Towards a super-resolution based approach for improved face recognition in low resolution environment

Multimedia Tools and Applications - The video surveillance activity generates a vast amount of data, which can be processed to detect miscreants. The task of identifying and recognizing an object...     

TopoAct: Visually Exploring the Shape of Activations in Deep Learning

Deep neural networks such as GoogLeNet, ResNet, and BERT have achieved impressive performance in tasks such as image and text classification. To understand how such performance is achieved, we probe a trained deep neural network by studying neuron activations, i.e.combinations of neuron firings, at various layers of the network in response to a particular input. With a large number of inputs, we aim to obtain a global view of what neurons detect by studying their activations. In particular, we develop visualizations that show the shape of the activation space, the organizational principle behind neuron activations, and the relationships of these activations within a layer. Applying tools from topological data analysis, we present TopoAct , a visual exploration system to study topological summaries of activation vectors. We present exploration scenarios using TopoAct that provide valuable insights into learned representations of neural networks. We expect TopoAct to give a topological perspective that enriches the current toolbox of neural network analysis, and to provide a basis for network architecture diagnosis and data anomaly detection.     

Visible‐light‐induced controlled/living radical polymerization of styrene with a phenyl seleno group at one terminal chain end: 1‐(Phenylseleno)ethyl benzene as a photoiniferter

The photopolymerization of styrene with a well‐defined molecular architecture and a low polydispersity index and with methyl and phenylseleno (? SePh) groups at α‐ and ω‐chain ends, respectively, was performed via a controlled/living radical polymerization with a new initiating system, 1‐(phenylseleno)ethyl benzene/tert‐butyl diphenyl (phenylseleno) silane, through the absorption of visible light at room temperature. A novel initiating living radical polymerization was examined. The yield and number‐average molecular weight (M_n) of the resulting polymer increased with the reaction time. Furthermore, a linear relationship was found in a plot of M_n versus the polymer yield. These results indicated that this polymerization proceeded through a living radical mechanism. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 348–355, 2004     

When simulated environments make the difference: the effectiveness of different types of training of car service procedures

An empirical analysis was performed to compare the effectiveness of different approaches to training a set of procedural skills to a sample of novice trainees. Sixty-five participants were randomly assigned to one of the following three training groups: (1) learning-by-doing in a 3D desktop virtual environment, (2) learning-by-observing a video (show-and-tell) explanation of the procedures, and (3) trial-and-error. In each group, participants were trained on two car service procedures. Participants were recalled to perform a procedure either 2 or 4 weeks after the training. The results showed that: (1) participants trained through the virtual approach of learning-by-doing performed both procedures significantly better (i.e. p < .05 in terms of errors and time) than people of non-virtual groups, (2) the virtual training group, after a period of non-use, were more effective than non-virtual training (i.e. p < .05) in their ability to recover their skills, (3) after a (simulated) long period from the training—i.e. up to 12 weeks—people who experienced 3D environments consistently performed better than people who received other kinds of training. The results also suggested that independently from the training group, trainees’ visuospatial abilities were a predictor of performance, at least for the complex service procedure, adj R ² = .460, and that post-training performances of people trained through virtual learning-by-doing are not affected by learning styles. Finally, a strong relationship (p < .001, R ² = .441) was identified between usability and trust in the use of the virtual training tool—i.e. the more the system was perceived as usable, the more it was perceived as trustable to acquire the competences.     

An Authentication Based Approach for Prevention of Spectrum Sensing Data Falsification Attacks in Cognitive Radio Network

Wireless Personal Communications - This is the era of Intelligent Cognitive Radio Network (CRN) technology that provides the available spectrum with efficient utilization. Cognitive Radio (CR)...     

Hybrid NSCT domain multiple watermarking for medical images

Multimedia Tools and Applications - Medical image watermarking is a challenging area of research. High bandwidth, secure transmission of patient’s data among hospitals and hiding capacity are...     

Hybrid semi-blind image watermarking in redundant wavelet domain

Multimedia Tools and Applications - Image watermarking in wavelet domain has been found useful for copyright protection and rightful ownership. Classical wavelet transforms, like discrete wavelet...     

pH‐sensitive crosslinked guar gum‐based superabsorbent hydrogels: Swelling response in simulated environments and water retention behavior in plant growth media

Crosslinked guar gum‐g‐polyacrylate (cl‐GG‐g‐PA) superabsorbent hydrogels were prepared to explore their potential as soil conditioners and carriers. The hydrogels were prepared by in situ grafting polymerization and crosslinking of acrylamide onto a natural GG followed by hydrolysis. Microwave‐initiated synthesis under the chosen experimental conditions did not exhibit any significant improvement over the conventional technique. The optimization studies of various synthesis parameters, namely, monomer concentration, crosslinker concentration, initiator concentration, quantity of water per unit reaction mass, particle size of backbone, and concentration of alkali were performed. The hydrogels were characterized by wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and solid‐state ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy. Swelling behavior of a candidate hydrogel [GG‐superabsorbent polymer (SAP)] in response to external stimuli, namely, salt solutions, fertilizer solutions, temperature, and pH, was studied. The GG‐SAP exhibited significant swelling in various environments. The effect of GG‐SAP on water absorption and the retention characteristics of sandy loam soil and soil‐less medium were also studied as a function of temperature and moisture tensions. The addition of GG‐SAP significantly improved the moisture characteristics of plant growth media (both soil and soil‐less), showing that it has tremendous potential for diverse applications in moisture stress agriculture. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 41060.