Fitting genetic algorithms to distributed on-line evolution of network protocols

In this work, we introduce a framework for enabling the on-line evolution of network protocols. The proposed approach is based on the use of techniques and tools drawn from evolutionary computing research, and it enables embedding evolutionary features in the operation of network protocols. In this way, it becomes possible to build a system in which the operation of the network changes at run-time to adapt to the current conditions. As a case study, we apply the proposed framework to the evolution of forwarding schemes in intermittently connected wireless networks. Simulation results are reported to validate the ability of the proposed scheme to converge to the optimal operating point and to explore the various trade-offs deriving from its design and implementation.     

Influence of Wood Debris Accumulation on Bridge Pier Scour

This note deals with the influence of debris accumulation on scour around bridge piers. Clear-water experiments in different hydraulic conditions have been carried out with three wood debris shapes: rectangular, triangular, and cylindrical. A wide range of debris thickness and width were studied in order to determine their influence on the maximum scour hole depth temporal evolution. The ratio of the pier diameter to the channel width was varied between 0.05 and 0.12 with total bridge contractions up to 20%. A proposed relation presents a simple design procedure to predict the increase in scour depth, which mainly depends on the flow contraction due to the debris accumulation.     

Description of filamentous bacteria present in industrial activated sludge WWTPs by conventional and molecular methods.

Conventional cultivation methods and molecular approaches were utilised to describe the filamentous bacterial population of industrial activated sludge WWTPs. In total 43 strains were isolated by micromanipulation and were affiliated with 12 different species, comprising two new species and a new genus. In particular, a new species of Microthrix, a new genus of a filamentous Alphaproteobacteria morphologically similar to Nostocoida limicola, and a new filamentous species closely related to the opportunistic pathogen Propionibacterium propionicum were obtained. Despite the high number of isolates, the cultivation approach was unable to describe the filamentous bacteria most common in industrial WWTP. A culture-independent approach, termed the cell sorting/RT-PCR method, was therefore applied to identify fastidious or non-culturable filamentous microrganisms from different industrial plants. By this method the relevant filaments were micromanipulated and their 16S rDNA genes were amplified by RT-PCR. This approach was highly efficient. In total 31 16S rRNA sequences were obtained and 16 of them were used for the design of new specific oligonucleotide probes that highlighted dominant filaments in industrial activated sludge plants.     

Face-Specific Data Augmentation for Unconstrained Face Recognition

International Journal of Computer Vision - We identify two issues as key to developing effective face recognition systems: maximizing the appearance variations of training images and minimizing...     

Deep,Landmark-Free FAME: Face Alignment,Modeling, and Expression Estimation

International Journal of Computer Vision - We present a novel method for modeling 3D face shape, viewpoint, and expression from a single, unconstrained photo. Our method uses three deep...     

Raman spectra of proteinaceous materials used in paintings: a multivariate analytical approach for classification and identification

This work presents Raman spectra obtained from thin films of protein materials which are commonly used as binding media in painted works of art. Spectra were recorded over the spectral range of 3250-250 cm(-1), using an excitation wavelength of 785 nm, and several bands have been identified in the fingerprint region that correspond to the various proteins examined. Differences in the C-H vibrations located between 3200 and 2700 cm(-1) can be accounted for with reference to the amino acid composition of the protein-based binding media as well as the presence of fatty acid esters, in the case of egg yolk. In addition, the discrimination of different proteins on the basis of variations in spectra between 3200 and 2700 cm(-1) can be achieved following multivariate analysis of a large data set of spectra, providing a novel and nondestructive alternative based on Raman spectroscopy to other methods commonly used for the analysis of proteins.     

Self-Aeration and Friction over Rock Chutes in Uniform Flow Conditions

Interaction between the free surface and the bed material in flow over rock chutes under macroroughness conditions leads to a high air entrainment into the flow. The note reports on an experimental study about air diffusion features in the flow over a long rock chute. Air concentration profiles and water depths over a uniform bed material were measured. An empirical equation for the average air concentration in macroroughness condition for steep slopes is proposed. A new Darcy-Weisbach equivalent friction factor for long chutes as a function of the slope and the relative equivalent depth has also been found.     

Physico-Chemical Characterization of Sesame Oil Derivatives

Ozone treatment of commercially available vegetable oils gives rise to the formation of chemical species that are responsible for the therapeutic properties of ozonated oil derivatives in dermatological diseases. In the last years, these products have been successfully used as a topical disinfectant in a number of serious skin affections. The medical application of empirically prepared ozonated oil has yielded striking improvements with unexpected and rapid healing, compelling us to begin a long-range study aiming first to define the main characteristics of the most common ozonated vegetable oils, about which there is usually no medical consensus because of the lack of standardization of their technological parameters. Sesame oil was selected because of its great amount of polyunsaturated acyl groups, as well as natural antioxidants. Moreover, we have determined the kinetics and optimal conditions of ozonation (e.g., ozone concentrations, time of exposure, temperature) for obtaining an ozonated oil characterized by well-established technological and physico-chemical properties, namely an accurate peroxide value determination. On the basis of the results, we have gained an understanding of the modifications of the vegetable oils during the ozonation process.     

Surface decorated platinum carbonyl clusters

Four molecular Pt-carbonyl clusters decorated by Cd-Br fragments, i.e., [Pt(13)(CO)(12){Cd(5)(μ-Br)(5)Br(2)(dmf)(3)}(2)](2-) (1), [Pt(19)(CO)(17){Cd(5)(μ-Br)(5)Br(3)(Me(2)CO)(2)}{Cd(5)(μ-Br)(5)Br(Me(2)CO)(4)}](2-) (2), [H(2)Pt(26)(CO)(20)(CdBr)(12)](8-) (3) and [H(4)Pt(26)(CO)(20)(CdBr)(12)(PtBr)(x)](6-) (4) (x = 0-2), have been obtained from the reactions between [Pt(3n)(CO)(6n)](2-) (n = 2-6) and CdBr(2)·H(2)O in dmf at 120 °C. The structures of these molecular clusters with diameters of 1.5-2 nm have been determined by X-ray crystallography. Both 1 and 2 are composed of icosahedral or bis-icosahedral Pt-CO cores decorated on the surface by Cd-Br motifs, whereas 3 and 4 display a cubic close packed Pt(26)Cd(12) metal frame decorated by CO and Br ligands. An oversimplified and unifying approach to interpret the electron count of these surface decorated platinum carbonyl clusters is suggested, and extended to other low-valent organometallic clusters and Au-thiolate nanoclusters.