Semi-supervised model adaptation for statistical machine translation

Statistical machine translation systems are usually trained on large amounts of bilingual text (used to learn a translation model), and also large amounts of monolingual text in the target language (used to train a language model). In this article we explore the use of semi-supervised model adaptation methods for the effective use of monolingual data from the source language in order to improve translation quality. We propose several algorithms with this aim, and present the strengths and weaknesses of each one. We present detailed experimental evaluations on the French–English EuroParl data set and on data from the NIST Chinese–English large-data track. We show a significant improvement in translation quality on both tasks.     

Optimizing the Runoff Estimation with HEC-HMS Model Using Spatial Evapotranspiration by the SEBS Model

Most of the commonly used hydrological models do not account for the actual evapotranspiration (ETa) as a key contributor to water loss in semi-arid/arid regions. In this study, the HEC-HMS (Hydrologic Engineering Center Hydrologic Modeling System) model was calibrated, modified, and its performance in simulating runoff resulting from short-duration rainfall events was evaluated. The model modifications included integrating spatially distributed ETa, calculated using the surface energy balance system (SEBS), into the model. Evaluating the model’s performance in simulating runoff showed that the default HEC-HMS model underestimated the runoff with root mean squared error (RMSE) of 0.14 m³/s (R²?=?0.92) while incorporating SEBS ETa into the model reduced RMSE to 0.01 m³/s (R²?=?0.99). The integration of HECHMS and SEBS resulted in smaller and more realistic latent heat flux estimates translated into a lower water loss rate and a higher magnitude of runoff simulated by the HECHMS model. The difference between runoff simulations using the default and modified model translated into an average of 95,000 m³ runoff per rainfall event (equal to seasonal water requirement of ten-hectare winter wheat) that could be planned and triggered for agricultural purposes, flood harvesting, and groundwater recharge in the region. The effect of ETa on the simulated runoff volume is expected to be more pronounced during high evaporative demand periods, longer rainfall events, and larger catchments. The outcome of this study signifies the importance of implementing accurate estimates of evapotranspiration into a hydrological model.

     

A model to predict the solubility and permeability of gaseous penetrant in the glassy polymeric membrane at high pressure

In this work, the transport properties of gaseous penetrant through several dense glassy polymeric membranes are studied. The nonequilibrium lattice fluid (NELF) in conjunction with the modified Fick's law and dual mode sorption model was used to simulate the gas transport in glassy polymeric membranes. The approach is based on the sorption, diffusion, in which solubility is calculated based on the NELF model, and diffusion coefficient is obtained from the product thermodynamic coefficient and molecular mobility. The governing equation is solved by the finite element method using COMSOL multi-physics software. The developed model for gas permeability of glassy polymeric membrane can be applied in a wide range of pressure and temperature. The comparison of the calculated permeability and solubility of gasses with the experimental data represented the ability of the developed model. Increasing feed gas temperature increases the gas permeability, while this variation leads to lower gas solubility in the glassy polymeric membranes. The effect of feed temperature and pressure on permeability and solubility is investigated, and the experimental data from literature are described by the developed model. A good prediction of the experimental data can be observed over the considered condition.     

Data-Driven Texture Rendering on an Electrostatic Tactile Display

In this article, we present a data-driven texture rendering method applied to a tactile display based on electrostatic attraction. The proposed method was examined in two steps. First, accelerations occurring due to sliding a tool on three different surfaces were measured, and then the collected data were replayed on an electrostatic tactile display. The proposed data-driven texture rendering method was evaluated against a conventional method in which a standard input such as a square wave was used for texture representation. Second, data from the Penn Haptic Texture Toolkit were used to generate virtual textures on the same tactile display. Psychophysical experiments were carried out for both steps, during which subjects rated similarities among the rendered virtual textures and the real samples. Confusion matrices were created, and multidimensional scaling (MDS) analysis was performed to create a perceptual space for further examination and to extract underlying dimensions of the textures. The results show that the virtual textures generated using the data-driven method were similar to the real textures. Roughness and stickiness were the primary dimensions of texture perception. Together with the supporting results from the MDS analysis, this study showed that the data-driven method is a viable solution for realistic texture rendering with electrostatic attraction.     

Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Essential Oils from Carum copticum Seed and Ferula assafoetida Latex

Carum copticum and Ferula assafoetida have several medicinal properties including antispasmodic, carminative, sedative, analgesic, and antiseptic. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) scavenging activities of Carum and Ferula oils along with their antibacterial and antifungal activities were examined. Thymol (40.25%), γ‐terpinene (38.7%) and p‐cymene (15.8%) were detected as the main components of Carum oil while, β‐pinene (47.1%), α‐pinene (21.36%), and 1, 2‐dithiolane (18.6%) were the main components of Ferula oil. Inhibitory concentrations (IC50) for total radical scavenging were between 40 and 60 and 130 and 160 μg/mL of Carum and Ferula oil, respectively. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) for Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Aspergillus niger, and Candida albicans were 78 ± 8, 65 ± 7, 14 ± 3, 5 ± 2, 5.6 ± 1.3, and 8.8 ± 2.2 μg/mL of Carum oil, respectively. MIC for S. typhi, E. coli, S. aureus, B. subtilis, A. niger, and C. albicans were >200, >200, 125 ± 17, 80 ± 12, 85 ± 5, and 90 ± 11 μg/mL of Ferula oil, respectively. Accordingly, Carum and Ferula oils could be used as safe and effective natural antioxidants to improve the oxidative stability of fatty foods during storage and to preserve foods against food burn pathogens. Practical Application : This study clearly demonstrates the potential of Carum and Ferula oil especially Carum oil as natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agent. The chemical composition of essential oils was identified. Thus, identification of such compounds also helps to discover of new antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal agents for potential applications in food safety and food preservation.     

Comparing the Effects of Microwave and Conventional Heating Methods on the Evaporation Rate and Quality Attributes of Pomegranate (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Punica granatum</Emphasis> L.) Juice Concentrate

Pomegranate juice was concentrated by conventional heating and microwave heating at different operational pressures (12, 38.5, and 100 kPa), and their effects on evaporation rate and quality attributes of concentrated juice were investigated. The final juice concentration of 40° Brix was achieved in 140, 127, and 109 min at 100, 38.5, and 12 kPa, respectively, by using conventional heating. Applying microwave energy decreased required times to 118, 95, and 75 min. The changes in color, anthocyanin content, and antioxidant capacity during concentration processes were investigated. L*, a*, and b* parameters were measured to estimate the intensity of color loss. All Hunter color parameters decreased with time. Results showed that the degradation of color, anthocyanins, and antioxidant activity were more important in conventional heating compared to microwave heating method. Degradation rates increases by increasing process pressure. A first-order kinetics model was applied to modeling changes in total solid content, anthocyanin content, and antioxidant capacity.     

微/纳米复合多层金刚石自支撑膜的制备及应力研究

利用大功率DC Arc Plasma Jet CVD装置,采用Ar-H2-CH4混合气体为气源,通过优化工艺参数,在多晶钼衬底上制备出了多层复合金刚石自支撑膜.利用扫描电镜(SEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)、激光拉曼谱(Raman)对膜体进行表征,结果显示,多层膜体的组织结构体现了微米金刚石与纳米金刚石的典型特征;复合金刚石自支撑膜具有光滑的表面,微米层与纳米层间呈相互嵌套式的界面;此外,利用激光拉曼谱分析了多层膜中的内应力状态,研究发现,多层膜中各层膜体具有不同的内应力状态,内应力沿膜体生长方向有明显变化,呈现出从压应力到拉应力的变化过程.     

Siloxane‐based segmented poly(urethane‐urea) elastomer: Synthesis and characterization

A series of segmented poly(urethane‐urea) block copolymers were synthesized with varying proportions of polydimethylsiloxane diols in combination with polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMG) using 4,4'‐methylenediphenyl diisocyanate followed by chain extension with a (50:50 mol %) mixture of 4,4'‐methylene‐bis(3‐chloro‐2,6‐diethylaniline) (M‐CDEA) and 1,4‐butanediol (BD). The molecular structures of polydimethylsiloxane urethane‐ureas were characterized by ATR‐FTIR and ¹H‐NMR spectroscopic techniques. Distribution of siloxane domain and its influence on surface roughness were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic forced microscopy (AFM), respectively. The mechanical and thermal properties of the elastomers were studied by thermogravimetric analysis, dynamical mechanical thermal analysis, and tensile measurement. The results showed that by incorporation of polydimethylsiloxane diol and M‐CDEA chain extender in polyurethane formulation, some improvements in thermal stability, fire resistance and surface hydrophilicity were achieved. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1743–1751, 2013