Modified SPLICE and its Extension to Non-Stereo Data for Noise Robust Speech Recognition

In this paper, a modification to the training process of the popular SPLICE algorithm has been proposed for noise robust speech recognition. The modification is based on feature correlations, and enables this stereo-based algorithm to improve the performance in all noise conditions, especially in unseen cases. Further, the modified framework is extended to work for non-stereo datasets where clean and noisy training utterances, but not stereo counterparts, are required. Finally, an MLLR-based computationally efficient run-time noise adaptation method in SPLICE framework has been proposed. The modified SPLICE shows 8.6% absolute improvement over SPLICE in Test C of Aurora-2 database, and 2.93% overall. Non-stereo method shows 10.37% and 6.93% absolute improvements over Aurora-2 and Aurora-4 baseline models respectively. Run-time adaptation shows 9.89% absolute improvement in modified framework as compared to SPLICE for Test C, and 4.96% overall w.r.t. standard MLLR adaptation on HMMs.Comment: Submitted to Automatic Speech Recognition and Understanding (ASRU) 2013 Worksho

Complementarities in Extended Enterprises: A Framwork for IT Value

Measuring information systems (IS) success has been and is of great interest to both researchers and practitioners. This article examines multidimensional approaches to measuring IS success and explores the current state of IS success research through a literature review and by classifying empirical articles that were published between 2003 and 2007. Based on a total of 41 academic journal and conferences publications, this paper identifies the relevant research carried out, categorizes and consolidates the research results, and discusses them. The results show that the dominant empirical research is that which analyzes the individual impact of a certain type of information system that the users evaluate by means of surveys and structural equation modeling. The DeLone and McLean Information Systems Success Model is the main theoretical basis of the reviewed studies. The results provide researchers who are new to this topic with a comprehensive review of IS success research. Furthermore, opportunities for additional development are identified and future research directions suggested

Octreotide Does Not Inhibit Proliferation in Five Neuroendocrine Tumor Cell Lines

Somatostatin analogs (SSA) are well-established antisecretory drugs in functionally active neuroendocrine tumors (NET). Two placebo-controlled trials have recently demonstrated significant improvement of progression-free survival under SSA treatment. Furthermore, somatostatin receptor (SSTR) overexpression in NET has also been utilized for diagnostic imaging and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). However, PRRT in NET is associated mostly with partial and minor remission, while other radionuclide therapies reach complete remissions in up to 75% of cases. This study assessed a potential radio-sensitizing effect of SSA treatment in five established NET cell line models: BON, QGP-1, LCC-18, H727, and UMC-11. Irradiation was found to significantly inhibit proliferation, while no additional effect by octreotide treatment was observed. Intriguingly, no impact of SSA treatment alone was found in any of these NET cell lines when systematically analyzing cell viability, proliferation, and cell cycle distribution. Investigation of the causes for this octreotide resistance led to demonstration of low octreotide binding and scarce SSTR, specifically SSTR2 expression as compared to levels found in human NETs. The resistance toward SSA treatment in viability and proliferation assays could not be overcome by re-expression of SSTR2 in two of the cell lines. These results provide systematic evidence for a lack of authentic, tumor-like SSTR expression, and function in five frequently used NET cell line models and point to the need for more physiologic tumor model systems

mTOR Inhibitors as Radiosensitizers in Neuroendocrine Neoplasms

Peptide receptor radioligand therapy (PRRT) has evolved as an important second-line treatment option in the management of inoperable and metastatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN). Though high radiation doses can be delivered to the tumors, complete remission is still rare. Radiosensitization prior to PRRT is therefore considered to be a promising strategy to improve the treatment effect. In this study, effect and mechanism of mTOR inhibitors were investigated in a comprehensive panel of five NEN cell lines (BON, QGP-1, LCC-18, H727, UMC-11), employing assays for cellular proliferation, clonogenic survival, cell cycle modification and signaling. mTOR inhibition lead to growth arrest with a biphasic concentration-response pattern: a partial response at approximately 1 nM and full response at micromolar concentrations (8-48 μM). All cell lines demonstrated elevated p70S6K phosphorylation yet also increased phosphorylation of counterregulatory Akt. The pulmonary NEN cell line UMC-11 showed the lowest induction of phospho-Akt and strongest growth arrest by mTOR inhibitors. Radiation sensitivity of the cells (50% reduction versus control) was found to range between 4 and 8 Gy. Further, mTOR inhibition was employed together with irradiation to evaluate radiosensitizing effects of this combination treatment. mTOR inhibition was found to radiosensitize all five NEN cells in an additive manner with a moderate overall effect. The radiation-induced G2/M arrest was diminished under combination treatment, leading to an increased G1 arrest. Further investigation involving a suitable animal model as well as radioligand application such as Lu-177-DOTATATE or Lu-177-DOTATOC will have to demonstrate the full potential of this strategy for radiosensitization in NEN

A study to screen infertile couples for psychological problems by using the perceived stress scale, brief COPE scale and hospital anxiety and depression scale

Background: Infertility refers to the biological inability of a couple to contribute towards conception, or the state of a woman, who is unable to carry a pregnancy to full term. Though infertility is not only a disease per se it embraces a wide spectrum, but its treatment also affects all aspects of people’s lives. Aim of the study was to screen infertile couples for psychological problems, and to identify various psychological problems and factors associated with these problems.Methods: It was a cross-sectional study with total of 270 consecutive couples (patients) either of them diagnosed with infertility. All the patients who were found to have anxiety and depression score above seven were then interviewed by the psychiatrist for anxiety and depression.Results: Mean age of the males and females was 32.2 years and 29.7 years, respectively. Duration of marriage was less than five years in 37% couples while it was more than ten years in 19.6% couples. The major cause of infertility was identified in about two-thirds of the cases (64.1%). Prevalence of anxiety was observed in 49.6% females and 45.6% of males. Prevalence of depression was significantly higher among females (41.9%) as compared to males (37%).Conclusions: The present study has endeavored to draw attention to the interrelation of anxiety and depression among infertile couples. Apart from searching for the gynecological causes of infertility; psychological morbidity should be considered as a serious concern affecting these women.

COVID-19 pandemic: a narrative review on legislative and regulatory framework in India for disaster and epidemic

Public health legislation plays an important role in the containment of any epidemic or pandemic. During a pandemic, it might be necessary to override the existing laws or (individual) human rights for the containment of the pandemic. The objective of the study is to review the legal framework pertaining to COVID-19 pandemic preparedness in India. This study has been done as an unsystematic narrative review where various legislations were assembled from electronic data base, websites from various legislative and Ministries and discussion with experts. Owing to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus Government of India announced nationwide lockdown on 24th March, 2020.  For proper implementation of lockdown measures various legislative laws belonging to different ministries is required. There are two pioneer acts namely The Epidemic disease act of 1897 and The Disaster management act of 2005. Under these two acts the government has laid down various rules and regulations that have to be followed during lockdown. This article describes the need for the law in a crisis like this and various legislations that have been implemented during lockdown

Effect of Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy on Somatostatin Receptor Status and Glucose Metabolism in Neuroendocrine Tumors: Intraindividual Comparison of Ga-68 DOTANOC PET/CT and F-18 FDG PET/CT

The heterogeneous nature of the neuroendocrine tumors (NET) makes it challenging to find one uniformly applicable management protocol which is especially true for diagnosis. The discovery of the overexpression of somatostatin receptors (SMS-R) on neuroendocrine tumor cells lead to the generalized and rapid acceptance of radiolabeled somatostatin receptor analogs for staging and restaging of NET as well as for Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRNT) using Y-90 and Lu-177 DOTATATE/DOTATOC. In this present work we tried to look in to the effect of PRRNT on the glucose metabolism assessed by F-18 FDG PET/CT and SMS-R density assessed by Ga-68 DOTANOC PET/CT. We observed a complex relationship between the somatostatin receptor expression and glucose metabolism with only 56% (77/138) of the lesions showing match, while the others show mismatch between the receptor status and metabolism. The match between receptor expression and glucose metabolism increases with the grade of NET. In grade 3 NET, there is a concurrence between the changes in glucose metabolism and somatostatin receptor expression. PRRNT was found to be more effective in lesions with higher receptor expression

Estimation of Refrigerant Charge Inventory for an Automotive Air Conditioning System

The knowledge about the refrigerant charge distribution in each component of an automotive air-conditioning system (AACS) is essential to predict any leakage into the system, health monitoring and estimation of overall system performances. However, estimating charge distribution in each component is not as easy as finding the total refrigerant mass into the system. There are some additional factors which also govern the distribution of refrigerant such as ambient temperature, compressor speed, blower speed, etc. Due to this, the refrigerant distribution in each component of an AACS is not uniform in a particular driving condition. Further, the condenser and the evaporator are the two major components which consume maximum volume of refrigerant. Previous investigation shows that the condenser and the discharge line would almost consume 88% of the total refrigerant mass while the remaining refrigerant is distributed in all other components [1]. In view of the above discussion, in this present work the refrigerant inventory in each component of an AACS are estimated by using an analytical technique which is a modified version of Otaki method [1,2]. The modified Otaki method descries to solve the energy equation of the heat exchangers to obtain the lengths of different phase regions. It gives an advantage over actual Otaki method by ignoring the outside heat transfer coefficient to accommodate the design complexity of an automotive heat exchanger. Though the heat exchangers are the major stake holders of refrigerant, the residual refrigerant in compressor, liquid line, vapor line and expansion device is estimated according to their volume and density by this modified Otaki method. A comparative study between the Otaki and modified Otaki method justifies the acceptability of the later for a wide range of experimental data with the variation of compressor speed, blower speed and refrigerant charge from undercharging to overcharging [3]. The obtained results for both the heat exchangers from modified Otaki method are compared with the output of a commercial software CoilDesiger [4]. A good agreement is observed between them. The other system performances like cooling capacity, compression work and coefficient of performance of the system are also reported for all different operating conditions. References: [1] M.P. Porto, R.N.N. Koury, L. Machado, An alternative method to estimate refrigeration system inventory, Appl. Therm. Eng. 52 (2013) 313–320. doi:10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2012.12.023. [2] T. Otaki, Holding refrigerant in refrigeration unit. Prog. Refrigeration Sci. Technol., in: Proc. XIII Int. Congr. Refrig., AVI Publishing Company, Inc., Washington, DC, 1971: pp. 535–544. [3] S.P. Datta, P.K. Das, S. Mukhopadhyay, Effect of refrigerant charge, compressor speed and air flow through the evaporator on the performance of an automotive air conditioning system, in: 15th Int. Refrig. Air Cond. Conf. Purdue, West Lafayette, USA, 2014. [4] CoilDesigner, A sophisticated tool for design and optimization of air-cooled heat exchangers, Center for Environmental Energy Engineering, 4164, Glenn L. Martin Hall, Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA, 2007