Glottal Source Cepstrum Coefficients Applied to NIST SRE 2010

Through the present paper, a novel feature set for speaker recognition based on glottal estimate information is presented. An iterative algorithm is used to derive the vocal tract and glottal source estimations from speech signal. In order to test the importance of glottal source information in speaker characterization, the novel feature set has been tested in the 2010 NIST Speaker Recognition Evaluation (NIST SRE10). The proposed system uses glottal estimate parameter templates and classical cepstral information to build a model for each speaker involved in the recognition process. ALIZE [1] open-source software has been used to create the GMM models for both background and target speakers. Compared to using mel-frequency cepstrum coefficients (MFCC), the misclassification rate for the NIST SRE 2010 reduced from 29.43% to 27.15% when glottal source features are use

PCDD/F formation from chlorophenols by lignin and manganese peroxidases

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/F) formation was studied, in vitro, with two different chlorophenol mixtures (group “di+tri” 2,4-dichlorophenol; 2,3,4-, 2,3,5-, and 3,4,5-trichlorophenols and group “tri+tetra+penta” with 2,4,5-trichlorophenol, 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol and pentachlorophenol) and two different lignolytic enzymes, lignin and manganese peroxidase (LiP and MnP respectively), which can be found during the composting process of sewage sludge. The concentrations of PCDD/F in final samples are compared to the PCDD/F content of the control samples containing the chlorophenols. High increases were observed for experiments with MnP and phosphate buffer. Experiments that contained tri-, tetra- and pentachlorophenol with MnP resulted in more than 8 · 108 ng of OCDD kg−1 chlorophenol which was much higher than the initial amount (1 · 107 ng OCDD kg−1 chlorophenol). In relation to LiP experiments, only those at 37 °C showed a moderate increase (from 1.3 · 107 to 2.6 · 107 ng of OCDD kg−1 chlorophenol). The results agree with the literature in which high amounts of HpCDD and OCDD were found after a composting process and could explain the biogenic formation suggested by others, but the incidence on the total toxicity is less than that expected.The authors want to thank the University of Alicante for their economic support to perform this research and the project CTQ 2008-05520 of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, Prometeo 2009/043/FEDER of the Valencian Community of Spain

The Neurokinin-1 Receptor Is Essential for the Viability of Human Glioma Cells: A Possible Target for Treating Glioblastoma

Background. Glioblastoma or glioma is the most common malignant brain tumor. Patients have a prognosis of approximately 15 months, despite the current aggressive treatment. Neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) occurs naturally in human glioma, and it is necessary for the tumor development. Objective. The purpose of the study was to increase the knowledge about the involvement of the substance P (SP)/NK-1R system in human glioma. Methods. Cellular localization of NK-1R and SP was studied in GAMG and U-87 MG glioma cell lines by immunofluorescence. The contribution of both SP and NK-1R to the viability of these cells was also assessed after applying the tachykinin 1 receptor (TAC1R) or the tachykinin 1 (TAC1) small interfering RNA gene silencing method, respectively. Results. Both SP and the NK-1R (full-length and truncated isoforms) were localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm of GAMG and U-87 MG glioma cells. The presence of full-length NK-1R isoform was mainly observed in the nucleus, while the level of truncated isoform was higher in the cytoplasm. Cell proliferation was decreased when glioma cells were transfected with TAC1R siRNA, but not with TAC1. U-87 MG cells were more sensitive to the effect of the TAC1R inhibition than GAMG cells. The decrease in the number of glioma cells after silencing of the TAC1R siRNA gene was due to apoptotic and necrotic mechanisms. In human primary fibroblast cultured cells, TAC1R silencing by siRNA did not produce any change in cell viability. Conclusions. Our results show for the first time that the expression of the TAC1R gene (NK-1R) is essential for the viability of GAMG and U-87 MG glioma cells. On the contrary, the TAC1R gene is not essential for the viability of normal cells, confirming that NK-1R could be a promising and specific therapeutic target for the treatment of glioma.Junta de Andalucía BIO-15

Métodos de enseñanza en Ingeniería del Software: hacia una cooperación universidad-empresa

Enseñar a resolver los problemas que aparecen desde las primeras etapas de la construcción de software es una tarea compleja, fundamentalmente porque el análisis y diseño de sistemas de información depende, en gran medida, de situaciones que son difíciles de recrear en un aula. El objetivo de este artículo es presentar las experiencias adquiridas en la aplicación de un método de enseñanza basado en la interactuación alumno-empresa a través del cual introducimos al alumno en el mundo real enfrentándole ante un problema de sistemas de información que debe de resolver. Este método de trabajo que hemos utilizado durante los últimos tres años, nos ha permitido comprobar que el alumno resuelve los problemas que aparecen en las primeras etapas del ciclo de vida del software de forma más fluida y eficiente

A systematic review (1990–2021) of wild animals infected with zoonotic leishmania

Leishmaniasis are neglected diseases caused by several species of Leishmania that affect humans and many domestic and wild animals with a worldwide distribution. The objectives of this review are to identify wild animals naturally infected with zoonotic Leishmania species as well as the organs infected, methods employed for detection and percentage of infection. A literature search starting from 1990 was performed following the PRISMA methodology and 161 reports were included. One hundred and eighty‐nine species from ten orders (i.e., Carnivora, Chiroptera, Cingulata, Didelphimorphia, Diprotodontia, Lagomorpha, Eulipotyphla, Pilosa, Primates and Rodentia) were reported to be infected, and a few animals were classified only at the genus level. An exhaustive list of species; diagnostic techniques, including PCR targets; infected organs; number of animals explored and percentage of positives are presented. L. infantum infection was described in 98 wild species and L. (Viania) spp. in 52 wild animals, while L. mexicana, L. amazonensis, L. major and L. tropica were described in fewer than 32 animals each. During the last decade, intense research revealed new hosts within Chiroptera and Lagomorpha. Carnivores and rodents were the most relevant hosts for L. infantum and L. (Viannia) spp., with some species showing lesions, although in most of the studies clinical signs were not reported

Bio-inspired broad-class phonetic labelling

Recent studies have shown that the correct labeling of phonetic classes may help current Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) when combined with classical parsing automata based on Hidden Markov Models (HMM).Through the present paper a method for Phonetic Class Labeling (PCL) based on bio-inspired speech processing is described. The methodology is based in the automatic detection of formants and formant trajectories after a careful separation of the vocal and glottal components of speech and in the operation of CF (Characteristic Frequency) neurons in the cochlear nucleus and cortical complex of the human auditory apparatus. Examples of phonetic class labeling are given and the applicability of the method to Speech Processing is discussed

Numerical Modelling of Magnetic Nanoparticle Behavior in an Alternating Magnetic Field Based on Multiphysics Coupling

In magnetic nanoparticle hyperthermia, the magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) start oscilla- tions when they are exposed to an alternating magnetic field, which may generate ultra- sound waves. These resulting oscillations of nanoparticles can lead to the movement of drug carrier liposomes. In this study, a multiphysics coupling model of magnetic nanoparticle behavior in an alternating magnetic field was developed, implementing solid mechanics compliance parameters and piezomagnetic coupling matrices. A detailed sensitivity study was conducted to to examine the effects of size and elastic modulus of MNPs, distribution and distance between two MNPs, elasticity and viscosity of the glycerol medium and mesh element sizes on the output displacement signals of MNPs. The results indicated that mag- netic nanoparticles undergo some displacements when they are exposed to an alternating magnetic field. These oscillations may generate ultrasound waves, though the amount of displacement for each nanoparticle is negligibly small. It is expected that aggregated nanoparticles result in much higher oscillations.Ministry of Science and Innovation, Spain grant numbers PID2019-106947RA-C2FEDER EQC2018-004508-

Pattern Recognition Techniques Implementation on Data from In-Line Inspection (ILI)

PresentationOnshore pipeline failure caused by corrosion represents about 16% of the overall number of incidents during the period from 2004 to 2011 according to databases such as CONCAWE and PHMSA. In-Line Inspection (ILI) is one of the available inspection techniques used to determine overall pipeline status, highlighted because it establishes a clear perspective of inner and outer condition of the pipe against the failure modes and wall thickness. Furthermore, it supports measures to prevent risk based on standards such as ASMEB31G or API579-1/ASME FFS-1. However, this approximation could represent a conservative assessment of the pipeline status, taking into account the uncertainty associated with ILI inspection tools such as MFL and UT. Several researches have been conducted to analyze available inspection techniques attempting to reduce noise generated by their inspection tools, and determine procedures in order to establish correct metal loss detection, excelling pattern recognition analysis and reliability concepts. Therefore this work seeks to transform a set of data obtained from two ILI runs, into useful information to support decision making in risk analysis based on pattern recognition techniques and reliability concepts, in order to obtain base failure frequencies for prior analysis from individual and grouped flaws. Moreover, growth corrosion and remaining life models supported on the standards mentioned above were evaluated using a pressure failure criteria. As a result it was obtained that the failure probability of the grouped flaws increases 10% in comparison with the corresponding flaws evaluated individually

Estrategias didácticas y educación inclusiva en estudiantes del nivel primaria en una Institución Educativa de Lambayeque

La presente investigación considera como objetivo determinar la relación existente entre estrategias didácticas y educación inclusiva en estudiantes del nivel primaria en una institución educativa de Lambayeque; donde se utilizó el diseño descriptivo correlacional, con enfoque cuantitativo para una población muestral de dos docentes y 57 estudiantes, donde se aplicó el no probabilístico como muestreo, a juicio de los investigadores. El instrumento utilizado en el recojo de datos, es el cuestionario para cada variable, el cual tuvo la apreciación aprobada a juicios de expertos, el programa Excel 2016 y del software SPSS número 23, arrojando la fiabilidad del alfa de Crombach en 0,910 de la variable estrategias didácticas y 0.899 en la variable educación inclusiva. Esta indagación concluye, que se determina que si existe relación significativa dado que p < 0.01, de acuerdo a la prueba no paramétrica de la Rho de Spearman con un coeficiente de correlación positiva perfecta de 1,000, entre las estrategias didácticas y la educación inclusiva de los estudiantes del nivel primaria de una institución educativa Lambayeque, aceptándose la hipótesis alterna H1 y el rechazo de la hipótesis nula H0.Tesi

New syntaxa belonging to class Stellarietea mediae from Western Andalusia

Se describen dos nuevas asociaciones pertenecientes a la clase fitosociológica Stellarietea mediae, del noroeste de la provincia de Córdoba (Andalucía Occidental): Tordylio officinalis-Vulpietum geniculatae (pastizal subnitrófilo perteneciente a Echio-Galactition tomentosae) y Parietario mauritanicae-Theligonetum cynocrambes (herbazal escionitrófilo de Geranio-Anthriscion caucalidis), ambas de óptimo termomediterráneo, ombroclima subhúmedo.Two new associations belonging to Stellarietea mediae are described from the northwest of Córdoba (Western Andalusia): Tordylio officinalis-Vulpietum geniculatae (subnitrophilous community from Echio-Galactition tomentosae) and Parietario mauritanicae-Theligonetum cynocrambes (scionitrophilous community from Geranio-Anthriscion caucalidis), both reaching their optimum in termomediterranean subhumid belt