A unified framework for improving the accuracy of all holistic face identification algorithms

Reconstructing the challenging human face identification process as a stability problem, we show that Electoral College can be used as a framework that provides a significantly enhanced face identification process by improving the accuracy of all holistic algorithms. The results are demonstrated by extensive experiments on benchmark face databases applying the Electoral College framework embedded with standard baseline and newly developed face identification algorithms.     

EVALUATION OF FATIGUE CRACK PROPAGATION PROPERTIES UNDER RANDOM LOADING AVOIDING CRACK CLOSURE

Abstract— Fatigue crack propagation rates and the fatigue threshold of HT80 steel were measured by maintaining the maximum load during the whole period of random loading in order to prevent fatigue crack closure. The random loading pattern involved 62 level block loadings in which the waveform was approximated to the Rayleigh distribution of peaks. The fatigue crack propagation rates under random loading were well predicted from those obtained from constant amplitude loading and assuming a linear cumulative damage law. That is, da/dn = C {Δ K ^m_eq−Δ K ^m_th} where the equivalent stress intensity factor, Δ K _eq={= n _iΔ K ^m_i/d n _i}^{1/ m} , where n_i = 0 for Δ K _i≤Δ K _th, or n_i = n_i for Δ K_i > Δ K _th.     

High molecular weight poly(methyl alkyl fumarates): radical high polymerization of methyl alkyl fumarates and monomer-isomerization radical polymerization of methyl alkyl maleates

Summary High molecular weight poly(methyl alkyl fumarate) were prepared through radical polymerization of methyl alkyl fumarates(MRF) and monomer-isomerization radical polymerization of methyl alkyl maleates(MRM). The polymerization reactivities(yield and viscosity) of MRFs and MRMs were found to increase with increasing of the bulkiness of the ester alkyl substituents, but MRFs showed generally higher reactivities than MRMs. These polymers were also observed to consist of less- or non-flexible rod-like poly(methoxy-carbonylmethylene-alt-alkoxycarbonylmethylene) structure depending on their bulkiness. The MtBF polymer did not melt, which showed somewhat decreased thermal stability.Polymers from 1,2-Disubstituted Ethylenic Monomers. VIII.     

A new material platform of Si photonics for implementing architecture of dense wavelength division multiplexing on Si bulk wafer

Abstract

A new materials group to implement dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) in Si photonics is proposed. A large thermo-optic (TO) coefficient of Si malfunctions multiplexer/demultiplexer (MUX/DEMUX) on a chip under thermal fluctuation, and thus DWDM implementation, has been one of the most challenging targets in Si photonics. The present study specifies an optical materials group for DWDM by a systematic survey of their TO coefficients and refractive indices. The group is classified as mid-index contrast optics (MiDex) materials, and non-stoichiometric silicon nitride (SiN_x) is chosen to demonstrate its significant thermal stability. The TO coefficient of non-stoichiometric SiN_x is precisely measured in the temperature range 24–76 °C using the SiN_x rings prepared by two methods: chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and physical vapor deposition (PVD). The CVD-SiN_x ring reveals nearly the same TO coefficient reported for stoichiometric CVD-Si₃N₄, while the value for the PVD-SiN_x ring is slightly higher. Both SiN_x rings lock their resonance frequencies within 100 GHz in this temperature range. Since CVD-SiN_x needs a high temperature annealing to reduce N–H bond absorption, it is concluded that PVD-SiN_x is suited as a MiDex material introduced in the CMOS back-end-of-line. Further stabilization is required, considering the crosstalk between two channels; a ‘silicone’ polymer is employed to compensate for the temperature fluctuation using its negative TO coefficient, called athermalization. This demonstrates that the resonance of these SiN_x rings is locked within 50 GHz at the same temperature range in the wavelength range 1460–1620 nm (the so-called S, C, and L bands in optical fiber communication networks). A further survey on the MiDex materials strongly suggests that Al₂O₃, Ga₂O₃ Ta₂O₅, HfO₂ and their alloys should provide even more stable platforms for DWDM implementation in MiDex photonics. It is discussed that the MiDex photonics will find various applications such as medical and environmental sensing and in-vehicle data-communication.     

Curing of phenol‐formaldehyde resin mixed with wood preservatives

The effects of preservatives used for glue‐line treatment on the curing of phenol‐formaldehyde resin (PF) were studied by dynamic mechanical analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Storage modulus, G′, loss modulus, G″, and loss tangent, tan δ, of PF with and without preservatives were recorded as a function of time under isothermal heating. The time required for G′, G″, and tan δ to reach steady values increased with addition of preservative. The G′, G″, and tan δ curves of PF containing benzyl alcohol (used in the preservative as a diluent) were almost identical to those of PF containing preservative. However, the addition of antitermite and anti‐fungal compounds alone had no effect on the curing process. There were no differences in total reaction enthalpy or dependence of activation energy on degree of conversion between pure PF and mixtures. Our results indicate that benzyl alcohol in preservatives plasticizes the curing system for PF. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Surface characterization of nanoparticles carrying pH-responsive polymer hair

The surface of near-monodisperse colloidal polystyrene (PS) latex particles carrying pH-responsive poly[2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (PDEA) polymer chains as a steric stabilizer has been extensively characterized in dry and wet states. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and contact angle measurement studies confirm that PDEA chains are located on the PS latex particle surface. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies reveal that the sterically stabilized PS particles have a core-shell morphology and wet atomic force microscopy data confirm that the pH-responsive PDEA component covers the PS latex core and the thickness of the protonated steric polymer is estimated to be approximately 15 nm. The PS latex particles can be easily dispersed in acidic aqueous media (pH 3.0) whilst they flocculate in basic aqueous media (pH 10.0) due to the pH-responsive PDEA hair. This dispersion-flocculation cycle of the PS latex is fully reversible.     

An efficient mass separation by using traveling waves with ion cyclotron frequencies

A new method for ion-species and isotope separations is described, which is expected to yield higher mass resolution and collection rates than the conventional ion-cyclotron-resonance technique. It is based on the principle that travelling waves with cyclotron frequencies generate charged particle drifts perpendicular to both the direction of wave propagation and external magnetic field lines.