Building kernels from binary strings for image matching.

In the statistical learning framework, the use of appropriate kernels may be the key for substantial improvement in solving a given problem. In essence, a kernel is a similarity measure between input points satisfying some mathematical requirements and possibly capturing the domain knowledge. In this paper, we focus on kernels for images: we represent the image information content with binary strings and discuss various bitwise manipulations obtained using logical operators and convolution with nonbinary stencils. In the theoretical contribution of our work, we show that histogram intersection is a Mercer's kernel and we determine the modifications under which a similarity measure based on the notion of Hausdorff distance is also a Mercer's kernel. In both cases, we determine explicitly the mapping from input to feature space. The presented experimental results support the relevance of our analysis for developing effective trainable systems.     

Controlling the losing probability in a monotone game

We deal with a complex game between Alice and Bob where each contender’s probability of victory grows monotonically by unknown amounts with the resources employed. For a fixed effort on Alice’s part, Bob increases his resources on the basis of the results for each round (victory, tie or defeat) with the aim of reducing the probability of defeat to below a given threshold. We read this goal in terms of computing a confidence interval for the probability of losing and realize that the moves in some contests may bring in an indeterminacy trap: in certain games Bob cannot simultaneously have both a low probability-of-defeat measure and a narrow confidence interval. We use the inferential mechanism called twisting argument to compute the above interval on the basis of two joint statistics. Careful use of such statistics allows us to avoid indeterminacy.     

The role of consultant engineers on personnel training and desalination plant operation

The raising countries asking for desalination plants are 0.011:0 normally in trouble for the period of time between taking over of the plant and the first two years of operation.During this period it is very useful to use proper consultants to supervise plant operation and train operating, maintenance and management personnel.In the present paper appropriate schemes of cooperation are outlined togheter with a particullary idea about plant operation control.     

Preparation and characterization of new niobophosphate glasses in the Li2O-Nb2O5-CaO-P2O5 system

In the present work we describe the synthesis, spectroscopy, thermal and chemical durability properties of the vitreous system Li₂O-Nb₂O₅-CaO-P₂O₅ (LNCP). Investigations of the short-range order by Fourier transform infrared, Raman, UV-VIS and ³¹P MAS-NMR spectroscopies suggest that the network former glass consists of Nb octahedra linked to pyro/orthophosphate units through Nb—O—P bonds. The presence of modifier cations (Li⁺ and Ca²⁺) promotes depolymerization of the P—O—P chains, yielding pyro/orthophosphate units. The presence of this kind of structure accounts for the improvement of the chemical durability at low pH when the Nb content in the LNCP glass composition is high. The density and linear refractive indices of LNCP glasses increased linearly as the Nb₂O₅/P₂O₅ molar ratio increased, as a consequence of P₂O₅ substitution by Nb₂O₅ as the glassformer. The dependence of the glass transition temperature, the softening temperature and the crystallization temperature on the Nb₂O₅/P₂O₅ ratio exhibits the same behavior. On the other hand, the thermal expansion coefficient decreases with the increased Nb₂O₅/P₂O₅ ratio.     

Porous shell/dense core structures prepared in tungsten phosphate glass through template-free route

The preparation of the 11.7Li₂O–39.7WO₃–10.9CaO–37.7P₂O₅ glass (pgLWCP) was based on a one-step heat treatment of the 6Li₂O–18WO₃–43CaO–33P₂O₅ (gLWCP) glass followed by leaching of the β-Ca₂P₂O₇ phase formed during the crystallization process. The porous structure was formed in the region formerly occupied by the β-Ca₂P₂O₇ phase. The gLWCP undergoes devitrification through surface crystallization. This process occurs after a thermal treatment in lower temperature and in a shorter period of time than that required for the complete crystallization. After acid leaching treatment, we obtained a core-/shell-like structure with a very well-defined dense glass (gLWCP)/porous glass (pgLWCP) interface. The pgLWCP exhibits reversible coloration–decoloration reactions.     

A New Idea for Training Operators

As a continuity with our first paper (1) Nice 1979. ENTECO Wants to show their experience in training personnel in desalination plants operation, together with a considerable improvement in the results, obtained with a new training method developped from the authors.