Pattern recognition techniques for the emerging field of bioinformatics: A review

The emerging field of bioinformatics has recently created much interest in the computer science and engineering communities. With the wealth of sequence data in many public online databases and the huge amount of data generated from the Human Genome Project, computer analysis has become indispensable. This calls for novel algorithms and opens up new areas of applications for many pattern recognition techniques. In this article, we review two major avenues of research in bioinformatics, namely DNA sequence analysis and DNA microarray data analysis. In DNA sequence analysis, we focus on the topics of sequence comparison and gene recognition. For DNA microarray data analysis, we discuss key issues such as image analysis for gene expression data extraction, data pre-processing, clustering analysis for pattern discovery and gene expression time series data analysis. We describe current methods and show how computational techniques could be useful in these areas. It is our hope that this review article could demonstrate how the pattern recognition community could have an impact on the fascinating and challenging area of genomic research.     

Remote sensing of suspended sediment concentrations of large rivers using multi-temporal MODIS images: an example in the Middle and Lower Yangtze River,China

Conventional measurements of suspended sediment concentration (SSC) are expensive, especially for large river systems. This study aims to examine the potential of estimating SSC of large rivers using high temporal resolution Terra Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data. In contrast to a small number of the samples used by previous studies on remote sensing of SSC, a large number of samples (n?=?153) obtained on 63 dates at five sites across the entire Middle and Lower Yangtze River were employed to investigate the relationship between SSC and the water reflectance of MODIS images. The water reflectance difference between Bands 2 and 5 provided a relatively accurate SSC estimate after atmospheric correction, with 25% mean absolute relative error and 29.7% relative root mean square error. The errors were lower for larger SSC values. Thus, there is a potential that the Terra MODIS could be employed to estimate SSC frequently for large turbid river systems.     

High-speed switching of monolithic arrays ofgrating-surface-emitting diode lasers

The electrooptic switching properties of injection-coupled coherent two-dimensional grating-surface-emitting (GSE) laser arrays with multiple gain sections and quantum-well active layers are discussed. Within such an array of injection-coupled GSE lasers, a single gain section can act as an intracavity saturable loss element that can modulate the output of the entire array. Experimental results demonstrate efficient subnanosecond switching of high-power GSE laser arrays by operating only one gain section as an intracavity loss modulator     

Optimal pretensioned forces for cable networks

A computer software package for the static and dynamic analyses of cable networks has been developed. The algorithm involves the Newton-Raphson method and Newmark's -method. The former iterative method takes care of the problem's nonlinearity, and the latter handles the time-marching scheme. In addition, an optimization subroutine based on the Neider and Mead Simplex method has been incorporated into the software to enable designers to determine the optimal design values of pretensioned forces leading to a stiffer cable network. The accuracy and convergence of the software were tested on some well-documented cable networks. Their optimal values of pretensioned forces for certain specified sets of loadings were also established.     

Interaction between a spherical inhomogeneity and two symmetrically placed penny-shaped cracks

Stress analysis is carried out for a three-dimensional elastic solid containing an elastic spherical inhomogeneity and two coplanar penny-shaped cracks. Each of the two cracks is located on either side of the elastic spherical inhomogeneity and the geometry is subjected to uniform tensile stress at infinity. The interaction between the inhomogeneity and the cracks is tackled by the superposition principle of elasticity theory and Eshelby's equivalent inclusion method. Analytical solutions for the stress intensity factors on the boundaries of the cracks and the stress field inside the inhomogeneity are evaluated in series form. Numerical calculations are reported for several special cases, and show the variations of the stress intensity factors and stress field inside the inhomogeneity with the configuration and elastic properties of the solid and the inhomogeneity.     

Vibration of symmetrically laminated cantilever trapezoidal composite plates

The paper presents a general numerical method for vibration analysis of symmetrically laminated cantilever thin trapezoidal composite plates. The Rayleigh-Ritz method, along with displacements assumed in the form of 2-D orthogonal polynomials, is used to solve the problems. These 2-D orthogonal polynomials are generated using a proposed recurrence formula. Several numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the accuracy, efficiency and versatility of the method. Natural frequencies and mode shapes for the trapezoidal plates are obtained for different numbers of layers, fibre orientations, and ratios. These results, to the author's knowledge, are first known in the open literature. Thus the present study may provide very useful information to the engineers who work in this area.     

Frequency solutions for circular plates with internal supports and discontinuous boundaries

The paper presents a study of the free-flexural vibration analysis of circular plates continuous over point supports, partial internal curved supports, and with mixed-edge boundary conditions. An approximate model which combines the advantages of the Rayleigh-Ritz and the Lagrangian multiplier methods is developed for analyzing this class of circular plate problems. The Rayleigh-Ritz method is used to formulate plates with classical boundary conditions, such as free, simply-supported or clamped, while the Lagrangian multiplier method is used to handle plates with point supports, partial internal curved supports and mixed-edge boundary conditions. The admissible pb-2 Ritz function consists of the product of a two-dimensional polynomial and a basic function. The basic function is defined by the product of the equations of the prescribed piecewise-continuous boundary shape each raised to the power of 0, 1 or 2, corresponding to free, simply-supported or clamped edge, respectively. The set of functions automatically satisfies all the kinematic boundary conditions of the plate at the outset. The geometric boundary conditions associated with the internal supports and discontinuous edges are simulated using a sufficient number of closely-spaced point constraints. Numerical results for several selected plate problems are presented to demonstrate the various features and accuracy of the present method.     

Experimental demonstration of multiwavelength optical network with microwave subcarriers

The authors use the unique multiwavelength filtering capability of the acousto-optic tunable filter to demonstrate multiple broadband services with only one fixed-wavelength transmitter and receiver per user in the first experimental demonstration of a multiwavelength subcarrier network.<>     

Integration of Ceramics Research with the Development of a Microsystem

Rapid implementation of new materials into engineering systems may require a paradigm shift in our approach to materials research. One option is to obtain fundamental material properties from experimental systems that can also serve as devices. This concept is applied to the measurement of Young's modulus of a novel ceramic, a polymer-derived silicon carbonitride (SiCN), directly from the performance of a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device. The device is an electrostatic actuator. The flexure resistance of the arms of the actuator is measured and analyzed for the elastic modulus of SiCN. The comparison between theory and experiment yields a value for Young's modulus in the range 130–155 GPa.     

Optimal locations of internal line supports for rectangular plates against buckling

This paper concerns the optimal locations of straight line internal supports for rectangular thin plates, under uniaxial compression, so as to maximize the elastic buckling loads. The optimization problem can be readily solved by using the newly developed pb-2 Rayleigh-Ritz method for the buckling analysis. Since the method avoids any discretization, the problems associated with the need to move the nodal points so as to coincide with the internal line support are eliminated. Moreover, the optimization exercise may be performed on a personal computer since the method requires a relatively smaller memory and computational effort as a result of a lower number of unknown variables involved when compared to other discretization methods such as the finite difference or finite element methods. Optimal results will be presented for plates with various combinations of edge conditions, aspects ratios and one or two internal line supports. The results indicate large sensitivity of buckling loads to supporting conditions.