Multi-Pattern Viterbi Algorithm for joint decoding of multiple speech patterns

Joint decoding of multiple speech patterns so as to improve speech recognition performance is important, especially in the presence of noise. In this paper, we propose a Multi-Pattern Viterbi algorithm (MPVA) to jointly decode and recognize multiple speech patterns for automatic speech recognition (ASR). The MPVA is a generalization of the Viterbi Algorithm to jointly decode multiple patterns given a Hidden Markov Model (HMM). Unlike the previously proposed two stage Constrained Multi-Pattern Viterbi Algorithm (CMPVA),the MPVA is a single stage algorithm. MPVA has the advantage that it cart be extended to connected word recognition (CWR) and continuous speech recognition (CSR) problems. MPVA is shown to provide better speech recognition performance than the earlier techniques: using only two repetitions of noisy speech patterns (-5 dB SNR, 10% burst noise), the word error rate using MPVA decreased by 28.5%, when compared to using individual decoding. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Direct Writing of Copper Film Patterns by Laser-Induced Decomposition of Copper Acetate

Direct writing of patterns is being widely attempted in the field of microelectronic circuit/device manufacture. Use of this technique eliminates the need for employing photolithographic process. Laser induced direct writing can be achieved by (i) Photochemical reaction [i] , (ii) Evaporation from target material [2], and (iii) decomposition.Micron size features of palladium and copper through decomposition of palladium acetate and copper formate respectively on quartz and silicon using Argon ion laser have been reported [3,4] .In this commuication we report a technique for both single line and large area depositon of copper through decomposition of copper acetate,(CH3COO)2Cu, on alumina substrates.Nd:YAG laser known for its reliability and low maintenance cost as compared to excimer and other gas lasers is used. This technique offers an attractive and economical alternative for manufacture of thin film microcircuits.

An algorithm to detect linearly separable clusters of binary patterns

The clusters of binary patterns can be considered as Boolean functions of the (binary) features. Such a relationship between the linearly separable (LS) Boolean functions and LS clusters of binary patterns is examined. An algorithm is presented to answer the questions of the type: “Is the cluster formed by the subsets of the (binary) data set having certain features AND/NOT having certain other features, LS from the remaining set?” The algorithm uses the sequences of Numbered Binary Form (NBF) notation and some elementary (NPN) transformations of the binary data.

An algorithm to detect linearly separable clusters of binary patterns

The clusters of binary patterns can be considered as Boolean functions of the (binary) features. Such a relationship between the linearly separable (LS) Boolean functions and LS clusters of binary patterns is examined. An algorithm is presented to answer the questions of the type: “Is the cluster formed by the subsets of the (binary) data set having certain features AND/NOT having certain other features, LS from the remaining set?” The algorithm uses the sequences of Numbered Binary Form (NBF) notation and some elementary (NPN) transformations of the binary data.

Temporal associations in fig-wasp-ant interactions: diel and phenological patterns

In a complex multitrophic plant-animal interaction system in which there are direct and indirect interactions between species, comprehending the dynamics of these multiple partners is very important for an understanding of how the system is structured. We investigated the plant Ficus racemosa L. (Moraceae) and its community of obligatory mutualistic and parasitic fig wasps (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) that develop within the fig inflorescence or syconium, as well as their interaction with opportunistic ants. We focused on temporal resource partitioning among members of the fig wasp community over the development cycle of the fig syconia during which wasp oviposition and development occur and we studied the activity rhythm of the ants associated with this community. We found that the seven members of the wasp community partitioned their oviposition across fig syconium development phenology and showed interspecific variation in activity across the day-night cycle. The wasps presented a distinct sequence in their arrival at fig syconia for oviposition, with the parasitoid wasps following the galling wasps. Although fig wasps are known to be largely diurnal, we documented night oviposition in several fig wasp species for the first time. Ant activity on the fig syconia was correlated with wasp activity and was dependent on whether the ants were predatory or trophobiont-tending species; only numbers of predatory ants increased during peak arrivals of the wasps.

Comparative Analyses of Age- and Sex-Specific Patterns of Vocal Behaviour in Four Species of Old World Monkeys

Sound recordings and behavioural data were collected from four primate species of two genera (Macaca, Presbytis). Comparative analyses of structural and behavioural aspects of vocal communication revealed a high degree of intrageneric similarity but striking intergeneric differences. In the two macaque species (Macaca silenus, Macaca radiata), males and females shared the major part of the repertoire. In contrast, in the two langurs (Presbytis johnii, Presbytis entellus), many calls were exclusive to adult males. Striking differences between both species groups occurred with respect to age-specific patterns of vocal behaviour. The diversity of vocal behaviour was assessed from the number of different calls used and the proportion of each call in relation to total vocal output for a given age/sex class. In Macaca, diversity decreases with the age of the vocalizer, whereas in Presbytis the age of the vocalizer and the diversity of vocal behaviour are positively correlated. A comparison of the data of the two genera does not suggest any causal relationship between group composition (e.g. multi-male vs. one-male group) and communication system. Within each genus, interspecific differences in vocal behaviour can be explained by differences in social behaviour (e.g. group cohesion, intergroup relation, mating behaviour) and functional disparities. Possible factors responsible for the pronounced intergeneric differences in vocal behaviour between Macaca and Presbytis are discussed.

Study of stress Relief Patterns In Diamond-Like Carbon-Films

An optical microscopy study of stress relief patterns in diamondlike carbon films is presented. Interesting stress relief patterns are observed which include the well known sinusoidal type, branching pattern and string of beads pattern. The last one is shown to relieve stresses under marginal conditions. Two new stress relief patterns are noted in the present study. One of them is of a sinusoidal shape with two extra branches at every peak position. The distribution of different stress relief forms from the outer edge of the films towards the interior is markedly dependent on film thickness. Our new patterns support the approach in which the stress relief forms have been analysed earlier using the theory of plate buckling.

Ecology of the Asian Elephant in Southern India. II. Feeding Habits and Crop Raiding Patterns

The Asian elephant's foraging strategy in its natural habitat and in cultivation was studied in southern India during 1981-83. Though elephants consumed at least 112 plant species in the study area, about 85% of their diet consisted of only 25 species from the order Malvales and the families Leguminosae, Palmae, Cyperaceae and Gramineae. Alteration between a predominantly browse diet during the dry season with a grass diet during the early wet season was related to the seasonally changing protein content of grasses. Crop raiding, which was sporadic during the dry season, gradually increased with more area being cultivated with the onset of rains. Raiding frequency reached a peak during October-December, with some villages being raided almost every night, when finger millet (Eleusine coracana) was cultivated by most farmers. The monthly frequency of raiding was related to the seasonal movement of elephant herds and to the size of the enclave. Of their total annual food requirement, adult bull elephants derived an estimated 9.3% and family herds 1.7% in quantity from cultivated land. Cultivated cereal and millet crops provided significantly more protein, calcium and sodium than the wild grasses. Ultimately, crop raiding can be thought of as an extension of the elephant's optimal foraging strategy.

Quenching across quantum critical points: Role of topological patterns

We introduce a one-dimensional version of the Kitaev model consisting of spins on a two-legged ladder and characterized by Z(2) invariants on the plaquettes of the ladder. We map the model to a fermionic system and identify the topological sectors associated with different Z2 patterns in terms of fermion occupation numbers. Within these different sectors, we investigate the effect of a linear quench across a quantum critical point. We study the dominant behavior of the system by employing a Landau-Zener-type analysis of the effective Hamiltonian in the low-energy subspace for which the effective quenching can sometimes be non-linear. We show that the quenching leads to a residual energy which scales as a power of the quenching rate, and that the power depends on the topological sectors and their symmetry properties in a non-trivial way. This behavior is consistent with the general theory of quantum quenching, but with the correlation length exponent nu being different in different sectors. Copyright (C) EPLA, 2010

Geographical Distribution Patterns of Amphibians in the Western Ghats, India

The Western Ghats of India are very rich in amphibian species with 117 species of frogs, toads and caecilians. Eighty-nine species are endemic to this biogeographical region. Analysis of ranges and patterns of geographical distribution of amphibians on the Western Ghats suggest that the southern half of the Western Ghats and the low-medium elevation hills are more diverse in species than the northern half and higher hills. This is attributed to the more widespread rainfall and the less variable climatic conditions in the south. About half the species are apparently localized. Of those species with wider ranges, a majority show patchy distribution. Species preferring the moist evergreen forests as habitats tend to have patchy distributions. This appears to be a result of habitat destruction and fragmentation. The overall patterns of species richness and local endemism are rather different from those of the angiosperms and birds. In birds and angiosperms, a significant proportion of endemics are found on the higher hills. On the contrary, endemic amphibian species are found in the lower altitudinal range of 0-1000 m, with a majority between 800 and 1000 m.

Use of running fractal dimension for the analysis of changing patterns in electroencephalograms

Running fractal dimensions were measured on four channels of an electroencephalogram (EEG) recorded from a normal volunteer. The changes in the background activity due to eye closure were clearly differentiated by the fractal method. The compressed spectral array (CSA) and the running fractal dimensions of the EEG showed corresponding changes with respect to change in the background activity. The fractal method was also successful in detecting low amplitude spikes and the changes in the patterns in the EEG. The effects of different window lengths and shifts on the running fractal dimension have also been studied. The utility of fractal method for EEG data compression is highlighted.

Buckling patterns in diamond-like carbon films

An optical microscopy study of stress relief patterns in diamond-like carbon films is presented. Interesting stress relief patterns are observed which include the well-known sinusoidal type, branching pattern and string-of-beads pattern. The last one is shown to relieve stresses under marginal conditions. Two new stress relief patterns are noted in the present study. One of them is of sinusoidal shape with two extra branches at every peak position. The distribution of different stress relief forms from the outer edge of the films towards the interior is markedly dependent on the film thickness. Our new patterns support the approach in which the stress relief forms have been analysed earlier using the theory of plate buckling.

Patterns of distribution of macrolichens in western parts of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve

A total of 76 species of macrolichens were recorded from 16 transects of 50 m x 10 m between altitudes of 2100 m and 4500 m in western parts of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve of Garhwal Himalayas. Forty-one of these are lignicolous species occurring on woody, 14 are terricolous growing on soil and 10 are saxicolous inhabiting rocks only, The other 11 species occur on more than one major types of substrate, Lichen species diversity is at its highest in middle altitudes between 2700 m and 3700 m where all three major substrates are simultaneously available, Lichen species diversity of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve appears to be under threat from deforestation and fires, as well as from loss of soil microhabitats due to overgrowth of weeds seemingly caused by cessation of summer grazing in alpine pastures.