78 research outputs found
Applying a single-notch metric to image-guided head-related transfer function selection for improved vertical localization
No full textThis paper proposes an image-guided HRTF selection procedure that exploits the relation between features of the pinna shape and HRTF notches. Using a 2D image of a user's pinna, the procedure selects from a database the HRTF set that best fits the anthropometry of that user. The proposed procedure is designed to be quickly applied and easy to use for a user without previous knowledge on binaural audio technologies. The entire process is evaluated by means of (i) an auditory model for sound localization in the mid-sagittal plane available from previous literature, and (ii) a short localization test in virtual reality. Using both virtual and real subjects from an HRTF database, predictions and the experimental evaluation aimed to assess the vertical localization performance with HRTF sets selected by the proposed procedure. Our results report a statistically significant improvement in predictions of the auditory model for localization performance with selected HRTFs compared to KEMAR HRTFs, which is a commercial standard in many binaural audio solutions. Moreover, the proposed localization test with human listeners reflect the model's predictions, further supporting the applicability of our perceptually-motivated metrics with anthropometric data extracted by pinna images
Applying a Single-notch Metric to Image-guided Head-related Transfer Function Selection for Improved Vertical Localization
No full textThis paper proposes an image-guided HRTF selection procedure that exploits the relation between features of the pinna shape and HRTF notches. Using a 2D image of a user's pinna, the procedure selects from a database the HRTF set that best fits the anthropometry of that user. The proposed procedure is designed to be quickly applied and easy to use for a user without previous knowledge on binaural audio technologies. The entire process is evaluated by means of (i) an auditory model for sound localization in the mid-sagittal plane available from previous literature, and (ii) a short localization test in virtual reality. Using both virtual and real subjects from a HRTF database, predictions and the experimental evaluation aimed to assess the vertical localization performance with HRTF sets selected by the proposed procedure. Our results report a statistically significant improvement in predictions of the auditory model for localization performance with selected HRTFs compared to KEMAR HRTFs, which is a commercial standard in many binaural audio solutions. Moreover, the proposed localization test with human listeners reflect the model's predictions, further supporting the applicability of our perceptually-motivated metrics with anthropometric data extracted by pinna images
Simple, fast, accurate melanocytic lesion segmentation in 1D colour space
No full textWe present a novel technique for melanocytic lesion segmentation, based on one-dimensional Principal Component Analysis (PCA) in colour space. Our technique is simple and extremely fast, segmenting high-resolution images in a fraction of a second even with the modest computational resources available on a cell phone - an improvement of an order of magnitude or more over state-of-the-art techniques. Our technique is also extremely accurate: very experienced dermatologists disagree with its segmentations less than they disagree with the segmentations of all state-of-the-art techniques we tested, and in fact less than they disagree with the segmentations of dermatologists of moderate experience
Unsupervised feature selection of multi-sensor scada data in horizontal axis wind turbine condition monitoring
No full textWind power is one of the fastest-growing renewable energy sectors and is considered instrumental in the ongoing decarbonization process. However, wind turbines (WTs) present high operation and maintenance costs caused by inefficiencies and failures, leading to ever-increasing attention to effective Condition Monitoring (CM) strategies. Nowadays, modern WTs are integrated with sensor networks as part of the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system for supervision purposes. CM of wind farms through predictive models based on routinely collected SCADA data is envisaged as a viable mean of improving producibility by spotting operational inefficiencies. However, given the large number of variables monitored by SCADA systems, selecting those that contribute the most to the modelling of wind turbine health conditions is an open challenge. In this paper, we propose an unsupervised feature selection algorithm based on a novel multivariate Predictive Power Score (PPS). Unlike other approaches in literature that only consider relationships between pairs of variables, here we propose a Combined PPS (CPPS), where the information content of combinations of variables is considered for the prediction of one or more key parameters. The algorithm has been tested on 9 turbines belonging to the same wind farm located in the Italian territory. The results show that the proposed approach is more flexible and outperforms standard PPS
Improving elevation perception with a tool for image-guided head-related transfer function selection
No full textThis paper proposes an image-guided HRTF selection procedure that exploits the relation between features of the pinna shape and HRTF notches. Using a 2D image of a subject's pinna, the procedure selects from a database the HRTF set that best fits the anthropometry of that subject. The proposed procedure is designed to be quickly applied and easy to use for a user without previous knowledge on binaural audio technologies. The entire process is evaluated by means of an auditory model for sound localization in the mid-sagittal plane available from previous literature. Using virtual subjects from a HRTF database, a virtual experiment is implemented to assess the vertical localization performance of the database subjects when they are provided with HRTF sets selected by the proposed procedure. Results report a statistically significant improvement in predictions of localization performance for selected HRTFs compared to KEMAR HRTF which is a commercial standard in many binaural audio solutions; moreover, the proposed analysis provides useful indications to refine the perceptually-motivated metrics that guides the selection
ROP duale : un concept innovant pour la polymérisation de carbonates biosourcés à partir de complexes métalliques originaux
No full textThèse de Doctorat de l'Université de Rennes 1Jury : S. Dagorne, F. Peruch, D. Bourissou, L. Maron, J.-F. Carpentier, S. Guillaum
Reatividade de intermediarios inseridos na matriz de carbonos. reação com nucleófilos
No full textTCC (graduação) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Centro de Ciências Físicas e Matemáticas. Curso de Química.Durante o pré-estado estacionário da redução de SO2 em carbono ativado, o conteúdo de enxofre aumentou, este enxofre está unido quimicamente a matriz de carbono e forma parte de intermediários reativos da redução de SO2. Os espectros XPS do carbono residual C(S), após a reação com SO2, mostraram duas formas de enxofre unido ao carbono: enxofre não oxidado (episulfeto e/ ou dissulfeto) e enxofre oxidado (1,3,2–dioxatiolano e/ou 2-oxido de 1,2-oxatieteno, também nomeado de sultina). Neste trabalho foi estudada a reatividade destes intermediários com alguns nucleófilos. O conteúdo de enxofre total (CET) e o espectro XPS do produto da hidrólise básica do C(S) indicou que a reação diminuiu o CET e a proporção de enxofre oxidado, sugerindo que a hidrólise eliminou principalmente enxofre oxidado. A reação de tiólise com 1-dodecatiolato de sódio aumentou o CET e a razão entre o enxofre oxidado e o enxofre não oxidado baixou indicando que o tiol foi inserido na matriz de carbono com eliminação de enxofre oxidado. Estes resultados fornecem informação adicional sobre a natureza química dos intermediários postulados na redução de SO2 em carbono ativado, oferecendo um novo método para modificar a matriz de carbono por inserção de um fragmento orgânico
Early introduction oral immunotherapy for IgE-mediated cow's milk allergy: A follow-up study confirms this approach as safe and appealing to parents
No full textIntroduction: Early introduction oral immunotherapy (E-OIT) in the first year of life can be a safe treatment for infants with cow's milk allergy (CMA). Once the protocol is completed, doubts remain whether children achieve tolerance or remain desensitized. According to current guidelines, this is determined by an avoidance period followed by a re-exposure to the food allergen during an in-hospital oral food challenge (OFC). In real life, this approach can be complicated, time-consuming, and anxiety-provoking for parents. We assessed the long-term safety of E-OIT for CMA in a cohort of children who switched to an unrestricted diet without testing the achievement of tolerance at the end of the OIT protocol. Materials and Methods: We performed a descriptive analysis of the clinical follow-up of a cohort of children diagnosed with IgE-mediated CMA and undergoing E-OIT protocol in their first year of life. In a previous publication, the same cohort of patients had been studied to assess the feasibility of E-OIT for CMA. In the present study, we reported the results of a telephone survey, carried out through a questionnaire to their families enquiring about milk consumption and other ongoing atopic conditions of children. Results: After an average of 4 years from the start of E-OIT, 62/73 patients (85% of the historical cohort) participated in the survey. Among them, all 56 patients who had previously successfully completed the protocol reported an unrestricted cow's milk intake. Ninety–three percent of these children did not experience any further allergic reactions, while the remaining 7% described only mild and transitory reactions until the 6-month period after the end of the protocol. Conclusions: This study confirmed the long-term safety of E-OIT for CMA and challenged the paradigm of the need for allergen food withdrawal to discern between desensitization and tolerance. It could be a starting point for planning future trials on this issue
Clinico-Genetic Characterization of a Large Italian Cohort with Primary Spastic Paraplegia
No full textM1002. Clinico-Genetic Characterization of a Large Italian Cohort with Primary Spastic Paraplegia
Andrea Martinuzzi, Mariateresa Bassi, Grazia D’Angelo, Sara Bonato, Gabriella Paparella, Olimpia Musumeci, Mariagiovanna Rossetto, Marianna Fantin, Francesca Peruch, Alessia Arnoldi, Claudia Crimella, Erika Tenderini, Paolo Bonanni, Vanessa Casanova, Giovanni Meola, Giacomo Comi, Antonio Toscano and Nereo Bresolin; Conegliano, TV, Italy; Bosisio Parini, LC, Italy; Messina, Italy and Milano, Italy
Background: Diagnostic definition of hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) is complicated by the wide genetic heterogeneity.
Objectives: Establish in a large cohort of Italian HSP
patients the relative frequency of the various forms, provid- ing indications for an efficient diagnostic algorhythm.
Methods: 478 index cases (72 familial, 98 pure, 380
complicated) HSP were clinically and molecularly assessed.
Results: 80 cases were molecularly defined. SPG4 was the most frequent form (55%), followed by SPG11 (16.6%) SPG7 (9%), SPG10 (8,8% ) and 5 (5.1%). SPG3a and
SPG31 were rarer (2.5%). No mutations were identified in SPG6, 8, 13, 20, 21, 35, 48. There was wide inter and intrafamilial variation. Neurophysiology showed invariably increased central conduction time at lower limbs. Axonal polyneuropathy was detected in some SPG3a, 5, 10, 11, 17 and SPG4 (15%). MRI showed abnormalities in SPG 5, 10, 11 and 15.
Conclusion: Frequency of SPG forms within this cohort
of Italian HSPs confirms the prevalence of SPG4, reveals the recurrence of SPG11 and 7 and the low frequency of SPG3a and 31. Once SPG4 and SPG11 are excluded, fam- ily history, neurophysiology and neuroimaging may direct the choice of genetic testing.
Study supported by: Italian Ministry of Healt
Simpler, faster, more accurate melanocytic lesion segmentation through MEDS.
No full textWe present a new technique for melanocytic lesion segmentation, Mimicking Expert Dermatologists' Segmentations (MEDS), and extensive tests of its accuracy, speed, and robustness. MEDS combines a thresholding scheme reproducing the cognitive process of dermatologists with a number of optimizations that may be of independent interest. MEDS is simple, with a single parameter tuning its “tightness”. It is extremely fast, segmenting medium-resolution images in a fraction of a second even with the modest computational resources of a cell phone-an improvement of an order of magnitude or more over state-of-the-art techniques. And it is extremely accurate: very experienced dermatologists disagree with its segmentations less than they disagree with the segmentations of state-of-the-art techniques, and in fact less than they disagree with the segmentations of dermatologists of moderate experience
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