Time-slide window join over data streams

The join is an important operator in processing data streams. To produce outputs continuously over unbounded data streams, sliding windows are generally used to limit the scope of the join at a certain time. In the existing join algorithms, only a simple type of windows have been considered, which are updated whenever a new data item arrives on any input stream. On the other hand, a more common type of windows have not been addressed yet, whose intervals are updated periodically, i.e., slid by a predefined time interval. In this paper, we consider the time-slide windows in joining multiple data streams. The algorithm for the time-slide window join can vary according to (i) how frequently the join is evaluated and (ii) which structure is used for windowing. Regarding this, possible algorithms are discussed, and experimental results that compare their performances are provided in this paper.     

Defect detection using feature point matching for non-repetitive patterned images

Defect detection is an important technology for the quality control in the production process of wafer, TFT-LCD and PCB. Inspection is performed using the finished product’s image. The images are classified into two different groups—images with a repetitive pattern on a regular cycle and images without a repetitive pattern. A standard object for comparison is required, because manual defect detection is not possible for areas without repetitive patterns. In such areas, defect detection occurs through contrasting a reference pattern to the pattern being inspected. Methods of inspection using reference image have been researched but have limitations due to their requirement of precise alignment of the images. This paper proposes a method of defect detection to overcome such limitation using feature point matching. Feature points are extracted using a corner detector and detects defect by finding a correspondence between two feature point sets. Performance of the proposed method is evaluated by using Wafer SEM images and compared with conventional methods. Experiment results demonstrate the proposed method achieves higher detection accuracy than conventional methods and is less sensitive to alignment error and noise.     

Observer‐based decentralized adaptive control for large‐scale pure‐feedback systems with unknown time‐delayed nonlinear interactions

This paper presents an approximation design for a decentralized adaptive output‐feedback control of large‐scale pure‐feedback nonlinear systems with unknown time‐varying delayed interconnections. The interaction terms are bounded by unknown nonlinear bounding functions including unmeasurable state variables of subsystems. These bounding functions together with the algebraic loop problem of virtual and actual control inputs in the pure‐feedback form make the output‐feedback controller design difficult and challenging. To overcome the design difficulties, the observer‐based dynamic surface memoryless local controller for each subsystem is designed using appropriate Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functionals, the function approximation technique based on neural networks, and the additional first‐order low‐pass filter for the actual control input. It is shown that all signals in the total controlled closed‐loop system are semiglobally uniformly bounded and control errors converge to an adjustable neighborhood of the origin. Finally, simulation examples are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed decentralized control scheme. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Quantification model of proper curvature for large‐sized curved TVs

We present a feasible modeling method to estimate the proper curvature for large‐sized curved TVs. We especially focused on two factors – preference and perceived distortion – to be considered to determine the proper curvature. The preference includes a number of advantages that people expect to fulfill the possibilities of a more immersive image and sense of realism from curved display. On the other hand, the perceived distortion means the side effects that people can notice uncomfortable feeling caused by the shape of a curved one. In order to find out how two factors would be different as a number of conditions like curvature, size, and viewing angle change, a series of subjective assessments were conducted. The evaluation results show that both the preference and perceived distortion vary with the conditions considerably. We performed the statistical analysis based on the results and proposed the quantification model of proper curvature, which has higher preference and less perceived distortion, for various‐sized curved TVs.     

Exploring the Relationship Between Green Consumption Value,Satisfaction, and Loyalty to Hybrid Car in Elderly Consumers

The study aimed to examine the relationship between green consumption value, satisfaction, and loyalty of driving hybrid cars among elderly consumers. Data were collected from a cross‐sectional survey of 314 elderly consumers who purchased hybrid cars in the United States. A partial least squares analysis revealed that elderly consumers’ social, price, and quality values positively influenced the satisfaction of their hybrid car experience, and their satisfaction significantly influenced their loyalty of hybrid car. The relationship between green consumption value, satisfaction, and loyalty toward driving hybrid cars among elderly consumers revealed insight into their value orientations toward the hybrid car. Special efforts are suggested in promoting hybrid car use to elderly consumer groups. Marketers should pay attention to changing beliefs and increasing perceived values of driving a hybrid car for consumers to encourage them to use green products.     

Hardware Technologies for High-Performance Data-Intensive Computing

Data-intensive problems challenge conventional computing architectures with demanding CPU, memory, and I/O requirements. Experiments with three benchmarks suggest that emerging hardware technologies can significantly boost performance of a wide range of applications by increasing compute cycles and bandwidth and reducing latency.     

A study of roll‐printing technology for TFT‐LCD fabrication

Abstract— Recently, potential breakthrough technologies for low‐cost processing of TFT‐LCDs and new process developments for flexible‐display fabrication have been widely studied. A roll‐printing process using etch‐resist material as a replacement for photolithographic patterning was investigated. The characterization of the properties of patterns formed in roll printing, a method to fabricate cliché plates for fine patterns, and the design of a new formulation for resist printing ink is reported. The pattern position accuracy, which is one of the most important issues for the successful application of printing processes in display manufacturing was studied and how it can be improved by optimizing the blanket roll structure is explained. New design rules for the layout of the thin‐film‐transistor array was derived to improve the compatibility of roll printing. As a result, a prototype 15‐in.‐XGA TFT‐LCD panel was fabricated by using printing processes to replace all the photolithographic patterning steps conventionally used.     

Proteomic analysis of sera of asymptomatic,early‐stage patients with Wilson's disease

Wilson's disease (WD) is characterized by excessive accumulation of intracellular copper in liver and extrahepatic tissues, leading to significant oxidative stress and tissue damage. To date, several diagnostic biomarkers for WD such as serum ceruloplasmin, serum or urine copper levels and copper content in liver have been identified. However, these biomarkers may not be convincing for the diagnosis in some WD patients. To identify additional novel diagnostic biomarkers, we compared the serum protein profiles of asymptomatic childhood WD patients (n=20), without neurologic manifestation or liver cirrhosis, with normal controls (n=13). Fourteen spots, five up‐regulated and nine down‐regulated (>2‐fold), were differentially expressed in WD patients in comparison to normal control on 2‐DE. Among them, three spots were down‐regulated in both male and female WD. MS/MS analysis revealed that the three spots were complement component C3, complement factor B and alpha‐2 macroglobulin. By comparative proteome analysis, complement component C3, complement factor B and alpha‐2 macroglobulin, which are related to oxidative stress and inflammation, turned out to be good candidates for novel diagnostic biomarkers for early stages of WD.     

Reversible inactivation of purified leukocyte integrin CR3 (CD11b/CD18, alpha m beta 2) by removal of divalent cations from a cryptic site

Integrins exhibit reversible changes in their ability to bind ligands and these changes enable transient cell adhesion. We recently showed that leukocyte integrin CR3 (complement receptor type three, CD11b/CD18, alpha m beta 2) may be purified in a form that is either capable or incapable of binding soluble, monomeric ligand and that "inactive" CR3 may be rendered capable of binding ligand by addition of an anti-CR3 mAb known as KIM-127 (Cai and Wright, JBC. 270: 14358, 1995). Here, we demonstrate that active CR3 may be rendered inactive by treatment of immobilized receptor with EDTA. EDTA-treated CR3 failed to bind ligand even in the presence of mM Ca2+ and Mg2+, suggesting that EDTA-treatment caused a change in the receptor that is not readily reversed. EDTA-treated receptor did, however, bind ligand upon addition of KIM-127 plus Mg2+ with an affinity (17.8 +/- 4.5 nM) similar to untreated, active receptor (12.5 +/- 4.7 nM). EDTA-treated CR3 thus exhibits the properties of inactive CR3, in which the ligand binding site is cryptic but subject to exposure by KIM-127. A candidate for the cryptic ligand binding site is the I-domain, a Mg2+-binding region in the alpha chain of CR3. We found that monomeric C3bi binds directly to recombinant I-domain in a Mg(2+)-dependent fashion with an affinity of 300 +/- 113 nM. These results thus suggest that CR3 may be inactivated by removing tightly bound divalent cation from a cryptic site in CR3.