Objective evaluation of speech dysfluencies using wavelet packet transform with sample entropy

Dysfluency and stuttering are a break or interruption of normal speech such as repetition, prolongation, interjection of syllables, sounds, words or phrases and involuntary silent pauses or blocks in communication. Stuttering assessment through manual classification of speech dysfluencies is subjective, inconsistent, time consuming and prone to error. This paper proposes an objective evaluation of speech dysfluencies based on the wavelet packet transform with sample entropy features. Dysfluent speech signals are decomposed into six levels by using wavelet packet transform. Sample entropy (SampEn) features are extracted at every level of decomposition and they are used as features to characterize the speech dysfluencies (stuttered events). Three different classifiers such as k-nearest neighbor (kNN), linear discriminant analysis (LDA) based classifier and support vector machine (SVM) are used to investigate the performance of the sample entropy features for the classification of speech dysfluencies. 10-fold cross validation method is used for testing the reliability of the classifier results. The effect of different wavelet families on the classification performance is also performed. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed features and classification algorithms give very promising classification accuracy of 96.67% with the standard deviation of 0.37 and also that the proposed method can be used to help speech language pathologist in classifying speech dysfluencies.     

Computing integrals over polynomially defined regions and their boundaries in 2 and 3 dimensions

We use the cylindrical algebraic decomposition algorithms implemented in Mathematica to produce procedures to analytically compute integrals over polynomially defined regions and their boundaries in two and three dimensions. Using these results, we can implement the divergence theorem in three dimensions or the Green's theorems in two dimensions. These theorems are of central importance in the applications of multidimensional integration. They also provide a strong correctness test for the implementation of our results in a computer algebra system. The resulting software can solve many of the two and some of the three dimensional integration problems in vector calculus textbooks. The three dimensional results are being extended. The results in this paper are being included in an automated student assistant for vector calculus.     

Dynamic hierarchical bandwidth allocation using Russian Doll Model in EPON

This paper demonstrates a new hierarchical Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation algorithm using the Russian Doll Model (RDM) to allocate bandwidth for intra-Optical Network Unit (ONU) in an Ethernet Passive Optical Network (EPON). The allocation of bandwidth is based on the classification and prioritization of service. The algorithm addresses the requests of ONUs and provides differentiated services by balancing priority and fairness. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm performs well in supporting the triple-play services, i.e. video, voice, and data, as well as making effective adjustment in balancing bandwidth sharing between the ONUs compared with two other existing Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation (DBA) algorithm. The proposed algorithms shows significant performance improvements in terms of bandwidth utilization, packet delay and the fairness.     

Advances in the control of mechatronic suspension systems

The suspension system is a key element in motor vehicles. Advancements in electronics and micropro- cessor technology have led to the realization of mechatronic suspensions. Since its introduction in some production motorcars in the 1980s, it has remained an area which sees active research and development, and this will likely continue for many years to come. With the aim of identifying current trends and future focus areas, this paper presents a review on the state-of-the-art of mechatronic suspensions. First, some commonly used classifications of mechatronic suspensions are presented. This is followed by a discussion on some of the actuating mechanisms used to provide control action. A survey is then reported on the many types of control approaches, including look-ahead preview, predictive, fuzzy logic, proportional-integral-derivative （PID）, optimal, robust, adaptive, robust adaptive, and switching control. In conclusion, hydraulic actuators are most commonly used, but they impose high power requirements, limiting practical realizations of active suspensions. Electromagnetic actuators are seen to hold the promise of lower power requirements, and rigorous research and development should be conducted to make them commercially usable. Current focus on control methods that are robust to suspension parameter variations also seems to produce limited performance improvements, and future control approaches should be adaptive to the changeable driving conditions.     

Chemical composition, antioxidant and antibacterial properties of the essential oils of Etlingera elatior and Cinnamomum pubescens Kochummen

BACKGROUND: Plant essential oils are widely used as fragrances and flavours. Therefore, the essential oils from the leaves of Cinnamomum pubescens Kochummen (CP) and the whole plant of Etlingera elatior (EE) were investigated for their antioxidant, antibacterial and phytochemical properties. RESULTS: CP and EE were found to contain appreciable levels of total phenolic contents (50.6 and 33.41 g kg^?1 as gallic acid equivalent) and total flavonoid contents (205.6 and 244.8 g kg^?1 as rutin equivalent), respectively. DPPH free radical scavenging activity of CP is superior to EE (P < 0.05) showing IC₅₀ of 77.2 and 995.1 µg mL^?1, respectively. Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella choleraesuis were tested against CP and EE. Only MRSA was the most susceptible bacteria to CP. GC/MS studies resulted in the identification of 79 and 73 compounds in CP and EE, respectively. The most abundant components of EE included β‐pinene (24.92%) and 1‐dodecene (24.31%). While the major compound in CP were 1,6‐octadien‐3‐ol,3,7‐dimethyl (11.55%), cinnamaldehyde (56.15%) and 1‐phenyl‐propane‐2,2‐diol diethanoate (11.38%). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the essential oils from Cinnamomum pubescens Kochummen and Etlingera elatior could be potentially used as a new source of natural antioxidant and antibacterial in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of processing method on vitamin profile,antioxidant properties and total phenolic content of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) sugar syrup

Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) sugar is a more nutritious alternative sugar source as compared to sugar palm (Borassus flabellifer) and sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.). This work was aimed to investigate the browning index (BI), vitamin profile and antioxidant properties of coconut sap sugar syrups, which were produced by different processing methods: rotary evaporation (RE), microwave evaporation (ME) and open-heat evaporation (OHE). The results obtained showed that coconut sugar syrup produced by RE-60 contained high antioxidant activities [DPPH (36.71%) and ABTS (34.84%), TPC (299.87 mg per 100 g sample) and FRAP (3.74 mm )]. These values were slightly lower than those of ME and OHE. Coconut sugar syrup (RE-60) also contained higher amounts of vitamin C (1587.27 mg L⁻¹), vitamin B1 (97.44 mg L⁻¹) and vitamin B3 (19.84 mg L⁻¹) compared with those of ME and OHE coconut sugar syrups. RE-60 was the best method to produce coconut sugar syrup in a shorter time with lower browning index and higher vitamin contents.     

Wear behaviour at 600°C of surface engineered low-alloy steel containing TiC particles

The work aimed to develop surfaces that could resist wear at high temperatures, thus achieving a prolonged component life. Surface modification of a low-alloy steel by incorporating TiC particles has been undertaken by melting the surface using a tungsten inert gas torch. The dry sliding wear behaviour at 600°C of the original and modified surfaces was compared. Microscopic examination of both surfaces showed glazed layers across the wear tracks, with differing amounts of oxide and homogeneity. Extensive wear occurred on the steel surface, which showed deformation of the wear scar tracks and a steadily increased friction coefficient. The TiC addition reduced the wear loss, coinciding with a glazed layer 33% thinner than that on the low-alloy steel sample.     

Link Quality of Wireless Household Energy Meter with an Embedded RFID in LOS Indoor Environment

Wireless Personal Communications - The data monitoring system using radio frequency identification (RFID) and automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) technologies3 have become pervasive...     

Effect of intermediate layer on gas separation performance of disk supported carbon membrane

Porous alumina disk ceramic was decorated with various types of intermediate layers via one-step spray coating-carbonization technique. P-84 (BTDA-TDI/MDI) polymeric solution was sprayed on the alumina disk with an incorporation of intermediate layer. The membrane was carbonized at 700°C under nitrogen (N₂) atmosphere with a heating rate of 3°C/min. The resultant carbon membrane was characterized in terms of its thermal stability, structural morphology, and gas permeation properties. A high-performance carbon membrane was obtained with the intermediate layer of the alumina powder, which exhibited the best selectivity of O₂/N₂, CO₂/N₂ and CO₂/CH₄ of 4.39, 19.89 and 58.43, respectively.     

Electrocardiogram‐based emotion recognition system using empirical mode decomposition and discrete Fourier transform

Emotion recognition using physiological signals has gained momentum in the field of human computer–interaction. This work focuses on developing a user‐independent emotion recognition system that would classify five emotions (happiness, sadness, fear, surprise and disgust) and neutral state. The various stages such as design of emotion elicitation protocol, data acquisition, pre‐processing, feature extraction and classification are discussed. Emotional data were obtained from 30 undergraduate students by using emotional video clips. Power and entropy features were obtained in three ways – by decomposing and reconstructing the signal using empirical mode decomposition, by using a Hilbert–Huang transform and by applying a discrete Fourier transform to the intrinsic mode functions (IMFs). Statistical analysis using analysis of variance indicates significant differences among the six emotional states (p < 0.001). Classification results indicate that applying the discrete Fourier transform instead of the Hilbert transform to the IMFs provides comparatively better accuracy for all the six classes with an overall accuracy of 52%. Although the accuracy is less, it reveals the possibility of developing a system that could identify the six emotional states in a user‐independent manner using electrocardiogram signals. The accuracy of the system can be improved by investigating the power and entropy of the individual IMFs.