Landmark-based music recognition system optimisation using genetic algorithms

Audio fingerprinting allows us to label an unidentified music fragment within a previously generated database. The use of spectral landmarks aims to obtain a robustness that lets a certain level of noise be present in the audio query. This group of audio identification algorithms holds several configuration parameters whose values are usually chosen based upon the researcher’s knowledge, previous published experimentation or just trial and error methods. In this paper we describe the whole optimisation process of a Landmark-based Music Recognition System using genetic algorithms. We define the actual structure of the algorithm as a chromosome by transforming its high relevant parameters into various genes and building up an appropriate fitness evaluation method. The optimised output parameters are used to set up a complete system that is compared with a non-optimised one by designing an unbiased evaluation model.     

An experiment for improving students performance in secondary and tertiary education by means of m-learning auto-assessment

Mobile learning is considered an evolution of e-learning that embraces the ubiquitous nature of current computational systems in order to improve teaching and learning. Within this context it is possible to develop mobile applications oriented to learning, but it is also important to assess to what extent such applications actually work. In this paper we present a new tool designed to reinforce students’ knowledge by means of self-assessment. Improvement in student achievement was evaluated and an attitudinal survey was also carried out to measure student attitudes towards this new tool. Three different experimental groups were selected for this research, with students aged from 14 to 21 years old, including high-school and university students. Results show that this kind of tool improves student achievement, especially amongst younger learners, with a relatively low impact on current teaching activities and methodology.     

Context-sensitive dependency pairs

Termination is one of the most interesting problems when dealing with context-sensitive rewrite systems. Although a good number of techniques for proving termination of context-sensitive rewriting (CSR) have been proposed so far, the adaptation to CSR of the dependency pair approach, one of the most powerful techniques for proving termination of rewriting, took some time and was possible only after introducing some new notions like collapsing dependency pairs, which are specific for CSR. In this paper, we develop the notion of context-sensitive dependency pair (CSDP) and show how to use CSDPs in proofs of termination of CSR. The implementation and practical use of the developed techniques yield a novel and powerful framework which improves the current state-of-the-art of methods for automatically proving termination of CSR.     

A study on the use of statistical tests for experimentation with neural networks: Analysis of parametric test conditions and non-parametric tests

In this paper, we focus on the experimental analysis on the performance in artificial neural networks with the use of statistical tests on the classification task. Particularly, we have studied whether the sample of results from multiple trials obtained by conventional artificial neural networks and support vector machines checks the necessary conditions for being analyzed through parametrical tests. The study is conducted by considering three possibilities on classification experiments: random variation in the selection of test data, the selection of training data and internal randomness in the learning algorithm.The results obtained state that the fulfillment of these conditions are problem-dependent and indefinite, which justifies the need of using non-parametric statistics in the experimental analysis.     

Supporting Unified Distributed Management and Autonomic Decisions: Design,Implementation and Deployment

Nowadays, the prevailing use of networks based on traditional centralized management systems reflects on a fast increase of the management costs. The growth in the number of network equipments and services reinforces the need to distribute the management responsibilities throughout the network devices. In this approach, each device executes common network management functionalities, being part of the overall network management platform. In this paper, we present a Unified Distributed Network Management (UDNM) framework that provides a unified (wired and wireless) management network solution, where further different network services can take part of this infrastructure, e.g., flow monitoring, accurate routing decisions, distributed policies dissemination, etc. This framework is divided in two main components: (A) Situation awareness, which sets up initial information through bootstrapping, discovery, fault-management process and exchange of management information; (B) Autonomic Decision System (ADS) that performs distributed decisions in the network with incomplete information. We deploy the UDNM framework in a testbed which involves two cities (\(\approx\)250 km between), different standards (IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.11 and IEEE 802.16e) and network technologies, such as, wired virtual grid, wireless ad-hoc gateways, ad-hoc mobile access devices. The UDNM framework integrates management functionalities into the managed devices, proving to be a lightweight and easy-respond framework. The performance analysis shows that the UDNM framework is feasible to unify devices management functionalities and to take accurate decisions on top of a real network.     

Quantum statistical foundation to the fermi liquid model and Ginzburg-Landau wave function

An energy eigenvalue equation for a quasi-particle is derived, starting with the Heisenberg equation of motion for an annihilation operator. An elementary derivation of the Fermi liquid model having a sharply defined Fermi surface in thek-space is given, starting with a realistic model of a metal including the Coulomb interaction amongand between electrons and lattice-ions. The Ginzburg-Landau wave function (r), where represents the superconducting pairon (Cooper-pair) state, is shown to be connected with the one-pairon density operatorn by (r) = r¦_n ^1/2¦. A close analogy between supercurrent and laser is indicated.On sabbatical leave from Department of Physics and Astronomy, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York.     

Industrial Plant for Olive Mill Wastewater from Two-Phase Treatment by Chemical Oxidation

Olive-oil production generates high and variable amounts of wastewaters from the olives and olive-oil washing (OMW), resulting to great environmental impact. These waters are normally stored in large holding ponds for evaporation during the summer. The present study examines the chemical-oxidation process using ferric chloride catalyst for the activation of H2O2 (Fenton reaction). Tests have been made on an industrial scale. The final average value of chemical oxygen demand (COD) was close to 371?mg?O2?L?1 (%CODremoval = 86%, CODinitial = 2684?mg?O2?L?1), and the water produced can be used for irrigation or can be discharged directly into the municipal wastewater system for tertiary treatment.     

Spanish Melon Landraces: Revealing Useful Diversity by Genomic,Morphological, and Metabolomic Analysis

Spain is a secondary centre of the diversification of the melon (Cucumis melo L.), with high diversity represented in highly appreciated landraces belonging to the Flexuosus and Ibericus groups. A collection of 47 accessions of Flexuosus, Chate, Piel de Sapo, Tendral, Amarillo, Blanco, and Rochet was analysed using a genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) approach. A total of 66,971 quality SNPs were identified. Genetic analysis differentiated Ibericus accessions and exotic materials (Ameri, Momordica, Kachri, and Agrestis), while Flexuous accessions shared ancestry between them. Within the Ibericus group, no clear genomic distinction could be identified for the different landraces evaluated, with accessions of different landraces showing high genetic similarity. The morphological characterization confirmed that the external colour and fruit shape had been used as recognition patterns for Spanish melon landraces, but variability within a landrace exists. Differences were found in the sugars and acid and volatile profiles of the materials. Flexuosus and Chate melons at the immature commercial stage accumulated malic acid and low levels of hexoses, while Ibericus melons accumulated high contents of sucrose and citric acid. Specific trends could be identified in the Ibericus landraces. Tendral accumulated low levels of sugars and citric acid and high of malic acid, maintaining higher firmness, Rochet reached higher levels of sugars, and Amarillo tended to lower malic acid contents. Interestingly, high variability was found within landraces for the acidic profile, offering possibilities to alter taste tinges. The main volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in Flexuosus and Chate were aldehydes and alcohols, with clear differences between both groups. In the Ibericus landraces, general trends for VOC accumulation could be identified, but, again, a high level of variation exists. This situation highlights the necessity to develop depuration programs to promote on-farm in situ conservation and, at the same time, offers opportunities to establish new breeding program targets and to take advantage of these sources of variation.     

Systematic Review: Drug Repositioning for Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation (CDG)

Advances in research have boosted therapy development for congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG), a group of rare genetic disorders affecting protein and lipid glycosylation and glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor biosynthesis. The (re)use of known drugs for novel medical purposes, known as drug repositioning, is growing for both common and rare disorders. The latest innovation concerns the rational search for repositioned molecules which also benefits from artificial intelligence (AI). Compared to traditional methods, drug repositioning accelerates the overall drug discovery process while saving costs. This is particularly valuable for rare diseases. AI tools have proven their worth in diagnosis, in disease classification and characterization, and ultimately in therapy discovery in rare diseases. The availability of biomarkers and reliable disease models is critical for research and development of new drugs, especially for rare and heterogeneous diseases such as CDG. This work reviews the literature related to repositioned drugs for CDG, discovered by serendipity or through a systemic approach. Recent advances in biomarkers and disease models are also outlined as well as stakeholders’ views on AI for therapy discovery in CDG.     

Less cyber,more café: Enhancing existing small businesses across the digital divide with ICTs

About 10% of the world has access to information and communication technologies (ICTs). Telecenters and cyber cafés are one prevalent way to increase access. This paper suggests increasing access through currently existing, local businesses where people already gather and where proprietors already posses existing business relationships with suppliers and customers. This paper questions the prevailing emphasis on the “cyber'' characteristics of access, e.g., computing and internet access as is currently known, and attempts to refocus the conversation by considering computing and access in the context of the “café,” e.g., as public life in the sense of Habermas, which permits an in situ evolution of relevant access. This analysis is based on extant literature and direct ethnographic research in several public places in six countries. We offer example design perspectives based on a reflection of “third places” as inspiration for appropriate innovation in the provision of computing and communications. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.