A Bayesian framework for noise covariance estimation using the facet model.

In image processing literature, thus far, researchers have assumed the perturbation in the data to be white (or uncorrelated) having a covariance matrix sigma2I, i.e., assumption of equal variance for all the data samples and that no correlation exists between the data samples. However, there have been very few attempts to estimate noise characteristics under the assumption that there is a correlation between data samples. In this work, we propose a new and a novel approach for the simultaneous Bayesian estimation of the unknown colored or correlated noise (population) covariance matrix and the hyperparameters of the covariance model using the well-known facet model. We also estimate the facet model coefficients. We use the facet model because of its simple, yet elegant, mathematical formulation. We use the generalized inverted Wishart density as the prior model for the noise covariance matrix. We place a structure on the covariance matrix using the parameters of a correlation filter. These hyperparameters are estimated by a new extension of the expectation-maximization algorithm called the generalized constrained expectation maximization algorithm that we developed.     

Exponential collocation of stiff reactor models

A collocation method is given for streamwise integration of stiff, nonlinear reactor models. Perturbation solutions of the model are used as basis functions. Low-order approximations give results analogous to the Method of Steady States, whereas higher approximations give more detailed solutions. The method uses a small set of mesh points, and selects them to minimize global truncation errors; this feature saves computation when the reactor model is complicated. The efficiency of the method is demonstrated by numerical examples for isothermal and adiabatic reactors.     

Utilisation of press water from brewer's spent grains

Brewer's spent grain press water contains 3% solids, half of which can be removed by centrifugation. The clarified press water (CPW) obtained can be recycled to recover significant quantities of fermentable material. The beers obtained from adding CPW at 5, 10, and 20% levels to wort prior to boiling were judged indistinguishable from the control beer. This process constitutes an efficient recovery of soluble solids, saves water, and eliminates a serious water-pollution problem. Drying the sediment from centrifugation yielded a tan powder containing 50–55% protein which had a PER of 1.22 (casein 2.5). When this protein concentrate (PC) was extruded in combinations with soy, gluten, and/or wheat flour, it gave products that were suitable for extending hamburger meat. When it was used in cookies, (biscuits), the cookie spread and the quality of the top grain of the cookie was decreased. In bread, the PC increased the water absorption of the dough and substantially decreased overall bread quality.     

The emission spectrum of curium

The curium emission spectrum was observed from 2400 to 11 200 Å using electrodeless lamps as sources. Accurately measured wavelengths of 2034 of the strongest ²⁴⁴Cm lines are reported. The wavelengths, wavenumbers, and relative intensities are given. In addition, Zeeman-effect data, spectrum assignment as neutral or singly ionized lines, isotope shift, and energy-level classifications are given for most of the lines.     

An Ipproved, Multiple Stirrer for the Round-Bottom Flask Dissolution Method

A multiple stirrer round-bottom flask dissolution apparatus was constructed which improved the reproducibility of dissolution test results when compared to single stirrer apparatus results. A statistical analysis comparing the single stirrer method and the new multiple stirrer dissolution apparatus showed that a significant reduction in variance resulted when the multiple stirrer apparatus was employed.     

An improvement in the statistical validity of the MMPI-168 through modified scoring.

Standard Form R keys from the MMPI, when applied to the MMPI-168, fail to score all items on all scales. In the present research, the MMPIs of 100 male VA hospital alcoholics were rescored to include this missing information. The results indicate that this modified scoring procedure substantially improves the correlation between short-form and full-scale scores for the Paranoia and Schizophrenia scales. The importance of considering the scoring of repeated items when investigating other short forms by the "extraction" method was also noted. (1 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Depletion of short-wave irradiance at the ground by particles suspended in the atmosphere

Changes in concentration of those atmospheric constituents which contribute to the planetary albedo can give rise to climatic alterations. Suspended particles in the atmosphere contribute to the albedo by virtue of their light-scattering power. This paper presents a mathematical model of the effect of particulate loading on daily totals of irradiance at the ground at various latitudes and seasons, under the assumptions of: (a) Rayleigh scattering by the gaseous constituents of the atmosphere, and (b) Mie scattering by a uniform layer of polydisperse particles having a power-law size-distribution function. These computations show that substantial depletions of irradiance can result from moderate to heavy particulate loadings, and that an increase in man-made particulate emissions by a factor of 50 or more could give rise to a general cooling of serious magnitude.     

Secondary organic aerosol formation by glyoxal hydration and oligomer formation: humidity effects and equilibrium shifts during analysis

Glyoxal is a significant atmospheric aldehyde formed from both anthropogenic aromatic compounds and biogenic isoprene emissions. The chemical behavior of glyoxal relevant to secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation and analysis is examined in GC-MS, electrospray ionization (ESI)-MS, and particle chamber experiments. Glyoxal oligomers are shown to rapidly decompose to glyoxal in GC injection ports at temperatures > or = 120 degrees C. Glyoxal dihydrate monomer is dehydrated at temperatures > or = 140 degrees C during GC analysis but shows only oligomers (n < or = 7) upon ESI-MS analysis. Thus both of these analytical techniques will cause artifacts in speciation of glyoxal in SOA. In particle chamber experiments, glyoxal (at -0.1 Torr) condensed via particle-phase reactions when relative humidity levels exceeded a threshold of -26%. Both the threshold humidity and particle growth rates (-0.1 nm/min) are consistent with a recent study performed at glyoxal concentrations 4 orders of magnitude below those used here. This consistency suggests a mechanism where the surface water layer of solid-phase aerosol becomes saturated with glyoxal dihydrate monomer, triggering polymerization and the establishment of an organic phase.     

Quantitative SDS–PAGE of total protein from different wheat varieties

Buffers containing sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and mercaptoethanol (ME) were used to extract total protein from the flour or single seeds of five different wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties (Scout 66, Red River 68, Bankuti 1201, Atlas 66, and Omar). A dye-binding analysis for protein was adapted to these extracts. The extracted proteins were separated according to molecular weight (mol. wt) by gel electrophoresis with SDS and the patterns were quantitated by densitometry of the gels, after proteins had been stained with Coomassie brilliant blue R250. The patterns were divided into five different areas corresponding to mol. wt ranges of 63 × 10³ and greater (A1), 48–63 × 10³ (A2), 40–48 × 10³ (A3), 31–40 × 10³ (A4), and 8–31 × 10³ (A5). The proportions of the total area corresponding to these subareas were compared for the different varieties. Dye absorption was assumed to be directly proportional to protein concentration (in the linear range) with the same proportionality holding for the first four areas (largely storage proteins). The proteins of A5 (largely albumins) were assumed to have a three-fold greater dye-binding capacity than the other proteins and a correction to this area was based on this assumption. Red River 68, a variety with strong mixing characteristics, had a comparatively large proportion of its total protein in A3 and a notable peak of mol. wt 46 × 10³ in this area. Bankuti 1201 and Omar, with weak mixing characteristics, had comparatively small proportions of their protein in A3, but large proportions in A4 (largely gliadins). Atlas 66 had a comparatively large proportion of its protein in A5 (largely albumins) and a smaller proportion in A4, but there were no strong differences in the pattern that could be related clearly to the high-protein character of Atlas 66. All the varieties had most of their protein (65–69%) in the mol. wt ranges corresponding to A3 and A4.