Ensemble canonical correlation analysis

Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA) aims at identifying linear dependencies between two different but related multivariate views of the same underlying semantics. Ignoring its various extensions to more than two views, CCA uses these two views as complex labels to guide the search of maximally correlated projection vectors (covariates). Therefore, CCA can overfit the training data, meaning that different correlated projections can be found when the two-view training dataset is resampled. Although, to avoid such overfitting, ensemble approaches that utilize resampling techniques have been effectively used for improving generalization of many machine learning methods, an ensemble approach has not yet been formulated for CCA. In this paper, we propose an ensemble method for obtaining a final set of covariates by combining multiple sets of covariates extracted from subsamples. In comparison to those obtained by the application of the classical CCA on the whole set of training data, combining covariates with weaker correlations extracted from a number of subsamples of the training data produces stronger correlations that generalize to unseen test examples. Experimental results on emotion recognition, digit recognition, content-based retrieval, and multiple view object recognition have shown that ensemble CCA has better generalization for both the test set correlations of the covariates and the test set accuracy of classification performed on these covariates.     

Technoparks and Technology Transfer Offices as Drivers of an Innovation Economy: Lessons from Istanbul's Innovation Spaces

Universities can significantly contribute to the regional development and innovation capability of a city if the knowledge produced in universities can be appropriately cycled back to the city in the form of technological innovation. Technology parks and technology transfer offices (TTOs), as urban knowledge and innovation spaces, are two important channels of building research platforms with enterprises where universities can disseminate knowledge. While technology parks create space for knowledge generation and innovation within a city, university TTOs play a critical role in enhancing knowledge spillover and creating new start-up firms. This paper highlights the contribution universities can make to Istanbul's potential of becoming an innovative city that houses successful urban knowledge and innovation spaces. By conducting interviews with the managers of technoparks and TTOs in Istanbul, we explore how the existence of technoparks and TTOs within a university affects the success of technology-transfer mechanisms.     

Effect of Sn Alloying on the Diffusion Bonding Behavior of Al-Mg-Si Alloys

Effect of Sn as an alloying element on the diffusion-bonding behavior of Al-Mg-Si alloy has been studied by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mechanical testing of the diffusion-bonded joint. XRD results revealed the formation of Mg₂Sn and (Sn) phases during solidification following induction casting. DSC results showed local liquid (Sn) formation during the bonding process for Sn-containing alloys, where its amount was found to be increasing with the increasing Sn content. Results revealed that Sn addition leads to an increase in the bond shear strength of the diffusion-bonded joints and elimination of the irregularities formed on the bonded interface. Fractured surfaces showed that formation of (Sn) layer at the bonded interface causes the fracture to transform from the ductile to the mixed fracture mode.     

Delivery of Metabolically Neuroactive Probiotics to the Human Gut

The human microbiome is a rich factory for metabolite production and emerging data has led to the concept that orally administered microbial strains can synthesize metabolites with neuroactive potential. Recent research from ex vivo and murine models suggests translational potential for microbes to regulate anxiety and depression through the gut-brain axis. However, so far, less emphasis has been placed on the selection of specific microbial strains known to produce the required key metabolites and the formulation in which microbial compositions are delivered to the gut. Here, we describe a double-capsule technology to deliver high numbers of metabolically active cells derived from the 24-strain probiotic product SH-DS01 to the gastrointestinal tract, including the small intestine, where immune responses and adsorption of metabolites into the bloodstream occur. Based on its genome sequence, Limosilactobacillus reuteri SD-LRE2-IT was predicted to have the genetic capacity to de novo produce a specific metabolite of interest to brain health, vitamin B12, which could be confirmed in vitro. Taken together, our data conceptualizes the importance of rationally defined microbial strain characterization based on genomics and metabolomics data, combined with carefully designed capsule technology for delivery of live cells and concomitant functionality in and beyond the gut ecosystem.     

EGFR-Targeted Pentacyclic Triterpene Analogues for Glioma Therapy

Glioma, particularly its most malignant form, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), is the most common and aggressive malignant central nervous system tumor. The drawbacks of the current chemotherapy for GBM have aroused curiosity in the search for targeted therapies. Aberrantly overexpressed epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in GBM results in poor prognosis, low survival rates, poor responses to therapy and recurrence, and therefore EGFR-targeted therapy stands out as a promising approach for the treatment of gliomas. In this context, a series of pentacyclic triterpene analogues were subjected to in vitro and in silico assays, which were conducted to assess their potency as EGFR-targeted anti-glioma agents. In particular, compound 10 was the most potent anti-glioma agent with an IC₅₀ value of 5.82 µM towards U251 human glioblastoma cells. Taking into account its low cytotoxicity to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), compound 10 exerts selective antitumor action towards Jurkat human leukemic T-cells. This compound also induced apoptosis and inhibited EGFR with an IC₅₀ value of 9.43 µM compared to erlotinib (IC₅₀ = 0.06 µM). Based on in vitro and in silico data, compound 10 stands out as a potential orally bioavailable EGFR-targeted anti-glioma agent endowed with the ability to cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB).     

Electrocoagulation of simulated reactive dyebath effluent with aluminum and stainless steel electrodes

Reactive dyebath effluents are ideal candidates for electrocoagulation due to their intensive color, medium strength, recalcitrant COD and high electrolyte (NaCl) content. The present study focused on the treatability of simulated reactive dyebath effluent (COD(o)=300 mg/L; color in terms of absorbance values A(o,436)=0.532 cm(-1), A(o,525)=0.693 cm(-1) and A(o,620)=0.808 cm(-1)) employing electrocoagulation with aluminum and stainless steel electrodes. Optimization of critical operating parameters such as initial pH (pH(o) 3-11), applied current density (J(c)=22-87 mA/cm(2)) and electrolyte type (NaCl or Na(2)SO(4)) improved the overall treatment efficiencies resulting in effective decolorization (99% using stainless steel electrodes after 60 min, 95% using aluminum electrodes after 90 min electrocoagulation) and COD abatement (93% with stainless steel electrodes after 60 min, 86% with aluminum electrodes after 90 min of reaction time). Optimum electrocoagulation conditions were established as pH(o) 5 and J(c)=22 mA/cm(2) for both electrode materials. The COD and color removal efficiencies also depended on the electrolyte type. No in situ, surplus adsorbable organically bound halogens (AOX) formation associated with the use of NaCl as the electrolyte during electrocoagulation was detected. An economical evaluation was also carried out within the frame of the study. It was demonstrated that electrocoagulation of reactive dyebath effluent with aluminum and stainless steel electrodes was a considerably less electrical energy-intensive, alternative treatment method as compared with advanced chemical oxidation techniques.     

Insensitive current-mode universal filter with minimum componentsusing dual-output current conveyors

A novel universal current-mode active filter with four inputs and one output is presented, which contains only three dual-output current conveyors. Two grounded capacitors and two grounded resistors. The circuit is very advantageous from an integration point of view. The proposed active filter realises all filter responses without any matching conditions at high impedance output and has low passive and active sensitivities     

Supercritical-gas extraction of Turkish coking coal

Treatment of Zonguldak coal with toluene at 360 °C gave yields of extract which increased from 19–32% as the pressure of the extraction was increased from 11.6 to 29 M Pa. These yields were similar to those previously obtained by supercritical-gas extraction of lignites but the composition of the extracts differed. The lignite extracts contained a much higher proportion of petroleum ether-soluble material and only half the proportion of material insoluble in both petroleum ether and benzene than the Zonguldak coal extract. Benzene, biphenyl, naphthalene, phenanthrene, pyrene, benzoanthracene and be-nzophenanthrene nuclei were identified in the coal extract. Comparison of the yields of substituted benzenes with those obtained by low-temperature carbonization suggests that the proportions of different substitution pattern is determined by the structure of the fuel. Less naphthalene nuclei were found than expected but relatively large yields of biphenyls were obtained which were attributed to their formation from toluene in the presence of phenols.     

Temperature dependence of copper,iron, nickel and chromium transfers into various black and green tea infusions

Transfer ratios of copper, iron, nickel and chromium from 10 blended, unblended, instant and green tea samples of Turkish or British origin into the infusions have been determined at different brewing temperatures (18, 40, 60 and 80°C). The transfer ratio of each metal into the infusion appeared to be dependent on both temperature and strength of infusions as well as the kind of tea. Ingested metal amounts were calculated and discussed. © 1998 SCI.     

Effects of modified atmosphere and vacuum packaging on microbiological and chemical properties of rainbow trout (Oncorynchus mykiss) fillets

Microbial (psychrotrophic, mesophilic aerobic bacteria and Enterobacteriacae counts), and chemical analysis [pH, total volatile bases nitrogen (TVB-N), lipid oxidation (Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, TBARS)] of rainbow trout (Oncorynchus mykiss) fillets in air (control), vacuum and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) with various gas mixtures conditions at 4+/-1 degrees C were determined. The gas mixtures evaluated were 100% CO2, 2.5% O2+7.5% N2+90% CO2 and 30% O2+30% N2+40% CO2. Psychrotrophic bacteria count was above 1 x 10(7) cfu/g on the 12th day in 100% CO2. However; mesophilic bacteria count was below 1 x 10(6) cfu/g at the end of the 14-day storage period. Enterobacteriaceae count was significantly lower in samples packaged with MAP. Lipid oxidation increased rapidly after 6 days of storage in the samples containing 30% O2. While minimum TBARS values were recorded in fillets containing 100% CO2 and vacuumed fillets, the lowest TVB-N values were obtained in fillets with 100% CO2.