By University of Illinois Extension In an era of increasing energy prices, many Americans insulate and seal up their homes during the winter months. Although this can result in savings on the monthly power bill, sealing the home can concentrate … Continue reading →

In this paper, for a family of second-order parabolic equation with rapidly oscillating and time-dependent periodic coefficients, we are interested in an approximate two-sphere one-cylinder inequality for these solutions in parabolic periodic homogenization, which implies an approximate quantitative propagation of smallness. The proof relies on the asymptotic behavior of fundamental solutions and the Lagrange interpolation technique.

Many efforts of research are devoted to semantic role labeling (SRL) which is crucial for natural language understanding. Supervised approaches have achieved impressing performances when large-scale corpora are available for resource-rich languages such as English. While for the low-resource languages with no annotated SRL dataset, it is still challenging to obtain competitive performances. Cross-lingual SRL is one promising way to address the problem, which has achieved great advances with the help of model transferring and annotation projection. In this paper, we propose a novel alternative based on corpus translation, constructing high-quality training datasets for the target languages from the source gold-standard SRL annotations. Experimental results on Universal Proposition Bank show that the translation-based method is highly effective, and the automatic pseudo datasets can improve the target-language SRL performances significantly.

Sentence level quality estimation (QE) for machine translation (MT) attempts to predict the translation edit rate (TER) cost of post-editing work required to correct MT output. We describe our view on sentence-level QE as dictated by several practical setups encountered in the industry. We find consumers of MT output---whether human or algorithmic ones---to be primarily interested in a binary quality metric: is the translated sentence adequate as-is or does it need post-editing? Motivated by this we propose a quality classification (QC) view on sentence-level QE whereby we focus on maximizing recall at precision above a given threshold. We demonstrate that, while classical QE regression models fare poorly on this task, they can be re-purposed by replacing the output regression layer with a binary classification one, achieving 50-60\% recall at 90\% precision. For a high-quality MT system producing 75-80\% correct translations, this promises a significant reduction in post-editing work indeed.

Public key encryption with equality test (PKEET) allows testing whether two ciphertexts are generated by the same message or not. PKEET is a potential candidate for many practical applications like efficient data management on encrypted databases. Potential applicability of PKEET leads to intensive research from its first instantiation by Yang et al. (CT-RSA 2010). Most of the followup constructions are secure in the random oracle model. Moreover, the security of all the concrete constructions is based on number-theoretic hardness assumptions which are vulnerable in the post-quantum era. Recently, Lee et al. (ePrint 2016) proposed a generic construction of PKEET schemes in the standard model and hence it is possible to yield the first instantiation of PKEET schemes based on lattices. Their method is to use a $2$-level hierarchical identity-based encryption (HIBE) scheme together with a one-time signature scheme. In this paper, we propose, for the first time, a direct construction of a PKEET scheme based on the hardness assumption of lattices in the standard model. More specifically, the security of the proposed scheme is reduces to the hardness of the Learning With Errors problem.

Bioassays for detecting the ability of one sample of a food substance, nutritional supplement, therapeutic agent and/or disease preventive agent relative to that of a second sample of such a substance, supplement and/or agent to inhibit, upregulate or otherwise modulate translation initiation, and thereby demonstrate a disease curative and/or preventive effect in a human and/or animal that consumes a such substance, supplement and/or agent or to whom a such substance, supplement and/or agent is administered are provided.

Apparatus and methods are provided for using automatic speech recognition to analyze a voice interaction and verify compliance of an agent reading a script to a client during the voice interaction. In one aspect of the invention, a communications system includes a user interface, a communications network, and a call center having an automatic speech recognition component. In other aspects of the invention, a script compliance method includes the steps of conducting a voice interaction between an agent and a client and evaluating the voice interaction with an automatic speech recognition component adapted to analyze the voice interaction and determine whether the agent has adequately followed the script. In yet still further aspects of the invention, the duration of a given interaction can be analyzed, either apart from or in combination with the script compliance analysis above, to seek to identify instances of agent non-compliance, of fraud, or of quality-analysis issues.

An apparatus and method for determining a signal quality of an input signal representing a repetitious phenomena derived from at least one sensor connected to a patient is provided. A detector receives the input signal and determines data representing the repetitious phenomena from the input signal for use in determining at least one patient parameter. A measurement processor is electrically coupled to the detector that determines a first signal quality value by identifying at least one feature of the repetitious phenomena data and compares the at least one feature of a first set of the determined repetitious phenomena data with a second set of the determined repetitious phenomena data to determine a feature variability value and using the feature variability value to determine a stability value representative of the quality of the input signal.

Various topologies of a quality of service application controller and related techniques to optimize the communications performance an application executing on a device participating in a communications environment are disclosed. The communications environment may include a cellular network, an unlicensed spectrum network, or a combination of the two. The quality of service application controller observes one or more key performance indicators of the communications network, and retrieves a policy from a policy store specific to the application. The quality of service application controller then modifies the execution of the application and/or the configurable aspects of the communications environment to optimize the communications performance of the application. For example, the application's data throughput may be increased, the power draw of the application may be minimized, data requested by the application may be minimized, or the apparent response time of the application's response to a web service may be minimized.

An inductor circuit with high quality (Q) factor includes a primary inductor and a compensation sub-circuit. The compensation sub-circuit is electrically isolated from the primary inductor. The compensation sub-circuit is magnetically coupled with the primary inductor to compensate the loss in the primary inductor.

A system for monitoring water chemistry of a recreational water installation includes a sensor configured to detect bather load in the recreational water installation and a controller configured to determine a required adjustment to the water chemistry of the recreational water installation based upon the detected bather load.

The disclosure encompasses in-line reactive condensation processes via vapor phase esterification of bio-oil to decease reactive species concentration and water content in the oily phase of a two-phase oil, thereby increasing storage stability and heating value. Esterification of the bio-oil vapor occurs via the vapor phase contact and subsequent reaction of organic acids with ethanol during condensation results in the production of water and esters. The pyrolysis oil product can have an increased ester content and an increased stability when compared to a condensed pyrolysis oil product not treated with an atomized alcohol.

Systems and processes for improving quality and yield of one or more distillate products generated in a distillation column are disclosed. The system comprises a feed inlet distributor that reduces the amount of liquid entrained in vapor rising from the feed zone of the distillation column, a wash zone collection apparatus having an improved design for collecting slop wax falling from a liquid/vapor contacting structure provided in the wash zone, a recirculation subsystem for recirculating at least a portion of the collected slop wax to the top of the wash zone for distribution as wash oil, and a control subsystem. The feed inlet distributor ensures a horizontal fluid flow path free of transverse surfaces thereby minimizing atomization of liquid droplets entrained in vapor in the feed stream.

A system and process for the preparation of high quality gasoline through recombination of catalytic hydrocarbon includes fractionator and extractor. The upper part of the fractionator is equipped with light petrol pipeline, the lower part of the fractionator is equipped with heavy petrol pipeline, the middle part of the fractionator is equipped with medium petrol pipeline. The medium petrol pipeline is connected with a medium petrol extractor, the upper part of the medium petrol extractor is connected with the medium petrol raffinate oil hydrogenation unit through the pipeline, the lower part of the medium petrol extractor is connected with the medium petrol aromatic hydrocarbon hydrogenation unit through the pipeline. The medium petrol aromatic hydrocarbon hydrogenation unit is then connected with the light petrol pipeline in the upper part of the fractionator through the pipeline, the lower part of the heavy petrol extractor is connected with the medium petrol aromatic hydrocarbon hydrogenation unit through the pipeline, the upper part of the heavy petrol extractor is connected with the medium petrol raffinate oil hydrogenation unit through the pipeline.

Inhibition of expansion of a cereal product, such as a ready-to-eat cereal, by a particulate insoluble component such as fiber and/or calcium is avoided by pelletizing the particulate insoluble component. A binder component, such as gelatinized starch, is used to bind particles of the particulate insoluble component into a coherent mass which is formed into non-expanded pellets for fortification of the cereal product. The expanded cereal products, such as extruded puffed RTE cereals which contain the pellets, exhibit a crisp, uniform texture and cell structure, improved, prolonged bowl life, a non-gritty mouthfeel, and a smooth, uniform surface appearance even though they are fortified with high amounts of the solid or particulate insoluble nutritional components.

A method for assembling a structure is described. The method includes locating a position in an assembly stack-up where a one-sided fastener is to be installed, drilling a hole through the assembly stack-up at the position, countersinking the hole to a specified depth, operating a calibrated probe to determine at least parameter associated with one or more of the hole and the stack-up proximate the hole, inserting the one-sided fastener into the hole, applying a rotational torque to the one-sided fastener to complete installation of the one-sided fastener, and comparing a measurement of angular displacement required to complete installation of the one-sided fastener to a range of angular displacement indicative of correct installation of the fastener.

An apparatus includes a storage medium operable to store a number of data tracks, a read channel circuit operable to process the data tracks read from the storage medium, and a track quality classifier circuit operable to determine a track quality metric for the data tracks read from the storage medium. The track quality metric indicates whether a corresponding one of the data tracks that has failed to successfully process in the read channel circuit can be reprocessed within a track gap period.

A snow quality measuring apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of reflectors, at least one transmitter, at least one receiver, and a measuring device. The plurality of reflectors are respectively arranged at a plurality of prescribed heights above the ground. The transmitter emits radio waves towards the plurality of reflectors, and the receiver receives the reflected waves of the radio waves from the plurality of reflectors. The measuring device measures snow quality of snow on the ground at the prescribed plurality of heights based on the respective reflected waves to from the plurality of reflectors as received by the receiver.

Various integrated high quality electronic components and systems, and methods of their manufacture, are presented. In one example, a device includes a glass substrate or interposer including one or more metalized through-glass vias (TGVs). The one or more metalized TGVs can be used to form a substrate integrated waveguide, a complementary split ring resonator, a disc loaded monopole antenna or other device. An array of metalized TGVs can define side walls of the integrated waveguide. A disc coupled to a tip of a metalized TGV can provide capacitive disc loading of the monopole antenna.

Provided is a method for simply evaluating defects caused in interface states in oxide semiconductor thin films and protective films in TFTs having protective films formed on the surface of oxide semiconductor thin films without actually measuring the characteristics of the same. This evaluation method evaluates defects caused in the interface states by measuring electron states in the oxide semiconductor thin film by a contact method or noncontact method. The defects caused in the interface states are any of the following (1)-(3). (1) Threshold value voltage (Vth,) when a positive bias is applied to the thin-film transistor(2) Difference in threshold value voltage (ΔVth) before and after applying the positive bias to the thin-film transistor(3) Threshold value during the first measurement when a plurality of measurements is made of the threshold value voltage when a positive bias is applied to the thin-film transistor.

The invention relates to a method for determining a liquid level in a tank (1) comprised in a vehicle, wherein said method uses an ultrasonic sensor (4) for emitting and receiving ultrasonic waves (11). Basically the liquid level is determined based upon measuring the transition time of an ultrasonic wave (11) emitted by the ultrasonic sensor, wherein said emitted wave is deflected two times before being reflected by the surface (2) of the liquid contained in the tank.

A method for controlling the manufacture and certification of an oxygenated gasoline product is carried out by manufacturing a gasoline Basestock for Oxygenate Blending (BOB) at a refinery site in accordance with an empirical relationship, valid for at that site under typical manufacturing conditions, between (i) a property value of the BOB stream such as octane as determined by an on-site online process analyzer and (ii) the corresponding instantaneous value or FPAPV property value as determined by the test method mandated by the product specification for the final gasoline stream when blended with the required proportion of oxygenate. The quality of fit of this empirical relationship is calculated according to the standard deviation of the residuals of the relationship and a confidence level is fixed so that the final oxygenated gasoline formulated with the BOB will meet the required property specification when measured by the test method mandated by the specification. The final oxygenated gasoline blend is certified as having a property value conforming to the required specification based on the predicted property value for the finished gasoline.

News you don't want to miss for April 21:

1. Those who suffer the effects of poor air quality are at greater risk of complications associated with the coronavirus, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.…

Retail in India has not developed at the same pace as the products. Getting good quality retail is a challenge. The country has limited number of malls. There is no high street.

When Celtic arrived home after their defeat by Feyenoord on May 6, 1970, everyone at Parkhead was understandably deflated, while the fans were in mourning for the lost chance of glory.

While schools are closed, we're creating a series of "Talk of Iowa" episodes that will be fun and educational for learners of all ages. Every Tuesday, we'll learn about Iowa wildlife, and every Thursday, we'll learn about Iowa history. The nation is celebrating the 100 th anniversary of the 19 th Amendment to the Constitution. This amendment gave women the right to vote. During this episode of Talk of Iowa , political scientist Karen Kedrowski explains how the 19 th Amendment was the culmination of a long battle for women’s suffrage, but it wasn’t the end of the fight for equal rights for women.

Nancy Niemi, Director of Faculty Teaching Initiatives at Yale questions the conventional wisdom that college is a path to gender equality.

Five great websites that offer a variety of professional quality sample libraries and audio tools suited for any type of project or genre.

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The post 5 Websites That Offer Professional Quality Sample Libraries appeared first on Dubspot Blog.

Our Clients are independent and multi platinum artist(s) Seeking high quality, energetic trap, pop, & R&B style beats for production placement on upcoming releases. We are looking for industry quality production to shop throughout our network, as well as to consider signing new talent for production management opportunity. We will provide you with feedback & rate your submissions!

: Please submit your best work. Songs will go through the review process and if selected you will receive negotiated compensation. We look forward to hearing what you have to offer. 
- The Administration

Deal Type: Producer / Production Management Decision Maker: We are the final decision makers Deal Structure: Negotiable Compensation: Negotiable Song Quality: Rough Mixes, Fully Mastered, Broadcast Ready Similar Sounding Artist: Future, Migos, The Weeknd, Drake, Ty Dolla Sign, 2Chainz, Gucci Mane, Tory Lanez, Chris Brown, Cardi B, Lil Baby

Hey, I'm an in-house producer for JYP Entertainment, the largest Kpop label in South Korea. We're looking for songs to place with both our male and female artists. Please only send your best songs complete with a beat, vocals, and lyrics. Genre's we are looking for include, but not limited to,: Pop, Dance, Electronic, R&B, Soul, Ballad, Hip Hop, Urban. Good luck!

JYP Entertainment is a South Korean entertainment company that operates as a record label, talent agency, music production company, event management and concert production company, and music publishing house. JYP Entertainment is currently the home of artists including 2PM, Miss A, Baek A-yeon, 15&, JJ Project, Got7, Nakjoon, Day6, Twice, and Jeon So-mi, and formerly to artists like Park Ji-yoon, g.o.d, Rain, Jay Park, San E, Meng Jia, Wonder Girls, Sunmi, Ha:tfelt, and 2AM.

- Tommy Park / JYP Entertainment

Bradley and Karen discuss issues of gender inequality in the software freedom community and technology generally.

Show Notes:

Segment 0 (00:38)

• Bradley and Karen discuss issues of gender inequality in the software freedom community and technology generally.
• Bradley wrote a blog post a while back noting that issues of gender inequality are technology-sector-wide, as shown on PDF page 10 of this study. However, Bradley incorrectly remembered the study: in fact, all levels of academic computer science are (23:19)

• Karen got a 5 on our Calculus AB exam, even though her teacher told her only boys were good at math. Bradley also got a 5 on the Calculus AB exam. (27:06)
• Bradley believes that Stand and Deliver. (29:37)
• Bradley is sure there is no Calculus in Good Will Hunting (30:08)
• Bradley mentioned that S05E11 of American Greed contained an rsync output on a Debian system and Python DBUS binding C code as “code cracking examples” (31:00)
• Miguel de Icaza had a cameo in the file Antitrust. (33:27)
• Bradley mentioned that Craig Mundie keynoted OSCON (38:55)
• Bradley mentioned the USENIX/Freenix to Perl Conference to OSCON history (42:50)
• Karen mentioned the GNOME Marketing Meeting at FOSDEM 2012. (43:27)
• Karen is speaking at Linux Conf Australia on 19 January 2012,Bradley is speaking at Scale 10x, the 2012 Southern California Linux Expo (44:16)

Send feedback and comments on the cast to <oggcast@faif.us>. You can keep in touch with Free as in Freedom on our IRC channel, #faif on irc.freenode.net, and by following Conservancy on on Twitter and and FaiF on Twitter.

Free as in Freedom is produced by Dan Lynch of danlynch.org. Theme music written and performed by Mike Tarantino with Charlie Paxson on drums.

The content of this audcast, and the accompanying show notes and music are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike 4.0 license (CC BY-SA 4.0).

If coronavirus is like a war, what else can erupt under the fog of war? And, we will take you to one of the most densely packed places in the world where the Christian aid group World Vision is trying to coral the virus. Also, Nobel prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz looks at one of the casualties of the COVID-19 outbreak - the deepening inequality within and between nations.

While dishes at Parkes and Honeysuckle Creek take the credit for beaming the vision of the first steps on the Moon to the world, staff known as 'Creekers' at Cooby Creek in Queensland say it was their work that made the whole project possible.

Mount Barker wine producers say they are not too concerned by the prospect of yield losses because they are expecting a high quality vintage this year.

The drought could have major implications for life-saving medical procedures, such as dialysis with patients needing up to 4,000 litres each week for treatment.

Last night's T20 women's cricket match was more than just a game — its impact on gender equality in sport will reverberate for years to come, writes Kate O'Halloran.

There's nothing quite like a portrait exhibition to bring the crowds in. A steady stream of visitors has been arriving at the Lismore Regional Gallery since the 2013 Northern Rivers Portrait Prize opened on June 8.

Six regional aged care facilities in South Australia are failing to meet standards, a State Estimates committee hears, with three based in the same region.

Critics say that the proliferation of modern, wafer-thin skyscrapers are symbols of rising urban inequality. Also: Are levels of density in our cities making us ill? And what's the impact of short-term letting on urban affordability? 

The Victorian Parliament will debate a bill which would allow people to change their gender on their birth certificate without needing to undergo surgery.

Hot temperatures and low rainfall take their toll on South Australian wine grape growers, but many are happy with the quality of the wines in spite of, or perhaps even because of, the tough conditions.

Teachers will be offered up to $50,000 to relocate from Melbourne to rural and regional schools desperate for qualified teachers, as part of a new Victorian Government plan to tackle flagging results.

Directors of building companies responsible for substandard works in Canberra could be held personally responsible for defects, under new laws proposed by the ACT Government.

A research team is deployed in response to persistent smoke from a bushfire that has been burning for nearly two months in underground peat on the NSW Mid North Coast.

The sudden closure of two aged care facilities on the New South Wales Central Coast has renewed concerns about the financial viability of Australias private aged care sector.

(California Court of Appeal) - Upheld a cleanup and abatement order issued to a utility company, which was found to be a responsible party for pollution in San Diego Bay, nearby which it operated a power plant for many years. Affirmed the denial of the company's petition for writ relief.