Effect of noise and occupancy on optimal reverberation times for speech intelligibility in classrooms

The question of what is the optimal reverberation time for speech intelligibility in an occupied classroom has been studied recently in two different ways, with contradictory results. Experiments have been performed under various conditions of speech-signal to background-noise level difference and reverberation time, finding an optimal reverberation time of zero. Theoretical predictions of appropriate speech-intelligibility metrics, based on diffuse-field theory, found nonzero optimal reverberation times. These two contradictory results are explained by the different ways in which the two methods account for background noise, both of which are unrealistic. To obtain more realistic and accurate predictions, noise sources inside the classroom are considered. A more realistic treatment of noise is incorporated into diffuse-field theory by considering both speech and noise sources and the effects of reverberation on their steady-state levels. The model shows that the optimal reverberation time is zero when the speech source is closer to the listener than the noise source, and nonzero when the noise source is closer than the speech source. Diffuse-field theory is used to determine optimal reverberation times in unoccupied classrooms given optimal values for the occupied classroom. Resulting times can be as high as several seconds in large classrooms; in some cases, optimal values are unachievable, because the occupants contribute too much absorption.     

Dephasing of Josephson qubits close to optimal points

Decoherence of Josephson qubits can be substantially reduced by tuning their parameters to optimal operation points with only quadratic coupling to fluctuations. We analyze dephasing due to 1/f noise for a two-level system detuned from an optimal point, i.e., the crossover to the linear-coupling regime, both for free induction decay and for spin-echo experiments. Influence of several noise sources is also discussed. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Generation of a homogeneous plasma and wide ion beams in a penning system with a nonequipotential cathode

A study is made of the possibility of controlling the spatial distribution of the degree of ionization in a modified Penning cell with a cathode divided into several sections that are at different potentials. It is shown that an almost uniform plasma can be produced when applying an optimal potential of the control electrode. This enables the generation of wide ion beams in this system. An ion extraction efficiency of several tens of percent is achieved, which is substantially higher than in conventional ion sources.     

Applications of ultrasound in total synthesis of bioactive natural products: A promising green tool

Total synthesis is frequently compared to climbing as it provides a suitable route to reach a high point from the floor, the complex natural product from simple and commercially available materials. The total synthesis has a privileged position of trust in confirming the hypothetical complex structures of natural products despite sophisticated analytical and spectroscopic instrumentation and techniques that are available presently. Moreover, total synthesis is also useful to prepare rare bioactive natural products in the laboratory as several bioactive secondary metabolites are obtained in small quantities from natural sources. The artistic aspect of the total synthesis of bioactive natural products continues to be praised today as it may provide environmental protection through the concept of green or clean chemistry. The use of ultrasound waves as a non-polluting source of energy is of great interest in the field of sustainable and pharmaceutical chemistry as it differs from conventional energy sources in terms of reaction rates, yields, selectivities, and purity of the products. The present review highlights the application of ultrasound as a green tool in the total synthesis of bioactive natural products as well as this article is also aimed to offer an overview of natural sources, structures, and biological activities of the promising natural products for the first time from 2005 to 2020 elegantly.     

Interaction of a high-intensity ultrashort laser pulse with extended nanofilaments of dense plasma

Generation and propagation of fast electrons in laser targets consisting of thin nanofilaments are studied numerically and analytically. Such targets completely absorb laser radiation and exhibit a large coefficient of laser-energy conversion to kinetic energy of a flow of fast electrons. Analytical estimates show that the optimal thickness of the filament is on the order of the skin depth of the laser plasma, while an optimal distance between filaments is on the order of the Debye radius of hot electrons. A bunch of relativistic electrons can propagate as far as several hundred micrometers in such targets, while the fastest electrons can propagate several millimeters. Upon bending of filaments, the flow of electrons propagates along the filaments and can be focused by bringing the filaments together. Laser targets of the discussed composition are used as sources of dense bunches of relativistic electrons and subsequent generation of high-intensity X-ray radiation with their help.     

The forward and inverse problem of cardiac magnetic fields based on concentric ellipsoid torso-heart model

<正>This paper constructs a concentric ellipsoid torso-heart model by boundary element method and investigates the impacts of model structures on the cardiac magnetic fields generated by both equivalent primary source—a current dipole and volume currents.Then by using the simulated magnetic fields based on the torso-heart model as input,the cardiac current sources—an array of current dipoles by optimal constrained linear inverse method are constructed.Next, the current dipole array reconstruction considering boundaries are compared with that in an unbounded homogeneous medium.Furthermore,the influence of random noise on reconstruction is also considered and the reconstructing effect is judged by several reconstructing parameters.     

次级声源优化布放的局部空间有源降噪

针对区域有源降噪问题,为获得更优降噪效果,根据实际次级通路传递函数,提出次级声源优化布放的有源控制系统并详细比较了两种次级声源优化布放算法与次级声源均匀布放的实际降噪效果。应用的第一种次级声源优化算法是l₂范数约束的约束匹配追踪算法,第二种次级声源优化算法是l₁范数约束的稀疏正则化方法。在全消声室中利用扬声器线阵进行多通道有源降噪实验研究,实验结果表明,在200～1000 Hz,次级声源优化布放的控制系统的平均降噪量比次级声源均匀布放的控制系统的平均降噪量多5 dB左右;在1100～1900 Hz,次级声源优化布放的控制系统的平均降噪量比次级声源均匀布放的控制系统的平均降噪量多11～13 dB左右,次级声源优化布放的控制系统的降噪量分布更加均匀且次级声源输出能量更小。此外,两种优化算法中,稀疏正则化方法的降噪效果更佳。     

随机相位微波功率的空间合成效率

 采用数值计算方法,将微波功率源输出信号的相位差视为等概率分布的随机事件,通过阵列天线平均增益定量计算了多微波源空间功率合成效率;分析了随机相位条件下,天线单元间耦合系数、极化方式和单元增益对合成效率的影响。计算结果表明：多微波源在随机相位条件下进行空间功率合成,阵列天线单元之间的相互耦合将造成合成效率严重下降;而天线类型、极化方式和天线单元增益对合成效率的影响较小。     

2 W/nm peak-power all-fiber supercontinuum source and its application to the characterization of periodically poled non-linear crystals

We demonstrate a uniform high spectral brightness and peak power density all-fiber supercontinuum source. The source consists of a nanosecond Ytterbium fiber laser and an optimal length PCF producing a continuum with a peak power density of 2 W/nm and less than 5 dB of spectral variation between 590 and 1500 nm. The Watt level per nm peak power density enables the use of such sources for the characterization of non-linear materials. Application of the source is demonstrated with the characterization of several periodically poled crystals.     

Principal component and sampling analysis of color spectra

We studied the effect and relation between the optimal sampling interval and the optimal number of principal component analysis eigenvectors for color spectra. The effect of different type of light sources and illuminants are included in the study. Several reflectance spectra sets under different real light sources and standard illuminants were used as a test set. The needed sampling interval and number eigenvectors with different light sources and illuminants are found. The used bandwidth in measurements causes effect to the resulted optimal sampling interval, which is also shown.     

Theoretical study of power amplification in tapered fiber with multi-seed parallel injection

We proposed the concept of parallel injection power amplification.A tapered fiber amplifier with multi-seed sources by the way of parallel injection was studied.The lower-order modes are excited and more than 90%of the input signal power remains in the fiber core if optimal injection and taper design are set.The power in the doped-core is amplified with high optical-optical efficiency.When light is propagating along the fiber,the higher-order modes are filtered which results in the high output beam quality.Incoherent combination of multi-seed lights launched through the wide end gives rise to the output power of several kW.     

Statistical mechanical approach to lossy data compression: Theory and practice

The encoder and decoder for lossy data compression of binary memoryless sources are developed on the basis of a specific-type nonmonotonic perceptron. Statistical mechanical analysis indicates that the potential ability of the perceptron-based code saturates the theoretically achievable limit in most cases although exactly performing the compression is computationally difficult. To resolve this difficulty, we provide a computationally tractable approximation algorithm using belief propagation (BP), which is a current standard algorithm of probabilistic inference. Introducing several approximations and heuristics, the BP-based algorithm exhibits performance that is close to the achievable limit in a practical time scale in optimal cases.     

Pulsed laser deposition of silicon substituted hydroxyapatite coatings from synthetical and biological sources

Silicon substituted hydroxyapatite (Si-HA) is a new material with an enhanced bioactibity and it can be produced by chemical synthesis. Nevertheless, the coating of metallic substrates with a bioactive material is a common method nowadays to improve its integration with the receptor bone.Si-HA films were deposited by pulsed laser deposition (PLD), using targets composed of mixtures of HA with different Si containing sources such as SiO₂ and diatomaceous earth. The Si-HA films were characterized in terms of structure and chemical composition by spectroscopic techniques (FTIR, XPS), and several ion beam techniques (RBS, PIXE). The analysis revealed that the Si is successfully incorporated into the HA structure, as well as traces of other elements such as Na, Fe or K.     

Optimal quantum cloning on a beam splitter

We demonstrate how a beam splitter in combination with different light sources can be used as an optimal universal 1-->2 quantum cloner and as an optimal universal quantum NOT machine for the polarization qubit of a single photon. For the cloning a source of single photons with maximally mixed polarization is required and for the NOT operation a source of maximally entangled photon pairs. We demonstrate both operations with near optimal fidelity. Our scheme can be generalized in a natural way to clone and NOT the spin state of electrons.     

离散发热器件基于(火积)耗散率最小和最高温度最小的构形优化比较

建立了导热基座上圆柱体离散发热器件的三维湍流散热模型,基于构形理论,考虑空气变物性及可压缩性和黏性耗散,研究了器件材料的热导率、热源强度和流体流速对器件最高温度、基于(火积)耗散定义的当量热阻和平均Nu数的影响.结果表明:在总发热功率一定的条件下,以器件最高温度和当量热阻为性能指标进行热设计,均存在最优热源强度分布使得散热性能最优.当各热源强度相同且热源热导率小于基座热导率时,提高热源热导率可明显改善散热性能;将热源热导率沿流动方向从低到高布置可降低器件最高温度,而将热源热导率均匀布置可使当量热阻最小.所得结果可为实际热设计中不同材质和不同发热率的电子器件最优布置提供理论支撑.     

On the synthesis problem for optimal control of a nonlinear stochastic observation process

The synthesis problem of an optimal nonlinear observer of a stochastic process is formulated and solved as a problem of vector formation of series-expansion coefficients in a nonlinear observation function to minimize the given functional of the a posteriori density of the observed process. An example of practical synthesis of a vector for optimal control of a nonlinear stochastic observation process is presented.Rostov-on-Don. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 38, No. 11, pp. 1213–1224, November, 1995.     

A neural-network method for the synthesis of informative features for the classification of signal sources in cognitive radio systems

This paper discusses possible methods for the synthesis of informative features for the classification of signal sources in cognitive radio systems using artificial neural networks. A synthesis method based on the use of autoassociative neural networks is proposed. From the point of view of the classification of the signals, informativeness of synthesized features is estimated using a modified artificial neural network based on radial basis functions that contains an additional self-organizing layer of neurons that provide the automatic selection of the variance of basis functions and a significant reduction of the network dimension. It is shown that the use of autoassociative networks in the problem of the classification of signal sources makes it possible to synthesize the feature space with a minimum dimension while maintaining separation properties.     

Constructive methods for synthesizing inhomogeneous layered structures under the effect of elastic waves

A variational statement of the problem of optimal synthesis aimed at obtaining inhomogeneous layered structures that exhibit a required set of properties under the effect of elastic waves is studied. The possibility of targeted control of mode conversion at the boundaries between elastic layers is investigated with a view to extending the limits in designing structurally inhomogeneous systems with preset properties. The optimum conditions are presented for problems of optimal synthesis of inhomogeneous layered structures under the effect of elastic waves in terms of the aforementioned variational statement. Analytical relations are derived for an effective a priori contraction of the allowable set of materials, which makes it possible to increase the efficiency of the search for optimal solutions and to extend the limits of applicability of different approaches.     

Impact of synthesis routes on the chemical,optical, and electrical properties of graphene oxides and its derivatives

Solution-processed graphene oxides in their reduced forms are prominent prospective functional materials for organic optoelectronics. For graphene oxide synthesis, several methods have been developed, which induce varying properties in their products. However, the dependence of the graphene oxide properties on their synthesis methods has rarely been studied, hindering the selection of the optimum synthesis route for a target application. In this study, we report our study results on the properties of synthesized graphene oxides and their reduced forms created using several synthesis methods, such as the modified Hummers' method, the improved method, and the Staudenmaier's method as well as from two commercial sources, Angstron Material, Inc. and Graphos, Inc. Focusing on the transparent electrode application, the properties of thin films were investigated using UV–visible spectroscopy, Hall measurements, atomic force microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, work function measurements, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Our results reveal significant morphological, elemental, structural, and optoelectrical property variations among the as-prepared and reduced thin films of graphene oxides by their synthesis methods. In addition, the results show that the graphene oxides synthesized using the modified Hummers' method and the product from Angstron Material, Inc. are the most suitable materials for the transparent electrode application.     

A synthesis approach for reproducing the response of aircraft panels to a turbulent boundary layer excitation

Random wall-pressure fluctuations due to the turbulent boundary layer (TBL) are a feature of the air flow over an aircraft fuselage under cruise conditions, creating undesirable effects such as cabin noise annoyance. In order to test potential solutions to reduce the TBL-induced noise, a cost-efficient alternative to in-flight or wind-tunnel measurements involves the laboratory simulation of the response of aircraft sidewalls to high-speed subsonic TBL excitation. Previously published work has shown that TBL simulation using a near-field array of loudspeakers is only feasible in the low frequency range due to the rapid decay of the spanwise correlation length with frequency. This paper demonstrates through theoretical criteria how the wavenumber filtering capabilities of the radiating panel reduces the number of sources required, thus dramatically enlarging the frequency range over which the response of the TBL-excited panel is accurately reproduced. Experimental synthesis of the panel response to high-speed TBL excitation is found to be feasible over the hydrodynamic coincidence frequency range using a reduced set of near-field loudspeakers driven by optimal signals. Effective methodologies are proposed for an accurate reproduction of the TBL-induced sound power radiated by the panel into a free-field and when coupled to a cavity.