Spectral modification for recognition of children's speech undermismatched conditions

In this paper, we propose spectral modification by sharpening formants and by reducing the spectral tilt to recognize children's speech by automatic speech recognition (ASR) systems developed using adult speech. In this type of mismatched condition, the ASR performance is degraded due to the acoustic and linguistic mismatch in the attributes between children and adult speakers. The proposed method is used to improve the speech intelligibility to enhance the children's speech recognition using an acoustic model trained on adult speech. In the experiments, WSJCAM0 and PFSTAR are used as databases for adults' and children's speech, respectively. The proposed technique gives a significant improvement in the context of the DNN-HMM-based ASR. Furthermore, we validate the robustness of the technique by showing that it performs well also in mismatched noise conditions.

Evaluation the feelings of children toward dental treatment in the department of Pediatric dentistry – Faculty of dentistry – Tishreen University

This study aims to assess the feelings of children toward dental treatment in the department of pediatric dentistry in order to point the reason of dental fear. The sample includes 385 children (191 males, 194 females, aged 4-12 years) come to faculty of dentistry between 1/10/2015 – 1/6/2016. The questionnaire form was adapted. Data were analyzed using statistical program SPSS. SMA was: fear = 2.96 , anxiety = 2.82 , trouble = 2.74 , like (desire, preference) = 3.56 , feelingsafter treatment = 3.37 , discomfort of the transaction = 1.82 , desire to repeat the visit = 3.97. The result showed most of the children were not afraid, not worried, not upset, and they like to repeat. While 9.9% trouble and 6.5% don't like to repeat it. We concluded that the dental services in p.d department are effective and acceptable.

The role of insulin like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) in treatment monitoring of Syrian children with Acute lymphoblastic leukemia

This study aimed to investigate the validity of measuring IGFBP-3 in the serum of Syrian children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) as additional markers in diagnosis and follow-up of the disease.

Sedation using Oral Midazolam – Hydroxyzine with and without Nitrous oxide in school children. (Clinical Study)

Aim of study: Comparing the efficacy of combination (Midazolam – Hydroxyzine) with and without nitrous oxide and oxygen in sedating uncooperating school children undergoing dental treatment. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, triple blind, randomized, cross over, clinical study of uncooperative school children in need of two sessions of Bilateral mandibular dental treatment. 30 children ages (6-9) years, were randomly selected to receive one of two regimens: Regimen (A) contain oral midazolam (M) 7.5 mg and hydroxyzine (H) 10 mg with oxygen (O2) 100%, while Regimen (B) contain oral midazolam (M) 7.5 mg and hydroxyzine (H) 10 mg with nitrous oxide\oxygen (N2O\O2) 50% . And in the second session, the other regimen was administered. the behavior was assessed using modified Houpt rating scale by reviewing the records of patients in pretreatment stage ( injection, rapper dam, operating dental drill without touching the tooth then with touching it) and during treatment stages ( drilling, restoration ). Beside recording the vital signs. Results: Comparing the overall assessment of the two regimens the success rate was (86.67%) in regimen (A) and (93.34%) in regimen (B). No significant statistical difference existed between the two regimes. The vital signs remained within normal limits in all cases and no series side effects appeared.

Sensory Processing dysfunctions of children With Autism Spectrum Disorder and it’s Relative with Some Variables

This study aims to investigate the prevalence of sensory processing dysfunctions by the sample of Children With autism spectrum disorder and it’s relative with some variables(age, severity of autism).The researcher adopted the descriptive approach to achieve the aim of the study. The sample consisted of (30) child the range of (3-10) years selected randomly. The researcher used Sensory Profile to explore the sensory processing dysfunctions, consisted of (65) items distributed on (6) domains (Auditory Processing, Visual Processing, Vestibular Processing, Touch Processing, Multi sensory Processing, Oral Sensory Processing). The results of the study indicated )66.67%) of autistic children in this sample had sensory processing dysfunctions, There are significant statistical differences at the level of (0.05) between the children in the study sample on The Sensory Profile attributed to autism severity on the whole of a scale domains and on the four sub domains, There are no significant statistical differences at the level of (0.05) between the children in the study sample on the Sensory Profile attributed to age on the whole of a scale domains and on the sub domains. Based on the findings of the study the researcher pointed out the need of comparison studies about the prevalence the sensory processing dysfunctions between (children ,teenager, adult), and another studies as the relation between sensory processing dysfunctions and the adaptive behavior dysfunctions.

The reality of the right to participate in the kindergarten from the viewpoint of the teachers "A field stady in Lattakia city"

This research aims to identify the reality of the right to participate in the kindergarten of Lattakia, from the viewpoint of the teachers; it also aims to identify the differences in their views about the reality of the right to participate in the kindergarten of Lattakia according to (scientific and educational qualification, years of experience, and training courses). This research adopts the descriptive approach, and it uses a questionnaire that consists of (36) phrases as a tool to collect data from the sample of the research which targets of (230) teachers in the kindergarten of Lattakia (2017- 2018). The results have shown that: 1- Lattakia kindergartens provide children with the right of getting information in the first place, followed by the right of expressing their opinions and listening to them. 2- Kindergartens care about providing different resources in getting information (pictures, books, stories, and others educational aids…). 3- There are statistical differences in the viewpoints of kindergartens teachers in regard to children right in participating in kindergartens, these differences are due to the scientific and educational qualification between post-graduate studies teachers and teachers who hold a diploma in education in favor of master and doctoral degrees teachers. According to training variable, differences came in favor of the teachers who attended training courses in kindergartens.

Criterion Validity of Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV) Fourth Edition German Version Evidenced by the Third Edition (WISC-III) on children at the age of (6 to 16,11) years

The aim of the study was to check criterion validity of (WISC-IV) fourth edition German version evidenced by the third edition of it (WISC-III), by applying it to a sample of (550) normal children and adolescents from damascus city at the age of (6 to 16,11) years. The sample subjects were equally distributed according to gender (225 males, 225 females), and according to age/grade category with an average of (50) subjects for each category with a time period of one year from the first grade to the eleventh grade. The subjects were chosen using the available accidental method from (13) public schools for basic and secondary education. The findings showed that all of the criterion validity coefficients of (WISC-IV) with the subtests included in it and for the four-factor domains, evidenced by the subtests included in (WISC-III) at each age/grade category from (6 to 16,11) years were positive and significant. That is, they ranged between (0,6 to 0,994), which were higher than (0.3) according to Metshell’s approach in explaining correlations related to criterion validity. The findings were explained based on consistency between subtests components for each of the third and fourth editions of (WISC). In other words, (WISC-IV) is a German translation of the original American (WISC-IV), and the latter is an extension to (WISC-III), which includes about (56%) of the third edition items. Also, these results are partially consistent with some similar criterion validity coefficients, and exceed them in others that are mentioned in the original guide at almost the same age category.

Mothers Knowledge, and Practices about First Aid for Home-Related Injuries among Children less than Six Years

Injuries are the first leading but predictable, avoidable and preventable cause of death among under five-year children worldwide. the aim of this study was to assess Mothers Knowledge, and Practices about First Aid for Home-Related Injuries among Children less Than Six Years.

The Level of Verbal Aggression of Children in Relation to the War Exposure of Syria A Field Study Conducted on a Sample of Children both at Home and in Some of the Refuge Accommodation Centers

This study aims at identifying the level of the verbal aggression of children both at home and in the refuge accommodation centers during the wartime of Syria. In addition, it investigates the difference between the two genders ,of both samples, in their practicing of verbally aggressive behavior. The researcher has applied the descriptive research method as it conforms to the aim and nature of the research. The research has been conducted in 2017 and the instruments of research have been applied in June, 2017 in Lattakia, Syria. The community of that survey included children brought up both at home and at the refuge accommodation centers ranging from 7 – 10 years old in Lattakia. The sample children were 120 male and female children divided equally in half i.e. 60 children per sample. The refuge accommodation center has been chosen randomly from the accommodation centers of Lattakia like the Stadium Accommodation Center, Harem accommodation center, the Accommodation center of "Jihad Mashi" in addition to some neighborhoods of the afore-mentioned city which serves the purpose of the study. The researcher has developed a research standard to estimate the verbal aggression which conforms to the nature of study and the surrounding conditions. This standard has been later examined and authenticated after being modified. The researcher has attempted to investigate five hypothesis then reached the following conclusions: 1.There is an essential difference in the level of verbal aggression between the two samples; children at home are less verbally aggressive than those at the accommodation centers. 2.There are no statistically significant gender differences between males and females in the use of verbal aggression in the case of the children brought up at home and the children brought up at refuge accommodation centers. 3. There are no statistically significant differences among males in the use of verbal aggression in both samples (the children at home and at refuge accommodation centers.) 4. There is a statistically significant difference among females in the use of verbal aggression in both samples (the children at home and at refuge accommodation centers.).

The effectiveness of linguistic games in the auditory discrimination skills development at kindergarten children

The research aims to identify the effectiveness of linguistic activities in the auditory discrimination skill development at a sample of kindergarten children (5-6 years). And to achieve this goal researcher followed a semi-experimental method, and used two tools (linguistic activities program and auditory discrimination test.