Nonlinear separation of show-through image mixtures using a physical model trained with ICA

Often, when we scan a document, the image from the back page shows through, due to partial transparency of the paper, giving rise to a mixture of two images. We address the problem of separating these images through the use of a physical model of the mixture process. The model is nonlinear but invertible, and we use the inverse model to perform the separation. The model is trained through the MISEP technique of nonlinear ICA. Bounded independent sources are proved to be separable through this method, apart from offset, scale and permutation indeterminacies.We compare our results with those obtained with other approaches and with different separation models that were trained with MISEP. For the latter case we test a bilinear model and MLP-based models, using both symmetry-based regularization and the more recently proposed minimal nonlinear distortion regularization. Quantitative quality measures show that the approach that we propose is superior to the other methodologies.     

In vitro evaluation of anti-pathogenic surface coating nanofluid,obtained by combining Fe3O4/C12 nanostructures and 2-((4-ethylphenoxy)methyl)-N-(substituted-phenylcarbamothioyl)-benzamides

In this paper, we report the design of a new nanofluid for anti-pathogenic surface coating. For this purpose, new 2-((4-ethylphenoxy)methyl)-N-(substituted-phenylcarbamothioyl)-benzamides were synthesized and used as an adsorption shell for Fe₃O₄/C₁₂ core/shell nanosized material. The functionalized specimens were tested by in vitro assays for their anti-biofilm properties and biocompatibility. The optimized catheter sections showed an improved resistance to Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 in vitro biofilm development, as demonstrated by the viable cell counts of biofilm-embedded bacterial cells and by scanning electron microscopy examination of the colonized surfaces. The nanofluid proved to be not cytotoxic and did not influence the eukaryotic cell cycle. These results could be of a great interest for the biomedical field, opening new directions for the design of film-coated surfaces with improved anti-biofilm properties.     

Incentive contrast in domestic dogs (Canis familiaris).

Dogs (Canis familiaris) trained to receive a preferred food (dry beef liver) from an experimenter learned to maintain a longer gaze on the experimenter than dogs receiving a less preferred food (dog pellets). Dogs downshifted from dry liver to pellets rejected food more frequently than nonshifted controls. Gaze duration also decreased in downshifted dogs below the level of a group always reinforced with pellets. In addition, downshifted dogs tended to move away from the experimenter, adopting a lying down posture. This phenomenon, called successive negative contrast, has been described in analogous experiments with a variety of mammalian species, but has failed to occur in similar experiments with nonmammalian vertebrates. Unlike similar previous observations, the present data were obtained in an environment involving interspecific communication. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Posttraumatic stress disorder in parents of children with chronic illnesses: A meta-analysis.

Objective: To estimate PTSD prevalence in parents of children with chronic illnesses or undergoing invasive procedures, and its association with higher risk of PTSD among parents. Methods: Sixteen studies reporting prevalence of PTSD in parents of children with chronic illnesses were identified through a systematic review in Pubmed, Web of Science, Pilots and PsycINFO databases. Main Outcome Measures: Pooled current PTSD prevalence was calculated for parents from these studies. Pooled PTSD prevalence ratios were obtained by comparing parents of children with chronic diseases with parents of healthy children. Meta-regression was used to identify variables that could account for the lack of homogeneity. Results: Pooled PTSD prevalence was 19.6% in mothers, 11.6% in fathers, and 22.8% in parents in general (p     

Analytic modeling of two-dimensional transient atmospheric pollutant dispersion by double GITT and Laplace Transform techniques

An analytical solution for the transient two-dimensional atmospheric pollutant dispersion problem is presented. The approach used in this problem utilizes the double GITT (Generalized Integral Transform Technique), the Laplace Transform and the matrix diagonalization. Furthermore, mathematical filters are used due to the existence of non-homogeneous boundary conditions. The results we obtained are compared with experimental data for short range downwind dispersion utilizing two well-known experimental dispersion datasets (Copenhagen and Prairie Grass). It is shown that the present analytical approach give good results for downwind concentration except for receptors very close to the release points were any Eulerian approach based on K-closure is known to fail.     

Constraint preserving boundary conditions for the Ideal Newtonian MHD equations

We study and develop constraint preserving boundary conditions for the Newtonian magnetohydrodynamic equations and analyze the behavior of the numerical solution upon considering different possible options. We concentrate on both the standard ideal MHD system and the one augmented by a “pseudo potential” to control the divergence free constraint. We show how the boundary conditions developed significantly reduce the violations generated at the boundaries at the numerical level and how lessen their influence in the interior of the computational domain by making use of the available freedom in the equations.     

Fault location for underground distribution feeders: An extended impedance-based formulation with capacitive current compensation

Underground distribution systems are normally exposed to permanent faults, due to specific construction characteristics. In these systems, visual inspection cannot be performed. In order to enhance service restoration, accurate fault location techniques must be applied. This paper describes an extended impedance-based fault location algorithm for underground distribution systems. The formulation is developed on phase frame and calculates the apparent impedance using only local voltage and current data. The technique also provides an iterative algorithm to compensate the typical capacitive component current of underground cables. Test results are obtained from numerical simulations using a real underground distribution feeder data from the Electrical Energy Distribution State Company of Rio Grande do Sul (CEEE-D), southern Brazil. Comparative results show the techniques accuracy and robustness in respect to fault type, distance and resistance.     

Properties Enhancement of an Eco-Friendly Electrical Contact Material by Silver Nanoparticles Addition

Silver-tin oxide electrical contact material with 10?wt pct stannic oxide and balance nanosized and micronsized silver was developed successfully. Stannic oxide particles chemically coated by a layer of silver nanospheres are homogeneously dispersed in a silver microcrystalline matrix made by chemical synthesis. The material processed by pressing-sintering-repressing exhibited enhanced properties: density: 97.1 to 97.9?pct relative density, Vickers hardness: 103 to 115, electrical conductivity: 65 to 69?pct IACS, volumetric shrinkage: 28.9 to 30.9?pct, and a very fine and uniform microstructure.     

Photodegradation of endocrine disrupting chemical nonylphenol by simulated solar UV-irradiation

The photolysis of nonylphenol (NP) was investigated using a solar simulator in the absence/presence of dissolved organic matter (DOM), HCO3-, NO3- and Fe(III) ions. The effects of different parameters such as initial pH, initial concentration of substrate, temperature, and the effect of hydrogen peroxide concentration on photodegradation of nonylphenol in aqueous solution have been assessed. The results indicate that the oxidation rate increases in the presence of H2O2, Fe(III) and DOM with dissolved organic carbon concentrations not higher than 3 mg L(-1). Phenol, 1,4-dihydroxylbenzene and 1,4-benzoquinone were identified as intermediate products of photodegradation of nonylphenol, through an HPLC method. In addition, the disappearance of the estrogenic activity of nonylphenol during irradiation using YES test was investigated. Based upon the YES test results, there was a strong decrease of estrogenic activity of nonylphenol after 80 h irradiation in the presence of hydrogen peroxide.