Maximizing area under ROC curve for biometric scores fusion

The receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve has been extensively used for performance evaluation in multimodal biometrics fusion. However, the processes of fusion classifier design and the final ROC performance evaluation are usually conducted separately. This has been inevitable because the ROC, when taken from the error counting point of view, does not have a well-posed structure linking to the fusion classifier of interest. In this work, we propose to optimize the ROC performance directly according to the fusion classifier design. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) will be used as the optimization objective since it provides a good representation of the ROC performance. Due to the piecewise cumulative structure of the AUC, a smooth approximate formulation is proposed. This enables a direct optimization of the AUC with respect to the classifier parameters. When a fusion classifier has linear parameters, computation of the solution to optimize a quadratic AUC approximation is surprisingly simple and yet effective. Our empirical experiments on biometrics fusion show strong evidences regarding the potential of the proposed method.     

Compact HSPICE model for IMOS device

A compact HSPICE model has been developed for the newly proposed impact-ionisation MOS (IMOS) device for circuit simulation. Table lookup dependent sources and passive components have been employed to model the IMOS device. The approach shows good accuracy compared to time-consuming and non-scalable TCAD simulation of IMOS-based circuits.     

Biometric scores fusion based on total error rate minimization

This paper addresses the biometric scores fusion problem from the error rate minimization point of view. Comparing to the conventional approach which treats fusion classifier design and performance evaluation as a two-stage process, this work directly optimizes the target performance with respect to fusion classifier design. Based on a smooth approximation to the total error rate of identity verification, a deterministic solution is proposed to solve the fusion optimization problem. The proposed method is applied to a face and iris verification fusion problem addressing the demand for high security in the modern networked society. Our empirical evaluations show promising potential in terms of decision accuracy and computing efficiency.     

Noise Adaptive Fuzzy Switching Median Filter for Salt-and-Pepper Noise Reduction

This letter presents a novel two-stage noise adaptive fuzzy switching median (NAFSM) filter for salt-and-pepper noise detection and removal. Initially, the detection stage will utilize the histogram of the corrupted image to identify noise pixels. These detected “noise pixels” will then be subjected to the second stage of the filtering action, while “noise-free pixels” are retained and left unprocessed. Then, the NAFSM filtering mechanism employs fuzzy reasoning to handle uncertainty present in the extracted local information as introduced by noise. Simulation results indicate that the NAFSM is able to outperform some of the salt-and-pepper noise filters existing in literature.      

The use of ultrasonic cavitation peening to improve micro-burr-free surfaces

Advances in machining technology, particularly in the field of micro-machining, have led to the design and creation of miniature components suitable for use in the precision engineering industry. However, the need to contain ubiquitous burrs still exists and has to be addressed. Previous studies on deburring have mostly focused on the parametric investigations of orientation, temperature, type of liquid media and abrasives, frequency, deburring time and power. It is hypothesized that by inducing compressive residual stresses on a pre-machined workpiece surface, the resulting burrs caused by machining can be minimized or even eliminated. The paper presents the findings of an investigative study into the possibility of inducing compressive residual stresses on machined surfaces by the use of ultrasonic cavitation, with the aim of reducing or eliminating burr formation. The paper also briefly reviews the development of ultrasonic cavitation and covers published work on deburring by ultrasonic cavitation. Experimental results are presented on the performance of ultrasonic cavitation peening on the residual stress in Stavax stainless steels and on micro-burr formation.     

Surface topography analysis in high speed finish milling inclined hardened steel

The surface texture of a milled surface is an inherently important process response in finish milling. It is one of the most commonly used criteria to determine the machinability of a particular workpiece material. However, literature survey on the study of the surface topography analysis relating to the cutter path orientations when high speed finish inclined milling is scant. Previous works were either involved in conventional milling of easy-to-cut workpiece materials or machining at different workpiece inclination angles. Furthermore, none of the previous work has detailed the true surface topography of the machined surface with regards to the cutter condition. Instead, the works provided quantitative values in terms of the Ra value. This article is concerned with evaluating cutter path orientations on an inclined workpiece angle of 75° to simulate finish milling of free form moulds and dies. Surface topography effects are assessed with regards to different cutter path orientations on its surface. The aims of this study are to provide an in-depth understanding on the surface texture produced by various cutter path orientations when high speed finish inclined milling hardened steel at a workpiece inclination angle of 75° using surface topography analysis and determine the best cutter path orientation with respect to the best surface texture achieved. 3D topography maps together with 2D surface profiles are used to assess the experimental results. The conclusion is that milling in a single direction vertical upward orientation gave the best workpiece surface texture.     

An engineering model for short-channel MOS devices

An engineering model for short-channel MOS devices which includes the effect of carrier drift velocity saturation is described. Based on a piecewise carrier drift velocity model, simplified expressions for the DC drain current I_D, the small signal transconductance g_m and the output conductance g _ds in the saturation region are derived. For a given gate voltage, the expressions depend only on the threshold voltage V _T and the dimensions of the device, whose desired values are normally known     

Retrodirective array tracking prediction using active elementcharacterisation

The authors report on the comparison between the measured and predicted monostatic radiation pattern of a four-element retrodirective array (RDA) operating at 1 GHz. Predictions of array performance were carried our using an isolated element approach then an active element approach. Classical modelling of the RDA performance yielded a worst-case amplitude error with respect to measurement of 3.7 dB at 50° from boresight while an adapted model presented which allows active element pattern incorporation yields an error of only 0.5 dB at 50°. In addition, the individual active pattern characterisation approach allows for the first time a rationale for why measured RDA tracking capability is better than previously established theoretical prediction     

Editorial

Mobile Networks and Applications -