Discriminant feature extraction using empirical probability density estimation and a local basis library

The authors previously developed the so-called local discriminant basis (LDB) method for signal and image classification problems. The original LDB method relies on differences in the time–frequency energy distribution of each class: it selects the subspaces where these energy distributions are well separated by some measure such as the Kullback–Leibler divergence. Through our experience and experiments on various datasets, however, we realized that the time–frequency energy distribution is not always the best quantity to analyze for classification. In this paper, we propose to use the discrimination of coordinates based, instead, on empirical probability densities. That is, we estimate the probability density of each class in each coordinate in the wavelet packet/local trigonometric bases after expanding signals into such bases. We then evaluate a power of discrimination of each subspace by selecting the m most discriminant coordinates in terms of the “distance” among the corresponding densities (e.g., by the Kullback–Leibler divergence among the densities). This information is then used for selecting a basis for classification. We will demonstrate the capability of this algorithm using both synthetic and real datasets.     

Fracturing rigid materials

We propose a novel approach to fracturing (and denting) brittle materials. To avoid the computational burden imposed by the stringent time step restrictions of explicit methods or with solving nonlinear systems of equations for implicit methods, we treat the material as a fully rigid body in the limit of infinite stiffness. In addition to a triangulated surface mesh and level set volume for collisions, each rigid body is outfitted with a tetrahedral mesh upon which finite element analysis can be carried out to provide a stress map for fracture criteria. We demonstrate that the commonly used stress criteria can lead to arbitrary fracture (especially for stiff materials) and instead propose the notion of a time averaged stress directly into the FEM analysis. When objects fracture, the virtual node algorithm provides new triangle and tetrahedral meshes in a straightforward and robust fashion. Although each new rigid body can be rasterized to obtain a new level set, small shards can be difficult to accurately resolve. Therefore, we propose a novel collision handling technique for treating both rigid bodies and rigid body thin shells represented by only a triangle mesh     

Membership modification and level sets

We introduce the concept of a membership modification function and describe its role in transforming one fuzzy set into another. We discuss the related idea of a membership modification program consisting of a collection of related membership modification functions and show how the concept of level sets is an example of a membership modification program. Using this idea of membership modification allows us to consider other transformations of fuzzy sets that soften the idea of level sets. Using these ideas we provide an extension of the Jaccard similarity index.     

Piecemeal Learning of an Unknown Environment

We introduce a new learning problem: learning a graph bypiecemeal search, in which the learner must return every so often to its starting point (for refueling, say). We present two linear-time piecemeal-search algorithms for learningcity-block graphs: grid graphs with rectangular obstacles.     

Neural network cost estimates for heart bypass surgery

This paper reports on the results of using artificial neural network (ANN) technology to estimate treatment costs of heart bypass patients based on their diagnostic condition and clinical criteria. Our applications include: (1) predicting total episode cost using clinical data; (2) a method for providing rapid feedback to assess change in total costs within a turbulent environment; and (3) a procedure for identifying activity-based cost driver candidates that would normally not surface from an analysis of accounting data. Clinical data were collected on 250 heart bypass patients at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. The data analysed support the following conclusions: (1) clinical and diagnostic indicators obtained before surgery for individual patients can be used to estimate the total cost of their heart bypass surgery; (2) the average cost estimate error decreases as we add clinical information available during and after the surgical event; (3) the procedure used to estimate individual patient cost does not require access to accounting records; (4) the forecasting system we describe may improve exception reporting for individual patients by tracking costs and clinical criteria on a real-time basis throughout the treatment episode.     

The introductory psychology subject pool in Canadian universities.

Notes that university psychology department requirements for participating in S pools have been debated by psychologists over the past decade. Despite claims that the procedure is coercive, many departments continue to require participation, although others have abandoned the practice. A discussion of the ethical and practical issues associated with various approaches to recruitment of Ss is presented. A survey of 50 Canadian educational institutions offering programs in psychology was also conducted. Data indicate that participation for grades is the modal technique for obtaining undergraduate Ss and that some departments that abandoned research requirements in the past are considering reinstating required research participation. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Some comparative aspects of yawning in Betta splendens, Homo sapiens, Panthera leo, and Papio sphinx..

There have been relatively few empirical or theoretical investigations of the yawning response. Based on field and laboratory research with four vertebrate species, data are presented on yawning frequency. In general, human yawning occurred more frequently in the relative absence of social, cognitive, or physical stimulation; yawning by the other species was more frequent in the presence of such stimulation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Proceedings of the American Psychological Association, Incorporated, for the year 1986: Minutes of the annual meeting of the Council of Representatives: August 21 and 24, 1986, and February 6-8, 1987 Washington, D.C.

These minutes constitute the official record of actions of the Association taken during the year, by both the Board of Directors and the Council of Representatives. The roll of representatives was called at each meeting, and more than a quorum answered to their names. Reference is made in these minutes to various reports, some of which will be published elsewhere. Copies of these reports were distributed to the Council and are on file in the Central Office. As long as the supply lasts, extra copies of many of the reports are available from the Central Office. The Board of Directors held seven official meetings during this Association year. All substantive actions of the Board were reported to the Council and are included in these minutes. Further details of the Board's actions are to be found in the minutes of each meeting. As in previous years, these minutes are arranged in topical rather than chronological order, and subheadings are used when appropriate. The main topical headings are I, Minutes of Meetings in 1986-1987; II, Elections, Awards, Membership, and Human Resources: III, Ethics; IV, Board of Directors; V, Divisions and State Associations; VI, Organization of the APA; VII, Publications and Communications; VIII, Convention Affairs; IX, Educational Affairs; X, Professional Affairs; XI, Scientific Affairs; XII, Social and Ethical Responsibility for Psychology; XIII, Ethnic Minority Affairs; XIV, International Affairs; XV, Central Office; XVI, Financial Affairs; and XVII, Communications Concerning Outside Organizations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Response latency detection of fakers on personnel tests.

Examined the ability of personnel test item response latencies to differentiate between individuals instructed to fake and those instructed to respond honestly with 64 undergraduates in Exp 1 and 100 unemployed Ss in Exp 2. Results supported a general model of lying derived from schema theory, demonstrating that fakers take relatively longer than honest respondents to admit to delinquent characteristics concerning themselves. Discriminant function analysis indicated that response latencies to items on standard personnel tests could significantly distinguish between fakers and honest test respondents in a personnel testing scenario. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sexual behavior of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes): Male versus female regulation.

Investigated the sexual behavior of 13 chimpanzees in 2 types of pair tests in order to clarify the interaction of social variables with female hormonal state. The frequency of copulation in tests in which the partners were freely accessible to each other was related to the male's dominance over the female; copulation was less frequent and was related to social compatibility in tests in which the female controlled access. Copulation was related to female hormonal state in both types of test. Results demonstrate (1) an association between female hormonal state and sexual activity of chimpanzees, (2) the influence of social relationships on sexual interactions, and (3) the importance of focusing on female sexual behavior before copulation, rather than copulation per se, in research on sexual arousability of female primates. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)