Evapotranspiration Modeling Using Different Tree Based Ensembled Machine Learning Algorithm

Water Resources Management - The present study investigates and evaluate the scope and potential of modern computing tools and techniques such as ensembled machine learning methods in estimating...     

Tuning of shear thickening behavior and elastic strength of polyvinylidene fluoride via doping of ZnO-graphene

ZnO rice like nonarchitects are grafted on the graphene carbon core via a rapid microwave synthesis route. The prepared grafted systems are characterized via XRD, SEM, RAMAN, and XPS to examined the structural and morphological parameters. Zinc oxide grafted graphene sheets (ZnO-G) are further doped in β-phase of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) to prepare the polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) via mixed solvent approach (THF/DMF). β-phase confirmation of PVDF PNCs is done by FTIR studies. It is observed that ZnO-G filler enhances the β-phase content in the PNCs. Non-doped PVDF and PNCs are further studied for rheological behavior under the shear rate of 1–100 s⁻¹. Doping of ZnO-G dopant to the PVDF matrix changes its discontinuous shear thickening (DST) behavior to continues shear thickening behavior (CST). Hydrocluster formation and their interaction with the dopant could be the reason for this striking DST to CST behavioral change. Strain amplitude sweep (10⁻³% -10%) oscillatory test reveals that the PNCs shows extended linear viscoelastic region with high elastic modulus and lower viscous modulus. Effective shear thickening behavior and strong elastic strength of these PNCs present their candidature for various fields including mechanical and soft body armor applications.     

A novel binary gaining–sharing knowledge-based optimization algorithm for feature selection

Neural Computing and Applications - To obtain the optimal set of features in feature selection problems is the most challenging and prominent problem in machine learning. Very few human-related...     

Large Area Self-Assembled Ultrathin Polyimine Nanofilms Formed at the Liquid–Liquid Interface Used for Molecular Separation

Separation membranes with higher molecular weight cut-offs are needed to separate ions and small molecules from a mixed feed. The molecular sieving phenomenon can be utilized to separate smaller species with well-defined dimensions from a mixture. Here, the formation of freestanding polyimine nanofilms with thicknesses down to ≈14 nm synthesized via self-assembly of pre-synthesized imine oligomers is reported. Nanofilms are fabricated at the water–xylene interface followed by reversible condensation of polymerization according to the Pieranski theory. Polyimine nanofilm composite membranes are made via transferring the freestanding nanofilm onto ultrafiltration supports. High water permeance of 49.5 L m^-2 h⁻¹ bar⁻¹ is achieved with a complete rejection of brilliant blue-R (BBR; molecular weight = 825 g mol⁻¹) and no more than 10% rejection of monovalent and divalent salts. However, for a mixed feed of BBR dye and monovalent salt, the salt rejection is increased to ≈18%. Membranes are also capable of separating small dyes (e.g., methyl orange; MO; molecular weight = 327 g mol⁻¹) from a mixed feed of BBR and MO. Considering a thickness of ≈14 nm and its separation efficiency, the present membrane has significance in separation processes.     

PRATIT: a CNN-based emotion recognition system using histogram equalization and data augmentation

Multimedia Tools and Applications - Emotions are spontaneous feelings that are accompanied by fluctuations in facial muscles, which leads to facial expressions. Categorization of these facial...     

Attribute Allocation and Retrieval Scheme for Large-Scale Sensor Networks

Wireless sensor network is an emerging technology that enables remote monitoring of large geographical regions. In this paper, we address the problem of distributing attributes over such a large-scale sensor network so that the cost of data retrieval is minimized. The proposed scheme is a data-centric storage scheme where the attributes are distributed over the network depending on the correlations between them. The problem addressed here is similar to the Allocation Problem of distributed databases. In this paper, we have defined the Allocation Problem in the context of sensor networks and have proposed a scheme for finding a good distribution of attributes to the sensor network. We also propose an architecture for query processing given such a distribution of attributes. We analytically determine the conditions under which the proposed architecture is beneficial and present simulation results to demonstrate the same. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt to determine an allocation of attributes over a sensor network based on the correlations between attributes.     

Why does it pay to be selfish in a MANET?

Routing protocols for a mobile ad hoc network have assumed that all mobile nodes voluntarily participate in forwarding others' packets. This was a reasonable assumption because all MNs in a MANET belonged to a single authority. In the near future, however, a MANET may consist of MNs that belong to many different organizations since numerous civilian applications are expected to crop up. In this situation, some MNs may run independently and purposely decide not to forward packets so as to save their own energy. This could potentially lead to network partitioning and corresponding performance degradation. To minimize such situations in MANETs, many studies have explored the use of both the carrot and the stick approaches by having reputation-based, credit-payment, and game theory schemes. This article summarizes existing schemes, identifies their relative advantages, and projects future directions     

A new finite-difference-based method for wide-angle beam propagation

A novel split-step finite-difference method for wide-angle beam propagation is presented. The formulation allows solution of the second-order scalar wave equation without having to make the slowly varying envelope and one-way propagation approximations. The method is highly accurate and numerically efficient requiring only simple matrix multiplication for propagation.     

Semiconductor laser dynamics for feedback from afinite-penetration-depth phase-conjugate mirror

Most of the previous treatments of semiconductor lasers subject to optical feedback from a phase-conjugate mirror (PCM) have assumed that the PCM responds instantaneously. Furthermore, the mechanism responsible for phase conjugation does not usually enter into the analysis. In this paper, we derive the time-dependent reflectivity of a PCM created through nondegenerate four-wave mixing in a Kerr-type nonlinear medium. The resulting laser dynamics are compared with the case of the ideal PCM, as a function of the external-cavity length, the PCM reflectivity, and the PCM interaction depth. The PCM with a significant interaction depth tends to suppress otherwise chaotic output and produces pulses whose repetition rate is tunable by varying PCM reflectivity. At high feedback levels, it stabilizes the laser output. We use the circle-map formalism to explain our numerical results