A biometric identification system based on eigenpalm and eigenfinger features

This paper presents a multimodal biometric identification system based on the features of the human hand. We describe a new biometric approach to personal identification using eigenfinger and eigenpalm features, with fusion applied at the matching-score level. The identification process can be divided into the following phases: capturing the image; preprocessing; extracting and normalizing the palm and strip-like finger subimages; extracting the eigenpalm and eigenfinger features based on the K-L transform; matching and fusion; and, finally, a decision based on the (k, l)-NN classifier and thresholding. The system was tested on a database of 237 people (1,820 hand images). The experimental results showed the effectiveness of the system in terms of the recognition rate (100 percent), the equal error rate (EER = 0.58 percent), and the total error rate (TER = 0.72 percent).     

Torque calculation between circular coils with inclined axes in air

In this paper we derive new semi‐analytical expressions for calculating the electromagnetic torque between inclined circular coils in air. The torque calculation has been obtained from the corresponding mutual inductance between inclined circular coils using the filament method. The coils of rectangular cross‐section whose centers are at the same and the different axes have been considered. From this general case it is possible to calculate the torque between all possible coil combinations either with rectangular or neglected cross‐section. Results obtained by the presented approach are in very good agreement with already published data. This method can be used for industrial electromagnetic devices such as torque sensors, transducers and torque‐measuring devices. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sensitivity of direct metal laser sintering Maraging steel fatigue strength to build orientation and allowance for machining

This work deals with the effect of build orientation and of allowance for machining on DMLS‐produced Maraging Steel MS1. The experimental results, arranged by tools of Design of Experiment, have been statistically processed and compared. The outcomes were that, probably due to effect of the thermal treatment, machining, and material properties, the aforementioned factors do not have a significant impact on the fatigue response. This made it possible to work out a global curve that accounts for all the results, consisting in a high amount of data points. This can be regarded as one of the most complete and reliable fatigue models in the current literature. Fractographic and micrographic studies have been performed as well, to individuate the crack initiation points, usually located at subsurface porosities, and to investigate the location of internal inclusions and the actual martensitic microstructure along the stacking direction and on the build plane.     

Thermodynamic modeling of vapor-liquid equilibria and excess properties of the binary systems containing diethers and n-alkanes by cubic equation of state

A comparison of the performances of two different approaches of cubic equations of state models, based on a classical van der Waals and mixing rules incorporating theG ^E equation, was carried out for correlation of Vapor-Liquid Equilibria (VLE), H^E and C _P ^E data alone, and simultaneous correlation of VLE+H^E, VLE+C _P ^E , H^E +C _P ^E and VLE+H^E +C _P ^E data for the diethers (1,4-dioxane or 1,3-dioxolane) with n-alkane systems. For all calculations the Peng-Robinson-Stryjek-Vera cubic equation of state (PRSV CEOS) was used. A family of mixing rules for the PRSV CEOS based on the Modified van der Waals one-fluid mixing rule (MvdW1) and two well-known CEOS/G^E mixing rules (MHV1 and MHV2), was considered. The NRTL equation, as the G^E model with linear or reciprocal temperature dependent parameters, was incorporated in the CEOS/G^E models. The results obtained by the CEOS/G^E models exhibit significant improvement in comparison to the MvdW1 models.     

An Example of Human-Centric Sensor Network: Be Responsible Platform

The paper addresses the Be Responsible platform, a representative example of human-centric sensing network which, relying on the Info-Communication and Internet of Things concepts, aims to improve the communication between citizens, on one side, and government authorities, on the other side, with the purpose of resolving various problems encountered in a modern society. A widespread network of human-centric smartphone devices and PCs has been used as a valuable source of data collected and processed in order to trigger adequate actions upon problem resolving. In this way, humans acting as sensor operators and data sources become a powerful factor in improving their society. The Be Responsible platform enables the people to report the irregularities in various aspects of their social life (grey economy, misuse of government vehicles, ecology, traffic), and hence to take active part in resolving them. It also promotes positive and responsible social and institutional behavior, which has to be nurtured in any society seeking progress. The number of submitted reports as well as the money collected from the fine revenues and subsequently invested in projects of social good, undoubtedly prove that what could not be achieved through years of traditional government-led policy approach, was achieved in months of citizen engagement.     

Microstructural and Tribological Properties of A356 Al–Si Alloy Reinforced with Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Particles

In the present study, the effect of the Al₂O₃ particles (average size of 12 μm, 3 and 10 wt.%) reinforcement on the microstructure and tribological properties of Al–Si alloy (A356) was investigated. Composites were produced by applying compocasting process. Tribological properties of unreinforced alloy and composites were studied, using pin-on-disc tribometer, under dry sliding conditions at different specific loads and sliding speed of 1 m/s. Microhardness measurements, optical microscope and scanning electron microscope were used for microstructural characterization and investigation of worn surfaces and wear debris. During compocasting of A356 alloy, a transformation from a typical dendritic primary α phase to a non-dendritic rosette-like structure occurred. Composites exhibited better wear resistance compared with unreinforced alloy. Presence of 3 wt.% Al₂O₃ particles in the composite material affected the wear resistance only at specific loads up to 1 MPa. The wear rate of composite with 10 wt.% Al₂O₃ particles was nearly two order of the magnitude lower than the wear rate of the matrix alloy. Dominant wear mechanism for all materials was adhesion, with others mechanisms: oxidation, abrasion and delamination as minor ones.     

A modified dual current mode control method with an adaptive current bandwidth

In this paper, a new adaptive dual current mode control method (ADCMC) is presented, being a result of the modification of existing dual current mode control (DCMC) by introducing an adaptive current bandwidth. The ADCMC offers several important advantages over DCMC, such as no peak‐to‐average error in the inductor current, better transient response of current loop, and improved line regulation. A detailed analysis of the proposed ADCMC is performed for three types of DC–DC power electronics converters: buck, boost, and non‐inverting buck–boost converter. The performances of the ADCMC are tested with simulations and experiments. The obtained results confirm the analysis and validity of the proposed ADCMC method. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

“Quinone Millipedes” Reconsidered: Evidence for a Mosaic-Like Taxonomic Distribution of Phenol-Based Secretions across the Julidae

The defensive chemistry of juliformian millipedes is characterized mainly by benzoquinones (”quinone millipedes”), whereas the secretions of the putative close outgroup Callipodida are considered to be exclusively phenolic. We conducted a chemical screening of julid secretions for phenolic content. Most species from tribes Cylindroiulini (15 species examined), Brachyiulini (5 species examined), Leptoiulini (15 species examined), Uncigerini (2 species examined), Pachyiulini (3 species examined), and Ommatoiulini (2 species examined) had non-phenolic, in most cases exclusively benzoquinonic secretions. In contrast, tribes Cylindroiulini, Brachyiulini, and Leptoiulini also contained representatives with predominantly phenol-based exudates. In detail, p-cresol was a major compound in the secretions of the cylindroiulines Styrioiulus pelidnus and S. styricus (p-cresol content 93 %) and an undetermined Cylindroiulus species (p-cresol content 51 %), in the brachyiulines Brachyiulus lusitanus (p-cresol content 21 %) and Megaphyllum fagorum (p-cresol content 92 %), as well as in an undescribed Typhloiulus species (p-cresol content 32 %, Leptoiulini). In all species, p-cresol was accompanied by small amounts of phenol. The secretion of M. fagorum was exclusively phenolic, whereas phenols were accompanied by benzoquinones in all other species. This is the first incidence of clearly phenol-dominated secretions in the Julidae. We hypothesize a shared biosynthetic route to phenols and benzoquinones, with benzoquinones being produced from phenolic precursors. The patchy taxonomic distribution of phenols documented herein supports multiple independent regression events in a common pathway of benzoquinone synthesis rather than multiple independent incidences of phenol biosynthesis.     

Optimization of bioprocess for production of copper-enriched biomass of industrially important microorganism Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The production of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells enriched with copper and the effects of adding copper ions to different media on yeast cell growth and ethanol production were studied. In the media Cu(2+) concentrations of up to 0.094 mM had no effect on alcoholic fermentation, whereas higher Cu(2+) concentrations markedly decreased yeast cell growth rate and ethanol production. Under static conditions, the maximum amounts of copper uptake (i.e., 1.16 mg/g, 1.2 mg/g and 0.81 mg/g dry matter yeast biomass for glucose, sucrose and molasses media, respectively) were obtained after 8 h of fermentation, whereas under dynamic conditions smaller amounts of copper uptake (i.e., 0.98 mg/g, 1.02 mg/g and 0.7 mg/g dry matter yeast biomass for glucose, sucrose and molasses media, respectively) were obtained after 6 h of fermentation.