Automatic word naming recognition for an on-line aphasia treatment system

One of the most common effects among aphasia patients is the difficulty to recall names or words. Typically, word retrieval problems can be treated through word naming therapeutic exercises. In fact, the frequency and the intensity of speech therapy are key factors in the recovery of lost communication functionalities. In this sense, speech and language technology can have a relevant contribution in the development of automatic therapy methods. In this work, we present an on-line system designed to behave as a virtual therapist incorporating automatic speech recognition technology that permits aphasia patients to perform word naming training exercises. We focus on the study of the automatic word naming detector module and on its utility for both global evaluation and treatment. For that purpose, a database consisting of word naming therapy sessions of aphasic Portuguese native speakers has been collected. In spite of the different patient characteristics and speech quality conditions of the collected data, encouraging results have been obtained thanks to a calibration method that makes use of the patients’ word naming ability to automatically adapt to the patients’ speech particularities.     

Anthocyanin profile of red fruits and black carrot juices,purees and concentrates by HPLC‐DAD‐ESI/MS‐QTOF

A fast and reliable method for anthocyanin extraction and identification by HPLC‐DAD‐ESI/MS‐QTOF was used to analyse the anthocyanin composition of commercial red fruit juices (blackberry, redcurrant and pomegranate), purees (strawberry, cherry and raspberry) and concentrates (elderberry, blueberry and red grape). The anthocyanin profile of black carrot juice is also reported. The extraction and analysis method allowed us to detect and quantify a wide range of individual anthocyanins in a simple and rapid way. Pelargonidin‐3‐glucoside was detected in redcurrant for the first time and petunidin‐3‐galactoside quantified for the first time in blueberries. Considering the health benefits that have been associated with anthocyanin consumption, all these fruit and vegetables processed products could appear as a good source of this group of phytochemical compounds for their direct consumption or their use as ingredients for the design of new food product or food supplements.     

Optimization of MRI Acquisition and Texture Analysis to Predict Physico-chemical Parameters of Loins by Data Mining

The main objective of this study was to configure the acquisition and analysis of low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to predict physico-chemical characteristics of Iberian loin, evaluating the use of different MRI sequences (spin echo, SE; gradient echo, GE; turbo 3D, T3D), computational texture feature methods (GLCM, NGLDM, GLRLM, GLCM + NGLDM + GLRLM), and data mining techniques (multiple linear regression, MLR; isotonic regression, IR). Moderate to very good correlation coefficients and low mean absolute error were found when applying MLR or IR on any method of computational texture features from MRI acquired with SE or GE. For T3D sequence, accurate results are only obtained by applying IR on GLCM or GLCM + NGLDM + GLRLM methods. Considering not only the accuracy of the methodology but also consumed time and required resources, the use of SE sequences for MRI acquisition, GLCM method for MRI texture analysis, and MLR could be indicated for prediction physico-chemical characteristics of loin.     

Electrochemical study on new polymer composite for zinc corrosion protection

Galvanostatic electrodeposition mode was employed for the synthesis of new polyaniline and polypyrrole-based composite coatings (PANI/PPY) onto pure zinc electrode. Potentiodynamic polarization, open circuit potential measurements and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) were employed to assess the ability of these composite coatings to provide an effective barrier to corrosion in chloride environment. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) observations were employed to characterize the structure and morphology of the modified electrodes. The coatings deposited galvanostatically at lower current density showed the best quality in terms of protection ability towards aggressive medium. It was found that the new PANI/PPY composite coatings had significantly better properties than single polymer coatings regarding the corrosion protection.     

Modeling offenses among motorcyclists involved in crashes in Spain

In relative terms, Spanish motorcyclists are more likely to be involved in crashes than other drivers and this tendency is constantly increasing. The objective of this study is to identify the factors that are related to being an offender in motorcycle accidents. A binary logit model is used to differentiate between offender and non-offender motorcyclists. A motorcyclist was considered to be offender when s/he had committed at least one traffic offense at the moment previous to the crash. The analysis is based on the official accident database of the Spanish general directorate of traffic (DGT) for the 2003–2008 time period. A number of explanatory variables including motorcyclist characteristics and environmental factors have been evaluated. The results suggest that inexperienced, older females, not using helmets, absent-minded and non-fatigued riders are more likely to be offenders. Moreover, riding during the night, on weekends, for leisure purposes and along roads in perfect condition, mainly on curves, predict offenses among motorcyclists. The findings of this study are expected to be useful in developing traffic policy decisions in order to improve motorcyclist safety.     

Nucleation and Crystallization of New Glasses from Fly Ash Originating from Thermal Power Plants

The nucleation and crystallization kinetics of new glasses obtained by melting mixtures of a Spanish carbon fly ash with glass cullet and dolomite slag at 1500°C has been evaluated by a calculation method. These glasses, whose microstructure was examined by TEM carbon replica, were susceptible to controlled crystallization in the 800°–1100°C range. The resulting glass-ceramics developed acicular and branched wollastonite crystals or a network of dendritic pyroxene mixed with anorthite feldspar (SEM and EDX analysis). The time–temperature–transformation curves (processing of the XRD data) showed the crystallization kinetics and the critical cooling rate to be in the 12°–42°C/min range.     

New urban forms: the crescents of Bath and Le Corbusier's plan for Rio de Janeiro

This article considers whether formal references in Le Corbusier's work may be traced to the eigtheenth century crescents of Bath and, in particular, Lansdowne Crescent. By exploring this line, it raises the possibility that in the work he produced for the Latin American context, this arch-modernist planner moved beyond the de-contextualized approach for which he is known and explored the possibility of integrating new urban forms with nature. The article also shows how Le Corbusier's plans for Rio de Janeiro allowed him to become an important formal reference point for successive generations of local architects and planners.