Who Spoke What? A Latent Variable Framework for the Joint Decoding of Multiple Speakers and their Keywords

In this paper, we present a latent variable (LV) framework to identify all the speakers and their keywords given a multi-speaker mixture signal. We introduce two separate LVs to denote active speakers and the keywords uttered. The dependency of a spoken keyword on the speaker is modeled through a conditional probability mass function. The distribution of the mixture signal is expressed in terms of the LV mass functions and speaker-specific-keyword models. The proposed framework admits stochastic models, representing the probability density function of the observation vectors given that a particular speaker uttered a specific keyword, as speaker-specific-keyword models. The LV mass functions are estimated in a Maximum Likelihood framework using the Expectation Maximization (EM) algorithm. The active speakers and their keywords are detected as modes of the joint distribution of the two LVs. In mixture signals, containing two speakers uttering the keywords simultaneously, the proposed framework achieves an accuracy of 82% for detecting both the speakers and their respective keywords, using Student's-t mixture models as speaker-specific-keyword models.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures Submitted to : IEEE Signal Processing Letter

Rapid Steel Tooling Via Solid Freeform Fabrication

With increasing part complexity and requirements for long production runs, tooling has become an expensive process that requires long lead times to manufacture. This lengthens the amount oftime from "art to part". Rapid tooling via stereolithography (SLA), filled epoxies, etc. have been stopgap measures to produce limited prototyping runs from (10 to 500 parts). This gives poor dimensional analysis and does not allow for limited production runs of 1000+ parts. The method ofproducing prototype tooling with a powdered metal process has been developed that produces tooling with a hardness greater than 35 HRC and total shrinkage less than 0.5%. This tooling process manufactures production ready tooling that will perform extended cycle runs (100,000+). Manufacturing ofthis tooling takes 1 to 2 weeks and will compare favorably with production grade steel tooling. Originals drawn in 3D CAD can be used to prototype the master that will allow for the production ofthe rapid metal tool set. process starts with a rapid prototyped model made by whatever process is desired or a machined master. For this paper a Sander's Model Maker II® rapid prototyping machine was used to fabricate the model. After the model ofthe tool set is made, a silicone rubber negative is cast around that model. After the silicone rubber model is made, a heated slurry ofmetal powders and polymers is poured into the mold to create the green tool set. The tool set is left to cool, and then removed from the silicone rubber mold. The tool set is then debound and sintered to produce a final tool set with properties approaching hardened tool steel.Mechanical Engineerin

Results of Sever- L’ Episcopo procedure for obstetric brachial plexus palsy

Background: The reported incidence of obstetric brachial plexus palsy (OBPP) varies from 0.3 to 2.5 per 1000 live birthsresulting in internal rotation deformity and weak abduction of the involved side shoulder.Methods: To retrospectively analyse the functional results of the Sever- L‘ Episcopo procedure for OBPP with a minimum follow-up of 2 years to a maximum of 13 years using modified Mallet scoring system for shoulder.Results: A significant improvement in the range of abduction and the restoration of external rotation of shoulder was achieved with Sever- L’Episcopo procedure. Conclusions: The results of secondary reconstruction of a dysfunctional shoulder by means of a Lattismus dorsi & Teres major transfer as described by Sever- L’Episcopo is definitely beneficial. However this procedure will improve, but will not normalize, function. Apart from functional improvement this procedure corrects a deformity thereby easing the psycho-social stigma associated with it

Numerical Simulation of Waves and Calculation of Hydrodynamic characteristics Over different seawalls

Source: ICHE Conference Archive - https://mdi-de.baw.de/icheArchiv

Flexible Emergent Vegetation in Staggered Configuration as Bioshields

Source: ICHE Conference Archive - https://mdi-de.baw.de/icheArchiv

Antagonistic effect of chitin-degrading microfungi on thick-shelled pig helminth eggs

The rising demand for pigs produced in organic farming systems, which require access to outdoor areas and associated increased risk of gastrointestinal nematode infections, is creating growing interest in alternative control strategies. Also development of anthelminthic resistance due to extensive use of anthelmintics is a concern in intensive pig production. Use of chitin-degrading microfungi is one of the options. Extensive research has been conducted on biological control of plant pathogenic nematodes using such fungi, and some fungal species are commercially available for plant protection. In contrast, there are only limited laboratory studies conducted on eggs from nematodes which are animal parasites. The aim of present study is to investigate the antagonistic effect of chitin-degrading microfungi on thick-shelled pig helminth eggs (i.e. Ascaris suum and Trichuris suis) both in the laboratory as well as in the field. We have performed a pilot study of the ovicidal effect of Paecilomyces lilacinus alone and in combination with chitin supplement on A. suum eggs over 4 weeks in 2% water agar. Within 1 week more than 90% of the eggs were hatched in both cases within the Petri dish as compared to controls, indicating that the fungus is capable of degrading the chitin wall so the larvae are becoming free. Soon we will proceed for full-fledged study with 2 fungal species (P. lilacinus and Pochonia chlamydosporia) which were proven to have ovicidal activity against nematode eggs. This will be done in the laboratory using soil samples amended with A. suum eggs, under semi-natural (pasture plot) conditions and finally on heavily contaminated pastures

The Detour Monophonic Convexity Number of a Graph

A set  is detour monophonic convexif  The detour monophonic convexity number is denoted by  is the cardinality of a maximum proper detour monophonic convex subset of  Some general properties satisfied by this concept are studied. The detour monophonic convexity number of certain classes of graphs are determined. It is shown that for every pair of integers   and  with  there exists a connected graph  such that   and , where  is the monophonic convexity number of

Effect of Tidal Currents at Amphidromes on the Characteristics of N-Wave Type Tsunami

Source: ICHE Conference Archive - https://mdi-de.baw.de/icheArchiv