Improving Deep Attractor Network by BGRU and GMM for Speech Separation

Deep Attractor Network (DANet) is the state-of-the-art technique in speech separation field, which uses Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (BLSTM), but the complexity of the DANet model is very high. In this paper, a simplified and powerful DANet model is proposed using Bidirectional Gated neural network (BGRU) instead of BLSTM. The Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) other than the k-means was applied in DANet as a clustering algorithm to reduce the complexity and increase the learning speed and accuracy. The metrics used in this paper are Signal to Distortion Ratio (SDR), Signal to Interference Ratio (SIR), Signal to Artifact Ratio (SAR), and Perceptual Evaluation Speech Quality (PESQ) score. Two speaker mixture datasets from TIMIT corpus were prepared to evaluate the proposed model, and the system achieved 12.3 dB and 2.94 for SDR and PESQ scores respectively, which were better than the original DANet model. Other improvements were 20.7% and 17.9% in the number of parameters and time training respectively. The model was applied on mixed Arabic speech signals and the results were better than that in English.     

Empirically Verified Thermodynamic Model of Gate Capacitance and Threshold Voltage of Nanoelectronic MOS Devices With Applications to HfO2 and ZrO2 Gate Insulators

A thermodynamic variational model derived by minimizing the Helmholtz free energy of the MOS device is presented. The model incorporates an anisotropic permittivity tensor and accommodates a correction for quantum-mechanical charge confinement at the dielectric/substrate interface. The energy associated with the fringe field that is adjacent to the oxide is of critical importance in the behavior of small devices. This feature is explicitly included in our model. The model is verified using empirical and technology-computer-aided-design-generated capacitance-voltage data obtained on MOS devices with ZrO₂, HfO₂, and SiO₂ gate insulators. The model includes considerations for an interfacial low-k interface layer between the silicon substrate and the high-k dielectric. This consideration enables the estimation of the equivalent oxide thickness. The significance of sidewall capacitance effects is apparent in our modeling of the threshold voltage (V_th) for MOS capacitors with effective channel length at 30 nm and below. In these devices, a variation in high-k permittivity produces large differences in V_th. This effect is also observed in the variance of V_th, due to dopant fluctuation under the gate.     

Overdose among youth in Bahrain: psycho-social characteristics, contact with helping agencies and problems

The in vitro minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of roxithromycin and erythromycin against Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans were evaluated. Sixty-seven different A. actinomycetemcomitans isolated from periodontal pockets of 101 subjects with different forms of early-onset and adult periodontitis and three reference strains of A. actinomycetemcomitans (ATCC 29522, ATCC 29523, and NCTC 9710) were included in this study. Erythromycin showed poor in vitro activity against A. actinomycetemcomitans; roxithromycin, on the contrary, exhibited good in vitro activity. Moreover, roxithromycin showed the best in vitro antimicrobial activity against 17 serotype a and 12 serotype c subpopulations of A. actinomycetemcomitans; against 38 serotype b subpopulation of A. actinomycetemcomitans, roxithromycin was consistently active. Roxithromycin exhibited MBC values usually equal to, or one-fold higher than MIC values. All the MBC values of erythromycin were three- to four-fold higher than the respective MIC result. Since roxithromycin is characterized by high concentrations in serum and good penetration and diffusion into gingival tissue, it could be expected to pass into the gingival crevicular fluid at levels sufficiently high to inhibit A. actinomycetemcomitans in vivo. These data indicate that roxithromycin might be a potential candidate for therapeutic trials in patients with A. actinomycetemcomitans-associated periodontitis.     

National surveillance of poultry diseases in Lebanon

From 1992 to mid-1996, a national survey of poultry diseases in Lebanon was conducted. This surveillance included meat breeder, layer breeder, commercial layer and chicken broiler flocks. The history, signs, lesions and laboratory tests of poultry were used in the diagnosis of prevalent poultry diseases. Culture techniques were used to screen for bacterial diseases; serological techniques and, to a lesser extent, culture techniques were used to diagnose viral diseases; and both serological and culture techniques were used to diagnose Mycoplasma infections. The outbreaks of diseases detected in broiler breeder flocks and the number of such flocks experiencing these diseases were as follows: femoral head necrosis (6), egg-drop syndrome (3), reovirus-associated malabsorption syndrome (3), synovitis (Mycoplasma synoviae infection) (7), swollen head syndrome (SHS) (3), tenosynovitis (viral arthritis) (1), lymphoid leukosis (3), avian encephalomyelitis (1), fowl pox (1) and aortic rupture (1). The disease outbreaks detected in layer breeders were as follows: SHS (2), bumble foot (2), egg-drop syndrome (3) and avian infectious bronchitis (IB) (1). The disease outbreaks detected in commercial layer flocks were as follows: egg-drop syndrome (5), avian infectious laryngotracheitis (2), avian IB (nephrogenic strain) (1), malabsorption (1), avian tuberculosis (Mycobacterium avium) (1), Marek's disease (1), fowl pox (1), Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Enteritidis infection (1), salpingitis (1) and Heterakis gallinae infestation (1). The disease outbreaks detected in broiler flocks were as follows: colibacillosis (40), infectious bursal disease (Gumboro disease) (15), malabsorption syndrome (8), avian infectious laryngotracheitis (8), paratyphoids (salmonellosis) (7), femoral head necrosis (8), SHS (6), avian mycoplasmosis (Mycoplasma gallisepticum infection) (6), synovitis (7), avian IB (6), botulism (1), avian encephalomyelitis (1) and gangrenous dermatitis (1). Diseases which occurred and which were reported for the first time in Lebanon were as follows: bumble foot, femoral head necrosis, avian IB (nephrogenic strain), malabsorption syndrome and SHS. This surveillance helped to establish baseline data concerning the predominant poultry diseases in Lebanon. Such information is a prerequisite for future regional and international collaboration to identify the source of the aetiological agents and to control their spread to neighbouring countries.     

Computer assisted spine surgery

When inserting screws into a vertebral pedicle, the surgeon usually exposes the back part of the vertebra and uses his or her anatomic knowledge to align the drill in the proper direction. A slight error in direction may result in an important error in the position of the tip of the screw. This is done with no direct visibility of crucial structures (spinal cord, pleura, vessels). Statistical analysis of a series of surgical procedures has shown that 10% to 40% of the screws are not installed correctly. To reduce the risk of complication, a computer assisted method is proposed that enables the surgeon to place a screw at a position preoperatively defined in 3 dimensions using computed tomography images. This allows the surgeon to align a standard surgical drill with the optimal position and direction. The depth of the pilot hole during drilling also is monitored by the system to prevent penetration of the anterior cortex of the vertebral body. Using this procedure, in vitro tests were performed and showed that an accuracy of less than 1 mm can be obtained. Clinical trials were done in 10 patients who suffered severe scoliosis or spondylolisthesis. The trajectory of the holes drilled in L2, L3, L4, and L5 vertebrae were checked for all clinical tests. Postoperative radiographs and computed tomography scans showed that the screws were well inserted in each plane for each pedicle. This technique also can be used to perform osteosynthesis at the thoracic and cervical levels.     

Visible luminescence in photo-electrochemically etched p-type porous silicon: Effect of illumination wavelength

The effect of low power density of ~ 5 μW/cm² monochromatic light of different wavelengths on the visible photoluminescence (PL) properties of photo-electrochemically formed p-type porous silicon (PS) has been investigated. Two-peak PL “red” and “green” is resolved in PS samples etched under blue-green wavelength illumination; 480, 533 and 580 nm. It is found that the weight of “green” PL has maxima for the sample illuminated with 533 nm wavelength. Whereas, PL spectra of PS prepared under the influence of red illumination or in dark does not exhibit “green” PL band, but shows considerable enhancement in the “red” PL peak intensity. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic analysis reveals the relationship between the structures of chemical bonding in PS and the observed PL behavior. In particular, the PL efficiency is highly affected by the alteration of the relative content of hydride, oxide and hydroxyl species. Moreover, relative content of hydroxyl group with respect to oxide bonding is seen to have strong relationship to the blue PL. Although, the estimated energy gap value of PS samples shows a considerable enlargement with respect to that of bulk c-Si, the FTIR, low temperature PL and Raman measurements and analysis have inconsistency with quantum confinement of PS.     

ZnMgSSe/ZnSSe/ZnSe-heterostructures grown by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy

ZnMgSSe heterostructures have been grown in a low-pressure metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy system with the precursors dimethylzinc triethylamine, ditertiarybutylselenide, tertiarybutylthiol, and biscyclopentadienylmagnesium at 330°C and a total pressure of 400 hPa. The optimization of the single layers was carried out by means of low temperature photoluminescence. Only the near band edge emission was observable with negligible deep levels. The heterostructures consisting of a triple ZnSe quantum well showed intense luminescence which hints at an effective carrier confinement. Scanning transmission electron microscopy investigations of the heterostructures still showed structural detects since the layers were not lattice matched to the GaAs substrate yet.     

Modulating the Ferromagnet/Molecule Spin Hybridization Using an Artificial Magnetoelectric

Spin‐polarized charge transfer at the interface between a ferromagnetic (FM) metal and a molecule can lead to ferromagnetic coupling and to a high spin polarization at room temperature. The magnetic properties of these interfaces can not only alter those of the ferromagnet but can also stabilize molecular spin chains with interesting opportunities toward quantum computing. With the aim to enhance an organic spintronic device's functionality, external control over this spin polarization may thus be achieved by altering the ferromagnet/molecule interface's magnetic properties. To do so, the magnetoelectric properties of an underlying ferroelectric/ferromagnetic interface are utilized. Switching the ferroelectric polarization state of a PbZr_0.2Ti_0.8O₃ (PZT) bottom layer within a PZT/Co/FePc‐based (Pc ‐ phthalocyanine) device alters the X‐ray magnetic circular dichroism of the Fe site within the phthalocyanine molecular top layer. Thus, how to electrically alter the magnetic properties of an interface with high spin polarization at room temperature is demonstrated. This expands electrical control over spin‐polarized FM/molecule interfaces, which is first demonstrated using ferroelectric molecules, to all molecular classes.     

Transient dynamic phenotypes as criteria for model discrimination: fold-change detection in Rhodobacter sphaeroides chemotaxis

The chemotaxis pathway of the bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides shares many similarities with that of Escherichia coli. It exhibits robust adaptation and has several homologues of the latter''s chemotaxis proteins. Recent theoretical results have correctly predicted that the E. coli output behaviour is unchanged under scaling of its ligand input signal; this property is known as fold-change detection (FCD). In the light of recent experimental results suggesting that R. sphaeroides may also show FCD, we present theoretical assumptions on the R. sphaeroides chemosensory dynamics that can be shown to yield FCD behaviour. Furthermore, it is shown that these assumptions make FCD a property of this system that is robust to structural and parametric variations in the chemotaxis pathway, in agreement with experimental results. We construct and examine models of the full chemotaxis pathway that satisfy these assumptions and reproduce experimental time-series data from earlier studies. We then propose experiments in which models satisfying our theoretical assumptions predict robust FCD behaviour where earlier models do not. In this way, we illustrate how transient dynamic phenotypes such as FCD can be used for the purposes of discriminating between models that reproduce the same experimental time-series data.     

Enhancing the sustainability and energy conservation in heritage buildings: The case of Nottingham Playhouse

Today, there is a growing interest in developing energy efficient buildings since it is estimated that buildings account for about 40% of the total primary energy consumption in the world. In relation to existing buildings, energy efficiency retrofits have become an important opportunity to upgrade the energy performance of commercial, public and residential buildings that may reduce the energy consumption, demand and cost. In this paper we cover the energy efficiency deep retrofit process that has been carried out for Nottingham Playhouse theatre building for the aim of enhancing its environmental performance and analysing the energy efficiency gained after implementing certain proposed modifications. It is a nationally protected historic building, listed as Grade II1 on The National Heritage List for England (NHLE). The building has had insulation enhancement, doors modifications, solar energy installations, energy-saving lights, in addition to improved heating and air conditioning system. The paper presents a novel methodology; and its results indicate significant improvements in the building's energy performance which is demonstrated using infrared thermographic images and data logger sensors where significant energy savings to the building's thermal performance are obtained. The energy saving measures have been completed while maintaining the heritage building's general appearance and architectural features, which have received a Commendation Certificate from The Nottingham Civic Society for this achievement.