The reduction of the sorting bias in the eigenvalues of the diffusion tensor.

One of the most intrinsic quantities when measuring the diffusion properties of a system is the set of principal diffusivities, which represents diffusion along the fibre axes. System noise is a well-known cause of systematic sorting bias when closely spaced diffusivities are ordered according to their magnitude and leads to their inaccurate estimation. This paper describes a new method for the ordering of the principal diffusivities in which local fibre directional coherence was used as a basis for sorting. The method was applied and tested in computer simulations and experimental data acquired in an isotropic water phantom and healthy human brain. Our results demonstrate that this method leads to significant reduction in the sorting bias in comparison to other techniques and thus a more accurate estimation of the eigenvalues. The method is advantageous over other proposed alternatives to the conventional magnitude sorting method because it is not reliant on a large region-of-interest averaging scheme.     

Comparison of absolute magnitude estimation and relative magnitude estimation for judging the subjective intensity of noise and vibration

The method of magnitude estimation is used in psychophysical studies to obtain numerical values for the intensity of perception of environmental stresses (e.g., noise and vibration). The exponent in a power function relating the subjective magnitude of a stimulus (e.g., the degree of discomfort) to the physical magnitude of the stimulus shows the rate of growth of sensations with increasing stimulus magnitude. When judging noise and vibration, there is no basis for deciding whether magnitude estimation should be performed with a reference stimulus (i.e., relative magnitude estimation, RME) or without a reference stimulus (i.e., absolute magnitude estimation, AME). Twenty subjects rated the discomfort caused by thirteen magnitudes of whole-body vertical vibration and 13 levels of noise, by both RME and AME on three occasions. There were high correlations between magnitude estimates of discomfort and the magnitudes of vibration and noise. Both RME and AME provided rates of growth of discomfort with high consistency over the three repetitions. When judging noise, RME was more consistent than AME, with less inter-subject variability in the exponent, n_s. When judging vibration, RME was also more consistent than AME, but with greater inter-subject variability in the exponent, n_v. When judging vibration, AME may be beneficial because sensations caused by the RME reference stimulus may differ (e.g., occur in a different part of the body) from the sensations caused by the stimuli being judged.     

An approximation for the point mobility at the intersection of two perpendicular plates

The problem of point excitation at a T-intersection of two perpendicular plates is studied in order to establish expressions for the point mobility. It is found that the theory for point excitation of the free surface of a semi-infinite elastic solid is applicable in the frequency range associated with structure-borne sound transmission. From this theory the mobility for an infinite system is derived. Based on this model and on an experimental investigation an estimation procedure for the point mobility in the finite dimension case is developed. The agreement with measurements performed in situ is quite acceptable. Both the theoretical and the experimental investigations reveal that the real part of this mobility is small, although it is larger in the experimental results. This indicates that other components of excitation are difficult to eliminate and may contribute to the power input in practice. Because of the small real part of the mobility it is advantageous with respect to the reduction of structure-borne sound power transmission to locate the contact points between a source and the receiver at such intersections. Corrections are deduced for the measured magnitude of the mobility for the case when separate force and motion transducers are used.     

Model of the geoacoustic tomography based on surface-type waves

A procedure is described for tomographic estimation of parameters of velocity inhomogeneities in a geophysical medium on the basis of the noise data recorded by a system of seismic detectors arranged along the boundary of the region under investigation. Reconstruction of inhomogeneities using this procedure, numerical simulation, and processing of the experimental data are presented.     

最优路径搜索压缩感知水声通信信道估计

将信号恢复中最优路径搜索的A*正交匹配追踪(A*Orthogonal Matching Pursuit,A*OMP)伪贪婪算法引入到水声通信信道估计中,可以有效改善正交匹配追踪(OMP)算法容易陷入局部最优的问题,并提出了一种改进型的A*OMP水声信道估计算法。改进了路径初始化方式,同时为了避免过多迭代引起的未知误差,将前后两次迭代残差之差作为停止准则。在正交频分复用(OFDM)通信体制下,对OMP、A*OMP和本文改进方法的估计误差和误比特率进行了仿真对比,随着信噪比的增加,改进方法未出现误差平台,且受导频间隔影响较小。仿真结果表明相对于OMP算法和传统A*OMP算法,在高信噪比下改进方法的估计误差分别降低约2和1个数量级,海试数据结果验证了改进方法的可行性,其误比特率分别平均降低42.0%和4.7%。      

The estimation of truncation error by τ-estimation revisited

The aim of this paper was to accurately estimate the local truncation error of partial differential equations, that are numerically solved using a finite difference or finite volume approach on structured and unstructured meshes. In this work, we approximated the local truncation error using the τ-estimation procedure, which aims to compare the residuals on a sequence of grids with different spacing. First, we focused the analysis on one-dimensional scalar linear and non-linear test cases to examine the accuracy of the estimation of the truncation error for both finite difference and finite volume approaches on different grid topologies. Then, we extended the analysis to two-dimensional problems: first on linear and non-linear scalar equations and finally on the Euler equations. We demonstrated that this approach yields a highly accurate estimation of the truncation error if some conditions are fulfilled. These conditions are related to the accuracy of the restriction operators, the choice of the boundary conditions, the distortion of the grids and the magnitude of the iteration error.     

Estimation of some transducer parameters in a broadband piezoelectric transmitter by using an artificial intelligence technique

An estimation procedure to efficiently find approximate values of internal parameters in ultrasonic transducers intended for broadband operation would be a valuable tool to discover internal construction data. This information is necessary in the modelling and simulation of acoustic and electrical behaviour related to ultrasonic systems containing commercial transducers. There is not a general solution for this generic problem of parameter estimation in the case of broadband piezoelectric probes. In this paper, this general problem is briefly analysed for broadband conditions. The viability of application in this field of an artificial intelligence technique supported on the modelling of the transducer internal components is studied. A genetic algorithm (GA) procedure is presented and applied to the estimation of different parameters, related to two transducers which are working as pulsed transmitters. The efficiency of this GA technique is studied, considering the influence of the number and variation range of the estimated parameters. Estimation results are experimentally ratified.     

基于改进Phong模型的天基光学观测GEO目标姿态估计方法

针对于缺少基于天基光学观测的空间目标姿态估计的问题,提出将无味卡尔曼滤波应用于基于天基光学观测的地球同步轨道目标姿态估计中.以光学横截面积代替星等作为观测量,提高观测方程的线性化水平,实现观测方程的简化;同时建立基于改进Phong模型的光学横截面积观测模型,在提高观测方程描述能力的同时,以角度作为模型的输入,极大地简化了计算,增强了实时性.最后,以贴敷聚酰亚胺薄膜及朗伯体材质的长方体为例,对比分析了姿态估计情况,验证了所提方法的有效性;并进一步对正六棱柱、正八棱柱进行了姿态估计.     

Error Estimation at the Information Reconciliation Stage of Quantum Key Distribution

Quantum key distribution (QKD) offers a practical solution for secure communication between two distinct parties via a quantum channel and an authentic public channel. In this work, we consider different approaches to the quantum bit error rate (QBER) estimation at the information reconciliation stage of the post-processing procedure. For reconciliation schemes employing low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes, we develop a novel syndrome-based QBER estimation algorithm. The algorithm suggested is suitable for irregular LDPC codes and takes into account punctured and shortened bits. Testing our approach in a real QKD setup, we show that an approach combining the proposed algorithm with conventional QBER estimation techniques allows one to improve the accuracy of the QBER estimation.     

Loudness of brief tones measured by magnitude estimation and loudness matching

McFadden [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 57, 702-704 (1975)] questioned the accuracy and reliability of magnitude estimation for measuring loudness of tones that vary both in duration and level, whereas Stevens and Hall [Percept. Psychophys. 1, 319-327 (1966)] reported reasonable group data. To gain insight into this discrepancy, the present study compares loudness measures for 5- and 200-ms tones using magnitude estimation and equal-loudness matches from the same listeners. Results indicate that both procedures provide rapid and accurate assessments of group loudness functions for brief tones, but may not be reliable enough to reveal specific characteristics of loudness in individual listeners.     

Estimation-induced correlations of the Zernike coefficients of the eye aberration

The statistical properties of the estimated eye aberrations differ in general from the actual ones owing to the cross coupling and aliasing generated in the estimation process. In particular, the estimated Zernike aberration coefficients may show fictitious correlations that are not present in the incoming wavefronts. This fact should be taken into account when analyzing estimated aberration datasets, searching for correlations related to physiological eye features. We give an analytical model for this effect and evaluate its magnitude for a particular example, assuming that the true aberration statistics follows a Kolmogorov power law.     

一种用于合成孔径雷达图像相干斑抑制的双边滤波参数配置新方法

基于最优折衷假设以及等效视数曲线和边缘保持指数曲线的单调特性, 提出了一种用于合成孔径雷达(SAR) 图像相干斑抑制的双边滤波参数配置新方法. 该方法与传统方法相比, 在计算时间相当的情况下, 灰度值近似方差精度提高一个数量级; 当灰度值近似方差精度相同时, 计算时间减少一个数量级.     

Estimation of the dynamical properties of polyurethane foam through use of Prony series

A system identification procedure is formulated for estimation of parameters associated with a dynamic model of a single-degree-of-freedom foam-mass system. The foam is modelled as a linear viscoelastic material, whose constitutive law is expressed by an exponential hereditary relaxation kernel. The identification procedure is based on modelling the free response of the system as a Prony series (sum of exponentials terms) and fitting this Prony series to the data. This estimated response model is then utilized to estimate the parameters in the system model based on an explicit solution of the model. The procedure is analyzed for its reliability under different sources of error and uncertainties, such as the presence of weak components and experimental noise, and some modifications are evaluated to improve the robustness of the procedure. Finally, the procedure is applied to experimental data to obtain relevant stiffness, viscous and viscoelastic parameters associated with the system. Variations in values of these parameters as a function of static compression are also investigated.     

An inverse problem of estimating the Biot number in deep X-ray lithography

In this study, an inverse algorithm based on the conjugate gradient method and the discrepancy principle is applied to estimate the unknown space- and time-dependent Biot number in deep X-ray lithography using temperature measurements. It is assumed that no prior information is available on the functional form of the unknown Biot number; hence, the procedure is classified as the function estimation in the inverse calculation. The accuracy of the inverse analysis is examined by using simulated exact and inexact temperature measurements. Results show that an excellent estimation of the space- and time-dependent Biot number can be obtained for the test case considered in this study. PACS 85.40.Hp; 44.05.+e; 46.15.Cc     

COmplex-Model-Based Estimation of thermal noise for fMRI data in the presence of artifacts

Due to the presence of artifacts induced by fast-imaging acquisition in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies, it is very difficult to estimate the variance of thermal noise by traditional methods in magnitude images. Moreover, the existence of incidental phase fluctuations impairs the validity of currently available solutions based on complex datasets. In this article, a time-domain model is proposed to generalize the analysis of complex datasets for nonbrain regions by incorporating artifacts and phase fluctuations. Based on this model, a novel estimation schema has been developed to find an appropriate set of voxels in nonbrain regions according to their levels of artifact and phase fluctuation. In addition, noise intensity from these voxels is estimated. The whole schema is named COmplex-Model-Based Estimation (COMBE). Theoretical and experimental results demonstrate that the proposed COMBE method provides a better estimation of thermal noise in fMRI studies compared with previously proposed methods and suggest that the new method can adapt to a broader range of applications, such as functional connectivity studies, evaluation of sequence designs and reconstruction schemas.     

主观评价法在颜色研究中的应用

本文介绍了目前在色适应、色貌研究中运用方便而有效一种颜色分度方法──主观评价法。从文献中引述了其基本概念及使用原则，并列举几例说明此方法应用的普遍性和意义。     

The measurement of loudness in individual children and adults by absolute magnitude estimation and cross-modality matching

Twelve adults and 11 children (age range 4-7 years) performed absolute magnitude estimation of the apparent lengths of lines and the loudnesses of 1000-Hz tones as well as cross-modality matching between loudness and apparent line length. Consistent with the notion that children and adults have similar impressions of loudness, there were no major differences between the absolute magnitude estimation (AME) and cross-modality matching (CMM) data of the adults and children. A direct comparison between the exponents for loudness by AME and CMM was made when a correction factor was employed to eliminate the effects of idiosyncratic use of numbers from the AME exponents. The results support the hypothesis that, with proper instructions, both children and adults can judge stimuli on an absolute scale. Specifically, for 9 out of 12 adults and 9 out of 11 children, lines and tones assigned the same number in absolute magnitude estimation were judged to be subjectively equal in cross-modality matching.     

Inverse estimation of the elastic and anelastic properties of the porous frame of anisotropic open-cell foams

This paper presents a method for simultaneously identifying both the elastic and anelastic properties of the porous frame of anisotropic open-cell foams. The approach is based on an inverse estimation procedure of the complex stiffness matrix of the frame by performing a model fit of a set of transfer functions of a sample of material subjected to compression excitation in vacuo. The material elastic properties are assumed to have orthotropic symmetry and the anelastic properties are described using a fractional-derivative model within the framework of an augmented Hooke's law. The inverse estimation problem is formulated as a numerical optimization procedure and solved using the globally convergent method of moving asymptotes. To show the feasibility of the approach a numerically generated target material is used here as a benchmark. It is shown that the method provides the full frequency-dependent orthotropic complex stiffness matrix within a reasonable degree of accuracy.     

Optimal estimation of the diffusion coefficient from non-averaged and averaged noisy magnitude data

The magnitude operation changes the signal distribution in MRI images from Gaussian to Rician. This introduces a bias that must be taken into account when estimating the apparent diffusion coefficient. Several estimators are known in the literature. In the present paper, two novel schemes are proposed. Both are based on simple least squares fitting of the measured signal, either to the median (MD) or to the maximum probability (MP) value of the Probability Density Function (PDF). Fitting to the mean (MN) or a high signal-to-noise ratio approximation to the mean (HS) is also possible. Special attention is paid to the case of averaged magnitude images. The PDF, which cannot be expressed in closed form, is analyzed numerically. A scheme for performing maximum likelihood (ML) estimation from averaged magnitude images is proposed. The performance of several estimators is evaluated by Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. We focus on typical clinical situations, where the number of acquisitions is limited. For non-averaged data the optimal choice is found to be MP or HS, whereas uncorrected schemes and the power image (PI) method should be avoided. For averaged data MD and ML perform equally well, whereas uncorrected schemes and HS are inadequate. MD provides easier implementation and higher computational efficiency than ML. Unbiased estimation of the diffusion coefficient allows high resolution diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and may therefore help solving the problem of crossing fibers encountered in white matter tractography.     

The Use of Continuous Regularization in the Automated Analysis of MRS Time-Domain Data

In this paper, it is shown how the advantages of continuous regularization (CR) can be exploited to achieve an improved, fully automated LPSVD analysis of MRS time-domain data. The main advantage of CR is its ability to determine the number of spectral components even at low signal-to-noise ratios, which suggested its use forin vivospectroscopy. Estimation of the spectral parameters is possible. Two alternatives of automated data-analysis schemes are thoroughly investigated by means of Monte Carlo studies. The results suggest the combination of CR for model-order estimation with other methods for more-accurate parameter estimation. Several possible combinations, including those with an improved enhancement procedure and a total-least-squares method for quantitation, are discussed. Recommendations are given for spectral analysis, and a new data-analysis protocol which performs significantly better than previously used protocols of the same type is proposed.