Multi-pitch estimation based on multi-scale product analysis,improved comb filter and dynamic programming

There are many multi-pitch estimation methods, but most of them can’t perform perfectly for intrusion pitch detection. For this reason, a new multi-pitch detection approach is proposed. This method consists on the autocorrelation function of the Multi-scale product calculation of the mixture signal, its filtered version by a rectangular improved comb filter and the dynamic programming of the residual signal spectral density. First, we analyze the composite speech. Then, we apply the autocorrelation on the multi-scale product (AMP). We find the first pitch which represents the dominant one. Then, we apply the rectangular comb filter which has adaptive amplitude to remove the resulting signal from the original one. We operate AMP on the residue to obtain a pitch estimation of the intrusion. To improve the residue pitch estimation, we apply the dynamic programming to the spectral density of the residual signal to get optimum pitches corresponding also to intrusion signal. After that, we compare the two resulting pitch residue series to choose the most appropriate. Finally, this method is evaluated using the Cooke database and is compared to other well-known techniques. Experimental results confirm the strength and the performance of the proposed approach.     

Smoking and polyphenols’ addition to improve freshwater mullet (Mugil cephalus) fillets’ quality attributes during refrigerated storage

The combined effects of hot smoking and added quince polyphenol (0.8% and 1.6% v/w) on the quality attributes of mullet (Mugil cephalus) fillets were evaluated. Biochemical parameters that were monitored in the fillets during 75 days of storage (4 ± 1 °C) included trimethylamine (TMA‐N), volatile basic nitrogen (TVB‐N), fatty acids and amino acids. Data were submitted to principal component analysis (PCA) which revealed that the smoking process combined with polyphenols’ treatment was negatively correlated with TVB‐N, TMA‐N, lipids, indices of lipid quality (index of atherogenicity (IA); index of thrombogenicity (IT)) and storage time. Health concern related to the flesh content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) following hot smoking was also evaluated, and analysis showed that the sum of 4 of the PAHs (chrysene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benz(a)anthracene and BaP) remained far below the maximum limit set by the European Commission. Sensory analysis revealed that the smoked mullet fillet treated with a low dose of polyphenols was a very acceptable new product.     

Transient inter-production scheduling based on Petri nets and constraint programming

In this article, we focus on the transient inter-production scheduling problem between two cyclic productions in the framework of flexible manufacturing systems. This problem is first formulated as a reachability problem in timed Petri nets (TPN), then solved using a methodology based on constraint programming. Our work is based on the controlled executions proposed by Chretienne to model the sequence of transition firing dates. Our methodology is based on a preliminary resolution of the state equation between initial and final states in the underlying non-TPN. Then, we choose a duration T _max corresponding to the maximal duration time of the scheduling. For each solution S of the state equation, we build a controlled execution from the sequence of firings in S. After the propagation of firing date constraints and reachability constraints in the TPN, we use constraint programming to enumerate the set of feasible controlled executions.     

Simulated annealing applied to test generation: landscape characterization and stopping criteria

This paper investigates a measurement approach to support the implementation of Simulated Annealing (SA) applied to test generation. SA, like other metaheuristics, is a generic technique that must be tuned to the testing problem under consideration. Finding an adequate setting of SA parameters, that will offer good performance for the target problem, is known to be difficult. Our measurement approach is intended to guide the implementation choices to be made. It builds upon advanced research on how to characterize search problems and the dynamics of metaheuristic techniques applied to them. Central to this research is the concept of landscape. Existing measures of landscape have mainly been applied to combinatorial problems considered in complexity theory. We show that some of these measures can be useful for testing problems as well. The diameter and autocorrelation are retained to study the adequacy of alternative settings of SA parameters. A new measure, the Generation Rate of Better Solutions (GRBS), is introduced to monitor convergence of the search process and implement stopping criteria. The measurement approach is experimented on various case studies, and allows us to successfully revisit a problem issued from our previous work on testing control systems.     

Minimisation of energy consumption of a bioclimatic building based on heat balance study and stand-alone PV system sizing using LLP

Bioclimatic buildings are very comfortable habitats for significant savings in the consumption of daily energy. They help to protect the environment by preventing the emission of dust and pollutant gases into the atmosphere. In this paper, a sizing method is proposed that ensures a suitable internal climate with adequate comfort. First, a simple algorithm is used for the estimation of the heat balance and performance of a typical bioclimatic house in the region of Laghouat, Algeria. Second, the load demand is assured using an optimal stand-alone photovoltaic system sizing method based on the loss of load probability method (LLP) while ensuring the minimum cost of the system. The results show the effectiveness of the proposed method that can be used to develop an optimal building sizing project in all its dimensions, in particular to reduce the overall budget of the operation.     

Neural solutions to interact with computers by hand gesture recognition

This paper attempts to present a vision-based interface which interacts with computers by hand gesture recognition. This work aims at creating a natural and intuitive application employing both static and dynamic hand gestures. The proposed application can be summarized in three main steps: hands detection in a video, hands tracking and converting hand shapes or trajectories into computer commands. To accomplish this application, a classification phase is paramount whether at the part of hand detection, or at the phase of “commanding computers”. For this reason, we have proposed to use a wavelet network classifier (WNC) learnt by fast wavelet transform (FWT). To emphasize the robustness of this classifier, we have used a neural network classifier (NNC) version in order to compare the two classifiers’ performances aiming at proving the strength of our proposed one. Global rates given by experimental results show the effectiveness of our proposed approaches of hand detection, hand tracking and hand gesture recognition. The comparison of the two classifier’s result helps to choose the best classifier, which can improve the performances of our application.     

The impact of supply contracts on supply chain product-flow management

One of the performance issues faced by the supply chain (SC) is the competitive production and delivery of products to all partners of the SC. The supply contract linking the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) with its suppliers currently represents an important decision tool influencing the production and delivery of final products.     

Characterisation and accumulation of squalene and n‐alkanes in developing Tunisian Olea europaea L. fruits

The present investigation was carried out for the analysis of hydrocarbon compounds of Tunisian Meski olives. The hydrocarbon fraction of the oils was found to contain twelve n‐alkanes (C₂₂–C₃₆) and squalene. Results from the quantitative characterisation of the oils revealed that squalene was the most abundant hydrocarbon compound, at all development stages of Meski olive, accounting for more 92% of total hydrocarbons. Pentacosane (C₂₅), heptacosane (C₂₇) and tricosane (C₂₃) represented the major compounds of n‐alkanes. The highest accumulation of n‐alkanes and squalene was observed at early stages of olive development [before 21st week after the flowering date (WAFD)]. The greatest decrease of these components occurred between 21st and 26th WAFD of the olives. At complete maturity of the fruit, the level of squalene and total n‐alkanes was 126.52 and 9.13 mg per 100 g oil, respectively. Hence, the content of n‐alkanes and squalene was remarkably influenced by the ripeness process of olive.