Neural network applications for automatic new topic identification of FAST and Excite search engine transaction logs

Abstract: Content analysis of search engine user queries is an important task, since successful exploitation of the content of queries can result in the design of efficient information retrieval algorithms for more efficient search engines. Identification of topic changes within a user search session is a key issue in content analysis of search engine user queries. This study proposes an artificial neural network application in the area of search engine research to automatically identify topic changes in a user session by using statistical characteristics of queries, such as time intervals and query reformulation patterns. Sample data logs from the FAST and Excite search engines are selected to train the neural network and then the neural network is used to identify topic changes in the data log. As a result, almost all the performance measures yielded favourable results.     

A comparison of security requirements engineering methods

This paper presents a conceptual framework for security engineering, with a strong focus on security requirements elicitation and analysis. This conceptual framework establishes a clear-cut vocabulary and makes explicit the interrelations between the different concepts and notions used in security engineering. Further, we apply our conceptual framework to compare and evaluate current security requirements engineering approaches, such as the Common Criteria, Secure Tropos, SREP, MSRA, as well as methods based on UML and problem frames. We review these methods and assess them according to different criteria, such as the general approach and scope of the method, its validation, and quality assurance capabilities. Finally, we discuss how these methods are related to the conceptual framework and to one another.     

Soft computing and signal processing based active fault tolerant control for benchmark process

Ideally, when faults happen, the closed-loop system should be capable of maintaining its present operation. This leads to the recently studied area of fault-tolerant control (FTC). This paper addresses soft computing and signal processing based active FTC for benchmark process. Design of FTC has three levels: Level 1 comprises a traditional control loop with sensor and actuator interface and the controller. Level 2 comprises the functions of online fault detection and identification. Level 3 comprises the supervisor functionality. Online fault detection and identification has signal processing module, feature extraction module, feature cluster module and fault decision module. Wavelet analysis has been used for signal processing module. In the feature extraction module, feature vector of the sensor faults has been constructed using wavelet analysis, sliding window, absolute maximum value changing ratio and variance changing ratio as a statistical analysis. For the feature cluster module, the self-organizing map (SOM), which is a subtype of artificial neural network has been applied as a classifier of the feature vector. As a benchmark process three-tank system has been used. Control of the three-tank system is provided by fuzzy logic controller. Faults are applied to three level sensors. Sensor faults represent incorrect reading from the sensors that the system is equipped with. When a particular fault occurs in the system, a suitable control scheme has been selected on-line by supervisor functionality to maintain the closed-loop performance of the system. Active FTC has been achieved by switch mode control using fuzzy logic controller. Simulation results show that benchmark process has maintained acceptable performance with FTC for the sensor faults. As a result, when the system has sensor faults soft computing and signal processing based FTC helps for the best performance of the system.     

Selective nickel recovery from iron-rich solutions

This study aims to demonstrate the selective removal of iron from acidic leach solutions using an effective purification method and to convert nickel into a usable form. The method of removing iron by using CaCO₃, which is a better precipitation reagent, was optimized using Response Surface Methodology. A further evaluation was carried out on the complexation of Ni(II) ions with dimethylglyoxime to obtain a high-yield nickel-dimethylglyoxime complex from nickel remaining in the solution after iron precipitation. Taking into account nickel losses to remove iron, pH should be within the range of 3–4, and low temperatures around 25°C should be used.     

Multimodal concept detection in broadcast media: KavTan

Concept detection stands as an important problem for efficient indexing and retrieval in large video archives. In this work, the KavTan System, which performs high-level semantic classification in one of the largest TV archives of Turkey, is presented. In this system, concept detection is performed using generalized visual and audio concept detection modules that are supported by video text detection, audio keyword spotting and specialized audio-visual semantic detection components. The performance of the presented framework was assessed objectively over a wide range of semantic concepts (5 high-level, 14 visual, 9 audio, 2 supplementary) by using a significant amount of precisely labeled ground truth data. KavTan System achieves successful high-level concept detection performance in unconstrained TV broadcast by efficiently utilizing multimodal information that is systematically extracted from both spatial and temporal extent of multimedia data.     

Visual asymmetries in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) retain a lifelong potential for plasticity.

Adult Japanese quail display left-eye/right-hemisphere dominance in visually guided sexual tracking. In 2 experiments, the authors set out to answer if this functional cerebral asymmetry is modifiable by posthatch monocular deprivation. In Experiment 1, the left or the right eye of 2-day old quail were closed for 70 days. Quail were run in a left- or a right-turning runway to obtain access to a conspecific of the opposite sex. The performance of both left and right eye systems was equal. In Experiment 2, the deprived eyes of the quail were opened and the previously open eyes were closed. They were tested with the same runways. Overall, running speed was very low, but the quail showed a left-eye/right-hemisphere superiority. Altogether, these experiments evince 3 insights into cerebral asymmetries in quail. First, posthatch asymmetries of visual input can alter lateralized behavior to an important extent. Second, cerebral asymmetries could involve an interhemispheric inhibition that can be modified by epigenetic factors. Third, even long-term visual deprivation does not abolish a previously established cerebral asymmetry. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of microwave and infrared drying on the quality of carrot and garlic

The effects of microwave and infrared drying on the quality of carrot and garlic were studied and compared with the effects of conventional hot air (tray drier for carrot and fluid bed drier for garlic) drying. The quality of carrot and garlic were evaluated by instrumental and sensory analysis. Rehydration, moisture content, water activity, particle density, bulk density, porosity and colour values were obtained for microwave, infrared and hot-air dried vegetables. In addition, total moisture content versus time was represented by drying rate curves of carrot and garlic samples. Finally, free moisture content versus drying rate were compared for the three different drying methods.     

Effect of sourdough starter and fungal proteases on gluten content and sensory properties of tarhana

In this study, gluten degradation during prolonged tarhana fermentation was monitored in a traditional dough as well as in dough containing sourdough starter, peptidase additives and combination of both. Gluten content, determined using the sandwich ELISA assay method, was reduced significantly in the first 5 days of fermentation for all formulations. After 30 days into fermentation, approximately 15% and 20% reduction of gluten was observed in the traditional dough and sourdough starter added dough, respectively. In enzyme supplemented formulations, the mean gluten levels were below 20 ppm by 20 days of fermentation. Results showed that proteolytic enzyme addition to the dough mix can potentially render long fermented tarhana a food which conforms to regulations set forth for gluten-free foods, even though wheat flour is one of the main production ingredients. Sensory evaluation of the 30 day fermented tarhana samples revealed differences in sourness and odour properties of the products.     

In vitro faecal fermentation outcomes and microbiota shifts of resistant starch spherulites

In the present study, we prepared A- and B-type polymorph-resistant starch spherulites (RSSs) with a wide range of crystallinity, and elucidated the relation between crystalline structure and faecal microbial fermentation outcomes. A- and B-type polymorphic RSSs displayed similar fermentation rate throughout entire process with final gas production of 11.8–13.2 mL, suggesting that the crystalline pattern and crystallinity cannot effectively control the fermentation rate of starches. The acetate and butyrate concentration of A-type RSS decreased with the increase of crystallinity respectively, and highly crystalline B-type RSS reduced the production of acetate (8.4 mM) and propionate (2.1 mM). RSSs with different crystalline types showed similar microbial community structure but distinct key bacteria species. A-type RSSs greatly promoted the abundance of butyrogenic bacteria (i.e., Roseburia faecis and Lachnospiraceae), whereas B-type RSSs tended to proliferate Prevotella copri associated with propionate production. Our findings shed new light on design and manufacture of starch-based functional ingredients with enhanced gut health.