Good Practices for Research Software Documentation

This presentation aims to introduce the importance of software documentation and the different approaches that may be taken at various stages, and on various levels, in the software development life cycle. Through the sharing of examples and stimulative questions, the speakers aim to encourage the audience to reflect on the relationship between documentation and process, and to make informed choices about when and how to document their software

Mobile-based Skin Lesions Classification Using Convolution Neural Network

This research work is aimed at investing skin lesions classification problem using Convolution Neural Network (CNN) using cloud-server architecture. Using the cloud services and CNN, a real-time mobile-enabled skin lesions classification expert system “i-Rash” is proposed and developed. i-Rash aimed at early diagnosis of acne, eczema and psoriasis at remote locations. The classification model used in the “i-Rash” is developed using the CNN model “SqueezeNet”. The transfer learning approach is used for training the classification model and model is trained and tested on 1856 images. The benefit of using SqueezeNet results in a limited size of the trained model i.e. only 3 MB. For classifying new image, cloud-based architecture is used, and the trained model is deployed on a server. A new image is classified in fractions of seconds with overall accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of 97.21%, 94.42% and 98.14% respectively. i-Rash can serve in initial classification of skin lesions, hence, can play a very important role early classification of skin lesions for people living in remote areas

Application of Auralisation and Soundscape Methodologies to Environmental Noise

The thesis investigates how auralisation and qualitative research methodologies developed in the field of soundscape research, may be applied to the issue of environmental noise in urban areas. The project brings together research and assessment methodologies from traditionally distinct areas in acoustics, and attempts to develop a multidisciplinary approach to solving noise related urban design problems. Within this process, the author also explores the theory that part of a sustainable solution to noise annoyance lies in challenging negative attitudes to noise, particularly in urban environments, where attempts to reduce sound pressure levels are either not feasible or inappropriate. To demonstrate the application of the approach, a case-study is presented involving the auralisation and subjective evaluation of a real-world soundscape before and after the insertion of a sonic crystal noise barrier. The results of the case-study suggest that, with minimal adaptation, certain soundscape assessment methodologies are compatible with virtual acoustic environments. This leads to the conclusion that, using the virtual assessment methodology, one is able to predict with reasonable accuracy the impact of various physical types of noise intervention on the perceived sound quality in urban environments prior to their construction. The author also argues that a greater awareness and appreciation for the multiplicity of sound in urban environments might, in conjunction with sustainable noise control strategies, over more long-term benefits to society than over-speculation concerning the adverse effects of noise

Prediction of scattering effects by sonic crystal noise barriers in 2-D and 3-D finite difference simulations

Sonic crystals have been investigated in recent years both as a potential form of noise barrier, and as a form of sonic art aimed at enhancing perception of the surrounding acoustic environment. The broader aim of this research is concerned with the auralization of these structures, which has, as yet, rarely been attempted. In a previous publication, prediction of the acoustic wave propagation through 2-D arrays of solid, cylindrical scatterers embedded in air was performed in 2-D Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) simulations. In this paper, the model has been extended into the third dimension and the results are compared with those obtained in the previous experiment. In both the 2-D and 3-D simulations the location of the fundamental band gap corresponds with the predicted location - predictions being based on simple theoretical considerations relating the frequency of the transmission gaps to the array configuration

Simulation of Acoustic Wave Propagation in 3-D Sonic Crystals based on Triply Periodic Minimal Surfaces

Sonic crystals have been investigated in recent years both as a potential form of noise barrier, and as a form of sonic art aimed at enhancing perception of the soundscape. The broader aim of this research is concerned with the auralisation of these structures in the context of the space for which they are intended, which is hoped will enable a useful subjective analysis of a structure prior to its construction. In a previous publication [1], prediction of the acoustic propagation through doubly periodic arrays of solid, cylindrical scatterers embedded in air was performed in 3-D Finite Difference Time Domain simulations. In this study, using the same simulation technique, we investigate the scattering effects of a type of triply periodic structure observed in nature known as a gyroid. It is thought that this type of structure could lend itself well to applications in noise control, first and foremost because they may exhibit more extreme filtering effects than the 2-D sonic crystals we observed previously, but also because - visually and conceptually - we believe them to be far more interesting