Device-independent Color Correction for Multimedia Applications Using Neural Networks and Abductive Modeling Approaches

Although color has appeal for developers and consumers alike, color reproduction poses a major problem in many computer based applications including multimedia and desktop publishing. The problem arises because of the device-independence of color, and the way each device processes color. Matching the appearance of monitor and print images, and achieving satisfactory results is complex. Not only are there fundamental differences between computer screen (additive) and printers (subtractive), but subtractive color is in general more prone to errors due to dye inadequacies. In order to control the error in porting color, different techniques have been applied. In this paper, the utilization of artificial neural networks as well as abductive modeling approaches to color error reduction are introduced from an RGB (Red Green Blue) color model perspective. Analysis of the results and on-going research issues are discussed.     

Imaging Facial Physiology for the Detection of Deceit

Previous work has demonstrated the correlation of increased blood perfusion in the orbital muscles and stress levels for human beings. It has also been suggested that this periorbital perfusion can be quantified through the processing of thermal video. The idea has been based on the fact that skin temperature is heavily modulated by superficial blood flow. Proof of this concept was established for two different types of stress inducing experiments: startle experiments and mock-crime polygraph interrogations. However, the polygraph interrogation scenarios were simplistic and highly constrained. In the present paper, we report results derived from a large and realistic mock-crime interrogation experiment. The interrogation is free flowing and no restrictions have been placed on the subjects. Additionally, we propose a new methodology to compute the mean periorbital temperature signal. The present approach addresses the deficiencies of the earlier methodology and is capable of coping with the challenges posed by the realistic setting. Specifically, it features a tandem CONDENSATION tracker to register the periorbital area in the context of a moving face. It operates on the raw temperature signal and tries to improve the information content by suppressing the noise level instead of amplifying the signal as a whole. Finally, a pattern recognition method classifies stressful (Deceptive) from non-stressful (Non-Deceptive) subjects based on a comparative measure between the entire interrogation signal (baseline) and a critical subsection of it (transient response). The successful classification rate is 87.2% for 39 subjects. This is on par with the success rate achieved by highly trained psycho-physiological experts and opens the way for automating lie detection in realistic settings.     

An equivalent pressure source for the heart

A technique is described for the representation of the left ventricle as a one-port source characterized by a generator pressure and an internal impedance. The Fourier components of the pressure and impedance are determined from phasor analysis performed on recorded time-domain functions of pressure and flow under two conditions of loading. One condition is the quiescent state corresponding to normal operation of the circulatory system, and the other is obtained by use of a phase-shift balloon pump situated in the descending thoracic aorta. The use of the balloon pump for determining source parameters is novel. The Fourier components of pressure and impedance are determined for the first five harmonics of the quiescent pulse rate. Heart failure is simulated by ligation of all branches of the anterior descending coronary artery. The source parameters have been found to vary considerably between normal and failing hearts. Valve impedance and the impedance at the root of the aorta were also measured. The generator time-domain pressure waveforms were determined from the Fourier components. Effects of long duration pumping, upon the source parameters were found. The ratio of the calculated magnitudes of internal to external or load impedance indicates the possibility of considering the heart as a pressure source.     

Study the effect of dip in reaction temperature on thermal and electrical properties of ZnO nanoparticles

The present study reports thermal and electrical properties of Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles prepared using co-precipitation route. Sudden dip in reaction temperature observed during the synthesis process created defects in the crystal lattice of ZnO which leads to reduction in crystallite size from 33?nm to 28?nm with increase in reaction temperature. This is confirmed by the X-ray diffraction studies. Thermal analysis of the samples shows better thermal stability for smaller nanoparticles. Temperature-dependent current-voltage characteristics of the ZnO samples show reduction in the conductivity and increase in dielectric constant with respect to rise in reaction temperature. Increase in dielectric constant with decrease in size of nanoparticles may be useful in the field of nanoelectronics like memory-storage devices, etc.     

Polyamorphism in a metallic glass

A metal, or an alloy, can often exist in more than one crystal structure. The face-centred-cubic and body-centred-cubic forms of iron (or steel) are a familiar example of such polymorphism. When metallic materials are made in the amorphous form, is a parallel 'polyamorphism' possible? So far, polyamorphic phase transitions in the glassy state have been observed only in glasses involving directional and open (such as tetrahedral) coordination environments. Here, we report an in situ X-ray diffraction observation of a pressure-induced transition between two distinct amorphous polymorphs in a Ce(55)Al(45) metallic glass. The large density difference observed between the two polyamorphs is attributed to their different electronic and atomic structures, in particular the bond shortening revealed by ab initio modelling of the effects of f-electron delocalization. This discovery offers a new perspective of the amorphous state of metals, and has implications for understanding the structure, evolution and properties of metallic glasses and related liquids. Our work also opens a new avenue towards technologically useful amorphous alloys that are compositionally identical but with different thermodynamic, functional and rheological properties due to different bonding and structural characteristics.     

International standards for the acquisition and presentation of comparable data on plastics

One of the problems faced by plastics design engineers, in addition to anyone involved in resin selection in new product development, is access to comparable data among similar products from different material suppliers. This stems from the lack of standardization in the acquisition and reporting format for materials properties data in the plastics industry. Currently, a multiplicity of national test standards is widely used in the acquisition of the data, which often allows a broad flexibility in the choice of test specimen shapes and geometry, conditions for preparing the test specimens, test variables, and test conditions, in addition to units, rendering any comparison between materials extremely difficult. ISO 10350 and 11403, Parts 1, 2, and 3, were developed specifically to address these issues for the acquisition of the data, and the CAMPUS database was developed as a tool for standardization of the reporting format for plastics properties. The real driving force for standardization at the international level is the growing need for comparable data on a global basis because of the emerging global nature of the manufacturing industry and the cost savings. This paper will discuss the rationale, driving forces, and the status of the worldwide standardization efforts, along with the benefits and experience gained to date.     

Multifrequency sounding results of laboratory simulated homogeneousand two-layer Earth models

Scale model studies have established that layered Earth structures can be resolved by central frequency sounding (CFS) through a combination of parametric and geometric approaches. In view of the utility of scale model studies, which often improve the approach towards interpretation of field data, experimental work was carried out for CFS and compared with dipole frequency sounding (DFS) to establish the resolution pattern of CFS on laboratory simulated models. Results presented for homogeneous and two-layer Earth models for the conductive substratum agree well with the actual parameter values of the models     

Experimental study of the frictional properties of friction spun yarns

This article reports the results from a study conducted to characterize the frictional properties of friction spun yarns. The aim of the study was to obtain data on the surface mechanical properties of a variety of friction spun yarns. The study was essential as the surface mechanical properties influence the fabric formation, bonding strength, and high‐performance properties of yarns. The yarns used in the study were made from different fibers and were spun at different speeds. The capstan method was used to obtain the friction force values between the yarns and a glass cylindrical rod. The experiment was conducted at different tensions. The results indicate that the friction of friction spun yarns are influenced by different factors such as the type of fiber and tensions applied. The results obtained help to understand the surface mechanical properties of high‐performance yarns and their influence on the performance characteristics of friction spun yarns. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 2450–2454, 2003