Spoken content retrieval: A survey of techniques and technologies

Speech media, that is, digital audio and video containing spoken content, has blossomed in recent years. Large collections are accruing on the Internet as well as in private and enterprise settings. This growth has motivated extensive research on techniques and technologies that facilitate reliable indexing and retrieval. Spoken content retrieval (SCR) requires the combination of audio and speech processing technologies with methods from information retrieval (IR). SCR research initially investigated planned speech structured in document-like units, but has subsequently shifted focus to more informal spoken content produced spontaneously, outside of the studio and in conversational settings. This survey provides an overview of the field of SCR encompassing component technologies, the relationship of SCR to text IR and automatic speech recognition and user interaction issues. It is aimed at researchers with backgrounds in speech technology or IR who are seeking deeper insight on how these fields are integrated to support research and development, thus addressing the core challenges of SCR

Leading interagency planning and collaboration in mass gatherings: public health and safety in the 2012 London Olympics

OBJECTIVES: Planning and implementing public health initiatives in mass gatherings such as the Olympic Games pose unique challenges for interorganizational collaboration, which involves interaction among multiple and diverse agencies. Nonetheless, there is limited empirical evidence to support interagency collaboration and public health planning decisions in mass gatherings and how leadership can shape such interactions. We empirically explored these topics in the 2012 London Olympics to identify lessons to inform planning for future mass gatherings. STUDY DESIGN: This is a qualitative case study. METHODS: Data comprised 39 semistructured interviews with key informants conducted before, during, and after the games; in addition, direct observations of field exercises and documentary analysis were also used. Open coding and thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: We identified two main leadership challenges that influenced interagency collaboration: organizational public health leadership and coordinating collaborative decision-making. Two facilitative conditions helped overcome the previous challenges: nurturing interorganizational linkages and creating shared understanding by activating codified frameworks at the organizational level. CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights leadership issues in interagency collaboration in mass gatherings. Practical implications arising from this study may inform the ways the organizers of mass gatherings, public health and safety agencies, and professionals can engage in effective partnerships and joint working

Partial radiogenic heat model for Earth revealed by geoneutrino measurements

The Earth has cooled since its formation, yet the decay of radiogenic isotopes, and in particular uranium, thorium and potassium, in the planet’s interior provides a continuing heat source. The current total heat flux from the Earth to space is 44:2±1.0 TW, but the relative contributions from residual primordial heat and radiogenic decay remain uncertain. However, radiogenic decay can be estimated from the flux of geoneutrinos, electrically neutral particles that are emitted during radioactive decay and can pass through the Earth virtually unaffected. Here we combine precise measurements of the geoneutrino flux from the Kamioka Liquid-Scintillator Antineutrino Detector, Japan, with existing measurements from the Borexino detector, Italy.We find that decay of uranium-238 and thorium-232 together contribute 20.0^(+8.8)_(-8.6)TW to Earth’s heat flux. The neutrinos emitted from the decay of potassium-40 are below the limits of detection in our experiments, but are known to contribute 4TW. Taken together, our observations indicate that heat from radioactive decay contributes about half of Earth’s total heat flux. We therefore conclude that Earth’s primordial heat supply has not yet been exhausted

ELISA detection of phenazepam, etizolam, pyrazolam, flubromazepam, diclazepam and delorazepam in blood using Immunalysis® benzodiazepine kit

Phenazepam and etizolam were the first uncontrolled benzodiazepines available for sale in the UK. Pyrazolam, flubromazepam and diclazepam are not used medicinally anywhere in the world; they are produced exclusively for the uncontrolled, recreational market. It is important to know whether potentially abused drugs like these can be detected in routine toxicological screening tests. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the Immunalysis® Benzodiazepines ELISA kit could detect phenazepam, etizolam, pyrazolam, flubromazepam, diclazepam and its metabolite delorazepam. Their cross-reactivity was assessed by comparing the absorbance of the drug with that of oxazepam, the reference standard. This study found that these uncontrolled benzodiazepines cross-react sufficiently to produce a positive result with the Immunalysis® Benzodiazepine ELISA kit. Cross-reactivity ranged from 79 to 107% for phenazepam, etizolam, pyrazolam, flubromazepam, diclazepam and delorazepam fortified into blood. The results show that it is possible to detect these newer benzodiazepines with traditional forensic toxicology laboratory tools and it is important to include these benzodiazepines in the confirmation tests

Constraints on θ_(13) from a three-flavor oscillation analysis of reactor antineutrinos at KamLAND

We present new constraints on the neutrino oscillation parameters Δm^2_(21), θ_(12), and θ_(13) from a three flavor analysis of solar and KamLAND data. The KamLAND data set includes data acquired following a radiopurity upgrade and amounts to a total exposure of 3.49 x 10^(32) target-proton-year. Under the assumption of CPT invariance, a two-flavor analysis (θ_(13) = 0) of the KamLAND and solar data yields the best-fit values tan^2θ_(12) = 0.444^(+0.036)_(-0.030) and Δm^2_(21) = 7.50^(+0.19)_(-0.20) x 10^(-5) eV^2; a three-flavor analysis with θ13 as a free parameter yields the best-fit values tan^2θ_(12) = 0.452^(+0.035)_(-0.033), Δm^2_(21) = 7.50^(+0.19)_(-0.20) x 10^(-5) eV^2, and sin^2θ_(13) = 0.020^(+0.016)_(-0.016). This θ_(13) interval is consistent with other recent work combining the CHOOZ, atmospheric and long-baseline accelerator experiments. We also present a new global θ_(13) analysis, incorporating the CHOOZ, atmospheric, and accelerator data, which indicates sin^2θ_(13) = 0.009^(+0.013)-_(0.007). A nonzero value is suggested, but only at the 79% C.L

Measurement of the ^8B solar neutrino flux with the KamLAND liquid scintillator detector

We report a measurement of the neutrino-electron elastic scattering rate from ^8B solar neutrinos based on a 123 kton-day exposure of KamLAND. The background-subtracted electron recoil rate, above a 5.5-MeV analysis threshold is 1.49 ± 0.14(stat) ± 0.17(syst) events per kton-day. Interpreted as due to a pure electron flavor flux with a ^8B neutrino spectrum, this corresponds to a spectrum integrated flux of 2.77 ± 0.26(stat) ± 0.32(syst) ×10^6 cm^(−2_s^(−1). The analysis threshold is driven by ^(208)Tl present in the liquid scintillator, and the main source of systematic uncertainty is due to background from cosmogenic ^(11)Be. The measured rate is consistent with existing measurements and with standard solar model predictions which include matter-enhanced neutrino oscillation

Real world case studies of a preventative computerised cognitive behavioural (cCBT) package being used to support employees within large UK organisations

Objective: Computerised CBT promises a way of bringing an effective intervention to a large population. However, there are challenges to achieving this within a viable business model. One approach may be through Occupational Health departments. Methodology: Case study of the introduction of the Xanthis system, a cCBT package, in three large, public sector organisations in the UK: Dyfed-Powys Police, Cardiff University and Oxford University. Xanthis was made confidentially available to all employees, accessible over the Internet. Its use was tied into Occupational Health/Human Resources policies. Different research methods were conducted to investigate use. User numbers were monitored; results now cover three years. Interviews were conducted with purchasers of the package. At Dyfed-Powys Police, a before/after questionnaire was conducted on users. Conclusions: User numbers peaked after launch in all organisations before settling at 5-10% staff. Users find the tool a useful support and like that it is confidential, accessible, increases knowledge and understanding about problems, and links to sources of help. The best testimonial was from a suicidal individual who used Xanthis to gain understanding of their situation and then seek help. The experience shows that technology has a role within organisations for the support of employees and in early intervention for mental health problems. There were many problems associated with the implementation and launch of the tool. Different organisations wanted to use Xanthis in different ways and in conjunction with other activity. How the tool was promoted internally was critical. Commercialisation was constrained by the resources devoted to Occupational Health

Realist literature review of computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (cCBT) for prevention and early intervention in anxiety and depression

Objective: Computerised CBT is an accepted treatment for anxiety and depression. There is now a public health focus on the prevention and early management of these conditions. Internet-delivered approaches appear promising as a cost-effective way of reaching a large population for what are sensitive and stigmatised conditions. Prevention of mental illness and use of cCBT are both fields new in development. We sought to systematically review the relevant literature. Methodology: A realist review method was used as it provides a more flexible and pluralistic approach to deconstructing complex interventions, allowing us to examine all relevant literature. A structured search methodology was developed and key medical databases searched. Results: We found very different papers invesitgating whether cCBT works in prevention and early treatment. Only five specifically considered cCBT in the prevention of depression and anxiety, providing mixed results. There were further papers on cCBT as a community-based, sub-clinical treatment rather than specifically for prevention. These vary hugely in terms of method, cCBT package, population and conditions treated. Outcomes are generally positive. Research was mostly on high risk groups rather than the general population. Terminology and definitions varied between and within papers. Conclusions: cCBT in prevention and early management of mental illness is a new but promising field. Technology offers a new delivery platform for reaching individuals at different illness stages, confidentially and accessibly. cCBT can reduce symptoms in sub-clinical populations, including spontaneous Internet users, but adherence and attrition rates are a challenge. More research is needed

Computerised cognitive-behavioural therapy for prevention and early intervention in anxiety and depression: a case study of Xanthis

Introduction: Mental health issues such as anxiety and depression are a leading cause of morbidity and a huge public health cost. Prevention and early treatment are effective, but are difficult to deliver in traditional forms to large populations. Internet-delivered approaches, such as computerised CBT (cCBT), appear promising as a cost-effective way of reaching populations for what are sensitive and stigmatised conditions. However, there are challenges to achieving this within a viable financial model. Objective: Explore the use of cCBT in sub-clinical or preventative care, within a work-based delivery model. Method: A realist methodology was adopted for a programme of research as it provides a flexible and pluralistic approach to deconstructing complex interventions. This included: a systematic literature review on cCBT in a preventative context; and data collected around use of Xanthis, a commercial sub-clinical cCBT package. Xanthis was made available to all employees, accessible over the Internet, in three large, UK, public sector organisations: Dyfed-Powys Police, Cardiff University and Oxford University. Its use was tied into Occupational Health/Human Resources policies. User numbers were monitored. Interviews were conducted with purchasers of the package. At Dyfed-Powys Police, a before/after questionnaire was conducted on users. Results: The literature on cCBT in prevention and early treatment is heterogeneous. Five papers specifically considered cCBT in the prevention of depression and anxiety, showing mixed results. There were further papers on cCBT as a community-based, sub-clinical treatment rather than specifically as prevention. These vary in terms of method, cCBT package, population and conditions treated. Outcomes were generally positive. Research was mostly on high risk groups rather than the general population. Terminology and definitions varied between and within papers. Attrition rates remain high in internet-based spontaneous self help. Xanthis user numbers peaked after launch in all organisations before settling at 5-10% staff. Users find the tool a useful support and like that it is confidential, accessible, increases knowledge and understanding about problems, and links to sources of help. However, there were many problems associated with the implementation and launch of the tool. Different organisations sought to use Xanthis in different ways and in conjunction with other activity. How the tool was promoted internally was critical. Commercialisation was constrained by the resources typically devoted to Occupational Health. Conclusion: cCBT in prevention and early management of mental illness is a new but promising field. Technology offers a new delivery platform for reaching individuals at different illness stages, confidentially and accessibly. cCBT can reduce symptoms in sub-clinical populations, including spontaneous Internet users, but adherence and attrition rates are a challenge. The financing and implementation of sub-clinical cCBT packages must be researched, including determining which are suitable for use in different user populations and circumstances. Packages such as Xanthis have potential for use within sub-clinical care in a variety of contexts, but there are challenges in its commercialisation, delivery and use within a work-based delivery model which must be overcome