In this paper we present an improved Sequential Forward Floating Search algorithm. Subsequently, extensive tests are carried out on a selection of French emotional language resources well suited for a first impression on general applicability. A detailed analysis is presented to test the various modifications suggested one-by-one. Our conclusion is that the modification in the forward step resu...

Arc-consistency plays such a key role in constraint programming for solving real life problems that it is almost the only algorithm used for reducing domains. There are a few specific problems for which a stronger form of propagation, often called shaving, is more efficient. Nevertheless, in many cases, shaving at each node of the search tree is not worth doing: arc-consistency filtering is muc...

This study investigates the communicational role that iconic hand gestures (see McNeill 1985) play in everyday talk. When we talk about iconic gestures, we are referring to very special sorts of hand movements, which most people produce unconsciously, and which seem to convey meaning associated with the content of spontaneous speech. Iconic gestures must be distinguished from all other types of...

background: previous studies have shown that interaural-time-difference (itd) training can improve localization ability. surprisingly little is, however, known about localization training vis-à-vis speech perception in noise based on interaural time difference in the envelope (itd env). we sought to investigate the reliability of an itd env-based training program in speech-in-noise perception a...

speech emotion can add more information to speech in comparison to available textual information. however, it will also lead to some problems in speech recognition process. in a previous study, we depicted the substantial changes of speech parameters caused by speech emotion. therefore, in order to improve emotional speech recognition rate, in a first step, the effects of emotion on speech par...

Understanding speech is effortless in ideal situations, and although adverse conditions, such as caused by hearing impairment, often render it an effortful task, they do not necessarily suspend speech comprehension. A prime example of this is speech perception by cochlear implant users, whose hearing prostheses transmit speech as a significantly degraded signal. It is yet unknown how mechanisms...