Automatic tag expansion using visual similarity for photo sharing websites

In this paper we present an automatic photo tag expansion method designed for photo sharing websites. The purpose of the method is to suggest tags that are relevant to the visual content of a given photo at upload time. Both textual and visual cues are used in the process of tag expansion. When a photo is to be uploaded, the system asks for a couple of initial tags from the user. The initial tags are used to retrieve relevant photos together with their tags. These photos are assumed to be potentially content related to the uploaded target photo. The tag sets of the relevant photos are used to form the candidate tag list, and visual similarities between the target photo and relevant photos are used to give weights to these candidate tags. Tags with the highest weights are suggested to the user. The method is applied on Flickr (). Results show that including visual information in the process of photo tagging increases accuracy with respect to text-based methods.     

Geometry dependence of the electrostatic and thermal response of a carbon nanotube during field emission

In this paper we present an analysis to simulate heating within an isolated carbon nanotube (CNT) attached to an etched tungsten tip during field emission of an electron beam. The length, radius, wall thickness and shape of the tip (closed with a hemispherical shape or open and flat) of the CNT and its separation distance from the flat surface are considered as variables. Using a finite element method, we predict the field enhancement, emission current and temperature of the CNT as a function of these parameters. The electrostatic and transient thermal analyses are integrated with the field-emission models based on the Fowler-Nordheim approximation and heating/cooling due to emitting energetic electrons (the Nottingham effect). These simulations suggest that the main mechanism responsible for heating of the CNT is Joule heating, which is significantly larger than the Nottingham effect. Results also indicate that the electrostatic characteristics of CNTs are very sensitive to the considered parameters whereas the transient thermal response is only a function of the CNT radius and wall thickness. Further, the thermal response of the CNT is independent of its geometry, meaning that, as long as a given set of geometrical conditions are present that result in a given emission current, the maximum temperature a CNT attains will be the same.     

Light-scattering and dispersion behavior of multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Elliptically polarized light-scattering measurements were performed to investigate the dispersion behavior of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNT). Xylene- and pyridine-derived MWNT powders were dispersed in water and ethanol in separate optic cells and allowed to sit undisturbed over a two-week time period after probe sonication. Continuous light-scattering measurements taken between scattering angles of 10-170 deg and repeated over several days showed that the nanotubes formed fractal-like networks. The pyridine-derived MWNTs showed greater dispersion variation over time, tending to aggregate and clump much faster than the xylene-derived tubes. The water suspensions appeared much more stable than the ethanol suspensions, which transformed into nonfractal morphology after a few hours. We relate the dispersion stability to size and fringe patterns on the outer surface of the nanotubes. Measured values of fractal dimension were distinctly lower than those in previous studies of single-walled carbon nanotubes. Profiles of both diagonal and off-diagonal scattering matrix elements are presented.     

Tuning algorithms for fractional order internal model controllers for time delay processes

This paper presents two tuning algorithms for fractional-order internal model control (IMC) controllers for time delay processes. The two tuning algorithms are based on two specific closed-loop control configurations: the IMC control structure and the Smith predictor structure. In the latter, the equivalency between IMC and Smith predictor control structures is used to tune a fractional-order IMC controller as the primary controller of the Smith predictor structure. Fractional-order IMC controllers are designed in both cases in order to enhance the closed-loop performance and robustness of classical integer order IMC controllers. The tuning procedures are exemplified for both single-input-single-output as well as multivariable processes, described by first-order and second-order transfer functions with time delays. Different numerical examples are provided, including a general multivariable time delay process. Integer order IMC controllers are designed in each case, as well as fractional-order IMC controllers. The simulation results show that the proposed fractional-order IMC controller ensures an increased robustness to modelling uncertainties. Experimental results are also provided, for the design of a multivariable fractional-order IMC controller in a Smith predictor structure for a quadruple-tank system.     

Sequential and parallel triangulating algorithms for Elimination Game and new insights on Minimum Degree

Elimination Game is a well-known algorithm that simulates Gaussian elimination of matrices on graphs, and it computes a triangulation of the input graph. The number of fill edges in the computed triangulation is highly dependent on the order in which Elimination Game processes the vertices, and in general the produced triangulations are neither minimum nor minimal. In order to obtain a triangulation which is close to minimum, the Minimum Degree heuristic is widely used in practice, but until now little was known on the theoretical mechanisms involved.     

TEM characterization of diblock copolymer templated iron oxide nanoparticles: Bulk solution and thin film surface doping approach

The morphology of a novel diblock copolymer, poly(norbornene methanol)-b-poly(norbornene dicarboxylic acid), was investigated before and after metal oxide doping by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) using a novel iodine vapor staining method to image the undoped polymer. A lamellar morphology was observed by TEM after staining the undoped diblock copolymer with iodine vapor. Thin film surface doping resulted in a confinement of the iron oxide nanoparticles within the lamellar domains. Spherical nanoparticle aggregates were observed through a bulk solution doping method. It was observed that the particles were templated by the underlying lamellar structure of the copolymer when the thin film surface doping method was used.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(thiophen‐3‐yl acetic acid 4‐pyrrol‐1‐yl phenyl ester‐co‐N‐methylpyrrole) and its application in an electrochromic device

Copolymer of thiophen‐3‐yl acetic acid 4‐pyrrol‐1‐yl phenyl ester (TAPE) with N‐methylpyrrole (NMPy) was synthesized by potentiostatic electrochemical polymerization in acetonitrile–tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate solvent–electrolyte couple. The chemical structures were confirmed via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and UV–vis spectroscopy. Electrochromic and spectroelectrochemical properties of poly(TAPE‐co‐NMPy) [P(TAPE‐co‐NMPy)] were investigated. Results showed that the copolymer revealed color change between light yellow and green upon doping and dedoping of the copolymer, with a moderate switching time. Furthermore, as an application, dual‐type absorptive/transmissive polymer electrochromic device (ECD) based on poly(TAPE‐co‐NMPy) and poly(3,4‐ethylene dioxythiophene) (PEDOT) have been assembled, where spectroelectrochemistry, switching ability, stability, and optical memory of the ECD were investigated. Results showed that the device exhibited good optical memory and stability with moderate switching time. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 1988–1994, 2006     

Ferrocene clicked polypyrrole derivatives: effect of spacer group on electrochemical properties and post-polymerization functionalization

In this study, novel ferrocene-functionalized N-alkyl substituted pyrrole derivatives, namely 4-ferrocenyl-1-[3-(pyrrol-1-yl)propyl]-1H-1,2,3-triazole (Py3Fc), 4-ferrocenyl-1-[4-(pyrrol-1-yl)butyl]-1H-1,2,3-triazole (Py4Fc), and 4-ferrocenyl-1-[6-(pyrrol-1-yl)hexyl]-1H-1,2,3-triazole (Py6Fc), were synthesized via click reaction and the monomers were characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, FTIR, and HRMS techniques. Redox properties of the monomers were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) studies. Contrary to general literature, both Py4Fc and Py6Fc were electrochemically polymerized without loss in redox activity of ferrocene group. Moreover, click chemistry was utilized in post-polymerization functionalization. For this purpose, three azide-containing polypyrroles, P(Py3N₃), P(Py4N₃), and P(Py6N₃) were electrochemically synthesized and subjected to click reaction in the presence of ethynylferrocene. CV studies of the post-polymerization functionalized polymers revealed quasi-reversible waves, while only P(Py6-post-Fc) showed the characteristic redox behavior of both polypyrrole and ferrocene. Thus, in this study preparation of a conducting homopolymers of pyrrole having covalently bonded ferrocene units was demonstrated and effect of spacer group is investigated.     

Optimization of counter flow Ranque–Hilsch vortex tube performance using Taguchi method

This study discusses the application of Taguchi method in assessing maximum temperature gradient for the Ranque–Hilsch counter flow vortex tube performance. The experiments were planned based on Taguchi's L27 orthogonal array with each trial performed under different conditions of inlet pressure, nozzle number and fluid type. Signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and regression analysis were carried out in order to determine the effects of process parameters and optimal factor settings. Finally, confirmation tests verified that Taguchi method achieved optimization of counter flow Ranque–Hilsch vortex tube performance with sufficient accuracy.