Basic Filters for Convolutional Neural Networks Applied to Music: Training or Design?

When convolutional neural networks are used to tackle learning problems based on music or, more generally, time series data, raw one-dimensional data are commonly pre-processed to obtain spectrogram or mel-spectrogram coefficients, which are then used as input to the actual neural network. In this contribution, we investigate, both theoretically and experimentally, the influence of this pre-processing step on the network's performance and pose the question, whether replacing it by applying adaptive or learned filters directly to the raw data, can improve learning success. The theoretical results show that approximately reproducing mel-spectrogram coefficients by applying adaptive filters and subsequent time-averaging is in principle possible. We also conducted extensive experimental work on the task of singing voice detection in music. The results of these experiments show that for classification based on Convolutional Neural Networks the features obtained from adaptive filter banks followed by time-averaging perform better than the canonical Fourier-transform-based mel-spectrogram coefficients. Alternative adaptive approaches with center frequencies or time-averaging lengths learned from training data perform equally well.Comment: Completely revised version; 21 pages, 4 figure

Effects of activated ceria and zirconia nanoparticles on the protective behaviour of silane coatings in chloride solutions

This work investigates the effect of CeO2 and ZrO2 nanoparticles on the corrosion protection performance of non-inhibited and cerium inhibited silane coatings in 3.5% and 5% NaCl solutions on electro-galvanized steel substrates. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) results show relatively uniform coating thickness and varying nanoparticle distribution depending on coating composition. The corrosion behaviour of the sol–gel coatings revealed that CeO2-ZrO2 nanoparticles reinforce the barrier properties of the silane films and seem to act as nano-reservoirs providing a prolonged release of cerium ions. This prolonged release of inhibitor from oxide nanoreservoirs confers longer protection to the metallic substrate

Faulting patterns in the Lower Yarmouk Gorge potentially influence groundwater flow paths

Recent studies investigating groundwater parameters, e.g., heads, chemical composition, and heat transfer, argued that groundwater flow paths in the Lower Yarmouk Gorge (LYG) area are controlled by geological features such as faults or dikes. However, the nature of such features, as well as their exact locations, were so far unknown. In the present paper, we propose a new fault pattern in the LYG area by compiling and revising geological and geophysical data from the study area, including borehole information, geological map cross sections, and seismic data from the southern Golan Heights and northern Ajloun mountains. The presented pattern is composed of strike–slip and thrust faults, which are associated with the Dead Sea transform system and with the Kinnarot pull-apart basin. Compressional and tensional structures developed in different places, forming a series of fault blocks probably causing a non-uniform spatial hydraulic connection between them. This study provides a coarse fault-block model and improved structural constraints that serve as fundamental input for future hydrogeological modeling which is a suggested solution for an enigmatic hydrological situation concerning three riparian states (Syria, Jordan, and Israel) in a water-scarce region. In areas of water scarcity and transboundary water resources, transient 3-D flow simulations of the resource are the most appropriate solution to understand reservoir behavior. This is an important tool for the development of management strategies. However, those models must be based on realistic geometry, including structural features. The study at the LYG is intended to show the importance of such kinds of structural investigations for providing the necessary database in geologically stressed areas without sufficient data. Furthermore, during the hydrogeological investigation, a mismatch with results of pull-apart basin rim fault evolution studies was discovered. We argue that this mismatch may result from the settings at the eastern rim of the basin as the en-echelon changes from pull-apart basins (Dead Sea, Kinnarot, Hula) to a push-up ridge (Hermon)

Integration of Electrical Resistivity and Electromagnetic Radiation Methods for Fracture Flow System Detection

An electrical resistivity and electromagnetic emission survey was carried out involving the use of vertical electrical soundings (VES) and natural pulse electromagnetic field of the earth (NPEMFE). The use of this new methodology managed to detect the fracture flow system rupture zones in the underground, also answered the questions about the deferent subsurface water bodies. The present study focuses on Marsaba-Feshcha sub-basin in the northeast of the Dead Sea. Due to the scarcity of boreholes in the study area, several geophysical methods were implanted. The combination of these two methods (VES and NPEMFE) with the field observations and East-West transversal faults with the coordination (624437/242888) was determined, cutting through the anticlines with their mainly impervious cores with fracture length of >400 m. These transversal faults saddle inside Nabi Musa syncline (Boqea syncline), leading to a hydraulic connection between the Lower and the Upper Aquifer. Due to the identified transversal fault, the water of the Upper and Lower Aquifer mixed and emerged as springs at Ein Feshcha group.We gratefully acknowledge the financial and logistic support provided by SMART project at KIT University which is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). Special regards to the staff of natural reserve Ein Feshcha for their support and understanding. Special thanks also go to the reviewers for their efforts for improving and finalizing the outcome manuscript

Happening in Plain Sight: An Evaluation of Sexual Harassment in Municipal Government Through A Case Study of Newark, New Jersey

In the city of Newark, New Jersey, Sebrevious Scott, a participant in the New Jersey Reentry program was hired as part-time office assistant in the city\u27s re-entry office. After being transferred to the city’s Parks and Grounds Departments, she started being sexually harassed, inappropriately touched and propositioned by her supervisor, Richard Kirkland. Scott made repeated attempts to report these actions through the appropriate channels. She was met with dismissal, resistance, and later retaliation. While working in this hostile environment she was also pursuing a full-time employment opportunity with the city upon the completion of the reentry program. Unfortunately, this never came to fruition due to the behavior of her supervisor and other city staff. Scott eventually filed a gender discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Following this filing and after two leaves of absences, Scott was notified that she had been terminated from her job. In performing this case study, the goal is to address the pervasive incidents of harassment taking place in municipal government. It will illustrate the challenges that victims face when trying to seek relief and how for vulnerable populations, e.g., part time, low wage, minority, and women employees the challenges are far greater. A discussion on how power dynamics play a major role along with workplace culture and male-dominated leadership teams contribute to this problem. An emphasis on strengthening policies and procedures will be reviewed, as well as a focus on the job environment and diversifying employees. Not only are these cases costly to municipalities regarding legal fees and other related expenditures, but it also has an adverse effect on employee morale, public trust in government, and general safety

Review- Non-Carbonaceous Materials as Cathodes for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Lithium-sulfur batteries are presented as a promising alternative for the operation of those devices, including electric vehicles,that require higher specific capacity than current lithium-ion technology. Unfortunately, lithium-sulfur batteries suffer from severallimitations that still produce a relatively fast capacity fading and poor utilization of active materials.In order to alleviate the disadvantages that arise at the cathode, several researchers have searched for new electrode materials. Becauseof the long standing tradition in the use of carbons in energy storage systems, carbonaceous cathodes have been the most popularchoice. Recently, however, there has been a trend for the study of non-carbonaceous materials as cathodes in lithium-sulfur systems.Materials such as polymers, metal oxides, metal carbides, amongst many others were reported, showing excellent properties whichmake them compete side by side with state of the art carbonaceous cathodes. Thesematerials have generally improved the conductivityof the conventional sulfur electrode, and have provided a 3D soft adsorbent porous structure, which efficiently traps polysulfides.These characteristics are reflected in an improved electrochemical performance, reaching, in some cases, capacity retention valuesclose to 1000 mA h g−1 after 100 cycles at high discharge rate. Here, we propose a review of these non-carbonaceous cathodes.Fil: Arias, Analía Natalí. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro de Investigacion y Desarrollo En Materiales Avanzados y Almacenamiento de Energia de Jujuy. - Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Centro de Investigacion y Desarrollo En Materiales Avanzados y Almacenamiento de Energia de Jujuy. - Gobierno de la Provincia de Jujuy. Centro de Investigacion y Desarrollo En Materiales Avanzados y Almacenamiento de Energia de Jujuy; ArgentinaFil: Tesio, Alvaro Yamil. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro de Investigacion y Desarrollo En Materiales Avanzados y Almacenamiento de Energia de Jujuy. - Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Centro de Investigacion y Desarrollo En Materiales Avanzados y Almacenamiento de Energia de Jujuy. - Gobierno de la Provincia de Jujuy. Centro de Investigacion y Desarrollo En Materiales Avanzados y Almacenamiento de Energia de Jujuy; ArgentinaFil: Flexer, Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro de Investigacion y Desarrollo En Materiales Avanzados y Almacenamiento de Energia de Jujuy. - Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Centro de Investigacion y Desarrollo En Materiales Avanzados y Almacenamiento de Energia de Jujuy. - Gobierno de la Provincia de Jujuy. Centro de Investigacion y Desarrollo En Materiales Avanzados y Almacenamiento de Energia de Jujuy; Argentin