Analysis of characteristic odors from human male axillae

A number of studies concerning the analysis of axillary odors have assumed that the characteristic odor produced in the axillae is due to volatile steroids and isovaleric acid. Organoleptic evaluation of Chromatographic eluants from axillary extracts was employed to isolate the region in the chromatogram where the characteristic odor eluted. The odor of the dissolved eluant was eliminated when it was treated with base, suggesting that acids make up the characteristic axillary odor. Subsequent extraction of the pH-adjusted axillary extract in conjunction with organoleptic evaluation of the Chromatographic eluant, preparative gas chromatography, and analysis by GC-MS as well as GC-FTIR showed the presence of a number of C₆ to C₁₁ straight-chain, branched, and unsaturated acids as important contributors to the axillary odor. The major odor component is (E)-3-methyl-2-hexenoic acid. Three homologous series of minor components are also important odor contributors; these consist of the terminally unsaturated acids, the 2-methyl-C₆ to -C₁₀ acids and the 4-ethyl-C₅ to -C₁₁ acids. These types of acids have not been reported previously as components of the human axillary secretions and have not been proposed previously as part of the principal odor components in this area.     

Learning-based dynamic coupling of discrete and continuous trackers

We present a data-driven dynamic coupling between discrete and continuous methods for tracking objects of high dofs, which overcomes the limitations of previous techniques. In our approach, two trackers work in parallel, and the coupling between them is based on the tracking error. We use a model-based continuous method to achieve accurate results and, in cases of failure, we re-initialize the model using our discrete tracker. This method maintains the accuracy of a more tightly coupled system, while increasing its efficiency. At any given frame, our discrete tracker uses the current and several previous frames to search into a database for the best matching solution. For improved robustness, object configuration sequences, rather than single configurations, are stored in the database. We apply our framework to the problem of 3D hand tracking from image sequences and the discrimination between fingerspelling and continuous signs in American Sign Language.     

Should we be surprised at expert system success ?

Abstract. Expert systems proliferate. They are now a usable and used tool in a variety of organizations. However, little research has been undertaken on the quantification of success or failure of expert system projects. By and large the only test carried out for expert system validation is one of comparison of the conclusions of the system with those of an expert or team of experts. While questioning the validity, this paper accepts that this method is being used and analyses whether or not the results obtained from this type of test should be a surprise. That is, what sort of results should be expected and to what extent do the reported ones live up to these expectations? Earlier research from the field of human information processing casts doubts on the success claims made for current expert systems. The implications of this research are then analysed in order to explore the possible redeeming features of expert systems which are not taken into account in such comparisons. The use of linear models as comparators for expert systems may prove beneficial.     

Review of The mind’s we: Contextualism in cognitive psychology.

Reviews the book, The mind's we: Contextualism in cognitive psychology by Diane Gillespie (1992). In this text the author has both expanded on several of the key insights previously outlined in the critical literature and provided a congenial introductory text for the newcomer; a text to serve as a conceptual bridge between traditional cognitive psychological approaches and their newly emergent contextualist alternatives. As stated in her preface, Gillespie's purpose in preparing this book was to "bring together the work of psychologists who are interested in telling the contextualist story of cognition" and to "reveal and strengthen their insights and perspectives" (p. xiv). Given the philosophical range and theoretical diversity of those interested in telling such a story, the task is certainly a formidable one, but it is nonetheless one that she accomplishes with a commendable degree of elegance. Gillespie clearly articulates the diverse work of a large number of psychological theorists into a coherent and meaningful account that will do much toward imposing order on a field that is, by its very nature, somewhat scattered and contentious. Each of the book's six chapters proceeds carefully through a detailed and representative historical and conceptual analysis of traditional mechanistic approaches to human cognition prior to advancing their contextualist critiques and alternatives. Through a systematic analysis of the manner in which this "contextualist story" has arisen within the mechanistic milieu of traditional scientific psychology, she is able to clarify both the implications and relative merits and liabilities of two, quite often antithetical, conceptualizations of human cognitive phenomena. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Anthony D. Wagner: Award for Distinguished Scientific Early Career Contributions to Psychology.

Presents the citation for Anthony D. Wagner, who received the Award for Distinguished Scientific Early Career Contributions to Psychology (cognition and human learning) "for outstanding and innovative research on the neural basis of memory and executive control." A brief profile and a selected bibliography accompany the citation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

人类聚居环境学对于居住区规划设计的启示

以人类聚居环境学的研究方法从若干方面对目前的居住区规划设计进行了一定的探讨,分析规划设计及建设方面目前存在的主要问题,提出以人类聚居环境学为指导的居住区规划设计理念。     

Photocatalytic degradation of 2,2‐bis(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methylphenyl) propane (BPP) based on molecular recognition interaction

BACKGROUND: Endocrine disruptors in the aquatic environment and their potential adverse effects are currently issues of concern. One of these endocrine disruptors is 2,2‐bis(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methylphenyl)propane (BPP). In this work the molecular recognition interaction of BPP with β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) was studied using IR spectroscopy and steady state fluorescence spectroscopy, and the photocatalytic degradation behaviour of BPP based on molecular recognition interaction was investigated in a TiO₂/UV–visible (λ_max = 365 nm) system. This might provide a new method for the treatment of some organic pollutants in wastewater. RESULTS: β‐CD reacts with BPP to form a 1:1 inclusion complex, the formation constant of which is 4.94 × 10³ L mol^?1. The photodegradation rate constant of BPP after molecular recognition by β‐CD showed a 1.42‐fold increase in the TiO₂/UV–visible (λ_max = 365 nm) system. The photodegradation of BPP depended on the concentration of β‐CD, the pH value, the gaseous medium and the initial concentration of BPP. The photodegradation efficiency of BPP with molecular recognition was higher than that without molecular recognition. After 100 min of irradiation the mineralisation efficiency of BPP after molecular recognition by β‐CD reached 94.8%, whereas the mineralisation efficiency of BPP before molecular recognition by β‐CD was only 40.6%. CONCLUSION: The photocatalytic degradation of BPP after molecular recognition by β‐CD can be enhanced in the TiO₂/UV‐visible (λ_max = 365 nm) system. This enhancement is dependent on the enhancement of the adsorption of BPP, the moderate inclusion depth of BPP in the β‐CD cavity and the increase in the frontier electron density of BPP after molecular recognition. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

The Strategic Control of Multiple Routes in Imitation of Actions.

The aim of this study was to bring to the surface the strategic use of imitative processes in the context of a 2-route model: (a) direct imitation, used in reproducing new, meaningless actions, and (b) imitation based on stored semantic knowledge of familiar meaningful actions. Three experiments were carried out with healthy participants who reproduced meaningful and meaningless actions within an established time limit. The study investigated 3 factors that could potentially affect the selection of processes used for imitation: (a) the composition of the experimental list (blocked or mixed presentation), (b) the presence-absence of instructions (Experiments 1 and 2), and (c) the relative proportions of the stimuli (Experiment 3). Overall, the results suggest that each of these factors influences the selection of imitative strategies in healthy individuals with temporarily reduced capacities, as happens in the case of brain-damaged patients. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A reconfigurable VLSI-based double-lens tracking camera

Watching and tracking an object while seeing a much wider view is one of advantages of the eye system. We proposed and developed a tracking camera system that mimics the eyes by using double-lens modules. In the system, a wide view is captured through the wide-lens module, while the target in it is tracked and magnified through the telescopic lens module. Electronic circuits for tracking control are implemented onto the reconfigurable VLSI or FPGA in order to embed the parallelism in the tracking algorithm into the hardware. A successfully developed FPGA-based prototype performs high-speed tracking at the video-rate. This work was present in part at the 12th International Symposium on Artificial Life and Robotics, Oita, Japan, January 25–27, 2007