Speech-Gesture Mapping and Engagement Evaluation in Human Robot Interaction

A robot needs contextual awareness, effective speech production and complementing non-verbal gestures for successful communication in society. In this paper, we present our end-to-end system that tries to enhance the effectiveness of non-verbal gestures. For achieving this, we identified prominently used gestures in performances by TED speakers and mapped them to their corresponding speech context and modulated speech based upon the attention of the listener. The proposed method utilized Convolutional Pose Machine [4] to detect the human gesture. Dominant gestures of TED speakers were used for learning the gesture-to-speech mapping. The speeches by them were used for training the model. We also evaluated the engagement of the robot with people by conducting a social survey. The effectiveness of the performance was monitored by the robot and it self-improvised its speech pattern on the basis of the attention level of the audience, which was calculated using visual feedback from the camera. The effectiveness of interaction as well as the decisions made during improvisation was further evaluated based on the head-pose detection and interaction survey.Comment: 8 pages, 9 figures, Under review in IRC 201

Impact of dephasing probes on incommensurate lattices

We investigate open quantum dynamics for a one-dimensional incommensurate Aubry-Andr\'{e}-Harper lattice chain, a part of which is initially filled with electrons and is further connected to dephasing probes at the filled lattice sites. This setup is akin to a step-initial configuration where the non-zero part of the step is subjected to dephasing. We investigate the quantum dynamics of local electron density, the scaling of the density front as a function of time both inside and outside of the initial step, and the growth of the total number of electrons outside the step. We analyze these quantities in all three regimes, namely, the de-localized, critical, and localized phases of the underlying lattice. Outside the initial step, we observe that the density front spreads according to the underlying nature of single-particle states of the lattice, for both the de-localized and critical phases. For the localized phase, the spread of the density front hints at a logarithmic behaviour in time that has no parallel in the isolated case (\emph{i.e.}, in the absence of probes). Inside the initial step, due to the presence of the probes, the density front spreads in a diffusive manner for all the phases. This combination of rich and different dynamical behaviour, outside and inside the initial step, results in the emergence of mixed dynamical phases. While the total occupation of electrons remains conserved, the value outside or inside the initial step turns out to have a rich dynamical behaviour. Our work is widely adaptable and has interesting consequences when disordered/quasi-disordered systems are subjected to a thermodynamically large number of probes.Comment: 18 pages, 8 figure

Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 354 diseases and injuries for 195 countries and territories, 1990-2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017.

The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries and Risk Factors 2017 includes a comprehensive assessment of incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability (YLDs) for 354 causes in 195 countries and territories from 1990 to 2017. Previous GBD studies have shown how the decline of mortality rates from 1990 to 2016 has led to an increase in life expectancy, an ageing global population, and an expansion of the non-fatal burden of disease and injury. These studies have also shown how a substantial portion of the world's population experiences non-fatal health loss with considerable heterogeneity among different causes, locations, ages, and sexes. Ongoing objectives of the GBD study include increasing the level of estimation detail, improving analytical strategies, and increasing the amount of high-quality data. METHODS: We estimated incidence and prevalence for 354 diseases and injuries and 3484 sequelae. We used an updated and extensive body of literature studies, survey data, surveillance data, inpatient admission records, outpatient visit records, and health insurance claims, and additionally used results from cause of death models to inform estimates using a total of 68 781 data sources. Newly available clinical data from India, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Nepal, China, Brazil, Norway, and Italy were incorporated, as well as updated claims data from the USA and new claims data from Taiwan (province of China) and Singapore. We used DisMod-MR 2.1, a Bayesian meta-regression tool, as the main method of estimation, ensuring consistency between rates of incidence, prevalence, remission, and cause of death for each condition. YLDs were estimated as the product of a prevalence estimate and a disability weight for health states of each mutually exclusive sequela, adjusted for comorbidity. We updated the Socio-demographic Index (SDI), a summary development indicator of income per capita, years of schooling, and total fertility rate. Additionally, we calculated differences between male and female YLDs to identify divergent trends across sexes. GBD 2017 complies with the Guidelines for Accurate and Transparent Health Estimates Reporting

Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 354 diseases and injuries for 195 countries and territories, 1990-2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2017 (GBD 2017) includes a comprehensive assessment of incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability (YLDs) for 354 causes in 195 countries and territories from 1990 to 2017. Previous GBD studies have shown how the decline of mortality rates from 1990 to 2016 has led to an increase in life expectancy, an ageing global population, and an expansion of the non-fatal burden of disease and injury. These studies have also shown how a substantial portion of the world's population experiences non-fatal health loss with considerable heterogeneity among different causes, locations, ages, and sexes. Ongoing objectives of the GBD study include increasing the level of estimation detail, improving analytical strategies, and increasing the amount of high-quality data.; We estimated incidence and prevalence for 354 diseases and injuries and 3484 sequelae. We used an updated and extensive body of literature studies, survey data, surveillance data, inpatient admission records, outpatient visit records, and health insurance claims, and additionally used results from cause of death models to inform estimates using a total of 68 781 data sources. Newly available clinical data from India, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Nepal, China, Brazil, Norway, and Italy were incorporated, as well as updated claims data from the USA and new claims data from Taiwan (province of China) and Singapore. We used DisMod-MR 2.1, a Bayesian meta-regression tool, as the main method of estimation, ensuring consistency between rates of incidence, prevalence, remission, and cause of death for each condition. YLDs were estimated as the product of a prevalence estimate and a disability weight for health states of each mutually exclusive sequela, adjusted for comorbidity. We updated the Socio-demographic Index (SDI), a summary development indicator of income per capita, years of schooling, and total fertility rate. Additionally, we calculated differences between male and female YLDs to identify divergent trends across sexes. GBD 2017 complies with the Guidelines for Accurate and Transparent Health Estimates Reporting. Globally, for females, the causes with the greatest age-standardised prevalence were oral disorders, headache disorders, and haemoglobinopathies and haemolytic anaemias in both 1990 and 2017. For males, the causes with the greatest age-standardised prevalence were oral disorders, headache disorders, and tuberculosis including latent tuberculosis infection in both 1990 and 2017. In terms of YLDs, low back pain, headache disorders, and dietary iron deficiency were the leading Level 3 causes of YLD counts in 1990, whereas low back pain, headache disorders, and depressive disorders were the leading causes in 2017 for both sexes combined. All-cause age-standardised YLD rates decreased by 3·9% (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 3·1-4·6) from 1990 to 2017; however, the all-age YLD rate increased by 7·2% (6·0-8·4) while the total sum of global YLDs increased from 562 million (421-723) to 853 million (642-1100). The increases for males and females were similar, with increases in all-age YLD rates of 7·9% (6·6-9·2) for males and 6·5% (5·4-7·7) for females. We found significant differences between males and females in terms of age-standardised prevalence estimates for multiple causes. The causes with the greatest relative differences between sexes in 2017 included substance use disorders (3018 cases [95% UI 2782-3252] per 100 000 in males vs s1400 [1279-1524] per 100 000 in females), transport injuries (3322 [3082-3583] vs 2336 [2154-2535]), and self-harm and interpersonal violence (3265 [2943-3630] vs 5643 [5057-6302]). Global all-cause age-standardised YLD rates have improved only slightly over a period spanning nearly three decades. However, the magnitude of the non-fatal disease burden has expanded globally, with increasing numbers of people who have a wide spectrum of conditions. A subset of conditions has remained globally pervasive since 1990, whereas other conditions have displayed more dynamic trends, with different ages, sexes, and geographies across the globe experiencing varying burdens and trends of health loss. This study emphasises how global improvements in premature mortality for select conditions have led to older populations with complex and potentially expensive diseases, yet also highlights global achievements in certain domains of disease and injury

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Not AvailableForecasting of volatile data is generally carried out using Generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedastic (GARCH) model.However, there are some limitations of this methodology, such as its inability to capture empirical properties observed in time-series data. Further, the GARCH assumption that volatility is driven by past observable variables only sometimes becomes a constraint. Accordingly, in this paper, a promising methodology of Stochasticvolatility (SV) model, in which the time-varying variance is not restricted to follow a deterministic process, is considered.The estimation of parameters of this model is carried out using a powerful technique of Kalman filter (KF) in conjunction with Quasi-maximum likelihood (QML) method.As an illustration, volatile dataset of Month-wise total exports of fruits and vegetables seeds from India during the period April 2004 to January 2012 are considered. It is concluded that SV model performs quite well for modelling as well as forecasting of the volatile data under consideration.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableWe propose a parametric nonlinear time-series model, namely the Autoregressive-Stochastic volatility with threshold (AR-SVT) model with mean equation for forecasting level and volatility. Methodology for estimation of parameters of this model is developed by first obtaining recursive Kalman filter time-update equation and then employing the unrestricted quasi-maximum likelihood method. Furthermore, optimal one-step and two-step-ahead out-of-sample forecasts formulae along with forecast error variances are derived analytically by recursive use of conditional expectation and variance. As an illustration, volatile all-India monthly spices export during the period January 2006 to January 2012 is considered. Entire data analysis is carried out using EViews and matrix laboratory (MATLAB) software packages. The ARSVT model is fitted and interval forecasts for 10 hold-out data points are obtained. Superiority of this model for describing and forecasting over other competing models for volatility, namely AR-Generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedastic, AR-Exponential GARCH, AR-Threshold GARCH, and ARStochastic volatility models is shown for the data under consideration. Finally, for the AR-SVT model, optimal out-of-sample forecasts along with forecasts of one-step-ahead variances are obtained.Not Availabl

Herbal Medicines: A Potent Approach to Human Diseases, Their Chief Compounds, Formulations, Present Status, and Future Aspects

Humans have relied on herbal medicines in health care and the treatment of numerous diseases since the very early stages of civilization. Herbal medicines or phytomedicines not only treat sickness but also guard against its complications simultaneously. The continuous use of synthetic medications is not safe for health because of their extreme negative impacts. So now a days, we can estimate that in some developing countries, such as the USA and England, herbal drugs make up to 25% of all consumption; on the other hand, in a few nations that are rapidly developing, like India and China, it comprises up to 80%. All over the world, more than ten thousand medicinal species are present. India is a well known producer of herbal plants that have a history of being used medicinally. As per the data of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), there are 50000-80000 types of flowering plants that have medicinal value globally. Because they are less expensive, more acceptable in society and culture, better compatible with the human body, and cause less adverse effects, herbal medicines are currently in considerable need for primary healthcare in developing countries. Scientific understanding of plants advanced over the 19th and 20th centuries, and active chemicals that are utilized to create new medicines were isolated. However, there are other issues with using phytomedicines that need to be resolved. This time period also saw the rise of herbal pharmacopoeias, standardized herbal preparations, and larger-scale production of herbal medicines for the future development of not only this field but also for the 80% of the world's population that belongs to the extreme limit of poverty. This study attempts to review different potent approach of herbal medicines, their current status and their future aspects

Heterochromatin extension: a possible cytogenetic fate of primary amenorrhea along with normal karyotype

Primary amenorrhoea (PA) is considered to be one of the challenging and taxing problems for the gynaecologist. Previous studies suggested that different numerical and structural chromosome abnormalities are associated with this. Heterochromatin polymorphisms are considered to be normal variant but considering the recent research on crucial cellular effects of heterochromatin, we have aimed to find out the prevalence of heteromorphism along with other standard chromosomal abnormalities. This was an observational study which was conducted in Diamond Harbour Govt. Medical College and Hospital, West Bengal during March 2019–February 2021. Clinical features of 178 patients were noted and peripheral venous blood was taken following informed consent. This comprehensive study reveals that there are 10.11% of the females among 178 females having a heterochromatin extension which is significantly high. We hence suggest that heteromorphism may be associated with ovarian dysfunction leading to amenorrhoea as the region of heterochromatin acts as a key part in chromosome structure, histone modification and gene regulation. Analysis at the molecular level may be needed to unveil any relationship between heteromorphism and PA. Impact Statement What is already known on this subject? Primary amenorrhoea (PA) is a menstrual abnormality found in females with the prevalence of 1–3%. It may be associated with different types of numerical and structural chromosomal anomalies. Among them Turner’s syndrome (pure and in variant form) is the commonest chromosomal aberration associated with PA. Some patients with PA are found to have a normal karyotype with heterochromatin extension on the large arm (q) of either chromosome 9 or chromosome 16. Chromosomal polymorphism with increase in heterochromatin region consists of highly repetitive sequences of satellite DNA, which normally does not encode any protein and thus considered to be a normal variant. What do the results of this study add? This comprehensive study reveals that there are 10.11% of the females among 178 females having a heterochromatin extension which is significantly high. PA and certain association of phenotypical stigmata like short stature in these patients with heterochromatin extension can be explained on the basis of histone modification and gene regulation by heterochromatin. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? We will be able to know about involved transcription factors those are responsible for the histone modification directly linked to the heterochromatin extension by further molecular study. That will definitely help to find out the reason for PA as well as implementation of gene therapy in these cases

Identification and Re-Evaluation of Freshwater Catfishes through DNA Barcoding

<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Catfishes are globally demanded as human food, angling sport and aquariums keeping thus are highly exploited all over the world. North-East India possess high abundance of catfishes and are equally exploited through decades. The strategies for conservation necessitate understanding the actual species composition, which is hampered due to sporadic descriptions of the species through traditional taxonomy. Therefore, actual catfish diversity in this region is important to be studied through the combined approach of morphological and molecular technique of DNA barcoding.</p> <h3>Methodology/Principal Findings</h3><p>Altogether 75 native catfish specimens were collected from across the North-East India and their morphological features were compared with the taxonomic keys. The detailed taxonomic study identified 25 species belonging to 17 genera and 9 families. The cytochrome oxidase c subunit-I gene fragment were then sequenced from the samples in accordance with the standard DNA barcoding protocols. The sequences were compared with public databases, viz., GenBank and BOLD. Sequences developed in the current study and from databases of the same and related taxa were analyzed to calculate the congeneric and conspecific genetic divergences using Kimura 2-parameter distance model, and a Neighbor Joining tree was created using software MEGA5.1. The DNA barcoding approach delineated 21 distinct species showing 4.33 folds of difference between the nearest congeners. Four species, viz., <em>Amblyceps apangi</em>, <em>Glyptothorax telchitta</em>, <em>G. trilineatus</em> and <em>Erethistes pusillus</em>, showed high conspecific divergence; hence their identification through molecular approach remained inconclusive. On the other hand, the database sequences for three species, viz., <em>Mystus horai, Bagarius yarrelli</em> and <em>Clarias batrachus</em>, appeared mislabeled.</p> <h3>Conclusion</h3><p>The efficiency of DNA barcoding was reaffirmed from its success by easily identifying the major share (84%) of the studied catfish into 21 distinct species. The study contributed 27 new barcodes for 7 species and confirmed the range expansion of 2 important species in NE India.</p> </div

Congeneric and conspecific K2P divergence for 101 sequences of 27 catfish species.

<p>The maximum conspecific divergence (0.024, black solid line) and minimum congeneric divergence (0.104, black dotted line) represent the threshold level of conspecific and congeneric divergence respectively. Most of the studied species (21) obeyed the thresholds and are readily delineated showing barcoding gap of 4.33 or above. Sequences of species like <i>M. horai</i> (accession number FJ170791), <i>B. yarrelli</i> (accession number DG508069), <i>A. apangi</i> (accession numbers EU490873 and DQ508066), <i>C. batrachus</i> (accession number HQ654701), <i>E. pusillus</i> (accession numbers DQ508074 and DQ508079), <i>G. telchitta</i> (accession number DQ514362), <i>G. trilineatus</i> (accession number DQ508077) did not obey the thresholds and are thus ambiguous (shown in red dots). <i>G. striatus</i> with two sequences obeyed the threshold of maximum conspecific divergence and minimum congeneric divergence with all congeners except <i>G. trilineatus.</i> · In the X-axis the specimens involved in this study were plotted and marked as, GenBank accession number|species name.</p