Analytic center cutting plane method for multiple kernel learning

Multiple Kernel Learning (MKL) is a popular generalization of kernel methods which allows the practitioner to optimize over convex combinations of kernels. We observe that many recent MKL solutions can be cast in the framework of oracle based optimization, and show that they vary in terms of query point generation. The popularity of such methods is because the oracle can fortuitously be implemented as a support vector machine. Motivated by the success of centering approaches in interior point methods, we propose a new approach to optimize the MKL objective based on the analytic center cutting plane method (accpm). Our experimental results show that accpm outperforms state of the art in terms of rate of convergence and robustness. Further analysis sheds some light as to why MKL may not always improve classification accuracy over naive solutions.     

Extraction of enhanced evoked potentials using wavelet filtering

In order to remove physiological artefacts and gain the improved evoked potentials, we propose a filtering method using the multi-resolution wavelet transform. The wavelet transform is repeatedly performed until all resolution levels are obtained. It decomposes the measured evoked potentials into scale coefficients corresponding to low frequency components and wavelet coefficients corresponding to high frequency components. In the wavelet domain, artefacts are dispersed mainly at the wavelet coefficients rather than the scaling coefficients. Thus, when the inverse wavelet transform is performed, this method shrinks the wavelet coefficients to reduce artefacts with shrinkage functions. By repeatedly performing the inverse wavelet transform, an evoked potential having the reduced artefacts and background noise is obtained. In this study, quantitative evaluation with simulation data and actual clinical data were conducted. As a result, characteristic peaks of evoked potential could be gained removing background EEG and artefacts using suggested shrinkage function. It was improved more than 0.2–1.6Db compared to the conventional averaging method. Also, the system for measuring and analyzing evoked potentials using DSP is implemented.     

Effects of wheelchair-based rehabilitation on the physical functions and health perception of stroke patients

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of wheelchair-based rehabilitation on the physical functions, health perception, and blood lipids according to the length of time since the stroke. Wheelchair-based rehabilitation progressed for 60 min per session, five times per week for 6 weeks. Physical functions, health perception (SF-36), and blood lipids were measured before and after rehabilitation. Physical fitness for physical function such as agility, grip strength, lower-body muscular endurance, flexibility, and posture control significantly improved after 6 weeks of rehabilitation. Health perception improved significantly with physical and mental health according to time since the stroke occurred. Overall, 6 weeks of wheelchair-based rehabilitation had a positive effect on the physical function and health perception regardless of stroke duration. Wheelchair-based rehabilitation had a more positive effect on the physical functions and health perception on the patients who suffered their stroke most recently. We suggested that wheelchair-based rehabilitation is necessary even through wheelchair based for chronic stroke patients, and it was useful their improved of quality of life.     

A scalable algorithm for mining maximal frequent sequences using a sample

In this paper, we propose an efficient scalable algorithm for mining Maximal Sequential Patterns using Sampling (MSPS). The MSPS algorithm reduces much more search space than other algorithms because both the subsequence infrequency-based pruning and the supersequence frequency-based pruning are applied. In MSPS, a sampling technique is used to identify long frequent sequences earlier, instead of enumerating all their subsequences. We propose how to adjust the user-specified minimum support level for mining a sample of the database to achieve better overall performance. This method makes sampling more efficient when the minimum support is small. A signature-based method and a hash-based method are developed for the subsequence infrequency-based pruning when the seed set of frequent sequences for the candidate generation is too big to be loaded into memory. A prefix tree structure is developed to count the candidate sequences of different sizes during the database scanning, and it also facilitates the customer sequence trimming. Our experiments showed MSPS has very good performance and better scalability than other algorithms. Congnan Luo received the B.E. degree in Computer Science from Tsinghua University, Beijing, P.R. China, in 1997, the M.S. degree in Computer Science from the Institute of Software, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China, in 2000, and the Ph.D. degree in Computer Science and Engineering from Wright State University, Dayton, OH, in 2006. Currently he is a technical staff at the Teradata division of NCR in San Diego, CA, and his research interests include data mining, machine learning, and databases. Soon M. Chung received the B.S. degree in Electronic Engineering from Seoul National University, Korea, in 1979, the M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Korea, in 1981, and the Ph.D. degree in Computer Engineering from Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, in 1990. He is currently a Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Wright State University, Dayton, OH. His research interests include database, data mining, Grid computing, text mining, XML, and parallel and distributed processing.     

A study of roll‐printing technology for TFT‐LCD fabrication

Abstract— Recently, potential breakthrough technologies for low‐cost processing of TFT‐LCDs and new process developments for flexible‐display fabrication have been widely studied. A roll‐printing process using etch‐resist material as a replacement for photolithographic patterning was investigated. The characterization of the properties of patterns formed in roll printing, a method to fabricate cliché plates for fine patterns, and the design of a new formulation for resist printing ink is reported. The pattern position accuracy, which is one of the most important issues for the successful application of printing processes in display manufacturing was studied and how it can be improved by optimizing the blanket roll structure is explained. New design rules for the layout of the thin‐film‐transistor array was derived to improve the compatibility of roll printing. As a result, a prototype 15‐in.‐XGA TFT‐LCD panel was fabricated by using printing processes to replace all the photolithographic patterning steps conventionally used.     

Technology application in project-based learning

Project-based learning is a student-centered comprehensive instructional approach where students collectively engage themselves in complex learning tasks. Recent advances in educational technologies have made student-centered learning in a technology rich environment both possible and feasible. This paper will report part of a larger study carried out at a school in the United States of America on the use ofconstructivism and technology in project-based learning. Data collection techniques included those typically associated with qualitative field research. In this paper, the technological infrastructure of the school and how technology is used in one of the project-based learning classes will be provided. Based on this study, some suggestions are also provided on how technology can be used in the context of other countries including in Malaysia.     

Some observations from interrupted lifetest of GaInAsP/InP inverted-rib laser diodes

Conventionally, lifetests of semiconductor laser diodes usually involved operating the devices continuously at either constant power output or drive current, with periodic recording of their characteristics. In this paper, some effects arising from interrupted lifetest of 1.3 m GaInAsP-InP inverted-rib laser diodes are reported. This unconventional lifetest method involves constant power biasing at 4 mW/facet and 8 mW/facet respectively at 50°C, followed by a period during which the lifetest is interrupted and the devices left unbiased at room temperature. Subsequently, the devices were put back on constant power biasing at 50°C. Among a number of parameters, pronounced reduction in the threshold current, current for 4 mW/facet and 8 mW/facet were observed, indicating strong recovery effects commencing from the time when the life-test was interrupted. Redistribution of mobile defects in the cladding layer is postulated to be the cause of the degradation recovery, and the data supports the occurrence of an aging-current dependent defect annihilation mechanism. Such recovery effects have so far been observed to occur only in the GaInAsP-InP inverted-rib devices.     

Mesoporous Germanium Anode Materials for Lithium‐Ion Battery with Exceptional Cycling Stability in Wide Temperature Range

Porous structured materials have unique architectures and are promising for lithium‐ion batteries to enhance performances. In particular, mesoporous materials have many advantages including a high surface area and large void spaces which can increase reactivity and accessibility of lithium ions. This study reports a synthesis of newly developed mesoporous germanium (Ge) particles prepared by a zincothermic reduction at a mild temperature for high performance lithium‐ion batteries which can operate in a wide temperature range. The optimized Ge battery anodes with the mesoporous structure exhibit outstanding electrochemical properties in a wide temperature ranging from ?20 to 60 °C. Ge anodes exhibit a stable cycling retention at various temperatures (capacity retention of 99% after 100 cycles at 25 °C, 84% after 300 cycles at 60 °C, and 50% after 50 cycles at ?20 °C). Furthermore, full cells consisting of the mesoporous Ge anode and an LiFePO₄ cathode show an excellent cyclability at ?20 and 25 °C. Mesoporous Ge materials synthesized by the zincothermic reduction can be potentially applied as high performance anode materials for practical lithium‐ion batteries.