Identifying speakers using their emotion cues

This paper addresses the formulation of a new speaker identification approach which employs knowledge of emotional content of speaker information. Our proposed approach in this work is based on a two-stage recognizer that combines and integrates both emotion recognizer and speaker recognizer into one recognizer. The proposed approach employs both Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) and Suprasegmental Hidden Markov Models (SPHMMs) as classifiers. In the experiments, six emotions are considered including neutral, angry, sad, happy, disgust and fear. Our results show that average speaker identification performance based on the proposed two-stage recognizer is 79.92% with a significant improvement over a one-stage recognizer with an identification performance of 71.58%. The results obtained based on the proposed approach are close to those achieved in subjective evaluation by human listeners.     

Adaptive output feedback tracking controller for a class of uncertain strict feedback nonlinear systems in the absence of state measurements

In this article, design of an adaptive control scheme for a class of uncertain single-input single-output systems in strict feedback form via a backstepping technique has been proposed. It is assumed that system output and its derivatives are available. By virtue of the observability concept, it is shown that for this class of systems there exists a one-to-one map, which maps output and its derivatives to system states. By means of this mapping and using linearly parametrised approximators, such as fuzzy logic systems or neural networks, the uncertain nonlinear dynamics and unavailable states are estimated. The proposed adaptive controller guarantees that the closed-loop system is uniformly ultimately bounded and the influence of minimum approximation error on the L ₂-norm of the output tracking error is attenuated arbitrarily. The effectiveness of the proposed scheme has been demonstrated through simulation results.     

Fast voltage‐driving scheme for AMOLED displays based on internal feedback

Abstract— A new driving scheme for active‐matrix organic light‐emitting diodes (AMOLED) displays based on voltage programming is proposed. While conventional voltage drivers have a trade‐off between speed and accuracy, the new scheme is inherently fast and accurate. Based on the new driving scheme, a fast pixel circuit is designed using amorphous‐silicon (a‐Si) thin‐film transistors (TFTs). As the simulation results indicate, this pixel circuit can compensate the threshold‐voltage shift (VT shift) of the driver transistors. This pixel can be programmed in just 10 μsec, and it can compensate the threshold‐voltage shifts over 5 V with an error rate of less than 5% for a 1 ‐μA pixel current.     

On the Advice Complexity of the k-server Problem Under Sparse Metrics

We consider the k-Server problem under the advice model of computation when the underlying metric space is sparse. On one side, we introduce Θ(1)-competitive algorithms for a wide range of sparse graphs. These algorithms require advice of (almost) linear size. We show that for graphs of size N and treewidth α, there is an online algorithm that receives O (n(log α + log log N))^* bits of advice and optimally serves any sequence of length n. We also prove that if a graph admits a system of μ collective tree (q, r)-spanners, then there is a (q + r)-competitive algorithm which requires O (n(log μ + log log N)) bits of advice. Among other results, this gives a 3-competitive algorithm for planar graphs, when provided with O (n log log N) bits of advice. On the other side, we prove that advice of size Ω(n) is required to obtain a 1-competitive algorithm for sequences of length n even for the 2-server problem on a path metric of size N ≥ 3. Through another lower bound argument, we show that at least \(\frac {n}{2}(\log \alpha - 1.22)\) bits of advice is required to obtain an optimal solution for metric spaces of treewidth α, where 4 ≤ α < 2k.     

A study of the influence of REV variability in double‐scale FEM ×DEM analysis

In this work, the consequences of using several different discrete element granular assemblies for the representation of the microscale structure, in the framework of multiscale modeling, have been investigated. The adopted modeling approach couples, through computational homogenization, a macroscale continuum with microscale discrete simulations. Several granular assemblies were used depending on the location in the macroscale finite element mesh. The different assemblies were prepared independently as being representative of the same material, but their geometrical differences imply slight differences in their response to mechanical loading. The role played by the micro‐assemblies, with weaker macroscopic mechanical properties, on the initiation of strain localization in biaxial compression tests is demonstrated and illustrated by numerical modeling of different macroscale configurations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A biogeography-based optimization for optimum discrete design of skeletal structures

This article presents a modified biogeography-based optimization (MBBO) algorithm for optimum design of skeletal structures with discrete variables. The main idea of the biogeography-based optimization (BBO) algorithm is based on the science of biogeography, in which each habitat is a possible solution for the optimization problem in the search space. This algorithm consists of two main operators: migration and mutation. The migration operator helps the habitats to exploit the search space, while the mutation operator guides habitats to escape from the local optimum. To enhance the performance of the standard algorithm, some modifications are made and an MBBO algorithm is presented. The performance of the MBBO algorithm is evaluated by optimizing five benchmark design examples, and the obtained results are compared with other methods in the literature. The numerical results demonstrate that the MBBO algorithm is able to show very competitive results and has merits in finding optimum designs.     

对称和非对称粘合单盖板节点的变形和应力分析

采用粘合节点连接各种结构构件日益增多。只有充分了解粘合节点的性能,才能保证这种节点的功效、安全和可靠性。有些节点的构造,如单、双搭接接头受到了重视,但单盖板的构造并没有得到重视,部分原因是早期的研究显示这种节点效率低。本文的目的之一是论证只要经过合理设计,盖板节点与搭接接头同样有效。这项工作通过详细分析粘合剂中峰值应力的参数影响来完成。另一个目标是提出一个简单的方程,能够使盖板节点的设计便利及有效。为此,对解析表达式进行了简化并给出精确的结果,并对影响边缘力的参数有了进一步的理解。     

Biological evaluation of partially stabilized zirconia added HA/HDPE composites with osteoblast and fibroblast cell lines

In the present study, the biocompatibility of partially stabilized zirconia (PSZ) added hydroxyapatite (HA)––high density polyethylene (HDPE) composites was evaluated by proliferation and cell attachment assays on two osteoblast cell lines (G-292, Saos-2) and a type of fibroblast cell isolated from bone tissue namely HBF in different time intervals. Cell-material interactions on the surface of the composites were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effect of composites on the behavior of osteoblast and fibroblast cells was compared with those of HDPE and Tissue Culture Poly Styrene (TPS) (as negative control) samples. Results showed that the composite samples supported a higher proliferation rate of osteoblast cells in the presence of composite samples as compared to the HDPE and TPS samples after 3, 7 and 14 days of incubation period. It was showed that an equal or in some cases an even higher proliferation rate of G-292 and Saos-2 osteoblast cells on composite samples in compare to negative controls in culture period (P < 0.05). The number of adhered cells on the composite samples was equal and in some cases higher than the number adhered on the HDPE and TPS samples after the above mentioned incubation periods (P < 0.05). Adhered cells presented a normal morphology by SEM and many of the cells were seen to be undergoing cell division.     

Linear Viscoelastic Characteristics of Poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/Polycarbonate Blends in the Melt State

Summary: Blends of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) and polycarbonate (PC) over full composition range were prepared using a twin‐screw extruder. A glycidyl methacrylate‐based terpolymer was used to modify the interface of the blends. Morphological examinations were carried out using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and confirmed the biphasic structure of the blends. Dynamic rheological response of the blends was recorded in the linear viscoelastic region. It was observed that addition of the terpolymer to the system increases the dynamic shear moduli and complex viscosity of the blends, which is attributed to interactions of the terpolymer at the interface of two phases leading to a restricted chain mobility of the blend components. The Veenstra model was found to be able to describe dynamic shear modulus of the PTT/PC 50/50 blend; however, for the compatibilized blend of PTT/PC 50/50, the fit is not as good as that of uncompatibilized system, which is believed to be due to formation of micelles in this system.

Dynamic storage modulus of the compatibilized and uncompatibilized PTT/PC blends.     

Predicting turbulent flow friction coefficient using ANFIS technique

The friction coefficient is widely used for technical and economical design of pipes in irrigation, land drainage, urban sewage systems and intake structures. In the present study, the friction factor in pipes is estimated by using adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and grid partition method. The data derived from the Colebrook’s equation were considered for ascertaining the neuro-fuzzy model. Present approach developed an ANFIS technique to predict the friction coefficient as output variable based on pipe relative roughness and Reynold’s number as input variables. The performance of the ANFIS model was evaluated against conventional procedures. Correlation coefficient (R2), root mean squared error and mean absolute error were used as comparing statistical indicators for the assessment of the proposed approach’s performance. It was found that the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system model is more accurate than other empirical equations in modeling friction factor.