Artificial Neural Network (ANN) in a Small Dataset to determine Neutrality in the Pronunciation of English as a Foreign Language in Filipino Call Center Agents

Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) have continued to be efficient models in solving classification problems. In this paper, we explore the use of an ANN with a small dataset to accurately classify whether Filipino call center agents’ pronunciations are neutral or not based on their employer’s standards. Isolated utterances of the ten most commonly used words in the call center were recorded from eleven agents creating a dataset of 110 utterances. Two learning specialists were consulted to establish ground truths and Cohen’s Kappa was computed as 0.82, validating the reliability of the dataset. The first thirteen Mel-Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCCs) were then extracted from each word and an ANN was trained with Ten-fold Stratified Cross Validation. Experimental results on the model recorded a classification accuracy of 89.60% supported by an overall F-Score of 0.92

k-d Tree-Segmented Block Truncation Coding for Image Compression

Block truncation coding (BTC) is a class of image compression algorithms whose main technique is the partitioning of an image into pixel blocks that are then each encoded using a representative set of pixel values. It is commonly used because of its simplicity and low computational complexity. The Quadtree-segmented BTC (QTS-BTC), which utilizes a dynamic hierarchical segmentation technique, is among the most efficient in the BTC class. In this study, we propose a new BTC variant that introduces two ideas: (1) the use of a k-d tree for segmentation and (2) the use of a Mean Squared Error (MSE) threshold for dynamically determining the granularity of the blocks. We refer to this new BTC variant as the k-d Tree Segmented BTC (KTS-BTC), and we test this against some of the existing BTC variants by running the algorithms on a standard image compression dataset. The results show that the proposed variant yields low bit rates of the compressed images, even outperforming the state-of-the-art QTS-BTC, without a significant reduction in image quality as measured using the Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR). The utilization of k-d tree for image segmentation is further shown to have more impact than that of employing the MSE thresholding scheme as a block activity classifier

The Immigration Selection System: A Proposal for Reform

This Article reviews the historical background of our present immigration law and analyzes the policy goals of immigration law in light of the major contemporary issues that bear directly on the immigration act: population growth, the requirements of the labor force, family reunion, illegal immigration, and refugee admission. The authors contend that the immigration act in its present form does not adequately deal with the expanding nature of these problems, and offer recommendations to reconcile present deficiencies with recent and foreseeable world developments. The authors suggest reforms that would balance humanitarian goals with domestic, political, socioeconomic, demographic, and foreign policy impacts

Exact Results and Holography of Wilson Loops in N=2 Superconformal (Quiver) Gauge Theories

Using localization, matrix model and saddle-point techniques, we determine exact behavior of circular Wilson loop in N=2 superconformal (quiver) gauge theories. Focusing at planar and large `t Hooft couling limits, we compare its asymptotic behavior with well-known exponential growth of Wilson loop in N=4 super Yang-Mills theory. For theory with gauge group SU(N) coupled to 2N fundamental hypermultiplets, we find that Wilson loop exhibits non-exponential growth -- at most, it can grow a power of `t Hooft coupling. For theory with gauge group SU(N) x SU(N) and bifundamental hypermultiplets, there are two Wilson loops associated with two gauge groups. We find Wilson loop in untwisted sector grows exponentially large as in N=4 super Yang-Mills theory. We then find Wilson loop in twisted sector exhibits non-analytic behavior with respect to difference of two `t Hooft coupling constants. By letting one gauge coupling constant hierarchically larger/smaller than the other, we show that Wilson loops in the second type theory interpolate to Wilson loop in the first type theory. We infer implications of these findings from holographic dual description in terms of minimal surface of dual string worldsheet. We suggest intuitive interpretation that in both type theories holographic dual background must involve string scale geometry even at planar and large `t Hooft coupling limit and that new results found in the gauge theory side are attributable to worldsheet instantons and infinite resummation therein. Our interpretation also indicate that holographic dual of these gauge theories is provided by certain non-critical string theories.Comment: 52 pages, 7 figures v2. more figures embedded v3. minor stylistic changes, v4. published versio

Thermodynamic Properties of Holographic Multiquark and the Multiquark Star

We study thermodynamic properties of the multiquark nuclear matter. The dependence of the equation of state on the colour charges is explored both analytically and numerically in the limits where the baryon density is small and large at fixed temperature between the gluon deconfinement and chiral symmetry restoration. The gravitational stability of the hypothetical multiquark stars are discussed using the Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff equation. Since the equations of state of the multiquarks can be well approximated by different power laws for small and large density, the content of the multiquark stars has the core and crust structure. We found that most of the mass of the star comes from the crust region where the density is relatively small. The mass limit of the multiquark star is determined as well as its relation to the star radius. For typical energy density scale of $10\text{GeV}/\text{fm}^{3}$, the converging mass and radius of the hypothetical multiquark star in the limit of large central density are approximately $2.6-3.9$ solar mass and 15-27 km. The adiabatic index and sound speed distributions of the multiquark matter in the star are also calculated and discussed. The sound speed never exceeds the speed of light and the multiquark matters are thus compressible even at high density and pressure.Comment: 27 pages, 17 figures, 1 table, JHEP versio

Preferences of Accountancy Graduating Students of a CPA Review Center

Conjoint Analysis was used in this study to ascertain the preferences of accountancy graduates from a CPA review institution in Davao City. The study also established the aggregate model and the relative importance of the CPA review center characteristics, including track record, reviewers, conduciveness, review materials, and affordability in contributing to the overall value of review centers. Based on the results, "track record" is the most important attribute and "affordability" is the least important attribute, while other CPA review center attributes were also found important in determining the review centers' overall utility. On the aggregate level the preferred design model of the respondents is described by: (a) Track Record-produced board topnotchers/placers and has an above average national passing rate; (b) Reviewer-author of a book, a board placer and at least 15 years' experience as instructor; (c) Conduciveness- less than 50 reviewees in a room; (d) Review Materials-comprehensive review materials with three years recency; and (e) affordability-Php10,000 below

Using e-Learning to Aid Technical Uptake of Goat-Based Technologies by Small Livestock Producers in the Philippines

The improvement of goat raising in the Philippines by achieving a stable supply of good quality breeders and highly uniform slaughter goats by 2020 is the aim of an Industry Strategic Plan. While a number of ways of promoting science-based technology have been offered to farmers, countless small to medium-scale farmers are almost impossible to reach. Online FLS or e-learning courses on goats have been developed where learners can take the courses from any place, at their own pace, and in their own convenient time. Internet cafes are available throughout the Philippines, where goat raisers are able to access the e-learning, as well as many homes and offices are equipped with wifi, facilitating access. Although no formal impact evaluation of the effect of the courses on the lives of these learners has been done to date, the emails and messages of the graduates to the development team can attest to the fit of the topics and their satisfaction over the courses

Developing K-2 Filipino children English language oral proficiency through concrete poetry teaching

The impact of concrete poetry as a strategy to increase word recognition in ten K-2 Filipino children with low oracy/literacy in English was examined in this six-month study utilizing the single-group pre-test/post-test method. Concrete poetry is a distinct form of poetry that comes in a variety of colors, textures, shapes, and even flavors. Either a static or dynamic poem is a concrete poem. These K-2 students, who were chosen at random from the preschools, were taught how to write their own concrete poetry and gained word recognition skills from them. It was believed that concrete poetry could aid increase word recognition by enhancing receptive and expressive oral vocabulary