Deep Learning-Based Estimation of Reverberant Environment for Audio Data Augmentation

This paper proposes an audio data augmentation method based on deep learning in order to improve the performance of dereverberation. Conventionally, audio data are augmented using a room impulse response, which is artificially generated by some methods, such as the image method. The proposed method estimates a reverberation environment model based on a deep neural network that is trained by using clean and recorded audio data as inputs and outputs, respectively. Then, a large amount of a real augmented database is constructed by using the trained reverberation model, and the dereverberation model is trained with the augmented database. The performance of the augmentation model was verified by a log spectral distance and mean square error between the real augmented data and the recorded data. In addition, according to dereverberation experiments, the proposed method showed improved performance compared with the conventional method.

Design of Sports Image Contour Feature Acquisition System Based on the Background Subtraction Method

Moving target detection (MTD) is one of the emphases and difficulties in the field of computer vision and image processing. It is the basis of moving target tracking and behavior recognition. We propose two methods are improved and fused, respectively, and the fusion algorithm is applied to the complex scene for MTD, so as to improve the accuracy of MTD in complex and hybrid scenes. Using the main idea of the three-frame difference image method, the background difference method and the interframe difference method are combined to make their advantages complementary to overcome each other’s weaknesses. The experimental results show that the method can be well adapted to the situation of periodic motion interference in the background, and it can adapt to the situation of sudden background changes.

A Comprehensive Review of Characterization Methods for Metallurgical Coke Structures

The structure of coke affects its reactivity and strength, which directly influences its performance in the blast furnace. This review divides coke structures into chemical structure, physical structure, and optical texture according to their relevant characteristics. The focuses of this review are the current characterization methods and research status of the coke structures. The chemical structures (element composition and functional group) can be characterized by elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy (Raman), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging technology (13C NMR). The physical structures (pore structure and micro-crystallite structure) can be characterized by image method, X-ray CT imaging technique, mercury intrusion method, nitrogen gas adsorption method, X-ray diffraction method (XRD), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The optical textures are usually divided and counted by a polarizing microscope. In the end, this review provides an idea of the construction of a coke molecular structural model, based on the above characterization. With the coke model, the evolution principles of the coke can be calculated and simulated. Hence, the coke performance can be predicted and optimized.

Arts-Aided Recognition of Citizens’ Perceptions for Urban Open Space Management

Urban open spaces of local natural environments can promote the health and well-being of both ecosystems and humans, and the management of the urban spaces can benefit from knowledge of individuals’/citizens’ perceptions of such environments. However, such knowledge is scarce and contemporary inquiries are often limited to cognitive observations and focused on built environmental elements rather than encouraged to recognize and communicate comprehensive perceptions. This paper investigates whether arts-based methods can facilitate recognition and understanding perceptions of urban open spaces. Two arts-based methods were used to capture perceptions: drifting, which is a walking method, and theatrical images, which is a still image method and three reflective methods to recognize and communicate the perceptions. The results show related sensations and perceptions enabled by arts-based methods comparing them to a sticker map method. The main findings were perceptions, which included information about human–environment interaction, about relations to other people and about ‘sense of place’ in urban open spaces. The hitherto unidentified perceptions about urban open space were associations, metaphors and memories. The methods used offer initial practical implications for future use.

Head-to-Head Comparison of 68Ga-PSMA-11 and 131I in the Follow-Up of Well-Differentiated Metastatic Thyroid Cancer: A New Potential Theragnostic Agent

IntroductionThyroid cancer is the main endocrine neoplasia worldwide, for which 131I therapy is the cornerstone treatment. One of the main problems of follow up in patients with this type of cancer, is the need for thyroglobulin stimulation, not to mention the poor availability of 123I or 124I, to perform studies with a higher degree of sensitivity. Prostatic Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) PET/CT has demonstrated to be quite useful in a diversified number of neoplasms, on behalf of its capacity of evaluating the extent of type II carboxypeptidase expression in vascular endothelium. The end point of this article is to assess whether this novel image method possesses applicability in thyroid neoplasms follow up, for diagnostic and potentially therapeutic purposes.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated well differentiated metastatic thyroid cancer patients, who underwent a post therapeutic 131I dose whole body scan (WBS) and complementary SPECT/CT, as well as 68Ga-PSMA–11 PET/CT.ResultsTen patients with differentiated thyroid cancer were included, of whom 80% were women and 20% men, mean age was 58 years old (± 11.6). Sixty-four metastatic lesions were analyzed, 67.19% had papillary histology and 32.81% were follicular type, the most affected site of metastases was bone in 57.81%, followed by lung 17.19%, lymph nodes 7.81%, postoperative thyroid bed 4.69%, brain 4.69% and others 7.81%. 68Ga PSMA-11 PET/CT detected 64/64 lesions, all of them also identified by computed tomography (CT), whereas 131I SPECT/CT detected 55/64 lesions. Discrepant lesions were localized in lung 44.4%, brain 22.2%, postoperative thyroid bed 11.1%, lymph nodes 11.1% and bone 11.1%. The degree of correspondence among observers was outstanding for both radiotracers, but close upon perfect for PSMA-11 (κ = 0.98; 95% CI, 0.80 – 0.91), as opposed to 131 I (κ = 0.86; 95% CI, 0.71 – 0.76).Conclusions68Ga-PSMA PET/CT showed an utterly superior capability for metastatic lesion detection when compared to 131I SPECT/CT. These findings suggest that PSMA PET/CT could possibly and precociously identify radioiodine refractoriness. PSMA uptake values not only expedite diagnosis, but also award it the ability to be used for therapeutic intents.

Application of VR in the Experimental Teaching of Animation Art

As computer technology advanced, VR has emerged. It is a virtual environment based on high-tech computer technology that can bring people a sense of reality and sensory experience. Through specific devices or equipment, it uses unique means to interact and communicate with the target object in the virtual environment, so that the professor can get a sense of reality and immersive experience. In order to increase students’ interest in teaching content, and at the same time to develop the education industry to achieve technology, this article combines virtual reality technology with experimental teaching. The paper discusses the use of VR in animation art experimental teaching and plans to provide thoughts and instructions about the fresh way in animation experimental teaching. This paper proposes the application research methods of VR in animation experiment teaching, including literature research method, expert interview method, questionnaire survey method, VR animation art teaching based on image method, and VR animation teaching evaluation clustering algorithm, which is used for conducting research experiments on the utilization of VR in animation art experimental learning. The experimental results in this article show that 96.25% of students like animation art VR experimental teaching system, which is helpful to the development of the teaching work.

Time-Lapse Image Method for Classifying Appliances in Nonintrusive Load Monitoring

In this paper, a time-lapse image method is proposed to improve the classification accuracy for multistate appliances with complex patterns based on nonintrusive load monitoring (NILM). A log-likelihood ratio detector with a maxima algorithm was applied to construct a real-time event detection of home appliances. Moreover, a novel image-combining method was employed to extract information from the data based on the Gramian angular field (GAF) and recurrence plot (RP) transformations. From the simulation results, it was confirmed that the classification accuracy can be increased by up to 30% with the proposed method compared with the conventional approaches in classifying multistate appliances.

Extreme 3D Image Navigation in Mobile Robotics

The actual problem of determining all six coordinates of the current position of a mobile robot (unmanned aerial vehicle) from 3D-range-finding images (point clouds) generated by an onboard 3D laser sensor when moving (flying) in an unknown environment is considered. An extreme navigation algorithm based on using multidimensional optimization methods is proposed. The rules for calculating the difference between 3D images of the external environment used for optimization of the functional are described. The form of the functional of the difference of 3D images for different environments (premises, industrial-urban environment, rugged and wooded areas) has been investigated. Requirements for the characteristics of the sensor and the geometry of the external environment are formulated, the fulfillment of which ensures the correct formulation and solution of the problem of extreme navigation. The optimal methods of scanning the surrounding space are described and the conditions are substantiated, the fulfillment of which ensures the solution of the navigation problem by the proposed algorithm in real time (at the rate of movement) when processing 3D images formed by modern 3D laser sensors. In particular, the dependence between the frequency of formation of 3D images and the angular and linear velocities of motion is described, which ensures that the functional of the difference of 3D images falls into the multidimensional interval of unimodality, which guarantees a direct search of global minimum in real time. Various methods of direct search for the global minimum of the functional are tested and the fastest for the case under consideration are selected. The accuracy of solving the navigation problem is estimated and a method is proposed to reduce the accumulated error, based on using an older 3D image for correcting the calculated value of the current coordinates, which has an intersection of the view area with the current view area. The proposed method, which is a modification of the reference image method, allows reduce the total error, which grows in proportion to the number of cycles of solving the extreme navigation problem, to values that ensure the autonomous functioning of transport robots and UAVs in previously unprepared and unknown environments. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithmic and developed software and hardware for extreme navigation is confirmed by field experiments carried out in real conditions of various environments.

Research on Real-time Sensing Technology of Aerospace Interactive Behavior Based on Infrared Array Force Tactile

Aerospace robots can replace astronauts to complete dangerous work in the expanded space. How to efficiently and reliably interact with robots in complex and harsh space environment has become an urgent problem and technical challenge. Based on the infrared array force tactile technology, an infrared point force touch detection system is developed to realize the intention sensing of aerospace human-robot interaction. Based on multipoint positioning technology combined with image method and global combined optimal tracking method, the control software is designed, and the effective human-robot interaction in the process of cooperation is realized. Finally, the touch panel test effect of the system is given. This research can provide a theoretical basis for the practical application of aerospace human-robot interaction.