Maximizing bichromatic reverse nearest neighbor for <Emphasis Type="Italic">L</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis></Subscript>-norm in two- and three-dimensional spaces

Bichromatic reverse nearest neighbor (BRNN) has been extensively studied in spatial database literature. In this paper, we study a related problem called MaxBRNN: find an optimal region that maximizes the size of BRNNs for L _p -norm in two- and three- dimensional spaces. Such a problem has many real-life applications, including the problem of finding a new server point that attracts as many customers as possible by proximity. A straightforward approach is to determine the BRNNs for all possible points that are not feasible since there are a large (or infinite) number of possible points. To the best of our knowledge, there are no existing algorithms which solve MaxBRNN for any L _p -norm space of two- and three-dimensionality. Based on some interesting properties of the problem, we come up with an efficient algorithm called MaxOverlap for to solve this problem. Extensive experiments are conducted to show that our algorithm is efficient.     

Measurement of meat color using a computer vision system

The limits of the colorimeter and a technique of image analysis in evaluating the color of beef, pork, and chicken were investigated. The Minolta CR-400 colorimeter and a computer vision system (CVS) were employed to measure colorimetric characteristics. To evaluate the chromatic fidelity of the image of the sample displayed on the monitor, a similarity test was carried out using a trained panel. The panelists found the digital images of the samples visualized on the monitor very similar to the actual ones (P < 0.001). During the first similarity test the panelists observed at the same time both the actual meat sample and the sample image on the monitor in order to evaluate the similarity between them (test A). Moreover, the panelists were asked to evaluate the similarity between two colors, both generated by the software Adobe Photoshop CS3 one using the L*, a* and b* values read by the colorimeter and the other obtained using the CVS (test B); which of the two colors was more similar to the sample visualized on the monitor was also assessed (test C). The panelists found the digital images very similar to the actual samples (P < 0.001). As to the similarity (test B) between the CVS- and colorimeter-based colors the panelists found significant differences between them (P < 0.001). Test C showed that the color of the sample on the monitor was more similar to the CVS generated color than to the colorimeter generated color. The differences between the values of the L*, a*, b*, hue angle and chroma obtained with the CVS and the colorimeter were statistically significant (P < 0.05–0.001). These results showed that the colorimeter did not generate coordinates corresponding to the true color of meat. Instead, the CVS method seemed to give valid measurements that reproduced a color very similar to the real one.     

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Strawberry (Fragaria vesca) Slices During Osmotic Dehydration and Air Drying

The aim of this study was to develop experience in acquiring water mobility and moisture data that could be used to develop improved models for predicting water loss during osmotic dehydration and/or air-drying. One-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging protocols were used to follow temporal and spatial changes in water mobility via T₂ profiles, water content via M₀ profiles, and structural shrinkage of strawberry slices during osmotic dehydration with 600 g/kg aqueous sucrose over 2 h. Those measurements were also made for 1 h during air-drying of normal and osmotically dried slices at 20, 30, 45 and 60 °C. Air-drying above 20 °C resulted in changes in the strawberry matrix, which suggests the need for a model that incorporates the interaction between the strawberry tissue and the water that diffuses during drying. Modelling of the air-drying of osmotically pretreated slices would be complicated by the variable amounts of sucrose solution remaining after osmotic dehydration.     

SiO2 nanoparticles biocompatibility and their potential for gene delivery and silencing

Despite the extensive use of silica nanoparticles (SiO(2)NPs) in many fields, the results about their potential toxicity are still controversial. In this work, we have performed a systematic in vitro study to assess the biological impact of SiO(2)NPs, by investigating 3 different sizes (25, 60 and 115 nm) and 2 surface charges (positive and negative) of the nanoparticles in 5 cell lines (3 in adherence and 2 in suspension). We analyzed the cellular uptake and distribution of the NPs along with their possible effects on cell viability, membrane integrity and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Experimental results show that all the investigated SiO(2)NPs do not induce detectable cytotoxic effects (up to 2.5 nM concentration) in all cell lines, and that cellular uptake is mediated by an endocytic process strongly dependent on the particle size and independent of its original surface charge, due to protein corona effects. Once having assessed the biocompatibility of SiO(2)NPs, we have evaluated their potential in gene delivery, showing their ability to silence specific protein expression. The results of this work indicate that monodisperse and stable SiO(2)NPs are not toxic, revealing their promising potential in various biomedical applications.     

以可持续规划缔造公营房屋优质居住环境:香港房屋委员会的经验

香港房屋委员会(香港房委会)是一个法定机构,负责为无力负担私营楼宇的人士提供可负担的优质居所.在香港的700万人口中,大约30％的市民居住在公营租住房屋中,另有15％的市民居住在房委会提供的资助出售单位中.目前,我们的公共租住屋邨内共有约72万个居住单位.为满足公营房屋日益增长的需求,按照现时逐年延展的五年计划,我们平均每年新建1.5万套租住单位.面对严峻的土地、社区和环境的限制,我们竭力实现公营房屋建设量的目标,同时我们从未放弃公营房屋既定的可持续发展的质量指标,包括在和谐社区中提供安全、绿色和健康宜居的家园,开发实而不华、环境友好及以人为本的屋邨.过去十年间,我们在规划设计阶段逐步开发及实施了一系列新措施和工具,为居民营造优质居住环境.这些实践经验值得在规划行业内总结推广,从而鼓励后续更多改善.本文介绍香港房委会在可行性研究、总体布局规划、方案设计等阶段推行的新措施,涵盖了房委会使用的可持续规划设计方法,以应对香港公众对公营房屋优质居住环境日益提升的期望.同时,香港房委会亦与地方社区紧密合作,共同营造和谐社会氛围.总之,公营房屋已成为香港繁荣稳定的基石,以及超过半个世纪以来香港公共行政的支柱.     

并行工程中基于信任度的知识(信息)协同问题研究

探讨了并行工程中知识协同处理的７元组描述模式，并在此基础上提出了基于信任度和基于模糊集理论的两种不同类型的知识协同处理算法。算法体现了权威性和民主性相结合的原则。并提出了知识协同处理的灵敏度问题，对提出的算法的灵敏度进行了理论上的分析。通过实例分析，算法具有较强的实用性和良好的效果，易为各个知识源所接受。     

面向用户的产品开发方法

质量功能配置（ＱＦＤ）是一种以用户需求为导向的产品开发和规划方法。本文介绍了基于ＱＦＤ方法的面向用户的产品开发思想和实施步骤,以及用户需求在产品开发中的基本分解工具质量屋。并以减速箱的设计为例详细地说明了建立产品规划质量屋的过程。