PBSVM: Partitioning and biased support vector machine for vocal fold pathology assessment using labeled and unlabeled data sets

Most of the existing classification methods, used for voice pathology assessment, are built based on labeled pathological and normal voice signals. This paper studies the problem of building a classifier using labeled and unlabeled data. We propose a novel learning technique, called Partitioning and Biased Support Vector Machine Classification (PBSVM), which tries to utilize all the available data in two steps: (1) a new heuristically partition-based algorithm, which extracts high quality pathological and normal samples from an unlabeled set, and (2) a more principle approach based on biased formulation of support vector machine, which is fairly robust to mislabeling and unbalance data problem. Experiments with wavelet-based energy features extracted from sustained vowels show that the new recognition scheme is highly feasible and significantly outperform the baseline classical SVM classifier, especially in the situation where the labeled training data is small.     

An optimal procedure for minimizing total weighted resource tardiness penalty costs in the resource-constrained project scheduling problem

We present an optimal solution procedure for minimizing total weighted resource tardiness penalty costs in the resource-constrained project scheduling problem. In this problem, we assume the constrained renewable resources are limited to very expensive equipments and machines that are used in other projects and are not available in all periods of time of a project. In other words, for each resource, there is a dictated ready date as well as a due date such that no resource can be available before its ready date but the resources are permitted to be used after their due dates by paying penalty cost depending on the resource type. We also assume that only one unit of each resource type is available and no activity needs more than it for execution. The objective is to determine a schedule with minimal total weighted resource tardiness penalty costs. For this purpose, we present a branch-and-bound algorithm in which the branching scheme starts from a graph representing a set of conjunctions (the classical finish-start precedence constraints) and disjunctions (introduced by the resource constraints). In the search tree, each node is branched to two child nodes based on the two opposite directions of each undirected arc of disjunctions. Selection sequence of undirected arcs in the search tree affects the performance of the algorithm. Hence, we developed different rules for this issue and compare the performance of the algorithm under these rules using a randomly generated benchmark problem set.     

Research trends in gender differences in higher education and science: a co-word analysis

The aim of this study is to map and analyze the structure and evolution of the scientific literature on gender differences in higher education and science, focusing on factors related to differences between 1991 and 2012. Co-word analysis was applied to identify the main concepts addressed in this research field. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to cluster the keywords and a strategic diagram was created to analyze trends. The data set comprised a corpus containing 652 articles and reviews published between 1991 and 2012, extracted from the Thomson Reuters Web of Science database. In order to see how the results changed over time, documents were grouped into three different periods: 1991–2001, 2002–2007, and 2008–2012. The results showed that the number of themes has increased significantly over the years and that gender differences in higher education and science have been considered by specific research disciplines, suggesting important research-field-specific variations. Overall, the study helps to identify the major research topics in this domain, as well as highlighting issues to be addressed or strengthened in further work.     

Experimental Investigation on the Removal of p-Toluic Acid from Aqueous Solution using Functionalized Polymeric Sorbent

Polystyrene-divinylbenzene copolymer (PsDVB) was covalently functionalized with monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine (DEA), and triethanolamine (TEA) by a simple method. The functionalized sorbents were characterized in terms of functionality and morphology, and used for the removal of p-toluic acid (p-TA) from aqueous solution. It was found that DEA-PsDVB has higher adsorption capacity than MEA- and TEA-PsDVB due to more accessible nitro and hydroxyl groups on its surface. Further investigation on the adsorptive properties of DEA-PsDVB indicated that the maximum uptake of p-TA occurred at the optimum pH of 5.3. The kinetics data was successfully represented by the pseudo-first-order model, and the behavior of the adsorption isotherms followed the Freundlich model well. Thermodynamic studies showed that the adsorption of p-TA onto DEA-PsDVB was an endothermic and spontaneous process along with the positive change in entropy. The regeneration of DEA-PsDVB was performed with 0.1 M NaOH solution, and results showed that 99% of the initial capacity was conserved after eight successive adsorption/regeneration cycles.     

Preparation of AgO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/GrO nanocomposites by hydrothermal method and investigation of photoluminescence properties

This paper reports a novel processing route for producing AgO₂/GrO nanocomposites by hydrothermal method. AgO₂/GrO nanocomposites as semiconductor materials have been synthesized via a facile one-step process using AgNO₃ and glucose as starting reagents. We investigated the influence of the thermal decomposition temperature and reaction time, on the morphology and the particle size of AgO₂/GrO nanocomposites. The AgO₂/GrO nanocomposites were characterized by FT-IR, UV–Vis spectra, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The obtained results exhibited that the synthesized nano product by calcining for 4 h showed excellent uniformity and quality.     

Two-parameter TSCSP method for solving complex symmetric system of linear equations

We introduce a two-parameter version of the two-step scale-splitting iteration method, called TTSCSP, for solving a broad class of complex symmetric system of linear equations. We present some conditions for the convergence of the method. An upper bound for the spectral radius of the method is presented and optimal parameters which minimize this bound are given. Inexact version of the TTSCSP iteration method (ITTSCSP) is also presented. Some numerical experiments are reported to verify the effectiveness of the TTSCSP iteration method and the numerical results are compared with those of the TSCSP, the SCSP and the PMHSS iteration methods. Numerical comparison of the ITTSCSP method with the inexact version of TSCSP, SCSP and PMHSS are presented. We also compare the numerical results of the BiCGSTAB method in conjunction with the TTSCSP and the ILU preconditioners.     

Immobilization of palladium on benzimidazole functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles: catalytic efficacy in Suzuki–Miyaura reaction and nitroarenes reduction

Journal of Porous Materials - Benzimidazole functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles immobilized Pd(0)/Pd(II) has been proposed as an efficient catalyst for the one-pot preparation of biaryls...     

The impact of baking conditions on physico-chemical characteristics influencing topography and appearance aspects of polyurethane coatings

The appearance aspects of an electrodeposited polyurethane-based coating as a function of baking condition were investigated. Specular gloss and color was measured as a mean to trace the changes of the surface topography due to baking conditions. Atomic force microscopy combined with FTIR spectroscopic investigations showed that the shrinkage occurred due to the high baking temperature results in surface roughness. Films baked at higher temperature form higher-T_g networks. The color was changed to yellow as the baking temperature was raised.     

The Acute Toxicity of SiO2 and Fe3O4 Nano-particles on Daphnia magna

Silicon - SiO2 nano-particles are applied in different industries such as ceramic producing, glass making, cosmetic products, medicines, magnetic mixtures, heat and electric insulators and glazing...