Fundamental dynamics of flow through carbon nanotube membranes

The flow of a model non-polar liquid through small carbon nanotubes is studied using non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulation. We explain how a membrane of small-diameter nanotubes can transport this liquid faster than a membrane consisting of larger-diameter nanotubes. This effect is shown to be back-pressure dependent, and the reasons for this are explored. The flow through the very smallest nanotubes is shown to depend strongly on the depth of the potential inside, suggesting atomic separation can be based on carbon interaction strength as well as physical size. Finally, we demonstrate how increasing the back-pressure can counter-intuitively result in lower exit velocities from a nanotube. Such studies are crucial for optimisation of nanotube membranes.     

A robust motion estimation with center-biased diamond search and its parallel architecture for motion-compensated de-interlace

For motion compensated de-interlace, the accuracy and reliability of the motion vectors have a significant impact on the performance of the motion compensated interpolation. In order to improve the robustness of motion vector, a novel motion estimation algorithm with center-biased diamond search and its parallel VLSI architecture are proposed in this paper. Experiments show that it works better than conventional motion estimation algorithms in terms of motion compensation error and robustness, and its architecture overcomes the irregular data flow and achieves high efficiency. It also efficiently reuses data and reduces the control overhead. So, it is highly suitable for HDTV applications.     

Autonomous topological modeling of a home environment and topological localization using a sonar grid map

This paper presents a method of autonomous topological modeling and localization in a home environment using only low-cost sonar sensors. The topological model is extracted from a grid map using cell decomposition and normalized graph cut. The autonomous topological modeling involves the incremental extraction of a subregion without predefining the number of subregions. A method of topological localization based on this topological model is proposed wherein a current local grid map is compared with the original grid map. The localization is accomplished by obtaining a node probability from a relative motion model and rotational invariant grid-map matching. The proposed method extracts a well-structured topological model of the environment, and the localization provides reliable node probability even when presented with sparse and uncertain sonar data. Experimental results demonstrate the performance of the proposed topological modeling and localization in a real home environment.     

Piecewise Pseudo-Maximum Likelihood Estimation for Risk Aversion Case in First-Price Sealed-Bid Auction

In the literature, more and more clues show that the bidders indeed tend to risk averse. But as a good structure estimation procedure in first-price sealed-bid auctions, the traditional PPMLE (Piecewise Pseudo-Maximum Likelihood Estimation) approach is only applicable to the risk neutrality case. This study generalizes this approach to the risk aversion case, and obtains a simple estimation procedure for the Pareto family of private costs. In the procedure, the estimation order of distribution parameters of private costs is not important, which is different from the traditional PPMLE method. Though there is no unique estimator for θ ₁ and γ, some guidance is given for real-world applications on the basis of our Monte Carlo simulation experiments. What’s more, this procedure can be reduced further, if one is only interested in estimating the private costs. Extensive simulation experimental results indicate that our approach outperforms or matches at least the traditional one in the case of risk neutrality, and is applicable to the risk aversion case.     

Shrinkage estimation in general linear models

We propose a James-Stein-type shrinkage estimator for the parameter vector in a general linear model when it is suspected that some of the parameters may be restricted to a subspace. The James-Stein estimator is shown to demonstrate asymptotically superior risk performance relative to the conventional least squares estimator under quadratic loss. An extensive simulation study based on a multiple linear regression model and a logistic regression model further demonstrates the improved performance of this James-Stein estimator in finite samples. The application of this new estimator is illustrated using Ontario newborn infants data spanning four fiscal years.     

Gender differences in digital music distribution methods

This study examines gender differences among Greek Internet users in using digital music distribution methods. First, a Web-based questionnaire was developed and placed on most popular Greek forums. Then, 300 Greek Internet users stated their opinions regarding digital music and the following downloading methods: 1) Http downloading, 2) P2P downloading, 3) Torrent downloading, and 4) Combined iTunes method. The results revealed that P2P programs are the first choice for downloading mp3. The responders were satisfied with the P2P’s easiness of use, the variety of songs and the no need to pay. However, they worried about P2P’s safety. Gender differences were identified in several areas. Music industry managers could consider these findings in their strategies to reach the consumers. Advertising companies could use the results to target differently male or female consumers.     

Learning a color distance metric for region-based image segmentation

In this paper we describe an experiment where we studied empirically the application of a learned distance metric to be used as discrimination function for an established color image segmentation algorithm. For this purpose we chose the Mumford–Shah energy functional and the Mahalanobis distance metric. The objective was to test our approach in an objective and quantifiable way on this specific algorithm employing this particular distance model, without making generalization claims. The empirical validation of the results was performed in two experiments: one applying the resulting segmentation method on a subset of the Berkeley Image Database, an exemplar image set possessing ground-truths and validating the results against the ground-truths using two well-known inter-cluster validation methods, namely, the Rand and BGM indexes, and another experiment using images of the same context divided into training and testing set, where the distance metric is learned from the training set and then applied to segment all the images. The obtained results suggest that the use of the specified learned distance metric provides better and more robust segmentations, even if no other modification of the segmentation algorithm is performed.     

Tactical combat movements: inter-individual variation in performance due to the effects of load carriage

An examination into the effects of carried military equipment on the performance of two tactical combat movement simulations was conducted. Nineteen Airfield Defence Guards performed a break contact (five 30-m sprints) and a fire and movement simulation (16 6-m bounds) in five load conditions (10–30 kg). Heavier loads significantly increased movement duration on the break contact (0.8%/kg load) and fire and movement (1.1%/kg). Performance deterioration was observed from the beginning to the end of the series of movements (bounds or sprints) with deterioration becoming significantly greater in heavier load conditions. Inter-individual variation between slower and faster participants showed a range in load effects; 0.6, 0.8%/kg for fast and 1.0, 1.4%/kg for slow (break contact, fire and movement, respectively). Velocity profiles revealed that the initial acceleration and peak velocity were the primary determinants of performance. As the duration of these tactical combat movements reflects periods of heightened vulnerability, these findings highlight important implications for commanders.

Practitioner Summary: Increasing amounts of carried military equipment impairs the performance of tactical combat movements. Examination of inter-individual variation in velocity profiles identified that the initial acceleration and the peak velocity achieved during sprints and bounds are key determinants of overall performance.