Learning mixtures of point distribution models with the EM algorithm

This paper demonstrates how the EM algorithm can be used for learning and matching mixtures of point distribution models. We make two contributions. First, we show how shape-classes can be learned in an unsupervised manner. We present a fast procedure for training point distribution models using the EM algorithm. Rather than estimating the class means and covariance matrices needed to construct the PDM, the method iteratively refines the eigenvectors of the covariance matrix using a gradient ascent technique. Second, we show how recognition by alignment can be realised by fitting a mixture of linear shape deformations. We evaluate the method on the problem of learning the class-structure and recognising Arabic characters.     

Preparation of an exponentially rising optical pulse for efficient excitation of single atoms in free space

We report on a simple method to prepare optical pulses with exponentially rising envelope on the time scale of a few ns. The scheme is based on the exponential transfer function of a fast transistor, which generates an exponentially rising envelope that is transferred first on a radio frequency carrier, and then on a coherent cw laser beam with an electro-optical phase modulator. The temporally shaped sideband is then extracted with an optical resonator and can be used to efficiently excite a single (87)Rb atom.     

Discretized Markov chain in damage assessment using Rainflow cycle with effects of mean stress on an automobile crankshaft

We studied the effect of mean stress correction factor using the Rainflow counting technique to assess the fatigue damage of an automobile crankshaft under service loading by considering the stochastic process of the Markov chain. The failure of the crankshaft will cause serious damage to the engine and also to other connecting subcomponents. The service loading is computationally generated from the Discrete Markov chain model and the fatigue cycle is counted using the Rainflow counting technique with the consideration of the local minima and maxima load. To quantify the fatigue damage, the strain-life curve using the fatigue mean stresses was used to model the fatigue failure of the material used in for the crankshaft at N _f = 10 ⁶ . The fatigue mean stresses were used to estimate the effects of the mean stress on the fatigue strength of the component under service loading condition. Statistical verification with the boundary condition of the 90% confidence level was performed to observe the difference between the stochastic algorithms when compared towards the fatigue life behavior of the ductile cast iron material. We concluded that for the practical application, the proposed stochastic model provides a highly accurate assessment of fatigue damage prediction for improving the safety and controlling the risk factors in terms of structural health monitoring.     

Effects of helium massive gas injection level on disruption mitigation on EAST

In this study, NIMROD simulations are performed to investigate the effects of massive helium gas injection level on the induced disruption on EAST tokamak. It is demonstrated in simulations that two different scenarios of plasma cooling(complete cooling and partial cooling) take place for different amounts of injected impurities. For the impurity injection above a critical level, a single MHD activity is able to induce a complete core temperature collapse. For impurity injection below the critical level, a series of multiple minor disruptions occur before the complete thermal quench.     

Surface modification of polysulfone based hemodialysis membranes with layer by layer self assembly of polyethyleneimine/alginate-heparin: a simple polyelectrolyte blend approach for heparin immobilization

This study intends to improve blood compatibility of polysulfone (PSF) membranes by generating a nonthrombogenic surface through heparin immobilization. To achieve this task, the support membrane prepared from a blend of PSF and sulfonated polysulfone (SPSF) was modified with layer by layer (LBL) deposition of polyethyleneimine (PEI) and alginate (ALG) and heparin blended with ALG was immobilized only on the outermost surface of the LBL assembly. The results have shown that the adsorption of human plasma proteins and platelet activation on the LBL modified membranes decreased significantly compared with the unmodified PSF and PSF-SPSF blend membranes. Furthermore, blending ALG with a small amount of heparin remarkably prolonged the APTT values of heparin free PEI/ALG coated membranes. It is envisaged that the use of a blend of HEP and ALG only in the terminating layer of the LBL assembly can be an economical and alternative modification technique to create nonthrombogenic surfaces.     

Iron-doped nickel disulfide nanoarray: A highly efficient and stable electrocatalyst for water splitting

Developing efficient water-splitting electrocatalysts, particularly for the anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER), is an important challenge in energy conversion technologies. In this study, we report the development of iron-doped nickel disulfide nanoarray on Ti mesh (Fe_0.1-NiS₂ NA/Ti) via the sulfidation of its nickel–iron-layered double hydroxide precursor (NiFe-LDH NA/Ti). As a three-dimensional OER anode, Fe_0.1-NiS₂ NA/Ti exhibits remarkable activity and stability in 1.0 M KOH, with the requirement of a low overpotential of 231 mV to achieve 100 mA·cm^?2. In addition, it exhibits excellent activity and durability in 30 wt.% KOH. Notably, this electrode is also efficient for the cathodic hydrogen evolution reaction under alkaline conditions.

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Green Synthesis of Silymarin–Chitosan Nanoparticles as a New Nano Formulation with Enhanced Anti-Fibrotic Effects against Liver Fibrosis

Background: Silymarin (SIL) has long been utilized to treat a variety of liver illnesses, but due to its poor water solubility and low membrane permeability, it has a low oral bioavailability, limiting its therapeutic potential. Aim: Design and evaluate hepatic-targeted delivery of safe biocompatible formulated SIL-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (SCNPs) to enhance SIL’s anti-fibrotic effectiveness in rats with CCl₄-induced liver fibrosis. Methods: The SCNPs and chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) were prepared by ionotropic gelation technique and are characterized by physicochemical parameters such as particle size, morphology, zeta potential, and in vitro release studies. The therapeutic efficacy of successfully formulated SCNPs and CNPs were subjected to in vivo evaluation studies. Rats were daily administered SIL, SCNPs, and CNPs orally for 30 days. Results: The in vivo study revealed that the synthesized SCNPs demonstrated a significant antifibrotic therapeutic action against CCl₄-induced hepatic injury in rats when compared to treated groups of SIL and CNPs. SCNP-treated rats had a healthy body weight, with normal values for liver weight and liver index, as well as significant improvements in liver functions, inflammatory indicators, antioxidant pathway activation, and lipid peroxidation reduction. The antifibrotic activities of SCNPs were mediated by suppressing the expression of the main fibrosis mediators TGFβR1, COL3A1, and TGFβR2 by boosting the hepatic expression of protective miRNAs; miR-22, miR-29c, and miR-219a, respectively. The anti-fibrotic effects of SCNPs were supported by histopathology and immunohistochemistry (IHC) study. Conclusions: According to the above results, SCNPs might be the best suitable carrier to target liver cells in the treatment of liver fibrosis.     

The Small and Silent Force Multiplier: A Swarm UAV—Electronic Attack

At the last two decades, according to UAVs concepts and technological advances, there have been lots of unimagined improvements. Nowadays there are serious works and researches about the usage of UAVs in military operations at electronic warfare (EW) missions. But most of the work on UAV platforms is based upon the advantages of a single, big, expensive, and non-expendable platform. In this study, to get rid off the disadvantages of a stand alone platform a new concept is developed consisting of multiple UAVs with smaller dimensions, at a cheaper price and a wider coverage. According to clarify the study, firstly the EW and RADAR systems and then the swarm UAV concepts are explained. In this manner the current and previous works are pointed out and then the use of the swarm UAVs for EA in military operations is stated. Objectively, the swarm UAV concept’s advantages and some outstanding challenges to the intra-theater space have been put forward regarding the information mentioned above. As a result it is considered that the swarm UAV systems will be tasked important EW missions in the future operation theatres, as soon as the technical handicaps are solved.     

Selection of the optimum decomposition level using the discrete wavelet transform for automobile suspension system

Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology - This paper discusses the determination of the optimum decomposition level by using the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) method for an automobile...     

确保粮食安全和环境可持续发展的水土资源利用

主要讨论灌溉农业所面临的挑战.随着人均可用水量的不断下降,灌溉农业必须提高水资源利用效率,同时进一步采用有利于环境的经营和管理方式.灌溉界面临的压力是如何通过提高作物产量和用水效率来实现生产率的最大化.今后的发展方向是以更加高效率、有成效的方式利用水资源,而实现从"提高每滴水的粮食产量"向"少用水,多产粮"的转变,则有助于该目标的实现.为了尽可能减小外在因素的影响,将来的努力方向是在全面性和整体性上下工夫.