Harnessing graphics processors for the fast computation of acoustic likelihoods in speech recognition

In large vocabulary continuous speech recognition (LVCSR) the acoustic model computations often account for the largest processing overhead. Our weighted finite state transducer (WFST) based decoding engine can utilize a commodity graphics processing unit (GPU) to perform the acoustic computations to move this burden off the main processor. In this paper we describe our new GPU scheme that can achieve a very substantial improvement in recognition speed whilst incurring no reduction in recognition accuracy. We evaluate the GPU technique on a large vocabulary spontaneous speech recognition task using a set of acoustic models with varying complexity and the results consistently show by using the GPU it is possible to reduce the recognition time with largest improvements occurring in systems with large numbers of Gaussians. For the systems which achieve the best accuracy we obtained between 2.5 and 3 times speed-ups. The faster decoding times translate to reductions in space, power and hardware costs by only requiring standard hardware that is already widely installed.     

Production of prostaglandins E1 and E2 by adult human red blood cells

We showed that human adult red blood cells (RBCs) produce prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and E2 (PGE2). RBCs that were mechanically stressed in the presence of extracellular Ca2+ by being injected rapidly through a fine needle produced PGE1 and PGE2 within 30 min after this mechanical stress. The amounts of PGE1 and PGE2 produced by 1 x 10(9) mechanically stressed RBCs were approximately 50 pg and 100 pg, respectively, which were determined in the cytosolic fraction from sonicated RBCs using a competitive enzyme immunoassay method. A Western blot analysis using anti-cyclooxygenase-2 antibody revealed a band at the 70-kDa position in the samples from RBCs producing PGE1 and PGE2. Treatment with 10 micrograms/mL indomethacin completely inhibited the productions of PGE1 and PGE2. The present results may indicate a new role of RBCs in microcirculation.     

Retrieved total hip prostheses. Part I: The effects of cup thickness, head sizes and fusion defects on wear

The effects of polyethylene cup thickness, femoral head sizes (22, 28 and 32 mm) and fusion defects on wear were investigated on retrieved total hip prostheses. When the cup thickness was less than 9 mm, the larger the femoral head, the higher the linear wear rate; however, when the cup thickness was more than 9 mm, the larger the femoral head, the linear wear rate was lower. When the cup thickness was less than 11 mm, the volumetric wear rate increased with increasing size of the femoral head, and when it was more than 11 mm, the volumetric wear rate of the three kinds of the prosthetic cups approached the same values. The wear rate of the cross-linked cups irradiated by 100 Mrad were very low, with no correlation to cup thickness. When the cup thickness was less than 9 mm, the volumetric wear rate tended to increase with increasing number of fusion defects. Large diameter fusion defects diminished the tensile strength.     

Solid state NMR analysis of poly(L‐lactide) random copolymer with poly(ε‐caprolactone) and its reactive extrusion process

A random copolymer based on poly(L ‐lactide) (PLA) with poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) was prepared and characterized by mechanical testing and solid state NMR, compared with a polymer blend. For a monofilament sample consisting of PLA/PCL random copolymer, there were negative correlations between the CL content and the mechanical properties: tensile strength, tensile elastic modulus, flexural rigidity, and flexural hysteresis decreased with increasing CL content. In contrast, the mechanical properties of the polymer blend were only slightly changed by addition of the CL unit. For the random copolymer, the addition of a small amount of CL reduced relaxation times, T₁C and T_1ρH, gradually. The T₁C and T_1ρH values correlated closely with the tensile elastic modulus and the tensile strength, respectively. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Development and field test results of the AC 275 kV compact filter

The AC filters of an HVDC converter station usually require a large installation space and are sensitive to seismic activity due to using an air-insulation platform. As a solution to these problems, we have developed compact filters in which all energized parts are enclosed. As a result, the installation space is one-third of the platform type and seismic performance considerably improves. After the field tests were conducted. These filters were put in service in May, 1992     

The effects of polyethylene cup thickness on wear of total hip prostheses

The wear rate of the ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene cups in combination with a 28 mm alumina femoral head was measured on the radiographs of patients without any complications, and on cups retrieved due to slight loosening of the prosthesis or due to late infection between bone and components. The wear rate on the radiographs did not include the initial wear, but the wear rate on the retrieved cups did include the initial wear. The wear rate on the retrieved cups was higher, by 50%, than that measured on the radiographs. In both cases, the thicker the polyethylene cups, the lower was the wear rate measured. The average wear rate of the 7 and 8 mm thick cups was about twice that of cups 10 and 11 mm thick. From these results, we conclude that polyethylene cups more than 11 mm thick should be used.     

Precision and accuracy in ceramic-on-ceramic wear analyses: influence of simulator test duration

In this, the first report of precision and accuracy in simulator studies, ceramic-ceramic implants with ultra-low wear trends represented a relevant wear model. The effect of test durations was examined in a standard simulator test mode on the quality of the linear regression trends, the average wear estimates, and the amount of noise in the data. Three sets of diametral tolerances were compared in 28 mm diameter alumina implants. The authors' hypothesis was that wear data would be significantly improved with increased test durations. The average wear rates varied little with test duration, the biggest change amounting to only 30 and 15 per cent decreases in the wear estimate by 10 and 14 million cycles respectively. The most satisfactory improvement in the study was the decrease in variance (noise) with increasing duration, +/- 200 per cent at 5 million cycles reduced to +/- 55 per cent at 14 million cycles. The quality of the linear regression coefficients improved 150 per cent by 10 million cycles and 250 per cent by 14 million cycles. Overall the ceramic implants with highest diametral tolerances showed the least wear (15 per cent less, but not statistically significant). However, given such low wear rates for alumina liners, it was unlikely that any differences owing to diametral tolerances would be clinically significant in the typical patient.     

Particulate bioglass compared with hydroxyapatite as a bone graft substitute

Bioactive ceramics, notably hydroxyapatite, have been used clinically in various situations in which bone augmentation and restoration are required. Particulate material has been used either alone or in conjunction with freeze dried or autologous bone, with variable clinical success. In this study a bioactive glass, 45S5 Bioglass, has been compared with hydroxyapatite in an animal model to discover whether the 2 major disadvantages of hydroxyapatite may be overcome. These are the difficulty of placing and retaining the particulate in the defect and the length of time needed before full bony restoration is achieved. Bioglass is shown to be easy to manipulate and hemostatic and allows full restoration of bone in 2 weeks, rather than the 12 weeks needed for the particulate hydroxyapatite to produce a comparable response. The Bioglass particulate is used up in the process, and any problems that may be associated with the production of a composite of bone and biomaterial are avoided in the fully restored bone. In any procedure that requires bony augmentation, this rapid response to Bioglass is expected to provide a clinical advantage.