Fuzzy-HLSTM (Hierarchical Long Short-Term Memory) for Agricultural Based Information Mining

This research proposes a machine learning approach using fuzzy logic to build an information retrieval system for the next crop rotation. In case-based reasoning systems, case representation is critical, and thus, researchers have thoroughly investigated textual, attribute-value pair, and ontological representations. As big databases result in slow case retrieval, this research suggests a fast case retrieval strategy based on an associated representation, so that, cases are interrelated in both either similar or dissimilar cases. As soon as a new case is recorded, it is compared to prior data to find a relative match. The proposed method is worked on the number of cases and retrieval accuracy between the related case representation and conventional approaches. Hierarchical Long Short-Term Memory (HLSTM) is used to evaluate the efficiency, similarity of the models, and fuzzy rules are applied to predict the environmental condition and soil quality during a particular time of the year. Based on the results, the proposed approaches allows for rapid case retrieval with high accuracy.     

Multiple human tracking in high-density crowds

In this paper, we introduce a fully automatic algorithm to detect and track multiple humans in high-density crowds in the presence of extreme occlusion. Typical approaches such as background modeling and body part-based pedestrian detection fail when most of the scene is in motion and most body parts of most of the pedestrians are occluded. To overcome this problem, we integrate human detection and tracking into a single framework and introduce a confirmation-by-classification method for tracking that associates detections with tracks, tracks humans through occlusions, and eliminates false positive tracks. We use a Viola and Jones AdaBoost detection cascade, a particle filter for tracking, and color histograms for appearance modeling. To further reduce false detections due to dense features and shadows, we introduce a method for estimation and utilization of a 3D head plane that reduces false positives while preserving high detection rates. The algorithm learns the head plane from observations of human heads incrementally, without any a priori extrinsic camera calibration information, and only begins to utilize the head plane once confidence in the parameter estimates is sufficiently high. In an experimental evaluation, we show that confirmation-by-classification and head plane estimation together enable the construction of an excellent pedestrian tracker for dense crowds.     

Alternative approach to compute shear amplification in high‐rise reinforced concrete core wall buildings using uncoupled modal response history analysis procedure

The seismic response of the high‐rise reinforced concrete (RC) wall structures is really complicated as several vibration modes other than the fundamental mode normally contribute significantly to the response—commonly recognized as ‘higher mode effects’. Response spectrum analysis (RSA) procedure, which can account for higher mode effects, is usually employed to compute the seismic design demand for the high‐rise structures. Recent studies show that the inelastic seismic force demands obtained from the rigorous nonlinear response history analysis procedure are much larger than the seismic force design demands obtained from the code‐based RSA procedure for the high‐rise RC wall structures. Though, the nonlinear response history analysis procedure is widely accepted for its ability to provide the most accurate estimate of nonlinear seismic responses, the obtained responses are generally so complex that it is quite difficult for engineers to grasp the overall picture of the responses and gain some insight into them and use them to understand the cause of high seismic demands. Another important issue related to the nonlinear seismic response prediction of the high‐rise RC wall structures is the realistic and accurate numerical modeling of RC walls. In this study, a simplified but reasonably accurate procedure called the uncoupled modal response history analysis procedure is used to interpret the complex nonlinear behavior of high‐rise RC wall structures. Moreover, a finite element model based on modified compression field theory is employed for accurate numerical modeling of RC walls by incorporating the axial‐flexure‐shear interaction. This study, by making use of a better computer modeling approach and an in‐depth analysis by modal decomposition, aims to resolve some of the unanswered questions regarding realistic prediction of nonlinear seismic demands of high‐rise structures.     

Structural and magnetic properties of Pr–Ni substituted Ca0.5Ba0.5Fe12O19 hexa-ferrite nanoparticles

Effect of Pr–Ni substitution on structural and magnetic properties of Ca_0.5Ba_0.5−xPr_xNi_yFe_12−yO₁₉ (x=0.00–0.10 and y=0.00–1.00) prepared by the sol–gel auto combustion method were investigated. The XRD analysis confirmed the single phase M-type hexa-ferrite structure. The lattice parameters were found to increase as Pr–Ni content increases, which is attributed to the ionic size of the implicated cations. The Pr–Ni seems to be completely soluble in the lattice. Transmission electron microscopy reveals that the grain size decreases with increase of Pr–Ni substitution. The coercivity and remanent magnetization ranges from 1511 to 1925 (Oe) and 21.4 to 26.5 (emu/g), respectively. The coercivity values of all the samples fall in the range of M-type hexa-ferrites.     

Antioxidant Capacity and Phenolic Content of the Aqueous Extract of Commonly Consumed Cucurbits

The antioxidant capacity of commonly consumed cucurbits vegetable was determined by the DPPH, FRAP, Fe³⁺ reducing power, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay. The aqueous extract of Luffa cylindrica showed the highest value of phenolic content and antioxidant capacity based on FRAP, Fe³⁺ reducing power, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay. However, Laginaria siceraria extract showed the highest flavonoid and DPPH scavenging activities among all three cucurbits used in this study. Phenolic content in aqueous extracts of Luffa cylindrica and Laginaria siceraria was almost equal. Cucurbita maxima exhibited the lowest phenolic, flavonoid content, and exhibited the lowest power of antioxidant scavenging. The antioxidant capacity of cucurbits was significantly correlated (P < 0.05) with the phenolic content of their extracts. The antioxidant capacity of Luffa cylindrica and Laginaria siceraria have also shown a significant correlation (P < 0.05).     

Reliability of fat-pad sign in radial head/neck fractures of the elbow

In a prospective study at a single centre between August 1995 and March 1996, 193 patients with elbow injuries were studied. Standard radiographs of the elbows were taken. A total of 181 X-rays were reported by one person concerning the presence or absence of fractures and fat-pad signs. The radiographs were analysed and positive predictive values were calculated for the presence of the fat-pad sign with radial head/neck fractures. The sensitivity for radial head/neck fracture is 85.4 per cent, while the specificity is only 50 per cent. The fat-pad sign must be used cautiously as an indicator of radial head/neck fractures; its absence is a more reliable indicator of the absence of a radial head/ neck fracture.     

An Aerosol Wind Tunnel for Evaluation of Massive-Flow Air Samplers and Calibration of Snow White Sampler

Massive-flow air samplers are being deployed around the world to collect aerosol samples for analysis of radioactivity as a result of nuclear tests and nuclear accidents. An aerosol wind tunnel capable of an 1100 m³ min^?1 flow rate was built at Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute (LRRI) to test the sampling efficiency of these samplers. This aerosol wind tunnel uses a stationary air blender to enhance mixing, and therefore it achieves the required uniform distribution of wind speed and aerosol concentration in the test section. The test section of the wind tunnel has a cross section that is 4.3 m × 3.7 m. The aerosol wind tunnel was tested for performance in terms of distribution of wind speed, turbulent intensity, SF₆ tracer gas concentration, and aerosol concentration. Test criteria consistent with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards were adopted as the guidelines for the aerosol wind tunnel. Additional criteria for aerosol wind tunnel were also recommended. Initial test of the aerosol wind tunnel showed that the wind tunnel could be operated in a wind speed range of 2 to 24 km h^?1. Within this range, the distribution of wind speed SF⁶ trace gas concentration and aerosol concentration in two-thirds of the central area of the test section showed coefficient of variances (COVs) of less than 10% for the range of wind speeds. This met the stringent guidelines for aerosol wind tunnel performance set by EPA and ANSI standards.

The LRRI wind tunnel was used to evaluate the collection efficiency of the sampling head of massive-volume air samplers, including the Snow White sampler. The sampler was tested in this aerosol wind tunnel for particles between 2 and 20 μm. The sampling flow rates were 500 and 700 m³ h^?1 for the tested wind speeds of 2.2 and 6.6 m S^?1, respectively. The results showed that sampling efficiency was influenced by both sampling flow rate and wind speed. The sampling efficiency decreased with an increase in particle size of between 2 and 20 μm. The sampling efficiency also decreased as the wind speed was increased from 2.2 to 6.6 m S^?1.     

BN–Graphene Composites Generated by Covalent Cross‐Linking with Organic Linkers

Composites of boron nitride (BN) and carboxylated graphene are prepared for the first time using covalent cross‐linking employing the carbodiimide reaction. The BN_1–xG_x (x ≈ 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75) obtained are characterized using a variety of spectroscopic techniques and thermogravimetric analysis. The composites show composition‐dependent electrical resistivity, the resistivity decreasing with increase in graphene content. The composites exhibit microporosity and the x ≈ 0.75 composite especially exhibits satisfactory performance with high stability as an electrode in supercapacitors. The x ≈ 0.75 composite is also found to be a good electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction in fuel cells.     

Development of a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism protocol for rapid detection and differentiation of four cockroach vectors (group I "Dirty 22" species) responsible for food contamination and spreading of foodborne pathogens: public health importance

Assessing the adulteration of food products and the presence of filth and extraneous materials is one of the measures that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) utilizes in implementing regulatory actions of public health importance. To date, 22 common pest species (also known as the "Dirty 22" species) have been regarded by this agency as the spreaders of foodborne diseases. We have further categorized the Dirty 22 species into four groups: I has four cockroach species, II has two ant species, III has 12 fly species, and IV has four rodent species. The presence of any Dirty 22 species is also considered an indicator of unsanitary conditions in food processing and storage facilities. In this study, we describe the development of a two-step nested PCR protocol to amplify the small subunit ribosomal gene of group I Dirty 22 species that include four cockroach species: Blattella germanica, Blatta orientalis, Periplaneta americana, and Supella longipalpa, along with the development of a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism method for rapid detection and differentiation of these violative species. This method will be utilized when the specimen cannot be identified with conventional microscopic taxonomic methods, especially when only small body parts are separated and recovered from food samples for analysis or when these body parts are in a decomposed state. This new PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism will provide correct identification of group I Dirty 22 species; this information can then be used in regulation and prevention of foodborne pathogens.