Multiple exemplar-based facial image retrieval using independent component analysis.

In this paper, we design a content-based image retrieval system where multiple query examples can be used to indicate the need to retrieve not only images similar to the individual examples, but also those images which actually represent a combination of the content of query images. We propose a scheme for representing content of an image as a combination of features from multiple examples. This scheme is exploited for developing a multiple example-based retrieval engine. We have explored the use of machine learning techniques for generating the most appropriate feature combination scheme for a given class of images. The combination scheme can be used for developing purposive query engines for specialized image databases. Here, we have considered facial image databases. The effectiveness of the image retrieval system is experimentally demonstrated on different databases.     

Tolerance space and molecular similarity

Molecular similarity methods were used in selecting K nearest neighbors and in estimating mutagenicity of 95 aromatic amines and boiling points of a large set of over 2,900 compounds. Similarity is analyzed in terms of the concept of tolerance space. Specifically, the role of non-transitivity of the tolerance relation in estimating properties using similarity methods is examined.     

A Working Memory Workout: How to Expand the Focus of Serial Attention From One to Four Items in 10 Hours or Less.

Five individuals participated in an extensive practice study (10 1-hr sessions, 11,000 trials total) on a self-paced identity-judgment n-back task (n ranging from 1 to 5). Within Session 1, response time increased abruptly by about 300 ms in passing from n = 1 to n > 1, suggesting that the focus of attention can accommodate only a single item (H. Caravan, 1998; B. McElree, 2001). Within Session 10, response time was dramatically reduced and increased linearly with n for n ≤ 4, with a slope of about 30 ms. The data suggest that working memory consists of a focus of attention governed by a limited-capacity search, expandable through practice, and a content-addressable region outside the focus of attention. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Evaluation of effect of hydrogen on toughness of Zircaloy-2 by instrumented drop weight impact testing

Hydride-assisted degradation in fracture toughness of Zircaloy-2 was evaluated by carrying out instrumented drop-weight tests on curved Charpy specimens fabricated from virgin pressure tube. Samples were charged to 60 ppm and 225 ppm hydrogen. Ductile-to-brittle-transition behaviour was exhibited by as-received and hydrided samples. The onset of ductile-to-brittle-transition was at about 130 °C for hydrided samples, irrespective of their hydrogen content. Dynamic fracture toughness (K_ID) was estimated based on linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) approach. For fractures occurring after general yielding, the fracture toughness was derived based on equivalent energy criterion. Results are supplemented with fractography. This simple procedure of impact testing appears to be promising for monitoring service-induced degradation in fracture toughness of pressure tubes.     

An atomic model of the outer layer of the bluetongue virus core derived from X-ray crystallography and electron cryomicroscopy

BACKGROUND: Bluetongue virus (BTV), which belongs to the Reoviridae family and orbivirus genus, is a non-enveloped, icosahedral, double-stranded RNA virus. Several protein layers enclose its genome; upon cell entry the outer layer is stripped away leaving a core, the surface of which is composed of VP7. The structure of the trimeric VP7 molecule has previously been determined using X-ray crystallography. The articulated VP7 subunit consists of two domains, one which is largely alpha-helical and the other, smaller domain, is a beta barrel with jelly-roll topology. The relative orientations of these two domains vary in different crystal forms. The structure of VP7 and the organizations of 780 subunits of this molecule in the core of virus is central to the assembly and function of BTV. RESULTS: A 23 A resolution map of the core, determined using electron cryomicroscopy (cryoEM) data, reveals that the 260 trimers of VP7 are organized on a rather precise T = 13 laevo icosahedral lattice, in accordance with the theory of quasi-equivalence. The VP7 layer occupies a shell that is between 260 A and 345 A from the centre of the core. Below this radius (230-260 A) lies the T = 1 layer of 120 molecules of VP3. By fitting the X-ray structure of an individual VP7 trimer onto the cryoEM BTV core structure, we have generated an atomic model of the VP7 layer of BTV. This demonstrates that one of the molecular structures seen in crystals of the isolated VP7 corresponds to the in vivo conformation of the molecule in the core. CONCLUSIONS: The beta-barrel domains of VP7 are external to the core and interact with protein in the outer layer of the mature virion. The lower, alpha-helical domains of VP7 interact with VP3 molecules which form the inner layer of the BTV core. Adjacent VP7 trimer-trimer interactions in the T = 13 layer are mediated principally through well-defined regions in the broader lower domains, to form a structure that conforms well with that expected from the theory of quasi-equivalence with no significant conformational changes within the individual trimers. The VP3 layer determines the particle size and forms a rather smooth surface upon which the two-dimensional lattice of VP7 trimers is laid down.     

PsyCOP-a psychologically motivated connectionist system for objectperception

A connectionist system has been designed for learning and simultaneous recognition of flat industrial objects (based an the concepts of conventional and structured connectionist computing) by integrating the psychological hypotheses with the generalized Hough transform technique. The psychological facts include the evidence of separation of two regions for identification ("what it is") and pose estimation ("where it is"). The system uses the mechanism of selective attention for initial hypotheses generation. A special two-stage training paradigm has been developed for learning the structural relationships between the features and objects and the importance values of the features with respect to the objects. The performance of the system has been demonstrated on real-life data both for single and mixed (overlapped) instances of object categories. The robustness of the system with respect to noise and false alarming has been theoretically investigated.     

A Multi-Criteria Route Selection Method for Vehicles Using Genetic Algorithms Based on Driver’s Preference

Wireless Personal Communications - Finding the best path between a given source and a destination in a road network is an important problem. It has its applications in various map services and...     

Pinch Roller Failure Analysis and Resulting Enhancement of Rebar Mechanical Properties

Reinforcing bars, popularly termed “rebars,” are used to impart tensile strength to concrete structures. Concrete has high resistance to weathering and fire and high compressive strength but almost no tensile strength, hence rebars are used to provide the latter to concrete. Property consistency along the length of rebars is an important prerequisite. When the finished product is subjected to thermomechanical treatment (TMT), proper control of rolling and water box parameters and efficient pinch rolling are needed to achieve acceptable properties. Variation of yield strength (YS) along TMT bars from the front to back end has been observed within the same heat treatment. In the presented investigation, it was observed that pinch rolling ineffectiveness is the main reason for the poor mechanical properties at the back end. The pinch roller was unable to support the back end of the TMT bars properly to maintain the speed and tension of the bars, resulting in nonuniform cooling of the back end through the water box and subsequent mechanical property failure. Due to the substandard material of the pinch roller, it was unable to hold the back end of the bar properly. Based on analysis of the roller it was concluded that it failed due to improper microstructure, resulting in inadequate hardness and toughness for the stringent operating conditions. AISI H13 is a better material to use in such high-service-temperature conditions. Moreover, proper heat treatment is needed to achieve adequate hardness and microstructure properties. After proper heat treatment of pinch rollers, their service life was increased twofold, minimizing the YS variation along the rebars.     

Oxidation and Oxidative Bromination Reactions Catalyzed By a Reusable Polymer-Anchored Iron(III) Complex in Water at Room Temperature

A polymer-anchored iron(III) catalyst was synthesized and characterized. Its catalytic activity was evaluated for the oxidation of various alkenes, sulfides, aromatic alcohols and ethylbenzene with 30 % H₂O₂ as the oxidizing agent. The catalyst was also effective for the oxidative bromination reaction with 80–100 % selectivity of monobrominated products with H₂O₂/KBr at room temperature. The above reactions require a minimum amount of H₂O₂ and short reaction time. Most importantly, all the above reactions occur in aqueous medium. The catalyst can be facilely recovered and reused six-atimes without significant decrease in its activity and selectivity.