242 research outputs found
Integrating Prosodic and Lexical Cues for Automatic Topic Segmentation
We present a probabilistic model that uses both prosodic and lexical cues for
the automatic segmentation of speech into topically coherent units. We propose
two methods for combining lexical and prosodic information using hidden Markov
models and decision trees. Lexical information is obtained from a speech
recognizer, and prosodic features are extracted automatically from speech
waveforms. We evaluate our approach on the Broadcast News corpus, using the
DARPA-TDT evaluation metrics. Results show that the prosodic model alone is
competitive with word-based segmentation methods. Furthermore, we achieve a
significant reduction in error by combining the prosodic and word-based
knowledge sources.Comment: 27 pages, 8 figure
Adaptable Emergency Braking Based on a Fuzzy Controller and a Predictive Model
This work presents the implementation of an adaptable emergency braking system for low speed collision avoidance, based on a frontal laser scanner for static obstacle detection, using a D-GPS system for positioning. A fuzzy logic decision process performs a criticality assessment that triggers the emergency braking system and modulates its behavior. This criticality is evaluated through the use of a predictive model based on a kinematic estimation, which modulates the decision to brake. Additionally a critical study is conducted in order to provide a benchmark for comparison, and evaluate the limits of the predictive model. The braking decision is based on a parameterizable braking model tuned for the target vehicle, that takes into account factors such as reaction time, distance to obstacles, vehicle velocity and maximum deceleration. Once activated, braking force is adapted to reduce vehicle occupants discomfort while ensuring safety throughout the process. The system was implemented on a real vehicle and proper operation is validated through extensive testing carried out at Tecnalia facilities.This project has received funding from the Electronic Component
Systems for European Leadership Joint Undertaking
under grant agreement No 692480. This Joint Undertaking
receives support from the European Unions Horizon 2020 research
and innovation programme and Germany, Netherlands,
Spain, Austria, Belgium, Slovakia
The Role of Modality in Developing Durable Skills: Challenges and Experiences of Diverse Student Populations
The efficacy and benefits of various modalities for teaching and learning have been fiercely debated since the pandemic. In general, disciplines that are content-laden and could be taught primarily through passive learning strategies (reading and lecturing) fared better with the transition to distance and online learning. There was great skepticism about the ability to have the same engagement and learning outcomes met in asynchronous design for more applied and interactive disciplines, especially when considering the development of durable skills. Although market researchers have found that employers desire durable skills (formerly âsoft skillsâ), few studies have been dedicated to identifying where, when, and how course modality plays a role in fostering such skill sets. This study proposes to investigate how modality contributes to or inhibits the development of durable skills and identify strategies for addressing challenges that different student populations face given their manner of course participation and attendance while in college. Results from the study indicate that commuters, first-generation, online, and graduate students, given the manner of their engagement with co-curricular and extracurricular activities, are at a disadvantage, requiring new strategies for skills development
Defects on a pyrite(100) surface produce chemical evolution of glycine under inert conditions : experimental and theoretical approaches
Acknowledgements This work has been supported by the MINECO project ESP2017-89053. The Instituto Nacional de Tecnica Aeroespacial supported the work performed at CAB. EER is thankful to Javier Martin-Torres, Alfonso Hernandez-Laguna and C. M. Pradier for their support and suggestions. This Project has been partially funded by the Spanish State Research Agency (AEI) Project No. MDM-2017-0737 Unidad de Excelencia ââMarıa de Maeztuââ-Centro de Astrobiologıa (CSIC-INTA).Peer reviewedPublisher PD
Bridge Building in Higher Education: Multi-Modal Mentoring Programs to Support Retention & Career Preparedness
Despite the limitations on time for career preparedness and shrinking professional development budgets, mentoring remains as important as ever due to the interconnectedness in a global society and the changing demographics of postsecondary education students. The traditional-age population in college that lives on campus and does not work has been declining for over three decades. The majorities of current students that are now non-traditional, and work at least part-time are first-generation, and are pursuing degrees via distance or online learning. The importance of providing a diverse mentoring strategy for this new population is borne out in research in order to improve retention, persistence, and completion rates, as well as future professional success. As such, this study sheds light on the need to develop a multi-modal mentoring program to support different student populations through a flexible combination of faculty-student, student-student, alumni-student, and supervisor-student mentoring programs applied in different contexts and modalities. While results indicate that overall faculty-initiated mentoring is preferred by both populations and the most impactful method for mentoring is face-to-face with a faculty member with non-academic experience in the field of their discipline, other approaches are more effective for populations, such as first-generation, minority, and online and graduate students
The TSC Complex-mTORC1 Axis:From Lysosomes to Stress Granules and Back
The tuberous sclerosis protein complex (TSC complex) is a key integrator of metabolic signals and cellular stress. In response to nutrient shortage and stresses, the TSC complex inhibits the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) at the lysosomes. mTORC1 is also inhibited by stress granules (SGs), RNA-protein assemblies that dissociate mTORC1. The mechanisms of lysosome and SG recruitment of mTORC1 are well studied. In contrast, molecular details on lysosomal recruitment of the TSC complex have emerged only recently. The TSC complex subunit 1 (TSC1) binds lysosomes via phosphatidylinositol-3,5-bisphosphate [PI(3,5)P2]. The SG assembly factors 1 and 2 (G3BP1/2) have an unexpected lysosomal function in recruiting TSC2 when SGs are absent. In addition, high density lipoprotein binding protein (HDLBP, also named Vigilin) recruits TSC2 to SGs under stress. In this mini-review, we integrate the molecular mechanisms of lysosome and SG recruitment of the TSC complex. We discuss their interplay in the context of cell proliferation and migration in cancer and in the clinical manifestations of tuberous sclerosis complex disease (TSC) and lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM)
Optimization of flow cytometric detection and cell sorting of transgenic Plasmodium parasites using interchangeable optical filters
Background: Malaria remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Flow cytometry-based assays that take advantage of fluorescent protein (FP)-expressing malaria parasites have proven to be valuable tools for quantification and sorting of specific subpopulations of parasite-infected red blood cells. However, identification of rare subpopulations of parasites using green fluorescent protein (GFP) labelling is complicated by autofluorescence (AF) of red blood cells and low signal from transgenic parasites. It has been suggested that cell sorting yield could be improved by using filters that precisely match the emission spectrum of GFP. Methods: Detection of transgenic Plasmodium falciparum parasites expressing either tdTomato or GFP was performed using a flow cytometer with interchangeable optical filters. Parasitaemia was evaluated using different optical filters and, after optimization of optics, the GFP-expressing parasites were sorted and analysed by microscopy after cytospin preparation and by imaging cytometry. Results: A new approach to evaluate filter performance in flow cytometry using two-dimensional dot blot was developed. By selecting optical filters with narrow bandpass (BP) and maximum position of filter emission close to GFP maximum emission in the FL1 channel (510/20, 512/20 and 517/20; dichroics 502LP and 466LP), AF was markedly decreased and signal-background improve dramatically. Sorting of GFP-expressing parasite populations in infected red blood cells at 90 or 95% purity with these filters resulted in 50-150% increased yield when compared to the standard filter set-up. The purity of the sorted population was confirmed using imaging cytometry and microscopy of cytospin preparations of sorted red blood cells infected with transgenic malaria parasites. Discussion Filter optimization is particularly important for applications where the FP signal and percentage of positive events are relatively low, such as analysis of parasite-infected samples with in the intention of gene-expression profiling and analysis. The approach outlined here results in substantially improved yield of GFP-expressing parasites, and requires decreased sorting time in comparison to standard methods. It is anticipated that this protocol will be useful for a wide range of applications involving rare events
Sexualidad animal y humana: anĂĄlisis de un proyecto de formaciĂłn no presencial
Se describe una experiencia de diseño y desarrollo de un curso virtual orientado a tratar cuestiones de sexualidad animal y humana con estudiantes pertenecientes de distintas carreras de la Universidadde Alicante (España). Se evalĂșan los recursos, las actividades desarrolladas, la participaciĂłn en las mismas y el grado de satisfacciĂłn con los contenidos del curso
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