exhibited abnormalities of NTC, resulting in fully penetrant NTDs of exencephaly and craniorachischisis in the Slc25a32[subscript gt/gt] embryos, as well as an increased prevalence of craniofacial defects and a reduction in embryonic growth compared to the wild-type embryos. Maternal folic acid supplementation, 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate (5-mTHF), was ineffective in reducing the prevalence of NTDs in Slc25a32[subscript gt/gt] embryos. These NTDs were partially rescued by maternal supplementation with calcium formate, which is a downstream output product of the mitochondrial folate 1C pathway. This study proposed to utilize the Slc25a32 mouse model as a novel tool for studying the function FA in the mitochondria with respect to NTC, the mechanisms that underlie the failure of NTC in the mouse model of folate-resistant NTDs.Nutritional Science