Real-time processing using the frequency domain binaural model

There are many approaches to achieving high-performance speech enhancement. The modeling of the human auditory system is a good approach, since human beings can focus on target speech under concurrent speech conditions. One example of the binaural models is the time domain binaural model. However, this model has a high-calculation cost because the algorithm is based on auto-correlation, which is computationally intensive. Another example is the frequency domain binaural model proposed by Nakashima et al. [Nakashima H, Chisaki Y, Usagawa T, Ebata M. Frequency domain binaural model based on interaural phase and level differences. Acoust Sci Technol 2003;24(4):172-8]. Since the frequency domain binaural model uses the fast fourier transform, the calculation cost is much lower than that of the time domain binaural model. Therefore, it is not difficult to perform real-time processing using recent hardware such as digital signal processors and even laptop personal computers. However the quality of the segregated sound obtained using the frequency domain binaural model depends on system parameters such as frequency resolution and frame shift length for overlap adding in time domain. This paper introduces the construction of a prototype of a hearing assistant system based on the frequency domain binaural model. The detailed implementation techniques and parameter tuning are mentioned. The proposed system runs in real-time after parameter tuning. The directional attenuation levels, that is, the directivity patterns of the proposed system is measured. Finally, it is shown that the prototype can extract sounds coming from specific directions in real-time.     

Permeability enhancement of stratified metal dielectric metamaterial in optical regime

Magnetic response of stratified metal dielectric metamaterial (SMDM) is demonstrated numerically and experimentally. One unit cell of SMDM has a sandwich unit cell consisting of alumina (60 nm)/silver (30 nm)/alumina (60 nm). A Mach–Zehnder interferometer is used to obtain phase information of transmittance and reflectance from which effective permeability is determined. The maximum permeability amounts to 20 and 17 for calculation and experiment, respectively. This huge resonance occurs when the magnetic field is concentrated at the metal layer, while the electric field has a node at the center.     

Warm plasma dispersion relation of the fast Alfven wave forasymmetrical heating current drive

Experimental observation of current drive by asymmetrical heating of ions in the Texas Tech Tokamak suggests that penetration of the fast Alfven wave near the fundamental ion-cyclotron resonance is restricted. A numerical study of the warm plasma dispersion relation near the ion-cyclotron resonance does indeed show this effect. The data reveal that, as the wave approaches the resonant layer from the high or low field side of the torus, it first passes through a region where asymmetrical heating takes place and the wave energy is absorbed by ions moving with high velocity parallel to the magnetic field     

Application of a coated-wire electrode to an acetylcholine sensor

An acetylcholine sensor was constructed with acetylcholinesterase which was immobilized on a hydrogen ion-selective coated-wire electrode and fundamental properties of this sensor were investigated. Acetylcholine could be determined in the range 0.1–10 rum with response times of 3–10 min. The effects of pH and concentration of buffer solution on the determination and fluctuations in the data obtained with this sensor were also investigated. Possibilities for the practical use of this acetylcholine micro-sensor are suggested.     

Total curvatures of Kaehler manifolds in complex projective spaces

Teufel showed that total absolute curvature of a submanifold in a sphere or a hyperbolic space equals to the mean value of the number of critical points of level functions. This is an extension of the classical work of Chern and Lashof. In this paper we shall prove a similar result holds for the total absolute curvature of Kaehler manifold in a complex projective space. We shall also express the total curvature by the Euler numbers.The present research was supported by Grant in Aid for Scientific Research No. 5754005.     

A first high enantiocontrol of an asymmetric tertiary carbon center attached with a fluoroalkyl group via Rh(I)-catalyzed conjugate addition reaction

Treatment of fluoroalkylated electron-deficient olefins with various boronic acids in the presence of a catalytic amount of Rh(I) coordinated with (S)-BINAP in toluene/H₂O at the reflux temperature for 3 h gave the corresponding conjugate addition products with high enantioselectivity in high yields.