F0 contour approximation model for a one-stream tonal word recognition system

The performance of a non-tonal speech recognition system degrades when confronted with the task of recognizing tonal words. Several speech recognition applications require tonal word recognition. Therefore, this paper considers how to create a suitable tone model for a tonal syllable recognition system serving application devices based on a one-stream scheme. The fundamental frequency contour (F0 contour) approximation model is proposed here to estimate F0 continuity contours for all of a tonal word. The processes of approximation include voice detection, F0 smoothing, F0 forecasting, and F0 normalization. To model the F0 contours of unvoiced regions belonging to F0 forecasting, a linear regression function is used to create an approximate F0 contour. Experimental results indicate that the proposed model improves the accuracy of tonal word recognition by 8.6% and 12.2%, respectively, compared with conventional random and exponential approaches

The usage of computer-aided cooling curve thermal analysis to optimise eutectic refiner and modifier in Al-Si alloys

Bismuth, antimony and strontium concentrations were optimised to alter the eutectic Al-Si phase in a commercial Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloy by way of computer-aided cooling curve thermal analysis. The results show that the eutectic growth temperature shifted to lower temperatures for all three inoculants. However, addition of Sr resulted in more depression of growth temperature compared with Bi and Sb. No further significant changes were observed with increasing the concentrations to more than 1, 0.5 and 0.04 wt% of Bi, Sb and Sr, respectively. The recalescence of these concentrations, meanwhile, showed a significant increase of magnitude. A good correlation was found between the results of thermal and microstructural analysis. For Bi and Sb, the eutectic depression temperature can be used as an individual criterion to gauge optimal levels of content in the refinement of Si, whereas for Sr, both depression temperature and recalescence magnitude must be considered. Based on the observed depression in eutectic growth temperature and recalescence, it can be concluded that the optimal concentrations to refine the eutectic Al-Si phase with Bi and Sb and to modify it with Sr at the given solidification conditions were 1, 0.5 and 0.04 wt%, respectively

Effect of barium on the structure and characteristics of Mg2Si reinforced particles Al–Mg2Si–Cu in situ composite

Addition of barium (Ba) in various concentrations is susceptible to cause changes on Mg2Si reinforced particles in Al–Mg2Si–Cu in situ composite. In this study, six samples of the composite with different concentrations of Ba (0.1–0.8 wt%) were prepared. The alteration of Mg2Si structure, phase reaction characteristics and cooling curves behaviour of the composite were investigated via optical microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and computer aided cooling curve thermal analysis (CACCTA). The results depicted that 0.2 wt% exhibit the appropriate concentration of Ba added in order to modify and refine the Mg2Si particles. The skeleton and dendrite shape of Mg2Si particles have been transformed into fine polygonal shape accompanied with decreased in average size from 1178.5 µm of the unmodified particles to 289.1 µm. In fact, the refinement of Mg2Si particles is associated with the increased of nucleation temperature, TN of the respective phase together with the least undercooling, ΔU correspond to the easiness of the particles to be formed prior to its growth. Meanwhile, the decrement of TN respective to other concentrations of Ba indicates the opposite refinement effect of the particles as it became coarser. Besides, the refinement of Mg2Si has induced more nucleation of the particles resulting the increment of the density of particles and better distribution over the composite area. Therefore, the corresponding mechanical and tribological properties of the composite are believed to be improved accordingly