Dual-channel spectral subtraction algorithms based speech enhancement dedicated to a bilateral cochlear implant

In this paper, two speech enhancement algorithms (SEAs) based on spectral subtraction (SS) principle have been evaluated for bilateral cochlear implant (BCI) users. Specifically, dual-channel noise power spectral estimation algorithm using power spectral densities (PSD) and cross power spectral density (CPSD) of the observed signals was studied. The enhanced speech signals were obtained using either Dual Channel Non Linear Spectral Subtraction ‘DC-NLSS’ or Dual-Channel Multi-Band Spectral Subtraction ‘DC-MBSS’ algorithms. For performance evaluation, some objective speech assessment tests relying on Perceptual Evaluation of Speech Quality (PESQ) score and speech Itakura-Saito (IS) distortion measurement were performed to fix the optimal number of frequency band needed in DC-MBSS algorithm. In order to evaluate the speech intelligibility, subjective listening tests were assessed with 50 normal hearing listeners using a specific BCI simulator and with three deafened BCI patients. Experimental results, obtained using French Lafon database corrupted by an additive babble noise at different Signal-to-Noise Ratios (SNR), showed that DC-MBSS algorithm improves speech understanding better than DC-NLSS algorithm for single and multiple interfering noise sources.     

Energy mechanism during machining process by high-power continuous CO2 laser

The high-power continuous CO₂ laser (4 KW) can provide an energy capable of causing melting or even, with special treatment of surface, vaporizing an XC42 - iron sample. During the laser-metal interaction, the energetic machining mechanism takes place according to the following assumptions: Laser energy absorbed by metal is maximal for a p-polarization. The melting front precedes the laser beam. The beam interacts with a preheated surface whose temperature is near the melting point. In such conditions one finds that mean average absorptive power (A), calculated through Maxwell's equations at fusion temperature, is around 25%, which enables us to calculate the laser energy absorbed by the metal. The available thermal models provide a lot of information concerning thermal diffusion but are unable to describe the physical process of the groove. Hence practical information required for industrial applications cannot be obtained. So in this work we have established a model able to calculate the characteristic parameters of the groove (or cut) as a function of laser energy and beam impact diameter (D). This model is based on writing down the balance of exchanged heat during the time of laser-material interaction ((t). This new procedure makes it possible to determine the machining parameters (laser power P, impact diameter D, and machining speed V) which one has to use during the machining process in order to implement an optimum groove (or cut) with predetermined characteristics (width L_s, and groove depth P_r).     

On the spectral analysis of many-body systems

We describe the essential spectrum and prove the Mourre estimate for quantum particle systems interacting through k-body forces and creation-annihilation processes which do not preserve the number of particles. For this we compute the “Hamiltonian algebra” of the system, i.e. the C^∗-algebra C generated by the Hamiltonians we want to study, and show that, as in the N-body case, it is graded by a semilattice. Hilbert C^∗-modules graded by semilattices are involved in the construction of C. For example, if we start with an N-body system whose Hamiltonian algebra is CN and then we add field type couplings between subsystems, then the many-body Hamiltonian algebra C is the imprimitivity algebra of a graded Hilbert CN-module.     

Structure of Hydrogen and Hydrophobically Bonded Amphiphilic Copolymer with Poly(methacrylic acid) Complexes as Revealed by Small Angle Neutron Scattering

We study by SANS the structure of intermolecular complexes formed through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions between poly(methacrylic acid) (PMA) and a neutral copolymer surfactant (PEO-PPO-PEO). The contrast variation method enables us to probe the structure factor of each polymer in the complex and their cross structure factor. The number of copolymer chains, which results from the cooperative action of hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions increases as the charge of the polyacid decreases. The aggregation preserves the micellar core-corona organization of the copolymer and shrinks the polyacid chains which adopt a similar compact structure. Finally, the structure of the aggregates is compared to that of PEO-PMA homopolymer complex observed by SANS.     

Finite element formulation for active functionally graded thin-walled structures

For the analysis and design process of smart structures with integrated piezoelectric patches, the finite element method provides an effective simulation approach. In this paper, an attempt on modeling and simulation of the behavior of hybrid active structures is carried out using developed Kirchhoff-type-four-node shell element.The finite element results are compared with reference solutions taking into account the electromechanical responses of smart structures with various geometries, and the results show very high agreement. The main aspect of the application of the proposed element is to predict the behavior of FGM shells containing piezoelectric layers. A set of numerical analyses is performed in order to highlight the applicability and effectiveness of the present finite element model, notably for smart FGM structures. A comprehensive parametric study is conducted to show the influence of material composition, the placement and the thickness of the piezoelectric layers on the deformation of the laminated structure.     

On the Stationary Navier–Stokes Problem in $$\mathbb {R}^3$$: An Approach in Weighted Sobolev Spaces

In this paper, we study the steady-state Navier–Stokes equations in \(\mathbb {R}^3\). First, we establish the existence of very weak solution in \(\varvec{L}^p(\mathbb {R}^3)\) with \(3/2< p < +\infty \) under smallness conditions on the data. A uniqueness result is also given in case the data belong to \(\mathbb {L}^r(\mathbb {R}^3)\cap \mathbb {L}^{3/2}(\mathbb {R}^3)\) with \(3/2<r<3\). We also discuss the case where the data are not necessarily small. In particular, these results enhance those obtained by Bjorland et al. (Commun Partial Differ Equ 26:216–246, 2011), and are in agreement with those obtained by Kim and Kozono (J Math Anal Appl 395(2):486–495, 2012). Second, we prove a result of existence and uniqueness of weak solution in the weighted Sobolev space \(\varvec{W}_0^{1,p}(\mathbb {R}^3)\cap \varvec{W}_0^{1,\,3/2}(\mathbb {R}^3)\) in case of small external forces given by \(\mathrm{div}\mathbb {F}\) with \(\mathbb {F} \in \mathbb {L}^p(\mathbb {R}^3)\cap \mathbb {L}^{3/2}(\mathbb {R}^3)\) and \(1<p<3\).     

Essential spectra of some matrix operators and application to two-group transport operators with general boundary conditions

In this article we investigate the essential spectra of a 2×2 block operator matrix on a Banach space. Furthermore, we apply the obtained results to determine the essential spectra of two-group transport operators with general boundary conditions in the Banach space Lp([−a,a]×[−1,1])×Lp([−a,a]×[−1,1]), a>0.     

Asymptotic velocity for fibered Hamiltonians

We show the existence of the asymptotic velocity for a large class of Hamiltonians with a fibered structure.     

Structural,morphologic and optical characterization of In(2−x)Al x S3

Aluminum-doped indium sulfide thin films are deposited on glass by spray pyrolysis technique. The structure and the surface morphology of these films were characterized by X-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy. The effects of aluminum ratio z and substrate temperature T _s, on the film structure and grain size are discussed. The influence of aluminum ratio on surface morphology is revealed by scanning electron microscope. Besides, energy dispersive spectrometry technique is used to compare atomic aluminum concentration in the film with aluminum ratio z in spray solution. Optical properties are studied by a spectrophotometer in the wavelength range 350–850 nm, at room temperature. Optical transmission and grain size are found to be maximal for z = 1.8 %. Moreover, band-gap energy is found to increase with aluminum ratio.     

A noise cross PSD estimator based on improved minimum statistics method for two-microphone speech enhancement dedicated to a bilateral cochlear implant

Coherence based methods have been successfully applied to dual-microphone noise reduction systems. These techniques showed good results when noise signals on two microphones were uncorrelated, but their performance decreased with correlated noises. It could be improved when the cross power spectral density (CPSD) of received noises is available.In this paper, an improved minimum tracking (IMT) technique for noise CPSD estimation was proposed. The performance of this technique was compared to two other noise CPSD estimators based on voice activity detection (VAD) and minimum tracking (MT) approaches. Evaluation was performed at four signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) and two interfering noise source configurations.Results showed a superiority of the IMT approach in terms of low computing time and quality indicated by the perceptual evaluation of speech quality (PESQ) scores. Then, subjective listening tests were carried out with 50 normal hearing listeners using a specific bilateral cochlear implant (BCI) simulator and utilizing the French Lafon database corrupted by additional babble noise. Results obtained with the proposed technique were better than the two previously mentioned noise CPSD estimators.