Facilitating L2 listening through automatic detection of speech and lexical difficulties

This paper focuses on Partial and Synchronized Caption (PSC) as a tool to train L2 listening and introduces new features to facilitate speech-related difficulties. PSC is an intelligent caption that extensively processes the audio and transcript to detect and present difficult words or phrases for L2 learners. With the new features, learners can benefit from repetition and slowdowns of particular audio segments that are automatically labeled difficult. When encountering high speech rates, the system slows down the audio to the standard rate of speech. For disfluencies in speech (e.g. breached boundaries), the system generates the caption and repeats that video segment. In our experiments, intermediate L2 learners of English watched videos with different captions and functionalities, provided feedback on new PSC features, and took a series of tests. Smart repetition and slowdown components received positive learner feedback and led to significant improvement in L2 listening recognition.

Standard rate constants of charge transfer for the redox couple Ti(IV)/Ti(III) in chloride-fluoride melts with the different cationic composition

The influence of the second coordination sphere of titanium complexes on the charge transfer kinetics of the Ti (IV)/Ti (III) redox couple in melts of alkali metal halides was studied by cyclic voltammetry method. Diffusion coefficients in the CsC-CsF (10 wt. %) melt were calculated. The standard rate constants of charge transfer have been determined by the Nicholson method. The activation energies of the charge transfer process in (NaCl- KCl)equimol-NaF (10 wt. %) — K2TiF6, KCl-KF (10 wt. %) — K2TiF6 and CsCl-CsF (10 wt. %) — K2TiF6 melts were calculated.

Fertilization management strategies for ‘Agata’ potato production

ABSTRACT Fluctuations in potato prices and invariably rising production costs need sustainable fertilization strategies. For this purpose, two experiments were conducted in the southwestern region of São Paulo state to evaluate fertilization management strategies for the ‘Agata’ potato cultivar. The treatments consisted of the producer’s standard fertilization (1700 kg ha-1 NPK 4-30-10 at planting + 100 kg ha-1 urea and 150 kg ha-1 KCl at hilling) and combinations of two P rates at planting (standard rate and half of the rate), as monoammonium phosphate (MAP) with two forms of KCl application (total rate in the post-planting phase or half of the rate in the post-planting phase and half at hilling). The application of half the P rate (255 kg ha-1 P2O5) as the MAP at planting and the transfer of K from planting to applications in the post-planting phase or in the post-planting phase and at hilling, despite having provided a lower leaf P concentration, maintained the total tuber yield with higher operational yield of planting fertilization. It also increased the yield of tubers with a diameter >4.5 cm under conditions of lower water availability in the vegetative stages of the crop and soil with medium availability of P and K. Such a fertilization strategy is valuable for cost reductions and possible environmental liabilities.

A Rate Theory Model of Radiation-Induced Swelling in an Austenitic Stainless Steel

Many rate theory models of cavity (void) swelling have been published over the past 50 years, all having the same, or similar, structures. A rigorous validation of the models has not been possible because of the dearth of information concerning the microstructures that correspond with the swelling data. Whereas the lack of microstructure information is still an issue for historical swelling data, in the past 10–20 years data have been published on the evolution of the microstructure (point defect yields from collision cascades, cavity number densities, and dislocation densities/yield strengths) allowing certain gaps in information to be filled when considering historic swelling data. With reasonable estimates of key microstructure parameters, a standard rate theory model can be applied, and the model parameter space explored, in connection with historical swelling data. By using published data on: (i) yield strength as a function of dose and temperature (to establish an empirical expression for dislocation density evolution); (ii) cavity number densities as a function of temperature; and (iii) freely migrating defect (FMD) production as a function of primary knock-on atom (PKA) spectrum, the necessary parameter and microstructure inputs that were previously unknown can be used in model development. This paper describes a rate-theory model for void swelling of 316 stainless steel irradiated in the EBR-2 reactor as a function of irradiation temperature and neutron dose.

P055 Title: Standard rate of ASLO in healthy children with streptococcal (angina) or post-streptococcal (RAA) infection in Morocco

Background The antistreptolysins O “ASLO” are anti streptococcal antibodies directed against streptolysin O. The assay of ASLO can provide proof of infection of streptococcal origin. However, it cannot confirm the presence of RAA or the degree of severity of the disease. A level of ASLO less than or equal to a critical threshold of 200 IU/ml is considered normal in children. Several factors influence the ASLO title and therefore their standard rate such as age, geographic location and seasonal variation. The objective of this study is to determine the upper normal limit (ULN) of ASLO in healthy children with angina or RAA at the CHU Hassan II of Fez in Morocco. Methods This is a cross-sectional study carried out from January 2016 to July 2019 in the cardiopediatric unit of CHU Hassan II and the Anarjiss health center in Fez. Patients below 18 years of age were included in this study. The children are classified into 3 groups: group 1: 152 children with RAA and who are diagnosed according to the modified Jones criteria, group 2: 177 children with angina, group 3: 157 healthy children who did not have an RAA, a history of recurrent or recent pharyngitis. Patient data is collected on operating sheets. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v 21 software. To establish a normal upper limit for ASLOs, the 90 percentile was used as it is a value below which at least 90% of cases studied in each group. Results The most common age group in the 3 groups is the age group between 5 and 15 years old. The frequency of children of urban origin is greater than that of rural origin in all the groups studied. The ULN is 421.4U/ml in the group of normal children, 641.95 U/ml in the RAA group and 561.8 U/ml in the group of children with pharyngitis. The study of changes in ASLO rates over time shows that they increase significantly in angina and tend to decrease in RAA. The LSN of ASLOs by gender shows that it is higher for boys than for girls. The ULN according to the residence shows that it is higher in urban areas. As well as the LSN of ASLO according to the season shows that it is higher in the cold period, especially in winter and spring (P < 0.001). With regard to age, the ULN of ASLOs is higher in the 5–15 age group. Conclusion In this study, it can be concluded that an ASLO level less than or equal to 400 U/ml is the critical threshold in a normal child, while an ASLO level >400 U/ml is considered pathological in children. children in Morocco.

The Content of Polyarenes in Soils of Antarctica: Variability across Landscapes

Soil cover of the Earth is faced with intensive polychemical contamination. The pathways of the key pollutants are not investigated enough. Thus, the occasional transportation of soils to remote regions could serve as an informative tool for the elaboration of threshold levels of hazardous materials concentration. One of the most striking examples of such transboundary impact was the transfer of soils and grounds to the Antarctic stations Russkaya and Leningradskaya (before the implementation of the Madrid Protocol in 1991). Thus, the complex investigation of qualitative and quantitative composition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soils of various genesis (transported from Eurasia and pristine) of Antarctic have been conducted by the method of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in a gradient elution mode. The variability of PAHs content was evaluated across landscapes: pristine (the Hudson Mountains and the Haswell Archipelago), contaminated soils (stations Myrniy, Druzhnaya 4 and Bellinshausen) and unique samples of former agrosoils transported by fly in-fly of polar staff from St. Petersburg to Antarctic for local polar greenhouses in the Soviet times, when it was not strictly prohibited. The selected objects of study allow us to not only estimate the degree of contamination of Antarctic soils and grounds, but to also make it possible to assess the rate of PAH degradation in Antarctic conditions. Both high molecular and low molecular PAHs are accumulated following intense anthropogenic activity (fossil organic fuel combustion). The PAHs pool is dominated by low molecular weight representatives (naphthalene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene). In most cases, the highest concentrations of benz(a)pyrene does not exceed the Russian Threshold Standard rate, which is the strictest one in the world. The statistical analysis of raw data allowed us to conclude that the contamination of pristine soils of Antarctica across variable landscapes is at the very initial stage. However, we recorded extremely high levels of PAHs in the transported former agrosoils. We can assume that our data could be used as background levels for the elaboration of threshold concentrations of the PAHs for such an internationally managed region as Antarctica.

Revisiting the “Paradox of Stereotaxic Surgery”: Insights Into Basal Ganglia-Thalamic Interactions

Basal ganglia dysfunction is implicated in movement disorders including Parkinson Disease, dystonia, and choreiform disorders. Contradicting standard “rate models” of basal ganglia-thalamic interactions, internal pallidotomy improves both hypo- and hyper-kinetic movement disorders. This “paradox of stereotaxic surgery” was recognized shortly after rate models were developed, and is underscored by the outcomes of deep brain stimulation (DBS) for movement disorders. Despite strong evidence that DBS activates local axons, the clinical effects of lesions and DBS are nearly identical. These observations argue against standard models in which GABAergic basal ganglia output gates thalamic activity, and raise the question of how lesions and stimulation can have similar effects. These paradoxes may be resolved by considering thalamocortical loops as primary drivers of motor output. Rather than suppressing or releasing cortex via motor thalamus, the basal ganglia may modulate the timing of thalamic perturbations to cortical activity. Motor cortex exhibits rotational dynamics during movement, allowing the same thalamocortical perturbation to affect motor output differently depending on its timing with respect to the rotational cycle. We review classic and recent studies of basal ganglia, thalamic, and cortical physiology to propose a revised model of basal ganglia-thalamocortical function with implications for basic physiology and neuromodulation.

Bio-Fertilizers Based on Digestate and Biomass Ash as an Alternative to Commercial Fertilizers—The Case of Tomato

The reutilization of agricultural wastes, as bio-fertilizers, is the key way to close the nutrient cycle and save mineral fertilizers. This hypothesis was verified in three consecutive seasons, treating tomato with three bio-fertilizers on the background of a standard rate of mineral fertilizer. The bio-fertilizers differed in their C:N ratio, which was 13:1, 21:1, and 6:1 for the A, B, and C fertilizers, respectively. They were applied at the rate of 200, 400, 800, and 1600 kg ha−1. The average fruit yield increased in the order: B < C < A. For the relevant fertilizer, the maximum commercial yield was 91, 87, and 101 t ha−1, for a respective rate of 1600, 200, and 400 kg ha−1. The number of fruits (CFN), as the dominant yield component, indirectly reflected the nitrogen (N) supply to plants. A shortage or excess of N on plots treated with the B or C fertilizers, resulted in a decreased CFN, leading to a yield decline. The year-to-year variability in the potassium (K) content reflected fairly well the variable weather conditions, responsible for water management by tomato. The conducted study showed that the tested bio-fertilizers can replace mineral fertilizer, as long as they are applied at well-defined rates.

The value-added tax and growth: design matters

Previous research has shown that changes in the composition of tax revenue affect long-run growth. However, little is yet known about whether the way tax revenue is raised matters for growth. This paper examines whether, in the context of OECD countries, a revenue-neutral increase in the value-added tax (VAT), offset by a fall in income taxes, may have different effects on long-run growth depending on how the VAT is raised. We show that a revenue-neutral rise in the VAT promotes growth when it is raised through a rise in C-efficiency, while it does not when it is raised through a rise in the standard VAT rate, the rate applied to the largest portion of taxed consumption. C-efficiency measures the departure of the VAT from a perfectly enforced tax levied at a single rate on all consumption, which in advanced economies is largely due to the VAT that is not levied because of exemptions and reduced rates. Thus, our results suggest that an increase in C-efficiency, possibly reflecting the broadening of the VAT base through fewer exemptions and a more uniform rate structure with fewer reduced rates, promotes growth more than a rise in the standard rate.

THE IMPACT OF MACROECONOMIC INDICATORS ON VAT REVENUES IN EU COUNTRIES

The paper deals with the issue of the impact of changes in selected macroeconomic indicators and the standard VAT rate on the amount of VAT revenue. The aim of the paper was to empirically verify this impact. The analysis was performed using a linear regression analysis and an econometric model, which determined the magnitude of changes in VAT revenue as the indicators increased. Subsequently, it was necessary to point out the correspondence between the calculated and the actual VAT revenue. The analysis followed GDP, consumption expenditure, exports, imports and the VAT rate in the 28 EU countries for the period 2004-2018, while the countries were considered as a separate territorial unit. The contribution set out a hypothesis that was not confirmed, as GDP had the most significant impact on VAT revenues. This caused the most significant increase in VAT revenue by EUR 139,300 while increasing GDP by 1 million EUR. The calculated VAT revenue based on the compiled econometric model indicated that with slight deviations, it copies the actual value of VAT revenue. Based on the analysis, we can conclude that the selected indicators and the level of the standard rate are variables that affect the amount of VAT revenue.