Blind Speech Separation
This is the first book to provide a cutting edge reference to the fascinating topic of blind source separation (BSS) for convolved speech mixtures. Through contributions by the foremost experts on the subject, the book provides an up-to-date account of research findings, explains the underlying theory, and discusses potential applications. The individual chapters are designed to be tutorial in nature with specific emphasis on an in-depth treatment of state of the art techniques. Blind Speech Separation is divided into three parts:Part 1 presents overdetermined or critically determined BSS. Here the main technology is independent component analysis (ICA). ICA is a statistical method for extracting mutually independent sources from their mixtures. Part 2 addresses underdetermined BSS, where there are fewer microphones than source signals. Here, the sparseness of speech sources is very useful; we can utilize time-frequency diversity, where sources are active in different regions of the time-frequency plane.Part 3 presents monaural BSS where there is only one microphone. Here, we can separate a mixture by using the harmonicity and temporal structure of the sources. We can build a probabilistic framework by assuming a source model, and separate a mixture by maximizing the a posteriori probability of the sources.
Blast Cleaning Technology
Blast cleaning is one of the most frequently utilised surface treatment-method in modern industry. The book is the first comprehensive monograph in this subject. It provides a practical and comprehensive review of the technology. This book systematically and critically reviews the theory behind the technology, the state of current blast cleaning, surface quality aspects and the effects of blast cleaning on the performance of applied coatings.
Bird species : How they arise, modify and vanish
The average person can name more bird species than they think, but do we really know what a bird “species” is? This open access book takes up several fascinating aspects of bird life to elucidate this basic concept in biology. From genetic and physiological basics to the phenomena of bird song and bird migration, it analyzes various interactions of birds – with their environment and other birds. Lastly, it shows imminent threats to birds in the Anthropocene, the era of global human impact.This book brings together various disciplines involved in observing bird species come into existence, modify, and vanish. It is a rich resource for bird enthusiasts who want to understand various processes at the cutting edge of current research in more detail. At the same time it offers students the opportunity to see primarily unconnected, but booming big-data approaches such as genomics and biogeography meet in a topic of broad interest. Lastly, the book enables conservationists to better understand the uncertainties surrounding “species” as entities of protection.
Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals : The Twenty-Ninth Symposium
In Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals: The Twenty-Ninth Symposium, leading US and international researchers from academia, industry, and government exchange cutting-edge technical information and update current trends in the development and application of biotechnology for sustainable production of fuels and chemicals. This symposium emphasizes advances in biotechnology to produce high-volume, low-price products from renewable resources, while improving the environment. The major areas of interest include advanced feedstock production and processing, enzymatic and microbial biocatalysis, bioprocess research and development, opportunities in biorefineries, and commercialization of biobased products. International and domestic progress on producing liquid biofuels, especially ethanol and biodiesel, is highlighted, and related topics, including bioseparations and optimal integration of biochemical and thermochemical conversion technologies, are featured.
Biotechnology for fuels and chemicals : The Twenty-Eighth symposium
In Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals: The Twenty-Eighth Symposium, leading US and international researchers from academia, industry, and government exchange cutting-edge technical information and update current trends in the development and application of biotechnology for sustainable production of fuels and chemicals. This symposium emphasizes advances in biotechnology to produce high-volume, low-price products from renewable resources, while improving the environment. The major areas of interest include advanced feedstock production and processing, enzymatic and microbial biocatalysis, bioprocess research and development, opportunities in biorefineries, and commercialization of biobased products.
Autonomous Navigation in Dynamic Environments
The purpose of this book is to address the challenging problem of Autonomous Navigation in Dynamic Environments, and to present new ideas and approaches in this newly emerging technical domain. The book surveys the state-of-the-art, discusses in detail various related challenging technical aspects, and addresses upcoming technologies in this field. The aim of the book is to establish a foundation for a broad class of mobile robot mapping and navigation methodologies for indoor, outdoor, and exploratory missions.Three main topics located on the cutting edge of the state of the art are addressed, from both the theoretical and technological point of views: Dynamic world understanding and modelling for safe navigation, Obstacle avoidance and motion planning in dynamic environments, and Human-robot physical interactions. Several models and approaches are proposed for solving problems such as Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) in dynamic environments, Mobile obstacle detection and tracking, World state estimation and motion prediction, Safe navigation in dynamic environments, Motion planning in dynamic environments, Robust decision making under uncertainty, and Human-Robot physical interactions.
Applied Quantitative Finance
Applied Quantitative Finance (2nd edition) provides a comprehensive and state-of-the-art treatment of cutting-edge topics and methods. It provides solutions to and presents theoretical developments in many practical problems such as risk management, pricing of credit derivatives, quantification of volatility and copula modelling. The synthesis of theory and practice supported by computational tools is reflected in the selection of topics as well as in a finely tuned balance of scientific contributions on practical implementation and theoretical concepts. This linkage between theory and practice offers theoreticians insights into considerations of applicability and, vice versa, provides practitioners comfortable access to new techniques in quantitative finance.
Analysis and Synthesis of Logics : How to Cut and Paste Reasoning Systems
Starting with simple examples showing the relevance of cutting and pasting logics, the monograph develops a mathematical theory of combining and decomposing logics, ranging from propositional and first-order based logics to higher-order based logics as well as to non-truth functional logics. The theory covers mechanisms for combining semantic structures and deductive systems either of the same or different nature (for instance, two Hilbert calculi or a Hilbert calculus and a tableau calculus). The important issue of preservation of properties is extensively addressed. For instance, sufficient conditions are provided for a combined logic to be sound and complete when the original component logics are known to be sound and complete.
Advances in Information Technologies for Electromagnetics
Simple tutorial chapters introduce the reader to cutting edge technologies, such as parallel and distributed computing, object-oriented technologies, grid computing, semantic grids, agent based computing and service-oriented architectures. On such bases, a variety of EM applications is proposed: 1) parallel FDTD codes (both for antenna analysis and for metamaterial applications), 2) grid computing for computational EM (CEM) (with applications to antenna arrays, wireless and remote-sensing systems) 3) mobile agents for parametric CEM modeling 4) complex/hybrid EM software environments (with applications to planar circuits, quasi-optical systems,…) 5) semantic grids for CAE of antennas arrays.
Advances in Discrete Tomography and its Applications
Advances in Discrete Tomography and Its Applications is a unified presentation of new methods, algorithms, and select applications that are the foundations of multidimensional image reconstruction by discrete tomographic methods. The self-contained chapters, written by leading mathematicians, engineers, and computer scientists, present cutting-edge research and results in the field.Three main areas are covered: foundations, algorithms, and practical applications. Following an introduction that reports the recent literature of the field, the book explores various mathematical and computational problems of discrete tomography including new applications.
Advanced Physicochemical Treatment Technologies ; Vol.5
In Advanced Physiochemical Treatment Technologies, leading pollution control educators and practicing professionals describe how various combinations of different cutting-edge process systems can be arranged to solve air, noise, and thermal pollution problems. Each chapter discusses in detail the three basic forms in which pollutants and waste are manifested: gas, solid, and liquid.
Advanced Numerical Methods to Optimize Cutting Operations of Five-Axis Milling Machines
Presents new optimization algorithms designed to improve the efficiency of tool paths for five-axis NC machining of sculptured surfaces. The book introduces the reader to fundamental issues involved in the tool path planning such as the kinematics of five-axis machines, types of 5 axis machines, part surface representation, machining strips, optimal tool orientation, gouging avoidance and forward step error. It also introduces new methods of optimization based on research conducted by the authors, including schemes performed in the spatial domain, angular domain as well as procedures to optimize the initial setup. The book can be used by undergraduate and graduate students and researchers in the field of NC machining and CAD/CAM as well as by the corporate research groups for advanced optimization of cutting operations.
Advanced Motion Control and Sensing for Intelligent Vehicles
Provides the latest information in intelligent vehicle control, sensing, and intelligent transportation. It addresses the growing need for safe, comfortable, time and energy-efficient modes of transportation with emphasis on the latest key findings, current trends, and likely future developments in this rapidly expanding field. Highlights : Discusses individual vehicle dynamics, sensory and multiple ground-vehicle interactions / Includes systematic review of past and current research achievements / Presents case studies in cutting-edge directions such as vehicle steering motion, vehicle vision systems, cooperative driving, intersection safety, and tire pressure monitoring / Assesses the likely future developments of this field. This book is useful for both practicing engineers and researchers in the automotive industry.
Advanced Design and Manufacture to Gain a Competitive Edge : New Manufacturing Techniques and their Role in Improving Enterprise Performance
Advanced Design and Manufacture to Gain a Competitive Edge collects together papers from the 2008 International Conference on Advanced Design and Manufacture (ICADAM). This conference solicits both cutting edge fundamental research and recent industrial application papers, with a goal towards bringing together from all over the world design and manufacture practitioners from academia, government organisations and industry.
Advanced Air and Noise Pollution Control ; Vol.2
Handbook of Environmental Engineering, Volume 2, leading pollution control educators and practicing professionals describe how various combinations of different cutting-edge process systems can be arranged to solve air, noise, and thermal pollution problems. Each chapter discusses in detail a variety of process combinations, along with technical and economic evaluations, and presents explanations of the principles behind the designs, as well as numerous variant designs useful to practicing engineers. The emphasis throughout is on developing the necessary engineering solutions from fundamental principles of chemistry, physics, and mathematics. The authors also include extensive references, cost data, design methods, guidance on the installation and operation of various air pollution control process equipment and systems, and Best Available Technologies (BAT) for air, thermal, and noise pollution control. A companion volume, Air Pollution Control Engineering: Handbook of Environmental Engineering, Volume 1 critically surveys the principles and practices involved in basic air pollution control processes.
Addressing the Climate Crisis : Local action in theory and practice
This book brings together a collection of cutting-edge insights into how action can and is already being taken against climate change at multiple levels of our societies, amidst growing calls for transformative and inclusive climate action. In an era of increasing recognition regarding climate and ecological breakdown, this book offers hope, inspiration and analyses for multi-level climate action, spanning varied communities, places, spaces, agents and disciplines, demonstrating how the energy and dynamism of local scales are a powerful resource in turning the tide.
Adaptive and Multilevel Metaheuristics
This volume presents recent advances in the area of adaptativeness in metaheuristic optimization, including up-to-date reviews of hyperheuristics and self-adaptation in evolutionary algorithms, as well as cutting edge works on adaptive, self-adaptive and multilevel metaheuristics, with application to both combinatorial and continuous optimization.
A Software-Defined GPS and Galileo Receiver : A Single-Frequency Approach
Satellite navigation receivers are used to receive, process, and decode space-based navigation signals, such as those provided by the GPS constellation of satellites. There is an increasing need for a unified open platform that will enable enhanced receiver development and design, as well as cost-effective testing procedures for various applications. This book provide hands-on exploration of new technologies in this rapidly growing field. One of the unique features of the work is the interactive approach used, giving readers the ability to construct their own Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) receivers. To construct such a reconfigurable receiver with a wide range of applications, the authors discuss receiver architecture based on software-defined radio (SDR) techniques. The presentation unfolds in a systematic, user-friendly style and goes from the basics to cutting-edge research.
A Guide to Lead-free Solders : Physical Metallurgy and Reliability
While tin/lead solders have dominated the electronics industry for many years, environmental considerations and new legislation are forcing change. Backed by more than ten years of research in Pb-free solders, many electronics manufacturers are poised for conversion. A Guide to Lead-free Solders is intended as a tool to help industry as it moves into a new era in the production and use of solders. An overview of the principles of soldering technology is provided beginning with the theory underlying each concept. Focusing on the most up-to-date methods for testing and characterization, these theories are then reinforced by experimental examples and industrial applications.


















