Invisible emotion magnification algorithm (IEMA) for real-time micro-expression recognition with graph-based features

Multimedia Tools and Applications - The interest in real-time micro-expression recognition has increased with the current trend in human-computer interaction applications. Presently, there are...     

Alfalfa yield response to inoculation with recombinant strains of Rhizobium meliloti with an extra copy of dctABD and/or modified nifA expression

The construction of rhizobial strains which increase plant biomass under controlled conditions has been previously reported. However, there is no evidence that these newly constructed strains increase legume yield under agricultural conditions. This work tested the hypothesis that carefully manipulating expression of additional copies of nifA and dctABD in strains of Rhizobium meliloti would increase alfalfa yield in the field. The rationale for this hypothesis is based on the positive regulatory role that nifA plays in the expression of the nif regulon and the fact that a supply of dicarboxylic acids from the plant is required as a carbon and energy source for nitrogen fixation by the Rhizobium bacteroids in the nodule. These recombinant strains, as well as the wild-type strains from which they were derived, are ideal tools to examine the effects of modifying or increasing the expression of these genes on alfalfa biomass. The experimental design comprised seven recombinant strains, two wild-type strains, and an uninoculated control. Each treatment was replicated eight times and was conducted at four field sites in Wisconsin. Recombinant strain RMBPC-2, which has an additional copy of both nifA and dctABD, increased alfalfa biomass by 12.9% compared with the yield with the wild-type strain RMBPC and 17.9% over that in the uninoculated control plot at the site where soil nitrogen and organic matter content was lowest. These increases were statistically significant at the 5% confidence interval for each of the three harvests made during the growing season. Strain RMBPC-2 did increase alfalfa biomass at the Hancock site; however, no other significant increases or decreases in alfalfa biomass were observed with the seven other recombinant strains at that site. At three sites where this experiment was conducted, either native rhizobial populations or soil nitrogen concentrations were high. At these sites, none of the recombinant strains affected yield. We conclude that RMBPC -2 can increase alfalfa yields under field conditions of nitrogen limitation, low endogenous rhizobial competitors, and sufficient moisture.     

Elastoplastic BIE analysis of cracked plates and related problems. Part 2: Numerical results

Part 1 of this paper reports on the formulation of an advanced boundary—integral equation model for fracture mechanics analysis of cracked plates, subject to elastoplastic behaviour or other, related body force problems. The basis of this formulation contrasts with other BIE elastoplastic formulations in the use of the Green's function for an infinite plane containing a stress free crack. This Green's function formulation assures that the total elastic strain field for the crack problem is accurately imbedded in the numerical model. The second part of this paper reports on the numerical implementation of this algorithm, as currently developed. The anelastic strain field (residual strains, thermal strains, plastic strains, etc.) is approximated as piecewise constant, while the boundary data is modelled with linear interpolations. An iteration solution scheme is adopted which eliminates the need for recalculation of the BIE matrices. The stability and accuracy of the algorithm are demonstrated for an uncracked, notch geometry, and comparison to finite element results is made for the centre-cracked panel. The data shows that even the crude plastic strain model applied is capable of excellent resolution of crack tip plastic behaviour.