Systematic comparison of BIC-based speaker segmentation systems

Unsupervised speaker change detection is addressed in this paper. Three speaker segmentation systems are examined. The first system investigates the AudioSpectrumCentroid and the AudioWaveformEnvelope features, implements a dynamic fusion scheme, and applies the Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC). The second system consists of three modules. In the first module, a second-order statistic-measure is extracted; the Euclidean distance and the T2 Hotelling statistic are applied sequentially in the second module; and BIC is utilized in the third module. The third system, first uses a metric-based approach, in order to detect potential speaker change points, and then the BIC criterion is applied to validate the previously detected change points. Experiments are carried out on a dataset, which is created by concatenating speakers from the TIMIT database. A systematic performance comparison among the three systems is carried out by means of one-way ANOVA method and post hoc Tukey’s method

Fabrication and modeling of a continuous-flow microfluidic device for on-chip DNA amplification

This paper was presented at the 3rd Micro and Nano Flows Conference (MNF2011), which was held at the Makedonia Palace Hotel, Thessaloniki in Greece. The conference was organised by Brunel University and supported by the Italian Union of Thermofluiddynamics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University of Thessaly, IPEM, the Process Intensification Network, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Heat Transfer Society, HEXAG - the Heat Exchange Action Group, and the Energy Institute.The fabrication process and heat transfer computations for a continuous flow microfluidic device for DNA amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are described. The building blocks are thin polymeric materials aiming at a low cost and low power consumption device. The fabrication is performed by standard pattern transfer techniques (lithography and etching) used for microelectronics fabrication. The DNA sample flows in a meander shaped microchannel formed on a 100μm thick polyimide (PI) layer through three temperature regions defined by the integrated resistive heaters. The heat transfer computations are performed in a unit cell of the device. They show that, for the fabricated device, the variation of the temperature inside the channel zones where each step (denaturation, annealing, or extension) of PCR occur is less than 1.3K. This variation increases when the thickness of the PI layer increases. The computations also show that similar Silicon-based devices lead to lower temperature difference between the heaters and the DNA sample compared to the polymer-based fabricated device. However, the power consumption is estimated much greater for Silicon-based devices.This work was co-financed by Hellenic Funds and by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the Hellenic National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) 2007-2013, according to Contract no. MICRO2-45 of the Project “Microelectronic Components for Lab-on-chip molecular analysis instruments for genetic and environmental applications” within the Programme "Hellenic Technology Clusters in Microelectronics – Phase-2 Aid Measure"

Quality Assurance Unit of Kavala Institute of Technology (MODIP)

There are three levels of institutionalized education in Greece: primary, secondary and tertiary education. Higher education is divided in accordance with the Bologna Declaration in three cycles. The three cycles are the bachelor, the MSc and PhD qualifications. In Greece, higher education is offered by the Universities and Institutes of Technology. Higher education is very essential for active participation in the knowledge societies which in turn accelerates economic growth. Quality education is a prerequisite to gain access to knowledge which guarantees economic development. This makes the condition of higher education in Greece a very critical issue. The Quality Insurance Unit of the Kavala Institute of Technology (MODIP) was created for the improvement of education. The purpose of this paper is to present MODIP and its integrated information system and services provided through it, both for students and faculty through the prism of higher education. Its innovation lies in the fact that for the first time ever in higher education in Greece, an information system that will gather all this information is implemented

EXTRA SPINDLE POLES (Separase) controls anisotropic cell expansion in Norway spruce (Picea abies) embryos independently of its role in anaphase progression

The caspase-related protease separase (EXTRA SPINDLE POLES, ESP) plays a major role in chromatid disjunction and cell expansion in Arabidopsis thaliana. Whether the expansion phenotypes are linked to defects in cell division in Arabidopsis ESP mutants remains elusive. Here we present the identification, cloning and characterization of the gymnosperm Norway spruce (Picea abies, Pa) ESP. We used the P. abies somatic embryo system and a combination of reverse genetics and microscopy to explore the roles of Pa ESP during embryogenesis. Pa ESP was expressed in the proliferating embryonal mass, while it was absent in the suspensor cells. Pa ESP associated with kinetochore microtubules in metaphase and then with anaphase spindle midzone. During cytokinesis, it localized on the phragmoplast microtubules and on the cell plate. Pa ESP deficiency perturbed anisotropic expansion and reduced mitotic divisions in cotyledonary embryos. Furthermore, whilst Pa ESP can rescue the chromatid nondisjunction phenotype of Arabidopsis ESP mutants, it cannot rescue anisotropic cell expansion. Our data demonstrate that the roles of ESP in daughter chromatid separation and cell expansion are conserved between gymnosperms and angiosperms. However, the mechanisms of ESP-mediated regulation of cell expansion seem to be lineage-specific

X-rays Studies of the Solar System

X-ray observatories contribute fundamental advances in Solar System studies by probing Sun-object interactions, developing planet and satellite surface composition maps, probing global magnetospheric dynamics, and tracking astrochemical reactions. Despite these crucial results, the technological limitations of current X-ray instruments hinder the overall scope and impact for broader scientific application of X-ray observations both now and in the coming decade. Implementation of modern advances in X-ray optics will provide improvements in effective area, spatial resolution, and spectral resolution for future instruments. These improvements will usher in a truly transformative era of Solar System science through the study of X-ray emission.Comment: White paper submitted to Astro2020, the Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Surve

Developing an infrastructure for secure patient summary exchange in the EU context: Lessons learned from the KONFIDO project

Background: The increase of healthcare digitalization comes along with potential information security risks. Thus, the EU H2020 KONFIDO project aimed to provide a toolkit supporting secure cross-border health data exchange. Methods: KONFIDO focused on the so-called “User Goals”, while also identifying barriers and facilitators regarding eHealth acceptance. Key user scenarios were elaborated both in terms of threat analysis and legal challenges. Moreover, KONFIDO developed a toolkit aiming to enhance the security of OpenNCP, the reference implementation framework. Results: The main project outcomes are highlighted and the “Lessons Learned,” the technical challenges and the EU context are detailed. Conclusions: The main “Lessons Learned” are summarized and a set of recommendations is provided, presenting the position of the KONFIDO consortium toward a robust EU-wide health data exchange infrastructure. To this end, the lack of infrastructure and technical capacity is highlighted, legal and policy challenges are identified and the need to focus on usability and semantic interoperability is emphasized. Regarding technical issues, an emphasis on transparent and standards-based development processes is recommended, especially for landmark software projects. Finally, promoting mentality change and knowledge dissemination is also identified as key step toward the development of secure cross-border health data exchange services

Effects of flavonoids dietary supplementation on milk antioxidant capacity in sheep

Hesperidin and naringin are bioflavonoids known for their antioxidant properties. They are abundant in inexpensive by-products of citrus cultivation such as citrus pulp which often are treated as waste. An experiment was conducted to examine the effects of dietary hesperidin or naringin supplementation on lactating ewes’ milk antioxidant capacity