Regular Ordering and Applications in Control Policies

In this paper we introduce the notion of regular ordering for periodic sequences based on the gaps between the entries. We define the notion of regular preserving functions using Schur convexity. This is used to extend some optimization results in queuing control problems. In particular, we show that the maximal traveling time in a stochastic event graph as well as the transmission times in a channel with redundancy, decrease (in the stochastic sense) when the input sequence becomes more regular.     

Natural hierarchical refinement for finite element methods

Current formulations of adaptive finite element mesh refinement seem simple enough, but their implementations prove to be a formidable task. We offer an alternative point of departure which yields equivalent adapted approximation spaces wherever the traditional mesh refinement is applicable, but our method proves to be significantly simpler to implement. At the same time it is much more powerful in that it is general (no special tricks are required for different types of finite elements), and applicable for some newer approximations where traditional mesh refinement concepts are not of much help, for instance on subdivision surfaces. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Detection measures in real-life criminal guilty knowledge tests.

Provides a 1st attempt to compare the validity of the respiration line length (RLL) and skin resistance response (SRR) amplitude in real-life criminal guilty knowledge tests (GKTs). GKT records of 40 innocent and 40 guilty Ss, for whom actual truth was established by confession, were assessed for their accuracy. When a predefined decision rule was used and inconclusive decisions were excluded, 97.4% of the innocent Ss and 53.3% of the guilty Ss were correctly classified with the SRR measure. For the RLL measure, the respective results were 97.2% and 53.1%. The combination of both measures improved detection of guilty Ss to 75.8% and decreased detection of innocent Ss to 94.1%. The combined measure seems to be a more useful means of identifying guilty suspects than each physiological measure alone. The results elaborate and extend those obtained in a previous field study (E. Elaad, 1990). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Machine identification of buds in images of plant shoots

Tissue cultures find increasingly widespread applications for cloning of many plants. Commercial propagation by tissue cultures is limited to ornamental plants, because the cost of skilled labor required cannot compete with conventional propagation methods. To cut down the cost, some automation is essential. A cost-effective approach is to chop the plantlets into segments on a conveying production line while using machine vision for identifying and locating the number and positions of propagation organs in images of the plantlet segments. Plantlet segments without propagation organs will be rejected, while segments with viable buds will be selected for subculturing. To this end, a machine-vision-controlled automatic subculturing system for potato tissue cultures is proposed as a simpler and more cost-effective solution than the popular trend of imitating the manual sub-culturing task by a robot. A simple and relatively fast image-processing algorithm particularly suitable for classification of potato tissue cultures, was developed. In lieu of the general Medial Axis Transform approach, this specialized algorithm takes advantage of the inherent difference between the geometrical shape and gray scale levels of the stems and the leaves as well as of the rather simple connectivity rules of attachment between them. The results indicate that machine inspection and classification of tissue culture plantlets is possible, but considerably more work needs to be done before this technique is fully developed for automating tissue culture processes.     

Detection of guilty knowledge in real-life criminal investigations.

The present study provides a first attempt to estimate the validity of the Guilty Knowledge Test (GKT) in real-life criminal investigations. Skin resistance responses in GKT records of 50 innocent and 48 guilty Ss, for whom actual truth was established by confession, were analyzed by two methods. On the basis of an a priori decision rule, 98% of the innocent and 42% of the guilty Ss were correctly classified. Signal detection measures based on various possible decision rules indicated that the distribution of guilty Ss was highly differentiated from the distribution of innocent Ss. An optimal decision rule yielded correct classifications for 94% of the innocent Ss and 65% of the guilty Ss. These results suggest that the GKT could be a useful investigative tool that protects innocent suspects from being falsely classified as guilty. The false-negative identifications were accounted for in terms of the realistic conditions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On loss probabilities in presence of redundant packets with random drop

The purpose of this paper is to study the loss probabilities of messages in an M/M/1/K queueing system where in addition to losses due to buffer overflow there are also random losses in the incoming and outgoing links. We focus on the influence of adding redundant packets to the messages (as in error correction coding, e.g. Reed–Solomon code, etc.). In the first part we use multi-dimensional probability generating functions for solving the recursions which generalize those introduced by Cidon et al. [IEEE Trans. Inform. Theory 39 (1) (1993) 98] for computing the loss probabilities and derive analytical formulae for a special case. In the second part of the paper we use combinatorial arguments and Ballot theorem results to alternatively obtain the loss probabilities. The analytical results allow us to investigate when does adding redundancy decrease the loss probabilities.     

Channel-length measurement technique based on a floating-gatedevice

By measuring the threshold voltage of the structure for several drawn channel lengths, ΔL is extracted. This technique is the translation of a capacitance measurement into a threshold measurement and as such is accurate and simple to perform. Since the technique does not involve a current flow through the transistor under test, it is especially advantageous for L_eff measurements on lightly-doped drain (LDD) and double-diffused drain (DDD) short-channel devices     

Markov-modulated stochastic recursive equations with applications to delay-tolerant networks

We investigate a class of Markov-modulated stochastic recursive equations. This class includes multi-type branching processes with immigration as well as linear stochastic equations. Conditions are established for the existence of a stationary solution and expressions for the first two moments of this solution are found. Furthermore, the transient characteristics of the stochastic recursion are investigated: we obtain the first two moments of the transient solution as well. Finally, to illustrate our approach, the results are applied to the performance evaluation of packet forwarding in delay-tolerant mobile ad-hoc networks.     

A novel method for on-orbit measurement of space materials degradation

The low Earth orbit (LEO) environment is considered hazardous to spacecraft, resulting in materials degradation. Currently, in order to evaluate the degradation of materials in LEO, a retrieval of space exposed samples is required. In this study, a novel approach is proposed to evaluate degradation of materials in LEO without the need of retrieval. The method is utilizing photovoltaic cells (PVCs), an existing component onboard of any satellite. The PVCs are coated by various materials which are sensitive to different LEO constituents, such as atomic oxygen (AO) or ultra-violet (UV) radiation. The method's acronym is ORMADD (on-ORbit MAterials Degradation Detector). The ORMADD's principle of operation is based on measuring the PVC output power which depends on the cell coating material's optical transmission. Erosion of the coating by AO or coloring due to UV radiation affects its optical transmission and, accordingly, the PVC output. The ORMADD performance was tested using different coatings, such as polyimide and amorphous carbon (sensitive to AO), and siloxane based coating which is sensitive to UV radiation. The proposed ORMADD reveals sensitivity to different LEO components and can be used either as material degradation detector or as an AO monitor.