Recent years have witnessed remarkable progress in the field of speech emotion recognition (SER), primarily fueled by advancements in deep learning methodologies. These technologies hold promise for a range of applications, from enhancing human-computer interaction to improving mental health diagnostics. However, beneath this promising façade lies a critical challenge: the susceptibility of these models to
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In recent years, South Africa’s Northern Cape province has emerged as a significant player in the renewable energy sector. By 2021, the region hosted 59 of the 112 large-scale renewable energy projects under the country’s ambitious Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program (REI4P). The growth in renewable energy investment offers a glimmer of hope
The pursuit of robot autonomy has long been a focal point in the field of robotics, often characterized by rigid hierarchies in design and function. However, the team at West Virginia University is pioneering a groundbreaking approach with their multicellular robot, Loopy. By diverging from conventional top-down robotic systems, the researchers are exploring a “bottom-up”
The progression of electric vehicles (EVs) heavily relies on advancements in battery technology, particularly those that enable longer operating ranges and efficient energy management. Among the innovative solutions being researched, structural batteries are gaining attention as a transformative development. Unlike conventional batteries, which serve purely as energy storage devices, structural batteries integrate both power storage
On 1 August, the European Union introduced a transformative law known as the AI Act, aimed at establishing a regulatory framework for artificial intelligence technologies. The legislation acknowledges the potential risks that AI poses, particularly in sensitive areas such as health care and employment. It dictates what AI can or cannot do and sets a
Seawater electrolysis represents a forward-thinking imperative in the quest to transition to cleaner energy sources. Despite its significant potential for decarbonizing energy production, various hindrances have undermined its direct application. Key challenges include anode degradation due to chloride ion corrosion, detrimental oxidation reactions, and the prohibitively high expense of effective catalysts. These issues have intensified
Deep learning has rapidly evolved, and its remarkable success in multiple domains largely hinges on the quality and size of the datasets used for training. However, one significant challenge that researchers face is the presence of label noise within these datasets. Label noise occurs when training samples are incorrectly annotated, which can severely undermine the
Recent studies have ignited discussions about the potential of transforming highways around the globe into sprawling networks of solar-powered roadways. This radical plan aims not only to generate renewable energy but also to significantly decrease carbon dioxide emissions and enhance road safety. The ambitious idea, introduced in research published in Earth’s Future, posits that these
In today’s interconnected world, the dynamics of public opinion can shift rapidly, often fueled by the spread of rumors and misinformation. The ability to accurately gauge public sentiment is crucial not only for businesses but also for crisis management and political entities. The challenges have multiplied in the digital realm, where the speed of information
As global climate concerns escalate, the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) emerges as a cornerstone strategy to lessen carbon footprints. Governments and corporations across the globe are heavily investing in the electrification of transportation, particularly in buses and personal vehicles. Among the vanguard of this paradigm shift is China, which is actively pursuing the electrification