Cepstral trajectories in linguistic units for text-independent speaker recognition

The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-35292-8_3Proceedings of IberSPEECH, held in Madrid (Spain) on 2012.In this paper, the contributions of different linguistic units to the speaker recognition task are explored by means of temporal trajectories of their MFCC features. Inspired by successful work in forensic speaker identification, we extend the approach based on temporal contours of formant frequencies in linguistic units to design a fully automatic system that puts together both forensic and automatic speaker recognition worlds. The combination of MFCC features and unit-dependent trajectories provides a powerful tool to extract individualizing information. At a fine-grained level, we provide a calibrated likelihood ratio per linguistic unit under analysis (extremely useful in applications such as forensics), and at a coarse-grained level, we combine the individual contributions of the different units to obtain a highly discriminative single system. This approach has been tested with NIST SRE 2006 datasets and protocols, consisting of 9,720 trials from 219 male speakers for the 1side-1side English-only task, and development data being extracted from 367 male speakers from 1,808 conversations from NIST SRE 2004 and 2005 datasetsSupported by MEC grant PR-2010-123, MICINN project TEC09-14179, ForBayes project CCG10-UAM/TIC-5792 and Cátedra UAM-Telefónica

Gene co-expression networks contributing to reproductive development in Holstein-Friesian bull calves

peer-reviewedEnhanced early life nutrition stimulates the functionality of the hypothalamic-pituitary–testicular (HPT) biochemical signalling axis, resulting in precocious reproductive development in bull calves. Additionally, there is evidence that peptides and hormones produced within adipose tissue depots are also central in mediating the effect of metabolic status with reproductive development. The objective of this study was to undertake gene co-expression analyses on transcriptional data of the HPT and adipose tissues derived from bull calves fed contrasting planes of nutrition up to 18 weeks of life. The relationship between networks of co-expressed genes in each tissue dataset with calf phenotypic data was also assessed using a Pearson correlation analysis. Phenotypic data were related to metabolic status (systemic concentrations of insulin, leptin, adiponectin and IGF-1) reproductive development (systemic concentrations of testosterone, FSH and LH) and markers of testicular development (seminiferous tubule diameter, seminiferous tubule lumen score, spermatogenic cells and Sertoli cells). In the hypothalamus, gene co-expression networks involved in biochemical signalling processes related to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion were positively associated (P < 0.05) with systemic concentrations of IGF-1 and insulin. Similarly, a network of gene transcripts involved in GnRH signalling in the anterior pituitary was positively associated (P < 0.05) with systemic concentrations of LH. In the testes and adipose tissues, networks of co-expressed genes implicated in cholesterol and fatty acid biosynthesis were positively associated (P < 0.05) with lumen score, Sertoli cell number, and stage of spermatogenesis. Additionally, gene co-expression networks significantly associated (P < 0.05) with both metabolic and reproductive trait data were found to be enriched (P < 0.05) for biological pathways related to energy production, cellular growth and proliferation, GnRH signalling and cholesterol biosynthesis across multiple tissues examined. Results from this study highlight networks of co-expressed genes directly associated with markers of enhanced metabolic status and subsequent earlier reproductive development. Furthermore, genes involved in biological processes mentioned above may hold potential for informing genomic selection breeding programmes for the selection of calves capable of displaying earlier reproductive development as a consequence of enhanced dietary intake

Genetic parameters for EUROP carcass traits within different groups of cattle in Ireland

The first objective of this study was to test the ability of systems of weighing and classifying bovine carcasses used in commercial abattoirs in Ireland to provide information that can be used for the purposes of genetic evaluation of carcass weight, carcass fatness class, and carcass conformation class. Secondly, the study aimed to test whether genetic and phenotypic variances differed by breed of sire. Variance components for carcass traits were estimated for crosses between dairy cows and 8 breeds of sire commonly found in the Irish cattle population. These 8 breeds were Aberdeen Angus, Belgian Blue, Charolais, Friesian, Hereford, Holstein, Limousin, and Simmental. A multivariate animal model was used to estimate genetic parameters within the Holstein sire breed group. Univariate analyses were used to estimate variance components for the remaining 7 sire breed groups. Multivariate sire models were used to formally test differences in genetic variances in sire breed groups. Field data on 64,443 animals, which were slaughtered in commercial abattoirs between the ages of 300 and 875 d, were analyzed in 8 analyses. Carcass fat class and carcass conformation class were measured using the European Union beef carcass classification system (EUROP) scale. For all 3 traits, the sire breed group with the greatest genetic variance had a value of more than 8 times the sire breed group with least genetic variance. Heritabilities ranged from zero to moderate for carcass fatness class (0.00 to 0.40), from low to moderate for carcass conformation class (0.04 to 0.36), and from low to high for carcass weight (0.06 to 0.65). Carcass weight was the most heritable (0.26) of the 3 traits. Carcass conformation class and carcass fatness class were equally heritable (0.17). Genetic and phenotypic correlations were all positive in the Holstein sire breed group. The genetic correlations varied from 0.11 for the relationship between carcass weight and carcass fatness class to 0.44 for the relationship between carcass conformation class and carcass fatness class. Carcass weight and classification data collected in Irish abattoirs are useful for the purposes of genetic evaluation for beef traits of Irish cattle. There were significantly different variance components across the sire breed groups

Estimation of accuracy and bias in genetic evaluations with genetic groups using sampling

Accuracy and bias of estimated breeding values are important measures of the quality of genetic evaluations. A sampling method that accounts for the uncertainty in the estimation of genetic group effects was used to calculate accuracy and bias of estimated effects. The method works by repeatedly simulating phenotypes for multiple traits for a defined data and pedigree structure. These simulated values are analysed using BLUP with genetic groups in the relationship matrix. Accuracies and biases are then calculated as correlations among and differences between true and estimated values across all replicates, respectively. The method was applied to the Irish beef production data set for 15 traits and with 15 genetic groups to account for differences in breed means. Accuracy and bias of estimated genetic groups effects, estimated comparisons between genetic groups effects, estimated breeding values within genetic group, and estimated breeding values across genetic group were calculated. Small biases were detected for most estimated genetic group effects and most estimated comparisons between genetic group effects. Most of these were not of importance relative to the phenotypic standard deviation of the traits involved. For example, a bias of 0.78% of the phenotypic standard deviation was detected for carcass conformation in Aberdeen Angus. However, one trait, calf quality, which has very few performance records in the data set, displayed larger bias ranging from -10.31% to 5.85% of the phenotypic standard deviation across the different estimated genetic group effects. Large differences were observed in the accuracies of genetic group effects, ranging from 0.02 for feed intake in Holstein, which had no data recorded, to >0.97 for carcass conformation, a trait with large amounts of data recorded in the different genetic groups. Large differences were also observed in the accuracies of the comparisons among genetic group effects. The accuracies of the estimated breeding values within genetic group and estimated breeding values across genetic group were sometimes different; for example, carcass conformation in Belgian Blue had an average accuracy within genetic group of 0.69 compared to an average accuracy across genetic group of 0.89. This suggests that the accuracy of genetic groups should be taken into account when publishing estimated breeding values across genetic groups

Proteomic profiling of bovine M. longissimus lumborum from Crossbred Aberdeen Angus and Belgian Blue sired steers varying in genetic merit for carcass weight

Bovine skeletal muscle is a tissue of significant value to the beef industry and global economy. Proteomic analyses offer the opportunity to detect molecular mechanisms regulating muscle growth and intramuscular fat accumulation. The current study aimed to investigate differences in protein abundance in skeletal muscle tissue of cattle from two breeds of contrasting maturity (early vs. late maturing), adiposity, and muscle growth potential, namely, Belgian Blue (BB) × Holstein Friesian and Aberdeen Angus (AA) × Holstein Friesian. Twenty AA (n = 10) and BB (n = 10) sired steers, the progeny of sires of either high or low genetic merit, expressed as expected progeny difference for carcass weight (EPDcwt), and bred through AI, were evaluated as 4 genetic groups, BB-High, BB-Low, AA-High, and AA-Low (n = 5 per treatment). Chemical composition analysis of M. longissimus lumborum showed greater protein and moisture and decreased lipid concentrations for BB-sired compared with AA-sired steers. To investigate the effects of both sire breed and EPDcwt on M. longissimus lumborum, proteomic analysis was performed using 2-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis followed by mass spectrometry. Proteins were identified from their peptide sequences, using the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and Swiss-prot databases. Metabolic enzymes involved in glycolysis (glycogen phosphorylase, phosphoglycerate mutase) and the citric acid cycle (aconitase 2, oxoglutarate dehydrogenase) were increased in AA- vs. BB-sired steers. Expression of proteins involved in cell structure, such as myosin light chain isoforms and troponins I and T, were also altered due to sire breed. Furthermore, heat shock protein β-1 and peroxiredoxin 6, involved in cell defense, had increased abundance in muscle of AA-sired relative to BB-sired steers. Protein abundance of glucose-6-phosphate isomerase, enolase-3, and pyruvate kinase was greater in AA-sired animals of High compared with Low EPDcwt. Changes in the expression of these proteins were supported by gene expression analysis using quantitative real-time PCR. This information will aid in our understanding of genetic infl uences controlling muscle growth and fat accumulation and could contribute to future breeding programs to increase lean tissue gain of beef cattle

Living together apart: Perceived concealment as signal of exclusion in marital relationships

This article examines how perceiving concealment in close relationships influences marital well-being. It suggests that the perception of concealment from a partner signals separateness from one's partner and contributes to feelings of perceived partner exclusion. These feelings of exclusion, in turn, should negatively affect relational quality. These predictions are tested in a prospective study among 199 newlywed couples. Results suggest that perceiving concealment reduced marital adjustment and trust and increased conflict over time. Importantly, change in perceived partner exclusion mediated these effects. This article demonstrates that the perception of concealment (a) has deleterious effects on relational well-being in the long run and (b) is harmful in part because it elicits feelings of exclusion. © 2009 by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Inc

Adult attachment style across individuals and role-relationships: Avoidance is relationship-specific, but anxiety shows greater generalizability

A generalisability study examined the hypotheses that avoidant attachment, reflecting the representation of others, should be more relationship-specific (vary across relationships more than across individuals), while attachment anxiety, reflecting self-representation, should be more generalisable across a person’s relationships. College students responded to 6-item questionnaire measures of these variables for 5 relationships (mother, father, best same-gender friend, romantic partner or best opposite-gender friend, other close person), on 3 (N = 120) or 2 (N = 77) occasions separated by a few weeks. Results supported the hypotheses, with the person variance component being larger than the relationship-specific component for anxiety, and the opposite happening for avoidance. Anxiety therefore seems not to be as relationship-specific as previous research suggested. Possible reasons for discrepancies between the current and previous studies are discussed

Plane of nutrition before and after 6 months of age in Holstein-Friesian bulls: I. Effects on performance, body composition, age at puberty, and postpubertal semen production

peer-reviewedABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to examine the effect of plane of nutrition (1) during the first 6 mo of life and (2) from 6 mo of age to puberty on early growth characteristics, age at puberty, and postpubertal semen production in Holstein-Friesian bulls. Holstein-Friesian bull calves (n = 83) with a mean (standard deviation) age and body weight of 17 (4.4) d and 52 (6.2) kg, respectively, were assigned to a high (Hi) or low (Lo) plane of nutrition for the first 6 mo of life. The Hi and Lo calves received 1,200 and 450 g of milk replacer, respectively; Hi calves were fed concentrate ad libitum and Lo were fed a maximum of 1 kg concentrate daily, and concentrate allowances remained the same after weaning. At 24 wk of age, bulls were reassigned within treatment to either remain on the same diet or to switch to the opposite diet until puberty, resulting in 4 treatment groups: Hi-Hi, Hi-Lo, Lo-Lo, and Lo-Hi. After puberty, all bulls were fed a moderate plane of nutrition until 60 wk of age; thereafter, the diet was ad libitum concentrates until slaughter at 72 wk of age. Bulls were weighed weekly before weaning and every 2 wk after weaning. Scrotal circumference (SC) was measured every 2 wk, beginning at 15 wk of age. Beginning at a SC of 24 cm, electro-ejaculation was carried out every 2 wk to establish the onset of puberty. Semen collection continued monthly after puberty. Thermal images of the scrotum were taken monthly from 28 to 36 wk of age. Scrotal skin thickness (SST) was measured monthly (from 16 wk of age to puberty) using a digital calipers. Bulls on the Hi diet had a higher scrotal temperature and SST at each time point than those on the Lo diet. Average daily gain (ADG) was greatest in Hi-Hi bulls, with Hi-Lo and Lo-Hi having similar ADG but both being greater than Lo-Lo. Bulls on the Hi diet pre-6 mo of age were younger at puberty, regardless of diet offered post-6 mo of age. Bulls offered a Hi diet post-6 mo were heavier at puberty. Neither scrotal temperature nor dietary treatment affected postpubertal semen production variables. In conclusion, a high plane of nutrition during the first 6 mo of age hastened the onset of puberty and the availability of saleable semen, regardless of plane of nutrition post-6 mo of age